Runaway

Epilogue

Epilogue

Ben grumbled, walking down the hill. Stupid wolves. Why did they have to scare the goats away? He kicked a dirt clod. At least Mathew had been willing to pay for the two and a half months he had worked. But why had the stupid wolves come? They’d never been seen on the mountain before. The one year that they’re actually seen, and they actually attack. Unbelievable! It was just his luck.

He finally arrived at his home and stopped dead in his tracks. It was painted. It had flowers, though the weeds were starting to over grow them. He walked inside, gasping. The stair railing was fixed, and a new table stood there! The front room was painted! He ran from room to room. Every one of them was painted! He couldn’t believe it! Zander must have done this! Excitement filled him,

“Ma?” he called. “MA!!” he screamed loudly. Nothing. No one came running. Suddenly the early excitement disappeared. The house was fixed…but why was no one there? What had happened? He looked through the whole house, starting to panic. He found no bodies, but that scared him even more.

He ran out to the fields, and found no one. Not only that, but the fields were overrun with weeds and the sugar beets were old. That meant one thing. Something had happened. And it had happened a while ago. He froze with fear. Had his Father killed them all? Were they all dead? Robbie. He would know. Robbie always knew, and he’d give it to Ben straight.

He ran to Robbie’s, panic running through him. None of the ships were out. Wait. Streamers? Food? Mourners? Jesters? Gifts? The King’s tent? The King’s ARMY? Ben realized that a funeral was going on. Fear raced through his veins even faster. What was going on?

He ran to Robbie’s house, and almost broke down the door. There in the kitchen, was Robbie and his family. Well, his mother, Leah, and the twins anyway.

“Ben…” Robbie stood from his seat.

“What’s going on? Why, why aren’t you guys at home? Why are the fields dead? Where is Lezlai? Where is Zander?” he demanded in a jumble.

“Ben, relax. We’ll explain everything.” Robbie insisted. Ben nodded, trying to breathe regularly and finding he couldn’t.

“What happened?” Ben asked, looking up at Robbie.

“It was Xyle.” Ben flinched at the name. “At first, Zander was doing pretty well. Although he did get pretty beat up the first time. Then a few weeks later your father found a buyer and brought him here. Zander tried to fight him and his buddy, but ended up getting shot.” Ben stared at him. Dread filled him. Was Zander dead? Did his best friend DIE to protect his sister?

“Is he…did he…die?” Ben choked out.

“No, Ben. Zander is very much alive.” Robbie smiled. “Not only that, but he’s the missing Prince.”

“Zander’s a Prince? He’s Prince Alikzander?” Ben asked, not quite comprehending what he was saying. “But he said that he was a servant.”

“He said what he had to. He knew he had to get away from his father.” Robbie shrugged.

“W-where is he?” Ben asked quietly.

“Well, he saved Lezlai with Briar. They stayed with Mindy for a while, then I had Sparky take them to Jaeger with the papers they needed.” Robbie finished.

“So they’re alive?” Ben asked.

“Yes, Ben.” Robbie smiled. Ben sighed in relief. He looked at his Mom, and went to hug her tightly.

“You must find Lezlai, Ben.” She said to him, her voice wobbly. “And Zander. I so liked Zander. And he so liked our Lezlai.”

“What?” Ben asked, giving her a weird look. She laughed softly.