‘How dare you, you little upstart, you would be dead if not for me, I am Benitoff’s right hand man, and believe me that’s the only thing that has saved you from being shot as a traitor just like your mother was.’ ‘Shot?’ said Thomas, ‘you always told me she left because she didn’t want me. You’ve lied to me all these years?’ Max, nudged Gilster, ‘be ready to run, tell the others,’ she whispered. He nodded. ‘Please father, just let them go, no one will know but me,’ pleaded Thomas, ‘I will stay with you, I forgive you for lying to me, you must have had your reasons.’ Fischer became enraged. ‘You forgive me,’ he yelled, ‘I should have killed you when you were still at your mother’s breast, I always knew you’d never amount to anything.’ He raised his gun slightly, aiming it directly at Thomas; that was all the notice Elkeira needed, she let go her arrow. It flew straight and true as always, hitting Fischer in his right shoulder causing him to drop the gun and fall to his knees. Thomas reached forward as if to help his father, only to be lifted off his feet and thrown over Tallon’s shoulder. ‘Oh no you don’t,’ he said, ‘we need you more than he does.’ ‘Run,’ screamed Max. Elkeira took off at a sprint, ducking under the portcullis and racing across the bridge, Max came next helping Haven who still hadn’t quite recovered; Tallon raced past them with Thomas across his shoulders who was trying desperately to break free and calling for his father. Gilster swung his sword, cut the rope holding the gate open and rolled under the portcullis as it came thundering down, missing his head by mere inches. ‘That should give us a little time,’ he thought as he jumped to his feet and ran to catch up with the others who were now heading back into the city. They reached the city just on night-fall. There had been no sound of pursuit but they knew that couldn’t last. Elkeira had found an abandoned building on the edge of town and quickly ushered everyone inside. The run from Benitoff’s keep had taken its toll on Haven, he had passed out from exhaustion the minute they entered the building. Max checked his pulse and assured everyone he was fine, all he needed was rest to fully recuperate. Thomas sat sullenly in the corner, his head on his knees while the others discussed what their next move should be. ‘We need to find the shrine and find it quickly,’ said Tallon, ‘it won’t be long until we have the entire guard of the keep out looking for us, we need to be gone from here before then.’ ‘But how are we going to find it,’ said Max, ‘all we know is, it’s in old quarry somewhere. Epona couldn’t even remember where it was, so I doubt we’ll find anyone around here who knows where it is.’ At the mention of Epona, Thomas raised his head. ‘Epona spoke to you?’ All eyes turned to Thomas. ‘Yes,’ said Max, she spoke to us in the dungeons, she told us you were her friend.’ She hesitated, was this the right time? Would there ever be a right time? She continued, ‘she also told us you are the Chosen of this world but the choice is yours whether you come with us or not,’ she added. Thomas did not speak. The others waited. Finally he said, ‘then my answer is no, I will not come with you.’ Tallon jumped to his feet and advanced on Thomas. ‘What did you say,’ he said menacingly, ‘did I hear you correctly, after we saved your miserable life you’re going to say no.’ Thomas shrunk down and tried to melt into the wall behind him, so frightened was he of Tallon’s anger. Gilster moved in front of Tallon blocking his connection to Thomas. ‘Sit down,’ he said quietly, ‘your anger is frightening the boy and does nothing to help the situation.’ Tallon pushed forward but when Gilster did not move he threw his arms up in disgust. Grabbing his bow he marched off to the front of the building. ‘I’m going on watch,’ he shouted back. Max knelt down beside Thomas. ‘Why won’t you help us,’ she said with a calmness she didn’t feel, ‘we have come a long way and suffered much for the sake of this journey, we are almost at the end now but we need you, you are the Chosen and if you refuse to come our journey has been for nothing, our friend’s death will have been for nothing.’ ‘She killed my father,’ he shouted, pointing an accusing finger at Elkeira, ‘why would I help the people who killed my father.’ Elkeira, who had been trying to start a small fire in the hearth, turned, shocked at the loathing in Thomas’ voice. ‘Wha . . . I never killed your father, how could you even think that, he was aiming his gun at you, he would have killed you if I hadn’t shot my arrow, but I never killed him, I only wounded him, so he couldn’t hurt you.’ Max put a gentle hand on Thomas’ arm. ‘Please . . . just have a think about it before you say no, stay the night with us and if in the morning your answer is still no then you can leave and return to the keep, no one will try to stop you, you have my word.’ Later that night after Elkeira had cried herself to sleep and Thomas had dozed off in the corner huddled in his coat, Max checked Haven again. ‘How is he?’ asked Gilster. ‘He seems ok,’ said Max, ‘I suppose we won’t know for sure until he wakes.’ ‘Why don’t you get some sleep,’ said Gilster, ‘you look dead on your feet.’ ‘How can I sleep, I’m worried about what will happen in the morning.’ ‘Worry about it in the morning,’ said Gilster, ‘there’s nothing you can do about it now, get some rest, I’ll go check on Tallon and see if he wants to be relieved.’ With that he rose and quietly left the room. He found Tallon sitting on the floor with his bow at his feet, gazing out the open door at the moon-lit street. ‘How goes things, my friend, would you like me to take over watch for a while?’ ‘No, I’m fine,’ said Tallon, still watching the street, ‘but thank you for asking.’ Gilster sat down opposite him. ‘Max has given Thomas until the morning to decide what he wants to do,’ he said, ‘if his answer is still no, then she has given him permission to leave and return to the keep.’ ‘What!’ said Tallon turning to Gilster, ‘is she mad, he’ll tell his father where we are.’ ‘I think he may surprise us yet,’ said Gilster, ‘after he’s had time to think everything through I believe he will make the right decision.’ ‘And if he doesn’t,’ said Tallon, ‘everything we’ve been through will have been for nothing. We won’t be able to open the last portal. What was it all for, Gilster, your friend Daria, dead, Ti Athra lost. Why?’ ‘Daria would still be dead and Ti Athra would still be lost whether we open the portal or not. Everything happens for a reason whether it be good or bad, it’s not the end result that matters, it’s the journey that is important and how we played our part in that journey. If it should end here then so be it, but we will know we did everything we could to save our people.’ Tallon smiled wearily, ‘I only hope I will be as wise as you when I’m an old man.’ ‘Wisdom does not always come with age,’ said Gilster grinning, ‘you only have to look at Haven to know that.’ Tallon laughed loudly; it felt good. ‘He’d better be well in the morning, because this is one pack horse who refuses to carry him any further.’ Gilster stood, ‘we will talk again.’ He patted Tallon’s shoulder and returned to the inner room. Thomas was curled up in his corner only pretending to be asleep, he had no wish to talk to anyone, having a lot to think over before morning. Listening to Elkeira crying softly had been difficult, he wanted to go to her and offer comfort, to tell her he was sorry for what he said, but as usual his cowardice prevented him from doing so. When she had fallen asleep and the crying had stopped he thought about everything that had happened in the last few days. ‘I can’t do what they ask of me,’ he thought, ‘I just can’t. It is impossible for me to be the Chosen. Why wouldn’t Epona have told me, it’s not like we haven’t spent many hours together, I thought she was my friend, why would she do this do me.’ So many questions, so few answers. Thinking of his father he realised Elkeira had been right, if it wasn’t for her he would probably be dead now, shot by his own father. ‘What sort of father kills his own son?’ he thought sadly. ‘I can’t go back now, I’ve crossed a line, I helped the enemy to escape. Enemy? No, they are not the enemy, they are the only people who have ever shown any sort of kindness to me since my mother left me. No, she didn’t leave me.’ The thought gave him some sort of comfort, ‘she didn’t leave me, father killed her.’ His thoughts were a jumble but one thing stood out above all others, these people had never hurt him, he would go with them and help if possible. He smiled to himself, it felt good to make a decision, he wanted to be a part of what ever lay ahead. He would never stop being a coward, but at least he had Elkeira’s friendship. ‘I hope she is still my friend, I will apologise to her in the morning when I tell them of my decision.’ He fell asleep, feeling safe for the first time in his life. Morning came and a sullen, yellow sun sniffed its way in through the windows. Tallon had stood watch all night lost in his own thoughts, Gilster had napped on and off keeping one eye on Max and one on Elkeira; their sleep had been restless, disturbed by dreams unknown to any but themselves. Haven snored softly. ‘I think we should move on as soon as possible, otherwise it will not be long before the guards find us napping,’ said Max, yawning and stretching, her neck stiff and her back sore. Elkeira, woke and looked towards Thomas. ‘Well,’ said Tallon speaking to Thomas, ‘will you be leaving us soon? All I ask is that you give us enough time to get away before you tell your father where we are.’ Thomas stood on shaking legs, all eyes were now on him. He wanted to sound brave and confident, he wanted to tell them they were now his family and he would do all in his power to help. But what came from his mouth was a squeaky little voice, ‘I’m coming with you,’ he said. ‘Well done, well done,’ said Gilster patting him on the back, ‘we’re glad to have you with us.’ Max smiled, ‘thank you Thomas,’ she said, ‘thank you for being brave.’ Tallon grunted, ‘didn’t think you had it in you. Pack up people, we’re leaving in five minutes.’ Elkeira walked over to Thomas. He couldn’t look her in the eye, ‘are we still friends,’ he asked looking at his feet. ‘Of course silly, and just so you know, I would still have been your friend had you decided not to come with us.’ Thomas looked up. ‘Really?’ he said. ‘Really,’ said Elkeira and kissed him on the cheek before turning to pack her things. Thomas touched his cheek, ‘I made the right decision,’ he thought. Haven sat up, ‘what’s been happening -- I feel much better, more like my old self, I told you all I needed was a good night’s sleep.’ ‘Good,’ yelled Tallon who was listening from the next room, ‘because I was not intending to carry you another step.’ ‘Carry me?’ said Haven. ‘Never mind,’ said Max stashing weapons about her clothes, ‘it’s a long story.’ ‘I’m not sure if I really want to hear it,’ said Haven. Tallon returned. ‘Is everyone ready?’ ‘Yes, but where exactly are we going,’ said Gilster. ‘I don’t know,’ answered Tallon, ‘just away from here.’ Thomas was huddled at the back of the group trying to keep out of everyone’s way and remain unseen. Elkeira nudged him. ‘Speak up Thomas,’ she whispered. ‘PPerhaps I can help,’ said Thomas stepping forward reluctantly. ‘Where is it we need to go?’ The minute Tallon’s fierce gaze fell on him he regretted stepping forward. ‘Can we trust you, that is the question I ask myself,’ said Tallon. ‘Of course you can,’ said Elkeira, ‘and stop doing your ‘fierce warrior’ look, it doesn’t help matters.’ ‘We need to find an old shrine of Epona’s,’ said Max gently, ‘it’s in an abandoned quarry.’ Thomas turned to Max, glad not to be looking at Tallon. ‘I don’t know where it is,’ he said, ‘but I may know someone who does; if she’s still alive. I used to visit her almost daily until my father found out and forbade me from talking to her again. I did try once more, but he found me and beat me senseless so I never went again, that was many years ago.’ Max felt sick, thinking of what this poor young man had suffered at the hands of his father. ‘Thank you Thomas, you go up front with Tallon,’ said Max, ‘and give him directions.’ Thomas went white and turned beseechingly to Elkeira who laughed. ‘I’ll come with you,’ she said, ‘and don’t be frightened of my brother, he’s just a big cuddly bear really.’ Tallon grunted, ‘let’s go.’ As they left the building, Gilster clapped Haven on the back. ‘Good to have you back, you’ve been away for too long, I’ve missed you.’ ‘It’s good to be back,’ said Haven, ‘have I missed much?’ ‘No, hardly anything,’ smiled Gilster. ‘I hope you have some food somewhere, I’ve lost so much weight my clothes are hanging on me.’ ‘Oh,’ said Gilster wryly, ‘you’re definitely back.’ They kept to the smaller streets and back ways, not wanting to attract too much attention on the main roads until eventually they reached a small thatched hut on the very outskirts of the city. ‘Here it is,’ said Thomas, ‘I hope she is still here.’