Maebus barely had time to grab his battle sword off the table before Leoden burst through the cottage entrance.
“Somebody’s coming!” The young warrior was nearly out of breath from what seemed like a long run back to their haven. Sweat beaded the ends of his blond bangs and dripped onto his face. Ever since Kelm had released the Fire Hawks only days earlier, Leoden had been regularly patrolling the perimeter. Though up until this point, things had remained quiet.
“I’ll check it out,” Normandy said, climbing onto a bed of hay located under the cottage’s only window. He shaded his eyes with his hands to peer through it. Kelm and Fable joined him, cautiously glimpsing over his shoulders.
Maebus’ palms began sweating as he gripped his sword handle.
“I don’t see anyone,” Normandy proclaimed without averting his eyes. “Leoden, was it friend or foe you saw?”
The young warrior shook his head. “Not sure. I couldn’t get a clear view through the trees.”
“Well, how many were there?”
“I saw at least seven persons.”
Maebus pointed the tip of his sword towards the group. “We’ve prepared for this, people. Everyone take your positions, get down, and stay quiet!”
He watched each person quickly scamper into their predetermined defensive positions, just as they’d practiced every day since arriving at the cottage. Leoden stood adjacent to the door, pressing his back against the wall. He lifted the blunt end of his axe, ready to strike anyone who entered.
Maebus stood several feet in front of the door. His sword, shaking with anticipation, would catch anyone Leoden missed. Normandy towered behind him, holding a massive club. Kelm and Fable guarded the cottage’s rear entrance.
Kelm extinguished the cottage’s only flickering candle, blanketing the interior in darkness. Everyone remained still. Maebus couldn’t even hear the sounds of breathing.
Suddenly, a hint of movement caught his eye. Someone had just snuck past the cottage window, trying to duck beneath it but not getting low enough.
“Get ready,” he whispered to Leoden, who then held his wood axe even higher.
Moments later, he heard something thud against the outside wall, as if someone were leaning against it.
The metal door slowly creaked open.
The silhouette of a man’s head appeared in the opening. Maebus kept his eyes on the man’s neck as it craned in, allowing the stranger to glance around the cottage’s interior.
“Hello?” a voice whispered. “King Maebus? Grand Wizard Kelm? Are you in here? It’s Councilman Ferst. We saw the Fire Hawks flying overhead and have returned. Hello?”
Maebus reflected the outside light off his sword blade, signaling Leoden to lower his axe. Then slowly, he crept towards the light flooding through the doorway, revealing himself. He kept his expression impassive; stone-like.
“Show me your hands,” he ordered.
Ferst immediately complied, holding out his arms and turning his palms up.
“Who else is with you?” Maebus asked, tilting his sword to make sure it was seen by Ferst.
“The entire Council,” he replied, “and also the brothers.” At that moment, Hom popped his head around Ferst.
“Hello!” he eagerly said. “Remember me?”
Maebus’ hard expression was instantly replaced with a beaming smile. “How could I forget the cookie thief?”
Hom burst into laughter as his brother Heegan also entered. Maebus sheathed his sword. “Stand down, everyone,” he called.
Kelm reignited the candle flame, illuminating everyone within the interior once again. Before Ferst could speak, Maebus sprang forward, capturing him in a huge hug.
The Councilman laughed, patting him on the back, “It’s good to see you again, my friend.”
“And I, you,” Maebus replied. His heart overflowed with joy, perhaps truly experiencing the emotion for the first time in weeks. “Where are the others?” he asked.
Ferst pointed towards the door. “They’re standing just outside. Come on in, everyone. It’s safe!”
The Council began trickling their way into the cottage—first Windym, then Jawn, Mert, Greeve, Elva, Tavon, Sheld, and Landi.
Maebus’ heart skipped several beats upon seeing Landi. Her clothing was dirty and tattered. Her straggly unwashed hair half covered her thin, malnourished face. But she was just as beautiful to him as she’d ever been. He coyly averted his gaze as she and the others gathered in the small living area of the cottage, bringing with them much chatter and smiles.
Kelm moved from one person to the next, shaking hands and introducing them to Normandy, Fable, and Leoden—the newest members of their alliance. Maebus thrived on the harmonious joy filling the room. Even Councilmen Jawn seemed to enjoy himself and withheld any complaints. He grinned while shaking the hands of the new alliance members.
Maebus approached Heegan and Hom, who were standing by themselves on the other side of the room. He kneeled down and hugged both brothers in a big, fatherly embrace.
“You remarkable children,” Maebus exclaimed, his eyes tearing. “Words cannot express the admiration I feel for you both! Your ability to covertly guide the Council to safety will undoubtedly help us to preserve the entire Realm!”
The boys’ faces lit with happiness.
“Thank you, your Highness,” Heegan said.
“Feel free to reward our great work with cookies,” Hom added.
Maebus chuckled, “A lifetime supply for you!”
He then rose to his feet, placing a hand on the shoulder of each child. He scanned the room for Landi but instead locked eyes with Councilwoman Elva across the crowd. Her presence seemed weary, yet peaceful. As she approached them, Maebus extended his hands to greet her.
“King Maebus, it’s so good to see you! I’m delighted beyond measure that you are well and reunited with these two remarkable boys,” she said.
“And I you!” He planted two kisses upon each side of her cheek. “I can’t thank you enough for—”
“No, Maebus,” she placed her hand above his, patting it. “It’s we who should be thanking you. Your leadership, given the Realm’s impossible circumstances, has brought us together again.”
“But Elva, it wasn’t my doing alone. You of all have shown unbelievable strength, keeping the Council together. In fact, I’d like to thank all of you...” Maebus raised his voice to address the entire room. The interior grew quiet as he spoke.
“Each person here, as well as our soldiers beyond, have played an integral role in our efforts to preserve the kingdom. I know that your individual journeys were filled with great perils and personal despair. And because we faced an enemy of immense evil—one who used information as a weapon—much of our plan was kept secret for our overall safety. In spite of the great loss of those who gave their lives...” he paused, thinking briefly of Commander Khroy, “I believe we will prevail. For we’ve survived and have made new alliances.”
He turned to Normandy, Fable, and Leoden, who had gathered by his side as he spoke.
“Having no particular obligation, these people have selflessly sacrificed their own well-being and have devoted themselves to saving the Realm. With them and with you, we will continue to fight against the odds, and we will defeat the Legions of tyranny and save our Realm!”
The room erupted in applause.
“Well said, King Maebus,” Councilman Greeve proclaimed, pumping his fist in the air.
“Thank you,” Maebus replied. He then turned to address Ferst. “But we still have much to discuss regarding our current situation.”
“I imagine so,” he stated. “Allow Elva and myself some time to gather the others, and then we can proceed.”
“Okay,” Maebus said.
After all introductions were made, dinner was served, consisting of wild game and vegetables gathered from the South Woods. The group sat in a large circle on the floor, engaged in a long discussion that lasted into the wee hours of the night.
Elva and Ferst recounted General Thane’s raid upon the cottage and how the brothers guided their retreat deeper into the Hellish South Plains.
“I’d never been so scared in my life,” Elva placed a hand on her cheek as she described Thane’s growling and beast-like behavior.
Maebus and Kelm also recapped their journey to the Ancient Lands, the unfortunate capture of the Realmsic Crystal, and their pursuit of ancient prophecy.
The Council listened carefully to the rationale behind the decision. Considering every detail, some were open to the idea of a Hero of Legend, while others remained as skeptical as Maebus initially was.
He briefly imagined how awkward it must be for Leoden who sat unassumingly across from them, listening to the Realmsic King basically refer to him as the prophesized Hero. But Leoden didn’t react to his mental reservations, if he had any. And in light of the bigger picture, it was agreed by the Council that all would remain in solidarity with Maebus’ plans.
As the midnight hours crept by, no one could sleep. Maebus stayed up all night and watched from the window as the morning rays shone into the cottage.
Leoden, who had resumed his patrols of the perimeter, suddenly burst through the doors. “Someone’s coming ... again,” he said. This time, there was a smile on his face.
Normandy and several members of the Council rushed to the window with Maebus, fighting for a view. A silhouetted figure moved toward the cottage, followed by another and another.
“Will you look at that!” Maebus suppressed a tear from rolling down his cheek. A sense of pride filled his heart. The first of the Realmsic soldiers were, at last, returning.
Chapter Fifty-One