*********
“Well, Caroline, whatever is on the other side of this portal is not very suitable for human life; we will have to investigate it before allowing the children through.” Tyler said as he looked at the five space suits.
“At least this is a defensible location Tyler, and with a fire it should keep any of those terrible beasts at bay.” Caroline said, feeling slightly happier about their ordeal.
Appolon now appeared with an old-fashioned key in his hand, the sort that looked as if it was made to suit the cell that Marot Pallas was imprisoned.
“This looks to be the key that we will need to release Pallas from his prison cell Tyler, how do you want to play it.” Appolon asked.
“First we will gather as much fire wood as we can to put out front of the portal, then I will go back to release Pallas, I will take the android, Cimon and Tryon along with me leaving you, Caroline and Argo to protect the children, with the fire blazing away I am sure that they will be safe enough. As for us, without the Pallas woman and the children to slow us down we should be able to move fast enough to get there and back both safely and quickly.” Tyler replied.
“That seems to be best Tyler, let`s get started on collecting the firewood.” Appolon agreed.
“Ok, my team plus Argo will deal with that Appolon; you and Caroline must stay here to protect the children.” Tyler said to a resigned Appolon and Caroline.
With two of them keeping watch, the other two men plus the android quickly foraged for anything that would burn, wood, brush and dead grass made up most of it. When Tryon had arranged it just right, Tyler took out his old cigarette lighter that had once belonged to a friend back on Earth centuries ago, and lit the stack. Flames soon engulfed the stack with just a little smoke rising into the air to tell of its location. Tyler then moved off quickly with his team towards the old style prison cell and Marot Pallas.
Thankfully, they got there without further incident and had soon freed the politician, and while returning to the portal Marot Pallas told Tyler and Tryon, of Ares Fortuna, but then he told them the reason why Fortuna had resorted to such an elaborate plan to rid himself of his political opponent, and not simply murdered him.
“You see gentlemen, the reason why Ares Fortuna didn`t simply have me murdered is that the people of Helionia have for so long now believed in a strong and active spirit world. Should he kill or instruct someone else to kill someone, then he would be tormented by the dead person`s spirit for eternity, this belief has turned a primitive barbaric world into a god fearing world which obeyed all of gods laws, after a fashion. This is the reason that Magi had my wife bring you to this world, so that you would kill the two of us, and his hands would be clean.” Marot Pallas hoped that this would help them understand his world, and certainly Tryon said that he understood.
Soon they were back at the portal and their patiently waiting friends and family. Caroline was extremely thankful to see Tyler return, and she ran up and threw her arms about him in joy at his safe return, even though he had been gone for only a short time. The children were also happy to be reunited with their father, and made their feelings plain with their loud shouts of greeting. For they had been worried by his departure earlier on, and had waited impatiently for his speedy return when he would be safe, for the dangers of this land were only too apparent to both adult and child.
Trial by Ordeal Page 20