The Barrier: The Teorran of Time: Teen Fantasy Action Adventure Novel (6 page)

The ship popped back into the air barely before Shaz couldn't hold his breath any longer. He gasped and slid to the deck. The sting of salt water eased into his chest replacing the icy dread. The wound was deep and about a hand and a half long. Riddick held onto the main mast as the ship corrected herself.  He let go and slid over to the edge. Riddick slipped his arm around William and pulled him off of Shaz. His lips were purple, Riddick checked for breathing. He rolled him onto his side and banged on his back, to force the water out of his lungs. A moment later, Williams' lungs sprang to life and spewed the water out. He coughed and gasped as he struggled to breathe.

Another loud crack sounded in the center of the ship. What sailors were left continued to scurry about, to keep the ship from capsizing and taking the rest of them to a watery grave. Riddick ripped Shaz’s blood soaked shirt into strips and dressed the wound. With as much strength that he could muster, Shaz slowed his breathing to a steady rhythm. It seemed that for a moment the waves had let up.

“Get him below deck and into the galley, take them both to Ole'baggins, he’ll know what to do." Sebastian said.

Riddick untied the ropes from around their waists. The wind continued to whip around them. He hauled Shaz below deck to the small galley and laid him on the table then ran to find Ole Baggins.

"How in the world can that old man do anything? He’s deaf, blind and old," Riddick muttered.

He found him at the aft part of the cargo bay. Riddick grabbed his arm and led him back to Shaz. Jagwynn had found a small cubby hole in the middle of wooden crates until she saw Riddick. It was difficult to walk about the debris of the ship, let alone with a blind man. They reached the galley and Riddick led him to the table. Ole Baggins put his hands on Shaz's chest and removed the soiled cloth. Jagwynn nuzzled Shaz's leg and whined.

"Go get the boy," the old man said.

"What, you speak? I’m not leaving him," Riddick said.

"Go get William. He will die if you don’t bring him to me. Besides Jagwynn’s here and she won't let anything happen to your friend."

Riddick hesitated then dashed out of the room. He skid and slid while dodging holes in the floorboards. He swooped William into his arms and ran back to the porthole. He dodged cross pieces of timber that stuck out of the interior walls and were scattered about the passageways. Drenched with sea water, Riddick clamored into the room holding William. 

"Lay him over there and fetch me some blankets from the cabins."

Riddick put the boy on the table and ran out in search of the blankets. When he returned, the old man was bent over Shaz, whispering words he didn’t understand. A light rust colored glow surrounded the wound. Ole Baggins held his hands barely above the wound. His palms faced down and gently glided above the surface. The blood dried and formed a long scab like surface.

Riddick wrapped the blankets around William, who was freezing cold and pulled him tightly to him. He cradled the boy and watched the horrific scene replay in his mind. He swayed with the rocking and tossing of the ship. Shouts came from above mingled with cries of pain and anguish. Several more loud echoing shudders rippled through the hull.

With a horrendous crack the heavy main mast shattered into thousands of wooden shards and sprayed across the deck.  Three more crew members were taken into the sea. Cries faded into the dark sky. Only the raging winds and torrents of rain slamming into the battered wood were heard. Tears stained his pale freckled face.

"Are you doing some kind of magic?" Riddick asked.

"No, not magic. Healing of the soul," he replied. "I see with my heart, not my eyes. When the beast took my sight, I turned to my heart for healing, and when I saw again, it was through different eyes. I see the souls of people now, and their courage and strengths. You for instance are a noble leader with a capacity to love. You are destined for important things. You are this one's soul brother,"

Riddick didn't say anything but he knew he was right. Ole Baggins continued his whisperings and checked Shaz’s forehead. Shaz was sweating heavily, his breathing irregular and strained.

"This one," said the old man, "is an important one. The spirits are with him now."

After several more minutes, Shaz's breathing steadied and the color in his face returned. Ole Baggins made his way to William, balancing with the rocking and swaying of the waves. The old man held his hand on William's forehead and whispered the same strange words.

Treason

Azrak kicked a stone as he padded over the harsh desert floor. Trenches carved into the landscape made for excellent vantage points. He was, however, not on familiar ground. He was in the Ebonhoards territory, a ferocious clan of gryphtons that had little regard for life. The sun was hot and his mouth dry. Several lengths ahead, hid a hoard of gryphton soldiers. His shadow formed over the warriors as he reached where they were hiding. 

"What are you doing, Kosaf? You
will
obey my orders," Azrak said.

"I obey no one," growled Kosaf.

"You think that taking orders from the shadow is better than me?"

"Maybe it's time for a new leader."

A low growl escaped Azrak’s throat as he peered into the black eyes of one of his hoard leaders. The renegade gryphton stared back.

"So you think you're a better leader than me? How long do you think you will last under the protection of the shadow? The shadow doesn't care about you. It will leave you for dead the moment you are of no use, and for what, a trinket of gold or silver?"

"You offer nothing but a lifetime of servitude under a weak and dying king. The shadow offers a good price for my loyalty," Kosaf said banging on his chest.

The gryphtons roared and cheered as they banged on their chests in agreement.

"You have led a raid against the Ebonhoards, and have angered them needlessly. They will attack our prides for revenge," Azrak said.

The soldiers looked from Azrak to Kosaf and back. Their confused looks gave Azrak hope that he could persuade them to return to the armada.

"The raid is past and gone, and cannot be changed. Why should we care about the Ebonhoards? They are no match for the shadow." Kosaf turned to the soldiers and puffed out his chest, slammed his battle ax against his armor and shouted, "Warriors hear my voice!" 

The hoard grunted and growled, some jumped, and some raised their weapons high above their heads.

"We are hunters and warriors, not thieves and murderers. Kosaf would have you become slaves to the shadow. I know his heart," Azrack said.

"So, you say," sneered Kosaf.

"Brothers, hear my voice, for honor," Azrack commanded.

He leaped down into the trench. Azrack lifted his chin upward, and walked through the crowd of gryphton warriors, who were garbed in battle armor, and heavy traveling cloaks. Large wings set deep into their backs lifted slightly, ruffling in the gentle breeze, and rubbed against their chain-mail armor. He stopped at Kosaf and stared at him.

Azrack moved into Kosaf's space and sniffed around him, tasting the air with his beak. The stink of betrayal sank into his nostrils and he knew Kosaf had chosen to serve the shadow. Kosaf rose to his full stature threatening Azrak, who rose to his.

"The few answer your call, Azrak," Kosaf said. "The many follow me now."

Azrack found himself in the middle of a herd of warriors that no longer answered to him. His dark black eyes shifted, rapidly searching them. Their helmets covered their eagle heads and their half-human-half-lion bodies were covered with heavy leather and steel armor.  For an instant his heart raced with fear, but then sadness. Many of the warriors he had once commanded now succumbed to the greed of their kind and the empty promises of evil.

"This is not many, but a few misguided cubs. I still command the armada of the king."

"This hoard is mine," Kosaf snarled, banged his paw against his chest and ruffled his feathers. The hoard echoed back with grunting and growling salutes. "All mine! Try and take them from me."

Kosaf was angry because he should have become the General of the King’s Armada. It was against their laws for him to challenge his leader, but as the evil crept in, the once-held with honor rules were no more important.

"Whoever is loyal to me, follow me," Azrak said.

Not one warrior moved. Before Kosaf could launch an attack, Azrack leaped into the air. Shouts of victory rang through the air.

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

Azrak hunched over several maps scattered over a large table.

"If we move our forces here, we can secure the east borders." Ralti said.

"Kosaf has taken a hoard and now serves the shadow," Azrak said.

"What? That low life sc-"

"It is what it is, but we must guard against him taking any more. Tell the armada that his hoards are now dissenters and that if found they are to be killed on sight."

"Azrak, are you sure? That’s not our way."

"We can't afford to go easy. The shadow is growing more and more powerful. It already has hold of the Ebonhoards and Kronos Hoards."

"Yes, sir."

Ralti knew it was true and understood why the punishment needed to be so tough, but he didn't like it. He knew that Azrak didn't either. Azrak wouldn't get to that extreme if there wasn't anything he hadn't already tried. Azrak rolled a map and made his way to the king’s quarters. The dampness from the persistent rain hung heavily in the air. This part of the land was once fields of grasses where wild steer and elk roamed. Now it was covered with battle barracks, trodden down by the constant trudging of soldiers. He moved briskly into the tent.

“Sir, sorry to interrupt, but I have an urgent matter,” Azrak said.

“What is it?” asked the old and feeble gryphton king.

“Kosaf has attacked the Ebonhoards. I fear he will make alliances with Kronos.”

“Why is this pressing?”

“Because sir, didn’t you put him in charge of the prisoner exchange?”

The King’s face drained of color and his knees wobbled. He sat down and ran his paw over his face. He took in a deep breath.

"Azrack we need to mobilize forces toward the south border. We need to be ready to withstand Kronos."

"Sir, what about the peace talks?"

"I fear there won’t be any now."

Azrak's stomach turned.

"Yes, sir."

Azrak left the barracks.

"Lahonti, take a letter."

Lahonti pulled out a parchment and ink, and sat on a small stool next to a table.

Kronos,

I write unto you concerning this war which your brother has waged against my nation, in which you are still determined to carry on even after his death. If you
do not withdraw your armies back into your own lands, which are the land we are willing to let you keep, you will draw our full wrath upon you. We will not show mercy to those who surrender. We will wipe you off the face of this land. I would offer you quarter if it were at all possible that you would live by our law, but as you are so past feeling, I fear you would be incapable. I will not honor any deals made by Kosaf on my behalf, for he has dissented to the shadow. I will not exchange prisoners, save it be on conditions that you deliver up a gryphton and his wife and his children, for one prisoner. If you agree, I will exchange. If you do not agree it shall be blood for blood, life for life, and I will give you battle until you are destroyed off the face of this land.

For I am King Ruadan

             Lahonti finished the last of the script and blew on the ink. He rolled it up and dripped hot wax on the edge. Placed the King’s stamp and held it until the wax cooled. He slipped out of the tent and made his way to the carrier’s tent. He gave the messenger the note and returned. 

Ralti, Brigdon and Helios were in the war room discussing possible moves when Azrak entered.

“The king has stopped all peace talks with Kronos and we must be prepared to take the south borders.”

Ralti, Helios, and Brigdon stared at Azrak. Helios’ searched for a logical reason but came up empty.

“Why did the peace talks end? It’s clearly the logical thing to do,” Helios asked.

“Logical, yes, but nothing about this senseless war has been logical,” Ralti said.

Brigdon grunted. Helios opened his mouth but shut it.

“There will be no prisoner exchange either.”

“That leaves us at a sizable disadvantage,” Helios said.

Azrak nodded, and unrolled his map onto the table.

“Brigdon, take your forces here,” Azrak pointed to the only pass on the south border. “Helios, you take yours here,” and pointed to the peaks. “Ralti, yours go here.” He pointed to the grasslands on the farthest side.

“Sir, what happened to Kosaf?” Helios asked.

“The shadow.”

Helios sank onto his haunches and ruffled his feathers as a chill ran down his back.