The Ghost of Yesterday. 22

The day was quiet and Bram again was alone. Yes, he was alone but he was getting used to it. For once, the voices were being quiet, but in Bram’s mind, he thought they were all away, which gave him a great bit of relief. Sometimes he thought their bickering and abuse would drive him crazy. But not today. Bram still wished Jemald and his son Lon were there to enjoy his conquest with him. Jemeld’s memory for a second made him smile. Her beauty always made him stop and feel the joy of her heart. There wasn’t anything he would deny his love. They could both have any dream or they could think of. But they were not there with him, and he didn’t understand why. It had to be her father and damned his interference. He never liked Bram no matter what he could do for Jemald. They never understood that he could make her a Queen. Bram could have everyone bow to her, but that didn’t matter. Not to Valerian all, he would ever be was a monster. If a monster is all they thought he was then a monster is what he would be.

Bram stood up a made his way out if the throne room. When he made his exit from the throne room, Prince Dersaran was there with all the other warlocks he had fought and put down. For a minute, Bram thought he would have to fight them again. But they sneered at him and stepped aside as he passed. He knew all of witches, warlocks, and wizards here. At one time, he had fought them all. He could remember each battle. What was funny is he couldn’t remember what happened after the battles. He knew he won but he thought they all died. If they were dead, how are they here?

Bram shook the memories from his head. He didn’t have time to think about dead witches and warlocks, he had an empire to build. From the throne room, he walked down the hall pass two guards and up the stairs to the master bedroom. He pushed open the door and the smell of Jemeld’s perfume grabbed his attention. The room smelled like violets and lavender, Jemeld’s

favorite perfume. He loved that smell. At always made his heart beat faster and his blood pressure rise.

His head was in the clouds as he stepped into the room. He walked to the balcony and pulled the doors open. The day was dark and cloudy, but that’s not what Bram saw. To him, it was clear and beautiful. The birds were singing and there was a nice warm breeze. Just the kind of day Jemeld liked.

“You’re right my love. It is a beautiful day.”

With a smile in his heart, Bram turned to see Jemeld standing at the dressed in a gray gown with a lighter gray veil covering her face.

“Where have you been?” Bram asked. “I have men out searching all over Fay Shrea for you.”

“You knew where I was.” She said in a sweet heartbreaking tone. “You sent us there,”

“It doesn’t matter.” He said as he walked over and kissed her. “You’re back now and that’s all that matters.”

“I’m here for now.” She pulled herself out of his arms. “You killed my father.”

Bram stood there watching her as she turned away from him. When she turned back as she passed the mirror.

“I had no choice. I know he was hiding you from me.” Bram was upset and he didn’t like being questioned. “ I warned him. I warned all of them. All he had to do was tell me where you were and I would leave them in peace. But no, they had to do it the hard way. They’re sorry now.”

“They are all dead now.” She screamed at him. “My sister is the last Ammath fairy alive. Do you understand what that means? At means for the rest of her life, she will be alone.”

“I don’t care about your family,” Bram said. “I have a destiny to think about. We will be the emperors of these lands.”

“They will stop you,” Jemeld said. “The Dragons won’t let you rule. They will stop you.”

Bram stomped his way across the room to stand right in Jemeld’s face. One would think she would be scared of her husband, but she wasn’t. She stood there staring up into his eyes.

“Than I will kill them.” He screamed down at her. “I will kill anybody I have to.”

Bram turned away to walk to his desk. His staff sat there, he grabbed it and turned back to Jemeld. He started to say something to her, but she was gone. He looked all around the room, but there was no one there but him.

“It doesn’t matter.” He said. “She will be back begging for me to take her back.”

With his staff in hand, Bram walked to the balcony and he said a simple spell and he disappeared. As the new emperor, he had a lot to do before his coronation.

Undercover of dark and dirty shadows, Bram stepped out to spy on the city of Dakath. It had been years since the last time he was here, but not much had changed. The market was just as busy as he remembered and it was just as loud. Shopkeepers still walked the lanes calling out their wares. People still pushed and pulled at each other trying to pry things from the hands of each other’s hands. He saw men fighting over pieces of polished armor. And the women were just as bad carrying small clubs to beat down the competition. Cloaked in shadow, Bram walked the market streets. He didn’t see anything interesting, but he knew it would soon all be his. 

As he entered the market he looked left to see the different hardware vendors. On the right men and women sold vegetables and livestock. The sound of Dera crying for freedom echoed through the streets. Around their stalls, children gathered to throw rocks at the poor beast. For a second, Bram thought he would show these brats what it would be like if they were the ones locked up in the stalls. 

As he mumbled a silent spell, Bram disappeared from the market and reappeared in a swirl of smoke in the center of the king’s courtyard. The guards coughed choking on the arid smoke. When the smoke cleared, Bram Thorne was there standing on the steps of the castle.

“Stop wizard!” A sergeant called as he pulled his sword free of its scabbard. With a look of disgust, Bram turned to face them. Each warrior came at Bram with he sword out and ready to strike him down. Bram looked at them he swung his arm out at them. A force like a giant invisible hand swept out throwing them all off their feet. A few broke their legs, on some, it was the arm. But some it just knocked the air out of them. As Bram took another step up towards the entrance, they came at him to attack. The first came at him with his sword raised to chop him down. Bram flicked out with a finger. That small move sent the guard flying into the wall where he was smashed to fall off the wall dead. Two more warriors came in to attack. As they charged at him, he called out another spell. Swords slammed into Bram’s robe where they snapped like twigs and fell from their bruised hands. Bram took another step and more warriors came out to challenge him. As he flushed his hands out, the guards fell to the for with agonizing pain. Bram stepped over the fallen bodies and made his way into the castle.

When he stepped through the door, a spasm of pain hit him as he fell to his knees. Gritting his teeth, Bram cast a spell that would reflect the pain back on the mage that sent it at him. When the pain let up, Bram climbed back on his feet. He brushed the dirt from his robe and started into the castle. As he started in, Bram heard someone scream from his left. Bram smiled thinking it was good for whoever it was that set the pain on him. With the wave of his hand, he sent them flying into the gate where iron spikes stabbed into their bodies.

From a floor high over Bram’s head, the king of Dakath watched as his men died. He could see all the broken bodies spread all the way back to the castle’s entrance. He knew he was in trouble. He had more men and they would defend him to their death, but they were spread all through Dakath and the troops that were there were dying as they fought. Soon there would be no one left here in the castle to fight except him. He knew there wasn’t any hope of surviving this battle.

Slow and calm he turned and walked his way back to his throne room. Though Bram had come through the marketplace without anyone’s notice, an alarm had gone off in Tampyl, the city mage’s palace workroom. He warned the king that someone powerful and dangerous was on the way in through the marketplace. He promised he’d meet the intruder as he made his way through the castle, but he could feel that whoever it was, they were very powerful and he had no hope of defeating them. The king thanked Tampyl and dismissed him. There was no need for the mage to die. He would be needed after this was all over to help put the city back together.

With his sword across his lap, Keto Diecen III sat down to wait as Bram made his way up to the throne room. He was glad that his family was away visiting the Queen’s family. They would rule when he was gone. While he waited for the intruder, he said a prayer to Aramis to keep his family safe.

As Bram passed through the ghettos of Dakath, gray clouds below in and it started to rain. The wind grew from a summer breeze to hurricane force. Trees were knocked over and slammed into buildings as lightning cried out of sky striking one house after the next. Rain poured down flooding all the lowlands and sweeping away the small homes of the poor. People ran from their simple homes to find refuge in the high hills where they would be safe. From his stern look as he walked through Dakath’s market, people could tell something bad was about to happen. A church bell rang out a warning to the citizens to make haste leaving the city. Crowds ran like madmen for the city gates. Women wrapped their children in their arms as they cried and prayed for salvation.

As Bram Thorne reached the throne room door, he pushed it open and stood there as the wind blew his robes out. His hair blew back making him look more intense and power-mad. 

As he stepped into the throne room an arrow shot down from a high place over the throne. With a flick of his finger, Bram sent it in a boomerang motion around the room then back to stab the archer in his fleeing back. That was the last of the king’s men in the castle. There was no one else left to fight but the king.

As Bram walked in, the king sat up proudly in his throne. He looked over to watch him walk in down the aisle.

“Your sitting on my throne,” Bram said with a smile on his crooked face. “You should get off before I get annoyed.”

“This is my throne,” The king said calmly. “And I rule here in these lands.”

Bram stepped over to the foot of the throne looked up at King Keto. He’s bold Bram thought.

“But not very smart.”

Bram raised his hand and sent a bolt of power at the west sidewall. When the bolt hit the wall It exploded sending debris all over the throne room.  The king didn’t even bat an eye. The warlock didn’t scare him. Bullies never do.

“Was that supposed to scare me?” King Keto laughed. “Your not the first power-mad fool to come knocking at my door.”

“Fool?” Bram stuttered in anger. “You dare to make fun of me?”

“It’s about time someone put you in your place.”

“That may be but it won’t be you.”

“Kill me if you want but this won’t be the end,” King Keto said as he stood up. “Others will come to challenge you. They will come and you will go down in the mud like the worm you are.”

Bram stood there with his mouth. He was surprised at the nerve of the king. Suddenly he started to laugh hysterically. Keto reached into his pocket and pulled out a blaststone from Torcin. He aimed and took his first shot at the Warlock. It shot from the stone and hit Bram near the chest area of his robe. Bram screamed out surprised, then fell to the floor. Keto started to walk over to kick the warlock, but he coughed and climbed up on his knees.

“Well done your majesty,” Bram said as he got on his feet. “Now it’s my turn.”

With a quick flaring of his arms, Bram summoned a hurricane wind out of the gray skies. It blew at a speed of 75 to 100 hundred miles an hour. Keto took refuge behind his throne which was bolted to the castle floor. The desk and chairs of his court ministers took off into the air crashing into the walls. Tapestries were sailing through the air like wild kites in a tornado. Bram's hair blew making him look like a wild hermit at war with the north wind. As he laughed he sent bolts of power out to strike at his imaginary enemies.

“You thought me to weak to fight back.” He yelled to his foes. “This is not my first time in Dakath.I know it you out there Molis.” He yelled. “I would smell your deception anywhere.”

Keto listened as Bram screamed at his unknown enemy. It's true that Dakath once was ruled by a powerful Warlock. That was Molis Diecin, his great great grandfather. But how would he know about his great grandfather? He warlock can’t possibly be that old.

Just than. Bram heard a familiar rack of laughter on the wind. It was a laugh Bram hadn’t heard in over a hundred years.

[You found me, Bram Thorne.] Molis said as he appeared out of the wind. [You beat me once. Let’s see if you can do it again.]

As Molis floated closer to Bram, his eyes blared with a golden glow and beams of heat shot out at Bram. Thrilled and surprised, Bram raised his hands to create a force shield in front of him. As the beams hit his shield, Molis started to laugh as he switched to a force blast to crush Bram into the wall. Bram let out a grunt of surprise as he was slammed into the wall. As he recovered, he got back to his feet with an evil smirk on his face.

“Dead two hundred years,” Bram said. “And you use that same old spells.”

[You want something new?] Molis said. [Hows this?]

As Molis raised his hands a golden split appeared in the air and a monstrous insect crawled out. It had huge claws and gray armor covering its body. It turned to look at Molis, then moved on to Bram Thorne.

Its speed for something that big was amazing. Like a grasshopper, it jumped at Bram. Reacting quickly, Bram shot out with a force blast that sent the insect creature flying off at Bram’s side.

Bram created a huge spear of light and sent it up and out to stab into its side armor. As the insect creature thrust out with a bottom leg. It pushed itself out to right itself on its legs. As the spear of light came at the creature, it spit a blast of sticky paste as the spear and sent it flying off into the wall where it stuck until it melted the webbing and fell to the ground.

[How do you like my new friend?] Molis yelled. [We met in the underworld and I thought of you.]

“It figures,” Bram said as his hands took on a green glow.

As Keto watched Bram fight a cattle with himself, he wondered what the hell was going on?

This battle started between the warlock and him. Now he seemed to be fighting with himself.

Keto wasn’t sure who he wanted to win. Him or him. It was confusing. One thing he did know was now was his chance to get out of there before him or they figured out what was going on. With the hurricane winds gone, Keto pushed his way through the debris and ran for the door. He thought he should stay and try killing the warlock himself, but that might give the warlock a chance to see him again. Better to live to fight another day.

While Bram fought his invisible enemy, Keto ran through the castle grabbing things he thought were important.  He loaded it all on a horse and he was gone. He would see the warlock again. And when he did, Keto would win back his city.

Two for one. 21

With Rowyn, Hoddie and Yarden at his side, Niro followed the trail deeper into Eventide. They were being followed every since they crossed the border into Eventide. The way was clear, but somewhere out there, something was watching them. Hoddie and the Princess rode along on Sima's back as she scented the air for a clue as to who was following them. Hoodie had an idea, but until he saw their mystery tail.

"How long are we going to wait to see who's back there?" Hoddie asked.

"Not that much longer." Niro said. "We can't lead whoever it is to Eventide."

"Not if we want any hope to be welcome in Eventide." Hoddie said as he looked back hoping to spot whoever was back there. Thought the trail looked clear, Hoodie noticed Yarden and Myor was missing. Surely they could turn the spy out.

On the left Yarden in his beast form dashed through the forest. On the other side, Myor with his flames held close to him advanced on the spy from behind. From tree to tree Myor hopped silently. In his darker form, Myor moved silently. His wings were sharp as they cut quietly through the forest. With a quiet nod, he ordered Yarden on for the attack.  Yarden attacked. He moved like white lighting as he leaped out of the forest with his claws ready for battle. Yarden slashed out then dived back down into the ground. The beast was big and covered with dirt. As Yarden swung at it, small pieces of its body were tossed off to the side. Whatever it was, made a loud grunt as it reached its long arm out the grab the Yeti. As the hand closed over an empty place, Yarden dived down into the ground. His fingers became solid for a second as he dragged himself through  the liquid soil. He moved slowly, he picked his way out of the ground, Yarden watched Myor drop in and slammed his solid wing into the creature. The creatures body exploded as Myor’s wing made contact with its body. As mud it laid there on the ground after the attack. As Niro and Hoddie rode up. Its started to bubble and get hard as it pulled itself back together to attack.

“What is this thing?” Hoddie yelled as he jumped from Sima’s back.

“It's another one of Bram’ elemental things.” Rowyn said as she darted up and blasted the thing with her stinger. “We have to destroy it fast or it will pull pieces of the ground into itself.”

As Niro rode up, he jumped from the saddle and pulled his hammer from his side and hit the thing blowing it to pieces that rained down all over the area.

“Is that it?” Hoddie asked.

“We’re not that lucky.” Niro said as the mud thing started to pull itself back together. “Blast it with cold.”

Yarden leaped out of the ground and blew a blast of frigid air at the mud monster. As it grew, the muddy dirt in the creature started to freeze. Icicles form all over the monster. It moved slower and slower still pulling chunks of frozen ground into itself.

“NOW!” Niro shouted.

As white hot flames blew out from Myor, Niro spun his hammer in the air than struck the 

Monster a mighty blow that blew it into dust that full all over the forest. Shaking the dirt and ice out of hair,Yarden shifted back to his human form and picked mud off his coat.

“I think we’re getting good at this.”

The spring season was on but it wasn’t easy to see. First of all the Snow cactus were in bloom. The pretty white flowers were budding from the tops of the thorny plants. That means the harvest season was on. Snow cactus were very important to the Torcians. It was the main ingredient needed for making the numbing salve used in all surgical procedures. It was important to put patients to sleep, but without the salve every cut the.surgeons would make would be agony. 

Torcin had fields of cactus to harvest. It would take the whole season to gather what they would need to satisfy what they would sell as a pain reliever. Snow cacti only grew in one place, that was what made Torcin so important to the south. The country's main export item was the production of numb salve and message stones and the training of the people’s healers.

As Zander March made his way out of Torcin’s main gate of Torcin, he called for Torchy to meet him at  the sledyard where he would be saddled or fitted for his harness. He heard Torchy’s mental call. The had been together since the day the Snowdoy was born. Snowdogs are extremely loyal to their Human partners. They are presented at born to a partner then bonded for life. In fact there was only one case known where a Snowdog abandoned his partner. But that was special and the Snowdogs were abused by their partner and attached to a dragon who from then on raised them with loyalty.

Zander had a busy day planned. He worked all day in the Snow cactus fields picking cactus blades. Now he was on his way to the lab to start this years salve brewing.Today he measured out the cactus and the oils to be mixed. This was the hard part. If he got the measurements wrong, he could be stuck with a mixture he couldn’t use. 

As Zander stepped from the path to the gate, he headed into the kennel. Snowdogs lay all around him in separate stalls. Touchy had two stalls in the front where Zander could get in and out in a hurry. He never knew how his day was gonna until he got the salve brewing.

From the gate to the kennel, Zander said good morning to Penna, Touchy’s kennel mate.

[Aiya Pretty one.] Zander sent. [I hope your morning is good.]

[Good day Zan.] Penna sent as she moved over to let him scratch her bark [No pups yet. Touchy is nervous. Eager is he to have pups.]

[Not as eager as I am.] Zander sent. [I love Snow pups.] 

Penna didn’t understand. Everyone loves her pups. He would get many favors when he passed them out. Zander chuckled at her curious mood, he loved explaining things to her. Her curiosity always made him laugh.

As he passed her stall, Touchy’s empty stall came into view. In the corner of the stall, Zander found Touchy’ collar. It must be to tight because he kept taking it off.

[No like collar.]

Zander turned as Touchy came trotting into the stall. His tail wagged as he licked at his face. Zander put his arms around his Snowdogs neck and sent feelings of affection to him. Touchy bared his throat to his partner. Zander knew the Snowdog loved him and would always be there. 

As Zander rubbed Touchy’s back, he felt a strange notion go through the Snowdogs mind. This had never happened before. He could tell the Snowdog things but Touchy had never even tried anything like this before. It must be important he thought if Touchy wanted him to see it.

Zander took the saddle off the stall wall and put it on Touchy’s back. The Snowdog sent a picture to picture to Zander’s mind.

[OK. show me.]

Grabbing the saddle horn, Zander pulled himself up into the seat. With a mental push he had the Snowdog take him out into the frozen tundra. With blowing in his scarf wrapped face, Zander asked Touchy where they were gonna. Again he got the same picture in his mind. That meant Touchy didn’t know how to explain. He got that whatever it was, there was magic there.

“That will have to do.”

Zander sat back and let Touchy take him wherever he wanted. They passed the frozen lake of C’larriss  Zander started to feel the magic. It was like a constant buzz that went threw his mind getting stronger and stronger, After the forest, Touchy ran out into the Snow cactus fields. For a quick second, Zander looked back and saw a trio of Snowmen run out onto the Snow Cactus field after them. Turning back, Zander sent the picture of the Snowmen to Touchy to warn him of the danger. With a grunt, Touchy bore down picking up speed. Behind them, one of the snowmen grabbed a mound of snow and launched it at them. Dashing to the left, Touchy started a zig zag pattern across the field of special plants. As the snowball flew at them, Zander pulled a blaststone from his coat and took off a shot over his shoulder. The shot sped out through the cold air with perfect aim and hit the snowball dead center. It blew up and rained snow down on the field. As Touchy jumped off the cactus field, he dropped down near a cave. Suddenly Zanders ears started to ring. He looked at the cave and realized this was where Touchy had been trying to take him.

[Stay.]

Zander jumped from Touchy’s back and ran into the cave. There was something here that Touchy thought he should see. Zander didn’t know how much time he had, so he ran in hoping whatever it was, he would have no problem finding it.

The cave was dark and cold. Zander could hear the screeching of bat coming from deep in the back. Zander couldn’t see very much in the cave, but he had something with him that would provide all the light he would need. In his inner breast pocket, Zander had something the northern Dwarves made that would be very important to his search. Taking off his gloves, he reached in and took a clear crystal stone out of his pocket. Cupping the blaststone in the warmth of his hand, Zander activated the stone and light flared out to cover everything within a few feet of Zander.

As he started out on his search, there was an invisible flash of light just a step ahead of where Zander was standing. Invisible to him, Aramis, the god of life popped in to walk in front of Zander. Aramis smiled as he turned and said something to the medic.

“There is something I need for you to do for me.” Aramis said. “Something I want you to give to a friend.”

As the sun rose over the eastern mountains, Quyyn slipped out from the clouds heading for Torcin in the Kensi glacier.  Ranjer and Quyyn were here looking for the last two rings from Bram Thorne’s collection. Bram’s collection wasn’t exactly right. These two rings had never really been in the warlocks collection.They were all made by the same warlock, but these rings had been hidden so no one ever had the chance to use them. These rings were made for Vitale and his wife. Muerte. They were very special rings meant to give the gods more power over their subjects than they were meant to have. Vitale thought the rings should be destroyed and never used, but it wasn’t possible to destroy them. Vitale had tried for years, but he never could destroy them. Instead he was going to hide them somewhere they would never be found.

First he hid them somewhere deep under the ocean. But they were found by a Mer and brought to the surface. Vitale got his ring back, the problem was, so did Muerte. She got her ring and used it before Vitale could get it from her. Now, there are places on Keanna that would never be able to support life again, but that was Muerte’s crime, and he would always feel guilty about that. Vitale found the rings again. This time he put them somewhere that no mortal would ever be able to find. The bottom of the ocean would not do. But there was somewhere he could put them to be safe.

As Quyyn dropped down out of the sky, he felt a familiar call ringing out in his mind. It was Tug, the lead dog in the Torcin kennel. He sensed Quyyn coming north and was eager to meet a brother of the dragon Alpha. 

As Quyyn circled the kennel, Tug came out to stand in front to greet him when they came down to land. It only took a few minutes for Quyyn to land. Once he did, Ranjer came down off his back and waved as Quyyn made his shift.

Tug sat patient as the two came walking out to the kennel. They’re smell was the same and he hadn’t smelled them in a few years.He hadn’t seen the two Keannians since he had returned home to lead the pack. 

Anxious, Tug kneeled than pawed at the ground happy to see his friends. As they came over, Tug gave off a short bark sat back and stumped in greeting. Quyyn rubbed his head and neck.

“Aiya.” Quyyn smiled as Tug hopped in recognition. “It's good to see you again.”

Tug huffed than licked his hand. They were here to see Xander Corden, the governor of Torcin.

Tug recognized that mental picture and turned in to lead them into the city.

From the city gates, Tug pawed at the Snowdog key to the city. The gate recognized his print and opened gate. The outer hall was well lite and warm. Quyyn and Ranjer hopped out of their travelling coats and hung them on the spacious rack that lined the wall by the entrance.

[Xander.] sent with a picture of the young governor. Tug nodded and led them into the city.

The outer halls on Torcin were lined with pictures of the governors in the past from Xander and his brother Drew to Janos Roja, Smith Harper and Lakor Medgar governor’s from the past. As they came out of the tunnel at the main gate, Quyyn was surprised at all the new editions of the city. The market distract was huge now. Many had gave their support for the building. They not only granted their support, but they gave their time for all the building. There were at least eight blocks added to the market distract and four to the citizen caverns. 

As Tug led them in, Xander came out of his office to greet them.

“Aiya.” Xander said as he hugged them. “I see Tug has taken you on a tour of the new stuff. I’ll bet he didn’t show you the new kennels or the new pups.

They all looked over to the embarrassed Snowdog. He didn’t understand what made the kennels important enough that they should be shown. Snowdogs didn’t have pride, but they did know the differences of one dog to the next.

“What brings you here?” Xander asked.

“There is something here we have to retrieve,”  Ranjer said. “It's very important.”

“And you don’t want to discuss it with us?”

“No.” Quyyn said  as they walked through the market distract. “We have no problem with telling you anything you want to know.Last time Uncle Jayce was here, he was looking for a Dragon talisman. What we’re looking for is much older and incredibly more powerful. I’m not sure if you even know it’s here. It’s called the Ring of Life and Death. It's one of Bram Thorne’s elemental rings.”

At the mention of Bram Thorne, Xander’s eyes opened in shock.

“You know it?” Ranjer asked. 

“We never heard of the rings, but we do know Bram Thorne.” Xander said. “He has been up here not that long ago.” 

“Something bad happened?” Quyyn said.

“Yeah.” Xander said with a terrible look. “He came up here looking for something and killed a whole tribe of Kensi. We only found out when three Kensi came to our city really badly injured. We took them in and went back to investigate what they told us. The tribe was a city of Yetians in Mada Mountains. The warlock destroyed the whole cavern they lived and killed the entire tribe. Only a female and two of her children survived.”

“Were they named Pek?” Ranjer asked with crossed fingers. He knew the answer before Xander could answer. It had to be Yarden’s family.

“Why yes it is.” Xander said with questing eyes. How could they possibly know that?

“Two of our friends are from up here.” Quyyn said. “We’ve heard this story already. A Yetians and a Phoenix. I’m glad Yarden’s family is safe. He will be relieved to hear the news.”

“They have been cared for.” Xander said. “But what of the rings?”

“Bram got one ring.” Xander said. “I’m sure he had no idea there were more than one ring. Do you know where to find it?” 

“No.” Quyyn told them. “All I know is that it will find us.”    

They stopped at a bench and table next to a food vendor. The smells here were incredible. They could smell fresh Dera roasting with vegetables and some kind of biscuit. Ranjer just remembered that he hadn’t eaten since yesterday. But would Torcin have where he ate?

Xander looked up at Ranjer and saw how he was looking at the vendor. 

“Hold on a minute.” He said as he turned and walked over to the vendor. Xander talked with him for a few minutes.

“What’s going on?” Quyyn asked.

“No idea.” Ranjer said.

A later minute later Xander came back and took a seat at the picnic table with utensils rolled in napkins. Xander passed out the rolled flatware.

“What’s this for?”

“You eat with them.” Xander said. “We call them forks and spoons.”

Ranjer looked at him as if he was joking.

“Its to eat with.” Xander got up and went to the vendor and came back with a tray of drinks and passed them out. As he sat back down, Ranjer tapped his arm.

“How did you know?”

“The Dera.” He said. “Misko is one of the best cooks in Torcin. His dera is known from here all the way down into Afee. “Your hungry. I could tell that just with a look. Dinner will here in a minute.”

As dinner was served, Zander and Touchy arrived back at the kennels. Zander was tired. He had been in the caves searching in the cave for hours.Zander thought he had been in the caves for hours. He had wondered back and forth through what looked to him to be an endless maze.Everytime he thought he was lost, he would pass something that told his exactly where he was. These caves had to have been in three floors. There was fresh water and mushrooms that were delicious. At one point he thought he was exhausted. He laid down and thought he had a nap, but when he finally left the cave, Touchy told him it had only been a few minutes. How that was possible, Zander had no idea, but since he still had to brew the potion, he was glad,

After what felt to Zander like four hours, he found himself in a huge cavern that had a pool of ice water with a clear waterfall. Zander sat down and cooled himself off. He dipped his hands in the water and came up with the sweetest water he had ever drank. It made him feel completely rested. Like he could go on here for another six hours if he had to.

As he walked around the cavern something twinkled under the waterfall. He almost didn’t see it through all the light and gold pieces that sparkled in the pool. Zander untied his pants and took off the gray cotton shirt he was wearing. He sat at the pools side and pulled his pants off. With his clothes neatly folded and put away from getting wet, he stepped into the water and dived into the pool. At first he thought the water was cold. It was when he was drinking it, but now it was as warm as his body heat. Comfortable, Zander swam out to the middle of the pool and dived down to the bottom. Though it should be dark, somehow the pool was lit up like a beach cove. There was coral in many different shapes. Seaweed and water plants hung out like plants and vegetation on the grounds and in the forest.  There were clownfish and angelfish swimming beside him. Zander smiled as a three foot rainbowfish swam past him. Fish weren’t the only things in the water. There were turtles and clams and shrimp here too. As he floated around in the pool, Zander saw a small shark swim past him. The pool was amazing. It had to have channels that ran down under the ice and out to the ocean. But how was it being warmed? It had to be some kind of magic.

Looking around, Zander saw what at first he thought were small bright fish swimming all through the pool. But now that he was in the water he recognized the gold and silver chunks spread all through the pool. There must be a fortune in treasure here. As he looked around, Zander saw a flash of color coming from under the waterfall. He wondered what it was. Swimming up, Zander broke the surface, took a few deep breaths and dived down again. The falls were just a few feet ahead of him. Zander swam under the water until he was right under the falls. Looking around he saw the purple flash again. As he pushed himself up onto a shelf under the falls, Zander saw it, the purple thing. It wasn’t a fish or a colorful stone, it was the gem of a ring. He reached out and picked it up. As soon as he touched it, he could feel its magic. It was very powerful and it was old. Zander had no idea how old. Maybe he wasn’t supposed to know. It wasn’t here for him. He knew that right away. He was supposed to pass it on to someone. And that was just what he would do.

Up here in the north the days run long, almost 96 hours long. The people of Torcin kept busy doing repairs, setting traps and taking care of the Snowdogs. Doing repairs was necessary, that's just the way it was up here. Snowdogs were needed up here. They did search parties, delivered anything that came up there by dragon or boat. They were used to hunt and for any and all travelling. The last thing on that list was trapping. Traps were used to get fur That means food and clothing. Everyone up here has one fur coat  or two. There are a few ways to get fur. You could hunt for it. But that takes time. One could use Snowdog fur. And if your not squeamish, there's Snowmen. Though its best, it's not easy to shave Snowmen, or kill them.

Once Zander met his contact, he got the info and Tug swept them all away. With the ring concealed in his pocket went out to the main gate. There he helped bring in a herd of dera. Once that was done he heard the call of a dragon he rushed over to see who it was.

As Zandar stepped out of the gate, a blast of fire shot out from somewhere and almost burned his eyes out. Zandar knew now it would be better if he knew who was out there before he dived in. Standing to the side, Zandar opened his mind it see if he knew was here fighting. With his mind opened, Zander sent a probe out to see what was going on. Like a burning arrow, Zandar’s probe shot out from the wall he was using as a shield.There was a burning man out there firing lightning bolts at anything that moved. The other combatant shot firebolts at him and the bright man. They were both tall, one had a flaming halo over his head while the other had a nest of lightning showing over his shoulder. As Heatwave lay there in the fire he saw visions shot in and out of the flames. Fire pixies danced in flames while fireflies stole bits and pieces of Heatwaves magic. Though he was not awake, Heatwaves directed the flame. They burned higher and higher forcing the elemental to back away. Lightning had no power over the heat. Energy tried but the flames never lost much heat. What it did was turned the hot flames into cold blue heat. 

As Quyyn launched himself high in the flames, cool heat danced all over his body. Quyyn had done this once before while his father directed his flames into a long straight beam of frigid energy. Quyyn didn’t understand. His father was a red dragon. A heat dragon. How did Quyyn end up with bold energy? Could it have something to do with his mate, Sky? Sky was a Snow Phoenix. Could that have influenced his magic? 

As Drygyn blasted the elementals, Ranger spun his own spell.

“From dark to light and back again.

From weak to strong with pain again,

I triple the power of Drygyn’s cold.

To make him strong and fast again.”

As Drygyn’s cold shot out at the flaming creature, Flame focussed his magic into a web of fire. The flame in the cold heat reached out and touched Quyyn’s magic. He shot blast after blast at Damir, but it didn’t seem to matter to Damir. He looked as if he were at home in the cold. Maybe that’s it. Maybe he should switch up and use heat. In Drygyn’s brain a switch closed and his cold energy closed. Drygyn took a deep breath and fired. Flamed shot with such power that Quyyn was almost knocked over. As his shock faded away, intense with hot heat blated out at                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Damir. With a terrible scream of pain, The elementals shot up into the sky and vanished. 

“What just happened?” Quyyn asked. They were gone. All that was left was a scorched spot in the grass.

“What did you do?” Ranjer asked. 

“Me? I didn’t do anything. It was your spell that did all this.”

Ranjer had to admit it probably was his magic.

“We should get back.” Ranjer said. “We need someone with a better understanding of my magic to solve this one.”

“You mean my Father?” Ranjer looked at him as if he was crazy. “OK, Get the ring and let’s go””



DO TO FACT THAT BLOGGER IS NOT POSTING CORRECTLY. ALL MY STORIES WILL FIND A NEW HOME. ONCE I FIGURE OUT WHERE THAT WILL , I'LL LET YOU ALL KNOW.
THANKS FOR BEING HERE FOR ALL THE YEARS. JANDAR TYR

For Life and Death, 20

As the sun dropped down in the west, Bram Thorne sat fidgeting in the old emperors throne. Though the voices were giving him peace right now, he knew it wouldn't last for long. They would be back to torment him soon enough. The constant babel and nagging would one day drive him crazy, but that's one of the prices he would have to pay for being the most powerful warlock in Taggitia.
[What makes you think you are one of the most powerful warlocks here in Taggitia?] A voice said.
[Because I am.] Bram answered with pride. [If there was someone out there more powerful than me, they would come here to call me out.]
For a second there was total silence, Bram thought it was because they agreed with him, Then all the voices started laughing at him. They laughed so hard, Bram jumped up out the throne and fell on the floor. He lay there with his hands covering his ears, but he knew that wouldn't stop the laughing. Nothing could stop them, As long as he kept the rings, the voices would be there to torment him. Bram had fought and argued with the voices for years, but he still had no idea how to shut them out of his mind.
Once he thought, maybe if he couldn't hear the voice would fade away. Bram pulled a dagger out of his robe. That brought on another burst of laughter.
[You think we're in your ear?] A voice said. [Your not as powerful as you think. But go ahead, bust your ear drums and see what happens.]
He put the dagger back in his robe and went on with his day. The voices continued, and he hated it , but there was nothing he could do except destroy the rings and that would limit his powers. That is if the rings could be destroyed.
Bram had the rings for more than twenty years. He found the first one in a cave somewhere off the coast of Taggitia. He had been searching for a place to rest when he found the bones of what he thought was a noble. The rags it was wearing looked expensive. It had three other rings on the left hand and some kind of pendant around its neck. As Bram kicked it over he saw the jewelry. Two of the rings were gold with intricate shapes that went around the outside of the rings. The third ring had a purple stone set in the silver metal work. Bram picked up the arm of the skeleton and shook the dust and sand off it. He looked closer at the rings. The ring with the purple stone was glowing, Bram inhaled with surprise as he broke off the three ring fingers.
[What a find.] He thought as he took the rings off the finger bones and tossed the arm away. He looked around and found a boulder to sit on. As he sat down to rest, he gazed down at the three rings. The purple stoned ring gave off emanations of power. The other two were cold and lifeless. Bram tossed the gold rings away and slipped the ring om his finger. At first it was to big, then as he stared down at it on his finger, it resized to grip him tightly. Bram tugged and pulled at it trying to get it off. Then he heard laughter echoing through his head.
[Who are you to disturb my rest?]
Bram stood up and jumped back with his set for attack. He looked around and saw there was no one here except him in the cave. He shook his head thinking he was hearing things.
[You are hearing things.] A voice said. [Me.]
"Who's there?" Bram ducked and powered up a spell. There was someone here and he would find them if it took all night.
[No you won't.] The voice said. [You couldn't find me if I was standing on your toes.]
"Show yourself coward!"
[I'm right here!] The voice said sounding as if it was right over his shoulder. Bram spun around and let loose his spell. A power bolt shot out from him and hit the walk off to the right..
[Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha!] The voice laughed. [And you call yourself a powerful Warlock!]
"I am a warlock!" Bram shouted. He balled his fist up. "Who are you? Come out and I'll prove it to you!"
[My name is Corlis Nicosent. You couldn't beat me if my hands were tied up behind me.]
"Come out and i'll prove it!" Bram screamed.
[Very well.] Corlis said. [I'll come out and fight you. But if I win, you will wear that ring for the rest of your life.]
"What If I win?" Bram asked him.
[Then I will be your slave forever.]
Bram thought about it for a minute. He knew somewhere this was a trap. But his ego had to prove he was the stronger of the two. So he had to accept. With a nod, Bram accept the propitiation. He took a step back and looked around for his opponent. The ring flashed purple and Bram covered his eyes.
When he looked up there man standing in front of his dressed in what looked like the rage the bones wore only they were new. The warlock had jet black hair and a thin mustache. His eyes blazed with a silver glow and there was a twitch in his right eye. He was a little taller then Bram and he had to have at least one hundred pounds on Bram. His tunic was grey with some kind of mystical symbols on it.
"Are you ready?" He smiled with a crooked look in his face. Bram nodded his head yes. "Then have at it!"
Bram reached out his hand and sent a pulse of power at the warlock. With one hand out stretched Corlis formed a shield to block the pulse,then with the other he sent a line of energy out like a whip to shrike at Bram. As he ducked the glowing whip, Bram jumped up and sent lightning bolts out at Corlis. The first one hit  the ground right next to where Corlis was standing. the second one hit a foot to the left of Corlis position.The third one stuck him dead on in the chest. Before Corlis could pull himself together, Bram sent a series of small rocks at him. Like a meteor shower, the rocks rained down on Corlis. He took hits one after another crashing down on his shield. He fell down to one knee holding his shield out to keep the strikes from hitting him. With one hands holding his shield up, Corlis cast a spell that opened the ground beneath Bram. Bram smiled, the warlock just made his first big mistake. Bram was a master at using elementals. He called a boulder to rise up and catch him as he called a tidal wave of water in to drown Corlis. As Corlis swam trying to keep his head above water, Bram grabbed the warlock in a fist made of solid water. he smashed him again and again into the cave wall. Holding Corlis high above the water, Bram banished the water back to the nearest lake. Corlis choked and spit out water as he hacked for air.
"Have you had enough?"
"Yes." Corlis said. "You win. Now you will never get the ring off your finger."
In a flash Corlis disappeared. Bram looked for him as he tried again and again to get the ring off.
[The power of the ring is yours to command.] Corlis laughed at him. [But your trapped with me for the rest of your life.]
"As my slave."  Bram said with a grin. He was proud of this win. "You have to do what I want."
"No." Corlis said. "I don't have to do anything you say. But I will torment you forever. You will never get me to shut up."
Bram damned him again and again, but it didn't help. He's been babbling since the day he found the ring. Bram didn't care, but he did want some privacy in his head, and one day he will quiet the voices
[Want to make a bet on that?] Corlis said sounding mischievous. [I'll give you good oods.] 
[Go away.] Bram moaned.
[Poor baby wants to be alone.] Corlis mucked him in a baby voice. As Bram stepped away from his throne, a baby bottle appeared in his hand. [Want me to change your diappy?]
"I said SHUT UP!!!"
Corlis and a few others burst out in laughter. Bram stormed out of the throne room and headed down through the palace. He had four of his rings, but that left six rings out there somewhere and he meant to find them. He took the staircase down heading to the door in the side of the stair case. he reached for the handle and gave it a tug. Locked. That was not a problem. He reached for the door handle, this time he mumbled.
"Acesseo." The door lock popped open and Bram went in and started on his way down into the lower levels of the castle. As Bram walked down the staircase he heard something. A roar. The roar was deep like a Lion or some kind of big cat. Just to be careful, Bram sent out a probe for anything he could run into down there. The smell down there was pretty bad. All the urine and feces that had built up over the years, the body odors and those that died here. 
As Bram moved down taking slow steps, he thought about the last time he had been down here. It was three years before he found the eighth ring. The Emperor had sent a league of his guards out into the city to find him. Bram had just returned from out west. He was looking for one of the last two rings, either the ring of life or death. These were two of the most powerful rings. The rings of life and death was forged by his brother Tenol the god of war and presented to Aramis some time before Muerte was exiled to the underworld. By then her hate had driven her crazy. All she wanted was to give  the world her gift of death. Once the world was dead, she would take the Underworld from Lord Nestor and rule over the dead forever. The ring was meant to counter her madness. But Aramis found a way to defeat her with the help of Angela and the ring was never used. Instead. Aramis hid them somewhere he thought no one would ever find them. But he was wrong, there would come a day when the rings would be needed.

 The day was warm and it felt cool as Quyyn with Ranjer on his back rode the currents north to begin their search. In Quyyn's head there was a map that world lead them to a high peak north of Torcin. His uncle Aramis came to him and offered his help. He promised to lead Quyyn and Ranjer to the place where they would find the lost rings. They had no idea where they would be going, but they had absolute thrust in Uncle. He would never lead them to a place of danger. That is if he could help it.
They flew a straight course north pass Torcin then they turned west towards the home of the Myor the Phoenix and the Yetisans..Ranjer held onto Quyyn tightly, It seems he was afraid of heights. Quyyn couldn't believe that. He had seen Ranjer flying was with Jandar, Rage and a few others. So why is he so afraid now?
[Cousin, what's wrong?] He asked. [This is not the first time your flying. I know that.]
[I don't know how.] Ranjer said. [but there is something out there watching us.] 
[Where?] Quyyn said as he gazed all around them. 
[What or whoever it isn't here physically.] Ranjer looked out at the clouds with glowing eyes. [It's one of my talents. I can always feel it when I'm being probed. I can block it if you want.]
[Can you tell who it is?] 
Ranjer closed his eyes a let his mind feel the probe.
[It's not a friend.] Ranjer said. [The mind is to cluttered. It's like a hundred people screaming at once.]
[Its Bram Thorne,] Quyyn said. [Can you tell where he is? Does he know where we are going?]
[I don't think so, but he might figure it out. He's close. I can almost feel his breath on my neck. What do we do?]
[We go on.] Quyyn said. [We have to beat Bram there, then if he wants the rings, he'll have to take it from us.]
Up ahead, Ranjer saw a mountain. It was really tall making others around look like bumps on the horizon. Quyyn hadn't told Ranjer where they were going. He just asked Ranjer saying they were going north. Yarden asked if he could join them saying he wanted to check and see if any of his family survived Bram's attack. Watching from the side, Ranjer shook his head then sent a message out to Quyyn.
[Tell him we're not going anywhere close to Mada.] Ranjer sent. [Time is important, We have to get back before Bram's attacks.]  
Quyyn explained that they will have to keep a close look out for Bram or anyone that might be out here under his orders. Between his crew and Bram the rings are all counted. With only the rings of life and death still missing. Yarden, understood why he couldn't go, but that didn't mean he liked it. Ranjer packed a tent, some rations and his sword. Now he was ready to go.
"Where should we meet you?" Bly asked.
"We still don't know what happened to Jemeld." Ranjer said.
"You may not know," Bly said. "But I know. that bastard killed her and I will prove it."
"That's right Bly, we don't have enough to prove he did it." Quyyn said directing his comment to Bly. "We have to prove she died by his hand, or this could turn into a war. We can't let that happen."
"Then what do we do?" Rowyn asked.
"We find someone that can prove she's dead" Hoodie said. "We need Elves. Royal elves."
"The closest is  royal elves are in Eventide." Niro said.  "We my find someone up there that can help us."
"Be careful." Ranjer said. "Elves don't like people who trespass on their land. We'll meet you in Eventide." 

As Aron stepped out of his suite, alarms were ringing out all through the Eventine tree palace. Guards were running all through the tree making their way to their battle station. Aron stopped a guard and asked him what the problem was.
"Someone broke out of the dungeon." He said and ran off. Someone broke out? That has to be Caius. Aron ran on down the hall to closest shift that went down to the dungeons. He stepped in and told it where he wanted to go. The door mechanism flashed and Aron was off. The Tree shifts in Eventide were unique. Magical they went to all the different shafts of each of the cities trees. Not only did they move up and down, it moved side to side taking you wherever you want in the tree.
Aron told the tree he needed to be in the dungeon. The tree flash as it moved by connection point in the tree. As the dungeon was a last stop. when it got there it flashed two times then stopped. Aron stepped out of the treevator and found he was standing at the main entrance station to Eventide's dungeon . As he stepped in, lights flashed and the siren blared out loudly. In front of him was the guard station where seven dead guards and two wounded elfs with stun staff pointed at him called for him to stop and be recognized. With his hands up he looked at the seven dead bodies. As a prince of the house he has to find a way to stop this before he killed  anyone else.  As he was scanned by one guard he was recognized as a son of Eventide. The guards stepped back but they kept their weapons held ready to be fired.
"Who's in charge down here?"
"I am." A guard with a star on each shoulder. "I'm Capt Ajjar. what can I do for you?"
"Nothing Captain. It's what I can do for you."
Captain Ajjar tilted his head not really understanding what he was talking about. Then just as he was about to speak, Caius stepped out holding a knife to Ajjars neck. "
"Nobody move." Caius tightened his grip on the knife. "You are a prince of these land's am I right?"
"Yes." Aron said. "Let him go and I will take you anywhere you want."
"You mean that?"  Caius gave him a devious smile. "On your honor?"
"Yes. " Aron said through gritted teeth. This was the only thing he could do to stop Caius from killing anyone else. Caius pushed the captain away from and ordered Aron to move over to him.
"What are you going to do now?" Aron asked. "There are hundreds of warriors to pass before we're out of Eventide, and don't forget Evindal. He will do what he needs to, to get me back."
"Then all you have to do to get your freedom is simple. Find Jemeld."
“And if I find her?” Aron asked. “Than what? You will never bother Eventide and its allies again? Do you swear at you word?”
Caius thought about that for a minute. It really didn’t matter. These Elves could never be much of a threat to him. What does a few Elf colonies matter to him. He would have all of Keanna to rule. “
Caius reached over and placed a hand on Aron’s shoulder. In a flash his twinkle went from sparks to a blazing shower of light particles. Like a dazzling torch they shot up into the sky.heading north following Aron’s lead. Aron was amazed at the power Caius was showing. He doubted there were many on Keanna with the power to rival his.
From high over Eventide they shot north, Aron watched as the mighty forest of Eventide flashed beneath them. In minutes they were over the border and into Aesar. Aron wondered what the light elves if Aesar thought from their hazy clouds. They probably thought it was the work of the Gods. Like a shooting star they flew over Aesar and into Droth, the land of the dark elves. Aron hoped their blazing trail would scare the dark ones into their caves to hide for the next twenty years. After the last years with the Darkshade, Aron hoped they would suffer forever. From Droth, Aron told Caius to turn east. With a slight twist of his body, Caius turned east and dropped down out of the clouds. Beneath them was Lake Charlipyn. This they both knew was a land of the Mer. Though the lake was bigger than Eventide and Droth put together, there were three different Mer tribes. Living here in peace. The main and largest city was Silvryn. Silvryn was known for the pearls they harvest three times a year. The city was the home of a large tribe of Corral Elves. Brothers to the Corral Elves of Dree. The pearls of Silvryn were famous all over Keanna and known to bring luck to anyone that owned them legitimately. In other words, if you bought or was presented with a string of pearls, they would bring luck. But if you stole them, your luck would be disastrous, and the only way to break the curse is to be forgiven by a royal from the house of Silvryn.
High over Silvryn, Aron pointed down to a small island in the middle of the lake, Caius looked down wondering what Aron was pointing at.
“There.” Aron said. “Do you see the island below us? That’s where we are going.”
The island was serine with willows and palm trees. There were sunflowers and lilies and blue white and yellow roses growing all through the island. It was beautiful Aron thought. The perfect to rest. Caius circled his way down to land somewhere he saw there was a clearing. As they came down to land, Aron watched Caius. He had no idea how he would react to a place like this. 
Caius looked all around him. What was this place? He had never seen anything like this before. There were flowers of all colors. This place was almost unbelievable. The greenery, the brook, and the animals made it look like a home for the Gods.He knew he couldn’t do anything to corrupt this place. For a minute, Caius stayed quiet. He felt that the sound of his voice could somehow make this place dirty. 
“Why are we here?” Caius asked in a  low voiced..
“You wanted to find Jemeld Thorne.” Aron said boldly. “She is here.”
“Where?” Caius side. “I see nothing.
“She is here.” Aron smiled. ‘Open your heart. Can’t you feel her?”
Caius walked around the meadow walking carefully to make sure he didn't disturb a single blade of grass. Yes, he did believe him. She was here.He could feel her presence all around him in the air and the field.
“She’s dead.” Caius said sadly.
“Yes.” Aron said. “He killed her thinking she was just another voice.”
“But I am here to find her and bring he back.” Caius looked up at Aron. “How am I to do that?”
‘Aron looked around, than he bent over and picked up a small stone.
“Bring this to him.” Aron reached out to hand him the stone. “Give it to him, he will understand.”
“But will that please him, or drive him  further down into his delusions?” Caius took the stone. He knew he couldn’t give it to Bram. It would destroy his fragile sense of reality. He would have to find another way.
“Yes.” Aron said nodding. “”You have the answer. Will you keep your word?” 
“Your free and I won’t bother anyone in your Elven lands.”
“That’s a wise choice.” Aron said as he stepped away from Caius. “I would rather you go to war with you.”
“But what if you did?” Caius said smiling deviously. “I know you are a Warlock Do you think you can beat me?”
“I’m sure of it.” Aron spun around and vanished in a flash of light.
“We shall see.” Snapped his fingers and shot into the air leaving nothing but a sparkling
 trail.