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The Bevan – Prepare for War

Part XI

Several hours later they all were gathered back in the conference room, Lee, Trinity, Falan, Rotar and the Premier. Rotar said “All the known passages to the secret chamber have several layers of guards in them, Sir, and there are 4 of the most trusted, in the chamber itself. For now it’s well guarded”.

“Still no sign of Jondar. Someone should have gone with him!” exclaimed Trinity. The rest of the room were all thinking the same thing, but said nothing.

“He seems very capable, Trinity, if I’m any judge, and I’m sure we will see him again or hear from him, at least,” Lee said encouragingly. As the men in the room talked and made plans, Trinity paced around while going over what happened, and tried to see what could have been done differently. There was a commotion out in the mural room, with shouting and the sounds of several bodies moving.

Suddenly the door was opened, and in came Jondar. His cloak was burnt, and he had several wounds that one of the medical guards was trying to patch, but he would not be still. “My apologies Premier, but it could not wait. It is much worse than we thought. The snake Trendar, is gone. He will not spread his treachery any further,” he looked at Trinity when he said, “Do not take offense young lady, you are either much better than anyone knows, or were extremely lucky in your fight with him,” he then looked at the men in the room and said, “He was one of the banished, and had the old skills no longer taught, and he used witchcraft together with them. I nearly got the worst end of it”.

“How is that possible?? That was ages ago, hundreds of years ago, how can it be?” questioned Rotar incredulously.

Jondar answered him with chagrin, “I know not how, I know only what I saw, what he said, and how he fought. I know the skills, I was taught them when I was a child, to know evil from good.” He looked at the Premier when he said, “He said there were many more still alive, and they had been waiting until the watchers were no longer as diligent. They are coming for the fortress Premier, to destroy the Guardians Chair and wipe the ruling families and their soldiers off the planet forever”. He looked at Lee and Trinity, and continued “Once that is done, they will send thousands through the portals, who’s only mission is to eliminate all your kin, so there can be no way to rebuild here. They have started sending Wracks through already, but even worse than that,”he said with a bit of dread, “They have woken the sleeping giants,” his voice full of hatred. “Dragons! They have woken the dragons to help them!”.

Trinity was prepared for lots of things, but the idea of dragons was something she never fathomed, “I’m sorry Jondar, we don’t have dragons except in myth,” she said “Are you sure?!!”

Jondar leaned heavily against the thick oak table, “Things change over time. Your myths must have come from somewhere, and yes, young lady, I am dead certain.” he said as he pulled his cloak aside to reveal a huge claw stuck through his armor. “Not many man-made blades can easily pass through the armor of a Destroyer. I am glad to know it works almost as well with dragons!” and with that, he slumped onto a chair and was swarmed by the medical healers, carrying him off to be tended to.

Shortly after, Falan said, “Dragons? What do we know about fighting dragons?”

He was answered by Rotar, “There are ways,” he said, as he looked at the Premier. “The old ways, they did write them down, and now we need access to that information”.

The Premier nodded, and said “Follow me,”and walked out into the mural room again, “Everyone leave!” He said to the guards, and everyone except the five of them was ushered out, and the room sealed. The Premier went to the third mural, and did something with his hand in it, and the whole room changed into a moving picture of battles, and strategies for different enemies, “Here you will find the defenses for every enemy we have ever faced, and some that have yet to appear. Just touch a picture and it will come alive, so you can see how to defend against each enemy. I will leave you to it. Rotar, show your captains so they can prepare,” and with that he turned, and walked back into the inner chamber.

The rest watched as Rotar touched the dragon picture, and it transformed to fill the room with its size, with several spots along its body that could be penetrated with spear and sword or arrow. It also changed showing soldiers in battle with their shields and armor, battling the dragon using different methods. “Falan, assemble the captains! We must get them in here soon to study this,” said Rotar. Falan nodded and quickly left the room. Lee looked at Rotar, “You are going to have your hands full it looks like. Trinity and I are going to check on Jondar, then swing by the secret chamber to make sure your guards are diligent, then I think we may go scouting, before returning home”.

Rotar nodded, “Yes, I believe you are right, and the guards will let you both pass, to any part of the fortress, so go as you please. If, in your scouting, you find something of interest, send word back so we are aware,”with that he turned back to studying the dragon battle scenes.

Lee and Trinity made their way through the dim halls, to the healers, and stopped in seeing Jondar was in a bed. His armor was off, and his side bandaged, when he saw them, “Welcome, you two. Don’t worry! They haven’t made the overgrown lizard that could keep me down, yet! Though that one came as close as any!” The claw was lying on a table. It was curved, and 8” long, thick as a man’s wrist, and neatly sliced through, by a sharp sword or knife. Trinity picked it up and felt it’s weight, and looked at Jondar who winked, “Don’t worry, young lady. You won’t have to deal with that dragon! That was his last play at me m, before I ended his miserable life!” he said. “Pity though,” he pointed at his burnt to tatters cloak, “That was my favorite cloak that he burnt”, he declared wistfully.

Lee and Trinity talked to Jondar a long while, and learned many things. As they were getting ready to leave, Jondar said, “That armor you are wearing will stop most things, Trinity. It was made by those long gone, their secrets went with them, but the armor remains. Once worn by the right person, it will always grow, and match their needs. While you are here, always wear it!”

Trinity said “I will. I promise”.

Later, after Lee and Trinity had made their way to their rooms, and Lee said “Get a bit of rest, Kiddo. You have had a busy day,”holding up a hand to cut off the protest he could see coming, “Take time to relax while you can. I have a feeling things are going to get very interesting, very soon, and, I as well as your mom and dad, and the rest of your extended family, are going to need you at your best. I can count on the boys to take care of anything that comes their way, but here in Tresland, I am going to need your skills”.

Trinity started to protest that she wasn’t tired, but what her uncle said made too much sense, and she kept quiet as she headed to her room, with the parting shot, “You have to rest too, Uncle Lee, or you won’t be at your best, either!” and she quickly closed her door.

Lee shook his head laughing to himself, and then sat at the table and planned his and Trinity’s next moves.

After both he and Trinity had rested and gotten refreshed, Lee suggested “What say you and I go see this chamber, and decide for ourselves if it’s going to be possible to get someone there safely?”

Trinity came out of her room, into the den area, pulling her hair back, making it into a pony tail that she then tucked inside her cloak, “Ok, sounds like a good idea to me,”she replied.

Lee and Trinity headed out and down the tunnel, following directions given to them by Rotar earlier. This was a section they had not been in before. The halls were cavernous and dark, the only light coming from torches spaced evenly along one wall.

Trinity kept up an endless stream of chatter, in a quiet voice about the different things that they had seen done, and heard, and how, “No one would believe half of it.”

Lee let her talk, as they walked towards the first of several guard posts, (not including the secret ones hidden in the dark, along the way). As they approached the guard post, they entered a well lit area, and were immediately met by several soldiers, all of whom saluted once they saw Trinity’s armor and Lee’s clothing. “Welcome, Bevan, and Lost Defender! You may pass!” said the Sergeant.

“Thank you, Sergent,” said Lee. “Is that place near?” he asked.

The sergeant replied, nodding towards a distant light, “Not far now, Sir.” They both looked at the distant light, and thanked the guard, and headed off. Trinity picked up where she left off, in her conversation about how, “No one would believe the stuff she’s done, and how the armor seemed to mold to her the longer she wore it, never constricting, nor feeling too loose.”

Lee smiled to himself in the dark, as she rambled on, while they finally arrived at the guard post outside the Chamber. Lee briefly spoke to a guard, and then he and Trinity were let through a series of doors, in a tunnel 15’ high and 20’ wide, that opened into a chamber, where they saw The Chair. The room was covered with thick polished tree roots along the ceiling, walls and floor, some of which formed a seat, smooth almost form fitting in its design. If a person sat in it, they would recline, their legs would rest in individual, smooth troughs in the roots, and the arms would rest in the same, only on a higher level, the chair looked comfortable.

Trinity had gotten quiet as she walked around it, looking at the intricate carvings and designs in the wood, while Lee was observing the same on the other side. The whole thing looked ancient, but also timeless, and Lee was wondering how any of it worked. Trinity ran her hand on one of the arm rests, and the whole room suddenly took on a reddish glow. She quickly took her hand off and the glow diminished instantly. She did it again, and it had the same effect.

Lee said, “Let me try,” and he ran his hand over the arm rest, but nothing happened, and he said, “I’m guessin’ it responds only to anyone with Minorcan blood, but only fully works for a certain few”.

Trinity studied the chair as Lee was looking around at how to defend this room m, if it came to that. The weakness lay in the entrance, but as he studied it, he realized that it was a series of chambers, that could be sealed, and the same defenses that are in play at the river, were here. Each could be flooded, and each was defended by holes allowing spears to be shoved in from all sides and top. “Look’s hard to penetrate, if the defense has time to set up,” he said to himself. “Whoever thought of it, had a good mind for keeping people out,” he thought.

Lee’s thoughts were interrupted by Trinity, “You should send Aunt Elena a picture of this. See if she can tell you anything,” she said.

Lee replied as he pulled his phone out and took several pictures, “None of my messages have been going through on this trip, I’m not sure what’s up, but I told her that may happen and not to worry”.

“Oh, ok. Well, maybe they will get through soon,” Trinity said hopefully, as kept looking around the room. Lee stood off to one side, going over different scenarios in his head, trying to find a weakness in the room’s defenses. The only thing he could come up with, would be an overwhelming amount of enemy attacking, and not enough defenders. Even then, if the right person was in the chair and started speaking the required words, from what he gathered, all the evil would be stopped in place, until either the reading stopped, and they could resume the attack, or the reading was finished, in which case, the enemy would be destroyed, and absorbed into the planet. Lee had been told of a few who could withstand the reading, and who could still fight, right up until the final words were read, then they too, would be vanquished.

These were the only ones Lee concerned himself with. How could they be identified early, and either tracked or destroyed early in any battle. Lee put this question at the top of his “need info” list and moved on to other things, like dragons. “How do I keep everyone safe that I bring here, if there are dragons?”

While Lee was thinking about these things to himself, Trinity had been studying the chair and it’s surroundings. She found a curious notch at the base of the seat and poked at it with her finger but nothing happened. She then studied it more and finally understood, she laid her index finger along the notch and the chair vibrated and she jumped. She then did it again, this time ready for the vibration, and when it did, the base opened to reveal a head band, and two wrist bands and a book.

Lee had come over and asked, “What did you find?”

She answered “I’ve seen these before, in that painting. The girl that was in the chair was wearing them, and the book was open on her lap!”

Lee said, “Well, I reckon they are part of the ritual, and until we figure out who, how and when we bring someone here, that’s a good safe place for them”.

Trinity carefully replaced the items in the base, and it shut on its own and once again looked just like a tree root. “Seen enough kiddo?” Lee asked, and Trinity nodded yes, and then the two of them headed back out to the main corridor.

Lee stopped and talked to one of the older guards, and found out that the tunnel ran the opposite way for a good distance, with numerous offshoots headed this way and that. The ones they used were marked with a sword painted at the entrance, the others having only rumors of where they went. The old guard told Lee that these marked tunnels, as well as the others for all he knew, came out in different parts of the country outside the bounds of the Fortress. “Thank you,” Lee said to the guard, “That’s just what we were hoping for,” and he turned to Trinity. “Up for a bit of scouting?”

Trinity instantly nodded “Yes!”

“Ok!! But, you have to do exactly what I tell you when I tell you, ok?”

And she again nodded saying “Yes, Uncle Lee, I will, I promise”.

Lee smiled knowing she would do it, she wouldn’t like it,!but she would do it. He then turned and headed deeper into the tunnel which was even more dimly lit, as the torches were much farther apart. Lee took his bow of shoulder as they ventured farther, and their conversations became softer, and quieter without even realizing they were. Lee picked the 5th marked off-shoot tunnel they came to, and turned into it stopping so fast Trinity bumped into him, “Ouch!” she said, said but Lee remained quiet and still, and reached back gripping her wrist and squeezing it, as she came to realize her uncle either saw or heard something that had him on alert.

Lee let go of Trinity’s wrist, when he was sure she would be still and quiet, and he closed his eyes in the dark, and listened. What he had heard was unfamiliar to him, and sounded like a guttural growl, along with something rough being dragged over a hard object. The closest he could relate would be a really big alligator, sliding across a gravel road. “Do they have alligators here?” He thought to himself, “No one’s mentioned any to me,” he answered himself.

Lee suddenly went hyper alert, because there was suddenly a slight breeze, and he smelled animal and burnt flesh! Lee opened his eyes that had adjusted to the dark and was stunned. He was 10 feet from what looked like a huge cavern, and a pair of glowing yellow eyes, that were at least 2 foot apart. Lee’s mind could not register what it was he was looking at, and that was looking at him, and then it suddenly hit him “DRAGON!!!”

Lee turned faster than Trinity thought humanly possible, and shoved her back out into the main tunnel, shouting “RUN TRINITY!!!”

As he tried to get out of the passage, Lee felt something grab his body at the waist, and drag him deeper into the cavern. Trinity saw her uncle was not behind her, and turned to go back, only to hear his voice again “RUN TRINITY!! DON’T LOOK BACK! RUN! YOU HAVE TO WARN THEM!!!!!”

Then there growling and banging sounds. Trinity did not want to leave, but suddenly remembered Jondar’s words came to the front of her mind, “You will have to make an impossible decision,” and she started running for help! Back up the tunnel she went, her eyes wet with tears and anger.

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The Bevan – Power Moves

Part X

Trinity smirked at her Uncle’s last “Stay out of mischief!” comment and watched them all go into the conference room, and the door close. One big guard going in, and one blocking the door from outside.

Trinity looked at the wall mural and found what looked to her like the beginning of a story, and started trying to picture what was going on in the painting. As she studied the painting, Trinity was drawn in to the scenes of battle, towns being built and destroyed, knights battling men and other odd looking creatures, there were even dragons. At times the knights and soldiers looked to be winning, and further in time, they looked to be losing. She slowly moved down the wall and saw a chamber with a throne-like seat made from what looked like the roots of a tree, still growing its tendrils into the earth, all around it. Trinity studied the scene, it was similar to the one on the tunnel wall, only this one had a woman sitting on the throne, dressed in blue leather armor that was glowing, then Trinity realized the woman was not only sitting on the throne, it appeared as if the throne was blending with her. The story continued, and Trinity was looking at a huge battle scene, soldiers, knights and weird creatures were all battling, and in the background was the very same fortress that she was in. The soldiers and knights were defending the fortress while the creatures and even men were attacking. The defenders were outnumbered, and were being slowly driven back towards the river surrounding the fortress. From the fortress she could see hundreds of arrows flying, and striking the enemy. One archer, standing on the parapet stood out from all the others, he was tall, and held a longbow. Trinity could see his arrow in flight flashed a greenish tint in the sunlight, on its way to strike an apparent leader. The bowman took his time, like a sniper, and continually shot anyone that looked like they were giving orders. Trinity noticed vaguely, that his outfit resembled her Uncle Lee’s, right down to the soft moccasin style boots. She slowly moved along the wall, seeking something that would give her a clue as to how they could end this conflict, and she could tell her uncle she found it.

Inside the conference, Lee was filled in on several steps that the Treslanders were taking in preparation for more conflict. Though never directly asked, Lee could feel tension in the air as the conversation wound it’s way towards the secret chamber, the throne and it’s use throughout their recorded time. Lee found out that the Premier and his family had been, for as long as the records go back, guarding the throne, and protecting those that could control its power. One of which, was killed by a betrayal, but not before she had a child, who in turn had children, to keep the line going. Now as another lifetime rolls past, the Treslanders look to the legends and myths to help protect them. Lee knew where the conversation was headed. Eventually, it would come to Elena, and when she would come to take her place on the throne and restore peace. Lee redirected the conversation for the moment, away from that, and asked who was the most likely responsible, for this latest outbreak of violence, and where on the map on the table did they think he or she was holed up. The others around the table all looked perplexed and unsure how to proceed, then the Premier said, “We are not exactly sure. We have heard rumors of one of the expelled wizards stirring up this last round of violence”. The Premier continued, “We are not sure how that is possible, as it was ages ago when they were expelled. I have begun sending scouts out, in hopes of gathering more information, so we can have a better picture. It will take time though”.

Lee nodded in affirmation, “It’s a big place, I suppose, so I think you’re right in trying to get information. At least then we have a direction to go. I know you all wish Elena would just come here, and somehow do whatever is done to make this go away, but I will not bring her or anyone else besides Trinity, through the portals, until I know for certain what we are up against, and how we are going to keep them safe.” With that Lee looked each member in the room, straight in the eyes, to make sure they understood.

“I have my own reasons for bringing Trinity, and she and I alone know them. She also understands the risks, and I think can help me figure this puzzle out”. Lee looked at Falan and asked, “What have you found out about what I saw during the attack?” Falan glanced around and looked a bit pale.

“What is he referring to, Falan?” asked the Premier. Falan looked past Lee at Trendar, who was pacing around in the background, then at the Premier

“Sir, I request before we discuss this, the room is cleared except for yourself, Lee, Rotar and me.” Trendar visibly stiffened when he heard Falan’s request to the Premier, and started to object, but the Premier nodded at Falan.

“Clear this room immediately. Guards, make sure no one enters until I say”, commanded the Premier. The guards snapped into action and hustled the scribes and servants out, along with Trendar, who was glaring at those who remained. Falan waited until all were gone, and even then he hesitated, as he then explained what he was told by Lee to the Premier. Lee waited with interest, on whatever new information Falan had learned.

Trinity faintly heard the commotion of people exiting the private room behind her, as she studied the wall mural, when suddenly she felt the armor she was wearing stiffen, and she was quite startled by it. She glanced at it under her cloak, and it appeared as if it were faintly glowing a red hue! Then she heard, “Hello! If it isn’t the curious artist!” behind her, and immediately she jerked the cloak closed, recognizing the voice as the same one in the hall earlier.

Trinity turned and smiled, “Hello, again. I thought you would be in the ‘big meeting’?”She saw the anger in his eyes, belying the fake smile he had on his face.

“My services were not needed at this time, so I am taking a break.” Trendar replied.

Trinity could tell he was fuming behind the smile, “That’s cool. I’m sure you are not missing any important stuff,” as she turned back to the painting.

Trinity was just starting to focus on the painting again, when suddenly raised voices came from the secure room, and she heard “TRENDAR!!! Get in here now!!!!” And at the same time, she was shoved forcefully from behind, into the wall which was opening into a dark room or hall, and then closed behind her, with Trendar locked inside the hall with her.

Trinity stumbled forward and rolled, popping up on her feet, facing Trendar in the dark room. She could hear shouts, and banging on the closed hidden door. “It’s just you and me young artist,” Trendar said sarcastically. “I have to wonder, why of all the people the Bevan knows, why he brought you, hmmm?”

She kept silent, as she looked for a way out or a way to open the door. Trinity watched him, as she was searching, and she kept quiet as he kept asking questions of her, yet more or less to himself. “He has so many warrior friends.” Seeing her look of surprise, he explained, “Oh, yes. I know all about the Bevan and his life through the portal. They are not the only ones who can travel back and forth. Some of us have done it for ages…”. He suddenly cut himself off, realizing he had perhaps revealed too much.

Trinity had been scanning the dark room for a way out, and found it to her right. It was a dark corridor, but it was at least an option, if she could not get the door she was pushed through, back open. She could feel the leather armor pulse, and the arm gauntlets tighten on her, and she was glad her cloak was closed as not to reveal it to Trendar. She wasn’t sure why, but she thought it best kept secret from him, for the time being.

“Oh, there’s hundreds of ways out, but I am afraid I can’t let you go, until I get what I need.” taunted Trendar, as if he could read her thoughts. “So, tell me, young artist, why did the Bevan bring you, instead of anyone else!?” his voice taking taking on a very sinister tone, echoing deep through the dark room. His eyes were seeming to glow a dull orange.

Trinity inwardly gasped at the change, and her vest and gauntlets all stiffened, and could she feel them warm, as her hands slipped back behind her, and she gripped the handles of her blades. “Why don’t you ask him?” she inquired in exasperation. Following up in a firm, but shaky voice “Or are you scared to?”

Trinity saw his head snap up, and he growled, “Watch your words, Child, you have no idea what I am or what I am capable of!!”

Trinity caught the slip of “What I am” instead of “Who I am” and she saw Trendar’s eyes seem to glow dark red, and she suddenly saw the knife in his hand, long curved and thin dark yellowish colored blade with cryptic symbols on it. She also noticed his hands did not look normal, they had super thick-looking skin, and his fingernails were round, and pointed like an animal’s. Trinity backed farther away, as Trendar appeared to slowly get taller, and bigger, and more like a creature, compared to how he previously appeared.

“Now you will tell me what I want to know, or you will suffer great pain, and agony, and in the end, you will tell me anyway!!” roared Trendar in the tunnel. Trinity was taken aback by the sheer forcefulness of his voice. She moved parallel in the room, to gain distance, as it was longer than it was wide. She suddenly felt somehow lighter, and the armor that Jondar had given her started vibrating against her, and she could “feel” as if it were alive!

Trinity slid the blades from their sheathes on her back, and moved to a guard stance. “I’m not sure who…what you are, but I’m telling you nothing, and I’m leaving! So, get open that door, or I will when you’re gone”

Trendar saw the black blades, and had a sudden thought that he had seen them before in the past, but could not place them at the moment. His eyes narrowed, as his glance caught a glimpse of what looked like leather armor under her cloak. “I see that old fool Jondar has been meddling again. It won’t help you, in the end. You will see”.

Trinity did not answer. She held her guard position, trying to see what he would try first. She knew he was stronger and much bigger, but she relied on her speed to make up the difference. Remembering what her Uncle said, “Fast and violent is the advantage,” she readied herself for his first move.

It came so fast, she almost missed blocking it. She was dumbfounded at the lightening speed of his attack. Trendar thrust his short sword straight at her right arm, not trying to kill her, but to disarm her. Trinity had her right arm bent at the elbow across her body with her blade up protecting her chest, and her left arm out in front, pointing at him.

Her defense was to pivot her right side back and away, and thrust at his blade with her left blade. The effect knocked his blade off line, and past her arched body, as she spun around to face him again, while he drew back from the thrust, and swiped his sword again, at where her arm would have been.

Trinity realized that despite being big and ugly, her opponent had really good skill, and she was evenly matched, much to her surprise, as she thought of him, previously, as kind of weak the few times she saw him.

Trendar did not hesitate. He again attacked, this time swiping at one of her legs, and she dropped a blade down and flat against her thigh, as his blade struck, blocking it from cutting. She immediately swiped at the blade hand with her other knife, but he pivoted away. Trinity took the opportunity to sling her cloak off, and at him for a distraction, but she didn’t need to, as Trendar saw her exposed armor, with it’s glowing reddish hue, and he visibly paled. She heard him mutter, “Lost defenders’ armor! It’s not possible!”

He again stabbed at her arm, straight thrust — not holding back, the tip striking her left gauntlet, but it did not penetrate the leather, but instead, the force shoved her arm into her mid section. Trinity gasped at the force of the blow. She just knew she had to be deeply cut, but the gauntlet vibrated on her arm. and the armor did the same on her chest, and torso. She reacted instinctively, and spun her other blade in an arc in front of herself, striking his wrist, and the blade not even slowing as it cut through the skin, muscle and bone, severing his hand at the wrist.

Trendar roared in pain, stumbling back, gripping his wrist, and screaming so loud the walls felt like they were vibrating, as he stumbled and staggered backwards, turning to run down the tunnel.

“Lost defender or not, I’ll have my revenge!!!!!!”. Trinity kicked his severed hand away, and stood there trembling for a couple minutes, unsure If she should go after him, or try and get out.

As Falan revealed what he had learned of Trendar, the Premeir grew stiffer and more angry. “That man has been by mine and my family’s side, longer than I can remember!” he growled. “You’re telling me, that he could possibly be the reason we are again at war? A spy? A traitor??” He continued, “Get him back in here IMMEDIATELY!!” bellowed the Premier. “Guards!” he shouted, and the doors were forcefully opened, and the other guard came in, sword drawn, scanning for an enemy and looking to protect the Premier. As the guard rushed in, Lee, Falan, and Rotar all spotted Trendar standing behind Trinity, by the mural, and as the Premier shouted “Trendar?!? Get in here now!!!”

But, before they could act, the wall seemed to part, and Trendar shoved Trinity into the dark void, and followed. Then, as quickly as it opened, the passage shut again, not leaving so much as a hint of where it was! Lee and the others rushed over and shoved and pushed on the walls to no avail.

The Premier said, “How did he know of these passages? They were supposed to be sealed after the priests were banished. If he knows of these, the treachery is worse than I thought. He may have found passage to the Chamber!”

The Premier continued as he quickly made his way back into the meeting hall, “Rotar, get your trusted guards and secure the Chamber at all costs!” Lee was still trying to find a way into the passage to help Trinity, and only left that when the Premier called to him, “Bevan? You will not get in that way, come, we will get the old text, and find a way in. It would be easier if there were someone that knew the old passages.”

Rotar left to assemble the guards for the protection of the Chamber, while the others looked through a huge, old, hand-written book, that had hand drawn maps, and what looked like incantations all written in a dialect foreign to Lee. The page was turned and Lee immediately saw the mural room, and there was the open passage with more foreign writing. Falan asked, “Can you read this, Premier?”

“Some, I can,” answered the Premier, “These tell of the uses of the passes and the meaning of the murals. I’ve read this, when I was but a lad. The others are in a language of the priests, and I cannot decipher.”

Lee was becoming more frustrated by the second, and said “The let’s get some tools, and some men, and knock a hole in the wall! My young kin is trapped in this space with him, and we need to get in there NOW!” Lee walked back out of the doorway and was surprised to see Jondar coming into the mural room.

“Rotar told me what happened. I came as quickly as I could.” Jondar explained. The Premier and Falan had come back into the room, joining Lee and Jondar. The Premier carried the ancient text. Jondar saluted him, “Sir, unless you can speak the language of the priests, you will not get that door open with that book. It was written for them to use to pass on the escape and spy routes.” As he was talking, Jondar was running his hand over the mural, where the hidden door was, and said, “Some of these passages were used after the priests were expelled, but not for spying or escaping, but for quick movement of the Lost Defenders”. As he said that, he pushed a spot with his finger on the mural and the door flung open!

Trinity heard a click behind her, and quickly spun bringing her weapons up to her guard position, not yet sure if Trendar had somehow managed to get behind her and open a new passage. Jondar, her Uncle Lee, and Falan, all came rushing in! Trinity dropped her guard and Lee grabbed her, “Are you ok? No injuries? What happened?”

Before Trinity could reply, Jondar said, “It looks as though Trendar is a SkinWalker, and not who he seemed,” as he pointed his short sword at the severed hand and knife. Jondar retrieved the knife and looked at the inscriptions and designs. “Nothing of interest. It’s all curses for it’s victims, more important, is the fact that a SkinWalker still survives. They were thought to be hunted to the last one, ages ago. Very powerful they are, very skilled, but not, I see, a match for you, young lady,” he said to Trinity. “I was correct when I sensed something in you, and I am justified in giving you the armor of the Lost Defenders for sure now. Premier, there’s not much hope of catching him, but I will follow and see what I can find, if that is your wish?”

“Yes, Jondar, take who you need, and find that traitor and destroy it, or bring it before me!” directed the Premier.

Jondar saluted and rapidly walked out of the room, headed to his quarters to get his weapons and gear, “I’ll be back in a couple minutes,” he said as he left.

Falan had gone a short way down the tunnel and came back, “He’s leaving a trail a blind Brak could follow, maybe he will bleed out before too far,” he said.

Jondar came back in as he said that, and replied, “SkinWalkers rarely die easily, they take a lot of killing. I’ve seen SkinWalkers take on entire squads and win. I’ve seen them stuck full of holes that no one would survive, and they just kept going. I’m hopeful his injury slows him down, but I have little hope he’s expired.” Everyone turned as Jondar walked back in the room, wearing bronze colored leather armor with dark red highlights, he had a short spear in his left hand, and a sword in his right, on his back were two short doubled-bladed axes.

Falan immediately snapped a salute, as the Premier said, “Not since I was a child, have I seen the armor of the Lost Defenders’ Destroyer Squad, Jondar. I was wondering how you knew so much about the shapeshifter and the hidden passages. It is truly an honor to be in your presence, I had thought that line was gone long ago.”

Jondar inclined his head in a slight bow, “There are, as you see Premier, still a few of us left. We remain hidden, but ready to serve when needed. We watch, teach, and always prepare, and try to find those with the inherited talent to become a Lost Defender.” As he spoke he was looking straight at Trinity. “Tell me, Trinity, did you feel anything unusual when you were in danger? Anything at all?”

Everyone in the room was suddenly looking at Trinity, and she blushed a little, but quickly spoke up, “The armor, it felt, how do I describe it? Before I knew he was there the armor tightened, then during the fight, it constantly felt like it was changing, like it was ALIVE!” she exclaimed.

Jondar nodded, “Then you truly have inherited your skill from a Lost Defender, for only with them does the armor meld with so completely. Now, I must go, if I hope to have any chance of catching him in the fortress. I will report back with any news.”

The Premier nodded, and as Jondar started down the passage, Lee, Falan and even Trinity all said, “You can’t go alone!”

“This is what I do,” Jondar explained looking back at them over his shoulder, “what I’ve always done, protect at all costs, from evil, this fortress, and it’s Premier, and family. You three must now find what it is you are supposed to do,” looking at Trinity again, “If what I suspect about you is true, your job is here as a Defender. There will come a time you will have to make an impossible decision, but this isn’t it.”

With that, Jondar walked into the dimly lit passage.

Categories
adventure danger evil family good mystery nature Sci Fi SyFy travel writing

The “Bevan” – Intruders

Part VI

Michael was watching the cameras and saw a flicker on the screen, it was quick and moved swiftly along the fence until it finally disappeared from sight. He did not immediately jump up or sound an alarm. He did what he was supposed to do, he kept watching, because as of yet, there was no need to make the others worry. Several minutes later, Michael again saw the flicker, but this time it was inside perimeter, and near the main house. He immediately recognized it as the Loarn, one of the portal watchers, and he was now on the deck of the main house. Michael alerted Matthew, His mother Elena, Liam and Van, telling Matthew and Liam to meet at the main house where Elena and Trinity were.

As the others were gathering at the main house, Van was not idle, he was gathering supplies via the internet, to have them dropped off at the property, and all the while guarding the young children and other wives. Van knew that despite wanting to rush off and help the others in case of some confrontation, he alone was the last protection for the rest of the extended family and he would not let anything happen to any of his wards if he could stop it.

Michael got to the main house first, and was met by the Loarn and Elena his mother, she relayed the message that 3 Braks and a Wrack had passed through the portal nearest the house about an hour ago, where they were now he did not know, but his scouts were looking for them, as Elena was relaying this message, the Loarn turned and looked towards the east fence and watched as two of his kind slipped through, and avoided the traps that they were warned of, as they headed straight to him. The Loarn met them, and there was a conversation between them that Elena could only hear part of, the Loarn turned and relayed the scouts’ message that six more total had passed through different portals, 2 more Braks and 4 Wracks, bringing the known total to 5 each. Elena told the others, who had now all arrived, and paused turning to the Loarn “Thank you my friend!! We will be ready for them, but only because of your help.” The Loarn then turned and he and his kin left.

Michael, Liam, Matthew, and Elena moved inside and sat at the table, “Well, things are accelerating quickly it seems,” said Michael. “Ok, we need to really tighten security up I think” and the others nodded in agreement.

Matthew said, “Mom, the first thing we need to do is get you and Trinity,” looking up at the teenager that had slipped in and was standing behind her dad Liam’s chair. “ The first thing we need to do, is move you to one of the other houses, as surreptitiously as we can, and set this one as the trap for as many as we can. It’s obvious they know where you are, and in which house, so we can use that to our advantage.”

Liam said, “I agree, Sis. Let’s put her in my house for now,” he said addressing his nephews. “That way there are several people who can help keep watch, in the same place. I also think we should move her from place to place, so as not to let them pin her location down.”

“Are you ok staying with her Trinity? I know it’s got to be a bit tough and stressful”.

Trinity replied in that quiet voice she has, “Wouldn’t have it any other way, Dad, I think I could help, if need be, but I will stay with Aunt Elena as long as you want me to, or until I am needed someplace else.” Trinity was also thinking to herself, that she needed her wooden practice blades, and if they moved back to their house, she could grab them and have them handy, not cutting sharp but they were formidable weapons to strike with, and could be used to stab if she needed.

Elena started to protest not just the moving, but putting Trinity into such a precarious spot, but Michael said before she could, “Well, that’s settled. Let’s make the move in the next hour or so, as I think they would expect us to stay quiet during the day”.

Van heard the sound again, like something dragging across a screen very slowly, so you hear each time it hit a new square. He was busy sending emails to a network of people asking for reports on anything that he could relate to the Braks or Treslanders. Van slowly tore his eyes away from the computer screen, after hearing the noise again, seemingly coming from outside the window. Turning his head towards the window in the room, he faintly saw movement through the curtain and blinds. Van picked up his pistol and as silently as he could, he stood up and backed out of the room. Stopping in the hall just outside the bedroom door, Van was noticed by River who immediately realized something was wrong. River quickly and silently, gathered all the kids and others together in the den.

Van stood by the doorframe for a second, then glanced down the hall to the den, seeing River had everyone there, he slipped down the hall to the den, “Stay here,” he said to River. “Look after them, I’ll be right back. Do not leave this room, ‘til I get back and use that,” he said, nodding towards the shotgun by the door. “Point it down the hall, and if anyone comes, just shoot, don’t think, just shoot,” and with that he was gone, slipping out the side door.

River picked up the shotgun and pointed it down the hall like she was told, and waited. Van slipped around the opposite side of the house quietly, silently thanking whoever thought to leave the area closest to the house covered in pine straw, as it was pretty silent to walk on. Looking around the corner, he saw a figure crouched by the window with a blade, slowly cutting one tiny square at a time, trying to be a quiet as possible.

The Wrack was cutting the screen. He had done this before, plenty of times, when searching for his prey over the years. These unsuspecting humans were so self secure in their lives, that they could not believe there were other lives out there, and things that could, and would, take their lives in an instant, if the price was right, and this price was the highest ever heard. As he continued cutting, he suddenly got the sense of danger but he did not stop, he slipped another knife out with his other hand under his cloak and prepared to meet the danger he felt.

Van hesitated for a half second, as whoever or whatever it was at the window, could just be a stupid burglar who picked the wrong house, and shooting him would lead to all kinds of issues. But in that hesitation, he did slip his gun up and point it at the figure. Once he was set, he said, “Door’s around front, Mister.”

Faster than he would have thought possible, the figure spun away from the window, slinging a knife Van had not seen, towards the sound of the voice. The knife hit the wall just short of where Van was standing, and glanced off, sliding past so close, that it nicked his shoulder that was exposed. Van was caught off guard for a spilt second, and the Wrack moved with lightening speed away from the house, slinging a second knife while trying to get an open view of Van, who was still protected by the house corner. The Wrack saw no knife or bow in the humans hands, but did see something he was not familiar with, yet it did not look like a weapon to him. He thought this stupid human would be easy to deal with, as he started drawing his skith, a wicked looking curved short sword, thick bladed and serrated on the back half.

Van felt the blade nick his shoulder and twisted back a bit, amazed that anyone could move so fast, as then a second knife struck the wall, where his head had been milliseconds ago. He then saw the face under the cloak and realized it was not human, seeing whatever it was drawing a nasty looking sword thing, Van hesitated no longer. He took aim and shot two times for the center of the chest, both striking, and the figure raised on his toes, then collapsed in a heap.

Everyone in the main house at the same time said, “Gunshots!!” and started to head that way, but Matthew said “Hold on!! We can’t all go running out there, it may be a trap!” Quickly it was decided Matthew and Michael would go, and the rest would stay and wait for word.

Michael and Matthew checked their weapons, then slipping out the back door, and starting to work their way towards the direction the gunfire came from. The rest of the families were supposed to be at Van and Rivers, so that’s where they headed, but they would circle around!and check the others, just in case, on their way.

Working in the bound method, they took turns moving, while one covered the other. They worked around two houses, and at the second house, stopped and watched the third, which was Van’s, and then both moved forward, Matthew towards the front corner, and Michael towards the back, both reaching them at the same time.

Michael immediately noticed a cloaked figure crumpled on the ground by the far corner, a large wicked looking knife/sword laying beside him. He signaled Matthew with his hand, got a negative hand sign, and then signaled that Matthew should move around the front, to the far side, and they would both meet on the farthest corner, where the figure was. Matthew started moving, and Michael counted 30 seconds, then started moving, keeping his weapon trained on the figure. They timed it perfect, except Van met Matthew, as he rounded the corner, and they both met Michael back at the figure on the ground.

All three examined the figure, and Matthew asked “You alright, Uncle Van? You look a little pale,” Van nodded yes.

“It’s not that I shot hi..it..whatever, it’s just unbelievable it really happened”, declared Van.

“Well, let’s get inside and check on the rest of the family.” Michael said.

Van cautioned, “Be careful! River has a shotgun, and I told her to shoot anything she saw in the hall”.

Matthew stayed with the Wrack, “I’ll be along in a couple, kids don’t need to see this.”

Van and Michael went around front, opening the door a bit, and Van yelling in “River? It’s me don’t shoot!!!” To which he got the reply “Of course it’s you! I saw you in the mirror I set up, you and Michael come on in! We’re all ok”.

Matthew studied the creature for a couple minutes, and took several pictures of it with his phone. He also collected a total of eight small throwing type knives, QQ and the weird sword. The sword had a snake with red eyes that glowed when light hit them and it had 36 lines down it’s body reaching less than half way like it was incomplete or something. “Well, you ain’t finishing it now are ya, Bub? Let’s get you outta sight,” Matthew said to the corpse, as he was dragging it away from the houses, and towards an out shed.

Matthew arrived at the house a bit later, at the end of Van filling the others in on what occurred. Michael had already texted Elena and Liam to let them know all was well. While doing so, he noticed that Uncle Liam’s oldest daughter ‘Lena, who was named after his own mother, had her sketch pad and he caught a glimpse of a cloaked figure she had drawn. He also noticed she was looking at him, like he had caught her doing something wrong. He did not say anything, and smiled as he turned and joined the others in plans as what to do next.

Matthew and Michael left everyone inside with Van, and they went to the house closest to them, which was Liam’s. Once sure it was safe, they went and got everyone from Van’s, and escorted them to the new place. They put the timers on in different parts of Van’s house, so the lights and TVs would come on at different times, in different rooms, and even on different days.

Michael went to the main house, while Matthew returned to the shed, and started up the tractor, “Funny, Dad always harped on needing a tractor, but I don’t think he meant for this,” he said to himself, as he dug a hole and dumped the Brak’s body into it.

After he was done, Matthew returned to the main house, and they all moved Elena and Trinity back to Liam’s. Now that everyone was in the same place, Michael, Matthew, Liam and Van, all sat at the table, and devised a plan to move everyone in two groups, from now on. Different houses each night. Sometimes even, both groups staying at the same house, at the same time, on occasion.

Trinity had gone to her room as soon as she could, and retrieved her two practice blades slipping them into the two sheaths she made that fit on her back. Handles down where she had easy access. She put on an over shirt, much like the one her Uncle Lee was always wearing, so it covered the blades perfectly. Trinity smirked at herself in the mirror, then went back out to where everyone was, and joined the group.

It was decided that for the night, everyone would stay here together, where there was safety in numbers. According to the Loarn, they had at least nine more “things” that had come through the portal, and were intent on stopping their family bloodline, from existing any more.

Matthew and Michael set several wireless trip alarms around the main house, before going to the house Michael and his family had been staying in. They slid the pivoting bookcase away, and went down a flight of steps, with the bookcase closing behind them. The brothers turned right, towards Uncle Liam’s home, heading along the tunnel that Lee had constructed, between all the houses on the property. They emerged in one of the spare bedrooms, after first stopping to listen for any signs of danger. Then they joined the others in the den, and kitchen. “Matthew and I will watch after dark tonight, and see if we can surprise any unwanted visitors. Have we decided who’s staying where, starting tomorrow?” asked Michael.

Liam had devised a plan, where every house was numbered. This one was #2, for example, and the groups would roll a dice and where it wound up is where they would stay. That way no one had prior knowledge, and no one could be forced to tell.

That night went by without incident for the group, and the next day they split into three groups. Elena, Trinity and one of the men would take turns being with that group, Van, River, Liam, Natasha and Elena would be in another, leaving Matthew and Annika with their infant, who would stay with Michael, Sophia and their six children. That way there is always a male with them, also.

As luck or fate would have it, Elena’s group drew the main house as theirs for the day, and prior to dawn, they made the move back, this time using the tunnel. The other groups moved to their locations, but did so normally, so that if there were watchers, it would seem that Elena and Trinity were still in Liam’s house. Matthew stayed with Elena his mom and Trinity as they settled. He then said, “Back in a couple. Have to check the triggers and traps. Don’t go outside, I’m going through Dad’s tunnels, and coming out of the shed, and I will come back the same way when I’m done”.

30 minutes later, as Trinity was alone in the den doing a bit of practice, she suddenly heard a strange noise come from the room her aunt was resting in. She got up heading rapidly towards the door, and as she got there it was flung open, and almost knocked her down. She saw the most scary, disfigured face, and the body of a man, and it was dragging Elena, who was either unconscious or almost so.

Trinity hesitated a second, and before she could cry for help, the Wrack drew a curved sword dropping Elena at the same time, thinking to himself that he could get rid of this brat quickly and make a bigger bonus. Trinity saw the blade, and she paled and her blood seemed to turn cold, but instinctively she backed away and out of the hall into the open den. She drew one of her practice blades as the Wrack lunged at her, trying to stab her in the chest. She swatted his blade with hers, knocking it off line, and it slid past her as she spun past the Wrack. Her blade kept going with the spin, and came full circle, striking the Wrack with the sharp edge on the back of his neck, and with enough force to knock him over the couch.

The Wrack made a grunt and growled, as he quickly sprang to his feet, twisting to face the young girl, and his eyes narrowed as he moved around the couch, to have a clear shot at her. Trinity knew this was no longer some computer game, and that she could easily not get out of this, but she was determined to stay and fight. She drew the second blade from its sheath, while at the same time the Wrack attacked again. This time swinging his blade straight from over his head, in an attempt to chop her in half, or split her skull.

Trinity barely arched back enough as the Wrack’s blade sliced through the air, and the tip barely knocked her shirt, cutting a hole in it at her waist. Trinity took the advantage, as the Wrack had over extended himself, and the move made him lean forward so much, he was almost off balanced. She swung one blade down with all her might, striking him in the neck area where it met his shoulder, and without slowing, the other blade swung and struck him in the forearm which was holding his sword, and he dropped it, as his muscles were temporarily stunned.

The Wrack lunged forward with his body, and hit Trinity in the stomach with his shoulder, driving her against the wall, and taking her breath away. He then grabbed her and slung her across the room into a coffee table. Trinity realized she was not going to be able to take much of that as she got up, her small body was bruised and she was breathing hard. The Wrack picked up his sword in his left hand, and slowly started to approach, sensing his opponent was weakening, and it wouldn’t be long before he could finish her off.

Trinity had somehow managed to hold onto both blades, was desperately trying to buy time, so she could catch her breath. She kicked the coffee table towards him, and he kicked it out of the way. There was now nothing between him and her, as he circled warily, several times lunging at her, and each time Trinity was able to knock his blade away, or dodge it. The last time though, he swung his sword at her, and she barely stopped it, slipping on something on the floor, giving him the opportunity he needed.

Trinity knew it was over as she slipped. She could not defend against him grabbing her from behind, and wrapping his arm around her waist, pulling his sword up to her neck to finish her off.

Categories
adventure battle evil fantasy good mystery Sci Fi series SyFy writing

The “Bevan” — Fortress

Part V “Fortress”

Lee followed Rotar and Falan through the portal, it felt like walking through “heavy” air but only for a second and then they were all on the other side. Looking around, it resembled earth, a bit more lush and green though, and the air was clean feeling. The portal opened in a circle of rocks and boulders deep inside a dark forest, in which Lee felt very much at home as he melted into some brush, seeing Rotar and Falan doing the same on opposite sides. No one spoke or moved for almost 10 minutes, then Rotar indicated that they should follow him as he led away from the circle, not on a trail, but 20 yards off to the side of it. Lee followed, with Falan behind a few yards, the three continued for about 30 minutes, walking slowly uphill through the brush, keeping quiet as Rotar led them in a route slowly circling up and away. Rotar stopped in a thicket and Lee and Falan joined him. They all stopped and rested quietly and it was at this time that Lee checked his pack and the ammo was there and he took the handgun and spare magazines and put them on his belt under the hood quietly without being noticed. He also took the time to text Elena and hit send and watched but the message just sat there, not sending.

“How often do the portals open back to earth?” Lee asked.

Falan answered in a hushed voice, “The portals to earth open at different times. We are constantly sending our spies to track the enemy, and to try and monitor the portals. There are no set times”.

Lee glanced at his phone once more before shutting it, and realized the message had sent, so a portal someplace near must have opened.

“3 hours of light left,” said Rotar “We will wait here for darkness, before we continue.”

“How far to the fortress?” asked Lee.

“The fortress is about 3 hours walk from here in peacetime. It will take us 6 to be sure we don’t walk into an ambush,” answered Rotar.

Getting up, the three move silently through the forest, headed in a direction, Lee assumes is towards the place called the fortress, Rotar leading, and Falan in the rear. They walk silently on, with Lee getting glimpses of the night sky, as they skirted clearings, and he saw celestial bodies he could not recognize.

Slowly as they are walking, Lee starts getting a feeling of being hunted, a feeling he used to get at times, while chasing criminals who were armed, playing what could be a deadly game of cat and mouse. He began to slow his pace, as he listened to his senses telling him something is near and hunting them, Lee stoped and knelt, and somewhere behind him, Falan noticed and did the same. Lee lost sight of Rotar, who was up ahead, and the feeling got even stronger.

Lee slipped the bow off his back, and nocked an arrow, holding it low, as he looked slowly around. Then he saw a shadow move into the line, between Rotar’s path and him. Lee watched, not sure who was a friend here, but then saw the glint of light, off two blades being drawn off the figure’s back, as it crept towards where Rotar went. Lee pulled the arrow back, and clicked his tongue, as the figure spun lightening quick, sliding sideways and slinging a blade towards where the figure thought the sound originated.

Lee did not flinch, while releasing the arrow, as the blade slipped past his ear, over his right shoulder, and stuck in a small tree behind him, some 10’ back. His arrow struck the figure square in the chest, flinging it back, and onto the ground, as Lee immediately, from years of practice, nocked another arrow and waited.

Falan had slipped off to one side, and Rotar emerged from the darkness and knelt by the figure. “A ‘wrack’,” said Rotar. “Spy or assassins in your tongue. They work alone, this one must have been waiting along the trails, hoping to bump into us. Thought I smelled it a bit ago, but never caught sight, until just before you stuck him”. Lee looked at the figure, and even in the dark he could tell it was not human, even though it moved like one, he pulled the arrow out and wiped it on the wrack’s outfit and was stunned to see the knife it had left looked just like one of his Legion blades. Lee picked it up, and then went back and recovered the other, and took the sheathes, which were mounted on the wrack’s back, while looking at Rotar and Falan.

“I have to examine these blades in light, something very familiar about them,” explained Lee.

Falan spoke with urgency, “Come on! We are almost to the hidden path!”

The three hurried along, still quiet, but with much more zest in their steps, (as Elena would say) and as Falan rounded a large boulder, Lee lost sight of him. As he passed the boulder, it Lee was stunned to see the edge of the forest, but no sign of Falan. Lee stopped and looked closer in the bushes against the boulder and Falan emerged and said, “This is it come on,” and turned, disappearing again into the thick brush.

Lee followed, and found himself walking down into a tunnel, that curved around and headed back towards the edge of the forest, it seemed.

Rotar came in a few minutes behind him, “We were not followed, and our tracks are gone, that I made sure of! I left false ones continuing to the river ahead”.

They all three continued in the tunnel, and Lee saw flickering light ahead after walking several hundred yards. He then heard voices, and he started to tense, but Rotar behind him said, “No need to worry. They are the gate guards, and are here to keep the enemy out. We will pass freely, If we were enemy, they would just flood the tunnel with river water, not a nice way to go.”

Soon the three were past the guards, and they emerged through a series of 2’ thick wooden doors, each opening opposite sides and each having wooden poles behind, to be used to block them from being forced open from inside the tunnel.

Lee saw several holes in the walls and ceiling and Rotar said, “If a door is penetrated, then spearmen on the other side of these walls, and even the ceiling, will attack whoever comes in.”

“That would be a mite hard to escape in my estimate,” said Lee.

Finally they entered a wide chamber, and were met by several armor dressed soldiers. Gold in color was the armor, protecting arms, legs, chest and back. They carried a shield, and a heavy looking broad type sword, except that it was curved and decorated with engravings.

One of the soldiers spoke to Rotar, and he replied, followed quickly by all the soldiers turning, and placing their hand across their chest, and bowing slightly from the waist, a”then straightening back up.

Rotar and Falan turned, and Rotar said, “We should get some food and then rest. In the morning, we will meet the Premiere and his staff. Perhaps then, we can understand all that is happening, and why, you Lee, don’t go by Bevan, as the stories say?”

Lee answered “Food would be good, and to get washed up would feel really good as well! Lead on Rotar! Apparently, there’s much to see and do”.

Several hours later, after eating and getting cleaned up, Lee found himself dressed in Treslan clothes. Underneath it all, he still had his soft body armor on, and over top of it all, his cloak, which was shades of blue, gray and green m, it’s colors shifting to blend in. It was warm and a gift from Elena, years ago. Lee sat in a room he was given, and turned on his phone and got the message Elena sent, “Everyone is on board, and they are getting organized.”

“Good, and gosh! Good job, Boys, for arranging things,” he said to himself. Lee typed out a text, “Seems the signal only goes through when a nearby portal is open, so comms will be limited. Made it to the fortress. Meeting head honcho tomorrow. So far, so good. See if you can find the Legion book, I will tell you why later. Have to go, take care of my pretty girl, I’ll be back soon”.

He then pulled out the knives he took off the dead wrack, they were exact to the tip, as his Legion blade, and he could not see how that was possible. Turning them over, he saw what he was looking for, they were Legion blades!! The markers were on each blade, but how did they get here?! And more importantly, whose were they? And where were the owners?

Lee took pictures of the marks on the blades, and sent another text, to go through when it could, “When you find the book, look up these marks, and see who they belong to and where the owners are now, please”.

Later that day, Lee, Rotar and Falan were all assembled in a great room, around a table. Lee’s eyes moved along the painted wall, at the scenes unfolding, his thoughts interrupted by several people walking in, and everyone in the room, except himself, rising and bowing, with their hand across their chest. Not wanting to seem rude, Lee stood up, as what he rightly assumed, as the people they were waiting on, arrived.

Lee observed the group, the man, taller than himself, but lighter in weight, dark tanned and slightly built, but with an air of hidden strength. He was followed by a small woman, who reminded him of his sister. They were flanked by two massive men, with swords on their sides, and dressed in white gold colored armor, that looked light and flexible. The last in the group was a small man, one who when Lee met his eyes, immediately made him wary. Some sense of his, told him this man was not what he seemed, and was not to be trusted. The Premiere was introduced to Lee, as well as his wife, while the two large Ann’s well equipped guards stood silently, but ever wary, just out of arms reach of the Premiere and his wife. The other person, Trendar was his name, stood off to the side and was only introduced as “valued staff”, to which Lee saw his eyes take on an evil look, when he heard himself called that.

Lee was asked questions after questions over the next few hours. A lot was explained to him, and some of the questions he had were answered.

The story apparently spanned several generations, where ruling families and common folk alike worked for the common good. Then darkness slowly crept into some Treslander’s minds, and slowly that darkness spread through certain specific minds.

Eventually, there was an attempt to take power, and wars were fought. The ruling family controlled the better armies, and locations, not to mention portal access, making it possible for their soldiers to move where needed, and quickly.

Traitors learned the secrets, and soon the portals were used by both sides. Several key members of the once secure family and staff were killed by spies, until those spies themselves, were caught and dealt with.

Lee learned that the Treslander ruling family, long ago sent agents through many portals, to many places, and eventually they stumbled upon a group, that were known as knights, warriors, and defenders of all that was good. Some were brought back through the portal, where they lived and worked as agents of the Premier and his family. Eventually, some returned through the portal and back to their lives. This continued through the ages, until modern times, when some of the last went back through the portal, taking wives with them. Several were the “Bevan”, superb marksmen, with the long bow. Elena was a decedent of the ‘keepers of the word’, those who, by the very sound of spoken voice, brought calm to a place, and who, when sitting in the protected chair, saying the words long protected from evil ears, healed the planet, driving the evil away.

Several hours later, Lee found himself walking slowly around the large hall beside the Premier and his wife, as they explained the painting. It was a pictorial history of the planet, and it’s inhabitants, and it was constantly expanding and changing, on its own it seemed.

Lee stopped in front of, what could only be described as a medieval battle scene, where thousands were battling a dark enemy. Their armor and shield shining in the sun, wet with blood and sweat, but Lee had stopped and was staring at a small group.

Surrounding a flag on a hill, dressed in dark armor, with cloaks upon their backs, armed with swords and spears, their shields black mirrors, broad and thick. Lee was stunned to see a single knife on each of their backs within reach of their hands if needed. Lee stared at a picture, that could not be here but was, a picture of his ancestors in a battle against evil, the Black Legion!

Categories
adventure fantasy hunting mystery nature outdoors Sci Fi SyFy writing

The “Bevan” – Discoveries

Part II “Discoveries”

Several hours later the hunter and the strangers, who were supposedly from a place not unlike earth, called “Treslan“, had talked and the story they told was as full of mystery and intrigue, as it was danger. According to Rotar, they were sent by their military leaders, to stop the Brak from crossing over thru the portal, but the Brak somehow knew the passes and incantations to open it. They followed in hopes of stopping it before it could do any harm, and during the journey the Brak was struck by an arrow.

The Brak warriors were but a small part of the growing threat to all the Treslanders, as more and more there are skirmishes with several different enemies, none of which, until recently, had worked together. Something or someone was gathering them, and using them to attack the Treslanders, never seriously, more it seemed, like they were probing the resistance.

Still not convinced that he was who they were looking for, Lee silently listened, a skill that he learned over many years of dealing with people from whom he was trying to gather information. Listening as Rotar, Jagar, Trend, and Falan each told parts of the story of how they came to be here, in a clearing in the woods, with a dead Brak and a skeptical hunter.

“So, if I am understanding you right, your nation is under constant attack, and that whatever it is, laying over there, is but one of many enemies doing the attacking” Lee stated, “Still, I do not see how we get to the part where it wanted to kill me and basically erase my bloodline. I’ve never heard of Treslan before you showed up, and I durn sure would have remembered bumping into one of those things before”.

Rotar said “He is not the first that has come through the portal hunting you, there have been many others with the same mission, and we feared many times that they had succeeded, but by either luck or skill, each one attempted, while you were doing what you call being a Police Officer. Is that the term?” Lee nodded yes and Rotar continued “Each of them in different forms, but the mission was the same, eliminate you, then all your kin, but they ran afoul of your customs and laws, and either you yourself, or others put them in what you call cells, once there, we vanished them forever.” Lee took “vanished them” to mean they would no longer be an issue. “Over time we got a grasp on them and for several of your years, no longer could the enemy get through the portal in any form, but that of a Brak and even in their primitive mind, they knew that would not work.

Lee pointed at the dead Brak “He seemed to think it was ok”.

“Yes.” said Rotar “It shows that they are getting desperate in their attempt to destroy you and all your kin”.

“Might seem a bit redundant of me, and I have been called obtuse, but I will ask again anyways, why would a thing not from around here, one I’m sure I would remember if I had met before, why would it want to destroy me? Much less my whole bloodline?”, asked Lee.

“For that answer, Bevan” quickly holding his hand up to cut off the protest sure to come, and calming him that, “I mean Lee! I cannot tell you, other than if they succeed in doing so, they can then destroy the one thing that they fear the most, which is something you hold more precious than your own life”. Rotar saw the man he called the Bevan’s blue eyes darken to a steely gray-blue color as he finished, “Elena as you call her”.

Lee’s posture changed entirely, and in such a manner, that the other three who had been silent, suddenly got to their feet in expectation of conflict, as Lee said in a voice thick with power and forcefulness “And why pray tell, would they even know of her, much less want to destroy her?”

“She is the key that will start the downfall of all evil on Treslan. Our world has lost most of its good, and evil has seeped into its very core, her knowledge and kindness, can crush any evil and they know it, it is why she was brought here so many years ago, with the knowledge that one day she would bring peace to Treslan for all time” said Rotar. “She is of the line of Minorcans, and on Treslan, she needs but to sit in the protected chair, from the living earth and speak words of grace and kindness and in doing so, those two things will energize the very planet and destroy all evil there, if at the right time she can be brought to the fortress, and into the reading room, where she will read and teach understanding. The enemy knows this, and knows to get to her, they must destroy you and all your kin, for they cannot risk that one has the same power as her, only then can they destroy her, and their rule of Treslan will be guaranteed”.

Lee stared at Rotar with piercing eyes listening to the information as it is told, his mind racing in two directions, the first thought in his mind is from the practical side “This guy’s nuts” then the other the more pragmatic thinker side weighing what he’s been told, with what he has seen, and not liking the outcomes of either. “If what you have said is true, and I’m still not sold on it yet, when is this ‘right time’, but more importantly who is behind it and where are they? I may need to have a chat with them”

One of the other soldiers made a sound like a suppressed laugh and immediately found himself under the coldest deadliest stare he ever felt, “You got something you want to get off your chest, Boy?” Lee barked, “I may not be as young as I once was, I have seen and done many things in my life, and have been pieced back together, with plates and pins, but two things you can take to the bank from me. I do not make idle threats, and no one or thing will ever harm Elena, while I can draw a breath to stop it! If that means I need to have a chat with the chap or whatever that is heading this up, then either follow me, or get out of the way because I will go through you if I have to, but I will have that chat!”

The soldier nodded “I meant no disrespect, and I have no reason to doubt you, but just hearing you say that made me smile, not as a jest, but as a ‘I hope I’m there when this guy does that’”, and he bowed putting his right hand over his chest, “I am Jagar and I am at your service.”

Lee nodded at the young soldier and turned to the others who both bowed with the same gesture, “I am Trend” said the older of the two, and “ I am Falan” said the last, and both said at the same time, “At your service Bevan”.

“Name’s Lee, if you holler “Bevan” I may not answer. I appreciate what you have apparently done and been doing, but if everything is as you say, I need to be getting home to check on things.” and at that Lee swiftly pulled his pack onto his strong back and shoulders, “Don’t mean to be rude, but can you do something with that thing over there, hate for someone to stumble over it”.

Rotar nodded yes but said “What are your plans besides checking on things at home? At some point more will come through, unless we do something to stop them.”

Lee hesitated a second “I am going to have to think on it a bit, and make some plans and contingencies, and only then will I know what’s best to do, I rarely do anything in haste, leads to bad decisions. As for more coming through, if what you say is true and they will look like that, I will have fair warning, because people will see them, unless these portals move, do they”?

Rotar said “This portal opens here only but there are an innumerable amount of portals and they are at all different locations, there is a map at the fortress that has many but no one knows where all are. They can only be opened, if one knows the proper words to say, and each portal has its own words”.

Lee nodded “Well then, I will be back here in two days time with whatever decision I make, will you wait, or will you return to Treslan”?

“We have to return, and tell of these developments, but one or all of us will return in two days to this place. Be cautious Bevan, the enemy has many guises, and on Treslan, or while the portal is open, can look just like any other Treslander”.

Lee answered in a firm voice, “I am of the Black Legion, my family has been champions for the oppressed and preyed upon, for as long as there have been people on earth to defend. Where the Knights Templars were well known, The Black Legion was secretive and more deadly, if whoever meets me here, does not know of the Legion, then I will, how did you put it?, oh yeah, vanish them”.

At that, and without any other words Lee turned his back and headed out of the forest walking swiftly and confidently towards his truck parked some 1/2 mile away. Quietly, the fox slips off working it’s way along through the woods just off to the side of the hunter, forever watchful of the area as it tags along.

“Whatcha think so far Peach?”

Categories
fantasy hunting mystery outdoors Sci Fi SyFy Uncategorized writing

The “Bevan“ — The Beginning

Slipping quietly along the game trail as the first hint of daybreak shows the figure, is indistinguishable in the dark, his ghillie suit blending completely with the dark and vegetation. Carrying a full sized backpack, and a handmade bow, he slips onto his favorite tree, one that’s very alive but laying down along the ground with an upturn that his back comfortably rests against. Silently unhooking the backpack and setting it on the tree the Hunter settles to wait. The forest sounds become a constant din of noise in the background and the forest slowly wakes, still an hour before full daylight but light enough to start making out shapes and movement quite easily for the experienced woodsman who has spent his life in the woods whenever he can escape the daily grind.

Rugged looking, 6’ with hair graying but with still more brown than gray. Bearded face with piercing clear blue eyes that have seen many horrors and many tender moments, slight smile in the corners as if he knows something funny that no one else does. Well past being youthful, the hunter has many scars, and many wounds, some that ache and always will, and some that are tucked away inside his mind where no one is allowed to see. Just an ordinary, humble man, but one look tells you, that if you are looking for trouble, best look elsewhere because as the saying goes “it’s the quiet ones that you need watch”, and an old man still surviving in a young man’s world is not one to quarrel with. The Hunter silently checks his gear out of habit, on his belt on the left hip a sheath knife given to him by a good friend many ages ago, Damascus blade hand crafted and razor sharp, he never leaves without it. On his right hip, is a “Ronin” 45, a present given to him by the one love he’s ever had in his life who is at home still asleep as he hunts for whatever comes by. Strapped to the backpack is a wicked looking knife 20 inches long, curved blade of stainless with serrations on the back resembling a dragons spine, inside it has a fire starter, rope, a hooded cloak gray and woolen as the archers wore in days gone, by the type that is water repelling and seems to blend into any background, 2 spare magazines for his pistol with 2 boxes of bullets in the bottom that he did not know his “Elena” had put there “just in case”. There are other things that have found their way into the pack over the years that may become useful at some time. The Hunter runs his hand over the smooth wooden bow that took months to make, one that until he practiced with for ages he could not even fully pull back. His arrows, wooden and hand made fill the leather quiver that he carries on his back so drawing is easy. Calloused fingers caress the wood as the Hunter smiles at old comments on the size of his hands…

…Suddenly his eyes jerk towards movement to his right and down one of the game trails that converge 25 yards to his front, and he sees a gray fox trotting along the game trail towards his perch. Watching curiously as the fox comes closer and looks at him before just curling up in a comfortable spot close to his feet and going to sleep as if it was completely normal. “Well, Bub, I won’t bother you if you don’t spoil my chances”. The fox strangely payed no attention apparently already asleep on the soft grass. The Hunter sat silently contemplating on the oddity that was the wild animal, coming over and sleeping like that, did not appear sick, looked well nourished, so it was a conundrum he pondered. The hunters eyes flicked up as he started sensing something working it’s way down the trail on the opposite side of the clearing. Catching a glimpse of a small but legal to harvest whitetail deer, he slowly begins to draw his bow as the animal is obscured by some blackberry bushes. The deer walked past the bushes and stopped just out of the clearing in the woods, it’s tail nervously twitching and it’s eyes looking all around. The Hunter thought to himself “that deer senses something, winds in my favor so it’s not me” as he settles his aim on the area behind the front shoulder, low to try and hit the heart for a fast kill. Settling into a perfect rhythm between himself and the bow he no longer thinks about the motions or his movements as his fingers start to roll off the string to release it, everything is just how it should be, broadside 25-26 yards away, no wind, undetected, the Hunter releases the arrow and watches as if in slow motion it’s flight towards the deer.

The Hunter watches and suddenly notices a disturbance between him and the deer, something is weird, his view to the deer is interrupted by what looks like heat waves coming off asphalt on a summer day and as his arrow enters the heat wave it vanishes and as soon as it does the heat wave dissipates and there are 4 figures standing in the clearing facing away from him all looking at a 5th, but this one was not a man it was something like you would see in a movie as an ork or troll. This one fell over backwards and it was only then that the Hunter realized that two of the four had swords drawn one an axe and the last a spear all facing the other creature who had one of the hunters arrows sticking out of his neck. All four suddenly turned around and spread out facing the Hunter but it took a few seconds to find him as he blended in so well, weapons pointed in his direction and the Hunter remained quiet his bow half drawn as he had already readied the bow with lightening like speed from months of practice to be ready for a follow up shot at a wounded animal, all this took place even before the four had got totally into view. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed the fox was awake and intently watching but had not moved. One of the four slowly lowered his sword and made a motion like putting his hand over his chest and bowed slightly, the other 3 followed suit but none of them looked the least bit relaxed.

Years of reading people and judging threats, the Hunter could tell these were soldiers of some type, they were dangerous and could handle themselves in a fight. The Hunter lowered his bow relaxing the string holding both, arrow still strung in his left hand and his right hand on his thigh near his hip where the Ronin was holstered. His advantage lies in the constant multiple assailant practice scenarios he drilled into himself, and his family. He was relaxed but knew things could go south quick and the chances are he would not get out unscathed if they did. So he remained silent and examined the four. All were tall, silver blonde hair long and down over their shoulders, wearing cloaks like the one he has but these constantly changed it seemed even more to become the same as the background, leather like moccasin type booths laced up to the knees, clear grey/blue eyes. They reminded him of woodsman from an age long gone, but their garb was more well made, with silvery thread, their shirts were covered with leather armor tightly woven, with layers of overlapping pieces to make penetration difficult.

The Hunter got the distinct impression that these “men” were reading and judging him as he was them. The one who initially lowered his sword said something to the others and they sat on the ground where they were while he approached. The Hunter stood up now, still relaxed looking but balanced, weight on the balls of his feet, bladed towards the strangers and hand hooked in his belt by the holster containing the Ronin. The stranger stopped after getting to about six feet away and said “Bevan?” In perfect English. The Hunter remained silent and the stranger repeated “Bevan?” And looked at him curiously.

The Hunter knew Bevan was welsh for “archer” from one of the books that his Peach would laugh at him for reading at one time or another, but he also knew it wasn’t his name nor was he welsh. “Not sure who you think I am bub, but names Lee, not Bevan”.

The stranger looked slightly confused but did not let it dismay him “I am Rotar, I was sent along with my trusted friends to find Bevan, the archer, we need his help”.

“Well Rotar, all I can tell you is that my name’s Lee, I do use a bow to hunt sometimes, but I do not know anyone named Bevan”.

The soldier named Rotar began telling a tale to the Hunter as they stood in the clearing deep in the woods, and the hunter interrupted by holding up his hand, “Perhaps, before you get into a long drawn out story, you could tell me who or what that thing is?”, as he pointed at the creature with his arrow protruding out of its neck, obviously dead.

Rotar said “You don’t know an enemy when you see it? This is a Brak. It’s a foot soldier of our enemy, not very smart but very deadly with its axe”.

“Ok, so it’s your enemy, what does that have to do with me?” asks Lee in a calm voice, “Where did it come from, where did you come from?”.

“We followed it to the portal to try and stop it crossing into your time, but we were too late, and it opened the portal and we had to follow” says Rotar.

“Portal? What portal, and why would it want to come here?” says Lee.

Rotar replied with a solemn voice, laced with a bit of urgency “It’s mission was to come here and find the Bevan and kill him, and anyone related to him, down to the last of his bloodline”.

Categories
Cooking health hunting Law Enforcement Life photography Uncategorized writing

Things to Do

Batman Says:

So, here we are again headed towards a new year and all that it holds in promise. If all goes well (welp, cross that off, when has all gone well ever?) this time next year I will have less than a month left to work at a job that has encompassed 27 years of my life. Peach and I will be moving on to different things and honestly I’m ok with that. I have enjoyed this career and will think fondly about it after i’m gone, but only for a few weeks, then it goes in the “bucket” and off we go to do stuff.

I have been pondering ideas around in my mind as what to do with the time I will have. First time must be spent repairing and replacing all the little things around the place that I have let slip with the “I’ll do it later” tag on it. That honestly is not a lot of things but it is a few and should keep me busy for a couple weeks, then what? Peach has informed me numerous times that she will not be giving up her job so I will have to find interesting things to do to occupy my alone time, I will probably do a bit more fishing, I used to enjoy that and my kids called me the fish whisperer as a joke. Run the trap lines with a bit more interest, something I kinda got out of the habit of doing that I really enjoy the challenge of. Exploring new spots in which to hunt is also an option, can’t ever have too many spots to sit and surprise a wary buck. I won’t be going off taking photographs by my lonesome, as that is something Peach and I do together. I may write more, get in the habit of posting small little blurbs as to what my daily plan is and what I did the day prior, basically a record for my family to see and laugh at when I’m no longer here (you’re not that lucky Peach, it’s gonna be a long time still). Peach got me started with this blogging stuff and I don’t always hold up my end and write posts like I should. But, I won’t have the “work” excuse anymore. I have made myself a promise that I would try and write a book of stories, as mentioned in a previous post “writing interesting things” (it was I think) and putting it out there to see if there are any “old country boys and girls” like me out there that might find it humorous to buy a copy and laugh at my “out of the wrong time period” sense of humor and right and wrong. We are gonna give it a couple months to see how things settle down in the Country before we start travelling around, not in the mood for people to freak out if I’m not wearing a mask on the side of the road changing a flat tire for some lady who is helpless roadside (yes it could be a guy too, don’t get all indignant, told you I was from the wrong time period). Once we start traveling, I hope to post interesting tidbits along the way that others who are traveling around may find useful, even if it is a “do not do this or that” mistake we made that saves someone an issue. I know Peach will be posting all kinds of good things as we travel I am even gonna get her a new faster computer to use to do so (no excuses now, Peach). Been rummaging around through stuff on the internet (what a fresh h*** of grossness and stupidity you can find if you’re not careful what you search for) reading about people making money doing blog posts, that is novel. Not sure I got what it takes to do that but if someone wants me to write a blog post for their business or about a product that I am familiar with, and they want a down to earth honest opinion on, and they are going to pay me for it, then I’m your huckleberry (y’all point them my direction will ya?).

Some of you all will remember Peach and I teach firearms usage and gun safety, we have done this for a while now and its a satisfying pastime, plus brings in a little extra income. We plan to do this even after retirement as we have found that it is something people want and need. As an NRA instructor I have 3 certifications: Certified Home Firearm Safety, Personal Protection in the Home, and Basic Pistol, all of these are important to some folks, and its something we are happy to provide. The cool thing about being an NRA instructor is no matter where in the United States we are, we can sit down and give a class to anyone that wants it, provided we have the necessary safety precautions in place, and in some instances a range to shoot. Another side project I recently took an interest in to perhaps provide a bit of extra income if we need, but more to keep me active and out of the refrigerator (have I mentioned Peach is an EXCELLENT cook?) is becoming a “Home Inspector”, there seems to be a place for me as one, and it is something I could do when I wanted and not do when I was busy with other important matters (like fishing, hunting, napping is very important to me, also), it would require I attended classes either in person or online, and pass several tests (if you knew me you would know how much I dislike tests of any kind), but I think I could manage to do well enough to get licensed in the State to do it. I think I would be good at it as I have knowledge already from life experience and I have a willingness and want to help people. The biggest issue facing Peach and I as with most retirees is health insurance, but with Peach’s smarts and us listening to each others ideas, I believe we have a plan that will let us do what we want when we want without to much hassle.

It would appear from all the ideas about extra income that we are going to be working just as much as we do now, but that’s not the case, all these ideas are what float around in the mind of Batman when he has to much time on his hands. Y’all keep checkin back in, if for no other reason, you can see what scatterbrained ideas I come up with next.

“Now I get to enjoy some of your awesome chili huh, Peach?”