A few minutes later all the children were out of the pit. They had found the ladder leaning up against one wall and had lowered it until it had hung in its old position.
Marina rushed to her daughter's side and picked her up hugging her fiercely, never wanting to let go. Andrew hugged both his wife and his daughter, "Daddy," Alanna said reaching over to be held by Andrew.
Andrew obliged and took his daughter out of his mother's arms then hugged her and kissed her baby soft cheek.
"I love you daddy," said Alanna.
Andrew didn't respond for a second because he was too choked with emotion. "I love you to sweetie," he finally said.
Meanwhile, a very similar scene was going on a few feet away. Peter and Maya both hugged their son, Timmy and Lorena as well.
"I knew you would find us," said Timmy. "I knew you would never give up until you found us."
Peter knelt despite his bad leg and held Timmy tightly and then released him.
"Let's go home," said Peter, putting his arm around his wife's shoulder and heading towards the cellar steps.
~~~Beyond Revenge~~~
Peter was the first to step out of the dark cellar holding Rylie in his arms. He put Rylie down and told him gently to stay put.
The other adults followed and told the rest of the children also to stay put.
"Keighvin would you mind watching them for us?" asked Peter.
"What are you going to do?" asked Keighvin with a frown.
The others tiredly tramped out the kitchen door and left Peter to explain.
Peter sighed and led Keighvin out of the children's earshot then quietly began explaining what was about to happen. "When somebody misuses the power they are given, especially for some evil purpose like this, usually what happens is the Elemental Master or Masters in question decide what to do about it. Also, especially when the person or persons in question have the power of Elemental Magic, then what we do is take that power. After that, they will be perfectly ordinary and unable to ever again touch any hint of the power at all."
Keighvin winced at Peter's explanation and Peter said, "This has only happened once maybe twice in the last fifty years, as least in England. I'm afraid we can't just leave them as they are, because they will only cause more trouble in the long run and next time it might not end so well. People like that are not going to change, as they are to twisted and evil and even if they did they would still have to answer for their crimes. It is not our responsibility to uncover how they became like they are, although I will admit if only they had been discovered a few years ago we might have been able to prevent them from using their powers for evil."
Just then Almsley stuck his head in the door. "We're ready twin," he said his expression tired as well as grim.
Peter nodded, "I'll be right there."
Almsley nodded and was gone the kitchen door closing behind him.
"Rylie, Timmy, Lorena, Alanna I want you to stay put until we come and get you okay?"
Peter turned back to Keighvin and said, quietly, "Any disruptions after we get started could be deadly to everyone involved."
Keighvin nodded sharply once and then Peter was gone out the kitchen door.
Keighvin sighed and shook his head. He didn't exactly approve of what they were going to do, but he could understand it. After all, an out of control mage was very dangerous not only to themselves but to others as well.
~~~Beyond Revenge~~~
Peter entered the room where the two women were being held and joined the circle the others had formed.
Everybody's expression was grim and Almsley stepped forward and spoke for he was the most senior member of the White Lodge present.
"You have been accused of misuse of your powers," Almsley intoned his voice solemn and grim. "It has been decided by this a circle of your peers to remove said powers for now and forever."
The two woman Batti and Marion watched Almsley wearily. "Do you have anything to say before sentence is passed?"
"You have no right to sentence us," Batti snarled, trying to break free of the roots holding her.
"On the contrary my dear lady," said Almsley. "Peter would you kindly tell her one of the main bylaws of the White Lodge?"
Peter stepped forward and started recited the requested bylaw from memory. "One of the main jobs of the White Lodge is to capture renegades like you, especially if they become a danger to society. One of the main bylaws states and I quote: Any Elemental Master that is a member of the White Lodge and sees another Elemental Master misusing their powers and endangering the citizenry is therefore, commanded to do as they see fit depending on the nature of said crime."
Peter fell silent and stepped back to his place beside Maya.
"Thank you Twin," said Almsley. "Now let the sentencing; be carried out!"
All eight Elemental Masters began to chant as the two women yelled "Nooo!" at the top of their lungs. All eight raised their arms above their heads and continued chanting not disturbed by the screams.
Finally, they all pointed at the two terrified woman and all eight began to glow brighter and brighter. There was a brilliant flash and when it finally dimmed all eight were still standing but the two women were sitting on the floor in the middle of the circle stunned.
The tree roots that had been holding them were gone and they were free to move only now they had no more power than most humans.
Keighvin came out of the kitchen just as the circle broke up. "So it's over then?"
"Yes," said Almsley shaking his head sadly. "Just because we had to do this before they hurt anyone else doesn't mean we enjoyed it. In fact, it is a very sad thing when we are forced by circumstances to take these steps. A very sad thing indeed, but still it was our duty as sad as it is."
Almsley turned away and again shook his head sadly.
"Let's go home," said Peter they all collected the children and headed out the door leaving the two women still sitting on the floor unmoving but alive.
~~~Beyond Revenge~~~
They all got back to the house and the Scotts invited everyone to stay at least until they got caught up on their rest. The others agreed to weary to argue. After everyone had gone upstairs to get some sleep Peter and Maya surveyed the mess once again and sighed. "We're going to have to replace a lot of this you know," said Maya. "Most of the furniture is probably salvageable although a few pieces will probably need to be replaced."
Peter again surveyed the damage. "As soon as I've gotten some rest I'll start strengthening the defenses around the house so this doesn't happen again."
"And I'll handle the outside defenses," said Maya.
"I could ken some stuff for you," said Keighvin. "It might not be exactly the same as what you have but it will be similar."
"Ken?" asked Peter trying out the unfamiliar word.
"I guess the closest word is replicate. All Sidhe can ken things as long as they've had time to study it and take in the details. Even Magus Minors can do most things."
"Don't you need to sleep?" asked Maya. "You are bound to be just as tired as we are."
Keighvin shook his head. "In that way we differ. Sidhe very rarely need sleep. Only when we've used a great deal of energy or been seriously injured do we need to rest."
"You don't have to ken stuff for us," said Peter using the unfamiliar word slowly.
"I don't mind," said Keighvin. "It'll will give me something to do while you sleep."
Peter shrugged, "As you wish." He was too tired at this point to argue.
Maya and Peter were the last two up except for Keighvin. They both headed upstairs exhausted in the mind, spirit and body for it had been a very hard two days.
~~~Beyond Revenge~~~
When they finally came back downstairs it was more than twelve hours later to see most of their guests up and about.
They looked around and their house looked almost like it had before. The door was back in place and most of the broken furniture was gone. The floor had been swept and a lot of the broken furniture had been replaced with if not exact replicas close to it.
"Sahib, Memsahib," said Gupta smiling for the first time since the kidnapping two days ago. "Our friend Keighvin is truly a good man. He has already replaced most of what was broken beyond repair and is now working on the rest."
"Well, the house certainly looks better," said Maya, looking around. "Where is everybody?"
"In the kitchen getting something to eat," said Gupta.
"Thanks Gupta," said Peter. "It looks as though you've had some sleep yourself."
"Yes, Sahib I feel much better," Gupta replied.
They all headed towards the kitchen to see their other guest and to get something to eat.
"We really should be heading home," said Andrew as soon as the Scotts entered the kitchen. He was holding Alanna on his lap and Alanna looked very content right where she was.
"We've taken up enough of your time and of your hospitality," said Marina.
Maya and Peter protested that they didn't mind and that everyone was welcome to stay as long as they liked but the Pikes and the Tarrants were abundant about getting back home.
~~~Beyond Revenge~~~
"I should be going to," said Keighvin several hours later after the Tarrants and the Pikes had already left to catch the train. "I've replaced most of the broken things."
"We are in your debt Keighvin Silverhair," said Peter and when he said it there was power behind his words. "A debt that can never be fully repaid—not in ten, twenty or even a thousand years. If you ever need anything from the Scotts or our descendants all you have to do is ask and if we can give you what you have asked we will. And so I, Peter Scott; do hereby swear that I or my descendants will come to your aid for as long as a Scott exists anywhere in the world."
"And I Maya Witherspoon Scott; do acknowledge my husband's vow and also swear as he has sworn."
Almsley had come to stand beside his friends and when Maya fell; silent Almsley added in his two cents worth. "The Almsley family also from this moment on owes you more than it can ever repay. The Scotts are my family and even though we might not be related by blood we are related in every other way that matters and so I add my vow to theirs. If you should ever need anything from the Almsley family it is yours without reservation. So I do swear that I or my descendants will come to your aid if you should ever need it and that all you have to do as ask and we will be there."
As Almsley finished speaking the whole house seemed to fall silent, the birds outside seemed to stop singing and even the traffic noises and people walking to work were gone. It was as if the whole world was acknowledging Peter's, Maya's and Almsley's vows.
Peter didn't look all that surprised at Almsley's vow Keighvin noted, but then again maybe he had been expecting it after all if what he had heard was true Peter Scott and Peter Almsley were closer then brothers what one did they both did.
Almsley removed a ring from his finger and handed it to Keighvin and said, "This ring has been imbued with magic. All you have to do is hold; it and think of the Almsleys' or Scotts' family the Elemental Magic will do the rest and we will get a feeling of where you are and that you need us."
The ring was gold with a small emerald set in the center of the ring and on the inside of the ring was engraved the Almsley family motto.
Keighvin took the ring without protesting, because what they had given him was a great gift—a very great gift and he would never misuse something of this importance and probably never use at all unless he absolutely had to. He was also was deeply touched by the Scotts' and Almsley vows and also knew it would be kept by either them or their descendants and whether it be this year or a hundred years from now or even a thousand years from now. The story would be passed down through the generations and each new generation would take the same vow.
"This is a great gift you have given me my friends," said Keighvin gravely. "Do you have any idea what your vow means?"
"Of course," said Peter calmly. "No Elemental Master makes a vow without knowing what they are promising. It would be dangerous even deadly if we made a vow without knowing the consequences." Almsley nodded his head in agreement with Peter's statement.
"And we wouldn't have done it if we weren't sure of the character of the man we made the vow to," Maya added. "An Elemental Master has to be careful about what he or she promises and to whom." Almsley nodded again also agreeing with Maya's statement.
"Then I am doubly honored my friends," said Keighvin shaking their hands. "Let us just hope I never have to call in that vow for if I do I will be in very bad trouble indeed."
"You didn't have to add your vow to ours twin," Peter told him.
"I know, but what I said is true you are my family. Probably more my family then those related to me by blood."
Keighvin then turned to go after Almsley finished speaking and in a second was out the door and gone.
~~~Beyond Revenge~~~
Hours later the children came downstairs.
"Are you three okay?" asked Maya concerned. She had examined each one and found no physically injuries except a few bruises, but that didn't mean there would be no effects most probably physiological. All that meant was that they would more than likely have nightmares and maybe flashbacks. "Sleep well?"
"Pretty well," said Timmy.
"No nightmares?"
"No, why?" asked Timmy.
"Because a bad event like a kidnapping sometimes have a bad effect, especially at night when you are trying to sleep. Your subconscious tends to repeat and repeat what happened in your dreams until your subconscious works out what is bothering you."
"Oh well I didn't have any nightmares," said Timmy. "And if I did I don't remember them."
Maya still looked worried but she didn't say anything else.
Slowly things started to get back to normal and over the next few weeks all three children had a few nightmares but not as many as Maya expected, nor were they as bad as Maya had expected them to be.
Slowly over the weeks' then months both Maya and Peter seemed to relax for they had all been uptight inside. Timmy noticed that there was more of a spring in Peter's step and Maya's walk also seemed lighter. The lines around their eyes and mouth disappeared or at least weren't as obvious. Also they seemed to be regaining a lot of their cheer and that Timmy was glad to see for he loved the Scotts dearly. They were almost like his real mother and father.
Finally, just before school was to start for Timmy at least Peter and Maya put out the idea of a short trip to the beach. "Just for a few days we all need a chance to relax and get over what happened."
The other children including Gopal's and Sumi's four were enthused at the idea. Timmy however, wasn't so sure. Come on Timmy," said Peter with a wink in his wife's direction. "We all need this chance to relax to let go of the tension otherwise sooner or later the tension will cause us to break and that is a very bad thing especially for an Elemental Master. Besides I'll introduce you to the Selkie. I know you've been wanting to meet them since I told you about them."
"Well—" Timmy wavered and then finally shrugged. "Okay," he finally agreed.
Preparations began and Maya and Peter both had to make arrangements to be gone for a few days. They had to close down the house and lock up and put stronger shields in place. Maya called Norrey and asked her to keep an eye on the place and Peter did the same with Almsley. After all it was better to be safe than sorry—especially after what had happened, but also in this case even if someone did manage to get past the shields and wreck the place there would be no one there. Peter and Maya both made sure that the shields that surrounded the house as well as the inside ones were keyed to Norrey and Peter Almsley so they would give them no trouble. Also keying the shields too Almsley in this way so he would know if they went down or if somebody besides the ones they were keyed too tried to get in and in that way could prevent them from actually getting past them and then he could do something about it.
Within days they were heading towards the train station all of them and Almsley was there to see them off.
"Hope you have a good time," he said slapping Peter on the back. "Say hello to Ian for me." What he actually meant was say hello to the Selkie for me.
"We will," said Peter. "And I'll make sure to give Ian your regards," he said with a wink.
The train whistle blew and all of the Scotts bordered just as the conductor called out, "All aboard! The train leaves in two minutes."
"See you when you get back!" Almsley called as the train started chugging out of the station. Peter and Maya waved until the train disappeared from sight. Their last sight was of Almsley turning away and heading to catch a cab.