During Thomas’s convalescence, messengers traveled back a forth between Mandra’s cave and Gray Haven. The entire kingdom had been set free. The morning after Helsa met Thomas, people awakened from their slumber to open their mouths, and for the first time in years, words spilled out.
The nation was giddy with excitement. Everyone knew the king had surely returned, for the prophecy had been fulfilled and the curse of silence lifted. Extensive plans were being made at Gray Haven for the king’s arrival.
Things were calmer back at Mandra’s cave. One morning, Wart and Rudy sat outside Mandra’s house with their backs against the wall, soaking up sunshine. They knew these days of leisure would come to an end, so they were taking advantage of the ones they had. “Rudy,” Wart asked, “what’s it like to fall in love?”
“Ah-hah,” the big man laughed. “Who is the lucky girl? I didn’t know you had your eye on anyone.”
“Not me, silly,” Wart said, leaning forward and peering inside Mandra’s house. Putting his finger across his lips, he motioned for Rudy to look inside.
The door was ajar, letting fresh air into the kitchen. The cot had been moved to the outer room, and Thomas lay quietly with his head resting on Helsa’s lap. She ran her fingers gently through his hair, massaging his scalp and temples. Dreamy contentment covered Thomas’s sleeping features.
Rudy cleared his throat and motioned Wart away from the door. Glancing about, he saw several of Seagood’s company still in the courtyard. “There’s not much danger for Thomas here,” he announced far louder than was necessary. “Ahem!” he cleared his throat again and glanced into the house. “It doesn’t look like we’re needed around here, Wart!”
The “sleeping” Thomas grinned and weakly waved the vocal intruder away, never opening his eyes for fear the spell would be broken and his “therapy” would end.
Rudy grinned and waved to Helsa, who blushed and lowered her eyes. “Wart,” Rudy bellowed to no one in particular, “I think you and I need to go fishing.”
Thomas healed quickly. His attitude was good, and his strength was returning. He would carry permanent scars from his ordeal, and sometimes his companions worried about him, for he would ask the strangest questions, such as “Did you see the size of that monster?” or “I’ve lost the key! Have you seen my key?”
Seagood had already turned the kingdom over to Thomas in his mind. Thomas’s coming had fulfilled the prophecies by lifting the curse of silence, so surely he was the promised king.
Strangely, his heart was not burdened at the thought of losing the kingdom. He rejoiced to see strength and vigor return to his master. He noticed too that Helsa was a changed person. He didn’t resent her attraction to Thomas, but he did feel some regret when he remembered how desperately she had clung to him before.
He watched as Thomas and Helsa bade farewell to Mandra and his wife, thanking them over and over for their labors and for the use of their home during Thomas’s recovery. They walked hand in hand across the courtyard to where Rudy waited to assist them into their saddles.
I lose my kingdom and my sister, yet I rejoice, Seagood thought. He raised his eyes to heaven and whispered, “Thank you.”
The blare of trumpets split the morning air. The riders rode three abreast: Thomas in the center, Hesketh to his right, and Helsa to his left. Cheering crowds lined the roads as almost an entire nation poured out to see the lords and lady.
Some questioned whether the man riding in the center was really their king. They had expected the king of old to return, or some powerful warlord to come in great strength. This man appeared tired and feeble from his ordeal. Was he really the deliverer?
Even if Thomas was not all that people might have expected, that did not stop them from celebrating. The many long years of silence were over, and deliverance had come. It was time to rejoice!
The sound of feasting and merriment echoed through the halls. Minstrels played their instruments and composed songs about mighty deeds. Hesketh, Thomas, and Mathias spoke little and withdrew early, as did the Lady Helsa and her uncle. But stories were abundant as Rudy and Wart told of their own adventures.
In a quiet room far from the noise and merriment, Hesketh revealed his plan for the coronation of Thomas. “We shall do it soon—the day after tomorrow, if you like.”
Thomas stood and turned to those who were gathered in the room. “The Gray Lands belong to you and your lovely sister, Lord Hesketh. Levi and Helsa have walked with your people through the darkness of a dreadful time in your history. You, Hesketh, the rightful ruler, have returned to your people. My life is richer for having known you throughout my childhood, and I owe you my life because you came to my rescue. But I cannot accept the kingship. It is yours. My home is in Amity by the sea. I shall remain here only until I can return to my father.”
Thomas turned to Seagood and bowed low. “Hesketh, Lord of the Gray Lands, I humbly ask for peace between your kingdom and mine. I shall ever count you as my brother and my friend.”
Thomas’s words shocked the small cluster of people. Seagood’s mouth moved, but he could find no words to say.
Helsa stood and took Thomas’s arm. “But you have just arrived.” Her eyes sought his. “What will we tell the people if you should leave? You have set our people free.”
Thomas shook his head. “I have not set you free, dear lady,” he said gently. “It was Jesus Christ who drove the demon from you. I fought my own battle with Silence, and he nearly bested me, but you came to my rescue.” He gently patted her hand.
“He’s slipping again,” someone whispered to Levi, who was seated in the chair of honor.
“Slipping?” the old man asked aloud. “What do you mean?”
“He starts babbling about some key he thinks he’s lost.”
“Key!” Levi exclaimed, slapping his knee and rising from his chair. “That reminds me.” With as much pomp and dignity as he could muster on the spot, Levi rose, crossed the room, and knelt before Lady Helsa. “On the night of your departure, dear child, you entrusted me with the emblem of your authority.” He removed the key from about his neck where it lay hidden amidst the thick hair upon his chest, and he handed the key carefully to Helsa. “I now return this key to its rightful owner.”
Helsa stood awkwardly, turning her eyes from her uncle to Thomas and then to her brother. “The kingdom is not mine,” she said. “I relinquish it to whomever it rightfully belongs!”
“My key!” Thomas murmured. “Where did you find my key?”
The color drained from Helsa’s face. She looked to her uncle and then her brother.
“My good man,” Levi said a bit testily, “this key has always been in Lady Helsa’s keeping. How can you now claim it?”
“Does it not have raised letters spelling the word FAITH upon its handle?” Thomas asked.
Seagood snatched the key from his sister’s trembling hand and examined it carefully. His eyes rounded with wonder. “But how could you have known?”
A penetrating light shone in Thomas’s eyes as he spoke. “It was given to me in my darkest hours,” he said quietly, looking past everyone in the room. It seemed he was looking at a place no one else could see. “It shed light upon my path and gave me comfort in my moments of greatest need. Though it has marked me forever, it is more precious to me than life itself, for it is indeed the key to the kingdom. Not your kingdom or mine, but the kingdom of heaven. All who believe and cling to faith are heirs of our heavenly Father. Come, place the key in my hand, and see if it does not match my scar.”
Everyone drew near. Seagood reluctantly placed the key in Thomas’s outstretched hand. There, burned into his flesh, were scars now healed. Plain to all were the letters FAITH and the shape of a key. The two were identical.