DragonStone- Fatal Winds

by M A Bernier

  Koth had again requested that Jyn-Taa make an example from more of the order, and he planned to do just that, but the time and place would be his. Jyn-Taa only delayed the demonstration to irritate Koth. Once the demonstration was completed Jyn-Taa had plans that would appear to suit his demon master, but infuriate Koth. Jyn-Taa and Odien watched as Koth made his way on some unspoken errand after attempting to enforce his will upon Jyn-Taa. Once he was around the corner, Odien nearly collapsed against the wall.

  “Master, you must take Vuuaan’s essence, it is killing me.” Odien was shaking from the effort to keep the pain from overwhelming all his senses.

  “This way.” Jyn-Taa could see perspiration beading profusely on Odien’s face. He took Odien’s arm and placed it around his own shoulders and helped him walk into the nearest empty storage room. He shut the door behind them locking it from the inside with magic that none could undo but him. Odien no longer had the strength to stand so Jyn-Taa eased Odien to the floor. “Release his essence my loyal servant.” He watched as Odien’s face muscles tenses as he fought with the pain he felt while harboring Vuuann’s essence. From his eyes, nose, and mouth a black mist quickly emerged and found its way to Jyn-Taa who inhaled the essence, to him it was intoxicating. When the transfer was complete Jyn-Taa looked as his servant. Odien looked weak but no longer in pain. He tried to sit up, but Jyn-Taa restrained him. “Rest for a moment you have done well. When I am free, your reward for your loyalty will be far greater than the meager power you now have."

  “The purpose you have given me is all the reward I need.” Jyn-Taa looked into the eyes of his servant and into his heart and soul. He something a need or desire buried deep within them and knew what it was.

  “You desire someone who was once close to you. Will she serve me as you do?”

  “I do not know.” Odien replied.

  “After the lesson bring her to me.” Jyn-Taa said. “If she will serve me then she will be yours again.”

  “If she will not,” replied Odien, “then I must see to her punishment.” Jyn-Taa smiled, obedient servants with blind loyalty were unheard of, Odien would be the only mortal he would ever trust. Jyn-Taa stood offering his hand to Odien.

  “It is time to demonstrate the futility of disloyalty. There are those who still plot against me. They will answer to both of us.”

  Koth paced back and forth. He had been waiting impatiently in the gardens as hundreds of the followers of Katanz gathered upon ledges connected by steps throughout the entire garden caverns. At times he wished he could rip out Jyn-Taa’s heart however, his masters needed him. Even Koth knew at times that he must bow to Jyn-Taa’s arrogance in order to appease the greater plan. So long as the elemental demons were pleased with Jyn-Taa’s progress, Koth could do nothing.

  Jyn-Taa and Odien emerged from a cavern tunnel located in the outer wall of the underground garden. They walked to where Koth stood in the center of the cavern. Almost a thousand of the clerics and witches had gathered and stood restless while they waited. They went suddenly quiet as Jyn-Taa made his way down one of the narrow walking paths between planting rows. The plants on either side of the path were ordinary tomato plants. Looking in all directions he could see pepper, onion, corn plants as well as dozens of others all arranged in perfect square patches of land. It was near the noon hour and on this day the sun reigned supreme in the sky. The sun’s light dove into the entrance of the outer tunnels and bounced off the reflective walls of the cavern tunnels and created a day-like effect as it reached the garden cavern below. In the cavern the sun’s light reflected off hundreds of flat crystal surfaces on the rock ceiling high above making it seem as if hundreds of small suns were shining down upon the plants. The Shadow demon hated the sun because its light was his natural enemy. Jyn-Taa respected the power the sun had so there was no need for him to fear it. He looked around slowly at the hundreds of followers waiting for him to speak. Despite the demonstration of power when he first arrived, many still thought they could whisper in the dark without his knowledge of their deception or plans to rebel against him. The part of him that desired power and domination, would welcome their attack so that he could release the full extent of his powers and destroy them all. He held back, knowing they would be needed not only for the purpose of serving the elemental demons, but to serve him as well. Jyn-Taa would need an army once the elemental demons were back in their prison. Another lesson in the futility of planning against him should not reduce their ranks too much. It was also time they realized they must serve Odien as they would him. It was not safe for him to leave yet. Only when he absorbed more of Vuuaan’s essence and found the one descendent could he leave to confront his other half. Jyn-Taa nodded to Koth and turned to Odien and nodded to him before glancing at the followers of Katanz scattered throughout the ledges in the underground garden.

  Odien took several steps away from Jyn-Taa and Koth and glanced briefly at the followers watching them. He raised one hand and pointed, where he pointed either a witch or cleric found themselves being pulled into midair by an invisible force. Each one was pulled from where they stood and pulled to the garden and left standing amid the plants. Odien continued pulling many at a time until a hundred of them stood within fifty feet of where he was. Once he completed his task and walked back to Jyn-Taa. One of the witches he brought down spoke. “Whatever your going to do with us do it quickly.”

  “Shut up witch!” One of the clerics Odien had summoned stretched his staff forth while the witch, anticipating his attack, raised her burnt hand. The red flames they summoned canceled each other’s attack. The cleric and witch suddenly found themselves thrown back by some invisible force. As they stood, they saw Odien lowering his hands, and then Jyn-Taa stepped forward but said and did nothing. They watched as Jyn-Taa closed his eyes slowly, kept them closed for a few moments, and reopened them. The cleric and witches found roots springing forth from the ground moving up their legs and entwining their bodies.

  Those not pulled from the ledges watched as other members of their order were wrapped in roots. Their skin began to turn black and flake off, then their bodies turned to dust while they tried to cry out with vocal cords that were no longer present. The clerics and witches in the garden could be seen reaching upward with their hands as if trying to escape. The roots retreated back into the ground. The plants, where their former sisters and brothers stood moments before, had turned black and prematurely burst with ripened vegetables. Jyn-Taa reached down and pulled one of the black tomatoes and bit into it letting the taste permeate his senses. To him the taste of the essence of life was sweet as its black juices saturated his tongue and mouth. If he was still truly as the demons had fashioned him the taste should have meant nothing to him. Instead, because of Vuuaan, he tasted the life from the food that would fill his veins making him more whole and less dependent on the demons. Once matters here were complete he would make sure these plants were to be exclusively tended for him. He raised his right arm and a burst of blackness sprang forth. The clerics and witches found the cavern lighting suddenly wink out to total darkness. Koth, Jyn-Taa and Odien watched as the followers of Katanz realized they were suddenly blind. “The blindness is temporary, your eyesight will return in a few days. There will be no more plots no more secret meetings, and no talk of betrayal.”

  Koth, Jyn-Taa and Odien left the underground garden. The clerics and witches would have to fend for themselves until their sight returned. “We are vulnerable Koth.” Jyn-Taa stated flatly. “These followers of Katanz seem to have no force or influence outside this mountain. We must alter our search for the descendants in order to conscript followers into an army ready to defend this mountain. If EverGreen and his friends discover us before the first ceremony to bring the elemental demons through the gateway, our plans will fall apart.”

  “What do you propose?” As Koth spoke he laced the sound of his words with disdain for Jyn-Taa.

  “The islands far to the south are heavily inhabited and isolated. We will need
to send every shadow creature at our disposal to empty them of their inhabitants and bring them here to bend to our will.”

  “Are you trying to kindle the masters anger by taking so many at once? Are you so much a fool,” Koth paused and turned to Jyn-Taa forcing him to stop walking. “What are you up to? What game are you trying to play?”

  “I serve the elemental demons.” Jyn-Taa bowed slightly. “The move will confuse our enemy and give us more time to prepare defenses we may need. Our enemy is methodical, patient, and predictable. The sudden stop of disappearances will confuse them and force them to regroup and re-evaluate their plan of action. They will not know if we have found what we need or not, and even if they suspect that we have attacked in large numbers, they will not know where or how.”

  “It will only be a matter of time before they do discover the mass disappearance of such a large group of individuals.” Koth resumed walking.

  “I also based my decision on the assumption you have been unable to see more deeply into the mind of the high cleric you inhabit to determine what resources exist outside this mountain?” This caused Koth to stop again and look at Jyn-Taa directly. Koth did not bother to hide hate in his eyes.

  “Take care where you go with your questions and insults.” Koth turned and looked at Odien who stood silently with his head lowered as always. “Pathetic” was all he said then walked down a corridor apart from Jyn-Taa and Odien. Odien watched as Koth disappeared into the dark tunnel and walked with Jyn-Taa to the main chamber where he then addressed him.

  “I may know of someone with information about our resources.” Odien said softly. Jyn-Taa turned slowly and faced his servant. He knew he had waited to speak until Koth had left them. “My lover, the one whom you command me to bring was part of a special group of followers, at least I believe she was. She may have the information that you need.”

  The doors to the main chamber opened and a young woman with a burnt hand was escorted to Jyn-Taa by two of the shadow walkers. Each one pulled at an arm forcing her to walk awkwardly as she stumbled blindly into the chamber.

  “Leave us," Jyn-Taa waived his hand and the shadow walkers left closing the doors behind them. He walked over to the young woman. She stood with her hood pulled over her head hiding her face. He removed it slowly so that he could see her face completely and released the power he commanded which blinded the followers of Katanz. She had brown, slightly wavy hair, brown eyes and a light complexion. Unlike most of the other followers, she looked directly into his eyes. Jyn-Taa could tell she was not afraid. He saw in her soul an inner strength and fire for her deity. She would not betray Katanz to him regardless of what he said or did to her. He turned away and walked back to Odien who was standing at the council table then looked at the witch. “You may have information which I need.”

  “I will tell you nothing of our order. I will serve your meals and tend the garden, but I will not betray Katanz for you.” Her words were cold as ice and just as inflexible in their demeanor. Odien said nothing as he walked to his former lover and pulled back the hood covering his face. He watched as her face betrayed recognition while she gasped at his coal black eyes.

  “It is true what you have heard, I serve Jyn-Taa.” Odien spoke softly as he rested his hand briefly upon the side of her face.

  “You never did fully believe in the order.” Her words were slowly spoken. Odien and Jyn-Taa could hear the turmoil emotions as she spoke. “Despite that, I still cannot help but love you Kentau.” Odien felt his emotions stirred at the mention of his real name.

  “And I still love you, but if you will not serve, then I have one last task to perform.” He reached up with both hands and gently placed them on her face. His hands moved down and encircled her neck.

  “Stop.” Jyn-Taa commanded softly as he stepped to where the two former lovers stood facing each other.

  “It must be done master.” Odien spoke softly, but with regret. He knew she was a threat and had to be eliminated. Odien also knew it would be far better for her to die now instead of what may lie ahead as Jyn-Taa prepared for the arrival of the elemental demons. They would not hesitate to force her and other betrayers to face a lingering and painful demise.

  “You will tell Kentau all that you know if he asks?” Jyn-Taa watched as her eyes looked from him to Kentau/Odien. When she looked at him, her face softened and he could sense her emotional control melting away. Jyn-Taa took her burnt hand gently in his. As he held it, her hand was no longer burnt but whole and healed. “The mark of Katanz need no more hinder your appearance.” As he let go, her hand returned to its former state.

  “It is a mark I gladly bare for Katanz.” She never looked at Jyn-Taa, but continued to look at Odien.

  “You must tell me everything you know about the council’s connections in the Barren Lands.” Odien spoke softly to her.

  “The council does have contacts with many officials and I am part of a group used to maintain those ties, although those outside the mountain do not know who we really are. The present council, of course, just maintained those connections like every council before. A few could see the complacency slipping into the current leadership and decided to take the initiative to protect and keep as many individuals of position under our influence and control. Even the council does not suspect what we have done. If necessary, a large army could be summoned to defend the Barren Lands against any invading force.”

  “How did you and the others organize them?” Odien asked her. “Most are pirates, thieves or ruthless landowners.”

  “We fostered two of their primary fears, the first was that of being invaded by those from the Evergreen continent. There has been a natural hatred from one generation to the next. Five years ago when the lost colonists returned home the inhabitants of the Barren Lands became almost paranoid with fear about being taken over. They were more than willing to join with others they normally fought with for land or supplies. It was easy to foster their petty squabbles into loose alliances. We also made sure certain rumors were spread. We allowed them to believe that the talks on the neutral island, with this ambassador from the lost colony, were really his attempt to judge the strength of the Barren Lands. We wanted them to believe the ambassador was judging to see if a ground force could easily overtake them. The final information we planted in their thoughts was what might happen if there was an invasion and they won. We made sure they considered the fact that their forces could be so weak that followers of Katanz may see an opportunity to take over the Barren Lands.”

  “That’s’ very clever.” Replied Jyn-Taa. “They have no idea the very people whom they would commit a force too are the same they are afraid could take over their lands. You and your followers have done well.” She remained cold as she glanced at Jyn-Taa but warmed as she looked back at Odien.

  “How large an army can be summoned if needed.” Asked Odien.

  “Almost 100,000 strong.” She replied. Odien glanced at Jyn-Taa who was smiling with a great deal of pleasure. Once he added the conscripts from the southern island he could manipulate both to his needs.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Paths of Knowledge

  A large dome structure made up of countless intertwining limbs and leaves occupied the center of the large meadow where Cadan lived with his parents. He sat at the edge of the meadow under the protective watch of Rothyn and Gydin. The two dragons never let him out of their sight. Both dragons were sulking a bit after having been grounded by their mother. Syl, Alys or Eryyn would normally be upset the two dragons were entertaining Cadan. However, they had been tossing the young boy to each other while in flight several hundred feet above the ground. Cadan looked up from his book he was reading and glanced at the living dome in his meadow.

  “Do you think they will find anything?” Cadan asked both dragons.

  “I do not know Cadan.” Rothyn said after glancing at Gydin who just shrugged his massive dragon shoulders. “Mother is very skilled, and so are the others.”

  “I wonder if
those pieces of paper inside my house could help.” Cadan was referring to the symbols his parents and the others had written on small pieces of paper. Each symbol was the birthmark of those who had been taken.

  “Your supposed to be studying Cadan.” Gydin pointed one of his claws as large as Cadan at the book in his hands.

  “And you were supposed to keep from getting in trouble.” Cadan smiled at Gydin. “Do you always do what your told?” Cadan set the book down and walked around Gydin and into his house.

  “I will watch him.” Gydin said as he stood and walked on all fours to the backside of the house where he could watch the young boy through the kitchen window. The boy crawled up into the nearest chair at the kitchen table and emptied the bowl containing the multitude of small pieces of paper. One by one he flipped them over until all the sides with markings could be seen. He spread them out over the table then rested his chin in one hand and began randomly moving pieces from one place to another. Gydin edged his head in a bit further through the window. “Your going to get us both in trouble you know.”

  “I know." Cadan replied absentmindedly then turned and smiled at Gydin. “It will be worth it.” Gydin smiled in return.

  “You and I are going to have lots of fun together.” The dragon and the boy giggled in their own fashion as they looked at one another. Cadan went back to his puzzle while Gydin patiently watched his charge.