The Barrier: The Teorran of Time: Teen Fantasy Action Adventure Novel (26 page)

Serin rubbed her skin and asked "What... is...this?" pointing to where the first dart hit her.

"You’re not going to like it." Shaz said. Serin’s frantic look surprised Shaz, "It’s ok, its just a huge orange lump on your neck."

He didn't want to tell her about the one in the center of her forehead between her eyes making her look like a three eyed creature. With disbelief she looked down at her arms and legs. Tiny bumps formed into large boils of different colors. She was consumed with disgust and fear until she saw Ladtwig. It was hard not to laugh. He was frantically yanking tiny darts from his lips and face. His tongue slipped out of his mouth and he couldn’t put it back in. Drool slipped from the corner of his lips. Mumblings rang as he tried to explain to Turkill that he couldn't feel his lips.

With distorted motions and gestures he frantically explained that his tongue was numb. Turkill was too busy hopping on one foot rubbing his big toe that stuck out of the hole in his shoe. He tripped on a silver goblet and tumbled into the fire pit, coming to a halt as his head smacked the soot filled bottom. Groaning he lay down and stared into the sky.

"Why weren't you shot with any darts? Where are they coming from?" Serin asked, then remembered the movement outside in the courtyard.

"Yah, whry doth ihehh hanf?" Ladtwig mumbled.

"Dunno" Shaz said.

A tiny movement crossed his vision.

"There." Serin said, scratching her boils, "That’s what I saw outside."

She scratched her forehead, finding that there was one right in the center of her face.

"You saw something outside and you didn't tell me?"

"I wasn't sure I had, but now I am."

Turkill untangled himself from the debris in the pit, while Ladtwig stared blankly, panting and drooling like a dog. Tiny little figures ran along the wood beams and door casings. They scaled the heights running one by one. Like ants the tiny soldiers leapt onto a large wood chandelier that was still hanging from the center vault. They floated through the air and landed silently. Formed in ranks and encircled the rounded beams.

"They're tiny soldiers." Shaz said.

Serin covered the boil. "I barely see anything moving." she said, slightly muffled by her arm covering her words.

A female draped in tiny orange and yellow feathers drifted out of nowhere. She floated down softly and hovered, her feather like dress flowing.

"Welcome master Shaz," the tiny voice sang.

She was barely the size of his thumb. Her head was large for her size and she had bright green eyes. Soft wavy blonde hair and pale rose colored skin.

"Who are you?" he asked.

"Don't you remember me? I sang you to sleep when you were a baby and played with you as you grew."

"No, I'm sorry I don't."

"Never mind, you were young and it has been many, many years since then." she sang.

"How many years exactly?"

"Two hundred and seventy."

"Two hundred and seventy?" He leaned back in surprise.

"You are surprised?"

"Yes, I'm only twenty.”

"No, you are not, we have waited many long years for your return, protecting your home from those who would take your inheritance."

"Inheritance?"

"Treasure?" Turkill asked, now alert.

The Wispmother of the Inugami raised her arm to signal an attack.

"They're with me."

The Wispmother lowered her arm and then asked "You have returned, yes?"

"Yes, and no, we can't stay but I hope to return soon.”

"Your father left you something, come I will show you."

"My father?" Shaz asked, looking at Serin hopefully.

Azrak returns

The night slipped seamlessly into morning as Azrak dipped back into the thick tree coverage. He landed on a branch high in the tree tops. The sky blended into the trees, causing a mirror-like reflection against the trees. He leapt out and landed on the ground. Walking carefully, twisting his ears back and forth. He scanned the distance and then made his way to the barrier. He stepped into the middle of a tree and peeked through just enough to see the other side.

Not far into his homeland, he found that the trees had less color than they once did. Azrak had to walk for a length before he could take to the sky. The earth was dry and crackly under the pads of his paws. He tried to stick to the trees that had bright red and orange leaves to keep himself concealed. His bird instincts encouraged him to get as high up as he could as quickly as he could. When he felt it was safe, he soared into the sky.

The coolness of the autumn sky felt good on his face. It was much dryer here which was a nice change. It had been over a hundred seasons since he had been this far into the land he loved. The further in he flew, the worse it became. The once bright and vibrant colors were now dingy and dreary. Rivers barely trickled and the landscape was void of roaming elk, steer and buffalo.

Dwellings once inhabited by healthy packs no longer existed. The anger he had repressed so many years ago now opened the flood gates into a state of rage. It wasn't just him that had been affected, but his whole world. How could he have been so selfish, and stupid? How could he have thought that things would be fine?

He dipped in and around the falls that were once gushing water. Hardly a trickle dripped off the jagged rocks. His heart plummeted into his stomach when he saw his home. Groargoth had destroyed it. Setting himself down softly on the ledge, he bent onto all fours and crawled into the small opening. The scent of ash wafted heavily throughout the cavern, even after all this time.

"It's not pretty, is it?" Lahonti said.

Azrak hadn't heard him come in and turned sharply.

"When did this happen?" Azrak asked his tone sharp. The muscles in his neck flexed. His feathers ruffled as he breathed short, strong breaths.

"There was nothing you could have done. I didn't want you to-" Lahonti said, "I'm sorry. I should have told you."

"No, you’re right. There was nothing I could have done." Azrak said. "Besides, it’s not your fault, its mine" Azrak paused, "What happened?"

"Groargoth destroyed everything and took your whole family prisoner. They are still alive but they are servants in his court." Lahonti said quietly.

"And my men?" Azrak asked through a broken voice.

"Helios is at the Guardian Feather Academy in hiding. Brigdon is in prison for striking Groargoth,"

Azrak snickered and waved Lahonti to continue.

"Ralti and Jaxton are still in the Armada under Kronos, the new general."

Azrak’s eye flinched.

"My armor, did they take that too?"

"No, I was able to sneak that and your weapons out. I have hidden them." Lahonti said.

"Good, I will need them."

"What are you going to do?"

"Kill him."

"Azrak I have to tell you, Groargoth has united with the Kronos and the Ebonhoards." Lahonti said.

Azrak looked at him with his glossy eyes, Lahonti sank low to the ground.

“Here, take this.” Lahonti slipped the gold ring he found off his toe and gave it to Azrak.

“What’s this?”

“It has given me good luck. I figure you’re going to need it more than me.”

"Lahonti, you have been a good friend. Thank you." Azrak said.

"Sire.” Lahonti said bowing.

"I'm not the king."

"But you should be."

Azrak kicked the debris in front of him and pushed his way past Lahonti.

"Send word to Ralti to meet at the falls tomorrow at sunset."

"Where are you going?"

"To get Helios."

A renewed sense of strength, fueled by emotions Azrak hadn't felt in a long time, propelled his long flight. He would have to fly high through the heavy clouds that shield the mountain tops. These clouds were not the usual fluffy clouds that drift across the sky. Legend says the mages used magic to shield the school from the Velsharoon.

Whether it was true or not didn't matter, all he knew was that they were different and hard to fly through and struggled to break the barrier. Azrak inched upward, hoping that at any second he would break through the other side. With one last stoke, he shot into the icy blue sky above.

"May I help you?" asked a pale yellow and orange feathered gryphton, his eyes bright and welcoming.

"I must speak with Helios, my name is Azrak." he said.

"Azrak you say." he said carefully.

Azrak scrunched his brows and scrutinized the old gryphton.

"Yes, is there a problem?"

"You tell me?" he said.

He slipped his paws into the large armholes in his hooded robe.

"I don't have time for these games. Will you send for him or do I have to go find him myself?"

"He has been sent for, he will be here shortly. Come walk with me, I fear there is something troubling."

Azrak walked with him down a long path that circled the several buildings and asked, "Who is the head monk here?"

"That would be Mazark.” he answered. "Do you wish an audience?"

"Yes, I think so."

"Very well."

Helios darted from the sky, and landed right next to Azrak. Azrak slammed his fist against his chest in a salute. Helios returned with the same.

"I can't believe you are back. What’s wrong?" Helios asked.

"What makes you think there is anything wrong?" Azrak asked.

"Are you kidding, you wouldn't come all this way for an afternoon of tea." Helios said.

Azrak told Helios all that had happened.

"So it’s true then." Helios said.

"What’s true?"

"The legend, I was just studying it in fact. The boy, Shaz you say is his name?"

"Yes, and he travels with a girl Serin." Azrack said.

"She is an elemental?"

"I don't know.”

"Mazark will see you now." the monk said, motioning his arm toward an open door.

They had walked all the way to the center and were now if front of the main study. Several skylights allowed for light to rest strategically on different desks and shelves.

"Azrak, I am honored you have come. What can I do for you?" the grand monk said.

Azrak took his paw.

"I'm afraid I bring sorrowful news."

"The legend is true Your Grace." Helios said.

The grand master half-sat-half-stood against the desk and rested his paws in his lap.

"I see, what do you plan on doing?" he asked.

"We have to secure the orb from Groargoth and get it to the boy." Azrak said.

"Groargoth has the orb?" the grand monk asked as his brows lifted and his voice broke.

"It was our last mission before-" Azrak trailed off.

"King Ruadan sent for it." Helios said watching the pain crest Azrak's face.

"I see."

"May I ask how you know about all this?" Azrak asked.

"It has been our duty for centuries to study the history of our world and make a full account of its happenings. We have known about the legend for quite some time."

"Why didn't you tell anyone?" Azrak asked.

"Who would listen?"

"You’re right."

"What about the Necromancer?" Helios asked.

"I don't know, Shaz mentioned that he knows him but I don't know what presence he has."

Helios rubbed his chin and walked in a half circle.

"Helios, I need you to help me get the orb. We have to get Brigdon out of prison and gather the armies."

"Of course, when do we leave?"

"Now."

"Let me get my things."

"Thank you, I will have to rely on you more now than ever my friend." Azrak said.

Helios nodded and hurried out of the room.

*******************************************

"Wait." Helios said as he grabbed Azrak’s shoulder "Things have changed since king Ruadan."

"How?"

"Political prisoners are kept in the fortress keep along with the treasure."

"Perfect, then we get Brigdon and the orb at the same time."

"It's not that easy, it’s heavily guarded. More so than before"

"That’s why we need Ralti."

"Need me for what?" Ralti said as he landed on the rocky surface.

"It’s about time you show up."

"Yeah, I was keeping myself out of prison while someone I know was gallivanting around without a care." Ralti said.

"Gallivanting? I like to gallivant." Jaxton said landing behind Ralti.

"No gallivanting for you." Azrak said.

Jaxton opened his mouth in mock sarcasm.

Pontos plummeted to the ground and landed softly next to Helios.

"All right enough of the male bonding?" Helios said.

“What did I miss.” Pontos said.

Azrak slapped Ralti and Pontos on the shoulder, gripped Jaxton's arm and said, "Good to see you friends."

"Same."

"We need to get Brigdon and the orb." Azrak said.

"That blasted thing again?" Ralti said and sighed.

"Yes, but this time, we are going to get rid of it for good." Azrak said.

Helios filled them in on what had happened and explained the legend of the boy. Ralti, Pontos and Jaxton listened carefully reacting with spurts of shock and surprise, finishing off with anger.

"What will it take to get inside the keep?" Azrak asked.

"Won't be hard, it’s the getting out that will be the task. Kronos is in charge of the keep." Ralti said.

"Yeah and you thought he was ruthless before." Jaxton said.

"All right so what do you suggest?"

"How bad do you hate him?" Ralti asked.

"Why?" Azrak asked.

"You’re going to hate him pretty good when you hear what he's done to your family." Ralti said.

"I know, Lahonti told me, I'll rip his throat out." he said through gritted teeth.

"Good, because we need you to bring you’re can of whoop-ass if we are going to pull this off. I’m tired of all this ridiculousness. It’s time we had our kingdom back.” Ralti said.