The Prophecy of Sky

So, I'm a little behind schedule.  The Prophecy of Sky my new novel based on Sky from the Max and the Gatekeeper Series should be out in ebook around the first of he year with paper back later in that month.  Centalpha 6 Part IX should be out towards the end of January.  Here is the cover for
The Prophecy of Sky.

New Book Title

I finally decided on a title for the new book about the character Sky from Max and the Gatekeeper.
The Prophecy of Sky.

New Book.

This is the Prologue to my new book which I hope will be out before Christmas.  It is a spin off about Sky from the Max and the Gatekeeper Series.  This Prologue will be the only thing tying this book to the other series, otherwise it will stand alone.  Enjoy!

Prologue

 

            “I gave you very specific orders to protect my palace!” Gree shouted at the top of his lungs, turning his normally green skin almost black.  His heavy fat body hovered over a blond woman dressed in black garb, bowing before him on the floor.  “And now, I’ve found there have been intruders in my kingdom.  Within these walls.  How is this happening?” His voice echoed off the stone walls of the high chamber, vibrating the massive crystal chandelier hanging over his throne.
            “Magic,” the woman stated, her face still on the ground. “Powerful magic.  Unlike anything I have ever sensed before.”  She chanced a glance at Gree to see he was visibly shaken by this bit of information.  “They must be after something.”
            Gree paced around the circular chamber, muttering to himself.  “I found it.  It’s mine.  How did they find out?  How did they find…” He climbed the steps to his throne and plopped himself down.  A scowl spread across his fat round wrinkled face. 
            “Do you know what they are after, Master?” the woman rose slightly, revealing a beautiful pale white face with dark red lips and blue eyes that sparkled. Even with her striking features, her face wore a slight expression of distain for Gree.
            “Perhaps, but it isn’t something you need to concern yourself about, Slave One.  You need to stop these intruders from entering my palace,” Gree ordered.
            “It isn’t my…” Her body started trembling as an uncontrollable fear crept over her. 
            “No,” Gree barked.  “They are not after your dar.  You need not fear.  You will be mine…forever.” A wicked fire burned in his circular eyes.
            “Somehow that doesn’t make me feel better,” she mumbled under her breath.
            “What was that?” Gree shot her an angry look.
            “Nothing.  May I at least see it… please?  It has been so long,” she pleaded, as an uncontrollable urge crawled up the back of her spine.  She couldn’t remember ever wanting something so much in her entire life.  Her heart rate increased and she took a few tentative steps forward.  Standing below the raised platform, she barely reached to Gree’s knees.
            “You bring me these intruders and I will let you see it again, Slave One,” Gree commanded.
            The woman’s heart dropped, followed by a sinking sensation, and she stepped back and lowered her head.  “Will you at least tell me what they are after?   It may aid me in thwarting the thieves.”
            “You need only know it is kept within the vault and they will try to steal it.” Gree leaned back and glanced at a door to the right of his throne. 
            “What if I’m not powerful enough to protect it?  The creature or creatures are very strong,” Slave One commented.
            “Indeed, they are powerful.  They are obviously not from this world, slave,” Gree snarled.
            “Not from this world?” The slave took another step back.  She glanced toward the ceiling as if doing so would help her see beyond heavens.  “I’ve always wondered.”
            “Wondered about what?”
            “If there was life in other parts of the universe,” the slave answered.
            “You may yet find out.  I may need answers,” Gree said.
            “You know…how to travel to other worlds?” The slave’s face shone with curiosity.
            “No, but you do.  I just haven’t allowed you to do it yet.” Gree rested on his elbows with his hand clasped in front of him, eyeing her.  “You are unaware of your full potential.  I will show you in time.  I will need your powers to achieve my place in history.  For now, stop wondering and do as you’re told,” Gree barked, his voice growing in strength once more.  “I don’t want any more intruders.  Do you understand me?”
            “Yes.” The slave bowed low and turned to leave.
            Gree clapped his hands and several servants of varying species rushed into the room, carrying trays of food and drink for Gree.  They wore what looked like burlap sacks for clothing and had loose brown skin hanging from their thin frames. 
            The slave girl marched out of the chamber at a brisk pace.  When she reached the hall beyond, she walked to a large window overlooking a lush green valley.  There is life elsewhere in the universe. A place we could have escaped to.
            “What did he want?” enquired a handsome pale man with short blond hair, standing only a few inches taller than she. 
            “Tighter security, Slave Two.” She continued to stare out the window.  “Did you know we have the power to travel to other worlds?”
            “We what?” The man’s eyebrows knitted together in confusion.
            “Gree told me himself.  You, I, and the others have the power to leave this place.” She glanced up at the partly cloudy sky.  “He said these intruders came from another world and I’m assuming they used magic to do so.”
            “If that’s true, we could have escaped this fate.” The man waved at the castle around them.
            “I know.”  She frowned and patted the man on the shoulder.  “We may never have fallen under the power of the dar.”
            “So what are we going to do?”
            “Send out scouts.  I don’t know how these beings are coming and going.  We need to catch them when they are unaware, to avoid a fight.  If they are strong enough to get here, they must have a greater mastery of magic than we do,” the slave girl stated.
            The man swallowed nervously.  “What are you going to do?”
            “I want to find out what they are after,” the slave girl responded.
            “You know you can’t disobey him. The dar won’t let you,” the man stated.
            “I know, but he told me to watch his vault.  If there have been intruders, I’m sure he will want to check on his possessions.” The slave girl smiled a dazzling expression.  
            “Don’t let him catch you spying.  Otherwise, he may get more specific in his orders and make our world smaller than it already is.”
            “Send out the scouts,” she ordered.
            She waited for the man to exit the door at the end of the hall.  “This looks like a job for my little snitch,” she muttered to herself as the formation of a plan began to work in the corners of her mind.
            Slave One went to the kitchen and grabbed a loaf of bread then headed out onto the grounds.  It took a half-hour hike to reach her destination.  She sent out a wave of magic to test the area and verify that she and her target were the only ones in the area.  Entering a dense forest on the border of the master’s kingdom, she walked until she could no longer see the valley behind her.
            “I knew it was you.  I felt your magic.” A small young blond girl with pale skin emerged from behind a tree.
            The slave girl squatted to be eye level with the girl and held out the bread.  “I have a job for you, youngling.”
            The girl stepped forward and accepted the bread, then began devouring it.  “What do you need me to do?” Her voice was muffled by the mouthful of food. 
            “I want you to follow someone for me.” The slave girl rose to her feet.  “And you can’t be seen.”
            The girl twisted her face up into a that-doesn’t-sound-too-exciting look.  “Is that all?  That’s easy.”
            “It’s not and it will be very dangerous.  I wouldn’t even ask, but it could help you to avoid my fate and the fate of our people.  But…if you are discovered, I may be ordered to kill you.” A flood of guilt rushed through the slave girl’s body at what she was asking of  this youngling, a girl whose life was just beginning.  I can’t do this to her.  I can’t ask her to do this. 
            “Now, that sounds more fun.” The youngling’s eyes shone with excitement. 
            “I…” the slave girl stepped back.  The horrible image of her slaughtering the youngling flashed through her mind, causing her to feel sick.  “I shouldn’t have asked.  I was greedy.  Forget about it.”  She hung her head and turned to leave.
            “Wait?” the youngling shouted.
            “I can’t ask you this favor,” the slave girl said, not looking at the young girl.
            “If it will really help us, I accept the possible outcomes,” the youngling stated.
            “Even if the outcome is death?”
            “Is a lifetime of slavery really living?”
            “No,” the slave girl muttered so quietly the young girl didn’t hear her.
            “What?”
            “You have to promise me.  If you are discovered you will run and never come back.  You will never make friends or set up regular patterns,” the slave girl stated.
            “I promise.  Now, who do you want me to follow?”
            “My master.  I want you to tail him wherever he goes and remember everything he does.  You must remember what he looks at or holds, every possible detail,” the slave girl stated.
            “I can do that.  When would you like me to start?” The youngling licked her lips with excitement.
            “Immediately.  Now comes the hard part.  You will need to do it without me or anyone else knowing about it.  I have been ordered to stop any intruders from entering his kingdom.  You fall under that category.  I cannot know you are there or I will be forced to catch you.  Do you understand?” the slave girl questioned.
            “You’re right.  It sounds too risky.  I don’t think I want to take that challenge,” the young girl said and frowned.
            “Smart choice.” The slave girl marched back to the castle. 
            A couple hours later the slave girl bowed before her master.  “As part of the new security measures, I am going to put a spell around your vault that will alert me whenever anyone enters.”
            “And why are you telling me this?  I gave you permission to protect my property.”
            “This spell won’t distinguish between you or an intruder.  Do you want me to enter into your vault when it is you who are inside it?” the slave girl asked.
            “You know you aren’t allowed in my vault when I am in there.”
            “I know, sir.  But, if I can put a spell on the vault I can protect it more effectively.”
            “How easy is it to remove this magic when I want to enter?” Gree seemed to be mulling over the option.
            “Just as quickly as you can snap your fingers.” The slave girl performed the action.
            “Leave me.  I will call for you when I am ready for this extra measure.”

###

           
            The slave girl sat in her favorite window in a tower overlooking the entire valley.  The sun moved closer to sunset.  Although dark clouds threatened to hide its descent, it remained visible through a large gap in the storm.  Her mind wandered with thoughts of freedom and exploring the universe.  How do I travel to other worlds?  Not while you’re a slave you won’t.
            “Hey, we have visitors and I don’t think they are from this planet.” The slave boy from earlier snapped her out of her thoughts as he appeared behind her.
            “I didn’t sense anything.” She hopped out of the raised window.
            “They’re not in our territory.  Or at least not yet.  And I don’t think they used magic like we’ve ever encountered,” the slave boy reported and spun around to lead the way.
            “What do you mean?” She found herself almost running to keep up with the taller man’s gait. 
            “I don’t know how to explain it.  They just dropped out of nowhere.  Or at least a few of them did.  I spotted two of them on our border and then three more appeared.  Like I said, they aren’t from here and they appear to be different life forms.” 
            “Really?”
            “You’ll know what I mean when you see them.”
            They proceeded out of the palace and turned towards the setting sun.  Slave Two led her down the hill and through an orchard toward a hill at the edge of their master’s kingdom.  They climbed to the top of the hill where more slaves lay in the tall grass, observing the valley beyond.  The slave girl and boy lowered themselves to lying positions as they reached the others.
            “So where did they first appear?” she asked, spotting the small group huddled in the shade of a tree, conversing about something.
            “About twenty minutes ago, close to that small opening by the tree,” said another slave girl, who was a little shorter and older.
            Slave One peered down and noticed the differences Slave Two hinted at.  Three of the strangers, males, appeared to be a taller darker version of her race. One had short brown hair, while another had wavy gray hair with a mustache, and the third kept his hood up, making it difficult to see his face.  There was a woman, shorter than Sky, with golden tan skin, and the last resembled something she had never seen.  She didn’t know if it was male or female.  It had grayish greenish skin with large round black eyes.
            “What do you think they want?” the other slave girl asked.  “Do you think it has to do with whatever’s in the master’s vault?”
            Slave One shot Slave Two a dirty look.
            “You didn’t tell me not to tell anyone,” Slave Two responded.
            “They don’t look like that big of a threat.  Although the one with the hood looks like he knows how to handle himself,” she stated.
            “You didn’t see them arrive.  They have some serious magical talent to get here.  Don’t forget that,” Slave Two responded.
            “Maybe one of us should go down there and just ask them?” the other slave girl asked.
            “Be my guest.” Slave One motioned with her hand toward the visitors. 
            “All right then.” The other slave girl sprang to her feet and bounded down the hill. 
            They all watched her march across the field towards the strangers.  When she was within fifty yards she hailed them and waved her arm in the air.
            Before they got a chance to watch the encounter, Slave One sat up with a bolt.  “Oh no!”
            The others around her rose up as well.  “What?”
            She shot a glance back at the castle.  “My spell.  Something just entered the master’s vault.  Come!”  She sprinted back towards the castle with the others on her tail.  Her speed created a wide gap between her and the other slaves.  It was her special skills and magical talents that made her the master’s #1. 
            Most slaves took years to reach her status, but the master chose her only a few months after her capture.  It was an event that only caused her pain and regret.  The master forced her to fight the old #1 to the death.  In the end, she killed him at the master’s command.  All the others avoided her for several years, but in the end she managed to develop something close to what could be called friendships.
            She arrived at the entrance to the throne room to an all-out battle raging inside.  Gree cowered behind the side of the door, roaring in his deep guttural voice about something stealing his property.  Several slaves from Slave One’s race battled an unknown assailant just inside the vault.  Fire, sparks, and rays of intense heat flashed through the room—exploding against walls, furniture, and slaves.
            She noticed several of her people had fallen and lay motionless on the floor, their clothes and flesh bloodied and burned.  The remaining resistance fought from positions of relative safety, the throne and other furniture.
            Slave One became a blur, zipping from the door to join another slave behind the throne.  The sight that met her eyes caused her to gasp. A creature unlike any other she had witnessed rummaged through her master’s possessions, tossing things everywhere with one arm and sending out spells with the other.  A tall muscular creature with a black skull-like head and red-rat eyes blocked and attacked as if he didn’t face a serious threat out of the vault.
            “Where is it, Gree,” the stranger barked in a deep voice.  “I know you found it in the ancient ruins.  The dark ones left it behind and you recovered it.”
            “Send a volley so I can get closer,” slave girl one ordered the slave crouching in front of her.
            The slave behind the throne sent a powerful shockwave into the vault.  Before the spell reached its target, the slave girl zipped to the wall beside the vault door.  She barely ducked out of the way as the intruder deflected the spell and returned it to the sender.  The force cracked the throne free of its bindings and dropped it onto the slave, who let out a cry of pain. 
            She drew her sword strapped across her back and rushed the attacker.  She managed to get only a few feet into the vault when an invisible vice-like force lifted her off the floor.  It pressed her from all sides and held her suspended in the open doorway. 
            “You must be Gree’s #1,” the intruder mocked.  “Not really all that dangerous are you?”  He held out his hand and made a fist.  The force squeezing the slave girl tightened like a coiling python. 
            She gasped and the force strengthened making it difficult for her to breathe.  Her vision darkened and little lights popped in front of her face.  Just when she thought she was about to die, she was free.  She fell to the floor and strange flashes of light zipped over her head, forcing the dark creature to turn his attention towards the open doors.
            She heard strange voices calling through the doors and a name.  Hudich. 
            The thief roared with rage and swung his arms in a wide circle over his head, creating a tornado which pulled in all of her master’s possessions.  Things began to spin faster and faster in a rush of loud wind. 
            “Ahhhhh.” The stranger’s voice seemed to take delight, and while continuing to control the circling objects with one hand, he snatched an old scroll out of the funnel.  Then with one final thrust, he threw his hands forward and everything flew out of the vault.  
            Slave One covered her head as the deadly speeding projectiles flew over her.  She managed one last glimpse of the stranger standing in the center of the vault with an evil smile, before he vanished in a bright light.  
            She hurt and struggled to move.  Everything seemed like she watched it from a great distance.  The other intruders were there.  Two of them, the woman and the one with the greenish skin and black eyes, examined her and gave her something she assumed would help her.  Why would they be here unless the master allowed it?
            As soon as they left, a warming calm crept over her and she felt a strong desire to sleep.  It was as if there was nothing as important in the world as sleep.  She struggled to keep her eyes open but gradually drifted off to sleep.

###

            She awoke with a jolt.

            Gree was shouting for her and he seemed angry.  “#1!”
            She winced as she sat up.  She hurt everywhere but everything still worked.  “That was one powerful creature,” she muttered to herself. 
            She hurried to the restored throne room where two slaves held the youngling between them.  Her blond hair was disheveled and there were cuts and bruises on her face.  The sight hit the slave girl one with enough force to expel all the air from her lungs and almost doubling her over.  Her heart dropped and more fear than she could ever remember feeling spread through her limbs, causing her to tremble and her pace to slow.
            “They caught this youngling snooping around my thrown room.  I ordered you to keep all intruders out.  We have had more unwanted guest than necessary today.  I will not tolerate this.  I want this one made an example of.”
            “Has she stolen anything?” the slave girl asked, her voice cracking slightly with fear, hoping that was the case in order to plead for leniency. 
            “She denied taking anything at first but we were able to get it out of her.  So, not only has she trespassed, but she thought she could take my property,” Gree screamed, his green face growing darker. 
            “What’s more, she claims to be operating under your orders,” Slave Girl Two stated with a smile.
            Slave One felt like she was back in the grip of the powerful intruder.  Her world grew small and dark, while her insides contracted in an uncomfortable knot.
            “Is that true?” Gree’s sheer volume shook the chandelier above him. 
            Slave One’s eyes dropped and she nodded slowly.  She felt ill, her head spun with a dizzying nauseating sensation and beads of cold sweat formed along her brow.
            “As your reward for this betrayal, you will retrieve what’s been stolen from me and then you will kill her.  You thought my rules were strict before.  You haven’t seen anything yet,” Gree spat.  “I gave you some freedoms, but no more.”
            Tears formed in Slave One’s eyes and she drew a dagger from her belt. Her feet felt like they had sprouted roots as she struggled to take the steps towards her small friend.  “What did you take?” Her voice shook.
            A smile spread across the youngling’s bruised face.  “Your dar.” 
            The statement rolled through the throne room like a giant hand had slapped everyone and they gasped.
            “Impossible,” Gree stammered, almost stumbling backwards before dashing into the vault.  A single word issued loudly from the vault.  “No!”
            Slave One struck quickly.  Spinning the dagger around she hammered the hilt downward onto the forehead of one of the youngling’s captors and blasted the other with a spell that sent him flying.  Then, blowing out the window with another spell, she snatched up the youngling and sprang out the window.
            They finally rested when they were deep inside the forest.  Slave One’s heart raced with the thought of holding her dar or possessing it, so no one would have power over her ever again.  To go by my real name again instead of the insult Gree had forced me to accept.
            “Will they come after us?” the youngling questioned between mouthfuls of air, glancing back in the direction of the castle.
            “Where’s my dar?” The slave girl could think of nothing else.  She had to have it.  To hold it.  Nothing in the universe mattered but her dar.  It took all her restraint to not start frisking the youngling for it.
            The youngling’s expression changed to a look of suspicion and the color drained from her already pale face.  “Do you need it that bad?” she stammered, taking a step away and glancing around.
            “Why are you keeping it from me?” The slave girl stepped closer, blood starting to pound inside her ears, causing them to ring.  “I must have it.”
            “I don’t have it.” The youngling shook her head nervously retreating a little more.
            “WHAT? YOU SAID YOU TOOK IT?” The slave girl snatched her off the ground by the arms and rattled her back and forth.
            “I did. I did,” the youngling responded, with tears leaking from her eyes. 
            “Then where is it?” The slave girl growled with venom.
            “I didn’t want to be caught with it so I hid it in the pack of that man,” she cried.  “Please, you’re hurting my arms.”
            It felt like being doused with ice water.  The intense uncontrollable desire and rage dissipated as quickly as it had come on.  Her fingers snapped away from the youngling almost as if she had received a nasty shock.
            “I’m sorry.  I’m so sorry.” The slave girl stepped back, her own tears starting to flow.  “I am grateful but…”
            “Is that what it’s like?  Is it that uncontrollable?” The youngling’s eyes grew wide with fear.
            “Yes.  It is all you can think of once it takes hold of you.” The slave girl wiped her eyes and glanced at the darkening evening sky.
            “But you’re free now, aren’t you?  That man took it far away,” the youngling questioned with curiosity.
            “No!” The slave girl shook her head.  “Even still I can feel my dar’s pull.  I belong to him now.  In whose pack did you place it?”
            “The older one with the graying hair.  He seemed like such a nice life form.  I figured it would be safe with him.  How will you find him? He could be anywhere out there in the universe.”
            “Magic.  My attachment to my dar is already pulling me.  Somehow, I know where it is and how to get there.”
            “Do you have to go?”
            The slave girl put her hands on the shorter girl’s shoulders and bent so they were eye to eye.  “I must and you need to go into hiding.  Don’t ever go back to the castle.  If I can come back and help you, I will.”  She pulled the youngling into a tight hug.  “I appreciate what you did for me.  I only hope my situation has improved.”  She rose and in a flash of light disappeared.

###

           
            The slave girl landed on shaking knees in front of a strange home.  It resembled cottages from her world but was much larger.  It was white and appeared to have three levels and an iron barred fence surrounded it.  That fence can’t… She started to ponder the weakness of the fence when she sensed an extremely powerful magic surrounding the premises. How did I get in?
            She felt exhausted but didn’t know how to proceed.  She climbed the steps and took a seat on the strange bench hanging from some chains.  The device swayed, giving a relaxing sensation when she plopped down into it. 

###

            She snapped to attention, feeling a gentle nudge which had awoken her.  The seat started to sway again and her eyes grew wide as she noticed the older man with wavy gray hair, mustache, and slight beard was staring at her.  She didn’t know how long she had slept but she didn’t feel rested.  Her body was sluggish and sore, which she attributed to yesterday’s battle.
            “If you don’t mind my asking, who are you?” he asked with a kindly smile.
            “I belong to you.” She sprang out of the bench and assumed a kneeling position with her head bowed.
            “You what?” He chuckled putting a hand behind her upper arm, lifting her gently to her feet and setting her back on the bench, where he sat beside her.
            “I belong to you, keeper of my dar.” Her head remained bent slightly to indicate his superiority.
            “Hold it for a second.  What?  Why do you think you belong to me?  I don’t understand.”
            “You are in possession of my dar.  A youngling put it in your backpack in my world.  I belong to whoever controls it.  I belong to whoever owns it.  I must do your bidding.”  Her eyes finally met his but there was something strange in the way he looked at her.  There was not the usual greed she noticed in most master’s eyes, but pity and kindness.
            “I see.” He rubbed his scruffy chin as if in thought.  “I wondered what that was in my pack and where it came from.”  He smiled, patted her leg and rose to his feet.  “Wait here.”
            Her heart beat faster inside her chest at the thought of at least seeing her dar again.  Somehow she felt better about this new master.  He didn’t seem cruel or domineering.  He actually seemed kind.
            He returned with a small wooden box and sat next to her.  “I don’t think anyone anywhere should belong to another.”  He held out the box for her to take.
            “Y—you’re…giving it to…me?” Tears stung her eyes and her hands shook as she accepted the box.  For the first time, something odd had happened.   She no longer had the irresistible desire to see or hold it.  Now that it was hers and in her hand, it had no power over her.  She wept for joy.
            “Freedom is a grand thing,” the old man said, and patted her back.
            She could never remember feeling so happy.  “Thank you.  Thank you.” Tears continued to roll down her cheeks.
            “You are most welcome, Ms.?”
            “Ms.?” she questioned through sobs.
            “Let me be more specific.” He chuckled.  “I am Joseph, Joseph Rigdon.  And you are?” He raised his eyebrows.
            “I am…”
            “Your name?” He smiled.
            “My name is Slave…Sk—Sky.”

New Projects

Hi,


I haven’t posted in a while as I moved to a new state. I have been very busy writing and hope to have two new projects out in time for Christmas. No, sorry, one will not be Max 5. I’m hoping to release that in the spring. One project is related to Max and the Gatekeeper though.  It will be a full length novel about Sky. I will post the prologue here in the next couple of days. The second project will be Centalpha 6 Part IX. I’m really excited for these two releases and hope you will enjoy them.


James

Laughing at myself.

Gee no one pointed out that I used pedals instead of petals lol.  :)  You can all poke fun at me.  I can take it. lol

Very unedited chapter 4

I can't resist putting these up. lol

4

The demon’s mount howled again.  With each new cry the demon drew nearer to Flit’s position.  Flit glanced at the fallen petal lying at his feet and marched as fast as his back would allow away from it. 

He struggled to keep silent, wincing with each step.  He hurried up a small slope with a stand of trees.  He managed to reach the top and duck into the trees when the demon and its hideous companion emerged out of the forest right where the petal remained.

The demon’s head swiveled back and forth its flaming red eyes scanning the surrounding forest while its mount sniffed the ground all around the wilted petal.  Small dust clouds floated around the beasts head as it huffed with its nose stuck to the ground. 

A small group of armed malos emerged from the village, drawn by the unexplained disturbance.  The held their spears and swords at the read and acted as if they could sense something was amiss but didn’t know what it was.

They can’t see him. He took out the flower to make sure it was safe.  The four remaining petals gave off the soft white light. 

The demon and his ride turned towards to group of malos approaching from the city.  The scaly beast snapped its jaws in their direction.

“I know you are near,” the demon’s deep voice rumbled and the flame danced excitedly across its skin.  “Are these your people?  I know you won’t show yourself, but perhaps I can tempt you out.” The Demon’s voice took on an almost delighted tone.  “I will give you a demonstration of my destructive powers.  Prove to me you are not a coward and show yourself to save your friends.  It’s time I revealed myself to the world.”

The demon leaned low to the side of his mount and slammed the butt of his axe handle against the ground.  There was a flash of red light like a shockwave the race through the forest in all directions away from the spot where his axe handle struck the ground.

The group of malos screamed with fright as they caught sight of the demon and his beast only twenty yards from their position.  What courage they possessed vanished and they turned tail, fleeing back towards the village.

The demon spurred his ride with his heels and the beast exploded forwards with a terrifying roar.  The demon overtook the small group of malos and chopped them in pieces with his massive double-sided axe.  The beast managed to snap up those who avoided the demon’s weapon with his sharp teeth.

            Frightened malos cried and hollered as the Demon turned his wrath onto the camp’s occupants, slicing them up with his axe or letting his beast devour them.  Malos attempted to flee in all direction, but this only excited the demon more.  He ran them down in all directions.

            Flit felt as if someone had grabbed the lower half of his stomach and started to squeeze the contents inside upward into his throat.  His heart ached at the horrific sight.  “Noooooooo,” he screamed with tears welling in his eyes.

            The demon and his ride stopped dead at the sound of Flit’s cry.

            “So you do care,” the demon’s deep voice rumbled.  “But that will not save them.  Show yourself or they will all die.”

            Tears ran down Flit’s cheeks and he glanced down at the flower.  “What good are you, if I can’t save others?”

            “But it can save them,” several female voices spoke inside his ear at once. “Tear off a live petal near the demon.  Yes tear off a petal,” They spoke with a sense of urgency.

            Flit shook his head, wondering if he had imagined the voices.

            “Hurry Flit!”

            Adrenaline flooded through his body, blocking out they pain in his back.  “I’m coming,” he shouted, bolting towards the demon.

            The demon tugged the reins of his mount, spinning him in Flit’s direction.  “Where are you? Show yourself!”

            “I’m c—coming,” Flit stuttered.  With each new stride his fear returned in greater measure and his feet grew heavier.  “I—I’m…”

            The demon’s beast reared up on its hind legs and then began bouncing on its front legs with excitement.  Every time its massive weight hit the ground vibrated from the impact. 

Flit’s heart threw itself against his ribcage. 

            “Closer!” the female voices whispered to him when he drew within a dozen yards.

            Flit’s sprint turned to tiptoeing.  He cautiously put each foot down, trying to avoid making any sound.

            “I grow tired of this game.  I know you are near, but I will resume killing your people down to the last child if you don’t come out of hiding now!”

            When? Flit thought.  His whole body trembled as he inched his way closer to the beast.  He couldn’t bring himself to look directly at the demon or its pet.  He averted his eyes, using his peripheral vision to guide him.

            When Flit was within ten feet of the demon the females spoke into his ear.  “Now!”

            With shaking hands Flit held the flower out in front of him like a shield separating him from his foe.  He tore off one the live petals from the main part of the flower.

            A ball of bright warm light grew from the separated petal.  It rapidly increased in size and intensity.  The demon and its mount wailed as if the light caused them physical pain and flinched away from the rapidly spreading orb.  As the growing light touched the demon and his mount, they started to smoke as it burned their skin.  The demon spurred his ride hard and they sped away from the chasing brilliant rays, howling with rage.

            The light fanned out as far as Flit could see for several minutes and then vanished, leaving him with the live flower and a blackened petal.  He thought about dropping the dead portion on the ground but decided to put it and the live flower in his pocket.

            If the demon can track the dead flower, I don’t want him to come back here. I better find the other petal and move it as well. The pain in Flit’s back returned with the absence of danger to command his attention.  He winced when he started walking back towards the spot where he had dropped the first petal.  The lash marks forced him to move at a somewhat sideways angle to lessen the stinging sensation.

            Malos started to gather around the area of slaughter.  Several began weeping for the loss of their loved ones while many eyed Flit asking what had driven the demon away.

            “Where did that light come from?” some asked.

            “Did Flit have something to do with it?” others questioned. 

            “Did he create the light?” a malo queried causing the others to look and marvel at Flit in a curious manner.

            “Why are we driving him away if he has the power to protect us?” another called as Flit reached to boarder of the camp. 

            Flit glanced back at the gathering crowd and then turned to search for the lost petal.  Hurry!  Find it!  You can’t stay here!  He spun back and forth and made several circles in awkward positions while scanning the ground for the dead portion of the flower.

            A small group of malos headed in Flit’s direction while the rest watched him. 

            “Flit, wait?” the head malo called while waving a hand through the air.

            “Finally,” Flit muttered under his breath upon locating the dead petal.  He gasped as a sharp pain shot through his back while he bent to pick up the object.  When he managed to finally straighten back up, the small group had reached him.  He slipped the petal into his pocket before anyone could notice it.

            “Flit, how did you dispose of those monsters?” The head malo’s eyes were wide with wonder.  He looked Flit up and down as if seeing him for the first time.

            “I didn’t dispose of them.  He is still out there.  And he may be back,” Flit stated.  He took a deep breath and spun on his heel to leave.

            “WAIT!” the head malo almost shouted.  “Still you chased it off with that…light.  How did you create it?  Maybe we were a little hasty.  We,” he motioned towards the group, which consisted of many on the council, “made a mistake.”

            “You whipped me,” Flit said more out of sorrow than anger. 

            “We are very sorry.  We were wrong,” another council member stepped forward.

            Flit peered at all the expectant faces.  He longed to stay with his people, but something deep down told him he needed to go.  He actually found the prospect of leaving as a form of relief, like there was something much more for him waiting out there.  Maybe the creator is right.  There is something I can do.

            “Please stay,” a female councilor said. 

            “I know you can’t understand this now, but I can help you more by leaving,” Flit said.  “I must go.”  His own words surprised him.  He actually wanted to leave.  Even living with the malos he had been on his own, no one liked him.  After Haddar’s minions rounded up his parents for sport in the arena, no one really wanted to take him in.  It was a struggle to survive and take care of your immediate family, let alone add another mouth to feed.

            “Stay.  We will make your life better,” the head malo stated.

            “I can’t protect you from everything out there.  I’m sorry, but I must go.” Flit ignored their requests and promises, heading in the direction of the forest. 

            Several malos followed him until he was almost a quarter mile into the hunted forest before giving up and watching him disappear into the trees.  When Flit noticed he was alone, he angled back towards the edge of the trees away from his camp.  The forest was a dangerous place and the memory of Jett was still fresh in his mind.

            Flit returned to the usual practice of scampering between one group of trees or bushes to the next until he drew within sight of the end of the trees.  Beyond the edge of the forest rolling hills with high grasses extended as far as the eye could see.  Flit knew the area well.  Groups of farmers lived, tucked within the hills trying to raise grain and livestock.  They defended their farms ferociously.  They had to in order to discourage anyone trying to target their goods.

            Flit found a nice grouping of trees and took a rest, trying to decide what he should do.  He sat cross-legged with his back against a tree.  “What am I to do?” he muttered to himself and then the memory of the voices of the female ghosts coming from the flower gave him an idea.

            He took out the flower.  He held it in his hands and stared at its beauty.  What do I ask it?  Will they answer again?  How long do I have with only three petals left?

            “Who are you?” a female voice asked.

            Flit jumped clamping his hands down over the flower.  He turned to see the point of a sword only a foot away from his back.

            “A malo!” An astonishingly pretty xenska stated at the sight of Flit.  “Are you part of a raid,” she demanded stepping so the point of her sword poked Flit.

            “N—no.” Flit couldn’t stop staring at her smooth pail white face with her violet eyes. 

She had long dark wavy hair and stood maybe an inch or two taller than Flit with a thin frame.  She appeared to be close to his age.  Her eyes jumped from Flit to various clumps of trees along the edge of the forest.  “Malos only come into our lands when they want to steal our property.  So what are you doing here?”

“Honestly, I don’t know.” Flit lowered his head.

“You’re a liar…and a thief.  Malos never travel alone and they aren’t good for anything but sport in Haddar’s areans.” She jabbed him.

“Hey!” Flit swatted the tip of her blade so it was no longer pointing at him and then rubbed the spot. He already had enough injuries. He lifted his shirt to see a small cut with blood trickling down his side.  “You broke the skin.” Flit slide the flower into his pocket with his other hand and then got to his feet.

The xenska stepped back with a surprised expression.  She kept the sword pointed at Flit. “What happened to your back?”

“Nothing, and I’m not here to steal anything. I’m looking for something. I’ll just move on.” Flit yanked down his shirt and walked past her, heading back into the forest.

“Wait!” she chased after him.  “I didn’t give you permission to leave,” she barked, trying to cut off his place of retreat.  “I’m not alone.  You can’t just walk away.”

Flit didn’t know where he found this new disregard for anyone with a weapon, but it seemed to be growing.  “Look.  I’m alone and I mean you no harm, so I’m going.”

“If you don’t stop, I will call for help,” the xenska demanded raising her voice, causing Flit to stop.

Before Flit could vent his increasing frustration, a strange whistle rang out from two different locations.

The xenska glanced around and then poked Flit in the ribs with the sword while an angry expression painted itself on her face. “I knew you were a liar.” Keeping the sword on him, she seized his arm and spun him around.  She forced Flit into a nearby group of trees.

Flit gasped. “I’m…” Flit started but a harder poke silenced him.

“Shut your mouth,” the xenska ordered, trying to spot any signs of a danger over Flit’s shoulder.

The whistles started again but they took on a different sound.  The pitch was higher and the call longer. 

“Oh no,” the xenska gasped.

“What?” Flit glanced over his shoulder to see the fear in the xenska’s eyes as they jumped around.

“Catchers,” she whispered.

The hair all over Flit’s body rose to attention and a great fear spread through him.  Catchers scoured the land searching for the weak and the helpless to sell into slavery or to the arenas.  To be caught by a catcher was an almost certain death sentence.

“They will probably have kaps with them.” Flit joined the search for a place to hide.

“Kaps?  Where can we hide from them?” the xenska hissed.

“Where is the nearest water source?” Flit demanded.  “Where do you get your water?”

“Why?” The xenska’s eyes reflected fear and panic.

“Kaps can’t smell you in the water,” Flit stated.  He knew from previous encounters with catchers that the only options would be to find a river or lake and hope you could find a reed or hold your breath long enough when the catchers drew near.

“There is a river almost a mile away.” The xenska pointed to the south of them when the grunting and howls of the kaps reached their ears coming from the same direction. 

Several new whistles rang out and then went silent.

“My people are fleeing.” The xenska made like she was going to leave when the voices of the catchers combined with the kaps, stopped her.  “I left my safety to come after you.  Now, I won’t make it back,” she cried.

“We can make it.  I will help you. We are going to have to make a wide circle.” Flit bolted deeper into the haunted forest.  He didn’t know why he offered to aid the xenska.  Usually, races didn’t intermingle unless it was in cites or the arena, but somehow the thought of anyone suffering in the arena pained him.

“Wait,” the xenska cried running after him.  “We can’t go that way.”

Flit had to slow his pace to let her stay with him.  Once again, his need helped him block the wounds on his back. “Circling around them is our best chance.  We would never out run the kaps once they pick up our scent.  If we try to circle through the fields we run the chance of being spotted causing them to give chase before we have time to reach the water or we make them go where no one wants to go.” 

“But aren’t their worse…things…in here?” She panted.

“There are, but right now our biggest threat is the catchers.  I have traveled the forest many times and not encountered anything.”  The memory of Jett caused his insides to squirm at his last statement.  And the demon is still out there. “Just keep your eyes open and your sword ready.”

Flit continued deeper into the forest until he could no longer hear the kaps above his heart pounding in his ears and his heavy breathing.  He slowed to get his bearings and rest a bit.  “We should be able to angle back towards the river from here.”

“You don’t think we could wait it out here?” the xenska glanced around.  “Find a good spot to hide and…”

“Remember what forest this is. We don’t want to stay and there is no guarantee the catchers won’t follow us in.  They have the kaps and weapons for protection.” Flit glanced at the sky and the xenska followed his lead.

“Wow.  You can actually make out the position of the sun today,” the xenska exclaimed.

            “Yeah,” Flit realized it had been that way since he had left the garden.  He chose his line and started marching towards the river.

            “Is it always like that?” the xenska questioned, trying to follow and look at the sun at the same time.

            “Like what?”

            “Can you always see the sun in the forest?” the xenska asked.

            “Just lately.” Flit remembered the clear skies in the garden.

            “I don’t think I’ve seen it that well in well over five or more years, and that was on a very windy day,” she commented.  “How often…”

            Flit spun and thrust a finger to his lips.  “Remember where we are.  Hold the questions for later,” he whispered while glancing around to make his point.

            “Sorry,” she mouthed and pulled a concerned face while following his eyes.

            Flit walked at a brisk pace always using trees and bushes to shield them from as much of the open spaces as possible.  He fought the constant urge to sprint for the river, knowing to do so might expose them to some hidden danger in the forest.  Several times, a strange animal call forced them to take cover and wait.  The only positive was they hadn’t heard any sign of the catchers.

            “I think it’s safe,” Flit whispered after an unusually long wait. 

            “What’s your name?” the xenska whispered before Flit could take off.

            “Ah, Flit.” He felt surprised by the question.  Never had anyone ever asked him that question before.  “What’s yours?”

            “Kerra,” she responded.  “Thank you, Flit.  Thanks for not leaving me.”

            “You’re welcome.” Flit smiled at her and then started forward once more. With the temporary lack of a threat to their safety, the pain in his back returned, forcing him to walk funny.

            “Does it hurt?”

            “Yes.”

            It took them almost an hour until they reached the edge of the forest where they could see the river several hundred yards across the open grasslands.  The closer they drew to the edge of the trees the slower Flit walked.  They used some high bushes to search for danger.

            “I think it’s safe,” Kerra said in a hushed voice.

            “Something doesn’t seem right.” Flit couldn’t see anything but years of trying to move about unseen had taught him valuable lessons.  “Why is there no sound at all?”

            “What?” Kerra shot him a confused look.

            “Usually, no sound at all means something bad is waiting close by.  Birds and small animals are avoiding the area for some reason,” Flit pointed out.

            “Oh. So what do you want to do?” Kerra questioned. 

            Behind them several kaps howled and the shouts of their masters followed.

            “Run!” Flit ordered.

            He and Kerra sprinted out into the high grasses.  They only made it twenty yards when a hidden net controlled by concealed catchers and hinged poles, scooped them up off the ground.  They bumped heads hard and their arms and legs popped out of the holes in the net.