The biggest concern for the fallen regent was that he did not control time. Whoever had stolen the timepiece could choose to restart it at any point, and what would happen to the Fairy King then?
“Boss, the others are heading in this direction,” Bullring warned.
The Fairy King gathered his dark green robes around him and swept from the tomb. He waited patiently at the head of his army while the Matriarch approached, followed by her own troupe.
“Do you seek another fight?” the Fairy King questioned.
“We have all been fooled,” the Matriarch stated. “If we work together perhaps it is possible for us to get out of here and find the real culprit.”
“We believe Luyna stole the timepiece,” Bakka added.
“I know who took the watch,” the Fairy King revealed. “It was not Luyna.”
The group from Thronegarden were shocked to find their logic flawed. Could they trust the Fairy King’s version of events?
“If not Luyna then who stole the timepiece?” Delridden questioned.
The Fairy King remembered the day he was sentenced to the Evergarden vividly. The brothers Thrane had stood regally, watching as others handled their dirty work. Tyten, the Captain of the Guard had marshalled the Sprites who hissed and spat at their captors. Luyna and Orion had stood side by side like two pieces of a puzzle while Judge Vale gave orders like a drill sergeant.
“There was a soldier,” the Fairy King recalled. “I had seen him before though never really paid him any attention. I remember his name only because it was so unusual, Slabtak.”
“I have never heard the name before,” Damselfly queried.
“He had a strange look in his eyes and before I was placed on trial, he checked my robes to be sure I was not planning any last-minute schemes,” the Fairy King told.
“I did not think anything of it until now. He was the only person who had an opportunity to steal the timepiece and replace it with a fake.”
“Even if we believe you, how does this help us get home or recover time?” Delridden asked, frustrated.
“You came to me for help?” the Fairy King reminded.
“We need to create an artefact powerful enough to store large amounts of magic,” Bakka explained. “We can use the false timepiece for parts to create this object; however, we need your magic to complete the process.”
“Why would I help you?” the Fairy King posed.
“You’re trapped here the same as us. If you ever want to escape from the Evergarden then you had better help us,” Delridden threatened.
The Fairy King did not seem intimidated by the warrior’s words although he was convinced enough to assist with the project. While Bakka and the Fairy King began work on the artefact, Delridden took the Matriarch aside for a quiet word.
“We cannot allow the Fairy King to leave here or history will repeat itself.”
“Presently, we need his help to create the artefact. Once that is done, we will find a way to make sure he does not return with us,” the Matriarch vowed.
Blakast had been watching events from the shadows. After being betrayed by Bullring, he knew that he could not trust anyone.
The Never was always looking to trick him.
Blakast had hoped both sides would wipe each other out during the battle. Unfortunately, they had separated and gone their own way. The only good thing to come out of all this was the Fairy King had emerged from his long slumber. Blakast was thrilled to watch the great sorcerer wield his power and was disappointed when he did not finish off the Matriarch. Now something strange was happening. Blakast could not understand what he was seeing as both sides seemed to be working together on a new project. Blakast was concerned that The Never was twisting his vision, yet he could not deny what he was seeing: the Fairy King was helping their enemies.
“My mistress was right about him after all,” Blakast whispered under his breath.
Watching from his shrouded position, the usurper witnessed Bakka and the Fairy King transform the timepiece into something else. Blakast was aghast. If they were destroying the timepiece then they must have learned the truth and that meant… Was this another of The Never’s illusions?
Blakast could hear himself breathing heavily and a pulse in his head pounded like a drum.
“I have to get closer,” Blakast concluded.
Luckily, the Evergarden offered excellent camouflage, especially with Blakast’s long dark robes. He was able to move within hearing distance without fear of being discovered.
“So what happens once we create this artefact?” the Fairy King asked.
“We believe that moonlight can break the barrier between gardens. If we can filter that inside this object then we can return to Fable,” the smith advised.
“I thought leaving the Evergarden was impossible,” the Fairy King questioned.
“So did we until Damselfly discovered evidence to the contrary.”
“The girl is important,” the Fairy King considered.
“None of us would be here without her,” the smith revealed.
Blakast was more interested in what the unusual duo were creating. The Never had taught him that words were often deceitful. He wanted to see with his own eyes what this pair were doing. Imagine Blakast’s surprise when he recognised the artefact as his own weapon, granted to him and him alone by his mistress. The usurper was furious. Although his mind wondered if The Never was behind this, he dismissed it and allowed his anger to build.
“I will teach them to steal from us, my mistress,” he swore.
Once the artefact was complete, their plan hit a dead end. Without moonlight it was only a conduit and of no particular use. Damselfly inspected the artefact carefully and was impressed by the similarity of this object compared with the one she had witnessed at Blakast the usurper’s trial. With a sudden moment of clarity, the princess discovered a link that she
