T. Church - Return to Canifis

“As far as she is mine to give, she is yours-and here, in this place, I could possess her absolutely. Whether she loves you or not, I do not know. But I have one request.

“When you return to Misthalin, you will do two things for me. You will give her a letter, but not before you are across the river. Secondly, take care of her, Theodore. If you do not marry her yourself then make sure she finds a good man, a dull one who is happy with his lot. In time she will put aside her sword and cease her wanderings. Make sure she has everything she can possibly need. I have eased the way. On your belt is a pouch. It holds jewels that are larger than any you will find in Varrock. You are a very rich man now. Use that power wisely.”

Gar’rth turned to a table nearby. On its surface Theodore saw two sealed envelopes.

“This is the one for Kara,” Gar’rth said. “This one you will deliver to Ebenezer in Varrock. You will be relieved to know that he is much improved since when we left him, although I doubt very much I will see him again.”

“How do you know that, Gar’rth?” the knight asked. “And what do you mean?”

He has changed. In only two days since we fought side by side in Canifis, his whole being is different.

“I have met my master, Theodore. The man who wanted me back. Papelford was right. I haven’t been harmed at all, and already I have learned so much.”

Gar’rth handed him the envelopes, sealed tight.

“Is it Lord Drakan?”

“No. It is another. He calls himself the Black Prince, but that is no longer important.”

“No longer important? What about our mission? What about the Wyrd?”

Gar’rth laughed.

“The mission was a lie from the start, Theodore. Of course, we didn’t know it then. The Wyrd herself is no longer a problem for Misthalin, I believe. And as for the missing victims, they have never been in Morytania at all. King Roald must seek elsewhere for them, though I do not know where.

“But like I said,” he continued, “I will likely never see Ebenezer again. For I cannot come with you, Theodore. This is my goodbye. It is a trade. I have to remain here, voluntarily, for you to go free. The alternative would be your deaths.”

Theodore gritted his teeth. He had suspected something like this since he had seen Gar’rth’s new attire, but he had hoped otherwise.

“Our escape will be desperate,” he said. “And unlikely.”

“You have my word that you will not be attacked, Theodore. Although I would advise you to go as quickly as you can.”

Your word, Gar’rth? How is Morytania possibly bound by that?

“I will never see her smile or laugh or cry again,” Gar’rth murmured as he leaned down to Kara’s face. Gently, as if afraid to wake her, he kissed her forehead. Then he turned. “I shall wake the others now. You will have to carry Albertus, for his recovery is doubtful. Doric and Arisha are nearby with Lord Despaard. They have a boat which will carry you west.” He stroked Kara’s hair. “But I shall not wake her. I don’t think I could stand to hear her voice now that my decision is made.”

“Wait, Gar’rth, before you go,” Theodore sheathed his sword and approached the werewolf. He thrust his hand out. “I have always feared what you are, Gar’rth. That is no lie.” His voice broke and his vision blurred. “But the man you were when you fought at my side, when you went with Kara into The Wilderness-there are few better. I am sorry now of my jealousy of you.”

Gar’rth nodded and took Theodore’s hand in his.

“I have learned much from our time together, Theodore. Make sure you tell Ebenezer that. Together, you showed me what friendship was. I never had that before, and I will never forget that. Never.”

They embraced, Gar’rth’s strength bruising Theodore’s flesh.

“Just look after her, Theodore. Promise me you will?”

“I will, Gar’rth. I will.”

Castimir awoke with the smell of smoke in his nostrils. He coughed reflexively, and as he did so he sat up.

What happened?

Opposite him, Gideon Gleeman was looking equally confused, and behind him, on a black settle lay Kara, unmoving. At the jester’s side, lying on a litter, Albertus Black moaned.

“We haven’t long,” Gar’rth said. “You must go. Now.”

Go where? Where are we? And why is it “you” and not “we”?

“Castimir, can you help Gideon carry Albertus?” Theodore said. “I’ll take Kara.”

The wizard rushed to help Gideon as Theodore hefted Kara over his shoulder with a grunt. Only Gar’rth remained unmoving.

He’s not coming. He means to send us away and remain.

“Gar’rth, you can’t stay here,” he said. “They will force you to give yourself to Zamorak if you do… won’t they?”

“I do not know, Castimir. They have not done so yet, but I have made the choice that matters, perhaps the last free choice I ever will make. You are to go free, back to Misthalin, but the price of your freedom is that I stay behind. That is why I haven’t woken Kara. She would not understand that there are some forces it is impossible to fight.”

“But… but…” He didn’t know what to say. Gar’rth’s position was an impossible one.

“I have already spoken to Theodore about it, Castimir. He will tell all on your way back.” Gar’rth clasped Castimir in a great hug and the wizard saw his friend’s eyes water. “This is the only way, Castimir. The only way.

“And you should know that it is not just your lives for which I have made this exchange. Here, I can help, really help. On your way you will see how the wretches of the ghettoes live, of their misery and fear. If I can do anything at all to help them, then it will be worth doing. Go now, but go with the knowledge that we still have a chance to make a better world for some. He will guide you.”

Castimir turned to where Gar’rth gestured. Through an open set of double doors stood a thin elderly man with white hair and a long gaunt face. His thick sideburns ran to his chin, and when he opened his mouth the wizard noted his teeth were pointed.

He is one of them, a werewolf, I think. Or is he a vampire?

“Georgi will guide you. He is a werewolf, and he has been appointed to be my valet. Follow him, and you cannot go wrong.”

Gar’rth shook the jester’s hand, and then turned to face them all.

“I have given you each a gift, also. Theodore is now a rich man, as are you all now. Castimir, I have included Ebenezer’s spyglass in your belt pouch. I know he would like it back. The contents of Albertus’s saddlebags are in my possession, however-they are too heavy for you to carry back.”

Gar’rth stepped toward the door and gestured.

“Georgi, lead them to the Barrows beyond the city’s walls. Vanstrom and Doric will be there to meet you, if you hurry.” He turned to Castimir and gave a knowing smile. “And Arisha waits with them. So don’t delay!”

“Come, we cannot be upon the Barrows when it gets dark,” Georgi muttered as he turned in the doorway and led them on. “Not even us. Come on!”

Castimir turned back one last time as they rounded a corner in the corridor. He stared through the double doors to see Gar’rth, standing alone, looking after them. Then the shadows closed in upon him, hiding him from view, and the doors were slammed shut by some unseen force.

May the gods watch over you, my friend.

“She is waking. Be careful, Theodore, mind her head on the stone.”

Kara heard Castimir’s voice as Theodore grunted. She felt a cold wind blow on her face, and then hard stone under her feet and against her back.

“Where are we?” she murmured.

I am exhausted. My arms and legs feel empty.