Bronson traveled all night and most of the morning through Yadessa until he and Athene were at the shores of Lake Zlenka. Athene looked around, she had never been here before. the area was beautiful. A crystal clear lake the size of a small sea with a city-sized island in the center. This is where her father ruled from. She could feel his presence. She looked at Bronson hoping he might change his mind and release her. He smiled and pushed her toward the shore. There would be no sympathy from him. All he thought of her was the reward he would receive. Ahead of her, she saw a dock at the lake edge. But there was no boat. She didn't even see docking lines to tie up a boat. She looked at him with her hands on her hips.
" Well." She said. " How do we cross, traitor?"
Anger flared in Bronson's face. He drew back his hand to strike her.
" Go on." She said. " Hit me. But I guarantee I won't be powerless for long. And I will see you die one day."
" Not if the master's plans come true." Bronson laughed.
"He can make all the plans he wants." She said facing him proudly. " But in the end, he's a coward relying on others to give him power. My father is a parasite. That's all."
" Be that as it may. He's waiting for us." Bronson walked out to the edge of the lake. He turned back to Athene." Soon a bridge will appear. It will go from here to the island. You walk from here. He'll be waiting on the other end. Your time is pretty much up."
" My friends will find me, and if they don't. They'll avenge me. You can be sure of that."
In her mind, she cried out to Jandar and Pelic to come to help her. She didn't want to cross the lake. She knows what was in store for her. Uncle Arturus told her all about her mother and her sacrifice for her. Athene prayed for help. But she was afraid they would be too late.
In Prafa, a hooded man knocked on the door of the blacksmith and waited for an answer. In time Luther Kress opened the door to see who it was.
" Greetings," Arcturus said. " Can an old friend enter?"
Luther reached out and grasped the hand of his old friend and shook.
" You are always welcome here." He smiled." Hurry, get in here before anyone sees you."
"Arcturus walked in and pulled off his cloak. He handed it to Luther as he was being ushered in.
"She's here?" He asked anxiously.
" Yes, Her and her companion." Luther pointed to the back of the house." I've fed them and kept them safe like you asked."
" Thank you, Luther." Arcturus put his hand on his shoulder. " Tell me, old friend. How safe is Prafa these days? There were not many on the streets."
" Most people here are still loyal to King Valkar." He said." But Balthazar has made many spies all over Yadessa. He's done it through some kind of magic. They cant help turning people in. He has some kind of power over certain people."
" Are there a lot of them?" He asked." What are you thinking old friend?"
Luther showed him the way to the back of the house and out to his shop. There Angela and Sting waited for them. When she saw him, she jumped up and ran and threw her arms around him.
" Arcturus, I'm so glad to see you." Tears ran down her face as she hugged him.
Arcturus held her to his shoulder. He never wanted to let her go. After all these years he was still deeply in love with her. Angela was one of the reasons he and his brother didn't get along. Arcturus hated the way his brother had treated his family. After they married, Balthazar treated his wife with contempt. He ignores her and uses her for his own means. All the while Arturus watched and worshipped his brother's wife. But he would never dare let anyone know how he felt. He would at anytime listen to her, or help her with anything she needed. During her first pregnancy, he tried to stay away. Hoping Balthazar would change and love her like she should be. But when she called, he wasn't surprised at what she told him. Or what he wanted to do. Power was the only thing Balthazar could ever really love. Now maybe he could have the chance to be with the one he loved. Maybe things could be different.
" How are you, Angela?" He asked. " I searched for you for years. Valkar and I. We were both so worried. But we couldn't find a trace of Balthazar anywhere. Where did he take you?"
He looked at her white hair and the lines in her face. Effects of Balthazar's loving treatment no doubt. He held her at arm's length taking in the sweet smell of her essence.
" I don't know." She said. " He moved us around a lot and kept me sedated with magic and herbs. I know we were in the south during my second pregnancy. It was always so hot and there were smells, magnolias. For a time it was all I could smell."
" I will get us some tea so we can talk." Luther turned and headed back to the house. Arcturus sat down next to Angela. Sting stood and towered over them. He took a step toward Arcturus to protect Angela. Arcturus jumped back frightened out of his chair.
" No!" Angela called out. She got up and put a hand on Stings chest. " He's our friend. Calm down, Sting."
Angela turned back to Arcturus as he got back to his feet. He looked at Sting's large frame and stingers. Angela had said she wasn't alone. But what was this?
" He's one of Balthazar's projects." She said. "He was one of my guards. This is punishment for letting me escape."
Arcturus walked around Angela and stood in front of Sting He bowed to Sting.
" I'm sorry for what my brother did to you." He said. " If I can help fix this, I will."
[Good friend.]
Seconds later Luther came back with a tray with a teapot and cups. He sat it down and served them all before taking a seat.
" So tell us Arcturus," Luther asks. " What is going on? How is our King?"
" Valkar is fighting hard to regain Yadessa from our enemies." He told them. "We all know Balthazar ousted him from his throne, but that's not all that happened. There is another who is behind his power."
" Its that goddess of his, isn't it?" Angela asked. " Evil bitch!"
" Yes." He said. " Her name is Muerte. She's a death goddess from an ancient time, called back by accident. Remember the week of darkness? That was caused by a necromantic dragon called Polan Dressak. In his last bid for power, he cast a shadow over the world hoping to absorb power from it to defeat his enemies the Dragons of Keanna Mountain. But they prevailed and destroyed him. What happened was an ally of ours tried to banish the shadows only he released Muerte instead of her underworld prison. Now she means to make the world her own. She wants us all vampirized and under her rule."
" That sounds like a horrid place to live," Luther said. " Eventually we'd all become cannibals. No one would be safe anywhere. We have to stop this from happening."
" We all agree." Arcturus said. " First we have to take back Yadessa. Balthazar must be stopped."
" And put down." Angela stood and stepped up to Arcturus. "I need to know where my children are. Where are they?"
"Tanis is safe on a mission. He's nothing like his father. He saw through him eventually." Athene..."
" Yes?" Angela grabbed his arm." Where is she? Tell me!!"
" She's on her way to Balthazar." He said. " She's been captured."
Angela fell to her knees and sobbed. She knew what he would do to her if he got her.
" Angela." Arcturus took her by the shoulders. " I have many people out looking for her. They will storm the castle if they have to to get her free. Valkar is with them. Trust us, we'll free her."
Running at full speed Cheshire followed Bronson's trail through Yadessa. He had come across many of Balthazar's nightwalkers on his way and made quick work of them. All that was in his mind was getting the others to Athene and saving her. Overhead following as fast as they could be Pelic, Graym, and Jayce. Graym and Jayce's wings were beating hard to keep up. They couldn't believe Cheshire's speed and endurance. From up high they could see the castle ahead of them. They guessed that was where he was going.
" We have to hurry!!." Pelic called to the other as he pushed harder for more speed.
Standing on the shore, Bronson watched as the bridge formed to take them to the Castle. Piece by piece from the castle it formed. Athene grew more frightened as the end came nearer. She knew what was at the end. Death for her. Bronson pushed her closer to where the bridge would touch the shore. Suddenly they heard a mighty roar. Athene turned back to the forest. She knew it was Cheshire coming for her. The others would be with him. She tried to break free from him and run to the forest. Bronson pulled her on to the bridge as it touched the shore. He needed help if he was going to deliver her.
[My lord, I'm on the bridge. I have her but I'm being followed.]
[Get her across. I will send you help.] Balthazar sent back. Bronson grabbed Athene and started galloping across the bridge. It wouldn't take him long to cross. Moving like lightning Cheshire bore down. He was almost to the lake and could now smell Athenes fear. He roared again and jumped from the forest edge onto the sands of the shore. The bridge was right in front of him. Smoke rose from Cheshires feet he was moving so fast. In seconds he was halfway across. He could see Bronson now. He lowered his head and leaped for the end of the bridge. Bronson jumped off and landed on the other side just as Cheshire hit the end of the bridge and swung his foreclaw at Bronson. Athene tumbled off his back and fell to the ground. Cheshire roared again as he moved between Bronson and Athene. He had him now. Nothing was going to stop Cheshire from ripping him to pieces. Bronson backed up slowly as Cheshire advanced. Suddenly an arrow zipped past Bronson and hit the ground all around Athene and Cheshire. Running out of the gates of the castle came Balthazar and his guards, all armed for battle. Quicky they surrounded Athene and Cheshire, all of them with swords drawn. She pulled Cheshire to her as he roared and tried to get at Bronson.
" Greetings little one!" Balthazar spread out his arms."I'm so glad we could meet at last."
"The pleasure is all yours," Athene said.
" Yes, it is. I've been searching for you for years." He walked a little closer. Cheshire growled at him." The nice pet you have there."
Balthazar smiled and signaled two men to kill Cheshire with spears. They came in slowly. Athene let Cheshire go. They began to circle him ready to thrust their spears out to kill him. Cheshire whipped around and stabbed one guard with his tail. The man fell to the ground filled with Cheshire's toxic poison. The other thought this was his opening and charged the dragoncat. Cheshire grabbed the spear and snapped it then grabbed the man and pulled him down. One swipe of his claws ripped him open.
" Impressive!!" Balthazar clapped. " There's a lot I can do with him. Take them!!"
Balthazar turned and headed back towards the castle gates.
" Tovar, you and your brother use your magic to subdue them. I want them alive."
With that, he walked back into the castle leaving them to capture Athene and Cheshire. Two pale men in the clothes of nobles stepped out and bowed to there leader as he left. Then they turned back to Athene and Cheshire.
" Our master wishes you to come with us." Tovar called out to her. " This is not a request, its an order,"
"I don't take orders from him or you," Athene said.
" Neither do we!!"
From the sky, three-figure came flying down. Two with great wings and one with a large billowing cloak. They landed right in front of Athene and Cheshire, between them and Balthazar's men.
"PELIC!!" Athene yelled as she hugged him.
" Are you alright?" He asked.
" I can't use my magic." She told him. " The amulet on the centaur prevents it."
Bronson stepped out to confront the five they would soon battle. From his neck, hung a chain with a crystal bauble on it. That must be what she was talking about.
" This is better then our master could have expected," Bronson said. "We got all of you instead of just her. This is perfect."
" You think we're going to give ourselves over to you?" Graym called out. " You have to know better."
" I think you better, or Tovar and Ivor will let go." Bronson folded his arms across his chest.
" Besides, you're going to spend all your time protecting the lady. That will make it much easier for us."
" You must be the dumbest centaur to ever live," Pelic said. " Look at us, do we look powerless?"
Pelic smiled and spoke two words with his hand extended.
"KORIL TIYILA!!"
Sparks began to shoot out of the amulet as it began to glow. Bronson grabbed it from around his neck and threw it on the ground. Brighter and brighter the glow became until there was a loud pop and it was gone. Quickly Athene threw her hands up and made a few quick gestures in the air. With a surprised look, Bronson began to rise into the air until he was more than thirty feet off the ground. The battle was on.
" I told you what would happen if I got my powers back, didn't I?" Athene said as she took him higher and higher with her magic. Bronson struggled to get back to the ground. He kicked and pulled at the forces holding him up. But it was no use, he was in her power.
" Goodbye Bronson." She called to him." Your not important anymore and you will never be a king."
With that, she dropped him screaming to the ground and never thought of him again. Turning around she saw the others were engaged in battle. Cheshire slashed at the guards, leaping from one to the other. There swords bouncing off his armored hide. Ivor and Tovar were sending their blast at Pelic. He held his cloak open and absorbed the blast and sent them back at them. From the air, Graym sent his wing darts raining down on Balthazar's guards. While Jayce pulled his Salvation blade and waded in. He slashed left then right killing guards as he moved in. What a weapon he held. The blades blue glow brightened as it destroyed the guards opposing it with it fire. A guard grabbed Athene from behind, she shifted to her mist form and floated away while the guard tried to grab her. All around, Balthazar's guards were falling. From the ramparts he watched. His minions were getting beat again. This would mot do. He bellowed for more guards to join the battle. Ivor raised his hand and shot a blast to knock Graym from the sky. Quickly Pelic leaped up and blocked the blast. He then opened his cloak and sent his shadow beast out to attack. Shadow beast began to pour out from his cloak and attack the guards that still fought. They screamed in pain as the Shadows ripped into them. Jayce opened his wings and leaped into the sky as the gates of the castle opened and guards began to come running out. It was time to go.
" Athene!" He called to her. "Its time we go!!"
Pelic came down and grabbed her. She wrapped her arms around him as he took off after Jayce. Graym came down and grabbed Cheshire.
" Goodbye, father!!" She called down to him. " We'll be seeing you soon!!"
" After them!!" Balthazar screamed." Tovar, Ivor, Bring her back!!"
Ivor and Tovar took off running after the Shadows leaving the guards still trying to fight the Shadow beast unsuccessfully. As they ran there forms began to shift. Large bat-like wings grew from there backs and talons on their hands. Their height became almost three times the size of a man. They became monstrous, all imbued with the power of there goddess. With a mighty thrust of there wings, they took to the air chasing after the Shadows. Flying in the lead Jayce looked back and saw them.
" We have trouble on its way." He pointed back behind them. Pelic and Graym looked back.
" Pelic!" Jayce called. " Keep going. Get Athene to safety. Graym and I will take care of them."
[ Not without us.] They heard in their minds.
To the left out of the clouds streaked a lightning flash. It was and Ariel with Toric on her back.[Where have you two been?] Graym asked.
[We'll tell you later.] Toric sent. [Right now, let's get rid of these things.]
[ We're with you!] Jayce flipped up and turned in flight. He pulled Salvation and poured on the speed. Ariel roared and sent a blast of wind at the brothers to batter them from the sky. The wind filled their wings and pushed them back. Tovar sent a blast at them. Graym held up Retrobution and split the blast down the center deflecting it safely away. Ivor came in with his talons out raking at Ariels' side. Pulling in her wings she dives as Toric sent a bolt of energy at Ivor. It hit him in the chest and he shrieked in pain and dived after Ariel. Holding on to her tightly, Toric let loose more balls of energy behind them, hoping for a hit. Ducking and dodging Ivor tried to avoid them but couldn't. Hit after hit crashed into him blinding him with extreme pain. Opening her wings she soared back up into the sky with Ivor coming up behind.
[Hold on tight. Toric.] She told him. [ And when I tell you, let out a blast.][ At what?]He asked[ Into the air!] She sent.
Picking up speed, Ariel began to lead Ivor into a circle. Faster and faster she flew until a vortex began to form. Higher and higher it grew until she had a tornado of massive proportion.
[NOW!!]
Toric let out a powerful blast. It spun all through the vortex, and with the added speed and electrical energy, caught Ivor in its power. Electrical energy and the power of Toric's blast, ripped through Ivor burning him and tearing him apart. With a final scream, he was blasted and torn apart by the vortex. Streaking straight up Ariel flew out of the vortex and then calmed the air and disappeared the tornado.
[That was fantastic!!] Toric Sent to Ariel.
[ What about the others?] She asked.
[There behind us. Hurry we may be able to help.]
With there swords drawn, Jayce and Graym set about battling Tovar. Like master swordsmen they fought. Their swords against his claws. Graym drew back his wings and sent hundreds of razor-sharp wing darts at Tovar's wings. Waves after wave of them eventually began to shred the membranes and Tovar began to fall. He crashed to the ground with a loud noise. But he got up ready to fight on. Blast after blast he sent at Jayce and Graym. With there swords, they batted the blasts away as they came down to land. On the ground they faced Tovar. He let out a great howl and they charged. Raising his arms and swing at Graym for a death strike, Graym dived between Tovar's legs as Jayce sank Salvation deep into his back. The energy of Salvation burned and began to tear him apart. Pulling Salvation from Tovar's back. They backed away from him as Salvation's power exploded and tore Tovar apart. Jayce looked over at Graym as Ariel flew down and landed.
"Let's get out of here before something else shows up," Ariel told them with a smile.
" Pelic should have taken Athene back to the cottage. We'll meet you there." Jayce launched himself into the sky with Graym close behind.
" Come on, beautiful breeze, Let go." Together they were off and flying next to Jayce and Graym back to the cottage.
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