I nodded. “As well as can be expected.”

  She smiled knowingly. “Garstil is a strong warrior. He will overcome his grief—eventually.”

  “We are agreed.” I turned back to stare out at the docks. “Is it time?”

  “Indeed, cousin. Are you ready?”

  I pushed away from the windowsill. “As ready as I shall be. Come. Let us go greet our friends and be on our way.”

  I stopped at the gangplank and turned to Calistera. “Permission to come aboard?”

  She laughed. “Of course, cousin. You need not ask permission.”

  I shrugged. “Some customs are still worth following.” I held my arm out before me motioning her to board her ship. “After you.” She nodded once, and we turned toward the ship. Abalonious, Sai, and Agamor were already on board and waiting for us.

  Sai bowed slightly at the waist. “Greetings Taenaran, I hope you are well this morning.”

  “I am as well as can be expected, thank you.” I looked around. Agamor had already busied himself with some task. I would greet him later. “I trust that all is well?”

  He nodded. “Yes. The ship has been restocked, and some repairs have been made. We are ready to set sail.”

  Abalonious nodded his head, motioning away from the group. “Excellent,” he said.

  “Abalonious?”

  “Let’s take a walk.” He grinned. “And call me Aba, please.”

  I bowed slightly. “As you wish.”

  I followed him several paces across the deck. “So, of what did you wish to speak about?”

  Aba turned and leaned against the railing. He grinned. “I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate you doing this.”

  “I am honored that you would entrust this task to me.” I looked out to the sea. “And I am thankful for the opportunity to be heading home—even if it is short-lived.”

  “What do you mean?” he asked.

  I shrugged. “It has been over a century since I last stepped foot in my ancestral lands. Things have a tendency to change over time.”

  He placed a hand on my shoulder. “Yeah, but some things don’t change either.”

  I smiled. “I certainly hope you are correct.” I turned back to him. “I will do my best to find the stones. It should be an exciting adventure, nonetheless.”

  His eyebrows shot up. “Let’s go get something to eat, shall we?”

  I grinned. “Of course.” Food always seems to put people at ease. “After you.”

  Aba nodded as we descended the stairs to the mess. “I hope it’s more fun than dangerous.” His cheerful demeanor became much darker. “As for our mission, I don’t know if we’ll find Noslen or not.”

  “You can only do the best you can. Fate and luck are as much a factor as skill and wisdom. Besides, you will have the boy Darius with you. He has been to Noslen’s home. That is as much of a guide as one could hope to attain.”

  “Fair point, Taenaran.” He nodded. “Fair point, indeed.”

  The table had already been set for two, and Aba gestured toward the table and smiled widely. Two large bowls were filled with a marvelous salad. Accompanying the bowls were tall cups of orange juice. He pointed at the chair. I nodded and sat. He frowned. “What is it?”

  “I was just thinking… Have you perchance heard anything regarding Garstil?”

  “Not a lot.” He picked up the glass of juice and took a sip. “Gildok wrote me recently. Garstil is out of the crystal prison and is physically recovered. They’re working on some psychological stuff—something to do with his dreams.” He shrugged and poured some dressing into his bowl. “I don’t really understand it, but they’re trying to work through his past traumas.”

  I nodded. “I see. I am gladdened that he is recovering. What of his magic?”

  Aba shook his head. “They’re not restoring his magic until he has control of himself.”

  “You mean because of the last time he lost control?”

  “Yeah. From what I’m told, after Samantha was killed, we would have classified him as a villain for a good six months.”

  I frowned. “It was most assuredly a dark time for Garstil. I remember it well. Stories of villages destroyed. Criminals slaughtered. His hunt for Farheen was relentless and thorough. A shame he never found him.”

  “Nah,” he said. “He did get him.”

  “Indeed?” I asked.

  Aba nodded. “When we first teamed up, Farheen and his men got the drop on us in the desert. When Garstil realized who was attacking us, he lost his shit. He hit him with a blast of lightning so powerful that it turned Farheen to ash and coated him in a tomb of molten fulgurite glass. I’d never seen him upset before.” He looked up. “Terrifying is not a descriptive enough word to describe what I witnessed.”

  “No doubt.” I chuckled. “Garstil deserved his vengeance. However…”

  Aba nodded. “His complete loss of control on the battlefield was a liability. Granted, we didn’t know it would happen.”

  “I do not blame him. But I am also glad that he is receiving care.” I smiled. “Perhaps he will rejoin us in the future.”

  Aba grinned. “Count on it. I don’t think he could stay away.”

  A bell began to toll somewhere above us. “Portals!” yelled one of the deckhands.

  Aba and I looked up from our food and stared at each other.

  “It never rains,” he said.

  “But it pours,” I finished. We set down our forks, grabbed our weapons, and ran for the stairs. As we cleared the doorway to the upper deck, the crew was already locked in battle with the invading forces.

  “They’re not doing too bad,” said Aba. He pulled his gigantic sword from his back. An earsplitting roar shook the ship. “I guess that’s my cue.” His body shimmered as he Dashed forward toward the portal. Fire and lightning erupted from the blade as he cleaved upward at the portal’s opening. I watched in awe as the giant monster stepped out of the shadowy portal. The roar didn’t finish. Aba backflipped out of the upward cleave and landed on his feet in one smooth motion. At some point, he had transferred the sword to his left hand. He looked up, grinned, and held his right hand toward the two falling halves of the monster. A hellish red blast of energy shot out and incinerated the monster. Ash rained down like snow.

  I shook my head, pulled three arrows from my quiver, and let off three rapid-fire shots at spiders jumping from the mast. The carcasses hit the deck with dull thuds.

  Skittering noises caught my attention from farther above. Next to the crow’s nest was another portal. I pulled three more arrows and ran up one of the slide ropes that ran to the top of the mast. I released the arrows as I neared the top. Through the portal, I could make out several men and women running to and fro directing the chaos. I focused lightning into my arrows and started firing at them.

  “Close the portals!” screamed one of the necromancers. “They’re firing from the port—” An arrow silenced him as it exploded out of the back of his skull and pinned two spiders together.

  Aba nodded to me, turned, and fired another blast of crimson into a portal. Screams were instantly silenced as a deep whomp engulfed three more necromancers. The portals all snapped shut.

  I shook my head. “Not even thirty minutes from port, and we have already been attacked. This bodes well for our mission.”

  Aba grinned. “Consider it free experience.” He winked at me. “There’s no level cap out here, remember?”

  I raised my eyebrows. “That is an excellent point. A few more battles and I shall be level six.”

  “Good.” He chuckled. “Let’s just hope the next battle isn’t for a while. I could use some food and some sleep.” He stretched. “Healing spells aside, I still haven’t fully healed from the last few battles.”

  “Do you ever find yourself too injured to fight?”

  Aba burst out into belly laughter. When he calmed, he turned to me and spoke. “All the time, my friend. But I don’t really have the luxury of sitting out a fight.”

  I frowned. “I suppose being the Sword Bearer has its drawbacks then?”

  “More than I care to count.” Aba looked out at the vast ocean. “There’s some good parts, sure, but the responsibilities seem endless.”

  “Nothing is endless,” I said. “One day, the burden will ease.”

  “Maybe when I’m dead.” He shrugged. “If I survive whatever comes, I’d love to just retire to the inn.”

  “Oh?” I studied his face. I could see no sign of humor or deception. “What would you do?”

  He shrugged again. “To be honest? I’d be fine with fishing, cooking, and training adventurers. Maybe do some trading. Who knows. It seems so far away.”

  I smiled. “Perhaps. Perhaps not.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well,” I said, “you have the inn. And the guild hall. That is a wonderful start.”

  Aba nodded. “That’s a great point. I hadn’t considered that. Thank you.”

  “You are most welcome.” I pushed off the railing. “Come. Let us investigate some food.”

  We pulled into port just as the sun was setting. The Elven lands looked more beautiful than I recalled. A pang of guilt spread through my stomach and chest. I have been away from home for far too long.

  “Are you well, cousin?” asked Calistera.

  I nodded. “Just realizing how homesick I have been. Until laying sight on our homeland, it had not occurred to me that I should have visited sooner.”

  She squeezed my shoulder and smiled. “Come, cousin. Let us go to the royal hall. Mother and Father would be delighted to see you once more.”

  “It would be nice to see them.” I gestured toward the gangplank that had just been connected. “Please lead the way.” I waved goodbye to Abalonious as we departed the ship as he had much work to do on his own ship. We entered the forest flanked by an entourage of guards.

  Twenty minutes later, I felt the surge of magic from above. “Saiban!” someone yelled. Two Elves dropped to the ground just in front of us. Aequitas and Calinelor threw their arms around Saiban in a brother’s embrace.

  Calistera laughed. “They missed you.”

  “And I them,” said Sai, grinning. “I trust you two are well?”

  “Very well,” said Aequitas.

  “As well as can be,” said Calinelor. “Things have been much calmer since your last visit.”

  “Are you here long?” asked Aequitas.

  “I am unsure,” said Sai. “We are here on a mission.”

  “We heard,” he said. “We will be heading out with Calistera on the morrow.”

  I chuckled. “At least someone will keep her out of trouble.”

  “Hey!” she protested. “I can hear you.”

  “We know,” said Calinelor. He grinned. “It was intentional.”

  Calistera shook her head. “Come. Let us not keep Mother and Father waiting. You know how thin their patience is these days.”

  Saiban introduced Aequitas and Calinelor to Agamor. They all made small talk and exchanged stories as we headed for the capital.

  Villagers cheered for Calistera and Saiban as we approached. When they saw me, gasps spread throughout the ranks, and they began chanting my name. I arched an eyebrow.

  “They remember?” I asked.

  Calistera laughed. “Of course, they remember. You were one of our kingdom’s greatest warriors. It has only been a century since you left.”

  I waved, and they began to cheer. Word of our arrival quickly spread. By the time we entered the capital, news had spread far and wide. People lined the streets in groups, cheering and throwing flowers. It is good to be home. It felt as if the entire kingdom had come out to greet us.

  We were escorted into the great banquet hall of the Elves. The natural grown tables were covered with bowls of fresh fruits and nuts. Elven breads of all manner were placed strategically between the bowls.

  Queen Siora and King Zelphar stood grinning at the head of the table as we entered.

  “Ahh,” said King Zelphar. “At long last, my nephew has returned home!”

  “Welcome home,” said Queen Siora. She grinned. “It has been too long.”

  I bowed. “Your Majesties, I bid you greetings.”

  King Zelphar looked around. “Is my brother not with you?”

  “Unfortunately not. Father had other issues to attend to. He wrote to me before I left, however.” I handed him the letter from Father.

  He read it and then handed it to Queen Siora. “This is quite troubling…but I am gladdened to see that he has found purpose once again.”

  Queen Siora frowned. “This wizard, Corbus…I know of this place. He was a friend of Noslen’s before he ascended to the mantle of the Caretaker.” She turned to the king. “Should we send aid?”

  King Zelphar nodded. “It would be prudent.” He frowned. “And I would like to see my brother again. Perhaps this would give him reason to visit?”

  Queen Siora called to her attendant. “Ready a ship. Send a contingent of warriors to the southwestern coast of Glenarm. There are beasts to put down.”

  “As you wish, my lady.” The attendant bowed and ran out of the hall.

  “Your Majesty?” called Calinelor. “Perhaps Aeq and I should accompany them?”

  She nodded. “As long as Calistera has no need of you, I see no reason not to.”

  “Go,” said Calistera. “Keep them safe.”

  They both bowed and chased after the attendant.

  Queen Siora smiled. “Would you please join us for a meal in celebration of your return?”

  I bowed. “I would be honored.”

  “Will you be needing any supplies?” asked King Zelphar.

  Sai nodded. “Basic provisions, most likely.”

  “I have a strange request,” said Agamor.

  “Oh?” asked the king. He grinned. “What would that be, honored one?”

  “I need to make a new staff,” he said.

  King Zelphar arched an eyebrow. “What happened to your previous staff? It was something of legend.”

  Agamor chuckled. “I got old. I gave it to Wizard Corbus many moons ago.”

  “Forgive me,” said King Zelphar. He inclined his head slightly. “Sometimes I forget that Elven-kind enjoys a longer lifespan.”

  “Think nothing of it, Your Majesty.” Agamor shrugged. “Just a fact of life.”

  King Zelphar nodded. “In recompense of my slip, I shall gift you a length of the finest staff wood in our lands.”

  “You honor me, King Zelphar.”

  The king waved him off. “What you have done for all of Tempest honors us all.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Agamor smiled for the first time since we’d arrived.

  Curious. Why do I not know of his service? What has he done?

  Queen Siora stood. “The hour is growing late. We shall retire. Please enjoy your meals. The attendants have prepared rooms for you.” She turned to Agamor. “A word in private, if you would?”

  Agamor bowed to her. “As you wish, my lady.” He followed her out of the dining hall.

  King Zelphar shrugged. “I suppose it is bedtime.” He grinned and lowered his voice. “Do not for a moment believe that just because you are a king that the queen is not the one truly in charge.” He winked at us and followed Queen Siora and Agamor out of the hall.

  Sai and I looked at each other and laughed. Some things never change.

  The next morning, we ate breakfast in the banquet hall and stowed all our gear. All our equipment had been serviced and maintained and our supplies replenished. Agamor received a beautiful piece of staff wood from one of the sacred trees—an honor bestowed only to the kingdom’s greatest warriors.

  “Are you ready?” asked Abalonious. He had come to see us off.

  “We are,” I said. “Or at least, we are as ready as we will be.”

  He grinned. “Good luck, Taenaran.” We exchanged grips. “Our hopes are with you.”

  “And ours with you,” I said. “We shall send word as soon as our mission is done.”

  “I look forward to hearing from you. We will meet up with you as soon as we can.”

  Aba made his rounds with Saiban and Agamor while I said my farewells to Calistera.

  We forged east from the capital. Guards nodded to me in recognition. Some saluted. Some waved. Several guards also greeted Sai in the same manner. I grinned. It was good to be home.

  Once we cleared the city gates, our expedition headed northeast toward the mountains.

  “Taenaran?” called Agamor.

  I turned toward him. He was using a runesmith’s chisel on the newly acquired staff wood. He had never taken his eyes off it as he spoke. “Yes?”

  “Have you ever been to these mountains?”

  I nodded—then realized he had not looked up. “It has been over a century since I traveled there. It was said that a great source of magic was hidden within those mountains. Whether or not the stones and that magic are related or perhaps even connected remains to be seen.”

  “Oh, a mystery?” Agamor grinned. “I love myself a good mystery.”

  “Indeed,” I watched as he walked, conversed, and worked the magic on the staff wood. I grinned. Perhaps the stories of this human are not exaggerated. I could grow to like him. “It has been something that many of my people have been curious about for a thousand years. Unfortunately, nobody has made the journey into the mountains. Or at least that we know of.”

  Agamor nodded absently. “I look forward to discovering the nature of that magic.”

  “As do I.” How this man this far past his prime years could multitask all three things at once was beyond me. He paid little heed to where his footfalls landed, and yet, he never once lost his footing. It was as if he had walked these lands his entire life. As I watched him, I realized the absolute precision of the runework on his staff rivaled that of any of the Elven runesmiths in the kingdom. And yet, he carried on a conversation as if he were sitting drinking tea. Remarkable.

  “Were there any legends regarding the stones?” asked Sai.

  I shrugged. “Only what Princess Calistera mentioned from our ancient texts—which was not much.”