Spirit Blood: Genesis of War

Quickly Makaylen and the rest of his companions were fitted with clothing, supplies and given temporary beds to rest upon. Simon and Makaylen discussed their plans of action before Makaylen took up a bed to rest just a bit before choosing his covert partners.

“What time is it?” Makaylen asked Moira who had been sitting on her bed a few feet away from him when he awoke.

“It’s around 9:00A.M. I believe. It’s so dark in this cave, however, it still feels like night,” she answered sounding depressed. “I believe Simon is waiting for you in the warrior’s hall.”

Makaylen readied himself and hurried to the hall to choose his men for the mission that was to take place at nightfall. Upon entering the hall he noticed Simon enjoying a large meal that seemed quite odd and out of sorts compared to the scarce scraps the survivors living in the cave had to eat.

“Well, good morning. I was wondering if you were feeling well. Usually you don’t sleep so long,” Simon called out.

“Yes, I can’t believe that I did,” Makaylen replied. “I must have really needed the rest. So, I’d like to have a line up of your best men and women, after you finish eating of course, and I’ll pick my team members for tonight’s mission.”

With a mouth full of food, Simon said, “Of course. That can be arranged. Hey, why don’t you sit and join me. I’ve plenty to share.”

’Thank you, but no. I’ve some things to take care of before the line up,” Makaylen answered.

“Suit yourself,” Simon said before turning back to his food.

Makaylen left the hall with a feeling of despair. How long has he been eating so heartily while the

people living in the tents are starving, he wondered to himself as he found himself a quiet spot to sit and meditate.

A half hour passed before the volunteers lined up to be chosen for the covert mission. Simon and Jason stood to the side as Makaylen walked down the long row of male and female volunteers all ready to fight and do what was necessary to rid Karza of her tyranny.

“I need people with stealth capabilities,” Makaylen announced to the volunteers. “Getting into a battle will be a great danger to our mission. The quicker, the quieter, the better.”

His voice echoed in the great hall as he walked up and down the line of men and women. As Makaylen neared him, Jason stepped up and patted Makaylen on the shoulder.

“I’m in,” he whispered.

Makaylen smiled and shook his head whispering back, “No, you’re not. You are a strong man and probably better than most of us with a sword, but you are also a wrecking machine, not something quick or sleek which is what I need most of all.”

Jason reared back shocked at Makaylen’s words. Scoffing, he turned away from Makaylen and left the hall while muttering to himself something about disrespect and not being quick and sleek. Ignoring Jason’s reaction, Makaylen pointed at Terrell.

“You seem fast from what I’ve seen and being Elvin would probably not hurt either. Please step forward,” Makaylen ordered.

Terrell stepped forward wearing a small grin upon his face. Walking down the line again Makaylen stopped in front of Lockefren.

“You are quick and resourceful and, from what I’ve heard, quite an archer. Please step forward,” he again ordered.

Lockefren stepped forward with a soldier’s posture and a look of intensity upon her face. Makaylen continued to examine the line until he noticed a sturdy dwarf staring intensely at the wall before him. Curiously Makaylen stepped in front of the man examining him before he spoke.

“What makes you think you’re quick and sleek enough to contend with myself and two elves?” Makaylen asked looking down at the petite dwarf.

“You not only need to be quick, boy’o, for missions like these. You also have to have a profound sense of direction,” the gruff dwarf grumbled, never taking his eyes off of the wall ahead of him.

“And you have a profound sense of direction I take it?” Makaylen asked.

“Aye, I do my boy. Not only that do I possess; I have great wisdom and a knowledge of masonry far more advanced than your two other choices, I might add,” the dwarf answered with his thick accented voice rising with annoyance.

“Masonry? Now why do you feel that is an important possession for a mission as this one?” Makaylen inquired wondering more of the dwarf’s reasoning than the actual answer.

“Because,” the little man answered up, “I can see weaknesses in buildings built by mere humans. Weaknesses I like to exploit in order to demolish them and bring their very walls down to the ground!”

“What is your name dwarf?” Makaylen asked him.

“Bildan, not Dwarf!” He answered back.

Makaylen nodded with a slight grin knowing Shiloh must have put this dwarf here for a reason.

“Then I hope you can keep up with us, my friend, because you are going as well,” he commanded. “I have my team,” Makaylen told Simon as the grumpy looking dwarf stepped forward. Turning his attention back to his team, he commanded, “Get some rest and get geared up. We’re leaving at night fall.”

Bildan, Lockefren and Terrell headed for the armory with Makaylen following slowly behind them as

Davien came running to his side.

Turning Makaylen around harshly, Davien asked him, “You picked a dwarf over me?!”

Knowing this scene was bound to happen, Makaylen simply answered, “Yes. Yes I did Davien.” Met with a look of shock and betrayal, Makaylen continued, “Bildan brings with him knowledge no one else has. This knowledge may very well come in quite helpful for what I believe will happen during our mission.”

As Makaylen began to walk away Davien stepped in front of him bearing a look of disappointment.

“You don’t understand Makaylen. I don’t think you would have chosen me regardless. I know you think I’m too hot-headed and I can’t be trusted to stay in the ranks, but really, I can keep my cool and follow orders,” Davien spouted.

“Really? Is your cool head the reason we’re having this conversation?” Makaylen mocked.

“Go ahead and make fun, but the fact still remains you have no confidence in me and that’s why you didn’t choose me,” Davien retorted.

“No,” Makaylen started, feeling more like a father figure to Davien than a friend, “the fact is I didn’t choose you for this mission because I have another job I need for you to do. Also, I don’t believe we are going to pull this mission off tonight.”

With widened eyes Davien asked, “Why don’t you think the operation is going to work?”

Makaylen pulled Davien aside making sure none of Simon’s men could hear him as he replied, “Simon has possessed enough men to try this mission already, yet has done nothing. I have too many questions regarding his intentions and I know he isn’t being entirely honest with me.”

“What do you need me to do?” Davien asked quite seriously.

“What I need for you to do is travel to the city of Cree. There you must find the city jail where a

halfling thief name Jashel Swift is being held.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a sealed envelope. Handing the envelope to Davien, he continued, “Give this to her regardless of how she reacts or what she says when you tell her why you are there to speak to her. It is quite possible that before you find Jashel you will first find a large Amazonian woman bearing several tribal tattoos on her face and body. Anywhere Jashel is near, this woman can be found as well.”

“Ok, Cree, Jashel, large Amazonian woman, got it!” Davien repeated, tucking the envelope away inside his pocket and turning to leave.

“Davien,” Makaylen called out quietly. “Take someone with you for backup and be careful. The passage to Cree is not an entirely safe one.” Embracing his friend, Makaylen added, “Good luck my friend.”

Davien walked away with pride welling up inside of him that Makaylen actually trusted him to take on a separate mission of his own. Trying to think of a good and available partner he suddenly thought of Ben whom he knew wasn’t included in the covert mission either. Hastily Davien hurried himself to find Ben and start on his task hoping he would eventually make Makaylen proud of him.

Terrell hunkered down in the brush with Bildan sitting next to him near the city wall. Terrell eyed the wall searching for spots where he could climb up without the help of ropes or grappling hooks.

“You up for the task dwarf?” He asked the dwarf readying himself to scale the wall.

“I’m ready for anything that you can do, Pointed Ears,” Bildan answered back as he took some rope out of his pack.

Entertained by the dwarf’s comment, Terrell grinned before he took off for the wall followed by Bildan. They pressed their backs to the wall trying to stay out of sight of the patrolling guards on the outer

corner of the wall. Bildan placed the coiled rope upon his shoulder and nodded to Terrell that he was ready. With only a nod from the Elvin prince, both men turned and quickly began climbing the wall with only their strength to help them. When Terrell reached the top he stood watching for any roving guards while he waited for the slightly slower and much heavier Bildan to join him. Bildan reached the top shortly after and began to secure two rope lines and throwing their slack to the ground. Makaylen and Lockefren ran out of their hiding place in the brush and easily pulled themselves up the ropes to join their teammates. While Makaylen and Terrell stood watch Lockefren and Bildan untied the ropes and secured them to the side of the wall facing the city so the four of them could repel down quickly. As they reached the ground Makaylen lead the team into the shadows to avoid being seen by unwanted attention.

“Ok, now we must start for the gate,” Makaylen started. “We have at least a two mile walk to the gate and we can’t be seen. Our problem, however, is that we will be caught.”

“What?” Terrell spoke up. “You just assume we’ll not make it? Then why try this mission at all?”

“I’ll not go without a fight,” Bildan announced.

Makaylen raised his hand signaling for the dwarf to speak quieter as he replied, “Bildan, normally I would say ‘good’ to that, but we need to get caught.” Seeing the look of confusion his three mates wore upon their faces he added, “ You didn’t really think I invited a dwarf with an expertise in finding breaking points in buildings for nothing did you?”

“So, we want to get caught?” Lockefren asked.

“Yes and I’m afraid you’ll probably all understand quite soon why,” he solemnly answered. “Now, Bildan and Terrell, I need for you to start first for the gate. Keep in the shadows as much as possible. Lockefren and I will be shortly behind you. I don’t want anyone who might find either of our groups to know just how many people we have. Understand?”

“Yes,” both Terrell and Bildan answered before making their way down the dimly lit city street.

“Makaylen, did you take this mission expecting to be caught?” Lockefren asked him knowing they had a few minutes to spend while the other two were making their way to the gate.

“Not exactly. However, soon after accepting it I realized a few things and figured that our best course of action would be to continue with the mission and allow the inevitable, us being caught, in order to find out exactly who is behind all this,” Makaylen slowly informed the confused elf. “We must find out who our real enemies are before we can put our trust in anyone but ourselves.”

“I was afraid you were going to say that,” Lockefren said nodding her head and closing her eyes.

“Ok, let’s get moving,” he commanded after a few more moments.

Makaylen led the way down the street leaping from shadow to shadow. Finally the street came to a large intersection lit up so brightly by the street lamps it almost appeared to be day. In the light could be seen a swarm of assassin drones standing around as if waiting for something.

“What now?” Lockefren whispered into Makaylen’s ear as the two remained hidden from the drones.

“We surrender,” he answered starting towards the mass army with his hands held high in the air.

Seeing the two approach, the army quickly pointed their weapons at them as they surrounded the two from every side enclosing them in. Staring into the crowd of drones, Makaylen and Lockefren were shocked to see their two companions brought forth from the sea of soldiers and dropped to the ground at their feet unconscious and unarmed. Suddenly Makaylen saw who his enemy was as his old friend parted the soldiers making his way to him.

“Simon!” Makaylen yelled out at his friend with fury burning in his eyes. “How could you betray us? Betray your kingdom?”

Simon only chuckled before turning his back to his friend and signaling for the soldiers to bring the

captives along. Makaylen rushed the encroaching soldiers trying to reach Simon just as a sharp pain and a surge of electricity shot through his head dropping him instantly to the ground. Everything turned black as Makaylen’s body went completely limp.

Three days after leaving the hidden rebel base Davien and Benthalas grew weary having not seen any signs of civilization or proof they were any closer to Cree than when they had left.

“I think we’re lost,” Ben commented while looking around the dense forest.

“You think? Don’t you know where we’re going? I thought you elves were great at directions,” Davien spouted, quite irritated at the thought of being lost.

“You’re the one that has been leading the way, not me!” Ben retorted.

“No! I’ve been following you! I have no idea where Cree is!” Davien yelled.

“Then we are definitely lost,” the elf sighed.

Davien cursed throwing himself to the ground on his knees. He began wringing his hands trying not to lose his temper and do something stupid like punch a tree, or worse, Ben.

“I can’t believe this! Makaylen gives me one simple job and I can’t even do that!” Davien roared as he stood back up pacing back and forth. “No wonder he didn’t pick me for the covert mission!”

“Hey,” Ben started surprised by his friend’s reaction to being lost, “it’ll be ok. All we have to do is get our bearings and we’ll find our way to Cree.”

Davien threw himself back down now sitting on a discarded log on the ground. He shook his head back and forth while keeping his face down so Ben could not see him. Finally he raised his head to look at Ben who could see the faint evidence of tears welling up in Davien’s eyes.

“You don’t understand, Ben,” Davien said from behind clenched teeth as he was so angry at himself

that tears were beginning to fill his eyes. “I was given this one and only task because he trusted me to do it. Now we’ve been out here for three stinking days with no sign of life and we have NO idea where we are. Cree could still be days from here! I’ve failed him and the others. AGAIN! That seems to be what I’m good at, failing.”

Davien lowered his head again trying desperately to fight back the tears and not look like a sissy in front of Ben. Never before had Davien cared so much about doing the right thing and pleasing a friend.

Ben sat down next to Davien trying to console him in a way that wouldn’t make Davien feel worse.

“Don’t worry so much about it. You haven’t failed, or better yet, we haven’t failed. The only way to fail is to completely give up and, to tell you the truth, I’m not the giving up type.”

Davien took a quick swipe to his eyes removing any evidence of moisture before looking up at Ben.

“Besides,” Ben said looking around, “we should probably stop and make camp anyway. All this getting lost business is making me weepy.”

Ben’s attempt at making Davien laugh lifted his spirit’s a bit which made Davien chuckle.

“Look at me, I’m just a big blubbering baby. You know I think hanging out with a priest and some guy on a spiritual pilgrimage has really rubbed on me the wrong way,” Davien joked back wiping his face clear and sniffing.

“Hey, um, you’re not going to wet the bed tonight too are you?” Ben remarked trying to get Davien to heartily laugh.

“Ha, ha,” Davien said, getting up from the log and punching Ben in the arm.

After setting up camp, gathering some fire wood and cooking up some fresh game Nephida had packed for them, Ben and Davien spent the night trying to get to know one another better. Just like a couple of kids, they tired themselves out by talking through the night until neither could keep their eyes open. The

next morning Davien rose to see Ben packed up and ready to go.

“Good morning,” Ben greeted him. “Time to wake up and get un-lost!”

After discussing their options, the two started on their way and finally found a trail leading in the direction they believed they needed to go just as it was nearing the middle of the day.

“I know we have to go this way,” Davien stated as he started up the trail.

“Really? Why?” Ben asked him, confused about Davien’s sudden realization.

“Makaylen once told me to stick with my instincts when I didn’t know where to go or what to do. Well, my instincts lead me to this trail, so I’m taking it,” Davien announced.

“Ok, it’s not like we have a better option. But, if we get lost again this time it is definitely your fault,” Ben teased.

They traveled the trail for what seemed like hours with nothing distinct to help them decipher where they might be. Finally the trail came to a valley of high brush and even taller grass. Ben and Davien stopped just before entering the grass both looking at one another not sure what to do next.

“Even we woodland folk know it is not wise to venture through tall grass. You cannot always see your enemy coming up on you. We have no idea what could be living in there,” Ben wisely commented.

“I don’t care about the danger. We have to stay on this trail, I just know it. If the trail goes through the tall grass…then I’m going through the tall grass,” the defiant Davien spoke up.

Sighing loudly, Ben agreed, “Fine, into the tall mysterious grass we go, but I’m getting my sword ready. I don’t want anything jumping out at me like a weird Serpith thing or a Saber Jaw thing or a…you know this list could go on for awhile.”

Cautiously both men made their way through the overgrown brush with their weapons ready for anything that might jump out at them as the sun began to set and the twin moons made their nightly

appearance. The ground was soft and the wind so light that only the sound of them brushing passed the grass and the humming of Davien’s tech-pistol could be heard.

“Keep up your guard, if we can’t hear ourselves walking then we won’t be able to hear anything walking towards us either,” Ben warned quietly.

Davien nodded in understanding before he tripped slightly over something large on the trail. Glancing down he adjusted his eyes in the darkening day until he realized he had tripped over the bones of a great creature who’s body looked to span over twelve feet. He moved some of the grass away to see that the creature possessed enormous sharp teeth and claws, yet something living in the tall grass had been powerful enough to cause its death.

Staring down at the skull of the creature, Ben announced, “We may not know what dwells in this valley, but seeing what kind of foe it can defeat, we must make haste!”

Ben sprinted along the trail hoping to reach a clearing before encountering any enemies. Davien tried to keep up with his friend, but, being a human, was much slower than Ben, especially in the darkening day. Suddenly Davien could hear the sound of shrieks coming from somewhere behind him. He tried to look behind him to see what could be following, but the tall grass hid anything further than three feet from his view.

“Davien, where are you?!” Ben yelled out after realizing his friend was nowhere to be seen.

“Ben,” he yelled back, “I can’t see you and something’s behind me!”

Just then Ben could hear shrieks as well, but they were coming from in front of him. Slowly he started to back up holding his sword ready to strike anything that may jump out from the grass.

“Ben! Ben!” Davien continued to yell hoping to catch up with his friend.

“I’m here!” Ben answered back hearing that Davien was getting closer.

Davien tried to speed up hearing how close Ben sounded to him. Finally he could see his friend standing three feet ahead seemingly ready for a fight with some unseen foe in front of him.

“There’s something behind me, but I can’t see it,” Davien warned standing with his back up against Ben’s back.

“There’s something in front of me, but I can’t see it either,” Ben replied.

“Quick, cut down some of the grass around you or we’re going to be ambushed!” Davien frantically yelled.

The shrieks became louder and louder while they both tried their best to make a clearing in the grass with their swords. The sound of creatures rushing passed the grass could be heard coming closer to the two men. They successfully made a clearing of sorts about ten feet in diameter before the sounds got so loud they knew the creatures must be right on top of them.

“Ok, keep your back to mine and I’ll keep mine to yours!” Ben commanded while rushing over to his friend.

Just a short distance from the clearing could be seen, in the dim light, six human looking creatures each with two serpent heads and bodies protruding from their backs which looked over the shoulders of the creatures. Slowly the six creatures, three coming up on Davien and three on Ben, slithered on their serpent hind ends towards their prey. The two snakes on each creature let out a horrible shrieking noise while the human heads of each stared blankly with wide opened eyes and hissing from behind clenched teeth at Ben and Davien.

“What are these things?” Davien asked dumbfounded.

“They are called seriento-ma in my language, but in yours they are better known as Serpent Gorgon,” Ben told him. “Be careful, they are known to spit acid from one snake head as the other unleashes a

blinding venom.”

“Oh really? And what does the human part do?” Davien sarcastically asked.

“It only rips you apart with its incredible strength,” Ben answered coolly.

“Why are they not attacking? They’re just standing there…waiting,” Davien inquired with his pistol and sword ready to fight.

Ben dug his foot into the ground to get a better stance as he answered, “I believe these are here merely to stop us from escaping while others make their way.”

“Oh great!” Davien exclaimed rolling his eyes. “I can’t believe the creatures I’ve met lately. We’re about to be overwhelmed by others aren’t we?”

“Just don’t take your back from mine,” Ben said eyeing the three crimson eyed gorgons before him.

In the short distance could be heard the swift movement of the grass moving as something made its way to the clearing. Closer and closer the sounds came as Davien and Ben readied themselves for a battle they were not too confident they could win as all remaining sunlight began to completely fade away. Suddenly tech-flares shot into the air illuminating the darkened sky. The gorgons shrieked in pain from the light as they began to fall back in the deeper parts of the grass and away from the powerful glow. Before they could escape, however, a hail of gun fire ripped through the grass tearing the creatures apart. Davien and Ben fell to the ground as soon as they saw the flares and were spared from the ensuing gun fire. After the gun fire stopped they lifted their heads to see a small band of gray cloaked figures standing in the makeshift clearing with their automatic rifles aimed at them.

“Get to your feet!” A strong male voice ordered. As the two rose from the ground he claimed, “You’ll come with us!”

With a quick nudge from the butt end of a rifle, one of the cloaked figures hit both men shoving them

in the direction the others were headed. Noticing they hadn’t been disarmed, Davien felt that perhaps these men were friendly and could be reasoned with since he and Ben had already been delayed long enough from completing their mission.

“Excuse me,” Davien said to the figure walking beside him. “Could I ask just where we are going? My friend and I are on a very important mission and we can’t be delayed.”

His question was answered by the sharp blow of a rifle butt hitting him in the back of his head almost knocking him to his knees. Ben shook his head as if to tell his friend ‘not now.’ Silently they followed their rescuers deeper into the woods until far in the distance could be seen a dome covered city.

“Is this Cree?” Davien asked aloud in awe of such a sight.

“No. This is Malvra. You are hundreds of miles away from Cree,” a male voice from the crowd answered.

“Sirs,” Ben started to speak, “I thank you for your help back there with the gorgons. My friend and I would probably not be standing here right now if it were not for your help. I would like to know who my rescuers are, if I might ask.”

The lead man turned around to face Ben and lowered his hood to reveal his long rusty brown hair and hazel eyes, “We are the last defense of this troubled city. We are her security and protectors and we strive to keep anyone unknown or not trusted away from her city limits. We are the last to protect Malvra because my brothers in Karza have forgotten us, much to our delight.”

Davien raised his lowered head when he heard these words. Many times he had heard Makaylen speak of the days in which he was close friends with the Wulf brothers going on and on about Kenneth, Simon, William the priest and Garrett the youngest. Standing before him was the spitting image of Simon.

“You’re Garrett aren’t you?!” Davien exclaimed excited to have possibly found a friend of

Makaylen’s.

“I’ve traveled in many places and I remember everyone I’ve ever met, yet I do not remember meeting you,” Garrett said staring at Davien.

“No, we’ve never met, but you have met Makaylen Stryphe have you not?” Davien excitingly asked. “I’m a traveling companion of his.”

Garrett motioned for his men to lower their weapons before asking, “If that is true then where is he?”

“He’s in Karza staging a covert attack against the controlling army to gain entrance into the city,” he grinned at Garrett.

Garrett’s face was baptized in horror, “NO.” Lowering his head he continued dejectedly, “If he is there then he is in mortal danger.”

“Why? He’s taken on worse things than a dead army before from what I’ve heard,” Davien asked, confused by Garrett’s reaction.

Shaking his head he answered, “No, it is not an army that he faces, but instead the tyranny of my brother, Simon. Simon has been conspiring with a powerful wizard for many years. He is the reason Karza was taken over recently. He is a traitor to us all.”

“We must go back!” Ben shouted in disbelief as he began to make haste in the direction he believed Karza to be located.

Two security officers quickly stopped him from going any further.

“Why do you stop me?!” Ben demanded of Garrett.

Standing with a cool and collected demeanor, Garrett answered, “Because it is already lost whatever they set out to do. My question for you now is why are you two here instead of there helping your friend?”

“I told you earlier, Makaylen sent me on a mission to find someone to help him. I was on my way to Cree to find a halfling named Jashel Swift,” Davien announced.

Upon hearing this name Garrett turned to the cloaked figure standing beside him and mumbled something to which he received a nod back.

“We know where the halfling you speak of is residing. Come with us and we’ll take you to her,” Garrett offered to Davien.

“Makaylen said she would be in Cree. He said nothing about Malvra,” Davien pointed out suspiciously.

Garrett closed his eyes and grinned thinking of his old friend, “Yes, I’m sure Makaylen did say she would be in Cree. He always seems to know which direction to send us that will bring us to the result we are looking for.”

“What are you talking about? Are you saying he sent me to Cree so I would find Malvra?” Davien huffed thinking Makaylen would be wiser than that.

“Yes, that is exactly what I’m saying. Either that or he was just mistaken as to Jashel’s new residence,” Garrett replied.

“What does it matter anyway if they’re all dead like you say they are?” Davien commented with sadness creeping over his face.

“You have not known Makaylen for very long, have you?” Garrett asked him. “If he sent you to find Jashel then he knew he was walking into a trap. Jashel is a thief and I’d assume he wants her to come and help him to escape from whatever pit he’s been ensnared into.”

“How would he know what was going to happen?” Davien asked.

Starting down a trail leading to the city Garrett answered, “Hard to say, but his instincts and awareness

are impeccable. He’s gotten out of more ambushes than anyone I’ve every known.”

The band marched down the hill into the floral valley below where the very top of the domed city of Malvra could be seen gleaming like a giant pearl in the moonlight. As Davien and Ben neared the city their jaws went slack with awe.

“Not since my own city have I seen anything so great,” Ben marveled.

“The city of Malvra was given an impenetrable dome after the Dread Army made it’s first appearance about five years ago,” Garrett said. “As you can see the city is too hard to find for most without assistance and the sharp rocks surrounding her make her impossible to sneak up upon.”

After walking for some time Davien spoke up, “It feels like we’ve been traveling for hours. When are we going to reach the city?”

“We won’t be in the city until noon time tomorrow,” Garrett replied halting his troop to stop. “We should make camp. Here will do nicely.”

Quickly and precisely Garrett’s troop set up camp and defenses while setting up a fire to cook freshly caught pheasant for dinner. Davien found it hard to take more than a few bites with all the worry he felt in his gut over the welfare of his friends back in Karza. Troubled himself, Ben held in his worry better as he tried to bring a smile to Davien’s face with jokes. Once or twice Davien cracked a smile, but nothing could take his mind away from the task he had before him and that he had to reach Jashel as quickly as possible so she could help Makaylen in whatever way he intended for her to do. Finally Ben decided to give up on trying to make Davien laugh.

“Hey, do you remember the tall soldier Garrett spoke to after you mentioned Jashel’s name?” Ben asked him coolly.

Davien merely stared at his uneaten pheasant and nodded his head.

“Well, you may be interested to know that it was a woman he was talking to and he’s with her again,” Ben informed him knowing the mention of a woman might spark Davien’s interest.

Ben was right for Davien raised his head searching the camp for the two. He spotted them a distance away talking close enough to one another so that no one else would be able to hear them. Davien’s eyes bulged as he observed the abundance of tribal tattoos residing on the face and body of the woman who towered over Garrett by at least one or more feet.

“That’s her, the woman Makaylen told me I might find wherever I’d find Jashel!” Davien exclaimed.

His plate of food hit the ground as Davien stormed over to Garrett and the woman. Immediately Ben jumped up to follow his friend and hopefully prevent him from doing anything rash. When Davien reached Garrett he roughly turned him to face him. Garrett’s troop abruptly raised their weapons aiming them at the hot tempered man. Garrett motioned for them to lower their weapons as he calmly removed Davien’s hand from off his arm.

“This is no way to get answers,” Garrett advised Davien.

Before Davien could reply the large woman bellowed, “Step away from Garrett!”

“And if I don’t?” Davien said antagonistically.

The woman gripped Davien’s wrist tightly with one hand and lifted him high in the air by his shirt collar with the other. Davien’s anger was fueled by her audacity even with the fact he was a foot off the ground and the pain in his wrist was excruciating.

Garrett placed a hand on her arm as he told her, “It’s okay. You can set him down.” After she nodded and dropped Davien to the ground Garrett continued, “I guess I should have introduced you to her sooner. This is Iwo. She is an Amazonian warrior from across the sea and she is good friends with Jashel Swift.”

Picking himself up from off the ground Davien blurted, “Yeah, I know that. Makaylen told me I might

see her hanging around wherever Jashel could be found.”

“Well, I suppose Makaylen was correct. Before you interrupted our conversation I was trying to convince Iwo here to allow you men to meet with Jashel, however, I’m not sure she’s willing to help you now,” Garrett informed him.

“Why do you need her permission?” Davien asked, still quite irritated by her actions.

“Simply because she is the only one who knows where Jashel is hiding and is the only one who could take you to her,” Garret stated matter-of-factly.

Davien rolled his eyes and threw his hand in the air, “Great! That’s just great! I ticked off the only person who could help me get my friends out of trouble! Perfect Davien! You can’t do anything right!”

The sight of a grown man yelling at himself and kicking dust up into the air was enough to bring a round of chuckles to the camp. Even Ben couldn’t help himself as he tried to calm Davien down and escort him back to his bedroll to hopefully get some rest and put this day of blunders behind them.

Davien awoke from a disturbing dream just as the first morning light illuminated the camp. Adjusting his eyes to the sun he saw that everyone had already packed their belongings and was heading down the trail towards the city. Hastily he rushed out of his bedroll and readied himself to follow them. When he turned his attention back to the trail where his party had been Davien realized that the Amazonian woman, Iwo, was standing behind him.

“So, did they leave you here so you could pummel me or what?” Davien asked sarcastically.

Staring at him with an emotionless gaze and her arms crossed defiantly in front of her, Iwo snapped back, “No! I had to stay behind and guide you to the city because you take too long to get up! And, regrettably, I’m supposed to try and mend what we don’t have of a friendship!”

Sensing this would be one of the longest days of his life, Davien sighed as he started down the trail. The two traveled in complete silence neither of them wanting to speak to the other because of last night’s fiasco. Davien knew he should probably apologize for being so harsh with her and Garrett, but his pride wouldn’t allow him to do so. It was around noon when they reached the entrance into the dome where the others were sitting waiting for their arrival. As they approached, Garrett handed a gold piece over to one of his men.

“I didn’t think she could do it,” he told the soldier he had made a bet with. “Sometimes I enjoy being wrong.”

Before them stood two huge iron doors rising to eighteen feet high and arching at the top. Upon signaling to another man perched in a high central tower inside the dome, the doors slid to opposite sides opening up for the party to enter. As they entered the doors they were enclosed in a tunnel of steel. The tunnel was completely dark until the iron doors came crashing back together and sealed shut. The darkness was driven away by a row of lights that flickered on leading to yet another metal door at the end of the tunnel which slowly rose up to allow the party to exit and enter the domed city. When they stepped out of the tunnel they were astonished with the sight of blue skies and fluffy clouds above them and lush green grass under their feet.

“Amazing!” Ben said in awe.

Davien shook his head free of marvel and regained his thoughts.

“Yes, this is all very impressive, but are we here because your friend has decided to help us or what?” Davien asked, trying to keep his arrogance in check.

With only a nod from Garrett, Iwo closed her eyes with a sigh, clearly irritated, and began walking down the nearest street. Ben and Davien stood watching her walk away until finally she turned back

around.

“Are you two coming or not?!” She annoyingly yelled at them.

Quickly they both ran to catch up with her and, they assumed, their last chance at ever finding the halfling thief Jashel. It didn’t take long for Iwo to lead the two men down a street that would clearly not be the place to go if you were looking for someone of reputable morals. Groups of beggars and vagabonds pawed at them from every street corner and alley they passed hoping for a handout of some sort. Iwo shoved through the crowds knocking them down before they scurried back into their dark domains on the street. Scantily clad women stood under the street lamps attempting to entice the men to approach them. Ben and Davien stuck close to Iwo’s heels as no one seemed to be messing with her. Finally they reached the end of the street where a club was nestled between the dingy buildings with a neon sign stating Fuzzy Navel.

As Iwo began to enter the club Ben spoke up, “We are not going in there big girl.” After Iwo glanced at him, not amused by his humor, he reiterated, “Uh, I mean Ma’am.”

“Listen Elf,” Iwo said stoutly, “you don’t have to go in, but she isn’t coming out.”

Ben glanced at Davien who shrugged his shoulders before following behind Iwo.

“I’m glad you saw it my way,” she remarked with the two men following behind her.

Entering the establishment proved to Davien that spending so much time with a priest was indeed rubbing off on him as the sight of immoral merrymaking turned his stomach for the worse.

“I remember being in places like this and not being so sickened,” he mumbled to Ben. “I’m sad to say I used to engage in this behavior and thought I liked it.”

Passing by people here and there as the three made their way to the back of the club, it was clear that Iwo was well known here by the way everyone tried to avoid her gaze and were sure to move out of her

way if she came anywhere close to them. Iwo lead the men down a flight of steps into the large cellar of the club. Standing around were groups of people all well armed and wearing black hooded masks and cloaks.

“What is this about?” The more worldly Davien whispered to Ben looking at the oddity of the crowd.

Ben only shook his head as he tried to avoid the stares of the strangers that were quick to move out of Iwo’s trail. They reached a far wall through a labyrinth of wine barrels and racks filled with bottles. Two men larger than Iwo stood guard in front of the wall each covered in heavy chain mail and leather tunics and brandishing twin battle axes.

“What do you want Iwo?” Said one of the men from under his helmet.

“I’m here to see Jashel,” Iwo spouted to the man on the right.

“What about those two?” The guard on the right asked while glancing at Ben and Davien suspiciously.

“They’re with me,” she sighed. “They’re nothing I can’t handle if they should give me any problems.”

Her comment irritated Davien who glanced at Ben to see him nodding his head as if to agree with the woman. Davien tried to calm his anger and keep his face emotionless before he lost his last chance at being able to see Jashel.

“Oh, so now you’re tough enough to take two men on?” The guard asked with a heavy bass filled voice.

“Why not? I gave you a black eye, didn’t I?” Iwo retorted.

The guard on the left began to spit and grumble as he tried to keep in a hearty laugh. Iwo only turned her attention to him with a confused look on her brow.

“What’s so funny? I knocked you out cold with a lighter punch than the one that gave him a mere black eye.”

The chuckling stopped immediately. Iwo tilted her head to the guard on the right to which he humbly nodded and reached behind a wine barrel sitting next to him and with a large clicking sound the wall behind them opened up to reveal a hidden room. Inside the room could be seen a young woman and three men sitting at a round table and playing what could only be described as strip poker. Iwo charged into the room furious to find the men inside.

“Get out! Get out! Get out!” Iwo shouted at the men while grabbing a nearby chair and chucking it at the head of one of them. “What are you doing in here?! Get out!”

Iwo continued shouting at the fumbling men as they attempted to put their missing shirts and such back on. Iwo picked up a boot on the floor and hurled it at another man’s head as he was leaving the room. She followed the last man to the door where she kicked him so hard on the backside that he went flying into the darkened cellar room. Grabbing the two guards standing outside the door she knocked their helmets off of their heads as she scolded them.

“I told you two morons NO one was to enter or leave this room unless I okayed it. Why did I find anyone but her in there?!” She screamed.

“We didn’t think you meant our own men!” One of the guards whimpered excitedly. “Those men are on our team and they were just taking a break. We didn’t think there was any harm in a game of cards.”

She punched the guard so hard he instantly dropped to the ground as she yelled over him sprawled on the floor, “Well I guess now you see the harm in it, don’t you?!”

With that said, she went back into the hidden room and slammed the door shut. Furious, Iwo lowered her head and took deep breaths trying to calm herself. Jashel leaned back in her chair and took a puff of her cigar giggling about the scene that had just transpired.

“Wow, Iwo. Welcome back,” Jashel joked.

“Hey, I thought you were supposed to be a halfling,” Ben pointed out having noticed that, even though she was much shorter than a human, Jashel was also much taller than a normal halfling.

Taking another puff, Jashel looked at Iwo and said, “Hmm, he’s cute. Is he for me?”

“No…not really anyway,” Iwo started as she walked over to Jashel. “And you know how I hate when you smoke these retched things.”

Iwo slammed Jashel’s chair back down on all four legs and snatched the cigar from her mouth before tossing the table across the room sending cards, poker chips and clothes into the air. Jashel never flinched watching Iwo have her tirade.

“And YOU!” Iwo said pointing a finger at Jashel. “You I would have thought knew better than to let anyone see you! Surely you know if you escape from prison you DON’T let anyone see you!”

Staring at the large and infuriated woman towering over her, Jashel calmly crossed her legs in her cushioned chair, half clad, and lowered her head as a child being punished.

“I do know that.” Clasping her hands behind her head Jashel added, “But you need to relax. I’m sure the world has better things to worry about than a cat burglar that escaped from prison over two years ago. Come on Iwo, I’ve got to live a little. You can’t keep me trapped in here forever.”

“Two years ago?” Davien asked confused.

“Yes, and thank you for catching up,” Jashel answered in a sweet and condescending tone.

Ignoring her obvious sarcasm, Davien repeated, “Wait, two years ago? Then why would he be sending me to where you were imprisoned if he knew you had escaped?”

Jashel widened her eyes and shrugged her shoulders answering his question again sarcastically, “I don’t know why he would do something like that. Perhaps he was smoking something that would inhibit his thinking.”

Scowling at the discourteous halfling before him, Davien replied, “Then you must not be the friend that Makaylen needed after all or else you’d know he doesn’t do anything that would inhibit his thinking.”

“Did you say Makaylen?” Jashel asked, suddenly interested in what Davien had to say.

“Yes he did. That name obviously means something to you?” Ben said while eyeing the young woman.

Jashel uncrossed her legs and sat in her chair hunched over staring at the ground.

“Yeah, it means something,” she answered softly. “He saved my hide some time back before I got caught and imprisoned back in Cree.”

Moving in a manner of depression, Jashel rose from her cushioned chair and began to collect her discarded clothing from off the floor. Ben and Davien were surprised to see that her skin was much darker than most halflings and, other than her lack of height, she really didn’t appear to be halfling at all. Slowly Jashel began to put her various clothing back on.

“In what way did he save you that his name would still mean so much to you years later?” Ben asked.

“Several years ago Mak found me in a huge mess. Way over my head kind of stuff, you know?” Tugging hard to get her boots on, Jashel continued, “Let’s just say he has great timing for those who are in dire need of some help.”

Iwo, bored from hearing this story before, rolled her eyes and picked up a chair plopping herself into it. Davien and Ben did the same as Jashel continued to search for her clothing and such strewn about the room.

“He took me in after he helped rid me of some troublesome people that were after me. When no one else cared for a half-breed halfling thief, Makaylen took me in caring for my every need,” she spoke slowly and almost lovingly. “He never expected anything in return for his kindness. He just told me why

he was helping me and why he didn’t want any payment for it.”

“What did he tell you was the reason he was helping you?” Davien asked quite curious.

Jashel smiled and slightly blushed, “He said it was because Love doesn’t see me as a thief nor does it care about my past. He believed that love and kindness could help me to change and finally find happiness in my life.”

“You remember everything he said to you yet you remained a thief?” Ben said moved by the softness Jashel now displayed.

She nodded as a single tear fell down her cheek.

“I haven’t been able to get rid of his words no matter how hard I’ve tried to drown them out, but some habits are harder to break than others.” Suddenly turning serious and almost cross, she added in a voice clearly trying to hold back tears, “However, when he left me at Cree I realized he was just like everyone else and I’ve tried to never look back.”

“If there is anything I could say about Makaylen,” Davien spoke up, “it would be that he is nothing like everyone else. We are here because he sent us to find you and ask for your help.”

Brashly wiping the tear from her cheek, Jashel jumped onto her bed placing her hands behind her head and lying down ignoring Davien’s comment..

“Now, if you guys don’t mind, I’m a bit tired from all this Fun,” she said sarcastically once again, “so, I’m gonna get some sleep. Good bye!”

Davien rose from his seat furious again that his mission might fail.

“Does that mean you’re not going to help him?!” He exclaimed.

Coldly Jashel sat up in her bed staring at Davien and Ben before answering, “That means I want you to take a message to him. Tell him ’leaving you where you are is for your own good and it was your

unfortunate decision that got you in this situation in the first place. Now stay and grow.’ That was another one of the conversations I remember having with him so many years ago before he left me stranded in Cree on my way to prison.”

“Fine, don’t help him then,” Davien stated trying to keep his anger in check. “Why would he need you when he’s got loyal friends like Ben and me anyway? Thanks for wasting our time!”

Jashel scoffed as the two men began to depart. Davien then remembered that he still held the sealed envelope Makaylen had given him to give to Jashel. He turned back around to face her and chucked the letter onto her bed.

“Here! That’s for you from someone who was hoping you’d be there for him in his time of need like he was for you in yours,” Davien spouted as Jashel curiously stared at the envelope.

As quickly as they could, without noticing the trash going on around them, Ben and Davien made their way back up the stairs and out of the club wanting to put this entire ordeal out of their minds. Only the thoughts of getting to Karza and helping their friends comforted them as they fumed over what had just transpired.