Land Of The Unicorn

And now " Land of the Unicorn by Mace Draper...

  Long ago in a time before the great age of ice, there was a land called Lavion ruled by a wise Queen and her young, but very knowledgeable daughter princess Abby. At the age often the princess had already read the entire royal library in her cliff castle Troxmain and was constantly sending for more from all around her kingdom and neighboring lands.

     She was searching for something, that much her mother Queen Felica could tell. Her daughter seemed obsessed at times, and she wondered if it may be because of the loss of her father several years ago. She hoped it wasn't. There was nothing anyone could really do to help give them a lead in finding her husband. The story has always been shrouded in mystery and confusion. All she knew from what she had gathered the last two years was that one day he went off on one of his hunting trips. He usually hunts in the great singing forest at the northern tip of their country. And that was the last they ever saw him and his three hunting servants.

   One evening Felica noticed her daughter intently studying a

particularly old book she had recently received from a merchant from the eastern kingdom of Saum.

" My Abby, you are reading in very poor light. You only have one candle to read by."

Abby looked up from her book," What was that Mother?" Queen Felica approached her daughter until she was only a

few feet away," You need to light more candles. You'll strain your eyes if you continue to read in poor light."

   Abby smiled at her mother who was already dressed in a beautiful evening gown and robe set which was solid white with gold spun in a pattern of swans throughout.

" That is unnecessary mother, I've decided to quit for the evening

anyway. Is it very late? I didn't plan to stay up very late to-night." Felica laughed and sat down beside her daughter on her bed, “No Abby, it is not very late. I just heard the court caller call out the ninth hour before I stepped in."

Princess Abby held up her tattered book to the candlelight to show her mother. She pointed to several passages," I want to show you these before I retire."

Her mother squinted her eyes straining to see what the words were saying," What is so interesting about this old book?"

   Abby glanced out her window at the moon that was slowly peeking through the cloud cover of the rain storms they had received that afternoon as she answered her mother," Oh, it is about an ancient legend of a land beyond the mountains of doom."

" You mean the Saleen mountains don't you?"

Abby sighed," Everyone calls them the mountains of doom so I will too. Anyway, it tells of Uniy a land beyond those mountains that is said to be inhabited only by strange horses called Unicorns."

   Abby noticed that her mother bit her lip as she mentioned the creatures by name. Then she quietly commented," I think your father Lord Johnston Dann, found a Unicorn."

" What makes you think that?"

" It is said that whomsoever finds a Unicorn shall never return, and just before he left that last day I saw him, he mentioned to me in private that he was going to hunt in a new place in the forest further than he'd ever been. There had been a rumor spread that a new and strange looking type of wild horse had been sighted several weeks before."

Abby grabbed her mother's hands with hers asking," Has there  been sightings since then?"

"Yes, but the sightings have decreased each month. None have been seen this month and the month has almost run its course.

Oh Abby, I want to believe that your father is still alive, but like the Unicorn both seem too impossible to."

Abby hugged her mother and quietly said," I believe father is and somehow I sense that the Unicorn do exist. I can't explain these feelings about both, but I do feel them."

   For a moment there was a silence. A silence of understanding between a daughter and her mother, then it was gone as Abby's mother broke the spell of intimacy.

"Well, you must retire to bed and get plenty of sleep for tomorrow                                     

 is a big day for you."

" Yes it is. It will be my first journey unescorted by family."

" Have you decided where to journey to?"

" Yes. To the Valley of the Sun to visit the priests and the people of Xnoxe living in the area."

Her mother was obviously pleased with the choice smiling," Oh, that is a wonderful choice Abby. It will help you spiritually and the Xnoxe people will be impressed by your visit, that you chose their land among the entire Kingdom."

   Abby faked a yawn,” Yes, I will probably dream about them."

Felica still smiling, kissed her daughter on the top of her blond head and rose to leave," Goodnight my Abby. I will have a special breakfast prepared for you in the morning, oh and a surprise too."

She left before Abby could inquire about her mother had meant by a surprise.

   After closing her great oak bedroom door she jumped excitedly

onto her large feather stuffed bed. She pulled up the covers tightly around her and before she drifted off to sleep she thought about the journey that she would begin tomorrow. It would be a long journey and it would not be where her mother or anyone had thought. Father, I am coming.

   The next morning after wolfing down a wonderful breakfast

which consisted of fruits and nuts from other lands and fresh baked bread from the castle bakery, Abby dressed in her not so favorite traveling clothes before meeting her mother and her two little blonde head brothers Friny and Breth. They met at the main stables.

One thing she added to her attire was a head wrap to help disguise her person from others she would meet along the way. Too many would recognize her long   

golden blonde hair even though it had been braided ,wrapped and pinned around in a crown shape upon her head. Even her traveling attire was old and drab in its colors.

   Felica gazed up and down Abby and seemed satisfied," Perfect Abby! It is not wise for someone of nobility to travel alone and for everyone to know who she is. Though Lavionian people are basically good, there are exceptions and even wanderers from elsewhere that are not so nice."

Abby's mother took her hand," Come, I want to show you something."

   The two entered the stable building front door with Friny and Breth following close behind them throwing small pebbles at their backsides all the way while practically giggling themselves into a stupor. They were typical seven year olds.

   Above the stables, but within earshot was a tall stone observation tower. One window faced the stables and a tall evil looking man with coal black hair streaked with gray throughout and short beard to match, peered at the two just over the window sill.

After watching and listening intently to everything Abby and the Queen had said, he chuckled to himself as they disappeared within the stable's walls.

 "Abby, you better take your mother's advice and stay disguised. She’s right."

The dark haired individual gloated to himself,  "Some people are not so nice. Before this day is through Queen Felica, you'll pay dearly for demoting your great wizard to entertaining  magician. Thus Crieton the magnificent does swear  by his name and all the unholys that your daughter will be dead and your family will be cursed never to rule this land again. I will topple this castle and from a new stronghold I will rule Lavion for a thousand centuries."

   Crieton was still mumbling and chuckling to himself as he backed into a wall on the other side of the small circular room and vanished behind a cleverly concealed trapdoor. Crieton was going mad.

   Inside the stables toward the back wall, Felica handed the rein of a beautiful white horse into her daughter's outstretched hand.

" This will be your horse."

Abby stroked the horse's nose," He is a wonder to behold mother."

"Quite big is he not?" Breth asked in awe, smiled," Yes and he is very intelligent.

 He understands commands by word in five different languages and is one of the

swiftest we have ever had in Lavion."

" I am impressed." Abby commented.

  A voice from the main doorway behind them said," I am not."

There in the doorway, stood the widest most muscular man Abby had ever seen. He stood only several inches taller than the queen, but his muscular frame practically filled the doorway. His long brown hair cascaded down past his broad shoulders.

The stranger's eyes were the crystal blue of the far northern tribesmen of Vallhan, but his skin was tanned as if he had spent his life under the tropical suns. Felica recognized him for what he was by what he wore. His short chain mail and leather loin-cloth together with his battle-ax and double-edged long sword gave him away.

" Ah yes, its the mercenary Abby." Felica announced in the same tone one would upon discovering a large insect in one's soup. The large Vallhanian seemed amused at the queen's repugnancy of his person and he grinned from ear to ear as he took a very enthusiastic and exaggerated bow.

" What a wise queen you are. And I thought my disguise would work, but your eyes ever sharp, ever on the look out for trouble spotted me right away."

Felica turned up her nose to him, but it had the opposite effect on Abby. Abby bravely advanced a few steps toward the amused mercenary, "Who are you?"

" I'm sorry, I have forgotten my manners, in front of ladies yet."

The Vallhanian mercenary bowed once more," I am Tanar of the Teuk of Vallhan. Mercenary for hire to some, trusted friends who's not afraid of a fight to others. ' Abby's eyes danced with excitement that she could hardly contain,”                               You haven't told me much, but somehow I feel that you will be perfect for the  journey that is ahead for me. That is why you're here is it not?"

   Tanar glanced down at the young princess and then at the queen who with her

 arms folded over her chest remarked to him as if she read his thoughts," Yes Tanar, this is

 the princess I had communicated you about.  She will not be alone. Two of my finest servants will accompany her."

   His smile vanishing from his face, Tanar asked the queen," You mean to tell me I have to escort this child on a long journey through all kinds of dangers? I thought she was a young woman that you  spoke of, not a mere babe-in-arms!"

Before Felica could speak, Abby stamped her foot and angrily addressed the disappointed Tanar," I am not a child! I am a princess with full partnership authority over this land with my mother. We rule equally. Besides, I will soon be a woman before your brain can think of a way out of this, knave!"

   Tanar seemed unimpressed ignoring the princess and instead addressing

the queen," Your Majesty, this is some kind of joke

right?" The mercenary began looking all around him even behind while he raised his voice," Alright Baboo, a joke is a joke.You have had your laugh, come on out so that I can strip your hide from your back for the trouble you put me through.

 I almost ran my horse into the ground  to  get here on time  just to waste my time."

   Felica's upraised voice stopped him to bring reality crashing

down upon him," This is no joke Tanar. She is Abby, princess of all Lavion and because of that she is in need to journey the queen's first journey of wisdom and strength. She is wise beyond her years and is ready in every way."

" Except one ole queen." Tanar said flatly," She is too young emotionally and physically and I am not going to do it for that price. Uh uh, not now nor tomorrow." Upon speaking his piece, he whirled around and stomped out of the stables. Felica looked at her daughter," That, was supposed to be part of your surprise."

The queen shook with rage rooted to the spot from it," Oooh,

now I know why I dealt with that type from a distance." She placed her hands on each side of the top of her golden head of hair, Well, we will have to make do."

   Abby knew her mother was thinking of alternate plans, but she had lost interest. Instead she strolled out of the stable barn through a side door to follow the disappointed Tanar. He had stopped several yards outside and was peering around as if looking for something. Finally, he must have spotted what he was looking for and she heard his loud voice exclaim to himself," Ah, there you are horse."

   Taking in wind, the large mercenary gave forth a loud whistle

several times. Upon hearing that shrill noise from his master's

lips, the white horse with brown spots near a distant stone wall of the castle acted as if spooked and promptly bolted out the servants entrance leading to the outside grounds. She heard his remark under his breath," Well, what's come over him? Dumb animal."

   Tanar whirled around when he heard a voice close behind him,

" Would it help if you were offered more pay?"

Tanar stared at princess Abby not knowing what to make of her.

Of course he had never been in the company of young girls before that he could remember. He had little memory of his childhood, for he had matured at a very early age. Still a young boy, he witnessed a terrible earth shaker destroy his village and almost all who  inhabited there including his two brothers, mother and father.

   Tanar replied to Abby's question ,"Yes, it would. But how can a little girl like you acquire enough to pay someone like me?" The princess drew closer until her face was almost in Tanar's,

" You forget Tanar of the Tuek, that I am the true princess of Lavion and I share the responsibility of ruling and the wealth. Someday I will rule it solely. You had better take a better tone when you address me Vallhanian."

   The Vallhanian warrior pretended to be afraid," Oh princess! You have me shaking in my armor now."

" Stop it! I know you are not afraid of me nor anyone around.

My mother told stories of you and your kind many times. I can  reward you ten times what the queen offered you."

Tanar's eyes widened," Really?" He laughed in surprise," I would think your mother would have something to say about that."

Tanar's horse strolled by as if to spite him, but the mercenary ignored him." No, this will be between you and me."

" Why do you offer so much without bargaining?" Tanar became suddenly cautious. He was beginning to have a bad feeling...

   Abby's blonde head turned to glance once behind her toward the stables before she answered," Because I am not going to the Valley of the Sun as my mother will be led to believe."

" Oh? Then where?" Tanar asked intrigued.

" I am traveling in the direction of the Saleen mountains and

beyond, hopefully to reach the land of Uniy."

Tanar was incredulous," You mean the mountains of doom? The land of the Unicorn? 

Oh no. Not for that price, not for any..."

Abby interrupted him," Twenty times the queen's amount."

   Tanar for a moment was silent and rubbed his wide chin. Finally his eyes narrowing he replied," Oookaay, you have a bargain, but if we go on this crazy journey of yours and I find out that you can't pay up little girl, then I'll hold you for ransom and the queen will pay the amount times twenty."

Abby quickly agreed," That sounds reasonable to me. Now, there are two small conditions. One, you will help me look for my father when we reach Uniy. And the other is from now on to address my person as princess Abby, not little girl." She said in disdain.

   Tanar rolled his eyes and sighed," Yes, fine. When do we start princess Abby?"

"Within the hour, so find you a horse amongst our stables or catch your old one, but most important, be ready to leave very soon."

"Don't worry I will be ready."

Abby smiled at Tanar," I'm sure you will be."

   Tanar watched in half dread and half amusement the form of

the little princess take her leave and disappear once more into the stables. To himself he wondered," Tanar, what have you got yourself into?"

 Queen Felica still stood near the beautiful white horse near the back wall of the  stables, when she noticed Abby's approach.

" Mother, he has finally agreed to go." Abby announced to Felica.

" How did you ever accomplish that?"

" I appealed to his sense of duty, and besides I reminded him of

a sister he lost a long time ago."

   Queen Felica knew of no sister that Tanar ever had or mention

of one, but decided not to press the subject. Instead she thanked the gods that he had

 agreed to go.

" This is great news." Felica hugged her daughter then pulled her

at arms length.

" I told him we leave within the hour."

" Good. Then let us have your horse made ready and packed immediately."

 An hour later, Tanar, two royal servants and Abby were on their way.

     There was a large turnout of the population who lived within the castle walls that morning to see their princess off on her journey. Word from the night before last, traveled quickly of Abby's impending journey and everyone that could make it was there by the time her party passed through the foot thick iron doors  to the castle's entrance.

     Men, women and children lined the top scaffolds of castle Troxmain's outer wall to bid their fair wells. People by the score waved and yelled good luck or goodbye as Abby stopped her horse and turned  in her saddle to wave bye one final time to her mother and her people. She could see her mother and her two little brothers standing just outside the main entrance on the drawbridge waving to her.

     She smiled and waved yelling to them," I shall return soon, mother."

Felica the Lavionian queen replied," Good luck and stay close to your escorts."

Abby only smiled back and then she turned back in her saddle.

She nudged her mount to a gallop to catch up with Tanar's and the two servants'.

     Creiton the disgruntled mad wizard was among the crowd too. As Abby had brought

her mount to a stop to say her last farewells, the old wrinkled wizard began to stare her direction and chanted some incantation toward her while moving his thin long hands around this way and that, sometimes forming a circle and other times a triangle shape. After a moment, he appeared to be through and was in the process of easing his way furtively unnoticed out of the crowd of humanity. Suddenly, he found himself accosted by two burly guards who picked him up easily off the scaffold flooring by each arm and quickly made their way toward the stairs leading to the main castle grounds.

     " Put me down you fools. You can't do this to Crieton, Lavion's greatest wizard!"

One of the guards with a scar on his double chin and a large black mustache countered," Oh yes we can if we have orders to do so, old man."

 The mad wizard cringed his neck toward the one who had spoken," What? The queen?"

     A moment later in a corner of the main courtyard where few would notice them, Crieton found

 himself with the guards slightly behind him standing before Felica.  She was an angry queen, at best when Crieton's eyes met hers.

" I only hope you hadn't finish whatever spell that was that you were casting upon my daughter or her party, for your sake." Felica said to Crieton in a menacing tone he had never heard her use before.

" Oh mighty queen, I am innocent of any wrong doing. I had only summoned a small protective spell of the elements so that..." Crieton started to explain, but was cut off by Felica's upraised voice," Enough. Say not one word more to my person. Instead, you will listen. You dared to conspire against the throne and don't deny it, for one of my spies overheard your mutterings to yourself and incantations. I should throw you in a dungeon so deep that no one would ever   find you, but instead I shall do something worse .

 From this day forward, you are banished from within Troxmain's walls forever.

You are free to roam this land and find your own way of life."

     Crieton with relief said as he knelt before his queen," Oh thank you your majesty. I..."

In an instant, Felica's face was inches from his and a large dagger she carried was inches from his heart. Crieton took in a quick breath of surprise and shock as Felica whispered her threat to him," However, if I find that a spell of yours has harmed Abby in any way, I shall have you hunted down and brought before me.

And then ole wizard, I shall personally cut out that black heart of yours."

   Her voice and demeanor chilled Crieton to the bone and he could only reply numbly," Yes, your majesty. I will   leave immediately."

As he still knelt his body shaking, Felica addressed the two guards.

"Escort this...weasel out of the castle and far from my sight. He may pack the bare essentials for survival. I am done with him."

   The mustached guard answered," Yes your majesty." Then he

looked down at Crieton," Come on scum. I haven't all day. You have very little time here left. Best you make the most of it, eh?"

He laughed at the old shaking man as Felica turned and left without a backward glance at her former wizard.

Phaw! Who needs a wizard anyway, she thought to herself. Felica could only hope that there hadn't been a spell and that her daughter was safe with that sorry excuse for a body guard Tanar.

   The princess' party headed west the first day and most of that part of the journey to Abby was uneventful, even boring. One of the royal servants named Fick, a weasel faced little man was constantly complaining as they rode. He only stopped when eating or setting up camp for the night. At one point Abby leaned to one side in her saddle to ask quietly in Tanar's ear," Can't you make him stop that constant whining?"

   Tanar replied with a wink, "All in do time princess. We will not need their services tomorrow. Oh, don't worry, I won't kill them. Just lay those two long enough that when they awake, we will be long gone. There will not be any witnesses as to where we have headed. That I can promise you."

    Abby sat up straight in her saddle apparently satisfied, but only with that particular detail. A moment later she asked, "Tanar ,is it true you once slain a large fire breathing dragon that was terrorizing your homeland?"

Tanar laughed and Fick peered over her shoulder uneasily,

Twas more a large lizard with deadly venom little one. He could no more breath fire than the cold snow capped mountains of Vahallan! So, word gets out about me. But what words they are!" Tanar shook his head in amazement," That's a lesson to be learned Abby. Never trust a story that travels word by mouth ahead of the man." He slapped his tanned thigh and Abby thought he would never stop laughing. Early evening of the second day in the middle of the prairie lands as far as the eye could see, Tanar rode up ahead and after a short conversation with the two royal servants acting as lookouts, he returned to explain to princess Abby their immediate plans.

" This is the high point of this part of the land, so we will make camp here.           

Besides, a few miles ahead is the turning point for us. If we start traveling in the wrong direction they will become suspicious and.…"

  Abby interrupted the scheming warrior," And they will become

alarmed and might even escape to tell. I see."

Tanar grinned," Very good Abby, you'll catch on yet."

   Abby couldn't think of anything to retaliate for that remark, so she stuck out her tongue. Tanar acted as if he had ignored it as they dismounted their steeds. They made camp, but it wasn't much to Abby's eyes.

    No tents, just a bed roll and blankets to sleep on under the stars. There wasn't light either. Not even a camp fire and Abby found herself being served a special smoky piece of cold meat, a cold piece of cheese and colder piece of tough bread, certainly not from a royal bakery. This puzzled her and as they began to eat she sat down beside Tanar asking him quietly." Why no fire?"

"Too many enemies to fool with out here. As your mother mentioned earlier and she was right. We need nor draw undo attention."

He patted her shaking knee and assured her," Don't fret little one, when we have reached Elif town, we shall have plenty of warmth and cooked food. I have some friends there will give us a place to stay for the night for it will take us another day to reach it..."

" I thought Elf town now had a fort manned by humans and that Elf town was only a small part of the overall town."

Tanar scowled, Yeah, and they even changed the name to Fort Elgone. I know, but I don't trust the humans there. The fort is rumored to be manned by cut throats, thieves and the like." Tanar folded his arms," As I said, I have elf friends there that I trust. No one else."

    Abby eyed him," Alright, Ok, we'll go to your friends there, but I better have some head room in their little houses."

Fick suddenly sat down on the other side of Abby asking," What was that?"

Tanar gruffly replied," Nothing Fick. See that the horses are tied securely to their stakes."

" But I have just started eating." Fick protested.

Tanar's hand closed around the handle of his long sword within his strapped scabbard at his side," Eat along the way then; after that you two should retire. Right?"

Abby made it official," Fick, do as he says."

Fick got the message reluctantly," As you wish my princess."

When he was out of ear shot, Tanar announced to Abby," We will leave at dawn."

" Why?" Perplexed, Abby asked the mercenary.

" There is a chill out there..."

" Yes, burr, I feel it too."

" It is something else, and I hope we never find out what. I fear no man, but when it comes to the unknown, I prefer to leave it as such."

" Good idea, good idea." Abby mumbled sleepily and crawled under her blanket. Tanar watched her for a while after she had fallen asleep. Someday, Abby would grow into a beautiful woman and if the kingdom is still around, she would be queen over it. And rule it. He smiled to himself as he gently touched her hair once.

  It was then he realized for the first time in his life what it felt like to be a father. He felt protective and proud of her. He also felt pain for he knew even before he had met her what her real reason for his journey to the land of the Unicorn was. He had heard the stories of this princess and her long lost father beyond the mountains of doom. Well,  if he couldn't be her father, then he would be her best friend. Why did she have hope after all this time? Why did he? He sighed and resigned to the fact that that knowledge was best left to the gods.

     There was that chill again. He stood and after stretching, scanned the total darkness around their camp that had recently fallen. There was no sound or movement that his sharp eyes and ears could detect. He looked for the two servants and found Sivil the other servant lying sound asleep not far from  where Abby was, but Fick was nowhere to be found.

     Before he could react, a foul stench assailed him blowing gently from the

south. It reminded him very much as a battle scene would smell where many men dead several days, their bodies bloated and sometimes unrecognizable depending on the wounds and infection that had set in. It reminded him of something as ridiculous as rotten vegetables and fruit covered with flies. He shivered and then there was a blood-curdling scream in the distance in the direction of that insidious smell. He didn't wait to find out if it had been Fick. Drawing his broad battleaxe he tapped Sivil on the head with the side of its blade enough to keep him out until they were gone, and then he ran swiftly to Abby.

      There was no time to wake the princess and she weighed so little to Tanar that he was able to easily scoop her up blankets and all with one arm and throw her form across her horse. He grabbed the reins of her   nervous horse and then he stepped up into the saddle of his own mount. As he began to ride away from their camp pulling Abby's horse along too, he heard a hissing sound growing louder and louder until he could hardly hear the voices of their horses who were certainly spooked about something.

     He ventured a glance over his shoulder toward their nearly abandoned camp and suddenly forced both neighing horses to stop. Even before he spotted the hundred or so yellow glowing eyes on the opposite side of the camp, he had   felt a growing fear in the pit of his stomach.

Now the sight made him tingle with fright and alarm. He thought of Sivil the servant, but knew that it was too late to wake him even if he could. What monstrous apparition was he seeing? It looked to be fully twenty feet across.

     Though it was mostly a cloudy night, there was still enough moonlight shinning across the camp that when the creature finally moved into it, Tanar was able to recognize it for what it was. It was a Hugh hairy black spider, black as the heart of a cave.

Never in all his travels had he seen such a hellish creature, even in the jungles of Kalabi. Instead of eight legs it had ten! Baboo, a long time friend of Tanar's who was from Kalabi would have jumped up and down in excitement because it is only from creatures smaller than this one that they extracked a poison they use on their spears and blow darts.

Under his breath the mercenary warrior commented," I would like to see you drain the poison from this one Baboo."

Here was something he could see, something he could touch. Something he could fight.

But there was one little problem, and it was lying across a large white horse trying its best to break his grip and run. He couldn't leave Abby, it just would not be safe. bolting into the night her steed would surely throw her off her saddle and injure her severely.

   He watched helplessly as the black monster leapt upon the defenceless servant's sleeping form. Its large fangs tearing into Sivil who never had a chance to scream. Tanar didn't stay to watch the butchery any longer for he feared that Abby might waken and see that terrible scene.

  "Well," he thought," At least I'm rid of those servants."

As he started to ride off to safety pulling the princess' mount with him, he could hear the hissing sound increasing steadily in volume and realized that the huge spider had already lost interest in the servant's shredded body and had somehow spotted them.

      Tanar urged his spotted mount to greater speed, but he dared not let it run at full speed without losing control of Abby's horse. Abby could easily have fallen from her mount without controlling the reins, yet their pursuit as large as it was could probably run at a tremendous pace matching any horse's own speed.

      Abby's protector decided to take a risk. He made the horses slow down to a stop, and then dismounting his horse and running to Abby still lying across the saddle, he shook her till she woke up with a start. Her head rose up and she groggily asked," What is going on Tanar? What am I doing on my saddle like this?"

      Tanar glanced around nervously," Abby, I don't have time to explain, but you must mount your saddle the right way now and leave with  me as fast as you can." The urgency in the warrior's voice dispelled any argument that the little princess might have made. Instead, she promptly sat up into her saddle and said," Say no more Vallhanian, just point me in    the right direction and we'll be on our way."

     Tanar jumped onto his mount and grinning he said," Just follow me if you can."

" I will." Abby assured him, but before they could urge their mounts onward, the old wizard Creiton his long flowing shinny green wizard's robe coat flapping in the gentle wind, stepped out of the shadows addressing the pair menacingly," At least I've caught up with you two! This time I shall finish the spell and you my little upstart and you ignorant barbarian will die horribly." Tanar yelling at him from his spooked horse cutting off his cackling laughter.

     " And you old fool whomever you are, will probably die along with us, for in a moment a very large ugly monster of a spider will be here to suck the blood from your old collapsed vein's."

Creiton hesitated and then laughed," Very good barbarian. You made me lose my thoughts for a moment. A very good deception, but as you and I both know there is no such thing as a ..."

   Creiton was cut off by Abby's scream! She had sighted the eyes of the approaching spider and it was moving every bit as fast as Tanar had guessed it could.

Tanar pointed to the glowing eyes," There is our deception now. What say you to that?" The old wrinkled face wizard took one look at the source of Abby's anxiety and shaken replied," I say...do you have any room on your saddles for an old harmless wizard?"

The mercenary laughed," Perhaps I do, I wouldn't trust you on the princess' horse."

Crieton greatly relieved, approached Tanar's mount running as fast as his ancient legs could carry him. He was stopped short when the mercenary drew his long sword  and pointed the blade tip at his throat. " Will you promise not to hinder either one of us in the princess' mission?" Tanar asked Crieton.

Crieton glanced at the ever growing form of their pursuer and quickly replied," I promise oh great warrior, Now please!"

" Will you further promise to not pull any spells on us and help to protect the princess instead?  Wizard's oath?"  The warrior mercenary wanted to make sure.

" Yes, of course. " This really hurt, but the old Crieton knew he had no choice.                

" Please, can I hop on now, before I become a meal to that, that thing?" Tanar sheathed his sword saying," Don't just stand there like a temple statue of Stelinn. Grab my arm, and hold onto me for dear life, we are out of time."

    As the wizard whimpering all the way was pulled up into the saddle, Tanar noticed that Abby was already urging her horse on at a full gallop. Tanar kicked his own horse into action and soon they were flying across the night like the northern winds of  Vallahanian. The awful stench of the monstrous spider was so strong that it made the old wizard sneeze, It must be close. Can't you get more speed out of this horse of yours if you can call it to?"

 " Careful wizard, watch what you say or I'll toss you to that beast back there. That might even slow him down."

     For a long while, Crieton remained quiet turning his head only to look back over his shoulder at the progress of their pursuer. Several hundred yards was the distance between the spider and his possible prey.        

The princess and company kept this distance, but they knew it would be only a matter of time before their mounts would tire and the awful nightmare on ten legs would pounce on them.

     By dawn, Abby's horse began to lag further and further behind. With each passing moment

 and the spider seemed to sense this because it redoubled its efforts. Tanar was entertaining thoughts of turning to fight, and Crieton was thinking of asking the barbarian to run his person through rather than face the awful aspect of being eaten alive. Then suddenly they sighted a mountain in the distance. It was by no means a large mountain. In fact, it was only a large pile of rocks, several hundred feet high, a lone tribute to what had once been a mountain.

     Tanar shouted gleefully to Abby," Hold on princess. Get all the speed out of your animal

that you can. We've got one chance, and that is to reach that mound of rocks." Abby yelled a reply, but Tanar couldn't hear it for the wind and the noise of his horse's heavy breathing.

 The wizard could only say," Hurry, please hurry." Somehow, maybe because they were so

frightened, or the sheer determination of Tanar to survive, they reached the rocks. Many of them

were as large as elephants that inhabited amongst Baboo's jungles. Tanar quickly dismounted, practically

 dragging the old bewildered  wizard off the saddle by his leg. " Why in the name of the gods are we doing this?"  Crieton asked, as he staggered to his feet. " Shut up!" was Tanar's only reply as he signaled  for Abby to dismount  also. Abby looked questioningly at her mercenary protector as she jumped off her steed.

 " Let's get rid of the horses and then follow me." instructed Tanar.

They shooed their horses, who bolted for the open ground and then began to quickly climb the large

boulders and rocks of the ancient mound. After several dozen feet up, the wizard began to falter

 and lag behind.  He complained, "Can't go on...somebody, please help me."

After that, he had to be helped up the rest of the way by Tanar, who was wishing he had left the

 old dog back by the camp sight.

      Moments after the start of their ascent the hissing angry monster arrived. At first, it stood as if confused and almost started after the horses. Abby saw their predicament and threw several stones as large as she could lift above

 her head down onto the large spider's back. That got its attention in a hurry. With a louder hiss, it began to gingerly climb in their direction.

   Tanar yelled up to Abby who was in the lead. " That is it Abby,

he must follow us."  Crieton was beside himself as he strained to reach a handhold above his head.  " A-Are you crazy?  We had a chance if it had followed the horses, now we have no chance."  Tanar chuckled, "Yes, he will follow us, but if he had followed our tired horses he would have devoured them. We would be on foot and he would catch us easily."  " Then what are we doing?"  the wizard asked in alarm.

Tanar didn't answer him, instead he yelled to Abby," Do you see a cliff with large rocks on it?"  Abby yelled back," Yes, I've reached one that does have large rocks."

   The cliff was merely a flattened piece of large stone almost as large as a barn which petruded further out than the rest. As the sun began to rise from beyond the horizon, Abby dusted off her tattered and grimy clothing. She watched the remaining climbers and the large spider pursuing them. The heat from the rocks, though minimal compared to exposure to the afternoon sun, was having its effect on the monster's exposed sticky feet. It moved much more slowly than the humans. It was beginning to dawn on the little princess what her mercenary's plan was.  She first helped Tanar, then Crieton upon the ledge just large enough to hold them, and several large stones sitting there for countless ages made almost round by the winds and rain.

   Tanar pointed to the largest stone nearly six feet high and four feet in diameter. "Alright, let us all position ourselves behind that stone."

" I understand your plan now Tanar." Abby said gleefully as she skipped to her position behind the large stone.

Discarding his long sword and battle ax to the ground, Tanar positioned his shoulder against the stone beside Abby and explained," When I say heave, we will all push against this boulder until it gives, and with the blessing of the gods it will be that nightmare's undoing."

" At least we will try." Abby said. The old Crieton stood to one side in a way that he could look over the edge to watch the spider's progress and their endeavor to move the heavy stone. " And Crieton, the greatest of all the wizards, shall use his vast powers to help destroy the awful beast from hell."  Tanar glanced Crieton's way.  " How?  By causing the very lightning to strike it?"  he asked him sarcastically .Crieton acted as if   his feelings were hurt.  " By the gods, no!  Nothing as disastrous as that!  I shall simply withdraw some of the bulk from the  stone to make it easier to shove over the cliff."  Tanar replied,

" Hm-m-m, you try that."

     As the wizard chanted unintelligentable phrases and sounds from spells constructed

 from a mysterious ancient past, Tanar braced himself and said to Abby," Heave!"  Both grunted and groaned as they pushed   against the stone with all their might.  Just as Abby began to give up, they suddenly found themselves pushing it over the edge as  easily as if it had been made of wood. Tanar swore under his breath as he watched the large block of stone tumble toward the monstrous hissing spider.

     " It is done! I have done it!" Crieton cried out with joy as he fairly bounced over to the edge to watch the results.  By that time Abby was also peering over the cliff's edge. 

"That was marvelous Crieton, except for one thing."                                                         

 " What thing is that oh princess?" Crieton asked with a sneer." You made it too light and I am afraid all it is going to do is give him one big headache."

     Tanar and Crieton watched in disbelief as the stone hit their pursuer squarely on the top of the head stunning the great spider yet not killing it.  Several chunks of the stone that shattered on impact with the monster's head did fall beneath its gigantic legs though causing the evil thing to lose its footing.  Losing its balance, the giant spider flipped and temporarily at least landed on its hairy back.

     Tanar saw his chance and with a Vallhanian cry to battle, the excited warrior recklessly jumped off the edge of rock before Abby and Crieton could react. Abby watched in horror as her big idiot of a warrior tumbled a score of yards down the score of rocks.

 Somehow he landed squarely on his feet atop the struggling spider and with a second battle cry he drew his long sword, raised it  above his head and jabbed the entire length into the monster's exposed belly.

   Tanar started to wave and shout his glee to the two above when with a high shriek and hiss the spider suddenly righted itself throwing the surprised warrior sprawling upon the rocky ground. Abby cried out a warning, but it was too late. Still groggy from the spill, Tanar watched helplessly as

the monstrous nightmare bore down on him with its large dripping fangs. Tanar thought he would faint from the smell and the sight of the hideous cavern of a mouth. He was trying to reach his broad war ax only a few feet away, when suddenly the hissing and the loud grinding noise of the beast stopped. 

Tanar froze and slowly ventured a look at the giant spider only when he heard Abby's high  toned laughter from above.

     Apparently, the wound he had inflicted upon the monster took a while to have its effect, but finally it did stilling its life force forever.  As many insects do, it froze dead in the position it was in before its demise.  In this case, it was in a attack position with maniples raised on the offensive.

    Tanar scraped and bruised over much of his body, but little else worse for wear, climbed the pile carefully until he was helped to the ledge the last few feet by his companions. Abby threw her arms around his middle and hugged him then she drew back suddenly.  " That was wonderfully brave, but now you are bleeding all over and you stink."

     The big warrior laughed, " Well, what do you expect?  We'll worry about whether we're clean or comfortable  when we have reached Elf town.  For now, we must find our horses and try to reach there before dark."

The princess replied,” Yes, you are right. I am thankful that we are alive after that ordeal."

The old Crieton stiffly congratulated Tanar with a handshake then withdrew mumbling something about luck.

   Tanar stopped him with a hand on his bony shoulder and turned him around to face him, " What is wrong wizard?"

Crieton hesitated, then in a measured voice said," I've failed again."

Tanar smiled, slapped the old man on the back once almost making him lose his balance," No you

have not Crieton. If you hadn't have lightened the stone, the beast would have been upon us before

 we could have ever pushed it over the edge. You still have it wizard! I am impressed!"

   Abby led the way down the mountain of stones. She was getting used to climbing up and down and it was fun as long as you didn't have a monster chasing you. At the foot of the mountain, Crieton started to ask how they were to retrieve their horses back when the large barbarian whistled three times very loudly and a few moments later their ears were greeted with the familiar sounds of neighing nervous horses. Their eyes were wide with fear especially when they beheld the sight of the monstrous corpse nearby.

   Abby asked," How did you get my horse to answer your voice?"

" Simple, yours followed mine who answers to me...most of the time."

Tanar, Abby and Crieton waited a moment longer and soon they were reward ed with the sight of a large white horse and a spotted white and brown one running out from behind the mountain. As the two approached within several feet of the princess' party,         

Tanar noticed that they still seemed nervous though they could clearly see the corpse of the giant spider.

   Crieton commented as he waited for Tanar and Abby to mount so that he could mount behind the barbarian on his horse," Perhaps there are other monsters like him or other dangers that they sense in this area. May I suggest we leave here with all possible speed my princess."

Tanar almost didn't wait long enough for the wizard to get completely into his saddle before he spurred his mount forward, "Perhaps you are right...Heeeeyah!"

    This time Tanar led the way as they crossed the last of the prairie lands and within several hours they were among the foothills of the mountains of doom. They only stopped once to refresh themselves from an underground spring that gurgled out from two large stones in the side of one of the hills by the well traveled road to fort Elgone or Elftown as Tanar was fond of calling the inhabited area there.

   After another hours ride among the golden wild flower covered hills, they rounded a particularly sharp curve in the road and suddenly found fort Elgone in front of them; only a mere half mile ahead.

Princess Abby couldn't contain her excitement upon laying eyes upon the infamous fort," Oh Tanar, it is a great fort."

"It is indeed my princess." Tanar agreed absentmindedly as he carefully surveyed the fort and surrounding hills. There was no smoke from fires, nor any activity in the fields surrounding fort Elgone. As they     

moved closer, he could not see a sentry or guard among the walls, and the gates were open.

   Crieton sneered at the fort," Phshah, I've seen better and..."

He was cut off suddenly by Tanar," Quickly, follow me and don't spare the speed!"

Tanar to Crieton's astonishment was suddenly frantically urging his mount toward a nearby clump of tall trees. Abby without question followed suit and soon they were well hidden, dismounted and behind those tall green trees. Tanar had to clamp a big hand over the old wizard's mouth because he started to loudly question their action," What in dragon's breath are, mmmphff!"

" Shhh! Be quiet old fool before I have to break your thin neck." Tanar had whispered in Crieton's ear.

Abby leaned over to the two asking quietly," Why are we doing this Tanar? Do you hate the fort people so much that you feel we must sneak by them?"

Tanar glanced behind him and then replied," No, there is something not right with the fort. It looks dead, like  everyone left. If it has been attacked and the fortifications breached then who ever did it may still be in there."

Abby replied in a small voice," Oh, I see."

Crieton whispered as best as he could with an old cracked voice,

" Nonsense! They’re probably sleeping and someone forgot to close the gates. Or

perhaps they have heard of our coming and have prepared a welcome. No? How      

about everyone went camping?"

Tanar only replied with a suggestion," You have the magic though it may be little, perhaps

 you can summon the element spirits to see for us what is in that fort town?"

Rubbing his pointed chin, Crieton looked at Abby," I shall try...

for her, not you."

" Fine, then get on with it." Tanar snarled half-heartedly for he had other things on his mind and a small slight or   insult he wasn't about to let bother him at that moment.

   The old wrinkled wizard with flowing green tattered garments moving strangely about him almost unnaturally, sat down with his legs crossed up close to his thin body. He closed his eyes and began to chant several phrases over and over again. The language he chanted in was in a word or two familiar to Tanar. He had   heard words of that type from the lips of the witch men in Baboo's land, but this was of even more ancient tongue. The way Crieton's voice rose high then low at times made the hair on the back of Tanar's neck stand up. It was almost like a song, a song that crackling fire would make. A song that the winds would make blowing through an old dwelling.

   While Tanar pretended to keep all of his attention on the surrounding hills and dusty road beside

 them, Abby watched in wide eyed amazement at the old wizard's antics until Crieton suddenly

stopped the chanting and without moving or even opening his eyes, he remarked in a distant voice," The

 defendants of fort Elgone... are all captured or dead."

   Abby knelt on one knee and asked," Is anyone still there?"

The wizard frown and paused before he answered," Yes.. a few of the enemy stayed behind to

 loot.. Gods! How awful! What revolting creatures they are. They are dark and green and they

 have fangs! Their eyes of red fire or white ice took a long time to adjust to the sunlight because they

are from a dark place...dark and fowl." His body shook all over  for a moment and then

he began to hum.

Abby asked anxiously," What are they?"

" I can not answer. Many of them are almost immortal, but what they have in strength and endurance, they lack in intelligence."

   That got Tanar's attention," Then they couldn't have pulled it off without someone else to lead them right?"

Crieton stopped his humming once more," Yes...I feel his pres-

ence from a distance, but he will not let me in. In fact, he has

great powers, far greater than anything...NO!" Suddenly, Crieton

was awake and upon his feet. He shook a little as he spoke, this time in a normal voice," My lady, I beseech you to turn back. What we may face is a greater darker power than any I have ever known or heard of. A power of darkness without measure. Evil beyond evil."

Abby asked," How do you know that it is?"

Crieton looked down upon his long fingernails and cried out in alarm," Aiieh! He has marked me."

There on each nail was a dark drop of blood that seemingly appeared out of nowhere. First

Abby then Tanar closely examined his trembling hands. Tanar could feel the fear of the

unknown crawling inside him, but he hid it by asking as he turned loose of Crieton’s hands," Marked

you for what? Is this some kind of wizard's game?"

   Crieton cried out," No no! It is not a game, for he has marked me

for something special he has in mind and it will surely be my demise. A slow one to be sure."

" Quiet, you old fool! Nothing will be able to get to you as long

as the princess and I are with you."Tanar enlightened or tried to enlighten him.

" But you don't understand. Whatever powerful sorcerer this may be will find a way. Sooner or

 later he will." Crieton was about in a panic or a state of one.

Abby placed a finger to her lips and said," Shhh, I thought I heard something."

   Together the three peered from behind the largest of the trees

and a moment later Tanar shook his head.

" I see nothing out there girl. I say the best way to handle this is to face it head on."   With

 those words he stepped out into the road. Nothing moved. No arrows flew,  although they were still out of range.

   Abby threw up her hands," I give up. We might as well follow.

He seems to know what he is doing."

Crieton said nothing, but carefully kept the barbarians and Abby's bodies in front of him as if they

 would shield him. But he knew in his heart that what awaited him in the future even though he

wiped the blood from his hands, could seek him and snuff him out like a windstorm would a candle.

That started   the trembling again. Blast his frail aged body! If only he could find out the incantation or

potion that would allow him to switch bodies with someone   younger and stronger. But alas, that knowledge

 had died out with the ancients ones.

   Tanar boldly with long strides strolled down the road until he was only a few yards from the gates.

Abby and the wizard were soon standing beside him as he cupped his hands to his mouth and yelled

toward the walls of the fort called Elgone," Hello in there! This is Tanar of Vallhian, Mercenary for hire.

Anyone need my services? I'm open to suggestions."

     He half turned to Abby to say something since there was no immediate response, when Tanar heard

something snap just inside the gates. It was an open fort grounds inside, but the entire view was blocked,

strangled by debris and wreckage. Tanar without another word swiftly ran behind the edge of the left gate and

 cautiously looked inside. A large battle axe sailed by his face from within barely missing it and landing only

 inches in front of Crieton who fell backwards flat

on his back onto the dusty road. Abby ran for the right gate as Tanar rushed inside

 with a blood curdling battle cry. When the princess reached the thick wooden gate, she

 drew a large dagger decorated with red rubies on the handle and followed Tanar heedless

of what awaited them within those besieged walls. They expected a reception when they rushed in

 waiting for them on the ground.

     Instead, three creatures awaited them flying flapping their bat-like wings sometimes hovering at

least a dozen feet above the fort grounds. They were the ugliest creatures with two legs that Tanar had

ever seen. Some were a dark greenish gray while one was almost onyx in color. They looked reptilian

in nature with scaly tough skin and long sharp nails on their four fingered hands and large four toed feet.

Their large fanged mouths dripped of saliva and emitted growls and weird barking sounds at times.

     These three at least five feet tall though in reality they were probably shorter and all wore very little

 clothing except a loin cloth and a light chain mail over their broad chests. They were armed only with a

short double blade sword and a double blade axe.

Abby remarked," Hey Tanar, they’re dressed like you."

Tanar replied with an excited laugh," Yes, but vermin are vermin no matter what you dress them in."

There was no more time for words because with a united shriek

of rage, the ghoulish creatures dived for the attack upon the warrior  and his princess who had

braced themselves as best they could.

      Abby did not wait to grapple with these formable creatures

in hand to hand combat, but instead  she threw her dagger with all her might at the head of the one

 flying directly for her. The three-edged dagger sunk to the handle into the right eye of that enraged

reptilian. The creature plunged   head first into part of the tall fortress wall behind and just above

 the startled princess. It was dead before its body crashed to the ground.

     Heartened by Abby's luck at eliminating one of their assailants, Tanar dueled with the other two while they hovered several feet above the ground. He struck away their swords time and again as they lunged and parried theirs in hopes of finding an opening to slay him. After a few minutes of sword fighting with the large barbarian who was armed with a sword thrice the size of their own, one creature lost heart and flew away and over the nearest wall of the abandoned fortress.

    Seeing this development, the other one became desperate and suddenly threw itself upon Tanar before he could meet him with his long sword, knocking him off his feet to land in the middle of a large fountain made of some kind of red metal.

Fortunately, there the fountain was still full of water to break his fall. The foul shrieking creature was upon Tanar     in a second trying its best to throttle and drown the struggling man warrior.

Its long nailed hands were around his throat slowly squeezing, tightening ever tighter with incredible strength, the life of Tanar.

Underwater he looked for his sword, but it must had fallen to the ground as they had tumbled together into the fountain. Through the water he could see the ugly grin on the creature's face and he could also see the exposed ribcage of his assailant.

With all his might he beat at the creatures sides with his big fists. It felt as if he was breaking

every bone in his hands as he desperately pounded away.

      Just as the air was about to release from his lungs to be replaced by a fatal quantity of fountain

water, the pressure around his neck eased up then suddenly the creature's body and hands was no

 longer on Tanar, but with a splash was floating beside him its head turned almost completely around. Its neck was very broken.

      Tanar quickly sat up and took in a big gasp of air. His body was racked with a coughing fit from

the exertions underwater. Then he heard a very familiar voice booming at him.

" I thought I'd never see the day when Tanar of the Tuek would

bath in a water fountain. Now, I have truly seen it all."

Tanar had trouble focusing his eyes at first, but when they did he found standing there before him

his old friend Baboo the lion man of Kalabi laughing his head off. Baboo's large black six foot six

frame was a welcome sight to Tanar. He missed his old friend, the only man he knew that could out

 wrestle him with sheer strength. There had been rumors amongst his people that he fought lions with

his bare hands for fun. There was even one about he had plans of becoming the first king of his

country, gathering all the tribes   under one rule. Tanar thought that was a bit unbelievable even for Baboo.

" Baboo! You big son of a crazed witch man. What are you doing here? And why are you wearing that fancy lion-skin headdress upon that big bald head?"                                                                                                                        

Tanar acted as if he never noticed the rainbow colored cape of feathers that Baboo carried folded under one arm. It was the very one that his friend usually wore to weddings of royal families.

      Baboo with a large helping hand that made Tanar's look small in comparison, pulled him to his feet and out of the fountain; as he replied  matter-of-factly," Your wizard Crieton..."

" He is not mine." Tanar corrected as he tried to wring the water out of his clothing.

Baboo rolled his eyes grinning," Well, whoever he belongs to trading places with me to save your necks."

" What's that mean?” Abby asked.

Baboo glanced Abby's way who was starring at him in wide-eyed disbelief,"             

Well as we switched places physically, somehow he entered my mind and explained to me that by his magical powers he would send me here and take my place where I was at the time. That is as near as I can explain it the way he did. I am a simple man and don't understand the ways of magic and science so it was with some shock to me that I found myself in front of the gates of fort Elgone."

" I would have almost lost the contents of my stomach if I had experienced it." Tanar concurred.

   Baboo laughing slapped Tanar on the back almost sending him to   the ground," But it

wasn't near the shock that Crieton is probably feeling right now. I was in the middle of my

marriage ceremony about to wed one of the daughters of the leader of the Kambolli tribe."

Abby stepped closer," Oh, how awful for you! How you will miss her!

" Hah! Let the old fool have her, I care not to marry, I would only do it to help our tribes

have a chance to unite, but I don't want to be a king, at least for a little while. I miss the action, the

excitement of a good fight and a good woman. "Tanar asked," What will become of Crieton?"

"Oh, he will likely be killed for spiriting me away from them.” Baboo chuckled.

" No! This must not happen. It is true he is cranky and at times

a scheming old toad, but he did save your life Tanar and he did

get you out of a troublesome situation Baboo."

Baboo stared at this upstart girl and asked," What would you have me do little girl? How am I to

 grab someone more than twenty days journey from here?"

Abby switched her pleading gaze to Tanar," Isn't there something we can do? Doesn't this bother you at all?" When she saw no response from her mercenary except a frown, Abby turned her back on both men saying, "Well!

 It appears you two are not only ungrateful backwards barbarians, but you are obviously without conscious too."

Tanar ignored her angry pouting," Oh, I'm sorry, in the excitement I forgot my manners. This Baboo, is princess Abby from Lavion who I am escorting and sometimes baby sitting..."

Tanar saw Abby flinch from his comment continued," I'm taking her to a land beyond the mountains of doom."

" Please to meet you princess." Baboo gave her an exaggerated bow," You might as well ask him to escort you to the moon. No one has crossed those mountains and lived to tell about it."

Abby turned back to face Tanar's big friend," My father has and I am going to find him with or without your help."

Baboo remarked," My, but how your tangled dirty hair does shine when you display your royal anger

princess Abby." He then turned to Tanar, " She’s really not a princess is she?"

Tanar replied," Uh-huh. Princess Abby, this is Baboo the lion man

of Kalabi country. We've seen plenty of this ole world together."

   " Fought many of foes together too, but this journey beyond the doom mountains is madness! Why

don't we go fight a herd of dragons, THAT would be easier."

It was Baboo's turn to be ignored by Tanar who strolled over to the creature that Abby killed and

 calmly pulled out her dagger from its head. He placed it in Abby's hand as he asked Baboo.

" Have any idea what these creatures are?"

   The black warrior starred into the fountain water at the features of the creature he had broken its neck," Your

 wizard I feel knew much more about   them, but he only explained to me what I already had heard.

They’re called gargoyles and they supposedly live under the mountains of doom.  No one has seen any

of them in five hundred years. Everyone thought they were wiped out in the great war of the Triiou

 wizards, which is in itself ancient history. Some say they were created by an evil sorcerer named Lort Keriwn

 Lor who was said to have disappeared at the time of the death of his creations."

   Tanar motioned the others to follow as he investigated further

into the fort. Abby caught up with him," Isn't there anything we can do for Crieton? He isn't completely mad, after all; he helped us when he didn't have to didn't he?"

" We can't do much, but my elf friends may know of a way. If they are alive."

Since Baboo had no weapon upon his person, he pilfered through the wreckage along   the way for

whatever he could find. Soon, Tanar and Abby heard him whistling happily along behind them. Tanar

 ventured a glance behind him noticed Baboo had found a great long handled double bladed battle ax

which he was swinging back and forth experimentally with his  right hand and had found a large bow

 complete with arrow pouch which he  slung across his left shoulder.

   Tanar commented to Abby with a smile," We will be well protected if he doesn't trip over them

and impale himself."

When Abby saw what her mercenary was talking about she chuckled in amusement, but was cut off by Baboo's booming voice," Hey ,isn't  that Elf town?"

Tanar replied," Yes, and I hope someone is home."

The back buildings and well of fort Elgone was burned to the ground leaving a clear view of much of this weird jumble of low buildings and houses called Elftown. Most of the red and green tiled roofs of the town were left untouched except   for the governor's palace and garrison quarters.

   Their roofs were mostly smashed through or collapsed as if a

great hand had smote them us under from above. Still, the three

travelers stood there on the outskirts of Elftown in awe of the sight.

Abby commented to Tanar," I guess that explains the lack of

footprints on the grounds in or around the fort. They were attacked from the air."

Tanar kept tugging at his sword pulling it from his scabbard a few inches and then letting it drop back over and over again.

" I've never run across creatures such as these that could walk and fly as well."

" Could they have caused that damage yonder in Elftown?" The princess asked Tanar.

Tanar frowned in concentration," No, not even their great strength combined could have done that. It looks the work of a wizards power, perhaps more than one."

Baboo brought up a chilling prospect," There was one wizard,

sorcerer whatever you choose to have called him that could have

easily done this."

No one spoke his name, but Abby could feel the dread the two warriors beside her were feeling. Something even more dreadful to the princess was bothering her and she voiced it out loud,

" What I would like to know is where are all the bodies from these attacks?"

Baboo could feel Tanar and Abby staring at him as if for an answer, but he hesitated a moment before he gave one.

Well, Baboo? You seem to know more about this attack. Do you have an explanation?" The princess queried    Baboo.

" Yes, I have heard about them in legend. "Baboo explained.

" Let me guess ole friend," Tanar said." They are cannibals."

" You got it. Well, they do prefer horse meat, but..."

   Abby stared back at the fort and shivered," No. How could evil such as this exist?"

No one had explanation, instead Tanar silently started back for their horses deep in his own thoughts, a brooding  giant of a warrior.

                                         Chapter VII

      Baboo didn't seem to mind walking along his long time friend and the beautiful little princess, without                    a horse to ride. He didn't care for the four leg creatures too much and rarely rode them even though Tanar often complimented on his natural horsemanship.

He would keep his feet on the ground as much as he could, thank you. Oh, he did like the sea or any

 large body of water to sail a boat or ship on, but nothing could compare to the feeling he got from

hunting through an exotic jungle or forest. The fact that he disliked the cities of man, made him in a

 similar mold as Tanar in nature.

      Elftown had very little in common with the towns and cities of man, except there were walls and

roofs to their many structures.  There was no great wall to protect them from dangers outside. Each

structure had to be built on a hill or Elf-made mound of dirt or rock. For what reason that knowledge

 was either lost through history or kept as a secret known only by the Elves.

   Here too there was no smoke filtering out of chimneys or open fire and at first they saw no movement

of any kind until they were near the center of Elftown. Then, two middle-aged creatures standing only

 four feet high looking similar to midget people with long pointed ears and tiny pointed noses slowly, cautiously

strolled from around a particularly long building with strange markings near its entrance. When Elves

 are upset enough or in some kind of shock, they tend to walk sideways stumbling over almost everything.

 The sight nearly made Abby's stomach hurt with laughter. Tanar shot her a look of warning for Elves

 were a touchy lot and no one knew how many might   have been lurking around them. Enough of these

creatures could give anyone trouble.

   When they were close enough Tanar could see that one was female and the other was male. The male

spoke first in a voice that sounded more like a violin than human," I am Kip Taul Udip mayor of this once

 beautiful town. Who are you? What you want here?" His human dialect was broken, but understandable enough.

   Tanar spoke for the others having dealt with Elves before.

" We are three weary travelers needing a place to stay in your town for the night since the fort was destroyed.

We can be trusted. We are not spies or thieves and I have friends among your people." The two elves looked

at each other and the female asked,” Friends?"

" Yes," Tanar explained carefully," Do you know of Pippve Vippen and his feather clan, Kip Taul Udip Zip?"

The male elf replied importantly," You call me Kip ok?" When he saw the human female smile he smiled back

showing a mouth full of rotting teeth," The feather clan has been banished, but Pippve and his family are allowed to  

stay, for their ancestors had helped to settle this land in the ancient flood age and we not forget that."

Abby asked," Do you know where they are?"

" Who?"

Abby placed her hands on her hips," Pippve and his family."

Kip scratched his almost balding head," I knew that he lived on the western side of town near the hills, but he may not be there now."

Tanar was edgy," Why is that?"

Kip looked up into the sky nervously," Those horrible monsters that destroyed the human fort did great damage to  our town as a warning only, but it scared everyone so bad we hid in the hills."

" Some may still be running up into the mountains." the female elf added.

Baboo asked his friends with a hint of impatience," Now what? We go on?"

Tanar replied quickly," No, we'll stay here if it is ok with Kip."

Kip still nervous but under some control said," Of course you can. You have shown concern and I believe you are humans who can be trusted.            

If you can not find Pippve then return to my palace over to your left and you are welcome to stay the night."

"Yes, but only the night." The female elf added with a hint of fear.

   The two warriors and Abby thanked the elves and as they began to head west, Tanar shouted one last

question their way," Was there anyone else that you could see with the flying creatures when they attacked your town?"

      The female answered," Yes, a tall human I think he was human,

with strange clothing and a large headdress of feathers upon his head. He flew with monsters, but it was strange..."

Tanar asked," What do you mean?"

Kip tried to get the female to stop talking by pulling desperately at her arm, but she replied before they were

 out of hearing range." He had no wings."

Both elves quickly stumbled on down another narrow winding street like most of all the other streets

 of Elftown, leaving the three travelers stunned and a little more wary.

    As Abby and her two escorts traveled further west through the Elf habitats and businesses, they saw more

 and more elves battered and shaken, but alive trickling back into their town. Some cursed the humans openly as they

passed each other seemingly blaming them for bringing disaster upon them. Abby's heart was troubled and saddened by the sight of these refugees and their attitude toward humans.

    After a few minutes more of this, Abby turned to Tanar, "Can't we do anything to change this, to help them in   some way?"

Tanar could easily read the frustration and heartbreak upon his little princess' face," No, they would only think that you are trying to cover things up, smooth this over. Best we leave them alone."

Abby thought this over for a moment and finally agreed trying hard the rest of the way to

 ignore the elves' suffering and growing hatred.

      Tanar was the first to spot his old friend and family. Pippve

Vippen shouted something to Tanar and broke into a run for he had spotted his giant friend at the same instant.     Abby and Baboo stood silently watching the happy reunion that took place. Pipve was a younger elf than Kip           and had a vitality of life to match Tanar's own. He looked almost like a young boy running to his father except for

 the short sword and dagger he wore by his side. Both Tanar and the elf threw their arms about one

 another to hug each other the way two old friends would when they haven't seen each other in years, nor

 did they think that they would ever see one another again.

     "Tanar, you big ox! It is well you are here. Wish you here sooner. We could have used your skill even

though I doubt even a Vallhian warrior would have made the difference."

      Just as Abby wondered when they would stop hugging each other, Tanar and his elf friend

separated as he agreed," You're right you little mushroom. I would probably had fled for the hills with you."

Pippven punched the Vallian warrior lightly in the stomach," Of

course I'm right! I'm always right, remember? What are you do-

ing out here anyway, I thought you would never venture near the mountains of doom."

   Tanar glanced Abby's way," Oh, you know me. Always gluten for punishment, adventure and the danger."

The smiling elf giggled in amusement," I remember you as type

as gluten for a price." Pippven got a look at the princess and the black giant beside her," Hm-m-m, I see.

 You're either a guide for a fortune or that warrior there will beat you if you don't do it."

   He said the last part with a laugh of mischief. Tanar swung a halfhearted swing with his arm to slap his elf

friend, but Pippven easily dodged it by leaping backward a few feet. Elves were great leapers. In a forest swinging  

from tree to tree, they could look like they were flying. Tanar wasn't surprised    nor angry at his friend for he had

great respect for most elves and their uncanny resolve and to always tell the truth and to always know it.

   They both began to laugh and laugh until Abby approached them and cleared her voice," Tanar you can be

 so rude at times. Please introduce us to your friend. I wish to meet him."

   Tanar introduced Baboo and the princess to Pippven and then to Pippven’s family

Vveke his wife of slight build even for an elf,

who was very warm and intelligent. Tik and Tok his sons who were still only small

child elves couldn't speak

human language so far, yet they took an instant liking to Baboo's hiding games he would

 perform with his hands, making

coins or toys disappear and reappear from one of their pointed ears.  Nor did they tire

of the story the big loin man warrior would tell of hunting on the plains of Tier Amnia and

 deep within the jungles of his homeland. Their laughter helped set a cheerful mood for everyone.

      Pippve insisted that they spend the night at least one, in his

dwelling; one of the larger in the western part of Elftown. As it

turned out, one of the few that received little damage. Even though Pippve thought he

had plenty of room for everyone, his human guests found it to be a little cramped for comfort.

Both warriors the time the time they spent there took turns bumping their heads into the

 top of the door frames. After a customary elfin dinner of small prairie animal meats, goat

cheese, pull bread and several different berry wines everyone sat around a large fireplace and

watched the great logs pop and crackle from the roaring fire.

      For a while, they laughed, joked, and even sang or tried to sing elfin folk songs of

 adventure and mirth, but soon the children, Baboo and Abby were yawning more than

anything else and that was the signal for all to retire.   Everyone did, but Pippve Vvebe, and Tanar.

 The warrior's muscles ached from the days journey and recent battle with the gargoyles, but it

 was more important to him to stay up just a little longer than miss some precious moments with an old friend.

      For a while the three still sat around the fireplace in Pippve's

den in silence, and then finally Tanar asked his elf friend.

"Did everyone flee to the hills, Pippve?"

"Yes...Well, I never saw Kip and his wife reach where most of us hid."

" That's what I thought."

Now Pippve curiosity reviving him a little from his fatigue asked,  " What do you mean?"

" I don't know." Tanar stopped and threw a stick into the fire,

" I wouldn't trust him if I were you. Sure, they were frightened

and stunned by the attack, but I felt it was mostly an act."

" How could you tell that ole friend? He is a very important person here. Has lived    

here twenty years or more."

   Tanar's brain was clouding from fatigue and a full belly. It had

begun to rain hard outside, which made it even harder to keep awake.

" Just a feeling I guess." Tanar moved closer before he spoke again," When we leave tomorrow, watch Kip.

 If he tries to leave town after, prevent him from doing so."

Vvebe perplexed asked the weary warrior," How do we do this? We will look odd    doing such a thing."

Tanar smiled," Cause an accident or perhaps get our honorable mayor to decree in front of all elves this

 recent attack on your town a disaster. I leave that to you. Will you do this?"

Pippve agreed, but was a little upset," I will do, but it will cause trouble among   us. Already several of

my neighbors will threaten me for keeping your kind here.  If you have noticed, there is growing hostility toward humans."

" I have noticed, and if you check around you would find that maybe the whole thing started from the

mouth of your mayor."

While the two elves thought this over, Tanar had one more thing on his mind," Have you ever seen a

Unicorn? I mean, this princess I am accompanying claims   her long lost father she is hunting for is in the

 land where those fabled creatures live. If there isn't such a creature than our time may be wasted in  

looking for such a land."

   "By the sacred living tree, we use to see them all the time." Pippve exclaimed," But lately we have not

seen one. Maybe they have retreated further into the   woods of the mountains of doom or perhaps

they stay in their own land now, we don't know."

" So you have seen such creatures."

" Oh my yes! Such beautiful beasts they are. We have not seen lately, but in earlier times we have

 talked with them. Ever since the humans built the fort by us they stopped speaking to us."

Tanar gazed into the crackling blaze for a moment before he stated matter-of-factly," Then Abby

was right and we must continue."

" Through the mountains of doom? This is joke right? If not then I must tell you         

that your chances of surviving through those mountains are one in a thousand."      

Vuebe voiced her opinion.

   Tanar smiled with a terrible look in his eyes," That's all right. Abby doesn't know        

it yet, but she'll pay me double the sum after this is over."

" I hope you survive to enjoy it you big fool." Pippve remarked.

Tanar yawned," Don't bother seeing me to my sleeping place, I shall find it. You         

two I shall see in the morning."

" I just want to say, it is good to see my ole friend again." Pippve

said to Tanar as they rose from where they had sat.

Tanar placed a large hand on Pippve's shoulder," It is good to see you too you little wart.

I wish you could go with us, but I already have to share my pay with Baboo." Both Tanar

 and Pippve laughed at the Vallian's joke.

      Abby slept in the children's room on one of two beds while the

two little boy elves slept in the other . As she lay there listening to the rain, she thought about

 all that had happened that day. Things had happened, had changed so quickly. She had actually

killed a living thing that day and though it bothered her greatly, she knew she had to bury those

feelings if she was to keep her sanity. And speaking of sanity, who was the strange flying man?

Could it be the wizard of legends she had heard of all her life? What happened to the Unicorns she had heard of?

 Did the flying man have something to do with their absence? She did overhear Tanar and Pippve talk about their       

strange behavior and eventual disappearance. Why was this happening? But  

 most important of all, where was her father? Before she fell asleep she prayed to the gods that

he was safe and that he wasn't involved in all this. Soon there was only the night, the rain and

the even breathing of Abby asleep.

      Deep inside one of the highest mountains of doom was a large area riddled with enormous, underground

 rivers, and cold lakes of pure sparkling water. In one of the caverns nearest to the mountains

 surface was a series of man-made rooms resembling dudgeons eight feet by eight feet, older than

 time. Within one of these sat a depressed  and troubled man, broken both physically and mentally

from the torture he had suffered months on end at the hands of hideous creatures from hell. The room

 stank of rotting things and other unknown smells unimaginable. Thankfully, the room had no

light, but the dim glow that shown through a tiny barred opening at the ceiling of his cell, for the

 ceiling was his door.

      The glow was from a lantern down a corridor above. Sometimes he would imagine it was the

glow of the moon showing its light upon his royal bedroom from years ago. Felica, how he

 missed her so. And Abby, his dear sweet little girl. That was what he couldn't bear the most

was the prospect that he would never see them again.

      He did have a long low bench that hung from one wall running its entire length that he slept

and ate on. He was thankful for that and also that his capture’s hadn't harassed or tortured him

 in at least a day and a night. For whatever mysterious reason he was thankful. Something was

 keeping them busy. Perhaps the Unicorns? Ah, if only it were so; but alas, that would be a far

fetched dream now that few remained free from the gargoyles and the evil Tharmat Gyoe's

dominance. Now that the evil sorcerer  had what he sought for five hundred years, he doubted that any

one could stop him. He no longer cared for himself, but he did fear for his wife and daughter's

 safety. Soon, his world would be turned upside down by this madman and he was helpless to

do a thing. The tears of a grieving man soon dampened the damp cell floor further.

   Early in the morning as a heavy fog began to lift from Elftown Tanar, Baboo, and Abby

had already finished a large breakfast that Vuebe and several neighboring female elves had

surprisingly prepared for them. In minutes they were packed and ready to start. Pippve had

 the horses ready as the humans stepped outside to do those very chores.

   Abby was delighted, but Tanar asked," Why the quick send off?"

Pippve seemed puzzled," Send off? What you mean?"

" I mean, I get the idea all of a sudden you want us out of here quick."

"Oh no, Tanar." Pippve was embarrassed," We have realized over last night and this morning

you three may be our only hope and the Unicorn's only hope from the terror of the gargoyles.

 We wish you health and speed. Time is precious in your quest for I fear it is running out."

Baboo asked Pippve," So, you do believe that these are gargoyles?"

" Yes, now please hurry Abby, find your father and the unicorns. Stop the flying man and..."

"I know." Tanar finished," And stop the gargoyles. Sure Pippve, and we have the magic and

army to stop 'em."

" I am confident of you Tanar." Pippve said with false enthusiasm. " Of course it would be

easier to turn back."

" Yes, it would and I would remain broke, besides I'd like to be around for this little girl's

reunion with her father if I could."

   With those words, Tanar placed a big arm around her shoulder and gave her a quick hug.

She smiled at her big mercenary," Thanks. I really do have confidence in you Tanar also." Abby

looked up at the black warrior who had already nervously mounted a horse the elves gave

 him. He seemed a trifle impatient to leave," You too Baboo, you both make me feel a lot

safer than any guards my mother could have sent me."

Baboo quickly said," Save that thought little lady until we reach the end of the road." He then

turned his steed, waved a farewell to Pippve and his family and began riding off toward the

 forest and the mountains of doom."

      Abby asked Tanar as she climbed upon her mount," What is bothering him?"

Tanar shrugged his shoulders and mounted his own horse without another word.

They said their thanks and farewells to Pippve and the other elves that had gathered to

 see them off. With fresh supplies and better spirits, they started at a gallop to catch up

 with their black friend.

      An hour’s ride and the princess and her companions entered the Olem forest, which

 ran well up into the famous mountain chain. The forest was very thick with pine and brush,

which made it virtually impossible for much light to filter in. All around was dark and gloomy

 even in the height of the day. What made it worse was their dusty well-traveled road soon

 became little more than an animal trail casting a shadow over the travelers' mood.

      Several times Abby could have sworn she caught a glimpse out of

the corner, of her eye of something following them, staying even with them amongst  

 the thick undergrowth. It was only a blur it moved so fast. Abby said nothing; instead

she caught Tanar and Baboo's attention

and motioned in the direction she had been watching. Both men grinned

and Tanar whispered," We were aware of it some time ago. Pretend to

not notice and in a little while perhaps I shall find out who our peeper is."

     Baboo placed a big finger to his lips grinning. He even winked at Abby as if it were

 some kind of playtime. This slightly aggravated her, but she went along for she was intrigued

 by the way they were acting at what may be a serious threat.

     Abby tried to take Tanar's advice, she tried a distraction by changing the subject,"

Where did Olem forest get its name? I could not find much about it in my library of books."

Tanar swatted at a pesky misquote before he answered," Olem was a famous ancestor of the

Elf race who ruled them as a king when elves

lived only in this forest. He led his people into battle against the gargoyles and evil sorcerer Tharmat

Gyoe. That was when they rose the first time out of the mountains of doom in an attempt to conquer the

surface world. In the end, Olem was killed in the battle and the elves were driven out of the forest.

That was five hundred years ago. But they still remember it. They still believe that this forest is their forest,        Olem's forest."

" But what stopped the sorcerer, the gargoyles?" Abby was puzzled.

     " No one is sure. It would seem one night not long after the battle for Olem forest; the sorcerer

lost his powers and the gargoyles being the sorry lot they are, turned tail and ran."

Baboo interrupted their conversation," I have heard tales of these unicorn creatures   rising to the

 challenge and with their magical horns; they defeated Tharmat Gyoe and            

his gargoyles overnight. But why don't you ask one that might know. Like for instance, him."

     Tanar and Abby gaze followed to what Baboo was pointing to. There

standing like a dream only several yards in front of them on the trail; was

an adult male unicorn. It is said that you can always tell if it is a male

because of the prominent horn on his forehead glowing with an ever

changing colors. Every color of the rainbow. A female's horn located in

the same area, is only an off white color. But her overall form is sleek and not      

angular, without grace as a male's.

     Tanar's horse became nervous, spooked by the sudden appearance of this wondrous

creature, but he soon had it under control. By that time Abby had dismounted and had started

to approach the unicorn, which startled them further by speaking to them in Lavion in a voice

 not unlike a mixture of human and a musical harp.

     "Please stay where you are, unless you wish to disappear as I shall soon. I haven't long..."

Baboo swore in his native tongue and followed Tanar's advance on foot until they were even

with the young princess. She was in the process of asking the unicorn a question.

" Are you one that was following us?"

"Yes, and who I am is not important. Please listen, for I only have time to say    this once.

Sorcerer Tharmat Gyoe and his army of gargoyles have risen from the caverns again, partly because it

 takes nearly 500 years for all the gargoyles' eggs to hatch. Another is they have finally found out the

secret to the unicorn's magic. There are only a few of us left,

and Tharmat has captured the rest. Many of my brothers have been killed for our horns, which

 he has used to produce a powerful magical headdress. He is using this headdress for his own evil plans.

With this headdress he is invincible, but there is a greater threat to us all that he is not aware of."

"What is that?" Abby asked the glowing horned unicorn.

" The headdress is unstable and sometime soon when he is using it, the

thing of evil will cause the very fabric of space and time to open. A doorway shall open to

 another universe, letting in unimaginable horrors that he cannot control."

" How do you know this unicorn?" Tanar managed to ask trying hard to hold down his fear

of this magical mystical creature that stood proudly before him.

 " Although we are near immortal like the gargoyles, it was our ancestors thousands of years

ago that found a way into your universe. Doorways that they dared to open only once long enough

to pass from there to here.

It has been closed since. It was an escape from those horrible creatures

that lived in the other universe. If it were to be opened uncontrolled,

evil creatures from our universe could pass into your world and all life

would be threatened. You see, that is why our ancestors left their original

home to escape the evil that threatened to engulf them. There is no record of what they were,

only that they were powerful in every way. Ah, I feel the change coming now."

     " Wait!" Abby was desperate to ask one more vital question." What of

lord Johnston Dann, my father? Did you know of him?"

" Yes of course! He helped us fight against the gargoyle army, but in the end Tharmat was too

 powerful. Your father is only human and could not fight magic."

" Where is the lord? Is he alive?" asked Tanar.

     The white glow surrounding the unicorn began to brighten even more as he quickly answered," He

is alive captured somewhere within Tharmat's lair. Your wizard shall know which mountain and how

 to enter it. If you want your father you must rescue    him. Our magic cannot penetrate those mountains

 for Tharmat has cast a protective    spell over them. Rest assured, we are working on it. Perhaps in time..."

" Please don't leave us. We need your help." Abby pleaded with the unicorn whose image was beginning to fade,        to disappear with all the surrounding    

glowing light. " Crieton can help you more than I. More than you can imagine. Be

careful Abby. There are dangers you and your champions have yet to face. They don't

call them the mountains of doom for nothing. Don't worry brave one, we shall meet again

and we will be there when the time is right. Goodbye."

     The three travelers had to cover their eyes from the intensity of the

bright light that flashed from where the unicorn once stood. When their eyes had recovered

 they found to their surprise, an old thin man wearing only a small pair of   shorts native to

Baboo's land standing where the unicorn had been a moment before.

     Baboo laughed at the sight," Will you look who traded places with our   

unicorn friend? Ha Ha Ha! Hey, Crieton. How did you like our wedding ceremony?"

Tanar joined in the laughter. Though Crieton the wizard was shaken by the ordeal of transferring

and switching bodies from one location to another a thousand miles away, he wasn't stirred," Look

you over-sized

sitroke ape, it was because of you and your mercenary friend over there that I teleswitched. It nearly

 got me killed!"

     Crieton turned his attention to Abby ignoring Baboo and Tanar's even louder laughter," Did

you know Baboo failed to tell me about his particular situation when we switched? The bride looked

almost as big as he and twice as mean especially after she realized what had happened.

With several spear tips and axe blades at my throat, I was able to somehow talk my way out

of an immediate execution at the hands of Baboo's former countrymen."

Baboo suddenly serious, asked," Former? What do you mean wizard?"

" I mean ole fig head that they not only want to banish you from your

homeland, but your would be relatives want to hunt you down and kill you."

Baboo looked worried and wrung his hands," Oh that is just great."

     Crieton began to smile mischievously because he knew he had the upper hand even   

if it were for only a moment, he would savor it," Don't worry big fellow, I smoothed   

things over for you."

" I am afraid to know, but I must. How did you do that ole wise wizard?"

" I told them it was an emergency."

" And?"

" Why I also explained to ole chief Kaa that you would marry both his

daughters instead of just one."

Baboo placed his hands on top of his head in dismay," Oh no, not that! The other one's

bigger than me and twice as cranky! Crieton!" Now

Baboo was getting angry," What have you done?" Now I can't go back!"

" Yes, you will because chief Kaa sent five of his best warriors to hunt you down and they

just happen to be your future brother-in-laws."

"Aiiehh!" Baboo shouted," I have a headache and I believe if I am rid of this puny

wizard, I'll get rid of my headache."

Crieton did not wait, with a shriek he ran toward a particularly large

twisted tree several feet in diameter. Baboo with arms stretched out to grab the wizard, was

 right on his heals. Around and around the tree they

ran as Tanar and Abby watched with great amusement.

    Suddenly a limb several times around as wide as a man's arm swung down as if alive and swat

 Baboo off his feet backwards onto the spongy moss covered ground. He   grunted from the

impact, but no other words issued from his lips as he regained his footing. He snapped the limb

in two with one blow from the side of his hand and continued to chase Crieton. Then another

limb appeared and another knocking the black

giant to the ground each time. Finally, Baboo caught the wizard and was

about to strangle him when his form suddenly melted and took the form of a squirrel who easily

 slipped out of the astonished giant's hands. He scurried up the tree like a shot from a game

 bow. Baboo looked at his hands and then at his two companions," Did he really do that or am I going daft?"

     "He is getting better I must admit." Abby giggled.

" Ah, hiding games! Won't do us much good against Tharmat Gyoe." Tanar commented.

" Hey, I was the one on the receiving end of his hiding game remember? Ouch, those limbs

really were after me. They were almost as bad as a swipe from a   lion's claw." Baboo rubbed

 his chest, dusted himself off and just as he regained his feet, he heard a lion's growl as if it were

just above him. He ran for his battleaxe as Tanar and Abby drew their swords.

" Surely that can't be that scrawny wizard, can it?" Baboo asked out loud to Tanar.

Before Tanar could answer or Baboo could retrieve his battleaxe, a golden blur of teeth and

 claws jumped down only a few feet in front

of the black warrior.

" A lion?" Baboo muttered as he stared at his new arrival's large eyes.

Indeed the creature was a full-grown male lion whose roar was very much like a hungry one to

Tanar and the princess.

Abby frightened but determined to stick by her Vallian mercenary asked in a shaky voice," What

 do we do now?"

Baboo's eyes were locked with the lion's, but he did answer her without turning," Don't make any

sudden moves people. I think he's after me. I'll take him on if he dares."

Tanar concerned, warned his long time friend," How are you going to do that, you don't have a

weapon and you'll never reach your bow in time."

" That's right. Let us divert his attention long enough for you to reach

your bow." Abby added.

Baboo couldn't help but smile at their concern, but he was experienced

in these situations better than the others," No thanks, I'll just have to improvise."

Slowly reaching back with one hand over his shoulder, he felt for his arrow holder as the large

predator continued to roar and tense its leg muscles to spring into action. After a tense moment, Baboo

 found a large tipped hunting arrow and slowly drew it out and over his shoulder. Just as he had a

good hold of the arrow in one hand, the lion leapt squarely upon him. Abby screamed.

     Purely by instinct Baboo knelt on one knee holding the arrow up at an

angle so that with luck, it would impale the heart of the shaggy beast as

it landed on him. Instead, the lion leapt completely over Baboo and landed upon someone behind

 him. Tanar swore in amazement. Abby shouted and was pointing at something that was going on

 behind Baboo who regained his feet quickly. He heard screams, but by the time he had turned around

 to see what the lion actually attacked; it was all over. The lion had a large gargoyle down on the

 ground biting big chunks out of its neck. The     

gargoyle was mostly dead from the severe clawing it took seconds before. The lion pawed

at the corpse several times as he lay on top of it, making sure it was dead, then it turned its attention to Baboo.

     The black warrior by that time had his bow out and drawn back with a particularly

ugly looking arrow ready on the cord. " Come on beast, I'm

ready for you now you golden cur. Haven't had enough eh?"

Instead of attacking the three travelers, the lion sat down and calmly

stared at them as it breathed heavily from the excursion. Then, before

their startled eyes the golden predator began to melt. It changed shape until only an old thin man in

 a pair of native shorts and sandals stood where the lion had been seconds before. He grinned

from ear to ear and said," Baboo I'm surprised at you. You wouldn't shoot an unarmed man would you?"

     Baboo signed and lowered his weapon. With a nervous laugh he replied, " I had thought

about it, but we need you to lead us into Tharmat's lair. I shall let you live for now wizard."

     The wizard bowed, "Oh thank you oh great rabbit warrior."

Baboo spit on the ground in front of Crieton saying," Just change into

some beast and we'll see what a rabbit I will be!"

     As Abby and Tanar approached the wizard and Baboo, Tanar asked a question to distract

their attention," The unicorn did inform you of the princess father's location   didn't he?"

Crieton continued to smile," Yes and perhaps the whereabouts of most of the unicorns that are

imprisoned and may be alive there, but I must warn you all that it shall not be easy. Even with

 my powers improving as they have, we will have a very small chance at success. Also we

 have very little time. I have learned that even now as I speak, Tharmat is preparing his gargoyle

legions for his biggest campaign. A war with Lavion and a strike into the very heart of the valley

 of the sun. But the worst is as our unicorn friend told you. When he uses that headdress on

 such a large attack as that, it shall pave the way for evil beings from the other universe. And

this time the doorway shall never close."

Tanar spoke in a dry voice," A little chance is better than none."

     Those words were still trying to sink in on Abby's brain when they heard the unmistakable

 cry of gargoyles in flight not far from where they were. The trees kept them from seeing the

flying menace, but it also meant that they wouldn't be spotted from the air right away. Still, the

 knowledge that the gargoyles were up there was enough to prompt them to move on to the

 mountain fortress immediately. With Crieton leading the way, they fled single file through the

 forest of ever thickening brush and trees with    Tanar in front of the little princess and Baboo guarding the rear.

     Graduately the forest began to thin out again. Their journey began to take on the appearance

of a climb as the land began to slope upward steeper and steeper. At one point in a small clearing

 in the trees, Crieton exclaimed over his   shoulder," There is our destination friends," He pointed

toward a high mountain peak that was showing prominently above the trees. Though much of the

 sky was clear, near the top of the mountain there was a strange thunderstorm brewing. The dark

clouds boiled and rumbled constantly and grew louder by the moment. The constant lightning lit up the

twisted mountainsides, flashing blue and red streaks.

     Everyone was silent with awe and a growing dread as they watched while hiking their way along

the mountainside. A half-hour later, Abby could see they were nearing the edge of the tree line.

Beyond that point trees could not grow which meant they would be exposed to another attack by

 gargoyles. At the edge of the tree line, Crieton stopped and the others gathered by his side," Fortunately

for us the patrol of gargoyles are confused and have flown the wrong direction to find us. Our one big

problem is we have to hike up the mountain side

several hundred yards before we reach the entrance."

Tanar's gaze followed Creiton's and his arm pointing to a point on a small cliff in the distance. Creiton

 explained further," This side of the mountain wouldn't be much of a climb, because of its gradual angle

 upward to the top. But large gray boulders and small jagged rocks covered every step of the way. It is

 as though the mountain had taken a terrific blow on this side facing us causing large land slides."

     Tanar observed the set in Abby's jaw and her determined look and knew they had to go. He turned to

 Creiton," Do you have the ability to draw some of the storm our way?"

Creiton's face brightened a little seeing what Tanar was thinking," I'm not sure. Perhaps I could bring the

 rain from it to fall down here. That would make it more difficult for anyone to spot us."

" It would be a great diversion too." Baboo stated excitedly." Yeah, make it rain. Just leave the lightning

up there ok? Baboo pleaded as calmly as possible," I care not for it and its noise. It is loud enough in the

jungle without hearing it echo across these stupid mountains."

   Abby suppressed a chuckle. He was probably right this time, for being frightened of the lightning. This

 storm did not look natural to her.

     Creiton stepped forward into the clearing without another word and

threw a handful of red powder into the ever-increasing cool wind. Then he began to chant incantations in

a strange ancient language long forgotten by Lavion.

     Eerie storm clouds and its lightening began to spread and to spill over

onto their side of the mountain. Soon, rain was falling on them so hard that it stung their heads and the wind

picked up until they could hardly stay on their feet, especially when they made a dash for the hidden entrance.

On the way Abby shouted to Creiton," That'll be quite enough

Creiton. I should like to survive your conjured cover spell thank you."

Creiton cupped his hands and replied," I'm sorry my princess. I really

don't know how I did all this. It's never done this much before."

Tanar grumbled," That's because he's never done it before."

When they reached the location of the mountain entrance they were making inches at a time on their hands

 and knees.

     Tanar shouted to the wizard to make sure he heard him over the constant rumble of the lightning and

 tremendous wind.

" Now what? How do we get in...and quickly? It seems to be getting worse."

The others looked on as close as they could as Creiton approached the tall cliff wall before them. Much of the

gray stone streaked with black and tan colored minerals all looking very much the same and the rain splashing into his eyes  

didn't help, but finally he found what he was searching for. A perfect round hole the size of a grapefruit to the

right of him. It was located at eye level dug into the strange solid rock. Creiton spoke   out loud several words in

 the ancient wizards language and boldly inserted three   

 fingers of his right hand into the unusual hole.

     Tanar heard a brief creaking sound of large gears within the cliff wall

and suddenly the stone began to separate along a large crack in that wall

beginning at the top some twenty feet. The rumble it made as the two sides moved back slowly

were briefly drown out by a loud crack of sound of a green bolt of lightning striking the ground nearby, barely

 missing Baboo. This persuaded the black warrior to help the stone doors open faster by bracing his back

 against one and pushing outward with his big hands against the other. In a moment, it was large enough that they

were quickly able to squeeze through to the inside of sorcerer Tharmat's fortress.

                                        Chapter IX

 

     At first to Abby, the area beyond the ponderous rock doors seemed

pitch black until her eyes adjusted to the new surroundings.

" My first thoughts were, have we walked into a trap? I can't see a thing!

Now I see some parts of the walls give off a faint glow, a light of their own."  Abby ran her hand across

the sides of the stone walls that apparently supported    a narrow passage.

" A faint light at best my princess." responded Ceiton who seemed to have little trouble finding his way

 in the infinitesimal glow," Perhaps we still may be walking into a trap."

Tanar heard a small thud of a sound behind him and when he glanced over his shoulder he noticed the

stone doors to the entrance has slid shut again.

" Creiton."

"Yes, Tanar?"

" Are the doors supposed to close on their own?"

" No, I don't think so."

" I have a terrible feeling about this." Baboo whispered.

" Perhaps this is a little used entrance. That would explain why they haven't placed guards around this

place." Abby ventured nervously.

" But that doesn't explain about the doors or the lack of lighting." Baboo

replied in a hushed voice.

" Maybe it was the wind." Tanar growled impatiently.

     Unnoticed, Creiton had wandered some twenty feet further along the tall narrow passage before

he conjectured," Perhaps... there are actually

two tunnels to take from here, but if we stay on the one leading straight

ahead we shall eventually find what we are all looking for. I feel he

isn't f-..." Suddenly, he was cut off in mid-sentence.

Baboo in a small voice exclaimed " Hey! Wait up wizard. Don't you ever leave us        like that."

     Tanar slapped Baboo on the back none too gently as they made their way slowly ahead," Come on

now Baboo. That's all I need, to have you get jumpy on us. Cheer up. Look how far we have come.

Why, I believe the worse is behind us."

Somehow, Abby reached where the old wizard had first stood and after examining       

the walls around her she shouted down Tanar and Baboo way," Hey, there's            

something strange about these walls. They have small holes all over their surface."

     Seconds later, the two warriors had caught up with her and began to examine the walls

for themselves which ran twice as high as a normal man is tall. Suddenly, Abby noticed the

old wizard wasn't around where she could see him, but had wandered further ahead.

     She was about to press ahead when she heard Creiton's voice from

the darkness," A little further and you'll find that our tunnel changes into a  slight decline...Hold it! I just

stepped on something." There was a momentary pause which she guessed was caused by Creiton searching

the floor, then she heard a gasp which sounded from the wizard's lips," Quickly. Run my direction and

don't touch the walls! Whatever you do don't touch them. It is a trap!"

Abby asked Tanar," Did you hear that?"

"Yes." answered Tanar," Let us not waste words." The Vallian warrior

did not wait for Abby's reaction. Instead, he grabbed her by the waste and threw her over his shoulder

 like a sack of grain. While Abby beat his back and arms with her clenched fists, Tanar ran as fast as his legs could

remember he had ran through the snow covered mountains of his homeland with as much weight as a full

 grown man would weigh on his back, a feat that took years of training in endurance.

    Baboo was not far behind them for fear inspired his legs to pump like

gazelle's. Baboo noticed the razor sharp metal burs that began to emerge

from those holes in the stone walls. Most perturbed an average of an inch, but some as  far as three.

That in itself would have been bad, but deep within those walls the lion man warrior of the jungles

could hear the unmistakable sound of grinding gears and heavy sliding stones. And in the faint

glow his worse fears were confirmed as he  watched in wide-eyed terror, the moving walls closing

 in on each side.

     He yelled as they continued to run," We'll never make it, the walls will finish us before we reach Creiton."

Tanar yelled to Creiton," Wizard! Can't you use your spell to lighten the

load in theses walls?"

Creiton wrung his hands in exasperation and helplessness," How do you

lighten a whole mountain Tanar? Oh, this is so terrible..."

      Tanar didn't get as far in life as he had by being just another barbarian adventurer. In seconds he

 realized he must act or they would surely parish from the pointed crushing walls. Dropping Abby to

the floor, he stopped suddenly asking Baboo a question,  who almost fell over him.

"Would you say your battleaxe is as long as my sword?"

" Tanar, we don't have time to compare our weapons to..." Baboo started to protest. Tanar shouting

desperately interrupted him.

" Baboo! Yes or no."

"Why, yes they are...I don't see, wait! I get your meaning! Let's try it, but we'll lose our weapons!"

Tanar brought his face very close to Baboo's," Which do you prefer to lose, our weapons, or our lives?"

The next moment as Abby struggled to her feet, the two warriors drew

their weapons and carefully braced one end of each against one wall and waited until    the other wall

 reached the other end of the weapons. With a loud screech, the walls temporarily stopped their advance.

    Tanar and Baboo laughed with relief and Baboo slapped Tanar on the back. They could hear

Creiton the old wizard, jumping up and down, laughing and yelling to             

them," You did it! You did it! Whoopee! But

you better get your back sides over to the safe area before they give

under that tremendous pressure and you three will be as flat as Lavion

saucer bread." The old wizard continued to laugh at the simple, but

effective way that the barbarian warriors had solved the trap...temporarily.

     Several times along the way, the arrow tips grazed them and each place it broke the

skin burned like fire. When Tanar, Abby and Baboo finally reached the safe part of the

passageway with Baboo right on their heels, the princess almost out of breath examined her cuts

 and scrapes. Tanar did not, even though his friend the lion man did. Long ago this Vallian

warrior had been conditioned to be resistant to most pain. To a point.

     " I hope those arrows weren't poison tipped." Abby commented.

" If they had been, we would be dead by now." Baboo explained as he watched the two

 heavy stonewalls they had just passed through slowly bend and brake they’re wedged weapons

 and close solidly together. The resounding boom of the walls slapping together echoed

down the passageway that lay before them. Suddenly, Abby pointed down the passageway

 and cried out," Look, where did   the wizard go?"

     Indeed, in the moment it took to examine themselves and gather their wits, Creiton had

 vanished. Not a trace of him to be found in the area they were in. The three explorerers

examined every square inch of that passageway until it ended with a large oak door at least

eight feet tall and five feet wide barring their progress. After a close examination of its broad

 surface, they could not find a handle or a lock.

 Abby called out to her wizard," Creiton, where are you? Are you on the other side of this

 door? If you are, just knock or something."

After a moment, she heard a light tapping from the other side. Tanar raised his head at  the

same time Abby did and exclaimed," By Tuek! I think that was him on the other side. 

See if he knows a way through this strange door. It is truly the strangest door I've ever seen."

     Baboo, who can be impatient at best sometimes, said," Forget that."

as he nudged his friends to the side away from the odd door, " I'm not standing here all day

for that wizard and his games."

Just beyond the door, they could hear Creiton yelling faintly," Stop that dolt! I know of an easier way."

     But it was too late, for Baboo was already bracing his large muscular frame against the

 stone floor. Taking a deep breath, Baboo pushed with all his might and to his surprise, the

 tall door fell inward the first time sending dust flying in all directions, causing them to cough

 and gag for a moment. Tanar was the first to see that on the other side, the tunnel dropped

 at a sharp angle, sharp enough it almost looked as if it dropped off of a ledge of a cliff. Also, this part of the tunnel looked to be only

wide and tall enough for one person at a time to crawl through. And again, the wizard was

nowhere to be found.

     Just as they stepped through the doorway and walked over the caved in door, Baboo

stopped and asked," What's that whistling sound?"

Tanar started to give a smart retort to his question, when a tremendous current of air suddenly

began to suck them into the tunnel drop off like we were so many leaves in the wind. Never had

 they felt so helpless as the incredibly strong air current sent them flying in and down steep angled

 tunnel. As they dropped down into the dark hole that led to who knows where, their shoulders, legs,

hands and heads kept bouncing off the smoothly sculptured rock walls and ceiling.

   Baboo shouted," Hey, I like slides, but this is re-...ouch! I hope there's a soft bottom to this...aiiieeee!"

Abby first to be sucked into the darkened tunnel, was first to spot the lava flow that boiled angrily

past the ending of the tunnel, not far below and looking closer every second. She screamed," By

all the gods of Lavion!  We're going to be cooked."

     Baboo yelled," Sorry princess, guess I got too anxious to get through that door."

Tanar said nothing for he was too busy trying to stop his progress with his legs and arms long

enough to give him a chance to save them somehow. It sounded impossible. But it was better

than giving up. After trying to unsuccessfully several times he finally resigned to his fate. He regretted

only two things in his life and that was his little princess had to share their fate, and that he was to die without

a sword in his hands, fighting the good fight.

                                               Chapter X

 

     In a dudgeon cell not far from Abby and her companions, the prisoner who looked much

older than he actually was had been trying to sleep on the cold    stone floor. But after a while, he

 finally gave up. His stomach was growling so from the hunger he felt. Then there was the constant

 growling or snoring of his unseen gargoyle guards in a hallway above his cell.

     He sat up and rubbed his eyes, then he stumbled to his feet. A few paces and he stood just

 below the barred window opening in the low ceiling. Just as he was about to rake his metal food

dish across those bars to wake his capturers, a gargoyle stuck his terrible gray-green face down to

the bars on the other side and spoke to him in broken Lavion that he could hardly understand," Keep

 your arms up. Someone needs to see you now. We must hurry."

     The tattered dressed prisoner did as he was told and soon he heard the click of a lock opening

and the sharp squeak of the barred door being thrown back upward and outward. In a instant, gargoyle

arms grabbed his arms and lifted him out of his cell to the floor above as if he were a feather.

 He felt like he had been eating feathers.

     As he was about to ask one of the guards a question, he suddenly felt a horribly sharp pain pass

 through his left side and it felt as though it burst through his left shoulder. The blow made him cry out

and he fell against one wall of the hallway he had been lifted up to from his cell. He winced as he tried

 to regain his feet and then he noticed something new in the hands of a large gargoyle that took it upon

 himself as the lead guard. It looked like a black metal tube, with a tiny green glowing sphere fastened

 to one end.

     It was the appearate cause of his numbing pain attack. The large gargoyle grinned hideously and

made a motion as if to touch him somewhere again with that strange tube device he held.

" Alright you brute, I'm going," the prisoner said to his tormentor," You don't have to use that thing on

 me. I am not cattle that you can prod around on."

" Move then." His capturer yelled in a grotesque voice and pointed down the hallway to a side that had

 a large smooth metallic door with no handle or latch built into it. At least, this hall was lit with lanterns enough

to see most of his new setting around him, he thought to himself. When he was placed in this last dudgeon

 cell, he had been out cold from the torture he had received at the hands of several cruel gargoyles in a

 completely different location of Tharmat's mountain fortress. As he gingerly walked down the hallway he

 began to have a strange feeling that he wasn't going to a place of torture this time. Only this single brute was escorting him.

     Before he reached the door, he was beginning to wish it were the place of torture that was his

destination. Every time he tried to turn to ask where he was going or any question at all, his escort

either shoved him in the back or acted as if he was going to touch him with the evil device of pain again.

     When the door slid open as they approached within several feet, it gave the prisoner a surprise, but

not near the one he received when he stepped through the doorway into a vast chamber. The chamber's

ceiling was held up by Hugh columns of carved black     and white speckled marble stone and its stone

 floors were covered with vast luxurious     black and red carpets from some mysterious empire in the east.

The vast room was        designed to be perfectly round in nature and he could barely see where the walls end   

and the ceiling began.

     Once again he had stopped in his tracks for a moment from the shock of seeing such a different setting from

 one room to the next, he was prodded by the brute's tube. This time he did fall down, flat on his face. After

all, a human could take just so much. As he struggled to regain his muscle movement to get up again; he heard

 an eerie voice from the far side of the lavish room.

     "Enough Brkek! Help him up and bring him before me."

Upon hearing those instructions, the brute named Brykek dropped his tube in his haste and pulled his human

prisoner to his feet so fast that it nearly dislocated his ribs in the process. Then with one arm around

 the human's form, he helped him walk slowly to the far side where the voice had originated.

     " That's much better Brykek...you may go." instructed the strange voice.

The prisoner fell to his knees, but did manage to turn around to watch

the brutish Brykek depart from the round room.

" Something is not right here." he thought to himself. Then his heart almost skipped a beat when he noticed

 that the gargoyle brute forgot his tube. It still lay on the floor where it had rolled into the shadows. After

 a moment, he was able to calm himself down and after a fitful coughing spell he turned to face whoever

was in the room with him.

     Then he heard a laugh that sent chills through his spine and he almost went into an uncontrollable shaking

spell. After a moment of laughter, the voice spoke again.

"You know, this is working out better than I had planned. With the gargoyle infants at their peak of incubation

more and more every day; my power is increasing by the minute. I shall rule all this world sooner than I dreamed."

     The ragged prisoner who was suffering from exposure and malnutrition could barely make out a figure

sitting in a large royal styled wooden chair complete with gold and purple diamonds covering the surface. For

 some unknown reason the lighting was not very good, where this individual was sitting. Still, it wasn't too

hard to make out the sple-

ndor of the luxurious furniture that decorated this side of the round room. No doubt loot taken from cities

conquered in the recent past.

" Do what you will with me. It will not change the fate that awaits you..."

     The figure in the chair leaned over enough that a single stream of light revealed his face and garments that

 he wore. Tharmat looked as though he couldn't have been more than twenty-five years old, yet some claimed

that he was at least twenty times that. His handsome tanned face and straight coal black hair reminded the prisoner

of features belonging to one of those men native to an island in the south seas or on the mysterious southern

 

continent of Suteria. The golden chains around his neck and strange white feathered cloak he wore around his

 shoulders and arms, not even his gold chain mailed vest and high laced sandals could not compare to what

adorned his almost square shaped head. It was the headdress made of unicorn horns that he had heard so

much of. They had somehow been heated and bent into different shapes like a puzzle to be welded to one

another. It formed a cylinder shaped hat one and a half feet tall of solid horns with purple feathers sticking from it here and there for color.

     Tharmat leered ugly," Fate? I control mine and I control yours. I have become immortal, fool. There is no power that can stand up to me now. Just ask your old friend."

     The prisoner heard the rattling of chains and saw that Tharmat had one end of them in his hand. The sorcerer suddenly gave a jerk on the chains and a familiar figure of an old man stumbled out of the shadows from beside the large royal chair. It was Creiton, his faithful wizard of what seemed like eons ago. Did he really have a kingdom? Was it really Creiton before him? He rose to his feet in anger," If you've harmed Creiton, so help me, I swear by all the gods I'll hunt you..."

"And do what? Kill me?" Tharmat interrupted him with laughter," Your wizard tried and now knows the truth, don't you? You old fool."

Creiton couldn't lift his eyes for the shame he felt and the sorrow that swept through him for his king, Abby and the others. He couldn't even make his voice box work to retort this evil upstart's taunts.

     Tharmat laughed and jerked the chain once more causing the hapless old wizard to tumble to the floor. Creiton didn't bother to get up he just said in a tiny voice," I'm sorry my king. I have failed everyone. The queen would have been right to finish me."

     The prisoner who had been king of Lavion again spoke like one to his former wizard," Truth? What truth does this fiend speak of Creiton?"

     But Creiton did not get a chance to answer, for Tharmat answered for him as he stared down all the while upon Creiton as if he were an insect,” The only truth in this world of course, that I gave him extra powers to see how far he and his princess could make it. They did well, but it was all for naught. Now you and your kind must die to make way for the era for Tharmat." Tharmat turned his head to look upon Abby's father and said in a innocent voice," You did know that your daughter is here didn't you?"

     The ragged prisoner shouted," No! You have her here? " Then he tried to lunge at Tharmat, but was slammed back hard onto the floor by an invisible force that must have surrounded the evil sorcerer. The force of the blow knocked the wind out of Lord Johns-

ton Dann, but in a moment he was back on his feet, filled with rage and frustration.

" You're dead as sure as you stand there fiend."

     The golden chains around Tharmat’s neck and strange white feathered cloak he wore around his shoulders and arms, not even his gold chain mailed vest and high laced sandals could not compare to what adorned his almost square shaped head. It was the headdress made of unicorn horns that he had heard so much of. They had somehow been heated and bent into different shapes like a puzzle to be welded to one another. It formed a cylinder shaped hat one and a half feet tall of solid horns with purple feathers sticking from it here   and there for color.

     Tharmat leered ugly," Fate? I control mine and I control yours. I have become immortal, fool. There is no power that can stand up to me now. Just ask your old friend."

     The prisoner heard the rattling of chains and saw that Tharmat had one end of them in his hand. The sorcerer suddenly gave a jerk on the chains and a familiar figure of an old man stumbled out of the shadows from beside the large royal chair. It was Creiton, his faithful wizard of what seemed like eons ago. Did he really have a kingdom? Was it really Creiton before him? He rose to his feet in anger," If you've harmed Creiton, so help me, I swear by all the gods I'll hunt you..."

"And do what? Kill me?" Tharmat interrupted him with laughter," Your wizard tried and now knows the truth, don't you? You old fool."

Creiton couldn't lift his eyes for the shame he felt and the sorrow that swept through him for his king, Abby and the others. He couldn't even make his voice box work to retort this evil upstart's taunts.

"Tisk,Tisk. A valiant effort I admit, but a futile one. So was your daughter's and her warrior friends. Even as I speak, they should drop into my lava well, any second now." Tharmat laughed again, but his was more like the hiss of a serpent. He stopped suddenly when he realized that the old wizard he had in chains had stood up and began to laugh. Quietly at first like a chuckle and finally he was in hysterics as if he couldn't stop if he wanted to.

     Tharmat started to yell at the old Creiton, for it looked as though he had gone out of his mind. Suddenly, a slight sound caught his attention.

First it seemed to resemble a series of popping sounds. Then as they grew louder, the walls and floors began to shake violently like an earthquake.

     Tharmat looked as if he was panic and confused," What is that?"

Creiton replied between giggles," Like my master wizard always use to say, sometimes to obtain power, you have to rely on your brain."

Tharmat in a full fledged panic grabbed the form of Creiton by the top of his shirt and lifted him harshly into the air," What do you mean old man? Speak."

     Creiton spat onto the floor in front of Tharmat," I have kept a mental

image in my mind of where Abby and her friends were all this time that we have separated."

" So?"

" They are not burned to a cinder as you would have them, but are safe and are headed this way. Dolt!" Creiton's form began to shimmer to change and the chains fell from his new form, the form of a unicorn.

     In shock Tharmat hardly seemed to notice the change in Creiton's form," But my army of gargoyles will smash them easily..."

The unicorn from had still another answer," No, I don't think so. You see, they'll be busy..." As he spoke those words there was another much

louder explosion that rocked the mountain so that Tharmat's chair crumbled into pieces forcing the evil sorcerer to float several feet above the surface where his chair had been. While he regained his balance and was about to ask more questions, Lord Dann took that opportunity to stumble over to the shadows where he had seen the strange tube fall. His first try in feeling around for it on the darkened floor was successful. When he had it        in his possession, he made his way slowly toward the evil sorcerer keeping to the shadows as best he could. Other small explosions rumbled through the fortress walls.

     Tharmat asked the unicorn," How is it possible that the princess and her friends survived?"

The unicorn for which Tharmat was now beginning to realize was a true unicorn and not an old wizard turned its gaze toward the direction of the front doorway across Tharmat's round room and replied," Why don't you ask them yourself?"

     Tharmat peered at the spot the unicorn was looking and was startled to find Tanar had flung the door open. The warrior was in the act of shoving a dead guard's headless body to the side where it fell to the floor. Other small explosions rumbled through the fortress walls. Baboo and Abby followed Tanar inside, but he was the first to speak since being of sharper eye then the other two he had spotted and   recognized Tharmat's floating form across the vast room.

" Well Tharmat, we meet at last and I've got to tell you, the game is over. Take off that silly headgear and surrender for Tanar of Vallia is your conqueror."

     Tharmat was only taken aback a moment, but his reply was confident enough to make the others realize he had recovered," What do you know of conquering, dog? It must have been sheer luck that brought you here and nothing more."

     Abby had her say," No, It was the wizard Creiton's true magic that brought us out of the jaws of death and to your decrypted chamber ole arrogant sorcerer. We were falling into the lava and I thought we were doomed when suddenly; we were floating up the way we had come. That was when I noticed another tunnel on the way up I had not noticed before and on the edge of its opening was some of Creiton's special magic trace liquid that can only be seen glowing in the dark. I had heard of it through the court gossip and didn't believe in its existence until then.

He had left traces of it like a trail to help find our way. I stopped myself and shouted to the others to cling to rocks and pull themselves after me into the tunnel. Then it was simple to follow the traces of his liquid along the floor of the tunnel through the dungeon and finally to this place."

Tanar whispered to Abby," Jaws of death?"

" A lot of your gargoyle guards seem to be busy with something else. What is that about?" Baboo asked.

Abby pretended not to hear Tanar's question as she approached closer to

Tharmat. Tharmat's form rose a little further and his eyes began to glow with a reddish hue. He glanced at the unicorn," No doubt you shall inform me unicorn before I scatter your remains throughout my mountains."

     The unicorn took a step closer instead of backing away. “It was more

of the wizard's magic that had caused the switching places with me. No

doubt you are familiar with that type of magic. The wizard was standing just outside of your fortress mountain in time to lead the attack."

The evil sorcerer said several choice words in an unknown language to

Abby and her friends, before he asked," What attack?"

     The unicorn laughed in a high voice and Abby and her friends were all

ears as he replied, for the benefit of Tharmat, but also to Abby," You see,

when the princess and her friends were attacked by the black demon of the plains that you had sent to eliminate them, one of the servants survived. He returned to Lavion, but not before Creiton slipped a note in his pocket that explained to queen Felica of Lavion that he would meet her at the base of the mountains of doom somewhere to help in the rescue of her daughter and perhaps her husband Lord Johnston Dann. Abby's wizard knew something of the future to have known that Abby would eventually be captured. You see, he would hope this would regain favor with his queen so that he would no longer be banished from the land of Lavion for his mistakes and be a real wizard again someday."

     Tanar blurted," Dragon's fire! He is already a true wizard and I believe he has outwitted you Tharmat."

The evil one looked about the room in distain and laughed insanely," So it is Lavion's army that has entered my domain. Are you all through? Good! Now I will tell you , I don't need my gargoyle army , for my headdress of unicorn power is complete after these long centuries and I am now powerful enough to defeat your warriors, Lavion's army and all of Lavion with a sweep of my hand..."

The unicorn interrupted Tharmat," I think not evil one. Your days of terror are over. You must surrender now, or parish."

" What nonsense are you mouthing now?" Tharmat asked.

" Look to the corner of the room on the side of you opposite of myself."

     The strange evil Tharmat took a look and froze in disbelief. There,

just as the unicorn instructed, a strange twinkling series of lights of every

color imaginable began to float about. At first the area they floated in was only several feet across, but in a matter of seconds, the area grew and continued to grow as Tharmat asked the unicorn," What are those lights for? Some sort of cheap carnival trick?" In Tharmat's heart he already knew it was no trick. He didn't need an answer from the unicorn to know.

                                                 Chapter XI

 

     When Felica, queen of Lavion received the news from the servant that escaped the terrible jaws of death of the giant spider, and read the special note wizard Creiton had sent; she immediately gathered her army throughout the land. There was some delay for most were scattered across the country as civilians, tending sheep or farmers or helping build a road. A large body of them arrived late for chasing bandits, which they never caught.

     Felica knowing time was of an essence lead her horsemen dressed in light battle armor and sword on ahead of her infantry so that at least she and part of her army would have a chance of arriving on time. Besides, everyone knew a foot soldier would stand no chance against the gargoyles, which could fly to meet them in battle when they reached the mountains of doom.

   Along the way, the queen noticed death and great destruction across her beloved land and the land called Saleen. When they finally reached the edge of the mountains of doom, Felica observed a tall colorful bird almost the size of the average man studying, leaning against a post that helped support a bridge they wanted and needed to cross. Felica and her long column of nervous soldiers halted their mounts in front of the strange bird and   she addressed it uncomfortably," Creiton? Is that you?"

     The strange colorful bird squawked and then replied in Lavionian language," Yes my queen, and I believe you arrived just in time to wipe out the gargoyles once and for all."

The bird's features melted and rearranged themselves in a matter of moments as Felica watched in awe and silence. Horses of the army neighed and danced around nervously, spooked by the sight and they sensed something unnatural was going on. Before long, Creiton stood as old and thin looking as ever near his queen. At least he hoped

she was still his queen. He crossed his fingers on one hand he had behind him.

"How are we supposed to match our force against that?" Felica asked him as they watched thousands of gargoyles many already in the stormy sky approaching them from several secret entrances throughout the mountain and from several other mountains nearby.

   There were even several hundred approaching their location from wince they had

traveled. The din they made by flapping their bat like wings and screech-

ing their war cries was so loud that Creiton had to shout to be heard by his queen.

" Did you bring the noise makers I had developed with you?"

"Yes." Felica pulled open a flap on a satchel she had laying across the front of her saddle," They are here and can easily be thrown...what are they good for?"

"Did you pack the hardening liquid rock over their forms?"

" Of course, I follow directions pretty well. I even distributed a number

of them amongst most of my soldiers. We had made a lot of them."

     Creiton looked back at the secret entrance further up the mountain he knew so well and said," Instruct your men to light the strings that stick out of the top of the noise makers when a good number of the enemy is within throwing range and then throw them in such a way that they will land among their number and pass among those attacking by

air. When they explode you should see the results at once. It should turn the tide."

     Felica pulled her mount closer to Creiton," It shall be done, but what of the evil sorcerer Tharmat?"

Creiton smiled to himself," Don't worry about him my queen, he is pre-

occupied, but I must return to your daughter's side to ensure her safety

as well as the others. We're still not out of this yet."

Felica gasped," She is inside Tharmat's fortress? Why?"

"Why?! Her father is inside though I'm not exactly sure where."

     Felica jumped from her mount and drew her royal blue bladed sword in one move. Creiton turned to her as she approached him. He couldn't help noticing the determination in her voice and the way she stared hard at him." John, my beloved is alive? Then you will lead me to them."

Creiton hesitated," But there may be many gargoles standing in our way between here and Tharmat’s chambers.”

"Don't worry about them wizard, I'll take care of them. You just get us there, now! Your queen orders you to."

Creiton smiled broadly for he was happy once more. She had all but announced that he was once again Lavion's wizard.

"Yes, my queen. We had better make a run for the entrance when your men begin to throw my noise makers."

" Good plan, I'll instruct the men about them now." Felica mentioned as she changed directions and he watched in bliss as she gathered her officers to spread his instructions among her Calvary. He watched in half interest as the officers in turn spread the word and her men took up positions among trees and many large stones strewn about the area. Still, the gargoyles were unaware of what fate awaited them rushed headlong into the attack with a ferocity and confidence they had gained with the false knowledge that their master Tharmat would be there to support them with his evil sorcery. Many of those flying began to dive at Felica's men throwing crude spears and stones among their number. Most missed their mark, but several men were wounded slightly in the first wave of the attack. Then it was their turn and the gargoyles suddenly found themselves      flying through a thick wave of arrows and noisemakers.

     The arrows had little effect until the noisemakers began to explode.

Felica made a mental note to remember to name them something other than what Creiton had originally called, for she realized right away she was witnessing the beginning of a whole sale slaughter. The exploding missiles sent pieces of debris as hard as any metal flying in all directions. Hundreds of the flying nightmares were cut to pieces by those deadly jagged debris. Dead or dying broken forms fell in droves to the rocks and trees below.

    Only half of the gargoyles survived the onslaught of the missiles and arrows, but their ferocity was not diminished in the least and soon the human cavalry found themselves fighting there in a desperate hand-to-hand battle to the finish. Still, Felica felt things were well in hand and so Creiton was coerced into leading his queen up the mountain to the secret entrance.

     When Felica burst through the door into Tharmat's chamber, she found Abby, Tanar and Baboo battling a half dozen young gargoyles. They had apparently slipped in on them from a secret trap door leading through the floor in a corner of the vast room.

Felica was the only one with a decent weapon so she shouted at the mercenary," Tanar, maybe you need this."

Tanar glanced her way as he knocked a gargoyle to the floor with his fist," Felica! Well I'm blessed by the gods!"

     The queen of Lavion tossed Tanar her royal blue sword right over the heads of two gargoyles and he neatly caught it in mid-air. Wasting no motion, he brought its blade down on his opponent who was trying to claw his legs as it tried to regain its footing. The blade split the desperate creature in two. The Vallian glanced at Felica who was passing by him," Good blade Felica!"

She only nodded and hurried on. She had better things to do than chat with a Vallian barbarian who probably got her daughter into this mess. Then she spotted her Abby again who seemed to be holding her own at the moment against two smaller unarmed gargoyles. Abby saw her at the same instant and cried out," Mother! How did you know?"

     Felica did not smile," I am thankful you are alive, but you are still in trouble young lady and when this is over you'll have to accept the consequences."

     Abby stabbed one of the gargoyles in the leg and shouted above the noises of battle," Gladly. but haven't you noticed? We're fighting for our lives here!"

Felica did not waste any more time, but dodged a gargoyle’s battle axe and

ran further inside the chamber. As she passed Baboo who was in the process of smashing two gargoyles heads together, she remarked," A sight different than a wedding eh Baboo? Creiton let me in on your ambitious plans."

He laughed in pleasure at this beautiful Lavion queen before him," Yes, but safer."

   That made Felica smile, but she continued without another word and Baboo accepted this behavior as a typical queenly trait, knocking the two gargoyles out cold with one blow. Felica had traveled only ten feet when she tripped over something in the darkness just as she spotted the evil floating sorcerer and a beautiful shinning white unicorn. She fell right beside her long lost husband Johnston Dann who was still trying to sneak his way in the shadows to get close to Tharmat. Their eyes met and it was as though they had never parted.

" Together Felica?" He asked.

" Together!" Felica replied excitement in her voice that Johnston had

missed hearing for so very long.

     And together with her long dagger drawn, Felica and her beloved with his confiscated torture tube, sprung to their feet to rush in on Tharmat. The evil sorcerer noticed that the unicorn had his guard down and in fact was in the middle of some useless conversation with him and he knew that it was time to strike. Even the creature’s horn was not shinning as would usually be the case if in great stress. This puzzled him, but only for a tick of the clock.

     Suddenly, large purplish lightning bolts sprung from his fingers and eyes dancing their dance of death upon the unicorn's entire body, engulfing it entirely, but only for another tick of the clock.

     By the time he heard the war cries of the Lavion king and queen, it was too late to put up an effective shield. Still, the woman's dagger only penetrated a few inches, which infuriated him further. Now the shock tube was a different matter. Part of it had been forged of metal, but some was of the very essence of the horns of unicorns and when it touched his chest it burned like fire. He yelled in agony and anger; releasing the unicorn of his engulfing onslaught. He then focused and released a shinning yellow ball of pure     force. It exploded between his Lavion assailants sending their bodies flying a dozen feet across the chamber.

     Abby looked up in time to witness this horrible scene and cried out," Mother!" Heedless of the danger around her, she ran toward her mother who's crumpled form lay in the shadows. Baboo grabbed a gargoyle from behind and snapped its neck before it could drive a spear into the young princesses' back. That turned out to be the last gargoyle between them and the gargoyle’s leader. So, Tanar and Baboo both covered in blood turned and advanced in grim determination toward Tharmat.

     Then the unicorn rose from the floor and pleaded with Tharmat," Tharmat, throw the headdress into the universal doorway, the twinkling lights above you or you and all this universe will be doomed."

Tharmat's laughter was cut off when he felt Tanar's sword glance off the headdress sending it crashing to the floor.

      The barbarian had thrown his sword at him. Tharmat was shocked at the bold move. But the biggest shock was the result of his action. He cried out in anguish for without its power he was only as powerful as the old Lavionian wizard Creiton. He tried to grab for the headdress, but felt his body drift away from it instead, still floating three feet above the floor. He could no longer control the power of levitation.

     Tharmat cried out," Unicorn. Stop this! You can't let me drift into the doorway!"

The unicorn said nothing. He knew it was too late to stop him even if he had his full energy restored. He could only hang his head for he wished not to look at what would befall Tharmat.

     Their spirits soaring, Tanar and Baboo yelling war cries of triumph, flung their bodies as one into the hapless floating sorcerer. The twinkling lights picked up speed in expanding further and a dark black hole where no light passed through the size of a man length wise; appeared amongst the middle of them.

     Tharmat had time only to scream out loud," No!" and then his body

faded into the dark opening. Tanar's and Baboo's war cries were cut off by first horrible screams of agony that sounded very much that of Tharmat's voice. Then they all were stunned to silence by a strange terrible roaring from some gigantic beast that bellowed from the dark shimmering opening.

     Abby was the first to hear the unicorn's shaky voice over the con-

stant roaring sounds that seemed to increase in volume with each passing

second." Quickly princess Abby, only you have the heart and the resolve

to pick up the evil headdress and throw it into the opening. The evil sorcerer is gone, but an even greater evil will enter this universe, this world unless you get rid of that headdress now!"

     Abby was already shaken deeply by seeing her mother hurt and the constant foreign noises that emanated from the strange opening. Fear as she had never experienced threatened to engulf her mind and shatter her forever. She froze curled up against Felica's body and in a state of utter terror.

     The unicorn knew that time was of the essence, as if it never was!

He had to shake her out of her catatonic state or they would all parish.

Only the Lavion princess while still a virgin and still pure in thoughts

could pull it off.

     Again the unicorn spoke to her, now more urgently," Abby, Abby!

You're our only hope. I thought you wanted to be queen some day. Is this

how a future queen should act if problems arise in her kingdom?"

He could see that it helped, but was not enough. The unicorn tried a different approach for they were running out of time. Already a large scaly gray hand with long razor shaped nails had pushed itself through to their world and had grabbed up Abby's two warrior friends as if they were toy dolls, to crush them to a pulp. Creiton tried every spell he could, but they bounced off the hand as if they were merely gusts of wind.

     The unicorn yelled to her again," Abby. What will happen to your father who lies only several yards from you if the ultimate evil finds him? Yes, that man  who was helping your mother was your father, a friend of my kind and a prisoner of Tharmat. Do you wish to see him parish after finally finding him, after all these years? Do you..."

The unicorn was cut off by Abby's cry of defiance," No! No! I won't let it. Never!" Abby rose and grabbed the headdress.

" Throw it at the hand Abby. The demon creature wants it. It does not realize the danger the headdress poses to it. I can feel its feelings. I..." The unicorn suddenly fainted for the creature's thoughts were so evil that it had been too much for him in his weakened condition.

Creiton yelled to the warriors who were vainly trying to struggle their way out of the steel like grip of the gigantic hand," Tanar! Baboo! Be ready to jump our direction. The princess has the headdress."

Whether they heard him no one could tell for sure, but they were sure the

creature had. An instant later, the hand let the two bruised warriors drop

to the chamber floor.

Baboo stared up at the creature and yelled above its roaring," That's right

ugly! You're in trouble now!"

     In that moment, Abby lifted the headdress of the damned above her head with both hands shouting toward the opening," I cast this to you of which you have always wanted. Go back from wince you have come and never return, evil thing from universe of hell."

     Then Abby threw the headdress as hard as she could straight for the palm of the large scaly hand. It's fingers quickly closed about it. An earth-shattering scream echoed throughout the chamber and suddenly to Abby it felt as if the whole world disappeared in an incredible brilliant white light. Then, all was darkened by darkness darker than the deepest black of any cave. For a while, she felt as though she was floating and then bouncing around as if on a ship in rough seas. The darkness closed about her once more.

 

 

 

                                        Chapter XII

 

     When she awoke she realized the bouncing feeling she had felt in the darkness was really her body being carried on a crude stretcher out of what was left of Tharmat's chamber and eventually outside. She could hear the sounds of battle between gargoyles and humans still in progress amongst the mountainside and forest. But try as she did, she could not rise to see it. Every time she did she felt her head would split in two from the terrific pounding inside. Her moan alerted the stretcher-bearers she had regained consciousness. Her bearers turned out to be Creiton and Tanar. Tanar looked down smiling at her.

" Hold on little one. You've got a nasty wound to the head. If it wasn't

for Creiton's bandaging of your wound, you would have bled to death."

     Then Creiton noticed Abby was awake adding," If your barbarian friend here had cried any more tears on you, you would have drowned before you bled to death!"

Tanar glared at Creiton," Alright for you, you quack of a wizard. You

can just close your idle mouth now."

Abby couldn't help it, she was so glad to see their ugly, beautiful faces. Creitons truthful words seemed so funny that she burst out laughing despite the splitting headache. Tanar and Creiton saw her laughing and it was catching. They too were soon laughing along with her. Then Felica's face appeared over her and Abby said," Ah mother, is all going well?"

The Lavion queen smiled tiredly down at her brave daughter's face," All

is going well everywhere my daughter. Thanks to you."

Tanar interrupted by clearing his voice to get attention. Felica looked at

him patiently," Yes?"

" Well, I know that all remains is to mop up what's left of the gargoyles that still want to fight..."

"Yes?"

"I was wondering, since Abby looks like she is in good hands, if I could

perhaps help out with the mopping up that is?"

" No, your friend Baboo needs to be attended to first. Then you can do what you like. I'm not your queen."

Tanar winked at Falica and laughed with an edge of excitement in his voice," Hey! You are right there." He glanced down at his little friend," Abby, I’m glad you are ok. We have shown the world didn't we? It’s the good memories; the good fights that count, my princess. I'll see you later, you can count on that." The Vallian placed his hand against his broad chest and then pressed his same hand into her right hand briefly. Then after he helped lower the stretcher, he turned and headed in Baboo's direction. His friend lay stretched out under a bush with his head resting on someone's saddle. He looked unconious, from a distance.

     Abby craned her neck and watched Tanar leave asking her mother," What happened to Baboo?"

   Felica smiled as she also watched the warrior go to see about his friend," Oh, the clod was fine until he hit his head on a low beam coming out of the entrance to Tharmat's mountain fortress. Come all this way with hardly a scratch and then knocks himself out."

" Why didn't Tanar ask for his pay?"

Felica looked down at her daughter," Maybe he felt it wasn't the right

time."

Then suddenly, Abby's father bigger than life and looking a little health-

ier than when he was inside the mountain, stood over her saying," Perhaps he's a warrior who's found a true friend and he felt his biggest reward was your friendship."

Felica winked at her husband," Perhaps his thoughts are now only to help his big friend over there and will probably keep Baboo's source of injury a secret."

Creiton slipped up to them and said," Ha! You'll excuse me if I find that a bit funny."

     All three of the royal family laughed at Creiton's remark until Abby asked," Hey! What of the unicorn? Where is he?"

Abby's father sobered up," That is the strange part. Not a trace has been found of him. Perhaps in his old homeland there may be some unicorns left, but not a sign of them here. When the doorway to the other universe disappeared so did the unicorn."

    Abby craned her neck to ask Creiton," You wouldn't happen to have anything to do with this would you?"

     Creiton started whistling and placed his hands behind him strolling away from the others as though they didn't exist. Felica asked Abby," Are you sure you want him back in our castle?"

Abby ignored the question for she had more important subject on her mind," Oh father, I'm so happy to see you again. I just can't believe..." She broke into tears of joy, and Felica helped her husband lift Abby to her feet. Her bandaged head throbbed, but she didn't care, for her father and mother were reunited again and they held her tightly against them. They laughed and cried together for a long while happy they were a family again.

     In the days that followed on their way home, Abby found that a small number of gargoyles had escaped back into the depths of the earth never to return  as a threat to the outside world. The rest of Felica's army arrived only to turn around to go home. Some of them were assigned to rebuild the fort near Elftown, but this time Johnston Dann decreed it would be built and established under the careful supervision of Pippve

the elf and the local elf government. The elf Kip was immediately jailed

for conspiracy with the evil Tharmat.

     Baboo recovered quickly and decided to leave for home to see if he could patch up things with his people and in particular with his would be wife. After the royal family and Tanar said their goodbyes to Baboo and were watching him ride off to the south from where they camped near Elftown, Abby asked Tanar," Do you think you'll ever see him again?"

     Tanar took a deep breath and felt for his sword until he realized it was still missing," Oh yes. Unless his fiancés knock him in the head. And it usually takes a mountain to do that." He laughed at his own remark.

" I hope you don't embarrass him with that story of his injury." Abby

wondered out loud.

Tanar chuckled," I hope he doesn't give me cause to."

Abby punched his shoulder," You're impossible Tanar."

" Some have told me so, especially a queen I know of."

     When they arrived through the gates of the castle Troxmain that next afternoon, thousands of Lavionian citizens greeted them with cheers and praises. Banners flew from every tower, from every window, and trumpets and bells sounded from every wall. A tremendous sound of celebration burst from every corner inside the castle city. A volley of a special version of the noise makers burst high above the castle in every

color of the rainbow and continued well into the night. After a brief ceremony and an even much more brief speech by Lord Johnston Dann, for he was still weakened by his ordeal, there was a celebration to end all celebrations. People flooded in from five different countries besides their own, including a special envoy of spiritual sisters from the Valley of the Sun dressed in their long flowing garments of spun gold and red silk. An event unheard of in all the history of Lavion.

     Abby excited and elated they were finally back safe and sound, drug Tanar throughout her castle especially her rooms and her family's living quarters until he laughed and stopped her saying," Whoa girl, I need some energy to join your people in the celebration.

Abby laughed too," Ah of course, how silly of me. Let us go, I'm starving."

Creiton watched from his old tower in mirth as he saw Abby drag the poor warrior toward the main hall and dinning building. He would miss that muscle bound barbarian. Now where did they take his pet Takkins lizard to?

     Later in the night, after the great feast of food and drink from every corner of the land and some from places they weren't even familiar with, Tanar quietly gathered his few possessions. He saddled his spotted horse and he slipped into Abby's bedroom. He could tell she would sleep soundly for some time to come, but he felt he must say his goodbyes even if she never heard them. This was easier for him; he always hated heart-rending goodbyes; especially of a child.

    What he didn't notice was the silent form of Felica standing in a partially opened secret door that was right next to Abby's bed. Tanar approached the foot of Abby's bed and quietly said what he came there to say.

" Abby, I must go. A man like me can't have a home for very long. I'm a

Vallian warrior. Worse, I'm also a wondering mercenary by nature. So you see, a man like me can't get close to someone for any..."

He stopped because he suddenly had something making his throat feel clogged. But after a deep breath, he felt he could go on," Still, I'll always remember you and our times together. If I were to ever hope to have a daughter, I would wish that she turned out like you. Just like you. She would make me proud. Well, you’ve heard enough of my nonsense so I ride. Better become a queen Abby, I’ll be checking up on you."

       He kissed her cheek and stood a moment longer gazing at her silently breathing form. As he began to turn to leave, he heard a tiny noise and was startled to see Felica rising to her feet from behind the bed.

    In a whisper, she remarked," Ride Tanar if you must, but ride with these words. You'll always have a place to come to. She may have her father back, but she could use an uncle."

Tanar grinned," Now why didn't I think of that? Hope she's not in too much trouble for looking for her father."

     Felica walked around her daughter's bed and as she replied still in a whisper," No not really. I don't think she'll go against my wishes again. I'd say she has learned a lesson or two from this."

"That is good to hear." Tanar said thoughtfully.

" I have learned something too." Felica commented.

" Oh? And what is that, queen Felica?"

" Not all mercenaries are heartless, and you Tanar must have the biggest heart of all."

Tanar could tell the queen of Lavion meant every word and even in the dimly lit hallway, Felica could see the Vallian warrior blush.

" It is best you leave and get a good head start. I will match my wealth against anyone, that come morning my daughter will send out a search party for you."

Felica suddenly leaned up to Tanar and kissed him on the cheek," Thank you Tanar for all you have done for my daughter and for my kingdom."

Tanar smiled broadly and handed her the royal sword," I give you back your sword my lady. I plan to return to Vallia and will have a new sword made. You may have need of yours. Goodbye Felica and tell Abby all she has here is worth more than all the adventures I may have in a lifetime."

" Oh I shall Tanar, I shall." Felica smiled as Tanar waved once, turned and disappeared down a stairwell.

     Outside, Tanar found Lord Dann waiting for him with his mount's reigns in his hand. The two men firmly shook hands understanding volumes of one another without a word spoken. After Tanar mounted his horse, he leaned over and said to King Dann," Take care of your family your Majesty, I've become fond of them."

" I know and I will forever be in your debt, Tanar. May your journey be a safe one and the road through life you choose a rewarding one."

Something made Tanar glance up at Abby's window that faced the stables. There he saw Felica wave one last goodbye as he urged his horse on toward the gate, which was already waiting open. As he rode through the gate, Creiton was standing on the other side and tossed the Vallian warrior a sword. Upon catching it, Tanar stopped his mount and examined the weapon in the moonlight. To his surprise and delight he recognized it was an exact copy of his old long sword.    

   He laughed and said," Creiton you old goat, you never cease to amaze me. I hope you become the most powerful wizard in all the world."

     Creiton waved him off," I'll be happy to keep my teeth a few more years."

Tanar chuckled and said," With my luck, you'll live forever. Goodbye wizard." He rode off at a full gallop before Creiton could reply.

     A short while later, Tanar stopped his mount to see what was jiggling in both sides of his saddle. Inside the large bags where supplies are usually kept, he found gold coins and jewels which upon closer examination; add up to twenty times the original amount he had been hired for.

     As he rode on toward the North Country, he couldn't help but shout," Abby, you're a girl after my own heart. Aiieh! What a life!"

Miles away, a princess lay on her bed dreaming of a bold warrior who returned happily to his homeland fearless and free and she would have it no other way.

 

                                                       The End