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.
Tai Omega Wales walked into the Shaky Bar and exotic club dancers. The appearance of depression mixed with hard cheap spirits was pungent in the air. He grimaced at the scent of sweat and evidences of dirty sexual favors in dark corners coloring the atmosphere. He saw the aura dark purples and dirty reds underneath the normal human visual perspective. Only a few strange humans like T.O. could see.
It was the usual scenery and daily experience of the place. It had been this way sense before he had came into the world a screaming bastard. It would be this way when he finally left the mortal plains to join whoever his father had been in the white zone.
T.O. stood observing the place dressed in New clothes and freshly washed up and a nu. A19 revolver in my holster at his side.
The A19 had been a new edition to his wardrobe. He had purchased the suit and weapon just a few two hours ago. He was happy with the new change in his choice of profession the moment he had looked at himself in tailor Joe’s full length mirror at himself.
T.O’s appearance got no reaction from anyone inside much to his dark amusement. He sauntered inside with his new leather boots sounding his invasion into the establishment with purpose.
Pot Belly Big Bill gave him a side glare before going back to cleaning his dirty beer mug and pretending to be a hard working business man. It was his daily act. Much like everyone else in the bar and dancing club. Everyone was putting on an act just to pass the time before they went home to bed and got up the next morning to do the same thing.
This was the way of things on Tears 1.1. Space station. T.O. made his way to the bar and set down his last silver Empiral crown credits on the bar. T. O. didn’t say what he wanted to order. Bill just quickly snatched up the money and served T.O. the same dirty beer mug filling it with warm beer.
Bill picked up another dirty mug and began to clean it with his dirty rag and ignored T.O.
T.O. slid the beer over to another drunk. The drunk took the gift with toothy grin and happily went about savoring the free gift.
Bill frowned at T.O. he wondered at the change in T.O.’s usual act silently. He set his mug down. “You got fancy new digs and some hot iron at your side. Did you steal the money and dress from a dead gun fighter?” He asked pointedly.
T.O. shook his head. “Nope. I got a new job and acting gig. I quit the drunken idiot role a few hours ago.” He said with no heat just a lazy a matter of fact voice.
Bill grunted. He reached forward moving aside T.O’s light jacket to look at the Gold star pinned to his vest. Bill snorted in disgust. “Don’t tell me you took up that damned fool posting for sheriff. Ain’t nobody around going to take you at all for serious Tango.” He said.
There were more then a few chuckles around the bar. T.O. shook his head. “It’s not a sheriff’s badge.” He said in conversational tone.
Bill snorted and spit flew out his mouth onto the bar and T. O.’s jacket. “The hell you say. I know a five star sheriff’s badge when I see one even with my old ass eyes. Go on with you Wales. Go pretend to be a copper some place else. Ain’t no criminals in here but people just passing the waking hours away. Go on now. Get!” He said dismissing T.O. with complete indifference and contempt.
T.O. sighed. “I’m not in here looking for criminals or to arrest anybody. A fella hired my company to do a job for him. Simple job. I’m here to pick up the package your holding then I’ll be on my way.” He said.
Bill froze and stared at T.O. “What the hell time are you on? You lost you senses or something? Get your ass out of my bar. You ain’t welcome-” Bill began but stopped when T.O moved drawing his revolver and aimed and fired at a man that came up from his seat with a charge energy pistol. He brought the man down with one shot to his temple before he leveled his revolver on the drunk next to him.
The drunk froze with pistol in his hand. T.O. calmly removed the pistol from his holster and kicked the drunk over to the floor. T.O. turned his attention to Bill.
“Yeah. Like I was saying I was looking to pick up that package you’ve been holding on to. I got to get it back to my client you know so if you could bring it up for me I can be on my way.” He said calmly with one of pistols resting on the bar aimed at Bill with the hammer cucked and ready.
Bill grinned noding his head. “Sure thing. Sure thing. You mind giving me a description on this item your looking to take?” He said.
T. O. shook his head staring at Bill as a violent red aura took form around him. “I would rather cut past all the hoodwinking and such Bill. You know what I’m here for. I saw you bring it in here two nights ago when I was sleeping outside the bar on street begging for coins for another drink. I would hate to leave your old lady a widow and sons fatherless. Give me what I came in here for so I can be on my way. I think your life is worth more then keeping the package to sell off for later.” T.O. said.
Bill stared at T.O’s sympathetic sad sour face. “I see. That’s security forces badge under your jacket. Your a hell hound for one those big security forces firms. Huh?! That sob story about you losing your mind over your family ways bullshit. OK. I see look how about I give you a hundred grand to be on your way.” He said.
I was escorted into the main room of the ship where the queen controlled the ship and her armada of ships. She sat on a tall long dark ebony throne as I entered the flying ship queen’s room. She was dressed in a simple in black dress. A black vail over half her face. Her eyes were dark and plain looking but direct in their stare at me.
She got up flowing to her feet. She was about average height for a female and had slim body but curvy shape.
I bowed to her. “Queen of Dar. I greet you. I am Crescent of the Krull.” I said.
She nodded. “I am Dara of the Dar. I greet you Prince of the Krull. I am sorry we could not have met on more friendly terms before the departure of your cousin.” She said.
I nodded stiffly. “Your Highness ordered his judgement.” I said.
“Yes. I did order the judgement.” She said in calm voice. No apologies or explanations. Just the truth. I respected that.
I nodded. “My Elders and people wish to stick to ourselves and remain neutral. We understand your position over us in power but a joining of our houses would only be the end of people. We will serve you but we wish to remain a people intact to our ways. Is this agreeable to you?” I said.
The Dar queen was quiet as she stared at me. “You are a small tribe but powerful. Few in number and the projections given to me by my advisors say you will die out in less then a century. The dar are a producing race. Joining with my people will increase your numbers and survival.” She said patiently.
I nodded. “True. However, our people do not mix well together. The Dar have their traditions and codes. The Krull have ours. We would not get on well. Eventually you would destroy my race. If the Krull destiny is short so be it. We wish to go out on our own terms.” I said.
The Queen Dar shook her head. “I’m afraid that is not possible.” She said coming closer. She stood near me looking up into my face. “The Krull must live on even if that means they have to be reeducated and converted to our ways. If one or two of your males volunteers to join with Dar females this would ease tensions and help your people. Will this be acceptable?” She said in a whisper soft voice close toward me.
“I will ask them. I will not force any Krull to abandoned who they are. If they agree I think will that be enough to cool the tensions between our people.” I said.
The Dar Queen reached up toward me brushing a hand over my cheek. I felt movement behind and I knew it was one of her guards but I didn’t react. I caught her scent. She smelled beautiful. She stared at me. “Would you like to volunteer?” She asked.
“I prefer to walk alone your Highness. I am of little importance and I am to old to be conformed to the Dar way of life. I am a mere servent of my people. I am no one special.” I said calmly.
She stepped back slowly and sat on her throne. “I want five males to marry five Dar females. I wish you to be one of them. I have the wife fit for you. If not then you must swear to marry no one for as long as you live.” She said.
“On the honor of my ancestors. I swear to not marry or claim a female. The barrior over this planet.” I said.
The Queen Dar stared at me. “Present your male cousins to Lord Max today. The Barrior will go down on their wedding. You may go see the Breaker girl after the weddings to tell her the wedding is off.” She said.
“Your Highness. I gave you my word. I will not see any female from on. The Krull will serve you until we are no more. Thank you for your kindness.” I said.
The Dar Queen nodded and crossed her legs. I focused on her eyes. She was staring at me. “This planet is called the Krull for a reason. Your people made your home here because the world is as you are wild but tranquil. Before the Dar discovered you here no one expected star travelors to be able to live in such a harsh forest planet. The Dar don’t wish or need to claim it. If you wish to make your home somewhere else that is your concern. I would advise it to be on Dar 3. It is not far from here. Lord Max had no evil intentions toward your cousin. He was doing what I instructed him to do.” She said.
I stared at her. “Understood.” I said.
“What do you understand?!” She asked.
“Lord Max was doing what your Majesty told him to do sense my cousin violated your law. My tribe agreed to your laws if and when one of us violated it. The Krull for as long as we exist we honor our word.” I said calmly.
The Queen studied me. “Your people are a valuable alliance to the Dar. You are masters of combat and magical star travel. A true genuine people. One of a kind that pass on your talents by fathers and sons. You are a noble and capable leader.” She said.
I said nothing. The Queen sat in silence. “I will trust you to keep your word. We are short on time however. The wedding will take place now.” She said.
There was a silent command she conveyed to someone in the room. A second later I saw someone appear out from side black door. She was a tall maid dressed in white with white vail over half of her lower face. I knew her.
“You remember my maid Mai of course. She will perform the ceremony between the house of The Krull house.” The Queen of the Dar said.
I nodded my head slowly. I had been with Crowley once when he had met with the Breaker Princess. The maid had stood with the Princess the whole time as her guard.
I looked slowly back at the Queen of the Dar. “You are Moon Dancer of the Breakers. It is a crime of the Dar to impersonate their queen.” I said. This didn’t make any sense.
The Queen shook her head. “Max performs deceptions well to get things done. I prefer blunt truth. Max is a very clever man. In regards to his nation and their future I knew the moment I met Crowley that this would be the outcome.” She said.
I stared at her. “There is no Dar Queen. Max is the real leader.” I said.
“Yes and no. Max holds the power and authority. I was conscripted into his nation to aid in his quest. The nation of Dar needs you Cre for the war that is upon us. A greater threat is coming to both the Dar and the federation of worlds. An old enemy of your kind has been reborn. A threat that only Krull Prince and his queen are able to defeat together.” She said.
I felt a chill went down my spine. “The king of shadows. I see.” I said and I did. I held out my hand to Moon Dancer. She took and the wedding began.
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 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.
Storms raged above outside Cre’s tent while he slept a dreamless sleep. He was awaken from his slumber not by the storms. It was feeling of danger and a knowledge it was time for the challenge.
Cre rolled out of his sleeping bed coming to his feet with only a pair of rough pants on and nothing else. He reached down picking up his training knife. A Iron knife called the dawn of youth.
He walked out hearing the storms above raging in the desert skies. The Crack and boom of thunder and lightning sounded in the heavens. There was a stillness in the lands though. A crimson magical circle was a few feet from the entrance of his tent.
Crown Prince Crowley Krull stood to the side with his uncles and elders. His elder the prince of his people barely spared him a look.
“You better win, Crescent. I won’t accept anything else from you. I don’t give up my knives easy. You come of age today or you will be left behind.” He said still without looking.
Cre stepped into the crimson circle. The moment he did a phantom appeared. A creature of pure silver and black with a long knife in his hand. He mimicked Cre’s moments as they circled each other.
The world outside of the circle changed spinning in a circle taking them to many places all at once. The creature attacked Cre weaving his weapon around in wide archs. Cre dove and evaded the attacks and kept in the circle.
Cre dove and stabbed the creature in the knee making him pause. Cre kicked the phantom off his feet and stabbed the phantom in the chest.
The knife passed through the phantom and suddenly Cre was the one under attack. Cre was taking on hits and cuts falling to the ground breathing heavy.
The phantom speared Cre with the knife. Cre felt pain for a second until he looked into the face of the phantom and saw his mirror image.
Cre closed his eyes and focused on home. The only home he had ever known. His tribe. His people. The Krull. The storm stopped. He got to his feet but in a new place surrounded my his tribe.
Crowley shook his head at him. “Took you long enough to grab a hold of what you were fighting. So little cousin you seem ready for a run. Do you know how to travel the realms like a true Krull?” He said.
Cre smiled. “Yes sir.” He said. Crowley looked past him.
Cre started to look buy caught the knife that Crowley threw him in his hand. He turned back to his prince and bowed. “Thank you for bringing me this far. I will honor your gift.” He said.
Crowley reached out rubbing his head. “You’ll do. You’ll do fine. Keep up with us. We won’t be slowing down anymore. We have to find a new homeworld and time is never on our side.” He said as he turned and ran in quick speed his body moving fast into another space and realm up into the sky.
The others quickly followed after their prince up to the heavens.
Cre looked down at his knife in his hand. The knife seemed alive and it sparkled with magical light and glow with energy and then he started running chasing after his tribe to quickly catch up to them as they raced through the stars and heavens.
The killer stared at Cre with golden brown bright eyes and a handsome smile. The scent of death was in the tent. The body of the Krull’s crown prince lay on the carpeted floor. The eight tribes men stood frozen at the federation badge in the killer’s hand he held up as a sign of his diplomatic immunity even on the homeworld of the Krull. The Silver wings bird badge symbol was a sign of the empire that hired him. The Dar Empiral ebony knife was lodged in the center of the chest of Prince Crowley Krull’s dead body.
“Is there a reason a Federation assassin killed our tribes man prince? This looks like an act of war from the Federation on a small tribe of wanders.” Cre said calmly.
Max laughed pinning his badge to his clean grey suit. “His royal highness Crowley admitted to crimes against the Queen of the Dar and the Empire and Federation of worlds. He was sentenced to die on the spot. I being the witness and judge did so. It is in the agreement your people signed to become members of the federation. Any objections?” He said.
“What is this proof?” Cre asked calmly.
Max nodded his head. “Your a reasonable lad. You’re former leader was aiding the rebel pirates in resources that were exclusively for the Empiral agents and Federation alliances. He was given a choice. Cancel his upcoming marriage and allow Federation school to come onto your lands for education in Federation worlds laws. He chose to attempt running away from his crimes. I put judgement down on his alone.” He said.
Cre stared at the man. “Is your business concluded here?” He asked in a deathly cold voice.
Max smiled and nodded. “Almost son. Almost. I just need to talk to your elders about a few business and political matters sense your leader has passed on today.” He said.
Cre shook his head. “You will present your message to me and whatever orders you wish to convey and then you will be on your way. We have to bury our family.” He said.
“Listen-“
Cre held up a finger. “Wait. I forgot something.” He said took out a bag of federal coins and dropped them at Max’s feet. “There is your fee to say your peace and leave.”
Max laughed but bent down took the bag and pocketed it. “Alright. Federation wants to send in some people to culture your people up some. You will allow the people to come and live on your land. The Empire plans to deposit a hundred thousand in Empire coin for it. I would suggest you bring your people along to reason. You don’t have much choice in it.” He said.
Cre nodded. “You have made your point on it. The Empire will get the land and their people may arrive when they prefer. Is there anything else?” Cre said.
“Sure is. The Queen of Dar wants you to understand neither the Federation or Dar Empire wish you or yours any bad will. Her message is simple. We wish there to be a friendship and marriage between our people. Despite today’s events she does not see the Krull as enemies only family one day soon enough when your people have learned up on the culture and ways of the Dar and Federation of Worlds. I will be on my way.” Max said.
Cre nodded. “The Empire deplomate is leaving. No one will stop him, talk to him or do him any harm. Am I understood?” Cre said.
Max laughed as the others said nothing but they moved aside to give him room to leave. He nodded to Cre. “Good luck to you and yours. I might see you again some day. If I do-“
“-death will follow you. Thank you Mr. Maximum. You have given me a useful lesson on politics I will never forgot. Now that your job is concluded here I expect her Majesty has more cultures for you to visit and bring to heel. I have to tend to my burial of the last prince and heir to my tribe.” Cre said.
Max laughed. “You people are a very odd folk. Very stiff and uppity lot. You need to enjoy life more. It’ll work out lad. The queen does have a affection for your people inspite of this minor disappointment.” He said and walked out calmly with his hands in his pockets. He whistled a happy tone.
Cre stared after the assassin of the Empire. Woodrow opened his mouth but Cre looked at him. The other man froze. “You will allow that demon to leave here before he brings in the demons of the Empire on us. You will not endanger the tribe. We gave them our word that if one of us broke one of their rules then it was a death sentence. You will hold your frame or I will remove your tongue from your mouth. Tell the elders what happened.” He said but when Woodrow didn’t move fast enough Cre took out his Silver Fang knife. “I gave you an order. You’ll do as I say and nothing more or you’ll not leave this tent alive.” He said in heated whisper.
Woodrow looked around at the others. No one moved or said a word. Cre grabbed the front of Woodrow’s shirt. “I said get going. Move.” Cre said and shoved Woodrow back toward the entrance.
Woodrow turned and ran away. Cre turned back to Crowley’s body on the carpet. He knelt down putting away his Silver Fang in his shieve. He stared at Crowley’s emotionless spiritless face. “No sons to carry on your name or carry on our tale. They have robbed us my Lord. They have stolen you away from us. One day we’ll make them pay. May you rest with your ancestors. Sleep well.” Cre said and he closed the eyelids of Crowley.
Cre looked up as he heard someone come into the tent. The old one Rolle stood in the entrance. He took two steps in and then he knelt down beside Cre. “Woodrew attempted to defy you.” He said.
Cre shook his head. “I will have to kill him. He cannot control himself. He will get us all killed with his wild emotions.” He said.
Rolle shook his head. “The others held him back. The elders will judge him. We most leave soon. The Empire and Federation are coming to enslave us. We must find a new home.” He said and reached inside Crowley’s shirt to remove his royal family symbol. It was the symbol of oddly shaped star medallion. “I remember the day I placed this around his neck. It was mark of hope and new life.”
Cre nodded. “Yes. I remember. We must also find some means to defend ourselves against the invaders now that we know their intentions for us.” He said.
Rolle nodded. “I know. Luckily we won’t have to go far to forge a new beginning or alliances. There is still a wedding to be finalized with the Breakers.” He said and then he put the medallion around Cre’s neck.
Cre stared at him. “Elder. You can’t think to trick the Breakers into accepting me as a false Prince of the Krull. I am not-” He began.
Rolle shook his head. “You took hold of the role and you acted accordingly. We must bury your cousin now and head out to the mountains first before we head to the Breakers to finalize the wedding.” He said.
Cre frowned. “Why the mountains first?” He asked.
Rolle smiled rising to his feet. “You must claim the Catalyst only then will you have the means to lead our people to freedom and wed the Breaker Princess.” He said.
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.
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.
Logan knew he had a shorter window then he wanted. He had to move fast. No. He had to learn to do what he needed to know.
“Did you hear me?” Trigger asked again.
Logan shrugged. “Hmm. I had dream of coming to a place like your world once. Today is my first day being here though. What do you need me to do first?” He asked.
Trigger sighed. “I need you to focus on the magical scent coming from me. When I call wind magic, focus on the flow of the magic. Try to mimic it or catch a hold it. Don’t worry if you don’t get it right away. We have several months to get you to a decent level. This is as best as I can explain it. I’m not proper wizard. What was the dream like?” He said.
Logan shrugged. “It was dream. A short dream that left me with a bad after taste in my mouth. Thought plenty of lessons worth the trouble of it. When your ready let’s try it out.” He said.
Logan stood in the fighting area facing Trigger who stood facing off against him. All around him the other people were getting training demonstrations and going through practice runs. Dining tables were being set up to the side and mats placed down for sitting. Dinner was expected to be served in hour or two.
In Logan’s mind he had the timing of the events that would go down tomorrow. Though he knew that those events were still up in air if everything would happened again like it did. The first death would be tomorrow. Slowly the others would come to understand what they’re true purpose was in being kidnapped from their home worlds.
After that Logan would need to move fast to learn what he needed in the library. Harold. No telling what that man would do.
Trigger began to move in a flowing way though it was a set of fighting moves. Logan’s hyper enhanced senses activated. The world around him became out of focus as he began to follow Trigger’s moves in the fighting ring. He noticed Trigger’s breathing pattern and copied it. He began to see the wind magic being summoned from the elements to surround Trigger’s body. The wind magic wrapped around Trigger’s body like blanket. The end result was like a force field of energy around him.
Logan vaguely noticed when that same magical force was around him. He took in the scent of it. It reminded him of a scent of beautiful woman wrapping her body around him. Ready to be taken to pleasure and to the edge of sanity. There was no better place to be for a man. He smiled and felt light on his feet and little high from the feeling.
Trigger stopped suddenly and then he sprang into a back flip. Logan copied moved in time and then they both ended up doing a hand stand on the ground. Trigger dropped to the sand with Logan quickly fell to his side as he followed Trigger to the ground.
The fighting area was quiet for several seconds. Until Logan laughed loudly as he stared up at the sky and clapped his hand. He rolled to his feet facing Trigger who was on his feet as well. He nodded his head to him. “Thank you. I think I got it.” He said.
Trigger bowed to him formally. “It was my honor.” He said.
Logan smiled. “I owe you a favor. Name it.” He said.
Trigger smiled but he shook his head. “Later. Much later. When I will tell you my favor when the time is right. Will you perfect what I taught you?” He said.
Logan wasn’t sure if he needed to but then he thought about how much time he had left. He needed away to use wind magic to his advantage to get what he wanted. He looked down at the sand around him in the fighting ring. He breathed in the wind magic and moved his hand against the sand turning it around until it lifted up. A hand touched his shoulder and he lost focus and the sand fell away.
Logan turned toward Darla to see her staring at him. She stared at him in concern. “Are you well?” She asked in that sexy voice he had come to find enchanting. He reached for her hips and called wind magic around her and used it to lift her up. Darla’s eyes widened as he lifted her over his head.
Darla was in the air her feet barely touching the ground. Logan grin at her. “I’m fine now. You are going to enjoy my new trick tonight.” He said with a wink.
