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Epilogue: Picking up the Pieces
Ayden took Dash and Saidi from Charan that day and wandered aimlessly, looking for a place where he could raise both his children in safety. Eventually, he ended up heading west and in doing so he stumbled across the remains of Calli’s old home just south of the headwaters of one branch of the northern Fadey River. The sight of the dilapidated house brought forth more painful emotions and it took all of Ayden’s power to keep those feelings from Dash and Saidi. The kids were far too perceptive for their own good sometimes. He decided that reviving Calli’s old home wasn’t the best idea, but the area around there suited him fine. He had killed Zachari and his closest advisors during his assault on the camp, and in doing so everyone who had known about this place was gone. Ayden rested there for a night before heading north. He found a nice little clearing close to the lake that headed the river and set up a more permanent camp. He’d found the place all three of them would soon call home.
Over the next couple of months, Ayden built a small house and made it as comfortable as he could given the circumstances and once he felt comfortable leaving young Dash alone in charge of Saidi he headed into the nearest town, Paiva, to get some essential supplies. It was there that he first heard of the new government that had arisen since he’d taken leave of Lyris. Apparently, Dunstan hadn’t wasted any time in consolidating his power and shifting his base to Radwan and after some gruesome purges along both the Selas and Fadey River, he’d finally gotten what he wanted—full control over all of Lyris. Unfortunately for all, his rule wasn’t any better than the Triad’s which should have been expected since he had been a member of that ruling body. Ayden brushed aside the news of the regime change, gathered what he needed and returned home to Dash and Saidi, determined to let circumstances in Lyris go unchecked. Lyris had killed Keaha; it deserved everything it got.
As the years passed, Ayden made sure to teach Dash and Saidi everything he could about their powers. Dash’s abilities were limited, but any kind of magical protection against unfriendly faces was better than nothing. Saidi, however, had inherited her father’s deep well of power, and Ayden took care to nurture it from day one, hoping that someday that power would save her when he was no longer able to.
The children grew strong and thrived in their safe little niche in the middle of Lyris and as they grew, the questions they asked Ayden became more and more particular. Dash wanted to know why Ayden was hiding and Saidi would quickly follow such a question with her own inquiry about her mother. The double teaming made Ayden nervous and more and more often drove him from the home he’d built.
He spent more time at the neighboring towns of Paiva, Meira and Warrick, avoiding Charan even though it was the closest town, but all the same gathering vital information about the status of Lyris. The news he received painted a bleak picture, but he still refused to take any part in fixing the mess that had arisen. Keaha’s death, though it had happened some fifteen years earlier, still tore at his heart. He couldn’t bring himself to forgive the world that had so utterly destroyed everything he’d held dear.
Upon returning to his small house, the questions came again and as much as he tried to argue that he no longer cared about what happened to Lyris, both Saidi and Dash knew better. If he truly didn’t care about Lyris and his people, Ayden wouldn’t take such care in gathering information about their plight. Why else would he have built a home as centrally located as theirs was?
A few more years passed in just such a fashion. Saidi and Dash began to grow restless, having long been forbidden to travel to any place where people flourished. Of course, that meant going to any town was out of the question. Ayden’s protective instincts were becoming far too restrictive in the minds of the seventeen-year-old Saidi and the twenty-three-year-old Dash. They weren’t children any longer.
Dash smiled at his sisters mood and laid a hand on her shoulder as he walked around behind her. “He’s afraid of what you’ll face should you leave here.”
Saidi shifted and fixed her penetrating blue eyes on her older brother. They both knew they weren’t actually related, but it was the only kind of relationship they’d ever known. Ayden loved them both dearly and had raised them as his children regardless of the difference in their blood. “Why is it that he fears for me alone? You’re as much a part of this as I am and from what you’ve told me of your childhood I don’t see why he shouldn’t worry about you as well,” she retorted.
Dash shrugged and stepped back, clearly uncomfortable with the turn the topic had taken. “Just drop it, Saidi; that’s not something I wish to talk about.”
Saidi jumped to her feet and faced her brother. “You’re starting to sound just like our father!” she yelled and grabbed his arms. “You know it isn’t right to avoid uncomfortable subjects and yet you’re doing just that.”
“You make it sound so simple, Saidi, but you’ve never been in that kind of situation. You don’t know what it feels like to think about the pain that was once caused you. Father made sure you never suffered like we did,” Dash countered.
“Don’t I have a right to know what wrongs my family suffered? Hell, I don’t even know the full story behind my mother’s death. I don’t see how keeping me in the dark about the past is going to help me grow up and make my own decisions one day,” Keaha muttered and turned her back on Dash. There was a brief moment of silence before she spoke again. “I hate seeing him suffer,” she cried and gave in to her tears.
Dash stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. “You hate seeing who suffer?”
“Father. He tries to hide it, but he can’t keep it under wraps all the time and in those moments of lapse I can feel his pain,” she whispered and twisted in Dash’s arms, laying her head against his chest. “Don’t tell me you’ve never felt it.”
Dash rested his chin on Saidi’s head and sighed. “I just never felt comfortable bringing it up. I have some idea of what he’s going through and I know I wouldn’t want to be constantly reminded of my pain.”
“Dash, I am a constant reminder to him. You told me that I look a lot like my mother and I have a feeling much of his suffering is a result of her death. Every time he looks at me he is bound to see her,” Saidi replied and snaked her arms around Dash’s waist.
“I don’t see how we can change that, Saidi. You are who you are.”
Saidi was about to reply when a painful feeling of dread welled up inside her. She stiffened for a moment before going limp in Dash’s arms and if it hadn’t been for her brother, she would have fallen to the floor.
Worry washed over Dash’s features. “What’s wrong?” he cried as he helped her to a chair.
“Father’s in trouble!” Saidi fixed her blue eyes on Dash and tightened her hold on his arms. “Where did he go to get supplies this time?”
Dash thought for a moment. “I think it was Meira, but I’m not sure; he’s been leaving us alone a lot lately.”
Saidi worked to steady her breathing. “We have to find him, Dash. Something has happened and I don’t like the fear I felt coming from him just now.”
“How do you know? Saidi, maybe our conversation triggered your own fears and nothing’s really wrong. Father will be furious if we venture out without at least first talking to him,” Dash tried to reason with her.
Saidi shook her head. “I know father’s emotions. I sensed him, Dash. I’ve always been able to sense him no matter how far he’s gone. That’s why when I was younger I never cried when he’d leave because it always felt like he was there, but now his presence his hidden from me. I felt his fear spike and then nothing,” she explained, hoping to make Dash see. They had to leave as quickly as possible or she feared her father would be beyond their aid.
Dash closed his eyes for a moment before nodding. “He wouldn’t dare get mad at us for helping him,” he muttered, hoping to make a little light of the situation. “We better grab that map father’s got or we’ll never find our way to Meira,” he added and rose.
Saidi stood beside him and hurried over to the desk Ayden kept. She magically unbound the top drawer and pulled out the map of Lyris. “Let’s get going,” she said and took Dash’s hand. Saidi cast one look back at their home and magically extinguished all of the lights, including the fire roaring in the fireplace. There was no sense risking an accident; she would like to still have a home when they returned.
Dash bowed his head in relief. “How are we going to get to him? We don’t even know what’s happened.”
Saidi closed her eyes and magically reached out towards her father. She let him know that she and Dash had come and then mentally scanned the area to get a feel for the situation. After a moment she pulled back, upset by her father’s disapproval of their coming. “He’s angry with us, Dash.”
“What? How could he be? We’re here to help him.”
“He doesn’t want us involved. I suppose that’s another reason for hiding us for so long. As long as we didn’t develop an affinity for Lyris we wouldn’t want to act to help her which is what father did that got him into this current mess. The guards around him saw him try to kill Dunstan during the man’s ride through Meira. Despite all he’s told us over the years, father does still care about what’s happening,” Saidi explained, mystified by all that was happening.
“How is father doing?”
Saidi looked at her brother with tear-filled eyes. “He’s hurt badly. Dunstan is still in town because he wants to see justice done for the death of his two comrades. Apparently, father is the once responsible for the fall of the Triad, and as the last remaining member, Dunstan sees it as his duty to take revenge.”
Dash swore and dismounted. “We have to act, Saidi. We can’t let them kill him for this.”
Saidi got down beside him and tied her horse’s lead to a nearby tree. “Don’t you think I know that? He’s my father! I’ve already lost my mother to these bastards and I think it’s high time they pay for their crimes,” Saidi cried, her voice rising with each word.
Dash pressed a finger to her lips. “We must be cautious,” he admonished.
Saidi blinked back tears and peered through the trees towards the place where her father was being held. “Now is not the time for caution!” she yelled and took off running.
Dash cursed again and hurried after her, pulling his sword from his scabbard as he went and thankful that Ayden had taught them both the proper use of weapons. He skidded to a halt just behind Saidi at the edge of the camp.
Saidi’s eyes swept the area as she looked for her father. She found him after a moment’s study and took off running again with Dash close on her heals. “Father,” she called and pushed her hand through the metal bars of the cage.
Ayden opened his eyes and sighed when he saw his daughter. “You shouldn’t have come, Saidi. It’s too dangerous.”
Saidi’s blue eyes flashed. “Oh but it’s fine for you to be here? I will not let you suffer and die at the hands of these monsters. They’ve already taken my mother; I’m not going to let them have you to,” she replied indignantly.
Ayden shifted as if to stop her, but pain washed across his face at the movement and he sagged against the bars in exhaustion.
“We have to get him out of here!” Saidi repeated and turned to Dash to say more, but her attention was drawn elsewhere. The guards had encircled them during her conversation with Ayden. She seized her own sword and raised it threateningly against the guards. “I will not stand for this!” she called, challenging them.
Dash gave her a warning look but didn’t have the time to say a word as the ten guards around them charged forward. He fell into the forms that Ayden had so painstakingly taught him over the years and fought back.
Saidi swung with her sword as she worked out the best way to attack them magically. Everything fell into place after a moment and she let her power go. A mighty wind swept the ten guards back. They all struck trees and sank to the ground unconscious. Saidi grinned and turned back to the cage holding her father. She magically tore off the lock and hurried inside. “Dash, help me.”
Dash hurried inside and draped Ayden’s other arm over his shoulder.
“We have to be careful, I think a few of his ribs are broken,” Saidi informed him as she magically probed her father’s body for injuries. She didn’t want to hurt him now that he was free.
The three of them had barely made it back to the horses when Dunstan and his entourage arrived and surrounded them once again. This time, it was Saidi who cursed as she and Dash lowered Ayden to the ground. “Can’t you leave us alone?” she hissed.
The man she knew to be Dunstan began to laugh. “Not after what he’s done to my friends. He deserves everything he’s ever gotten as does anyone helping him.”
Saidi raised her chin, an expression she’d picked up from her father. “He deserves nothing but peace, and I refuse to stand by and watch you destroy that.”
“And who might you be?” Dunstan taunted.
At that, Saidi laughed. “His daughter,” she replied, casually tipping her head in his direction so Dunstan knew she was referring to Ayden. He was rather thickheaded after all.
Dunstan paled at her announcement and took a step back. He was quick enough to at least understand that like her father she too had magic.
Saidi wasn’t about to let him leave. She lifted her hand and magically held the older man. “You’ve done enough harm, Dunstan. I think it’s time you say your goodbyes,” Saidi instructed, fully intent on killing the last member of the Triad and freeing Lyris from his corruption once and for all, but someone beat her to it. Dunstan jerked once within her grasp and then went limp. Saidi gasped and let his dead body fall to the ground. She looked at Dash in disbelief; she hadn’t done anything yet.
“It’s done,” Ayden murmured from his place on the ground.
Saidi knelt beside him. “You did it,” she said, stating the obvious.
“I couldn’t let you kill. It hurts too much,” Ayden wanted to explain more but a painful wheezing interrupted his words. It calmed enough a moment later for him to continue. “Watch the guards,” he warned.
Saidi turned around expecting an attack, but all the men who’d been with Dunstan had run off when they saw their leader die. “They’ve gone, father. We’re safe for now.”
“I suppose that’s for the best,” Ayden whispered and closed his eyes.
Saidi watched her father for a moment before deciding that he’d fallen asleep. “What should we do now?” she asked as she turned to face her older brother.
“I don’t know, Saidi. It seems to me we just got involved in something we’d never expected to get involved in and I really have no idea how we’re supposed to handle it,” Dash replied with a shrug.
Saidi laughed and laid an understanding hand on Dash’s arm. “I know what you mean even if you don’t make sense. Why don’t we focus on father first?”
Dash nodded. “Sounds logical. Are you going to try healing him with your magic?”
“I wouldn’t dare. I’ve never used my power like that and though I know it’s possible I don’t want to run the risk of hurting him more. What are we going to do? We can’t just leave him like this!” Saidi’s voice rose as a feeling of helplessness washed over her. She didn’t know how to care for her father.
“Relax, Saidi, I have an idea. Why don’t we take him to Charan?”
“Charan? What’s there that could help us?” Saidi asked; she’d only heard mention of the town before and as far as she knew, her father had never traveled there.
It was Dash’s turn to laugh a little. “Charan is my hometown. I met your father there when I was about six.”
“That sounds nice, but what does it have to do with anything? I want to find help for him not take a trip down memory lane,” Saidi countered, her worry about her father coming out as irritation. She really wasn’t mad at Dash, but there wasn’t anyone else to take it out on at the moment.
“Father has a couple friends there and both of them happen to have a little experience with healing,” Dash replied.
Saidi’s blue eyes widened. “Well, what are we waiting for?” she exclaimed and squatted down beside her father. “I’ll ride double with him for awhile and then we’ll switch off. How far is it to Charan?”
“A few days ride to the north.”
Saidi sighed, wishing there was a faster way to get her father someplace safe where he could rest. “It will have to do. I only hope the trip isn’t too exhausting for him.”
Dash drew her into a hug. “He’ll be all right, Saidi. Father’s a fighter.”
Dash shrugged; he hadn’t been back to his hometown since that day Ayden had ridden in and taken both him and Saidi away from all civilization. “If they haven’t moved, they should still be living just off the main street in the back of Neal’s herb shop,” he replied as he visualized the town in his mind.
“Lead the way,” Saidi prompted and tightened her hold on her father. “We’re almost there,” she whispered to him. He’d been almost non-responsive the past couple of days and Saidi was starting to fear for her father’s health. He was normally a quiet person, but lately it had been going a little too far.
Dash pushed his mount into a walk and headed down the street. It didn’t take him long to locate Neal’s shop. He dismounted and hurried over to Saidi to help Ayden down. “I wonder if Neal will recognize me,” he murmured.
“It’s been a long time, Dash. I wouldn’t expect too much,” Saidi advised as she slid off her horse and took her place at her father’s side. “Why don’t we get this over with?” she suggested, suddenly nervous. If Neal and Moira still lived here, this would be the first time she’d ever met someone from her father’s past.
Dash helped her carry Ayden’s limp form to the door and knocked before any more doubts could develop in his mind. A few moments passed before an older Moira answered the door.
“It’s rather early just now, but how may I help you?” she inquired, studying Dash’s face. Her gaze slipped past him and when it lighted upon Ayden’s form her mouth dropped. “What is this?” she cried, straightening abruptly.
It was Saidi who spoke up. “Ma’am, my father was injured and Dash told me we’d be able to find help here,” she explained, sensing that Dash was comfortable with his recognition of the older woman.
“You’re Saidi,” Moira gasped and slumped against the door just as her husband Neal approached. He caught her and looked through the door in order to see the cause of her distress. His eyes widened when they landed on Ayden’s slumped form. “What happened to him?” he demanded and tightened his hold on Moira.
“Neal,” Dash said, drawing the man’s attention off of Ayden. “He was captured in Meira by Dunstan; it seems all wasn’t forgotten. Saidi and I got him out, but it’s been a hard ride here and I fear he hasn’t handled it well,” he explained.
“Dash!” Neal cried and shifted his gaze to Saidi as recognition finally sank in. He jerked and waved his hand as if recovering himself. “Well, don’t just stand there; get in here,” he ordered and backed out of the door, still supporting Moira.
Dash and Saidi brought their father in and laid him on the rumpled bed that Neal led them to. “Thank you, sir,” Saidi said as Neal strode past her.
Neal stopped and took her hand. “It’s Neal, Saidi; there’ll be no sirs here,” he replied and hurried over to Ayden’s side. “Moira, are you fit to give me a hand; Dunstan did quite a job on him.”
Moira rushed to her husband’s aid despite the shock she’d received. She gave Ayden a once over and sighed. “I’ve handled worse from him, but he’s older now. I just hope he has the same kind of strength he possessed before.”
Saidi took her words as an attack on her father. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t demean him so,” she muttered, her blue eyes fierce. She shook off the hand that Dash laid upon her shoulder and stared the older woman down.
“Dear, I meant nothing by it. It’s just best not to raise false hopes in times like these. Ayden has been through a lot; he may not want to live,” Moira tried to temper her words.
“Are you saying he’d die and leave me? I’m his daughter!” Saidi cried, her fear taking control. She didn’t want to lose her father.
“When you put it that way, I’m sure he’ll be fine. Ayden has always had a hard time leaving what he loves,” Moira assured her. “Now why don’t you and Dash go get some rest? There’s a spare bedroom down the hall; you both look exhausted. We’ll take good care of your father.”
Saidi studied her for a moment before nodding and following her brother out of the room.
“Someday I’d like to know how you do that,” Ayden murmured and yawned.
Moira laughed for a moment before motioning for Neal to get some herbs. “I wouldn’t have said anything, but it’s important that you tell me what’s all been done to you. I can’t heal blindly.”
Ayden’s green eyes hardened, and Moira knew from past experience that that wasn’t a good sign. “I was beaten.”
“Ayden, we’re only trying to help,” Neal protested as he set the jars of herbs down beside his wife.
“I shouldn’t even be here, Neal. It’s too dangerous for both of you, not to mention Saidi and Dash. I never intended for them to leave the safety of our home,” Ayden argued.
“Well, you’re here so we’ll just have to make due with what is. Besides, I’m sure Dunstan has other things in mind at the moment such as recovering from whatever blow was dealt him during your rescue,” Moira retorted.
“Dunstan’s dead,” Ayden’s voice was flat.
“Then the Triad is truly gone,” Neal whispered in amazement. “This is wonderful news.”
Ayden closed his eyes and said nothing in response to that.
Moira quieted Neal and focused her attention on Ayden. “Now if you would be so kind as to tell me a little about what pains you,” she prompted.
Ayden saw no reason to fight them; he was too tired. “Some of my ribs are broken, my head hurts, there are some fresh whip lashes and bruises everywhere, and if you tell either of my children about any of this I will deal with you personally,” he threatened.
“I’m sure they already know. They brought you here from Meira and some of those things are hard to ignore,” Moira replied with a small smile.
“I took steps to ensure that they didn’t see what I didn’t want them to see. Saidi has no idea of my past, and I’d like to keep it that way,” Ayden replied hotly.
“You have to talk about it sometime,” Neal admonished.
Ayden opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling, fighting back tears. “I did. Keaha knew everything.”
Moira grabbed Neal’s hand and squeezed it, using her husband’s strength to keep her own tears at bay. There was healing to be done and lots of it since Ayden had made sure that the children hadn’t tended to his injuries.
Ayden tried to sit up on the bed, but Moira flashed him a stern look and Neal pushed him back down. “What are you talking about?” he inquired, suddenly very suspicious. He’d never intended for Saidi and Dash to get involved with Lyris. The world was a dangerous place.
Saidi looked at Dash for support before continuing. “We’ve decided to finish what you started years ago. The last member of the Triad and the current ruler of Lyris is dead and we’re going to go to Radwan and pick up the pieces of his shattered government. It won’t be an easy task, but with time, we’ll rid Lyris of the corruption that’s long ruled her.”
Ayden shoved Neal aside and sat up, ignoring the pain that flared within his chest. “I cannot allow that!” he yelled. “Saidi, it’s suicide to even try.”
“Dash and I are perfectly capable of taking care of ourselves. Father, you taught us well and it’s time we use what we know to make things right,” Saidi challenged.
“Saidi, I tried to do what you’re proposing and nothing came of it but an unhappy ending. You mustn’t do this; I can’t lose you!” Ayden pushed. He didn’t want to watch his children ride off to their deaths.
“We’ll take care, father. I promise you,” Dash replied. He and Saidi were determined to see this plan through. Lyris needed champions or her people would fall under another corrupt regime in no time. Someone had to be there to stop that from happening.
“We’re going, father, and that’s the end of it,” Saidi said and strode over to Ayden’s bedside. She kissed him on the forehead and stepped back. “I love you, father. You must promise me that you’ll rest and get better.”
Ayden found himself nodding despite everything. “Don’t be reckless,” he whispered.
“We’ll take care and when you’re well enough perhaps all three of you can join us in Radwan and see what wonderful changes we’ve wrought,” Saidi replied, grinning. She had great hopes for Lyris and nothing would dampen her optimism. She was going to change things no matter what.
Yes, I know the update is early, but I finished it and figured it wouldn't hurt to let you all know how things turned out in the end. Saidi and Dash succeed, by the way.
A/N: Well, that’s the end of that. I thought I’d had the end of this story all planned out, but somewhere along the way, things changed and the wrong people got mixed up in things they should’ve stayed out of. Anyway, that’s over now, and I can at least say I left off with a reasonably happy ending since nothing that Keaha and Ayden did was in vain. I hope you all enjoyed it, and I thank you for your patience in reading this over the past year or so. Your reviews have been wonderful and helpful and they make me happy above all. It’s nice to know that the stuff I write is getting read somewhere by someone. Now all that’s left for me to decide is whether or not I should fix up a story I’ve been writing for years and post it. For some reason that story just doesn’t seem to want to be read, but I’m hoping that with a little work it will change its mind. Once again, thanks for reading!