The Bad Seed

by Michael Lackey

  "Yes, at least, I think I started it. I was concentrating like you said, searching my inner thoughts, seeing the fire and trying to control it within my mind. As I chanted the words, I felt a warm glow about me. It frightened the horses. They scared me and my thoughts went to protection. I opened my eyes to see flames emitting from my hands catching the hay on fire," replied Zachery.

  "That power is difficult for someone just learning their magic,” Benzoete said. “I know you have been training hard for these past ten years, but that is still advanced. It requires a stable source of inner power, or someone else to act as a generator to help boost the power."

  Zachery laughed. "You know magic is not on this world yet. I was just lucky Miss Lizzy came as quick as she did to help me put the flames out."

  Benzoete stroked his long white beard, furrowing his wrinkly brow. "Be careful, young one. If this Miss Lizzy had seen you channeling the magic, I can only assume panic and chaos would fall upon that world."

  I was not sure what I felt during that training session. I know it felt as if my entire body was tingling and ready to burst into flames along with that barn.

  Zachery was able to speak to his parents from time to time, which helped him tremendously. He had grown fond of Cassy and wished he could tell her about his life and introduce her to his parents, maybe someday. "You should see her! My heart felt as if it would leap from my chest the first time I laid my eyes on her. Even as children, I knew she was the one for me like mother is for you. I'm overwhelmed with emotion when we are near. I know she thinks me a fool. But enough about me, how is Launa fairing without me? She miss me yet?" he asked with a smile.

  "We are keeping a watchful eye on your little sister. Well, she is not that little anymore. She will be in her sixteenth season soon," Elizabeth said.

  A hard lump formed in Zachery's throat. "Sixteenth? She is the age now that I was when this began. I can't believe she is growing up without me." He couldn’t believe he was gone this long.

  "Do not worry. She knows how important her big brother is and what work you are doing there. We are very proud of you, Son."

  WHENEVER ZACHERY FELT down and needed to talk, he found comfort in talking to Miss Lizzy. He just couldn't say everything. They would do their chores together and talk for hours. She would tell him of her life. "You know, boy, you remind me of my son, Benji. He was a feisty young man, just like you. I lost him way too early."

  "I am so sorry, Miss Lizzy. What happened to him?" Zachery asked.

  Miss Lizzy had no problems speaking her mind, but when it came to her son the words still stung to speak. "We had three strangers come through the town we were livin'. Now these fellers were bad. They were tryin' to take over everything in the town, but my Benji and some others stood up to them. It wasn't pretty but fighting never is. He was lost to me during that fight. I miss him something awful. He was my only child, just tryin' to save the people he loved."

  Zachery loved hearing stories of Miss Lizzy's past, especially when she talked of Benji. "What happened to the three bad men, Miss Lizzy? How were they defeated?" asked Zachery.

  Miss Lizzy sat down on a barrel with a plop. "Well, when tha other people saw that some was standing up to them, more joined in. We had to have tha others help to do any good, these were very powerful men. More powerful than I had ever seen. They brought in weapons we wern't use to. It took all the town folk standing together along with the local sheriff to send them where they belong. We lost a lot of good people during that time, besides my Benji. Sometimes, the right thing to do ain't easy, but it still gotta be done. We knew they were not gone for good, but we sent 'em high tailin it out of our town."

  Zachery took inspiration from these stories. He knew that Dori'naur had summoned his brother Rauko' and they had all of Whitehold, and the surrounding realms, under their control. Zachery knew that for his world to survive they had to band together, like the people from the town Miss Lizzy lived, and stand up to the brethren and their master. He had to become the Dragon Rider. Tradan had to harness the power of the Light and together burn away the evil corrupting Amundiss. He had begun to worry this Tomb of the Elders they had told him about was just a myth. Ten years and the group did not even know if they were close.

  WITH TRADAN'S TENTH season upon them, they knew they had to start telling him of his heritage, and his responsibility of being the Champion of Light. Natallia hoped this would not be too much for the young prince to handle. Once he knew where he was from, she would then tell him he was also part angel. She knew how difficult that news was for her to understand when Antoine and Benzoete had told her.

  They took him to Natallia's room to wait for the sign from Benzoete.

  "We need to tell you something. You realize we are not from here, don't you?" Natallia asked Tradan.

  The boy nodded. "Yes ma'am, you and Daddy came from England."

  "Well, that is not the truth. We feel it's time you knew your birthright and destiny. We must prepare you for something bigger than anything you could imagine. I know that you are still very young, but you have shown maturity beyond your ten years. I know you can handle this and just know we are here to help you," Natallia elaborated. "I know we said your father died from the fever before you were born, again that is not true." She looked to Zachery, who gave her a reassuring nod. “We come from a wonderful place called Amundiss, your father is King Gabriel of Whitehold, and you are the prince. We were sent here by a powerful wizard, named Benzoete for our protection. You must keep this our secret and not tell anyone. Anyone at all. Especially Miss Lizzy, I don't think her old heart could take the truth."

  Tradan sat on the edge of the bed with a confused and puzzled look on his face. "I'm not sure what part of the world this Amundiss is at. Have we studied it in school? Wait, is this some kind of joke? There is no such thing as wizards!"

  "It is not a part of this world, Prince Tradan, and not a joke. Amundiss is another world, much like this one, only we have magic and knights," Zachery said.

  "Are you ready for the biggest part?" asked Natallia.

  Tradan looked scared and a little upset. "So, all this time our whole life has been a lie? I knew you two were keeping something from me, but I didn't know it was this big. How can I have proof this is true?"

  Natallia laid her hand on his shoulder. "That is the big part I spoke about. Tradan, would you like to meet your father?"

  "He's here? How? Where?" Tradan exclaimed, searching the room.

  Natallia touched the green amulet hanging around her neck and the mirror began to ripple. Tradan's eyes were as big as plates, peering into the big floor mirror when the image of a man, standing in armor appeared.

  "Hello, my son. I have waited a long, long time to talk to you. Anything you need to ask; we will be glad to answer you." Gabriel was more nervous now than in any battle he had faced in his life. His heart was pounding, his palms sweating, and his voice even cracked as he spoke.

  "We?" gasped Tradan as he stumbled backward, falling to the floor.

  Another image appeared beside Gabriel. "Well, hello, there my good Prince! I am Benzoete, High Elven Wizard of Eska'Taurn, at your service!"

  Tradan let out a shout at the site of the old wizard. Natallia bent down to Tradan and helped him to his feet. "We are all here for you. You are very important to the survival of our world and possibly this one as well."

  Suddenly, Zachery stumbled backward, knocking pictures to the floor. "My eyes! Burning again! I... I see someone. Something! NO, get out of my head!"

  Benzoete called out for Zachery. "Zachery! What is it? What do you see?"

  Zachery slowly stood, his eyes glowing like hot coals. His hands stretched out in front of him smoking as if they could erupt at any moment. "Zachery, calm your mind. Take control of your inner dragon." Benzoete said, trying to calm him down.

  "I saw Amundiss burning. I saw Dori'naur and Rauko' staring back at me. They could see me! I don't think they know where we are, but they now know we are no longer
on Amundiss! They stood side by side with a third figure behind them, standing on the king's throne as it burned."

  Benzoete started pacing the floor. They could see him walk in and out of sight in the mirror. He wondered which form of magic they were using to find them. Then it hit him. "Craotonus!" he said aloud. "The Remissum is almost to full power. He was the third figure, I'm sure of it. We need to act fast. We need to hit them and possibly try to buy more time for Tradan and Zachery."

  Gabriel looked on in bewilderment. "I love you, my dear ones. We will speak again, soon"

  Zachery's powers are almost to full capacity. Soon he will be ready to herald the call. Can the refugee army and their king stall the demons for eight more years?

  I felt the power of evil course through me, burning from the inside out. I was sure they knew where we were, and I hoped my power would be enough for now if somehow they came here. Doubts plagued my thoughts and fear swelled inside me, but I knew protecting the Champion is all that mattered. He was our only hope. I feared even more for the safety of our families back on Amundiss. May the Gods be with us all.

  23

  The Journey To Doochary

  During those ten years, the refugee army has looked for the Valley of Ice Shadows with little success. Occasionally, they had to defend themselves from an army of barkers, or a group of bounty hunting scoundrels, and nature herself. Along the way, they lost many good people, though they also gained some new people willing to help defend their king and fight for the Light.

  "We need to pay close attention to everyone coming and going. Something is not right in our group, hasn’t been for a while now," Benzoete quietly told Gabriel.

  Gabriel nodded his head in agreement. "I already have Antoine checking all the new recruits. If they are hiding something, I hope he will find it."

  Benzoete feared someone had sabotaged some of their plans and possibly even murdered someone. With the price that the demons had placed on all their heads, they had to be very careful. A new recruit had caught Antoine's eye, but not as a threat. This recruit was Andrea Aravena from Dunowen, a small town they traveled through searching for clues and the direction for the Tomb.

  "You there, what is your name girl?" Antoine asked as he grabbed the shoulder of the recruit.

  She turned quickly, and Antoine found a short blade placed right against his manhood. "First off, as you can see, I am no girl," she corrected. Antoine gasped, knowing she had caught him off guard. "The name is Andrea. Andrea Aravena." She placed the dagger back in its sheath. Antoine gathered himself.

  "A pleasure, my lady. Please, if you need anything, do not hesitate to ask for me... ask it of me." He turned a pale shade of red and turned to walk away.

  Andrea was the daughter of a blacksmith. He taught her how to use a sword better than most of the knights in the King's Guard. She could handle herself in a fight and was very beautiful with eyes that shimmered like a dark pool of midnight. When she removed her helmet, short braids of raven hair fell around her alluring ebony face. She was Antoine's kind of woman.

  Over the next few weeks, she and Antoine had been the bane of many barkers. Together they made quite the team. One evening, Gabriel walked up to Antoine, outside the main tent. "This is the first time, I believe, I have seen you smile! Could the mighty Antoine finally have met his match in love and war?" he said with a chuckle. Antoine gave him a playful punch but did not deny the claim.

  As the group camped outside El'Arsha, several of the men fell ill and were in need of medicine. Benzoete took Gabriel off to the side to talk in private. "My king, I fear we have not found our traitor. These men show signs of poison, not a powerful poison, but poison regardless. They will need special herbs to counter the effects."

  Gabriel paced back and forth, slowly stroking his now graying beard. "We can't just accuse anyone without proof. We have to have hope Antoine can find something or someone that doesn't belong. Take Elos and some of the others to find your herbs, we will camp here until the men are well."

  Gabriel desperately wanted to talk to Natallia and Tradan. Although an army of people surrounded him, he felt so very lonely.

  "My dearest Natallia, if only you could hear me. I look to the heavens wishing I could hold you again, wanting to embrace my son and look upon him with my own eyes without magic. I fear we have traveled in circles, looking at all the wrong places. It has been ten long years of fighting and running and I feel we are no closer to the Tomb than we were when we started. I am not a young man anymore. I pray to the Gods that they give us a sign as to where to go as well as to watch over you in this new land." When he turned back towards the camp, his sword knocked the Book of the Ancients off the table Benzoete was using. The pages fell open and a beam of moonlight highlighted a section of the page:

  "The meek search for what is not found. The brave search for what is needed. The cretin does not search for anything. All that is needed shall come to pass through Doochary. All that is useless shall fall to the wayside. Search your heart and let the light show you the way. Be at the ready, for treachery abounds and fulfillment is near. Follow the path of one thousand eyes and all shall see. Lose oneself in the path and forever be lost."

  Gabriel's prayer had been answered! He called for Antoine, "How far are we from Doochary?"

  "Only a day’s ride my Lord. What reason do we have in Doochary? It is mainly trappers and hunters," he asked.

  He lifted the book and showed him the passage. "The Gods are ready to end this; we must ready ourselves." Antoine eagerly stated.

  "Be ready, when the wizards return and the men are well, we will be on the move,” the king said, excitedly shaking Antoine by the shoulders.

  THE NEXT DAY, BENZOETE and Elos entered their tent to brew the herbs into medicines, finding their king sitting there patiently.

  "We have our way," Gabriel began.

  A confused Benzoete looked at his king holding the Book of Ancients and saw him smile bigger than he has in a long while. "Catching up on some reading my Lord?"

  "You can say that. I have been shown the way to the tombs," he replied as he stood.

  "Not possible, that is an ancient book of elven descent," Elos retorted spitefully. Hearing his words, he bowed his head. "No disrespect, my Lord, but not to a human."

  "Well, the Gods must be human and want a human to know the way," laughed Gabriel.

  He pushed the book forward on the table and pointed to the passage. "Have you heard of this Path of a Thousand Eyes? Also, how far past Doochary is it?"

  Benzoete sat at the table and looked over the passage several times. "The path has always been a myth to my people. It is said to be very dangerous. Can it be, this is the pathway that leads to the Valley of Ice Shadows? This could be the reason no one has ever found the Tombs. The path makes you face your inner self, makes you search your soul. The ones that enter and do not survive, their eyes become part of the path as your body withers away."

  "You make it sound like a lovely place," said Antoine, emerging at the tent’s entrance. "When do we leave?"

  Gabriel looked to Benzoete. "Once we enter Doochary, how do we know where this path is?"

  Benzoete sat up abruptly. "It's been right there all this time. How have we been so blind? The path to my mother's tomb was this close and we did not know?"

  Gabriel grabbed the old wizard. "Benzoete! How do we find the path?"

  He shook his head, trying to think clearly. "I'm so sorry. I do not know what came over me. The path is said to be guarded by an ancient warrior. His eyes were removed and in their place are two seeing stones, his damnation for being disloyal to the Gods. He can sense all movement but unable to behold beauty, for his loyalty was broken for a beautiful woman who deceived him. Only one can face him per day and if he is defeated, he allows your party to pass."

  "And if this warrior defeats his opponent?" Antoine questioned.

  "Death. He will fight to kill whoever faces him," Elos stated.

  Gabriel glanced back to the boo
k. "Any answers in there as to where to look for this path?"

  Elos laughed, rubbing his fingers on each side of his head, at the temples. "If the legend is correct, once you stop searching for it, you will find it. It's said that the city to which it hides is the hardest part. Once we reach Doochary, I feel we will not have trouble finding what we need."

  "Are the men going to be able to travel come morning?" asked the king.

  Benzoete nodded to Gabriel. "My herbs will work their magic overnight; all should be well come the morrow. Know this, my king, the warrior is not the hardest part of the path, even knowing if you lose to him, you lose your life. The path is spawned from ancient magic, I fear for those who enter."

  Gabriel turned to Antoine, pondering these warnings. "I will give the men the choice. They have all served me and the Light well. I cannot force them into a war that we know nothing of. If they choose to not face the Path of a Thousand Eyes, their service will no longer be binding, and they will be free to stay here or travel home. We will address the men after sunrise."

  THAT NIGHT, GABRIEL stood alone outside his tent, watching the stars, contemplating the events that stood before him the coming day. He heard a noise behind him drawing his mighty sword, Fuascailte. "This might be a bad idea for you, friend," Gabriel said. He suspected the traitor.

  Gabriel turned and standing before him was a dwarf. He wore all gold armor, shining brightly in the moonlight. He held a large helmet, shaped like the head of a dragon, under his arm. He flashed a smile to Gabriel. "HA! Everything I ever did was a bad idea lad. This is one of my better ones!"

  "Who are you, and where did you come from?" demanded Gabriel.