Doctor Eve Sanders walked into the bedroom of the Alpha’s young daughter’s room. She followed closely behind by her brother Maxwell. Her pack’s alpha Charles St Paul stood in the room standing next to the Alpha of the Shadow Cats Adam Green.
Eve froze mid step at the sudden dominace becoming charged in the air. She felt his intense interest in her both sexually and suspicion. She felt a chill go up her spine. Her excitement rose as did a tingling of instant sexual need.
Maxwell grunted and jolted her out of her sexual buzz. She focused on the task set before her. She was a healer. The best. It was more then an act of kindness toward a rival pack. It was also a way of proving Frostfalls pack had no dealings in the cursed magic used on the girl to take her young life.
Eve stepped forward careful with her steps and focused mental state. She felt a different type of chill now as she neared the girl laying in the bed.
“What are you feeling Cher? Do you know what’s happened to my baby girl?” Adam asked in a purring seductive voice.
Eva’s arousal tingled at the deep purr in gis voice. She shook off the effect he was having on and took a breath in and out. She froze at the scent of the girl went into her body. The scent was off about the girl. Eva angled her head around searching for something until she found the source of the scent. It was coming under the bed. She took out her knife.
Eva felt Adam’s reaction and the danger from him. She held up a hand to Adam. There was a sudden stillness. She waited a breath of a second and put a finger to her lips before she used the same finger to point under the bed.
“I see.” Adam said. “So. Do you need it to find out who harmed my baby sister.” He asked.
“Yes. I do love. I’m sorry.” Eve said in a honey glazed sounding voice that even surprised Eva’s own ears. She hadn’t meant to seduce Adam. She just meant to tell him no.
Maxwell tried to push her back but she shoved off his hold away. She motioned to him to silently to close the door. Eva didn’t know why but she couldn’t leave.
They couldn’t let whatever the hell was under the bed get away. Charles chuckled and took off his suit jacket.
“Well. We best get to the business.” Charles said.
Adam took a position slightly in front of Eve. She crunched low next to him close to his side and focused on the scent of the enemy.
“Hey. You going to stay under the bed all night.” Adam said.
Eva felt her fangs extend out and her eyes glow with magic. She saw a shadow of a magical figure creep out from under the bed.
Cre greeted Max with a cold curt nod and little show at being surprised to see him again or pleased at the idea. Max for his part was pleased to see Cre still in control of his emotions and people. The Krull were surrounded by Dar Empire soldiers and flying ships.
Yet, Cre was cool as he stood facing Max under the canopy. Max sat at a make shift desk and waved him to a seat on the other side of the desk.
Cre of course didn’t want to sit by he wasn’t much in a position to resist without things getting unpleasant for his people. So he sat straight back and on guard.
Max smiled at him. “Your a long way from the parcel of land we last met and . Where you planning on visiting the Breakers?! Whatever for I wonder.” He said with a grin.
Cre stared at him. “You have put a barrior over the planet meant to keep my people here. Where in my people’s contract with your people was that expressly said that warrented such an action?” He said.
Max laughed slapping a hand down on the desk. He pointed his manicured hand toward Cre. “It wasn’t forbidden in the contract either. This is the world your people chose to make their home. Why would their be a need for you to leave your own homeworld. The Dar Empire has made no plans to Rob you of your home. Again. The Dar Empire wants a marriage an lasting friendship between both people. Your people likes the arrangement until your leader made a miss step. What is the reason you returned the money and left your property.” He said.
Cre stared at him. “It is my people’s business not yours. We are different people. We wish no aggression or trouble with you or your empire or federation of worlds. You push your ways and your will on us. We are a simple people and odd and uppity people as you said once. We see no need to trouble you with any explanations of our desires to be left to ourselves. Let us move past this game. What do you really want?” Cre said.
Max chuckled. “You speak basic trade language well. You also know how to think in a reasonable manner. The short of it is the Queen of the Dar wishes to see you and discuss plans on compensation on your loss of respect and a tribesmen. However, I remember clearly telling you that the reason your cousin had to be judged was because he broke faith with me. He also refused to cancel his up and coming marriage. Do you intend on waking up that old matter. I thought it was settled. There was no need for you to run off.” Max said.
Cre stared at Max. “You wish there to be no marriage between my tribe and that of the Breakers?” He said.
Max nodded. “There will be no marriage between The Krulls and Breakers. Am I understood?” He said.
Cre stared at Max. “We have a deal.” He said calmly.
Max flinched back in his seat. He grimanced at the coolness of Cre’s reply. “On your word.” He said.
Cre nodded. “Of course and on your word as the Diplomate of Dar of course. We have a deal.” He said.
Max shook his head smiling. “What am I agreeing to. Give me the terms.” He said.
“You agree to have your head removed from your shoulders or that there will be never be a marriage between my people and yours for all time. Which is it to be. Will you give me your head or will you agree to there being no marriage between my people and yours the choice is.” Cre said.
Max sat back. “You wish me dead that badly? Come now lad. The Queen of Dar is willing to pay you greatly for your services. I represent the Empire of Dar and her queen to demand my head is to threaten the queen. You must calm your nerves and think reasonably.” He said.
Cre shook his head. “I wish you to leave my people alone. You have demonstrated I should not trust you or your people not to endanger my people or our way of life. But, you stand in need of my people in service to yours. You also threaten my people. I demand a price for that service. What is it to be? What do you expect my people to work for free?! That is not the Dar Empire way of doing business or politics. Nothing is for free. I have named my price.” He said coolly.
Max clapped his hands. “Now we come to a reasonable stance. My counter offer. You will meet the Queen of Dar. You will agree to not marry the Breaker Princess. If you can convince the queen of your request to remove my head you will get your way. If not my head then wealth will be a second best option.” He said.
Cre sighed and leaned back in his seat. “Counter offer. Remove the barrior over this planet and there will be no marriage to between my people and the house of the Breakers and you can retain my people’s hunting services. Nothing more.” He said.
Max chuckled. “The barrior will remain in place until you meet the queen of the Dar. There is no need for you to leave your own homeworld no one is forcing you away. In fact a marriage between your people and the Dar royalty would resolve this imaginary conflict you believe is between our peoples.” He said.
“You taught me once that each side must sacrifice something for a bargin to be reached. There will be no marriage between my tribe and yours. Do you agree to this one point? To gain everything else. It is a small price to pay. Do not tell me that I can’t even get you to abide by your own philosophy.” Cre said.
Max sighed. “No. Listen. Money. Wealth. Honor. I can offer you-” He said but stopped when Cre shook his head and waved his hand.
“Nothing.” Cre said. “If you can not give on one thing then nothing you say means anything. We have no need of your gold. Your lands. Your meaningless words of high praise. You are a empty talking killer. What? Have I offended you?! Are you angry to be told to your face what you are?” Cre said.
Max stared at Cre in utter blank indifference to his insults. He shrugged his shoulders. “No not really. I’ve heard much worse lad and your still being respectful about it. You took to your lessons well on Dar philosophy and trade talk. Your right. All the same I am in the position of power. I say you can’t marry the Breaker Princess. You must marry into the Dar royal family. It would strengthen your survival.” He said.
Cre nodded. “The deal is simple. No marriage between my people and yours forever. This is not about emotion or revenege. This is about respect and abiding by your own philosophy. You could have come to my elders and told them Crowley’s crime. You could have allowed us to handle it. No. You decided to handle the matter with disrespect. Then you demand I respect you and your position?! You have no respect for nothing and no one. I have no regard for you and your worthless people. I value my people. You do not.” He said.
Max stared at him. “Meet the queen of Dar. Talk with her. If she agrees to bring down the barrior on the planet that will be your only shot out but the day you attempt to marry the Breaker princess…it will put your people in a difficult position. She’s waiting in the ship I came in behind you. This is not a threat. It’s politics. The Dar Empire value the skills your people have. You are a one of a kind people in the universe. The Breakers position would rise higher in challenge to the Dar. Crowley knew this and brought on this situation. Furthermore the Breakers breed primarily females. Your race would not thrive and your few as is.” He said.
Cre shook his head. “You are to strange to deal with. I will meet your queen maybe she is more toleratable. I want the barrior removed. Any deals my people have with yours will be minimum at best. You can not be trusted.” He said.
Max shrugged. “My motivations regarding you aline with your survival. That is the mandate my queen gave me. You’re still my best student to be educated on Dar philosophy and trade talk. First lesson I taught you was that it doesn’t matter to me what I feel or want. I have a job to do so I do it for the honor of my queen.” He said.
It was on our third day track toward the land of the Breakers as I woke up in my tent I felt some power pushing down on me. I had dressed quickly with this foreboding feeling still with me. I had just climbed out of my tent and looked up at the sky. I stared up. The morning sky seemed to have a strange magical shimmering appearance to it.
I stood and the men all came alert and at attention before I said anything. I frowned but I looked at Anders. My elder cousin and Crowley’s youngest brother. He stared at me with an expression of keen alertness that much in the same way others did now.
“The Elders. Where are they?” I asked.
“As Sum. They are awaiting your orders in their tent of meeting.” He said.
I sighed. I looked behind my tent toward the larger tent of meeting. “Elders. May I come in?” I said.
Rolle came out of the tent first followed by our four elders. The men all stood waiting.
I motioned with my hand to the sky. “They are blocking the sky with some sort spell.” I said.
Nolle nodded. “There is also the matter of the spell I cast on our people seems to be fading. They are hunting us and will find us soon.” He said.
I frowned shaking my head. “We are still a days journey or more from reaching the Breakers. How will we evade them moving as we are now?” I said.
Rolle stared at me. He said nothing. He waited. It was the same way he always did when he knew the answer would come to me.
They were going to catch up to us before we reached the Breakers. There was no avoiding it. We couldn’t make the dash run off world as well so what now?
“Rolle.” I said.
“Speak my Lord.” He said.
I ignored his my lord comment. “Rolle. Is it nessary that we reach the Breakers?” I asked.
“It is absolutely nessary for us to seek out the Breakers. They had the means for us leave this world and move on.” He said.
“Pack up what you can. We’re making the Dash for the Breakers domain. Right now.” I said snatching up my tent and putting them up in my traveling bag.
The others rushed doing as I did and with in moments every one of the hundred or so people were ready to go. It had been a month sense we had had to make a full run in to the Dash. We would have to chance it just to get close enough to reaching the Breakers before we were caught by the Dar.
This would be our first group Dash without Crowley setting the lead and guiding us as a group. I knew I would have to take lead to focus us. I set my gaze forward thinking of the Tree ships of the Breakers. Once I had the image in my head. I felt the Dash energy around me as the tribe gathered close.
“Keep close with me.. I’m leading the way to the Breakers.” I said and I knelt down into a running position and rushed foward pushing my body forward with the energy around us.
We ran as a group the full force of the rush and our connection being the generating force pushing us forward as one. Lands. Water. We traveled catching on glimpses of them. I kept my focus for several moments in the rush until I saw several Dar black flying ships blocking our ways in mid air. I felt one of my people being pulled out of the group by one of lost Krull slaved to the Dar Empire. I saw them dressed in black uniforms as they invaded the rush to slow our travel.
I had to bring the rush to a quick stop to keep the remaining ones of us together as we stopped a few feet away from the Dar ships and people. I looked around trying to find Rolle and realized he had been taken out of the group as well.
A small flying boat from one of the ships came down with two Dar guards in it and Lord Max. He waved to me in a friendly manner. I didn’t react to his expression of acting.
When he finally arrived in front of me. Max nodded to me. “We meet again.” He said.
“You block my way and have taken one of my elders. Who have you come to kill today? An old man or the remaining youth of my people?” I said.
Max shook his head. “Oh no. No. The queen is against any of your people being harmed toay. I came to do my job. To talk and negotate with your people about that peace pack and marriages to be joined.” He said.
I shook my head. “You play games. You always play games. Let me speak your in your lanuage. What’s in for me? What do I need to do to reclaim back my Elders and people?” I said.
Max shook his head holding up his hand like he was an innocent man. There was laughter in his eyes. I saw it now. He was always laughing at my people.
“You are heated today Lad. I just wanted to make a deal with you and then we’ll get out of your way. You can go visit the Breakers and their princess. But, first you have to make a deal with me and have a talk with the Dar Queen. Oh we didn’t take your elders. We just asked your people working part time for the Dar to have them sit down a bit from all that running. Not all your people have a dislike for The Dar.” He said with a comical grin.
I shook my head. “My people are the Krull. Anyone that chooses sides against us is not with us. They sold themselves to you and have no part with the Krull. Do with them as you see fit but I want back my stolen Elders. Begin your game of bargins what do you want for them?” I said calmly.
Max stared at me. “There’s no need for that kind energy lad. I just want to talk with you a bit after we come to some agreement then you can be on your way to see the Breakers. I promise.” He said in a honest voice. But the image of him standing over my Prince’s dead body haunted me still.
I shook my head. “Your word is meaningless to me. What else do you have to bargin with for me to entertain your foolish talk?” I asked.
Max chuckled but he nodded his head. “Alright. Alright. Please have a sit down talk with me. We come to some agreement and you can be on your way. As a show of good faith we won’t use your people against you again no games. the Queen wishes their to be friendship between our people. A quick end to conflict between us is my desire.” He said.
I shook my head. “The Krull give you the land, gold and everything you gave to us. We ask in exchange for these pointless talks that you give us all our people in exchange. Right now or there is nothing for us to discuss.” I said.
Max laughed but he clapped his hands. “You’ve made your point. Rolle and the others will be returned to you right now. We go have a talk under my tent and find some common ground on your planet. I believe we can reach an agreement to cool intensions down and return to a friendship.” He said.
I stared at him. “I want all my people back. I promise to talk with you and settle the issues between us.” I said.
The moment my foot touched inside the cave I felt a rush of energy and force pushing and pulling me somewhere else. I was transported into another realm entirely. Unlike “The Dase run” that my people had used to travel the stars. This form of travel had been a particular means of instant travel from one point of origin to the next.
I felt the magical heat of raw power all around me. I knew I was a vast distance away from my people and could feel it then urge to go back quickly. I resisted as I followed a narrow path in front of me deeper into the cave.
The cave was cast in darkness with glimpses of color on the narrow walls around me. Every half step I took showed vibrant colors of ruby and Jasmin occasionally coloring the walls.
The dusty ash red path lay before me darkness behind me. I walked on carefully but my steps were with purpose. The urge to find the Lava Tooth and be done with the mission to return to my people was my only desire now.
I traveled on. It felt like hours passed though I sensed time was very different in the micro realm of ancient magic.
I stopped a moment took a breath and just took a leap forward until I arrived center of the core room. A place of living glowing rocks and a pool of ruby magical waters lay before me. I felt presense of a being here. Invisible to my naked eyes but my soul gazed back at the creature.
“Greetings Ancient one. I come to obtain the Lava Tooth to protect my people.” I said.
The ancient being stired in the silence. I sensed silent amusement. It reminded me of Rolle.
“You are a mortal seeking power as every mortal before and the ones that will come after you. Are you any different from Crowley young one? I ponder your words though.” The ancient power spoke with the words. I felt the words in soul.
I bowed to one knee lowering my head. It felt right. Though I was surprised by the ancient power’s mention of Crowley. He had come to this place as well?
“Yes. Yes. Your Lord and Master came here once. He walked the same path as you did. He made the leap here and he spoke to me but he left empty handed as you will. What now?” The ancient power said with no emotion or verbal sound.
What could I say. I was no Crowley. He had been the strongest of his generation of my people. I wasn’t even of his line to rule. I would fair the same as he did. I had failed. Still I wanted to know something.
“What do you wish to know young one. Stand your ground as a man and ask of me what you will.” The Ancient One said.
I stood facing the pools of magical waters. I stared in to the depths. “I wish to know, to know…” I said and then paused. I wanted to ask for wisdom but then something else came to me. I could gain wisdom from Rolle and living my life. There was something I wanted to know. That couldn’t gain naturally. “Who are you?” I asked.
Laughter and life. I felt it in my soul and I felt it all around me in this place of ancient magic. I had my answer. I knelt down by the pools of magical pools. I still needed to have something to take back to my people to encourage them inspite of my failure. “Ancient One. May, I borrow your powers for my Iron Fang knife?” I asked.
“Do as you will. You are a man. You know the path to take. But, be mindful. I am lending you away. You will return to me.” The ancient power said.
I got out my knife and dipped the blade into the pools of magical waters. It came out glowing ruby red in magical energy. This would do.
“Thank you, Ancient One. Until we meet again at the end of my journey.” I said.
The Ancient power’s laughter warmed my soul. “Safe journey.” The ancient one said.
I got to my feet. A hand touched my shoulder I turned and Rolle’s kind face greeted me. I felt a pang of guilty at failing in my mention. I showed him the blade of my knife though. “I have-” I started to say but Rolle shook his head.
“It is time. Let us go fetch your bride.” He said.
I paused a moment as we faced the cave entrance. Drake’s Mouth was the right name for the entrance into the magical door way. I felt the heat from the mystic fires with in Drake’s mouth from our position on my face. I could see a little ruby like energy flame inside the cave flicking in the darkness. I wondered what type of weapon I would find inside the moutain or how I would call it forth out of the fires inside the mouth.
Zoom! Boom!
My head went up as my thoughts were jerked back to the Empire as I noticed their flying ships flying above the surface of the ground. They couldn’t see us though they searched desperately thanks to the spell Rolle had cast over our cloaks.
I knew the spell wouldn’t last though. My senses were still actively aware of time and the urgency I felt. I needed to get the tribe away from this planet and as far away and hidden from the politics of the galaxy. Rolle tapped me on the head with his grey staff.
I didn’t yell but I was brought back to the present. I looked at him to see his annoyed grimance on his face as he stared at me. “My apologies Rolle. My thoughts are on finishing the task so we can be on the road again.” I said.
Rolle sighed and leaned against his staff. “You are worried about the Empress’ hunter being on our heels. I told you we will not be found so easily.” He said.
“You are not worried though. I assume. You never seem to worry much about anything Rolle.” I said with a small smile.
Rolle grinned chucking quietly. He shook his head. “You are wondering why they are chasing after us still when we have given back to them all they have given us.” He said.
I shrugged. “It’s simple enough. We were useful slaves to them until they tried to handle us to roughly. Now their sore about it and want to recapture their slaves again.” I said.
Rolle shook his head. “They need us, Cre. Indeed you reminded them that we are much more then useful slaves as you put it. Yes. I believe the Empress will be vastly interested in claiming your favor on her side and most importantly for her future plans.” He said and turned and started walking up to the entrance of Drake’s mouth.
I followed him. “Me? I did nothing to warrent her attention or being special. If I did anything at all it was but try to keep everyone in check until that empirial devil from the Empress left us.” I said.
“One ponders these recent events though.” Rolle said in a thoughtful tone.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
Rolle shrugged. “It is a mystery why that assassin took out Crowley as he did. In broad daylight and then he walked away as he did. He was a teacher of yours once, I believe.” He said.
I shook my head at that thought. “He is an Empiralist that his country sent to teach our youth their universal language, customs and philosophy. He used his position to look down on us and hold us to our word while he robbed us of our Prince. He was luckily that we are not the savages as he might have thought.” I said with raising pang of anger at the humiliation I had to endure for my people.
Rolle nodded his head. “Still though. It seemed like he was fishing for something else when he judged Crowley. I think he might have gotten what he got. Sadly. We should have hidden our secrets better. What do you plan to do when you meet the Empress?” He said and surprising me by his train of thoughts.
I shook my head. I had no notion how his mind arrived that idea. “Me? I have no intention on meeting her. I doubt The Empress even knows me or cares who I am Old One. No. I know she doesn’t know me. I plan to keep it that way once we leave this planet. Nothing but trouble has happened to us every sense we came here and first threw our hat into alliance with the Empire and Federation.” I said.
Rolle had a rye smile on his face. His gaze was staring straight ahead but his gaze was distant. He was quietly looking within himself pondering. He nodded his head though finally after a few minutes of silence. “You wish for us too become a hidden nation again. It would be a return to proper form of the old ways during the time I was a boy.” He said.
I frowned at his speech and address toward me like I was in charge of the Krull. “It was not a plan. But an idea I got from you. It is best we disappeared from the eyes of the federation and Empress’ spies. Our dealings with them have stabbed us in the front and lost us our Prince who died childless. I will leave it up to you and the elders to decide though.” I said.
Rolle shook his head stopping. “No. We will do as you say. We will disappear from the eyes of the universe but not before you claim the Lava Tooth inside the cave and the Princess of the Breakers. Go. We will wait for your return.” He said.
I was dancing with in the living waters of the core of the the living tree ship when I felt my father and mother arrive in the ship’s core room. I finished my dance and dove outside of living waters and rolled to my feet. My attendant and nurse passed me my towel first and then after I had dried off I slipped on my robe turned and bowed to my parents.
“A raise, Moon Dancer. We have news to report.” Father said in tired quiet voice.
I got to my feet glancing once at my mother to see her pale and guarded she was watchful of me and sad. Father was dressed in his offical white suit with a black sash across his chest and mother stood beside him bare foot dressed in glimmering white dress.
“Something bad has happened.” I said.
Father stared at me as he fixed his focus on my face. “It is reported to me by Empiral Herold that Crowley Krull was found guilty and sentenced to death. The Krull have also disappeared and abandoned their lands. The Empire is seeking them out to bring them back to their lands and barter a new peace agreement with them.” He said and he studied my face.
“That is bad news. Well we will have to wait see what happens next.” I said carefully. An uneasy quiet followed my words.
My father stared at me saying nothing. I could almost hear his mind turning and thinking on the meaning of my simple speech. He cleared his throat.
“I understand your not interested in his death whether or not you believe it was warranted.” He said and paused. “Was it warrented?” He asked me directly on what I knew happened to him.
I noticed father was looking at me differently again. He was looking at that other side of me. “I’ve met Crowley a few times and I’ve heard a bit of his dealings in business. I believe he possible got himself in trouble for his life to end. He lived dangerously and cost his tribe to be in a bad way with the empire.” I said carefully not investing in giving anything more of what I knew or what I had seen in Crowley and in what the living waters revealed to me.
Mother sighed and I saw she seemed to be more relaxed though still watchful of me. “What do you see…no what do you believe will happened next?” She asked and corrected herself half way.
I clasped my hands together and then I released then let them go. I combed my hands threw my blond hair twice behind my back. I took in a slow inward breath and exhaled out slowly to steady my nerves.
“I believe we should wait for the Prince of the Krull to arrive here.” I said. They stared at me shaken. I smiled to ease the tension in the room. “We made a promise to the Krull to agree on a marriage to join our houses so that we can grow stronger. The Krull keep their word.” I said.
My father straightened his back up and he nodded to me. “Thank you. We will leave you to your duties. When the Krull arrive we will let you know though I suppose you will know.” He said with a sigh but he smiled and he bowed to me.
He turned to leave but mother was still staring at me. “Moon Dancer. When did you know Crowley was going to die? Why didn’t you tell us? We could have saved the tribe more time and married you off to the one who you saw you were going to marry.” She said in rush of words and emotions.
“Mother please. I-I did not know Crowley would die so soon after we finalized the engagement plans.” I said honestly.
“You knew he would die though. You knew he wouldn’t be the one you would give the living waters to. What else aren’t you telling us?” Mother said and then paused. My mother smiled at me but she was still staring at me not seeing me but desiring to know things I couldn’t tell her. It would only lead to her destruction. “You can trust us. You don’t have to hide what you’ve seen from us. We can assist you better in knowing what you know and have seen. I command it of you.” She said holding out her hands.
My heart hammered inside my chest. I could feel where this conversation was going and I knew what I was about to lose her. But, I had to obey her. I opened my mouth.
My father held up his hand toward me and I froze at the sight of his Silver blues staring at me with intent. His gaze made me feel like his daughter again. “Do you feel uneasy continuing this conversation?” He asked.
“Yes.” I said.
Father nodded. “The conversation is over. You told us what we needed too know. You will speak no more of this to anyone. Am I understood?” He asked.
I bowed to the floor before him with my head lowering to the floor. “I obey.” I said.
“Hawks! We need to know. The Empire is against the match. You know they are planning. We need to know the future.” Mother said in a pleading voice.
“Era. No more talk. We leave. Now.” Father said to mother. I heard them leave the room and only got to my feet when I was sure I was alone with my nurse. She was dressed in a white dress with vail over her lower face and turban.
I turned to her and she had her head bowed. “Mai. What do you thinking about? Do you believe I was over reacting?” I asked.
Mai shook her head. “I live to serve you our blessed Princess Moon Dancer. I am not one to question your judgement.” She said in a quiet voice.
I sighed and looked into the living waters that flowed upward from the center of the room. Already I could see visions of Cre on his journey up the mountain. He was an interesting man. Tall. Dark. He had a coldness about him but a deep sense of loyalty and honor were woven in the fabric of his nature and tied closely to his soul.
I saw Cre dressed in leather pants and white shirt with only his Iron Fang knife strapped to his side. He wasn’t alone. Another Krull was traveling him as they worked their way up the mountain. Cre was quiet as usual with the elder of the Krull at his side telling him of the item he would need to seek out in the fires of mountain’s core. This wasn’t the first vision I had seen of him.
The first vision had been the day he had become the Twelveth prince of the Krull on the day of Crowley’s demise.
Logan woke up to scent of warm meat and talk. He opened his eyes to stared up at the ceiling and then he rolled out of bed. He hurried over to the breakfast that had been brought into the sleeping courtiers of the male chosen. Vince along with the twenty others young males were all laughing and eating a table set with food.
Vince of course set at the head of the table. Logan noticed their wasn’t left room enough for him to sit down at and eat. He didn’t care. He merely made room for himself by sliding on the side. He snacked up a bowl and wooden spoon he started dipping his spoon into a steaming pot of beef stew. Once his bowl was filled he snatched up bread and fruit. He started eating fast and casting occasionally glances at the doors.
“Why are you in such a rush Jones?” Vince said loud enough to gain Logan attention. The others quieted down. “We have a good amount of time before we’ll start our first training sessions with the masters.” He said frowning at him.
Logan smiled at him. “It’s a habit from back home. Always in a rush to finish breakfast and get to work. What are you going to be learning today?” He asked attempting to distract Vince. Logan already knew what they were going to be learning.
Vince grinned. “You planning on learning with us today? I thought you had planned on going your own way and all that shit. Strange thing at that. Seeing it’s your first day here and you know as much as we all know about Grim Old.” He said.
Vince’s comment caused a lot of overindulgent energetic laughter from the others at Logan’s expense. Logan continued to eat ignoring the laughter at him and open sneers from the others.
“Well?” Vince asked.
Logan looked at Vince in question. “Well?! Well, what?! Oh sorry. Did you ask me question. I wasn’t listening.” He said.
Vince stared at him as the others laughed at Logan. “We were having a conversation. You forgot that quickly?” He said.
Logan shrugged. “I was bullshitting with you Vince. I don’t give a fuck what the fuck you’re doing to do. I was just trying to make conversation with you to past the time by. Looks like breakfast is over.” He said pointing to the door as it was opened outwardly.
Sargent Jai and two other slave trainers greeted them with a bow of their heads. Jai stood aside and waved them to follow him outside.
“It is time to begin your training. Your trainers will be outside. I will train you in the basics then Trigger and Ran here will help you in practical combat. Now. It is time for our first session.” He said and turned on his heel and walked out.
Logan grimanced as he knew what was going to happen next. He got up at the same time as Vince. He waited as Vince turned and lead the others out. He followed from the back.
So far everything felt like it was going the same way it did. Logan saw the Trainer Zim standing in the fighting ring. Vince and Ed Dent were called to the ring. Logan smiled when he sensed Darla creep up from his right side as he was the last one to step out of the bunk house.
Darla was dressed the same as yesterday but she smelled like fresh flowers and morning dew scents coming from her body. Her hips swayed as she came up to stand close up to him. He slipped his arm around her waist as they walked out together.
“You smell like a good day baby. You get a good night sleep?” He said.
Darla shrugged. “It was pleasant but it would have been better with you in my bed.” She said in that thick Swedish accent.
Logan cupped her behind once and sighed. “That is the most sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.” He said.
“Why do you react so strangely when I speak simple answers?” She said in a purring voice and direct stare.
Logan had planned to tell her some sweet pretty line. The idea was cast aside in his own head quickly enough. It would only be a waste of time. The truth seemed more time effective.
“Honestly. I like your voice and you have a nice ass. The idea of putting a baby in you sounds fun every time look at your hips. We have no time for that sadly. I will have to settle for bending you over occasionally when we have a moment of privacy.” He said in a private voice to her openly shocked face.
Darla’s cheeks flushed with heat. She stared at him and breathed in his scent. Darla nodded her head slowly. “That is a high compliment you have given me. Thank you. I look forward to you keeping your promise.” She said and intentionally adding a husky whisper to her voice.
Logan’s lips curved into a wolfish grin but he only nodded in answer to her reply. He then turned his attention toward the fighting ring. “Only being honest baby. Let’s see what the heroes are going to learn.” He said.
Vince and Ed faced off against Trainer Zim. It was supposed to be a muck fight but used with real swords. Vince and Ed attacked Trainer Zim with the swords at the command of Jai. They went at it with him.
Trainer Zim beat them away easily at their first attack. They continued the attack on Trainer Zim. The goal was simply to smack him on the shoulder or ass.
Vince was the first to lay a hit on Trainer Zim by using magic to light up the blade of his sword and distract him. He attacked and smacked him on the arm. He didn’t ley up his guard though as Zim sliced at him with air magic.
Vince blocked the attack with his own magic using his blade. He got pushed back and landed on his back.
Ed attacked and sliced Zim’s chest. Ed cursed and held up his hand. “Sorry about that. I went to far. My apologies.” He said with a smile.
Logan had saw the move and knrw it hadn’t been accident. Logan frowned. That was new.
A wizard came up and raising her hand. He pushed magic at Zim and healed his wound.
Zim nodded to her. He turned to Ed. “Again. On guard.” He said.
Ed attacked heatedly while Zim stood still accepting the attacks. Suddenly, he paried a attack and sliced Ed’s chest across the chest twice.
Ed roared and lost his shit. He attacked for blood and then he was dead and headless. Some of the young heroes threw up. Vince stared in dispassionately. Logan frowned shook his head and glanced at Darla.
Darla stared at him. “He was a fool.” She said.
Logan nodded. “Yes. Ed forgot he was facing a trained warrior.” He said.
“Indeed. Hero Logan Jones.” Sargent Jai said.
Logan noticed then that everyone was watching him. Logan grunted. One of the young heroes tried to take a swing at him. Logan chopped him in the throat quickly and kicked him in the chest.
The young hero was coughing and staring at Logan in fear. Logan shook his head at him. “Do ever do that shit to me again. You come at me side ways I go for the win. Remember that.” He said.
Sargent Jai nodded to Logan staring at him differently. “You are correct. You are all being trained for war and survival. There is no safe place or moment to lose your thinking head.” He said and looked around at everyone. “Now. Please respect your trainers. Do not forgot they are trained warriors if you threaten their life you will suffer the same fate as Hero Ed.” Sargent Jai said.
Logan had to give him a nod. Sargent Jai was a bastard but he was smart in the lesson. It served two purposes. To train them to take their lessons seriously and to control the moral perception of what happened.
The wizard that had healed Zim. She bowed to him. “I am Clara of Dans. I am to train you how to heal at level of mastery.” She said.
Logan snorted. Darla drew closer to him. “Are you now? Do you happen to know where Smiths place is near here?” He asked.
Logan couldn’t sleep and he was on edge about what was going to happen in a few hours. He waited until everyone in the sleeping courtiers had fallen asleep. When the time was right he crept out.
The guard at the door was sleep on his feet back leaning against the side of the door. He moved fast on quiet feet. He made his way by memory back the way into the castle up the flight of stairs they had come. He turned to the left and walked quickly toward the library. The castle was quiet. No one was around not that he expected servants to be up or a night watch guard. Logan knew the reason for this.
Logan finally found his way to the library. There seemed to be one man inside. The wizard sat behind a table of writing desk facing the door. A blue magical lamp illuminated his hand as he wrote in a book. Everywhere else was dark in the small library.
Logan noticed how quiet it was. Even when he walked inside he couldn’t hear his own foot steps. He felt eyes on him. Logan ignored the feeling and the possible pair of eyes watching him.
The wizard at the writing desk didn’t look up but Logan knew he noticed him. “I got a question and a favor to ask you?” He said.
The wizard shook his head. “No favors. What is your question?” He said.
“I need to become stronger. I need to read the books here so I can be ready after we leave to face the dark lord.” Logan said quietly.
The Wizard shook his head. “You have trainers. They are more then able too help you in your quest as a warrior. Besides the point the books here would be useless to you. You can’t read magic languages. I have not the months or years to teach you. Go.” He said.
“I can read magic just fine. I just need the means of time to study to improve on my technique. I just need an hour of study time here every night until I leave. That’s all I’m asking for.” Logan said.
The wizard looked up at him. “You can read magic?” He asked.
“Yes. I can.” Logan said.
“I am Weiss. You pick one book to study for tonight. You will not take any book or damage any books while you are here. Do you understand me?” He said.
“Yes Sir. I’ll follow your rules on it.” Logan said and started to move toward a bookshelf near him but Weiss held up a hand forestalling him. “What?! What is it?” He said.
“Wait. For a few moments please. I have to check something.” Weiss said but he didn’t move or rise up from his seat. He stared at Logan without blinking for several moments.
There was moment of silence. Logan felt something in that moment like a quiet magical energy pass through him and then nothing happened.
Weiss nodded his head and looked back down picking his writing pen and went back to his work. “Pick one book for tonight. An hour of reading is what you requested you will be granted nothing more. After you have finished the hour you will return back to your sleeping bed for the night.” He said not looking up and then he proceeded back into that strange silence totally ignoring Logan again.
Logan quietly proceeded to the bookshelf he had come to intentionally. He did make a show of brushing his fingers lightly over the books. He looked over the books shelved. Though he knew what book he wanted. He stopped his hand on that particular book and he pulled it out. An overhead magical lamp light turned on above his head. Logan made sure to keep the excitement from showing on his face.
”Get to your study. You must get your sleep for the busy night that is ahead of you.” Weiss said.
Logan nodded. “Yes. Sir.” He said and started to turn his body slightly away from Weiss’ vision. His heart hammered inside his chest. He looked again at the title of the book.
Introduction of magical weapon transmutation by Grand magi Edgar Hugo Styles.
Logan opened the book and a light emanated from it as Logan felt his skill activated. He flipped through the book’s pages until the end. He then turned back to first page and started reading slowly each page at a time. A smile played on his lips as he read through it for pleasure.
Weiss cleared his throat. Logan put the book back where he took it in the bookshelf. He turned back to Weiss who was up and looking at him.
“I’ll be heading back to the slave sleeping room.” He said.
Weiss held up a hand. “Did you finish reading the book?” He asked.
Logan smiled. “I need a little a couple of more nights until I can understand what I read.” He said with a sheepish grin.
Weiss nodded. “You are honest learner. Four weeks should be enough. I will send you back.” He said and waved his hand and suddenly Logan was facing his bed.
Logan took off his boots got into bed and fell sleep the moment his head fell on his pillow.
The grand dinner that had prepared was like Logan had remembered. A set of long tables were set single file one at a time lined up in a straight line down. Logan sat next to Darla with his hand in her lap and his hand closed around hers. They talked little Logan was busy practicing wind magic tricks at the table and his mind making schemes.
Sargent Jai called an end to the meeting and they were waved off to separate gender courtiers. A male and female slave lead the males off to their respective areas. Logan stopped the male slave Barko a tall man with a magical purple collar around his neck.
“Barko give me a bit of time here before you take me away. I want to try something for ten minutes.” He said.
Barko frowned at him looking toward Jai first. Jai nodded stiffly. Barko then turned back to Logan. “You may do what you desire but we must go soon Hero Logan Jones.” He said in a respectful voice but it was layered with annoyance and his regard for Logan.
Logan laughed in his face. “Thank you for the kindness. I’ll be sure to return it in the future to you.” He said with a grin.
Barko frowned at him in confusion while the others stared between them silently. There was something in Logan’s tone or wording that suggested he meant something else. Logan’s words sounded friendly enough to their ears but the Marksman was a strange one they were beginning to discover.
Logan waved away the female slave named Cin that was towering muscled barbarian. She tried to take Darla along with her to the female courtiers with the others. She frowned at him almost about to ignore him and took Darla’s arm but Darla calmly smacked Cin’s hand away.
Cin snarled but Logan lifted his hand at her pushing her away knocking her off her feet. The slave girl flew back and landed on her ass. She bounded to her feet but she stared as Logan smiled.
“Easy. Darla doesn’t like to be handle by anybody weaker then her. I just need ten minutes Miss Cin and then you can take her away. So relax beautiful.” Logan said in kind voice.
Cin bowed her head to him. “As you wish.” She said in submissive voice.
Logan came to his feet holding out his hand to Darla. She took his hand and then she gasped as she floated up on the air. Logan guided her up into the air.
They started to guide up into the sky hovering over the training area. Darla was wide as Logan stared at her.
Darla’s clothing glowed jade green as they enbraced and then a glow of magical wind shield surrounded them. They became hidden in the shield.
A few seconds later strange sounds and heat emitted from the magic shield. The sound of a female’s heavy breathing followed before a shout of pleasure came from inside the shield.
The minutes ticked by slowly. Until both Darla and Logan finally appeared. Darla’s cheeks were flush and her eyes half closed as a smile was on her lips. They floated down to the ground finally until they stood back on the ground.
Darla breathed a soft sigh of displeasure as Logan moved out of her reach. He smiled at her. “That was fun. Hopefully we can do that again some other time. I’ll see you later.” He said and headed toward the male sleeping courtiers.
Vince stared at Logan in shocked surprise along with everyone else. Logan took hold of his shoulder and guided him along as well to the sleeping courtiers. “Vince. Tell me my friend what was your life back where you came from?” He asked.
Angus was the first to step out unto the streets with James following close behind him. James took in New York City for the first time in his life. His head kept turning looking at the mixture of buildings and construction sights every where. What he found the most strange was the open show of the magical world being shown around them.
It was in the buildings that had ward marks on them and project spells on the side of the buildings that took framed along side non-magi technology for news adds and information being transmitted.
Every once in a while he would see a wizard walking around in non-magi clothes or outright with wand viable or with an old school wizard staff. James moved closer to Angus.
“Dad. Is this legal?” James asked carefully.
Angus frowned looked around them as they crossed a side walk. “What’s that?”
“Ah you know. I see a lot of our world and non-magi cultures mixed into together out in the open. What about the magical code of order.”
Angus snorted in laughter. “I should have taken you around the homeland of the magi more. What better way to keep something hidden then to have it in plain sight. The non-magi have evolved their world to a point with technological advances that their coming pretty close to achieving some semi on par to what the magi have got going.”
James frowned. “It’s still strange though and I can tell the difference though the lines are crossed and seem to be blurring things.”
“Yeah. It’s cool isn’t it?” Angus said.
“Cool?! It seems more dangerous to me of exposing us the non-magi. Where are we going?” James asked.
“Hawk Landing building. We’re going to be taking a port key short cut to the main building. Let’s go.”
Angus walked up to a construction site mobile portapotty. He knocked on the door on the side and then opened it a crack to threw some flew dust inside from back before he went inside waving James to follow him.
James frowned and then followed his father inside and then he stepped outside in another part of the city outside where Angus was waiting for him. He frowned closing the door behind himself.
Angus grinned. “Let’s go.” He said walking down the street toward an old bookstore front.
James hurried to catch up as he held the door open for him and waved him inside. James walked inside the old bookstore. Angus was quiet as James took in the room a man with dark hair and silver blue eyes in a blue suit at the welcome desk staring at Angus and ignoring James altogether.
“Sir. You are Mr. Potter.” The man asked addressing Angus in a stiff English accent.
“Yep. You can pretty much guess the reason I am here. I met one of his employees yesterday. I’m here to talk with your Boss.”
“Talk? I was given the impression from Mr. Wells that you were here to take something that belongs to him currently.”
“Yeah. Well. A bit of change of plans. I did send Mr. Wells a note to see if I could get an audience with him. So we could talk a bit and skip all this fighting violence stuff.” He said and smiled.
The man didn’t return the smile. “Indeed. Mr. Wells asked that you leave your weapon here? You son of course would be free to keep his wand but can remain here while you conduct your meeting with Mr. Wells.”
Angus sighed. “If I leave my weapon here. You have to promise not to touch it or allow anyone else to do so. It would very dangerous for anyone to do so.”
The man at the desk started sweating. “Mr. Potter. I have been well informed about the weapon you have crafted is dangerous. I can assure you I would not think to touch it or look at it or allow anyone else the ability to do so. Mr. Wells assures me to tell you that no hurt or harm would come to you or your heir if your intention is peaceful.”
Angus slowly reached for his weapon putting it in his bag and handed the bag over to James and then looked at the man. “If my son is not here when I get back or any harm has fallen to him for any reason I will hold you to an accounting. I’m will destroy you and make you wish you had chosen a better profession before you died here in this room and then I would burn this whole damn building to the ground. Have I made myself clear?”
James’ heart beat against his chest as the quiet lasted for far longer then he liked. There was a strange. Angus sighed. “I thought you were informed about me. Do you know who I am?”
The man nodded. “I do. You are the Dragon of the West. The future grand magi of the magi community.”
Angus nodded and laid a hand gentle on James shoulder. “This young man. Do you know who he is?”
“He is your heir to your family legacy. If anything were to happen to him your future would come to an end. No. I can not promise you his protection physically or mentally. It would be best that you take Young Mr. Potter home with you Sir.” He said.
Angus stared at him and then he smiled. He took his pack from James. “Honesty, that is refreshing. Tell Mr. Wells. He can keep the rock for however long he wants or can. I don’t give a damn. No. I’m not joking. I don’t get paid enough for this type of shit. All I wanted was a conversation. I don’t associate with men with no honor. I’m taking my son and I’m going home and hopefully Mr. Wells and I will never meet each other or encounter one another. Please tell him however that if he crosses the President or the safety of the magi community then I will be called upon to neutralize him otherwise I say let live. I took an oath to protect and safe guard our people here. If he cannot respect that then he is unfit to be apart of the magi community here and the magical wizard world at large.”
Angus turned to go but James looked back at the man. “Sir. What is your name?”
“Timothy Zane Oswald. Mr. Potty. Please have a safe trip back. Sir. It was an honor to meet you and your father.” He said with nod and serious face.
Angus nodded to him taking James’ shoulder they world shifted away into darkness twisting between time and space and then they were back in Angus’ workshop. James frowned as Angus set his bag down and looked at him.
“That’s it. Your just going to let Wells keep the mystic stone? What about your promise to the Count?”
Angus shrugged. “Of course. I failed. There is on way in hell I’m going to get that stone without putting down a lot of guilty and innocent bodies on the floor and Wells has proven himself to be a fool willing to test me by attempting to touch you.”
“Dad. I am an adult. We have a job to finish. I can take care of myself and we have a job to do. We have to get the stone.”
Angus shook his head. “No. We failed. I tried to be reasonable and discuss thing with the man peacefully even so there is something you have to learn quick. Know when to walk away if you can from a situation that just isn’t worth dealing with or a damn rock. Wells is old school. I talked with him to try to saddle the situation privately. I can’t even leave my seventeen year old son in his establishment so we can talk. No. I felt something wrong with this damn case from the job. I’ll explain the situation to my boss and send a message to The Count and that will be that.”
“Your just going to let Wells go. Because your afraid he’s going to do something to me?”
Angus shook his head. “We’re not letting him go. It’s just a matter of time before we’ll have to put him down. It ain’t now though. It’s going to be like this son. You don’t get them all in one go some times. You win some, you lose some but the name of the game is to keep living on to fight against the darkness. You have choice son.”
James stared at Angus. “What do you mean?”
“This isn’t a battle son, this is a war our family has been fighting sense Grandpa Harry faced Riddle on his first year at Hogwarts. I drafted into this war when my Grandfather died because I didn’t have a choice. I had to get stronger and my friend had enemies on all sides and needed just one person willing to stand with him and not stab him in the back. I accept my fate but you can choose different. I’ll teach how to get stronger and how to gain your own power but the choice to step into this war is one I want you to think about it first but hopefully you can avoid it altogether when I get done laying down the law and laying down my sword.”
James sighed feeling his heart hammering against the inside of his chest. “Why do they keep calling you the Dragon of the West?”
Angus snorted. “It’s because your old man is a bad ass coyboy that lays down for no man, wizard or beast.”
