Stone’s hand went to his chest. So that breeze he felt was a ghost going through him? And ghosts really did exist after all? This was all too much to take in. He turned and left, hurrying out of the room with Aithrod and Fang right behind him. They needed to continue their hunt for Rancor. This was all naught but a huge distraction, slowing him down. When he got to the courtyard, he saw the Blackseed brothers talking to some man who looked like one of Sethor’s guards by the way he was dressed. The man sat atop a horse and the Blackseeds all held their swords out, aimed right at him. The man had his hands in the air and his weapons were on the ground.
“What’s going on?” asked Stone, running over to the others.
“My parents are dying and I must see them,” said the man. “My name is Gregor Lithum.”
“Gregor Lithum?” Stone’s body stiffened. So Persimmon was telling the truth about seeing the ghosts after all. Perhaps she wasn’t as big of a liar as he thought.
“You’re one of Sethor’s men,” said Zann.
“Yes, but I come unarmed,” he said with a nod. “I don’t want to fight. I just need to pay my last respects to my parents.”
“How do we know this isn’t a trap?” asked Rhys, being cautious.
“How do we know you are really Gregor Lithum?” asked Darium, bringing up a good point. He could just be pretending as part of an ambush. Mayhap Sethor and his men were right behind him. Possibly everyone was lying. Stone no longer knew.
“I saw some of you at Macada Castle earlier,” said the man with his hands still raised. “I saw the Sin Eater, and you,” said the man, nodding at Stone. “You have a witch with you who had a gazing crystal. There was one more man with you as well as a dog and a raven.”
“That’s right,” said Stone.
“It still doesn’t prove you are who you claim to be.” Zann told him. “I’m sure there were a lot of people there who know what you just told us.”
“Do you think this is a trap being laid by Sethor?” Rhys asked his brothers.
“Nay,” said Stone, speaking up. “Persimmon just told me inside that the ghosts of the elderly couple spoke to her and said Gregor was at the gate. It must really be him.”
“The ghosts?” all three of the Blackseed brothers said together.
“My parents are ghosts?” asked the man atop the horse. “Please, tell me I’m not too late. Have they already died then? I need to speak to them. I haven’t seen them in years. I want to ask their forgiveness.”
“Now’s a fine time for urgency,” said Rhys. “If you really are their son, why didn’t you come to see them sooner?”
“Why are you even working for Sethor?” added Darium.
“My parents begged me not to be Sethor’s soldier,” said the man, sadness washing over his face. “I only did it to be able to feed them and care for them. I sent them money to buy food every week. I had hoped to join them again someday, but King Sethor wouldn’t allow it. He threatened to kill my parents if I ever went to meet them or if I ever left his service.”
“Yet, here you are now,” said Zann, still sounding suspicious.
“I heard these men say my parents are close to death, so what does it matter?”
“He is who he says he is.” Stone was sure of it. “Persimmon said he’d come. I never should have doubted her word.”
“Can you take me to my parents? Please?” asked the man. “I don’t want them to die before I can tell them I am sorry.”
“Are you sure about this?” Rhys asked Stone.
“I am,” he answered. “I will take full responsibility for the man.”
“All right, lower your arms, men. Gregor, get off the horse,” said Rhys. “Follow Stone inside to see your parents one last time, but your weapons stay here.”
“Thank you so much.” Gregor slid off his horse and hurried over to Stone. “I am also sorry for everything King Sethor has done to any of you. I swear, I never wanted to stay there this long to serve him, but was frightened of what he’d do to my parents if I left.”
“We need to hurry if you want to say your final goodbye,” Stone told him.
“Let’s go.” Gregor hurried behind Stone as he led the way to the chamber where the old couple were being kept. Stone opened the door and stopped in his tracks, seeing Persimmon and the other women standing at their bedside. Talia was crying.
“This is Gregor, the old couple’s son,” announced Stone.
“Mother! Father!” Gregor ran to the bedside.
“I’m sorry,” said Alaina. “We tried to help them but their injuries were too severe.”
“That’s right,” said Medea. “We are glad you came, but I’m afraid you are too late, Gregor. Your parents have just passed away.”
“Nay! Please.” The grown man threw himself over the bodies of his departed parents and cried. “I am so sorry I didn’t come sooner. I feared King Sethor would harm you if I did. I should have listened to the two of you. I am so sorry I ever worked for such an evil man. Please forgive me. Please.” He cried and rocked back and forth, staring at the old couple.
“They say goodbye and that they love and forgive you.” Persimmon looked over his head. “They are standing right behind you, Gregor.”
“What?” The man looked up at her in confusion.
“I can see them and hear them,” she continued.
“Stop it!” shouted Gregor. “You are lying. My parents are dead.”
Persimmon looked crushed that the man should say this to her.
“Nay, she’s not.” Stone stepped forward. Persimmon’s eyes locked with his. He could tell she’d been crying. “I can vouch for her and assure you that she is telling the truth.” Stone made his way over to the bedside. “Persimmon can see and speak to ghosts.”
“Then you believe me, Stone?” Persimmon blinked away a tear. “You really believe me?”
