Sea of Moons (Fantasy)

Sea of Moons

2020-06-20T10:00:00.061-04:00

I've stated in the past that it's not necessary to read A Vampire's Tale and frankly, you can read Guardian's Key without it, but you will understand certain elements of GK much better if you take a few moments and read it. In reality, it's only a short story.

Introduction
Beginning a New Life in the Sea of Moons

Extra
How Kerrin Became a Vampire

A Vampire's Tale
Chapter List

Prologue
Chapter List

The Search for Nanda
Chapter List

Ghalt's Kader (Fate)
Bonus Update
Welcome to Ghalt's World
Strong Language, Nudity

Guardian's Key
Chapter List

Update November 27, 2011

Guardian's Key End Text Only

Epilogue

2012-01-06T19:59:00.000-05:00

Adrostos hugged his sons one last time, loath to leave them, but he knew he must. The time was now, Ghalt must be stopped, and thankfully Telaan had given him the means to complete his goal.

The woman who had raised Adrostos smiled at him. His own parents had placed him in her care when he had seen but six springs as he had shown an unnatural gift of magique. It happened sometimes, but it was rare, when it did, the child must be placed with someone of the same nature who could nurture and raise the child as was appropriate. He did not know if his sons would also have the gifts of Chandra, but he didn’t trust his own parents as he did the woman who stood before him.

“Worry not, my special one, they will be safe with me. I will not allow any harm to come to them as had to your sister and wife. Neither Ghalt nor his minions will be allowed in this village ever again. We now know what to look for.”

“You know what to look for, Chandristis, no one else does. I only feel safe leaving them with you.”

“I will protect them with my life, my child. May Chandra walk with you always and walk safe in the world.”

“And you, Chandristis.”

Adrostos turned to the two white haired toddlers who shared his looks with their mother’s. “Be good, my sons. The guidance of Chandristis is wise beyond measure.”

“Bye, papa,” they both said at the same time. There was no doubting that his children had a link that was complete between them, a sign that they too would be needing to grow up in the presences of the Chandristis.

“I will return to you as soon as I am able.”

Adrostos walked away, a heavy heart knowing he had to leave his children one more time. He had the strength and ability to mentor one who carried the gifts of Chandra and he would have liked to have been the one to pass those gifts on to his precious sons that reminded him so much of his beloved Jocosta, but he was not able. He must rid his family of Ghalt’s threat forever.

He had no more than passed through the gateway into the Chandra Valley and was preparing to teleport to (a town) when a dark shadow appeared overhead. He looked up to see a large white dragon coming in to land before him. He waited patiently until the dragon had taken human form before speaking, “Master Kiseren, it is good to see you fly once more.”

“My dear Elf, I’m beyond pleased that you have given me such a gift, you and your friends, and I have news that I need to impart that will allow me to repay a small portion of the debt I owe.”

“You owe me nothing, Master Kiseren. The loss of Ghalt’s power is payment enough.”

“Yes, yes, be that as it may. I was just wandering around Acantha, checking out the old haunts and trying to find that no good for nothing brother of mine when I inadvertently stumbled onto news I knew I must share with you. I was in a pub, enjoying a fine mug of Blackburn when two men at a table were talking of a redheaded woman who lives in Mist Hollow and how she’d been working for the Guidance of Twelve, and that she’d carried out at least two executions for them. One a man named Yam.”

“Yes, I remember when Yam was killed more than a year ago, no one knew who had poisoned him.”

“Well, apparently she’s been their spy for some time. The second death was you own Jocosta.”

Adrostos’ blood ran cold. “Electra killed Jocosta?”

“I don’t know, they never said her name, but they did call her the redheaded bitch who owned a restaurant. I thought you might be able to figure out who’d done it from that.”

“Electra.”

“I guess you have then, my dear Elf. Now I must fly off, I’m so enjoying my new freedom.”

His plans suddenly changed, Adrostos returned to the Valley. He must prepare for a little side-trip before he began his journey looking for Ghalt.

Part 11 – The Kiseren Tear

2012-01-06T19:58:00.007-05:00

Kerrin watched as Telaan walked quickly in the opposite direction. He was taking Nanda home. His hold on her never loosening. He was carrying the most precious thing in the world to him, and Kerrin felt and understood every ounce of his pain.

“He looks so lost,” Lessa said as she took Kerrin’s hand. He could feel her pain radiating through him. If Telaan had lost his greatest love, Lessa had also lost her greatest friend.

“He needs time; he needs to do this on his own, my love.”

She looked at him, her violet eyes questioning. “Will he ever be able to heal?”

“No, little one, he’ll never heal, but he will go on in time. I know Telaan. He loved her greatly, that is true, but he’s also blaming himself for allowing her join us and his inability to save her.”

“But that was her choice, he tried to stop her. As to not being able to save her, no one could have saved her once Pele pulled the blade. There were three of you, no one succeeded.” Her voice became soft and quiet. “Her death was in the hands of kader and nothing could have saved her then.”

“It will take him much time to realize that. This is a journey he must take on his own,” Adrostos said, and Kerrin looked at him. His sky-blue eyes were filled with pain.

“I’m so sorry, Adrostos. This has been a very painful journey for you from the beginning, and yet you’ve said so little.”

Adrostos’ smile was barely discernable, but Kerrin was sure he saw it. “We all suffer pain, and we all lose loved ones. There is not one of us who has not experienced that pain. Even you, Lessa, although you were feeling the pain without understanding it, but you felt the pain, just the same for having lost Kerrin when your father took away your memory of him.”

“Yes, I did. I felt as though a part of me was dead, but I didn’t understand why.”

“We must move on. Once we clear the dead zone beyond Kumara, we will be able to teleport to my home in the Chandra Valley. We will approach Kiseren during the evening-time. The only way to break Eris’ bond is to return the tear to its creator. The power contained within will be returned to him, and Ghalt will become nothing more than an ancient vampire.”

Kerrin regarded Xavier as they moved farther south; the barren lands were beginning to appear endless. The man had been unusually silent. “Xavier?”

“It’s nothing, Vampire. I’ve just realized there’s something I must do once I see you all safely delivered to Chandra Valley. That’s where we’ll part company. Once you’re safe within Adrostos’ home, I’ll be moving on. I have unfinished business that must be seen to, and now is the appropriate time.”

They walked on in silence, the events of earlier weighing heavy on them all. Suddenly, the barren land opened on to a stream lush with green and trees and the feeling of heat and oppression suddenly lifted.

“We have reached the end of the dead zone. I can pass the directions on, but it will be faster if I take us all.” Adrostos said.

He held out his arms and everyone took hold.

II

Lessa was impressed. The cave they’d just entered looked more like a room at an inn occupied by well to do humans, not a legendary dragon.

“Why the furnishings?” she asked no one in particular. Their number had become three with Xavier leaving them as soon as he was rested. He hadn’t even waited until evening-time when Kerrin could say goodbye. The men had spoken just before dawn-time, but what they spoke about, she didn’t know and Kerrin hadn’t felt inclined to tell her.

“I like to live in luxury,” A deep, rich voice said as an incredibly handsome man came around a corner in the cave.

Adrostos bowed, “Good evening-time Kiseren.”

“Good evening-time, my good Elf. Have you brought it?”

Adrostos held out the casque and the key. The man took them both.

“You are the dragon Kiseren?” Lessa asked. She knew of dragons, though she’d never known one. She knew they had the ability to shape-shift into human form.

“Yes, Spirit-Touched, I am,” he answered setting the casque on a nearby table and opening it. “Ah, yes, finally.”

He closed the lid and looked at Adrostos. “And Eris, is she dead?”

“No, Kiseren, I am afraid I was not able to achieve that part of our bargain.”

“No, I hadn’t thought you would. No matter, this is enough. I only mentioned the death of Eris as an added bonus to myself.” He moved back into the room and held out his arms. “Please make yourselves comfortable, is there anything I can get for you? Wine perhaps? Although, you Vampire, I’m afraid I have no blood.”

“No, thank you, Kiseren, for your most kind offer,” Adrostos answered for them all. “We have a long journey ahead of us as we must past the dead zone within the next two turnings.”

“Ah, yes, you must complete your task. Now that I am once again whole and can regain my true form with the return of this part of myself, I thank you. Ghalt is now obtainable for you. May the Spirits aid you in your journey, and should you ever have chance to make good my desire to see Eris killed, please let me know, I will once again be in your debt.”

“Now that you can once again gain your true form,” Lessa said, “can’t you avenge Eris yourself?”

“No, my Spirit-Touched one, I cannot. She is of the Shadow and I am a white dragon. Her darkness will consume and burn me should I get too near.”

“Then how did she get your tear in the first place?” Kerrin asked.

“Ah, that is a tale for another time, my Vampire, but suffice it to say, she tricked me. That was many Times of Change past and I was but a young dragon.”

“But if you can only now return to your dragon form, does that mean you’ve been a man for many Times of Change?” Lessa asked.

“Yes, I have indeed been a man almost as long as I was in dragon form. Once again, you have my gratitude.”

“Do you mind one more question, Kiseren?” Kerrin asked.

“Not at all, although, dawn-time is arriving soon, and you must be gone.”

“I understand. If you have been in human form, then who is the Dragon of Kiseren that it is believed terrorizes the Elven world?”

Kiseren laughed. “That would be my cold hearted brother, Liseren. He is a blue dragon, but over time, our names merged as one, and I have become the perpetrator of his deeds.”

“Perhaps now that you can become a white dragon again, you can correct that belief,” Lessa said as she held out her hand to the dragon.

“Perhaps. May the Spirits travel with you.”

He turned, picked up both casque and key and disappeared back around the wall.

“We must return to my home, we can begin our journey north next evening-time,” Adrostos said as he turned to leave the cave.

Epilogue

Part 10 – The Casque

2012-01-06T19:58:00.006-05:00

“I’m glad we’re traveling during the evening-time, otherwise we’d have long since melted,” Nanda said.

“We don’t have to travel any farther, we’re here,” Telaan said as he looked around. There was nothing more than a bunch of rocks until he moved closer and they dissolved as though someone had thrown acid on them.

“Well, damn,” Xavier said under his breath.

“Hum, impressive,” Telaan said as he led the way into the darkened area. There were candles imbedded into the stone wall and as he moved forward, they automatically lit.

Nanda turned in a circle and said as the stones reappeared at the entrance, “No wonder no one has ever found this.”

“It’s Shadow magique, my love, not something to be overly impressed by, but it does serve its purpose, and it will serve ours, so I’ll be happy to use it. This opening is quite a ways from the fortress, we will need to rest for the non-evening time before we complete our task.”

“Do you think that’ll be safe?” Nanda asked.

“Eris knew our restrictions when she sent us here. I’m sure it was her hope we’d be forced to rush to get here because of Kerrin, but she wouldn’t know he could rest without the coffin, so we will not do this tired. I insist it be done once we have rested,” Telaan said.

“How will we know when we get close?” Lessa asked?

“I have the way embedded in my memory; I’ll know when we reach the point where we can rest.”

Telaan led the way in silence, holding Nanda’s hand. He really wished she’d stayed at the inn, but when he looked at her and she smiled at him, his heart filled with love; he was glad for this last chance to spend as much time with her as possible. He was a selfish bastard.

They continued to walk, the path changing and diverging as it followed an underground stream, the only water they’d seen in this spirit-forsaken county. No wonder the Shadow Spirits lived here, no one else would ever want to.

They reached a large open area he knew would lead to the entrance to Eris bedroom as the passageway had been steadily moving upwards for the past half hour,

“Dawn-time has arrived, I’m afraid. I can continue in this place, but I won’t be able to do much more than put one foot in front of the other,” Kerrin said as they entered the area.

“That won’t be a problem. This is where we stop for the non-evening-time. The entrance is just around the next bend.”

As they settled into one corner of the area, Xavier said, “No need for a fire here, it’s definitely warm enough.”

Lessa waved her hand, and suddenly everyone had food and Kerrin a glass of blood.

Xavier looked up startled, “Damn, woman, warn someone before you go doing that. And how the hell did you do that?”

Lessa looked at him and shrugged. “I have no idea how I did it. I just thought we should eat before we rest. It’s been a long evening-time and I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m hungry.”

“Well, I’ve never seen anyone just conjure a group meal directly into the person’s hands. Damn, you’re scary, you know that. I’m glad you’re on our side,” he continued as he dug into the food.

Once everyone had eaten, Lessa once again waved her hand and all the plates disappeared. “You’re enjoying your new power, aren’t you, little one?” Xavier asked with a smile.

“Yes, in fact I am. It’s nice to know I’m not helpless any more.”

“You were never helpless, my love, you’ve always had great strength when you needed it,” Kerrin said.

“Is that why Lornus was able to kill me so easily?”

“No, Lornus killed you because you trusted him, not because you were powerless.” Kerrin answered as he put his arm around her and drew her to him. Leaning back against the wall, he eased Lessa down so she was sleeping on his lap.

Everyone else followed suit, soon the group was asleep.

It was two hours to dusk-time when Telaan awoke. He looked around and found everyone soundly asleep. Kerrin wouldn’t rise as long as the sun was up, and he doubted the others would either. The plan had been to wait until full evening-time and then they would all go in together. Or at least, that’s what he’d led them to believe the plan was. The plan had actually been exactly what he was doing. He was going in alone.

Many Times of Change had taught him stealth. He rose and moved from the area by slightly levitating from the ground. He made no sound walking because he did not walk. As he suspected, the wall once again opened as he passed through, only this time to his surprise, it didn’t close behind him. He moved back towards it, but still, it remained opened.

It didn’t matter, he’d have the casque and then he could bring it to Adrostos before the others woke. One short turn brought him to a door. Reaching for the handle, he opened it only to find the back of a tapestry in his path. Emerging from behind it, he stopped and looked around the room. Nothing. He hated to do it, but he knew he was going to have to let the Shadow back into his soul, he certainly hoped he’d be able to remove it one more time. Perhaps he should have waited for the others, but no, he couldn’t do that. He couldn’t subject them to his state when he was gripped by the Shadow.

He was almost across the room when a light flashed beside him and Pele appeared. “Ah, big brother, I knew you’d trip my ward when you showed up.”

“How did you get here?”

“I just teleported in, didn’t you see?”

“Yes, but how, only those who serve Medea can teleport here. Oh, yes, I see. Does Eris know you’ve turned sides?”

“That weak ass bitch? No she’s too blind to know, and too stupid to ever figure it out.”

“You believe Eris is stupid?”

“As a brick.”

Eris was many things, but stupid was not one of them. Suddenly Telaan had a very bad feeling about everything, and he understood now why Eris had sent him and the others rather than coming herself. She could have come, after seeing her private entrance, he understood that. But he also knew she was fully aware of her daughter’s treachery and had used her to destroy the others. Or perhaps she’d sent Telaan to destroy Pele. Whatever her plan, she’d set it in motion and played them all to perfection.

He was just happy he’d left the others behind.

A noise distracted them from their stare-down and he was gripped by a dehabiliting fear as Pele leapt across the room and grabbed Nanda by the arm.

“No!” He lunged for them, but stopped short as a long katana appeared in Pele’s hand and quickly found its way to Nanda’s beautiful white neck. A small trickle of blood formed under the blade where Pele pressed.

“The casque, brother, now or I take her head.”

“Why can’t you get it the same way I can?”

“Because there’s something different in the wording of your mark than mine.”

“You are not Child of the Shadow?”

“No, I’m Spawn of the Shadow. That does not entitle me to the same privileges you have.”

“Ah, so Eris has never trusted you?”

“Not since I killed my father, no.” She shook her head. “I didn’t realize it was a test.”

“I see, if you’d kill your father without hesitation, then you’d also kill Eris the same way. When did she change the wording on your mark?”

“That night. I wasn’t aware of it until recently.”

A movement behind Pele caught his eye and he saw Xavier slowly approaching Pele from behind. Talking, I have to keep her talking.

“Ah, so perhaps Eris is not so stupid after all.”

“Fear is not intelligence. Any animal understands fear.”

Xavier was behind Pele, almost ready to strike. Magique would do him no good here, but he was bigger and stronger, if he could take her unaware, then he’d have a chance. Kerrin appeared behind Xavier, but the sun hadn’t set and he couldn’t move with the strength and power of his kind.

“To hell with this,” Pele said grabbing the blade with both hands and pulled back and across at the same time. Blood flowed without hesitation from Nanda’s neck. Xavier landed on top of Pele, loosening her grip on Nanda as he grabbed the sword and tossed it across the room.

“No!” Telaan cried as he fell to his knees. He became consumed with the pain Nanda felt as the blade sliced through her neck, their connection tying him to her death. He fought blacking out from the pain through sheer determination, but he couldn’t move; he could only watch, helpless, as his reason to live crumpled to the hard marble floor.

He glared at Pele. She smiled at him despite the fact Xavier and Kerrin had her pinned to the floor. “Good-bye big brother. We will get another chance.” And she disappeared in the same flash of light she’d entered with.

Suddenly the room was full of activity, but Telaan could register none, all he felt was anger burning in him and the onset of the Shadow filling him. Words flowed around him, but his understanding of them was quickly fading.

“No! Nanda! We must get her to my father.”

“No, little one, it’d do no good. We can’t reach your father within the appropriate timeframe and she has already lost too much blood. Pele’s blade was sharp and she filled it with the force of hatred.”

The cloud penetrated Telaan’s vision, and he knew nothing but the power of the Shadow. He turned from Nanda, determined that her death would not be in vain. He looked around the room and found it. A small hole in the wall where the casque was kept. He pulled it from its resting place and turned. Still blinded by the red cloud of rage that surrounded him, he felt the casque being removed from his hands, soon followed by the soft quiet voice of the Chandra Elf.

Slowly, ever so slowly in the wake of the man’s words the cloud of hate disappeared and he found himself once more huddled and shivering on the floor. Pain of loss absorbed him as he looked at Nanda surrounded by her friends. Hatred for what he was consumed him. He didn’t even have the strength to be by her side as she died.

Part 11 The Kiseren Tear

Part 9 – Kumara

2012-01-06T19:58:00.005-05:00

Telaan, Adrostos and Nanda had been walking for two turnings and Kumara was finally in sight. The traveling had been long and hard, the inns they’d stayed in cheap and filthy. This was not a territory of Neith that anyone wanted to visit. Telaan had heard tales over the years of people who’d ventured to other continents on Dagon and the few who returned had compared them to Kumara. It was no wonder that Neith was the only fully populated continent of Dagon. In fact it was common of the less informed to refer to Neith as all of Dagon because so very, very few people knew of anything beyond its shores and only a small portion of the ocean surrounding it.

Telaan looked at Nanda who was struggling to keep up. They should have left her behind in Cronus where she could have returned to Acantha and her parents, but she’d refused, and for the first time he’d seen the really stubborn side of her. Now, he was sure, she most likely wished she’d taken him up on his offer. He stopped and squeezed her hand, she smiled at him.

The Chandra Elf was keeping pace without problem. Like himself, he had traveled far and wide of Neith.

“I was able to gather talking with the innkeeper at our last stop that Medea has claimed this home as her own,” Telaan said. “A fact Eris conveniently forgot to mention. Although it does explain her cryptic comment that Medea knew nothing about the entrance.”

“How was Eris able to place the casque within it?” Adrostos asked.

“She bound Ghalt while she was still Supreme Ruler.”

“Then he is far older than I believed.”

“Yes, it was shortly before Eris took human form, I believe she had planned to use him as some sort of a bodyguard.”

“Well, from the looks of things, he didn’t do a very good job,” Nanda said.

“No, thankfully he didn’t or Medea wouldn’t have defeated her and I would just be another Pele.”

“Come, dusk-time is coming to an end, we must be to Kumara shortly thereafter,” Adrostos said.

Telaan turned to move forward when the air around them shimmered and Lessa, Kerrin and Xavier appeared in front of him.

“Shit!” Xavier said as he fully formed.

“Damn, we should have waited five minutes.” Kerrin said, covering his eyes.

“I never thought there might be a time difference since Father said we had to leave. Sorry.” Lessa said, waving her hand and handing a bottle to Kerrin.

He took it from her and then looked at her, “You can conjure this?”

“I can now.” When he started to ask, she said, “Later, after we reach… Where are we going?”

Telaan looked at her; there was something very different about her. He could see it, a slight pulsing around her.

“I see it, too,” Adrostos said, “You have the power of the Spirit-Touched.”

She looked at him, “How do you know?”

“Chandra and Silvanus Elves have always been Spirit-Touched, we see it in others.”

“Yes, that’s what my mother said.”

“Welcome back Kerrin. It’s nice to see you’re still in one piece, more or less by the blood I see seeping through the back of your shirt. It only hurts when you move, I promise.” Telaan could almost feel the poor vampire’s pain, his own beatings having been too recent to forget. Dusk-time past and evening-time arrive as he continued, “We’re going to Kumara, just over this ridge. Why didn’t we see it before?” he asked Lessa, returning to the earlier conversation.

Lessa took Kerrin’s free hand and started walking saying, “My mother has released my abilities.”

“Okay, that’s interesting,” Xavier said as he fell in step with Adrostos. “I seem to have missed something while we were at your parents.

Kerrin couldn’t see it, but he felt it. Lessa’s hand in his vibrated with warmth and power. She looked at him and smiled as they made their way over the old worn road towards the buildings on the horizon.

He was still weak from Silanos’ whipping, but the blood both Master Wizard and Lessa had given him had helped. Being a vampire certainly had its advantages as well as disadvantages.

“I’m so glad to see you,” Lessa said turning to face forward.

“Not half as glad as I am to see you. How did you find me?”

“I didn’t, not really. I knew Silanos had you, and I knew you were in Morana, but I thought you were at his house. We didn’t find anyone there except the servants; apparently Silanos hadn’t been around in seasons. I found my Father, he’s a better seer, he found you.”

“But they gave you back what they took from you, how? I thought a memory erase spell did just that.”

“Oh, Father didn’t erase my memory that was the problem; he merely suppressed my memories of you, that’s why I kept having random flashbacks that didn’t make any sense.”

“But you remember every night?”

She smiled. “Yes.”

He squeezed her hand and looked forward. “Good.”

“This looks just like the last five villages we’ve past,” Nanda said. “Are you sure this is Kumara?”

Telaan chuckled. “Yes, I’m sure. Not because it looks different, but because that building says, ‘Kumara Potions.’”

Nanda laughed. “So it does.”

They passed the building and turned into the one next to it with a sign that merely said, “Inn.”

Telaan looked at Kerrin and said, “We had planned to rest for the evening-time, and begin in the morning-time, but now, we’ll rest until next evening-time, which after what we’ve been through and you too, apparently since you look like shit, is probably best.”

“First, a drink and some planning, I think,” Xavier said. “Fill us in on what you found out from Eris and where we’re going and where the hell we are.”

***

As the door closed behind them, Lessa couldn’t believe how nervous she was. Yes, she remembered her nights with Kerrin that lasted many Seasons, but remembering and being behind closed doors with him now were two different things.

“Lessa, I’m not going to bite.”

Her eyes widened and she started to giggle. Whether from the ridiculous look on his face as he realized what he said, or the nerves, or a combination of both, she didn’t know.

“Hum, are you sure?” she asked, pushing the nerves aside and taking a step toward him.

“What?”

His expression was so lost and confused she put her arms around his neck and kissed him, hard. “I’m teasing, my love. You don’t have to bite me; I’ve been informed by my parents that I will live for many Times of Change. In fact, Mother says I have the life expectancy of the Elven people. But I don’t think she really knows how long I’ll live.”

Finally, his expression changed from confusion, and he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. “Are you offering to spend your lifetime with me?”

“Yes.”

He pulled back and looked at her closely, trying to read her. “Are you sure, Lessa? I don’t want to force or push you into anything. At the moment, everything is so new. Just a few short turnings past you weren’t sure.”

She reached up and touched his face, his cool skin feeling warm under her hand. “I’m sure. Even without my memories, I knew from the moment you didn’t return that I love you. Now and always. I don’t need my memories to know what’s in my heart, now, today, this moment.”

“Spirits, Lessa, how I called upon kader to have you returned to me. Only to not really have you when you came back to me.”

“I’m here now, and for many Times of Change to come, so you better get used to me.”

“There is no getting used to you, there’s nothing more I need in my life than you as my life’s companion, for the very long life we have to share.”

He kissed her long and hard and somewhere in the midst of the kiss she felt her feet rising from the floor, and soon felt the soft bed beneath her back as he laid her gently on the soft covers. She wished they were undressed.

“Hum, that’s the best piece of magique I’ve ever seen,” Kerrin whispered as she realized her wish had come true.

Laughing, Lessa pulled him forward, kissing him knowing she’d never get enough of him. Kerrin groaned as she lost herself in him.

***

Telaan was sinking into Nada, drowning in her love and generosity. He didn’t deserve her. He didn’t have enough to give of himself. Too much of himself was dried up and unsalvageable. He wanted to love her, Spirits knew he wanted to give back all she gave and more, but even with Aglaea’s teaching he would never totally belong to the Sundara Spirits. That he’d finally realized standing in Eris’ office. He was “The Child of the Shadow,” as was embedded in his skin next to Eris’ mark, and he’d never be able to achieve any other status, no matter how much he loved or tried.

His kiss grew desperate as he reached his final conclusion, his final decision. When they finished, he’d leave her, just like he’d ever left anything else that became too important to him. He just was not the man everyone wanted him to be.

He couldn’t be.

“Telaan, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, my love,” and to prove it to her if not himself, he pulled her closer and kissed her even more thoroughly than before.

He carried her to the bed, knowing this would most likely be their last night together, and since they didn’t have to continue the journey until the next evening-time, he would love her for as long as this evening-time and beyond lasted.

Lying next to her, he had to try one last time to make her see reason. Stroking the soft, golden strands of hair away from her cheek, he said, “Can’t I make you see reason? Going forward only puts you in needless danger.”

“No, I will not wait here for you. My friends risked their lives to rescue me; I will not abandon them when they need all the strength in numbers they can get.”

“That’s just the point, they did risk their lives to save you and now you want to put that self-same life in jeopardy. Is that fair to them?” To me, but he didn’t add that.

“Telaan you’re making more out of this than necessary. The plan is sound, the way in is protected, we’ll be in and out before anyone knows any different.”

“Ah, my love, you are too trusting. Do you really believe Eris, that the way in is safe?”

“No, I don’t trust Eris, but I also don’t believe she’d sacrifice you to Medea. What I do believe about Eris is that she’d use us to do work she didn’t want to or couldn’t do herself. If getting us in safely brings success to her plan whatever it is, then we will get in and out safely.”

He smiled, “Ever so practical, my golden one, you win, for now.”

This was their last night together; he didn’t want to spend it arguing. She was right, Eris would keep them safe because she wanted something, and only because she wanted something.

He tugged at her dress wanting to feel as close to her as possible this one last time. He’d see her and the others returned to Vijaya and then he’d once again move on, stopping when he found someplace to belong for a short while. Only this time, he’d be leaving his heart in Vijaya.

Part 10 The Casque

Guardian's Key - The End Text Only

2012-01-06T19:58:00.004-05:00

If you saw my post over at Fate's Ribbon you saw that I have a non-Sims manuscript I'm working hard to get completed and turned in. Unfortunately, that is taking far more time than I ever anticipated, so as a result, I just have not been able to even think about finishing this story. But that hasn't stopped the guilty feelings I have about leaving everyone high and dry. I've been dragging this story out for more years than I even care to contemplate and it's time for that to stop.

Just so you know, I have every intention of completing this evenutally as a Sims story, however, in the meantime, I'm posting my text file of the ending of the Guardian's Key. If you want to wait for for the Sims version, you're more than welcome to, but I can't guarantee when that will be. What I can promise is that it will be more polished than what I'm going to post in the text version. This is what I presently have on my computer. It hasn't been proofed very well, there's a good chance there are grammatical as well as spelling errors. I'm also, unfortunately, good at misspelling my own charachters' names and I'll often find I have "day" instead of "turning". However, if you don't mind the writing warts, then read on.

Part 8 Morana Part IV

“Son-of-a-bitch,” Xavier said under his breath.

“Yes, that would most definitely define Silanos Garnaych.” Azrael said.

There was no need to be quiet as they entered the building calling Kerrin’s name.

A muffled sound came from a room in the back, and when they reached it, there was a wood plank sealed over a hole in the floor.

“Kerrin! Are you down there?” Lessa’s voice broke as the tears started to flow, she could feel his pain and hunger, even greater than the last time. Their minds had connected again, and this time, no one was going to rip it from her.

“Son of a bitch, Lessa, go away! Silanos is looking for you, don’t make it easy for him. He’ll kill you, you must go away,” his voice was weak, but the fear overrode every other emotion. Fear for her was all she could feel from him.

“She’s not alone, Vampire, I wouldn’t leave her alone. Now stand away from the panel or you’ll get a mouthful of dirt. Although I know you’re hungry, you won’t find the dirt as satisfying as blood.”

Kerrin laughed a broken harsh sound, “The only fucking blood I’m going to find satisfying anytime soon is that bastard Garnaych’s. Don’t worry, I’m nowhere near where you’re calling from. I don’t see anything in the ceiling. But then, I don’t see anything, period.”

“Oh, Spirits.” Leassa breathed. He was blinded. He didn’t sound right. Something in his voice had changed and she feared the man she loved would remain forever changed thanks to Sianos Garnaych’s treatment of him.

“I’m afraid there are other more pressing matters that must be handled, my son, you’ll have to wait, but I promise Garnaych will pay, only this is not the time. You will have what you seek, and yes, it will be by your hand.”

“Master Wizard?”

“Yes, my son. Now Xavier, the longer we’re here the longer we and your friends who are traveling in the south are in danger.”

Xavier and Azrael lifted the panel and Thalia turned to Lessa, gently wrapping her arm around her shoulder.

Azrael released a magic ball of light into the hole, and once he could see where he was going, teleported down. Lessa looked over the edge, the distance was so great she knew teleporting was the only way in and out of the hole. Her parents were right, Kerrin would have been left there for eternity to slowly go mad.

I seemed to take forever before her father finally returned, holding a slumping Kerrin in his arms. Lessa closed her eyes and gave thanks to the Guiding Mother that they’d not only found him, but that despite his injuries, he was still whole. She opened her eyes as Kerrin crumpled to the floor at her feet.
Lessa fell next to him, holding him close, trying to give him all her strength.

“Move away Lessa, you’re going to be covered in blood,” he snarled at her. She looked at him, he’d never spoken harshly to her ever. Silanos had damaged him in ways that left no outward marks on him.

She refused to be pushed away, or bullied. He was just going to have to learn to deal with the after affects of his capture, and her love for him. “Do you think I care? Why are you still bleeding, shouldn’t you have healed?”

“Couldn’t afford to sleep. If Garynach returned during the non-evening-time he wouldn’t have expected me to be strong enough to fight him. Fortunately, they released me last evening-time.” He shook his head, looking confused. “I don’t know why, but it was the break I was looking for. I just needed him to feel confident to stand close to me again. I would have grabbed him him before his Warlock could fucking blast me again, and drain him of blood before I broke his damn neck. Then I would have attacked the kid who thought he was a strong Warlock, if he hadn’t run away. Unfortunately, the bastard left here last evening-time and not returned after removing the chains. Guess he just thought to leave me here to suffer.” Suddenly his eyes changed the blue almost glowing as hatred swept over him. “Someday he’ll suffer and eventually I might think about killing him, but not until he begs me to do it.”

Her father reached in his jacket and handed him a bottle of blood. “Here, son, drink.”

Kerrin reached for it, and drank. Watching him, holding him, Lessa finally understood. Now that her mind was clear and her memories restored, she knew she’d never stopped loving him; confusion had clouded everything, including faith in herself and her feelings.

Kerrin finished the bottle and sat it on the floor, saying, “Thank you, Master Wizard.”

Xavier reached for him and helped him up. “Well, Vampire, you sure do know how to get yourself in a shitload of trouble.” He held out his hand and a shirt appeared which he handed to Kerrin.

“That was one breath of air I wish I hadn’t taken,” he answered with a weak smile as Lessa rose to stand beside him while he pulled on the shirt and buttoned it with shaky hands, grunting as the fabric rubbed against the raw welts against his back. He was too weak from loss of blood and sleep to heal properly; she remembered that from their encounter with Ghalt.

She was nervous and scared, especially after what she’d said to send him for that breath of air. She fought around in her turbulent mind to come up with something to say. Lost, all she could think to do was slip her hand in his and hold onto him. Kerrin looked down at her with eyes full of confusion and love. He was too tired and weak to hide either of the emotions like she knew he had been for so terribly long.

“Come everyone, let’s give these two a moment, I think they need it,” her mother said leading everyone out.

She looked down, what the hell was she supposed to say?

“Okay, that’s interesting, why did they just do that?”

“Because Father gave me back my memories,” she said softly. Would he still love her as much as he had, as much as she did now? Everything that had happened to him had been because of her.

“And?” She barely heard the question, he’d asked so quietly.

“I-I don’t know,” she looked into his blue eyes filled with a touch of hope. She released the breath she was holding, hope blooming in her own tight chest.

“Is that a start?” he asked softly, he too was afraid this was a fragile thing that would disappear with a puff of smoke. She had to prove to him it wasn’t that he was hers and she was his.

Never taking her eyes from his, she cupped his face kissing him. “Yes,” she whispered, her lips brushing his, savoring the taste and feel of him.

He pulled her toward him and buried his face in her hair. She held on tight, all their nights together rushing toward her. She’d never stopped loving him, and given time, she would have loved him again. Even more, which she did now.

Her father entered the room, “I’m sorry to break this up, but if you’re up to leaving Kerrin, your friends have reached the point where it’s imperative you leave now.”

“We’re not teleporting, I have a charm,” Lessa held up Adrostos’ pendent.

“That will not serve you after this point, powerful as the charm is. You must all go now, without you, they will fail.”

Kerrin pulled back and held out his hand and she joined hers with his. “I’m ready.”

They joined up with Xavier and Lessa linked arms with Xavier saying “Adrostos.”

Part 9 Kumara

Early Spring - M-1893, Part 8 – Morana (III)

2011-11-27T17:21:00.003-05:00

Guardian's Key

Part 8

Morana

III

Xavier stood. “If you’ll excuse me, it’s been a long day, and I’d like to stretch my legs before we go out.”

Azrael smiled and led the way to the door. “I believe you’ll find the garden a very peaceful place to take a stroll.”

Xavier nodded in thanks and softly closed the door behind him as Azrael returned to his seat next to Lessa's mother.

Thalia smiled as she spoke softly, picking up the topic of Lessa's heritage. “My mother was a Spirit of Light in the court of the Guiding Queen. She came to the lands as all Spirits must once every Time of Change and met my father. They fell in love. She returned to the Guiding Queen and asked for release. It was granted, she became human retaining much of her magique and abilities. When a family is Spirit-Touched, they are very powerful, and have the lifespan of Elven people, as all Elven people are born of the Spirit Silvanus or Chandra.”

“So, that’s why you remain so young?” Lessa asked.

“That’s why I remain young, although I have only seen one Time of Change. Your father remains young because I have the ability to create essence of life.”

Lessa nodded, trying to take in everything she was hearing while still trying to deal with the feelings getting her memory back had brought.

“Your father has given you your memories, and I’ve released your abilities, Lassirra. I so wish I had time to teach you the way of the Spirit-Touched, but I don’t. We must release Kerrin from Silanos’ hold and then you must join your friends, they’ll need you three to keep everyone safe.”

“And even that may not be enough,” her father said, sadness filling his eyes.

A spike of fear passed through Lessa. “Why won’t it be enough?”

“I can’t say and, frankly, I don’t know. I can see the future. You can’t your ability is still too new, too young, but I can’t always be sure what I see is what will come to pass. The future is mercurial, the choices of today will change the outcome of tomorrow.”

Lessa nodded, she still hated her father’s circular answers, but she was beginning to understand them. “Then tell me what I must know. Now before evening-time arrives.”

Her mother took up the explanation. “We tried and succeeded for a long time in not having children that would coincide with the birth of a Garnaych child. We were attempting to stop the continuation of tradition. But you, my love, were an accident, and unfortunately coincided with the birth of Lornus.”

When Thalia hesitated her father continued. “Since the beginning, nothing could be done without risking the life of the descendant and that of their child. But along the way, measures were developed that prevented the Orisso child from passing magique into the Garnaych family.”

“How?” Lessa wasn’t sure if she was happy to finally know what the hell was happening or still angry because it’d all been kept from her. She understood the need to suppress her abilities, but they could have explained her history, who she was, she couldn’t see where that would have made a difference. She wasn’t a child, she would have understood the need to prevent passing her magique on. She could have done her own part to see it never happened if she’d only understood.

“By the time the first Time of Change passed, it’d become apparent the Garnaych family had moved deeper into the realm of the Shadow and had become Shadow Followers.” Azrael continued. “They had some power, but for whatever reason, it developed stronger within the Orisso family who had followed the way of the ancestors and embraced the teachings of Sundara. There was nothing our family could do to prevent the tradition from continuing forward, it was a pact made with blood and magique; but there were ways found to prevent the passing of Sundara magique to the Garnaych heir. No matter how powerful the child of Orisso may have grown to be, it was suppressed from birth and soon magique completely died from the Garnaych family. Eventually after years of being joined, even the Orisso child lost her magique.”

”However, with the death of Lornus by an outsider prior to joining, the tradition was broken with blood and Azrael added the magique. Now it will never be again.” Thalia picked up the explanation. “Kerrin has saved us from a tradition that has been killing us slowly over the years. You, however, were such a different matter altogether. You were the first to be Spirit-Touched and we were so afraid your power could not be suppressed. In fact it could only be lessened. You are, my child, so much stronger than your brothers. I have now returned to you every power you have a right to by birth. You will learn, and when time permits, we will help you with it, but until then, be aware that you will not always understand how you do what you do.”

Lessa nodded, but her father spoke before she could, “As for being a seer, that you get from me. For now your ability is that of a child, but eventually it, too, will grow and develop. Don’t be afraid to use it, now or in the future.”

Xavier entered from the foyer, stopping short in the doorway, apparently trying to decide if he should return, or continue stretching his legs.

Her father rose pointing to the chair Xavier had occupied earlier. “Xavier, come my son, sit, we’ll be eating soon as we must leave the moment evening-time arrives.”

“About damn time,” Xavier said as he sat accepting the drink her father offered him.

***

They were leaving the house just as the sun fully set and evening-time arrived. They all had directions to Silanos’ abandoned warehouse on the edge of town. Lessa had been correct, Kerrin was in Morana, but now she understood, she’d assumed he was at the Garnaych home. If she’d have taken the time to reason it out, or look farther into the vision, she would have understood exactly where he was. Her father had spent what small amount of time they had while eating explaining some things that could aid her in understanding her visions and taking them farther, making them more useful.

The area was deserted when they appeared just outside the old warehouse. If the place wasn't depressing and gloomy enough on its own, the steady rain that had threatened earlier finally began coming down. “No one ever comes here anymore. The Garnaych family abandoned this warehouse fifty years ago when it was no longer profitable to run it.” Azrael said.

“That’s why Kerrin’s here, he’s been left to die,” Lessa’s voice broke, she was no longer able to control her feelings of panic. The moment she’d seen the building, she’d been surrounded with a feeling of desperation so intense she wasn’t sure if it was hers or Kerrin’s, most likely both mingling to form a wave of fear in her.

“No, my child,” Thalia said. “He’s been left to suffer for eternity. He won’t die of starvation, but he has no way out. It’s quite possible over time he’d go mad. Silanos won’t be merciful and kill him, he would see that as an act of kindness, and in light of the death of Lornus, he has no kindness.”

“Not that he ever had.” Azrael added.

Part 8 Morana II

Part 8 Morana IV

(Coming Soon)

Early Spring - M-1893, Part 8 – Morana (II)

2011-10-17T17:05:00.001-04:00

Guardian's Key

Part 8

Morana

(Note: When A Vampire’s Tale was written it was never intended to be more than a short story explaining how Kerrin arrived in the Sea of Moons and his sad tale of loss. However, before I was even finished posting it at the Sims2Community Forum, I realized I didn’t want to see Lassirra die. As a result, their story changed and morphed but never with any plans beyond any given point. So, in order to bring all those bits and pieces into a viable conclusion, I’ve had to bend and twist things. Hopefully this doesn’t appear to be too contrived, but working with what was and making it fit into what is to be can be tricky. Also, when I finished A Vampire’s Tale, I deleted the neighborhood as well as the characters I used - including Lassirra’s father. So, if he looks different - he is. He looks much better actually. -Lachesis)

It’d taken two turnings, but finally they stood outside one of the Master Wizard’s hidden homes and Lessa knew he and her mother were here. “About time,” she said as she started walking, moving faster the closer she got to the house.

“Fuck, he does know how to hide himself, doesn’t he?” Xavier said as he matched his long-legged stride to her shorter one.

“Yes, and now that I’m here, I have a very strong feeling they’ve been hiding from me, and that just pisses me off even more than I already am.” She’d suspected all along that her father had hidden their whereabouts, and now she knew for sure. Damn him, he knew exactly what she wanted, and he was avoiding her.

Anger flowed through her as she opened the door and led the way in. She’d expected to have to search the house for them, but instead they both stood just inside the door as though she and Xavier were invited guests.

“Welcome Daughter, Xavier Quaendis,” her father said as he came forward and kissed her on the cheek before shaking Xavier’s hand.

Lessa stared at him, amazed by his attitude. She opened her mouth to unleash just how damned pissed she was when extreme pain radiated down her back. Falling to her knees, her back burning as she slammed into the hard floor, she fought to retain consciousness.

“Lassirra!” her mother cried as Lessa felt her soft loving hands on her arms. “Quick, she’s reached Kerrin’s mind and is joining with him, we must get her clear. The Vampire can take this pain, she cannot.” She’d never heard such panic from her mother, but she couldn’t comprehend it as another wave of fire shot through her, taking her breath.

She felt Xavier pick her up, the pain increasing as Kerrin was struck once more with what she hoped was only a whip, but suspected it was something much more deadly and damaging.

“Oh!” She clamped her teeth together to keep from shouting again and alarming her mother even more. She’d been reaching for Kerrin’s mind since she’d felt him two turnings past. She hadn’t believed she’d actually connect, but had hoped she would.

She bit her lip to keep from making a sound as Xavier carried her as carefully as he could up the stairs and gently laid her down. The soft bed was too much to bear, and she rolled to her side trying to ease the pain. What the hell was Silanos doing to him? Tears flowed as she thought of the pain the man was enduring because he’d dared to love her. She needed to stay with him, pain and all. As long as she could feel him, she knew he was alive.

Her mother appeared before her, kneeling next to the bed. It’d been years since she had comforted her, and Lessa reached for that comfort with all her might. Never had she needed it more than she did now.

Softly, her mother’s voice sounded like a lullaby as she chanted in the ancient language. “Break this connection, and bring forth the blessings of the Sundara to cover and protect them both.”

As suddenly as it came, the pain left. “No! I can’t feel him any more.”

“It’s all right, my daughter. Your father and I will see what we can find out about Kerrin, he’s a good man who deserves our protection and help. You, however, must rest.”

Lessa wanted to protest, so much she wanted to protest, but her mother put her hand on her forehead, as she’d done so many times when Lessa was young, and the world faded away into a dreamless sleep.

***

Lessa looked at the familiar bedside clock, four in the afternoon-time. She’d slept far too many hours, but she felt refreshed, and her back no longer hurt. She only hoped Kerrin was as pain free as she was, but she knew that was not the case. Her mother had blocked her connection with him, but not before she’d felt the gnawing hunger and knew he hadn’t fed in many hours. Being whipped had only caused him to lose blood and strength more rapidly. She tried once more to reach out to him, to feel him, but there was nothing. Her mother had very effectively separated them. Damn, if only she could connect again, she’d be able to sooth him now that she understood, she just knew it.

They had to reach him soon, she had no idea if a vampire could starve to death or not, but she didn’t want to take any chances. Walking to the wardrobe, she chose a dress and headed for the bathroom.

Fifteen minutes later she was walking down the stairs, clean and refreshed. Her parents’ quiet voices reached her from the parlor. She entered just as her mother said, “Azrael, you must remove your spell. There’s no longer any reason for it, and she’s in more pain as a result of it than she would have been had you not placed it on her in the first place. I told you at the time it wasn’t a good idea.”

“Yes, Thalia my love, I’m perfectly aware that the time has come to remove it. She was so terribly unhappy; I felt I had to do something.” Azrael Orisso’s voice was deep and soothing. A voice that had told Lessa many happy stories as a child, and soothed many child-year hurts.

Thalia smiled and took his hand, “You’ve always been too worried about her. She’s stronger than you’ve ever believed.”

“I’m beginning to realize that.”

Lessa entered the room and said, “Yes, Father, it is time you remove your spell, if you can.” Anger laced every syllable.

He rose moving forward and took her hand, ignoring her efforts to avoid him. “Lassirra, my dear child, you were in such pain, I just couldn’t bear it.”

“No Father, whatever pain I was in, can’t compare with what I’ve been going through since I met Kerrin. Please, you must allow me to deal with my pain. It’s mine to bear and not your choice to remove.”

“You’re right, my Daughter, it was wrong of me to hide those memories as they could have offered you comfort over time. However, I didn’t remove them, I merely suppressed them. Removing memories can be very dangerous, even for me. It’s very possible you would have remembered over time, you have been, in fact, haven’t you?”

“Yes, but not fast enough to suit me.”

He chuckled, “Yes, my Daughter, you’ve always been most impatient.” He placed his hand on her forehead. With a few softly spoken words suddenly every moment of her time with Kerrin returned, even the night of her death.

“You removed theses memories because I said I’d rather die than live without him.”

“Yes, my Daughter, you had been through so much.”

“Azrael, she should have been able to live with those memories. She would not have died because of them. It’s life experiences that make us stronger, and since she has Times of Change ahead of her, she needs to grow stronger.” Her mother said softly from her place on the sofa.

Lessa turned and stared at her mother, “Times of Change?”

“Yes, my darling, you are Spirit-Touched. You don’t know what that is because you’ve never been taught the ways of it.”

“Why, why have I always been left in the dark about myself and my heritage? Why are you and Father still so young, even though I know Father should be in his Elder years?”

Her father spoke, “Sit my Daughter, it’s time you learn what we should have told you two years ago; but so much had happened, and so much was soon to happen that it was best to get you packed off to Acantha as soon as possible and for us to hide. Then when we found you’d moved to Mist Hollow that was even safer than Acantha.”

“We should have realized you’d meet up with Kerrin sooner or later, but we just couldn’t take the chance to come to you or for you to come to us, so we just had to trust in the Spirits to keep you safe,” her mother finished.

“You’re involved with the Guidance.” It wasn't a question, she didn't need to ask. It only made sense that her parents wouldn't sit back and let the Guidance destroy Neith.

“Yes, as much as Nanda's mother, Neasa, perhaps more,” Azrael said. “But we must hurry if we’re to get to Kerrin in time. I do know where he is, but we can’t go to him until full evening-time, he’s too weak to be able to handle even the smallest amount of sunlight, so that gives us just enough time to explain a small portion of what you need to learn.”

Lessa sat and said, “Please do.”

Neith

Part 8 Morana III

Neith

2011-09-24T17:34:00.002-04:00

Guardian's Key

Somewhere in Neith...

Kerrin hissed, his lips curling away from his teeth.

“Hissing at me isn’t going to make any difference, vampire filth. You have no power here.” Silanos Garnaych said in a calm voice that sounded like he was entertaining guests in his parlor not torturing another being.

The smell of blood and his extreme hunger were causing Kerrin’s fangs to extend to their full length. He had no idea how long he’d been locked in this pit, but he didn’t think it was nearly as long as it felt. The whippings had escalated his hunger and the darkness, broken only when he had visitors, was messing with his sense of time.

The Warlock who’d brought Garnaych into the pit, released the magique he’d been building between his hands. The bolt struck Kerrin’s side, skin split, muscle tore and two of his ribs broke. Pain vibrated through him. He hissed and growled, instinctively lunging toward the source of his agony, nearly ripping his arms off trying to break the enchanted chains attached to the ceiling. The blood streaming down his side was hot against his rapidly chilling skin. It wouldn’t be much longer before he passed out and this turning’s torture session would come to an end. Only to start up again after he’d had a chance to heal.

With every passing minute, he was slipping further into the darkness he’d spent a lifetime fighting. Soon, the part of his father he always carried with him was going to overtake him and he knew he’d never find his way back from the abyss. Only the memory of Lessa’s sweet face was keeping him together. She was his sanity, the one piece of him that couldn’t be corrupted. But he feared that soon his vampire nature and his father’s legacy would win over even Lessa. He was growing weaker, his resistance failing bit by bit.

“I’ve always wondered how long your bastard diseased race could live without sucking the life out of others.” Garnaych continued in a conversational tone. “I should know soon. You’re starting to weaken, a couple of more turnings and I will see you crawling on the ground like the vermin you are.”

Fury gripped him and for the first time in his life, Kerrin embraced it. To hell with humanity, there was no humanity here. “Fuck you, old man. At least your son had the balls to come at me like a man. Straight on, sword held high. He didn’t hide behind Warlocks and spells. You’re just a piece of washed up dragon shit and I have no intention of ever letting you win.”

“Big talk, vampire trash. No coffin, no blood to replace what you’re losing, you’ll be begging me to cut off your head. After I cut off your balls and feed them to you.”

Kerrin laughed, he forced it to be stronger than he felt, he refused to show weakness of any kind to this coward. “You’d have to grow some of your own before you’d get close enough to me to try to remove mine.”

“Don’t worry, hachling, when the time comes I will be the one to cut out your dead heart. Lornus was an honorable man who was protecting his given right. When his chosen betrayed him, his course was true.”

To Kerrin’s surprise, the old man approached him, his bodyguards flanking him. It was more than he’d expect of Garynach, then again after that last blast from the Warlock, there wasn’t much Kerrin could do. Still the guards’ swords were raised to cut off his head at the slightest move on his part. Good, even chained and injured as he was, the old man was afraid of him.

“Soon I’ll find the Orisso whore and finish what my son began. I’ll be sure to cut off her head so no one, not even her cursed father, can ever bring her back. And I’ll have the added pleasure of making you watch. We’ll be sure to bring her to you before we do anything to her.”

Rage burned hot through him and Kerrin bit down on his bottom lip, letting blood flow into his mouth. When he had a mouthful, he spit it in the older man’s face. That was the only comment he’d let himself make to the asshole. Lessa would not let herself be killed so easily. Besides no one would leave her alone long enough for the bastard to get her. He trusted the people he’d left her with to keep her safe.

Wiping his face with a handkerchief he pulled from his coat pocket, Garynach said, “You might wish you’d conserved that bit of blood instead of wasting it on me.” He spun on his heel, walked to the Warlock and grabbed his arm. “That’s enough for now, we’ll let him bleed out a while before you break the ribs on the other side.”

The man disappeared with the Warlock, his bodyguards following behind, until all that was left was blackness. Kerrin clamped his mouth down, fangs digging into his lower lip, his mouth filling with blood. He would not scream as the man wanted him to, he would not give into the weakness. He would, however, hold onto the rage.

And the small amount of faith and belief he could still wrap around himself.

“Lessa’s safe, Xavier and the others will see to that. She’s strong, she will not let anyone hurt her again,” he whispered to himself. He must convince himself that she would be safe. There was no other way. If he didn’t, he’d lose everything.

He had to believe in Xavier, the man had proved himself time and time again to be their friend. Kerrin couldn’t protect her, not yet, but he would get out. And when he did, the Garynach dynasty would be destroyed from the head down, piece by fucking piece.

He’d continue to heal during the non-evening-time, something he shouldn’t be able to. While painful, his injuries weren’t nearly as debilitating as he’d led Silanos to believe so far.

Part 8 Morana I

Part 8 Morana II

Early Spring - M-1893, Part 8 – Morana (I)

2011-09-18T17:30:00.002-04:00

Guardian's Key

Part 8

Morana

“Is this the place, little one?”

“Yes, I only have problems with memories of Kerrin. Everything else concerning my life and my relationship with Lornus is very clear to me.” Try as she might, she just couldn’t keep the bitterness out of her voice. That her father had tampered with her memories for reasons she couldn’t begin to understand was really beginning to anger her.

“Hum, it’s about time you get pissed off about this. Your father had no right to remove your memories.”

“I most certainly agree, but my father is a gentle soul and I’m sure he had what he considered good reasons. I just wish he would have asked me first, that’s all.”

Xavier nodded and knocked on the door, which was opened shortly by a maid who looked like she was afraid of her own shadow. The mere knocking on the door must have caused her to jump.

“Is your master home?” Xavier asked.

The woman ignored Xavier, instead looking at Lessa she turned white. Too late, Lessa remembered she was supposed to be dead.

“Spirits help me,” the woman whispered, stepping back.

Before she could close the door in his face, Xavier stepped forward, “Fuck, woman, haven’t you ever heard of a Death Waker?”

If she heard Xavier, she didn’t give any indication. Still staring wide-eyed at Lessa she said, “Mr. Garnaych isn’t home, he hasn’t been home since Winter Season.”

“You lie, woman, he’s here.”

“No, there’s no one here but my life’s companion and myself.”

“We’ll just look for ourselves, shall we?” Xavier said walking forward.

The woman backed up, saying, “Please yourself, there’s no one here.”

Turning, she ran through a door, and they heard her clambering down stairs.

An hour later, they came back down the stairs after having searched every part of the house. Not only wasn’t there anyone home but the servants, there didn’t appear to be anywhere that matched what Lessa had seen in her vision.

Stepping outside, she said, “I was so sure he was in Morana.”

“Perhaps he was, but has been moved. What exactly do you see, little one?”

“Yes, that could explain it. I get feelings of things to come, impressions of emotions, but as to actually seeing, I only see what is presently happening. I see people and events I don’t know, and people I do know. It’s very strange, and I’m only learning how to use it. Until recently, I had to touch a person to get a sense of them, but since before Nanda went missing, it began to change, and I began having visions without touching anyone. But only visions of people I know who are in extreme situations.”

A thought suddenly occurred to her and she said, “I’ve also been seeing memories of my time with Kerrin. I’m only just understanding that, I thought they were visions, which would have meant I was seeing the future, but now I know they were memories.”

Softly, more to herself, she said, “I did love him, greatly.”

“And you still do, little one.” He took her arm and moved forward. “Come, we need to find him soon. What do you suggest?”

Pulling out of her thoughts, she said, “We need to find my father. Perhaps it’s not Silianos that’s here in Morana, but my father. I have a memory of the house here where I spent time with Kerrin. Why I remember that house is finally making sense, since I hadn’t been near it as far as I could remember since I was in my child years. I had to have stayed in the house if I ever met and fell in love with Kerrin. He’s said many times he hadn’t been out of Morana for a few Times of Change. Also, I somehow believe I moved there to be closer to Lornus’ family.”

“Now that sounds like fun. Hours spent with the Garnayches.” Xavier’s voice dripped with sarcasm.

“How I ever thought I could spend the rest of my life with them…” She couldn’t even finish the thought. “I’d rather be dead. It’s nice to know Lornus at least tried to give me that.”

Xavier snorted and shook his head, “Humor, good keep that, even if it’s black humor. You’ll need it to see yourself through however long it takes for us to find Kerrin.”

“It can’t take too long; I don’t know how much time he has left. I sense that he’s growing weaker every moment.”

“You can finally feel him then?”

Surprised she gave her last statement some thought, “Yes, I do. As soon as I left the house, I began to feel him, but nothing more. I have no idea where he is except that he must be somewhere close, not too many villages away. We must keep going, checking out everything we can think of.”

She took Xavier’s hand and teleported to the address of her father’s home. Shocked she looked around at nothing but a blank lot. The neighbor looked up from tending his flower beds for the Spring Season. Smiling he approached them. “Lassirra, it’s good to see you. I knew your father would have saved you, he’s a great Wizard.”

“Do you know what happened to my father’s home? Where he moved it to?”

“He didn’t move it, Lassirra, he destroyed it. He couldn’t bear that you had died in that home.”

“I died here?”

“Yes, oh my dear, you don’t remember? I’m sorry I told you, please forgive me.” He gave Xavier an apologetic look and returned to his flowerbeds.

Lessa stared at the empty lot and remembered the pain of every thrust of Lornus’ knife as it pierced her skin. Her father had not removed that memory, but he had lessened the strength of it, until she stood here in this spot staring at the place it happened. Suddenly, in a rush the full effect of the pain was clear, as was the softness of Kerrin’s touch as she died.

The world started to spin and just as she thought she was going to fall Xavier’s strong arms pulled her towards him. She let herself absorb his strength for only a moment before she said with complete conviction, “We have to find my father. He’ll know how to find Kerrin, he’s a much better seer that I am, and then he’s going to tell me just why the hell he removed my memories of him.” She looked at Xavier, “I loved him so much, why did my father take that from me?”

Part 7 The Shadowqueen III

Neith

Early Spring - M-1893, Part 7 The Shadowqueen (III)

2011-07-16T23:37:00.001-04:00

Guardian's Key

Part 7

The Shadowqueen

III

Telaan felt her hand on his arm and stopped. He turned as she said, “Do you know where you’re going, my lord?”

“Your lord? What? Don’t you get to be a lady?”

“No, my lord, I’m merely a priestess and that is all I wish to be. I don’t wish to pretend I’m anywhere near as great as you and the Shadowqueen.”

“Damn, you buy into all her bullshit, don’t you?”

“My father was merely a human, a low-worthless human of no real value. She allowed me to kill him for my fifth spring; it’s a present I’ve always cherished.” Her voice grew wistful as she continued, “I don’t have Elf blood, nor do I resemble our mother in any way. Unlike you, I don’t even have her eyes.”

“I can give you her eyes, if you have a knife, which I believe is what Medea used on her.” Fuck, the woman was sickening. Eris had corrupted her beyond anything even he would have expected of her.

He remembered more of Eris’ teachings than he ever wanted to, despite Aglaea’s attempts to cleanse them from him. He’d embraced the teachings of the Sundara, but he always felt tainted. Now he realized how Medea had unwittingly saved him from a kader he would rather be dead than embrace.

Turning away from her, he waited for her to take the lead. He wanted nothing more than to remove himself and the others from this place before the taint of evil engulfed them all.

The corridor was long and it passed many rooms, none of which had doors, but a barrier shimmered across them, distorting everything within. Finally, Pele turned toward the right and passed through the barrier, he followed suit; secretly hoping it wouldn’t let him pass.

“Damn,” he mumbled as he walked effortlessly into the room.

“It is your mark of honor that allows you into this home.”

“My mark of shame.”

“That’s a blasphemous thing to say, my lord. That our mother created us and gave us her power is something that should be cherished. But you carry the taint of the Sundara, and it has blinded you to the true way.”

“The only thing around here that’s blind is the bitch-witch and you. Now go away.”

“Oh course, my lord, as you wish.” He watched in disgust as she knelt to the floor and bowed, her head nearly touching the floor, before she rose and left the room.

He looked around, knowing he’d have to let go, push his Sundara teachings into the background and let the Shadow he’d kept hidden for a hundred Times of Change come forth.

He felt nothing at first. Maybe, just maybe this wouldn’t work. Maybe finally, after a thousand Springs he’d cleansed himself of the taint. Then he felt it growing and burning in him, the force of it pushing him to the hard marble of the floor. The weight growing until it lifted and he was able to stand. Hatred unlike anything he’d felt in years coursed through him. Standing looking through eyes filled with the power of Shadow Spirits he saw it. Walking forward he looked at the map; the directions to the casque’s resting place glowed red.

“Yes, my most beloved son, that is the way, but note the small cluster of rocks denoted on the southwestern most portion of the castle. That is your means in; it is the only way you and your Sundara worshiping companions can get in.”

Telaan turned and saw Eris’ form transparently standing behind him, her amber eyes undamaged. She’d invaded his mind and part of him was fighting to remove her, thus her transparent appearance.

“Why is this the only way in?”

“Because it will open for my mark and my mark alone. That very same mark you bear so poorly.” She waved her hand as if dismissing something he’d said, “Don’t worry my son, Medea knows nothing about it. It was placed there during my reign.”

Telaan’s subconscious pushed harder to reject her intrusion into his mind and she began fading even more, “Go, take your damn companions, the casque is in my bedroom. Follow the tunnels; they lead directly to my personal chambers. Whether Medea has taken them over or not, I can’t say, but if you allow your mind to be natural, you will find what you seek.”

Once again he was thrust to the floor. Something Aglaea had planted within his subconscious pushed forward. A suggestion he had no idea she’d planted took root and forced its way to the forefront of his mind. He lay on the cold marble floor shaking with the reaction of it as the Sundara of Aglaea’s magique warred within him. As he lay there, time having no meaning for him, he remembered this from his child years. Many times he’d lie, just as he did now, on his bed and shiver. The cold warring with the burning within his soul. Now he understood what he never had as a child. Aglaea hadn’t just taught him the way of the Sundara, she had embedded him with the way. There had been more than just teachings in her words.

Unknown amount of time passed before he pushed himself from the floor. Understanding and gratefulness beyond words filled him. Aglaea had known he hated what he was, and had given him a gift to battle it all of his life. Had she known he would once again face the temptation of it, or had it just been a means to help the child overcome it? Whatever her reason for the magique, it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that she had once again saved him from the taint of the bitch that had spawned him.

Returning to the others even more resolute in his hatred for his mother, he remembered the location of the casque. It wouldn’t be easy to reach. Not too far to teleport, but in an area where there was a dead zone for teleporting. There were certain areas within the continent of Neith where no one could manipulate time and space, therefore making teleporting impossible. And Kumara was one of those places.

He tried to remember which priestess lived in Kumara and just as he entered the room where his mother was entertaining her “guests” he remembered. Bala, the bitch-witch of priestesses. Great, grand and wonderful. This just kept getting better. Hopefully with Eris’ entrance they could get in and out without Bala or Medea knowing.

He walked over to Nanda, taking her hand and pulling her up, he said, “I have it; we’re leaving.”

He looked at Eris and the look of satisfaction on her face reinforced what he’d suspected ever since they’d arrived. Ghalt’s life was forfeit. Since she was clearly helping them find the casque and let them keep the key, Ghalt had become more of a burden than a help. Burdens with over-inflated egos were crushed by her as easily as any bug she found crawling on her windowsill. He tipped his head, silently letting her know he understood what she was looking for them to do.

Without another word, he led the way out, Nanda clinging to his hand, Adrostos following quietly alongside, keeping pace with Telaan’s long strides.

Part 7 The Shadowqueen II

Part 8 – Morana I

Early Spring - M-1893, Part 7 The Shadowqueen (II)

2011-05-29T15:24:00.001-04:00

Guardian's Key

Part 7

The Shadowqueen

They followed Eris into a sitting room just off the hallway. Like everything in her home, it was opulent and gaudy; too much of everything. As they walked through the door she said. “Frea said there were six of you. Where are the Spirit-touched Sorceress and her vampire? Not to mention the very handsome Xavier.”

“Something came up and they had to take a side trip. Don’t worry, they’re not going to come sneaking in the back door. They’ve gone elsewhere.” Telaan said, refusing to answer the question she was really asking.

“Ah, now that’s interesting. What could have possibly happened that caused them to leave you on your own?”

“Something that has nothing to do with you.”

“So Silanos was able to find them, perhaps he’s not an idiot after all.”

Telaan chose to ignore her. He knew she never said anything by chance; she was trying to get a reaction from them. Whether she knew anything or not didn’t matter, not at this point. He’d have to look into it later to see if she had anything to do with what happened to Kerrin, but they didn’t have time at the moment. There were more important things to be dealt with than something Xavier and Lessa were more than capable of handling.

He and Adrostos knew enough to keep their reactions in check; but he felt Nanda stiffen and he squeezed her hand, trying to keep her from saying anything.

When no one answered or reacted, he could have sworn he heard Eris huff before continuing. “Tell me, my only son, what have you come here for? What is worth so much, you’d lower yourself to pass through my door and brave my wrath?”

“You’re not a danger to us at the moment, however much I might personally despise you. You have no real need for any of us, if you had, we wouldn’t have made it this far.”

“So true.”

He lost her attention as she slowly approached Adrostos, her hand outstretched as though she could see. “You have it. You took it from my beloved guardian. You murdered him.”

Adrostos didn’t so much as raise his hand, “You killed your guardian in a peak of fury; but yes I have the key, and around my neck it will remain.”

She nodded and smiled an evil smile that didn’t touch her clouded eyes, her fangs showing. “That’s just as well, as I no longer have need of it.”

Her statement put the Elf on alert; Telaan saw it in the tensing of his shoulders. Adrostos made no other movement, not even a twitch of his face. He apparently knew Eris well enough to know even blind, she’d pounce on any movement he made. What her blindness had taken away, her magique had somewhat compensated for. She still needed the priestess to be her eyes for anything occurring at a distance, but up close, she was able to use her magique to her own advantage.

Since Adrostos had something that had once belonged to one of her servants, Telaan wondered what their connection was. Not a good one, he was sure. No one stole from the Shadowqueen, ever; and that she hadn’t instantly killed him was telling. Something was very wrong here, something beyond the fact that she’d let them into her home. Beyond the fact that he was sure she had something to do with their being separated from Lessa. Telaan, like the Elf, became even more alert and aware of their surroundings. He'd have to be very clever to get them out alive.

Eris moved in front of the sofa saying casually as though she’d invited them all over for a drink, “Please sit. I’m going to make a wild statement and say you’ve all come here to steal something from me; but I’m afraid I don’t have it, and I won’t tell you where it is.”

“Then I’ll find it even if I have to torture your priestess.” Telaan said, ignoring the gasp from Nanda. How he wished he could be the man she thought he was, but after more Times of Change than she could even imagine, he couldn’t change that easily. He would try for her; but at the moment a priestess of the Shadow World was not a life that was sacred to him, and he would take it without regret to get the information he needed.

Eris’ satisfied smile made her beautiful and that was her danger. Sightless eyes notwithstanding she had retained the beauty she’d given herself when she took human form to seduce his sire. “You, know, my son, I believe I’ll have Pele take you to my office. There, should you once again use the powers I’ve given you; you’ll be able to get the information you desire without killing my most faithful priestess.”

Telaan rose, “Very well, Eris, I’ll play your game.”

Nanda started to rise, but Eris stopped her, “No, blonde Sorceress, if you enter my office you will die. I’ll not care, but perhaps my son will.”

Telaan took her hand, “No, my love. Her office will be warded to allow only those with the blood of the shadow. You will die, as would Adrostos should he attempt it. In fact, we are only in this house because I am with you and Eris has allowed it.”

“No, my son, my office allows only those with my mark of the Shadow.”

“Pele?”

“Is my daughter, no sense in wasting this human form that was thrust on me.”

Pele removed her top, proudly revealing the same mark that was on his back. Eris had marked her exactly as she herself was marked.

Great, he’d never thought about the bitch having more children, he wondered how many siblings he had, and he certainly didn’t want to know any of them.

He left the room not caring if Pele followed or not.

Part 7 The Shadowqueen I

Part 7 The Shadowqueen III

Early Spring - M-1893, Part 7 The Shadowqueen (I)

2011-04-10T13:12:00.001-04:00

Guardian's Key

Part7

The Shadowqueen

“Well, I guess this means we don’t need to stay here any longer, and we can’t go back to Lessa’s home. Any suggestions?” Telaan asked Adrostos and Nanda.

“I spoke earlier with Elves from Chandra Valley, and they indicated there is an inn very nearby where we can stay. Much as I would like to get started immediately, we must plan and rest.”

“Agreed. Frea wasn’t happy with sharing the information with me, but I can be as persuasive, if not more so, as my bitch mother when I must be.” He looked at Nanda. Much as he loved her, she would never understand him. She thought him a good man, some day she would be faced with the fact he was not, his past followed him everywhere he went; he was unable to leave it behind, no matter how hard he tried.

“Very well. Then I will lead the way. We do not need to teleport as we are only going two or three streets north.”

Telaan nodded and taking Nanda’s hand, followed the Elf out. He still couldn’t believe his incredible luck in finding her, in being in just the right spot that turning. She was such a breath of fresh air in his otherwise tainted life. How he could have earned her love was probably the greatest mystery of his cursed life; but, the warmth and trust of her hand in his filled him with a sense of guilt. His world had almost killed her sweetness and beauty. Now, he was taking her into even more danger. He had to leave her behind, there was nothing else he could do; it would tear him apart, but not nearly as much as her death.

Eris had tried to kill everyone he loved out of spite. By the time he’d received the message from his foster mother that she was in danger, Eris had already reached her. She’d imprisoned her in a place where her powers were useless, not that Aglaea ever had magique to fight the Shadowqueen.

While searching for Aglaea, he’d run into his old friend, Xavier, who’d told him Nanda was also missing. He’d suspected Eris had something to do with it, but he couldn’t leave Aglaea to whatever kader Eris had devised for her, so he he’d been forced to leave Nanda’s rescue in the hands of his old friend and companions while he continued his search for his foster mother.

He'd found Aglaea, but she'd been weak and he’d left her with the healer. By then, he’d lost track of Xavier, though the man had said they were heading to Ghalt’s. Telaan then concentrated on Eris and locked onto her just as she’d reached Ghalt’s fortress. By the time he’d arrived, it was almost too late. If it hadn’t been for Lessa’s Sundara magique which was much stronger than anything he’d ever encountered, he would have been too late to save either Nanda or his old friend Xavier. Eris would have had no choice but to kill them, of course, or that’s how the Guidance would have heard the story.

___

“Ah, yes, this definitely looks like my mother.”

“This place looks like a child-year’s story, but feels evil.”

“I believe that’s what I said, my love.” Telaan looked down at her, once again torn. She was as important to him as breathing, and the feel of her hand in his was Spirit sent, but he was angry with her, too. She was too stubborn for her own good, and she’d refused every attempt he’d made to get her to return home.

“Is she here?” Adrostos asked.

Telaan felt the air around them, “Yes, and our advantage of surprise is useless. My guess is that Frea has already warned her of our arrival.”

“Will she stop us?” Nanda asked.

“No, in fact our arrival amuses her.”

“But you’ve escaped, my love, won’t that anger her?”

Telaan smiled wryly. He knew his mother, everything was working to her plan, whatever the hell that was, and there was nothing they could do but play along for now. Once he had all the information he needed, then he’d be proactive. “No, she knew I’d get free sooner or later, and she knew whoever freed me would be her enemy. She just loves to know her enemies. She seems to think it gives her some sort of an advantage.”

“She already knows me.” Adrostos said quietly.

“Yes, she does, and she knows Nanda, so nothing new for her to learn.”

The door opened as they approached and Eris stepped just outside the doorway with her freaky ass priestess once again whispering in her ear. “Well, my errant son returns to his mother, bringing his lover with him. Aren’t you afraid to bring her to me? The Guidance would still like to see her in chains, you know.”

“Be that as it may, Eris, you won’t touch her anymore than you’ll put me back in chains. You never repeat an action that has brought only failure; your ego can’t bear it.” Telaan said. Unlike the child he'd been, the adult no longer feared the woman.

She laughed, “So true, flesh of my flesh.” The priestess once again whispered in her ear. Eris nodded and smiled. “Pele says your new haircut looks quite nice on you, by the way.”

“Hair grows back.”

“Yes, but my mark can only be hidden, never removed no matter what the magique; I made sure of that before my power was ripped from me.” She stepped back, “Enter.”

Part 6 Return to Cronus I

Part 7 The Shadowqueen II

Early Spring - M-1893, Part 6 Return to Cronus (II)

2011-01-16T19:30:00.002-05:00

Guardian's Key

Part 6
Return to Cronus

II

Lessa watched the sun rise, fear finally taking root in her heart. Kerrin had not returned. No one had seen him leave; no one even knew what direction he’d taken.

Xavier’s hand rested around her shoulders as he came up behind her. The men had just returned from searching the area around the bar, while she and Nanda had stayed there in case Kerrin returned while they were gone.

“Don’t worry, little one, he’s found somewhere safe. He won’t walk into the light. No matter what you said to him, he still loves you, he’ll return. Chances are he went farther than he expected and couldn’t make it back. We’ll remain here for the non-evening-time, and await his return. I’m sure Frea won't be happy with our presence for that long, but she’ll tolerate us for Telaan’s sake.”

“Oh, Xavier, that’s the problem, I told him I didn’t love him,” she fought tears she wasn’t even sure she had the strength to fight any more. Everything was just happening too fast, everything was changing and she couldn’t keep up with it. All she wanted was time to figure everything out, and she wasn’t going to get it.

“Ah, are you sure that you don’t, little one?” His voice was soft, not accusing, just asking her to search her heart. Which she’d been doing ever since they’d realized Kerrin had left the bar.

She turned away from the window to face him. “No. I’m not sure of anything any more; I haven’t been since Father wakened me from the dead.”

“And Kerrin knows that, little one. He hasn’t abandoned you; you haven’t driven him off, he’ll return with the evening-time.” His voice was soft as he reached up and ran his thumb across the tear that slid down her cheek, his touch as comforting as her Father’s had been during her child years.

Lessa nodded and sat at a nearby table. Unable to fight the tears any longer, she put her head in her arms and cried. She felt Xavier sit next to her, his hand gently took hers and his thumb rubbed the back of it.

“Sleep, little one, Kerrin will return in the evening-time and we must travel as soon as he does,” his voice was soft, and penetrated something within her, soothing her.

Despite her efforts to remain awake in case news arrived from Kerrin, she fell asleep still sitting at the table.

“No!” The cry ripped from Lessa as she jerked awake, fear choking her. She looked around, frantically trying to remember where she was. The room had gotten brighter; apparently much time had passed since she fell asleep.

“Lessa, what is it?” Adrostos reached her first, the others close behind.

Pain and fear warred with each other to take hold of her, but she couldn’t let either of them. Now more than ever she needed to be strong, to remember everything she’d seen. “Kerrin. I don’t know where he is, he’s in a dark corner on a dirt floor. I didn’t see anything around him, only a small shaft of light that didn’t begin to reach the corners. I couldn’t feel him, but he'd been beaten, and the wounds hadn't healed yet.”

“You said he is on a dirt floor?” Adrostos asked.

“Yes.”

“This is good; whoever has him is unaware he does not need his coffin to stay strong. His captor believes he will weaken him by leaving him on the ground outside a coffin. Since he put him in the dark near the earth, he does not want to kill him at this time.”

“Oh, Spirits, but how long before he moves him out of the dark?” Lessa couldn’t contain the anguish she was feeling. If she hadn’t spoken, Kerrin wouldn’t have left. She should have just left everything alone, now wasn’t the time, and she'd known it even as she’d said the words that hurt him.

“Who, little one, who has him?” Xavier asked.

“I don’t know.” Pain choked her. She’d driven Kerrin out of the inn and now he’d been captured. This was all her fault.

“Think, Lessa,” Nanda said sitting beside her and putting her hand on her shoulder, comforting her. “Did you see anyone else?”

“No… wait, yes, I saw someone else, a man looking down the hole in the ceiling.”

“Who, think little one, think hard. Was it Ghalt?”

“No, a human, a man with light hair, an older man… Oh, Spirits, he will kill him.” Lessa gasped, consumed with fear.

“Who, Lessa, who has him?” Xavier prompted.

“Silanos Garnaych,” she forced the name from her lips. It was a name she’d never wanted to speak again, but now she had no choice.

“Do you know where?” Xavier asked, knowledge of the danger Kerrin was in strong in his voice.

“His home, I think. Yes, his home in Morana.”

“He’s taken Kerrin back to Morana? I didn’t think the Garnayches had any magique ability?” Nanda asked.

“They don’t,” Xavier answered, “But they know many Shadow Warlocks, very powerful ones. If Kerrin did indeed kill Silanos’ heir, he would have used any method possible to find him.”

“But how? Adrostos banished Loki.” Lessa was frantic with worry. He’d kill him. Why he hadn’t already, Lessa had no idea, but she knew he wanted revenge for Lornus’ death. That’s why she’d been exiled to Acantha.

“I do not believe a man such as Silanos Garnaych would rely only on one son he has very little faith in to find the man who killed his favored child,” Adrostos said.

“Come, Lessa, you and I will travel to Morana to find Kerrin.” Xavier looked at the others, “You won’t need us to complete your task; you three should be able to handle that quite well on your own. We’ll return if we're successful before you find the casque.”

Adrostos lifted a chain from around his neck from which a pendant hung. He took Lessa’s hand and placed the pendant in it. It was warm from his skin, and there was strong magique in it. Lessa could feel it spreading through her, giving her a sense of well-being despite her all-encompassing fear for Kerrin. “When you find Kerrin, touch this and say Adrostos, it will bring you to me. From anywhere, indoors or out. It is not teleporting, it is magique.”

“You just happen to have this?” Xavier asked as Lessa put the chain over her head.

“I brought it in case we had a need to separate. It belonged to Jocosta as she was a non-magique, and is another reason I believe she knew her attacker. She was not afraid; otherwise she would have used it.”

Lessa touched it, knowing how precious it must be to the Elf. “Thank you Adrostos, I promise to take good care of it.”

“You just take good care of yourself and the pendant will take care of itself.”

Standing she nodded, knowing the Elf wanted no more show of gratitude than that.

“Are you ready, little one?” Xavier asked.

She closed her eyes, grateful for his help and strength. Without him, she’d have fallen apart. “Yes.”

He put his hand on arm, his warmth filling her. His gray eyes became momentarily unfocused “You have all the strength you need, little one. I’m merely coming along to lend a hand if you need one.” He smiled as he focused once more on her face. “The directions, then?”

Was he a mind reader? No, she didn’t feel that from him, but he did have some ability to understand her, she’d always seen that in him and found it infuriating. “We’ll have to take it in stages. We’ll have to go to Connla first then on to Morana as Morana is too far to teleport to from here.”

“Okay, just take my hand; it’ll be quicker than giving me directions.”

They said their goodbyes and headed out of the inn, a feeling of foreboding growing with every step Lessa took. She was loath to leave the others, but she would not, for anyone or anything, leave Kerrin behind.

Part 6 Return to Cronus I

Part 7 The Shadowqueen

Early Spring - M-1893, Part 6 Return to Cronus (I)

2010-11-15T17:00:00.001-05:00

Guardian's Key

Part 6
Return to Cronus

I

After getting Telaan out of the temple, they’d taken refuge for the non-evening-time in one of Lessa’s family homes, which they'd left only moments before to once more teleport to Cronus. Kerrin was still trying to shake off the disorientation he felt every time he traveled this way.

“This is where we’ll find Frea,” Telaan said as they stood in front of a brick one-story building in the better part of town. He looked refreshed now that he’d had rest, food and a chance to clean up. They'd discussed why they’d been looking for him during the meal they'd eaten before continuing.

“Will she know where the casque is?” Lessa asked.

“No, but she'll most likely know where to find Eris.”

Telaan pushed the door open. The inside of the bar was dark and too loud for Kerrin’s senses and he had to fight the urge to wince. It was also the most civilized place he’d seen in Cronus, yet he suspected it was one of the more evil ones since it housed a servant of Eris. The Shadow magique was very strong here.

Telaan stopped the first server he saw walking by, “Where can we find Frea?”

Her eyes grew wide with surprised recognition. “In her office in the back, my lord,” she answered before quickly moving away.

“My lord?” Kerrin asked as they walked through the crowded room.

“Yes, unfortunately, many here know me as the son of Eris; therefore I’m Lord to her bloody ass followers. Believe me, I’d destroy every damn one of them if I thought it’d accomplish anything useful besides my own pleasure.”

“But as the Shadow Spirits go, they’d only be grateful if you did,” Xavier said.

“Yes, I’d probably be hailed a damn hero and wind up king of the fucking Shadow Spirits.” He knocked on the door they’d come to at the back of the main room.

“Come.” The voice sounded young, but Kerrin knew very well that voices were deceiving.

Telaan opened the door and before they could enter the voice continued, “No, only you Telaan, son of Eris. I will not speak with the vampire or the children of Sundara. They sully and darken my doors, but I tolerate them because you have brought them, my lord.”

Closing the door, Telaan turned to them, a sardonic smile lighting up his otherwise solemn face. “Go to sit down. I’ll join you when I'm finished here. They won’t bother you, but don’t expect to be waited on either.”

They turned away as Telaan entered the room and closed the door.

“Find us a table and we’ll go get the drinks,” Xavier said as he and Nanda headed toward the bar.

Adrostos didn’t follow but said, “Please, continue, I will meet up with all soon.” He bowed and turned toward a group of Chandra Elves sitting near to where they were standing.

Kerrin nodded and led Lessa to a booth in the corner that looked like it’d been recently abandoned. The the glass partition between booths gave them at least a sense of privacy, even if everyone in the place was glaring at them. Not openly, they’d seen who they came in with, but they weren’t happy with them there, and made that plain. They didn’t like the Chandra Elves that Adrostos had joined either, since one of their group also had to go to the bar to get their drinks. Apparently Frea disliked the Sundara and vampires alike, but she wasn’t fool enough in this city to discourage any gold that came her way.

“Kerrin, were we happy together?” Lessa asked as they sat.

“Lessa,” he sighed, rubbing his forehead. Fuck this was not a conversation he wanted to have here, of all places. He was sure that even the walls had ears, and evil surrounded them like a mist.

“I know, I’m not supposed to ask because of some mysterious reason that no one has actually explained to me,” her voice was soft, full of pain and uncertainty.

He looked at her. What was she thinking? The pain and hurt filling her eyes tugged at him but it was the underlying fear he felt he couldn’t understand. What could she possibly fear? He understood anger and pain, but not fear.

He couldn’t bear to see her filled with doubts, so he decided to tell her the truth as it was told to him. “Chryses is concerned that if anyone, including me, forces you to remember, your mind might rebel against the spell and you could fall into a coma. It’s not always true, but it has happened in the past. As I’ve said, you have to remember on your own, or we just have to move on.”

She was quiet for a long time. Was she thinking over what he said, or searching for the truth on her own? Finally when she spoke, he had to lean forward to hear. “You killed because you were in love with me. Was I in love with you?”

“I thought so, yes.”

She nodded. “Yes that’s what I believe, too, since I turned my back on countless Times of Change of tradition. But now I have to wonder. Did I really love you, or were you merely an excuse to escape from a situation I couldn’t get away from on my own?”

Pain filled him, his voice caught in his throat and he had to force the words out, “Why would you think that?” He already knew the answer; he didn’t want to hear it from her. Hearing the words coming from her sweet mouth would make his fear real.

Her eyes became wet with unshed tears, “Because despite the fact that I’m very fond of you and care for you deeply, I don’t love you.”

He fought for words to reassure her. He fought to remain in his seat when all he wanted to do was flee. He knew this was coming, had felt it since they’d first arrived in Cronus; her uncertainty had been so strong even then. He had no magique, at least not what was normally called magique. But he was a vampire, his intuition was such that sometimes he felt he could almost read minds, and he always understood emotions. Especially emotions that showed any weakness at all. It was a necessary ability in the days when vampire survival had relied on drinking blood from humans.

He was drowning in the emotions he was feeling from her along side his own pain that was engulfing him. He had to get away, he needed air, but he couldn’t just walk away from her. That would hurt her in a way he couldn’t bear to think of. He loved her as much today as he had when he found her bleeding and dying from Lornus’ blade. He’d never do anything to hurt her; he’d spend the rest of his life protecting her.

He struggled for breath, he struggled to think of something, anything he could say. Somehow that’s okay seemed too damn patronizing.

He opened his mouth to say something. What? He hadn’t that figured out yet. Before any sound could come out, Xavier approached and asked Lessa a question. Kerrin didn’t hear either of them, this was his chance; he had to get some air to clear his head and release the pain. He headed for the door, hoping no one would stop him before he reached it.

The evening-time was cool and clear, but there was a hint of the Summer Season which would arrive before anyone realized it. He began to walk. It was still early, he’d be sure to return soon in case Telaan got his information and was ready to leave. He wouldn’t abandon them, least of all Lessa.

That she didn’t love him didn’t surprise him, he’d known for many turnings. At least she didn’t hate him, but it was the fear he didn’t understand. Was she afraid of him? Did the thought that he would kill Lornus make her afraid of him? Was she afraid he was violent and could kill her? He was a vampire, a race that was known for being violent killers, but he hadn’t been born a vampire, just made one. It’d been many Times of Change since he’d drank blood from anything other than a bottle out of his refrigerator, except when he’d had no other choice recently.

A sound that was almost animal escaped him before he could stop it. He’d never hurt her, but she didn’t know that. She didn’t really know him, any memory she had of his love had been removed by her father for reasons even he didn’t understand.

Kerrin tried to take a step and realized he couldn’t move. He was completely frozen in place, only his eyes seem to function as two men stepped in front of him.

“Well, what have we here?” The guy to his left said.

“Could this be the infamous Kerrin Draonight?” They were both shorter than Kerrin, but the guy to the right was positively scrawny. If it hadn't been for magique and surprise, they never would have captured him.

“I’d heard his looks had changed, but my, isn’t he a fancy vampire these days?”

“Mr. Garnaych is going to reward us very well indeed.”

Kerrin fought against the spell, but was powerless. Silanos had finally found him. Had Loki made it back to his father after all? No, Adrostos had said it would take him many turnings to return and Kerrin believed that to be true. So, all he could blame this lousy evening-time on was the ill winds of kader blowing his way.

His last thought before something connected hard against the back of his head and the pain shattered into blackness was that he wasn’t going to make it back to Lessa after all.

Part 5 - Temple of Aodh II

Part 6 Return to Cronus II

Early Spring - M-1893, Part 5 Temple of Aodh (II)

2010-08-01T09:30:00.003-04:00

Guardian's Key

Part 5
Temple of Aodh

II

Kerrin walked forward and tried pulling the chains that bound Telaan; still nothing happened. Xavier moved closer to Adrostos and raised his sword. “Adrostos, try striking the chains again. Kerrin, pull as soon as they glow; I’ll use my sword as well.”

A deep, rich voice began chanting softly and Lessa realized Telaan was casting a spell as Adrostos and Xavier struck the chains together. As soon as they glowed even brighter than before, Kerrin pulled. The energy coming from the chains pushed him back, but he didn’t let go. He locked his legs, bracing himself and pulled harder, the strain making his face red. Before the glow could dim, Adrostos and Xavier struck again. This time, the power of the silver swords, Kerrin’s strength and Telaan’s spell released the chains, and they fell from his wrists.

Telaan rose slowly, obviously stiff legs fighting the change in position. He stumbled just short of falling and Lessa and Nanda reached for him at the same time.

Suddenly, Lessa felt as though a hand forcibly pushed her as she and Telaan were both knocked to the floor. Pain radiated up her back as she landed hard against the marble floor. Stunned, she couldn’t speak for a moment while she forced her lungs to work again. “Why did you push me? I was only trying to help,” she tried to keep the hurt out her voice, but was sure she hadn’t succeeded. It wasn’t her fault Nanda came along. The woman was grown; she could make her own choices.

Kerrin’s anger reverberated through the room as he said quietly through clenched teeth, “I told you she didn’t bring Nanda along, dammit.”

Telaan’s voice was just as confused as Lessa felt. “I didn’t push her, dammit, she pushed me.”

“Hum, I wondered what would happen if they touched in here.” Xavier commented.

“In this case opposites do not attract, they repeal,” Nanda said with a smile. Kneeling beside Telaan sprawled on the floor, she continued, “And coming here was my choice alone, my love; I made them bring me along.”

“Stubborn woman.” Lessa was sure his anger was fighting his amusement by the way his lips quirked up at one corner. “It appears I’m not the only one that can’t keep you from doing something stupid once your mind is made up.”

“What the hell are you two talking about?” Kerrin asked Xavier, ignoring Telaan and Nanda.

“Why did that happen?” Lessa asked as the pain began to subside. Thankfully her healing powers still seemed to be working even if her magique wasn’t.

“Because you both have blood of the spirits, only Telaan’s is Shadow and yours, Sundara,” Xavier said.

“What?” Lessa asked taking Kerrin’s warm hand and rising. “I’ve touched others of the Shadow and that never happened.”

“You were never standing in the temple of a revered Supreme Ruler. Fallen or not, her presence is strong here,” Xavier smiled sardonically.

“Why do you say I have Sundara blood? As far as I know, my father is merely a Wizard and my mother a Sorceress. They have no hidden talents, although I suspect my mother of making Elixir of Life since I can understand no other reason for their being so young.”

“They haven’t told you everything then, I’m afraid,” Nanda said. “I heard my mother once say you were spirit-touched. When I asked what that meant, she said your grandmother had been a Sundara Spirit who asked the Guiding Queen for release so she could join with the mortal she loved. It was granted.”

“Why don’t I know any of this?” Lessa felt lost and confused, desperation to demand explanations from her parents burned through her. How could she not know that her own grandmother was a Sundara Spirit? Why would they keep this from her? What was so wrong with her that they couldn’t even share her heritage with her, a heritage that apparently Nanda’s mother knew? That Xavier, a stranger, knew. She felt tears of anger forming, but brushed them aside, refusing to let them fall.

“I don’t know, Lessa, your parents must have had a good reason, you’ll have to ask them,” Nanda said softly.

She looked at Kerrin standing close enough to protect her; but he’d dropped her hand once she’d appeared stable enough to stand alone. Ever since he’d told her he couldn’t help her, he’d kept his distance. Where did he fit into all of this? “I have many things to ask my father about, I’m beginning to learn.” He would tell her exactly who and what she was, that was a promise she made to herself.

“I, on the other hand,” Telaan said as Adrostos and Xavier helped him to rise once again, “am from the taint of a fallen Supreme Ruler and have nothing to ask my bitch-witch mother.”

“What happened to your hair?” Nanda asked as reached up and ran her hand over the back of his short wild hair. It looked as though someone had hacked it off without a care. Lessa remembered the few times she’d seen him; his black hair had always been pulled back into a long ponytail that reached his waist. Oddly enough, even the mess his hair was in couldn’t detract from either his extreme good looks (he had the almost beautiful features of both the Elf race and the spirits) or from the softness that entered his face when he spoke to Nanda.

She’d seen that he could be hard, it’d come across loud and clear earlier; and with Eris as his mother, he could be no less. But Nanda he treated like something delicate and precious. Lessa knew from experience she had a determination and stubbornness that rivaled her own, but she was happy to see he really did treat her friend with the love and respect she deserved.

Telaan pulled Nanda into his arms and gently caressed her cheek. “Ah, Eris didn’t like that I hide her beloved mark. I’m just grateful she only used the knife on my hair and didn’t miss in her blind frenzy.” He turned to face the rest of the group, tucking Nanda close against him. His smile was like a young boy who liked to defy his parent. “And I do mean blind. However, I do rather wish she hadn’t told her freaky priestess to make me look better, I preferred the hacked mess Eris left me with. The priestess was a little too friendly. I think beating the shit out of me and watching me bleed turned her on.”

“If you can walk,” Adrostos said, moving toward the door, “We must leave before the handmaidens realize we are here.”

“It’s too late for that, child of Chandra, they’re on the move,” Telaan said taking Nanda’s hand moving forward with Adrostos.

“Then now is the time. Can you dispel them?”

“I can try, but I haven’t eaten since Eris chained me here, and her bleed spell has left me weak. I should have been able to heal, but the bleeding hasn’t stopped. There would have been blood everywhere if it weren’t for her damned handmaidens keeping her sacred temple and me clean. I’m hoping once I leave here, her spell will lose its power and I can heal. Also, my magique’s not as effective as it could be against them. I’m afraid I tend to remember Aglaea’s teachings more than what Eris tried to quite literally beat into my head, but I’ll do what I can. Your swords should also be effective.”

They opened the door to five of Eris’ handmaidens. At first glance, Lessa thought they were all the same woman; but despite the same black hair, same almost colorless eyes, same black pieces of fabric that barely covered them, and Eris’ mark prominent on their stomachs, there were subtle differences in them.

In unison, all but one raised their hand and a red glow emanated from their fingers. One, however, cowered back, away from Kerrin as he raised his sword. Telaan waved his hands and a ball of pure white light shot forth and struck two of them, causing them to break apart; at the same time, Adrostos, Xavier and Kerrin swung their swords and removed the heads of the other three. They, too, broke apart and dissipated into nothing more than mist.

“Okay, if they don’t come in any bigger groups, we’re set,” Xavier said.

“And you think that’s going to happen, Wizard? These were just the warm up; the rest will follow very shortly,” Telaan said, holding onto Nanda’s hand and moving into the lead.

Part 5 - Temple of Aodh I

Part 6 - Return to Cronus I

Early Spring - M-1893, Part 5 Temple of Aodh (I)

2010-06-25T20:35:00.023-04:00

Guardian's Key

Part 5
Temple of Aodh

I

Lessa followed behind the others, her thoughts tumbling over themselves as she struggled to piece together what she’d just learned. She didn’t understand Kerrin. Not at all. He loved her, she was sure of that, had been sure of it since she met him (at least that mystery was solved); yet he wouldn’t tell her what she needed to know even if it would help him. Somehow she had the very distinct feeling that if she knew the truth, knew what her father had removed from her; she might love him too.

As the group passed through a high wrought iron gate, a thought occurred to her. Maybe she had never loved him; and not telling her saved him the embarrassment of loving someone who didn’t love him. Spirits she wished she knew, all she did know was confusion. Why was she getting bits and pieces if her memory had, indeed, been erased? Why had her father taken her past from her? How much of her past had she lost? She had no idea. She remembered every one of her years, didn’t she?

Suddenly she ran into Adrostos’ back. Snapping her attention back to the task at hand she realized they’d all stopped in front of what she could only think of as an evil building, if it were possible for buildings to be good or evil. Despite the park with its fountain and flowers, the building seemed to capture all light surrounding it. Nothing shown through the windows, it looked as though it had been abandoned years before, but Lessa knew better, she could feel the spirits still moving about behind the closed doors.

“Shit,” Kerrin and Xavier said together as they looked up at the Temple of Aodh.

“Spirits,” Nanda whispered.

“Is he in there, Nanda?” Lessa asked ignoring her feelings of unease the building evoked. They had to get Telaan out if he was still in there; she pushed her desire to understand what her father had done aside just as she had been for so many turnings now.

“Yes, but his presence in my mind is growing faint, I fear for his life,” Nanda’s voice cracked as she held back the tears.

“Then there’s no time to lose,” Xavier said taking a step forward.

“And how, Warlock, do you propose we get in there? Those doors look pretty solid and since this is where Telaan’s being kept, I doubt we’re going to be able to just walk through them,” Kerrin was clearly not happy with this newest obstacle.

“What, Vampire, have you decided I’m not evil enough?”

Before Kerrin could answer, the doors swung open and Lessa felt her heart drop. She really hoped Telaan did that because if he didn’t they were in big trouble.

“Oh fuck,” Xavier said, “this can’t be good”

“No, but at least we now know how to get in,” Kerrin’s smile was short-lived before he continued, “Nanda, can you cast spells in Shadow territory? Because somehow I’m quite sure that a temple built to the Supreme Ruler of the Shadow Spirits is Shadow territory.”

A look of panic crossed Nanda’s face. “I don’t think I can. I wasn’t able to at Ghalt’s and it’s much stronger here. How can I help Telaan if I can’t use my magique; I’m not good with anything else.”

Adrostos waived his hand, and everyone held a silver sword. Lessa hefted hers, feeling the weight of it. She’d prefer her own magique, but she could feel it ebbing from her the closer they got to the Temple doors.

“Just swing the sword at whatever moves that is not one of us,” he told Nanda quite seriously. “No other weapon will be effective against the servants of the Shadow. Our magique holds no power here, not even yours, Wizard. Only Telaan will be able to use his, and even his will not be powerful because Aglaea has taught him the ways of the Sundara Spirits.”

Well, that’s just going to make this dandy fun. Lessa was used to the feel of her magique; to suddenly not have the energy of it flowing through her was disquieting to say the least. She grabbed the hilt of the blade with both hands, feeling a bit better. But not much.

As they walked through the high doors, everything around them changed. The sounds and smells of the city disappeared as if they’d gone to another territory instead of simply entering a building. The very air became heavy and dark with the feeling of something alive. Lessa looked around, peering into the dark shadows; nothing appeared alive, everything looked quite dead. The quiet reminded her more of a tomb than a temple; the musky smell of incense from the burners was overwhelming. The only sounds came from the fountain, but even it was muted as though any normal cheerful sound would be out of place in this world.

“Why the hell does Shadow Magique have to be so damn dark?” Kerrin mumbled.

Xavier chuckled. “Well, then they’d have to call it something else. Shadows are by nature very dark. Something like: ‘Dim Magique’ perhaps.”

Kerrin looked at him, but didn’t answer; Lessa rolled her eyes. She was grateful to them both, their friendly banter helped to lighten an otherwise frightening situation. No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn’t be mad at them. There must be something horribly wrong with her, because they deserved her anger; every last one of them. They all knew what she didn’t, and she had no idea how or why.

“The banished servants of Eris dwell here. We must walk cautiously, but we cannot linger. The longer we are here, the more the chance of waking Eris’ most faithful handmaidens.” Adrostos said as he moved forward, sword ready, leading the way. Before she realized it, Kerrin was beside her. He appeared ready to do battle against anything.

“I’d really feel better if I could just blast them,” Lessa mumbled.

Kerrin glanced at her and smiled, “That makes two of us. I’ve seen what you can do. My skill, however, lies with the sword and fortunately I can use it here.”

“To the right,” Nanda said, interrupting them.

“Are you sure?” Kerrin asked.

“Yes, he knows we’re here, he’s calling for me.”

“Did he open the door?” Kerrin asked as he turned looking the way they’d come, walking backward. Lessa wondered if he heard something. His hearing was better than any of the rest of them. She looked over her shoulder but saw nothing.

“Yes,” Nanda answered quietly, walking with Xavier behind her and Kerrin.

Following Nanda’s softly spoken directions, they made it to the area Lessa had seen in her vision. As in her vision, Telaan’s hands were chained; but what she hadn't seen was that he was chained to a statue that would normally appear in a Sundara temple. It was clear Eris felt betrayed by Telaan embracing the Sundara teachings.

The sight of his bloody, torn back should have come as a surprise, but he looked exactly as he had in her vision. Except now she saw a red tattoo that covered the lower half of his back. A woman curled between two dragons. Was this how Eris had marked him?

“Telaan!” Nanda cried.

Xavier grabbed hold of her as she dropped her sword and started forward. “No Nanda, we don’t know what magique surrounds him.”

She broke from his hold and ran stepping over the chains that bound him to kneel in front of him. She lifted her hand to gently caress his bloodied and bruised face. Eris had done more than just take a whip to his back.

Telaan raised his head, pain shining in his amber eyes that seemed to almost glow in the dim light. “Nanda, my love, you shouldn’t be here. Releasing me will just piss Eris off even more than you already have.” His voice surprised Lessa, even weak and broken as it was, its deep resonance flowed through the listener. He’d be a very compelling man when in full health.

His unusual eyes, an amber color no Silvanus Elf would ever have, swung back to Lessa, and she felt his anger tearing through her. “Why the hell did you bring her along? I only wanted you three; even that was madness, I should never have allowed you in. I realize now I’ve put everyone in grave danger; but the pain, the weakness, I’m not thinking straight anymore.” His voice, which was dry and cracked, broke on the last words.

She had no idea what to say in the face of his anger and obvious pain. However, Kerrin seemed to have no such problem, as he moved in front of her, practically growling at the man, “Because Nanda insisted on coming. Lessa had nothing to do with her decision.”

“Now is not the time for this discussion,” Adrostos said walking forward and striking at the chains with his sword. They glowed for a moment, but seemed to hold fast. He struck again, but still they would not release.

“Don’t waste your time child of Chandra; your sword will have no effect. I am doomed to die here, it’s Eris’ will,” Telaan said in a tired, resigned voice. "My actions in directing you here were reckless, I should have resisted the temptation I know that now. I’ve only succeeded in bringing you here to share my kader."

Part 4 - Cronus III

Part 5 - Temple of Aodh II

Early Spring - M-1893, Part 4 Cronus (III)

2010-01-22T23:29:00.024-05:00

Guardian's Key

Part 4
Cronus

III

Damn, this was not good. Kerrin fought the urge to grab the man and throw him across the street. "It's all right, Lessa, I’ve known all along who you are, don’t worry."

"How?" Her voice was strained, he could barely hear her, perhaps he wouldn’t have been able to hear her if he weren’t a vampire.

He sighed, scrubbing his hand across his face. Now was not the best time for all of this. Hell no time was good, but it couldn’t have been worse. "How doesn’t matter now. Hopefully, someday you’ll know the truth."

"You’re the memories my father has taken from me.” There was no question in her voice; she knew it was the truth. “Why?"

Damn, she was thinking the worst of him, he could see it in her eyes and it cut him to his dead heart. He wanted to relieve her of the pain and confusion, but there was nothing he could do. He was so screwed. No matter what he said, she was going to be pissed with him, so he hid behind words he knew wouldn’t satisfy her. "It’s not my tale to tell."

"Well damn, then I'll tell it,” Loki said. “Shit this is a far more interesting than I expected. I thought I was only going to get a boring potion from that old fool inside.”

Jerking his attention from Lessa, Kerrin knew he had to stop him. First, though, he was going to wipe that smirk off his fucking face. Being the fastest of the group, he had the man knocked to the ground before anyone else could even think about reacting. Loki tried to fight him, but he was no match for Kerrin’s strength.

“Get off of me you fucking vampire trash!”

Kerrin pulled his fist back. He would hit him just hard enough to knock him out, or maybe just a bit harder because of the vampire trash comment, and enjoy the feel of the man’s jaw breaking against his knuckles. Loki was luckier than his brother, he’d leave him alive.

“Evanesce,” Adrostos said softly behind him.

Kerrin lost his balance and his fist slammed into the sidewalk as the man disappeared from beneath him. “Shit!”

He stood rubbing his bruised and scraped knuckles looking at the Elf. “Next time you decide to leave me punching the ground, would you please tell me first so I’ll pull the punch?”

Adrostos smiled and Kerrin saw the first sign of humor in the Elf’s eyes, “Next time I’ll just let you punch him first.”

Kerrin chuckled; he was learning to like the Elf. “I’d really appreciate that. I was looking forward to breaking his jaw.”

"Why’d you do that?" Lessa demanded turning on Adrostos.

"Because, little one, there are things you must learn on your own, and not be told tainted by hate." Xavier answered instead.

She whirled to face Kerrin, and he had to stop himself from taking a step back from the accusation in her eyes. "Why isn’t this your tale to tell, they’re memories of you. Have you hurt me? Should I fear you?"

"No. I’ve only protected you, now and in the past," he was trying to push past the torment her words brought, the momentary humor forgotten. That she’d believe for even one moment he would hurt her was a burning pain.

"I was told you killed Lornus because he killed the woman you loved."

"That’s true."

"It was me, wasn't it?" her voice broke, her pain tearing into him alongside his own.

There was nothing Kerrin could do but answer truthfully. "Yes," he forced the single word past the lump forming in his throat.

"Why can't I remember? Why won't you tell me?"

"Because I cannot, you must either remember on your own, or we must go on as we have. That’s all there is."

"You sound like Chryses," she accused.

"Yes, I do. Sometimes her wisdom is sound."

Adrostos spoke up. "I am sorry to interrupt, but we really must be on our way before any more ghosts from the past try to stop us.”

“Where did you send him?” Lessa demanded.

“He will not interfere before we finish. I have sent him to a primitive village in the Souh Mountains. They can lead him out, but there is no magique or technology there to help him. As he is a non-magique, he will need to rely on the villagers and it will take him some time to get back this way.”

A clock chimed somewhere nearby drawing everyone’s attention.

“That’s it, the chime I heard. The temple must be near,” Lessa said, Loki forgotten for now; but Kerrin knew this was not the last of the matter. He knew Lessa well enough to know she would bring it back up as soon as Telaan was taken care of. Spirits, he had no idea what he was going to tell her when she did.

“It is, I feel him all of a sudden,” Nanda said, worry in her voice. "He’s very weak; no wonder I couldn’t feel him when we first got here. Yes, he’s very close."

“Can you lead us to him, Nanda?” Xavier asked.

“Yes.”

Nanda started walking to the south and the others followed quietly behind. Kerrin couldn’t help but notice that Lessa had chosen for the first time to walk away from the rest of them, and nowhere near him. It saddened him, but there was nothing he could do. He was as trapped by the spell her father had cast as she was.

Part 4 - Cronus II

Part 5 - Temple of Aodh I

Early Spring - M-1893 Part 4 - Cronus (II)

2010-01-03T20:49:00.016-05:00

Guardian's Key

Part 4
Cronus

II

Less than half an hour later, they turned one more corner out of a small dark street and finally found their way into a more open, prosperous area.

“Ah, much better,” Xavier said as they headed for a nearby shop that appeared to be doing a good business despite the poverty they’d just left behind.

“This is where the merchants and bankers live and do business. Although this area is not as grand as that which houses the Guildmasters and their apprentices, it is comfortably prosperous.” Adrostos said.

Kerrin reached the door and held it open as the others entered the shop, Lessa waiting for last entering with him.

The shopkeeper came forward obviously happy to greet the well-dressed newcomers. “Welcome, welcome to my humble shop, what can I do for you? Asa’s Genetic Confections is always happy to see new faces.” He pointed to the bottles on the table beside him. “Are you interested in becoming a Vampire? Live forever without ever growing old.”

Everyone looked at Kerrin. He smiled without humor, purposely showing his fangs. “Is immortality worth never being able to feel the warmth of the sun, being forced to sleep in a coffin because you have to be as close to the earth as possible, watching your loved ones die of old age around you?” His voice was bitter, even though he was trying to keep it level.

Lessa slipped her hand into his and squeezed; a feeling of warmth spread through him. He looked down at her and smiled; her answering smile lighting up her face. Her spirit-touched beauty filled him with need and he wanted every moment they’d shared back. He wanted her to be his future, but unless his luck changed, that was never going to be possible.

Undaunted, Asa pointed to another table, “Well then, how about a love potion, my good Vampire?”

Kerrin returned his attention to the slimy little man and curtailed the desire to snarl at him. “I don’t want or need that either. We’re merely here for directions.”

“Directions, well, then I can’t help you, I’m not the traveler’s bureau.”

Xavier stepped forward and with a wave of is hand, cleared the table of the Vampire potions. The sound of breaking glass filled the shop, followed by a sickly odor that reminded Kerrin of stale blood.

“How about you make an exception this time,” Xavier said, making no effort to curtail his anger with the man.

Asa was struck dumb; apparently dumb enough to look Xavier in the face and say, “You owe me 5,000 gold.”

Xavier’s cold smile caused the shopkeeper to step back, putting distance between them. Although what good he thought that was going to do against the Wizard Kerrin had no idea.

“Oh well, accidents do happen. A stray spell here or there, happens all the time in Cronus. What do you want to know?”

“Where’s the Temple of Aodh?” Lessa's face and voice reflecting her anger at the little man.

If it were at all possible, Asa’s beady eyes became the size of saucers and without regard to his safety or that of the shop; he began pushing them towards the door. “I don’t know, never heard of it, I must get to my dinner now. Good-evening time to you all,” he said as he opened the door, the words all but tripping over his tongue.

Xavier started to say something, but Adrostos stopped him with a hand on his arm. “No good, Wizard. Apparently he is more afraid of the temple than he is of you. We shall simply have to try another way.”

As they stepped back out onto the sidewalk, they almost ran over the man reaching for the door.

"Well, Vampire, I believe you’re the one I seek despite your changed appearance. Won't my father be more than pleased with me when he learns that I’ve finally tracked you down? I looked for you in Acantha earlier, as I'd been told you were there, but you'd already left. Now here you are, standing in front of me, and I wasn’t even looking for you this time."

Kerrin jerked his head around at the voice that was so familiar, and yet not. Loki Garnaych. Unlike his brother, he’d only come into his bar once, but his looks so resembled Lornus there was no mistaking who he was. Shit.

"No!" Lessa cried as she stepped forward. Kerrin tried to grab for her, knowing that by revealing herself to Loki, she’d just succeeded in putting them both in danger. She pulled out of his hands and stood her ground in front of the younger man. Kerrin’s anger surged as Loki turned toward her, his light gray eyes raking her from head to foot. Lust and desire warred with his evident satisfaction at finding such a prize.

Loki’s smile was cold and dangerous, "Ah, an added bonus. The dead daughter of the Master Wizard. Yes, I do believe my father will be most pleased with me."

Lessa looked at Kerrin, fear of discovery clearly etched in her eyes.

Shit!

Part 4 - Cronus I

Part 4 - Cronus III

Early Spring - M 1893 Part 4 - Cronus (I)

2009-12-21T20:50:00.002-05:00

Guardian's Key

Part 4
Cronus

I

Kerrin’s senses were assaulted by the stench of rot and human waste. The sounds of the city blasted into to his sensitive hearing and he staggered back, Xavier and Lessa steadying him. He smiled his thanks to his companions, placing his hand over Lessa’s where it rested on his arm. Pulling on his abilities to tone down the sounds and smells, he looked around. The only positive was the near darkness they’d entered as a result of the few street lights being barely enough to pierce the night.

Cronus was a dark, dirty city that had seen too many Times of Change of constant war. Lessa had told him how the Guidance of Twelve protected Acantha from the full effects of the war, but the same couldn’t be said here. Buildings stood unscarred by the battle that raged without end, but not by the people who lived here. Poverty and desperation seeped from the very pores of the city. The people of Cronus were uncaring of either the quality of their city or the quality of their lives. War had destroyed any hint of civilization that ever existed here. There was technology apparent in the few vehicles around, and the street lights, but it was well and truly obscured by magique, filth and the overall decrepit appearance of the place.

Kerrin had spent too many Times of Change in one place. In his early years, he’d traveled outside Morona, but he’d never left the Forests themselves until this past year. Now he was finding it harder and harder to remember the peace of the Forests, the rest of the world was such a lost and desperate place. The powers believed they sent the criminals to the Forests; but they didn’t, the criminals were here slowly destroying all of Dagon.

“This place is alive with decay,” he said to no one in particular.

“Cronus was once a city that rivaled Acantha in both beauty and the arts, or so I have been told in my teachings of Dagon. I was not alive at the time of its rise to greatness, but many scholars in Chandra Valley have ventured to all parts of Neith and have written of the cities and villages. Before cameras, images were captured by means of magique, and became part of the teachings.” Everyone looked at the Elf and Adrostos smiled. “The Teachings of the Scholars were a great comfort to me in my child years.”

“When we’ve defeated Ghalt, you can share the Teachings of the Scholars with your sons.” Kerrin said, wishing he could offer him more.

The Elf gave him a grateful smile, but said nothing. Adrostos kept everyone at a distance. He was polite and friendly, but there was something simmering under the surface that made it clear he would never let anyone get close to him.

Lessa looked at Nanda, “Can you feel him?”

Nanda shut her eyes, “No, I don’t think so.”

“Shit, this is going to be much harder than I expected,” Xavier said.

Kerrin smiled and put his hand on the man’s shoulder, “You thought this adventure would be easier than the last, Warlock?”

Xavier’s laughter filled the nearly deserted street, “Yes, Vampire, this time I was hoping.”

“Okay, then our first step is to find somewhere to get directions.” Dropping his hand, Kerrin looked around. This didn’t seem the type of neighborhood where that was going to happen any time soon.

"And do you plan to wake that drunk over there and ask him, Vampire?”

“If I thought he’d have any idea where a temple was, I would.”

Adrostos smiled as he looked at the two, amusement shinning in his sky blue eyes even in the dim light. “We are on the outskirts of the center of the town. If we walk to the west, we should arrive there shortly.”

“How do you know Cronus, Adrostos?” Lessa asked as they began walking in the direction he’d suggested.

“When a Chandra Elf gains one hundred Springs, it is tradition to go forth in Dagon and learn of our world. I have in more than one hundred years explored much of Neith.”

“How many other places have you been?” Nanda asked as they turned the corner.

“Many.”

Kerrin smiled, apparently Adrostos had said all he was going to, and that had been much for him, as he was learning.

They made their way through a warren of streets and alleys, many occupied by drunks and hookers. Kerrin hadn’t seen much of Acantha the night he and Lessa had spent there, but he couldn’t recall even hearing of a part of the city that could compare to this.

Cronus was home to some of the worst poverty he’d ever seen. He could only hope their time there would be short.

Part 3 - Savitri II

Part 4 - Cronus II

Early Spring - M 1893 Part 3 - Savitri (II)

2009-11-15T16:59:00.026-05:00

Guardian's Key

Part 3
Savitri

II

“Eris was the head Shadow Spirit? How the hell did she become fallen?” Kerrin asked, a sense of dread settling in his stomach. Something about this whole situation felt off, and the more they learned, the more off it was beginning to feel.

“I’ve only heard the tales, and I know them only because of Telaan. It’s my understanding that to mate with Telaan’s sire and bear a son, Eris had to take a human body and remain in it until the babe was born. So enraged were the Shadow Spirits that their ruler could, even for a short period, appear in the human realm as a human, they plotted her destruction. Shortly after Telaan was born, while Eris was still in her human form weakened from childbirth, she was attacked by Medea. In the battle that ensued Eris lost, and Medea rose to power as Supreme Ruler of the Shadow Spirits.

“Eris has remained in her human body since. She still retains a good portion of her powers, and her immortality, but she doesn’t have the Spiritual form she abandoned to create a new race of Shadow followers. Which she has not been able to succeed in as my foster son is proof.”

Even fallen, Eris was going to be a formidable foe, and they were going to have to enter her Temple to get Telaan. There was no doubting that sooner or later they’d be confronting Eris head on. Even worse, Kerrin had no idea if the man they were going to free could even be trusted. Despite Nanda’s faith in him, his heritage did not speak well of his loyalties. This whole thing was just getting better and better all the time.

“I understand Eris kept her son,” Kerrin said, the feeling of dread growing stronger.

Aglaea smiled briefly, “Yes she did, but Medea couldn't let it rest and as further punishment for betraying her Shadow Spirits, she blinded Eris and removed Telaan from her when he had seen but five springs; returning him to his sire. Unfortunately, Medea did not see fit to remove the mark of the Shadow, and Aldril was unable to cope with the feelings of guilt at having been seduced by Eris and a child produced. Silvanus Elves embrace the ways of the Sundara Spirits and to have produced a child that bore the mark of the Supreme Ruler was too much shame. It didn’t help that Telaan had been entrenched in Shadow beliefs by that time.

“I’ve always believed it eventually drove Aldril mad. One night he walked into the woods. Normally Silvanus Elves are able to live and speak with all the creatures of the forest, but there is one who will not listen. We found him the next morning. We can only guess he purposely sought out the Dragon of Kiseren.”

“He was killed by the Dragon of Kiseren? Damn, that’s a nasty way to go,” Xavier said.

Aglaea looked at Adrostos who was sitting in the corner, saying nothing, but listening intently. Kerrin had almost forgotten he was with them. “And you, child of the Spirit Chandra, what have you lost that has brought you to seek my foster son?”

“My life’s companion.” The pain in Adrostos voice was clear.

“Ah, this is Eris’ doing?”

“No, her servant, Ghalt.”

“Yes, a vampire of great cunning and even greater stupidity. I wish you every success in your goals, my friend.”

“That is most gracious, Silvanus Elf. I will continue until my mission has been completed. One way or the other.”

A chill ran though Kerrin at both the words, and the underlying meaning.

Aglaea smiled, “You’ll succeed without needless sacrifice. You have those to whom you must return it’s the only way they’ll remain safe.”

Adrostos acknowledged her words with a tilt of his head, saying nothing, understanding clear in his eyes. Kerrin could only hope that her predictions held true. Adrostos’ sons needed their father. He’d do everything he could to be sure the Elf did make it home to them.

Aglaea rose, “Now, it’s getting late and you must return to where you’re staying as I believe Kerrin’s in need of rest shortly.”

Startled, Kerrin rose along with the others. “How did you know?”

Once more Aglaea smiled, “Oh, not by your looks, certainly. A gift from the Spirits, I’d suspect. No, you must be more careful when you speak, your fangs still show. And despite the fact my foster son has fangs; I don’t believe you got yours from the Ruler of the Shadow Spirits.”

“Telaan has fangs?” he’d never known an Elf with fangs.

“Most certainly, Eris marked him in many ways.”

“But your teachings have removed all but the physical ones,” Nanda said.

“No, my child, you’re blinded by love. Telaan has been marked in many ways that you can’t see and he’ll never be whole. But perhaps your love will at least give him strength to face his life while you’re with him.”

She led them to the door, “Good evening-time, my children, may the Spirits be your guide.”

Kerrin led the way out, trying desperately to ignore the growing sense that this little adventure was going to cost them much more than the last one had.

Part 3 - Savitri I

Part 4 - Cronus I

Early Spring - M-1893 Part 3 - Savitri (I)

2009-11-01T16:54:00.036-05:00

Guardian's Key

Part 3
Savitri

I

The group appeared outside Aglaea’s home. Kerrin walked to the door expecting it to open once more, but this time it didn’t so he reached up and knocked.

The door opened slowly and a face peeked out, bright green eyes regarding him suspiciously. “Yes, may I help you?”

“You’re an Elf,” slipped out before Kerrin could stop himself. Rather than finding the door slammed in his face at such an inappropriate and rude statement, it swung open further to reveal a laughing Silvanus Elf.

“Yes, I am.” She looked beyond Kerrin, “Good evening-time Nanda, are you here with this one who has no manners?”

Nanda laughed, “Yes, Elder Aglaea, I’m afraid I am. You must forgive Kerrin, a trick was played on him by Eris, and I don’t think he knew what to expect in coming here.”

Realization dawned in her beautiful face. “Ah, you are Kerrin Draonight and you must be Lessa Orrissus.” She stepped back into the room, holding the door further open. “Please come in all of you.”

Kerrin wondered how she knew them, but realized quickly that was one question he wouldn’t get answered, so just decided not to bother.

Once everyone was seated, Aglaea continued, “Does this have to do with my foster son?”

“Yes, we’re trying to find him,” Lessa answered.

She regarded Lessa for a moment before she asked, “He’s in danger isn’t he?”

“Yes, I’m afraid he is. I’ve had a vision that he’s been bound and beaten.”

“He’s alive, however, and not in immediate danger of dying at this time?”

“Yes, he's alive. I don’t believe he’s dying at this point, but I do believe his danger is great.”

“This is good, there’s still time. Tell me all about your vision and I’ll try to help.”

When Lessa finished telling Aglaea the same thing she'd said told them earlier at Nanda's home, Aglaea asked, “Is that all?”

Lessa looked uncomfortable and glanced at Kerrin. “In relation to Telaan, yes.”

Now what had she seen? Kerrin didn’t know why, but he was beginning to suspect that Lessa’s memory was returning. As much as he wanted her to remember him, the thought scared him. He shook his head, that was just plain ridiculous. If she remembered, it would only be good for them. Wouldn't it?

He turned back to Aglaea as she nodded and smiled knowingly. “Yes, the visions that encompass many things are the most distracting.”

Kerrin shook his head. Just once he’d love to see an elf who didn’t like to hide behind words.

“As to Telaan, the Temple of Aodh is in the heart of Cronus," Aglaea continued.

“Shit,” Xavier said, not quite under his breath.

“Yes, that’s a very good word for this situation,” Aglaea said smiling. “You remind me much of my foster son, Wizard.”

She turned back to Nanda. “You can find him, my dear. When you reach Cronus, feel for him, call out to him. You’ve shared his bed, therefore you share his heart. He’s a Silvanus Elf, once he’s shared a part of himself with the woman he loves; they’re linked in mind as well as body.”

“I don’t feel anything, except empty.”

“You’re too far away. The Temple of Aodh in is the Dardanos district. I don’t know more than that. I’ve only heard of the Temple in passing. It was erected to worship Eris when she was Supreme Ruler of the Shadow Spirits.”

Part 2 - Vijaya I

Part 3 - Savitri II

Early Spring - M-1893 Part 2 - Vijaya (I)

2009-10-18T18:49:00.017-04:00

Guardian's Key

Part 2
Vijaya

I

“I don’t know where Telaan is. I haven’t seen him since he grabbed Eris, but I’m afraid for him. He would come to me, if he were able,“ Nanda said fear plain on her face and in her voice.

“Are you lovers?” Lessa asked, surprised. So much for being best friends; she had no idea her friend was even seeing someone. What kind of friend was she that she was too wrapped up in her own problems to even notice that kind of change in her friend?

Nanda smiled, “Yes. Oh, Lessa I’m so sorry to have kept it from you, but Telaan insisted. Then my parents went into hiding, you were having visions of danger, and everything just seemed to fall apart.”

“When did you meet him?” It couldn’t have been that long, could it?

“At the Festival last Spring Season. Do you remember the band, The Furies?”

“Ah, yes, the drummer. I remember him.” Lessa had recognized him in her vision by instinct, but now that she thought about it, she realized she remembered him from that day. Nanda had spent a quite a bit of time hanging around the bandstand that had been temporarily erected for the day.

“Well, we talked and talked all through the night. I’ve seen him many times since then. He’s such a gentle man.”

“You are aware he has Shadow Spirit blood, are you not?” Xavier asked.

“Yes, I‘ve seen his back. How he’s marked is not a sign of the person he is.” Nanda’s voice was defensive, obviously this was the reason why Telaan didn’t want the relationship well known.

“Easy Nanda, I’m not criticizing; Telaan is my friend as well. I just wondered if he’d shared that with you. He only tells those he trusts implicitly.”

“Someone trusts you implicitly, Warlock?” Kerrin’s eyebrow rose with the question.

“Hard as you may find that to believe, Vampire. But then, Telaan and I are both bastards at heart. Bastards are brothers in arms.”

“Enough,” Lessa said, “Honestly you two can be a real trial. Nanda, we need to find him, is there any way to do that? I didn’t understand what he said in my vision. I don’t know where the Temple of Aodh is.”

“I don’t either,” she looked around and the others shook their heads. “His foster mother, Aglaea, might know, she’s in Savitri.”

“I don’t know if she’s returned, Nanda,” Xavier answered, “Telaan was looking for her when I ran into him there.”

“No, she has, my mother spoke with her just this morning-time on a Guidance matter.”

“That is where we start then,” Adrostos said. “Lessa, you can give us directions and we can teleport. You can take Kerrin.”

“Wait, I’m going, too," Nanda said, rising. "Please, it’ll just take me a few minutes to get ready. Aglaea knows me, she doesn’t know you four and she’s leery of strangers.”

“That is fine; a few moments more or less will not matter,” Adrostos said softly.

Nanda walked up to the elf and put a hand on his shoulder, “Adrostos, I am truly saddened by the loss of Jocosta. I remember her well from Electra’s, she was a good woman.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll stop by the kitchens and have refreshments brought in. I’ll be back shortly,” Nanda said as she left the room.

Part 1- Mist Hollow III

Part 3-Savitri I

Early Spring - M-1893 Part 1 - Mist Hollow (III)

2009-10-04T16:13:00.023-04:00

Guardian's Key

Part 1
Mist Hollow

III

Despite once again finding herself in an unfamiliar bed, Lessa quickly fell asleep, as much from exhaustion as the enjoyment of sleeping in a soft bed rather than the hard ground.

Soon the dream took over, though some part of her knew she was having a vision. She tried to stay apart from it and learn, but she was drawn irrevocably into the emotion of it.

She and Kerrin were at her parents’ home in Morana. But why? She’d only been in that home once when she was a very small child. Before she could come to an understanding, she was drawn into the scene. She was not a part of it, rather an invisible spectator standing in the background looking on. She couldn’t hear them, but she clearly understood the looks that passed between them. They were exploring each other, learning; both yearning for more. And once again, this was a Kerrin of the past before he took the Spirit’s potion.

The scene faded and she was drawn to another; merely a watcher who could do nothing.

She’d found Telaan. He was bound and beaten, alive for now. If they didn’t find him soon, he would not survive, they must hurry. She moved forward, surprised she could move, but she didn’t know where he was. Wait a chime.

Suddenly he looked up; she could have sworn he saw her.

"The Temple of Aodh."

Did he say that?

“You saw the daughter of Master Wizard? Ah, not quite as dead as we were led to believe. Yes, I do believe my father will be most pleased.”

Lessa whirled to face the man behind her, bathed in black. She had no idea where he was. She turned back, but Telaan was gone, there was nothing but the encompassing black.

Stunned, Lessa forced herself to waken.

Sitting on the edge of the bed she knew she had to keep the vision with her. Refusing to let it slip away this time, she thought about it. Why would she be with Kerrin in a house she hadn’t seen for years? Talking like people getting to know one another. Was this a vision or a memory? Why would she think that? Because it was before he’d changed. Certainty that it was a memory sat like lead in her stomach; they had known each other.

She shook her head, that wasn’t important, what was important was remembering what Telaan told her. But before she could think on that, Loki once again appeared before her, and she honestly thought he was in the room with her, until she realized it was just her memory of his face getting in the way. If that was a vision, and she had no reason to doubt it was, then she had undone all the protection her father had surrounded her with.

She was about to get caught, but as before when she thought she and Kerrin were in danger because they were together, she had to go on.

Part I - Mist Hollow II

Part 2 - Vijaya I

Chapter List

2009-09-25T23:05:00.028-04:00

Part 1
Mist Hollow
I
II
III

Part 2
Vijaya
I

Part 3
Savitri
I
II

Part 4
Cronus
I
II
III

Part 5
Temple of Aodh
I
II

Part 6
Return to Cronus
I
II

Part 7
The Shadowqueen
I
II
III

Part 8
Morana
I
Neith
II
III

Temporary - Guardian's Key End Text Only

Early Spring - M-1893 Part 1 - Mist Hollow (II)

2009-09-20T20:57:00.015-04:00

Guardian's Key

Part 1
Mist Hollow

II

“We saw Telaan. Isn’t he an elf?” Lessa asked.

This time Xavier answered. “He’s a bastard half-breed. Don’t look at me like that Vampire; he’d be the first to call himself such. He’s marked by the Shadow Spirit, and he’ll forever wander with it pinned to his back. His sire was a Silvanus Elf that Eris used and when she was done, took her son and walked away. I don’t know how Telaan ended up back with the elves, I only know he did and was raised by Aglaea.”

“There’s a real Aglaea?” Kerrin asked him.

“Yes, but apparently you met Eris, not Aglaea, a trick I hadn’t been aware of until she appeared at Ghalt’s. I ran into Telaan in Savitri when he was looking for Aglaea. She’d contacted him she was in danger, but he arrived too late, she was gone and he didn’t know where she was.”

“Why can’t we just go back to Ghalt’s? That would be simple enough.” Not that Kerrin really wanted to see that place again anytime soon. Getting out in one piece had been more of a challenge than he was going to share with anyone. The hour he’d kept to the trees, moving too slow, was an hour from the darkest regions of the underworld. It’d taken every ounce of strength he’d been able to pull together just to make it to full evening-time. The rest of the trip had seemed never ending and he remembered little except the need to get to Lessa. He’d arrived at the bar by sheer determination alone. That determination was beginning to fail him the longer he stayed up; soon, he’d be unable to fight the exhaustion any longer.

“Ghalt has disappeared,” Adrostos answered. “He no longer appears to be in Pollux. Chryses tells me the Spirits believe Eris has hidden him away.”

“Do you have any idea where he might be?” Kerrin asked.

“It does not matter where Eris has sent him,” Chryses said. “Only Eris knows where the Casque is that the Guardian’s Key will fit.”

“And you think she’s just going to tell us if we ask?” Kerrin didn’t believe that for one moment.

“No, but the Spirits believe she can be tricked into showing you where it is at.”

“How?”

“I do not know, Kerrin. I only know that it will be revealed to you when it is time.”

“And just what are we supposed to do with it when we do find it?”

“That will be revealed when it is time.”

Kerrin sighed, no point in arguing with Chryses, ever.

Kerrin felt the pull of dawn-time as Chryses rose. “Come Lessa, Titus has recently built a series of homes here in Mist Hollow which he intends to provide to anyone wishing to escape the war in Acantha. He has offered one to you. I am sorry, but we were unable to save your belongings.”

“They’re nothing that can’t be replaced. Jocosta was the only true loss. I’ll miss her greatly; she was a good woman with a warm heart.”

Adrostos smiled, but his attention was drawn to the cries of his young sons from the other room. “They have awakened. We will still be here when you return Chryses. Thank you all for aiding me in this. It will be a difficult task, but one that must be faced. Fortunately, I no longer have to face it alone.”

“Come, Vampire, I’ll take you back to your island, then I’m off to my home in Anil. I’ll be more than grateful to get at least one good sleep on a soft bed before we’re off again,” Xavier said.

Which reminded Kerrin he was grateful for the bed he had as well as the coffin; the thought of climbing into that small space once again was no longer appealing. Fresh blood from his refrigerator would be welcome as well. The pain that radiated from his cheek was a constant reminder that he was too weak to heal.

(I realize that sometimes by using my owns spellings and terms for things I can get a bit confusing as I did with the Guardian’s Casque of Domination. Yes, "casque" is a helmet, but I am using it to refer to a small box such as a jewelry box or perhaps even a miniature cedar chest. More in the order of a small casket.
-Lachesis)

Part 1 - Mist Hollow I

Part 1 - Mist Hollow III

Early Spring - M-1893 Part 1 - Mist Hollow (I)

2009-09-06T15:05:00.028-04:00

(Note: Guardian's Key picks up immediately where The Search for Nanda left off)

Guardian's Key

Part 1
Mist Hollow

I

Damn, Kerrin was getting sick and tired of the disorientation he felt every time they decided to teleport and stopping in Acantha only to immediately take off again was pushing it. He looked at his two companions; they didn’t seem as shaken as he felt. Did it affect him adversely because he was bound to the earth as the Warlock had said? Interesting theory, perhaps he’d ask Chryses about it some time.

He looked at his surroundings, “Warlock, why are we here? Shouldn’t you have taken Lessa home?”

“Chryses has requested to speak with us,” his voice was quiet, strained.

“Is something wrong?” Lessa asked.

“That’s not for me to answer, little one. Come, it’ll be dawn-time soon and Chryses must speak with you before you retire.”

Xavier knocked once and entered. Kerrin didn’t know exactly what he’d expected, but it had not been to find Adrostos in state of extreme distress.

Uncomfortable, Kerrin stood just inside the door. The elf’s pain ripped through him and took him back to the first days after he’d found Lassirra dead.

That’s when he understood. Taking a few steps forward, he said, “Oh, Spirits, Adrostos, your family?”

Adrostos looked up, his blue eyes swimming with unshed tears, “Thank the Spirits, my sons are safe but my beloved Jocosta is dead.”

Lessa sat beside him, while Xavier stood back quietly, understanding heavy on his face and in his stance. He seemed more human than ever before. He, too, had suffered the loss of a loved one. Who? Kerrin watched as the man unconsciously fingered the silver ring that didn’t fit over his knuckle.

“Adrostos, may peace follow you in your time of sorrow,” Lessa said.

“The Academy was burned to the ground, and Jocosta was found in one of the rooms,” Chryses said. “Whoever ever did this, made sure she could not cheat death. No Death Waker could have saved her.”

Nodding, Lessa asked, “Are the students okay?” Kerrin knew she understood the limitations of the Death Waker more than most.

“Yes, thank the Spirits. They had already gone home when the fire broke out. Jocosta’s death was not an accident. She had been knocked unconscious prior to the fire,” Chryses said.

“Why?” Lessa asked.

“I had hoped that saving Nanda would save Adrostos this pain, but even the Spirits cannot see what will happen if one path is closed. Sometimes what is meant to be is meant to be, and nothing we do will stop that. The path will simply diverge and a new one will open.”

Kerrin almost understood that. “I gather we’re here to help find who killed her?”

“We do not know who killed Jocosta, only whose bidding that person has done.” Chryses answered.

Adrostos put a hand to the key he always wore around his neck. His voice was stronger when he answered, “This is the Guardian’s Key, and it opens the Guardian’s Casque of Domination that Ghalt wants very badly. We must destroy that desire before he attacks my children. Chryses can keep them safe for now, but that is not enough. Ghalt must be destroyed or his power severely crippled.”

“Ghalt? Damn, Warlock, you should have let me cut off his head.” Not that he hadn’t tried regardless of what the man had promised; he felt anger fill him for failing.

“I wish I had.”

“That would not have saved Jocosta.” Chryses answered, “She died two turnings past. I do not believe you had found Ghalt at that time.”

“And even if you had, I do not believe it would have mattered,” Adrostos said. “Jocosta was struck from the front, it is apparent she knew her attacker. She would have had no reason to have known Ghalt and even if she did, she would not have stood idly by and let him strike her.”

Kerrin nodded at the logic of their statements. “What’s in the Casque?”

“The one thing that will free him from the fallen Shadow Spirit he is bound to.”

“He’s bound to a Shadow Spirit? I thought it was a Succubus.”

“That is the tale. No his bind is much more destructive,” Adrostos said. “Within the Casque lies the Kiseren Tear which is the source of all Ghalt’s power. You would not have been able to cut off his head. With this crystallized tear he is both invulnerable and immortal, and it gives him great magique that would not normally be available to a vampire. There is nothing you can do to kill him. As long as it is in the hands of his mistress, she holds the power of life and death over him, and he has been trying for many years to get it away from her. She bound his soul to it in the first place, but she has never given him full power of possession.

"However, my having the key also keeps his mistress from having direct access to it. It has now become apparent he has decided the time has come to retrieve it, which makes me and my family targets as he wishes to get it before she does."

Well, that explained why Kerrin’s face was bloodied while he hadn’t even able to scratch the bastard. “Who is this Shadow Spirit?”

“Eris.”

“Damn, I knew there was something scary about her,” Kerrin said. “How did you get this key?”

“I stole it from the Holder Eris left it with.”

Kerrin regarded the quiet, peaceful man, “Why?”

“Ghalt destroyed something very precious to me, and that is all I will say. Now and in the future. It does not bear on our present task in any way but that the time has come to remove his threat from my family forever.”

“Kerrin,” Chryses said, “it will be dawn-time soon. The Spirits would like you, Xavier, Lessa and Adrostos to travel to Vijaya to the Ves’ton home, Xavier knows where it is. Speak with Nanda and she will lead you to Telaan.”

“Who’s Telaan?” Kerrin asked.

“He is Eris’ son,” Adrostos answered.

(I realize that sometimes by using my owns spellings and terms for things I can get a bit confusing as I did with the Guardian’s Casque of Domination. Yes, "casque" is a helmet, but I am using it to refer to a small box such as a jewelry box or perhaps even a miniature cedar chest. More in the order of a small casket.
-Lachesis)

Part 1 - Mist Hollow II

Ghalt's Kader (Fate)

2009-08-20T18:35:00.022-04:00

Warnings:
This update includes very strong language and nudity.
Welcome to Ghalt's world:

Ghalt felt the pull of full evening-time. Finally, he could rise and get his prize back. Damn, the queen of bitches was going to be pissed. He’d been surprised when he hadn’t seen her earlier, could it be that she hadn’t discovered he’d failed? There wasn’t anything he feared, but she came very close to being the one thing he could.

Stepping down from the platform, he wondered about the vampire that was surely a pile of dust either in his hallway or outside by now. Why had he looked as he did? Even more, he was very strong for one of his age. The vampire was much younger than he, yet he’d held his own. Ghalt would have had more than one stab wound healing during the non-evening-time if he were a normal vampire.

“In the name of the Shadow, Ghalt, are you trying to blind me completely?”

Shocked, he jerked his head up at the familiar voice. Oh, he was surely fucked. She waved her hand and his naked body was covered from head to foot. He knew she wasn’t shy, hell in the early days he’d been in her bed often enough, even before she was blinded. Now she was just pissed with him, and he was going to have to pay for that with a pound of flesh. If he were lucky, it’d only be a pound and not all of his flesh.

Standing next to her, as she had for the last five hundred years, was the priestess who served as her eyes.

“Shit, do you like sneaking up on people?” Stupid question, he knew damn well that’s exactly what she liked.

"Would you rather I was that piece of Siren ass you like so well?” Yes, she was very pissed with him, and jealous. Damn, this was worse than even he thought it could get.

“Fuck, Eris, I know you’re pissed, just tell me how many lashes I’m going to get this time, and I’ll take my punishment like a good boy and then get my ass out there and find the Ves’ton bitch.”

"I don’t give a shit about that bitch, I do, however, give a shit about you. You’ve failed me for the last time, Ghalt. Do you have any idea how much grief the Guidance is going to give me for this?”

“You can handle the Guidance, you always have. They need you more than you need them. And besides, the world’s without one more vampire this evening-time, you should be happy about that.”

“You think he’s dead, do you?”

“Yes, he was caught without his coffin.”

“Do you know why Kerrin Draonight looks like he does?”

“No, but I did wonder about that.”

“He looks like that because the prissy Spirits have granted him the privilege of not needing his coffin any more.”

He felt the blood drain from his face. “What?” even he heard the panic. He knew she hated anything that had to do with Quaendis and apparently the vampire was his friend. Oh, fuck, fuck, fuck, he was so seriously screwed.

“So, I’m going to give you the same gift.”

“Excuse me?” What gift?

She waved her hand and suddenly he found himself once again nude only this time bound to the wall in his own dungeon; the stone floor was cold and damn uncomfortable on his bare ass. Thank the Shadow there were no windows down here, nor was there much in the way of light in this particular room. He yanked his arms, but he knew even he couldn’t break free of her magique.

“Eris!”

He suspected he could shout until he lost his voice and she wouldn’t show up, but to his great surprise her name was no more past his lips than she appeared before him.

“Hum, you know, bound like that maybe I could have a different opinion of your body.”

Despite what she said, she couldn’t see him, not really. But her little priestess could, and what he saw did scare him for the first time since he’d become a vampire.

Her eyes filled with lust and she licked her lips as though she wanted to taste him. In the name of the Shadow, he was really screwed. If she returned and took advantage of him while he was bound…

Oh, that was a thought he didn’t even want to consider. He’d be dead for sure. Eris' jealousy knew no bounds. She'd find a way to kill him, of that he had no doubt whatsoever; and it would be far less pleasant than being bound bare-ass naked in his own dungeon.

“Fuck you, Eris.”

“I might just consider it now that you’re in such an inviting position,” Eris answered with a smile that revealed her fangs even in the dim light.

“You’re a sick bitch, did you know that?”

His answer was the laugh he really, really hated.

“How long do you plan to keep me here? What do I do about the non-evening time? I can’t very well crawl into my coffin from here.”

“Well, that’s the gift I’ve given you. Like Kerrin, you no longer need your coffin during the non-evening-time, so you should be perfectly safe right where you are until I’m ready to let you go.”

They disappeared as they came, with no theatrics, no glowing lights, they were just gone. She was the only being he knew who could come and go without so much as lifting a finger.

“Damn.” He had a really bad feeling he was going to be here a very long time. How long before he lost all feeling in his arms? How long before the cold completely froze his ass? Could he starve to death? He had no idea, but he sure hoped to hell a rat would pass by his foot soon.

Looking down at how vulnerable he was, he revised that thought. He didn’t want a rat anywhere near him after all.

Guardian's Key
Part 1

The Search for Nanda - Chapter List

2009-08-14T21:21:00.002-04:00

Mid-Winter M-1892
(The Search for Nanda - Chapter 1)
Visions
Part 1: Impossible Visions of Self
Part 2: A Place of Peace

Part 3: Spirit-Cursed Gift

Late Winter M-1892
(The Search for Nanda - Chapter 2)
Destiny
Part 1: Lassirra is in the Music
Part 2: Love Reborn
Part 3: The Seer
Part 4: We Are in Danger

Early Spring M-1893
(The Search for Nanda - Chapter 3)
Spirits Intervene
Part 1: It Begins
Part 2: The Quest

Early Spring M-1893
(The Search for Nanda - Chapter 4)
Acantha
Part 1: The Guide Sent Us
Part 2: Hidden Truths

Early Spring M-1893
(The Search for Nanda - Chapter 5)
The Valley
Part 1: Finding the Sorceress
Part 2: The Sorceress
Part 3: Odin

Early Spring M-1893
(The Search for Nanda - Chapter 6)
Preparations
Part 1: The Journey
Part 2: The Dark Visitor

Early Spring M-1893
(The Search for Nanda - Chapter 7)
Pollux
Part 1: The Search Begins
Part 2: Nanda
Part 3: The Guidance of Twelve
Part 4: The Undesirable Stop
Part 5: The Siren
Part 6: The Dream
Part 7: A Questionable Companion
Part 8: Revelation
Part 9: Plans
Part 10: Into the Darkness
Part 11: Nanda
Part 12: Ghalt
Part 13: Waiting
(Conclusion of The Search for Nanda)

Prologue - Chapter List

2009-08-14T21:14:00.003-04:00

Summer M-1892
(Prologue)

(Note: This section was created using the method of in-game pictures taken with balloons and no posing of Sims. Also, there was no real story, I just let the Sims tell me a story while game play carried on without my intervention. Many elements lead into what has become the storyline, "The Search for Nanda" starting with Mid-Winter below. This section also serves as an introduction to The Sea of Moons; a Prologue, if you will, and explains some of the people who live there and how they arrived.)

Part 1: Time to Move On

Part 2: Hiring a New Mistress of Polymath Academy

Part 3: New Guildmasters

Part 4: Planning the Festival of Concordia

Part 5: The Meeting

Part 6: Selling the Island

Part 7: Stranger in a Strange World

Part 8: Old Acquaintances

Part 9: The Guidance of Twelve

Part 10: She Fascinates Me

Part 11: Lunch with an Old Friend

Part 12: Goodbye Acantha

Part 13: Not Just Another Turning

Part 14: A Place to Belong

Part 15: No Escaping the Past

Part 16: The Future Looks Bright

A Vampire's Tale - Chapter List

2009-08-14T19:17:00.014-04:00

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

Part 10

Part 11

Early Spring, M-1893, Pollux, Part 13

2009-07-19T18:28:00.018-04:00

Waiting

Lessa was exhausted. The walk back to the bar had been strenuous enough without the fear that the succubus that controlled Ghalt would send someone to stop them. But she hadn’t. Whether she was unaware of the events that had happened, or she didn’t care enough was unknown, but they arrived without incident.

Lessa was waiting for Xavier to return from Acantha where he was taking Nanda to be met by the Guide. Going would have been interesting because she would love to know who the Guide was, but when Xavier had insisted she go with them, she’d stood firm and refused. She wouldn’t leave Pollux until she knew Kerrin was safe. He’d risked everything to help her and her friend, people he didn’t even know. There was no way she was going to abandon him.

She looked over at the bar and smiled. Melchior was taking Xavier’s order that nothing happen to her before he could return to heart. The man was actually quite nice. He’d seen that she had a Blackburn, and she was seated and properly fed.

Dusk-time had long past and it was well into the evening-time. Ghalt would have risen and not found a pile of dust on his hall floor. What would he have thought? Most likely that Kerrin had gone outside and toasted instead. Would he come after them, or would he assume they’d be long gone by now?

He knew Xavier, he’d assume they’d be long gone by now. What Xavier had done with Nanda was what was expected. What wasn’t expected was what they were really doing. Waiting in a bar in Pollux for a vampire who should never have been able to survive outside of a coffin. That was, without a doubt about as unexpected as possible.

The door opened and Lessa looked toward it expectantly, only slightly disappointed when she saw Xavier enter rather than Kerrin. He nodded to Melchior.

Melchior brought his drink and Xavier said, “Thank you for taking care of her.”

“You’re welcome; she brightens up this old tired place.” He looked at Lessa and smiled, “Perhaps you’d like to visit from time to time just to brighten the place up.”

Lessa smiled, “Thank you, but no. As soon as our friend arrives, I’m afraid I’ll be more than ready to return home and never visit this part of the world again. No offense intended.”

Melchior’s laugh was loud and boisterous. “No offense taken. A beautiful lady such as yourself should never be stuck in a place where there’s only darkness.”

He moved away then and Xavier reached out and covered her hand, “Don’t worry, little one, the Vampire’s more than capable of taking care of himself. Just holding Ghalt at bay took great strength. Besides he’ll return, even if only sheer determination gets him here.”

“How do you know that?”

Xavier laughed, loud and clear, for the first time genuine humor in his laugh, “He has a very good reason to fight through the Spirits of the Underworld to get here.”

Lessa was puzzled, “Why?”

Xavier laughed again. “That’s something you’ll find out in time.”

“Do you know Chryses Tin’ine?”

Xavier looked startled for a moment, and then looked quickly away, not answering.

They talked for a while, until they ran out of topics and then they just sat. Xavier drinking every drink Melchior put in front of him, which were many and Lessa slowly drinking hers.

Evening-time passed slowly and Lessa became too tired to keep her head up. Try as she might, she couldn’t fight sleep and eventually her head fell onto the table.

***

Kerrin was tired and weak by the time he pushed open the door of Melchior’s bar. The night had been long and dawn-time was only an hour away. He needed blood, but he hadn’t had time to feed and even if he had, he wouldn’t have.

He hadn’t wanted to, but now he was glad he’d fed on Ghalt’ dogs. That had been the only thing that had gotten him this far safely.

He looked around the room finally seeing Xavier, but he couldn’t see Lessa.

He hurried to Xavier, hoping that he’d convinced her to return to Acantha with Nanda. He wasn’t surprised to find her with her head on her arm, sound asleep.

Xavier stood and shook his hand, “Well, Vampire, it’s good to see you.”

“Thank you for waiting and taking care of them for me. I take it Nanda is safely away and Lessa refused to go?”

“Exactly. Nanda’s in Acantha; and as soon as you wake the little one here, we can head out to the spot just outside Pollux and teleport into Acantha and then on to the Sea of Moons. The good news is that it’ll be two hours earlier there.”

“Good, I won’t be forced to sleep before I can make sure everything is taken care of.”

Kerrin reached over and touched Lessa’s cheek; feeling rejuvenated by the softness of her skin. Oh, how he still loved her.

“Don’t let her see that face, Vampire, she’s not ready for it yet. Though she will be eventually.”

“Do you know Chryses?” Kerrin asked.

“Ah the little one asked the same question, and I won’t answer you either.”

Hum, that made Kerrin suspicious that the man did indeed know Chryses. But that was a story for another time if he ever saw the man again because he certainly wouldn’t ask Chryses. She’d just give him one of her most cryptic answers.

Lessa raised her head and looked at him. Jumping up, she leapt into his arms crying, “Kerrin, you made it!”

“Yes, little one he did. You should not have doubted him. Now we must get going, it will be dawn-time here soon and I want to teleport to Acantha before it gets any later.”

“We’re not going to Sea of Moons?”

“Yes, little one, but you know we can’t get there from here, we must leave from Acantha.”

“Oh, yes, I’m sorry, I’m still fuzzy from sleep, and I just want to get home.”

Lessa took Kerrin’s hand. “Thank you,” she said with a smile. The three walked out the door and toward the edge of town.

Ghalt's Kader

Early Spring, M-1893, Pollux, Part 12

2009-07-13T13:30:00.003-04:00

Ghalt

Swords appeared around Kerrin and Nanda’s waists. He looked at Lessa standing next to Xavier and wondered who had conjured them. There was no indication from their expressions or body movements. In fact, neither of them looked like they’d moved since Ghalt had entered the room. Drawing his sword, he started moving silently around the room hoping to put as much distance from the others as he could.

Ghalt pinned Xavier with his stare, “You! You damn meddling Wizard. I’ve tolerated your fucking interference for the last time. Now, I’ve lost my favorite sex toy.”

“Not to mention what your mistress is going to say when she learns you’ve lost your prisoner.” Kerrin said, directing the ancient vampire away from the others.

Ghalt turned toward him, apparently noticing him for the first time. “Well, aren’t you a fancy ass vampire? What the hell happen to you?”

“More than will ever happen to you.” Kerrin answered launching at Ghalt who quickly conjured his own sword. He’d realized within a few short moments of Ghalt’s appearance there was more than just the power of a succubus protecting him. He was, in fact, many Times of Change older than his own five hundred years. If Kerrin was going to have any advantage over him, he was going to have to take the initiative.

Ghalt’s strength came from age, and yet there was something more, something Kerrin didn’t understand, something he’d never felt from a vampire before. Something that had allowed him to appear in front of them when vampires weren’t supposed to be able to teleport. But what he did hadn’t looked like teleporting, maybe it was some sort of magique; and since he'd conjured his own weapon, he had at least a small amount of magique ability.

Ghalt’s expertise with a sword almost matched Kerrin’s, but Kerrin still had the advantage. However what Ghalt lacked in skill, he more than made up for in outright vicious attacks that kept Kerrin on the alert at all times for a fist or a foot directed at him with great strength.

Kerrin's face was beginning to feel like a punching bag, while no matter how many times his sword touched the man's unprotected skin, Kerrin couldn't even leave a scratch. Was the man somehow protected by his home? Kerrin had heard of such wards being placed around homes of beings with powerful magique, but he didn't sense that kind of power coming from Ghalt. His succubus perhaps?

As he fought, Kerrin caught glimpses of Xavier, Nanda and Lessa fighting whatever demons and protectors Ghalt had at his call.

He was surprised to see Lessa keeping up with Xavier using more than simple magique in a place strongly protected by the Shadow Spirits. When he had time, he’d wonder about that, until then, it took everything he had to just stay one step ahead of Ghalt.

The evening-time worn on and Kerrin lost track of the hour until suddenly he felt Ghalt hesitate as the dawn-time pulled at them. Kerrin moved to press his advantage, lifting his sword for a killing blow. To hell with Xavier’s promise, this time when his sword touched the man's neck, he'd see the bastard bleed.

Before he could swing his sword, the older vampire disappeared, reappearing near the door laughing.

“Ah, Vampire, caught without a coffin. See you in the Realm of the Spirits of the Underworld.”

Before anyone could stop him, Ghalt laughed without humor and vanished.

Kerrin finally looked around only to find that the other three had effectively taken care of what Ghalt had caused to appear. They looked as beat up as he felt, but at least they were all still alive.

Lessa ran up to him as he dropped the sword. “Kerrin, what are we going to do, you can’t leave now.”

It pained him to see her beautiful face marred from the fight. He started to raise his hand, then let it drop, this was not the time and he wasn't sure his touch would be welcome anyway.

There was only one way he could protect her now. He looked at Xavier knowing he’d understand. The Wizard gave him a small smile and then nodded. “Come on ladies, we’re going to leave, now before Ghalt rises even more deadly than he was. We were lucky the first time, we took him by surprise, and Ixchel had succeeded in tiring him out. Fully rested, Kerrin’s not even going to be able to hold him off, let alone defeat him.”

“But Kerrin can’t travel,” Lessa said.

“No, I can’t, but I don’t need a coffin either, which he doesn’t know. As far as he’s concerned I’m good as dead. You three leave. Xavier will see you to safety, and I’ll follow at the first pull of dusk-time.”

“But can you travel at dusk-time?”

“I’ll have to, I don’t have any choice. It’ll be a full hour before Ghalt rises, and I’ve been out past dawn-time before. Dusk-time should be easier.” When she’d died, but he wasn’t going to tell her that. “I’ll be fine.”

Before Lessa could say anything more, Xavier said, “We’ll meet you at Melchior’s.”

Xavier started for the door, but he must have realized they weren't following because he said without turning, “Come on ladies, we have to be as close to Pollux as possible before evening-time. It’s going to be a push since we made the trip in two evening-times last time and this time we must make it in one non-evening-time.”

To Kerrin’s surprise, he felt Lessa launch into him, he grabbed her and held on tight, “Please be careful and leave as soon as you can. I want to stay, but I know you’ll travel faster without us holding you back.” She kissed him then and he knew he had to make it back to her. Kader didn’t usually give second chances, he wasn’t about to give up this gift.

“We’ll see you in one turning,” Xavier said.

Nanda approached and lightly shook his hand, “Thank you.”

Kerrin watched as they left. He looked around; he wasn’t about to wait in Ghalt’s throne room.

He moved to the hall and found a dark corner behind the stairs. He slid down the wall and proceeded to wait.

Pollux Part 13, Waiting

Early Spring, M-1893, Pollux, Part 11

2009-07-08T20:39:00.030-04:00

Nanda

Lessa couldn’t just stand there and wait for them to call her; she wasn’t helpless, dammit.

As she walked through the door, she saw lightning encasing the metal golem and the dogs were dead.

Though Kerrin’s back was to her, she could feel his distress at having killed the dogs.

Once the golem collapsed, Xavier turned to Lessa and asked, “Does Ixchel say there’s anything else, and which way do we go?”

Lessa turned away from Kerrin, giving him the space he needed and concentrated on her connection with Ixchel. “No, apparently Ghalt didn’t expect such an open attempt to save Nanda. He doesn’t have his usual protection in place; he just wanted to keep Nanda in. She’s at the bottom of the stairs to our left.”

“I’m not surprised,” Xavier said. “Ghalt is such an arrogant bastard; he’d think his home alone would protect him from intrusion.”

Lessa felt Kerrin move up behind her. She turned and realized his color had once again improved, but there was pain in his blue eyes.

“Let’s get going,” Kerrin growled, “I want to get the hell out of here.”

“I think that’s something we all agree on, Vampire.” Xavier said, leading the way cautiously down the stairs.

They reached the bottom without incident. “Ixchel says Nanda is at the end of the hall to the left.”

Xavier once again led the way. Lessa nearly jumped out of her skin when another metal golem appeared to block their path. Without hesitation, Xavier lifted his hand and a stream of energy flowed, striking the golem and electrocuting it.

“Damn,” Kerrin said behind her, his breath warm on her neck as he pulled her against him. They’d put Lessa between them thinking they could protect her; but Lessa knew she could protect herself if need be. How she knew, she wasn’t sure, but she did, and that thought gave her enough strength to resist the temptation of melting into Kerrin’s strength.

“Let’s move on before another one of those things appears,” Xavier said.

They reached the end of the hall. As she had seen her, Nanda was sitting in a darkly lit room protected by bars, but she did seem comfortable and unhurt even if there was a damp chill in the air.

“Nanda,” Lessa said softly.

***

“Lessa,” Nanda cried jumping up and coming to the door. “Thank the Spirits. I was hoping someone would come soon, but I never expected it’d be you. I’m so worried about my parents. Are they safe?”

“Yes, the Guidance has been told your mother’s ill. They’re hoping to avoid the Shadow Warlocks taking over.”

“Can we continue this later, little one?” Xavier asked as he raised his hand to the bars. Nothing happened. “Fuck.”

“Ghalt’s power is great, greater than any I’ve ever encountered,” Nanda said. “Your magique isn’t going to break through his.”

“No, but I can,” Kerrin said as he grabbed the bars and pulled the door off.

Nanda looked amazed, “Wow, I’d heard of vampire strength, but I’ve never seen it.”

“Come on,” Kerrin said. “We have to get out of here before Ghalt realizes his prize has been released.”

“Don’t worry, Vampire, Ixchel will keep him occupied for sometime to come.”

Kerrin wasn’t too sure about that. His vampire sense was starting to tell him the danger had just begun.

Xavier started back down the hall and up the stairs, Kerrin following behind the two women. He didn’t have a good feeling at all. His bad feeling almost overpowered him as they reached the main room.

Suddenly, the Sorceress Aglaea and a young woman appeared before them.

“What the hell?” Xavier said, tensing at the unexpected appearance of the women.

Kerrin also tensed, something wasn’t right.

His feeling was justified when Aglaea turned into a beautiful woman, alluring as hell and full of Shadow Magique. The young blonde whispered in her ear.

“Fuck, Eris, just what we don’t need,” Xavier said, exasperated.

“You’re a Shadow Witch”

“Oh, very good seer, you’re so perceptive. You followed my direction beautifully; I guess it was worth getting rid of that old hag, even if it wasn't permanent. Much as I would have loved to do away with her forever, she just refused to die. Now that I have you all in one place, and I’m sure that fool Ghalt is off screwing his siren and has no idea you’re even here, I can do what I’ve wanted to do all along. You even brought my beautiful Xavier to add to the fun."

"What the hell is it with you and all these women?" Kerrin asked.

"Hey, just because you're jealous."

"I'm not jealous; you just seem to make them pop out of the woodwork, that's all."

With a sneer Eris pointed her hand in Nanda’s direction.

“Oh, no you don’t,” Lessa said stepping between Eris and Nanda raising her hand before Kerrin could stop her.

Suddenly, an elf appeared catching everyone’s attention, especially the woman with Eris who began whispering frantically in her ear.

“Telaan!” Nanda cried.

“Nanda, you’re safe, thank the Spirits.”

He looked around and took in the situation quickly, “No, you’ll just piss her off!”

It was too late. “Evanesce!” Lessa said as a stream of magique energy surged from her upraised hand. Eris simultaneously released a stream of energy directing it toward Nanda, but it intersected with Lessa’s causing it to die out before it could cause any real damage to her target.

“Fuck!” Telaan lunged for Eris grabbing her just as Eris and the young woman disappeared.

“Telaan, no!” Nanda cried.

“No!” Lessa cried, echoing Nanda’s anguish.

Kerrin was at her side in a blink, his vampire strength and speed instinctively taking over. “What?”

“Ixchel cried out and now I can’t feel her anymore.” She looked at Xavier, “Is she dead?”

He shook his head, “No, most likely not, it’s very difficult to kill a siren, but very easy to frighten one into disappearing. Be on your guard, this is very bad news. I fear Eris had time to summon her pet.”

A vampire appeared and he was mad as hell. Ghalt, Kerrin assumed.

Pollux Part 12, Ghalt

Early Spring, M-1893, Pollux, Part 10

2009-06-28T19:52:00.021-04:00

Into The Darkness

“Well, could this be more ominous?” Kerrin asked as they stood at the base of the stairs leading to Ghalt’s home.

“And it doesn’t get any better, my beautiful vampire. Let’s move on before he gets the idea we’re all here.” Ixchel said.

“Just how do you propose to get us all in there? By the looks of that place, it’d be easier to sneak into the Realm of the Spirits of the Underworld.”

“All modesty aside, I believe I could get us into that realm.”

Of that Kerrin had no doubt. “You said yourself he wouldn’t let you in last time you tried.”

“And you’d be correct, except, he pissed me off before and I left without really trying. This time I plan to succeed regardless.”

“Ah, yes, I see. Okay, lead the way, my beauty,” Kerrin said with a smile.

She returned his smile, and started up the stairs.

Once she reached the top she knocked on the door, a rhythmic knock that caused the door to swing open on its own.

“Well, I guess she just proved her worth,” Lessa said softly.

Kerrin chucked, “Yes, she did.”

Xavier had already entered and they were close behind, making it just as the large, heavy door closed behind them.

The inside wasn’t any more inviting than the outside. Kerrin looked around as Ixchel said, “This is where we part. I’m heading into Ghalt’s private chambers; you three need to head that way. Just follow the layout we talked about and you should be able to get to the dungeon area fairly easily. But, be careful, the place is well protected and well guarded.”

Kerrin watched as she climbed the stairs. “Damn, I hope to hell she’s on the up and up or we’ve just walked neatly into a trap.”

Lessa closed her eyes and became still as death for a moment. If Kerrin’s hearing was a little less sharp, he would have thought she’d stopped breathing.

“No, she hasn’t. She’s on her way to Ghalt, her intensions are as she says.”

“How do you know, little one?” Xavier asked.

“I can feel her, I can see her thoughts. She’s opened to me and is letting me in. We’ll be able to keep in contact with her this way.”

“Interesting,” Xavier said.

***

Lessa had no idea she could read another’s mind, but perhaps it wasn’t her ability but Ixchel’s. Whoever’s ability it was, she realized she must be careful when she once again looked at Kerrin and inadvertently remembered her dream. She immediately heard Ixchel in her mind, “I do believe that’s one vision you really should act on, Seer. He’s a beautiful vampire and very sensuous as well. He would satisfy your every desire.”

“Shit,” Lessa said out loud, drawing the attention of both men.

“What is it, little one?”

“Nothing. I didn’t realize that once Ixchel opened her mind to me, we’d be continuously linked.”

“Thoughts of the vampire you don’t want to share, little one?”

“Spirits, you too?”

Without thought, she pushed forward in the direction Ixchel was silently directing her. “Ixchel says we must past through this door, it opens into a room that will lead down to the lower regions of the building.”

As they reached the door at the other side of the oversized room, Lessa realized Ixchel must have reached Ghalt and the little bitch had decided that sharing her feelings would be good, too. “Shit.”

Kerrin reached for her, “Lessa, are you alright?”

“No, Ixchel’s decided to share her time with Ghalt with me, and she has a very annoying ability of sharing feelings as well as thoughts.”

“Ah, can’t you block her unless you need to know something?”

“Would that be wise? I mean, if I block her and she’s trying to warn us of something, then I won’t know. No, I think our safety depends on this connection. I can just try to ignore her little joke and move on.”

“Yes, little one, she’s a very self-centered creature, but she’s not evil. Her motives are only based on what pleases her; it is, unfortunately, the nature of her species.”

“Okay, she said that once we get through this door, our path will be blocked by a metal golem and two guard dogs.”

“Oh, great,“ Kerrin said.

“Really, Vampire, you didn’t think this was going to be easy, did you?”

Kerrin didn’t answer but instead, bared his teeth and opened the door, going in for the attack.

“Stay here, little one, let us take care of this obstacle.”

Lessa watched as Xavier followed Kerrin through the doors.

Pollux, Part 11, Nanda

Early Spring, M-1893, Pollux, Part 9

2009-06-14T17:55:00.016-04:00

Plans

Kerrin sat with them as they ate. “Okay, I take it tonight we enter Ghalt’s home.” He looked at Ixchel, careful not to look in her cat eyes, “Siren, what can you tell us of his home?”

She laughed, but her voice did not sound like a bell chiming to his ears. He looked her straight in the eyes, surprised, actually seeing her for the first time. She was beautiful, yes, but not as beautiful as she’d appeared before. Had the time spent with Xavier satisfied her? Or had she, indeed, released him from her spell?

“Don’t look so surprised, Kerrin, I’ve made a promise to leave you alone, and I shall. To that end, I’ve released you. You see me as I truly am, as Xavier sees me, without the cloud of desire.”

“Thank you.” Lessa said quietly.

She laughed again, this time a little self-deprecating, “Ah, my little Seer, you hold such power and you don’t even know it. But you’re welcome, just the same.

“As to your question, Kerrin, Ghalt’s home is protected by many things. Magique, dogs and other creatures of the underworld. Shadow Magique surrounds and penetrates his home. He’s protected by a powerful succubus that makes me look like the pious Guiding Queen of Sundara Magique. I enjoy what I do; I do it for fun. In reality, I know you would like to argue the point Seer, but I’m not tied to the underworld. My magique is much closer to the bounds of Sundara Magique, but, actually I fall somewhere between. My race isn’t affected by either Shadow or Sundara Magique; we can exist in either world.”

As they finished eating, Ixchel gave a quick description of Ghalt's home.

Xavier rose, clearing everything with a wave of his hand, saying, “Come, we must travel before it becomes much later.”

Following the two women, Kerrin felt Xavier hold him back, "Vampire, did I hear you moving around during the afternoon-time?”

“Yes,” Kerrin answered, wondering what the Warlock was getting at.

“Good, that may come in useful. I don’t know how long it will take us to get through Ghalt’s maze to find Nanda. That he must still sleep in his coffin, and you can continue to move, puts us at a great advantage.”

“I can move, yes, but it must be dark and I actually have very little energy. Taking the blanket to Lessa was about all I could do.”

Xavier nodded. “Darkness should be no problem, I can’t see Ghalt having lots of windows pouring in the sunlight, and with him sleeping, you shouldn’t need much energy.”

“Let’s hope you’re right, Warlock, because you and I both know I’m the only one with the power to keep Ghalt at bay. Vampire strength is the only thing that can fight vampire strength. And since you made that asinine promise to keep him alive, I can’t just remove his head and be done with it.”

Pollux, Part 10 Into the Darkness

Early Spring, M-1893, Pollux, Part 8

2009-05-03T19:35:00.038-04:00

Revelation

Kerrin couldn't sleep, instead he watched Lessa toss and turn, and wondered if it was the hard ground or the sounds coming from deeper in the cave that was keeping her from resting comfortably.

If only he could check on her. What the hell, he could at least try. He rose and was surprised to find he could move about in the light of non-evening-time now that he was no longer confined to a coffin.

He stood over her for a moment before bending to check her skin. She felt cold. He walked back to his corner and retrieved the blanket he’d been sitting on.

He put the blanket over her and watched her snuggle into it, remembering when she’d snuggle against him. Spirits he was glad she was alive, but it was such a bitter sweetness. He wanted to touch her lips, wanted to lose himself in her again.

She turned and moaned; moving restlessly and Kerrin moved back to his corner, certain he was the cause for her discomfort. She was as aware of him at every turn as he was of her, and he knew his presence was disturbing her on a level she wasn’t able to understand. There was a part of him that was willing her to remember; and stronger yet was the part that just wanted her to love him. To start over and forget about the past.

He sat against the cave wall listening to Lessa’s even breathing in an attempt to block out the sounds coming from the other part of the cave. He’d been with a siren or two over the Times of Change, he knew Xavier was not suffering now, but when the exhaustion set in, he would. Kerrin only hoped it didn’t interfere with their plans. Finally sleep beckoned and he closed his eyes.

When he woke, Lessa was just stirring; the sound of her movements having pulled him from sleep. She sat and smiled, still looking sleepy. “Thank you for the blanket. I assume it was you, as Xavier, I'm sure, was too occupied to check on me. It's colder this turning, Spring Season doesn’t warm up as fast here.”

He rose taking the blanket from her, “You’re welcome. Vampire advantage, I feel the cold, but I won’t be adversely affected by it.”

She reached over and kissed his check. Again the warmth of her lips lit up his dark soul.

“Enough, little one, it’s time to move on.” Xavier said his tone remarkably refreshed.

Kerrin regarded them as they entered. The man did indeed look empowered.

With a wave of his hand, Xavier conjured a table and chairs followed by food for them before he looked at Kerrin, his eyebrow raised in question.

Kerrin had decided during the non-evening-time that he would not take another innocent life, “I can wait Warlock, I don’t need to feed every night, especially when I haven’t done anything to use up my strength.”

Actually, with what the night was sure to hold, he really should feed, but he’d be damned before he took the blood of another innocent animal.

“Your wish, Vampire.” Xavier held out his right hand, waving his left and suddenly he was holding a glass filled with green liquid. “A gift, Vampire. If you’re so stubborn you won’t eat properly, then a bit of false strength.”

Kerrin took the Absinthe from him with a smile. The man was a mystery, and there were times when Kerrin actually thought he might like the bastard.

“Thank you, Warlock.”

Pollux, Part 9 Plans

Early Spring, M-1893, Pollux, Part 7

2009-04-19T15:22:00.017-04:00

A Questionable Companion

Kerrin was more distressed than he’d thought possible over being forced to feed on a live animal. If it hadn’t been imperative for him to be at full strength for what lay ahead, he would have passed; but for all their sakes, he couldn’t be weak. No matter how strong Ghalt was, he had a better chance of defeating, or at least holding him off than either of his companions. Only a vampire was strong enough to fight a vampire.

But that didn’t stop the memory of that poor animal dying by his hand. The surge of power he once felt in his youth with the death of another had not appeared. All he felt was pain at taking the life of a helpless creature. He laughed at himself, self-loathing in the sound. At least he’d learned something over the many Times of Change of his life; death was not to be enjoyed.

Lessa moved up beside him silently touching his arm in understanding, and he realized that perhaps it was a lesson he’d learned only recently. Her death had indeed changed him irrevocably. The pain he’d felt, the desire to die himself. He smiled at her, once again forever grateful to her father for not allowing him to die.

Suddenly a light flashed in front of them, and a figure appeared.

“Ixchel, what the fuck are you doing here?” Xavier said as he almost ran into her.

“I’ve realized I can’t let you harm my beautiful Ghalt. I’m going with you.”

“Like hell you are,” Kerrin said.

“Ah, my unobtainable Vampire, yes I am. I’m going to help you. I will keep Ghalt occupied and you can release the blonde obstacle before I can kill her. You see, since you visited me, I’m feeling very lonely. I don’t think you’ll leave Ghalt alive unless I come with you, and I want Xavier sooner rather than later.”

“Well, Ixchel we’re not going this evening-time. We’re only going as far as one of the nearby caves. We’ll approach Ghalt’s home just past dusk-time.”

“Oh, good, I know just the place. There’s a network of caves a short distance from Ghalt’s home.”

She danced around Xavier before taking his hand. “I’ll take you there and we can find privacy to satisfy just a small portion of my desire for you, my beautiful Xavier.” She looked at Kerrin and continued, “Although you are the most delicious vampire with your pink skin. I do so desire you as well.”

With that, she pulled on Xavier’s hand and moved farther down the road. Fortunately, the glow that perpetually surrounded her made it easy to keep them in sight.

“She’s the most infuriating creature,” Lessa said as she fell into step next to him.

Kerrin resisted the urge to laugh. “Siren’s have that effect on all women, including other sirens. Although for them, it’s even worse because they all want the same thing. Whatever man’s present.” He smiled, “I’ve heard tales of sirens literally tearing each other apart over one poor bastard who was too much under their spell to even save them.”

“Have you ever met one before?”

“Lessa, I’ve seen more than 500 Springs, I’ve run across one or two.”

“Were you able to resist them then?”

“I had no reason to resist them then.” He answered really wishing she’d let the subject drop before it got into areas he had no desire to explore at the moment. As long as she didn’t remember their past together, he didn’t want to jeopardize her by forcing the issue.

Chryses had told him she’d either remember on her own, as she seemed to be doing just that, despite her father’s spell, or she’d simply fall in love with him again if he were patient. Either way, it was to be a waiting game for him because forcing her to remember could cause her to rebel against both Kerrin and her father. Or it could cause damage to her seer’s ability. It could even send her into a coma from which she may or may not recover once her mind was able to work through the effects of the memory erase spell.

“Oh,” she looked thoughtful in the moonlight but she didn’t say anything further, thank the Spirits.

They walked in silence for a few moments before she remarked in awe, “Five hundred springs. What you must have seen.”

He was pulled back to the evening-time years past when she’d had that exact same reaction to his age. It had been the start of their time together. A time that had been oh, so short.

“Funny, I feel like I’ve said that before,” she remarked, thoughtfully.

“Hey, you two, you’re falling behind, catch up or Ixchel’s going to leave us all behind.”

“No, she’s not,” Kerrin answered, “She wants you too bad to leave us behind.”

He picked up the pace nonetheless because it was a good way to stop this conversation. She was getting too close to their past and if she remembered on her own, thank the Spirits, but if speaking with him forced it on her, he couldn’t live with the consequences.

Pollux Part 8, Revelation

Early Spring, M-1893, Pollux, Part 6

2009-04-05T20:01:00.003-04:00

The Dream

Lessa looked at Kerrin lying in the dark corner. She knew about sirens, having two powerfully magiqual parents she’d learned early about the many different races of Dagon. Sirens were creatures of great magic; she was actually surprised she’d been able to pull Kerrin from her effects. She’d never heard of that happening. Her mother had told her that once a siren sings its silent song for a male, there’s no way for him to resist, but Kerrin had, even without her touch he’d been resisting.

“He loves you, little one.”

She thought he’d been asleep. She’d tried, but despite being very tired hadn’t been able to. “That’s ridiculous, I’ve only known him for a matter of turnings; we met Late Winter.”

“There’s no other way to avoid the song of the siren. His heart had to be given completely, without doubt or reservation to another.”

“Then it’s Chryses he loves.”

“No, it’s you. Your touch broke all ties with Ixchel. It’s you, and you’re the reason she let him go. Ixchel can have anyone; she’s not going to fight you for him. She wouldn’t feel it worthy of her.”

Lessa lay on the blanket Xavier had conjured. She didn’t know why Kerrin’d love her, but she knew he did, even believed it might have been before she met him. Had he seen her in Amalthea? That was the only explanation she could come up with. Except it didn’t feel right, but she couldn’t put another reason to it.

And how did she feel about him? She liked him, she felt comfortable around him. She felt like she belonged in his company, but she didn’t think she loved him. She wasn’t sure she could love anyone. So much had happened to her. After Lornus, it was so hard to trust anyone.

She fell asleep wondering about her feelings for Kerrin.

Looking around, she realized she was still in the cave with Xavier and Kerrin on their way to rescue Nanda from Ghalt.

Her heart was pounding and she stared at Kerrin. With a shock she realized the Kerrin in her dream was the Kerrin she met turnings ago, not the man who was standing talking quietly with Xavier.

What the hell had she just dreamed? What had caused it? It felt so real, so right.

Lessa, are you all right? Another vision? Is Nanda all right?”

She stared at him. He felt so right to be around. Was that a vision, a sign of what was to be? But she wasn't supposed to see the future. Would she wind up in his bed, was that even his bed?

“Here, little one, drink this.” She looked at Xavier who had also knelt next to her and was holding a glass in his hand.

She took it from him, drinking the cool water. She wanted to avoid answering their questions. She’d had a vision, maybe, but it hadn’t been about Nanda.

“Thank you. Yes, I had a vision, but it had nothing to do with Nanda, sorry. I can’t help the person it pertained to, unfortunately.”

She finished drinking and Xavier waved his hand, making the glass disappear.

“Are we ready to move on?” she asked.

Kerrin helped her up. “Yes, after you and Xavier eat.”

She looked at him, instinctively knowing he was loathed to feed on animals. “What about you?”

He looked away, but not before she saw the look of anguish on his face. “I’ll do what I must to get through this.” With that, he walked out.

“You don’t lie well, little one.” Xavier said after Kerrin left.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, if you want to, you can indeed help the person it pertained to.” He handed her a plate of food he’d conjured

“No, I can’t.”

“Yes, you can.”

She looked at him, but refused to say any more and finished the food, watching as he once more made the plates disappear.

Kerrin reappeared, looking distressed, but his color was better. Funny, before the Spirits had provided the potion, she wouldn’t have thought of Kerrin as having good color.

“Let’s get this the hell done with.”

“Good, I want to reach the northeastern edge of Pollux before the dawn-time. This area of Pollux is full of caves just like this one. We should be able to find one near the border.” Xavier said.

“Unoccupied?” Kerrin asked as they followed.

Xavier laughed, “Now that’s a good question, Vampire. I guess between the two of us, we should be able to make sure it is.”

Pollux Part 6, A Questionable Companion

Early Spring, M-1893, Pollux, Part 5

2009-03-22T13:16:00.023-04:00

The Siren

Ixchel’s laugh sounded like chimes to Kerrin’s ears. He was beginning to feel a need in him he hadn’t felt since the nights he’d spent in bed with Lessa. She was right; they had to get out of here before he forgot himself. He couldn’t have Lessa, but he could have the siren and the need was growing.

“Enough of this Ixchel, leave off the poor Vampire. I promise I’ll stop back by after we’re through and spend Seasons with you if that’s your wish.”

“Oh, very much. With such a payment I’ll be happy to help you with anything I can.”

For the first time, he really felt Lessa standing so close he could smell the lavender and feel the warmth of her skin. He squeezed her hand once more, smiled at her and let her go. She’d saved him from the siren’s song, but with the Warlock’s promise, Ixchel had let him go.

“I know you keep the Vampire Ghalt satisfied, Ixchel. Where can we find him?”

“Oh, Xavier, you’re not going to kill him, are you? He’s just too delicious for that.”

“No, my lovely, this time that’s not my goal. I merely want something he’s taken.”

“Ah, the young blonde. Yes, he doesn’t want her, but she has kept him from coming to me. I even went to him, I desired him that much, and the bastard turned me away. Ah, you’re going to take the blonde from him. Oh, I’ll be most happy to help.”

“I thought you said she was a seer.”

“She is, little one, but I don’t need those abilities, I needed her oh so much more pleasant abilities this time.”

“You lied to us.”

“No, little one, I didn’t. Would you have followed so docilely if I’d told you I was taking the Vampire to a siren?”

She didn’t answer, but Kerrin felt her anger, nonetheless. She didn’t like to be deceived, and he had to agree. “If you’d told us ahead of time, we could have prevented the little show you enjoyed so much. I’ve lived long enough, with preparation; I could have avoided her effects.”

Xavier laughed, “Oh, my dear Vampire, I don’t think so, not considering the condition you’ve been in since I first saw you at any rate.”

Kerrin glared at him then turned to the siren, “Tell us how to get to Ghalt so we can get the hell out of here.”

Ixchel laughed again, the sound traveling over him, but he ignored it, “He’s on the northeast border of Pollux. You can’t miss it; just follow the main road north. It’s big, black and gorgeous, just like Ghalt. But beware; it’s just as dangerous as its owner.”

Xavier rose and the rest followed. He reached for the siren and pulled her to him.

“Thank you Ixchel. Ghalt will be safe. This time. But don’t expect me to keep that promise forever," he said when the kiss ended.

“I expect you to return to me my beautiful Wizard, don’t disappoint me.”

She looked at Kerrin then at Lessa, “Ah, it’s always the ones I can’t seem to capture that I want the most.”

“Go to black pits of the underworld.”

Xavier quickly ushered them both out, the ringing sound of Ixchel’s laughter following them.

“Fuck, little one, you do not want to anger Ixchel. The reason she’s been able to conquer Ghalt is because she’s one mean bitch. She’ll tear the head off of anyone she sees as competition. Just be glad she couldn’t get in to see Ghalt, if she thought Nanda was competition, she’d be dead before we were able to rescue her.”

“Wonderful people you know, Warlock.” Kerrin said as they started walking down the road toward the north.

Pollux Part 6, The Dream

Early Spring, M-1893, Pollux, Part 4

2009-03-01T16:01:00.015-05:00

The Undesirable Stop

“You know, Warlock, if you can’t use your magique here either, we could just as well do this on our own,” Kerrin said, making sure he stayed near Lessa.

He felt her hand on his arm and looked at her. “Kerrin, we need Xavier. He got us closer to the village in a matter of moments than we would have gotten in two turnings, and he does have contacts here. People he knows to talk to and who are willing to talk to him.”

“That’s what has me worried.”

“Don’t, Kerrin, he’s not evil, and he’s not a Warlock.”

“He’s not?”

“No, his magique doesn’t travel that far into the Shadow realm.”

He looked at the back of Xavier’s head. The man had moved in front of them, whether purposely or not, he didn’t know. “That’s a relief, I guess.”

“Yes it is. For what it’s worth, I trust him.”

“If you two are going to talk about me, can you at least whisper? Whispering gets lost in all this damn mist covering everything.”

“I don’t recall saying anything you shouldn’t hear. Unless you dislike Lessa saying you’re not evil.”

“Hell, Vampire, I can be anything, including evil. You, little one, might just want to keep that in mind. We’re here.”

Kerrin looked around and saw nothing, “We’re where exactly?”

“At the Seer’s.” Xavier pushed aside a bush and stepped though, holding it back so they could follow him through. To Kerrin’s astonishment there was a cottage set back from the road.

“Was that a gate?”

“Interesting isn’t it? Ixchel likes her privacy.”

Once more a door opened before they could even knock and a young voice like a bell called, “Enter my luscious Xavier. Have you brought another beautiful man to satisfy me?”

Kerrin raised an eyebrow and looked at the Warlock, determined to keep calling him that despite what Lessa had said about him.

Xavier chuckled, “I’m afraid this one may be taken, my temptress, but you can try.”

Kerrin hesitated, was he that obvious? Damn, he was going to have to be more careful, he had no desire to push Lessa into anything.

He followed Xavier and stopped dead. He knew her race, but before he could remember, he forgot everything except that she was beautiful beyond measure, and equally as alluring. Her voice, her beauty all pulled at him and he moved forward, unaware of anything other than the woman in front of him.

“She’s a siren.”

Kerrin barely heard her; he was feeling an indescribable need to touch the beauty in front of him. Lessa’s hand slip into his and suddenly he was pulled back from the desire. He became aware of his surroundings once again. He squeezed her hand, more grateful than ever for her presence.

Xavier thumped him on the back laughing, “Just as I thought, Vampire. Yes keep your little one near, we need to see what Ixchel has to tell us; and I don’t want to wait until she gets done with you. Although I can tell you from experience it’s worth every minute of the turnings you’d stay here.”

“Turnings?” Lessa asked.

“Turnings. By the time Xavier had satisfied me, Seasons had gone by. He’s the most beautiful man.”

“Please, can we just get what we need here and move on?” Lessa said.

Pollux Part 5, The Siren

Early Spring, M-1893, Pollux, Part 3

2009-02-15T12:44:00.014-05:00

The Guidance of Twelve

“Why would a servant of the Shadow Spirits want Nanda or her parents?” Lessa asked.

“Nanda’s mother has much power, both magiquely and within the Guidance of Twelve. She’s worked long and gathered many others in the fight against the advancement of Shadow Magique within the Guidance. If she’s removed, the Shadow Followers’ major obstacle will be gone, and the others may not be strong enough to oppose them without Neasa’s influence. Nanda’s very important to her parents, and that fact is well known. She’s being used as leverage to get Neasa to step down. At the moment, Neasa’s holding strong, but if we don’t find Nanda soon, she will have a very difficult decision ahead of her.”

Xavier took a drink before continuing, “Another thing to never underestimate is the power of the Guidance of Twelve. Many think they rule only Acantha, but they have ties to ruling all of Dagon. Yes, each territory and city is governed by their individual Guildmasters, but the influence of the Guidance is great.”

“Even though I lived in Acantha, I didn’t realize how great their influence was,” Lessa said, disturbed by what Xavier had just told her.

He smiled ruefully. “Don’t forget their connection with the war with Cronus either. Many think the war continues steamed by its own power, but the power to fuel the war is solely within the Guidance. As long as the Guidance profits from this war, and don’t believe for one moment that they don’t, they’ll continue it. But, they won’t allow it to enter Acantha no matter what fear the people there may have. No, the Guidance controls the way this war is run every step of the way.

“Ghalt’s master isn’t the only ally the Guidance has with Shadow Magique, but he or she is very powerful, and brings much Shadow power to them to use. They serve each other as a means to an end. Shadow Followers have wanted total rule of Dagon for a long time and control of the Guidance of Twelve would bring them very close to that end.”

The thought of the Guidance of Twelve being controlled by Shadow Followers was terrifying. He was right; the Guidance couldn’t be allowed to rule Dagon, especially not with Shadow Magique. If that turned out to be the case, they would be better off if Cronus won the never-ending war with Acantha. Lessa now knew there was so much more at stake here than her friend’s life.

Kerrin returned saying as he sat, “You owe me two hundred gold, Warlock.”

“No, Vampire, adventuring is expensive and this is your adventure, not mine.”

Kerrin glared at him before continuing, “They all remember seeing Ghalt with a blonde. They remember her because she’s not his type, and since she didn’t look left or right, they assumed she was under a spell and bound to be food, not pleasure for him.”

“No, Nanda’s all right.”

“You had a vision?”

“Yes, she’s behind bars, somewhere dark, but for the moment, she’s safe.”

“Did they tell you where she is?” Xavier asked Kerrin.

“Not exactly. They said he has a home on the northern border of Pollux, but they couldn’t seem to agree if it was the eastern border or the western border.”

Xavier looked at Lessa, “Can you get us any closer?”

She closed her eyes as she’d seen her father do when he was trying to see something specific, but got nothing but a lot of sound and smoke. She shook her head, “No, it’s too loud in here.”

He regarded her for a moment as though trying to decide what to do, then sighed and rose saying, “Never mind. I pretty much expected neither of you were going to be much help anyway. I know someone who might be able to get us closer, then we must head for the cave as it’s outside town.”

“Can’t you just teleport?”

“No, Vampire, we’re now fully within Pollux. Here the rules of time and space are controlled by the Shadow Spirits; normal teleporting rules do not apply. Magique can still be manipulated, if it’s the right kind of magique, but only those who are allowed by the Shadow Spirits can manipulate time and space here. Only the very dark have any substantial power here.”

“You’re not dark enough?”

Xavier ignored him and led the way out the door heading north on the same street they’d entered the town on.

Pollux Part 4, The Undesirable Stop

Early Spring M-1893, Pollux, Part 2

2009-02-01T12:40:00.012-05:00

Nanda

Lessa watched as Kerrin settled at the poker table. She was less than comfortable sitting across from Xavier, but not as uncomfortable as she had been prior to taking the Wizard’s hand. She’d felt something secure, almost safe from his touch. He was loud, and he would do whatever it took to achieve his goal, and his magique was very powerful, but it didn’t extend too far into the depths of Shadow Magique. His magique existed on the plane between the Sundara and the Shadow. He was far more Wizard than Warlock, but that was his secret to keep.

“So, now that you’ve touched me, Seer, you do not fear me,” he said with something short of a sarcastic laugh.

It wasn’t a question, he knew what she’d read. He knew himself very well. “I do not fear you, and Kerrin has no need to fear you, as well. But there are many who are not lucky enough to have their best interest at your heart.”

He laughed a deep pleasant laugh that had no pleasure in it. “No, there are many a man, woman, and any other race of Dagon whose hearts I would cut out, or burn out if need be.”

“Ghalt being one such?”

“Ghalt being at the top of the list.”

He smiled as he watched her take a drink of the very potent drink. She knew he was expecting her to flinch. She was many things, but she was not a wilting flower. She’d been dead, and although she had no desire to experience it again, she did not fear it. She trusted in the two men and her abilities to keep them all safe.

Suddenly, the room went dark.

She wondered if someone had turned off all the lights, when she saw Nanda. She was sitting behind a wall of bars, but the room was comfortably furnished and she was reading a book. She was imprisoned, but she was not, at this time, being ill treated. She looked pale and strained, but well enough.

The lights came back and she found her hand covered by Xavier’s larger one. The gentle touch surprised her. She hadn’t expected gentleness from a man such as him.

“A vision, little one?”

“Yes, Nanda. We’re close, she’s being held behind bars, but she hasn’t been hurt or abused. Her prison is dark, but comfortable.”

“He doesn’t want to take a chance. He knows if he endangers her, his benefactor will see that he’s chained into the light.”

“But you said the vampire is powerful.”

“Very, but not as powerful as the one whose bidding Ghalt does.”

“Do you know who that is?”

He shook his head. “No, only by reputation. He’s a man, or woman, for that matter, of great Shadow power. The Shadow Spirits keep him or her well protected. He’s been their vessel in the world for many Times of Change. He enjoys immortality for serving the Shadow Spirits.”

“And Ghalt serves this Witch or Warlock?”

“Like the faithful dog he is. And, in return he’s received great power and great license to use it in any way he sees fit. Never underestimate Ghalt, he’s not normal, even for a vampire.”

Pollux Part 3, The Guidance of Twelve

Early Spring M-1893, Pollux, Part 1

2009-01-18T17:35:00.016-05:00

The Search Begins

Once again Kerrin’s feet touched the ground and he slowly got himself oriented. Xavier was holding Kerrin’s shoulder and Lessa was on Xavier’s right, holding his hand. Kerrin was curious what Lessa felt from holding the Shadow Warlock’s hand. He decided it couldn’t be good by the haste with which she dropped it and moved away from him. Xavier just laughed, but said nothing, nor did Lessa.

Kerrin thought now might be a good time to remind Lessa she wanted him to learn to teleport. She would be more comfortable with him doing it. “You were going to teach me to teleport.”

Xavier answered, “Not possible, Vampire, besides the fact that the little one here can’t use her Sundara Magique, you can’t learn to teleport.”

“Why not?” Lessa asked obviously angered by Xavier’s comment.

“Because a vampire’s bound to the earth. Teleporting requires one pull away from the boundaries of the earth and break through time and space. Why do you think a vampire sleeps in a coffin? Because he’s bound to the earth by death.”

He held out his hand forestalling her argument, “Yes, I know, he no longer requires his coffin for sleeping thanks to the Spirits; but he’s still dead, and he’s still bound. The Spirits are powerful, but they can’t remove a vampire’s connection with the earth since they can’t cure vampirism. Sundara Spirits can’t undo what a Shadow Spirit has created. Although, in the total imbalance of the universe, a Shadow Spirit can undo what a Sundara Spirit has created. Just goes to show, the universe is truly fucked up.”

“However, I can teleport here, and I’m not bound by the earth, so teaching him isn’t necessary anyway. Come, Pollux is deceptively large, and we need to reach the village before it gets too late to ask questions.”

“Village, then we can sleep in an inn, rather than out here.” Kerrin wasn’t about to add that he couldn’t sleep in the light.

“I know you must be in the dark, Vampire, but we can’t sleep indoors. We’ll be sleeping in a cave when dawn-time comes. Traveling at evening-time is much better, if not necessarily safer, under any circumstances.”

“Yes, as black as you are, you suck in all the light and no one will ever see you.”

Xavier laughed, “I’m no more black at heart than you are, Vampire, the only difference being my heart still beats.”

The man was unnerving; but to his surprise, Kerrin realized that he was beginning to believe he was to be trusted. Only as long as he was within eyesight, but trusted nonetheless.

The village was very close, Xavier had gotten them far closer in just a few minutes than they would have managed on their own over the space of a couple of turnings. He led them to the closest bar and pushed the door open to the smell of smoke. The noise was almost deafening to Kerrin’s sensitive hearing. Usually he prepared when he was going into a loud situation, but nothing would have prepared him for the sounds coming out of the bar. He caught himself just short of covering his ears.

“Good call, Vampire, you don’t look like one of the blood suckers they hate so damn much, so don’t act like one, either.”

Ignoring Xavier’s snide remarks was becoming easier. Kerrin wanted to take Lessa’s hand, but he decided it would be best if he didn’t. He slid a glance in her direction and saw that she was hiding her fear admirably well. She looked confident, even though he could hear her heart beating faster than it should and her breathing was shallow and quick.

“Melchior, a drink for us all. Kerrin, your drink?”

“Absinthe, and…” What did he say for Lessa? Strawberry cream may not be the drink for her here.

“Blackburn,” Lessa answered.

Kerrin looked at her, searching and then smiled, while Xavier chuckled.

“Blackburn for the lady, same for me and Absinthe for the gentleman.”

When they were seated, Kerrin decided it would be best not to comment on the fact that Xavier knew the bartender’s name, the man was friendly to a point, but he didn’t like questions of any sort.

“Okay, now that we’re here, you might want to start throwing some more of that gold you have around, Kerrin. Gold makes great friends in a place like this, and to start, how are you at losing at poker?”

“I prefer to win, but I see your point.” He rose, taking his drink with him and joined one of the tables with a free seat.

Pollux, Part 2, Nanda