by Des Pensable
‘Jacintra and Loopis you are not spirit totems. You are fakes and liars. Together with our friends and allies the druids we have repaired the world. It is time we discarded the shackles of the Pact of Renewal and created a new alliance that will restore Crystalhaven to its former glory.’
‘You’re mad R’ptor we cannot turn back the years. What has passed is history. It is not yet time to throw away the Pact that has kept harmony for nearly three centuries. Be patient.’ said Loopis.
‘The current pact has allowed the world to be renewed. Let’s take it slowly and not lose the benefits of our progress.’ said Jacintra.
‘Listen to the words of the Cat of Chaos. They sound like she has suddenly become a champion of order. It clearly shows that she is a fake and a puppet of those who would wish to conquer this world while we sit and do nothing.’ replied R’ptor.
‘You will drive a fatal wedge through the little people you swore to serve if you continue with this madness R’ptor.’ said Loopis.
‘You are still the liar that you were when you refused to allow the Yellows to return from their exile Loopis. You are the reason why the yellows cannot walk this land with their heads held high. Now you would allow invaders to come to the land and steal it from the rest. We cannot accept this anymore. Leave us to make our own decisions you no longer have our confidence.’ said R’ptor.
The crowd scattered in all directions fearing bloodshed and Featherdown and Granddad holding Miranlla’s arms between them backed up to the tent.
‘Heteronymous.’ yelled Featherdown. ‘It’s time to act!’
Guards around the outside of the tent grabbed thin ropes attached to the kings large circular tent and pulled them. The tent fell apart revealing 30 druids in a circle with heteronymous in the middle. The circle expanded to make more room and the druids clapped hands, shouted a war cry and began singing a prayer.
Miranlla, Featherdown and Granddad moved into the circle.
‘Behold a druid battle circle.’ said Featherdown over the mindlink to everyone.
‘I haven’t heard of one of these being used for centuries. This will test the will of the spirit creatures.’
‘Has the king ever done this before?’ asked Miranlla a little worried.
‘He’s practiced it before but never against a formidable enemy.’ said Granddad. ‘It’s similar to how mind concerts work except that they channel magic from the Lady through prayer. I believe that you’ve been in mind concert yourself with Aquitain.’
‘Yes, I nearly died of magic narcosis.’ replied Miranlla.
Heteronymous levitated into the air ten paces above the circle and waited.
‘Don’t fight. I implore you not to fight. We cannot afford to break the Pact. We should observe only!’ yelled Miranlla.
‘Quiet Miranlla!’ said Granddad ‘It’s the king’s call.’
The king created a transparent faint green arcane shield dome over the circle and waited.
Loopis turned to face them and boomed.
‘Leave druids you are not welcome here. This is little people business. Leave now or taste our wrath.’
‘What you do here affects our world. We will not leave but we will not attack. If you choose to attack us or our allies then we will defend ourselves.’ replied Heteronymous.
‘Who are your allies druids? These rebels that wish for chaos or the rest that run and hide?’ said Jacintra
‘It is time for things to be changing!’ declared Rori as the great eagle hovered overhead.
Rory sang a courage song and soon everyone even the druids hearing it felt brave and courageous. The druids responded singing an ancient war chant and exposed their rears to Loopis while slapping their thighs.
‘You don’t want to be observers you idiots! You want to fight!’ shouted Miranlla.
‘Shut up Miranlla.’ yelled Quab. ‘There is an alliance with the little people to consider.’
‘Oh so that’s it! They’ve sucked you into an alliance! Thanks for telling me!’ she said through the mindlink.
‘I wish I could contact Aquitain’ she spoke aloud.
To her surprise her little green imaginary bear popped up in front of her and looked into her eyes hopefully.
‘Aquitain my love I need you!’ she shouted and moments later he was there. Miranlla’s mindlink with the others disappeared and was replaced by his own.
‘Tell me quickly what’s happening!’ he commanded.
‘Loopis and Jacintra are here. They have advised the Little people to not to break the Pact of Renewal. They’ve just been challenged by Rori and R’ptor who wish to break it. Remember Granite said The Pact of Renewal must not be broken. The druids wish to form an alliance with the little people but they mustn’t.’
‘Why?’ he asked.
‘We’ve been set up by the little people. Kami was in all along from the start on a plan put together by Granddad and Aquiveritas to toughen you up. When I visited the hidden yellows there was a red there. You said you were told by that that little witch you had an affair with was the last one, well she isn’t. Rori talked to red and was very upset. He told me we would not be happy but wouldn’t tell me why. I think that they’ve got some hidden agenda involving you.’
‘By the Powers, I’ve had a long talk with Aquiveritas and he’s told me all about divinity seeds. They can be a curse. I hope that you are wrong about a hidden agenda. Okay I trust you my love. Try to keep the druids out of it if you can. I’ll do what I can. Good thing Binka likes you. Here mind Alpha for me.’ and he teleported beside Loopis and changed to a giant bear form as large as Jacintra.
‘Well it looks like the famous K’wala has joined the field as well.’ boomed R’ptor. ‘Why are you siding with the enemy.’
A new mindlink formed with R’ptor and Rori.
‘What are you doing siding with the enemy K’wala.’ asked R’ptor. ‘I am your friend and comrade.’
‘I am being your most devoted friend also Spirit Lord. What are you doing?’ asked Rori with fear in his voice.
‘I am told that you are being misled. You must not break the Pact of Renewal. Wait and be patient. There are many things you cannot see that are broken and we need time to fix them. Please believe me I do not wish to stand here but I must to stop you from harming the world.’ said Aquitain.
‘Look K’wala does not agree with breaking the Pact. Please listen to him. Go Home and be patient.’ commanded Loopis. ‘There are many problems that you are not aware of that need fixing. Please be patient.’ added Jacintra.
‘By the Powers, this strange.’ thought Aquitain ‘Jacintra was trying to dominate me just a short while ago.’
‘Perhaps I was wrong in assuming that it was Jacintra. I must be careful this world is full of trickery and deceit. This may not even be Jacintra now but I must trust someone and at the moment that is Miranlla.’
Aquitain enhanced his voice so all on the battlefield could hear.
‘Listen to me all of you. I am not K’wala. I am Aquitain, son of K’wala. My father cannot be here at the moment so I am here in his place. I am your friend. I have fought for you and for peace in this world. I have been fighting for you on other worlds. Breaking the Pact of Renewal is not a good idea. It protects you from the invaders. Do not be deceived by those that would have you break the pact they are not interested in peace. I call on you to go home and be patient! I give you my word that I will fix the problems that plague this world.’
‘How can you want peace when you turn against your own friends!’ yelled Heteronymous. ‘You are nothing but a traitor.’
‘Am I a traitor if I wish you to live in peace? Am I traitor if I advise caution and fight for you night and day? Am I a traitor if I try to stop you making a great mistake? Am I traitor if I tell my friends a truth that they do not want to hear?’ said Aquitain.
‘You are a traitor when you fight against your king.’ said Heteronymous.
‘Traitors come in all sizes Heteronymous. Little snakes can be just
as poisonous as big ones. I would be careful of alliances that seem too good.’ replied Aquitain.
‘The only snake here is you!’ said the king.
‘So be it then!’ said Aquitain. ‘I fight for this land and its people. If its king is a fool then I cannot help that. I will let the people judge who is right and who is wrong.’
‘Stop it! Stop it! It is not in anyone’s interest for friends to fight!’ yelled Miranlla.
‘Choose Miranlla! Aquitain or us!’ said Featherdown.
‘Don’t do this Featherdown!’ she implored. ‘Talk some sense into the king.’
‘Choose!’ he said and granddad offered his hand.
‘I’m sorry it has to be this way. I truly am,’ she said and she and Granddad teleported beside Aquitain.
‘Any more traitors like to leave!’ asked the king and Quab looked heartbroken.
R’ptor called out to Rori and Rori placed a dome shaped shield over the wedge and began singing the power song.
‘Damn. They want to fight.’ said Aquitain. ‘This will not end nicely.’
‘Aquitain this is Aquiveritas. Please place a zone of darkness between us and R’ptor. Miranlla change to your cat form and race thru the zone of darkness then change to your eagle form and get close enough to touch R’ptor then dive back in the zone of darkness again.’
‘Do it!’ he commanded.
Aquitain created the zone and Miranlla sped off. When she judged she was nearly out of the zone she changed to her eagle form and was upon R’ptor in a flash, she tagged him then immediately dived back into the zone of darkness and flew back to Aquitain’s side then changed to her Newman form.
It all happened so quickly that it was like a blur.
‘What the damnation did she do?’ asked Heteronymous to Featherdown.
‘I’m not sure.’ he replied.
Moments later the eagle broadcast.
‘We do not wish to fight. We will leave!’ And Rori dropped their shield and began backing his people away.
The eagle flew midway between the two groups, landed and shape changed to a large stone dragon.
‘I am Aquiveritas, son of Granite. I hope I just saved you from the worst mistake in your life. You already have enough enemies. You need the Pact of Renewal. You will find the spirit of R’ptor in the jewel in the necklace on Miranlla’s neck. I’m told he was once wise. He doesn’t seem that wise at the moment.’
Aquiveritas flapped his great wings and flew off into the sky.
Loopis and Jacintra both thanked Aquitain for his help and bounded off into the darkness.
Aquitain, granddad and Miranlla stood looking across the field at the druids but none looked back. The druid battle circle broke up and the druids collected their gear. Quab walked across the field to them.
‘I cannot believe what has happened. This is the saddest day in my life. I blame neither of you. You both did what you believed was right. I truly wish to awake in the morning and discover that this was a nightmare.’
‘I have been told by the king to tell you that you are no longer welcome in Mudrun. All the ranks and privileges you had have been withdrawn. You have one hour to leave and if found here you will deemed to be the enemy of the state and attacked with all available force. Goodbye and farewell my friends.’ And he walked back to the druid camp with tears in his eyes.
Red wizard had stars in his eyes. ‘She is so beautiful. I never imagined a woman could be so perfect and Aquitain, what absolute power! What a pair. I wonder if they need a court wizard?’ he thought.
By all the Powers, I hope you were right Miranlla!’ said granddad.
‘So do I granddad, so do I! Let’s return to Astaria and hope it turns out better than here.’ She replied and they all teleported away.
Rori stood in the dark at a distance.
‘I am being sorry Spirit Lord. I am being so very sorry.’ he whispered. ‘I would be killing that snake Kami if I was being you.’
Quab turned to the king and said.
‘I never imagined things could go so bad so quickly. Heteronymous you’re a fool to drive away our best friends in a time of need. We’ll all regret this day.’
‘If you don’t like it leave.’ said the king.
‘Mudrun is my home. I’ll not leave it but I won’t be a party to idiocy either. When you get some sense and invite Aquitain and Miranlla back I’ll return. Until then you’ll find me in my old home territory.’ and he teleported away.
Just as Aquitain, Miranlla and Granddad were about to leave they were drawn into a mind arena by Granite.
Chapter 45 Plot Revealed
Granite stood looking at the three of them for a few seconds and then said
‘I have never thanked a mortal before. I’m going to make an exception tonight to you three. ‘Thank you.’
‘It’s been hard for me to accept the damage my own negligence has caused. If the Pact of Renewal had been broken tonight it could well have led to a war between the Panmagicans and the Yith which could have expanded into a war between the gods. No one would have benefitted except the few gods who remained. The carnage and chaos could well have been apocalyptical.’
‘We have averted one plot but there are others that have been hatched and may yet come to pass. It has always been my job to stop them but I have failed before and now fear failure again.’
‘Everything that we do has a consequence. Aquitain something that you have done has a very great potential to cause problems. Right at this moment you have a chance to undo it. I cannot because I am bound by an Oath of Neutrality.’
‘The little people had a plot involving you to produce an offspring that had in it a divinity seed with the hopes of in time producing their own god. Shastritara has three eggs which she claims are your offspring. I don’t know whether this is true or not. If it is true then I suspect you can see that these eggs in the hands of the wrong people could cause massive problems in the future.’
‘I suggest that you put on your magic protections as you may well have a fight on your hands and then I will teleport you to where Shastritara is currently located and you can check the veracity of her claims.’
They withdrew from the mind arena and Aquitain recreated his mind link and split his mind into two. Qin would do the manoeuvring and Qan keep up their defences and help Miranlla if necessary. They all put on their best magic protections and held hands for teleport.
Qin gave the signal that they were ready and they were transported arriving on a rocky flat area about 50 paces wide on the top of the tallest spire on the edge of the Crown of Elements.
Standing not twenty paces away was High Priest Ishteth, two strange looking guards, Kami and a group of a dozen other little people watching Shastritara who was dressed in the robes of a Lithgala priestess. At her feet was a wicker basket containing three eggs two of a yellowish colour and one of a deeper yellow brown hue.
Miranlla’s eyes turned golden and she shouted
‘VENGEANCE IS MINE!’ and a column of holy fire descended from the sky onto Shastritara and the basket of eggs.
‘NO!’ screamed Shastritara as she dived over the eggs to protect them with her body. Her fire proof garments seemed to absorb most of the damage.
The shamen quickly formed into a circle and began chanting.
‘Damn you!’ shouted Ishteth as he formed a dome shaped divine shield over them and Kami walked to one side and changed into Jacintra.
‘It is time we finished this!’ hissed the giant black cat.
‘So you are finally revealed for who you are Kami. Not a snake at all but instead a stupid cat intent on causing mischief. I was surprised when you didn’t want the little people to break the Pact of Renewal last night.’
‘That wasn’t me. It was that idiot Granite and a friend of his. Regardless we gained much last night. You have no friends anymore and soon you will have even less.’ And he hissed and was surrounded by an aura of fear. Miranlla was frozen, paralysed with fear for a few seconds until G
randdad surrounded her with an aura of courage.
Miranlla quickly covered herself in a divine shield as magic began to fly. Qan formed his body into a large bear shape and Qin charged at Jacintra as holy fire from Ishteth enveloped him but Qan quickly smothered it with his fire shield which briefly pulsed golden. Miranlla changed to her large Llanllean form then leapt at Shastritara who grabbed a single egg and ran into the centre of a circle of shaman who were singing an air shield. Miranlla landed lightly and stamped down on the two remaining eggs and they splattered over the rocky soil.
Jacintra leaped right over the charging bear and turned in a flash and was onto its back raking it with golden claws and biting into its neck. Qin screamed in pain but Qan blocked it out and turned the bear into an ooze that went flat against the rocky ground both healing the wounds and dislodging the cat.
Qin put up a circular hardened air shield around himself as Qan reformed as a snake with a head on each end confusing the cat who could plainly see that whichever end it attacked would leave it open to be attacked by the other head. Qin then created a dome of harded air over the cat and Qan reformed their body into a Newman with a black blade of destruction sprouting from each hand. Qin pounced and thrust right through the air shield into the cat drawing blood. The cat screamed and covered itself with a golden shield.
A pair of black blades extended from the hands of each of the two strange looking guards who suddenly sprouted wings and were covered in golden armour. They went invisible leapt in the air and attacked Miranlla slashing at her body with their blades but the blades failed to penetrate her divine shield.
‘Damn! Holy avengers.’ screamed Granddad. ‘Lithgala is really annoyed.’ He then cast a spell making the avengers visible again surrounded by a green glow.
Miranlla reformed as a Newman woman and she glowed golden for a moment and pointed a finger at each glowing avengers and it exploded. She then turned to Ishteth her eyes sparkled and he turned to rock. She turned towards the circle of shaman but Shastritara and the remaining egg was gone. The shaman stopped singing and fell prostrate before her begging her forgiveness. Jacintra vanished and Miranlla’s eyes returned to normal and she looked around dismayed.