Page 52 of Charmed

“And I don’t mind going with you to help you attain your goal.”

“Nay,” he said firmly, stepping away and pulling a tunic over his head. The he pushed into his boots and ended by strapping on his weapon belt. “It is too dangerous and I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“But I have magic,” she told him. “I’ll be protected by it. I’ve already used it to help us, and I won’t hesitate to do it once again.”

“I said no,” he told her, picking up his sword and sliding it into the scabbard. “Now stay here where you’ll be safe. I will see you later.” He kissed her once more, giving her a quick hug and then walked over and pulled open the door.

“Will you? Will you really return?” she asked, sounding like she was looking for validation.

He turned to see her standing there, looking so forlorn.

“Of course, I will, sweetheart. I always carry out my promises.”

“And what if you find the portal open? Then, what will you do? Will you go through it?”

“Yes, I’m counting on finding it again. I have to do so in order to return to Taelgonoth and warn my king about Sethor’s plans.”

“But if you go back to Taelgonoth…if you go back to your homeland, you will never return to Mura. Will you?”

“Well, I—” He really hadn’t thought that far ahead. His focus had been on his job and getting back home. But now after coupling with Persimmon, everything had changed. He had feelings for her and really didn’t want to leave her behind. Plus, he could see that if he left, Persimmon would think he was abandoning her like everyone else in her life had done. That is the last thing he wanted her to believe. “Persimmon, I can’t answer that right now. No one knows how to open or close the portal. Even if I get through it again, I might never have the chance to return to Mura if it doesn’t open once again. Do you understand?”

“Then I guess this is goodbye, isn’t it?” Her words stabbed into his heart like a sharp knife.

“Nay. Don’t say that.” He squeezed his eyes closed, feeling the pressure of being torn. He wanted to stay here with Persimmon, but also felt a calling and obligation to carry out his mission and to get back home. “We have to remain optimistic, sweetheart.” He walked back to her and kissed her on the nose. “Let’s not make this a goodbye. We’ll just say, see you later.”

Without waiting for her to respond, he turned and walked out the door. Stone made it all the way to the courtyard when Gregor Lithum rode through the gates of Kasculbough with a sense of great urgency on his face.

“Gregor is back,” Rhys called out to Stone.

“I thought he went back to Macada Castle,” said Aithrod as he fastened a bag to a horse that Rhys had lent them.

“He did go back,” said Rhys. “If he’s returned so soon, he must have information for us. It must be important.”

“Let’s see what he has to say.” Stone hurried over with the other men to greet Gregor. “Good morning,” Stone called out. Fang trailed at his side.

“I have news.” Gregor hopped off the horse. A stable boy took the reins of his horse for him.

“What is it?” asked Rhys. “Is King Sethor up to something?”

“Does it have something to do with Rancor Ruse?” asked Stone.

“Yes to both,” said the man. “I was able to find out information and sneak in and back out of Macada Castle without the king seeing or suspecting me.”

“Do tell.” Stone was anxious to know where to find his thieves.

“It seems Sethor is preparing his army.” Gregor shook his head in disgust.

“For what? He wants a war with us?” Rhys frowned. “I’ll contact my brothers anon.”

“Nay.” Gregor held up his hand. “The thieves are taking Sethor and a good sized army to a cave for some reason.”

“Damn,” swore Stone. “He’s taking his men to the Quamm Caves, hoping to be able to go through the portal to Taelgonoth. He’s going to attack King Helix and take his throne as his own.”

“All those men can’t possibly get through the portal before it closes, can they?” asked Aithrod. “I mean, if it even opens again at all.”

“I’m sure he is counting on it,” said Gregor.

“Rancor either knows how to work the portal, or has convinced the king that they can figure it out together,” said Stone.