Keith woke up the next day, and got dressed. He was up earlier than usual, it was just after dawn. He hadn't slept well. Two days ago, he heard howls of agony that wrenched his heart, that moved his soul, that drained hope from the world. They echoed in his heart, for he feared that someday, he would make the same sound if she fell.

Shaking his head, he pushed aside those dark thoughts and exited his room. The door across the hall was ajar, and when he poked his head in, he saw Zen just waking up. The other bed was made, the floor was empty, and the room was quiet. "Zen? Where's Barret?"

"Huh? Oh!" Zen glanced around the room. There was no sign of him.

"What's going on?" Trace's voice came from the next room over as he opened the door.

"Barret's gone. So is his bag and bow." Zen replied, frowning. Flora stepped out behind Trace.

Natani came out to see what was happening. "He called us family, and then vanished? I guess a broken heart can really change a person, but I thought he was tougher than that."

"But… he promised… he promised he would say goodbye…" She frowned, and tears threatened to fall from her face. She hugged Trace, and sighed.

"And I will, when that day comes." Barret's voice came from the end of the hallway. He was dressed for the road, his bag on his back, his bow in hand. Flora rushed over and hugged him. He reached around and hugged her back, before prying her off of his chest. "Fate has brought me to you. To what end, I know not. But I will see it to the end, no matter where that is. Lead on, and I will follow." Trace smiled.

"What is your drive now, if not to find your family?" Keith asked.

"I have lost everything I once had. I'm going to protect what I have gained. I will keep my family safe." He put his hand on Trace's shoulder, smiling. "I will not let anyone, even Fate steal any of you from me."

"And we will watch your back." Trace said, putting his hand on Barret's shoulder.

"Where are we going then?"

"I'm… not sure. We haven't really had a chance to think about it yet, with everything that's happened. Let me get my things and get dressed, then we'll all meet downstairs." Dispersing to their rooms, Barret went downstairs, where Whilam was brewing a pot of coffee.

"You feeling alright?" He asked, setting out a cup in front of Barret.

"Actually, shockingly, yes. I've been on my own for years. I've been running for years. I lost everything. At least, I thought I had. But I haven't lost everything yet. I found a family, and I'm going to keep them safe."

"Well, sounds like there's a fire in that heart of yours. Now, about that magic you did during the fight… I've never seen anyone use magic quite like that before. I might not be the best with magic, but that was really something. Where did you learn to do that?"

"It was instinct." Whilam poured a cup of coffee for Barret, and one for himself. "Thanks. I've only used magic twice now. Both times have been in moments when I felt powerless. It was like I could feel the magic surge through my blood, like the power of the sun was in me, and all I had to do was let it out. But… it was scary. I've been thinking about it, and I'm not sure I want to use magic again. It felt like I had no control over it, like if it surged again, I wouldn't be able to focus it. I saw how dangerous it was. If that happens again, I might hurt someone I don't intend to."

"Then maybe I can teach you." Natani walked over and grabbed a cup for herself. "I know your magic is different than mine, and even Trace's, but there's no harm in trying to focus it, trying to learn how to control it."

"I suppose. But I'd rather be far away from anyone if I'm going to try. I don't want to lash out and cause even more issues."

"Can't blame you for that." Keith took a seat next to Natani. "I saw you. Your eyes glowed like a thousand stars, and your scales bristled. It was a sight to behold. Beautiful and terrifying. Like a lightning storm whipping across the sea, dangerous, but glorious in that danger."

"I think we need to go back to my place." Trace said. Flora sat next to him, and Zen just grabbed a cup and stood off to the side listening. "I have a home to the east of Edinmire we can rest in. Once there, we can continue west. Red, Lynn, and their motley crew headed that way. Might be a good idea to meet up and put our heads together."

"I thought I recognized you." Whilam said, pouring more coffee. "You're Trace Legacy, aren't you?"

"Yes. I am."

"Former Grand Templar. You've caused a lot of trouble for folks in the past. But I hear you've changed, and I can see you've changed. The man I heard about would have killed me on sight for serving Keidran as though they were equals, but you aren't the same man I heard of. I am curious though: if they tried to make you Grand Templar again, would you do it?"

"No." Trace didn't even think about it. "I'd rather be killed, though I suspect some of the people I put in power would like that."

"I see. So, what will you do about the war?"

"I don't see what I can do. I'm just one man, and I'm not even someone they would listen to. I'm not welcome with the Templars. They wouldn't listen to me. I don't want to fight against them with the wolves, they'd likely kill me before I got close enough to say anything. But I will do something. I have to do something. I just don't know what yet."

"Well, whatever you do, keep that head of yours on the way it is. You're a bright man, and I don't need magic, special powers, or anything else to tell you Fate is on your side. Heh, maybe you'll come back this way someday. If you do, I'll have a cup of coffee ready for you."

Trace smiled. "Your hospitality is fantastic. Hopefully I will come back, and things won't go wrong. We should be off."

"Good luck, safe travels, and as you scaled folks say: may the wind be at your backs." Barret smiled, hearing that. They gathered supplies the rest of the morning, and Trace bought a cart and a horse, who Flora immediately wanted to come up with a name for.

"Mose? Winnie? Ginger? Rosa? Jackie? Bunick? Angela!" She proclaimed, hugging the large beast. Angela was a plain brown horse, with very few patches of color. Though she was a simple workhorse, Flora seemed to love her no less for it.

"Alright, come on." Trace said, pulling her off the beast. Loaded with food, wood, water, and other various supplies, they set out from Uian just after noon, headed west. The road was easy and smooth, and they were able to make better time than on the trip east. By Barret's best guess, it would take them just over a month to get back to the Legacy Estate. A long time, but they were ready for it. They were ready to go home.

…

The wolves were not quite what he expected. When Kathrine answered the door, they were surprised to see a Keidran standing there. Eric was thankfully already on his way to the door, and quickly took over for her. "Apologies. Can I help you?"

"Fetch us Trace Legacy. Now!" one of the three large wolves shouted.

"You can't intimidate me any more than the Templars can. My friend hasn't been here since mid-October. He's traveling with four of his friends. And before you ask, I do not have a way to summon him here." The wolves were quiet. Then one of them punched a third in the back of the head.

"You idiot! You didn't even bother checking if he was here?! You're useless!"

"You didn't ask me to find him, you just asked me to find where he lives!"

"What good is knowing that if he's not even there?!"

"Well, excuse me, whose idea was it to capture him in the first place? I seem to remember you being the one saying 'Oh! We should capture Legacy! Then they'll surrender!' but you didn't even-"

"Shut up!" Eric shouted, reminding them he was still there. "Capture him? Why?"

"Not your business. Come on, let's get out of here." The three wolves could be heard arguing still as Eric slammed the door. He stood there, pondering, wondering.

"Kathrine, would you please fetch me a drink? I need to think for a while…"