Jesse went straight to JJ. “I’ll be setting up a medical center right behind the lines in the middle of the north side of the battlefield. I want Horkin runners to bring all the wounded to me there. Please set aside a large contingent of runners. I want every wounded soldier to be brought to the medical center.”
“I’ll help you,” Caroline said.
“Great, let’s get started.” Jesse led Caroline into the forest, heading toward the front line.
Chapter 50
Battle for Gandoral
“Drake, we can’t wait for the queen,” General Tyd said. “An army is gathering on the north side of the parade grounds. It looks like the Rocpeans, Imphogs, Nectorians, and Horkins are all involved. Surprisingly, there are a great number of people from New Cambridge also in the mix. Our soldiers have been gathering in the parade grounds ever since the Hogmat Beacon sounded. Most don’t have weapons. We have to move quickly.”
“Arm the soldiers and order any and all soldiers coming back from Earth to join the battle,” Drake directed. “Get the Oar-7s in the battle.”
“The Oar-7s are all inside the Broward Region,” General Tyd said. “We can’t access them.”
Drake screamed and kicked a chair across the room. “Show them no mercy. It’s time to end their lust for freedom.”
“You know we can’t kill the Rocpeans or the Imphogs, right?” Smalik said.
“Yes, of course I know that. Have the dragon and firebird riders use the nets to capture the Rocpeans and Imphogs. We’ll capture and isolate them. We may not be able to kill them, but we can get them out of sight and out of mind.” Drake looked at the hourglass. “We have half an hour before we know if the queen is able to lead the battle of Gandoral. Between then and now, we must prepare for battle.”
~~~
“They know we’re here,” Matt said.
The Torron army quickly got organized and put up shields to protect themselves. Dragons and firebirds from all over the land began flying into the area.
Matt immediately went into dragon-killing mode, shooting arrow after arrow and directing them to the closest dragons. He couldn’t keep up, and dragons began swooping down, spewing fiery saliva over the treetops. The Gandorians and Freedom Fighters covered themselves with their shields. They suffered a few minor burns, but for the most part they were protected. The trees above caught fire.
Jeremy was with Steve and Matt at the front of the northern line, waiting for the Torron army to charge. Matt continued picking off dragons as they came into view, and Jeremy created a large rainstorm that squelched the burning trees.
Steve stepped out into the open. He lifted ten feet off the ground and began flying back and forth in front of his fellow warriors. “Today we fight for the freedom of Gandoral!” he yelled.
The soldiers cheered.
“Today we fight for Earth’s freedom!”
The soldiers cheered louder.
“Today we fight for the freedom of the universe!”
The soldiers cheered louder still.
“Today we fight for liberty for all and freedom from tyranny!”
The soldiers cheered for a full minute.
“Today is the day we fight for ourselves and our families!”
Again, the cheer lasted over a minute.
“Freedom!”
The soldiers cheered back: “Freedom!”
Steve yelled again, “Freedom!”
The soldiers yelled back, “Freedom!”
Steve rose high above the battlefield and yelled, “Freeeeedom!”
The soldiers cheered loud and long.
The Torron army started charging forward.
Then JJ gave the command. “Fire!”
The Imphogs and the Rocpeans opened fire on the Torron army, but the Torron army shields created a good protection against the oncoming bullets. The Torron army kept moving forward.
Steve rose up high above the battlefield and then came back down next to JJ. “Their lines are about fifty deep and two hundred across. I estimate maybe ten thousand strong. They’re not defending their east or west flanks.” He rejoined Matt and Jeremy.
Twelve Oar-7s streaked across the battlefield, chasing the dragons and firebirds out of the conflict.
“The Oar-7s are chasing the dragons and firebirds away,” Matt said. “We don’t need to worry about them. We can concentrate on what’s in front of us.”
The wall of Torron soldiers began to enter the forest. They continued to be met with bullets and bombs from the rifles, and then the swords came out. The close combat was much more effective. While the battle between the two sides at the point of contact continued, Jeremy, being protected by Matt and Steve, began a continuous barrage of lightning and hail on the enemy in the back of the front lines, the hail so devastating that the soldiers being hit either were killed or they began to scatter behind the lines.
JJ sent up a flair.
The Freedom Fighters waiting on the east and west sides of the field rushed into the field and attacked the retreating army, followed by a half dozen Oar-7s.
~~~
“Are you seeing what is happening down there?” Smalik asked Drake. “The queen’s army is getting devastated, and you don’t seem to have a clue of what to do.”
“You think you can talk to me that way?” Drake said and pointed a wand at the wizard. “Being my mother’s little pet won’t save your skin, so watch your tone.”
“The hourglass is done,” the doctor said. “One hour has passed. Pull her out of the tub.”
When two Humongers lifted the wire cage out of the thick liquid, the liquid simply slipped away from Torron’s rejuvenated body. Once the last drop had dripped off the wire cage, they put the cage on the floor next to the tub, unfastened the top, and lifted it off. The doctor held up curtains to shield Torron’s nakedness as her eyes opened and she sat up.
As she began to stand, her clothing appeared, and she was dressed like the queen that she was. Her skin was back to normal, and she looked alive. “What happened?” she asked. “How did I get back on Gandoral and into my castle? Drake, tell me what is happening.”
After a short review of current events, the queen walked out onto her balcony with a determined look on her face. While she surveyed the battle below, her persona changed from her queenly persona to that of an evil and menacing persona, her favorite. Her black eyes stared out from skin resembling withered leather, wrinkled and dried. Her stringy white hair hung down to her waist. She had her staff in her left hand and a wand in her right.
“I will end this battle with the Alliance right here, right now,” she declared. She raised the staff in the air, and a great light blue shield covered her entire army. She then swept the wand across the forest on the north side of the parade ground.
A streak of orange laser light accompanied by lightning and fire crossed the expanse and mowed down the tops of the trees for several miles into the forest. Four square miles of woodland immediately exploded into flames.
“Pull back my army,” Torron commanded. “This battle is between me and the Alliance. “Bring me Firestar.”
~~~
Jesse was busy healing the wounded when the forest above their heads burst into flames, creating an intense heat too much to bear.
Jeremy jumped into action and conjured a storm that covered the entire area with rain, putting the fire out in no time.
Steve rose up out of the forest to see what was happening. A pale blue shield covered the retreating Torron army.
“JJ, the Torron army is retreating,” Steve said.
“Why?” JJ asked.
“They also have a protective shield,” Steve said. “You would think they would be attacking.”
“Look,” Matt said. “Torron is coming. It looks like she’s on Firestar.”
As Torron flew across the battlefield, Firestar began spewing streams of fire into the air, creating circles of fire and smoke.
“Yes, that’s Firestar all right,” Jeremy confirmed. �
��She’s hard to miss.”
“Firestar?” Caroline asked Jesse.
“It’s a long story,” Jesse said. “The short version is, Firestar was once Jeremy’s pet and is now the most feared dragon on Gandoral. It looks like Torron wants to talk.”
Torron dismounted Firestar about fifty yards in front of the Gandorian army. Firestar was huffing and puffing smoke and dripping fiery saliva onto the ground. Torron held up a white flag.
“Can we trust her?” Steve asked. “She’s evil. She’ll say or do anything to get her way, and right now she wants us dead.”
“Have your weapons ready,” Matt said.
Jesse had the Dagger of Valdar in her left hand and the Bracelet of Witstal on her right wrist. Matt had the Wand of Cetrekap in his belt and his bow at the ready. Jeremy held the Ax of Norrid in his right hand and the Shield of Innocence in his left. Steve held the Wand of Wongate in his right hand and his large sword in his left hand. All four had pulled the four Symbols of the Quad out from under their shirts. They shone brilliantly in the darkening of the smoky sky above.
They walked out to meet Torron, stopping only ten yards in front of her. She was protected by a pale blue shield. Jeremy was out front holding the Shield of Innocence. The shield was setting up a pale green protective barrier in front of the Alliance.
Hunter! Jeremy projected.
No reaction came from the dragon. She continued to huff and puff.
Hunter! Hunter!
The dragon cocked her head to one side as if to listen.
Hunter, it’s Jeremy. It’s Jeremy. Do you remember me?
Firestar shook her head and roared.
Will you help us? We need your help.
Firestar tilted her head a little to one side and looked at Jeremy.
Torron looked back at the dragon. “Settle down, Firestar. Settle down.”
Firestar put her chin on the ground between her front legs and continued to stare at Jeremy.
Steve stepped forward. “You want to talk?”
Torron’s eyes widened, and a sinister smile crept across her lips. “I see you have all nine of the Symbols of Power.”
“Plus the Wand of Cetrekap,” Matt said. “You will be defeated today.”
“Oh, I don’t think so,” Torron said. “I have a few surprises of my own.”
“You didn’t call this parley to discuss weapons of choice,” Jesse said. “What do you want?”
“I want what I’ve always wanted,” Torron said. “I want you to surrender. If you do, I will reward you with riches and power beyond your wildest imagination. End this quest now and you will have your every wish come true.”
“If we surrender now, we would have riches and power for the four of us at the expense of freedom and liberty for billions of people and creatures across the universe,” Jesse said. “We’re not interested in doing a deal with you.”
“Freedom and liberty are overrated,” Torron said. “People don’t want freedom and liberty. There are too many risks. People want to be taken care of. Join me and you can help provide billions of people with everything they need. No one will be left wanting. Everyone will get their fair share of the wealth. You will decide, you will take care of them, you will make the decisions for them.”
“The creatures of the universe must be free to choose their own fate,” Jesse said. “If they choose to give up their freedom and liberty, that’s their choice. Deciding the fate of the universe is not your responsibility. You are the worst kind of dictator. You murder your opponents and force your people into slavery. No! We will not surrender. Get back on your dragon and prepare to die.”
“I guess you haven’t learned the great secret yet,” Torron said as she climbed onto Firestar.
“And what is the great secret?” Jeremy asked.
“I can’t be killed.” Torron laughed a hideous laugh as Firestar leaped into the air.
Hunter, I raised you. Do you remember me?
Firestar made a quick turn back toward the Alliance, swooped down, and stared at Jeremy for a few seconds before heading back to the castle.
Chapter 51
Shield of Innocence
“Give me the Wand of Torron,” the queen said. “I’ll finish this now. That little Shield of Innocence will never stand up to my power.”
Smalik brought Torron a black leather case, intricately decorated with designs of dragons and firebirds. She unbuckled the latch and opened the case, revealing a wand inside nestled in red velvet. It was a perfect replica of the wand Steve had snatched from the queen in Africa. Torron took the wand in her right hand. A wide smile crossed her lips as she inspected it. It was about fourteen inches long, with a smooth, five-inch, shiny black handle and a knurly nine-inch golden shaft. A beautifully cut blue diamond was embedded in the butt end of the handle.
She twisted the cap until it came loose from the handle, then took a knife, made a small cut on her finger, and dripped three drops of blood into the handle. She screwed the cap back on and held the wand up high. “I’m ready,” she said as her face went from concern to determination. Her lips drew together as she contemplated her next move.
~~~
“She has something powerful or she wouldn’t have confronted us like that,” Matt said. “We need to attack now, before she has a chance to attack us.”
“Okay, let’s super-energize the shield,” Steve said.
“Hold it up facing the enemy,” Jesse said. “When Adaeze and I used it in Africa, all our enemies were on one side and we were protected on the back side of the shield. The front side should face the castle before we super-energize it.”
Jeremy held up the shield with the front facing the castle. Matt held the Wand of Cetrekap, Steve held the Wand of Wongate, and Jesse held the Dagger of Valdar.
“The dagger?” Jeremy asked Jesse.
“Yeah, well, Gregory said it acts like a wand . . .” But before she could finish, all three wands shot lasers and electric arcs dancing on the surface of the shield. The light show lasted a minute or so. Then the lasers and arcs stopped. The shield, which had been silver with a gold A in the center, turned black with a gold A in the center.
“Okay, how do we use it?” Jeremy said.
“Steve should hold the shield,” Jesse explained. “When we used the shield in Africa, it took all the strength we had to hold back the demons. It will take all of Steve’s great strength to push Torron back into Horgon.”
“Something is happening at the castle,” Jack said as he rushed up.
They went to the edge of the forest and watched as a dozen dragons and six firebirds landed in front of the castle, behind the Torron army. Once they were all in place, they jumped into flight and headed toward the Alliance, spewing fire. Firestar was the lead dragon. The attack was so quick, it caught the Alliance off guard.
Matt began shooting arrows as fast as possible, but the onslaught was so massive, he could barely take down four or five targets before they were on top of them.
In desperation, Steve held up the shield. Instantly, a green light emanated from the shield, going from the ground into the sky as far as the eye could see and from horizon to horizon to the right and left. The flames that were about to devour the Alliance simply hit the shield and slipped to the ground. As the fiery saliva hit the ground, it turned to water. Steve walked out onto the battlefield holding the shield in front of him.
The dragons and firebirds retreated back to the castle.
“Look,” Jesse said.
Some Horkins and Nectorians were being picked out of the forest behind the shield and thrown out in front.
“The shield is cleansing Gandoral,” Jesse said. “All the creatures that are followers of Torron are being thrown onto the other side of the shield.”
Jeremy looked over his shoulder in several different directions. “The thirteen portals to Earth are closing and retreating into the sky. I hope they’re not returning to Earth.”
The Alliance walked steadily across the field of battl
e. The Gandorian army fell in behind them. More unworthy creatures were being tossed in front of the shield.
“Hey, did you see that?” Matt said. “Over there.” He pointed to the right.
Both Hagred and Margot had been thrown in front of the shield. They were dusting themselves off and heading toward the Alliance.
“This is crazy,” Hagred said. “We’re on your side.”
“The good news is, we don’t have to wonder any longer about your intentions,” Jesse said. “It’s clear which side you’re really on.”
The two ran toward the castle.
~~~
Torron mounted Firestar. Firestar leaped into the air and carried her toward the Alliance. She hovered a hundred yards or so from the Alliance’s advancing shield. She pointed her new wand at the shield Steve was carrying. Destroy the shield, she commanded.
A red beam of light two inches in diameter shot from the tip of the wand and hit the Shield of Innocence hard enough to knock Steve to the ground.
Steve jumped back to his feet and picked up the shield. It had changed back to silver with a gold A on the front, but now there was a hole burned into the center, and it no longer worked.
“What do we do now?” Jesse asked Steve.
“I have control over the Wand of Wongate,” Steve said. “It’s supposed to be the strongest wand ever conceived.” He handed the shield to Jeremy, pulled the wand out of his belt, and pointed it at Torron. The beams from the two wands met halfway between them, the place where the two came together exploding as the two beams struggled to overpower one another.
Matt grabbed Steve’s knapsack, and Steve let it fall from his shoulder. Matt dumped the entire contents out onto the ground. Jeremy knelt down beside Matt, and Jesse came to help.
“What are we looking for?” Jeremy asked.
The distance between Torron and Steve was shrinking as Torron walked in his direction.
“We’re looking for the wand that Steve took from Torron in Africa,” Matt said with urgency in his voice.
“Here it is,” Jesse said as she held it up.
Winds of War Page 29