“Hey!” Clandestiny chastised. “Don’t speak so ill of us!”
Gallrum ignored the Isorian’s demeanor and continued to speak to Gage. “You may be onto something. If they were to unite and focus, perhaps their memories of home would be strengthened.”
Clandestiny rolled her eyes. “How does embracing strengthen our memories?” she grumbled.
Gage growled. He had had enough of Clandestiny’s argumentative attitude. She had seen his magic work on more than one occasion, yet still she challenged its effectiveness. “Perhaps you should speak less of what you don’t understand and focus more on what you might remember. Embrace Medolas, close your eyes, and think of home … unless you’d rather walk. I’m tired of your vexatious attitude.”
Seeing that Clanny was speechless, Medolas grinned within and then took a seat next to Clandestiny on her block. “Come on, Clanny. Try it. I don’t want to walk. I want to see home.”
“Fine!” she conceded.
Medolas grinned. “See now, Clanny, that wasn’t so hard, was it?”
“Don’t, Meddy! I’m not in the mood!” Without further chastisement, Clandestiny stood, pulled Medolas to his feet, and then threw her arms around him. She looked over her shoulder at Gage. “Now what?” she barked.
The badger’s cane tapped against the ice as he circled the carcass and stopped next to the Isorians. He touched the skin of their blue legs and looked up. “Close your eyes and focus. And, Gallrum, place your claw on my shoulder.”
It was not long before Clandestiny opened her eyes. “Well, is it working?”
Gage growled. “Focus!”
After ensuring Clanny did as she was told, Gage closed his eyes again and searched their memories. Eventually, a smile appeared on the badger’s face. The group vanished.
When next Medolas and Clandestiny opened their eyes, they were standing in Clanny’s old bedroom, but their arrival was not what they expected. Two Isorian children screamed and ran out of the room, shouting, “Mother! Father! Mishandlers have appeared to abscond our belongings!”
Confusion covered Clanny’s face as a large Isorian with a hairy belly, full beard, and a powerful frame entered the room holding a spear that bore the markings of the Frigid Commander of the Isorian army. He pointed its tip in their direction. “Who are you?” he shouted. “You’ve chosen the wrong home to perform evil doings.”
Medolas held up his hands and stepped in front of Clandestiny to shield her from the point of the commander’s spear. “My name is Medolas. This is Clandestiny, and these are our friends, Gage and Gallrum. We’ve returned from our journey to find the Ko-dess. This home used to be the home of Shamand. We had no knowledge that we would be unwelcome.”
“Where is Shamand?” Clandestiny queried. With little regard for her safety, Clanny pushed Medolas to her right and then reached out to shove the point of the commander’s spear to the side as she stepped forward. “Where’s my father, and why are you in his home? Who were those children, and what is your name?”
Seeing the look of bewilderment on the commander’s face, Gage motioned for Gallrum to lower to the ice. He whispered into the serwin’s ear with his eyes fixed on Clandestiny. “I’m glad the females from our world aren’t as demanding as her.”
Without adjusting her gaze, Clandestiny crossed her arms and responded. “I heard that, badger.” She readdressed the commander. “I asked, what is your name, and why is your family in my house?”
A voice responded from the hallway beyond the room. “Tell her your name, Jeromas.”
Jeromas took a step back, lifted his spear, pointed it again at Clandestiny and then addressed his wife who was about half his size. “Hold your tongue, Polesta! I have not yet determined a course of action!”
Irritation spread across Polesta’s face. She stepped into the room and moved past her husband. Her hair was long, body petite, and yet she still possessed a strong presence. “There’s no action to be taken. If they had been mishandlers, they would’ve overtaken our abode already.” Polesta looked at Clandestiny. “You spoke of Shamand. How could you not know that the Great One perished?”
The life filling Clandestiny’s eyes faded as her arms unfolded and dropped to her side. The movement caused the Tear of Gramal to reflect the light being cast by the orb lighting the room.
Upon seeing the shimmer, Polesta gasped. “The Tear! That’s the Tear, Jeromas! Thank the gods the Tear has returned to us!” She turned, grabbed her husband’s arm and shook it. “Jeromas, you must tell the ruby eyed man that the Tear has returned to Hydroth. We will once again be safe from the gashtion!”
Medolas was quick to add. “Yes, Commander, and tell Gabs that his childhood friends, Clandestiny and Medolas, have also returned.”
Jeromas grabbed his wife by the arm and moved her into the hallway. His form filled the doorway as he lifted his spear and pointed it at Medolas. “If you’re friends with the ruby eyed man, and if the trinket about your neck is, indeed, the Tear, then you won’t fight against me. You’ll surrender yourselves into captivity until I can fetch our sovereign and his advisor.” The Frigid Commander looked over his shoulder at his wife. “Fetch my men! I want them bound.”
An irritated look spread across Polesta’s face. “Why? She has the Tear about her neck.”
The commander’s voice was strong. “I said, fetch my men and tie them up!”
Northern Grayham
The Hollow Beneath the Ice
The Outskirts of Hydroth, the Peak of Bailem
Shiver and Gablysin were standing at the center of the hollow. The pace at which the army had been digging was frantic, and to ensure the hollow would not collapse during construction, large columns had been left behind to hold up the roof. Chains had been attached to the base of each column and stretched the length of the hollow where they ended at a ramp that ascended to the surface.
Shiver looked in the direction of the ramp. “Are you sure the chains will hold, Gabs? When the harugens pull, the pressure will be great.”
Gablysin nodded. “These chains were crafted on Trollcom. The dwarves are known as master smiths. I’m confident they’ll hold.”
Shiver looked down at the chains and pushed against one of the links with his foot. “I don’t know, Gabs. I wish I had your confidence.” He looked up at the columns. They were nearly 70 paces tall and 6 paces thick. He shook his head. “These links feel feeble considering the task we’re asking them to perform.”
The ruby eyed man patted Shiver on the back. “You worry for naught.”
The king gripped the links with the pysples on the bottom of his foot. As he pulled his foot away, the pysples popped. “I hope you’re right.”
Gabs shrugged. “And if I’m not?”
“If you’re not, this war will consume only a short period of moments before we pass. The Tormal outnumber us two to one. The gashtion has ravaged too many, and we won’t stand a chance if the hollow fails to collapse.”
Before another word could be said, Jeromas skittered up on the back of his harugen. The commander pulled back on the reins and ordered the beast’s undulating body to stop. He looked down. “Sire!”
Shiver stepped over the chain and reached up to pat the harugen on the side of its head. “What is it, Commander?”
“Four beings have been taken into custody. Two of them claim to have previous childhood companionship with you and your advisor.”
Gablysin was the one to respond. “What names do they go by, Commander?”
Jeromas reached into his saddlebag to retrieve a parchment. After unfolding the paper, he answered, “One claims to be Medolas and the other, more spirited Isorian, goes by the name Clandestiny. It appears the Tear of Gramal is draped around her neck.”
Shiver spun around, his eyes wide and slapped Gabs on the chest. “It can’t be!”
Astounded, the ruby eyed man replied, “I cannot fathom their continued existence. It’s been 300 seasons.”
Shiver ran a few steps away from the harug
en. He turned and gave an order. “Commander, take us to them!” The king bounded across the ice, mounted Jeromas’ harugen, and then looked down at the ruby eyed man. “Make haste, Gabs. Let’s go!”
Once Gabs had secured his straps on the third segment of the harugen’s back, the Frigid Commander turned the beast around. As they skittered up and out of the hollow, the points of the harugen’s legs tore into the ice at a rapid pace.
2 Peaks have Passed
Northern Grayham
Medolas, Clandestiny, Shiver and Gablysin—The reunion between friends was remarkable. Many tears were shed, hugs were exchanged and stories were told. Shiver and the ruby eyed man have brought Medolas and Clandestiny up to speed on the happenings throughout the kingdom. Though Clanny was devastated after learning about the loss of her father and their old friend, Slips, she has been motivated to help the army in the effort to prepare for the upcoming war.
With the Tear draped around Clandestiny’s neck, she has been ordered to remain at the king’s side. The union ceremony to unite Medolas and Clandestiny will have to wait until after the war is over. Gablysin has agreed to perform their union if everyone survives.
Gage and Gallrum—The goswigs have offered to use their magic to help the Isorian army extend the depth and the width of the hollow. What once took the strength of the army 10 Peaks to chisel, only takes the goswigs the majority of a morning. As the expanse of the hollow grows at an exponential rate, Shiver, Gablysin, Medolas and even Clandestiny are finding it difficult to understand how the goswigs summon such power. Further, it frightens Shiver to know that his grandfather wields power of similar intensity.
Gage has also used his magic on the Frigid Commander’s cape. The magic will help Jeromas stay cool as the Isorian makes his way to Harvestom to retrieve the High Priestess. Shiver wants to ensure that Fosalia approves of Clandestiny’s ability to control the Tear of Gramal before he announces to the Isorian populace that the Tear has found its way back to Hydroth. The clan leaders who sit on the council have already been notified of the Tear’s return, but they have been left with orders not to spread word until the priestess visits.
Meerum Bosand— The Tormalian King has returned to his army. After slaying the Ko-dess, Meerum spat on Cheval’s corpse and then used his magic to search for the calling stone he had left with his Frigid Commander. The stone acted as a beacon to which Meerum could teleport, and the king is now lying inside his tent in the wilderness west of the Mountains of Tedfer. The power he expelled to end the Ko-dess’ life’s source was substantial, and it will take 4 Peaks for Meerum to recover.
Once the king’s power has returned, Meerum plans to create a portal. The army will use this gate to teleport beyond the Mountains of Tedfer into Isorian territory. From there, they will march east toward Hydroth.
The World
of
Luvelles
Eastern Luvelles—With the family no longer worried about Garrin, George removed all traces of the god-child’s existence from the family homes. After ensuring there would be no further complications regarding Garrin’s absence, George spent the last few Peaks teleporting back and forth to the Village of Specks.
Getting Jackson, the owner of the Misplaced Inn, off a barstool so that George could complete his journey to the island of the wood elves has proved to be a challenge. The warlock has had to toss down a few ales himself to earn Jackson’s trust and solidify their friendship.
Since George’s conscience has been bothering him, the warlock has convinced himself that stealing the information he wants from Jackson’s mind is unacceptable, and since he doesn’t know the lands of Doridelven, he has been forced to be patient. He has been working to convince Jackson that visiting the wood elves is a necessary evil. He can only hope the innkeeper will stop drinking long enough to take him to the port town of Drandel.
Western Luvelles—The construction of the bridge to connect the cities of Inspiration and Lavan is once again under way. King Dowd and Chancellor Boyafed have pooled their resources. They have also solicited the help of the Ultorians. The addition of the Ultorians’ magic has been enough to hold back the water of Lake Lavan while the elves from Inspiration and Froland work with the halflings from Lavan and Hyperia to set the foundations for the pillars that will support the substructure of the bridge.
Dragonia
The New Hell
Lasidious and Alistar—The brothers are visiting while they sit around Lasidious’ camp in the forest just south of the Mountains of Gannesh. Garrin and Sam Jr. are still in stasis. Alistar has informed Lasidious about the complications the Collective encountered while working to ensure that Hell and its four moons stay in the perfect orbit while they travel around their new star.
The Collective plans to lift stasis in the morning, and all the beings across what was once known as Dragonia will know that they exist on a world called Hell.
Since the beings on the mainland of Hell will believe that they have always existed on Hell, there will be no change in the way they live their lives—for now. They will not know the size of their world has increased and the damned are migrating. Sharvesa’s daughter, the Vampire King and Queen and the criminals who occupy the stronghold south of the Mountains of Gannesh, will all have no idea that the mainland of Hell is about to change. Chaos is coming and all these beings will eventually be affected.
Lasidious and Alistar estimate that it will take the damned over a season to migrate out of the Ocean of Karamoore. The damned will fight one another as they work their way around the Dragon’s Backbone. From there, they will need to swim to the mainland. With eternal suffering about to consume the entirety of Hell, the moment has come to implement the next part of the Mischievous One’s plan.
Kepler, Sam, and the imp, Pydum —Prior to Sam waking up after his disagreement with Kael, Lasidious appeared to the blade. The Mischievous One informed Kael of the Archangel Gabriel’s presence. Because of the news Kael divulged to Sam about Shalee’s baby not being his son, an opportunity has presented itself. Kael agreed to patch things up with Sam and apologize to the king for his side of their disagreement. After Lasidious’ departure, Kael told Sam a lie about who the real father of Shalee’s baby was. Since that Peak, Sam has continued to exist within his protective bubble while stewing about the Archangel Gabriel’s liberties with his queen. Though Sam still does not know about his past relationship with the archangel, the King of Brandor has vowed to seek the power to attain vengeance against Gabriel.
Meanwhile, Yaloom’s potion has caused Sam’s body to feel as if the essence of his being is becoming more powerful somehow. A new kind of power is emerging within the king.
Pydum has watched from a distance. Stasis did not effect the imp, and he has been careful not to allow Kael to learn of his presence. On the Peak Kael forced Yaloom’s potion down Sam’s throat, the imp shook his head in disgust and then he did it again after Sam learned of Gabriel’s supposed misdeeds.
Pydum has decided to create a friendship with the King of Brandor. The imp plans to divulge the truth, but how to do it without Kael interfering is another matter.
The Hidden God World
Ancients Sovereign
Book of Immortality and Celestria —The Book has summoned Celestria to his Hall of Judgment. Gabriel will offer Celestria a deal.
A Place Unknown
Anahita and Helga—The pair was separated and they no longer share a body. For the past few Peaks, Helga has been spending the majority of her moments in front of the mirror at the back of the shack while Anahita has been studying the ancient book that was left behind by Michael.
Aside from Helga’s fiery-red hair that covers the majority of her body, Helga cannot get used to the idea that she can open the door to the shack and pee into the darkness without squatting.
Now that Anahita is full angel, the human need to expel waste no longer exists. She also does not need to consume sustenance to survive. Like Gabriel and Michael, if Anahita decides to partake in the pleas
antries of food or drink, it will be solely for the purpose of enjoying the moment.
Harvestom
Mosley—With the help of the High Priestess and an unexpected visitor, Mosley has managed to improve his ability to invoke his power. Sharvesa has been working with the High Priestess to expedite the wolf’s growth. Though the wolf’s knowledge of the languages spoken by the Ancient Mystics and the Swayne Enserad has been helpful, Mosley is still far from powerful.
The wolf can summon magic that equals the power of lesser warlocks on Luvelles. Mosley longs for the Peak that he can slay George and Kepler, and because of what Sharvesa believes to be the truth about her brothers, the demon-goddess intends to avoid the rest of the Collective and see to it that Mosley finds his vengeance. Sharvesa wants George and Kepler slaughtered just as much as Mosley does since George forced Payne to surrender his power to the jaguar.
Thank you for reading the Crystal Shard
CHAPTER 14
Dragonia + Hell = Screwed
Stasis on Hell has Lifted
The Old Merchant Island
The Height of the Next Peak Approaches
WHEN SAM AWOKE, he took a moment to stretch. With the sun nearing the peak and two of Hell’s four moons passing across the sky, he realized he was no longer waiting for stasis to lift. The barrier Lasidious had placed around the demon-jaguar and the containers was gone, and Kepler was missing. Kael was stuck in the ground, but the blade had gone cold since his flame was no longer necessary to shed light.
“Kael, where’s Kepler?”
The sword did not hesitate to respond. “He’s gone, Sam. Stasis lifted while you were asleep.”
The Tear of Gramal Page 40
