The Bad Seed

by Michael Lackey

  "Well, laddie, the most important question is where I be going? The name is Freaner, and to finally rest in the afterlife with me forefathers is the answer, thanks be to you," Fraener told him.

  The king looked stunned. He lowered his sword, now knowing it would not do any good against him. "How are you here? You're dead," Gabriel asked.

  Fraener just grinned a wide grin. "Yes, I am. Been gone a long time now. This is me last wish. I came to you to offer a gift, a gift for helping me reach my Redemption. You are a very noble human, King Gabriel, and your quest against evil has set me free." The dwarf reached out his hand. "I have been watching you and your group, and you impress me. There is more to you than ya know. You remind me of me self, back in the Iron Army days. You'll be needin' this tho. I fear there is much evil in your path." In his hand, he held a shiny, solid gold talisman attached to a golden chain. "Wear this laddie, it will help ya on yer travels and fight against the shadows."

  Gabriel took the talisman and ran his fingers along the edges, noticing the symbol of an eagle in flight embedded on it. Then a bright light shone from Fraener. Moonlight danced all over the reborn dwarven king. His golden armor replaced with the robes of the ancient dwarf king. He had been redeemed and now will find a much-needed rest.

  "How will this help me?" asked Gabriel.

  With a wink Fraener said. "When things look darkest, and you think all is lost. Hold fast to it. Think about why yer doin' this. Who you be doin' this fer. The eagle has the best eyes in tha land, they can see things most can't. Let it show you the way, laddie."

  With that, the old dwarf was gone. The twinkling moonlight swirled, carrying the ancient king to the afterlife. Gabriel watched as the sparkling bits of light, that was once the dwarf king, fade into the darkness, then he went inside his tent, feeling reassured that what they were doing was the right thing and they had a chance at succeeding. He prayed to the Gods to watch over his family and to keep his path lit with the wisdom to lead his people. Lastly, he thanked Fraener once more. He hoped to find his rest at the end of his journey.

  24

  Rauko’ Sends A Message

  Tired of the failures incurred by the demonic barkers created by Dori'naur, Rauko' and his hellhounds decided to go hunting. He used his skills to track the refugee army and found them camped outside of EL'Arsha.

  "Look my loves, our prize awaits." He stroked the dirty mane of Shaaux. "Are you hungry my children?"

  Rauko' stood, pulling his bow from his back and notched an arrow. As he pulled back on the string, the arrow ignited. With a swift release, the arrow flew through the air. Finding its mark in the center of a tent, the flames shoot skyward and the frightened refugees scattered about. "Feed my pets! We will find this old king and make him tell us where the vessel and Champion are hiding."

  Varg and Shaaux ran rampant through the tents, stopping for an occasional snack. Rauko' walked slowly toward the people.

  "Where is your so-called king? Your time has come, human ruler!" Rauko' bellowed.

  Benzoete and Elos rushed to stop Gabriel, who was already headed in the demon's direction. "You cannot defeat him my lord, he is a demon with great power," Benzoete pleaded.

  Gabriel looked to his sword, then up to Benzoete. "Then give me great power, use whatever magic you have to infuse me. I have to face him, or he will tear my people apart!"

  Elos stared at the demon standing in the center of their camp. He shouted to Benzoete, "Use the Androdamos spell. He may have a chance."

  "We have never used that spell on a human, we don't know if it will work properly!" replied Benzoete.

  Gabriel pulled his sword from its scabbard. "With or without this spell, I'm going out there."

  The old wizard nodded his head and looked toward Elos as they began the incantation. Gabriel felt a burning sensation flow through his veins. "What exactly are you doing to me?" he asked.

  "The Androdamos is an ancient spell used on warriors to give them strength, agility, and increased haste. All of which you will need," replied Elos.

  Gabriel shouted to the demon. "Rauko'! So, you come this far just to be sent back to Hell by a human?"

  Rauko' laughed a loud demonic laugh. "Puny human, I am Rauko', the Hunter, I do not lose so easily."

  "If it were easy, it wouldn't be worth it now, would it?" Gabriel saw the hellhounds flank their master now on each side of him. "Scared you cannot defeat me on your own, you need your mutts to help you?"

  With a gesture of Rauko’s hand, Varg and Shaaux backed down. Even if Gabriel defeated Rauko', he knew the hounds would still attack. He looked to Antoine and nodded in the direction of the hounds. Antoine flanked now by Andrea, and Saduj, made their way closer to the evil hounds.

  "Either way, these mutts have to be dealt with. When one of them falls, focus all effort on the hounds." Antoine told them.

  "Have you prayed to the Gods mortal? I have met them, and they are not what you think they are. Pray for their protection, pray for victory, most of all, when you meet them tell them Rauko' sent you!" With that, the demon struck his blades together emitting sparks everywhere.

  Gabriel pulled Fuascailte at the ready and whispered to it, "I may be seeing you again soon, Fraener."

  King Gabriel gave a heroic battle shout and swung the blade, Rauko' meeting it with one of his own and with a swift kick, knocked Gabriel back. Rauko' advanced, spinning and leaping, coming down with great force on top of Gabriel.

  "You disappoint me King Gabriel, you are not worthy of such title!" He lifted his right blade, about to strike, when Gabriel twisted and turned the attack on the demon.

  "Never underestimate your enemy or you have lost already." Gabriel landed a flurry of jabs to Rauko's face, before leaping to his feet and hoisting his blade.

  He landed a blow to the demon's body, opening up his armor.

  "Teray Rau Hauy!" shouted the demon. A mortal has never left a mark on Rauko’ before so he was furious now. With blades at either side, he ran straight for Gabriel. Dropping to the ground and sliding, sweeping at his feet. Being one step ahead of him, Gabriel jumped the blades and swung down with his own, catching the demon's hood and tearing it off. Rauko' stood and turned back toward Gabriel, revealing his skinless face and evil red eyes. "It ends now, human. I will let my hounds feast on all your people while your body is hoisted as my trophy!"

  Rauko' lifted his arms, the winds started to swirl, and the air thickened with dust and debris. Gabriel could hardly breathe or see. "Get the people away from here! Now!" Gabriel shouted to Benzoete.

  He heard the stamping of the demon’s feet coming toward him at a fast pace. Just as Rauko' was about on him, Gabriel felt the talisman heat up under his shirt. He pulled it into the open and saw that it was glowing. The power of the talisman silenced all the clutter clouding his vision and allowed him to see clearer than he ever had before. "I can see us fighting. I see us below on the ground, he's coming for me." Gabriel thought to himself.

  It was as if the talisman showed him how and where to strike before it even happened. Almost as if it had slowed time itself, making it easy for Gabriel to see what he needed to do. As Rauko' came into range, Gabriel spun to the left thrusting his sword behind him. He felt the demon's blades brush by his face, barely missing their mark, but he could feel his own blade pierce the armor of Rauko's chest and enter the demon. Immediately, the winds died down where all could see. Rauko' stopped and looked down at the blade. Silence fell on the land.

  "Go back to Hell," Gabriel told him, retracting his blade from the demon's chest and kicking him to his knees. "Tell your master, we will not roll over for him."

  Antoine and the others rushed between the hounds and the two combatants. A loud howl erupted from Varg, piercing the air. Gabriel was in mid-swing, about to sever the smoldering skull from the demon's shoulders when Rauko' disappeared, vanishing along with Varg and Shaaux. An eerie laughter surrounded the remaining army.

  "You bested me this time mortal, but you do not possess
the full power to kill me. I now know you. I know who you are. We will take your world." Then Rauko’s voice faded, and all returned to normal.

  Gabriel fell to his knees, dropping his sword, and said a quick thank you to his new friend, Fraener.

  Antoine rushed over. "My Lord, are you alright?" He motioned for Benzoete.

  Benzoete and the others gathered around Gabriel who was holding his side, he replied, "Never better my friend, never better."

  "I have never seen such bravery. You are truly worthy of the title king, and my brother by law." Antoine said. "What did the demon mean he now knew you?"

  Before he could answer, he went limp with exhaustion. The men carried him to the main tent for Benzoete to examine his wounds.

  Later that evening, when Gabriel awoke, he was sore but alive. He and Antoine spoke with Elos about the talisman and its power.

  "Truly amazing. Such power, given from beyond this life," said Elos, examining the talisman.

  Antoine replied, "He couldn't have received it at a better time."

  As the group went back to survey the damages, they made a grave discovery. Andrea came to the tent. "My Lord, Jackson, and Eduuine are dead, but not by the demon's hand. They were killed by a dagger to the back."

  Jackson and Eduuine were two warriors of the King's Guard, the last two remaining. Gabriel summoned what strength he had and burst from the tent. "So, we have a traitor in our ranks. Know this, when we find you out, it will not be pleasant!" he shouted.

  Gabriel stormed back to the tent with Antoine close behind. "We have to find out who this traitor is. They are culling us out to get to you. There has to be a way to drive them out into the open," Antoine said.

  Gabriel called for Benzoete. "I want you and Elos to devise a spell that may help us find the traitor. Use whatever means necessary. We sent a message back to The Remissum, we will fight, and we will defeat them, and we don't need someone on the inside giving aid to them."

  Benzoete nodded and asked. "What of Doochary? Do we still move as planned?"

  Gabriel stood slowly and with a hardened look on his face. "Yes, we are going to end this. When Tradan and Zachery arrive. We will defeat them once and for all."

  The battle between Gabriel and Rauko' the Hunter was the greatest victory the refugee army had yet. They had many more battles to come, but today, they won. The remaining members of the refugee army had renewed faith and hope in their king. Now, nothing would stand in their way. It has been a long journey and they have seen many friends and family die at the hands of the demons. When they finally reach the Tomb of the Elders, they will hopefully find new information on how to permanently defeat the Brethren and the master, Craotonus. They have come this far and only have four years left until Tradan reached his age of destiny, so Gabriel is committed to keeping this world together until then.

  25

  Tradan Feels The Power

  Tradan approached the age of fourteen and rapidly learned the ways of being a Champion of the Light.

  "I know you have only been training for four years now, my prince, but you show exceptional progress," Benzoete told Tradan through the mirror.

  Tradan puffed out his chest. "Why thank you, kind wizard! I look forward to tomorrow's lesson."

  Even on a world without magic, he was bounds ahead of where he should be. Benzoete was highly impressed with the work he and Zachery have done to prepare for their battles with the demon brethren and Craotonus.

  "Master Benzoete, I feel as though I am ready to join you and help save my people. Let me come home to join the fight side by side with my father," Tradan begged.

  Benzoete peered from the other side of the mirror. "It is too early child. I know you have come a long way in your training, but we cannot disrupt the balance of power and risk everything we have accomplished. Continue your training, practice with Zachery for you two will be the turning tide to win this war."

  With all the magic and training in magical practices, Natallia decided it would be best to move out of the town away from everyone, though they kept in touch with Miss Lizzy and Cassy a lot, they had to for Zachery had fallen for Cassy.

  "I want to tell her of my home, my family, my everything. I feel she would understand," Zachery stated.

  Benzoete disagreed with telling her now, "Zachery, if she is truly your destined wife, I will allow everything revealed to her to before I summon you home. Let her decide her fate, If she feels the same I will try to get her here as well."

  "I will do it your way Benzoete,” he sighed. “I just hope she can handle the truth. I really hope she does."

  With everything happening on my home world, would it be safe to even ask Cassy to come with me? I know it sounded selfish, and I know it would be putting her life in danger, but not having her with me would be worse than facing the demons. Cassy is intelligent and, in another life,, if she were born to my world, I could see her doing great things for the Light. Alas, she may be destined to do great things for this world and our paths would be separate.

  TRADAN AND ZACHARY went to their favorite spot on their homestead; a place with many trees and rocks as well as a level, open spot secluded from outside view. Here, they could practice their training and not worry about prying eyes that is until they had to explain the weird lights people saw from all the way in town.

  "Miss Lizzy, you know how young boys can be. Remember how Zachery was around that age. Billy was out there playing with fire and set ablaze some weeds that were soaked in some cleaning liquids I had in the house. Zachery helped him put it out, so all is well here." Natallia tried to sound convincing.

  Miss Lizzy looked worried and kind of concerned. "Well, folks are starting to talk. They think you and your younguns are up to no good, moving out of town and all. Thinks yor hidin’ something."

  Natallia crossed her arms and shot Miss Lizzy a look. "Now you have known us for a long time, Miss Lizzy; you practically helped me raise both my children. Do you think we would be up to no good?"

  The old woman smiled and gave a reassuring laugh, "No, no I don't. You folks helped me out a lot after you first got here. I kinda’ miss havin’ you around the saloon. You know Cassy misses having Zachery all to herself. I would have thought he would have popped tha question by now."

  "Popped what question?" asked Natallia.

  "You know, asked her to marry him. They both are sweet fer each other. I have an eye for these things, those two will end up together." Miss Lizzy just smiled and swatted her knee. "I just love seeing young people in love."

  Natallia told me what Miss Lizzy said about Cassy's feelings for me. I will not lie, I felt like I was walking on air. It was clear to me now that she was the one for me and we would be together, on my world or hers. If she could not live out her days with me on Amundiss, after we defeat the demons, I will come back to finish my days with her on Earth. I just hope my parents will understand.

  Benzoete spoke to them and tried to speed up Tradan's training to ready him for the fight lying ahead of them. "We have to be ready. We are almost to the Tomb of the Elders and when we have the information from inside, I just know the Dragon Rider and Champion of Light will have to be ready. The tomb holds the remains of my mother––she had a sword that was used in the first War of the Gods. I hope it rests with her."

  "What kind of sword was it?" asked Tradan.

  "The Bloodblade. Forged by the Gods themselves of their own body. My mother was extremely gifted in the art of war, she handled that sword with sheer perfection." Benzoete seemed to drift off into a memory.

  "Benzoete! You still with us?" asked Zachery very loudly.

  "Oh! Sorry, yes, yes, I am here. Tradan, you have to be able to harness the Light. It is your birthright, your number one weapon against the darkness. I know you are in this world without magic, but the Gods see you there, so channel them, talk to them, ask for their help. Once you give your all to them, you can be used as a weapon of good."

  Zachery was as advanced in his training as he could
be in this world and so he concentrated on helping Tradan find his inner power. "We will be headed into the Path of a Thousand Eyes, I do not know when we will be able to speak next. You know your training, you know your power, harness that and put forth all effort on controlling it. Zachery, before I leave, your parents want to speak to you." Benzoete stepped aside to let George and Elizabeth come forward.

  It has been longer than Zachery wanted since last they spoke, he bounced on the balls of his feet, excited to hear from them. "Zachery, my beautiful boy. Well, I cannot call you a boy anymore, you are a man. Your father and I are so very proud of you. We are happy with the man that you have grown into." Within seconds, tears cascaded down from Elizabeth’s eyes.

  George kissed her and placed an arm around her shoulders, "Well, Son, your mother said all I needed to say. I am terribly proud of you. Also, we hear there is a maiden in your life?"

  Zachery blushed. "Yes, sir, her name is Cassy. She is the granddaughter of Miss Lizzy you heard us speak of."

  "What are your thoughts on telling her about where you are from and your destiny as the Dragon Rider?" asked George, cautiously.

  "Benzoete has asked me to wait to tell her before we are to return and leave the decision to her." Zachery mumbled as he lowered his head.

  "You do not feel this way?" George asked.

  "I am not sure what I feel. My heart wants to tell her now, have her talk to you two, but my head agrees with Benzoete. If I tell her now and she does not understand, it could compromise everything we have done here."

  George smiled. "You have truly become a man, my son. Finish the young prince's training, come home and bring your girl with you. I trust she feels the same and all will work in your favor."

  I hoped what my father told me was true. I felt that Cassy was my true destiny. I also felt my calling as the first Dragon Rider in over three thousand years. We will overcome this, and we will have our life together, as long as she felt the same way.