Keeper of the Lost Cities: Unlocked: A Fan-fiction

Chapter Ten - Sophie

Once again, Sophie froze in shock.

"What?" she heard Marella, Dex, Biana, Fitz, Stina, and Linh all screech in unison. But the only thought filling Sophie's mind was...

"You're Prentice's grandpa?"

Her mind was whirling so fast. Mr. Forkle had let his grandchild get thrown in Exile for years? And all for what? To keep her hidden? Behind the shock she was feeling, in the back of her mind, a tiny, grumbling voice wondered why there had to be yet another reason for her to need to do her job well. As if the pressure of saving the Elven world weren't enough.

But to her shock, Mr. Forkle shook his head.

"No. My brother was."

Wylie and Maruca gasped. "He's de... our grandpa is..." Maruca said softly.

Mr. Forkle bowed his head with remorse clear on his face. "You see why I couldn't tell you before. It would have upset you both too much."

"We didn't know him well, so it's not too bad.But why now?" Wylie asked, stepping closer to Mr. Forkle with his eyes narrowed. "Why tell us now? What's changed from yesterday, or the day before, or the day before that?"

"I was just waiting for the right time. And for Miss Foster to prove herself completely trustworthy. When that time came, I knew it would be likely that her friends would be ready as well."

"So," Sophie asked uncomfortably, interrupting the tense silence following his small speech. "The other Mr. Forkle was married? Had kids?" She stopped as a thought struck her. Did this Forkle brother have a family as well?

"Yes, my brother did. No, Miss Foster, I do not have a wife or children. And no, before you ask, I did not read your mind, I only know you well," Mr. Forkle said with a roll of his eyes. "You kids are always so assuming."

"How could you do that to my dad?" Wylie yelled, seeming unable to hold back anymore. "How could you just let him be thrown into Exile for twelve years?"

Mr. Forkle rubbed his forehead wearily. "For the same reasons I have explained when we've had this conversation before. The exact same reasons. Nothing has changed."

"Yes, it has. Now, you're personally related to the man in question!"

"If I may speak," Tiergan said, coming out of the corners of the room where he had been watching everything going on. Wylie whirled.

"I, too, am 'personally related' to the man in question," Tiergan told Wylie with a sad smile. "Not by blood, but by close friendship. I don't think you understand how dedicated Prentice was to this cause. He was willing to give his life, and nearly did, several times. He recognized what Sophie would be able to do for our world, and he was incredibly persistent in pushing for it. Nothing we could have done would have stopped your father from doing the things he did."

"I'm not talking about the things he did," Wylie said carefully. "I get that Sophie's important. And I'm not going to blow up at her, like I have in the past, because I recognize now that it isn't her fault. I even see why he did it. Sophie can do amazing things, and she's going to save the world from everything my dad fought against. More than she already has."

Sophie blushed, but she was also relieved. At least Wylie wouldn't be mad at her.

"I'm talking about the things you guys did afterwards," Wylie continued. "You wouldn't get him out of Exile. I know you had a timeline and plan and all, but surely you could have moved some things around!"

"I wish we could have," Mr. Forkle said regretfully, "but you know that wasn't possible. Mr. Endal, we have talked repeatedly about this. We had a very specific plan for his extraction from Exile, and we succeeded when the time came. It is likely that if we had attempted before that time, when we didn't have Miss Foster and her secret cache," Sophie shivered at the word, "our outcome would not have been the same. You have your father back now, well and healthy. Can we be satisfied with that, and not dwell on the past and what might have been?"

Wylie seemed to deflate at his words, sinking onto a nearby chair with an exhausted look on his face. Linh sat on a chair next to him, Maruca on another.

Should we go? Fitz transmitted, making her jump. I don't want to sound insensitive, but I really think this is something Tiergan, Wylie, and Mr. Forkle should figure out by themselves. Without an audience. Don't you agree?

Even though she longed to stay and see what happened, she also knew Fitz was probably right. (A/N: You have no idea how painful it was to write that, and all the other small Fitzphie moments I have to write in order for it to seem a natural fade from Fitz to Keefe. It's also very sad that I had to add the word Fitzphie to my dictionary. Anyways, sorry, I'll let you get back to the story now.

Yeah, you're right, she said. Should I transmit to everyone else and suggest we leave?

Yeah, that'll work.

Okay. Sophie broke the connection and transmitted to all her friends what she and Fitz were going to do. They all nodded and not so subtly backed away, out of the office. All except Maruca and Linh, who wanted to stay to support Wylie. Tam wanted to stay to support Linh supporting Wylie, but she refused, telling him quite bluntly to go home. Although Sophie wanted to help too, she knew Maruca and Linh both had closer roles in what was going on than she did.

Is it okay if we leave? She transmitted to Mr. Forkle. Do you think Wylie needs us?

No, Miss Foster, you and your friends may go. I think the only thing Mr. Endal wants right now is to vent, and you can't help with that.

Sophie paused. Do you think I should let him vent at me? Would it help him get his anger out? It wouldn't hurt my feelings, and-

No, Miss Foster. You've done all you can, and I don't think Mr. Endal is even interested in venting at you. He does not blame you. Mr. Forkle smiled. Besides. Mr. Sencen would have my hide if he woke up and heard that I had let you go through that willingly. He kept you together when me and my brother could not. Now it is my turn to do the same for him. Mr. Forkle's eyes shadowed slightly.

A lump got stuck in Sophie's throat, and she couldn't seem to swallow it.

I hope you know how much that boy cares for you, Mr. Forkle said, and something about it, perhaps how intent he sounded, made Sophie blush.

Wow, you joined the "That Boy" club with Grady, didn't you? she transmitted to try and cover. Why was she blushing? She shouldn't be blushing. Blushing wasn't good. Blushing was bad. Blushing was embarrassing. Why was she still blushing? And why in the name of all that was embarrassing was she still thinking about it?

What had he meant, anyways? Well, of course Keefe cared about her. Keefe cared about all his friends. That's why they were his friends. Why was she still thinking about this? This was not important.

Anyways, I just have one last question, Sophie said, trying to cool her burning cheeks. Why do you call him Mr. Endal? Why not Wylie? He is your great grandnephew.

Mr. Forkle looked surprised. I guess I never really thought about it. I suppose that would make sense, but it is so foreign to me. I will think on it. Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Miss Foster. You may go home instead of returning to your classes, as I realize you may need some time to process today's events. Get some rest. I will see you soon.

Sophie leapt home, hoping she could have one peaceful afternoon. But that was not meant to be. Because no sooner had she settled underneath the Panakes tree with a book, Ella, and some Lushberry Juice, than Tam appeared in the pastures in front of her, a grave look on his face. Not that that was out of the normal, but still.

Sophie jumped up, her juice splattering on the ground and sinking into the dirt within seconds. If only her worries could disappear so quickly.

"What is it? Is it urgent? Is it Keefe?" she asked, gulping.

Tam shook his head, causing his bangs falling over his eyes. Uh-oh. He was nervous. "It's not bad," he promised. "At least, I don't think it is. I don't actually know." He cleared his throat. "Glimmer just went to the Healing Center. She saw Keefe and talked to Lord Cassius, and now she's called a meeting."

He looked straight at Sophie. "I think she's ready to tell us who she is."

Hey, guys! Did you like the little Sokeefe moment I tried to squeeze in there? Please vote and comment. Thanks for reading!

- Total_KOTLC_Fan