“And what about Third Earth?” Patrick asked.
“The Travelers are the last hope for Third Earth. The exiles are the last hope for the Travelers. If we want to stand up to Ravinia on Third Earth, we are going to have to rely on the positive spirit of the exiles to continue energizing Solara, which in turn gives us the ability to maintain our physical selves and to travel. If something happens to the exiles, game over.”
“Then they must be protected,” Alder said.
“Yes,” Uncle Press said quickly. “But first we have to find them and ensure their safety before turning our sights to Third Earth.”
I guess it came as no surprise to any of us that it was going to come down to Third Earth. The final territory. What was Saint Dane up to there? We had no idea. But unless we found the exiles and kept them safe, it wouldn’t matter what he was doing, because the Travelers wouldn’t have the ability to stop him. Finding the exiles and protecting them seemed like the right thing to do. The only thing. But there was one other reason that I believed in the plan. I didn’t share it with the others because, in the long run, it didn’t matter to anyone but me. I kept my feelings to myself. They energized me. They gave me confidence. Of course I wanted to find the exiles and have one last shot at Saint Dane. But there was another reason. A personal one.
Finding them might also mean finding Mark and Courtney.
Chapter 8
Find them,” Uncle Press announced, all business. Siry looked shaken. “But, how?”
“I can’t answer that. I don’t know. You each have more knowledge about your home territory than anyone else. Use it. Return to your homes and track down the exiles. But I have to warn you, things have changed. Everywhere. Saint Dane’s Convergence has seen to that. It will be dangerous.”
Siry said, “But that shouldn’t matter. Not if we have the power of Solara to protect us.”
“You do,” Uncle Press replied. “But if you do not use it wisely, you will do more harm to Solara than good. Resist the temptation to use your powers as a tool, except in the most dire of circumstances. Solara can’t stand to be depleted much more.”
Elli asked, “If we locate the exiles, what should we do?”
“Do all you can to ensure their safety, then come back here. All of you. We will reconvene as a group and determine our next step based on what you’ve found. Hopefully by then, we will have determined what Saint Dane is doing on Third Earth. Maybe our only course of action will be to keep the exiles safe. If that’s the case, so be it. The one thing I do know is that their spirit can be the nucleus of a revived Halla. It has to be. They are all we have left. No, that’s not right. We have them… and you. This is the final mission of the Travelers. One way or another it will soon be over.”
Aja said, “And what happens to us when this ends?”
Uncle Press sighed. “The better question is, what will be left of Halla and Solara when this ends? That answer depends on all of you.”
Alder spoke up. “Then we should get to work.”
We shared looks. All of us knew what we had to do, sort of, but it didn’t look as if anybody knew how to begin.
Spader was the first to admit it. “Uh, not to be a bother, but how is it exactly that we’re supposed to travel? I’m a wee bit unclear on that.”
Uncle Press smiled and answered, “It’s easier than you can imagine. No, that’s not right. It’s exactly what you can imagine. Focus on where you want to be and take a step. The spirits of Solara will guide you to where you need to be.”
Spader scoffed uneasily. He didn’t believe it was possible, and I think if we took a poll, he wouldn’t be alone. It couldn’t be as easy as that.
Could it?
“Not that I don’t trust you, mate,” Spader said. “But that sounds a bit wonky.”
“Try it,” Uncle Press answered with confidence.
Spader looked around, chuckled nervously, closed his eyes, took a step forward…
And disappeared.
Elli gasped. I think we all took a step backward in surprise. Before anybody could comment, a rumbling was heard in the sky. Above us, another cloud went black. The rumbling continued, and Spader reappeared, taking a step out of nowhere.
“Hobey!” he shouted, his eyes wide. “I was on Grallion! I was truly there!”
The rumbling grew louder and another cloud went dark.
“You see?” Uncle Press pointed out. “But those two trips cost Solara. That’s how important it is to use this power sparingly.”
“There was something else,” Spader said. He looked shaken. “Grallion was in flames. People were scattering every which way. I think there was a crash. It may be sinking.”
“Like I said,” Uncle Press intoned soberly. “Things have changed.”
There was a silent moment. It was all sinking in. The truth. Our history. Our future. Our mission. It was a lot to understand, let alone accept. I’m sure there were doubts all around. I know I still had them. My mind searched for other possibilities. Other explanations. Other ways that we might be able to end this war and save Halla.
I came up empty.
The way to go was clear. It was time to get started.
I walked up to Spader and said, “This is finally it. You’re back in the game.”
Spader stood up straight. The fear was gone. In its place was that look of confidence I knew so well.
“Like I’ve been telling you, mate, I’m ready.” He glanced around at the other Travelers and called out, “Doesn’t hurt, by the by. It’s quite spiff actually. No worries. Speed and luck to us all!”
He looked directly to me. “Been a long time since I’ve said this to you, mate.”
“Said what?”
He smiled, winked, and exclaimed, “Hobey-ho, let’s go.” I’d missed Spader. “Hobey-ho.”
He looked to the others and added, “No time for second guesses. No room for hesitation. Nothing left to lose. If you’re asking me, there’s only one thing we can do.”
“And what’s that?” Gunny asked.
“Mates,” Spader replied, “let’s get dangerous.”
He took a step backward, and was gone. Above us, thunder rumbled. I didn’t look up. I didn’t want to see another light go out.
“Guess I should be on my way too,” Gunny said. “Haven’t been home in a while. Anything I should watch out for?”
“I wish I had an answer for you, Gunny,” Uncle Press said.
Gunny shrugged and looked at me. “Then I’ll just have to take a look for myself. Take care of yourself, shorty.” “See you soon,” I answered.
Gunny closed his eyes, took a step, and was gone. Thunder rumbled.
One by one the Travelers took off. Elli, Aja, Siry, and then Kasha. They all gave a quick farewell and left Solara to begin their final mission. Each time they left, the rumbling returned. It became so intense that the ground shook. That wasn’t good.
Alder called to me. “I do not want to leave you, Pendragon.”
“Nor do I,” Loor said. “Perhaps we should travel to our territories together.”
“We make a superior team,” Alder added.
“And you’ll be a team again,” Uncle Press said. “For now you’ll have to be with each other in spirit. You know that to be true now. None of you are ever alone.”
Alder nodded. He understood. “Then I will say goodbye and be careful.” He took a step forward and disappeared.
Loor folded her arms and walked right up to Uncle Press. “Where will you be?” she demanded to know.
“Third Earth. Patrick and I will return there to try and learn what Saint Dane is planning for-”
“No,” I interrupted.
Uncle Press gave me a surprised look. “Excuse me?”
“You should stay here for when the Travelers return with news of the exiles.”