Trey Roberts and the Ancestor's Wish

by Lee Magnus

  The rush of the wind was exhilarating. He freed his hands from a protruding spine and held them out to each side as if he were the one flying. “There’s Arlington Cemetery!” he said as they flew over hundreds of rows of white markers spread across the grounds. “My great uncle is buried there.

  “Do you know how much trouble you could get into for flying over the Pentagon?” Trey said disapprovingly as they flew over. She cut him a nonchalant glance from a large golden-yellow eye.

  A crosswind hit him as they crossed the wide Potomac River. He watched dozens of cars navigate the Rochambeau Memorial Bridge to his right.

  They flew over the circular pavilion of the George Mason Memorial then dove low to the water past the statue of Thomas Jefferson standing proudly in the center of the rotunda dedicated to his service.

  She cut to the left past the Holocaust Museum, made a loop around the tall white obelisk built to commemorate the first president of the United States, then proceeded down the eight grassy fields leading to the Grant Memorial of which Trey indicated she stop short of.

  She transformed into a woman as she landed them in the midst of dozens of people in the grassy open space.

  “Are we still cloaked?” he said as she held a firm grip on his hand.

  “As long as you are in contact with me.”

  “Maybe you take us somewhere less conspicuous?”

  “No! Run with me!” she said enthusiastically as she pulled him with her.

  They sprinted toward the museum, avoiding a well thrown frisbee intended for a long-haired college aged ultimate player. They crossed the road avoiding a bus, entered a thin wooded area then casually emerged from the other side. Tanny trailed off to the left as Trey approached the door where his mom was waiting with a sour look.

  “What are you doing coming here on your own. We talked about this already,” she said looking into his eyes with her hands on his shoulders.

  “I know.” He looked at her sweetly. “But I don’t have a lot of time and this evening seemed like a good time since you’re already here. Besides, it’s perfectly safe. There were a ton of people on the Metro and it’s still daylight. Don’t worry so much.”

  “I know I shouldn’t but you’re all I have. I don’t want you getting hurt.” She recognized stress in his demeanor and asked, “Are you ok?”

  “Yeah, sure.” He hoped she didn’t see the forthcoming deception in his ruse. “Why do you ask?”

  “You’ve just been acting funny since last week.”

  He attempted to avoid the probing. “I’m ok, Mom. There’s nothing to worry about.”

  “You know you can talk to me about anything, right?”

  “I know, Mom. I love you,” he said staring into her concerned coffee eyes.

  “I love you too.” She smiled then said as she walked him into the museum, “Have you found out anything else about it?”

  “Uh, yeah. The feathers are definitely ostrich. I want to take a closer look at that rose on the front.”

  She smiled at her enthusiastic son, used her key card to enter a restricted area then proceeded them toward the locker that held Nafarl’s crown.

  “I’m really proud of how you’re taking to studying the history of this artifact,” his mom said. “It’s all pretty exciting when you think about it.”

  Trey was too lost in thoughts concerning the dragon waiting outside to pay close attention to what his mom was saying. “Think about what?” he said distantly.

  She looked at him more closely. He glanced and gave her a quick fake smile before refocusing on the corridor.

  “You know…what we may find. Nobody knows anything about the crown – not even the woman who entrusted it to us.”

  “Yeah. Yeah. The woman. She didn’t have anyone to give it to,” he blindly responded while maintaining a quick pace.

  “You sure are in a hurry.”

  “Yeah. I just want to see it.”

  “Why did it have to be today? We could have come this weekend.”

  “I, uh, I just wanted to, you know – I, um, think I saw something similar in my history book today and really wanted to compare before I forgot.”

  “I don’t think there will be anything in your history book like this,” she said with a chuckle.

  “Yeah, sure,” he said faintly. He perked up. “It’s there right? In those lockers?” He pointed toward an adjacent hallway with a row of white lockers for staff to keep personal items.

  “Yes,” she said enthusiastically. “I haven’t opened it since we first put it there. I’m also very excited to see it again.”

  He looked at his mom with a genuine smile then turned the corner and faced the lockers.

  His mom seemed to shuffle for the key for a century. The anticipation of his forthcoming deceitful deed gnawed at his insides. He nervously pressed his hand against the disk in his left pocket.

  She located the small insignificant key and carefully fit it inside the appropriate lock. With a twist it popped freeing the door from the latch.

  The door slowly swung open – his mom’s mouth dropped. “It’s gone,” she said in a whisper. Her shrill voice cracked, “Where could it have gone? I don’t understand. No one knew it was here except you and me. I mean, no one.”

  “We’re too late,” he said to himself. “I have to go!”

  “But where? Where’re you going?” she said as Trey dashed toward the exit.

  “I forgot. I forgot something,” he yelled, “at home! See you at the house!” he finished.

  “Trey! Wait! What do you mean we’re too late?” she yelled to no avail. Trey already left the building in a huffing sprint.

  He nearly tumbled down the staircase then crossed the road in leaping strides. “It’s gone!” he said as he entered the lightly wooded area. “It’s gone! He already has it!”

  “Are you sure what you saw?” Tanny said appearing amid the trees. “I thought for sure we arrived in time.”

  “I’m sure.” He looked at her funny. “Were you standing there the whole time?”

  She disregarded the trifling question. “This is very disturbing.”

  “So, what happens now that he has the crown? What can he do with it?”

  “The crown gives him power over fire.”

  “So, he’s like a dragon?”

  “No!” she said curtly. “With the crown, he can wield fire in extraordinary ways, much like the true owner of the sword you carry.” She then looked beyond the horizon and held a hand to her heart, “He’ll use it to conquer a peaceful people in a place I dearly love.” She turned back to Trey, “Dragons do not wish to rule anyone.”

  “Is the place your home?”

  “Not originally, but I did spend a great amount of time in Azuliposa. It is a wonderful place,” she said with a large warm smile.

  “How do we find him?”

  She frowned, “We don’t. You stay here and I’ll do what I can.”

  “And you’ll let me know what happens?”

  She smiled, “Of course. You’ve been involved this far, how can I leave you out now?” She then looked worriedly at the darkening sky.

  “What is it?” Trey asked.

  “I don’t know what direction he’s gone.”

  “You think you can track him down?”

  “Yes, if I can figure out which way to go before dark.”

  “Is he on foot?”

  “Possibly. He doesn’t fly or drive to my knowledge. At least he never did in the past.”

  “Can you track the crown? You know, the pulse?”

  “No,” she said distantly then looked curiously at Trey. “But maybe I can track its radiance. But I’ll need your help with that. Care for another fly around the ci-y?” she asked really Britinizing the word city.

  “Yeah! Let’s go!”

  “But first we need to strike a signal.” She once more snaked the backside of her hand in front of Trey. He began to glow dimly in response.

  She then threw Trey screaming into the a
ir onto her back as she twisted into a giant tree like dragon before disappearing from sight. A barely perceptible light glow startled several people that looked above as she flew an ever-growing spiral overhead.

  “It’s not fading,” Trey said.

  “Yes. It will last longer than before.”

  “Will he glow like me? Is that what we are looking for?”

  “I don’t believe so. I think the spell will cause you to glow stronger the closer you come to the crown. So please let me know if you can tell a difference in your glow.”

  “Ok. Why will I glow more when we get close?” He looked at his hand but didn’t notice a difference between now and the first time.

  “It’s how Nafarl designed it. He was paranoid for the crown’s safety. When he crafted it, he inscribed in it an enchantment that would send the pulse that you felt as well as a visual signal so that recovering it would be easily achieved.”

  “But I’ve never touched it before. Why do I have the radiance?”

  “That’s easy. So, he would also be able to track down who stole it.”

  “Oh. Ok. He’s after me?”

  “Yes, Fire Tamer. You are not safe until we regain the crown. Only then will I be able to remove the radiance.”

  Tanny swooped between tall buildings and above busy streets. She flew past national monuments and historic landmarks. Trey was too caught up in the thrill of the ride to notice his fingers blazing orange.

  Nafarl the Wise

  Suddenly as they flew low over a neighborhood baseball field, a flaming blue lasso wrapped around Tanny’s back tail. She crashed hard to the ground sending Trey rolling across the dusty red clay of the infield. Tanny, now uncloaked, righted herself and blasted a stream of fiery plasma at a tiny creature.

  Nafarl emitted a ball of blue fire around himself that diverted Tanny’s blast aside, scorching the neatly groomed grass of the ball field in a wide arc. It looked like a battle between a butane torch and plasma gun. Nafarl’s laugh was high pitched but hearty within the protective sphere.

  “Ha Ha Ha! Tanarkin the Green. I wasn’t expecting you. Still quick to strike first, I see. It’s been too long,” he said in a jovial voice when she ended the inundation. He began, “You know violence isn’t –“.

  Before he could finish the sentence, she engulfed him in roaring flames as she launched into an arc above the diminutive demon. She landed between him and Trey, then settled in an aggressive crouch.

  She regarded Trey for a moment who said, “He’s a turtle? He doesn’t seem like such a scary guy. You sure you have the right demon?”

  Without acknowledging Trey’s comment, Tanny returned her attention to the figure wearing pin striped pants. Nafarl stood on pudgy hind legs giving him an odd unsteady look as the encompassing checkerboard black and dark grey shell protruded from his back. He seemed unphased by Tanny’s assault.

  Nafarl’s lion-like face shined an intelligent smile, “A tortoise to be exact young fella.” He said through four protruding sharp teeth. He then regarded the dragon, “You know you can’t hurt me with your tricks, old friend. I’m simply here to express properly my gratitude to the one who recovered my crown and liberated me from that awful somnolent prison. Let’s just make this easy and we’ll all be happier afterward.”

  She transformed into human form and approached Nafarl but remained at a distance.

  “You know, young lad, are you sure you want to follow this wyrm? Her kind can’t be trusted. Whatever she’s told you is most likely in consideration of her own interests.”

  Trey didn’t reply as he glanced quickly toward Tanny. Her facial expression after Nafarl’s comment didn’t give him confidence as to whether Nafarl was lying or not.

  Tanny asked in a very polite voice as she slightly postured for an imminent attack, “What would you have me do? Just leave you with the crown?”

  “Tanarkin, my dear friend. You haven’t changed at all,” he said calmly. “I care nothing for the crown itself.” He held the exquisite golden feathered crown in the palm of a glowing hand. “Gold and the status of the crown are meaningless,” he said nonchalantly as the crown melted before them – oozing around his hand into a puddle of gold and jewels surrounded by burning grass at his feet. The orange glow diminished from Trey. “I care only for this,” he held out in the palm of his dexterous hand, a metal fist holding a rose.

  Trey’s eyes widened. He paid close attention when Nafarl placed the object into a pant pocket.

  Nafarl remained in a non-threatening position and retained a brilliant smile. He stood nearly half the size of his elegant counterpart. He opened his stubby tortoise arms with fingers stretched in a welcoming gesture, “Me leaving here with the Clutched Rose is our shared outcome regardless of your futile efforts.”

  “You will not leave here with it!” Tanny said firmly. Her eyes glowed a fierce gold. Her muscular legs tensed.

  “Then we are at an impasse,” he said as his eyes narrowed.

  Nafarl continued to tranquilly smile as he rapidly closed his hands together releasing a deafening explosion of light and blue flame. Tanny defensively pushed her hands forward, one pointing up and one down, producing a green field which effectively deflected the demon’s impromptu attack around and over her and Trey. It, however, did nothing to prevent the pain Trey experienced from the thunderous sound. He fell to the ground holding his ears.

  Tanny retaliated with a wave of her hands sending Nafarl rolling toward third base. She rushed to check on Trey. “Are you ok?”

  Blood stained his ear lobes. He huffed, “I’m ok. I can’t hear well but I know what to do.”

  “What do you mean?” she asked.

  “Just get him off of me when I say.”

  “No! I refuse to risk your life.”

  “This is the only way.” He shifted his soccer shorts, stood then said eye to eye, “Trust me.”

  She glanced quickly to find Nafarl recouped and ready to attack. She glanced back to find Trey had passed behind her on his way to confront the tortoise shelled demon.

  “Ok! You can thank me now!” Trey commanded as he continued to briskly walk forward not knowing whether his plan would work or if Nafarl would strike him dead before he could get close enough.”

  Trey noticed when he glanced back, Nafarl’s surprised expression even seemed to surprise Tanny. This is going to work, he thought confidently.

  She spoke to his mind, “What are you doing. He will kill you.”

  “On my mark, make sure you get him off of me so that I’m clear to run.”

  “What are you doing, Lad?” Nafarl said clearly confused at the turn of events. He took a step back as if Trey were attacking.

  “You said you wanted to thank me for finding that thing for you. Now thank me oh wise Nafarl.” Trey eased onto his knees as he nearly got into reach. “Thank me, Sir! Please!” Trey crawled on his knees toward the muddled lion-faced tortoise. Trey grasped at the demons clawed feet as if a desperate worshiper. Nafarl held his ground not sensing danger from the delusional child.

  “Clearly your injuries from the blast have ogled your brains,” Nafarl said.

  Trey continued to gently clamor at the tortoise’s feet and pants legs. “Please! Thank me!” he screamed as he aggressively grasped the demon’s waist pushing him slightly off balance enough for Trey to roll to the side and sprint toward the bullpen. Tanny the Green dragon, then blasted the unwary opponent several feet away with a torrent of fire. Trey dashed through the gates and sprinted down the road.

  A massive roar erupted along with a flurry of violet colored fiery explosions from the field behind.

  “Trey!” someone called ahead.

  Trey stopped in amazement.

  “Trey! What’s going on?” Nick yelled and ran toward the heaving boy.

  “Mr. H? What the heck are you doing here?”

  Nick’s eyes shifted nervously, “I saw the fire while driving by and stopped to help.”

  “It’s all crazy! Tanny’s in there
fighting a demon! But I think it’s over now,” he said as he opened his hand. In it were the disk he secretly planted in the demon’s pocket and the Clutched Rose, the source of Nafarl’s fiery power.

  “You’re lucky to be alive. Let me help. I’ll keep the rose for you while you get out of here.”

  Trey dismissed his teacher’s request, “I think we’re ok. Let’s go back and see what happened.”

  Trey turned back toward the ball field. Nick grabbed his shoulder harshly and turned him back.

  Nick’s eyes burned with intensity, “Seriously, Trey. You need to listen to me.”

  “We’re ok now. Calm down will ya?” Trey felt uncomfortable with the confrontation. He scanned the parking lot and noticed something strange. “Mr. H. Where’s your car?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You said you were driving by. Where’s your car?”

  Nick replied with more sincerity, “That’s not important.” He then continued the intensity, “Just give me the rose and we’ll get you somewhere safe.” A silver flash, barely noticeable in the darkness, unnaturally crossed Nick’s eyes.

  Trey tried to pull away, but Nick intensified his grip and said forcefully, “Give me the Clutched Rose!” His eyes became completely silver.

  Trey secured the rose in his fist and closed his eyes. His hand erupted in a ball of fire causing Nick to fall away with a high-pitched screech. Trey quickly scurried backward as Nick regained his balance.

  “The Clutched Rose, I will return it to Master,” it screeched in an ear piercing shrill.

  Nick launched into the air and exploded into a lanky thin black creature with tattered bat wings which seemed minimally useful as it surged up and down to maintain flight – like a mosquito bouncing toward its next meal.

  The creature that looked like a skeleton wrapped in black plastic wrap up to a noseless face made a final push higher then dove toward Trey with strikingly accurate aim. Trey rolled to the left avoiding a swipe from a single claw tipped wing. It ran out of the dive on the ground, skidded to a halt and again faced Trey.