Chapter 4-1

Chapter 4-1

 

Jayden walked through the chamber rooms, where his library was, and potions and tonics. Jayden gives Martha another key with a warning as she nods and returns them to once, they had come, having them watch his movement and the words he uses. Then, before saying anything, Martha first checked the ward, and she noticed that something had changed. Jayden looked as if he saw the two guards standing in the same place as before. Jayden confirmed it by checking the ward and noticed that something had changed. Once he realized it was broken, he confronted the guard. “Has anyone come looking for me?” he asked.

“No, sir.”

The other guard felt nervous as he looked at the other guards. Jayden knew he was lying. Jayden said nothing; they just went back inside the tent, casting another ward. Jayden identified that the guard who was sweating was lying, so he made the decision to replace him. He said to them. “So, you could see and feel what it is like when someone has listened in or broken your ward. You are going to need that more than ever once we leave, and other wards come in handy when you are on the run.

“But you, dear boy, EJ it takes most of your strength, which in time will return faster now that you’re eating for one apple.” Tossing a peach to each of them, “Now then, I don’t want to spoil your dinner except yours.” Rubbing Sylen’s head, Jayden handed Sylen a book from the library, a beginner’s book on Tree Casting and Roots by Whittle Hasten fourteen centuries. Lily was reading a book on Elements and Energy by Utica Geten.

They had one surprise visitor today that they weren’t expecting from New Downing. That made everyone nervous as the Tweeds watched a horse and buggy coming up the road, then down through the field. Doc Hatfield and the Mayor were watching the goods leave town too often. They were headed this way and wondered what was going on. Plus, they hadn’t seen Nathaniel for two days or Doc Whitmore for almost a week. They don’t know who got the bigger surprise as our troops surrounded them, and Jayden and Nathaniel had to rescue those poor men.

“Well, Doc,” Margaret said as they looked at all the strange people and the tents being used. “You might as well come in.” Aunty M busts a gut at the look on Brad’s face as he sees his first off-world person beside a Darzzee lizard. The Mayor and Doc got a grand tour that night by the fire as they had supper with them. Doc still couldn’t believe his eyes when he was looking at Aunt Mary and the rest of the family. Then, the tears flowed from his eyes when he saw the folks he was looking for as Jayden took Brad and Doc inside the compound surrounded by soldiers.

Jayden did one thing that made it worth the wait while they gathered in the mess hall tent with aunts and all the family so he would know it was them. Before entering the tent that night, he waved his hand in front of their eyes, revealing the truth behind the illusion of a mask that must not be seen. When they both walked in, all they saw was them as their selves: No mask, no wood elves, just the Downings and the Whitmores and Stuarts as they remembered them, including EJ as he sat next to his brothers and Danny.

Doc and Brad cried like babies as the tears flowed. Oh, how they missed them. Doc and Brad looked at Jayden and Aunty M. “Are we dreaming, or is this real?” Everyone laughed as they gave them all a big hug and the ladies gave them each a kiss on the cheek.

“Now you know that this is real, Doc,” they said as they wiped their tears. Doc and Brad bowed their heads, knowing why they could see this and only them. “You’re leaving soon?” they asked.

Jayden nods, “Yes, our journey must soon begin. It’s not safe here for them or us.” 

Brad and Doc raised their heads and nodded. “Well, your secret is safe with us. I may be old and stubborn, but I’m not stupid when seeing good friends like these in our midst. You’re welcome in my town anytime,” Brad replies.

“Actually, Brad, we were thinking about that, you see. We must find a new home for over four hundred people or more, considering our home got blown up by Morgan. That’s why we’re here. Well, one reason, the other reason, was it was the quickest one we could get to that had open spaces, and we had some resources already here. Now, I’m not talking about four hundred people moving into your little town of New Downing, just a few that might pass off as country folk as yourselves with extra skills.” Jayden intoned.

“Yes, Nathaniel was telling us about that. He could train some of our people in swordsmanship and how to fight when necessary. I thought that was a great idea,” Brad said.

“Yes, I was also thinking of some womenfolk and their families. For instance, Anna, show Doc how to throw a fireball at that lamp.” Anna smiled as she cast. Doc and Brad’s eyes pop right out of their sockets as she casts a ball of fire from her hand and throws it at the lamp in mere seconds like child’s play.

“Thank you, Anna. You see, Doc, Brad, that’s what kind of community you would have. In fact, most of the people here have those kinds of talents, so it is not uncommon to see someone walking down the street waving balls of light in their hand. Whereas it is here, it would be strange. Of course, these people would have to abide by your rules not to do this, but don’t expect them not to either. Consider all people make mistakes no matter who they are or where they come from.”

The idea of a community where both sides could help each other took Brad and Doc back a bit. They wondered if it would be feasible to implement such a concept, as it was the first time they had heard of anything like this. Their minds were trying to understand the idea and the possibilities that could arise from it. Jayden could see the worry on the men’s faces. “We’ll be here at least a couple more days at the most, I think, before we leave, but for now, enjoy the company of your friends.” Jayden leaves the tent, takes his staff, and raises it high in the air, placing protection around it as if it were in a giant glass bubble.

Jayden takes his wife Lizzy by the arm, and Nathaniel and his family sit outside the tent, having a grand old feast and watching over their friends and the camp on the hill. “No wonder he wants this spot; you can see everything for miles,” Nathaniel replies.

Doc and Brad talked of old times and things happening around New Downing. They were all sad about their farms being ransacked, but as they looked at each other, it was enough for them to be altogether, and that’s what matters most�"besides, Brad told them. “Do not worry,” Brad reassured them. “It will be as good as new when you come back.” No one said if they would come back.

Looking at EJ and Danny together again, Doc was slightly worried, considering EJ was still supposed to be missing. Aunty M was good at lying. “What are you talking about, Doc? EJ’s not here!” She pretends to look under the table and the plates. “Nope, no EJ. Sorry, Doc. I guess he’s still missing.” They felt shocked with each glance and then answered before they really told them what’s going on.

“No, sir, we never saw him or Danny. In fact, the last time I saw the Downings was the beginning of spring,” Doc laughs.

Brad pipes in, “Let’s see now. Whitmore, that was Sheriff Whitmore, I believe. Yes, he was here for a time. He comes and goes. Or was that, Doctor Whitmore? I see little of him these days,” he smiled with a twinkle in his eye.

Doc and the Mayor had the best night of their life as Lenny once again put on a private show just for them in the compound; Jayden found a couple more wizards as he brought them in the middle to perform for the people so they would not go without, as his little group watched them down from the hill.

Doc and Brad hated to say goodbye to them as they gave each one more hug and a promise because they knew it could cost them their lives and the town if they even spoke a word of what happened to the Downings, the Whitmore’s, and some part of the Stuart family as they looked at Betty and Richard.

Doc whispered to Betty. “I’ll do my best to keep tabs on them for ya, so they don’t stray too far, Betty, not to worry.” Betty handed each of her sons a letter to give them in a sealed envelope. Of words, she could not express over the phone that each one needed to hear.

Nathaniel took them all back to town in the wagon with Granny and Ned, six of his men following with bedrolls on the backs of the horses. Nathaniel knew where he belonged, so he headed home and waved to his friends on the hill. He was their watchman, their rock, and the coming of the storm.

 

 

* * * * *

It was hard for a man to face his wife when he came through the door, and she asked, ‘Where have you been tonight?’ For the first time, Brad married her; he could not answer that question as he looked into her eyes. He wanted to cry out and shout so loud that it burned him, knowing that if he told her he had broken his promise, she would never forgive him once she heard the reason. He hadn’t held it from her even then.

“Sorry I was late, dear; we were going over some plans for the town to make it more secure so monsters like those lizards’ things couldn’t come in.” Instead, he kisses his wife on the cheek. “Oh, by the way, Ned and Granny are back from visiting relatives. Did you know Nathaniel, and she got hitched?” He leaves her standing there.

As he walked into a small, makeshift hospital, Doc had a different but difficult problem. He looked at Linda Stuart, who was sitting with a nurse at the table while patients slept. There were few beds left now, thank goodness, but he had a feeling more were to come, according to the news he heard today.

Doc looked at Linda one more time, hoping. “Can I look at her and say no whenever someone asks about her boys? Where’s EJ? How is he? Where’s Danny? Are they coming home?

The same tired old question that breaks a mother’s heart yet knowing at the same time he is right where he is supposed to be, well mostly, which even a Doctor of Science has a hard time dealing with. His actual body is somewhere else, being used by another dead person. While his new body, which is his now, may be genuine enough, created by matter and magic, putting his spirit inside it.

Yet, Doc looks around the room at the empty beds, thinking of tonight. “Anything is possible. I guess this stubborn old mule can believe that, too.” Doc gently places his hand on Linda's shoulders, guiding her back to Jayden's house. “Oh, Linda,” he says, his voice filled with empathy. “I don't think Jayden will be back for a long while." He pauses, giving her a moment to process his words. “So, if you want to add your own flavor to the cottage, you're more than welcome to it. Jayden said the house is yours if you want it.”

Linda's face lights up with a smile as she considers the offer. The cottage, spacious enough for three, brings to mind the thoughts of her two boys. As they walk alongside her, she gladly takes the guard's arms, grateful for their protective presence. At that moment, she couldn’t help but wish her husband Jim possessed the same kindness as these guards.

However, a wave of sadness washes over her as she confronts the painful truth. Jim, consumed by anger and hatred, will never be the man she needs him to be. She knows all too well that he attempted to harm her and their two boys. Though she acknowledges that the evil man and wizard had influenced him, she can't ignore the fact that Jim harbored those dark intentions within him. It's not the first time he's shown such tendencies, and she knows it won't be the last.