Epilogue

For the past couple of days, I have been reluctant to write this post. But the time has come when I must overcome this reluctance and finish this story, because even as I write this now, it appears that a new tale is about to begin. So let me bring this tale to a satisfactory conclusion...

After taking the card from Zulu, I put it in my wallet. We rejoined the Elder and the assault team who were beginning to load the prisoners who were more easily moved into a second chopper that had descended for that purpose.

The noise and wind of the choppers pretty much prevented any meaningful conversations, so we just watched the well-coordinated team work. Within 10 minutes, all of the prisoners had been loaded into first one, then the second of the wing choppers that had accompanied Zulu's chopper. Once those two were loaded up, they left with a roar, back towards Miami.

The third chopper remained above, waiting for the unseen signal to be sent to pick up Zulu and the only other remaining member of the initial landing team, the female. Zulu spent a moment to thank the Elder for his support and help during the crisis and promised to seek out additional funding for the reservation in the next appropriations bill.

Without any further comments or conversations with me or the Professor, Zulu waved his arm, calling the circling chopper down to retrieve them.

Within minutes, the Elder, Jim and myself were standing alone on an otherwise deserted island within the River of Grass. As the sounds of the last chopper disappeared, the normal sounds of this peaceful, primordial place began to return. The Elder shuffled off without comment to get the small airboat ready that would be taking us back to our vehicle.

I turned to Jim, "How the heck did you guys get involved with a guy like that?"

Jim shrugged, "He sought us out a few years back. He asked for the utmost privacy when we dealt with him, so that his position and politics wouldn't be impacted, which we respected."

"Why would a famous, conservative, Evangelical Christian seek out a group as off the wall as the ORC's are? Don't you guys represent everything he fights so hard and so well to suppress?"

"He was seeking help, which we provided. You see, according to Ravyn, that man has a natural level of magickal talent that was manifesting itself in ways he didn't understand and couldn't control. His faith didn't provide him with an effective way of dealing with those manifestations, so he found the only group out there that could give him confidential, effective training in how to control and even to use his talent safely. In exchange for that, he has provided us resources and political cover that we would otherwise lack, even if he is unable to publicly declare that he is a Caster."

"So does he have any control over the group?"

"No, he is not even an official member. However, we do work together and cooperate when our interests go in the same direction, much as we have with you, Rusty."

"I see. Well, I'll give him a call, but I am done following the orders of mysterious men."

" I don't blame you."

By now the Elder was waiting for us to board the boat and depart this island. The loudness of the engine and the rushing wind effectively ended our conversation for the moment.

We returned to the place where our vehicle was parked, the Frau and Cerrydwen were waiting for us there. Each of us made our farewells to those warriors and Elders we knew, loaded into the van, and departed for Miami International Airport.

The drive back to the airport was quiet, each of us being lost in our own thoughts. At the airport, Jim and I said our farewells to Cerrydwen and the Frau who each had flights out within a couple of hours. Jim made arrangements to delay his flight until after he visited Herne in the hospital and made arrangements for the payment of the bills. Jim rented his own vehicle, so we parted at that time as well.

As he grabbed his own bags from the van to transfer them into his car, we clasped hands.

He asked, "So, you'll be bringing Kenny up to the school?"

"Yeah, after check with Katherine to make sure she's OK with all of the arrangements. I don't expect any problems with Kenny going to your college. She might put up an argument about selling the house and working for Ravyn, but I think she'll come around when she sees that it wasn't my idea."

Jim laughed, "Ah yes, glad I've never had to worry about that."

"Then you haven't been married or divorced."

"True enough."

"I'll see you in a week or two. Make sure Herne is OK, send him my regards, and let him know I'll make Drake pay for him as well."

With that, we parted. I got back into the van and started the long trip home, back to Michigan. In a little more than 18 hours I would be able to hug my son for real. And if he wanted to play catch with his old man again...well that just might be a little easier now. It was almost like having a second chance at life...almost.