“Yes, I’m counting on finding it again. I have to do so in order to return to Taelgonoth and warn my king about Sethor’s plans.”
“But if you go back to Taelgonoth…if you go back to your homeland, you will never return to Mura. Will you?”
“Well, I—” He really hadn’t thought that far ahead. His focus had been on his job and getting back home. But now after coupling with Persimmon, everything had changed. He had feelings for her and really didn’t want to leave her behind. Plus, he could see that if he left, Persimmon would think he was abandoning her like everyone else in her life had done. That is the last thing he wanted her to believe. “Persimmon, I can’t answer that right now. No one knows how to open or close the portal. Even if I get through it again, I might never have the chance to return to Mura if it doesn’t open once again. Do you understand?”
“Then I guess this is goodbye, isn’t it?” Her words stabbed into his heart like a sharp knife.
“Nay. Don’t say that.” He squeezed his eyes closed, feeling the pressure of being torn. He wanted to stay here with Persimmon, but also felt a calling and obligation to carry out his mission and to get back home. “We have to remain optimistic, sweetheart.” He walked back to her and kissed her on the nose. “Let’s not make this a goodbye. We’ll just say, see you later.”
Without waiting for her to respond, he turned and walked out the door. Stone made it all the way to the courtyard when Gregor Lithum rode through the gates of Kasculbough with a sense of great urgency on his face.
“Gregor is back,” Rhys called out to Stone.
“I thought he went back to Macada Castle,” said Aithrod as he fastened a bag to a horse that Rhys had lent them.
“He did go back,” said Rhys. “If he’s returned so soon, he must have information for us. It must be important.”
“Let’s see what he has to say.” Stone hurried over with the other men to greet Gregor. “Good morning,” Stone called out. Fang trailed at his side.
“I have news.” Gregor hopped off the horse. A stable boy took the reins of his horse for him.
“What is it?” asked Rhys. “Is King Sethor up to something?”
“Does it have something to do with Rancor Ruse?” asked Stone.
“Yes to both,” said the man. “I was able to find out information and sneak in and back out of Macada Castle without the king seeing or suspecting me.”
“Do tell.” Stone was anxious to know where to find his thieves.
“It seems Sethor is preparing his army.” Gregor shook his head in disgust.
“For what? He wants a war with us?” Rhys frowned. “I’ll contact my brothers anon.”
“Nay.” Gregor held up his hand. “The thieves are taking Sethor and a good sized army to a cave for some reason.”
“Damn,” swore Stone. “He’s taking his men to the Quamm Caves, hoping to be able to go through the portal to Taelgonoth. He’s going to attack King Helix and take his throne as his own.”
“All those men can’t possibly get through the portal before it closes, can they?” asked Aithrod. “I mean, if it even opens again at all.”
“I’m sure he is counting on it,” said Gregor.
“Rancor either knows how to work the portal, or has convinced the king that they can figure it out together,” said Stone.
“When are they leaving?” Rhys wanted to know.
“Tomorrow at dawn,” the man reported.
“How long will it take for them to get there?” Stone asked, already weighing out the options in his head.
“It’ll take a full day on horseback to get over the mountains and to the Quamm Caves,” Rhys told them.
“Then we need to get there first,” said Stone. “We leave at once.”
“And do what?” asked Aithrod. “Stone, we can’t fight against or stop an entire army.”
“Mayhap not, but my brothers and I can certainly try, and at least slow them down,” said Rhys. “I’ll prepare my soldiers at once and send a missive to Zann to do the same.”
“Won’t that cause a war between you and Sethor?” asked Stone. “That is not what we want at all. I can’t let you make that sacrifice, but thank you.”
“Well, then what do you suggest we do to stop Sethor and his army from going through the portal and claiming Taelgonoth?” asked Rhys.
“I don’t know, but I wish I did.” Stone felt helpless and no longer hopeful.
“We have magic on our side. That should count for something,” said a woman.
Stone turned to find Persimmon and Medea standing there listening. He hadn’t even heard them approach.
“Aye, that’s true.” Rhys nodded. “Sethor has no defense against magic.”
“No, ladies, I can’t let you risk your lives this way,” said Stone, wanting to protect them.
“We need to get there before Sethor,” said Aithrod. “If luck is on our side and we can go back through the portal before them, we can warn King Helix. That way, he and his soldiers can be ready if Sethor and his men do get through.”
“Good idea,” agreed Rhys.
“I can get you to the caves quickly by transporting and taking you with me,” offered Medea.
“I will come with you,” said Persimmon. “Medea and I have powers to use against Sethor and the others if need be.”
