Chapter 3

Chapter 3

 

Aunty M was pacing, going over every detail with Captain Rigs. She decided she could get in with three wagons, provided she could find enough men among the crowd of soldiers that would pass enough as country farmers. It was tight, but daylight was running short, which, in her case, was a good thing looking at the people she had with her. Arken and his men had things well under control, putting people in groups to mix and match. Yes, it was an odd bunch. In a pickle jar, there had better be a lot of vinegar and oil.

The journey to town was a swift one, lasting just an hour, as they hurriedly made their way with a creaking wagon. The air was tinged with a sense of urgency, yet unbeknownst to them, the area they traversed was still teeming with the remnants of the previous night's battlefield. The sights of scorched earth and shattered remnants of what was once a thriving landscape were still visible, serving as a grim reminder of the dangers that lurked nearby. The need for tents was pressing, for Jayden relied on these structures to provide shelter and safety for the people.

The fatigue from the arduous journey was understandable, as the weariness settled deep into their bones. The scent of dust and sweat hung heavily in the air, a testament to their ceaseless efforts. They were but a small faction, isolated from the main company stationed at the stronghold, a week's ride away. Their isolation, however, did not deter Morgan, who seemed to possess an uncanny knowledge of their dwindling resources, thanks to his network of spies in the towns. It felt as though every time they gained even the slightest advantage, Morgan swiftly snatched it away, leaving them in a constant state of vulnerability.

Aunty M pointed to the old dirt road up ahead. “Boys, this will take us into town. There’s an old shack behind the barn if we just―” Aunty M saw the horses and men coming towards them. “Wait here!” Aunty M said to the soldiers she had brought with her. Quickly taking the reins of her horse, nice and easy and rides ahead of the horses and men. “Well now, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes? It’s all right, boys,” Aunty M waved to them.

“Hello, Margaret,” Nathaniel replies.

Margaret yelled back. “It’s just Nathaniel and his boys!”

“I thought I told you to leave weeks ago?” he intoned.

“Oh, I did, but there’s a problem. The town I was supposed to go to is now gone.”

“Gone? He said in shock.

“Yes, gone, destroyed, burned, dried up, gone.”

Nathaniel’s face went white with shock. “And the people?” he asked.

Margaret looks down at the ground. “We think, we have most of them.”

“Most?” Nathaniel’s heart broke as he looked at Margaret. Margaret slowly tried to tell him what had happened, and tears formed in his eyes as he looked towards the west. “What about Ned? What about Granny?” he asked.

“Ned is currently with the group, but we haven’t found Granny yet.” We will go back and continue our search as soon as we can take care of the people we have already found tonight. Sadly, we only have a few things left besides the clothes we're wearing and whatever we were able to save from the destruction.

Margaret could see the fire burning in Nathaniel’s eyes as he got on his horse and left in the wind. He was heading towards the camp. She knew the anger and rage well as she watched the wind push him towards the camp. But she could do nothing for him; others were waiting as she pushed on. “Fella’s, I need those tents.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And whatever supplies you can give me. Would be a great help.”

 

·       * * * *

Riding hard towards the camp, Nathaniel experiences the magical blowing wind propelling him, and his mind is filled with thoughts of his loved ones who may be dead or trapped. Reaching the campsite, he sees the people of Springfield and numerous campfires of families. Jayden looked up at his old friend standing on the hill, his eyes burning for his lost love. Nathaniel gazes around once more before entering the campsite by Jayden near the edge of the water as he notices. He, too, was grieving, for he had not yet found Lizzy.

“Come to take your place, I hope, Nathaniel?” he asked.

Nathaniel gazed out among the fields. “No, my friend. You are just not that lucky. We have two women who are both lost to us, and we can’t find them.” They were trying to stay positive.

“But I can tell you one thing, my friend. You’re in a heap of trouble.”

“How so?”

“Because you left yourself open to anyone. You have no men, no supplies, nothing.”

“Well, we have one thing that Morgan doesn’t have and wishes he had, or should I say think he has, is the better way of putting it,” Jayden said.

“What’s that?” he asked.

“Walk with me for a minute.” Jayden strolls over to Mrs. Tweed, who holds the boy on her lap and has all her children around her. Jayden smiles as he nods, giving them each a plumb. He had gotten off a tree and a book for the boy.

Nathaniel turned three shades of white, grabbing Jayden’s arm. “Are you mad? You can’t do things like that.”

“I didn’t, Nathaniel; Jeff did.”

“He did what?”

Nathaniel hurried to a quiet corner, casting a ward against eavesdropping so they could talk. Jayden broke it down, watching Nathaniel's eyes pop out of his head as he watched the Tweeds with the boy. “Now I know you are insane,” Nathaniel replies.

“Well, we were fine until things went south a bit.”

“A bit?” Nathaniel looked around. “You have no homes, three hundred people or more stranded in the middle of nowhere; oh, did I mention these people are not from this part of the world?”

“That’s why I need you, Nathaniel, to take charge, because I have no clue what I’m doing.”

“No, Jayden … Derrick left the task to you; the brotherhood left the task to you. My task is protecting a town going up against that buffoon sitting on a hill, which in time will figure out what has happened.”

“Then why are you here if you will not help me, Nathaniel? Because I have enough to worry about?” Jayden asked.

“I know you do!” Nathaniel paced back and forth, looking at the people. “Just don’t go anywhere for a few days is all I’m asking, but you are too much in the open, friend. You need to get closer to that mountain for some protection. So, what’s for dinner, and who or what is the entertainment, considering I am staying?”

Aunty M arrived with cheers, six extra riders, and four more wagons full of goods coming down the road. The Whitmores were driving one team full of tents, with Grandma Stuart sitting next to Lenny in a new hat. Things were looking up as they unloaded the wagons of all the goods. Grandma was in tears seeing all the grandkids giving them all a big hug. Then Arken picks up Sylen and hands him to her to hold him as he puts his little arms around her. She wept like a baby; she was so happy to see him again and him too.

It was so hard giving him back to his Ma so she could feed him again. They decided they would each share the job with each a spoon and fork, cutting up his meat and then wiping his chin with a kiss. His two older brothers spoiled him by picking him up and carrying him throughout the camp. Ma yells, “Please be careful!” But their Pa was always close by, and so was Jayden.

Ma had noticed the same three people as they watched her boy Sylen and felt very cold shiver of evil every time she walked by them. She wasn’t sure which one that caused that feeling as she sat and watched her children play on the field.

The menfolk set up the tents in groups of twenty, selecting a person from each group to be the quartermaster under the captain.

Their group was six tents down from Jayden’s group, with Pa as their captain and Mr. Sprigs as the quartermaster. Ma didn’t like Mr. Sprigs very much and thought he was full of hot air.

The Whitmores were in another group, hoping they would be in theirs, but that’s ok considering they are all together in one field. It almost reminds EJ of their teepee in front of the house, except Ma’s table was outside. Here, they ate on the ground with bark. They cleaned off trees for plates or clay-chipped plates that were found undamaged in the houses and mess halls. You had to be quick to get a good plate around here as he watched the wizards with status summon theirs, which wasn’t fair to the rest of them.

Jayden was true to his word when he said. “I want their bellies full,” he said, handing Ma another plate to feed him and one for her as well. The word around the camp is that Sylen caught the black plague from eating poisonous food on the one world they traveled on, and he was being nursed back to health. So far, people are buying the lie, considering it is everywhere, and seeing signs of it here as well. That’s why they are keeping their distance from them, which is fine, but they wished they’d stop looking at them so strangely; it gets to be annoying sometimes.

Jayden and Nathaniel walked the outskirts of the camp, watching the camp. “Nathaniel, I am just not cut out for this job. They know it, as I look into their eyes; I feel it walking through the camp. I can barely protect myself, let alone a group of people. All I was doing was finding a good wife, having a few kids, settling down for a while and taking the load off. I have done my part, so I had thought.

“Instead, somehow, somebody screwed those plans up. I wasn’t supposed to do this. You can handle a sword better than any man I have ever known, and you know how to lead and get men to follow.” Jayden paused, gazing over the hill and noticing dust and dark clouds, before continuing, “What I am trying to say is―” his words were cut off as Jayden pointed, running down the hill and yelled. “Everyone! Quickly, get over by the mountain!”

Nathaniel’s face turned with anger as he watched the Dark Knights fill the sky around the people as they screamed for cover. It was a madhouse, as they left the wagons and the last of their supplies out in the open for anyone to destroy. Margaret was so angry that her eyes burned white hot, and the staff in her hand sizzled when she raised it. Her hair looked like it was on fire.

She pointed the staff in the air, and a large red light flickered white as it trickled down as she waved with such power, Creating a dome of shielded glass around the base of the mountain, nothing in or out could harm them as they watched Morgan’s riders of death hounds and knights, try as they might trying to enter beyond the glass dome as the shadow hits with all its force.

On the outside of the shield, Nathaniel, with a fury that resounded like thunderbolts from the sky, slashed and fought against the Black Knights. Margaret, with her determined spirit, carved an opening at the base of the mountain, the sound of her blade echoing through the air. The scent of earth and danger filled the nostrils as she worked tirelessly, creating a refuge for the people to seek safety. Jayden, his voice firm and guiding, led the frightened crowd towards the sanctuary.

As Margaret pressed forward, the rocks yielded under her touch, their hard surfaces melting away like liquid fire. The intense heat released a pungent smell of burning stone, mingling with the acrid scent of sweat on Margaret's brow. Her eyes stung with determination as the flames from her staff illuminated the rocks, casting a soft, eerie glow for the people to find their way.

Having done all she could for them, Margaret turned to Jayden, her expression filled with both weariness and resolve. With a burst of energy, she unleashed her power, sealing the cavern shut. Suddenly, a brilliant light, brighter than the sun, pierced through the cracks, hearing Margaret let out a scream that carried a hint of laughter. “Is that the best you got, Morgan?” she taunted as she swiftly transported herself to his stronghold, leaving behind the shelter she had created.

With wide eyes, Morgan peered out the window of the courtyard he had carefully crafted from the remnants of the old copper mine. The scene before him was a vivid cacophony of sights and sounds, as if the universe itself was conspiring against him. The pungent smell of damp earth mingled with the metallic tang of the mined copper, permeating the air around him and assaulting his nostrils. As he surveyed the vast expanse of this insignificant planet, he felt a shiver run down his spine, a mix of anticipation and repulsion causing his skin to prickle. The distant sounds of nature's symphony, the melodious chirping of birds and gentle rustling of leaves, filled his ears, contrasting with the sinister whispers in his mind. In this moment, he knew that everything would soon change, and they will plunge it back into the Shadow realm where it belongs under their control.

With his Dark Prince by his side, he would take total control of this world, bending it to his will. The gravity of his quest to find the Five Keys of Destiny and the ancient artifacts that would grant him, and his master’s godlike powers was about to unfold. Morgan's gaze shifted downward, and he beheld a woman amidst his fallen knights. Recognition flickered in his eyes, and he finally placed her. He recognized the woman immediately - it was Margaret Cotwellar, his old enemy, the very same woman who had been Mike Cotwellar's wife and whom he had killed almost two years ago. She was supposed to be six feet under, yet here she was, defying the odds and the passage of time. She had become the new Lady of the Light, a true thorn in his side. Three times he had tried to bring her into his fold, to change the course of destiny, and three times he had failed, resorting to trying to kill her. And it seemed those meddlesome Gods of Light had intervened once again, frustrating his every move.

The suffocating weight of failure hung over him like a thick, oppressive fog, as if the very air itself was tainted with his shortcomings. The furious gaze of his master, Hess, will bore into him like hot daggers, intensifying the darkness that engulfed him. Standing there, he could almost taste the bitter tang of defeat, every fiber of his being consumed by its heavy presence.

Yet, amidst the despair, he clung to one glimmer of hope, the Dark Prince cradled in his trembling hands. This knowledge was his only saving grace, provided a fleeting solace, a temporary respite from the crushing burden he carried. The silence that enveloped the scene was not just an absence of sound, but a foreboding stillness that seemed to whisper of impending doom.

In his mind, the faint echoes of Margaret's followers, the Gods of Light, whispered softly, like the gentle rustle of wind through leaves. Their distant cries resonated in his ears, akin to distant bells tolling in mournful harmony, filling the air with a sense of loss. The scent of despair mingled with the scent of victory, as their prized possession was stolen and the glimmer of hope extinguished. To him, the echoes brought a twisted sense of satisfaction, a bittersweet triumph amidst the overwhelming waves of his failures.

Hess and he were resolute in their quest to dominate her nephew, EJ Sturt, from the grasp of these ordinary beings and feeble deities and unveil to him the true power - the power of Darkness, the power of the Shadow realm, the ultimate power. Their surroundings seemed to darken, the air thickening with an ominous presence as they stood in defiance of these so-called fools of the Gods of Light. The scent of something sinister wafted through the air, mingling with the acrid taste of bitterness. Their determination emanated like an electric charge, a notable energy that resonated through the very core of their beings.

The boy's obedience will be his key. For once he was under his control, he would be his tool for acquiring the artifacts, granting him and Hess Lotti godlike powers. With these powers, they would conquer every world, every realm, and thrust them into the Shadow realm, where they would reign supreme. Morgan's sinister thoughts evoked a wicked laugh, echoing through the air, as the scene before him elicited a sense of dark satisfaction.

Margret's piercing gaze met Morgan's, and she let out a vehement yell that reverberated through the air. “I thought I would return these to you, my old friend!” Her voice, a mixture of amusement and malice, echoed with a sharpness that cut through the silence. With a swift, forceful motion, she flung a gleaming sword towards Morgan, the sound of it cutting through the air like a hissing serpent. The sword narrowly missed its mark, embedding itself in a sturdy brick wall nearby. The clash of metal against stone filled the space, creating a jarring symphony of destruction.

As Margret turned to leave, her footsteps echoed with determination. She approached the gate leading to the field, her boots creating a resounding thud with each step. With a powerful kick, the gate yielded, its hinges groaning in protest. The scent of freshly cut grass mingled with the earthy aroma of damp soil, adding to the atmosphere of the scene.

She stood before the captain in charge, her posture exuding confidence. With a crisp salute, she handed him a stack of new orders. “Yes, my Lady of the Light!” The captain's voice rang out, a mixture of respect and obedience. The paper rustled in his hands as he quickly scanned the instructions, the sound adding a sense of urgency to the scene.

Margret wasted no time in carrying out the new orders, her steps quick and purposeful. The ground trembled beneath her as she reached the required destination, the weight of her presence felt by all. With a flick of her wrist, she erected a gateway, the as it hung and reverberating through the air.

Mischievous laughter escaped Margret's lips as she pointed her staff towards Morgan's courtyard and walls. The crackling energy in the air was visible as she unleashed her power, the explosive force shattering the tranquility of the scene. The crumbling of stone filled the air, accompanied by the acrid smell of dust and debris.

Filled with a sense of accomplishment, Margret confidently turned on her heels and made her way back to camp. The faint sound of her footsteps echoed through the air, gradually fading away as she visualized her return to the children's sleeping quarters. Anticipation filled her as she imagined the joy of embracing and kissing each child, their laughter and innocent voices creating a symphony that warmed her heart.

As Margret approached the camp, a sweet scent of bedtime rituals mingled with the cool evening air, enveloping her in a comforting embrace. It carried whispers of innocence and tranquility, providing a soothing presence amidst the chaotic surroundings. Margret fully embraced her role as a nurturing nanny, gently tucking the children into their beds with utmost care. The softness of their blankets brushed against her fingers, leaving a tender sensation that brought her solace.

However, amidst the calmness, Nathaniel's anger still lingered. His fury was hard to dismiss as he stood atop the mountain, his gaze fixed downwards. “That's twice,” he muttered, his voice filled with a mix of resentment and concern. “Morgan tried to kill my people, and my wife is still missing!"

Margaret was the only thing holding Nathaniel back as she stepped in his path in front of the courtyard. “No, Nathaniel. This is not the time or the place!” As Nathaniel looked up at Morgan’s tower, his fist clenching white hot with anger, Margaret could see she was losing a battle of the mind with him. “You can’t, and you know why. Think about it: If you go in there half-cocked, that is just what he wants you to do. Anger feeds him, emotion feeds him, and you do this. You are jeopardizing everyone, not just you or me, everyone.”

“I guess you’re right, but I don’t like it,” Nathaniel said, curling his lips. His eyes are blazing towards the tower, and with one swipe of his hand, Nathaniel curls it with such force that the tower crumbles.

Margaret slaps him hard. “Suppose EJ was, or should I say Jeff was, in that tower?” she replied.

“Ouch!” He said rubbing his face, “he wasn’t!”

“And how do you know that, Nathaniel?” she asked.

“I, too, have a spy inside. They moved the boy to better quarters. But it needed some remodeling. After all, he tore my town apart. Let’s see how he likes it.”

Jayden and the people were glad to see Nathaniel and Aunty M as she unsealed the cavern for them, but after taking inventory of all the scattered goods, mostly ruined, they saved what they could and put them inside the cavern for now.