“You can do it,” a familiar voice encouraged, “You will feel more at peace once you have.”
Gabriel turned and found himself looking into Mathias’s friendly face. “Good to see you Mathias,” Gabriel smiled, grasping his friend in a hug.
“Glad to see you made it back in one piece, where is Thad and the rest of the crew?” Mathias wondered, a morsel of fear showing in his sad eyes.
“Tabbris escorted them to Naarah’s house. They should be there by now,” he answered.
Mathias’s face broke into a wide smile. “Well, I’ll see you later Gabriel.” He left Gabriel and headed off towards Naarah’s house.
Gabriel watched as the mountain of a man glided smoothly up the street and out of sight. Just as Mathias had done before him, Gabriel inhaled deeply and tugged opened the glass doors of the church. Stepping over the threshold he was greeted by the dim, cool, interior of the church.
Mathias rushed through the streets anxious to see his friends. The last day felt as though a century had passed.
“Thad, Zyphera, Leath, Traiden where are you?” He yelled bursting through the front gate.
“Mathias! Is that you?” Thad called excitedly running down the stairs and into the angel’s open arms.
“You’re okay,” Mathias breathed a huge sigh of relief. “How is everyone else?” he asked.
“We’re okay, considering,” Thad answered his eyes downcast.
“When did you arrive?” Mathias asked carrying Thad up the stairs and through the front door.
“About an hour ago,” he answered. “Some guy named Tabbris was waiting for us at the door.” Thad’s face became very serious. “Where is my Grandfather?” He asked.
“He is resting peacefully in a beautiful garden,” Mathias said gently lowering Thad to the floor.
“I want to see him,” Thad said quietly.
“Are you sure?” Mathias asked.
Thad nodded his head. Mathias looked into Thad’s pleading eyes and agreed. “Gabriel is there right now, but I promise to take you after you have had something to eat.”
Thad went rushing down to the kitchen where Naarah was loading the table with lots of appetizing goodies.
“Brave kid eh?” Zyphera said standing in the door way behind Mathias.
His eyes filled with sadness as he answered. “Yes, but no one his age should have to go through what he has,” he replied, pausing for a moment, “and what he still must go through,” Mathias added his voice becoming angry for a second.
Zyphera nodded her head in agreement. “It is good to see you again,” her voice barely above a whisper as she buried her face in his chest. “I feared we were all going to die in that god awful place. He’s gone you know.”
“I know,” Mathias replied looking at Zyphera as if she had forgotten why he’d left.
“Not the Professor, Madron. He slipped through our fingers,” she said recounting the events in her mind. “He and Gabriel were battling and then, he was gone.” She was still trying to process everything she’d witnessed.
“Gabriel fought him? But Madron was gone before I even left?” Mathias said confused.
“Thad went after him.”
“He did WHAT,” Mathias yelled in shock.
“He almost killed him too. I had to stop him,” Zyphera explained, her voice filled with her own disbelief.
“I can’t believe he went after him. How could…or did he almost kill him?” Mathias shook his head; he rubbed his forehead trying to grasp what Zyphera was telling him.
“Would you do any less?” Zyphera asked.
“No,” Mathis admitted truthfully.
“Well I don’t think we have to worry about seeing him again. Not even evil can live with out blood. By the way, I think Traiden really needs to talk to you. He has been really antsy since we got here,” She added not divulging anything more.
“Thanks, I will go and find him,” Mathias replied, hoping his friend could clear up the blurry picture Zyphera had painted.
Zyphera stood for a moment remembering the way Thad looked as they fought. She squeezed her eyelids tightly together trying to erase the image as she wandered into the kitchen.
“Hi Zyphy,” Thad greeted her cheerily, kneeling on a chair at the dining room table, a plateful of food balancing on the edge against his chest.
“Hey Thad,” she said warmly, happy to see the recent events hadn’t totally robbed him of all happiness and joy. It also strengthened her hope that what she saw in him was strictly related to the death of his Grandfather. “Is that good?” she asked noting the mouthful of food Thad was hurriedly trying to chew.
“Mafias is aking me to see gampa once iv had someving to eat,” he replied around his food.
“Oh, I see,” Zyphera tried to ignore the tiny voice questioning whether the outcome could lead to another incident.
“Would you like to come as well?” Thad asked once he swallowed.
Zyphera thought about it for a moment. “I think you should have that time for yourself,” she said gently, even though her instincts wanted to be there just incase.
“I need to say goodbye,” Thad said looking Zyphera in the eye, “I just have to say goodbye,” Thad sniffed.
Zyphera nodded her head.
Just then Mathias entered the kitchen. “Ready to go,” he asked.
Thad nodded. Mathias’s face told Zyphera he’d spoken with Traiden. It confirmed her fears. It broke her heart to see his big blue eyes looking so anxious and full of innocence, knowing that something ugly could quickly darken them.
“See you later Thad,” she said giving him a wave.
“Se ya Zyphy,” he waved back.
As the two disappeared out the door she broke into tears.
A warm familiar hand slipped into hers, the other wiped away her tears. “I need to know what went on,” Leath insisted kindly, tenderly lifting her chin so he could see her eyes.
Zyphera sniffed as she looked into Leath’s face.
“I fought him,” She began.
“You fought Madron?” Leath interrupted as panic gripped him.
Zyphera shook her head. “Thad,” she replied.
“You fought Thad,” Leath repeated in astonishment.
She nodded her head.
“Why?”
“Because of what is inside him,” Traiden answered for her as he entered the kitchen.
“I am sorry?” Leath’s brows knitted together, searching their grim faces for any sort of clue.
“Thad’s lineage includes far more than the Professor,” Traiden began.
Thad remained quiet the entire way to the church. His mind couldn’t focus. He was still reeling with the revelation that his Grandfather was his true, blood relation. “Why would he keep it a secret,” he wondered. Tears welled as images of his Grandfathers’ limp broken body marooned his thoughts. He felt orphaned all over again.
Darkness had fallen by the time they arrived and Mathias was unsure if the chapel would still be open. The two climbed the stairs relieved to find the doors unlocked. Entering the dimly lit sanctuary, they were surprised to find many keepers busily preparing for the professor’s return home. Once the keepers realized who it was they immediately brought Thad to the professor and kindly left him alone.
“Would you like me to stay?” Mathias asked.
Thad shook his head. “I would like to be alone with him if you don’t mind,” he answered, trying to be brave.
Mathias nodded his head. “I will be outside waiting for you,” he smiled encouragingly at Thad, leaving him standing by the professor’s side.
Thad gazed at his Grandfather’s peaceful face. It appeared as though he were only sleeping. Thad hoped he would waken and assure him it was just a bad dream. But deep down he knew it was real, a nightmare he would re- live for the rest of his life.
“You weren’t supposed to leave me yet,” Thad choked, touching Bartholomew’s cold pale hand, “I still need you. I am not ready to wake up every morning withou
t you, or go fishing in the river by myself,” He sniffed. “I need you to be here when I fall. Hold me when I am scared. I don’t know how to smile without seeing you everyday. I still have so many “I love you’” left to tell you. You never even said good bye. You can not leave me without saying goodbye,” He wept.
Thad buried his face in his grandfather’s shoulder. “I don’t want to let you go,” He sobbed. “I want you to wake up and tell me this is just a dream. Please, I won’t ask for anything else,” he begged clenching the crisp white sheet with his fingers. “I am not ready to say good bye.”
Thad felt as though a hand rustled his hair. “Grandpa,” Thad called out looking around, “Are you there?”
He heard only the sound of a breeze moving about the atrium. He rested his head on his grandfather’s shoulder one last time. “I love you,” he whispered.
Chapter 34
Unable to sleep alone, Thad snuck into Leath’s room and crawled under the covers like he did when he was a toddler.
“I don’t mind you sleeping with me,” Leath mumbled in a sleepy voice, “but keep your icicle feet away from me.”
Thad lay awake wishing Zyphera could’ve played her harp to calm him, as she often did when he had a nightmare. But this nightmare was real, and no matter how talented Zyphera was, Thad knew this was one dream music would not heal.
Morning appeared after a long night of restless sleep. Gabriel and Tabbris arrived as everyone began gathering in the kitchen and informing them Remy would be awaiting their arrival shortly before 9am.
With hardly more than a nod of acknowledgement, the group finished munching on the giant feast of waffles, sausage, bacon, eggs and fruit. By Eight o’clock the group was ready and anxious to be on their way. Sensing their urgency, Gabriel sent Tabbris away to ready the Professor’s body for transport.
“Are you going to be okay?” Gabriel asked Thad, noticing the tall tale signs of a sleepless night.
“No,” Thad replied honestly. “But I have no choice in the matter do I.” Thad made it clear he did not want to discuss the topic further.
Gabriel left Thad staring out the entrance window and gathered the others. “I want you to keep a very close watch on Thad. I am worried about his safety,” Gabriel announced with great concern, “Promise me one of you will be with him at all times.”
Before anything more could be said, Tabbris enter through the front door. “Everything is in order,” he called out from the front hallway.
“Thank you Tabbris,” Gabriel replied. “Things will be okay,” he insisted turning back to the group.
Zyphera managed a weak smile, “Of course they will. It will just take sometime to adjust.”
“Mathias, are you really an angel,” Thad asked out of the blue.
“Yes,” Mathias answered.
“Are you one too, Traiden?” Thad asked still staring out the entrance window.
“Busted,” Traiden replied throwing his hands up in defeat.
“Hmmmm,” was Thad’s only response as he walked out to his Grandfather.
The others watched as Thad descended the steps, making his way to the convey carrying his Grandfather. No one uttered a word. Their expressions said it all.
The city clock rang out its quarterly interval signaling the start of their short journey home. Gabriel, Tabbris and seven other keepers escorted them. No one spoke. The only sound heard was the resounding chime of the city clock.
Approaching the mighty oak tree they could make out Remy’s form already waiting. Twelve Gnomes marched forward signaling to the six keepers to relinquish the professor’s body. Moving swiftly through the door, the Gnomes carried Bartholomew strong and proudly above their heads. Thad followed silently beside, acknowledging no one, not even a wave good bye or hello.
“Welcome home,” Remy rose on his tip toes to hug each of them. Suddenly he realized there was an unfamiliar face looking down at him. “Who is this?” he asked.
“Oh, this is my friend Traiden. He met up with us part way to Barathrum,” Mathias explained.
“I see, well I am pleased to meet you. My name is Remy,” He said graciously extending his hand.
“Likewise,” Traiden replied gently shaking Remy’s hand, fearing he might crush it.
“Now I want you all to go and rest,” Remy commanded kindly, “Everything is being taken care of. And don’t worry about Thad,” he added, noting the concern on everyone’s faces “He will be well looked after.”
Once Remy shooed everyone through the door and off to their rooms to shower and rest, he set off in search of Thaddeus. It was not hard to find him. He was still standing dutifully beside the Professor’s body by the large oak tree in the meadow where a three sided hut had been constructed.
“I thought I would find you here,” Remy said taking up post beside Thad.
Thad never took his eyes off his Grandfather. “Where will he be buried?” He asked, avoiding Remy’s eyes.
“He’ll be buried in the meadow under the stars,” Remy answered, gently plucking a twig from the crisp white sheet.
“That will be nice,” Thad replied, “We’ll be able to watch the meteor shows together.”
“Of course you can,” Remy assured him, patting Thad’s hand.
“Do you think he knows I am here?” Thad wondered, staring at the cold hand hanging limp in his.
“I believe he does,” Remy replied honestly.
“How am I going to survive,” Thad burst into tears, “This place, this house, it is all full of memories we made together. I knew there was a whole world beyond these walls, but as long as I had him I was happy. As long as I had him, these walls were the borders of the most magical world.”
“In time you will be thankful for these memories. They will make you laugh when you are sad and comfort you when you are scared. These walls need not be a prison of misery for you, but instead look at it as a box holding all your most precious times, keeping them safe. Come now, let him rest,” Remy suggested, gently unhooking Thad’s hand from his Grandfather’s. “You need your rest as well.”
Thad allowed Remy to lead him back to the giant estate home. The house looked sinister and dark. Even the sun’s gentle fingers seemed unable to touch it with its light. He looked back over his shoulder to the solitary hut. For Thad it housed not just his Grandfather’s body, but all his happiness and cheer, everything that made life livable.
He felt a small tug on his arm. Remy was gently prodding him up the front steps of the white wash porch. Another memory rocked gently in the breeze. When he was five, Thad and his Grandfather made matching wood rocking chairs out of an old birch tree that blew down on the property in a summer storm.
“Who is going to rock with me and tell me stories in the cool of a summer night and drink fresh squeezed lemonade,” he thought sadly to himself. He felt another gentle tug.
“Come now, Gwenlynn has prepared a mid day meal for you,” He said guiding Thad towards the kitchen.
Thad picked at the food before him as he sat on his stool. The meal smelled delightful, but Thad had no appetite. “I am sorry, this food looks delicious but I am not very hunger,” he apologized, pushing the plate away.
“Tis okay lad, I understand. Why don’t you go and sit awhile in your room. I’ll make sure you are undisturbed,” Gwenlynn smiled. “Now off you go,” kindly shooing him away.
Thad pushed open the kitchen door and climbed the staircase to the second floor. He could see the lights were out in all the rooms but the music room. Curious, he slowly walked down the hall. As he crept closer he could hear the comforting song of Zyphera’s harp.
“Hey Thad,” she said silencing the strings with her hand when she noticed him in the doorway.
“What song were you just playing?” Thad asked inquisitively.
Zyphera smiled. “The one your Grandfather sang to you as a baby. I helped him write it.”
“He wrote me a song?” Thad’s voice cracked with emotion. "I don't remember him singing too me
ever."
“Would you like me to play it for you?” Zyphera asked. Thad nodded his head vigorously as he sat down beside her.
Zyphera placed her fingers on the strings. Immediately a soothing melody embraced the room.
“Can you remember the words?” Thad asked.
Zyphera nodded.
“Hush, hush, my sweet baby boy off you go to sleep
The moon is out and the sun has gone to bed and so must you.
Hush, hush my sweet baby boy close those little eyes
Sentry Rising Page 32