Fifty Five: Going Home

The walk back was much slower, and we took three days to do it. Plenty of stops, plenty of breaks, and an easy pace that allowed Schula and I to talk to our third. The others mostly left us alone, but Kalor always kept close and Fandor made a habit of coming over to ask the dragon questions and clarifications from his long ago stories.

Teyber kept the scouts on their toes. He wouldn't allow a leisurely walk without giving them drills to run through. On one long break, he even let them spar and observed Schula's hand to hand combat techniques as she planted each scout on their rear ends one by one.

But I didn't leave our dragon's side. We were camping for the second and last night before we would reach Eidelhein's cliffside when I was curled up against his warm, black belly scales. He was curled up like a great cat as we both watched Teyber give a lesson to his scouts. Schula was nearby and already sleeping, and Puko was lapping up attention from Kalor and Fandor as they fed him grains.

'Tell me more of the part of the world we are to travel to,' the dragon said.

I sighed and rolled over, curling up on my other side so I could see his face better. "Well, I grew up in the mountains south of the Wyldes. They can be hard to live in, but it was home. I have fond memories of the rivers and lakes there, and the animals. There are many kinds of foods in the forests there, if you know where to look."

'Peaceful,' the dragon rumbled in my head. 'Go on, tell me more.'

"Where we're going, the Wyldes, they are hard to describe. The seasons within those lands don't stay, but are rather fixed in place by the magic of the fae. I've made a new home there, or I'm trying to. The Autumn lands. I have people I love there, and the Winter king would threaten my place in it."

'That is the DuVarick you speak of,' he said.

"Mm-hm," I agreed, and yawned. "Dragon, I can't keep calling you dragon. It's been two days. Are you certain you don't have a name you would prefer?"

'I do not wish to keep any names I have gone by in the past,' he said. 'Anything will do.'

"I'm not very good at picking names," I said. "Maybe Schula will have an idea then."

'Hmm,' the dragon rumbled. He lifted his head, looking around our camp. I sat up straight, watching him.

"Is everything okay?" I asked.

'Yes,' he answered. 'That item on Teyber's shoulder. It is armor, isn't it?'

I looked over to the Captain. He wore his usual green tunic, but his cloak was hung over a tree branch in a rare moment when it wasn't being worn. He was almost always in a few simple pieces of leather armor, and I saw what the dragon had pointed out right away.

"Yes, that's armor. It's called a spaulder," I answered.

'I like it,' the dragon purred. 'I will be called Spaulder.'

I smiled, nearly giggling at the name but holding back. "Spaulder? Of course. I will call you Spaulder if you like it."

'I do,' he insisted. 'I was once a fierce weapon. I do not wish for that anymore. I wish to be protection now, for you and Schula.'

"And we will be with you, Spaulder. I won't let you be trapped and alone as long as I live. Never again."

Spaulder purred, laying his head back down. 'It is a deal, little one.'

I yawned again, snuggling deeper onto his side.

'Sleep well, little Wren,' Spaulder said.

"You too," I managed to mumble before falling deep asleep.

~

As the base of Eidelhein came into view, I walked in line with Schula, Spaulder, and Nassir. We had spoken all day about what we wanted, and it was pretty clear. We wanted to go home.

I may not have the answer yet for the barrier, but we had the tools in our possession to find it. I have conquered my magic, or enough of it with my limited time. We had even found our third. And Nassir had spoken to Teyber for several hours about his time in the Winter lands running from the warlock that had ended Lark. He was no longer worked up as he was when he learned how she died, but he definitely carried it with him under the surface. He was determined to avenge her, and if I could help when we find the devil, I will be happy to. If Nassir leaves any pieces for the rest of us, that is.

Kalor stepped in pace beside me, sighing. "So, this is it."

"Almost," I said. "I need to get our things. I still need my books. And... if it's okay..."

"You may take Lark's book, of course," Kalor answered, as if he read my mind. "It does me no good, and I'm sure she would want it this way."

I nodded. "Thank you."

We walked in silence to the base of the plateau. Schula and I hugged Spalder, and we agreed that she would stay with him and I would gather our things with Nassir. Puko had also taken to riding on top of Spaulder, and he stayed as well. I kissed them each on the cheek, and then ascended the trees and ladders with the elves.

"You keep glancing back," Teyber fell back in the group to take up walking beside me as we gently rose up to meet the plateau.

I looked up at him with a tired smile. "It's hard to explain, I guess. I miss them."

He nodded, accepting my answer and we walked in silence for a little while before he spoke again. "I would love to come with you, you know."

"You have so many people who rely on you here," I said, shaking my head. "You can't."

"I know," he sighed. "I wish that I could. After his outburst in the meeting room, I'm convinced that Nassir is going to find that bastard and rip his heart out."

"I will do that!" Nassir called from ahead.

Teyber's eyebrows rose in surprise as I giggled. "Fae hearing is no joke, Teyber."

"I can see that," he mumbled.

"You know, even if the council and the representatives of Eidelhein want to disbelieve our warning, I know you'll stay vigilant," I said. "DuVarick knows the elves survived, thanks to me."

"It's not your fault," Teyber said, offering a hand on my shoulder for comfort. "You didn't know."

"Thank you," I placed my own hand on top of his. "But the fact still remains that he knows, and who knows how far the word has spread past the Winter court."

Teyber sighed through his nose, nodding in agreement. "We'll be ready, if it comes to that."

He patted my shoulder once, then Teyber walked back to the front.

The rest of the walk to the plateau was one of quiet contemplation. Some of the scouts talked amongst themselves. Kalor and Fandor were having a hushed conversation about the council. And I just walked back in silence, trying to remember everything it was that I needed to make sure we had before leaving.

Once we reached the top and began walking to the keep, there were plenty of eyes on us. It was quite a procession, I'm sure, to see two of the elves, the newly found elven child, the Captain of the scouts, and one of the infamous fae all walking together.

"This will stir rumors," Teyber grumbled. "I hate rumors."

I held back a smile, as did two of his scouts. Kalor didn't bother holding his back, and he even laughed a little.

"Don't worry about it, Teyber," Kalor said. "We have enough to do without worrying about what the people are gossiping about. We've been gone nearly a week, you know."

"I know," Teyber sighed. "I still don't like it."

We walked the straightest distance, through Eidelhein and to the doors of the keep. I was tired from walking and ready to get our things, say my goodbyes, and settle into camp with Schula and Spaulder. So I wasn't paying full attention to where I was going when I bumped into Kalor in front of me.

"Oof!" I looked up, the whole group had stopped outside the keep, and in the doorway was Halduin and many members of the Eudelhein representatives.

"What is all this?" Fandor asked calmly.

All eyes were on us. There were scouts around the outside of the keep, watching intently. There were other people inside the keep, curious eyes who stopped in the entryway to see what was going on. Whatever Halduin wanted, he wanted an audience.

"The half elf Wren has caused a disturbance with her sudden and suspicious disappearance," Halduin announced. "Even worse, the Captain of our city's protectors and two of our very own elven council have chased after her! We're here to investigate such a disturbance and re-evaluate the terms of Wren and her fae staying here."

"Really, Halduin?" Kalor said, his hands balling into fists at his side. "This is getting far out of hand. If Wren were anyone else's daughter you would not be doing this."

"But she is the daughter of you and a witch, Kalor," Halduin snapped. "And I question that your judgement is clouded by your relationship when your duty is to Eidelhein."

"I question your clouded judgement for your mistrust of the witches," Fandor said cooly. "And if you would like hold this tantrum of an investigation, I suggest we do it in our meeting room. You know, the room designed, by you I might add, specifically for this use?"

"No," I seethed. "Enough of this."

The heads of the party around me turned back to find me angry. I stuck my chin out, holding my head high as I stepped forward. One by one, the elves and the scouts parted for me to approach the door to the keep, Nassir falling into step just behind me as I passed him.

Halduin wore a cautious expression. The humans and elven children that made up the representatives took a healthy step away from me as I neared.

"I don't know what it is about my mother that irked you so, but I am not Lark. I came with a peaceful mission, and a warning of DuVarick knowing your survival, and you have thrown it back in my face!"

Upon the mention of DuVarick and my hint of danger, murmurs began from onlookers who had gathered around. Halduin looked around in shock, raising his hands to quell the rumors. "Silence! The ramblings of such an outsider cannot be trusted without further investigation."

"Enough, Halduin," Kalor snapped. "If Wren is an outsider for being from the Wyldes, then so are you, Halduin, born to the unclaimed Wyldes who lived there half of his lifetime."

"I have given my warning, and found my father. There is little left for me to do here while I have a mission to accomplish in my home. That's right, the Wyldes. I harbor you no ill will, but you will not hold me and my loved ones back from telling our truth and moving on our journey. Step aside and allow me to collect my things, we will be gone before sunset."

Hushed whispers and alarmed conversation spread like wildfire. Halduin looked helpless as he spun around, watching judgements being formed and fingers pointing to him and the representatives.

"This... this behavior-" Halduin started to speak, but whatever he was saying was drowned out by the loud and angry cry of a great beast.

A dragon.

I smiled as I turned to see a huge black shape, flying over the trees and batting his great wings to land in the clearing before the keep. People screamed, scouts readied weapons, and Teyber had to call out for the green children to stand down as Spaulder and Schula landed. His great wings beat hard as he cushioned his landing, causing strong winds to knock over things and people.

"Wren!" Schula said, sliding off Spaulder's back and coming up to me. "We could feel your anger, the connection is really strong now with all three of us together."

I smiled and came up to hug her, putting a hand on Spaulder's front claw and comforting them both. "I am fine."

I turned and locked eyes with Halduin. "Please, meet the final member of my triquetram, Spaulder."

Halduin's mouth dropped open, and he was at a loss for words. Others retreated to the safety inside the keep to watch.

"A triquetram like this does not form for nothing, Halduin," Fandor said firmly. "The winds of change are blowing, and like it or not we are in their path."

"Stand aside, Halduin," Kalor snapped.

Wordlessly, he did. Everyone did. My way was perfectly clear as Nassir and I walked through the keep doorway. I turned around and nodded to my triquetram. "I will fetch our things and be right back."

Schula had a giant grin as she glanced around the keep's front steps. "We'll be waiting."

And Nassir, Kalor, Fandor, Teyber and I went into Kalors halls, one more time.

With all the extra hands it was easy to pack our things. I even found the new dress Schula ordered laying on her bed. She would be overjoyed it was finished before we left. I packed it and her other belongings into her bag. Fandor helped Nassir pack his things, and Teyber, Kalor, and I began to gather everything in the front hall where no one dared to touch our pile of supplies.

I was just ticking the last corner of the oilcloth around the witches' tomes when Kalor tapped my shoulder. I turned to see him holding something small in his hands.

"Daughter," he said softly. "I did not get the time with you that I wanted, but I am so glad to know you. I know you have found a new home, and it's not with me. But I wanted to give you this."

He placed a small, rough sphere in my palm and I looked down to see a chestnut.

"It's from her tree. Plant it when your home is safe, and let her watch over us both." Kalor took my fingers and curled them over my palm, enclosing the seed in my hand.

"You could come with me, you know," I said, my through starting to choke with emotion.

"I have things to do here," he said sadly. "Maybe someday. And you can come back when your home is safe. To visit."

"I will," I promised.

Kalor smiled and pulled me into a tight hug. I hiccupped, a tear slipping out and landing on his shoulder, but that's all the crying I let out for now.

When we pulled away, Teyber was already picking up most of our bags, and Nassir had almost all the rest.

"I will help you carry it out," Teyber said.

I wiped my face with the back of my hand. "Thank you."

Kalor and I grabbed the last two things, and we walked unobstructed out of the keep again.

We settled our items on our backs and Spaulder insisted on carrying what didn't fit in our own packs.  When there was nothing left to do but say goodbye, we all gathered around and exchanged hugs.

The last one I parted from was Kalor. And as we pulled apart he brushed a lock of hair out of my face. "Go, daughter. You will do great things."

"I love you, father," I said, almost a whisper. "We will meet again."

He nodded, smiling as he stepped back. I turned to my friends. My companions. My triquetram.

"Let's go home," Schula said.

And after everything we had been through for the last few months, every struggle, every personal growth, we were finally ready.

We were going home.