Keeper of the Lost Cities Story; The Lost Secret

Chapter 26

The next day in the Healing Center, both Keefe and Sophie have their arms in the ice bucket again. Kai notices that Sophie has a ton of prattle pins on her cast. She isn't sure why, but she isn't going to ask. 

"Still practicing?" Kai asks when she walks in. 

"Yup, every day," Sophie says, making Keefe smile. 

"Well have fun with that,"  Kai says walking to the alchemy station in the back.  

"Elwin?" Kai says, "I'm here to take my meds." 

 He is sitting in a chair, looking exhausted. 

"Elwin are you okay," Kai asks worriedly. His eyes look sunken in and he looks pale. 

"Yes I'm all right," He says quickly standing up. "I am just tired," 

He reaches onto a shelf to grab the pink elixir, plus another green one. 

"Here are these," He says, handing her the bottles. "Take both of them now,"

Kai wants to argue, but she doesn't want to upset Elwin, especially after everything he's been doing for her. She uncaps them and drinks the pink one first, hoping the second one will taste better. 

Unfortunately, it does not. It tastes like a mix of salt and even more salt. Kai chokes as she swallows. 

"That one is even worse," She groans. 

"I'm sorry," Elwin says distractedly. He is grabbing a bunch of other elixirs, they must be for Sophie. 

"Okay, I'm gonna go,"  Kai says awkwardly. "I'll leave you to it," 

"We'll need to be prepared," Mr. Forkle says. "For anything," 

"And anyone," Keefe grumbles. He has to be referring to his Mom. 

"Yes and anyone," 

"Who's going to go?" Sophie asks looking around at the group that stood together in the Healing Center. 

Biana and Dex stood together next to Fitz. Biana looks at him worriedly. 

"I should be there," Tam says. "In case Umber's there," 

Tam and Linh are standing close to Kai, which is good because Kai is going to need them for this conversation. 

"I'm going," Someone says from the door. 

It is Grady. He and Edaline rush into the room. Kai freezes and takes a step back. 

"Kai," Edaline says, she seems surprised although she shouldn't be. "How have you been?" 

Kai takes a deep breath and leans against Linh so she doesn't fall over. 

"Edaline," Kai says. "It-It's been a while," 

She looks down at her feet sadly. 

"I know, and I'm sorry," She says. 

"Me too Kai," Grady says. "We should have come to see you," 

"Yeah," Kai says softly. 

Her heart breaks a little bit more every time she sees them. Even every time she sees Sophie. 

"What is happening, you know each other?" Sophie asks. 

"Umm," Kai doesn't know what to say. 

"Yes," Grady interrupts, "I'll explain later Kiddo," 

"Okay," Sophie says confused. 

"Anyways, let's get back on track," Mr. Forkle says. "I agree with Mr. Tam, he should be there," 

"I have also arranged for Wiyle to be there as well,'

"Again, I want to go," Grady says firmly. Making Mr. Forkle sigh. 

"Yes, Mr. Rewen you can go," 

"I'm going too," Keefe says. "You'll need as many people as you can get," 

"Yes, that is why I am having Blur and Wraith go as well," Forkle says. "Along with Miss Vacker and Mr. Dizznee. Your gadgets proved useful last time so be sure to bring them," He says looking at Dex.

The group nods. 

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but Linh should come too," Tam says. Linh gives him a look. 

Mr. Forkle sighs, "As much as I want to argue, I agree. We need as many people possible for this," 

"I need to be there," Kai says. Mr. Forkle gives her a pointed look.

"Except for you," 

"What why? It's my note?" 

Mr. Forkle sighs, "You are too important right now," 

"Oh," Kai says, "Where will I be then?" 

"You'll stay in Solreef," Forkle says. "They don't know you're there so you'll be safe," 

Kai doesn't want to, but she agrees. She knows that they are threatening her, so she needs to be careful. 

"I want one of you to contact Miss Redek, she may be essential to this mission," 

Kai flinches. She knew that Marella was involved in the Blackswan, she just wasn't sure how much. 

"I can call her," Linh says. 

"Perfect," Forkle says. 

With that settled, the goblins begin to argue who will go, and who will stay to protect the others. 

"I have an idea," Sophie says interrupting the goblins. 

Sandor looks at her sternly. "Miss Foster, if this idea includes you coming, then no," 

Sophie smiles grimly, "No, I want to go, but I know I can't," 

Edaline squeezes her good hand. 

"I think that if you end up talking to them... then you need to ask why Kai's father died," 

Kai sucks in a sharp breath. 

"I mean if it's okay with you," Sophie says to her. "You want to know, right?" 

Mr. Forkle considers it. 

"I think that could be dangerous," He warns. "But if the chance comes up, then we will," 

Kai nods. She feels excited for some reason. Maybe now she will finally be able to know why her dad was murdered. 

"Sophie needs a goblin guard to stay here with her," Sandor says. 

"Yes, I agree with you," he says looking at the other goblins. 

"I will stay," One of them says. "Edaline will probably want to be here anyway,"

She nods her approval. He must be Edaline's bodyguard. 

"Perfect," Sandor and Forkle say at the same time. 

"Will I be alone?" Kai asks. 

Mr. Forkle hesitates, "The Neverseen don't know you're going to be at Solreef, but just in case, Tiergran will be there," 

"Okay," Kai says shakily. 

"We'll be able to let you know any information through him," Mr. Forkle says. "So we have the plan down?" 

Everyone looks around at each other grimly. 

"Let's go catch my Mom," Keefe says.