Tim just nodded, too angry to say anything. “I’m sorry. Do you want to hear the rest?”
“Yes, go on.”
“The man with the mustache was surprised to hear about your parents. He seemed rather sad. I think that’s one of the reasons I trusted him when I met him this time around. The night before the explosion the angry man came again, only he wasn’t angry anymore. He was really happy. He said they’d found the way and broken whatever spell was on the palace. Anyone could now just walk in through one of the doors. All of the people in our house that night came up with a plan to raid the castle. Only the man with the mustache seemed to be against the idea. He wanted to quietly explore first, instead of storming the place. When everyone left that night, it was still undecided what they would do. Then the next day after the explosion, Father was crazy with worry. He didn’t know what had happened or if any of his friends had been in the castle when the walls fell. All of his friends had agreed with the angry man. He didn’t know if they had actually stormed the castle and set off a trap or if it was something else. After two days of not hearing from anyone, he told me I was in charge and that he’d be back. He didn’t return for two weeks. When he did, he was different. Every noise made him jump and he was constantly looking around. Whenever I asked what had happened or where he was, he would start muttering about flying machines. I have no idea what he was talking about. He stopped eating, stopped taking care of himself at all really. He didn’t take care of us either. Eventually he got sick and just... died.”
Derf stopped talking and watched Tim as he processed everything he’d just been told. After a moment, Tim said, “Derf, I’m really sorry you experienced that.”
Derf shrugged. “I just want to know what happened those two weeks he was gone. I was hoping the man with the mustache could tell me, but he’s never come back that I’ve seen. I know he must be coming back at some point, since he’s leaving the food, but he was involved in all of this. He must know what happened.”
“Flying machines, huh?”
Derf nodded. “Well, I don’t know this for sure, but it sounds to me like he wound up in the backwards world, somehow. There are things there that could be considered flying machines.”
Derf considered that thought, but Tim could tell he still wanted to know more. He had a thought but thought he should discuss it with Anna first. “Derf, thank you for sharing your story with me. I apologize for any part Anna and I played in what happened. We never intended to hurt anyone. I want to fill in some of what I know about that time for you, but first I have a question. How did you recognize us from that day? Asilla gave us a potion that was supposed to change what we look like.”
Derf’s face turned slightly red. “Well, my sister isn’t the only one who’s power appeared early and my power is that I see magic.”
“What do you mean, you see magic?”
“Any type of magic that's being done, to me, looks like colors. When you and Anna were talking telepathically earlier with Yma and when I think you asked Anna to call her back, so she didn't hear us talking, around your head was all purple. That day you and Anna and the adults with you were in a cloud of yellow. I knew some magic was being done because of that. I guess I see through it too, if you were supposed to look different. You didn’t, just a lot younger than you do now.”
Derf’s eyes narrowed as he finished his explanation. “How are you guys so much older then you were then?” he asked suspiciously.
“Well that's part of our story,” Tim started to explain, “but before I tell you anything, I need to know I can trust you completely. I know you want answers about your father, and I think I can help you with that, but I need to tell you something first. The man with the mustache is my uncle, Ronnoc Rellim. He started the Rebels years ago, basically because he was jealous of the attention my mother received when she became a royal. He claims to be on my side now and that he regrets everything that has happened, but I don’t believe him. I think he's saying only what he thinks I want to hear. I know he's been leaving you food, and he may feel guilty that things he put in motion contributed to your father’s death, but I need you to swear that anything I tell you remains with you alone. You cannot tell him any of what I share with you. The entire fate of this world may depend on it.”
Derf raised his eyebrows skeptically. “I know it sounds a bit dramatic, but once you hear our story, you’ll understand.”
Derf's thought for a moment, then shrugged. “Okay, I swear I won’t tell your uncle anything.”
Tim held his hand out to Derf's, which Derf shook, then his eyes widened as a swirl of green surrounded his hand grasped in Tim’s. He pulled his hand from Tim’s. “What did you just do?”
Tim cringed slightly. “You really can see everything. Don’t worry. Your oath to me can’t be broken now, that’s all.”
Derf looked at Tim, uncomfortably. He was beginning to think
