by Renee Greene
Bryan stared at him uncomfortably, so Dylan answered, “What do you want?”
“That you have to offer,” Evander answered. “A way to pass through the arch at will.”
“It’s impossible,” Dylan replied. “I told you correctly when I said that I can because I am connected to Vanessa and I performed a selfless act for her where I was badly injured and shed my own blood for her.”
“I don’t trust you,” Evander hissed. “You have lied to me before.” He put on his charming voice and suggested, “Tell me how to get through the arch.”
“That is the only way,” Dylan insisted. “If you want to get through, you must connect either to Vanessa, Bryan, or Alex in some way, and you must perform a selfless act.”
Evander leaned back some, thought for a few moments, and then asked, “What do you mean by connect? Does this have to be romantic love as I hear you have for Vanessa, or will passion or some other connection work?”
“Passion is not enough,” Dylan explained, “but it doesn’t have to be romantic love either. It could be a brotherly love or a motherly love. I do not know of any other connection that would work.”
“Is he correct?” Evander asked Bryan. “Could it be any strong connection? People can connect strongly through hate or pity.”
“That would not work,” Bryan answered. “It must be a loving type of connection, but Dylan is correct that it does not have to be romantic.”
Evander thought for a moment, looking back and forth between Dylan and Bryan and asked, “How does Vanessa connect to both Dylan and Rayne if there must be some sort of love?”
“Rayne’s feelings are strong for her,” Dylan explained, “and she does care about him.”
Evander again thought for a moment and next asked, “Would a love potion work? If I took one and fell in love with Vanessa, would I be able to pass through the arch?”
“No,” Bryan answered. “She would need a connection too. Now, we have given you the information. Give us my father.”
Evander shook his head. “You really need to learn to negotiate better. I said that I wanted to know how to get through. I did not promise your father’s return to you in exchange. I merely asked what you had to exchange for him. I did not agree to it.”
Dylan stood up and insisted, “Let’s go, Bryan. This negotiation is pointless.”
As soon as he stood up, the guards around them pulled their weapons.
“Be careful,” Evander warned. “King Giles did not negotiate for a safe return to his kingdom if an arrangement was not made. If you choose to leave, you will likely die. You are expendable. Bryan is needed. You are not.”
Dylan raised his hands to chest level and looked over at Bryan. His life likely depended on Bryan thinking quickly. That wasn’t hopeful.
Evander leaned over toward Bryan and hissed, “There has to be another way. Is there?”
Bryan ran his fingers through his hair, unsure how to answer.
“Answer or we hurt Dylan!” Evander yelled.
“You agreed to safety during the meeting,” Bryan scolded.
Evander stood up, leaned over him, and threatened, “Then I will call for a break in the meeting and have him beaten during it!”
It was true. He’d do it. Bryan knew it. “Theoretically it can be done, but I’m unsure how to right now,” he admitted. “Magic is not as easy as you would think. It’s more than just saying the right words. Even there, I would not know what words to say.”
“It can be done,” Evander noted with a victorious grin. “Now, what will it take to get you to figure out how?”
“Why would I do that for you?” Bryan snipped.
“Meeting adjourned for ten minutes,” Evander called out.
Immediately ogres grabbed Dylan and punched him.
Bryan thought about freezing the ogres in place or slowing them. He could do it, but if Evander saw him work magic, he might be afraid of him and not allow them to see his father at all. As he debated what to do, he heard Dylan scream. Everything was overwhelming. He had Evander pressuring him, Ogres beating Dylan, Dylan screaming in pain as he tried to fight six ogres, and his father nowhere to be seen. How was he supposed to think in that situation. “Stop!” he called. “Stop!”
Evander motioned for the ogres to stop beating Dylan, but they held him and did not let go. “Will you tell me how to get through the arch on my own?” Evander hissed.
“You can’t do it alone,” Bryan answered, “but there is a way.”
“Tell me how!” Evander demanded.
In a voice more stern than anyone had ever seen Bryan use, Bryan insisted, “I will not tell you until you let Dylan sit back down and bring my father where I can see him. I don’t even know he’s alive.”
Evander considered the proposal. Bryan was not a negotiator. He was very straight forward, so there was little risk.
“Agreed,” he stated.
Dylan was pushed back into the chair, and two ogres went into the nearby tent to get Bryan’s father.
“How?” Evander asked. “You must tell me.”
“Show me my father is alive,” Bryan countered. “Not until after I see him.”
Alex was brought out of the tent. His eyes were once again blindfolded, likely with the magic blindfold that would only allow him to teleport back to the cavern.
“Bryan!” his father exclaimed, having heard his voice from the tent.
“I’m here father,” Bryan responded.
“Now tell me!” Evander demanded.
Bryan took a breath and said, “I can rewrite the magic. Povez heth.”
As he said the last two words, he raised his hands toward his father, and the blindfold on Alex flew off.
At first Alex could not focus, as the sunlight was too bright, but he understood exactly what Bryan was trying to do. As soon as he could make out Bryan, he teleported over to him.
His hands were tied behind his back, so he could not grab either, but both Bryan and Dylan grabbed onto him.
Alex immediately teleported to the other side of the ring of ogres guarding the meeting.
An ogre turned and hit Dylan with a club, but Dylan took the hit without letting go of Alex. If he let go to fight, he’d be stuck there.
Alex quickly found another place to teleport to and teleported them away. Bryan then pointed out where their horses were to teleport to them.
Alex and Bryan mounted the same horse while Dylan mounted the other, and they rode away.
There were archers in the woods, but Bryan called out “sgiath” as the arrows flew at them, which made them stop short and fall to the ground.
“How did you…” his father began to ask.
“Later, dad,” Bryan replied. “Busy!” He saw another arrow coming and again called out, “Sgaith.”
Once they passed the perimeter guards, they rode safely through the woods. Likely, they were being pursued, but hopefully, Evander didn’t want to rashly send out his men.
They reached the soldiers who were waiting for them, and were congratulated on their success.
Heremon then ordered everyone to ride swiftly back to the castle.
“Are we really in that much of a rush?” Bryan asked.
“We are,” Alex answered. “It is good to see you, and it is good to be free, but you may have just started a war.”
Chapter 21: Alex Learns Bryan has a Girl
Vanessa ran over to Bryan, Dylan, and her father when they arrived at the castle. She was so excited to see all of them, but she hugged her father first. It had been months, and finally he was back.
There was a happy reunion for a moment with Alex, Bryan, and Vanessa, but then Vanessa noticed that Dylan had some bad bruises. She immediately went over to him.
“I bet you have a story,” she noted. “Do you want those bruises healed?”
“I won’t turn that down,” he answered. “Which method do you want to use?”
“The fastest one,” she answered. “After all, I am your girlfriend.
” She put her arms around his neck and told him, “I was so worried about you. I’m sorry you are hurt, but I’m so glad you are alive.”
“I’ve had worse,” he noted, “but I’ll enjoy the healing.”
She then gave him his healing kiss. Everyone watching could see that the kiss was more than just a healing kiss. The chemistry between the two was very obvious, and their kiss was so innocent and sincere that it touched everyone who was watching.
“You and Dylan,” Alex said to Vanessa after the kiss, his shock apparent. “I didn’t expect that.”
Dylan held out his hand to Alex and said, “Vanessa is my girlfriend now. I hope that is all right with you.”
“You are a great guy,” Alex responded as he shook Dylan’s hand. “Just treat my daughter right.”
“He always does dad,” Vanessa assured him. “Boy, do we have some stories to tell.”
“Let’s tell them over food,” Alex suggested. “I wasn’t well fed in the cavern dungeon. I am starving.”
Alex was taken inside. King Giles was ecstatic that he’d been rescued but had so many questions.
He did provide a very nice meal while they talked and everyone told their stories.
They were all shocked at Alex’s story, and that Pyria was actually part of it. To keep him from teleporting away when he was captured, she had struck him with her claws. When he froze in place, the magic blindfold was put on him and his hands tied behind his back. He was then taken to the Ruins of Parval and put in the cavern where there was no place to teleport to.
King Giles stood up and yelled, “Throw her in the dungeon!”
Salgothen and Heremon immediately came over and grabbed her. She didn’t fight them, but hung her head.
“Wait!” Dylan called. “I spoke for her. If I am to share her punishment, I at least think she should get a defense.”
“She helped kidnap Alex,” King Giles fumed. “That is a big detail to leave out.”
Dylan held his hands out in concession. “I guess I go to the dungeon too.”
“No,” King Giles corrected. “You only spoke for her crime of working with Evander on spying on us. This was before then.” He again ordered his guards, “Throw her in the dungeon.”
“Wait!” Dylan called. “Doesn’t she get some defense? I’d like to hear her side.”
“Speak,” King Giles agreed.
“There is no side to hear,” Pyria admitted. “I felt I had no place I belonged, so I joined Evander’s side. They look good at first, welcoming me in, until it served their purpose to use me as bait.” She looked down. “I have no defense. I am guilty. I obeyed Evander’s order and helped kidnap Alex. I was told that he was wanted to help get supplies through the arch. I didn’t even question it. If I did, I would have realized that force wasn’t the way. It’s easy to justify doing the wrong thing. I am sorry, and not just for getting caught. For the first time in my life, I feel like I am someplace I can make a difference. Yet, I am guilty. I make no excuse. I deserve to die. Take me to the dungeon.”
The guards began to take her to the door again, but Dylan called, “Wait!” Everyone turned to look at him. “I believe she has changed. I believe she is truly repentant, enough that she will actually change. I will speak for her.”
“That is a huge risk to take for her,” King Giles pointed out. “Do you want to do that?”
“If I must,” Dylan answered. He thought for a moment and suggested, “We have a custom on our world. The person who is wronged decides if he is going to press charges or not.”
“What does that mean?” King Giles asked.
Alex actually answered, “It means that the person who is the victim gets to decide if the person is let go or tried for the crime.”
King Giles thought for a moment and asked, “What do you think?”
Alex looked at Pyria for a moment, then over at Dylan, then over at Bryan and Vanessa. He didn’t know anything about Pyria, “Why don’t we put her in the dungeon for a few days while we…” He looked at Dylan, then at Pyria and corrected, “I drop all charges.”
“Drop charges?” King Giles asked.
“I suggest that she goes free and is given a second chance,” Alex explained. “If Dylan trusts her, I do too.”
King Giles raised his hand and ordered, “Let her go. She will not be killed as a traitor for her crime.”
Pyria ran over, hugged Dylan and very girlishly cried, “Thank you. You are my hero!” She actually gave a slight blush as she added, “Vanessa can give you your hero’s kiss.”
Vanessa didn’t kiss him right there, as there was business to attend to, but the door flew open and Nea and Cullen ran into the room. “Sorry I didn’t get here earlier,” she apologized. “I was on a mission for King Giles to see if the rumor of the sheelaun is true. I am one of the few who can fight them, as I have fire.” She threw her arms around Bryan and exclaimed, “I see that you were successful!”
“Yes, but we do have a story,” Bryan responded.
“Stories later,” she corrected, and she suddenly surprised him with a very nice hero’s kiss.
Everyone chuckled at how cute Nea and Bryan were, everyone except Alex. He stared at Bryan, shocked that he was kissing a girl, and did something no one had ever seen him do before… He passed out!
Chapter 22: Alex Learns Trina Got a New Princess Nightgown
Bryan, Vanessa, Alex, Dylan, Nea, Cullen, Pyria, Rayne, Niall, and about two dozen of King Giles’s guards rode toward the arch, expecting some kind of excitement when they arrived.
There was definitely excitement. About a hundred ogres were blocking the arch, ready to fight.
There were no demands made, no negotiations; the ogres immediately attacked.
Alex had been kept in a dungeon, hardly fed, and tied to a chair blindfolded much of the time, so his muscles were weak. He knew some moves from the department training, but he really wasn’t a fighter, and he was really out of practice. He was little help except for teleporting, grabbing people about to be killed, and teleporting them away.
That was incredibly helpful, as they were outnumbered three to one.
Fortunately, Dylan had become very good with a sword, and Nea’s fire helped immensely, as she could blast any that weren’t close to someone on her side.
With her powerful attack, she also became a big target and a half dozen ogres went after her. She blasted two of them, but the others surrounded her. Two of them grabbed her wrists so she couldn’t push the fire forward. She could still generate fire, but the ogres had leather Celtic-style gloves that did protect their hands fairly well from the heat.
Another ogre raised his club to smash Nea’s head in, but Bryan suddenly called out, “Zlobr bruth,” and the ogre suddenly fell backward as if he’d been shoved.
Bryan next called, “Pokle,” and the ogres holding Nea not only let go of her, but they dropped their weapons.
Two ogres came from behind Bryan. One Dylan struck at with his sword and pulled him away. The other grabbed Bryan from behind around his mouth so he could not utter a spell.
An ogre in front of Bryan pulled a knife off his belt to stab Bryan. Nea watched in horror. At her angle if she blasted fire, she’d not only hit Bryan, but she’d hit Vanessa. Panic struck. She couldn’t let him get stabbed. There was no way she could dive on the ogre and knock him over, and Bryan was being held tightly. She did the only thing she could think of and dove onto Bryan, throwing her arms around him so she could touch the ogre holding him and burn him so he’d let go of Bryan’s mouth.
As soon as she did, Bryan called out, “Sgiath!” to shield her, but he was too late, the ogre had already stabbed her in the side of her back. She screamed and started to fall, but Bryan grabbed her around the waist.
Bryan looked around. People were fighting all around him, ogres were coming after him, and Nea was dying in his arms. It was hard to think through the panic, but he swept his arm around and screamed out, “Zlobr bruth!” A sudden blast burst from him that k
nocked only the ogres back. They flew through the air for ten feet.
“Hurry!” Bryan called, looking at Nea bleeding in his arms. Vanessa, Dylan, and Alex ran over to him, and he called out, “Earthian, entrare biblu ridd faeir ali iobairt!”
The ogres got up and charged toward them as they stepped through the portal. Bryan still had Nea in his arms. He laid her on the floor of the library and ordered, “Vanessa, heal her, quickly!”
Gail ran over and hugged Alex, and Trina grabbed around his legs.
Agent White was in the library too. That wasn’t surprising because King Giles did have them send word to Gail.
Everyone had expected a joyous reunion, but almost everyone was on the floor, watching Nea.
“How is she?” Bryan asked, his hands shaking. He took Nea’s hand and said, “She has to live.”
“She’ll live,” Vanessa assured him. “Calm down.”
Agent White decided to have everyone back away to help Vanessa focus. She asked only to have Dylan stay beside her.
Everyone watched as Vanessa worked.
“Who is she?” Gail whispered to Bryan. “Is she the girl?”
The girl? Of course his mom would know about Nea. He didn’t talk much, but Vanessa did.
“That’s Nea,” he confirmed. He twisted his finger in his hair nervously. Nea was lying on the floor. It should have been him. He’d rather have taken the knife than had her sacrifice herself for him.
“I need a briefing,” Agent White told Bryan.
Bryan looked at him rather confused, “Umm…. Ask Dylan. I don’t talk.”
Nea gasped and mumbled something, but Vanessa didn’t know what. Bryan ran over, knelt beside her and said, “Her spine. Help her spine.”
He then said something to Nea that no one understood. She mumbled something back. He took her hand, kissed her on the forehead, and said something to her that wasn’t English.
No one understood except Alex, who laughed out loud.
“What?” Gail asked.
It took a moment for Alex to stop laughing, and then he told Gail, “I knew about him and Nea, but he just told her… Sorry, it doesn’t translate.”
