by Wendy Owens
“Michael,” Uri continued. “Gabe, you have to understand, I can’t lose him.” Gabe heard the panic in Uri’s voice. He wasn’t sure how to handle his fearless friend in his current state.
“You won’t,” Gabe reassured him. “We are going to get him back, Uri.”
“You know, when I came here I was scared of everything.” Uri explained. Gabe just listened. Uri’s voice cracked and quivered as he explained. “I had seen so many terrible things. Gabe, you know how it is. So much evil out there and we are like moths to a flame when it comes to that stuff.”
Gabe listened to Uri speaking and he thought it was as if he had been telling Gabe’s own story. Uri continued. “I felt so alone, so desperate. The night I met Michael, I was in a hospital bed.” Gabe looked at Uri, shocked and confused by the confession.
“I had tried to kill myself,” Uri continued. As the words escaped Uri’s lips they were dripping with desperation. Gabe could do nothing but listen. “I didn’t want to live in a world where a junkie killed a kid’s dad right in front of him, where a woman was raped as a quiet crowd stood around and did nothing, where a woman threw her baby from a moving car. I had seen it all Gabe, seen all the horrors the world had to offer and I just wanted to check out. You know? I tried to lie down, to give up, I had reached my end. I couldn’t imagine anything ever changing to the point where I would want to live in this world.”
Uri looked at the mountain of armor and wiped away a tear from his cheek. His breath hitched as he tried to continue, “When the doctors saved me I thought it was just one more tragedy. I mean what a joke, right? So many people who wanted to live having their lives snuffed out right in front of me. I wanted to die and somehow I survived.”
The two sat quietly for a moment, Gabe not moving his hand from his friend’s back. At last Uri continued, “That’s when Michael came, he took me away, brought me here. He loved me and healed me in a way I didn’t know was possible. Gabe, I hated the world and he fixed that. I was so broken.” Uri grabbed Gabe’s empty hand tight into his squeezed it and whispered in a desperate tone, “I can’t lose him.”
Gabe stood to his feet and pulled Uri up to meet his gaze. “Then let’s go get him.” Gabe didn’t say it but he was already beginning to feel the same way about Michael. He knew he had a long road to travel in front of him and to head down it without his new mentor seemed unimaginable. Gabe needed Michael back as much as Uri. The two embraced for a moment, no more words being shared, just an unspoken understanding that they needed to save Michael.
The two dressed themselves in armor that had carvings of Rampart Manor’s emblem on the breastplate. Gabe slid his sacred sword into the sheath on his hip. They both took an armful of gear and made haste to the main courtyard to meet the others.
As they approached the others, Gabe caught sight of several incredible beasts. At first he thought what he was seeing were merely oversized horses but as they came closer he realized the brilliant white animals each had a massive set of wings on their back. Gabe saw that they not only were covered in lush thick hair but they also had pearl colored scales that climbed up their legs and shimmered in the sunlight.
Gabe stared in awe. They walked around the mighty creatures, one of them turning its head to look directly at Gabe. It carried a massive horn in the middle of its head. Gabe marveled at the twisted horn, it was riddled with holes and reminded him of what fragile coral looked like.
“Gabe,” Uri said as they came to a stop. “Meet the Alicorns. This is Celetius,” Uri said patting the neck of one of the mighty beasts. “And this fella here, his name is Midas and of course this lovely lady is Gretchen,” Uri added motioning to the other two magnificent animals.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Gabe said laughing a little at himself for talking to the animals.
“They want to know why you are laughing.” Uri said after a moment.
“What?” Gabe asked puzzled.
Dina stepped forward and began packing her gear onto Gretchen. “Gabe,” Dina explained. “Alicorns are telepaths. It takes years to master the skill to talk to them but we can communicate. Alicorn’s are not our servants, they’re our equals.” Dina bowed slightly to the Alicorns, showing her respect for them.
Gabe suddenly felt very embarrassed and wondered if he had offended the Alicorns. “I see,” Gabe said cautiously. “Well, thank you for your help.” The Alicorns nodded their heads in an up and down motion. Impressed by the fact he had just communicated with these impressive animals, Gabe felt very honored to be in their company.
Gabe and Uri dumped the pile of gear onto the ground nearby. The other four rushed over and began layering themselves in armor as both Gabe and Uri strapped weapons and other gear to the Alicorns. Gabe was extremely careful as he did this, trying at all costs not to cause any pain to these amazing creatures.
Once the Alicorns were loaded up Gabe stepped back and watched as Uri and Haim mounted Celetius with great ease. Dina walked over to Gretchen and smoothly wrapped her hand around her neck, stroking her gently. She touched her forehead to Gretchen’s and a moment later the great beast bent her front legs, lowering itself to where Dina and Raimie could easily climb on top of her.
A few moments later Gabe looked around at the group, now dressed in their impressive armor that gleamed in the sunlight, a huge thrill flooding over him. He felt like an actual hero. He looked like a hero. He was surrounded by amazing warriors but deep inside him, Gabe had that familiar fear growing. He wondered would he let these new friends down when it mattered most, would he let Sophie down?
“Gabe, are you coming?” Sophie said from atop Midas, her hand outstretched to him. He walked to the mighty beast’s side. Midas took a knee to allow Gabe to climb upon his back. Taking hold of Sophie’s hand Gabe pulled himself up behind her on the animal. As he settled in, he wrapped his arms around Sophie tightly and buried his head into her flowing red hair. As the group took flight Gabe kept his eyes closed and once again he found himself praying.
Chapter Twenty-five
Gabe tightened his legs around the mighty animal as it soared through the air. He was about to attempt to save a man’s life that had recently saved his own life. Gabe never really thought of himself as a true coward but he also certainly never thought of himself as a hero. Long ago he learned the way to survive in life is to keep your head down and mind your own business. Yet here he was, clad in battle armor, sword strapped to his side, and preparing to put his life on the line for a man he had known less than a week.
Gabe refused to look down for the simple fact he was trying to avoid the image of himself plummeting to the earth below burning into his brain. He looked over at Haim and Uri who were flying to the left of them. The Alicorns wings barely seemed to move, Gabe noticed. It was almost as if they were simply gliding through the air. A few more moments passed and there was another great swipe of the wings.
Gabe noticed Uri’s stare. No longer did he look full of fear. He had a determined glare; it looked as though Uri could light the demons on fire with just his eyes. Gabe thought about the Uri he had seen in the armory, scared and helpless. That was how Gabe felt most of the time. How was he going to be a warrior all of the sudden?
Thoughts of doubt continued to plague Gabe the rest of the journey. At last, the three Alicorns began their descent. Rather than relief to no longer be flying high above the land, Gabe felt overwhelmed by the thought of what awaited them. He imagined the spider like demons ready to pounce on them.
The magnificent beasts landed as gently and majestically as they had flown, delivering them safely to their destination. As Gabe dismounted he looked around frantically for any possible enemies. Seeing his panic Sophie reached out to take his hand. She pulled him close and looked up into his eyes. “Gabe,” she whispered. “It will be OK. We landed far enough away they shouldn’t be able to sense us yet. I won’t leave your side, alright?”
Gabe blew out a huge breath he had been holding since they landed. He wished Sophie
hadn’t seen his panic and wondered if she thought less of him. Though Gabe was still anxious about what he was walking into, he had to admit the idea of Sophie watching his back made him feel incredible.
“Celetius,” Uri said in a stern tone as he turned to look at the Alicorn. “You can’t be here. You and the others circle above. I will contact you when we need you.” As Uri finished his words the beautiful animal tapped his hoof into the dirt several times as if to acknowledge him. Uri gently reached his hand up, grabbing the Alicorn’s neck and looking into his eyes, “thank you my friend.”
The three winged beauties turned and with a few gallops quietly lifted into the air. Gabe watched with Uri as they climbed higher and higher until finally disappearing into the clouds. The others were busy strapping potion bottles and other equipment to their bodies.
“OK,” Uri said turning and looking at his companions. “When we go in, the focus needs to be on getting Michael out of there. Gabe,” Gabe’s stomach twisted as he heard Uri call his name. “You are the one who will have to free Michael.”
“What?” Sophie asked taking a huge step forward, clearly concerned about the choice.
Uri looked at Sophie and explained. “Soph, it’s the safest place for him to be. Gabe is inexperienced in battle and still has much to learn. He can cast invisibility and once we engage the campsite Mammon’s men will be distracted.” Uri turned to look at Gabe. “When you see there’s an opening, Gabe, you must free Michael and get him as far away as you can, do you understand me?”
Gabe nodded. As scared as he was, part of him felt guilty about having the task assigned to free Michael and run. He wanted to help the others fight Mammon but he knew Uri was right. He wasn’t ready for a fight like this.
Sophie seemed satisfied with Uri’s explanation and nodded in agreement. “Does everyone know their jobs?” Uri asked the group, they all responded in the affirmative. “Then God be with us all.”
They set out towards the east, careful to be quiet with each step. The fog grew thicker the further they traveled. Suddenly Uri raised his hand and the entire group halted. Uri lifted a single finger to his lips and Gabe found himself holding his breath in anticipation. A moment later Uri waved his hand forward, motioning them all to take cover. One by one they quietly and swiftly settled behind nearby trees. Uri leaned towards Gabe, “Are you ready for this?” Uri whispered. Unable to formulate a verbal response Gabe simply nodded.
Uri moved forward, taking refuge behind another large tree. At last he could see the clearing. Mammon’s forces were gathered in clusters around the outer edges. He saw one group of demonic beasts bent over what looked like the carcass of a deer. They were ripping chunks of flesh from its hind legs and torso with their teeth and claws. The poor animal still had the terror in its dead eyes from the moment it had been captured.
Uri felt his stomach ache with a wretched pain, a sign of how much evil was nearby. As Uri continued to scan the clearing at last he caught sight of Michael. He had never seen his teacher look this way, beaten and bruised; he looked inches away from death. All color had left Michael’s face and tied to the contorted tree his body looked limp and lifeless.
Uri stood up quickly; ready to run into the clearing with a great battle cry in an effort to save his beloved Michael. Seeing the Uri had lost his focus Gabe grabbed ahold of him and pulled him back to the earth behind the darkness of the trees. “Uri, get it together! You have to fight the impulse to run to his side. If Michael has any chance of surviving you know we have to stick to the plan.” It was hard for Gabe to believe that suddenly he was the level headed one.
Realizing Gabe was right, Uri shook his head. “Gabe,” Uri whispered. “Do you remember how to cast it?” Uri asked Gabe referring to the invisibility spell.
Gabe thought about it for a moment, he grabbed Uri’s hand and smiled. A second later closing his eyes tightly he muttered, “Invisibilis” and was gone.
Uri looked at the nothingness and whispered, “Make your way to Michael and remember, do not free him until we have attacked.”
From nothingness, Gabe’s voice gave the simple reply, “Understood.” Gabe then carefully made his way around the outer ring of trees. As he moved past each opening into the clearing he avoided looking at the demons, the logic of what he didn’t see couldn’t scare him winning out.
Gabe stumbled over the roots and crawled through the dust, at last finding himself behind the old crooked tree. Just feet in front of him was Michael, slumped over, Gabe couldn’t even see his body move with his breath and feared the worst. Gabe carefully and quietly whispered, “Michael,” But still there was no response.
He waited behind the tree, watching, ready to act. Gabe wiped his hands on his jeans trying to dry them from the alarming amount of sweat pouring from them. He grabbed his stomach, the pain from the closeness of the demons beginning to take its toll. He waited for Uri to attack, for his moment to rush in but still nothing happened.
Gabe moved in closer to Michael, his shoe scuffed the root of the massive tree and Gabe quickly looked around to see if anyone had heard the faint noise. Nobody looked his way, so he continued to move in more closely. Finally, he was near enough to reach out and touch Michael. He gently placed two fingers on Michael’s wrist. Clearly there was still a pulse, though it was faint.
“Michael.” Gabe whispered again, nudging him gently.
Michael shifted slightly, he kept his head slumped but licked his dry and cracked lips with his equally dry and crusted tongue. “Gabe,” Michael whispered, not even opening his eyes. “Is that you?”
“Michael, don’t move. We are going to rescue you,” Gabe whispered.
“Gabe, you shouldn’t be here,” Michael said in broken whispers.
“Well I am,” Gabe replied flatly. “When you hear the commotion be ready, I’ll help you sneak away from here.”
Michael lifted a hand and placed it on Gabe’s arm. Gabe jumped back a bit, shocked Michael knew its presence even though he was invisible. “You have to listen to me,” Michael strained. “They took something from me we need.”
“It is not important.” Gabe tried to assure him. “All that’s important is that we get you out of here safely.” Gabe added looking around and making sure none of the demons noticed their conversation.
“No, Gabe, you have to listen, we need them…” Michael pleaded.
Gabe thought about that night he had seen Michael dip the daggers into the silver. “The daggers?” Gabe responded.
“How did you?” Michael said and then stopped, remembering that night and the person hiding in the shadows. Michael drew in a hitched breath and then glanced to the other side of the clearing. “It was you. There, my satchel is over there.”
Gabe glanced over and he saw a large canvas tent across the way. The bottom of the tent was covered in mud which climbed halfway up the side. The flaps to the doorway were pulled down and secured. A large awning outstretched in front of the tent and below that there was a table with papers scattered about. Resting against one of the legs of the table was a small bag.
“Uri told me I have to get you out of here.” Gabe protested in a hushed tone.
“Without that bag, Gabe we are all as good as dead.” Michael insisted.
Gabe thought about Michael’s words for a moment and then letting out a sigh conceded. “OK, I will be right back.”
“Be careful Gabe.” Michael whispered as Gabe stood and made his way around the outside of the camp to the trees just behind the tent.
“I don’t want excuses!” Gabe heard a deep voice growl inside the tent. “I want to know the location now!” The same voice shouted. “How can an entire manor remain hidden from us?”
Gabe crawled around the side of the tent. He tried to ignore the voice that was so close to him. He made his way to the front of the tent and just as he was about to climb over and grab the satchel, Gabe heard the clash of metal and a bright light from the corner of his eye. He crouched back down behind a log near the
front of the tent and peaked around the edge.
Gabe watched in horror as the battle commenced, Uri had made his move. He was supposed to be cutting Michael loose at this moment and leading him to freedom. Instead here he was, lying in fear, in hiding, watching his friends put their lives in harm’s way. Gabe’s fears of letting his friends down seemed to becoming true.
Gabe watched as Uri swung his sword wildly over his head, bringing it down with great strength and speed onto one of the demon’s spider like legs. The twitching hairy leg fell to the ground. Uri gripped his sword in both hands and crouching low spun around in a circle with the blade extended. The swipe sliced off three more legs of the beast bringing it crashing to the ground. Lifting the sword over his head Uri brought the point of the blessed blade down into the creature’s skull with a mighty cry. The demon shrieked and then burst into a flickering gust of ash. A moment later Uri was engaged in heated battle with another demon.
To the right Gabe saw Dina and Sophie joining forces and attacking a monster that he had not seen before. It had the head of a bull and stood seven feet high and though he had the torso of a man his legs were again that of an animal. They were strong and muscular, at the base they ended in hooves. A blue light beamed from Dina’s hand as she shouted words Gabe could not quite hear. The demon with the bull head tried to lunge at Dina but as it did the blue beam crashed into the monster’s rib cage. It lifted its head to the heavens and let out a horrible cry.
Sophie seized that moment to grab a vile from her belt and thrust it at the creature. As the glass broke and the liquid inside splashed across it she extended her hand, mumbling a chant of some kind and suddenly the demon burst into flames. It ran to the center of the clearing, not far from where Gabe was hidden falling to the ground and a moment later exploded into a thick ash.
Gabe watched the fighting continue, amazed and in awe of his friend’s strength and power. The earth beneath Gabe began to tremble violently. He heard the swipe of canvas against canvas next to him. Gabe pushed himself onto his elbows and peaked over the log. A massive man stood only feet away, his was tall and broad. Gabe recognized his thick salt and pepper mane and wolf like features from the beach. Mammon, he thought desperately. Gabe clutched at his stomach, struggling to remain silent as the pain washed over him.
