The Estian Alliance

CHAPTER 28

3rd September - The City of Te’oull - Siatol

Jake West flew into the main square at Te’oull on the back of a magnificent, battle-scarred dragon and over the heads of thousands of exuberant and triumphant warriors, who greeted his arrival with unparalleled joy and wild excitement. The full extent of the many wounds Resus bore only became apparent when the young Keeper dismounted and turned to thank his new ally. Everyone was horrified when they saw the rips, gashes and tears in his flesh, none more so than Jake, who thought it a miracle that he was still flying. They covered his entire body. In fact, Resus had sustained so much damage that Jake realised even the mighty dragon had to be close to collapse. Tears of extreme gratitude filled his eyes and the impact of such an awful sight tore straight at his heart. He immediately began apologising for not seeing it earlier, and for asking so much of the splendid creature. Resus assured him that he would be fine and stated it was his duty to help the Keeper, but his words did little to diminish the guilt Jake felt. The youngster hugged his neck in appreciation and the massed crowds of hushed onlookers erupted once again into thunderous cheers of delight.

Once the great noise had eventually died down a little, the rest of the leaders approached and Princess Zephany silenced the crowd. Jake then addressed the dragon officially in the loudest voice he had, speaking in his capacity as a Keeper, and for the benefit of all.

“Together, we have defeated our common enemy. Together, we have stood firm and proud, made stronger by the friendship we have forged. The threat posed by King Vantrax and his armies has gone. Thank you, Resus. From the hearts of everyone here, thank you for everything you have done for us! There is no way we would have defeated anyone without you and your dragons. I want you to know that I know that, and I will not forget it. We all know it.”

More resounding shouts and screams of delight followed. Resus bowed his head slightly to acknowledge Jake’s gratitude and the cheers of the Estian warriors. Princess Zephany then stepped forward as Leader of the Alliance and everyone fell silent once more to hear her words.

“Hear ye all… We would like to add our sincere gratitude and appreciation to those of the Keeper. Resus, let it be known throughout this realm that you and your noble kind are welcome anywhere, at any time! You need no invitation. Please, say that you will return to Estia and live among us? Share our lives once again? Help us to rebuild what we have lost, our cities, and the bonds of comradeship we once treasured above all? Help us to make this land a better place for our children? Teach us your values, those you have demonstrated so readily these past few days; your honour and integrity, your loyalty and courage? For henceforth, I swear that for the rest of my years we shall be the very best of friends.”

The crowd was heaving now and it exploded with howls of approval. Resus once again bowed his head in gratitude, before letting the cheers subside and replying to the Princess and Jake in his deep, gentle voice.

“Thank you, both. Thank you all. The courage you have shown here has justified our decision to stand with you. I must leave you now to go and tend to my dragons. We have many wounded and we will need time to recover. Though, I believe I can speak for them all when I say that we accept your invitation to return gladly. It means more than you will ever know. Estia is our home. It is the land of our ancestors. We have proven we can co-exist and thrive. I look forward now to the future, with renewed hope and confidence. We will be strong. And we will use that strength to ensure that we live in peace and harmony.”

As the crowd roared their approval for the umpteenth time, Resus suddenly unfurled his wings and soared high into the sky. He left the Estians behind to find his dragons, with their resounding cheers and cries ringing loudly in his ears.

Jake watched him leave and then immediately rushed over to his family. He hugged his father like there was no tomorrow. Then, he embraced Harry as best he could, given his wounds, before doing the same to Ben.

“Hey! Steady on, mate. There’s people watching, ya know,” joked Ben, feeling more like his old self again.

“Yeah, but you know what, Ace? I couldn’t give a…!” replied Jake, deliberately stopping short of finishing his sentence. Ben knew exactly what he meant nevertheless. “…Ha ha! We did it, brother! We actually did it! I never thought we would you know, not really. To be honest, I didn’t think we had it in us.”

Ben was suddenly overcome with emotion. He had kept himself pretty much together so far, but when Jake referred to him as a ‘brother’, something inside of him just snapped, and the tears began to flow. He knew in that instant, right there and then, that the family he longed for, the family he had always dreamed of, was right in front of him… Or at least most of it was. And he realised all of a sudden that, even if he did not share their name, it always had been.

As he hugged Jake again, he looked over the Keeper’s shoulder and stared at the West family members before him. ‘Hmmnn… We’re an odd looking bunch,’ he thought, as he looked Jean, Harry, Graham and Melissa up and down. ‘We’re not really Joe Public, are we? But then, I’m no oil painting myself? I suppose I am a little rough around the edges? Nah, we’re not gonna win any beauty pageant, that’s for sure… Well, actually, Melissa probably could? Ha ha… You know what? I don’t care. They’re mine, all mine!’

Jake pushed Ben gently away and then embraced his grandmother tightly, saying a few heartfelt words to her before staring with shock and surprise at the Sebantan warrior he had hardly noticed in all the commotion. Melissa was still holding Jean’s hand. She had not let go of it since the battle was won. She said nothing as Jake eyed her up and down, uncertain as to how the Keeper would react to seeing her, and too ashamed of her past deeds to speak.

Rather surprisingly perhaps, it was Jake’s father who broke the awkward silence. “Err… Yeah, I see you’ve spotted our new addition? That is going to take some explaining, I’m afraid. We need to talk, son. But, the short version is that she’s on our side now. She’s one of us. It’s going to take a while for you to understand. But then, we have all the time in the world now, don’t we?”

Jake was still confused but he smiled. Then he laughed a little, more out of relief than anything else. The others joined in with him and the laughter spread, but Ben interrupted them all, as he suddenly realised something.

“Hey! Wait a minute! Stop! ‘All the time in the world.’ Jake, the box is fixed! We can finally go home!”

Jake took the box out of his bag immediately and placed it down on the ground. “Yes mate, I suppose you’re right. We’ve been waiting for this, so no time like the present. Time to go,” he said, as he stood upright.

He walked up to Princess Zephany and gave her a big hug, followed by a tender kiss on the cheek. “What can I say to you, after everything we’ve been through together? It’s never going to be enough I know, but thanks for all you have done. You’ve been… Awesome! I couldn’t have done any of this without you or your father. We would have been nothing without your people and the astonishing valour they’ve shown.”

Princess Zephany shook her head firmly. “Jake, your words are like my sword I think; they cut both ways. You have proven to be much more than a protector of worlds, Keeper. You have powers in you that defy all logic. You have been a trusted ally and friend. I hope we shall see you again, from time to time? You have achieved the impossible here and restored the stones, so it is now within your power to go wherever you wish to go.”

“Yeah, it is, isn’t it? I’d like that,” Jake answered, smiling warmly.

He moved on quickly to say farewell to Queen Bressial, Lord Caro, Nytig and the rest, before his eyes suddenly fell upon a much larger figure standing out in the crowd. “Verastus!” he cried, overjoyed to see his friend alive.

Jake ran over to where the giant Falorian stood. The crowd parted as he ran and he was soon joined by Ben, with the others not far behind. “Big Man, you’re alright!” Ben yelled, as they reached him.

Verastus smiled weakly and shook his head. “My friends, it is so very good to see you free from harm. I am sorry to bear such news on a day like this, but I am not, ‘alright’, Ben. I am afraid I am dying. I can feel it. My strength is failing and I can barely stand. I just wanted to say goodbye to you both, and thank you for restoring my honour. Please, shed no tears for me when I am gone, for I would not have missed this whole fantastic adventure for… Uuurgh… Apologies. The wound will not stop bleeding,” he stated, looking down at his stomach as a tremendous, searing pain interrupted his farewell.

Everyone gasped in horror at the sight of such a horrendous injury, but Jake suddenly felt the blood tingle in his veins. The faint voice of a woman sounded in his head once again. He could not hear her clearly over the sound of the crowd, but somehow he knew immediately that he could help.

Without delay, he placed his hand over the wound and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they were lit up brightly by a white light that was locked within. Then, the light travelled through his body and exploded out of his hand, entering Verastus and seeping through the gaps in Jake’s fingers, so that everyone around could see. The Falorian’s wound healed in a matter of seconds. The surrounding warriors took a sharp intake of breath, amazed to behold such a miracle. They were joined by Ben.

“Jake! What the hell?!” cried the youngster. “…Oh yes! Get in there! I don’t believe it. You’re like Jesus or summin’ now?! This is just getting way too weird. You can’t be. You’ll be walking on water next… Err… You’re not going to, are ya? What’s happened to you? You’re my…? Ah, whatever! Just do your thang!

Hang… Hang on, this is fantastic! I… Err… I think you’ve got your work cut out? There’s plenty more where Verastus came from, and you can help them all. The dragons for a start, not to mention the wounded here, and in the streets, on the wall…?”

Jake looked up, staring around him at the shocked and stunned faces. Then, he nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right for a change. Oh… I can’t really say that to you now, can I? I mean, being right is beginning to become a habit for you, isn’t it? Cleverclogs! We’re gonna have to think of a new way of taking the Mickey out of each other. It’s your fault you know. You’ve upset the natural way of things, so you only have yourself to blame.

Look, I’d better get started, healing so many is gonna take some time, and there’s shed loads of ‘em. So… I suppose we’d better get you guys home first? And then I’ll get to work, eh?”

Despite the fact that he would be leaving Jake behind, Ben did not object. Now that there was finally a realistic chance of actually returning, he was missing home, more than he ever thought he would in fact. For a fleeting moment he’d considered staying on Estia, reasoning that he had nothing to go back to. But, he knew deep down that this was not his world, and something inside the youngster told him that Jake would need his help.

Ben looked over at Verastus as he realised that, ‘this was it.’ In such a short space of time the Falorian had captured his heart to become one of his dearest friends. They had shared in so much together, and he had saved Ben’s life on more than one occasion. “I suppose we’d better go?” the teenager said with mixed feelings, as he offered his hand in friendship.

Verastus took hold of it and shook it gently. “Yes Ben, I will never forget you. I do not think anyone will ever question your courage or honour again. But, should you find that they do, send them to me!”

“Ha ha… Thanks,” Ben replied. “But, this is my very last quest, believe me. I’m gonna go back home and retire to my pipe and slippers… Not really, it’s just a saying. No, I think I’ll be content to stay in the background from now on. I’ve had more than enough adventure to last a lifetime. If I make it back home, they can call me whatever they want to. I’ll know the truth, and that’s all that matters, isn’t it? I’ll just be there to advise and watch from a distance, if Jake wants me to that is. But, what about you? What are you going to do?”

“Kah, yes… Well, now that King Vantrax is no longer a threat to my people, I believe I will return to my homeland. Or rather, I will go back to what is left of it. Their King has been missing for far too long.”

“King? King?! You sly old dog! You never said?” replied Ben, shocked and amazed to learn the truth. Verastus smiled broadly as he looked his young friend in the eye, confident that he had finally ‘beat him at his own game.’

“Koh, did I not? Kuh… Strange that I should neglect to tell you something so important? But then, you never asked, did you?”

“Err… I think we did!” snapped Ben. His face was serious for a second, but his voice was light hearted, and an even broader smile soon covered his face. The three friends laughed a little before they turned to rejoin the others. Jake walked his family back over to the box of stones.

“Right, it’s time. Let’s get you lot safely back home.”

Harry stopped Jake before he could open the box by putting his hand firmly upon his arm. “Wait, Jake. Just a minute, please? There’s something I have to say first.”

“What? What is it, granddad?”

Harry reached for Jean’s hand. Jean was as surprised as anyone by his actions, but somehow she knew immediately what he was going to say. She nodded at him and smiled, to let him know that she agreed with his decision. They both turned to look at Graham and Melissa, and Harry spoke directly to his only son.

“I’m sorry, but we won’t be coming with you. We’re not going home this time. We’ve decided to stay. I don’t expect you to understand, son, but it’s something we have to do. We’ve just found each other, and we’ve just discovered that we have a daughter. Second chances don’t come very often in life, especially at my age? This world, it’s all your mother and Melissa know. I may not have many years left, but I think… No, I know, that we can be happy here?”

Harry was almost pleading, praying that Graham would understand and forgive him. Graham looked stunned at first, horrified in fact. But, it soon passed. He looked at Jake briefly, before holding out his hand and inviting his son to join him. Jake stepped into his father’s arms and he turned within them to face Harry. With his arms draped lovingly around his only boy’s neck in a fatherly show of affection, Graham replied in a soft but emotional, sympathetic tone.

“I’m having real problems imagining the life you have led. What does that say about me and our relationship? I wasn’t there for you when you needed me, but I think I understand now, dad. Stay with my blessing. I’m going to miss you though, really I am. I was looking forward to getting to know each other again, to making up for all those wasted years of stupidity. But, you must do what you have to do. I’ll survive. I will be… Oh my…! June! She’s going to be devastated by this! Err… Christ! She’ll kill me! Ha ha… No, seriously, she’s not going to take it well. Though, I think she’ll understand too, once I explain it to her… I think! Promise me that you will look after each other?” he asked, his eyes now firmly fixed upon Melissa.

The young Sebantan warrior had remained silent throughout. It came as a major shock to her when the parents she had only just met said that they were staying. She did not know them at all, and she certainly had no expectations of them. Still, her heart had leapt for joy when she heard the words, and she was still too stunned to speak. As Graham’s comments struck home however, she found herself replying to him without thinking, and with words laced throughout with a totally unique feeling of raw emotion, of unbridled joy.

“I will protect them, brother, with my life. You have my word of honour as a Sebantan warrior. It is something we do not give lightly. I know that I do not deserve this chance at happiness, but now that it is here, I am determined to make the most of it, to make it work. I have done many terrible, wicked things in my life,” she said, hanging her head in shame, “but I mean to try and make amends, to be a better person from this day forward.”

Jake suddenly felt compelled to speak. He stepped free of his father’s embrace to address the crowd. “Listen to me, all of you! We must put history behind us now and move forward with our lives. This is a new day, a new beginning, for all of us!

The Battle of Te’oull will long be remembered as the day when evil was finally vanquished on Estia. In this fight, you took back your freedom and your right to determine your own destiny. King Artrex has gone and many of your finest warriors have fallen in battle, but many more of you still remain! If Estia is to flourish and once again be what it was, you all have to work together, regardless of the differences you may once have had. They must be forgotten and consigned to the past. You must unite behind one leader, for the good of all. I’m not talking about countries or borders, you can keep your Kings and Queens if you wish. But, chief amongst them when it comes to leadership and decision making should be a just and fair ruler who is acceptable to all, someone who will settle any disputes you may have before they come to war, someone who will act on your behalf, fairly and with compromise.

…There is only one person strong enough and brave enough for the task, and she stands before you, a living symbol of all that is best in this world. Show your allegiance and support for her now. I ask you to kneel and show your allegiance to Queen Zephany, the true and rightful Queen of Rhuaddan, and of Estia!”

The square was crammed full of thousands of warriors. Every single one of them fell down immediately on bended knee. They were joined without hesitation by Queen Bressial and every noble there. Zephany was almost overcome by a rush of very strong emotion, but she managed somehow to control herself, and she stepped forward to address the crowd again.

“Rise, all of you, please?” she shouted.

Her voice was now strong and commanding, despite the butterflies which had just appeared in her stomach. “…Much has already been said here so I will be brief. I thank you for the tremendous honour you bestow upon me. I swear that I will discharge my duties faithfully and remain true to our beliefs. I will act in the best traditions of my father, King Artrex, and of Gerada Knesh Corian and all those who came before them. We have a lot of work before us and we have to begin without delay. First, we must take care of our wounded. Bring them all here so that the Keeper may heal them, for we will have great need of such heroes. Our new friends must depart for their own world. We wish them well and thank them for their help in winning this war!”

The crowd cheered again and the din almost toppled the nearby buildings. Then the Estians began to disperse, as they set off in search of their wounded comrades. Zephany turned to Ben for one last time.

“Goodbye Ben, I have really enjoyed meeting you. I think perhaps that we may have been great friends you and I, more than we had the chance to become, in a different place and time?”

Ben gave a cheeky smile. “Yeah… Friends, eh? And then some?” he answered, winking at the beautiful young royal.

Zephany blushed slightly and everyone laughed. It was Jake who spoke next. “Right then, let’s try again. It looks like it’s just you and dad going home for the present, pal. Are you ready?”

“Ready? I was born ready!” said Ben, uttering a phrase he’d stolen from some film or other, and used a million times before back home. “Too right! Let’s do it. I wonder what time it is back home? With any luck, I’ll be back in time for the footy… Ha ha…

I… I suppose it’s gonna be pretty boring after all of this? Then again, I’ve always thought that boring was completely underrated, you know? And, something tells me that if it is a little tedious, I’ll manage.”

Jake opened the box of stones. The others looked on as he cast his spell and the bright white light shot up to the sky. Graham took hold of Ben’s hand. Together, they stepped into the light and disappeared.