~~~~~~~~~~
Time flew by quite fast but in the mountains where they were hiding, one day seemed very much like the last. Wendy was undergoing her training under the supervision of her father and she had two additional sparring mates. She had also discovered that the old fashioned way of training a wizard included a lot of theoretical lessons and a lot of wizard history lessons. All of which were handled by her father.
She had put her feeling for Victor aside and was intrigued by how fast she was learning. Either way she could not completely forget about Victor. Small gestures such as their eyes meeting and a strange awkwardness followed but she was trying not to dwell on such moments. That did not always happen but it helped that everybody's attention was on her and she knew she could not do anything under all that scrutiny. Though with the company added, she found times that she was alone with Victor. He kept his distance as always but did not go away at the very first opportunity that he may have had. He always took that opportunity to lecture her on history of the Izanami bloodline or something relating to her administration.
Nonetheless, everyone knew of their attraction but none spoke of it. Not even Wendy's father. But when the news came that Madison was going back to the alternate universe, Victor's cool was broken at last.
`When did she say she was going?' Henry asked. Wendy's eyes were set on Victor who seemed more impatient. He wanted to do the questioning but for some reason, he left it to Henry.
`No,' the wizard who had brought the news said. Wendy had recognized him from the group that had cornered them in the alley. Must be one of Henry's spies. She had heard the way that her father had recruited the man named Ken and Amber then put them as sleeper-spies within Madison's group. She was intrigued that Henry always thought of everything. It was not a wonder therefore when she was told that Henry's personality had rubbed off on Diane. She remembered reading about the reforms that Diane made after she had returned home. She wondered why Victor would be worried that Madison was going back and she knew she was about to find out.
The man continued, `There is no doubt that Madison has found out that Sidney,' he looked at
Victor when he said the name. `Is hiding there.'
`We can't allow her to get near her. If she kills Sidney then the only other hope that we have to destroy Madison will be delayed by another generation.' Victor spoke out.
`Of course,' Henry looked directly at Victor. `Besides the fact that you love her so much, she is also expecting a baby which is an innocent party in this war.'
Baby? Love her? Wendy stared unbelievably at Victor. Was it possible that he loved another woman and was having a baby with her? She wouldn't dare ask so she listened. Maybe she had made a mistake and something that would be said would clear it up.
Amber put in, `Maybe if we could save the baby then there would still be hope.'
`No,' Victor objected. `I will not accept that you want to take away a member of my family in order for us to have hope.'
`I was just giving suggestions...'
`Well, stop it.' He stood up and headed to the door. `I will not accept the possibility that Sidney may die. I'm going back to help her. She is not in any condition to fight Madison.'
`Victor be reasonable,' Henry said and the latter stopped at the door. He turned slowly back. `You are right. Sidney is in no condition to fight let alone get away fast enough. You won't be able to do it alone.'
`What do you suggest?'
`Steven here,' he pointed to the newest arrival. `Will go ahead of us right now and try to get word to Sidney that Madison is on her way. Should she try to flee then that would be her choice.'
`I'm not trying to stop you. I'm only telling you that getting to the wormhole in the forest behind the residence is the fastest and closest way to Tyrone. You need to get there but you will also need Ken and Amber's help to fight Madison.' Henry stopped and looked at Wendy.
`I am going too.'
`This is not going to pick flowers in the forest. This is real danger.'
Wendy could feel Victor watching her but she didn't turn to him. `You sent me to Madison's Island because you thought that I may be able to kill her at the end of it. Your faith in me has not wavered since, has it?'
Henry smiled, `Fine, you will join them.' `Aren't you coming?' She was standing up.
`I made a vow a long time ago never to return only on two conditions and they have nothing to do with Sidney or Madison.'
`Okay,' she went to him and hugged him. `I'll see you.' Henry didn't comment on that. He watched them leave in a single file out of the house. They parted ways with Steven as the rest went to the residence. Wendy made a brief stop in the house then went to join the others in the forest. Victor had drawn the strange but familiar looking shape on the ground. She went into the center of the shaped where Victor was standing.
He took her hand and pulled her close to him, `Thank you for doing this!' he whispered.
`I'm sure you would have done the same for me.' He turned to the others and simultaneously, they started to chant the familiar words. They ground started to glow and then they were all covered with the bright white light.