Chapter Nineteen
The King himself created the passage back to Northgate and took them there; a rare honor to have the King of the Faelands to visit any Gatekeep, let alone one that had been so much trouble.
None of Connor's party could be certain they wouldn't suddenly be attacked by trolls again. No one was sure what had set the trolls off on this war. Connor thought it had been Galen manipulating them, but it might only have been them taking advantage of a situation already in the making. They had allied with Galen, though.
The trolls had been quiet, at least, since the battle at the Royal Court. Connor feared that his return to home might set things in motion again. Having the King with them did not make him feel any better about the possibility of trouble.
Though at least the King brought his own soldiers, and they were more than happy with the idea of taking on some more trolls or maybe finding another mirror Galen.
Word had gone ahead that they were returning to Northgate, and his people made a good show of welcoming both Connor and the King. They even had a feast ready. Connor would have liked to skip that part since it would be his first official meal as head of Northgate. Besides, he was still worn and sore, even ten days after the battle.
Connor said all the right things, welcoming his guests, thanking his people, and hoping that all would go well for everyone. The King thanked him for his part in quelling the trouble at the Royal Court. He had already confirmed Connor in his role of Gate Lord. The Lords of the East and West Gates had been called in to swear they were not part of the plot with Galen. They could not lie, of course.
The King hit another problem. Somewhere, a mirror Galen held firmly to the Southgate stone and the magical power from it. The King could not name a new lord until they broke that power. It would be trouble in the future. But not tonight. Not yet.
The meal went well, the King pleased and his people honored -- but Connor was glad to have the feast done and the King ready to head back to the Royal Court without even a stay for the night. He dared not spend that much time away from the royal court.
"I'm staying," Antisha said with a nod to her father. "I think I'll do more good here than prancing around in pretty dresses at court."
"Now there's a vision I won't soon get out of my head," Druce said. "You might have waited until morning to say it, you know. The nightmares --"
Antisha laughed, though the King had looked startled at first. Now he smiled as well.
"Yes, you're right," the King agreed with a quick nod. "Connor seems to be a magnet for this trouble."
"A weak link," Connor said with a bow of his head.
"Only fools would believe so," the King replied. His portal was already formed, half of the soldiers passing through. "Take care, all of you."
He stepped away and was gone. Connor looked at Antisha with a slight frown.
"You don't want me here?" she said, a little worry on her face.
"Oh, I'm glad to have you with us. I just wondered if you really think there is going to be more trouble here."
"Yes," she said plainly and then sighed. "Let's just hope it isn't too soon."
Connor nodded agreement. The others didn't seem surprised or bothered by the idea, though they all looked as weary as he felt. Connor bade them all goodnight.
Connor didn't go to his rooms, and he didn't go to Lord Northgate's suite, either. Connor left the building and followed the path to the little mausoleum. He sat on the bench before it. The locals had set everything back to right, so Connor did not look in at the bones of his parents. He'd have to thank the people who took care of the grounds.
Liam found him there.
"It's where my parents are buried," he explained. "I didn't come here often. But I used to wonder how they could do what they had done, and save Lord Northgate whom they didn't know."
"And now you understand," Liam said, sitting down beside him.
"Yes, I think I do. It's about seeing the wider picture and knowing you can do something good, whether it helps you or not. Maybe especially when it doesn't help you, because that means you are helping a wider world. My parents didn't even know about the fae, Liam. They could not imagine this world."
"Can you imagine theirs?" Liam asked.
"Not really. A world without magic? A world of technology and dark places. No trolls and ogres, but I've been taught that there are dangers enough in such a place."
Liam nodded. He said nothing more as they stared at the building.
"We are going to have more trouble, aren't we?" Connor finally said.
"Yes. But you already knew that, Connor."
"I'm ready for this. We'll finish this right."
"I never doubted."
"Liam, did you really see what I would do inside the Stone Room?"
Liam gave an unexpected laugh. "No, I didn't. I just knew you well enough to realize you would do what you saw as best. I merely pointed you in a direction I thought would help. And I did so in a way that the others didn't ask."
"Oh, very wise," Connor said with a laugh. He stood, and Liam did as well. He looked back at the building again but gave a nod this time. "So much to do. I'm ready for my own future."
The End
No comments:
Post a Comment