Chapter 26-1

Chapter 26-1

Linda finally putting the last dish away sees Jaydan sitting outside with soldiers keeping guard over the tavern. Which wasn't strange not by a long shot as she sits next to him looking at the same sky. “Jaydan?” Linda turns her head towards him. “Why are you really here?” She asked.

Jaydan paused. “Because you needed me ... you all do. Right now you needed me the most, so I am here.”

“Yes I know that, but that's not what I am asking.”

Jaydan thinks really hard, “because you called me too... you long ago Linda. Do you remember the day when you thought you were going to lose your child after you gave him away the first time? Wondering if you were ever going to see him again? I was there Aggie wasn't there at the time you need me. I whispered yes then and I was right wasn't I? You still ask it every time the same question...

“This time I do not have answer for you. For it is not mine to give or yours to make for him. You can't go back and change the unchangeable; you set the pattern as it is weaved. All you have is the future and what you change now that makes a difference. That's why I am here for you... all of us are here now. To seek a better future for us all,” Jaydan pointed out in the distance. “This is happening to all the worlds, yours included. In time it to will look like this if we don't change the course and we let Morgan win.

“He wins we all lose, your son included. For he has your son and my friend, they are one Linda. Do you understand now why I am here? Because I care what happens to all that need me, not just your boy's, even thou they are very important and I stress that.” Jaydan intoned. “But right now they couldn't be more safer if I was there or not.

“You, on the other hand, your group is not safe and needs help making friends, because you have enough enemies.  It couldn't hurt to have a little protection, plus I believe the Whitmore are going to be a little busy here.” Jaydan watched Armani and council member with clans of four tribe's council, headed towards the tavern.

On the hillside, they could see the Altaerin's surrounding them as a small party approaches the tavern. Armani face grew long as he looks at Jaydan with worry because the tension was so great. Jaydan merely stands then bows before them then invites them inside. Armani and his wife Elis tries to smile as she brings out ale to the table and salted turana (cracker bread made of nuts ground like flour into bread).

Shywpen the leader of all the tribes pushed the table and stands then growls slamming the empty mug down. “You bring me this?” Staring and glaring hard at Elis and Armani with hard cold eyes. “This is nothing but kercash for filthy swine of Acklrin.”

Elis and Armani were on their knees begging forgiveness. “We are only simple folk and these are tough times.” Shywpen acknowledge with a simple growl as they bow as he dismisses the woman having his men be filled with ale all they could drink for being unprepared. Which was a lot considering each Council member each brought 10 men with them?

Aggie was very helpful regarding tricks of her own as she followed Elis down into the cellar where she played hide and seek with her friends many of times long ago. What memories as she looks what’s left, but old cobwebs and few broken bottles and a couple of drums of old ale. Aggie summons her staff and smiles lights up the way for her even thou Elis was quite good in the dark for they lived underground.

Aggie felt bad for them as they did keep their promise and developed somewhat of a friendship for them. Plus she hated bullies as she mutters, “men overcompensation for something.” Elis laughed back at the remark, whispers in her ear about how the leader's wife actually ran things, he never gets anything better until he ventures outdoors. That made Aggie laugh even harder.

“Well then?” She said looking at two empty barrels. “Let's see how he and his men like this flavor.” Aggie draws water from the underground well filled both barrels, then cast and enchantments with a giggle and laugh. “Now my dear you will have the best ale and never run out.”

Aggie and Elis carried fresh ale to the table for all, then turning to the men outside the tavern happy as a lark. While Loraine was in the kitchen trying to prepare a meal with Linda. Things you might say weren't smooth sailing. Considering one could cook while the other couldn't. Not that mattered when the dishes prepared went out.  The leaders ate every bite begging for more of Lind's home-style than of Loraine's. Except of course their men as they tried both to keep it on even kill, regardless some of the meat tasted a lot like shoe leather.

With loud burp another round of ale, Shywpen stands with his mug in hand toasting to Armani and his wife for a fine meal as he pats his four stomachs then clears his throat with load burp and growl pounding the table with his fist. Glaring hard at the five men for the women were not allowed in. It was considered disrespectful according to Elis as she explains the going on's among them. For she had some secrets that not even her husband knows.

The ladies tweeter in the kitchen among themselves Peggy and Donna didn't dare make one move considering Aggie made sure they were sleeping soundly then shield them against each other. Because now would not be a good time to have the world come crashing down on them as she slowly climbed the back of the stairs to check and the wards. Of course, that doesn't stop anyone else either as she watched someone scamper across the alley on two hind legs. “What is Darzzee doing on this world?”

In the common room the men where Jim and Steve were sweating. Every time the leader smiled at them showing his teeth as the saliva drips down him. Unlike Armani and Elis, they prefer to show their true form.

Jaydan, on the other hand, felt comfortable as he watched with great interest. For this was one the reason he and the Whitmore's were here at this time. He was just waiting around like a fly on the wall, except he would be the one missed by the fly swatter. Then finally it happens as the earth rumbles beneath them all, creating large fishers and the wind howls as if the tavern was being torn apart.

Aggie yelled for all his men to get inside the tavern as she placed a protective bubble around them. Large enough to save everything as she quickly ran outside placing another on the wagon around the barn. She wasn't about to lose those horses.

Aggie fell as the wind whips her around as she grips at anything that was nailed down before it gave away.

Aggie screams as the post cracks off an old fence. Then she is carried away by the wind as she screams then is gone as Linda and they watched from inside their protected bubble as it slowly collapses. Jaydan replaces it in time larger one than hers as the Altaerin's watched with their eyes.

For he has been saved by them from the storm as the grounds rips itself apart like a festering wound. The wind dies down and voice is heard as red glowing eyes pierced the sky of Morgan’s face hidden in shadow. “Prepare yourself for your Master and the Dark Prince you shall kneel at their feet or die by their hand.” The sky clears as the wind stops then ground stops shaking below them. The Altaerin's scared to death with fear in their eyes so were the people Jaydan was now stuck with as he looked across the valley for Aggie.

Jaydan stands firm with his eyes unafraid by the warning looks straight head as he looks out with a different pair of eyes. “Now we can begin friends as we look upon the valley, for this is the heart as we strike true. Come… it is time like he said the prince and the master are coming.” Jaydan laughed slapping Shywpen on the back. To lighten the mood.

Shywpen growls angrily Jaydan turned. “Its old custom where I am from,” and smiles

Shywpen growled, “we call it “yepta” (woman's love for a child.) Shywpen growls as he returns it back watching Jaydan stumble and cough.

Steve laughs putting an arm around Jaydan and Kollie the other. “Yes, we have a lot to learn.”

Jaydan laughed. “And you will my friends,” laughing. “Because you're going spend a lot of time with him and his people.” as they both stop short.