by Ritu Ghosh
They all were alerted immediately and on their feet in no time.
“It was Belster!” said Dan and hurried out of the door.
The rest went behind him. Even Flynn got up and walked as much as he could.
They rushed to the hall. Aaron couldn’t believe his eyes. The Lurg was conscious now and was standing upright. He held Belster by the neck. Belster was hanging in the mid air and the Lurg was rubbing his head where Ony had hit him.
They all stopped moving seeing that.
Flynn’s mouth gaped and he let out a gasp.
Dan pulled his sword out and Ony his axe. They walked towards the Lurg slowly.
Chapter 11
The Menacing Lurg
The Lurg saw them approach and lifted Belster even higher.
Belster squeaked something. He was desperately trying to reach his bow but could hardly breathe.
“Stop right there! Or I will finish your friend” said the Lurg in his croaky voice.
Dan and Ony stopped.
Aaron stepped forward and said. “We don’t mean any harm to you, we just want to talk.”
The Lurg frowned like he has never heard of such a thing.
He held on to Belster's throat tighter. Now Belster was shaking his legs violently. His face has turned blue.
Everybody watched helplessly. Then in flash of a second the Lurg fell to his knees and Belster fell with him. The Lurg released Belster, and his hands came to a tied up position.
The Lurg struggled hard but he couldn’t move his hands or legs apart. It looked like he was tied up with an invisible rope. He growled.
Aaron looked behind him, Jane had released a spell from her sword wand. She was standing with her wand raised smiling at her victory.
As soon as the Lurg fell, Ony hit him again with the staff of his axe and he grumbled but couldn’t free himself.
Dan and Aaron helped Belster get up and sit on one of the chairs. The color of his face was slowly returning but he still looked very pale. Bo helped him with some water while Jane kept her sword pointed at the Lurg.
Flynn sat beside Belster too giving him support and helping him breathe normally.
The Lurg made the loud growl again. Bo became so frightened that he hid behind the curtains peeping out occasionally to see what was going on.
After tending to Belster Aaron came closer to Jane.
“What did you do?” he asked.
“Oh! It’s tying charm. I had been reading about it, just wanted to try it on somebody” she grinned.
Aaron smiled “we are so lucky to have you” he said.
Jane went all pink; she tried to keep a straight face but end up giggling.
After Belster became a little stable Dan turned his attention towards the Lurg. He came towards him with his sword.
“Let me go, you stupid humans!” said the Lurg and spat on the floor.
Dan’s eyes were filled with rage, he put the sword to the Lurg’s neck.
“You attacked my friend, I could finish you in a second, you filthy evil helper!” he said angrily.
“Go on then! What are you waiting for” he said and looked up at Dan with his eyes full of hatred.
“You will not die so easily.” said Aaron and raised his sword. “You have to answer us first”.
“I am not going to give you any answers. You are the profound enemies to my land and I will never ever betray my kind” said the Lurg and again struggled to get free. Ony hit him hard again. He looked up with murderous eyes but couldn’t budge.
They tried many things to extract answers from the Lurg. They asked him politely, tried to torture him hit him and trick him but he didn’t say anything. It was impossible to get any information out of him.
Frustrated, Dan walked to another room, Aaron and Jane followed him. He looked quite worried.
“How are going to make him talk?” Aaron sighed.
“We have tried everything to make him talk. I am afraid we have to let him go. And then leave this place before he could go back to his troop and inform them about us” said Dan.
“No ! There is another way, but I am not sure if it will work” said Jane. Both Dan and Aaron looked at her.
“What is it?” asked Dan raising an eyebrow.
“Mind control” said Jane quietly, “If I could control his mind, he have to tell us everything we need to know and we do not have to be very harsh with him.”
“That’s brilliant idea Jane!” jumped Aaron.
“No!” Interrupted Dan as he stood up, “it’s very dangerous, and if things go wrong it might affect you” Dan was very stern.
Aaron looked at Dan and then to Jane who was now gathering words to convince Dan.
“But there is no other way Dan! Let me try it. If I couldn’t do it you can let him go” she tried to sound convincing.
“It’s a Lurg, Jane! We do not know what his mind is like; it could be a swamp of dark magic in there. It could harm you and besides it’s not your natural power. I don’t think you should try it.” said Dan softly.
Suddenly Jane’s face turned fierce like Dan had said something awful. She clutched onto her sword and spoke in a high note, “I know it’s not my power but I can do it. Give me a chance.”
“Jane, Alfadon strictly instructed....” Dan couldn’t complete his sentence as he looked at Jane’s face, she was shivering with anger.
“Okay, but if you couldn’t do it. You will pull out” he said.
“I will” said Jane as she cooled down a little. She walked out of the room slamming the door.
Aaron stood dumbstruck, he didn’t know what just happened. Was it a dangerous magic Jane was going to use? Why did Alfadon instructed against it and why did Dan said that it was not her natural power?
But he kept his mouth shut and walked behind Dan.
Ony was holding the Lurg in his place and Belster was mumbling something sitting in his chair. Flynn and Billy were standing at the far corner. Aaron knew Belster must have chased them away, he never liked both of them.
Bo was also standing close to Flynn and was still purple with fear as if the Lurg was after him.
Jane kneeled a few feet away from the Lurg and closed her eyes. She kept both of her index fingers on either side of her temple and concentrated hard.
Dan was standing facing her as if he was waiting for some instructions from her.
Suddenly, the Lurg moved abruptly, his body twisted and turned. Then he sat up straight. His eyes turned from black to light blue.
“Now!” whispered Jane, still holding her position and concentration.
“What is your name? Where do you come from?” asked Dan in a crisp voice.
“I am Borgus, and I come from Kora” said the Lurg.
“Why did you come to Kron? What is your mission?” asked Dan again.
“Find the eggs, find the boy and kill him” said the Lurg.
“What boy are you talking about?” asked Dan surprised.
Aaron was sweating now; he didn’t want the rest of them to know that the Evil Force wanted him dead.
“The boy who is a threat to master!” said the Lurg.
“Who is your master” asked Dan.
“The king of Kora, Gordon the Great” said the Lurg as his lips curled into a smile.
Dan was silent for a moment, he was not expecting to hear that name. He asked another question quickly, “Why did you need the eggs?”
“Dragons, I hate Dragons!” The Lurg screamed, “But Master needs them to become the most powerful of the five Kings.”
Dan’s eyes widened.
“Our Lord will be back soon and then he will reward my Master and we will rule over the other Kingdoms” said the Lurg and laughed hard.
Dan was not sure what to ask next. Everybody was silent and were staring at Dan.
“What are your plans further?” asked Dan finally.
“To conquer the kingdom of Light and take over. My master knows that they have the most precious treasure – The Cup of Life
. He is going to take it from them and then the cup will revive our lord. Our Lord will be back to rule the world. Ha ha ha…” said the Lurg laughing.
Dan looked at Belster; he was shaking like a paper. The little color that had returned to his face went back again.
“I can’t believe they are secretly planning to attack the kingdom of light” whispered Dan to himself.
Dan composed himself and asked the last question, “where is your master now?”
“He is coming....he is coming...Ha..Ha..Ha..” said the Lurg and laughed out loud for a long time.
Jane was not able to hold on for longer. Her expression changed to a painful one. Blood started to come out of one of her nostrils. She screamed.
“Jane!” Aaron ran to her and took her in his arms.
Jane fell down unconscious but Aaron caught her just in time from falling on the floor.
“Jane ! Jane ! Are you alright?” Aaron shook her but she didn’t move.
Dan came near her quickly and placed his hand on her forehead.
“I should have never allowed her to do this” he said regretfully.
“Quick Aaron! Take her to the room. I will be there soon” Dan said. Aaron carried her inside gently.
The Lurg was coming back to his senses slowly. His eyes were changing to pitch black again.
“Ony make sure he is tied up good. Bo, come with me” Dan hurried behind Jane.
Belster got up and walked to his room. Flynn and Billy stayed back to help Ony. They took out big and heavy ropes and tied the Lurg properly so he couldn’t escape. Ony kept a close watch on the Lurg.
Dan reached Jane’s room. Aaron was trying to wake her up again.
“What’s wrong with her?” he asked as Dan sat next to her bed.
“She became very weak from using the mind control magic. She is still under training. I shouldn’t have let her to do this” Dan said looking sad.
“Is this very serious?” Aaron asked, “Can I do something, does she need some medicines? I can get whatever she needs.”
Dan looked at Aaron for a moment, there was a little surprise on his face, then he signed Bo to come inside the room. He told him something Aaron couldn’t understand.
Aaron warmed Jane’s hand and prayed to God for her well being.
Bo came in with the same medicines for Jane.
“We have to make her drink it!” said Dan to Aaron.
Aaron brought the liquid closer to her mouth and slowly parted her lips, then poured some of the medicine into her mouth. Soon he emptied the whole cup. But Jane didn’t wake up.
“Will she be alright?” asked Aaron looking pale.
“I hope so. If she doesn’t recover soon, we have to take her to Alfadon” said Dan and left the room gloomily.
Aaron sat next to Jane and Bo consoled him.
Even in her sleep Jane looked so beautiful, like the angel Aaron saw her as. Her golden locks fell on her face carelessly. Aaron moved her hair aside, it was soft and silky.
He wished he could see her play and laugh again.
The night passed on. Flynn, Ony, Billy and Belster came to ask the whereabouts of Jane but Aaron did not leave Jane’s side.
Flynn brought Arkion along to distract Aaron. Aaron sat with Arkion in his lap wondering if he could do any healing magic on Jane to make her alright.
Aaron did not feel like eating. He sat at the corner chair in Jane’s room with Arkion. As the night grew deeper he slept in the chair wishing to see Jane’s smile the next morning.
Chapter 12
Journey to Dellwick
Next day morning, Aaron woke up with a start. Arkion was licking his fingers and trying to wake him up. Aaron stirred in the chair and sat up rubbing his eyes.
The sunlight was flooding the room and in her white dress Jane looked as if she was floating on the clouds.
Aaron slowly remembered what had happened the last night. He quickly walked up to Jane in attempt to wake her up.
“Jane, Jane!” he called to her gently.
Jane opened her eyes and looked at Aaron.
“Aaron” she whispered.
“Jane, you are alright” Aaron bustled with joy. He helped her sit up.
“How are you feeling now?” asked Aaron.
“I feel fine” Jane smiled and looked around. Arkion was on the chair Aaron slept on.
“Did you stay here the whole night?” she asked surprised.
Aaron blushed a little, he didn’t know how to tell her how worried he was.
Jane hugged him, “thanks” she said with tears in her eyes.
“What’s wrong Jane?” asked Aaron seeing her cry.
"Nothing, my mother sits up all night when I am sick. I never had another person who cares for me that much” she said wiping her tears away.
“Jane, I will be there for you always. I promise” said Aaron and took her hand. She smiled.
“Let’s go, get some food now. I am starving” said Aaron.
“Me too” replied Jane.
They trotted towards the dining room to find some food. Aaron carried Arkion along, who seemed to be a little bigger now.
He saw Ony and Belster sitting at the table and waiting for their breakfast. Dan was coming from the other side. They saw Jane and cheered for her. She gave each of them a hug. There was a huge relief on Dan’s face even though he was trying hard not to show it. Bo was almost dancing seeing Jane back on her feet again.
Flynn came in and was hugely surprised to see Jane. He patted Aaron’s back and hugged Jane. Billy sat in the corner of the table and waved at Jane.
Aaron felt happy in his heart. He felt like his family is all fine and he didn’t lose anything.
After the big breakfast, they all sat around in the hall. Dan had asked everybody to be present there. The Lurg was tied to a pilled in the corner with his arms and mouth tied up. He was definitely not happy about it but he knew that he alone can’t harm the Defenders so he remained silent giving them heated looks.
Aaron ignored looking at the Lurg even though his stare was bitter and hard to ignore.
“Shouldn’t we give the Lurg something to eat” whispered Aaron to Jane. Jane looked back at him.
“Lurgs only eat the dead Aaron” she said.
Aaron shrugged at the thought of it.
“We should get rid of him soon, I think” he said looking nervous.
“Yes! We should, I don’t know why Dan called all of us here” said Jane.
They all waited patiently, at last Dan showed up. He was all packed up and back in his amour and boots.
“I think it’s time for us to go” he said in a grim voice. “As Jane is feeling better now. There is no point waiting for another second”.
Ony and Belster nodded their head in agreement as if they knew that.
“Flynn !” called Dan and Flynn stood up. “I hope that you are feeling better now and will be able to ride back”.
“Yes , I am fine” Flynn replied in a soft voice. He rolled his sleeves and moved his arm up and down to show everybody that he is alright and his arm is functioning much better.
Aaron smiled seeing this but Dan didn’t pay much attention.
“So! All said and done, we are setting off immediately” said Dan and all of them got up and went to their respective rooms to pack up.
Dan stood alone in the hall looking at the Lurg. The Lurg made a grunting noise, but Dan said nothing.
He looked outside the window across the room. He could see the bright sunlight shining on the pink and violet tulips. Beside the beautiful garden the horses were all lined up ready to go.
Dan took a deep breath and kept his bag down on the floor. He walked towards the Lurg with a steady gaze. He was breathing slowly.
The Lurg moved a little and struggled again. He burned with anger as Dan came towards him. He looked at Dan furiously.
Dan avoided going too close to the Lurg. He sank into a chair nearby and leaned forward.
“We are not savages like y
ou” said Dan quietly.
The Lurg looked at him and narrowed his eyes.
“We are not going to kill you” said Dan keeping eye contact with the Lurg.