How… Why it is that my friend has forsaken me for so long!” he shouted angrily.
For the next hour or so Jake talked, and talked and talked. Ben was strangely silent throughout, he would usually have backed his friend up with witty comments or remarks, but he knew that this was not the time or place for such humour. The atmosphere around the table was tense, but Jake explained everything he knew, the sum total of all that he had learned since opening the box earlier that morning. As light faded into darkness and the cool night air descended onto the forest, Jake talked about Harry. Then he spoke about Jean, Sawdon and his grandmother’s death. He found himself trying to defend his grandfather’s actions, explaining the pull of family, of love, and the need to protect those around you. Jake had understood completely the decisions Harry had made when he’d explained them to him. But somehow, now that he’d met with Artrex and his followers, everything Harry had done seemed like a betrayal. He could see how it would appear to others, like cowardice even. ‘Did Harry even think of those he left behind on Rhuaddan?’ he asked himself. ‘How could he abandon all those people who relied on him for help???’
Jake stopped talking as his emotions overwhelmed him. He felt like he was being torn apart inside. He didn’t know what to think, he was really struggling to tell right from wrong now. A concerned Ben suddenly broke the silence.
“You alright mate? What’s wrong?” he asked, even though he knew the answer to his question. He simply couldn’t think of anything else to say.
“Ah, Ben. I just don’t know who I am anymore!” answered Jake with complete honesty, as he turned to look into his friend’s eyes. “I mean, yesterday my only worry in life was trying to get my family to talk to each other. And trying to hide my crush on Jasmine Heath from you and the lads. And maybe who the Villa might sign. I knew who I was. Well, I thought I did. And now…”
“Hey! Shut up! Don’t you worry yourself mate.” interrupted Ben. “Whatever happens here, you’re still my best pal. My ‘brudda from a dif’rent mudda.’ You’re the straightest guy I know. And I’ll always have your back. You’ll never be alone, Jake. I know all this stuff seems absurd, it does to me. And maybe it is. But at the moment, it’s here and now. It’s something we can’t avoid. We have to deal with it. And we have to try to make the best of things. We have no choice, do we? And, by the way, you’ve got no chance with Jasmine! She likes the rough and ready type.”
“Oh yeah? Like you I suppose?” replied Jake sharply, his spirits lifted a little by Ben’s comforting words and typical humour.
Artrex and Knesh glanced at each other. The boys’ small discussion had been conducted as if the warriors weren’t there. It was genuine, it wasn’t contrived, and the natural bond of friendship that the boys so obviously shared, mirrored their own. It impressed them both greatly. After another short pause, it was Knesh who spoke, only this time it was in a softer tone than before.
“Well spoken, young Ben. So, what is done is done. The past is history. I dare say we all have regrets? We all have things that we would do differently if we had the time again. We have to move on. Harry will have had his reasons for doing what he did I am sure, who are we to judge him? And the boys cannot be held resnsible for the actions of others. One thing puzzles me though. Why, if you came here ‘by mistake’, have you not returned?” he asked plainly.
Jake and Ben looked hesitantly at each other, neither of them wanting to answer.
“The stones are… Forgive me, ‘Damaged’ my Lord.” answered Verastus, seeing their reluctance and speaking for the boys. “But I know of a man…”
“Damaged?” interrupted King Artrex anxiously. “They can be repaired though? No? Replaced then?” he asked, responding with concern to the silence from the others at the table. Everybody looked around to see who would speak.
“This man you speak of, you refer to the old man of Nadjan, who lives in the Phelanagarth Mountains, do you not?” Knesh suddenly asked of Verastus.
“Yes my Lord, you know of the legend?” Verastus asked, surprised by Knesh’ knowledge.
“Yes. It is no legend. He exists,