The Bad Seed

by Michael Lackey

  Craotonus lowered his head and said in a low mumble, "What have I got us into? Have I gone too far?"

  "What now?” Dori'naur asked. “If you cannot break your bond with the Shadow Lord, we have to succeed. Why did you not tell us of your deal with them?"

  Craotonus paced back and forth shaking his head. "I was a fool. My hatred for Akadius and the other Gods drives me mad. They thought they were better than me because the mortals loved them more than me. They looked at me with pity; but I am Craotonus! I need no one's pity. Malonox came to me, told me he could give me great power, enough power to defeat my siblings and take the heavens for my own. When I agreed to join him, his essence infused with my own, filling me with shadows. There was no turning back."

  Rauko' was back on his feet now, rubbing his throat. "So, were we just pawns in your game?"

  "No, you were my most trusted friends here. I did not know, or I would not have asked you to join me."

  Dori'naur walked to Craotonus. "We will follow you to the end. You will lead us to victory once you have regained full strength. What is our next move?"

  Craotonus replied, "I am close to whole. We also know where the Champion of Light is. His power is not established yet. I will send you two there to Earth to take care of him. First, we will need an army, an army great enough to destroy all in their path."

  "Where do we find this army?" asked Rauko'.

  Craotonus smiled an evil smile, exposing his jagged teeth, "It's time to summon the orcs."

  Dori'naur looked to Craotonus, "Will they follow us? Can we trust them?"

  With a nod of his head, Craotonus said, "Yes, they are creatures of the shadows. They have been the ones that have sought out the Vessels of Light over all these centuries. They will follow us and help us destroy the Light. One more thing, Rauko', you do not seem whole. I have a gift for you, from the Shadow Lords." Craotonus raised his hands and said some words in a language the brothers did not understand. Suddenly, in a puff of smoke, there stood Varg and Shaaux.

  "My children!" shouted Rauko'. The hellhounds leaped on their master. "Thank you, my Lord! How did you bring them to me?" asked Rauko'.

  "I have new power over the shadows, and the place where the most shadows abound is in the depths of Hell. I released their bonds and brought them here," said Craotonus.

  Dori'naur replied, "Now, where do we find these orcs, and where do we kill the Champion?"

  OUTSIDE OF DOOCHARY, the refugees had set up camp so Benzoete could contact the others on Earth. "This time do not block your message. We need Craotonus to hear," said Gabriel.

  Benzoete agreed. "Once this message goes out, they will know where we are. When I finish, we must be ready to move."

  Antoine came to them and said, "We are ready. Are we sure this will work?"

  Benzoete shrugged his shoulders. "I certainly hope so. It may be our only chance. Everything has to go as planned; do exactly as I say." They gathered in front of the mirror. Benzoete pulled his amulet from his robes and waved his hand in front of the mirror.

  On Earth, Natallia felt a slight buzzing and realized it was her amulet. "They are alive! They are trying to contact us. Quickly, we must get to the mirror." As the group ran inside, Natallia told Aliz'Ra and Cassy to stay to the side out of sight, "We want this to be a surprise. I will motion for you to come forward. I can't wait to see Benzoete's face when we tell him." As they settled in front of the mirror, they see it start to ripple.

  As always there was Benzoete looking back at them, this time his face was not all smiles. "Benzoete, what is wrong? You look distraught. Is everyone alright?" Zachery leaned in, "My father and sister, how do they fare?"

  Benzoete held up his hand. "Everyone here is well, for now. We need to bring you back home to Amundiss, Craotonus has discovered where you are, and we fear he will destroy that world looking for you. We know that Tradan is still months away from fruition and full power, but we hope that we can stay hidden in Doochary long enough to wait them out."

  As Benzoete finished stating his plans, Zachery noticed George behind the old wizard holding a piece of paper with something written on it. Zachery realized it was a message written in the language that he and his sister had made up as children while playing. He read:

  Dubo nubot subay ubanythubing. Thube dubemubon ubis lubistubenubing. Rubeubady ubevuberyubonube tubo cubomube hubomube tubomuborrubow ubevubenubing. Prubepubarube thubem, fubor wube wubill bube ubon thube mubovube. Wube lubovube yuboubu my subon.

  After Zachery read that the demon was listening, he leaned into Natallia and whispered in her ear, stood up and walked over to Aliz'Ra and Cassy to let them know. "Now is not the time, my lady. Follow me and I will explain," Zachery whispered.

  They walked out of the room as not to be seen in the mirror. Once in the other room, Aliz'Ra wondered what was going on.

  "Craotonus is listening. He knows where we are. We will be leaving for Amundiss tomorrow. I saw my father holding a sign up behind Benzoete that said 'Do not say anything. Ready everyone there, we will be bringing you home tomorrow evening. Prepare everyone, we will be on the move. We love you, my son.' With the mention of we, at least that tells me my sister Launa is alive as well."

  Just then Natallia walked in, "What is going on? I know what Benzoete told me is not correct."

  Zachery told her and Tradan what the sign said, and they would need to be ready.

  "Sounds like it's time to face my old foe once more,” Aliz'Ra said. “We have to gather weapons and be ready for anything."

  We were going home. Would I even know my home after all these years? I was just a boy when we left, and now I stood a trained man, a Dragon Rider. I knew it would be bittersweet seeing my family again since I could not tell my mother good-bye. I was taking this fight to the demons that forced us into this in her name. I wanted revenge for her life.

  Craotonus sat in front of a huge mirror when Rauko' stepped in. "It appears we do not need to go to Earth after all, not yet. They are bringing the Champion here to us. It might be a trick. If they do not bring him, we will open an all-out war on the people of Earth until we find him. There is one thing that concerns me now knowing they were on that wasteful planet."

  "What could possibly concern you on a planet without magic?" Rauko' asked,

  Craotonus stood to face him. "That is where I left Aliz'Ra to die. She had the Bloodblade with her. If by chance she still lives and has made contact with him, she will be coming as well. It cannot be a coincidence they were sent to that backward planet."

  "We will be ready, my Lord,” Rauko' assured. Our army is more than we could imagine."

  Craotonus walked out to a large balcony overlooking the enormous courtyard. Standing in formation were hundreds of mighty orcs who were war hardened and battle forged by the shadows. Standing before him was a mass of killing machines. "Good, Malonox would be pleased. We will ride for Doochary at first light. Ready the minions." With that Rauko' and Craotonus gathered the barkers and the horde of orcs. War was coming.

  By this time, the refugee army was reduced to only eleven people. They were not much of an army any longer. Now, they had to be smarter than the demons, always outthink their enemy and be one step ahead of them . They packed up their camp as soon as the conversation with Natallia was over. Moving as fast as they could, they found themselves ahead of the coming demons. They set up Benzoete's conversation chamber once more and prepared for him to call for the others.

  "Are we far enough away to call them?" asked Antoine.

  "We are for the moment. Once I summon them here, we will have to make our way to the mountains of Casterton. We will need to enter my secret library and make plans to recruit as many people as we can. We will need to have an army, for I am certain the demons will. I will start the process as soon as we get the signal from Andrea and the others that all is clear."

  The group sat quietly for what seemed to be an eternity. Each one silent as they thought of the lives they have seen lost. What once stood an arm
y of followers, now was barely enough for a family reunion. Antoine thought about what it would be like to have his sister and new nephew back, and to introduce them to Andrea. Gabriel sat alone thinking about Tradan and Natallia, finally getting to embrace his son and kiss his wife. George sat with Launa as they tried to find peace in knowing Zachery would soon be with them once more, though still feeling as if a piece was missing with Elizabeth gone.

  Liam was just a simple tradesman, living not far from where they were at that very moment. He sat staring out toward his former homestead where the barkers took his family from him. Benzoete and Elos sat quietly in a meditation state, pondering life's balance and how to restore it. Last was Nola'sha, a young elven woman who had been with the group since Weelinn. She served in the tower of Benzoete and has been loyal to the end. Nola'sha knew harmony from her childhood days right after the first war. She longed for those days again, wanting to raise a family in peace.

  They sat there gathering their thoughts when a call rang out it was Andrea and the other two riders. "We rode out for at least twenty lengths, and no sign of anyone following us," Andrea said.

  Benzoete rose to his feet. "Now, it begins! Ready yourselves."

  The old wizard and his apprentice linked hands around a cauldron. Liam brought over the mirror and laid it on its back in front of them. Benzoete and Elos both with their free hands took hold of their amulets and chanted an ancient elven spell. Natallia and the others were waiting in the room with their mirror.

  Suddenly Zachery noticed it glowing. "Look! It is time!" he shouted.

  They all stood up and made their way to the mirror. They heard the voice of Benzoete, "The time is now, step forward through the glass. Do not stop or wander. We can only hold this portal for a short time."

  Natallia was first to step through, followed by Tradan. As the next figure stepped through the room turned silent. Aliz'Ra and Cassy came into sight, followed closely by Zachery. It was a good thing Zachery was quick because the sight of Aliz'Ra shook Benzoete and he almost closed the portal. As the reunited mother and son shared hugs and kisses, Benzoete broke down and wept at the sight of his mother.

  Aliz'Ra wrapped her arms around her son, wiped his eyes and said, "It is a sight to behold. My son, a man! I have longed to see you with my eyes every day for I have seen you with my heart every second. You were never far from me, even though you were worlds away."

  Zachery grabbed both his father and sister at the same time, and tears flowed between them. A family mourning the loss of a mother, though delayed, is a powerful and sad reunion. As they cried for the passing of one, they embraced and welcomed another. Cassy smiled and came closer. Zachery introduced her to his family as his saving grace while on Earth.

  Gabriel and Antoine ran to where Natallia and Tradan were. Gabriel, the strong king, the ruler of Whitehold trembled at the sight of his wife and son.

  "Well, are you going to kiss me or not?" asked Natallia.

  Before she could even finish her words, Gabriel had pulled her close to him, kissing her as if it was their wedding day all over again.

  "My heart cannot take you leaving me again, my Lady. I will never let you go," said the king.

  Antoine stood close with Andrea by his side. "Lord Tradan, it is an honor to finally meet you. I am Antoine, your Uncle." Tradan smiled and wrapped his arms around the big burly man. Natallia came over and joined in. "I am so glad to have you back sister. I have someone I want you to meet. This is Andrea Aravena, her love has saved me more than once on this trip."

  Natallia smiled at Andrea, "It is a pleasure to meet the woman who melted the ice away from my brother's heart. I look forward to hearing stories of your adventures."

  Even though the air was filled with joy and love, Benzoete spoke up, "I am sorry to cut the reunions short, but we must be moving. We have to be long gone before the demons come."

  The group packed the remaining items and rode as fast as they could for Casterton.

  A new era had dawned on Amundiss. I saw King Gabriel rejuvenated with the return of Natallia and Tradan. The Champion of Light was here and the good people of Whitehold would have their king soon. I could only imagine what stood in store for us. May the Gods be with us.

  38

  Training Ends

  The refugees made it to the foothills of Casterton Mountain safe and sound. Again, Benzoete headed to the door and opened the passage. Everyone filed into the musky old library and found their way to the tables for rest.

  "We will rest a moment then we will need to map out our next move," announced Benzoete.

  This gave Zachery time to talk to his father and sister more as well as let them talk to Cassy for the first time. "Did she suffer?" asked Zachery. "Was she in pain, when it happened?"

  George felt hot tears forming in his eyes once more, but he pushed them away for Zachery. "No, she was not in any pain. It was almost like sleep fell upon her. I had her in my arms and could feel her life essence leave her body. If not for Gabriel showing me, I still had a reason to push on, I too would have ended there in the path with her." With those words, he pulled Launa closer to him. "You helped me focus on life. The more I focused on you, I thought of Zachery. I knew I had two of the most important reasons in all the worlds to carry on."

  Cassy leaned forward and laid her hand on Launa's. "If you need to talk woman to woman, I'm here. I lost both my parents when I was little. I'm willing to talk if you want to."

  Launa smiled and the two stood up and walked over to a corner to sit on the floor, out of the way.

  "She has a good heart, son. She seems special," George said.

  "She is the one for me. We come from two different places, but it already feels as though our hearts are one." Zachery replied.

  George patted his son on the shoulder. "Have you told her that?"

  Zachery lowered his head, "Not in all those words."

  "Then, do it. Do not waste any time. Love is precious, let nothing stand in the way," George retorted with a hearty grin.

  I had missed these talks with my father so much. Just hearing his voice was good, but to have his comforting presence with me was truly a blessing. I wished my mother could have met Cassy for I know she would have loved her as much as I did.

  "Gabriel, you and young Tradan come here please," murmured Aliz'Ra, who was seated with Benzoete and Elos at the end of the table.

  "We were discussing how advanced the young prince was in his training. My mother explained he is almost ready for battle. Also, that you have a special trait not known to past Champions. What, may I ask, is that?" Benzoete questioned.

  "I really don't know much about the past Champions, just what I have learned from you and Miss Lizzy, I mean Aliz'Ra. I can show you the part I like best," Tradan said with a smile.

  Zachery overheard the conversation and told his father he needed to watch. The group gathered around as Tradan removed his overshirt. "Ready? Stand back now." Tradan closed his eyes and concentrated. When his eyes opened, they had turned a bright white. He opened his arms and his magical wings appeared from his back and he started to hover. "I don't understand why they don't rip through my undershirt, but they tear anything else I wear."

  Benzoete was shocked and Aliz'Ra looked up at her son. "Any idea why his power is as evolved as it is?" Benzoete nodded his head as he watched Tradan shimmer and glow, lightning arcing from his fingertips. Aliz'Ra laughed her hearty laugh and said, "All right, Tradan, enough for now. You can show them the good stuff tomorrow. Now, what do we not know?"

  Benzoete told her they recently found out that Gabriel was the demigod son of Akadius. The enhanced power of a demigod mixed with the fact his mother was a direct descendant of angels made for an interesting Champion of Light.

  "He could be ready. With the advanced genes and the fact his grandfather is Lord of the Gods! He may be ready," Elos said with such excitement in his voice.

  "How will I know if I'm ready?” Zachery asked. “I have done marvelous things and achieve
d powerful magic, but without dragons, my training is incomplete."

  Benzoete patted him on the shoulder. "You are home now, Zachery. Fill your thoughts of Amundiss. Let the magic of our home fill your senses. When you feel it, you will be ready. Now, we need to rest. No one knows what lies ahead for us tomorrow."

  When I feel it, I will know? Benzoete’s advice has helped me before. I never doubted myself on Earth, but now I'm home and that means it is close. The demons will be coming, and I had to be ready.

  As the new day began to break over the mountaintops, each person inside the secret library stirred. The look on Gabriel, Antoine, and George's faces was clear. They were elated to have their family home.

  "Mother, I have a question to you." Benzoete walked up to Aliz'Ra. "You had the Bloodblade when you followed Craotonus into the portal. Any chance you kept up with it all these years?"

  Aliz'Ra replied, "I don't know what happened. I drove the blade into his chest all the way to the hilt. It hurt him, I could tell that, but he just laughed and pulled it free. He had somehow become more powerful. It was not enough then, though I still have it." With still very quick reflexes, Aliz'Ra shifted backward and pulled the blade from beneath her clothing. "At least it will help with the minions," she said.

  Benzoete held out his hand. "May I please?" She handed him the Bloodblade and watched as he reached into his side satchel. The old wizard pulled a shiny gem from his bag after placing the sword down on the table. He placed the gem in the center of the hilt, and it began to glow. Everyone watched as the gem seemed to sink into the hilt of the sword, binding its power with the blade.

  Covering it with both hands, he recited the words taught to him by Chrin'lolas. When he removed his hands, the gem was now enclosed inside the Bloodblade. "Now one last thing. I do apologize mother, but this is no longer your blade." Benzoete tossed the newly gemmed Bloodblade to Tradan. When the boy’s hand closed on the handle, the blade erupted in flames.