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We have to disembark by using smaller boats – or sloops, as Walt says they’re called – to get to the beach. In my mind it takes ages before we’re all standing on the eastern shore. Every moment that I don’t know what’s happening to Colin and the others seems to last a lifetime. Anything could be happening to them right now, and I can’t stop myself from thinking up all kinds of horrible scenarios.
When we finally leave for Newexter, I lead and keep up the pace. The woods are dark, but I know my way here like the back of my hand. The night is pitch-black and there’s a certain tension in the air that I pick up on our way to the village. Even before we get to my old village, I know something’s going on. Despite the late hour and the lack of moonlight, everybody’s awake. Agitated voices rise up from the village square. People have lit fires everywhere, and when I reach the square with the Bookkeeper’s army in tow, the Eldest hurries toward me with my mother at his side.
His jaw drops when he sees the others. “Who are they?”
“Fools,” I reply. “They’re here to help us.”
My mother takes my hand and pulls me into a warm embrace. “You’re still alive,” she stammers. “Colin wasn’t sure you...”
Colin. “Where is he? Is he here? Was he able to escape?”
She nods. “He and Pete came to us as fast as possible, and the other youngsters followed not too long after. Colin wasn’t sure you’d manage to get away from Saul’s guards, so he was worried sick.”
“What about Andy?” I look around me. “Where’s Andy?”
My mother shakes her head. “He didn’t make it.”
My stomach turns. “What? Is he...”
“He’s in the manor house,” the Eldest quickly explains. “Saul’s holding him hostage. We went there, but Saul’s refusing to give up his position. If we attack, Andy will die, he says.”
“What will happen now?” Walt inquires quietly, lining up beside me. He’s really trying to stay by my side.
I breathe in and out, looking around the circle of people who’ve gathered here to listen to the conversation between me and the Eldest. I see Mara’s eyes, red and puffy with tears for Andy. I catch my mother looking at me expectantly. I’ve never had people looking at me for counsel, but it feels good. It feels right. I started this, and I’ll finish it, too.
“I suggest we go back to the house and break down all the doors and windows. We’ll keep at it until Saul has no choice but to come outside, let Andy go and surrender. And if he doesn’t, we’ll smoke him out.” My eyes take in the torches that the villagers are holding. The flicker of the flames lends the square a macabre atmosphere. “Let’s burn the place down.”
“Burn the manor house? But where will the youngsters live?” Mara’s mother cries out from the circle.
“Here.” I gesture around me decidedly. “They will live right here. With you, in the village. We belong together.”
I’ve always hoped it was true, and now I know it’s actually possible. This can be reality. When we stand united we can tap into the Force most of all. Parents and children can work together, and that is a truth I feel in my heart.
A truth not taught to me, but learned by me.
As the men of the village are gathering to join the ranks of the Bookkeeper’s army, Colin comes running toward me. “Andy wasn’t fast enough to hide The Book,” he says dejectedly. “I think Saul stole it back. He might have even destroyed it.”
“It doesn’t matter anymore,” I reply. “Tony told me that our ancestors left us a message that wasn’t lost, and never will be.”
“Whoa – really? What kind of message?”
“I’m sure he’ll tell us all about it.”
A little later we leave for the house that I’ve spent the past six years of my life in and around. I hate to admit it, but I’m actually thrilled at the thought of it going up in flames. It felt more like a prison than a home, even if the old Luke and Leia lived there. All the things that took place in that house would never have met with their approval; of that I’m sure.