The Bad Seed

by Michael Lackey

  "Our champion is well equipped now," Antoine said in amazement.

  "I believe it is time to see what these good lads can do." Benzoete smiled, waved his hand and the door opened wide. The group exited the library into an open area to the south.

  Gabriel walked over to Benzoete. "Do you really believe them to be ready? We have waited all these years, surely we can wait a few more months."

  Benzoete flashed his wild smile. "My king, Tradan is the offspring of an angel and the son of Akadius, with his advanced bloodline, I believe he was ready months ago. As for Zachery, he has one last task I need for him to do." Benzoete motioned for his mother to join him. They walked over to where Zachery stood. "Zachery, do you remember many years ago when we first met? We were in my library in Weelinn and I asked you to hand me your dagger. You were so surprised at the fact I even knew you had it. I placed it into the skull of the dragon and asked you to concentrate on what made you happy. You had your magic then and you trusted in my words and believed in yourself. Now ask for help from the Gods and follow them."

  I trusted Benzoete from the moment I met him, and I trust him now even though I’ve always doubted myself. I do not want to disappoint all these people.

  Aliz'Ra could tell Zachery needed a little push of encouragement. "My boy, I have known you for over half of your life. Even though I did not know you were the Dragon Rider, I always knew you were amazing. I am honored to be your great-grandmother, but mostly I am honored to be your friend. Let go and trust yourself. I do." She punched him on the arm, gave him a wink and walked back to Benzoete and Cassy.

  AS ZACHERY STOOD THERE in the open area, he asked the Gods for guidance. Suddenly, a tree sprang up from the ground. A tree full of life and on its trunk the words: Quis Te Est. "What does this mean? I don’t understand.”

  George smiled. "I do. We saw it on the tree at the tomb. It is asking who you are, Son! Tell it. Shout it. Believe it!"

  Zachery closed his eyes and clenched his fists. Fire began to form around his closed hands, and he opened his eyes to reveal a fiery soul. With a loud voice that seemed like it was not his own, he shouted, "Eccoita Angulòcë!"

  Aliz'Ra gasped and started to cry. "He called them; they will hear his voice."

  The mountains started to rumble and quake. A loud shriek was heard from what seemed to be realms away. Zachery turned his head skyward, reached for the heavens, and a pillar of fire shot into the clouds. "Hear my voice, heed my call. Awake and come to me!" Zachery shouted. The shriek was heard again, only this time it was deafening. A large shadow flew over them. Zachery lowered his hands to the ground, a circle of pure fire formed around him.

  The people watching backed away as a majestic creature descended. Before them now sat a creature everyone believed to be extinct. Large, gleaming black scales covered his enormous body like armor on the most fearsome knight. His wings were large enough to darken the sun. Long, sharp claws dug into the ground. The creature was enormous. It reared its head, spewing dragon fire into the skies. As Zachery walked toward the beast, it bowed before him as a show of respect for the Rider. "Good to see you," Zachery said as he rubbed the scaled skin on its head. "His name is Barrok, the Black."

  Cassy stepped forward. "How do you know that?" she asked.

  "He told me. We are as one now. We can communicate through thoughts." Zachery climbed up on the dragon's back, up close to his neck. "All right, Barrok. Let's fly." With one powerful push of his wings, they were airborne, soaring through the skies with ease. Zachery found two trees standing away from everything else. As quickly as he thought it, Barrok knew. They started to dive down, toward the trees. At the last second, they pulled up, but not before Barrok lit the trees on fire with his fiery breath.

  The refugees cheered wildly. Finally, there was a Dragon Rider soaring through the skies over Amundiss once more.

  Tradan laughed and said, "A real dragon! I knew we would see many marvelous things, but this is the best!" The young Champion ran toward Zachery, dropping his overshirt to the ground once more. He leaped into the air and his magical wings sprung forth and carried him up into the air. "My turn Zachery! Try this."

  Still holding the Bloodblade, Tradan soared down to the ground in a spiral. He hit the ground with a thud, landing on one knee and planted the blade into the soil. Where the blade was buried into the ground, a ring of fire emitted outward from the Champion charring the ground and engulfing the surrounding trees. The blast was so intense the shockwave knocked Elos off his feet. "Oh, sorry Elos. I didn't mean to do that." Tradan chortled with a sly grin. Antoine tried to contain his laughter as he helped Elos to his feet.

  Benzoete clapped his hands wildly, "Well done, well done indeed! Your training has advanced more than I could ever have hoped for. Just remember, a real battle is not just burning trees and shrubs, you must have the conviction to defeat your enemy. They will try to end your lives so you must not falter from your knowledge of the Light. You cannot hesitate to take theirs given the opportunity."

  Just as Benzoete had finished his words of encouragement, Barrok reared his head up and sniffed the air. Zachery shouted, "He smells orcs closing in! They have found us!" The orcs were close. Craotonus had sent them to find the refugees and test their new champion.

  "Pawns! This group of orcs are just pawns. He's testing us." Gabriel informed them.

  Antoine grabbed an extremely large axe, "Well let's see how we do with this test, shall we?" He extended his hand to Andrea who gave him a sly wink. "I never liked tests. I may have to peek at your paper."

  The two laughed and started out to the left, Benzoete spoke to Tradan and Zachery, "Tradan, follow your father and do not take on more than you can handle, not this early. Zachery, I need you and Barrok to fly ahead of us and lay down cover fire. Elos and I will take George and the others to the high ground to the right. May the Gods shine on us."

  Barrok opened his mighty wings and took to the sky again. "We need to lay a line of fire between the orcs and the others, give them time to get into position." Barrok snorted and shook his head. "What do you mean you need a snack?" Just then, Barrok dove toward the oncoming army. The orcs saw the massive beast and froze in their tracks.

  It had been centuries since anyone had seen a live dragon. With a swoop, Barrok grabbed two of them in his mouth and quickly disposed of them. "Feel better now? Can we lay the cover fire now?" Zachery laughed and patted the dragon. On their second pass, Barrok and Zachery both set a long path on fire, blocking the orc troops from the refugees. The orcs stopped and tried to figure out a way to get to the refugees when a shout was heard from the left.

  Antoine, with his war axe held high, came leaping through the flames catching them by surprise. His blade landed the through the skull of an unexpected orc taking half of his head off. "Hello boys, I have someone you need to meet!" he chuckled as he knelt low beside the body of the slain orc. A volley of arrows came through the flames and smoke like rain. Andrea slung arrow after arrow, each one finding its mark in the chest of the unsuspecting orc warriors. Antoine gave the signal to Gabriel and he jumped to his feet.

  A large, brownish-green orc named Xago walked toward him. "I smell the angelic blood in your veins. You're one of the light bearers we searched for. You smell like your father, he fought well trying to protect you. He died honorably by my blade. So, shall you this day!" Xago was a seasoned war hardened warrior. He stared at Antoine, waiting for him to move when an arrow flew past, headed straight for Xago's heart. Without even a flinch, the orc snatched the arrow from the air and broke it like a twig.

  Antoine charged. Every move he could think of, the massive orc had a counter. Swing after swing, neither combatant gained ground. On the other side of the fields, Gabriel and Tradan charged in. The two fought as if they were the same person. Tradan connected the Bloodblade with the neck of an orc and returned him to dust. Gabriel blocked a sword swipe and his boot landed on the orc's chest sending the creature to the ground.

  In one motion, the m
ighty blade Fuascailte was planted in the fallen orc, while Gabriel swept the feet of another to the ground. He pulled his blade from the dead orc and slashed the other. Tradan's eyes began to glow bright, his wings were at full width, and he flew from orc to orc, taking their heads in a bright blur.

  Elos and Benzoete looked down from the higher ground and started to chant elvish words. Crows flew in from every direction attacking the orcs and serving as distractions.

  Liam and George stood at the ready to defend the women if needed. By this time, Antoine and Xago had moved from the others and still fought furiously. Xago thrust his mighty sword barely missing Antoine, causing the orc to go off-balance and leave his back exposed. Antoine pulled a small dagger from his boot and jabbed it in the shoulder blade of the orc. Xago let out a bloodcurdling howl. He spun with his free hand and his massive fist hit Antoine in the head, knocking him backward. Andrea rushed to where Antoine fell.

  Pulling the blade from his shoulder he said, "Foolish girl, you cannot stop me. I will have his head."

  Andrea pulled an arrow from her quiver and notched it. "Then come get it."

  Xago charged toward her and leapt into the air. Just as she was about to let the arrow fly, a very large claw grabbed the orc and flew off. She watched Zachery and Barrok carry Xago away and toss him to the ground. She let out a sigh of relief and turned back to check on the motionless Antoine.

  Tradan was surrounded by orcs when he heard his father shout, "Tradan! Circle of fire again, son!" With a grin, Tradan shot straight up into the sky. Now, the Bloodblade burned with a bright white fire. Holding the blade above his head and pointing his left fist toward the ground, he dove straight down and smashed the ground. This time it was not ordinary fire that encircled him, but a shockwave of pure light. The circle of light spread out from the Champion engulfing every orc around him in holy fire. Gabriel could not stop himself from feeling a swell of pride.

  Aliz'Ra stood with her son and Elos, and helped them enhance their powers when she was suddenly, she's overwhelmed by a presence. "Oh, no, it cannot be."

  Benzoete turned to her. "What is it, Mother? What do you feel?"

  Aliz’Ra began to tremble and whispered, "Malonox."

  As she muttered his name, a dark figure appeared behind Natallia, grabbing her around the waist.

  "Foolish demons had one task: kill the vessel. Sometimes you have to do things yourself."

  Liam and George rushed to help her, when Malonox raised his hand and sent them flying backward.

  "This battle is not over. I will have the Gods at my feet. They will feel my wrath." With that the Shadow Lord plunged a dark blade through her back until it pierced through her chest. She cried out in pain. "We will meet again Champion," stated Malonox as he disappeared into the shadows. The remaining orcs fled and Gabriel and Tradan rushed to Natallia's side.

  "Help her! Don’t just stand there, do something! You must do something!" Tradan shouted with tears slipping down his cheeks.

  Gabriel held her in his arms and stroked her hair, she tried to speak he just placed a finger on her lips, "No my love. Words are not needed. I loved you from the moment I saw you and I know you loved me." He could see the shadows overtaking her. "You completed my life. Go to your rest and know I will see you again." He kissed her lips and wept uncontrollably.

  Tradan was on his knees at her head and she reached for his hand. He held her hand like he did when he was little and could not sleep; it had helped him know she was there, so now it was his turn to let her know he was there for her. As the life faded from her, a light appeared. Angels had come to take her home. She had been the first female angelic to live past maturity in centuries; now was her time to rest.

  The others made it to where yet another tragedy had struck. As George and Liam were hurled backward off the hilltop, Liam fell on a broken tree and was impaled. They found his body hanging lifelessly. The refugees suffered major blows that day. Now, they knew how Craotonus had become so powerful. They also knew that they had to seek out any remaining citizens of Amundiss willing to fight for their lives alongside the Champion. The demons had an army thirsty for blood, and the refugees needed the same. They were not given much time to grieve, but their loved ones will be missed. Queen Natallia, with her true beauty and grace; Liam Traxton, who lost his family and wanted to serve his king. May the Gods be with them.

  We lost a great leader that day, and I lost a friend. May she find my mother in the afterlife and she will find a friend.

  39

  The Refugees Fight Back

  As the group mourned their queen and loyal friend, the burial fires could be seen for miles.

  "They will pay for this, Gabriel. I promise you this," Antoine vowed with tears streaming down his face.

  Gabriel embraced and held him tight. "We have to win this war for her. We cannot let her, and all the others die in vain." The stoic king pushed back and looked him dead in the eyes, "We must rally an army and hit the demons where they stand. We need to take back what is ours; our land, our homes, Castle Whitehold. We hit them when they least expect it."

  George stood nearby. "Where will we find such an army? The demons have ravaged this land, those that are left are scared and hiding."

  Aliz'Ra stood facing the fires as tears filled her eyes for her friend. "We open the doors of Eska'Taurn. Allow the elven people to fight for their world like the days of old. Most are skilled fighters and will be ready to fight."

  Benzoete and Elos stood in shock. Turning to his mother, he asked, "Can we do this? The elven people have not been a part of Amundiss for centuries. Only a few have chosen to venture out."

  Elos then spoke up. "Also, Madam Aliz'Ra, the bond holding the doors is secured by elder magic. Can we override that?"

  Aliz'Ra looked to them. "Do you forget who the elders were that put that foolish spell in place? I am the last remaining original elder of Eska'Taurn. With my son's help, I will right the wrong I put in place all those years ago. We, the elven people, need to be a part of this world. We need to fight once more."

  "How long will this require? We will try to find as many here to help," questioned Gabriel.

  "Not long, we will gather the necessary items and begin. We will need to have our minds in perfect unison. Once we unlock the spell, our people will ride to our aid," answered Aliz'Ra.

  Antoine, whose face was still streaked with tears, assured her, "When they get here, we will be ready."

  THE NEXT MORNING, GABRIEL was still standing by his wife’s ashes. George headed to his longtime friend. "Gabriel, you need to eat,” he advised. “You will need your strength."

  The king looked to his friend. "How did you do it? How did you find the strength to go on from the Path after it took Elizabeth? I have visions of revenge for her and at the same time I want to lie beside her and join her. I do not know how I can focus now on our task."

  George placed an arm around the shoulder of Gabriel and walked him over to the side of one of the tents. "You have to do the same thing that you told me. You have to find your reason." As George repeated this, he pointed down to the edge of the meadow where Tradan knelt in the sunlight. "All he has ever known was his mother. He needs his father now. He may be the Champion of Light, but he is also a young man who just lost his mother. Go to him. Go to him and find your reason to go on."

  Gabriel embraced George and thanked him for being such a good friend for so long. He walked to the meadow and took a seat next to his son. "We will see her again you know. When our time comes, we will gather with the other followers of the Light that has passed on to the afterlife. That is the eternal plan by the Gods."

  "I spent the first half of my life in a world thinking the worst thing to fear was a harsh winter,” Tradan began. “The one thing that was constant in my life was my mother. I will be with her again. We will end this and have revenge on the demons that did this."

  At that moment, Gabriel gazed into his son's eyes and saw a man looking back at him where a boy once was
. "You are my reason now. George told me that when Elizabeth died, he had to find a reason to continue. His reason was Zachery and Launa. I still desire peace for our world, but you are my priority now. I was so focused on having my world back, I forgot that that included a son." Gabriel stood and extended his hand to help Tradan up. "We need to eat and check in on the others; we have a long journey ahead of us." As Tradan pulled himself up, Gabriel pulled him close and wrapped his arms around him, "I truly love you, my son. We have lost a lot in the years you were on Earth, but understand this, I stand with you, for you, and together Amundiss will flourish again."

  AT CASTLE WHITEHOLD, Craotonus was in council with the demon brethren. A cloud of smoke filled the room and Malonox fell to the floor. "Lord Malonox! Are you alright?" asked Rauko' as he tried to help him from the floor.

  Dori'naur pulled a chair over and helped him to sit. "You killed a mortal; did you forget the pact?" inquired Craotonus.

  "I remember that idiotic pact you cretin. I did what had to be done, the fool that was guarding her, unfortunately, found himself on a spike as well. I did not plan on that."

  Dori'naur and Rauko' were confused now. "What is wrong with him?" asked Dori'naur.

  Craotonus walked to a chair and motioned for them to sit. "Malonox is one of the Prime, a group of six eternal celestial beings. They had no beginnings or end. They were the ones who created the Gods to oversee the worlds as needed."

  Rauko' made him come to a halt. "There are more of him out there? They are the ones who created Akadius and the others?"

  Craotonus nodded his head. "Myself included. Malonox was sent here and he is the one that created us. We are his children."

  "What happened then?” Dori'naur questioned. “Why are those fools the ones still in the heavens and not Malonox?"