The Brace of Terra. 35

Yadessa is the homeland of the Vampires. There are many legends about Vampire. Some are true, some are pure fiction. Day light will not kill true vampires. Turned vampires can't stand light. Born vampires don't fear the sun. It just makes them weak. They're more powerful at night. They do not sleep in coffins or crypts. Only turned vampires are undead. Most Vampires don't drink human blood. Its to addictive and turns them evil, and the diseases they catch from humans are fatal. They can drink human blood, but most won't chance it. Instead they live on cattle. The blood is just as good and keeps them safe from being hunted by humans. There are other advantages too. Vampires don't go around biting people to make more vampires. Only power mad rejects do that. Those that feel the need to rule over others. And when someone gets to that point, the Vampire Lords hunt them down because they become a threat to vampire survival. There's one more legend. No evil vampire can stand against any symbol of good. They will run in fear. Not just religion, but true goodness will always hurt them. Its a power that evil can't look in the face, and that stands for most beings, vampire or werewolf.Winging their way toward Yadessa, no one talked. Jandar rode on Rages back with Insa beside them. Yadessa is a beautiful place with lust fields and great herds of cattle. Farming was almost a lost art here since everyone is carnivorous. Vegetables were eaten, but blood is life here.
[ How do you want to do this?] Rage asked his mate.
[ We have to meet someone.] Jandar sent to him.
[Who?]
[ My father.] Jandar patted his neck. [ I think we're going to need him.]
[ JANDARRRR!!!]
Someone called out in his head. He turned to look around. Behind them he saw something flying toward them. It could only be one person.
[JAYCE!!]
His wings and blond hair glowing in the sunlight Jayce flew up to them.
" You think I'm gonna let you go into Vampire territory without me?" He called to them.
" I thought you would watch Shayn and Ono for us." Jandar said. " But your welcome to join us." " Ono's a big boy now. He doesn't need me around."Jayce said. " Besides, I needed to get in the air. Send me a message when your ready to land."
With that he took off into the clouds. Jayce loved to fly high. The sun energized him and made him stronger. He loved the freedom of the skies.
[ Does he know yet?] Insa sent to Jandar.
[ No.] Jandar answered.
[ What?] Rage asked.
[ What he's becoming.] Jandar explained to Rage.
[ What?] Rage asked more demanding.
[ Look at him with you Mage sight, Love. You'll see.]
Rage flew a little high and switched to his magic sight. He looked over to Jayce and saw what they were talking about. Jayce looked so heavenly? There was a glow about him and something around his head. A Halo?
[ Is that what I think?] He asked Jandar. [ Is he becoming what I think?]
[ Yes love. Jayce is an angel.] Jandar told him.[ Haven't you noticed how good you feel around him? Or how people act when he's around?]
[ I thought it was just how they perceive him.] Rage sent. [ What does this mean?]
[ It means we have an angel on our side. He's been picked for one of the highest callings.] Insa sent flying close. [He may have a mission one day, and you, his family must be his strength and help him all you can.]
[ Your right.] Jandar told Insa. [Since we were young, even when it was forbidden. Jayce was family to Tof, Ono and I. He is one of us right Rage?]
[Yes love, he's got Dragon blood in him.] Rage said. [ We die for him, like he would for us.]
[You talking about me?] Jayce dropped down next to them.
[Tell him love.]
[ Jayce, ride with me.]
Jayce flew above Rage and settled on his back.
"Whats going on?" He asked.
" Its time to tell you something brother." Jandar said. "Rage we need to land there. There's father."
Everyone flew down to the lone man standing under a tree and landed. Drake Tyr stood under the tree and smiled at his son and his friends as they landed. He was dressed in black leather pants and long coat with a silver shirt. His hair was long with silver streak running through it. He wore high black boots and a silver moon on his shoulder.
" Father, I'm glad you came." Jandar hugged his father and gripped his arm in greeting.
" Of course I came when you called."
Drake looked over at Jayce. His eyes widened.
" Why does everyone keep doing that when I'm around?" Jayce said.
The Dragons all shifted to human forms. Rage came over to Jayce and Jandar.
" Tell him." he said.
" Walk with me Jayce." Jandar put his hand on his shoulder and guided him away.
" What is it?" Jayce asked. " Is it good or bad?"
" I think its great!" Jandar said.
" What is it?" He stopped.
"You know you've been changing." Jandar said. " Do you know what your becoming?"
" Please just tell me whats happening brother."
Jayce was very anxious and a little afraid. He's been feeling things from people lately. Emotions were colors, sadness was a blue hue, anger red. Lies were like a buzzing in his ears. He had to know what was happening to him.
" You've been gifted Jayce." Jandar said. " Your becoming an Angel."
Jayce looked at him in shock. How was that even possible?
" Me?" He said. Rage walked over.
" Why me?"
" Jayce, I felt something about you when we met." Rage said. "I so wanted the sapphire egg to be yours. For you to be a part of my Dragon family. But even though the egg wasn't yours, we still wanted you as family. We felt your goodness. Your angelic heart. We, all of us are proud of you brother. If you've been given this gift, you deserve it."
"Ive known you most of your life." Jandar said. " I felt it the day we met. That's why I saved you and JP. I couldn't allow anything to happen to you then, and we'll be at your side now."
" What does this mean?" Jayce asked. " Why me?"
" I don't know." Jandar said. " But we'll be there when you find out. I promise you that."
Overwhelmed by all that just happened, Jayce reached out and hugged both Jandar and Rage.
" Thank you." He said." Brothers."
Drake and Insa walked over to join them. hands were held out and congratulations were given to Jayce.


Earlier that day, three strange men were escorted into Vasagi by a beautiful grey eyed woman. All the people knew her, she was the daughter of their last leader Radu. She had escaped before her father was caught and executed for what she and her father had done to her eldest son, Rejek. And the plot they were trying to pull off on Valkar. Velusia and her father had failed to overthrow Valkar. Coming back here was not a good move on her part. She was under a death warrant here. She and her friends would be turned over to King Valkar for sure.,
" This is not very smart." Velusia said to Pelic as they walked through town." I hate these people as much as they hate me."
" And you wonder why?" Pelic said. " You tried to kill your sons and your king. You and Polan were made for each other."
" You think so?" She smiled.
Pelic ignored her comment and keep walking. Velusia was sadistic, just as bad as Polan. He thought her death would be welcome.
" So whats the plan?" She asked.
" To get the Brace any way we can." Graym said.
" Valkar's not going to just hand it over to us." She told them. " Maybe bringing me wasn't a good idea."
" What's he like?" Graym asked.
" He's a bleeding heart." Velusia spat. " He's forgotten that you rule with strength, fear and intimidation. He thinks compassion will make everyone love him. What a joke!! You make them so scared of you that they're afraid to move against you. My father and I would have turned this country in the right direction. Made us strong again. "
"What you and your father would have done, was cause your people so much grief." Graym said.        " You would have gone to war for no reason but conquest. Biting and infecting people till either you won, or everybody turned on you"
" Whatever." she waved him off.
" Why are you bothering?" Pelic asked Graym. " She doesn't care about her people. She wants blood, that's all."
" Your right." She said. " Id kill them all and start over if I could."
" Isn't there anyone here you care about?" Graym asked.
" Just one." She said.
" Who?" Taren asked.
" None of your business." She said.
Just then a large group of Vampires dressed in the Kings guard came toward them. All were bearing weapons.
" We kill them." Velusia said, Her eyes glowing yellow." Please?"
" No!" Pelic said. "We go with them. And make sure you stay solid. I don't want them knowing you've changed in anyway."

Together Jandar, his father and the dragons walked on toward Vasagi. Drake kept looking back at Jayce. This worried him. Why was he looking? Insa walked up to catch up with Jayce.
" Have you noticed Drake's staring at you." He said.
" Yeah. And I'm getting nervous about it." Jayce said.
Drake turned again.
[ Jandar.] Jayce sent. [ Your Dad keeps staring at me. Is something wrong?]
[ I don't know,] Jandar answered. [ But I'll find out.]
[ Father, Is there something wrong?] He sent to Drake. [ Your staring at him.]
Drake stopped and looked at the rest of the group. He walked up to Jayce and put his hand on his shoulder.
" You can't come into Vasagi." He said.
Jayce looked to Jandar in puzzlement. He wasn't leaving his brothers, No way.
" Son." Drake said. " These are Vampires. Your no danger to them, but Vampire history wont die. They hate Werewolves but Angels they fear."
" I don't understand." Jayce said scratching his head.
"Let me see if I can explain." Drake told them. " The Vampires and Werewolves are magical and septet in traditions. Some we're changing. Neither race is evil like people think. But there are ways theatwe have that are hard to break. Silver doesn't bother us like people think and pure goodness, like angels can't hurt them unless they've been corrupted by human blood. See that's the change that switching to cattle caused. It freed them in a way. But some vampires are so septet in tradition they still fear your kind."
" Have you every met another like me?" Jayce asked.
"Yes I have." He said. " Years ago. An Angel saved your life Jandar."
" What?" Jandar asked his father. " I didn't know. What happened?"
" When you were small you contracted Heines disease. I'm sure you don't remember. Feel your right temple."
Jandar reached up and felt the side of his face. There he found a scar. It was a small diamond shaped thing.
" Heines disease is a very rare thing only powerfully magical people get. There is no cure except magic, and not many mages, warlocks, witches, or sorcerers can heal it. You were burning to death from your own magic out of control. We tried everything and everybody we could to save you but nothing worked. Your mother and I were out of our minds. We had reached the end when a blinding light appeared outside our door. I opened the door and there was this handsome man with wings. An Angel. He looked like you Jayce. That's why I've been staring at you. He walked in and told us we had a very special child and that he was here to make sure he grew up. He placed his hands on the sides of your face and you both begin to glow a golden light. It took him hours to heal you, but he did it. Your fever was gone and you were sleeping soundly. We rushed to your bed and hugged you and wept. When I turned to thank the Angel he was gone. But his words echoed in our minds. Forgive him he said. I didn't think about that day again until after you were banished. That's why I changed my views on Vampires. My love for you changed my world twice."
Jandar stood there with his mouth open. He had never known any of this before. Rage walked up to him and took his hand.
" Are you alright?" He asked.
"Yes. I'm fine." He told him. "Father."
"All of my children are important." He said. He turned to Jayce.
" I don't know if that was you, but I feel it was somehow. You gave me his life. The best gift I could wish for. Thanking you won't do. If you walk into Vasagi, all's lost."
" I'll heed your warning and stay clear." Jayce said. "But you have to stay in touch with me at all times. I'll stay invisible and near."

Valkar supped early today. Fresh vegetables and a flagon of fresh cattle blood. He had a lot on his mind today. Velusia was back with strangers. That couldn't be good. Last time he had seen her was the day they were to be married and the day she and her father tried to kill him. They had managed to kill his brother, the heir in case something happened to him. Valkar hated her. The things she had done to her own family. Cast her eldest son out. She and her father sent him to be killed by the Werewolves. Unwittingly they did what she wanted. For siding with his brother, they imprisoned her middle son Azeal. They beat him and marked his face with a brand for all to see. A burning hand was branded on his cheek. Azeal was saved by Valkar as he seized Radu's estate and took him prisoner. Valkar took him in as his ward. Velusia escaped leaving her youngest, Ranjer behind and went into hiding. Now she's back with strange men. His guards had taken her and her friends in to custody and put them in the dungeon. A death sentence was on her head. He has no choice but to carry it out. Azeal stormed into Valkar's royal suites. He wore black pants and boot. His shirt was white with bellowing sleeves. He was a handsome dour young man with his hair tied back. Valkar stood as he came to him.
"Is it true?" He asked. " Is she here?"
" Yes, Azeal." Valkar said. " She's in the dungeon."
" I want to see her."
The hate was so obvious on his face.
" What will that accomplish?" The king asked. "She's going to pay for what she did. That I promise you."
" That's not enough!! Azeal yelled. " My mother must answer to me!!"
Just then one of Valkar's footmen came running in
" Sire we have another visitor." He said bowing.
" He gave me this to give you."
" Who is it?"He asked.
Valkar walked to the man and took what he held out. It was the royal ring of the Tyr family. Valkar frowned. He looked at Azeal.
" King Drake of the Werewolves is here to see me."
" Is Ranjer with him." Azeal asked.
" Lets find out." He said. "Have him brought to me in the study."
Drake and Jandar were shown into Valkars study. He was sitting at a desk with a handsome young man at his side. Drake look at him and thought he looked familiar.
" Greeting my friend." Valkar stood and walked to him and took his hand. Drake smiled.
" King Valkar, May I introduce my son Jandar."
Jandar bowed before the king of the vampires.
"It's my pleasure Majesty." Jandar said as he rose.
" Hows Ranjer?" Azeal asked.
" He's a hand full but happy." Drake answered.
" Forgive me." Valkar said to his guess. "This is Azeal. He's Ranjer's brother."
" Brother?" Jandar said. "Then Rejek was your brother too. You look like him, only younger."
" Your Jandar?" Azeal said. "The one that tried to help him? Valkar told me what happened to my brother. I thank you for what you did for him. And I forgive you King Drake. I'm glad all this hate has stopped."
" My deepest apologies young Azeal." Drake told him. " Never again will I judge anyone because of the race. We all have things in our past. Today and tomorrow is whats important."
" I agree." Valkar said to his guest. " So tell me my friends. What brings you here to my house?"
" Polan Dressak." Jandar said.
Valkar looked at Azeal, Then back at Drake and Jandar.
"I don't know the name. " He said. " Whats this have to do with us?"
" Theres a war on Valkar. All of the northern countries are in a shambles." Drake told him. " And its coming closer and closer to our two kingdoms."
Valkar jumped from his chair and pushed it back.
" We have nothing to do with these outside matters. Why would they come here?" He asked.
" The Dragon Talismans for one and Polan wants it all. No country is safe from him.." Jandar said. " You know of them?"
" Of course I do. " Valkar said. " I have one."
" Majesty. I have a tale for you."
With that, Jandar told him of Rage and the Dragons. He told him all he knew of the war and all he knew about Polan and his Shadows and there mission to retrieve all the talismans and the power they would grant Polan. Last he told of the strange woman with the Shadows.
" Velusia!!" Valkar said. " Damn that bitch!!!"
With rage he kicked his chair across the room to smash into the wall.
" Mother is here." Azeal said.
"Mother?" Drake said. " She'd your mother?"
" Yes." Valkar said. " Rejek, Azeal and Ranjer are her sons. She's the one the sent Rejek to you to die. Curse that woman. I almost married her."
" She's here? Jandar said. " In the castle?"
" In the dungeon with her friends." Azeal told them.
" Where's the Brace?" Jandar asked. He knew what they could do. The Brace wasn't safe here anymore.
"It's in my vault." Valkar said. "It's safe from her and her friends."
" No it's not your Majesty." Jandar said.
"Stop calling me that." Valkar said grimly. "We're allies. Why isn't it safe?"
"We have to get to the Brace fast." Jandar said." They're called Shadows for a reason. Shows us where it is."

Deep in the dungeons of Castle Stark. The Shadows were finally alone. It was time to make there move. Pelic knew Valkar would never just give them the Brace so they would have to take it. They couldn't afford to go back without it, Polan would be so anger many would suffer. They had to move before the dragons came and took it for there own. That wasn't a bad idea, since he planned to give them all the talismans they had anyway. But he had to do this so no suspicion fell on them. Pelic, Graym and Velusia could easily get out of this cell. Taren would have to wait here until they came back for him. But he did have a job for Terror. He didn't like the idea of tricking the Dragons but he couldn't fail this time. Polan was getting suspicious of them and Graym's people were his hostages still. Until he and Graym found a way to free them, he had no choice. Maybe the Dragons could help there. Maybe there was a chance.
[Mags.] He sent
[I'm here.] He heard.
[ I have a job for you.] Pelic paced back and forth as he talked to the mage.
[ Go to Rage and Jandar. Tell them they have to free Maveta now if we are to have a chance.]
[There here.] Mags told him.
[ What!!] Pelic stopped. [ Go now!]
" Taren." He said. " I want you to have Terror attack the castle. Velusia, where's the brace kept?"
" In the vault. Not far from here." She said.
" Then have Terror attack the north side of the castle." He said. " You two come on."
" Where are we going" Velusia asked.
"Your going to help keep the guards and Valkar busy. Graym and I are going in to the vault to get the Brace."
" And me?" Taren asked.
" When I give the word, have Terror get you out."
Pelic walked through the cell bars. Graym followed and Velusia dissolved into her smoke form and drifted out.
"Behind this wall is outside. He can break it down. One more thing. The Dragons are here.

Jandar, Drake Azeal and Valkar ran into the inner court chamber and met Rage, and the others waiting.
"We have to get to the Brace." He told them. "The Shadows are here. Follow us."
As they ran Rage passed on Mags message from Pelic.
" We can deal with that after we're done here." Rage said. " Look smoke!!"
" Its her!" Insa said. "Lets see how she fairs against a real Smoke Dragon."
He spread his arms and smoke bellowed out thickly. Darker smoke then Velusia's. It forced her up to the ceiling. She switched to a gas and tried to flow back at them.
[ Jandar.] Insa sent. [Go on after the Brace.]
Coughing and choking everybody ran on down the hall. As a lighter gas Velusia tried to burn Insa, but he had more experience at this. He became oxygen and surrounded her then solidified a claw and scratched the stone on the floor causing a spark. Velusia burst into flames screaming. Quickly she became a moist cloud and flowed out of a window. Insa went out after her but she was gone out of sight. Switching to his dragon form Insa roar. It was good to fight again. He felt so alive.

Down in the vault room, Pelic and Graym passed through the vault door and into the vault. The room was filled with treasure. The riches of the Vampire kingdom. But they had no interest in any of that. Over in the corner on a pedestal sat the Brace. A set of upper arm braces that one put on to protect their arms from sword strokes and arrows. Graym picked it up as the vault door opened. A gout of flame rushed into the room as they passed through the wall, Jandar and Valkar rushed in. Jandar's staff raised and a spell on his lips. He was ready. Valkar to was versed in magic and held himself ready to cast or fight.
" There gone!!"Valkar said lowering his hands.
"I told you they're Polan's shadows." Jandar said. " Walking through walls is a easy task for Pelic and Graym. As for Velusia, the tiniest crack and she's through."
Valkar looked around for Azeal. All the Dragons were there but not Azeal. What happened to him?
" Where's Azeal?" He asked. They all looked at one to another.
"I haven't seen him since we passed through the smoke battle." Drake said.
"Oh no!!" Valkar had a frightening look on his face. "He's gone after his mother! We have to hurry. She'll kill him."
" Wait!" Jandar said. " There's one more of us. We didn't bring him in because we didn't want to offend you."
" What do you mean?" Valkar asked.
" He's my closest and oldest friend." Jandar told him."He's an angel. I can send him to help Azeal. Please let him help."
It didn't take Valkar long to come to his decision. He loved Azeal like his own son. He'd do anything to save him. Angel or not, Azeal needed help.
" Help him, please!!" He said.
[Jayce, we need your help.] Jandar sent.
[I'm on my way.] He replied. [What can I do?]
[ Find this boy. He's Rejeks brother] Jandar sent him Azeal's image. [ Help him. Hurry!!]

In the smoke filled room Azeal took the form of a raven and flew up and out the window. He wanted revenge on his mother for what she did to Rejek and him. He would carry the brand on his face for the rest of his life. Bellow he saw her come out the window as a cloud. He knew it was her, the dragon would have been much bigger. She flowed away to the back of the castle as the smoke dragon emerged. Azeal took of after her. He would have his revenge. She drifted down to the back courtyard and re-formed.
[Damn she's still so beautiful.] He thought.
Azeal circled around and landed on the fence to spy on her. Velusia looked around, something caught her attention. It was a guard. He was coming up to investigate. The castle was in an uproar by now. Azeal knew things were crazy in there. He came closer to her, holding his sword out. Velusia smiled as Azeal launched himself off the fence and took his vampire form. This was his chance to kill her.
" Stop!!" He yelled.
The guard turned and saw him. Velusia's eyes glowed as she took a gas form and enveloped the guard. He grabbed his throat and began to choke as she moved into his lungs. Azeal watched as his eyes opened wide. Velusia was feeding. She must have allowed some air in because he screamed as he died. Azeal had seen vampires take humans but this was the most horrid sight he'd ever seen. She must have  become some kind of acid. Whatever she was, she burned his skin while he died. Azeal backed away.
"MOTHER!!!" He screamed. " What have you become?"
" The ultimate vampire my son." He heard through her fog. " No more biting. No more sneaking around. I can just seep into a room and kill everyone."
Azeal looked around for help. There was no one out here but him and his mother, the monster.
" Come to me Azeal." He heard. " I've missed you and your brothers so much."
Azeal backed up from her fog form as it advanced on him.
" Don't be afraid." He heard." I can make this feel wonderful. Come to mother."
Azeal took his last step back and felt a wall behind him. There was no where else to go. In his mind he screamed for Valkar.
"He cant help you." She said. " Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!
"BUT I CAN!!!"
Out of nowhere a streak of light came burning towards them. Azeal saw an Angel land in front of him pumping his wings and swinging a blazing sword. The gas dissipated blowing Velusia in to the winds screaming.
" NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!"
She reformed and looked at them.
" Your no match for me." She said. She hissed and held up her claws and bared her fangs.
"Oh no?" Jayce said.
He flexed his wings and sent out a blinding light that burned her and knocked her back. Velusia sat up and held a burned hand in front of her face.
" Say good bye Bitch."
Jayce raised his sword to strike her down. Velusia dissolved into gas and took off.
" Damn!!"
Jayce said. He turned to Azeal to see that he was alright.
" You alright?" He asked.
" Who are you?" Azeal asked hplding his hand back.
" Valkar sent me." Jayce held out his hand. " Don't worry, I won't ever hurt you."
Azeal took his hand and got up. This must be a first. An Angel saving a Vampire.