Bebhinn had been quiet. Once her father's will and estate had been taken care of, she'd shut herself off from Emad. He didn't like it. Oh, she'd been agreeable to his input about the inheritance, but all her passion was gone. Was she truly mourning her father?
Emad was having second thoughts about his Master Plan--and he never second guessed himself! But where Bebhinn was concerned, he couldn't seem to keep his focus. Emad agreed to talk to Piers, see what he had to say.
Piers: There have been questions raised about the death of your father-in-law. These questions, if made public, could shine a disturbing light on my friend and on my home. You know who I am, Faraz, how I view crime. This is an unsavory business.
Emad: My dear sir, I'm not following you. Surely you're not suggesting anything untoward concerning Walsh's death? Why, I can't imagine such a thing!
Piers: Let's not fence here. No need to spell it out, but you know as well as I that the man's death was not what it seemed. And there's every indication that your wife was involved. It's not looking at all good for her.
Emad: That's impossible! Bebhinn is deeply grieved about her father. She had nothing to do with this!
Piers: Your wife knows her father was killed. And I'm sure she realizes his murder was by your order. You may escape our simple human courts, Faraz, but your wife will not. While you and your brother destroy Rinn Fada in some god-awful titan battle, you'll have lost her. Is that what you really want?
Emad: I will not lose Bebhinn! I am not prepared for that. She and I understand one another, you see. I ... want her.
Piers: I think you LOVE her, Faraz. I believe I recognize love when I see it. I'm willing to look for alternatives to deal with this disaster. Consider your wife, sir. And when the time comes for a decision, make the right one.
__________
Piers and Bunter weren't alone in seeking the truth. Larry Walsh needed to speak with his daughter. He'd force her to talk. For once in his life, Larry was afraid. Afraid of facing his own blind mistakes, what he'd done to his family.
Larry: Bebhinn, tell me! I must know. You were there when I died, Bebhinn. You were there!
Bebhinn: Father, I'm so sorry! I couldn't help! I just couldn't! I was so confused. It was all so horrible ... what Emad had done. It wasn't a game anymore--between us. I was afraid!
Larry: Your husband is a dangerous man, Bebhinn. I thought him strong, but he is more than that. You must be careful, daughter. He has duped us both!
Bebhinn: Father, you've forgiven me? Oh, please say you have!
Larry: Aw, my poor daughter. I've been such a fool. This is all my fault! I'm the one who hurt you--and my son.
Bebhinn: Father, no! You did the best you could after mother's death. ... Oh! What should I do now? I love Emad. He is like me, father. It is too wicked, I know, but I can't help it.
Larry: Don't cry, Bebhinn, my child. Your father will make things right. Just you see!
__________
But making things right with Emad Faraz was not an easy task!
Larry swallowed his pride and his temper. He had his daughter's welfare to think about. Surely this man felt something for Bebhinn! Could Larry get through to him?
Larry: Faraz, I beg you! It is too late for me, but my children have a chance. Do not harm them. If you care anything at all for my daughter, listen to me! I know a way out for both of you. You can make a fresh start away from here. I have seen a place where I believe my Bebhinn would be happy.
Emad: What are you suggesting, Walsh? You think we can just load up the car and hit the road?
Larry: Oh, no, not at all. The place I have in mind isn't reached by any roads you've ever seen!
Larry: Your brother wears a medallion I gifted him, and it can only be activated by him. It's a gateway, Faraz! To realms beyond this one. The portal finds worlds meant for each traveler who enters its door. I have seen one for Bebhinn--and for you.
Larry: Take my daughter with you, Faraz, and find the knight. He will open the door to your future!
__________
Of course, the knight had no idea about the Portal Medallion. Larry had been too muddled before to explain the power of the stone to Brother Bunter. He needed to do that now.
Larry found Bunter on the Wimsel mansion rooftop working with some gigantic steampunk machine. Little good that would do them. The lad wasn't thinking clearly. He needed sorcery, not science!
Larry: Forget that contraption, boy! You have a much more powerful tool hanging around your neck!
Bunter: The medallion? What does it do?
Larry: It's a gateway stone! A very special one indeed too. The amulet has the power to connect souls to worlds. It searches the heart and mind of travelers and sends them where they're best suited to live. You have to use it for my daughter's sake, knight! You hear me?
Larry: You'll need sky magic to activate the portal. Space and time must be cleared for the gate to open.
Bunter: But I don't have air magic. I'm a fire elemental.
Larry: Wake up, son! Your lady friend uses sky magic, now doesn't she? She flies, controls the weather.
Bunter: I've never seen her work the skies before. I don't know ...
Larry: All she needs is an amplifier of some sort. Then the two of you combine forces and get that door open!
Bunter: Wait! What about that old totem down by the Community College? I've heard it was once used to summon weather changes in ancient times. Maybe Caprice could get it working again!
Larry: Now you're thinking, lad!
Emad was having second thoughts about his Master Plan--and he never second guessed himself! But where Bebhinn was concerned, he couldn't seem to keep his focus. Emad agreed to talk to Piers, see what he had to say.
Piers: There have been questions raised about the death of your father-in-law. These questions, if made public, could shine a disturbing light on my friend and on my home. You know who I am, Faraz, how I view crime. This is an unsavory business.
Piers: Let's not fence here. No need to spell it out, but you know as well as I that the man's death was not what it seemed. And there's every indication that your wife was involved. It's not looking at all good for her.
Emad: That's impossible! Bebhinn is deeply grieved about her father. She had nothing to do with this!
Emad: I will not lose Bebhinn! I am not prepared for that. She and I understand one another, you see. I ... want her.
Piers: I think you LOVE her, Faraz. I believe I recognize love when I see it. I'm willing to look for alternatives to deal with this disaster. Consider your wife, sir. And when the time comes for a decision, make the right one.
Piers and Bunter weren't alone in seeking the truth. Larry Walsh needed to speak with his daughter. He'd force her to talk. For once in his life, Larry was afraid. Afraid of facing his own blind mistakes, what he'd done to his family.
Larry: Bebhinn, tell me! I must know. You were there when I died, Bebhinn. You were there!
Larry: Your husband is a dangerous man, Bebhinn. I thought him strong, but he is more than that. You must be careful, daughter. He has duped us both!
Bebhinn: Father, no! You did the best you could after mother's death. ... Oh! What should I do now? I love Emad. He is like me, father. It is too wicked, I know, but I can't help it.
Larry: Don't cry, Bebhinn, my child. Your father will make things right. Just you see!
But making things right with Emad Faraz was not an easy task!
Larry: Faraz, I beg you! It is too late for me, but my children have a chance. Do not harm them. If you care anything at all for my daughter, listen to me! I know a way out for both of you. You can make a fresh start away from here. I have seen a place where I believe my Bebhinn would be happy.
Larry: Oh, no, not at all. The place I have in mind isn't reached by any roads you've ever seen!
Larry: Take my daughter with you, Faraz, and find the knight. He will open the door to your future!
Of course, the knight had no idea about the Portal Medallion. Larry had been too muddled before to explain the power of the stone to Brother Bunter. He needed to do that now.
Larry: Forget that contraption, boy! You have a much more powerful tool hanging around your neck!
Bunter: The medallion? What does it do?
Bunter: But I don't have air magic. I'm a fire elemental.
Larry: Wake up, son! Your lady friend uses sky magic, now doesn't she? She flies, controls the weather.
Bunter: I've never seen her work the skies before. I don't know ...
Larry: All she needs is an amplifier of some sort. Then the two of you combine forces and get that door open!
Larry: Now you're thinking, lad!
