The nine placed their hands on their swords, their voices rising in unison. “In your honor, we fulfill our duties.”
“I want the blood of all who would betray me to soak the ground they walk on. No one who betrays me is to be left alive. Now go, and make me proud,” Madron commanded.
The nine departed, hungry to please their master.
In the deafening wake of the music, Pherix and his men slithered purposely towards their unsuspecting prey. The five once again gathered in a dark corridor cheersing to their scheme of eradicating Barathrum of its vermin infestation, oblivious to the dark cloud moving towards them.
Suddenly a hot dull blade pierced the leader of the rebellion through his skull, emerging out his eye. The others dropped their drinks. They attempted to run but found a hot blade resting in the crooks of their backs as well.
“Give us the names of all those who have failed to uphold the rule of Madron, and we will spare your pathetic lives,” Pherix ordered.
He was met by silence.
A scream sailed into the dark as another conspirator fell to the ground. A gushing wound replaced the tightly knit scales around his heart, his eyes staring blankly at his fellow cohorts.
“Give us the names,” Pherix demanded digging the tip of his sword into the back of his prisoner.
“All right, all right,” the smallest shade whimpered, “I will tell you.”
The other two hissed threats of death for his betrayal. The threats hung in the air for only a moment, before crashing to the ground next to the lifeless bodies of their owners.
The impish Breather stared fearfully at the four bodies of his friends. “Spare my life and I promise I will tell you everything,” he begged.
“Good,” Pherix snickered “and should your information prove faulty in any way…….” He added, glancing down at the four lifeless forms at his feet.
The Breather understood the message.
“There is an ancient, dry lava tube, a couple of kilometers outside the city limits. We have been gathering our forces there,” He explained.
“How many strong?” Pherix asked.
“We are about three hundred and fifty strong,” the Breather replied nervously.
The soldiers began to laugh.
“You thought you could bring down Madron and his legions of thousand with Three Hundred and fifty men. Such arrogance you have,” Pherix spat, slashing the Breather across his back.
The impish Shadow Breather howled in pain.
“With out Madron our lives would have meant nothing. We would still be stuck wondering this god forsaken planet. You owe him your life, and your debt is being collected.” Disgusted by the Breathers disloyalty, Pherix raised his sword, ready to plunge it into the cowering mess before him.
The pitiful creature flung his hands up, “wait, wait I have more. There is something other than just the men,” He continued, hoping his offering of information would spare his life.
Pherix holstered his sword and bent down to the pitiful little form’s level, “Go on,” he encouraged, “I am all ears.” His face twisted into an evil sneer.
“There is a being known simply as the voice. No one has ever seen him, only heard him speak. He convinced us we were mere slaves doing Madron’s dirty work. He told us of a plan that would over throw Madron without the aid of a huge army. He didn’t go into detail, but he said he could bring Madron down from the inside.” The slimy Shadow Breather searched Pherix’s eyes for any sign of mercy.
“Consider your debt paid,” Pherix replied walking away, signaling for his soldiers to follow.
The Shadow Breather exhaled a dirty breath of relief, “Thank you, thank you” he called after them, still cowering on his knees.
“I thought we were to leave no one alive?” A soldier asked, recalling Madron’s orders.
"He won’t last the night,” Pherix stated, a malicious laugh escaping his lips.
The others joined in his laughter as they continued to carry out their murderous orders.
Merrick had waited for the Breathers to leave Madron’s presence before entering the room. “Is there anything else I can get for you master?” He asked.
“I am so fortunate to have a loyal servant such as your self,” Madron said smiling kindly at the older gentleman. “I truly appreciate all you have done for me.”
“Of course master,” Merrick bowed his head trying to hide the guilt that crept into his body. “Anything else you would like?” He asked again.
“No, thank you,” Madron replied, “You may go.”
Merrick bowed again hoping his betrayal was still locked deep in the depths of his heart, and not riding the waves of panic that washed over him.
His heart pounded so loudly in his ears he barely heard the festivities going on around him. “No one who betrays me is left alive” Madron’s words rung in his ears. He stumbled up the seven flights of stairs to his room. He hurriedly shut and bolted the door.
“I can’t do this,” he whimpered.
“Sure you can,” A small voice emanated from the corner of his room
“Whose there?” Merrick called out, his voice shaky.
“Names are not important.”
“What do you want?” Merrick asked his face white with fear.
“I am here to ensure you fulfill your part of the bargain,” the voice answered. “In three hours Azire and Drex will be arriving with the professor. Exactly seven hours after they have delivered him to Madron you are to act. If you fail to do so, your punishment will be swift.”
The old servant broke into tears “okay,” He whispered meekly.
For over sixty years he had been in the service of the Sostantivo family. As much as he despised his master and longed for his freedom, he was no murderer. His mind tried endlessly to convince his heart that the life of a Shadow Breather was worthless, but it was no use. Guilt racked the old man’s soul. He curled up on the dusty mattress of his bed and waited. Maybe death would grant him freedom before the hours were up.
Descent into evil
The professor stumbled behind his captures. His eye unable to see through the darkness draped carelessly over the realm. With every step his body grew weary. Heat radiated from every pore of the earth. An awful stench clung to every particle of air. He could hear the roar of lava flowing beneath the crust of the planet, carving tunnels through solid rock seeking a means of escape. His skin crawled with fear. “God protect me,” he whispered.
Never in his life, did he hope to see this world. It was a place where nightmares roamed freely. A place where happiness was derived from malicious intent and joy followed on the coattails of evil deeds. The professor could almost feel the fingers of wickedness claw at him as he staggered along the narrow corridor. He stumbled through the darkness drawing comfort from humming the tune of amazing grace. With each verse little rays of hope bounced along beside him, casting speckles of light that allowed his eyes to see through the despair.
As they drew near the city the cavern echoed with noise. Loud music and cheering could be heard along side a few choice words that would inevitably end up in a brawl. Thankfully, the path ahead was outlined in a dim red light making it easier for the professor to see. The light grew brighter with every step. The professor soon realized they were standing on the crest of a giant crater.
The Professor peered caustiously over the edge. Hundreds of feet below, nestled among rivers of flowing lava sat the city of the Shadow Breathers, the city of Barathrum. The professor squinted in the faint glow as he walked along the lip of the crater. The beautiful and powerful force of nature momentarily distracted him. A small smile played across his lips as light for the flowing lava cast playful shadows upon the rough rock walls. It reminded him of the summer nights spent with Thad and his Sentry out in the meadow. They would chase each other, attempting to step on the others ever fading shadow. Their laughter painted the sky as it turned from brilliant blues, to vibrate oranges and yellows outlined by soft touches of pink.The i
mage slowly faded. He wondered if he would ever see his most beloved grandson, or his dearest friends, ever again.
With his mind momentarily distracted from the fear for his Grandfather,Thaddeus and his Sentry slowly picked their way through the Relvak passage. The air stung his eyes and burnt his nose. Thad badly wanted to stop and just give up, but the thought of failing his grandfather kept him going.
“Are we there yet?” He asked hoping the end was in sight.
“Nope,” Mathias shook his head, not offering up any more than that.
“Do we even know where we are going or what we are doing?” Thad asked not feeling very confident in their chance of success.
“Yes, we are looking for the dryad that guards the passage between this world and the realm of Barathrum,” Traiden replied.
“I have no idea what you are talking about,” Thad huffed as he pulled himself over a large limb that blocked the path.
“Didn’t Gabriel tell you?” Traiden replied, surprised Thad didn’t know.
“Tell me what?” Thad asked, trying to keep his focus directed on the path.
“Dryads are a sort of spirit that inhabits oak trees,” Zyphera answered.
Thad stopped. “I am sorry did you say, Inhabit?” He eyed Zyphera quizzically. “The tree isn’t going to talk to us is it?” He wanted to know. “There are some things that just aren’t right, and talking trees is one of them.”
“Somebody has got to talk to Gabriel about his lack of information,” Mathias chuckled, recalling Leath’s acceptance into the Sentry and the lack of knowledge he received. “Don’t worry, dryads take on human form to communicate.”
“Human form….Yeah I think this is all just a little too weird for me,” Thad replied wrapping his arms around himself. He suddenly felt as if the air was crawling on his skin.
“There is no need to fear the dryad. They are a neutral spirit used only to protect the realms,” Traiden assured him, “Speaking of which, does anyone know the password?”
Everyone shook their heads. Few actually knew the passwords for the realms of other worlds. It was a sort of safety precaution so that young children would not wonder around them just for curiosities sake.
“So we are looking for a large oak tree,” Thad sighed without enthusiasm. “Well that shouldn’t be hard,” he added, taking in the dry, rocky terrain that barricaded them into the tight passage. Since entering the passage he had yet to see a tree that was still standing.
“Does anyone know where this tree is?” Thad proceeded with his line of questioning. “Not to be a downer or anything on this super exciting adventure, but…………..Wow.” Thad’s mouth fell open as he rounded a huge boulder. “That is a wicked tree,” He exclaimed.
The trunk and roots of the oak tree swirled over, under, and around the earth and rocks. They twisted together as if performing an elaborate dance. The rough grey bark enveloped every inch allowing only minuscule sections of smooth, white skin to be exposed to the harsh elements. Thad estimated the tree to tower at least fifty feet and encompassed an equally as large area. Parts of the tree looked as though they were fused with the steep rock face beside it. The branches were bare save a sprinkle of stubborn brown shriveled leaves that hung precariously as if an invisible force kept them in place.
“What are we suppose to do now?” Thad whispered.
“I am not entirely sure,” Mathias admitted, his eyes studying the tree.
“Maybe we should ask it to open the door,” Thad suggested.
“Be my guest,” Mathias said hand sweeping before him. He found Thad’s simple solution humorous.
Thad cleared his throat and stepped up to what he figured was the front of the tree. “Uh excuse me Mr. Tree,” he began, his voice a little unsure, “I was wondering if you could……”
Before he finished asking his question a boisterous voice interrupted him “Mr., Do I look like a Mr. to you?” The tree asked.
Thad’s eyes went wide. Confusion and surprise erupted on the faces of his fellow friends. Startled, Thad took a step back. He tripped over one of the exposed tree roots and landed very firmly on his bottom.
To everyone’s astonishment the root “uprooted”, grasped Thad under his armpits and helped him to his feet, then gently brushed him off.
“Sorry about that little darling,” the Tree apologized, “I have a hard time remembering where all my limbs are.”
Everyone stood there with their mouths hanging open.
“I thought you said the tree wouldn’t talk.” Thad muttered under his breath, glaring at Mathias.
Mathias could only shrug his shoulders. Whenever he’d encountered a dryad, they’d always been in human form.
Seeing that his comrades were going to be of no help Thad gathered his wits and once again approached the tree. “Beg your pardon, but are you talking to us?” he asked, just solidifying that he was not hallucinating do to heat or exhaustion.
“I am I talking to you?” The voice laughed, “You initiated this conversation did you not?”
“I guess I did.” Thad chuckled nervously. “Beg your pardon, but who are you?”
“I…….. Am….. Axelia,” the voice struggled to say. “And I am the Protector of this world.”
Suddenly everyone gasped. A tall, curvy, dark, skinned woman appeared from the layers of rough bark. She shook her long black hair and straightened the garment she was wearing.
“Oh much better,” she said stretching. “Now, I suppose we have some very important things to discuss,” she continued, surveying the small search party before her.
No one answered.
“Tree got your tongue.” she snorted, laughing at her own joke. She was met by blank stares.
“Tough crowd,” she exhaled, drumming her fingers on her hip. “Just so you know, I can’t read minds.”
“You can’t?” Leath blurted out, breaking the silence.
Axelia gave him a funny look.
“Uh….well…. since you are a Dryad I figured that…” Leath stammered, a crimson hue breaking out across his cheeks. Embarrassed, he hid behind Zyphera. Zyphera laughed at Leath’s attempt to make him self “invisible”.
“So you are the Guardian of the realm of Barathrum,” Thad stated with out fear.
“I am,” she replied, “and what business do you have there?” she asked curiously.
“My grandfather was kidnapped by the Breathers to be brought before Madron. I need to rescue him before any harms comes to him.”
“Oh how sweet,” she gushed, “and what courage. How old are you seven, eight?”
"I am nine years old,” Thad replied defensively, “How old are you?” He shot back.
The Dryad's eyes sparkled with delight, “Didn’t the Professor ever tell you it is not polite to ask a lady her age?” she said shaking her finger at him.
“Well I…. Wait a minute,” Thad said his eyes opening wide, “You know my Grandfather.”
“Of course I know your Grandfather, all of the Dryads do, and I must say I am very sorry to here about these unfortunate events. From the sounds of things, he was giving those shades a pretty good run for their money.” she replied.
“You saw him?” Thad’s his eyes became bright with hope.
“I did,” She nodded.
“How come you didn’t do anything?” Thad suddenly demanded, a small flame of anger replacing the hope that lit his eyes.
Axelia bowed her head, “The downsides to being a dryad is sometimes we see bad things happening to good people and we are helpless. Once a password is spoken we are bound to our tree and can only take our human form once the door has closed. There is also a safe guard preventing me from ever entering this or any other realm,” She explained sadly.
She placed her hand on Thad’s cheek, “I am sorry I could not help your Grandfather. But with your courage, I have no doubt you will succeed in freeing him.”
“Could you at least tell us how long ago they passed? Thad begged.
Axelia felt compe
lled by his hope. She waved her hand and the door to the realm appeared, “You are only a day behind the hunters.”
Thad turned to thank her, but she was gone. He stood in front of the tree and placed his hand on the rough bark, “Thank you,” he whispered.
“Hurry Thad, we don’t know how long the door will stay open,” Mathias urged.
Thad turned a way from the tree and cautiously walked through the door. Mathias quickly followed standing guard till the portal once again was sealed.
Darkness consumed them. Thad could hear Traiden rooting around in the bag he was carrying.
“Ah ha,” Traiden said triumphantly as he pulled out four small lanterns. He then pulled a small pouch from under his shirt and placed a small orange stone at the bottom of each. Suddenly the corridor became aglow with soft light. Their shadows danced playfully on the rock walls.
Sentry Rising Page 24