Published: 1 Mar 2021

A Father’s Love

As the afternoon sun blazed high in the sky, Myor chased the flaming Elemental out of Sorrowdown castle. They soared in twin trails up through the atmosphere doing dips and barrel rolls as Furious tried to shake Myor off his tail.

Furious banked right then shot a plasma bolt back at the Phoenix. Myor turned to the side and narrowed his wings into a dive. With Furious looking down at him, he turned on the heat and shot up ramming into the Elemental’s side. Furious rolled to the side and dropped down heading for the ground. Just before he hit, Furious leveled out and shot back up into the clouds. Being fire against fire, Myor knew this battle wouldn’t be easy. He would have to think up a way to stop the Elemental with something that was there around them.

As Myor soared high up in the clouds, he spotted Furious right beneath him. So far he didn’t think Furious knew he was over him. Myor had turned his heat to a bluish flare so he wasn’t as visible to the red flamed Elemental. Focusing down with his thermal vision, Myor watched as Furious flew circles looking for him. He dropped lower and lower until he was flying right above a lake in Alinar. When Myor saw the crystal blue water of the lake, he knew he had found his dampening agent. With Furious searching the sky around him, Myor dived down and bowled the Elemental into the lake. A great explosion of steam rose up out of the center of the lake. Myor watched as the Elemental swam for the shore. The lake wasn’t very big and being soaking wet, Myor knew Furious wouldn’t be flaming up anytime soon so he would head back to see how Yarden was.

As Myor left the castle, Yarden stood on his rear legs a few yards from the Ice Elemental. The Elemental was tall and covered with ice. He had a full head of frozen hair and icicles hanging from his ears and chin. He was dressed in what looked like frozen blue cotton pants and a tunic. Yarden growled a deep snarl as the Elemental took its first step toward him. As Yarden stared at him, the Elemental fired a blast of cold at him. Yarden stood tall and let the blast of cold hit him square in his chest. The Yetisiian relished the feel of the frigid temperature as it washed over him. It actually made him feel stronger. Flexing his claws, Yarden charged at the Elemental. His claws flashed as he took his first swipe at the Iceman. The swipe crossed his first strike and sent chips of ice flying. The Elemental stumbled back, then hurled back forming a ball of ice and threw it at Yarden’s head. Yarden concentrated and let the ice move right through him. As the Elemental realized his ice wasn’t going to have an effect on the white beast, he formed an ice club and moved in to attack. Lifting the club over its head, the Iceman smashed it down at Yarden’s head. Yarden leaned to the side to avoid the club then punched out at the Elemental’s chest. The Iceman’s chest cracked and caved in. He fell bleeding to the floor shaking as the ice fell away from his body. Yarden shifted to his human form and bent down to talk with the man.

“I… I’m sorry.” He said. “I had to obey my master.”

“Go in peace,” Yarden said as he closed his eyes.

“Stop him,” He said with his last breath. “Stop Bram Thorne.”

As the man died, Myor came flying back into the window. He dropped down and shifted to his human form.

“This has to end,” Yarden said sadly. “Too many innocent people are getting killed here.”

“Yes,” Myor said. “Come on. We should hurry and find the others. They may need help.”

“Your right.” Yarden said, “But where are they? I lost track of them when they reached the second floor.”

“It has to be Bram,” Myor said. “Somehow he has us all confused. We could be wandering up here for days.”

“Let’s just keep on looking. Maybe we’ll get lucky.”

As Niro, Caius, and Hoddie made their way through the palace, they came to a stairway back behind the main kitchen. Caius held up his hand to stop them.

“What’s wrong?” Niro asked.

“I want to go first,” Caius answered.

“Why?” Niro gave him a look of suspicion.

“Do you trust me?” Caius asked.

“Of course I do,” Niro said.

“I don’t,” Hoddie added.

“Shut up Hoddie.” Niro turned back to his love. “Why do you want to go first?”

“Because I do,” Caius said. “Isn’t that enough?”

“You want to protect me,” Niro stepped over and took Caius’s hand. “Is that it?”

“Yes,” Caius said as he looked into Niro’s eyes. “I can’t let Bram touch you. My soul is yours and it will be yours forever. I can’t let you die.”

Niro smiled as he stepped closer to Caius. He put his hand to his face and caressed him.

“We have to do this together,” Niro said. “I love you and I promise I won’t leave you ever again.”

Niro wrapped his arms around Caius and pulled him into a deep kiss. Caius fell into his lover’s arms and moaned with pleasure.

“Are you two done yet?” Hoddie asked. “Can we go now?”

As the couple parted, Niro, laughed and pushed Hoddie up the stairs.

“I go first?” He said. “Why am I going first?”

“Relax little one,” Niro said as he stepped around the Goblin. “I go first.”

With Caius right at his side, and Hoddie right behind them, Niro started moving up the staircase. At the top of the stairs, Niro turned and headed down the hall. They were all on alert for Bram or Elementals that might be wandering the halls. Niro had his ring on and his hammer out and ready to fight. Hoddie was armed with his twin knives and his Shadoe ring. Caius’s hands were ablaze with power. They walked slowly down the hall checking each room as they passed. In a few, they found the remains of the house staff that had stayed after the revolt. In one, they found a pretty dead girl lying at the foot of the bed. As they made their way further down the hall, Hoddie stopped and stood there with an odd look on his face.

“Hoddie, what’s wrong?”

“There’s something up ahead waiting for us.” He said.

“An Elemental?” Caius asked.

“I’m not sure.” Hoddie frowned. “But it’s powerful.”

Caius looked at Niro. This was just what he feared. They were about to run into something that could kill Niro.

“Stop worrying about me,” Niro said. “I can handle danger. You just watch my back.”

Caius nodded promising to watch his back. As they started moving, Niro thought he heard something. It was soft and sweet, in a voice that made him feel comfortable. As they moved closer, the song’s effect changed on the three heroes. It went from a sweet comforting sound, to an alluring call that went straight to their heart. Hoddie dropped his knives and ran up the hall. Caius stood there for a second, unsure of what he should do. Niro felt the tugging of the song in his heart. He looked over to Caius and the feeling in his heart changed. Now, the song had no pull on his heart. Caius had his heart and he always would.

Niro went over, grabbed Caius and planted a long sensuous kiss on his lips. Caius held onto Niro for his life. When Niro let him go, he reached over, touched a spot on his neck and knocked him out.

“Forgive me, Caius,” He put him down. “I’ll be right back to get you.”

As Niro turned and dashed down the hall, Hoddie was standing in front of the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She was short, with bluish blonde hair and the delicate features of a fairy princess. Her dress was lite blue and it had the shape of petals from a bluebell. Her eyes were her most enchanting feature. They sparkled with lights that danced all around her smile.

With an amorous twinkle in her eyes, she pulled Hoddie closer for a kiss. With his eyes closed, he fell into her arms, totally in love with her. As he moaned and leaned back, Niro came charging into the room. He looked over to see Hoddie leaning on the wall in what looked like a trance. As he leaped forward at the girl, she spoke one word with total command in her voice.

“STOP.’’

Just like his body had been locked on some devious love spell, Niro froze and crashed to the floor As he looked up at the old hag that was standing over him, she started to laugh and hop around.

“I caught the mighty Niro Herkules!” She cackled. “The master will be so pleased.”

“Who are you, Witch?”

“Me?” She leaned down to look him in his eyes. “I am Passion, the queen of hearts.”

She was right. Even though he had been able to break her love spell, this one was completely different. His love for Caius wouldn’t free him. He had to think of some way to break the spell. He needed help from someone acquainted with magic. Ranjer and Quyyn were out. He hadn’t been able to contact either of them since they entered the castle. Caius was knocked out and he had no idea where Bly was. But wait a second. There was one more person in their crew that could help.

[CUTTER!!]

[I’m here Niro,] He answered. [How can I help you?]

[I’m trapped in some kind of paralysis spell. Do you know any way to break it?]

[My powers are too weak right now,] He said. [I’m having a hard enough time keeping the people out of the city.]

[Then wake up Hoddie,] Niro sent. [Remind him of Rowyn and show him what the witch really looks like.]

[Give me a tik and he will be awake.]

As Cutter cut off his contact with Niro, he reached in and touched Hoddie’s mind. In his dream state, Hoddie was dancing around a fire with Rowyn. But it wasn’t Rowyn. It was Passion the Elemental witch.

[Hoddie.]

Cutter could hear the music going through the Goblin’s head as they danced. It wasn’t Goblin music, which was more drums, with a bass tone. It was fairy music, very classical and rich with spirit. Cutter tuned out the music and called again to the Goblin.

[HODDIE.]

[What?] Hoddie answered. [Can’t you see that I’m busy dancing with my Princess.]

[Look again Hoddie,] Cutter sent. [That’s not Rowyn, it’s a witch.]

[Of course, it’s Rowyn.] He sent. [Look at her baggy eyes and that long crooked nose.]

As Hoddie opened his eyes, he saw Passion for what she really looked like. He jumped up and punched her right in her nose. She fell knocked out to the floor.

“What the hell was that?”

“That,” Niro said as he climbed up onto his feet. “Was Passion, one of Bram’s Elementals. She had you in a love spell that made you think she was Princess Rowyn. It almost worked, but we have a Fear Dragon on our side.”

“That thing made me love her?” Hoddie put his hands to his head and shook it in disbelief, as he sat down on an old chest. “But it was Rowwyn in my mind.”

“That was the real love trying to pull you out of her spell.” Niro explained. “Rowyn was trying to save your life.”

“Bram Thorne will do anything he has to, to get his revenge,” Hoddie said. “This has to stop. He doesn’t care about anyone but him. People will die if he isn’t stopped.”

“Then let’s get Caius and finish this once and for all.”

Niro pulled Hoddie to his feet and they left the room to go get Caius and finish the hunt for the Elemental Warlock.

Back in New Keanna, Jandar sat sipping klah and going over the week’s reports. Seven had birthed her triplets and there was a new Dragon hatched in the city. Sandstorm was a welcome addition to their ranks. Graym had always told them that young Tobyn had desires to be one of the new mage candidates, but his grades at the academy would never allow him to go in that direction. It’s not that the boy was stupid or lazy, he just didn’t really seem to be interested in the lifestyle of a warlock. Jandar had tested him and he found a golden aura that surrounded the boy. He may not end out a warlock, but he would have an honorable and special place in the city’s ranks. When Athene and Denner told Jandar what had happened, they said they were very impressed by what Tobyn had done.

He had overcome his fear of the hatchery cave, and come out, a brand new Storm Dragon. Graym was proud of his son. He apologized for the hard time he had given him in the weeks before the attack. Rose, his wife really came down hard on her husband. She didn’t talk with him for a number of days. It didn’t matter to her what her son did with his future, she knew he would make her proud. But as long as he’s happy, she felt her job as a mother was a success. Tobyn was happy with his newly hatched Dragon. He was out flying every day with whoever he could find to fly with.

As Jandar looked over his reports, his brain exploded in pain. He fell from his chair and rolled across the rug. His breathing increased and his pulse shot up. Suddenly Quyyn’s face flashed through his mind. In his mind, he could hear his son crying out for his help. He was in trouble. Something had happened to him and Sky. it had to be the warlock, Bram Thorne. There was no time to think, he had to go find them now.

Climbing to his feet, Jandar went to the balcony and threw open the doors. In a flash, he shifted to his Dragon form and flew off heading for Sorrowdown and Bram Thorne.

As the sun started to set, Jandar dropped down out of the clouds and did a circle around Sorrowdown palace. He knew Quyyn and Sky were here. So was Ranjer. The problem was that he had been trying to contact them since that pain cry out for help.

Jandar dropped down to land. He lifted his head and roared out to announce he was here. In a flash of light, Jandar shifted back to his human form. He summoned his staff out of limbo and started in from the castle door. He summoned a guide to take him to find his son.

[Stop Dragon. Come no further into my house.]

[Forget it, Bram,] Jandar sent. [I’m coming in to get my family and if I find them hurt in any way, nothing will stop me from killing you.]

[Come ahead Dragon.] Bram sent. [Find me fast before I kill your son.]

“Nooooo!!!” Jandar screamed. With bold steps, Jandar started into the castle. In his mind, he mumbled a protection spell that covered both Quyyn and Sky. With a snap of his fingers, Jandar summoned a guide that would take him in to find Bram. From the front stairs, the guide took him up, and through the second floor, Elementals popped out every now and then to attack Jandar. Jandar dispatched them with ease and kept on moving. From the second floor, he followed the guide through rooms that displayed armor and weaponry. Swords and pikes, maces, and short swords. There was a display of daggers that Jandar thought were magnificent. From there, the guide took him to the wall and stopped. Looking at the wall, He didn’t see any traps or anything so that meant there had to be some kind of latch or button. Jandar stepped closer to examine the wall. It was made of square-cut stones. What kind of rock it was, he had no idea. He reached out and touched the wall. It felt strong and sturdy. He ran his hand up the wall in a straight line and felt two loose coroners in the stone second from the top. This had to be the trigger. He reached up and pressed one corner, then the other. Nothing happened. Turning the sequence around, he pushed the left then the right. Still nothing. Reaching up, he touched them both at the same time. There was an audible click, then the wall started to swing open.

As Jandar stepped into the room, he saw a vast open-air arena type facility. The floor was covered with sand and there was a booth high up in the back where the emperor would sit and watch the tournament. Out beyond the center of the room, he saw Quyyn and Sky in their dragon and phoenix forms. Jandar turned his head to try and detect any sound the two sleeping forms might make. There it was. The sound of breathing. They were alive.

As he took a step forward, Jandar reached out into limbo and brought his staff back into existence. Bram Thorne was here somewhere, He could feel his presence in the air all around him.

“I know you’re here,” Jandar said. “You can come out and face me now.”

Right in front of Quyyn’s prone body, the air exploded and Bram appeared laughing like the mad man he was. Jandar’s eyes narrowed into a grim stare.

“Free my children”

“They are not your children anymore,” Bram laughed. “I defeated them in combat. They are mine now, to do with as I please.”

“I’ll say it one more time,” Jandar raised his glowing staff. “FREE MY CHILDREN NOW!!”

“You don’t scare me Dragon,” Bram snarled. “I have beaten warlocks far more powerful than you. Nothing can stop me.”

As Bram boosted his power, the voices started to laugh uncontrollably.

“SHUT UP!!” He screamed. “Stop laughing at me!!

Jandar stared at the mad Warlock. He knew just what was going on. He could hear the voices as they teased and made fun of him.

“Having trouble with your Masters?” Jandar jested. “That’s what you get when you destroy everyone that once cared for you.”

Bram stared at Jandar with so much hate in his eyes, they glowed red with power. Jandar raised his staff just as Bram fired his first power blast. The blast shot out and hit Jandar’s shield with the force of a charging bull. Jandar swung his arms around and sent Bram’s attack right back at him. Ducking to get away from the blast, Bram shot a bolt of darkness at Jandar. Being a master of both light and dark magic, Jandar swung his staff out, hitting the bolt like a fastball thrown straight at home base. As the bolt sailed up and away from Sorrowdown, Bram formed a boulder from soil debris scattered all around the room. With a massive amount of force, he threw it at Jandar. Leaping straight up in the air, Jandar dropped down to land on the missile. He steered it up and around, then sent it streaking right back down at the Elemental Warlock. As it crashed into the sand next to Bram, Jandar hovered over the room ready for his next attack.

“You think you’ve won,” Bram shouted. He was so mad, he was shaking. “I am Bram Thorne, the Master Elemental warlock. I have torn down mountains and changed the course of rivers. Your power is nothing compared to mine. I will crush the life from your broken body.”

Jandar had heard enough of his boasting about his powers. Now it was time he proved what he could do.

“Then kill me if you can,” Jandar called to him. “Bore me no more with your outlandish boasts.”

As Bram moved his hands around to set up his next attack, a thought occured to Jandar.

[If I can release his Masters from the hell inside his mind, maybe they can help me bring him down.]

While Bram moved to set up his attack, Jandar said his incantation.

VOICES HERE AND FROM THE PAST.
RELEASE THE SOULS AND MAKE IT LAST.
MASTERS OF THE ELEMENTS, AND TIME AND SPACE.
COME FROM YOUR HELL OUT TO THIS PLACE.
TO GET YOUR REVENGE UPON YOUR FOE.
COME FORTH TO ME AND LET YOUR POWERS SHOW.

As Bram worked his magic, Jandar’s spell went into effect. Lights and magic swirled in the air as orbs popped in and out of existence. Shadows of long-dead warlocks swirled all around Bram. Not knowing what was going on, Bram stopped conjuring as the first of his Masters appeared.

In long white robes, Master Sabri appeared off to the side of Bram. When he saw his old master, Bram took a step back to get ready for his attack.

“So we meet again Soul thief,” Master Sabri looked today like a mirror image of the master he was the day Bram had killed him. As he floated there above the Warlock, Bram looked up and saw his long-dead master. How could he be here? He’s supposed to be trapped in his mind. With a wave of his hand, Bram sent a set of golden chains out to wrap themselves around the spirit. He pulled the chain and brought the spirit right back down to his side. With Sabri wrapped up and back under his power, Bram laughed. But that wasn’t the end of his spell. Like phantoms, Bram’s trapped souls came flying out to swirl all around his head. Bram tried his best to lasso them in, back they were too fast.

“Is there anyone up there that can hold Bram while I bind his magic?”

[I can,] Said a sweet voice. As Jandar watched Jemeld Thorne, Bram’s wife came floating down to stare right into Jandar’s soul.

[I see the goodness in your heart,] She said sadly. [I wish my husband had such attributes in his heart]

“There is still time for him to learn,” Jandar said. “You can still teach him. This is not his end, he has to go back to the Underworld, but you will be there with him. Show him the love in your heart. I don’t think he will be able to resist.”

[Thank you,] She said. [I will do as you suggest. We will force him to remember our love.]

As Jemeld turned and went to her husband, Caius, Niro, Hoddie, Yarden, Myor, and Bly came running into the arena. They saw the spirits flying around Bram and thought it would be best if they didn’t interfere. Jandar was standing in front of Quyyn as he started his binding spell.

As Jemeld sailed down to confront her husband, Bram sent a bolt of power out at her. The bolt flew right through her and hit the wall on the other side of the room.

[You can’t hurt me Love,] She said. [Nothing you can do now can hurt me.]

“Who are you?” He screamed.

[Don’t you remember the woman you took as your bride?]

“I don’t know you, liar,” He screamed.

[I have never lied to you,] She said. [Not when you stole me from my father’s house, and not when you killed me.]

“I don’t know you woman,” He said. “So how could I have killed you.”

[Like this.]

Jemeld dropped down and put her hand to Bram’s face. As her spiritual hand touched his skin, the memories of his life flowed back into his head. He remembered his first class in magic and his first Master. He remembered their arguments and fights, then his first murder. He remembered going from one teacher to the next killing many to steal their magical abilities. He remembered his parents and the love they had for him, the betrayal, and their murder. He remembered seeing Jemeld one day shopping in the marketplace in some out of the way Elven kingdom. How he instantly fell in love with her, then stole her away from her family. He remembered their time together, the laughs and the tears. Then he remembered the birth of their daughter and how much he loved that little face every time he looked down into her bassinet.

Then everything changed, and he saw himself as he tortured and stole things from the people he loved. He remembered killing his wife and daughter. That he thought was the saddest day of his life, but he didn’t care. All he wanted was to acquire more power. Well now he had the power, but it cost him everything he had ever loved. What’s the point of life or power without love?

Bram dropped down to his knees and cried. The voices were gone from his head and he didn’t care anymore. He looked up to the spirit of Jemeld.

“What have I done?” He cried, “How could I have become so obsessed with power?”

[You forgot about us my love,] She said [You destroyed the most important thing you had to live for.]

As they watched, Bly stepped forward and stared up at her sister. Tears broke from her eyes as she longed to take her in her arms and show her how much she loved her.

Jemeld turned and looked down at her sister. She slowly dropped, floating down to where she was standing.

[Sister,] She looked Bly deeply into her eyes. [Don’t cry sad tears for me. I have my husband back and we will be together for eternity. Be happy for us.]

“I am happy for you Jemeld.” she cried.”It’s just that I will miss being able to talk with you.”

[You can still talk with me whenever you want.] Jemeld reminded her. [You will always be my sister and I will always answer your call.]

As Bly and Jemeld said their goodbyes, Bram walked over to Jandar.

“The binding spell isn’t necessary. I’m sorry for everything that I’ve done,” He said. “I’ll return to the Underworld and accept whatever punishment Lord Nestor decides to assign me. Thank your two sons for me. Their love is an inspiration to anyone that meets them.”

“And you heroes,” Bram turned to Niro, Caius, and the others. “Your courage and strength kept me from doing a lot of harm to innocent people. I want to thank you for being brave enough to go up against me.”

Bram took off his rings and handed them to Jandar.

“Keep these safe,” He said. “One day you may need their power. Farewell Heroes.”

As Bram and Jemeld stepped away from the heroes, they disappeared as they walked up through the castle skyline.

As Bram disappeared, all of his Elementals lost their powers and turned back to their human form. All accept Caius who could feel his elemental abilities still there deep inside of him.

Niro and Hoddie went over to Jandar and started to take off their rings.

“No,’ Jandar said. “You keep those rings. You are now all citizens of New Keanna. You will have rooms in the Manor and there will always be a home there for you.”

“Thank you,” Niro said as he shook Jandar’s hand.

“Where will you go now?” Jandar asked.

“We have to go find Princess Rowyn.” Hoddie said. “Anyone that is willing to come can join us.”

“We’re in.” Myor and Yarden said together.

“What about Sorrowdown?” Niro asked.

“We have to trust the people here to learn to govern themselves,” Jandar said. “If they can’t, we’ll be back.”

As Jandar reached out and stroked Quyyn’s back. He said.

“It’s time to go home.”

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