Nadezda woke up from a long nap and strained to see what was beyond the end of the tube. All she could she was darkness.

“I must get out!” she said, gritting her teeth. She pushed at the end of the tube with all her might, but it did not budge. “I must get out! I must! I must!”

That was when she heard the noise.

SQUEAK, SQUEAK, SQUEAK.

And it was getting louder by the minute! She had to escape!

Nadezda gathered all her strength and pushed at the end of the tube. It gave a protesting SQUEAK! and budged the tiniest bit.

The toddler clenched his chubby fists and hammered on the trapdoor, which was now opening more easily. “Getta door open! Fin’ Mamma!”

Suddenly, the door swung open, flinging the pair into the darkness beyond it.

 

 

Ulysses heard the noise suddenly stop, and he realized something. He stopped and went back, chuckling evilly to himself as he did. “They’ll find themselves in even worse trouble know,” he said, grinning. “The Pit of Doom!”

 

 

Jaza looked over the newcomer mildly.

He was a boy, about Jaza’s age, who looked like he had the same family traits. He had, hanging sheathed from a belt, a sword and a dagger. h had a bow and a quiver of arrows strapped to his back, and he carried a short javelin. He glared around the group. “So, you kidnapped her, right?” he said nastily. “Give her back.”

Jason stepped forward quickly. “Hold, it, hold it! We’re not kidnappers. What makes you think we are, bucko?”

“Never mind that,” the newcomer snapped. “Why is she with you?” He pointed at Jaza, who swiftly stepped back, shocked.

Jason felt his temper rising. “Now you hold it! She is rightfully part of my crew. A fought her to get her and won fair and square. She’s staying, whether you like it or not, so you might want to move off if you would like to continue living.”

“Liar!” the visitor growled. “Release her!”

Jason snapped, “Stop it! If you mean to make her leave, it’s not going to work. She was not kidnapped. On my word, she wasn’t!”

“Leave him to me, Jason.” Jaza stepped forward and turned to the visitor. “Who do you want me to leave? I’m contented with this life and do not wish to leave. He speaks the truth, Jaazaniah. Leave him alone.”

Jason looked at Jaazaniah suspiciously. “How come you never told me you knew this person?”

“You never asked, so I never told you,” Jaza said calmly.

“Is he related to you?” Jason asked.

“Actually, yes,” Jaza said. “He’s my twin.”

“He’s your what?” Jason asked incredulously.

“My twin,” Jaza replied. “Don’t get all worked up, Jason. There’s nothing wrong with having a twin. He’s some of the only family I have left.”

“Well, I have a twin too,” Jason said, “but years ago, when we were young, he was kidnapped and brought to the planet Earth.”

“How come you weren’t?” Jaza asked.

Jason grinned. “They thought that I was a weakling, so they left me to die. But you should not think that I am a weakling now.”

“I’d like to see that,” Jaazaniah said, putting his hand to his sword.

“I’m not going to,” Jason said, casting a sour glance at his challenger. I’ve already had a fight today. I’m not willing to have another one, at least not right now. You’re welcome to hang around until that time, and when that time comes, then say your prayers, bud.” Jason turned and strode off. His crew fell into line behind him.

“Watch out.”

With that final warning to her twin, Jaza followed up at the end of the line.

Jaazaniah watched furiously as the group disappeared. “He’s going to be sorry for that!” he vowed.

So, in a short amount of time, Jason had two enemies swear vengeance on him.

 

 

It was night. David slipped out of his laboratory. He had on a black, swirling cloak and was armed with his sword, sheathed by his side, and he was holding a light javelin he had made.

David left the underground house, holding his javelin at the ready, prepared for sudden attacks. It was suddenly that he had decided to go out in the middle of the night, with a strange feeling inside of him.

After walking few miles, David stopped stock still. His strange felling grew until it was all he could think about. He could not recall ever felling like this before.

Then he heard a whistling sound pierce the still night air. Instinctively, he dropped to the ground, and inched along slowly toward the shadowy form he had just spotted. When he judged the moment right, he pounced on it.

“Who are you?” he hissed. “And why did you try to kill me?”

The figure kept silent. David quickly tied it with some rope that he had brought along. Then he hauled it upright.

“You’re going to walk in front of me,” he said. “I’ll have my javelin ready, so do not try anything funny!”

When they reached the underground house, David pushed the figure onto a ledge and lit a nearby lantern, holding it up to get a better look at the face of his captive. Then the captive burst out:

“David! It’s you!”

David recognized the voice immediately. “Amethyst! Is that you?”

“Yes, but....you survived! Did anyone else?”

“I don’t know.” David freed his captive and sat down beside her. “What happened to you after the rocket exploded?”

“I was sucked into Galandria’s atmosphere,” Amethyst began, “and then I landed in a field of tall grass. An elderly man found me, and he and his wife took me in. After a while, I left to find my sisters, hoping that they had survived the explosion. I was looking for them when you captured me.”

“That’s pretty much what happened to me,” David said, “except that a young man named Perseus found me and took me here, where he lives with his sisters. I set up a laboratory where I try to invent things.” He looked at Amethyst. “Are you hungry, by any chance?”

“Yes, I am,” she said. “It’s been at least a week since I’ve had a decent meal.”

David hurried to the kitchen, where he prepared food for Amethyst and himself. Then they sat on a ledge and ate hungrily.

Just then, Andromeda shuffled out of the female sleeping dorm. She started when she saw Amethyst. “Who-who is that?” she asked sleepily.

David introduced the two. “Andromeda, could you give Amethyst a nightgown and set up an extra cot for her? We can discuss things in the morning over breakfast. Right now, it is very late and she should be in bed.” He stood and went to his laboratory.

Inside, David had a cot, equipment for inventing things, and his own food supply. He sat on the cot and pondered the events of his midnight wandering. All that had happened in a period of two hours! He was not sleepy, so he put on his safety goggles and continued with his latest invention.

 

It was dawn. Orion rose quietly, dressed, strapped on his belt, and slipped out of the underground home to start the routine that he had followed every morning since he had come to the Nolay home, whether he was sick or not, or whether the weather was rainy or not.

He first took a quick walk to the path and back. Then he practiced sword moves, which was followed by archery practice and javelin throwing. Afterwards, he sat on a rock, enjoying the morning.

As was the custom on clear mornings, Cassiopeia brought breakfast outside for everyone. The breakfast that morning was fried potatoes, iced mint tea, and buttered bread. Everyone soon joined them, except for David, of course, who was in his laboratory.

When breakfast was finished, everyone brought the dirty dishes to the kitchen, except for Orion, who went to Pegasus, his winged horse, and gave him his breakfast. Then he joined the others in the main room and listened carefully to every word said.

Amethyst had told her story and was being asked questions.

“How big was the field you landed in?” Perseus asked.

“Oh, about a hundred feet long on each side. Not very big at all. Why?” Amethyst asked.

“I’ve been over that way before,” Perseus said. “Your sisters, were they all pretty close together at the times before and after the explosion?”

“Before, yes,” Amethyst said. “I was knocked unconscious after the explosion though. I regained consciousness and expected them to be relatively nearby.”

Perseus beckoned to Orion and talked to him in whispers in a corner. After a while, they beckoned for David, who had just come out of his laboratory, to come over.

“Andromeda, please pack rations for David and Pegasus,” Perseus called to his sister. “they need to go somewhere.”

Orion left and went to saddle Pegasus.

David was reluctant to leave his laboratory, but he had agreed to it, so he had to do it. He insisted that his traveling pack be light, with only necessities and a little food, enough for three days.

Shouldering his pack and carrying Pegasus’ pack, David followed Orion to the place where Pegasus stayed.

When he saw them, the large, but slim and strong silvery-white horse got to his feet and folded his wings in.

Orion tossed him a carrot. Pegasus caught it neatly in his mouth, chewed, and swallowed it. Perseus strapped the food packs to Pegasus’ back. David climbed on to his back.

Orion pressed a button, and the ground above them started to open. David nerved himself for the flight. Perseus spread his wings as Orion and Pegasus backed off.

Pegasus launched himself into the air.

They were off!

Emily fell flat on the ground and scurried into a bush as quietly as she could. Caelan drew his sword and went off, the smell of the enemy getting stronger by the moment.

Emily held her breath, barely daring to breathe. She jumped when she heard swords clashing.

It was not long before Caelan returned, sword sheathed and looking as calm as ever. He put a finger to his lips and they continued their journey, swiftly and quietly

 

The next morning, after traveling all night, they emerged from the woodlands. They rested a while, ate some food, and went on.

“I know a place where we can stop soon,” Caelan said. “We should get there by evening. I’m sure my friend will let us rest there for a day or so.”

“Who is your friend?” Emily asked.

“His name is Silas,” Caelan answered.

“Who are the Black Ones?” Emily wondered.

“Except for the fact that they are evil, no one knows much about them,” Caelan said. ‘No one knows their skill or their numbers.” Other than them, there are only two evil people; one is rumored to have a full army of followers, while, as far as we know, the other one works alone.”

“Does the leader of the Black Ones have a name?” Emily said.

“Yes,” Caelan replied. “I heard it some years ago, but I have forgotten it now. The one thing I know about it is that it is a very scary name.”

The day was drawing to a close when they came near to a tiny cottage beside the path.

Caelan walked to the door and knocked. When no one answered, he knocked again. “Silas!” he called. “Silas!”

He heard scuffling inside, and a voice called, “Escape, friend, run! They’ll be after you!” There was thump inside and the voice spoke no more.

Caelan gave Emily the warning. “Emily, keep going. I must find out what’s going on. When you reach Zanna’s inn, give her this message: ‘He is coming, but not; she is here, she is not.’ Go quickly!” Caelan turned toward the dwelling.

Emily took to her heels, throwing a last glance at Caelan as he went into the cottage.

 

 

Jason halted his crew for the night. He assigned various jobs to his followers and started a fire, relaxing as he did so.

When they had eaten a quick supper, they set up a shelter of cloth and strong sticks and stowed all their things inside. Then they all settled down.

“Quite a day,” said Matt, leaning against a pack and casually glancing at Jason. Jason noticed the look and rolled his eyes.

“I’m laughing, Matt,” he said.

“Two enemies in a day. That’s a record,” Dan said. “Not one I’d want to repeat, though.”

“It was something to break the monotony of life,” Marya commented.

Breanna immediately changed the subject. “Jason, why haven’t you ever told us why you don’t go after that treasure?”

Jason shrugged. “I don’t really care about treasures. Battling and weaponry is in my blood. Leave the treasure questing to people who want to get themselves killed.”

Nice guy, Breanna thought to herself.

“Remember how Caeyona broke up with us because she thought our ways were wrong?” Jason asked. “And, Jarein, how your brother went off to quest for that treasure and never came back?”

The tent was silent.

“That ends that discussion,” Jason said firmly. “Breanna, Matt, you’re on guard duty tonight. Everyone else, get to sleep. We have another day ahead of us tomorrow.”

Breanna and Matt grabbed their weapons and went outside as everyone settled down for the night.

 

 

In the pitch darkness, Nadezda groped around for the baby. The air whistled past her as she continued to plunge.

It ended with an abrupt THUMP!

She heard the baby set up a piercing wail as sharp pain raced up her knife-injured leg.

Nadezda moved as quickly as she could to the baby’s side, freezing as she heard sinister hissing. She clutched the baby.

“It’s... a little OK,” she soothed. “We’ll escape. I just know we will.”

Nadezda’s optimism disappeared as the hissing got louder. There were many more snake than she had expected.

Nadezda shut her eyes tightly and the baby set up a wail as the snakes closed in for the kill!

 

 

The air whooshed past David as he clung to Pegasus’ back. He was already enjoying the ride by the time Pegasus really got going.

 

 

The distance Pegasus covered by nightfall was worth two days of good, fast walking. When they landed, Pegasus immediately settled down and began to eat his own food.

David ate his own meal and settled down to sleep.

The night passed uneventfully. They quickly ate breakfast and hurried away.

David knew that they had reached their destination when Pegasus landed near a dark clearing and neighed nervously.

“Conceal yourself,” David whispered. He watched as the winged horse trotted off into the darkness, and nervously drew his sword.

From Perseus’ directions, he would have to deal with some people before he really accomplished his job and entered the secret place.

He looked around for a boulder, releasing some weak electricity from his hands every now and then. He continued doing so until he spotted the boulder and went toward it.

“Who goes there?” barked a voice.

David whirled toward the sound.

 

A few minutes later, David pushed the boulder aside, relieved at how easy it was to shock and freeze the four night guards. He peered reluctantly down into the revealed black hole, and started down.

At the bottom, somebody grabbed him. “Gotcha, murderer!”

David winced as his arms were twisted and his wrists bound. Some rough hands grabbed him and hauled him off. In a matter of minutes, he was locked in a cell.

David bent his hands upward long enough to release electricity to break the ropes that bound his wrists. He paced and tried to think of a way to escape. After a while, and idea popped into his head.

David checked the thickness of the cell door. He then figured out how long it took for the guard to go past his cell and determined a plan of action.

He then stood up and prepared to escape. The guard soon came by.

This was it!

Just as the guard was level with the cell door, David released electricity through the bars of the cell door and knocked out the guard. Then he released the strongest electricity he could manage to cut the door hinges. The athletic youth slipped out and pressed into the shadows. Then he heard a whisper.

“How’d you get out?”

David went to find the owner of the voice. A small, skinny boy peered out of a nearby cell.

“What’s your name?” David whispered back.

“I’m Lewis. You-you don’t think you could free me and m’ pal, do ya?”

“I certainly could, Lewis. Stand aside with your friend,” David instructed. He cut the hinges and freed the pair.

They continued past some more cells.

“Zaleigh! Is that you?”

Zaleigh immediately stopped. “Farren! It’s you?”

A girl’s face appeared at the window. She feigned a frown. “So young, and your memory is gone already!”

“Please free her,” Zaleigh begged David. “She’s a friend.”

After freeing Farren, they hurried on.

“Hey guys! It’s me, Sanole! And Zanorm is across from me.”

David made quick work of freeing the two. Then they continued on.

“Psst! It’s me, Valora. How on EARTH did you guys get out?”

“Better time for that later,” David said quietly. “Stand aside, miss.”

They freed Valora. Going on, they reached the end of a long row of cells.

“Hey guys, you’re out?”

David groaned, rolled his eyes, and slapped his forehead. “Good grief! Are you friends with every cell resident or something?”

Sanole hid a grin. “Er..not quite.”

David released the prisoner, who was Dacinia. Then he got in touch with Pegasus on his portable radio.

“Hey Peg, I just rescued a bunch of people. Acknowledged?”

The winged horse neighed.

“OK, I’ve got the feeling that we’re near the main entrance,” David informed Pegasus. “I need to find the way out before someone finds the guard I stunned to escape, which will probably be soon, and sends out an alarm. Once they’re out, get them to the Nolays’ residence. Got it?”

Pegasus neighed again.

“Good. Over and out.” David quit the radio. “OK. We’d better scram before they found out that we’re gone.”

Just then, a shout rang out.

“Hey! Jeff’s been knocked out!”

There was the sound of thumping boots.

“An’ prisoners ‘ave escaped. Send out an alarm!”

“See what I mean? Now come on, follow me!”

David sped off with the escapees on his heels. They heard boots pounding, and David prepared to fight.

“They’re coming!” Valora said nervously.

“I’ll deal with them!” David said as bravely as he could. They could, afterwards, hear him muttering under his breath.

He led them along passages, stunning people they came upon with his electric power.

Then they heard a major pounding of boots.

“Uh-oh!” David said. “Here they come!”

 

 

Emily could hear crashing behind her as she fled. She knew that someone was in pursuit. Veering to the side, she pressed against a tree trunk. The crashing behind her stopped, and a quiet crunching sound began. She breathed as quietly as she could, getting a better grip on the supply bag.

“Emily! Come out! I’m a friend!” came a voice. “I know Caelan. You’ll be safe with me!”

“OK, this person knows my name, but he’s not Caelan,” Emily said to herself. “How do I know if I can trust you?” she said aloud.

“I’m a Vaerian,” came the voice again. “Do you not recognize my accent? We are not enemies of your country.”

Emily stepped out. The character held a lantern to his face. He was tanned, with short, curly black hair and blue eyes.

“I’m Zuben. I heard my fellow companion say your name.” He flashed a smile. “Caelan is one of my brothers. Let’s get on the road before our enemies come after us.”

“Are we still going to Zanna’s Inn?” Emily inquired.

“Yes,” Zuben answered. “And I am assuming that Caelan warned you about Corin?”

“Yes, he did,” Emily replied.

“It’s a good thing that you have a bodyguard to get through that nasty place,” Zuben said. “Corin is bad enough even for rats.”

They started out quickly.

 

When the sun started to peek through the trees, they paused for a brief meal. They soon left the woods and started out across a grasslands.

Evening was well along when the outline of a town came into sight. And, true to Caelan’s word, it was surrounded by a nice swamp, which had a nasty smell about it.

“We’ll camp outside tonight,” Zuben said. He set about making a shelter, while Emily prepared a meal. Then they ate and settled down to sleep.

The night passed uneventfully. They hurriedly ate a breakfast, broke camp, and set off.

“I’ve been in this place way too many times before,” Zuben said, grimacing as they approached the main gate. “It gets worse every time.”

Emily understood as soon as she and Zuben were let in the gate. People in market stalls immediately saw the two different people making their way through the crowd. The pair gripped hands in an effort to stay together.

“Would da han’some man like to buy a purty ring for his girlyfriend?”

“Naw, buy my jewelry, made of exquisite gems!”

“Look straight ahead and ignore them,” Zuben instructed.

“Best bread in da town, da whole town!”

“Good luck charms! Get your good luck charms at Lucky’s Stall!”

“O-RANGES! Picked FRESH!”

“Keep your facial flaws covered wi’ da best o’ Swamp Monsta’s Stall Makeup!”

“”This place is weird!” Emily shuddered.

“I couldn’t agree more!” Zuben murmured.

“Buy yer Corin Stayover Souvaneers here at Sou’s Stall!”

“Buy yaer fresh meat at Butch’s Stall! Apprentice for butchership!”

They somehow got through the crowd to quieter parts of the town, though faint noses from other parts of town were still heard. Zuben found an empty, abandoned house, and they slipped inside. They went upstairs and wearily sat on some dusty chairs.

“That wasn’t too bad,” Zuben said, “but wait until the CG finds out we’re here.”

“The CG?” Emily asked, looking at him inquiringly.

“Yeah, Corin’s Guardians. They’re soldiers. Trust me, when they get us, we’ll be hauled to the governor’s palace.”

They had some lunch and catnapped. Then they continued on through the town.

And straight into a squad of CGs.

“Ya ain’t leavin’ yet!” the leader barked.

The pair was grabbed and hustled off..

As soon as Caelan had run through the doorway, a brick was thrown full force at him. It hit him in the face and he blacked out.

Caelan revived soon afterwards. He drank some water that he had with him. He looked around and saw a slumped form, the friend he knew as Silas.

He revived Silas, who soon recovered. They sat down to talk.

“They knew I ‘arbored friendly peoples, an ‘elped ‘em, so they attacked me,” Silas said. “If you hadn’t charged in, they’d ‘a’ finished me off.”

He got some food, and they ate and talked. They discussed the possibility of war and what had happened since they had last seen each other.

“Rumors about some person called LaserDoom bein’ on the rise lately,” Silas said. “no one know how powerful he is.”

“Nor the numbers of his followers,” Caelan said.

 

Caelan set off the next morning with enough supplies for the next few days. Since he was alone, he soon reached Corin.

“Sign up for da soldierhood, da CG!”

“Sou’s Souvaneer Stall!”

“Swamp Monsta’s Make-UUUUP!”

Caelan quickly maneuvered out of the marketplace and headed for his usual ‘hotel’ in Corin, an abandoned house. He went in.

Caelan came out of the house a few hours later in time to hear, “Ya ain’t leavin’ yet!”

Caelan caught a glance of the procession that came by as he ducked behind the door. He gasped. “Emily! Zuben!” 

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE TH MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

 

  Nadezda woke up from a long nap and strained to see what was beyond the end of the tube. all she could she was darkness.

  “I must get out!” she said, gritting her teeth. She pushed at the end of the tube with all her might, but it did not budge. “I must get out! I must! I must!”

  That was when she heard the noise.

  SQUEAK, SQUEAK, SQUEAK.

  And it was getting louder by the minute! She had to escape!

  Nadezda gathered all her strength and pushed at the end of the tube. It gave a protesting SQUEAK! and budged the tiniest bit.

  The toddler clenched his chubby fists and hammered on the trapdoor, which was now opening more easily. “Getta door open! Fin’ Mamma!”

  Suddenly, the door swung open, flinging the pair into the darkness beyond it.

 

 

 Ulysses heard the noise suddenly stop, and he realized something. He stopped and went back, chuckling evilly to himself as he did. “They’ll find themselves in even worse trouble know,” he said, grinning. “The Pit of Doom!”

 

 

 

  Jaza looked over the newcomer mildly.

  He was a boy, about Jaza’s age, who looked like he had the same family traits. He had, hanging sheathed from a belt, a sword and a dagger. h had a bow and a quiver of arrows strapped to his back, and he carried a short javelin. He glared around the group. “So, you kidnapped her, right?” he said nastily. “Give her back.”

  Jason stepped forward quickly. “Hold, it, hold it! We’re not kidnappers. What makes you think we are, bucko?”

  “Never mind that,” the newcomer snapped. “Why is she with you?” He pointed at Jaza, who swiftly stepped back, shocked.

  Jason felt his temper rising. “Now you hold it! She is rightfully part of my crew. A fought her to get her and won fair and square. She’s staying, whether you like it or not, so you might want to move off if you would like to continue living.”

  “Liar!” the visitor growled. “Release her!”

  Jason snapped, “Stop it! If you mean to make her leave, it’s not going to work. She was not kidnapped. On my word, she wasn’t!”

  “Leave him to me, Jason.” Jaza stepped forward and turned to the visitor. “Who do you want me to leave? I’m contented with this life and do not wish to leave. He speaks the truth, Jaazaniah. Leave him alone.”

  Jason looked at Jaazaniah suspiciously. “How come you never told me you knew this person?”

  “You never asked, so I never told you,” Jaza said calmly.

  “Is he related to you?” Jason asked.

  “Actually, yes,” Jaza said. “He’s my twin.”

  “He’s your what?” Jason asked incredulously.

  “My twin,” Jaza replied. “Don’t get all worked up, Jason. There’s nothing wrong with having a twin. He’s some of the only family I have left.”

  “Well, I have a twin too,” Jason said, “but years ago, when we were young, he was kidnapped and brought to the planet Earth.”

  “How come you weren’t?” Jaza asked.

  Jason grinned. “They thought that I was a weakling, so they left me to die. But you should not think that I am a weakling now.”

  “I’d like to see that,” Jaazaniah said, putting his hand to his sword.

 

   “I’m not going to,” Jason said, casting a sour glance at his challenger. I’ve already had a fight today. I’m not willing to have another one, at least not right now. You’re welcome to hang around until that time, and when that time comes, then say your prayers, bud.” Jason turned and strode off. His crew fell into line behind him.

  “Watch out.”

  With that final warning to her twin, Jaza followed up at the end of the line.

  Jaazaniah watched furiously as the group disappeared. “He’s going to be sorry for that!” he vowed.

 

  So, in a short amount of time, Jason had two enemies swear vengeance on him.

 

 

  It was night. David slipped out of his laboratory. He had on a black, swirling cloak and was armed with his sword, sheathed by his side, and he was holding a light javelin he had made.

  David left the underground house, holding his javelin at the ready, prepared for sudden attacks. It was suddenly that he had decided to go out in the middle of the night, with a strange feeling inside of him.

  After walking few miles, David stopped stock still. His strange felling grew until it was all he could think about. He could not recall ever felling like this before.

  Then he heard a whistling sound pierce the still night air. Instinctively, he dropped to the ground, and inched along slowly toward the shadowy form he had just spotted. When he judged the moment right, he pounced on it.

  “Who are you?” he hissed. “And why did you try to kill me?”

  The figure kept silent. David quickly tied it with some rope that he had brought along. Then he hauled it upright.

  “You’re going to walk in front of me,” he said. “I’ll have my javelin ready, so do not try anything funny!”

  When they reached the underground house, David pushed the figure onto a ledge and lit a nearby lantern, holding it up to get a better look at the face of his captive. Then the captive burst out:

  “David! It’s you!”

  David recognized the voice immediately. “Amethyst! Is that you?”

  “Yes, but....you survived! Did anyone else?”

  “I don’t know.” David freed his captive and sat down beside her. “What happened to you after the rocket exploded?”

  “I was sucked into Galandria’s atmosphere,” Amethyst began, “and then I landed in a field of tall grass. An elderly man found me, and he and his wife took me in. After a while, I left to find my sisters, hoping that they had survived the explosion. I was looking for them when you captured me.”

  “That’s pretty much what happened to me,” David said, “except that a young man named Perseus found me and took me here, where he lives with his sisters. I set up a laboratory where I try to invent things.” He looked at Amethyst. “Are you hungry, by any chance?”

  “Yes, I am,” she said. “It’s been at least a week since I’ve had a decent meal.”

  David hurried to the kitchen, where he prepared food for Amethyst and himself. Then they sat on a ledge and ate hungrily.

  Just then, Andromeda shuffled out of the female sleeping dorm. She started when she saw Amethyst. “Who-who is that?” she asked sleepily.

  David introduced the two. “Andromeda, could you give Amethyst a nightgown and set up an extra cot for her? We can discuss things in the morning over breakfast. Right now, it is very late and she should be in bed.” He stood and went to his laboratory.

  Inside, David had a cot, equipment for inventing things, and his own food supply. He sat on the cot and pondered the events of his midnight wandering. All that had happened in a period of two hours! He was not sleepy, so he put on his safety goggles and continued with his latest invention.

 

  It was dawn. Orion rose quietly, dressed, strapped on his belt, and slipped out of the underground home to start the routine that he had followed every morning since he had come to the Nolay home, whether he was sick or not, or whether the weather was rainy or not.

  He first took a quick walk to the path and back. Then he practiced sword moves, which was followed by archery practice and javelin throwing. Afterwards, he sat on a rock, enjoying the morning.

  As was the custom on clear mornings, Cassiopeia brought breakfast outside for everyone. The breakfast that morning was fried potatoes, iced mint tea, and buttered bread. Everyone soon joined them, except for David, of course, who was in his laboratory.

  When breakfast was finished, everyone brought the dirty dishes to the kitchen, except for Orion, who went to Pegasus, his winged horse, and gave him his breakfast. Then he joined the others in the main room and listened carefully to every word said.

  Amethyst had told her story and was being asked questions.

  “How big was the field you landed in?” Perseus asked.

  “Oh, about a hundred feet long on each side. Not very big at all. Why?” Amethyst asked.

  “I’ve been over that way before,” Perseus said. “Your sisters, were they all pretty close together at the times before and after the explosion?”

  “Before, yes,” Amethyst said. “I was knocked unconscious after the explosion though. I regained consciousness and expected them to be relatively nearby.”

  Perseus beckoned to Orion and talked to him in whispers in a corner. After a while, they beckoned for David, who had just come out of his laboratory, to come over.

  “Andromeda, please pack rations for David and Pegasus,” Perseus called to his sister. “they need to go somewhere.”

  Orion left and went to saddle Pegasus.

  David was reluctant to leave his laboratory, but he had agreed to it, so he had to do it. He insisted that his traveling pack be light, with only necessities and a little food, enough for three days.

   Shouldering his pack and carrying Pegasus’ pack, David followed Orion to the place where Pegasus stayed.

  When he saw them, the large, but slim and strong silvery-white horse got to his feet and folded his wings in.

  Orion tossed him a carrot. Pegasus caught it neatly in his mouth, chewed, and swallowed it. Perseus strapped the food packs to Pegasus’ back. David climbed on to his back.

  Orion pressed a button, and the ground above them started to open. David nerved himself for the flight. Perseus spread his wings as Orion and Pegasus backed off.

  Pegasus launched himself into the air.

  They were off!

  Emily fell flat on the ground and scurried into a bush as quietly as she could. Caelan drew his sword and went off, the smell of the enemy getting stronger by the moment.

  Emily held her breath, barely daring to breathe. She jumped when she heard swords clashing.

  It was not long before Caelan returned, sword sheathed and looking as calm as ever. He put a finger to his lips and they continued their journey, swiftly and quietly

 

  The next morning, after traveling all night, they emerged from the woodlands. They rested a while, ate some food, and went on.

  “I know a place where we can stop soon,” Caelan said. “We should get there by evening. I’m sure my friend will let us rest there for a day or so.”

  “Who is your friend?” Emily asked.

  “His name is Silas,” Caelan answered.

  “Who are the Black Ones?” Emily wondered.

 “Except for the fact that they are evil, no one knows much about them,” Caelan said. ‘No one knows their skill or their numbers.” Other than them, there are only two evil people; one is rumored to have a full army of followers, while, as far as we know, the other one works alone.”

  “Does the leader of the Black Ones have a name?” Emily said.

  “Yes,” Caelan replied. “I heard it some years ago, but I have forgotten it now. The one thing I know about it is that it is a very scary name.”

  The day was drawing to a close when they came near to a tiny cottage beside the path.

  Caelan walked to the door and knocked. When no one answered, he knocked again. “Silas!” he called. “Silas!”

  He heard scuffling inside, and a voice called, “Escape, friend, run! They’ll be after you!” There was thump inside and the voice spoke no more.

  Caelan gave Emily the warning. “Emily, keep going. I must find out what’s going on. When you reach Zanna’s inn, give her this message: ‘He is coming, but not; she is here, she is not.’ Go quickly!” Caelan turned toward the dwelling.

  Emily took to her heels, throwing a last glance at Caelan as he went into the cottage.

 

 

  Jason halted his crew for the night. He assigned various jobs to his followers and started a fire, relaxing as he did so.

  When they had eaten a quick supper, they set up a shelter of cloth and strong sticks and stowed all their things inside. Then they all settled down.

  “Quite a day,” said Matt, leaning against a pack and casually glancing at Jason. Jason noticed the look and rolled his eyes.

  “I’m laughing, Matt,” he said.

  “Two enemies in a day. That’s a record,” Dan said. “Not one I’d want to repeat, though.”

  “It was something to break the monotony of life,” Marya commented.

  Breanna immediately changed the subject. “Jason, why haven’t you ever told us why you don’t go after that treasure?”

  Jason shrugged. “I don’t really care about treasures. Battling and weaponry is in my blood. Leave the treasure questing to people who want to get themselves killed.”

  Nice guy, Breanna thought to herself.

  “Remember how Caeyona broke up with us because she thought our ways were wrong?” Jason asked. “And, Jarein, how your brother went off to quest for that treasure and never came back?”

    The tent was silent.

    “That ends that discussion,” Jason said firmly. “Breanna, Matt, you’re on guard duty tonight. Everyone else, get to sleep. We have another day ahead of us tomorrow.”

   Breanna and Matt grabbed their weapons and went outside as everyone settled down for the night.

 

 

  In the pitch darkness, Nadezda groped around for the baby. The air whistled past her as she continued to plunge.

  It ended with an abrupt THUMP!

  She heard the baby set up a piercing wail as sharp pain raced up her knife-injured leg.

  Nadezda moved as quickly as she could to the baby’s side, freezing as she heard sinister hissing. She clutched the baby.

  “It’s... a little OK,” she soothed. “We’ll escape. I just know we will.”

  Nadezda’s optimism disappeared as the hissing got louder. There were many more snake than she had expected.

  Nadezda shut her eyes tightly and the baby set up a wail as the snakes closed in for the kill!

 

 

  The air whooshed past David as he clung to Pegasus’ back. He was already enjoying the ride by the time Pegasus really got going.

 

 

  The distance Pegasus covered by nightfall was worth two days of good, fast walking. When they landed, Pegasus immediately settled down and began to eat his own food.

  David ate his own meal and settled down to sleep.

  The night passed uneventfully. They quickly ate breakfast and hurried away.

  David knew that they had reached their destination when Pegasus landed near a dark clearing and neighed nervously.

   “Conceal yourself,” David whispered. He watched as the winged horse trotted off into the darkness, and nervously drew his sword.

  From Perseus’ directions, he would have to deal with some people before he really accomplished his job and entered the secret place.

  He looked around for a boulder, releasing some weak electricity from his hands every now and then. He continued doing so until he spotted the boulder and went toward it.

  “Who goes there?” barked a voice.

  David whirled toward the sound.

 

   A few minutes later, David pushed the boulder aside, relieved at how easy it was to shock and freeze the four night guards. He peered reluctantly down into the revealed black hole, and started down.

  At the bottom, somebody grabbed him. “Gotcha, murderer!”

  David winced as his arms were twisted and his wrists bound. Some rough hands grabbed him and hauled him off. In a matter of minutes, he was locked in a cell.

  David bent his hands upward long enough to release electricity to break the ropes that bound his wrists. He paced and tried to think of a way to escape. After a while, and idea popped into his head.

  David checked the thickness of the cell door. He then figured out how long it took for the guard to go past his cell and determined a plan of action.

  He then stood up and prepared to escape. The guard soon came by.

  This was it!

  Just as the guard was level with the cell door, David released electricity through the bars of the cell door and knocked out the guard. Then he released the strongest electricity he could manage to cut the door hinges. The athletic youth slipped out and pressed into the shadows. Then he heard a whisper.

   “How’d you get out?”

   David went to find the owner of the voice. A small, skinny boy peered out of a nearby cell.

   “What’s your name?” David whispered back.

   “I’m Lewis. You-you don’t think you could free me and m’ pal, do ya?”

   “I certainly could, Lewis. Stand aside with your friend,” David instructed. He cut the hinges and freed the pair.

   They continued past some more cells.

   “Zaleigh! Is that you?”

  Zaleigh immediately stopped. “Farren! It’s you?”

  A girl’s face appeared at the window. She feigned a frown. “So young, and your memory is gone already!”

  “Please free her,” Zaleigh begged David. “She’s a friend.”

  After freeing Farren, they hurried on.

  “Hey guys! It’s me, Sanole! And Zanorm is across from me.”

 David made quick work of freeing the two. Then they continued on.

  “Psst! It’s me, Valora. How on EARTH did you guys get out?”

  “Better time for that later,” David said quietly. “Stand aside, miss.”

  They freed Valora. Going on, they reached the end of a long row of cells.

  “Hey guys, you’re out?”

  David groaned, rolled his eyes, and slapped his forehead. “Good grief! Are you friends with every cell resident or something?”

  Sanole hid a grin. “Er..not quite.”

  David released the prisoner, who was Dacinia. Then he got in touch with Pegasus on his portable radio.

  “Hey Peg, I just rescued a bunch of people. Acknowledged?”

  The winged horse neighed.

   “OK, I’ve got the feeling that we’re near the main entrance,” David informed Pegasus. “I need to find the way out before someone finds the guard I stunned to escape, which will probably be soon, and sends out an alarm. Once they’re out, get them to the Nolays’ residence. Got it?”

  Pegasus neighed again.

  “Good. Over and out.” David quit the radio. “OK. We’d better scram before they found out that we’re gone.”

  Just then, a shout rang out.

  “Hey! Jeff’s been knocked out!”

  There was the sound of thumping boots.

     “An’ prisoners ‘ave escaped. Send out an alarm!”

     “See what I mean? Now come on, follow me!”

     David sped off with the escapees on his heels. They heard boots pounding, and David prepared to fight.

     “They’re coming!” Valora said nervously.

     “I’ll deal with them!” David said as bravely as he could. They could, afterwards, hear him muttering under his breath.

     He led them along passages, stunning people they came upon with his electric power.

     Then they heard a major pounding of boots.

     “Uh-oh!” David said. “Here they come!”

 

 

     Emily could hear crashing behind her as she fled. She knew that someone was in pursuit.  Veering to the side, she pressed against a tree trunk. The crashing behind her stopped, and a quiet crunching sound began. She breathed as quietly as she could, getting a better grip on the supply bag.

     “Emily! Come out! I’m a friend!” came a voice. “I know Caelan. You’ll be safe with me!”

     “OK, this person knows my name, but he’s not Caelan,” Emily said to herself. “How do I know if I can trust you?” she said aloud.

     “I’m a Vaerian,” came the voice again. “Do you not recognize my accent? We are not enemies of your country.”

      Emily stepped out. The character held a lantern to his face. He was tanned, with short, curly black hair and blue eyes.

      “I’m Zuben. I heard my fellow companion say your name.” He flashed a smile. “Caelan is one of my brothers. Let’s get on the road before our enemies come after us.”

      “Are we still going to Zanna’s Inn?” Emily inquired.

      “Yes,” Zuben answered. “And I am assuming that Caelan warned you about Corin?”

     “Yes, he did,” Emily replied.

     “It’s a good thing that you have a bodyguard to get through that nasty place,” Zuben said. “Corin is bad enough even for rats.”

     They started out quickly.

 

 

     When the sun started to peek through the trees, they paused for a brief meal. They soon left the woods and started out across a grasslands.

     Evening was well along when the outline of a town came into sight. And, true to Caelan’s word, it was surrounded by a nice swamp, which had a nasty smell about it.

     “We’ll camp outside tonight,” Zuben said. He set about making a shelter, while Emily prepared a meal. Then they ate and settled down to sleep.

     The night passed uneventfully. They hurriedly ate a breakfast, broke camp, and set off.

     “I’ve been in this place way too many times before,” Zuben said, grimacing as they approached the main gate. “It gets worse every time.”

 

    Emily understood as soon as she and Zuben were let in the gate. People in market stalls immediately saw the two different people making their way through the crowd. The pair gripped hands in an effort to stay together.

     “Would da han’some man like to buy a purty ring for his girlyfriend?”

     “Naw, buy my jewelry, made of exquisite gems!”

     “Look straight ahead and ignore them,” Zuben instructed.

     “Best bread in da town, da whole town!”

     “Good luck charms! Get your good luck charms at Lucky’s Stall!”

     “O-RANGES! Picked FRESH!”

     “Keep your facial flaws covered wi’ da best o’ Swamp Monsta’s Stall Makeup!”

     “”This place is weird!” Emily shuddered.

     “I couldn’t agree more!” Zuben murmured.

     “Buy yer Corin Stayover Souvaneers here at Sou’s Stall!”

     “Buy yaer fresh meat at Butch’s Stall! Apprentice for butchership!”

 

     They somehow got through the crowd to quieter parts of the town, though faint noses from other parts of town were still heard. Zuben found an empty, abandoned house, and they slipped inside. They went upstairs and wearily sat on some dusty chairs.

    “That wasn’t too bad,” Zuben said, “but wait until the CG finds out we’re here.”

    “The CG?” Emily asked, looking at him inquiringly.

    “Yeah, Corin’s Guardians. They’re soldiers. Trust me, when they get us, we’ll be hauled to the governor’s palace.”

    They had some lunch and catnapped. Then they continued on through the town.

    And straight into a squad of CGs.

    “Ya ain’t leavin’ yet!” the leader barked.

    The pair was grabbed and hustled off..

 

    As soon as Caelan had run through the doorway, a brick was thrown full force at him. It hit him in the face and he blacked out.

   

   Caelan revived soon afterwards. He drank some water that he had with him. He looked around and saw a slumped form, the friend he knew as Silas.

   He revived Silas, who soon recovered. They sat down to talk.

   “They knew I ‘arbored friendly peoples, an ‘elped ‘em, so they attacked me,” Silas said. “If you hadn’t charged in, they’d ‘a’ finished me off.”

   He got some food, and they ate and talked. They discussed the possibility of war and what had happened since they had last seen each other.

    “Rumors about some person called LaserDoom bein’ on the rise lately,” Silas said. “no one know how powerful he is.”

   “Nor the numbers of his followers,” Caelan said.

 

   Caelan set off the next morning with enough supplies for the next few days. Since he was alone, he soon reached Corin.

  “Sign up for da soldierhood, da CG!”

  “Sou’s Souvaneer Stall!”

  “Swamp Monsta’s Make-UUUUP!”

  Caelan quickly maneuvered out of the marketplace and headed for his usual ‘hotel’ in Corin, an abandoned house. He went in.

 

    Caelan came out of the house a few hours later in time to hear, “Ya ain’t leavin’ yet!”

    Caelan caught a glance of the procession that came by as he ducked behind the door. He gasped. “Emily! Zuben!”

   

 

 

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