by K.L. Bauman
**********************
Almost a month had passed since the night of Belzac’s attack. The moon had nearly disappeared again, but Echo felt no fear from its receding form this time. Brecker had spent many days with Thildin’s finest healers; still, Echo could tell that something still wasn’t right with him. She would often find him wandering alone or with Midnight Sun, staring out into the valley, his eyes seeing past the lush valley grass and the shining forms of the grazing horses. And yet he was alive and he was home. His return had caused a great celebration throughout the valley. And Belzac’s death had caused even more of a celebration. Echo had been a bit embarrassed when she’d been dubbed “The Shadow Thief” after the crystal that first carried the name. Dorian had told her that her light, her love, had set Brecker and Thildin Valley free from the shadows. But she did not feel like a hero. Especially when so many had been injured, even killed, in the battle.
With the help of the elves and fae, the red dragon had survived the gash on his throat. Song informed Echo that the dragon would have to refrain from using his fire for several months to allow the cut to heal completely. Soon, she and the wolfix would join him as he returned to the lair on the Dragon’s Tooth until he was whole again. Then, the dragon could re-join his companions in other quests. In the meantime, elves, humans, and fae enjoyed his magnificent presence in Thildin Valley.
Cage still had not returned with Keebo. Echo had drawn several pictures of Keebo, scared she’d forget his boyish features. She stared at the drawings every night. She stood at the river’s edge every day, visited her secret place, and flown with Shimmer hundreds of times, seeking desperately for even a hint or a sign of their return. Oran and Finear joined them from time to time, but they had been injured badly during the battle and couldn’t fly as long as they used to. Finear had been unable to use one of his wings for two weeks, and Echo’s dad had nearly lost his left leg to the sharp, watery weapon of a wraith.
Kiani, Mari, and Dorian helped organize search parties that went out several times a week, helping Echo feel that everything that could be done was being done to find Keebo. Even Moodey had helped, instructing and encouraging the villagers to keep their eyes open while near any water. Echo was glad the man had survived the battle. He seemed at peace. With the death of Belzac, justice had been served in Moodey’s eyes.
Echo spent countless hours sitting in the trees, touching their bark and listening to their leaves rustle in the breeze, wishing desperately they would bring her some news of Keebo. Song and Jiggers would often join her, listening with their sharper fae ears. But to no avail.
Finally, on the day of the one-month anniversary of the battle, Echo caught a glimpse of a shadow as she and Shimmer flew over the Winia River near the northern village, Auri. Shimmer arrow-dove toward the spot. Echo didn’t get too excited. They’d done this countless times before. This time, however, as Shimmer landed, the river water bulged as if a giant bubble was surfacing. Then, the ‘bubble’ burst, sending an explosion of water toward the shore. Tiny rainbows shimmered in the droplets as the form of a large, black horse appeared. On its back, a shadowy figure took the form of a boyish but ruggedly handsome face. Cage gave Echo a nod and a crooked smile. Echo’s heart rose and sank at once--Cage was back, but she couldn’t see Keebo.
A sharp gasp sounded from behind Cage and, as Velth turned, Keebo’s form came in view. Echo barely felt her body move as she dismounted and raced toward the dark horse. Cage helped Keebo slide from Velth’s back. The sopping fae’s face was immediately scooped up in Echo’s hands as she kissed him on the lips. His mouth was cold at first, but with her touch, warmth seeped back into his skin. They pulled apart and Echo, overcome with a mixture of too many emotions, slugged Keebo on the shoulder. “Don’t EVER do that again!”
Tears poured from her eyes and she felt like she’d swallowed a walnut. Keebo rubbed his shoulder and smiled at her, his eyes sparkling. “I’m sorry! She put a spell on me and looked like you!” His face softened. “How could I resist?”
Echo softened under his gaze as heat rose to her cheeks. “Besides,” Keebo continued, “I promised I’d come back to you, remember?”
They stared into each other’s eyes and drew closer again. Before their lips could touch, a “Hem! Hem!” sounded from beside them.
Echo and Keebo turned toward Cage. Echo released the fae and embraced the wraith tightly. “How can I ever repay you? Thank you!”
“The debt was mine, little Kavalah. It was the least I could do.”
After they pulled apart, Keebo approached Cage and extended a hand. “I owe you my life. I hope we can call one another ‘friend’ from now on.”
Cage grasped Keebo’s hand, shaking it firmly, and gave him a sly smile. “Don’t count on it.”
Keebo returned the smile and nodded. Cage remounted Velth and looked at Echo. “Well, I have a lot to do and to enjoy, now that I’m a free wraith.” He became slightly more serious for a moment. “If you ever need my help, go to any body of water anywhere, touch the water and call my name. I’ll hear you.”
Echo grunted, “That might’ve been useful information before!”
“Before, I was a prisoner to dark magic. It wouldn’t have worked. And,” he added, “I didn’t want you summoning me every few minutes to check on my progress searching for Keebo, either. Until we meet again, Echo,” Cage said softly, and then gave her a quick wink, spun his kelpie around, and disappeared with a ceremonious splash into the river.
Echo turned to Keebo. Grabbing his hands, she allowed her joy to radiate through her. “Come on, there are a lot of people who have been missing you. We need to give them all the good news!”
“Just let me dry myself off first,” Keebo said. He clenched his fists and furrowed his brows. Blue flames shot up his arms and engulfed his entire body for a moment, but miraculously didn’t burn him or his clothes. When he was done, Keebo was completely dry. “Did you know I can do that under water? It’s wickedly awesome!” Echo shook her head and laughed as she grabbed Keebo’s hand and they mounted Shimmer.
As Shimmer, Echo, and Keebo landed in the valley just outside of Thildin, Brecker and Midnight Sun walked toward them. A large pack was tied to Midnight Sun’s saddle and Brecker wore the new riding clothes Mari had made for him. They were similar to Echo’s, but without the longer tunic, and they were dark brown rather than blue. His elf blade was strapped to his hip by a leather belt around his waist.
Brecker’s face showed surprise then joy at seeing Keebo. He embraced Keebo, patting him heartily on the shoulder. “I thought we’d never see you again,” Brecker chuckled as they parted.
“Yeah, me too,” Keebo stated. “You have no idea how glad I am to be back. And it’s great that you’re back, too.”
“There are many who will be just as happy to see your return.” Brecker turned his eyes on Echo. “Echo has been searching tirelessly for you for a month now. I’m happy for you both,” he said.
Echo’s eyes trailed to the pack on Midnight Sun’s saddle. “What is that for?” she asked, gesturing with her head toward the pack.
Brecker’s eyes became sad and his smile faded. He cleared his throat and then asked Keebo to give him and Echo a moment. After the fae walked a little distance away, Brecker placed his hands on Echo’s shoulders and looked her in the eyes. “Echo, we both know I haven’t been the same since my enslavement. Even though you freed me from Belzac’s grip, I just can’t shake the darkness. It lives in my dreams. I can’t keep living here, I can’t bear to look into the faces of our friends and family. I can’t live with the shame of what I did while I was with Belzac.”
“But none of that was your fault, Brecker. You were under the doon’s control.”
Brecker nodded and closed his eyes for a moment. He spoke again when he opened them, “But I had a choice, Echo. It would’ve been better to let him kill me than to do the horrible things he made me do.�
�
Brecker’s face contorted with pain for a moment as visions far more horrifying than Echo could know played in his memory. He shook his head and gave her a half smile. “I just need some time. Maybe I’ll return to Thildin Valley someday. But for now, I need to leave.”
“What will you do? Where will you go?” Echo asked as she attempted to force her tears to stay behind her eyes.
Brecker’s mouth split into a smile. “I’m just going to explore Shae Vale, like Dad did. Maybe I’ll be able to help a few folks along the way, to help beat back the demons in my heart and mind. I’ll be like a dark hero.”
The teens laughed through the welling of tears. “I’ll miss you,” Echo said quietly.
Brecker hugged her again. “I’ll miss you more.”