The Bad Seed

by Michael Lackey

  Well, they did not know what a Savannah or a Georgia was, but it reminded Zachery of his father and that was comfort enough. It was not home, but it would make do.

  I was worried at this point and confused for the most part. I could not help to think, oh Benzoete, where had you sent us?

  Miss Lizzy took them to their room and helped get them settled in. She was a kind and helpful woman. Just being around her made them feel like they found a good place.

  It would some take time to get use to this new place, but knowing they were safe from Dori'naur made them feel a little more at ease.

  The next morning, Natallia and Zachery went down to start their new jobs helping Miss Lizzy.

  "Well, good morning my new sunshines!" chimed Miss Lizzy. "Today, we start your training as my saloon help. Natallia, I'm gonn’ have you cleaning tables and gettin' folks seated. If they are needin' a drank, you can fetch that from the bar. Be nice to the men folk and sometimes they will throw a little extra coin your way."

  Natallia had no idea what she was talking about, but she watched close as Miss Lizzy went through the motions and she was sure she would get the hang of it.

  "Next my good boy, you will be responsible for fixin' things around here and for my farm. Doin' a lot of cleanin' and stayin' out of the way at night in the saloon. How are you at gatherin' eggs and milkin' cows?" She asked him.

  Zachery was excited, it sounded like life back on his family's farm. "I am an expert at those things Miss Lizzy!" said Zachery.

  Over the next few months, they seemed to find their way just fine. Making new friends and learning their way around this new land. Natallia's stomach grew, and people wanted to rub it for some strange reason, but it made them smile. Zachery seemed to find a very special friend. He was very smitten with Miss Lizzy's granddaughter, Cassy. The two were inseparable, since they were so close in age. Cassy was a fiery little blonde girl with a spunky attitude that taught Zachery the ways of life in “The South,” as she called it.

  "First thing you need to learn is how to skip a rock," Cassy said while holding a smooth stone in her hand. "Hold it like this in your fingers, pointing with the first one." Cassy threw the rock across the lake and watched it skip along four or five times.

  "Wow! Let me try it." Zachery picked a stone and threw as hard as he could. Only to hear a loud plop and watched it sink.

  Cassy could not help herself and was unable to hide her big smile; she started to giggle as he just watched it disappear.

  She helped him with history lessons as well. He blamed his lack of knowledge on his being from another country. He would take his information and pass it on to Natallia at night. Cassy told him about how Georgia was busy trying to rebuild.

  It appeared this land has just ended a war; a Civil War is the term they used. The people of the “northern states” were at odds with the people here in the south. She told him about this powerful man named Sherman that marched an army through here, leaving a path of destruction sixty miles wide and three-hundred miles long, burning everything in his wake. Hearing this made Zachery wonder if they left the shadows of one demon just to be caught in another? Cassy told him not to worry that all that ended a little over fifteen years ago. They were at peace and simply wanted to rebuild their lands.

  When needed, the green stone that Benzoete gave Natallia worked, but very briefly. It would start to vibrate, ever so slightly.

  "Zachery, I think it’s Benzoete and he needs to speak to us. Please go bar the door," Natallia said.

  The pendant she wore seemed to glow as she approached a mirror. After Zachery was sure the door was closed tight, Natallia went to the mirror and held the stone in her hand. The mirror started to ripple like a lake after a pebble has been tossed in.

  "Natallia? Are you there, my queen?" asked Benzoete.

  "Yes, we are here. How are Gabriel and my brother?" responded Natallia.

  Gabriel stepped into view. "We are well my darling. We have located George and Elizabeth and we are going to meet them. Please tell Zachery for me. Once we find them, we will try to talk again. Until then we will be traveling a lot. I love you, my queen, please keep you and our son safe. I will count the moments until I have you both safe, here with me."

  Natallia began to cry and placed her hand on the mirror. "I love you as well, my darling. Please stay safe."

  With that, the mirror went back to normal and all she could see was herself. The Queen sat on the bed with her face in her hands weeping. Zachery tried to comfort her, but inside he struggled with his own need for that comfort.

  I thought I was handling this new adventure well enough, until I heard Gabriel talk of my family and how I could possibly talk with them soon. Soon would not have come fast enough.

  17

  Reunion of Brothers

  Gabriel and his band of heroes traveled to Casterton, a small town at the foot of the mountains that was used for passing traders to barter their wares. They continued searching for George and Elizabeth Morely, though Elos had seen that they were using a temple as their hideout while George recruited new members for a refugee army.

  The trip was not long from Weelinn. They had stayed to the shadows and did not follow the main roads to avoid drawing attention to themselves. Once they had arrived in Casterton, Gabriel looked to Elos. "I have visited here with my father when I was a boy. There is only one temple that I know of here. It stands tall with many windows stained beautiful colors like the rainbow. It has a cellar door on the back. If I know George, that is where they are."

  "I saw the multi-colored windows in the vision, it must be the same temple. We need to approach them with caution, we do not know what they have seen the demon do," explained Elos.

  Gabriel led them through the quiet town. The people were scattered and hiding for news of the demon and his army was spreading. “Here is the old schoolhouse my father would bring toys and clothing to. The people of Casterton had very little, he wanted to help any way he could. The temple was just behind here.”

  Within moments, they slowly entered the cellar.

  "Someone is coming! Everyone hide until I give the signal," ordered George.

  Footsteps could be heard coming down the stairwell. George drew his sword and hid behind some boxes stacked to the side of the wall.

  "George Morely! Do not make me come all the way in there to get you!" laughed Gabriel.

  George slowly stepped from his hiding place. "Gabriel? Is that really you? By the Gods, how did you find us?" George lowered his sword.

  George and Gabriel embraced each other in a tight bear hug and thanked the Gods each one was safe. George let out a loud whistle, and then shouted to his wife. "Elizabeth! It's Gabriel!"

  Behind Gabriel, the others came into view. "This is Benzoete, the High Elf wizard from Weelinn, and his apprentice, Elos. They found you," Gabriel explained.

  The others began filtering into sight. "Gabriel, where is Zachery? Does he still live?" Elizabeth asked with a worried look on her face. She held Launa tightly in her arms.

  Benzoete clasped his hands together, smiled and said, "Your boy is safe, my lady. He is protecting the queen. We must get to a safer place than this so we can talk further. I will try to explain all you need to know. I know of a place not far from here."

  The town of Casterton was known for its quiet people and its glorious mountains surrounding the town. The newly formed refugee army was small, but loyal. They loaded up their supplies and followed Benzoete to the outskirts of town.

  "You have been busy my friend. How did you convince these people to come with you?" Gabriel asked.

  "You would not believe the carnage back at Castle Whitehold. People are being forced to do the demon's bidding. So, the choice was simple, try to escape, or die at our own hands," George explained.

  Gabriel’s eyes stung from the tears of anger rolling down his cheeks.

  "How many have perished? How many are still suffering because of this monster?" Gabriel asked.

  G
eorge lowered his head, "More than we can count. We escaped during the queen's celebration of death. When he found out the people had failed him, the sounds of chaos echoed off the walls. I did not see what Dori'naur did to them, but I feel it was worse than death."

  Along the way, they found others that were willing to fight for their home and families. An army was forming.

  Benzoete led them to a remote mountain baseline filled with trees. With a wave of the wizard's hand, the brush and heavy weeds parted revealing a doorway lined with strange markings and glowing runes.

  "I have lived here my whole life, been all over these mountains. How have I never seen this?" asked Liam, a new recruit from Casterton.

  "Simple my good man. This is an elven sanctuary, hidden to all human eyes. Only seen when the elven wizard that hid it, chooses to reveal it," Benzoete answered with a twinkle in his eyes, "in this case, that wizard is me."

  The High Elf went to the door, placed his hands on two runes in the center and with a low whisper the door opened. As they stepped inside, torches lit themselves. Once all were inside, the door closed behind them and Benzoete waved his hand once more.

  "We will be safe for now. The door is sealed and hidden," he said.

  Looking around, the room was very deceiving. It was much larger than expected and lined with bookshelves and a large, square table in the center, piled with books. Armor of all different sizes stood at attention along the far wall. The ceiling was alive with sparkling dots mirroring stars in the sky.

  "What is this place?" asked George.

  "It is a safe haven for our kind. It has been used to harbor master Benzoete and others during times of distress and danger. A place they could come and study the elements while they were devising a plan of action for the situation," Elos stated.

  "Or if I just wanted to be alone with my books." Benzoete winked.

  "We have to tell you, George, Zachery is safe. He and Natallia were sent to a new world to hide them from Dori'naur. He is a very brave young man. I promised him I would make sure you knew that." Gabriel told George and Elizabeth.

  They explained how Benzoete summoned the portal and can communicate with them briefly when needed. Then Benzoete looked to George. "There is one more matter I need to tell you about. You are going to want to sit down for this and keep an open mind."

  I desperately wanted to hear from my family. I waited for the call. It pained my heart to be away from them while the queen and I were away.

  Benzoete started to explain all they knew to George. "First of all, I used the Book of the Ancients to foretell the madness that came into our world. It spoke of how during the War of the Gods, the original three elders fought alongside the Gods and tried to defeat Craotonus and his minions.”

  “I was a part of that war, even though I was young and new to the High Elf wizard order,” Benzoete continued.

  “I felt I needed to stand by my mother's side, as she was the second seat of the original elders. Her name was Aliz'Ra, and she was the bravest person I have known. After we sent Natallia and Zachery to the new world, it changed things. It rewrote some of the pages in the Book of Ancients. As if, by us sending them to safety, a key appeared that unlocked more information for us. The new pages speak of a place we need to locate. A dangerous place. It is called the Tomb of the Elders, located inside the Valley of Ice Shadows."

  George looked confused. "I thought this Valley of Ice Shadows was only a myth. A place made up; stories told to children that misbehaved. My father told of this place, but he never spoke of this Tomb of the Elders. Some of the older people I spoke with around the realm told stories of the chaos and death inside the Valley of Ice Shadows. I took them for insane."

  Elos walked over to George. "It was a myth, our people thought. This is considered holy ground, the remains of the beginning of our race. No one has ever found the tomb because no one ever knew where to look. Most of the people who went out looking for it never came back. The ones that did simply gave up looking."

  "Very well, so now we know this place exists and where to look for it. What does this have to do with me and why do we need to go there?" George asked.

  Benzoete shifted uncomfortably in his chair, searching for a way to begin, "The Book states that to open the tomb it takes two males from the bloodline of an original elder." He looked up and Gabriel gave him a reassuring nod. "If anyone tried to open the door without this key element, death was certain for all around the tomb."

  "Again, what does this have to do with a farmer from Whitehold?" George asked, impatient.

  Antoine laughed, "You sound just like your son, thinking you are less than important."

  "That is what I am trying to explain. I will ask you the same question I asked your young Morely. What do you remember of your mother, George?" Benzoete asked.

  With that question, George was uneasy now. "I remember nothing of her.

  She died of the fever right after I was born. I was raised by my father. He told me stories of her, about her beauty, her wisdom, and her laugh. Oh, how he loved her laugh."

  George smiled as the memories of his father flooded his mind. Benzoete laid his hand on George's knee. "He was the most noble human I have ever had the honor of knowing."

  George stood up, knocking his chair over. "Wait, you knew my father? How?"

  At that moment, twinkling gold lights fell beside Benzoete. A beautiful elven woman now stood at his side. "Hello, George, my name is Valindra. I am your mother."

  Gabriel was at George's side now. "My friend, I know this is a lot to bear at one time, but what they are telling you is the truth. Your bloodline is part of the elven original elders. Zachery is the next Dragon Rider. His power has laid dormant all these years."

  George was shocked, just shaking his head, clasping his hands behind his head. His mouth moved, but no words came out.

  Elizabeth sat quietly during all the conversation, but she just had to know. "If you are George's mother, why have you not visited him before now? How could you let him believe you to be dead? As a mother, I could not bear to not have my children in my life."

  Valindra lowered her head. "Not a day passes that I do not look in on my son and his family and wish I could be a part of his life. I am so very proud of the man he has become. I see Doron in him so much. We had fallen in love by accident; humans and elves together were against the laws of nature. I was at the River Quoye admiring how beautiful it was. Doron came up on horseback, he was going fishing. He thought he was alone, and I startled him, causing him to fall from his horse. That is how he got the scar on his right cheek, just below the eye. I could not help but laugh at him."

  George smiled. "I remember that scar. He told me it was a constant reminder of you. Of course, he did not say he was frightened and fell from a horse, but he would say that is the day when his heart went to the woman he loved and if it took almost losing an eye, he would gladly give it."

  Valindra ran a finger over a ring on her left hand, "We had to make a choice, George. The laws of nature state if a child was conceived from elf and man and showed magical gifts, the child would be taken to Eska'Taurn for training. Any elf that so wished could enter our homeland at this time, but once inside, you were bound to the city behind the locked barrier. We made the choice for me to go back to the home of the elves, because if you showed signs of magic you would be brought here, and I would raise you. If the magic skipped you, you would remain with him. We felt we had to sacrifice our life together to guarantee your life with at least one loving parent."

  With that, George started to cry. "I have missed so much, a whole other part of my life. My father made sure I knew of love and family. He would tell me stories of how my mother was the brightest part of his life before I came along."

  His father was all he had ever known, and now he realized just how much Doron and Valindra had sacrificed for him, mainly their love for one another. "After father passed on to the afterlife, I felt alone. That is, prior to meeting Elizabeth. Now, I know I was
never alone. I do not know how much you saw of our life, but he loved you until his last breath."

  Valindra smiled as she wiped tears from her face. "I was there, watching as you cared for him. I desperately wanted to help you, to hold you, to let you know everything. I went to him one last time. Father permitted me to visit, as I am now with you. I saw the man I love and told him I loved him, one last time. I am proud to be your mother, George. I thank the Gods for the man who is my son."

  "What do I need to do? I have to make things right to get my son back home," said George.

  "We make our way to the Valley of Ice Shadows,” Benzoete replied. “We find my mother's tomb, and we learn how to send these demons back to the depths of hell where they belong. Demons are not truly killed by mortal hands. We need a way to destroy them and keep them from being summoned ever again."

  The vision of Valindra stayed a bit longer before it dwindled away. George knew he had to be brave for not only Zachery, but he had to protect Elizabeth and Launa as well. Whatever he had to do, whatever he had to become, be it elf or man, he would. The group got a good night's rest knowing they were safe inside the mountain. What they did not know was that Dori'naur had become impatient and with the news from the Weelinn spy El'nora, he made plans for reinforcements and was on the way there.

  18

  Two Are Worse Than One

  Dori'naur had spies in every corner of the realms. The people saw what happened to the army for failing him. Their minds wiped clean, their hearts turned black as night, and their bodies disfigured and tormented. They were afraid of death, or far worse. Dori'naur needed to ensure the death of the Vessel of Light, if it was not Queen Natallia, he would clear any and all obstacles toward his objective. The barkers, as they were called, roamed the lands looking for any woman with child with strict orders to kill them and bring their heads to their master. They left a trail of terror from one realm to the next. Dori'naur did not know that Natallia was long gone, safe in a new world beyond his clutches.