Release. 39

In the dark of night, alone spirit moved through the skies. He was heading to find the last two of the three descendants he had left in a city that was fighting for all their people. His mind was set on a course that might free him from the horrors of his memories if all went well. Prafa was the city and King Valkar was the man he would defend. In his mind, he fought against the horror that tried every minute of the day to overcome him and take him over. That was Muerte, Goddess of death. Baron Valkar swore he would never let her control him again. This time, he would be the man his grandsons would be proud of. Maybe right some of the many wrongs he had done in his past. Above Prafa, Baron Valkar saw the fighting outside of the walls of Prafa. Men battling back and forth, bolts of magic energy blasting out at each other as they fought. He streaked down into the city to find his to grandsons. In his mind, he went over spells he could still use in his spirit form. Over the gates, he passed. He saw a young boy being confronted by two armored men. They raised their swords to strike the boy armed only with a club. Baron Valkar flew between them and made himself visible. He called out a quick spell as the swords fell. His magic deflected their steel, causing the swords to shatter in many pieces. He pushed out with his ghostly energy and sent the men flying back to crash into a wall broken. The boy jumped up and thanked him.
[Run!!] He sent to the boy's mind. Visible but not tangible, the Baron moved on. Only a few had made it over the gates. Most of the cities inhabitants were on the walls defending the city. As he passed over the wall, the Baron noticed that the men outside fighting to get in were a band of mercenaries. Humans invading Yadessa. Balthazar must have hired them to give King Valkar as much trouble as they could. The battle wasn't going good for the humans. Their siege towers had been destroyed and many of them lay wounded on the field outside.
" I want twenty men to go out and end this." The Baron heard. He turned and saw Valkar and Azeal at the gates ready to go out to fight. He made his way over to his grandsons.
[ I'm glad you're both safe.] He said to them.
"This is nothing Grandfather." Valkar smiled. " Just Balthazar trying to weaken us."
" It didn't work," Azeal told him. " We're even stronger now. Many of the outer villagers have joined us because of all the raiding and nightwalkers."
[Good.] The Baron said.
" Grandfather." Valkar said." My allies the dragons need your help. They're coming here to see you."
[ Is Athene coming?]
" I think she is," Azeal told him as the men began to gather to go out and fight.
[ Does Lady Angela know?]He asked.
" She's with her friend," Valkar told him as he walked to the gate. Behind him was the twenty-five men he called for. Loud noises could be heard coming from the other side of the gate. All the men were tense and eager to fight. Upon the wall Valkar had his wizards ready to move the enemy back from the gate so they could get out. At a signal from their king, they would cast and the gates would be open so they could storm out.
" Ready?" Valkar asked his son. Azeal pulled Justice from its scabbard and ordered it to longsword length. In his other hand, he held a short sword. Azeal was dressed and prepared for battle.
" Need any help?" Valkar smiled at his grandfather, then he raised his hand to the gatekeeper and the wizards. Spells were cast that covered the front of the gates with harmless flames. None of the humans were hurt, but it scared them enough. The enemy pulled back and the gatekeepers hurriedly pulled the levers to open the gates. Valkar and Azeal ran out covered by the flames screaming their battle cry to engage the humans. From the top of the walls, the wizards sent different magical spells down on the enemy. One by one Valkar and his men began to battle their foes. They were outnumbered, but the enemies were human, not endowed with the abilities of the vampires they were fighting. Valkar and his men fought with fang, claw, and swords. The battle pitched on, advantage switching from time to time giving the humans the upper hand. From the walls, Baron Valkar watched worried about his grandsons.
Suddenly a loud screech pierced the air. From the forest behind the humans, a large group of gargoyles came winging out to attack Valkar and his men. Balthazar had sent the humans help, winged help. Diving out of the sky they began to attack Valkar and his men. Plucking them from the ground taking them up high then dashing them to the ground. A large gray one grabbed at Azeal. He ducked down and went into a roll. When he got back to his feet, he thrust Justice up without looking and pierced the beast through its chest. The magic of his Justice blade lit the gargoyle into blue flames. It launched itself into the sky hoping to douse the flames. But nothing could put out these flames. Valkar stood back to back with Ushar, both their swords flashed with the speed of masters. Valkar had no idea Ushar was so talented with a sword.
"Your very good," Valkar said without missing a strike.
"I was a swordsmith and master before Balthazar took my shop," Ushar said as his short sword decapitated the enemy in front of him.
" You'll get that shop back when we're done," Valkar said. " Promise."
Suddenly from the left, a gargoyle came from high. Valkar didn't see him coming but Ushar did.
" WATCH OUT!!!" From his belt, he draw a dagger. Before Valkar could even turn, Ushar drawback and sent the dagger flying. As the gargoyle grabbed for Valkar the dagger sank into its forehead between its red eyes. It crashed to the ground dead at there feet. At the same time, a human dashed at Ushar. With the speed of a high lord vampire, Valkar spring in front of Ushar and cut him down, slicing the man in two. From behind him, Baron Valkar heard Lady Angela calling him, Sting beside her.
"What's going on?" She asked running onto the wall.
[ Valkar needs help.] The Baron called to her flying off the wall into the fray.
" Sting!!" She called. "Go help the king!!"
Over the wall, the large mutant jumped. With the sound of thunder, he hit the ground running reaching out to rip apart anyone that was not a vampire. Slashing and snapping he fought his way out to Valkar and Ushar, men stabbing at his armor. Sting was unstoppable. He had two sets of arms. One set ending in a pincer, the other in a clawed hand. Both deadly as the men around him could tell, had they lived beyond that day. In the sky, Baron Valkar intercepted gargoyles. As they grabbed for vampires, he would send shocks into their bodies knocking them from the sky. The battle raged on. From the wall, Angela sent bolts of magic into the air incinerating gargoyles and any humans that were unlucky enough to be in her sights. Soon the Humans were running for the forest and the sky was clear of gargoyles. It was over.

The ground was littered with the dead and dying. Out of the twenty-five vampires Valkar had taken out with him, half had been cut down, be still cheers went up. This was a small victory, but it was a victory for them. Prafa was safe again. The gates opened and help came out for the wounded. Townspeople came out to carry the wounded in for healing. The humans that were hurt were healed and held for questioning. None were made into vampires. There was no blood lust here. No attacks on weak men. Angela helped with the healing while Valkar and the rest of the people cleaned the surrounding lands outside of the city. Azeal walked along the wall checking to make sure there were no weak spots when he heard a voice in his head.
[ Looks like you and your father have been busy.]
[Athene!!] He turned and saw Athene riding Eheren over the field. With them were Jandar, Rage, Tanis, and Cutter dropping down for a landing. Azeal ran out to meet them. He hugged them all asking how things were back in New Keanna.
"It's getting really weird with this war and everything," Jandar told him.
"Ono and Shayn miss you." Rage told him.
" Where are they?" He asked.
" They're at home with the first clan." Rage said ruffling Azeal's head. " Where's your father, we have to talk."
"He's back in town." They heard from behind them.
" Uncle Arturus!!"Athene and Tanis hugged their uncle in surprise." What are you doing here?"
" Come with me." He said. " Both of you."
Athene looked at her brother with a curious look. They wondered what was wrong that he needed to see them in private. Silently Arturus walked back into the gates while they followed. He made his way over to a tent where the wounded were being treated. In the tent, Athene saw the white-haired woman tending to a man with a slash wound. Arturtus headed over to her and spoke in her ear. She turned and looked at them. Then she ran over to them and grabbed them both and started to cry as she kissed them again and again. Athene pushed her back. She was glad to see she was safe, but this was a bit much she thought.
" Uncle," Tanis asked. " Who is this?"
" This." Arturus smiled. " Is your mother. Lady Angela Gaelich."
There's no way to describe the shock and surprise Athene and Tanis felt at that moment. They both thought their mother was dead. Athene thought she had died in childbirth and Tanis thought Balthazar had killed her as a traitor. They both always had questions about her that no one would answer. Balthazar had her hidden always so Tanis wouldn't find her and Arturus didn't like to talk about her, it was to painful for him. Arturus had told Athene how beautiful she was and she always knew he was in love with her. Now here she stood in front of them.
" Is it true?" Athene asked her. " Are you my mother?"
" Yes, I am." Angela smiled, a tear running down her face. She reached out to touch Athene's face. She could see Balthazar in her eyes, but she knew he had nothing to do with raising her. But Tanis, he looked just like Arturus. She was so sorry he had been ripped from her arms after his birth. Athene and Tanis sprang into her arms crying. What a happy day this was for the four of them.
Over there heads, Baron Valkar watched. He was pleased. This was a reunion he planned to make happen since he met Angela, now here it was. Now he was glad Muerte had bought him back. Somehow he would have to thank her for all this.
[ Baron.] He heard Valkar call. [Can we see you please.]
With one last look at Angela and her happiness, Baron Valkar turned to find his grandson. Valkar was back in Luther's house surrounded by their new guest, the dragons. As he floated into the room Eheren stood up to greet him.
" Baron, Not to long ago a few of us left New Keanna on a mission to find Gannon's Spellbook," Eheren told him. "We found it. Not all of it, but enough."
[ Then she will be coming for it.] He told them. [ You just made it easy for her to acquire what she needs to fulfill her plans.]
They all looked at each other in surprise. They hadn't thought of that. Now all she had to do was to get her hands on Texa and she would have all the power she would need to enslave the world.
" Then we go on the offense." Rage said he eyes flashing a red glare.
[How?] Baron Valkar asked. [ Shes a god. Do you have one on your side to fight her?]
" We have two," Jandar said. " But we need your help to."
[What could I possibly do against her] He asked. She was so powerful. All he wanted to do was protect Valkar and Azeal. He was afraid if he left, something would happen he could have prevented.
" Grandfather," Valkar said. " This is more important then Azeal and I. This is to save everyone, everyone in our world. Go, we'll be fine."
Baron Valkar thought about it for a second. His grandson was right and he was being selfish and protective. Valkar and Azeal had proven themselves many times. They could take care of themselves and hopefully, the rest of Yadessa. He had to help destroy Muerte. That was more important.
[ If you need me.] He said. [ Just call my name and I'll be back in an instant.]
" Don't worry." Rage told him." He's our ally, we'll be here to help him. I'm leaving dragons with him to help."
[ Then what can I do?]
" Can you still locate her?" Eheren asked.
[Yes, I can find her.] He nodded.
" Without her knowing?" Jandar asked.
[ No, I'm still bonded to her.] He said. [ Once I get close, she will feel my presence.]
" I can fix that." Texa stood up. " There's a spell I have that will break her hold over you. It will make you invisible to her."
[ But she's a god.] Baron Valkar said.
" Have no worries," Texa said with a sly smile. " My spells will work on her. Why do you think they were hidden by the gods?"
"We need to know exactly what she's planning in order to fight her." Rage said from his seat next to Jandar.
" We know she's making vampires with Balthazar's help," Cutter said. " But is that all? And why?"
[ Isn't it obvious.] The Baron said. [ She plans to make the world over into her image.]
" I don't think so." Kalin said.
" Neither do I," Valkar told them. " That makes no sense. What's she going to start farming humans to feed all these vampires?"
" And how would she control them?" Azeal asked. They all nodded their agreement.
" She's planning something else," Jandar said. " And we need to know what it is before it's to late to stop her."
All their talk made sense to the Baron. Muerte was not one to have followers. But what did she want? He went over to Texa and hovered before her.
[ Then free me of her influences and I will go spy on her.] All fear of the goddess was gone from his eyes. [ With luck, she will reveal something that will help us.]
" You have to cast the spells." She told Kalin. " They were meant for you. Take my hand and the spell will be yours to use."
Kalin stood and took her hand. Suddenly he saw in his mind many different spells in a language he didn't understand. As he concentrated on them he found he could read them. He found the spell he wanted and started the incantation. As Baron Valkar floated before them his image blinked out for a second. Then he was back.
[ It worked!] He said smiling. [I don't feel her pull anymore. I'm free!!!]
" Please find her Baron." Jandar stood and faced him. "We may not have much time."
[ I will be back as soon as I can.]
With that, he drifted up and out through the ceiling.
" Good luck Grandfather," Azeal whispered.