The Fog of Forgetting (34 page)

“Something is about to happen in Ayda that has not taken place since my father's time,” said Rothermel. “Ratha has promised to send you through the fog to the other side, as she brought you here, in the hope that you will persuade the man you call Captain Nate to return to us. She is confident that this man is the same man we knew as Caspar; that he lives on and will know how to find his way back. Pray to the
atar
that he loves Ayda and my sister still.” Rothermel laid a heavy hand on Chase's shoulder. “As for my kin, we will prepare for all-out war with Exor—for we know not when or if you will succeed in your task.”

Evelyn, Frankie, and the boys pulled on their old clothes, which felt tight and uncomfortable after so many weeks dressed in Aydan garments. When they were done changing, they looked much as they had on their arrival, except, in Chase, Evelyn, and Knox's case, bald and sunburned. Mara and Calla tied a wooden bead strung on a woven cord around each of their necks.

“These are made from trees that grow strong in the Melorian forest,” said Mara. “They withstand much hardship and abuse and continue to prosper. Wear them with our friendship, and so that you may never forget Melor or the peril of Ayda even when you are beyond the fog.” She tied Evelyn's necklace on last, and withdrew from her poncho a small, hollowed-out gourd containing a pine-scented oil. She massaged the oil onto Evelyn's scalp. When she finished, Rothermel put his hands on Evelyn's head and sang a low, unintelligible chant. Evelyn felt a tingling sensation.

“Evelyn—your hair! It's growing!” Frankie gasped.

Evelyn's hands shot to her head. It was true: Sprouts of thick, chestnut-colored hair were shooting out of her head.

Mara smiled faintly.

“Some things are easier to heal than others,” she said, and repeated the action on the two older boys. When she had finished, it was as if the damage done to them in Exor had never occurred.

Calla and Seaborne crossed over to say good-bye to them. Seaborne swooped up Teddy in an enormous bear hug.

“Don't you want to come back with us?” Teddy asked.

“Yeah, Seaborne, we could show you everything that's been invented since you left,” added Knox.

Seaborne shook his head.

“My vessel would not long withstand a separation from Ayda—nor my heart,” he said, looking at Calla and releasing Teddy.

Calla's eyes swept over them, landing on Knox.

“Melorians do not say good-bye,” she said.

“It is not our way,” he replied.

Calla smiled proudly. “May your daylights keep you strong, child of Melor, wherever they lead you.” Then, she leaned in to whisper ugently in his ear. “Do not forget all that I have taught you.”

Knox nodded.

Rothermel beckoned for the children to follow him. He led them across the beach, to the shore where the mouth of the river met the sea. The gulls began to screech loudly overhead. Fog licked the banks of the river. Suddenly—silently—a boat came toward them out of the mist like an apparition.

“No way,” said Knox.

It was the Whaler, being poled across the water by Sarn and Duor.

“I have come to give you back your boat,” said Rothermel; then, lowering his voice so that only Chase, Evelyn, and Knox could hear, he added: “I do not know what you will find on the other side. Be prepared, and know that your memory will suffer. Ratha will be watching you, but even she has little knowledge of what might occur on your journey through the fog. Should you make it beyond, remember that our stones have little sway there. Whatever happens, you must trust your daylights. They have grown strong on Ayda and will not forget so easily.” He stepped back. “We will look for your return, but we will not hope for it.”

The boat crunched on the sand and the children exchanged places with Sarn and Duor.

Seaborne, Mara, and Calla joined Rothermel at the river's edge. Rothermel reached across the gunwale and touched each of the beads on their necklaces. The scent of the forest filled their nostrils and, for a moment, their spirits rose. They slipped on the life vests returned from Seaborne's cabin and watched the sand swirl at the Melorians' feet, tendrils of fog ebbing and flowing with each wave. The boat drifted easily away from shore and out into the open sea. Seaborne lifted his hand to chest level, his fingers splayed. All five returned the salute before the fog enveloped them.

“Chase?” Evelyn said softly.

“Yeah?”

“I take back what I said before—I'm glad I met you.”

Chase pressed his lips together in a tight, little smile.

“Me too, Ev. Really glad.”

Evelyn brushed her fingers against his. He gave them a quick squeeze. She leaned into him, so lightly he almost didn't notice it.

“Get ready,” she whispered.

A flock of gulls roared past their heads, squawking and flying in a V just ahead of the drifting boat. The wind blew hard at their backs. The current picked up speed. The Whaler surged ahead as the wind propelled them forward. The fog took on the bruised colors that Chase recognized from his time with Ratha. It started to swirl, then it stretched and telescoped.

“IT'S A TUNNEL!” yelled Evelyn.

The gulls flew faster; the wind gusted, and the current shot the boat into the vortex of spinning fog. It bucked and shuddered.

“HOLD ON!” cried Knox, falling back onto the deck of the boat.

Light and shadow flickered in the fog with dizzying speed.

Find the sea captain … Do not forget!
screamed the wind, in Ratha's voice.

Frankie moaned. Evelyn threw an arm around her. Chase and Knox huddled next to Teddy. The wind lifted the boat off the water and into the air.

And they were gone

THE FIVE STONES TRILOGY

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