by Blair Drake
“What’s wrong, Jasper? Ye have been skittish all day.”
Willow’s probing gaze seemed to see right through him. He wondered what to say. He didn’t want to frighten her by telling her the truth, but at that moment, he was beyond trying to think of a lie.
“I…I’m not sure it’s going to be so easy,” he finally managed.
Willow frowned. “What? Finding the stone or breaking the spell?”
“Both. I sense danger. I’ve learned to listen to it in the past.”
Her frown deepened. She remained silent for a while. “Ye are right. I feel it, too. In fact, I hear a kind of pounding. What do ye think—”
Her words were cut off by a bloodcurdling scream as hundreds of birds descended upon them. They appeared out of nowhere, circling above them, screeching. Their beaks were nearly as big as their bodies, and they were as large as bald eagles. Jasper had never seen anything like it, but he knew with certainty what it meant: The battle was upon them. His fear ratcheted up a notch.
He glanced at Willow. Her eyes were as wide as saucers. A frown of concern creased her forehead. “Oh, my goodness! They’re some kind of birds! But not like any birds I’ve ever seen. They’re flying right at us, like they’re attacking us!”
Jasper’s chest tightened. He grabbed at Willow’s reins. She gave a startled cry. “Jasper! What are ye doing?”
“Listen to me, Willow!” The urgency in his tone frightened her. He could see it in her eyes.
“What’s the matter, Jasper? What’s going on?” She looked around her. The sky was dark with the birds. Their screeching wails were deafening. Rylan was nowhere to be seen. “Where’s Papa?” Her voice rose, on the edge of hysteria. Fear showed in the whites of her eyes.
Jasper tried once again. “Willow! Listen to me! Get out of here! Something bad is about to happen. Find Rylan and head for the trees. Gallop as fast as you can. Find somewhere to hide. Once this is all over, I’ll come looking for you. Do you understand?”
She was shaking her head back and forth before he even finished. “No, Jasper! No! I don’t understand! What are ye talking about? What’s going to happen? What do ye know?”
“Please, Willow! I don’t have time for explanations! Find Rylan and go!”
With that, Jasper leaned toward her. He kissed her firmly then dug his heels into his horse and swung the beast around. He faced directly toward the onslaught of birds. Racing past a solitary tree, he reached out and snapped off a branch. With a war cry to equal the sound of the birds, he lowered his head and charged.
Swinging wildly, this way and that, he connected with his attackers. Feathers flew in every direction. Heads and wings and beaks were snapped. And then he faced another challenge as the ground beneath him erupted. Thousands of snakes slithered across the dirt, all headed for him and his horse.
Terror iced his heart. His chest felt so tight it burned, but his horse remained steady beneath him and gave him the courage to go on. The snakes came closer, their mouths open wide. Huge fangs, every bit as long and sharp as the eel he’d encountered, gleamed with poison in the light. Everywhere he looked, the ground moved with the slithering creatures.
As they drew closer, his horse shook its head and snorted. Jasper understood its fear. With nothing left to lose, he would stand and fight. Once again he swung his club. Leaning over the side of his horse, he swiped and swung and smashed. Snakes went flying high up in the sky, falling back in pieces. And then the birds began to savage the snakes, taking off with large chunks in their mouths. In what seemed like mere moments, the sky and the ground were empty once again.
Jasper gasped in disbelief, his heart pounding. Surely it can’t be over? The picture in Rylan’s book depicted the bodies of many strange creatures. Did the artist get it wrong?
Then he heard a spine-tingling roar that turned his blood to ice. Swinging around, he came face to face with an army of crazy-looking men. Some had three heads, some had four arms. Many of them had more than two legs.
They rode beasts of the forest that looked like sci-fi versions of genetically modified rhinos. Their rough gray hides gleamed with sweat and muscle. Unlike the rhinos Jasper saw in zoos, these had three large horns and wide jaws flashing row upon row of jagged teeth. The noise of their grunts and squeals, mixed with the battle cries of the monsters riding them, added to the confusion and fear.
Jasper sat frozen, welded in place by a terror he’d never known before. If ever there was a time to be thankful for his supernatural power, it was now. He just hoped it wouldn’t let him down.
Patting his very brave horse, he leaned down and whispered words of reassurance. He wasn’t sure which one of them he was trying to comfort, and right then, he didn’t really care. The huge beasts were coming for him. He drew in a deep breath and faced them, holding his tree branch aloft.
Then the familiar tingling started in his fingers and traveled up his arms. He trembled in anticipation as electricity moved through his body. His hands tightened on his weapon. As the pairs of ferocious beasts came at him, screaming and bellowing, he started picking them off.
One by one, he connected with skull and bone and tissue. Blood spurted out of monster and animal alike. It sprayed across Jasper’s arms and chest and face, blinding him. Warm and wet and sticky, it made him want to gag. And still they kept coming. His arm throbbed from the number of times he connected with solid flesh. His head ached from the blows he took. He wanted to call it quits, surrender, but there was no time for anything but the battle…
And then out of the corner of his eye, he saw something that froze his blood...
A huge man dressed entirely in black leather, carrying a vicious-looking, spike-ridden mace rode toward him on a midnight black horse. With his head covered, and mere slits for eyes, it was impossible to tell who this new challenger was, but there was no mistaking the arrogance and fierce determination in the man’s bearing or the evil enveloping him in a dangerous cloud.
Jasper shuddered, immobile with fear. It had to be King Defyron himself—Willow’s evil grandfather and the man who cursed Rylan in the most wicked and malevolent way. And that man headed straight for Jasper, followed by his army of monstrous men riding in arrow formation behind him. Jasper had no doubt that if the sharp-pronged, brutal-looking staff held in the King’s hand found its mark, it would rip him to shreds. He looked around for somewhere to hide, but there was nowhere.
The battle depicted in Rylan’s book was about to come to a climax. It was between him and the King, and only one of them would survive. The very thought sent terror arcing through him, but he refused to let it take hold. He was sent here for one purpose, and no one was going to get in his way.
With that thought in mind, Jasper took the initiative and screamed a battle cry that would shred anyone’s nerves. At the same time, he dug his heels into the sides of his horse and charged toward the King.
With his arm held high, he aimed the branch right at the King’s black head. When he was close enough to take a swipe, he swung the weapon with all his might. With a dull thud, it bounced off the helmet, and Jasper almost lost his grip. The King’s dark steed barely broke stride.
Filled with even more determination, Jasper swung his horse around and tried again. This time, he aimed lower, for the breastplate that covered the man’s chest. He surmised it was made from leather, so would be less resistant to the force of Jasper’s branch. Once again, Jasper thrust, hoping to topple the man off his horse, but at the last minute, the King swerved and Jasper’s blow only glanced off the man’s arm.
The King’s army of man-monsters laughed uproariously, enjoying the entertainment. Anger burned through Jasper. They’re toying with me. The King and his men... They’re playing with me like a lion would play with a field mouse. And when they tire of the game, they’ll strike their fatal blow, and the game will be over.
Jasper refused to accept his life and hopes would end like that. He was unskilled and outnumbered, but he wouldn’t give up. With a bloodc
urdling cry, he charged again, and this time he managed to land a decent blow. The branch connected with the side of the King’s head. The man dressed from head to toe in black leather groaned from the impact and momentarily lost his seat. With an effort, he grabbed the reins, remounted, and turned toward Jasper with murder in his eyes.
The army of monstrous men and their beasts cheered and snarled in anticipation. The noise of it was deafening. They could sense the end was nigh. The death blow was almost upon them. Victory hung thick in the air. Their King and master would win the day, and they could celebrate long into the night. A chant of encouragement went around them as they circled Jasper and their King.
Jasper glared at King Defyron, even as his belly somersaulted with fear. He refused to show cowardice before this man who used magic to seek his revenge. This man who banished his infant granddaughter from the safety and security of a loving home; who caused the death of Willow’s mother and cursed her father to a lifetime of old age and pain. This dark King caused so much agony, and it was time for his rule to come to an end. Jasper was sent here to do it, and by God, he’d see it done.
With his gaze fixed on his opponent, he lifted his weapon and charged. A guttural battle cry sprang forth, fearsome and loud. He galloped toward King Defyron, intent on smashing the man in two, but once again the King swerved at the last minute, and Jasper’s aim went wide.
More guffaws and laughter from the army of man-monsters echoed. The rhinos snorted and pawed the ground. Jasper was filled with embarrassment and anger, but instead of giving up this only fueled his need to destroy the monsters.
And then he heard a sound that surprised and temporarily distracted him from the battle. He looked up and saw Rylan charging directly toward him from a position amongst the trees. In his hand, he carried a tree branch, similar to the one Jasper had. His face looked fierce and focused as he shouted an almost inhuman battle cry.
Jasper screamed and waved his arms, certain Rylan couldn’t see him. In all the noise and confusion, it was definitely possible. Rylan kept on coming. Jasper braced himself for the moment when the two of them would collide. Rylan lifted his tree branch in a most determined way…
Jasper yelled and ducked, all at the same time, but the blow didn’t come. He looked up in time to see King Defyron bearing down upon him. Intent on destroying him, the King raised his mace and was readying himself to swing. Mere feet away from him, Jasper froze in terror and waited for the blow.
Then something amazing happened. Just as King Defyron got close enough to administer the fatal hit, Rylan morphed into the gigantic silverback gorilla. The snowy white horse reared, its legs flailing in the air. The crowd surrounding them gasped and fell back in shock. Jasper’s heart pounded in disbelief.
Clinging to the horse, Rylan, in the form of the silverback, swung his tree branch with an almighty roar. It connected with an awful sound. The King’s howl of pain was cut short as his head was torn from his shoulders. Jasper gasped, trembling in shock, unable to believe what happened.
And then, just as quickly as the man-monsters appeared, the packs that were able to dissolved from sight. The noise on the battlefield died down to the occasional murmur and grunt or groan of pain. Death and destruction lay all around Jasper, and yet he was still alive and had Rylan to thank for that.
Still in shock, he turned to the healer who was slowly returning to his usual self. “You saved my life.”
The old man nodded, his breath coming hard. He held his side as if it pained him. “As ye did mine. Now we’re even.”
Jasper shook his head in confusion. “But, I don’t understand. What happened back there? How did you manage to do that? I thought you could only shift when you were feeling unhappy?”
Rylan shrugged. “What does it matter? I saved yer life, didn’t I?”
“Yes, but—”
“Leave it alone, boy. What’s done is done.”
Jasper stared at him, dissatisfied with his answer but willing to let it go for the moment. Rylan climbed down from his horse and strode over to where the King’s head lay. With his boot, Rylan kicked at the leather headpiece. When the man’s face was revealed, Rylan’s lip curled in contempt.
“Is it him?” Jasper asked quietly.
Rylan spat near the head. “It’s him.”
In silence, the two of them headed back toward the line of trees. There would be time later, after the shock and trauma of the battle wore off, to ask more questions.
“Where’s Willow?” he asked instead.
“She’s on the edge of the forest. I told her to keep herself hidden. I hope she’s done as she was told.”
“Like you, you mean?” Jasper teased.
Rylan shot him a glare, but humor twinkled in his eyes. “Ye ought to be pleased I ignored yer instructions,” he replied gruffly.
“Absolutely,” Jasper readily agreed. “It was getting nasty back there. You showed up just in time.”
“Yes, well I was watching the battle from the safety of the forest. I just didn’t feel right hiding out while ye battled for yer life. When King Defyron made an appearance, I couldn’t sit by any longer. As much as ye are a part of this history and everything that’s gone on before, this was always between him and me, and the time had come to even the score. I’d beat him or die trying. Either way, it had to be done.”
“Well, I’m grateful for your intervention and I’m glad as hell we both survived. Now we can get on with the more important task of breaking that evil spell.”
Rylan shot him a look filled with gratitude. “I hope ye don’t think I just came to yer aid so ye could continue the quest?”
Jasper shrugged. While he believed Rylan’s account of his need to get even with his nemesis, the breaking of the curse did rely on Jasper’s survival.
As if reading Jasper’s mind, Rylan’s expression darkened. “I did what I did for both of us, but it had nothing to do with ye and yer importance in breaking the curse. The truth is, I… I’ve come to care for ye, boy. I think of ye as I would a son.” Rylan’s cheeks turned pink.
Jasper was overwhelmed with tenderness. “That’s very kind of you, Rylan and I appreciate your act of bravery. I would probably be a trophy on the end of one of those vicious-looking rhino horns if you hadn’t come along.” He brought his horse close enough that he could reach out and lay his hand on Rylan’s shoulder. “Thank you.”
“Ye are welcome,” Rylan replied, his voice gruff with emotion.
Jasper paused and then asked quietly, “Will you tell me how you shifted to the silverback?”
Rylan stared off into the distance and then heaved a heavy sigh. “I guess it doesn’t matter if ye know. It’s probably my daughter to whom I owe an explanation. When I took off from the forest, she screamed for me to come back. She was sure I was headed toward certain death.”
“She knows about the shapeshifting, though?”
Rylan nodded. “Yes.”
“So, she’s not going to be freaked out about that.”
“No, I guess she was fearful for my safety. She didn’t know what was going on, but she knew it was serious. She told me ye ordered her into the forest and told her to take me with her. Is that true?”
“Yes. I wanted to know you were both safe. History had me fairly and squarely involved in this battle, but the two of you weren’t on the page. I was hoping to keep it that way.”
Rylan nodded. “Ye are a brave lad, Jasper. I’m glad I ignored yer order and came to help ye out.”
Jasper grinned. “Me, too.”
They walked along in silence, then Jasper asked, “How did you do it?”
“Do what?”
“Shift from man to gorilla. I thought you could only do that when you were feeling down.”
“True, but I knew if I was to battle it out with King Defyron, I’d need every advantage I could get. I concentrated really hard on how I’d feel if ye took Willow away. It was enough.”
Jasper opened his mouth to protest. “Rylan! I wou—
”
Rylan held up his hand to halt the defensive words about to pour out of Jasper’s mouth.
“Please, Jasper. Don’t treat me like a fool. I’ve seen the way ye look at her, and both of ye already told me how ye feel. Ye are two young people who fell in love. Ye don’t care ye are worlds apart—literally and figuratively. Ye only care about how ye feel, and ye are young enough ye can’t imagine love won’t find a way. Ye haven’t worked out the details, but ye can’t deny ye have thought about how ye can take my daughter back.” Rylan regarded him solemnly. “Can ye?”
Jasper felt a wave of guilt and wished he could utter the words, but Rylan was a shrewd old man and he saw it the way it was. Instead he said, “You’re right. I’ve fallen in love with your daughter and she cares for me, too. I haven’t spoken to her about taking her with me, but it’s something I really want to do. I can’t imagine living my life without her. She’s my moon, my stars, my sun. I have to be with her. Can you understand?”
“I understand that after nearly eighteen years, I’ve finally found my daughter, and now ye want to take her away. Not just to another village or another country, but to another world. I’ll never see her again.”
The desolation in Rylan’s eyes nearly did Jasper in. He couldn’t imagine how it felt to discover a long-lost daughter, only to face losing her again. He wished it didn’t have to be that way. He wished both of them could win. But the truth was, Jasper couldn’t remain in this world, and he wanted to take Willow with him.
“Do ye even know if ye have the power to travel forward through time with her? How will ye keep her safe? What will ye do with her when ye get home, if ye get home?” Rylan asked earnestly.
Jasper stared at him and answered honestly. “I don’t know.”
Rylan held his gaze, his eyes hard. “I figured as much.”
Chapter 17
After a brief but joyful reunion with Willow, the three of them climbed back on their horses and began the final leg of their journey. According to Rylan’s map, they were to travel in a southwesterly direction, away from the river.
