The Bad Seed

by Michael Lackey

  "Warriors! On my mark, escort these demons back to hell!"

  Rauko' unleashed his blades, "Minions! Our master needs to feed. Let us fetch him a snack!" The demon charged straight for GailBen, while the remaining barkers rushed in to meet the holy warriors.

  "Archers! Fire at will. Paladins! Attack! I am going to enjoy this."

  The demon slashed downward with both blades. Swinging a blessed war hammer, GailBen blocked both blades to one side, sweeping the handle at Rauko' feet. As the demon jumped to avoid the strike, she spun and connected a blow straight to his chest with the head of the hammer, knocking Rauko' to the ground with a thud. GailBen raised the glowing battle hammer and she drove the weapon down; the demon rolling, barely missing being crushed. The force of the mighty swing shook the ground, sending cracks running across the land. He delivered a quick blow to her back knocking the breath out of her. This gave the demon an opening to inflict a damaging blow of his own. As she was on the ground, Rauko' kicked her in the side, trying to slow her down. He raised his right blade and thrust down. Shifting to one side, the blade missed GailBen’s face by inches, followed by the left blade, making the elf roll quickly side to side to avoid the demon blades. GailBen used her feet to grab at the knees of the demon buckling them and throwing him off-balance, giving her an opportunity to spring to her feet.

  As Rauko' tried to rise, she slammed her hammer up against the side of his head putting him flat on his back once more.

  She wiped the blood away from her mouth. "You have gotten slow Rauko', you're letting a woman get the best of you."

  Rauko' moved slowly, but couldn't help laughing, "Dear woman, you forget who you are fighting." As he said this, he clenched his fist and a barker ran into the back of the elf pushing her off-balance, forward toward Rauko'. He leapt to his feet, driving his blades into her chest. He leaned close to her ear and whispered, "I am not an honorable warrior, I do not fight by rules and I do not care for life!" He twisted the blades and GailBen shrieked out in pain. "My master will enjoy your soul. You will help him grow stronger. When you see Sybillias, tell her I am coming for her." Rauko' opened his arms, forcing the blades through either side of her body, tearing her to shreds.

  The remaining Paladins fighting the minions had instructions that if GailBen fell in battle they must retreat and regroup. A horn sounded and the men ran out the gates. As they exited an archer sent a flaming arrow into a pile of boxes. An explosion rocked the countryside, sending barker body parts flying.

  From out of the smoldering city walked Rauko'. "That is one less High Elf, we have to deal with." Clutching her battle hammer in his hand, "I believe this little trophy is mine." He returned to Castle Whitehold to ready more minions. He knew their time was running out. They had to get Craotonus to full power. This time, the heavens would fall, and they would rule beside The Remissum for eternity.

  34

  Confession

  Zachery and Tradan found Natallia and rushed to get back home. She stopped them on the porch, "What is the emergency? What have you got yourself into Tradan?" laughed Natallia.

  "We need to convince Benzoete to bring us home, Miss Lizzy has found out about us. I do not know how much she believed, but she definitely did believe part of it. She ran out faster than I have ever seen her move before." Zachery told her of their meeting in the barn and the look Miss Lizzy had in her eyes.

  "Let's get inside before she decides to come back, maybe we can contact the others and see what's going on there."

  As Natallia opened the door to the house and walked in they made a startling discovery, Tradan stopped in his tracks. "Um, guys. I think she already decided to come back." They look over toward the living room and there sat Miss Lizzy with a look on her face that they have never seen before, a look of bewilderment.

  "Come in, I've been waiting for you."

  The three entered the room a little uneasy. Here sat a person that they have seen every day for the past seventeen years and now she's been told that everything was a lie. "Now Miss Lizzy, whatever Zachery may have told Cassy, it was just a joke trying to make her laugh." Natallia looked to Zachery for help.

  "Yes, I know she thinks of me as a jokester anyway. I tried to lighten the mood a little bit." Zachery raised his eyebrows and made a funny face. Miss Lizzy did not move, not even a smile.

  Tradan stated, "I think I'm going to go up to my room. Looks like you need to talk about something."

  "There is no need in that. I need you to stay." Miss Lizzy replied sternly. "Please sit, I need some answers."

  The three sat around and stared at the old woman, not knowing what she knew or whom else she had told. They knew if she knew the truth and started telling people, one of two things would happen. Either they would think she was crazy, or they would turn on them and they would have to flee to another town and hide.

  Why did I open my mouth to Cassy? Why did I let my emotions get the best of me? I had put us in danger, and we were only months away from Tradan being eighteen. My love for Cassy clouded my judgment. I could not let that happen when we faced the demons. I must always have a clear mind.

  "What kind of answers are you looking for? We will be glad to help with anything. As we told you, Zachery was kidding around like he always does," Natallia said.

  "Tell me the story you told Cassy, tell me everything you know of this other world. Tell me what you know of Amundiss."

  Zachery laughed. "It's a made-up place I told Cassy about. All in my head, I'm thinking of writing a book."

  Suddenly, Miss Lizzy lunged forward and jabbed a dagger into the coffee table. "Lies! Tell me who you are!"

  Zachery leapt to his feet. "Where did you get my dagger from?"

  Miss Lizzy tilted her head. "Your dagger? I will ask one more time. Who are you?" Miss Lizzy now stood with her hands outstretched and glowing. "Tell me how you are here!"

  Tradan sprung in front of his mother and pulled a blade from its sheath. "The question now is who are you? This is a world without magic, how are you capable of this?"

  Miss Lizzy lowered her hands, "I am sorry. I do not want to alarm you. I just need answers, I have waited far too long for this to be a coincidence."

  Natallia looked to the old woman very confused, "Coincidence? What are you talking about? You have heard of Amundiss before?"

  Miss Lizzy sat back down and urged everyone else to join her. "I am going to tell you everything about me, everything. If what you say is not true, then I will seem just a crazy old woman. This will be my confession to you." The three sat back down, Tradan put away his sword, and they listened to what she had to say. "My name here in this place is Miss Lizzy, at home I went by another name; Aliz'Ra, the second seat of the elders of Eska'Taurn. My people were from the world you named, Amundiss. We were chosen by the gods to aid them in a battle against the fallen one, Craotonus."The look on the trio’s faces was of utter shock. "I know this is a lot to take in. I assure you this is the truth."

  Zachery stood, and walked to her, "You are Aliz'Ra? Benzoete's mother?"

  Aliz'Ra's jaw dropped with so much shock. "My son lives? You know of him?"

  Natallia smiled. "Know him? He is the reason we are here. He sent us here for our protection. My name really is Natallia, I am married to Gabriel, King of Whitehold, seat of Amundiss. This is Tradan, as you know, he is my son. Zachery is not my son, but the son of George and Elizabeth Morely. I believe he has something he can tell you that will really shock you."

  As she looked to Zachery, he reached for the dagger still stuck in the table. "This dagger was given to me by my father. He told me it was the only thing he had that belonged to his mother."

  Aliz'Ra looked confused. "I don't understand. This dagger was forged by my husband's father's hand guided by the Gods. He was the first chosen by the Gods to lead our people. How do you have it?"

  Zachery smiled. "My grandmother passed it down to my father. He never knew his mother; he was told she died shortly after he was born. My grandmother's name i
s Valindra, she is the daughter of the High Elf wizard, Benzoete. That would make you my great-grandmother." Zachery bowed to her.

  Aliz'Ra's eyes started to fill with tears. She cupped her hands around Zachery's face. "All this time. I had my own flesh and blood here with me, but you're human?"

  "Half human. That's why my father never knew of his mother or his bloodline," Zachery replied.

  "This doesn't tell us how you are here. Benzoete said you were killed in the Great War," Natallia said.

  "Ah, he never saw what happened. He was terribly young when the war began. We were fighting the minions of Craotonus when we saw the evil one himself. I was given the Bloodblade and wanted to end the war then and there. I sent Benzoete and the others to retreat and I went after the fallen god. We fought for several moments, when he realized I had bested him, the coward tried to flee from me.

  “He opened a portal and as he entered, I followed before it closed. We ended up here, fighting still, I knew I wounded him, I should have killed him and sent him back to Hell, but we were wrong. The Bloodblade was not strong enough to kill him. I buried the blade deep where his black heart was and had him laugh at me. He destroyed my amulet, which gave me most of my power, so I was stranded here with no way to communicate or go back home."

  Tradan sat quietly by when he spoke up, "What is this Bloodblade you speak of? And does Cassy know this?" Zachery’s love for Cassy made him blurt out the question, but what if they were to be relatives?

  "Cassy does not know, she thought you were insane when you told her your story. Also, she is not my blood granddaughter. Her parents were close friends of mine and when they died in a fire, I took her in as my own family. I moved around a lot as to not draw suspicion." Zachery let out a sigh of relief. "The Bloodblade is a sword crafted by the Gods themselves from their own blood. They thought it would be enough to kill Craotonus, but he was more powerful than even they knew. He had bonded with the shadows of Hell; they gave him strength beyond measure. I failed my people. I thought because of my mistake the people of Amundiss had all perished."

  Natallia sat down beside her, wrapped her arms around her and said, "No. It was your act of bravery that saved everyone that day. You sent the demon back to Hell for long enough that we could have Tradan, the Champion of Light, and Zachery, the Dragon Rider. Benzoete told stories of you, he kept your memory alive and all of Amundiss has rejoiced your name."

  Aliz'Ra smiled and looked to Zachery. "Is it true? You are of the blood of the Dragon?"

  Zachery tugged at his shirt and said, "Yes ma'am. According to Benzoete, the bloodline skipped to me and I have the power to call forth the dragons once more. He sent us here to harness our power so we could defeat the demons once and for all, and now with you by our side, I know we will not fail."

  Aliz'Ra felt a swell of pride, "I have watched the Champion of Light grow before my eyes and did not know it. That means my dear Natallia, you are a Vessel of Light, a direct descendant of the angels. It is an honor." Natallia smiled and just nodded her head.

  It was a shock when I found out my grandmother was an elf and still alive, but now here I was sitting and talking to my great-grandmother who everyone thought was dead. Her magic was still a part of her so that would explain why we were able to learn our magic so easily. I couldn't wait for my father and the others to reach the tomb of the elders; they were in for a shock when they entered and found only two elders buried there.

  "Do you speak much with my son and the others? If he sent the Champion of Light and the Dragon Rider here for protection that means one thing. Craotonus is back. I need to tell him I have the Bloodblade," Aliz'Ra said.

  "We have not been able to talk to them for any length of time for a few months now. They briefly told us of my mother's passing right before they entered the Valley of Ice Shadows. They are going to the Tombs of the Elders to retrieve any information that could help them."

  Aliz'Ra looked puzzled, "Tomb of the Elders? My dear comrades, I am sorry, I failed you,” she said in a low prayer.

  Tradan puffed out his chest. "I feel strong enough now to go and face the demons. I know with Zachery and now you, together we are enough to defeat them."

  Aliz'Ra said, "You can't underestimate their power. I did and it nearly cost me my life and one of the most powerful weapons the Gods have ever given us. I will help you with your training, both of you. I need to speak to Benzoete as soon as you can reach him. I will go get Cassy and we will stay here with you."

  "Yes, Cassy. How will she handle this?' asked Zachery.

  "She is a strong girl and I'm sure she will be all right." Aliz'Ra gave him a wink.

  Aliz'Ra left them and went to find Cassy and gather some of her belongings that she thought she would never need again.

  One of the most powerful beings from Amundiss still lived. Zachery and Tradan had a full-time teacher now and Craotonus had a battle coming his way

  35

  Tomb Of the Elders

  As the refugees back on Amundiss followed the flowing waters of life, they came to an area with four majestic waterfalls, all flowing into the mouth of the Waters of Life. According to the Book of the Ancients, that is where they would find the Tomb of the Elders.

  "This is the place though I do not see any place for the tombs," Gabriel said while looking around.

  "We have to be careful. This place is beautiful and holy, but it is also deadly. We have to find the entrance without disturbing the surroundings," Benzoete said as everyone spread out, in search for clues.

  Antoine and Andrea started toward a large group of trees hoping to find something useful. "Hey, Antoine look at this,” she said as she bent down and reached for a shiny, metal object.

  "Don't touch it!" Antoine shouted, but it is too late. As Andrea picked the object up a rumbling was felt under their feet. A crack opened in the ground and they saw four large creatures ascend from the depths. "Ice golems!" shouted Antoine. The others rushed to them as the elemental beings stared them down, silently watching them.

  "Maybe they are not malicious," Gabriel whispered. Just then all four raised their arms. Streaming from the sky came thousands of razor-sharp ice shards.

  "Hurry! Come to us!" shouted Elos.

  As the group hovered around the wizards, Benzoete and Elos raised their hands to the heavens and summoned fire above them. As the shards came close, they harmlessly melted. The ice golems lowered their arms and in unison, held out their right arms and formed massive ice sabers. The four charged the group as one.

  "Scatter and keep moving! Do not let them strike you!" George shouted as he grabbed Launa by the arm and led her away from the group.

  Everyone headed in different directions, confusing the giant creatures. Andrea stopped and pulled one of the blessed arrows from her quiver. "Let's see if you like steel,” he said as she let the arrow fly. She found her mark in the upper thigh of one of the golems. As it hit, all four stopped. "I only hit one, why did they all stop?" she asked Antoine.

  That sparked an idea in the warrior. "They are connected. I bet if we stop one, we stop them all." He told Andrea to focus all her attention on the one closest to them. "Gabriel! Follow my lead!" he shouted.

  As the two met, they started slashing at the legs. With a mighty swing, Gabriel sliced clean through the massive leg and cut it off. As the ice giant fell, so did the other three. With them down and immobilized, Elos and Benzoete closed in and rained fire on them. The fire weakened the mighty ice golems, and the group moved in to deliver the final blows. George plunged his blade into the neck of the one closest and watched it return to water and flow to the river, each one followed.

  "All things are in the circle of life's waters," Benzoete said.

  As they gathered themselves, George walked over to the waters. He leaned over and peered in, "Elos, Benzoete, come look at this." George pointed to a golden, glowing symbol at the bottom of the river.

  "By the gods, George! You found it!" Benzoete said while patting him on the back.
>
  The symbol he saw was a fully bloomed tree with a golden serpent wrapped around the trunk. On the serpent's back are the words, ‘Quis te est.’

  "What does this mean?" George asked Benzoete.

  Elos walked up beside them. "It is asking who you are"

  Benzoete looked deep into George's eyes. "You have to believe in yourself and me. I fear that the door will not open unless we fully believe."

  George walked closer to Benzoete. "I have seen many, many marvels. Things I would not have believed before I met you. I know you are my mother's father. I know my place and my heritage. I also know that I have to accept this in order to save my family."

  Benzoete smiled. "Then let us go meet my mother and the original elders of our people."

  They grasped each other’s hand and walked slowly toward the water’s edge. Just as they are about to step in, the water began to bubble. The symbol under its surface glowed even brighter now. As they stepped down, the water parted, and their feet settled on dry land. With every step they took the waters moved farther back.

  When they reached the spot where the symbol rested, Benzoete looked to George. "Are you ready?"

  George turned and saw Launa standing on the shore, "Let us end this."

  With that, they both laid a hand on the tree symbol and the ground shook. Walls shot up from the ground holding back the waters, the serpent seemed to magically move and slither away from the trunk as a doorway appeared.

  "We did it. We found and opened the Tomb of the Elders. This is a historic day!" Benzoete laughed and motioned for the remaining group to follow them down. Benzoete told them, "We will enter first. When we call for you, slowly enter."