Chapter 3-1

Chapter 3-1

 

Nobody was in the mood for sleeping as the menfolk took care of the bodies of Morgan’s soldiers, putting them in a deep hole and burning them. Oh, how they smelled. Thank goodness for a little magical wind blowing the smell away right into Morgan’s area. Aunty M called it a gift as they all laughed around the fire. Ma patched the tent the best she could for the night, and Pa found a couple of branches straight enough to hold it together.

It was a quiet night for once, and Jayden posed guards now that they had enough men to disperse them. In fact, there was enough. Pa once more had his own men re-assigned to him, watching over them, but not too close to raise suspicion now that they were in the open. They really needed to blend in, which would be hard considering the danger EJ, and his family were in.

Jayden strolled around the camp, noticing the same group of wizards standing around doing nothing except as little as possible. “Nathaniel, since you won’t help me,” Jayden said.

“That’s not what I said. I said I would not take your place. I have my own problems, my friend, and from what I gather, Derrick left this task to you.”

“Yes, I understand that,” Jayden said, watching the wizards. “You see those wizards over there and see the three men over there by the tree watching the boy and the Tweeds?”

“Yes?”

“Well, for some odd reason, one bunch is spies or both, but either way, they are a pain in my backside.”

“I see your point. You want me to do a little snooping?” Nathaniel asked.

Jayden said, “If you wouldn’t mind, it looks like my friend Lenny, and I are about to put on a show.”

“Oh, that o’t to be interesting, to say the least.”

“Well, I did promise them something tonight.”

“You mean Morgan’s minor battle wasn’t in the program?” he asked jokingly.

“And to think I didn’t send him an invitation?” as he tried to laugh.

Nathaniel quietly slipped away like a shadow in the night as Jayden went to the middle of the camp. “Ladies and gentlemen and kin’s folk.” Jayden, taking his staff, lights up the sky with lights of starlight. “For tonight’s entertainment from around the world. I present myself and Lenny as your host. Since our two wizards couldn’t make it, they had other plans.” Lenny popped in with a puff of white and green smoke, making the children laugh.

The Wizards mumbled. “What an idiot.”

Nathaniel stood beside them. “So, you don’t think Lenny’s got the stuff?” He asked.

“Are you kidding? Not even a wizard in rank in some books,” they replied.

Lenny, the beloved performer, captivates the children with his mesmerizing act. As he expertly juggles balls of dazzling light, the colors change and dance in the air, creating a magical spectacle. The sight of the swirling lights fills the children's eyes with wonder and awe.

With a mischievous grin, Lenny pretends to lose control, as if dropping the luminous orbs. But before they can hit the ground, he skillfully throws them high into the sky, where they explode into shimmering stardust. The burst of twinkling particles cascades down, creating a celestial shower that delights the senses.

The children's excitement erupts into joyous screams, their voices reverberating through the air. Their laughter and cries of amazement mingle with the enchanting sounds of the performance, creating a symphony of youthful exuberance.

Jayden, Lenny's trusty assistant, assists him by using his powers to make Lenny levitate effortlessly above the ground. The sensation of weightlessness sends a tingle down Lenny's spine and fills him with a sense of exhilaration.

As Jayden hovers above, he playfully tosses chocolates and apples to the eager children below. The scent of sweet cocoa and fresh fruit fills the air, mingling with the aroma of burning wood from the nearby campfire.

In a breathtaking display, Jayden shoots vibrant bursts of fire into the sky, painting the night with a kaleidoscope of colors. The crackling sound of the flames adds a thrilling edge to the performance, complementing the music that envelops them from all directions.

The sweet melodies that fill the air evoke a sense of nostalgia, transporting the displaced souls to a time when they had a place to call home. The haunting tunes carry with them the familiar sounds and smells of their beloved hometown of Springfield, wafting through the air and triggering memories. As they stand on the outskirts, watching Jayden, their new leader, command the attention of the crowd, the music wraps around them like a comforting blanket.

The crackling campfire casts a warm glow, illuminating their faces as they sway and dance in each other's arms. The flickering flames not only provide physical warmth but also ignite a deep sense of belonging, as if the embrace of their loved ones is embracing them too. Tears of joy and laughter blend in a bittersweet farewell, mingling with the smoky scent that lingers in the air.

They bid adieu to the past, cherishing the final moments of their shared connection and the memories they hold dear. Looking up at the night sky, the stars twinkle above, providing a glimpse of hope in their uncertain world. Though it may not be their own world anymore, they find solace in the fact that they are together, and that's what matters most.

Nathaniel stealthily makes his way around the camp, his senses heightened as he spies on the spies and traitors who lurk in the shadows. The crackling of twigs under his feet and the rustling of leaves in the breeze create a symphony of sounds, keeping him alert to any potential danger. His heart races, his palms sweat, as he carefully observes their every move, ensuring the safety of his newfound community. The wizard’s sect was all in a foul mood and would nip at his heels, and they would never find him worthy of such a rank. Several of them, in fact, Nathaniel questioned himself in his mind; he could feel the cold blackness on their hearts.

Nathaniel slowly and quietly reaching where the boy was being observed. He knew without a doubt, looking at those men’s faces, there was murder written on them. As they looked at the boy, his family, and Jayden, he could see it in their eyes, not just one, but all three.

Nathaniel walked back to Jayden. “I’d move your families or kill those three,” as he points. “I’ve seen it in their eyes and on their faces and feel it.”

Jayden was heartbroken because one of those was his lifetime friend Captain Walters, he thought. “I can’t just kill them for no reason, Nathaniel. They have done nothing wrong. All I have is suspicion.”

“Then, are you willing to take the chance?” Nathaniel asked.

 

* * * *

Lizzy and Granny were in a small cavern with a family of wood elves, half a dozen fairies, and a small Kenee-a-bees family, wondering what was taking so long to find them as they shivered from the cold. They had heard nothing from outside the cavern for hours.

After being locked inside for so long and fearing the danger outside, the children are hungry, and the cavern feels cramped. Granny finally had enough of the sitting around doing nothing part. “Folks, I believe it’s up to us if we are going to get out of this mess, and darn tooten, I’m not goanna a wait a second longer.” Granny goes to the cavern’s entrance, which is blocked and closed, and starts digging.

With the Kenee-a-bee’s help, they pushed her aside. “Granny, not to be rude, you are digging the wrong way,” watching the bolder slide inwards more.

“Well, if you think you can do it better, then do it,” Granny Watched the father give orders to his children as they pushed the women out of the way. When they broke through to the surface, Granny could feel a soft, warm, sickly breeze entering the cavern. The Pixies dived out of the cavern first, not caring whose pride they hurt as long as they got out to see their nice trees and gardens.

The wood Elves gracefully aided Lizzy and Granny, their keen eyes piercing through the darkness. “Thank you, Eielkec,” Granny whispered, clutching his hand tightly as he led them outside. As they emerged, a stark sight greeted them. The hill of broken buildings stretched out before them, a desolate landscape of dead wood and withered branches. The air was heavy with the scent of decay and dust, assaulting their nostrils. Eerily silent, not even the faintest sound of a cricket's chirp or the gentle flutter of wings could be heard. Only the gusts of wind carried the taste of dryness and remnants of ash, and worst the smell of decay. The rows of trees and the charred earth beneath their feet horrified the Pixies, their delicate wings trembling. Walking towards town with heavy hearts, they glimpsed only a few lost souls aimlessly wandering, their voices blending into a murmur of hopeless arguments around a table guarded by soldiers. Doubt crept into their minds, wondering if this desolation was all that remained of humanity.

“The answer is no! You can’t take these people down to the main camp; there could still be more out there,” the Queen of the Pixies replied with a heated breath.

“I don’t care if you have orders from Jayden. He’s not the leader and never will be if we have anything to say about it,” the wizards said.

Soldiers looked up, seeing Lizzy and Granny’s group enter, bewildered at the town’s destruction. “Captain Rigs?” Lizzy asked as she looked at him. “Is my husband alright?”

Captain Rigs nods. “Yes, he’s fine, just a little henpecked at the moment,” he said, looking at the remaining wizards around the pavilion. “But he’s fine.”

“Can you take me to him?” she asked.

“Yes, I’d be glad too, and with the others if these wizards leave me alone for five minutes.”

Granny steps in. “Is that all that’s holding up the show, this bunch?” she rolls up her sleeves. “Listen, really good!” She Looks them straight in the eye. “I don’t think you want to mess with me.” She plants her foot hard on the ground. “I may not be a wizard, but my husband is a whole different matter,” she said as they watched her cast a simple ball of lightning to get their attention.

Captain Rigs said. “Our petty matter has finely been solved,” Captain Rigs said. Granny, our wagon leaves in ten minutes.

The small group loaded once more, waving goodbye to the two stubborn wizards, Queen of the Pixie and one Kenee a-bees, but this time, the Wood Elves were with them. Lizzy and Granny searched through the crowd, and Granny found Ned as she embraced him once more in her arms. Granny looked up the hill and saw her husband, Nathaniel, looking down at the camp. She slipped away into the darkness as she stood behind him, then brushed his cheek with her hand.

Nathaniel turned swiftly, the sound of his footsteps echoing through the room. His heart pounding, tears welling up in his eyes, he reached out and picked up his beloved wife, feeling the weight of her in his arms. The scent of their shared memories filled the air, a mixture of her favorite perfume and the familiar warmth of their love. As he embraced her once more, he could hear the soft sound of her breath, a gentle melody that brought comfort to his soul.

Lizzy's search for the Tweed family camp was guided by the vibrant colors of the surrounding nature. The lush green trees whispered in the wind, their leaves rustling with anticipation. The path she followed was lined with wildflowers, their sweet fragrance filling the air, leading her closer to her destination. With every step, she could feel the softness of the earth beneath her feet, grounding her in the present moment.

As Lily tucked the children into bed, the room was alive with the sounds of laughter and excitement. The children's voices filled the air, their giggles echoing, creating a symphony of joy. The soft glow of the bedside lantern illuminated the tents, casting a warm, comforting light on the scene. And then, as Lizzy was about to leave, her keen eyes noticed an extra child nestled among the others. She could feel her heart skip a beat as she watched Lily, as their mother gently placed him next to his brothers, the touch of their small bodies radiating warmth. She leaned in and placed a tender kiss on his cheek, feeling the softness of his skin against her lips. Standing to watch, Lily saw Lizzy as she turned. While Lily smiled and nodded, Lizzy’s eyes welled up with tears as she looked at the child beside his brothers. Lily took her arm, leading towards some trees, casting a ward around them. Lily spoke as she watched Lizzy look towards the tents of all the people. “Yes, Lizzy, my boy EJ has come home.”

As he gazes out among the people, Jayden deeply thinks about what to do about the three men. He doesn’t see Lizzy as she works her way back to the Tweeds camp to sit with the boy for a while.

Sylen, nestled snugly between his brothers, was oblivious to the prying eyes fixated on him. Yet, an inexplicable chill crawled down his spine, as if an icy specter lurked nearby. The air was heavy with silence, disturbed only by the faint rustling of leaves. Unbeknownst to Sylen, his wide eyes scanned the darkness, desperately trying to pierce through the veil of night. Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream tore through the tranquil scene, shattering the stillness of the encampment. The sound reverberated, jolting both Will and Robert from their slumber. The sharp scent of fear mingled with the crisp night air, as the imminent danger loomed closer. Unbeknownst to the unsuspecting brothers, three shadowy figures armed with gleaming knives stealthily advanced towards their intended prey.

Sylen tried to struggle as they dragged him out of the tent towards the trees, but he was too weak to fight off his attacker. His brothers chased them, leaping skillfully as they gained speed through the trees.

More men waited behind them as they cornered the two brothers. Jayden runs after them with his Pa right behind them. Sylen screamed as the man tried to cover his mouth, but it was too late as a knife whistled in the air, hitting the man’s chest. The other two men tried to pull the screaming child into the bushes and the trees, turning to find Nathaniel standing, waiting as he quickly drove a sword through his heart, watching him fall dead to his knees.

The other man picked up the child and flung him over his shoulder. He fell to his knees as the boys let loose an arrow. He let go of Sylen, landing in the bushes near a tree. Grayson and Jasper shot arrows left and right at the men on both sides as they made their way to the bushes where Sylen had fallen.

Pa picked up his son, not looking at the man, now dead. He falls to the ground, holding him against him in his arms, shaking, trying to soothe him as tears run down his cheeks. Arken looks at Jayden, Nathaniel, and his boys, not saying another word, just sitting on the ground, holding his son in his arms close to him.

Jayden bowed his head as he looked at Nathaniel, looking at the three men now dead and the other men lying dead among them. As he glanced around, Jayden couldn't help but wonder how many more people were in their group. The sight of their weary faces and exhausted bodies spoke volumes. Turning to Arken, he raised his voice above the cacophony of noise surrounding them.  “My friend,” he whispered, his voice tinged with urgency, “we were fortunate this time, but relying solely on luck is not an option.” Determined to provide a secure haven for the family, Jayden could almost smell the fear and anxiety that hung in the air. It was his duty to ensure their safety, for any shred of hope or future was at stake. Nathaniel puts his hand on Arken’s shoulder as they look at each other with their eyes, not saying a word. Nathaniel knew what they needed most as he stood guard that night while the Tweed family slept.

They sought a secluded haven, away from the bustling road, where their son EJ could regain his strength and learn and grow. The chirping of birds echoed through the trees, creating a symphony of melodies. Nathaniel knew the weight that rested on his shoulders, for soon he would step into the role of the White Solon.

His gaze shifted from east to west, towards the horizon where New Downing awaited. The heaviness in his heart was palpable, a mix of hope and uncertainty. With one last look at the Tweeds, who would soon experience a profound change, he imagined their future. He envisioned them rising above their simple farming background and becoming humanity's saviors. “Go in peace, my friends. Your time has come, and you must accept it, or everything is lost. Save us from the Shadow of Darkness and become the savors of humanity for that is where your destiny lies,” he whispered, his voice carrying a blend of sadness and resolve, as he patiently awaited the changing of the guard.