think you could have either. Bobby is a special guy, but he’s just a guy. I think when things get scary for him, he thinks back to what Press taught him about being a Traveler. And us coming to Eelong and bringing the antidote doesn’t fit.”
“But if we hadn’t come, Saint Dane would have won,” Courtney countered.
“It seems like that, but who knows for sure?”
“I do,” Courtney said quickly. “There was no other way. And you know what else? Spader wants us to stay.”
“Does he?” Mark asked. “Or does he just wantyouto stay?” Courtney snapped Mark a surprised look. Mark added, “I’m not an idiot. He likes you.” Courtney didn’t argue.
Mark stood up and said, “But it doesn’t matter. Spader isn’t in charge. Neither is Gunny or Kasha or you or me. Bobby’s the guy. And you know what? As much as I want to go home, if Bobby asked me to stay, I would. But he wants us to go, so I’m going. And you should too.”
When Bobby left Mark and Courtney, he walked onto the balcony of Seegen’s house to calm down and breathe some air. He jumped back when he saw a dark shape climbing up to the platform, but relaxed when he realized it was Kasha.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Kasha said. “Please, come with me.”
Kasha led Bobby to the far side of the balcony, where a ladder stretched farther up into the tree. Bobby followed the klee higher and higher until they emerged onto a small platform that was so high it swayed with the breeze. Though it was a frightening perch, it offered a spectacular view of Leeandra.
“It’s beautiful,” Bobby said as he looked down on the night lights of the city.
“This was my father’s favorite place,” Kasha said. “He often slept here. He used to say that from up here he felt like he could reach out and hold Leeandra in his hands.”
The two looked out over the beautiful city.
“I’m not good with change,” Kasha finally said. “I like things orderly and logical. I thought my father did too. He was a brilliant klee. A visionary. But more than that, he could get things done. I wanted nothing more than to be like him. But when he started telling me about Travelers and Saint Dane, I couldn’t accept it. Nothing he said fit with anything I knew about Eelong, or about him. I thought he had gone crazy. But now I realize he hadn’t changed at all. He was the same dedicated, concerned klee he always was. He had simply adapted to what life threw at him, where I couldn’t.”
“But you did,” Bobby said. “It just took a little longer.”
“Yes, too late,” Kasha said with sorrow. “I turned my back on him. He died thinking I had lost respect for him, and it couldn’t have been further from the truth.”
The two stood in silence for a moment, then Bobby said, “When my uncle Press died, he promised me that we would see each other again. I really can’t say what he meant by that, or how it would happen, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned about being a Traveler, it’s that just when you think you’ve got it all figured out… you don’t. When things get tough, I think about those last words of his. If what he said is true, and I believe it is, then you’ll see your father again.”
Kasha said, “I want to believe that too.”
“Then do,” Bobby said. “It sure makes things easier.”
Kasha said, “I don’t know what other territories are out there, or what more a klee Traveler can do, but I’m with you, Pendragon. Not just for my father. For you.”
Bobby smiled and nodded in thanks. He noticed that Kasha held a small, wooden box. “What’s that?”
Kasha said, “I’ve been waiting for the right moment to do this. My father’s life was about Leeandra. He’d be proud of the changes that are happening. I want him to be a part of it, forever.”
She opened the box and tossed its contents into the air. Carried away on the breeze were Seegen’s ashes. They quickly spread and were taken away to settle over the jungle village.
“He would have liked you, Pendragon,” Kasha said. “I’m glad you were here to share this moment.”
Early the next morning the team of Travelers and acolytes made one final journey together. They walked across the sky bridges of Eelong, back to the huge tree that held the flume. There was a feeling of finality to this trip. They had saved Eelong. They had defeated Saint Dane. And now, they were splitting up.
“This is tough,” Bobby said to the group as he stood in the center of the underground cavern, outside the flume. “We’ve beaten Saint Dane. All of us played a huge part. I wish this were the end, but it isn’t. I know I’ve said this before, but no single one of us has a chance against him. It’s only the strength we have together that gives us hope. If you need proof of that, remember what happened here on Eelong.”
“So that means we’re staying together?” Spader asked.
“Yes,” Bobby answered.
“Hobey! That’s what I like to hear!”
Bobby added, “But not you, Kasha, I’m sorry to say. You wouldn’t exactly go unnoticed on other territories.”
“I understand,” the klee Traveler said. “We’ve plenty to do here on Eelong. But you know if you ever need me…”
She didn’t finish the sentence. Bobby knew.
“Where to, shorty?” Gunny asked.
“I think it’s time to pay Loor a visit,” Bobby said.
“Zadaa!” Spader announced happily. “That Loor’s a handful, she is.”
Bobby turned to Mark and Courtney. Neither looked happy, especially Courtney. Bobby pulled them aside so they could have a private moment between friends.
“I’m sorry about last night, guys,” Bobby said. “I was way out of line.”
“It’s cool, Bobby,” Mark said. “We get it.”
“But?” Courtney asked.
“But I still want you to go home.”
Mark nodded. Courtney looked away, peeved.
“Can I still count on you guys to take care of my journals?” Bobby asked.
“Are you kidding?” Mark said quickly. “Bring ‘em on.”
“I need to know something else,” Bobby said. “This isn’t over. If I ever get to understand things a little more, will you guys come back?”
Courtney’s face lit up. “So you’re not closing the door entirely?” she asked.
“How can I do that?” Bobby said. “I’m winging this. I’ve got to keep every option open.”
Courtney threw her arms around Bobby and hugged him tight. “We’ll be waiting,” Courtney whispered into his ear.
Bobby looked to Mark over Courtney’s shoulder. Mark said, “Just say the word.”
Courtney pulled away from Bobby. Bobby gave Mark a hug. “Thank you, guys. I don’t know what else to say.”
“That’s enough,” Mark said, nearly in tears.
Mark and Courtney made their good-byes all around. When Courtney hugged Spader good-bye, she said, “So you think Loor is a handful, aye? Isn’t that what you said about me?”
Spader backpedaled, saying, “Oh, well, in a different way. I mean, she’s a warrior, trained and all, and you’re, uh, you’re really smart and-“
Bobby burst out laughing. “Spader, this is the first time I’ve seen you nervous.”
“It’s the first time I’ve everbeennervous,” Spader said with an uncomfortable chuckle.
“We’ll see each other again,” Courtney said. “And then we’ll see who’s a handful.”
Gunny gave them both a big hug, then they made their goodbyes to the klees.
“Thank you for everything,” Kasha said.
“Absolutely,” Boon added.
“Hey, it goes with the job,” Mark said cockily.
Courtney gave him a playful shove. “Yeah, right. Let’s go.”
Bobby walked the two of them through the curtain of vines and stood with them in the mouth of the flume. “What are you going to tell your parents?” he asked.
“Good question,” Mark said.
