Published: 14 Dec 2020

The Brave and the Stranded

Niro stepped in front of Azeal with a hand out to stop him from joining the battle, Ash watched him closely without making a move. Ash Argent was an evil, shit faced vampire. He was one of Muerte’s first victims and over the years he had become very powerful. He had survived many local wars and made a name for himself. His land was called Argent, named after its king and master, and now, here he is, about to defend his home from another attack.

Niro stepped forward, Ash lashed out with his first spell. Blue lines lashed out and came at Niro’s arm, He swung his hammer around to intercept Ash’s spell. As the spell was broken up, Ash sent magical darts out at Niro. As they came at him, Niro used his hammer to keep the darts from hitting him. Ash thought about his next attack, Niro called on the power of his terren ring to wrap vines all around Ash. With a snap of his fingers Ash sent a heated pulse through the vines roasting them, making them soft, like wet noodles. As Ash stepped out from the soggy vine, he slammed his hands together trying to crush Niro with his force wave. Niro wasn’t a true warlock like the Baron or Ash Argent, but he had his ways. With his hammer up close to his chest, he pushed out sending the force wave back to the warlock that sent it.

After Ash dismissed the force wave, He and Niro circled each other, getting ready for the next round. Spells flashed in and out of Ash’s mind. He dismissed the non lethal spells and sorted through the death spells. Death spells mean only one thing. It was time to use the ring of death.

As he faced off against Niro, He started to mumble a spell that would make Niro’s eyes bleed. Dark clouds began to gather high over Ash’s head. Niro knew he was about to unleash a spell of devastating power and he had one chance to stop him.

Niro held up his hand and thought of only one thing. Blue and red power started to gather over both of their heads. Their eyes glowed as the power built up in their souls.Together they reached out and sent their spell out.

Blue static went out from Niro and struck Ash, like a hammer. As his red energy was released into the neitherworld, black snow fell all around them and covered Ash’s body. Niro thought he had killed him. Azeal moved forward and bent over to see if he was still breathing. He rolled Ash over and moved his hands that were covering his face. As Azeal examined him, he noticed he had lost the pale look all vampires had. Instead his flesh was full of life and blood like normal people. Azeal reached down and moved his lip from over his canine teeth. They were there, but not like vampires, more like humans. As Azeal stood up, Ash woke up. He sat up and looked around. He felt different. The hunger was gone. He looked up at Azeal.

“Who are you?”

“I am Baron Azeal Zelinka,” He said to answer his question. “Do you know where you are?”

Ash thought for a tik. He looked at them then he answered.

“I feel like I should know the answer.” He said, “But I don’t. It’s like for the first time my mind is clear and I don’t want to be here anymore.”

“We came here looking for one of your rings.” Niro moved over to sit with him. “My name is Niro. That ring is important, we need it to stop a very powerful warlock.”

“Take it,” Ash said as he took off all of his rings and bracelets and threw them down. “None of it is important to me.”

Niro picked up the ring of death. He could feel the surge of power run into him. He knew having the ring of life is the only thing that kept him from being taken over by the death ring. With the ring in hand, he knew it was time to go join the others. Ash Argent, well he would have to be taken somewhere that Valkar and today’s vampires could find him. Unfortunately, Baron Azeal would have to clean up Argent.

Bly laid in her notch in a tree in Eventide, she dreamed of 9 rings and where they were. Hoddie had the ring of shadow, Niro had three rings, the ring of life, the ring of death and the terren ring. Quyyn had the ring of water. That means five rings were in their possession. Bram had four rings and Caius had one, the energy ring, that left one ring left to find. She counted eleven rings all together. That was an odd number of rings. We thought the rings of life and death were the last, but we were wrong. The last ring was the ring of light. We should have known. If there was a ring of shadow, there was a ring of light. After he made the shadow ring, I guess it dawned on him that he should make a ring of light. Being a warlock on the light side, after he made the Elemental rings he decided he would make light and dark and death and life.

As she came down out of her notch,Quyyn and Ranjer came out of the hollowed out tree they had been sleeping in. Rowyn, Myor, Hoddie and Yarden slept in the peaceful quiet of the forest. As they all got together, Bly dropped down and made a landing on Ranjer’s shoulder.

“Aiya everybody,” she said.

“Where are we going this morning?” Ranjer asked. “And do we have time for klah?”

“Yes, we do,” Bly said. “I need to feed too. I’ll meet you back here in a tok.”

Bly jumped up and flew a circle around the camp, then took off flying north. As Quyyn watched her fly off, he turned to Ranjer.

“I wonder what she has for breakfast?”

“I have no idea,” Ranjer said with a shrug. “Normal fairies have morning dew and leftover moon beams. Bly is not a normal fairy.”

In a few minutes the klah was brewing and Yarden was back with his morning catch and eggs for the non meat eaters. Quyyn took the water bottles and cookware from their bags and started making breakfast while Ranjer passed out cups of klah for those that wanted it. Pretty soon, breakfast was served. Yarden and Myor had their fill of red meat while everyone else had eggs and strips of cooked meat. When they were done, Quyyn took the cleaned plates and utensils and packed them away.

By the time Bly returned, everybody was ready to get on with the day.“Just to let you know,” Bly started. “Niro and Hoddie have completed their part. They’re going to need us back in Winterhaven, Bram will soon force his presence on the council. But we still have to collect one ring, and only one of us can go to where that ring is.”

Bly looked over her friends, then she settled on Myor Arynn.

“The last ring can be found deep down in the heart of Mount Jattond.”

She watched while everyone gasped in shock. She wanted to see everyone’s face when she told them where the next ring was.

“Yes, I said Mount Jattond.” Bly said as she looked at them with a stone face. “The ring of light was hidden by the sun god, Alee. Myor, once you arrive at the top of the mountain, there will be someone up there to guide you on your way. I advise you to be careful and not to fall under the influence of the Fire elves. Fire elves are just like Corral elves. They live in volcanoes where the heat is incredible. Phoenix are the only other beings on Keanna that can exist in such heat. Most Fire elves never leave the comfort of their volcano. Only Alee can give a Fire elf permission to live out in the world so, beware the fire elves kiss. It is deadly.”

Myor’s story.

The day was warm and the forest was beautiful when he left Eventide. He flew north, right over Winterhaven and the Dragon weir. As he passed the weir, he turned east and headed out over the Shyr Ocean. The water was sparkling blue and inviting. Looking down, Myor could see the Ankok beneath him. As they came up out of the water, they did a flip in the air, then dived back down to do it again. They were so handsome, the giants of the sea. And of course the Daimons, that followed them wherever they went. The sea seemed like it was alive, flying fish jumped in and out of the waves. When Myor flew down close to the surface of the waves, he could see the Ankok beneath the waves dancing with the Daimons as the males of their species came out of hiding for that brief hour it would take them to breed.

As Myor rose up into the sky, he could see his destination, puffing smoke into the sky. Below him now, there were many small islands that dotted the sea. Myor gazed forward at the distant mountain. Around the base of the island, everything was green and full of life. There were birds, quadrupeds, bipeds, and the seldom seen pentapedal mammal.

Jattond was an odd island. It was full of life, the familiar and the strange. From high above the island, Myor watched as people gathered on the shore. As he looked down, he could see the inhabitants were all redskins. They had long green hair and they were all dressed in animal skins and a linen woven from the hair of some island animal. In the front of the islanders, Myor saw a green skinned man. He must have been a mer man from somewhere deep in the sea.

As Myor came down to land, he shifted forms as the mer man walked out to meet him.

“Aiya,” He said as he bowed to the Phoencian. “My name is Merick. I’m here to escort you to your next guide.”

Myor had no idea this journey would include so many guides.

He thought this guide would take him to the volcano.

“That’s not possible,” Merick said.Then he realized he had been reading Myor’s mind and how wrong that was. “My apologies. I didn’t mean to intrude on your thoughts. Where I come from we never talk. We read each other’s thoughts. It keeps us honest.”

“That’s a good idea,” Myor smiled. “But it also means you have no privacy. I don’t think I would want everybody in my mind.”

Merick thought for a minute, then he realized he was right.

It would be like walking around naked all the time. That would be odd. Some people down under did always swim naked. But that was by choice. He really didn’t want everyone to see him naked. Especially the females.

“I should discuss this with my Father,” he said. “I’d like to know what he thought about that notion. Anyway we should get going. We have a long way to go.”

As they started off into the jungle, Merick pointed out all the interesting plants and animals that they passed. There was a bird with red and black plumage. He had a long beak and a red and black fan on its head. There was a flock of green, long legged crane-like birds walking through a lake not far from the shore. They passed a black and green snake with a hood on its head. Myor asked if it was poisonous. Merick answered it was very poisonous.

The walk inland was very long and hard on the feet. The further they walked inland, the harder the journey was. Myor didn’t understand. He could have flown into the volcano. He really didn’t need an escort. But for some reason, the people of Jattond insisted on escorting him to the volcano. Unless there was something they wanted to show him.

“Is there something you want to tell me?” Myor asked as they started into the grasslands. Merick looked back at Myor. His green eyes looked dark for some reason. Myor guessed he was fighting with himself over what he wanted to ask him.

”Well?” Myor looked at him with fire in his eyes. “Out with it.”

“I will tell you when it’s time” Merick said as he turned back to the trail they were on.

“Time for what?” Now Myor was curious. What could these people possibly want from him? But Merick didn’t want to answer yet. So off they went on a tour of the island. Merick showed Myor a waterfall that rained down from four tiers. He said if they had time he would show him the caves that were behind the falls.

As they left the grasslands, Myor noticed Merick wasn’t looking good. He was drying out. Myor had to get him to water before something bad happened. He turned his temperature down and grabbed Merick by his waist.

“Where’s the nearest water?” He asked as he ran back into the grassland.

“The falls,” He said. “But that’s not where we’re going. I have to get you to D’jon.”

“Water first.” Myor said. “D’jon when we’re in better condition.”

Myor ran as fast as he could, Merick passed out from dehydration. He needed water or he would die right there in Myor’s arms. For the last mile Myor picked up his speed, Merick was barely breathing. As the falls came into sight, Myor dived in then threw Merick at the pool of water.Like a stone, Merick fell into the pool. And his body started to absorb water the second he fell in. As water filled his gills, Merick dived down to the bottom of the pool and layed there.The cool water filled every cell of his body and re-energized him.

[Thank you my friend,] Merick sent to Myor. [You saved the life I was prepared to give for this journey.]

[I see no reason for you to die,] Myor sent. [I just want to get to the volcano.]

After a few minutes, Merick started to swim around the pool. He dove down to the bottom, then he shot up out of the water and did a backwards flip and dropped down to stand with Myor. Myor shook the water from his hair, then raised his temperature to dry his clothes out. He smiled as Merick stretched then fingered his ear to get the water out.

“Shall we go on now?”

Myor liked the merman. He was willing to die to help Myor. That meant a lot to the Phoencian. Not many people would do that.

Merick smiled while nodding his head. Water fell down from Merick’s head as he got back on the trail. He was supposed to take Myor out beyond the Grasslands to the base of the volcano to meet D’jon. He had a message to give to the Pnoencian, it was important to the islanders. I guess it was important to the Mer too, but the Mer could swim away, the islanders didn’t have such luck.

It was about two miles to the base of the volcano. Merick could go maybe six miles before he would need water. That would give Merick plenty of time to get back to his ocean family. As they walked, Merick had a confession to make.

“You saved me from dehydration,” Merick said. “I’m sorry, but I have to ask you for one more favor.”

Myor knew there was something on the Merman’s mind. He hoped it was something he could do.

“What is it?”

“You know the volcano is going to blow soon,” Merick said. “By our calculations, the mountain will blow in the next twelve toks.

My people will have no problem getting to safety. All we have to do is swim beyond the trench, and we’ll be safe. But the islanders don’t have a chance. They don’t have enough boats to get everyone off the island, and if they had the boats, there isn’t enough to get away before the island explodes. And then there’s the tidal wave. We need at least twenty five toks to get everyone far enough away. Only the Sukkan can hold off the volcano until we can get the islanders away. We need you to ask them for their help.”

Myor stopped and stared at Merick’s back as he walked on. He couldn’t believe what Merick was asking. It was impossible. It would take a god to do what they were asking. I’m sure the Sukkan can hold the eruption off for a few toks, but twenty five? Imposible. How was he going to tell Merick?

What could he do? There had to be a way of moving all these people. Maybe the Dragons can help. But Quyyn, in his Dragon form can carry maybe ten people. There are only twenty Dragons, that won’t work.

[I suggest they call the Ankok,] Cutter sent. [Have the Mer call the sea animals for help. If they promise to stop eating them, I’m sure they will help.]

[Thank you Cutter.]

“Merick!”

Merick turned as Myor ran to catch up with him.

“I’m sorry to tell you this, but the Sukkan can’t help you. If you want to hold it for a few toks, they can do it. But twenty five toks only a god can do that.”

“Then do you know any gods?” Merick’s voice was almost a cry. “Please, we’re desperate.”

[I’ll see what I can do.] Cutter sent. [But for now, get the sea creatures to help.]

“Take me back to the beach.” Myor said.

“But I’m to take you to the volcano?” Merick said. “D’jon is waiting.”

“Forget D’jon.” Myor said. “We have to start moving these people as soon as we can.”

“How?”

“The Mer can talk to the sea animals, correct?”

“Yes.” Merick nodded.

“Have your people talk with the Ankok and any other sea creatures that can carry the islanders. We are going to ferry as many people as we can off of the island.”

“Now?” Merick asked.

“YES, NOW!” Myor shouted. “I’ll meet you back at the beach.”

Like a messenger from Atlon, Myor took off running to the west. He spread his arms and leaped into the wind. In a great ball of fire, Myor shifted forms and his Phoenix took off flying to the west. Merick smiled but it was time to move. As he took off running into the jungle, he had to get to one of the water tubes that ran all through the island. As he approached the fountain, Merick dived in and swam straight down into the tube. Blue and green crustaceans covered the tube going around it in random patterns lighting the way back to the ocean. As he entered the ocean, Merick sent out a call to anything big enough to carry two people. It wasn’t long before he got an answer.

(What can we do for you fishman?) A large blue skinned Ankok asked as it swam up to Merick.

[My name is Merick, we need your help.] Merick sent. [Soon the volcano will erupt. There are many here that will die if you don’t help. We need your help.]

(I am called vgbvxzsgh.)It said. ( But you can call me Vegon. We know about the mountain. We move away and dive down deep. Tell your people to swim away,)

[We can’t. ] Merck said. [That’s not right. We can but the people on the island can’t. We need to help them to….]

(To what?) The Ankok sent. (You need to help them get away? And why should we help? They have been fishing and trapping for a thousand sun turns, killing my people for food every day.)

[We are sorry for that.] Merick said. (These humans don’t know any better way to live. They all have to eat and of course they treat others like they are the true masters of the world. But these people are different. They don’t fish, they eat vegetables and no meat. I think you can trust them. That’s why I ask this favor.]

(No fish?)

[That’s right.] Merick sent. [They never eat fish. Will you help them?]

The Ankok was quiet for awhile. His swimming slowed down. He moved only to keep water moving through his gills. Merick could feel his asking the others out there what he should do.

The predator said no. They didn’t want to trust any of the landwalkers. But the Ankoks and the Daimon felt different. They believed what Merick told them. They had seen the islanders swimming and painting on the beach. They had even swam with the islanders at times. They wanted to help.

As the citizens of the ocean made their decision, Vegon’s gills puffed out and he did a quick circle of excitement in front of Merick.

(My mother says we will do everything we can to help.) Vegon sent. (Have your islanders ready in a tok. We will start moving people from the eastern beach. Tell them to bring one bag and no more. There will not be room for baggage.)

[ Thank you Vegon,] Merick sent as he bowed. [We are in your debt.]

When Merick swam off to organize the islanders departure, Vegon swam up to the surface for air. For what he was going to do next, he would need air. At the surface, Vegon burst through the waves and took a deep breath to fill his lungs, then he fell back making a giant splash. Once he was back under water, Vegon started to sing. He sang out loud and clear using the air in his chest to send vibrations out for miles to all the Ankok. As Vegon sang, the Ankok stopped to listen and send his song out to the pod.

Soon the ocean was filled with the songs of the deep. Harsk stopped hunting to answer the call of the Ankok. Anything as big as an islander canoe came to help. Merick spent the next day organizing floats made from cut down trees roped together and launched by Daimons. They were taken out to where they could be strapped to an Ankok, then to be towed to somewhere safe from the eruption.

With the Mer out beyond the reef, and the islanders almost clear of the island, Myor knew it was time to get back to his quest. Myor thought it was too late to go find D’jon. He had to be gone with the rest of the islanders. Then a voice rang out in his head.

[What makes you think I’m an islander?]

Myor jumped back surprised to hear D’jon in his head.

[My mistake,] Myor sent. [I should’ve guessed you were more than an islander. You can’t be a Mer, so you must be a Sukkan.]

[I am.] D’jon sent. [And I have been gifted by Rhea with the ability to walk on land.]

[Then you’re the one I’m looking for,] Myor sent. [I’m looking for a ring. A special ring that controls light in all its intensities. This ring once belonged to Bram Thorne, the elemental warlock.]

[Hmmmm!] D’jon hummed in his head. [I have heard of this ring. I hear it’s very powerful and it was snatched from the warlock’s hand when he died.]

[Yes it was,] Myor said. It seemed D’jon knew a lot more than he should. Myor was surprised Bram hadn’t paid a visit here.already.

[There is a cave at the base of the volcano. I will meet you there in ten tiks.]

Myor spread his arms and made the shift to his Phoenix form. He looked around the beach and saw there were less than fifty islanders left on Jattondt. Merick and Vegon could handle the rest of the evacuation and D’jon would be waiting at the base of Mt Jattondt. He hadn’t heard any stories about wild warlocks invading the island, so it was time to go find the last of Bram’s rings. When he talked with D’jon, he got a strange feeling that something was wrong. He couldn’t put his finger on the problem, but D’jon didn’t sound right. He was a bit too eager to find the ring. Myor didn’t know what that meant. It could mean he already had the ring and was prepared to battle. Myor hoped he didn’t have the ring. Bram’s rings had a way of changing people and making them insane. Well, there was only one way to find out. As he spread his wings, his flames pushed him off and he was on his way.

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