" ORB"

                                                                by Mace Draper (copy written)

                                                                               Chapter I  

 

  A tall figure of a man as old as time dressed in a long dark green cloak paced an old black marble tiled floor. His long bony face was topped with black hair streaked with silver. Though his body was lean and strong, it was his coal black eyes that hinted the power within his being.

     After a while he stopped his pacing in that cold torch lit room. He had stopped in front of a pool of still liquid upon the floor within a short circular wall of stone.      The circular pool wall stood only several inches higher than the floor. He pointed toward the pool with one of his long bony fingers and exclaimed, "See Exliux. With this mirror pool I may find the one that can help me. The one who can accomplish the impossible and find the prize I have been looking for all these centuries. I have found its location only to discover that I cannot retrieve it myself.

    The only answer to the tall man's voice was a hiss and heavy breathing.

Again the tall one spoke after waving an arm across the mysterious pool.

"Yes, this pool will find the one. I can feel it can you Exliux?"

There was a hissing again as if that were an answer. A second passed by and the pool began to glow an eerie light blue, then it opened as if it was a window. A    view of another place far away from the dank musty room. A view of a city near a sea.

   " Ahh, I was right. There he is! Tall, powerful, a bit rough around the edges, but perfect for the mission I have in mind. The beauty of it my dear Exliux, is he'll never know that all the while his thoughts will be influenced by my own. I shall guide him to the treasure I desire and he shall retrieve

it from a place I cannot go. Yes, he is the perfect one."

With those words, he laughed with the laughter of a man who had gone mad long ago. The perfect one. The chosen one.

                                

                                                                            Chapter II

 

" This is perfect ole buddy." The muscular warrior Tanar whispered to his horse patting it on its white mane of hair. "We shall bed here in this city

for the night. We shall get our rest and food here and I will find work in the morning, perhaps on one of those ships out there docked in the harbor.

That's odd. I could have sworn that I promised myself never to venture upon the oceans again... Must be getting old or restless. Or perhaps both."

This barbarian warrior of the far north turned mercenary laughed out loud at his rambling. He rode on till he reached an Inn and stables nearby.

   Tanar tied his horse off at the stables and gazed upon the Inn with tired eyes. He had ridden a long way, a night and all of that day. The sun was

sinking below the edge of the world turning a distant thunderstorm an eerie reddish orange. A number of riders in fancy garment rode up at full gallop and stopped quickly in front of the Inn. A boy from the stables had to run to them and gather their horses to tie them among the stables. He was sneered and laughed        at for his troubles. One even kicked him in the rear as he tried to lead the snorting horses by the reins.

 Tanar shouted at the young one among the new arrivals who was barely twenty years of age,: Hey! Leave the boy alone. He was only doing his job."

As Tanar strolled by the stable boy he grinned at the boy who whispered to him” Thanks." without raising his eyes to look into the mercenary's.

Tanar replied, “You are welcome." and continued on toward the Inn's front door. 

The sign above the door read "Green View Inn".

  The young man that had kicked the stable boy was waiting for him a few feet in front of the entrance." How dare you to interfere. That boy is trash and an animal    and should be treated as such."

Before Tanar could react, a middle aged man his face wind burned and rough from countless days in the weather; stepped in front of the young man and said     over his shoulder as he stared unblinking at the mercenary.

"I would advise not to provoke this man Jimce. By the looks I would wager he is a barbarian and a mercenary. He could cut you to ribbons before you

had drawn your dagger. Now go on in and find us a table like a good lad, eh?"

  Jimce reluctantly replied," Yes father."

The father of Jimce smiled at Tanar,"I am sorry for my son's brashness. He is young and still needs to learn about some important things in life like respect."

Tanar stepped closer," I suggest that the boy needs to learn quickly before he learns about death first."

  Jimce's father wasn't shocked in the least," Forgive him if you can and me as well, for I have forgotten to introduce myself. My name is Korelsh Dierm.

Please join us this night for wine and drink. Help us celebrate a record sell at the market."

Tanar grinned,"You know, I think I'll take you up on your invitation Korelsh.

Like to see if your young pup can drink as well as he can talk."

Korelsh laughed, slapped Tanar on the back and strolled through the front entrance.

 They entered the inn, first Korelsh, his son and party. Then Tanar. The main dining and drinking room was full of people from wall to wall. Busy                                                                                                              

as it was they were still able to find a long table with plenty of chairs by the inn's fireplace. Since there was a chill of fall in the air, there was a

roaring fire in that fireplace. Though the cold air didn’t bother Tanar, he had to admit it felt good to be by that fire. The wood was good for the blaze       was steady. It crackled with sparks shooting outward every once and awhile to ward the ironwork that surrounded the stone fireplace. As they sat and a buxom blond haired bar maid took their orders. Jimce's father laughed heartedly into Tanar's face saying," Aie! What a place! I never tire of it! They have good ale, good food and..." He slapped the bar maid on the rear end and startled she yelped and stuck out her tongue at him and continued to take orders from the     party." And good women." There was laughter throughout the Inn upon witnessing the bar maid slapped in the back end.

Tanar smiled," The women can wait. For now, I’ll settle for their food

and ale."

Jimce asked out loud so many could hear," I wonder father, if he is one that doesn't prefer women?"

Korelsh replied," No son, I can tell he's had his share. In fact, I would say that he's had experience in years with the females loner than you are old, pup!"

Jimce's fake laughter told Tanar that Korelsh's son wasn't amused by that statement and should keep a weary eye on him. That should prove no challenge even     if he were drunk.

 Since the town was a town of trade from all over the known world, there were many different foods to choose from. They all agreed to try a small amount of everything including the ale and different exotic wines they had stored in their cellar. The tales flew and the laughter echoed through the Inn until very late that night. By that time, all of those in the party were either passed out from drunkenness or had left for their rooms except Jimce and Tanar. Tanar watched Jimce who sat in a chair leaning back against a support column. He was staring at Tanar and the expression on the young man's face was one of contempt. Then, as Tanar began to ask him what he was staring at, Jimce's chair fell forward and his body slumped to the floor like a wet rag.

  He had passed out. Tanar unsteadily rose to his feet and gave the young man's head a gentle kick. Nothing. He was out cold. He smiled and muttered to himself," Well, that's that."

Tanar retired to his room upstairs in the back of the Inn. Later a blonde headed woman by the name of Shedrye slowly opened Tanar's bedroom

door and stuck her head in. She asked if she could come in and he answered with a saddle thrown against the door. She disappeared cursing him on her way

down the flight of stairs.

Though he had a long days ride to reach this town, he couldn't understand why he was so tired. He fell right to sleep and first thing he knew he was dreaming that he was flying above the ocean like a bird. It was so real that he thought he could feel the warm breeze against his face. On he flew right side up as if he was standing on an object that could fly, but there was nothing under him except salt water in every direction as far as the eye could see.

It must had been a thousand feet or more above that ocean, for he could barely make out a large blue whale swimming directly below him at one point.

  After what seemed ages, he began to see another person floating as high in the air as himself. When he was close enough to this other person, that he could recognize his features; he realized that the man older than himself. Yet his dark eyes emanated great power and unlimited energy. His hair was long and white flowing down his back across a long purple cape. He wore a long dark green robe underneath which ended at his ankles. His sandals were made from some unknown lizard's hide; very scaly and of the same color as the robe.

  He never opened his mouth, yet he spoke to him through his mind and was pointing at a point below him in the ocean.

"it is beneath you where you see a large mountain of red coral just below the surface of the water. There was an entrance into a temple there long ago but it has caved-in. The only way to the temple now is through a cave in an island nearby. That cave worms its way through the main volcano there and after a time it descends beneath the island and under the ocean floor to the corral mountain.

There you will eventually find another entrance to the temple. Ah, the temple. It is very ancient built eons ago, which was covered as most of the land sank into the waters after a terrible catastrophe. The people are long gone....

Tanar asked him," Why should I go there?"

  The mystery man replied," In the heart of this temple lies a sphere, which sparkles, like a lake with the sun reflecting its rays of light upon its surface. Inside is the largest clear diamond in the world. It was placed in that sphere or orb, as I like to call it, to protect it from thieves and possible earth shakers. It is constructed of indestructible material from the stars. There is a way to open it, but I am the only one left alive that knows its secret. If you bring it to me, I will open the orb . I only ask that I receive a share of what is inside. Will you retrieve it for me?"

" Where is the island?"

"Don't worry. You will know as soon as you are on your way. Beware of traps and beware of the guardians of the island and temple. I hope you are the one that can do this where so many have tried and failed over the centuries."

As the mystery man began to fade into a cloud of steam invading cold air, Tanar

found himself saying out loud," I will do it."

 

                                                                                     Chapter III

 

  Tanar awoke to the sound of a large red-feathered bird chirping at his window of his room in the Inn. He jumped out of bed and made a mad dash for the stain-

ed glass window. He flew it open as the bird streaked and flew in a panic straight out across the city.

Tanar shouted," Be quiet blast you! Can't you let a man get some sleep?

Oh my head! What was I drinking last night?" As he messaged his temples with his hands, he heard a woman's voice answer from the bricked street below.

" I don't know, but I am sure it was too strong for you. My my, If only I were a bird, perhaps I could see the rest of you. Then again, maybe I would be

greatly disappointed."

  Startled Tanar grabbed the bed sheet and ripped it off the bed quickly covering himself for he not a stitch of clothing on. Then he looked down upon the street below. Three beautiful women stood on the street below his window. Two had short coal black hair and a larger one with long red hair. All were dressed in warrior clothing tailored to fit more for a woman. The outfits were rather tight.

  People below of all different trades were just beginning to open their shops. Tanar shouted to the redheaded one since she looked more of the type to make remarks like that to a man she doesn't know.

"Good morning to you too woman. What be your name? I would like to at least

know that of one who wishes a short life."

The redhead replied," Friends call me Tasha Lea, you may call me master."

Tanar was livid at such arrogance." One moment while I dress myself and I'll come down there. We'll see whose master woman!"

" Are you sure you won't need one of my friends here to help you dress?"

Tasha asked amused.

 " Wait right there." the barbarian grimly replied. Then he rushed around the room and quickly dressed. He really had two reasons to hurry. One was of course be-

cause he was greatly insulted by a woman who really needed to be taught an important lesson. Two, he need to find and board a ship by the name of "Sea Farer" before it left the port. Why that ship and how he suddenly had the name in his head, he didn't know. But he had a feeling it had to do with the man in his dreams.

   He carried his sword in one hand and his scabbard and his clothing bag in the other as he left his room and began to make his way down the narrow stairs.

Korelsh Dierm met him at the top of the stairs as he was coming back from an early breakfast. He stopped in front of Tanar and laughed. " Well, well, I see you finally drug yourself out of bed. Nothing like having an early breakfast to pep you up. Helps my hangover!

Aren't you going to get some breakfast too? No wait, you are headed out soon? Right?"

 " Yes I have much to do. For one, I have to catch a ship sailing out this morning. I hope I'm not too late." Tanar placed his hand on his

own forehead and began to sway a little. Then he almost fell toward the wall on his right. Korelsh attempted to help him steady himself, but Tanar shoved his arms away saying.

  "Hey, I'm alright, just a little groggy from my journey. I shouldn't have slept so late."

  The big merchant Koresh moved closer and patted Tanar on his back," then I wish you luck on whatever endeavor you are on."

    Once Tanar was past the main desk and into the street, he turned a corner and there Tasha Lea and her two companions stood.                   

Tasha, red hair flying in the wind drew her sword and advanced boldly toward the Northern warrior. She stopped just six feet away from Tanar and started

walking slowly toward the left carefully keeping the same distance from him as she asked,” So, are you trembling before your better yet?”

Tanar smiled but did not reply. He made sure as she paced around him, to always keep himself facing this red-haired winch.

“ What’s the matter clod? Does a cat have your tongue or are you scared speechless?”

Tanar heard laughter around him and he realized that a crowd was forming around himself, Tasha, and the two Oriental dark haired twin companions. So far the twins remained at a distance and didn’t seem to be involved by choice. Tanar’s eyes narrowed as he saw the expected tightening of her sword arm before she was to strike. Then it was Tanar’s turn to laugh.

“ I have been a true warrior and mercenary who has traveled the world over for many years. None of your pathetic moves will surprise or scare me red haired freak!” It got the expected results. Tasha yelled in anger and moved quickly to strike him across his chest with her sword even though he hadn’t drawn his yet.

He easily spun around and not only avoided her killing blow, but in one move had pulled out his own sword and struck her with the flat of his weapon across the side of her buttocks hard enough that she fell backwards into a large pile of horse manure.

  That produced an even bigger reaction from the crowd, which was considerably larger, in the form of hysterical laughter. Even the companions of Tasha Lea had to hold a hand over their mouths to not show their own laughter at the sight of her humiliation. It was a long time coming. She was picking fights more and more as though the whole world was against her. She was really having some issues.

   While Tasha lay there sputtering and fuming from the shock and humiliation of it all, one of the twins approached Tanar who stood calmly yet ready to defend himself. She smiled as she stopped a few feet away from him saying,” I must apologize for our sister master. She clearly underestimated you and really had no right or reason to pick a fight with you. What is your name please so that we can tell Tasha who has defeated her?”

  " I am Tanar of Vallhan."

 " Ah, that explains much. When we have calmed her down and I speak to her your name, she will see what a foolish move this had been."

"Tanar smiled," I doubt it. She is a stubborn one." He noticed Tasha was still on the ground trying to shake off that blow and the humuli-

ation. Finally as Tanar turned to leave Tasha yelled at her companions, " Don't just stand there (cough), help me up."

  The twin who had been laughing the most gave her a hand while the other hand she held her nose closed from the smell of the manure that was smashed all over the back of the red haired warrior.

The other twin said out loud as she moved away from Tanar," I'll find your sword Tasha."

The crowd dispersed once the excitement was over. Tanar commented outloud as he walked away from the three women," Tell

Tasha that I hope she has taken a bath by the time I see her again."

                                             

                                           Chapter II

 

  There was much to do in the city. The smells of food from every land and of course fish and more fish. There were drinking places everywhere. Then there were the women. Women tall, short, large and small and from every part of the world. Yes, after his journey was over and he was rich, he would return here and take a vacation. After stopping for a quick breakfast of nest stew and brown bread rolls as long as a man's fist, he pressed on toward the docks and the ships that were tied there.

  Many ships were there as he expected. Some were just arriving and others were in the process of loading supplies. There were ships

from all over the known world. Sailing ships with colorful sails and there were those that used a large single sail and many rowing oars.

The one he was looking for in particular had large white sails, heavily armed and had a flag on the main mast which had two swords called

cutlasses crisscrossing each other in the middle. It was the emblem of the Gratteros pirates. They were due to sail sometime in the early

afternoon. They were to sail in the direction he needed to go. How he knew that was beyond his understanding. After searching back and forth among the line of ships he realized that they must have changed flags and perhaps their sails as well.

   That was when he spotted a large sailing ship with cream-colored sails and a flag with the Gratteros merchant emblem of two dragons across its surface. Yes they had changed their flag and for some reason he liked its design better. They probably didn't want to advertise what they really were. It had to be it!

  He pushed roughly through the growing crowd along the docks. They were merchants, sailors, and citizens of the port city. Several times he knocked people off their feet. Some yelled at him to watch where he was going or would curse at him. He never heard them or was aware of what he had done as he desperately raced to board the awaiting ship. It would be casting off soon.

  A line of new recruits blocked the boarding ramp to the discised ship. And those returning crew from shore leave. They were

being checked for lice, fleas, ticks and other infestations before they could board the ship once again.

  Tanar got in line and impatiently shifted his weight from one foot to

another as the line slowly shortened. A thin short man with a short goate who wore clothing similar to the people who were already part of the crew, stood just in front of Tanar. He turned and eyed Tanar up and down. After a moment in which Tanar stared back at him, the short one spoke.

" Where's the fire my friend? Are you that eager to get to the sea, land lubber?"

"Turn around and mind your own business little man."

"I may be little compared to you, but I've pulled more than my own weight on ships many a times. Can you say that?"

"No, but..."

"Have you been to sea before?"

"Yes, on a war ship on its way to Xiedue to help defend the fort of Maiage."

The little man with the goate exclaimed with awe," Aye, I've heard of that battle! The fort was defended well against the red skinned invaders from a distant land in the south sea and you were able to repale them time and again. They finally had to return to their land from wince they came. I take it you and your companions were mercenaries right?"

 " Just me. The line is moving."

 “Oh, so it is.”

When Tanar reached the front of the line two men stood there waiting to check him out. Without so much as a word, he pushed between them and made his way with long strides toward the captain’s quarters in the middle of the ship. One of the men at the top of the ramp protested as he ran after him.

“Hey! Where do you think you’re going?”

He tried to grab his shoulders and Tanar’s hand shot out suddenly grabbing the man’s wrist. He pulled back on the man’s hand and

there was an unmistakable sound of a bone snapping. The man yelled out in pain. He went down on one knee to the deck holding his wrist in agony.

  The little man who had been ahead of Tanar in line with the goatee was starting up some steps by the captain’s quarters. He spotted Tanar’s broad shouldered physique headed his way. He waved to get his attention.

“Hey, something told me you were different. Take some advice from someone who knows what he is talking about. I wouldn’t

approach the captain that way. He’s not always in the best of moods come mornin’. “

Tanar paid little attention to him, instead he kept his pace.

“Guess you have to find out the hard way.” The little goatee man commented. He thought to himself,” What is he doing?

  Just as Tanar reached within a few feet from the door to the quarters, it quickly opened. A large man with olive colored skin wearing a bandanna around his head to cover the fact that he was mostly bald headed; pushed the door wide open. He had his full attention on some papers he held before him. Two feet from Tanar the man looked up momentarily startled by his sudden appearance face to face.

  The big man quickly regained his composer and asked tilting his head slightly and narrowing his eyes,” What do you think you are doing man. Can’t recognize a busy man when you see one? What are you, a beggar? I’ll not stand beggars on my ship nor stowaways.” The warrior remained silent, which made

the big man nervous.

“Are you deaf?”

“No.”

“Don’t ya know who I am? My name is Captain Quill. And what may they call ye?"

"My name is Tanar and I am now the captain of this ship."

With those words and before Captain Quill could react, the barbarian mercenary brought his right fist in hard to connect with his face right between the eyes. The blow sent him flying backwards and his large bald head slammed into the captain’s door. It had been shut back in place and Quill’s body bounced off it. He fell face first to the deck’s flooring.

   Tanar didn’t wait to see if the former captain would get up. He jumped for the ladder stairs and soon was standing on top of the captain’s quarters near where the guiding wheel was.

There was no one at the wheel for the ship hadn’t cast off.  He knew he would have to get the crew to react soon, for the authorities or some of Quill’s friends might interfere at any moment. The faced the growing crowd on the deck of crew and new recruits as well. The little man with the goatee climbed up and stood beside him.

" I didn’t like that fat oaf anyway."

Tanar asked him," What’s your name?"

"Winton is my name Captain Tanar. Has a nice ring to it. Captain Tanar."

Tanar smiled," Well then Cliff, I need you to help me get their attention."

"Oh, I think you have their attention already captain."

   A large black man wearing a purple bandanna around his head whose nose was obviously broken at least once shouted,

"Hey, who are you and why you hit our captain?"

Other’s in the crowd were heard to yell "Yeah" or "Yes, who do you think you are?!"

Tanar took a deep breath and drew his long sword from his scabbard. He addressed the restless crowd.

" Your captain was leading you nowhere. How long has it been since you’ve seen bounty from a ship you have raided or treasure you have acquired?"

His question was met with silence.

" That’s what I thought! You haven’t had a reward for your efforts in years. I’m surprised you get recruits to board this ship at all.

I say let me be your captain. I shall promise you now I will lead you to treasure beyond anything you can imagine. What say you?"

Frowning Winton whispered to Tanar," I hope they decide soon Captain. The beast is stirring."

   Tanar never flinched, waiting for their answer. Much of the crew were talking amongst themselves still undecided when a woman’s voice was heard from the back of the crowd. Her voice seemed familiar.

" I say we give him a chance. If he’s telling the truth, we will all be rich. If he isn’t well then, I’ll throw him overboard myself."

Then another man yelled his approval and soon the whole crowd cheered Tanar who threw his sword down which pierced the former captain’s back and pinned him to the deck. He then said," Then it is settled. I’m captain, somebody throw this… body off the ship!"

   Several started to do so when everyone heard the female speak once more. " What’s your first order captain?"

The voice plainly had sarcasm in its tone. This time the voice was closer. Tanar for the first time saw the author of this female’s voice.

It was Tasha Lee big as life standing proud in front of him, her stance was such that her legs were slightly apart as though she was ready to attack. Her expression on that beautiful face clearly shown amusement.

   Tanar hesitated a long moment as the crowd became silent once more while he carefully thought this over. Finally, his eyes narrowed. A small amused smile briefly shown in his face as he answered the warrior woman’s question. A question that was made to put him on the spot.

" My first order is… That Tasha Lee will be my first mate."

She laughed and strolled toward Tanar as some of the crew congratulated her patting her on the back.

"You must be joking."

Tanar jumped down by the body of the former captain. As he pulled his bloodied sword out of him and carefully wiped it on the clothes of the dead man he replied.

"No. You have the job. You’re a capable leader who can keep this crew on the straight and narrow. I know very little of sailing and you must know enough to get by.  Besides this way I can keep an eye on you in case you get any funny ideas about interfering with my plans."

   She placed her hands on her hips. " I know plenty."

Tanar slapped her shoulder hard almost knocking her off her feet. " See, I have chosen well."

He glanced around the crew and addressed them once again ignoring Tasha’s glaring eyes of anger," Do you all agree she will make a fine first mate?"

   Most of the crew and new recruits cheered loudly and some began to sing an old sailor’s song about life on a ship upon the sea. Tasha lowered her head and placed a hand on her forehead as if she had a headache. Finally she looked up into the eyes of the grinning big man and let out a sigh.

" All right. All right. I’ll be your damn first mate. I hope for your sake you know what you are doing and where this uh, treasure is!"

   Then Winton tapped Tanar on the arm and as the barbarian warrior turned the little man exclaimed, " Pardon the interruption Captain, but I think we’ve got trouble. Maute Kaft the look out up on the main crows nest shouted to me the warning that he saw somebody in a hurry headed this way. And it don’t look like new recruits at all."

   Everyone looked as one toward the docks and the harbor side streets beyond which was crowded with the usual tourists, shop keepers trying to get people to visit their stores and traders from other lands bordering with potential customers about their materials and pottery.

   Little more than a block away from the docks was a large detachment of troops heavily armed marching in the street toward their direction. Tanar’s thoughts raced as he watched the distant soldier’s march. He turned to the crew and announced.

"Men and ladies. We’ve got a lot of trouble headed our way. Make ready to cast off. We’re not ready for a full battle against trained heavily armed troops. I shall go and stall them until I see that you are leaving. Then I’ll join you later."

   The large black man who was in front of the crowd beside Tasha asked, "You mean you are going alone?"

" Are you going with me?"

The black pirate laughed, " Of course I’ll go if you need me Captain. I haven’t had a good fight in a long time. Let me find my spear and…"

"What’s your name?"

" It is Lou, Captain. Everybody knows me by that name. My real name is too difficult for you people around this part of the world to pronounce."

"Ok Lou. You use Tasha’s sword instead. We don’t have time to find your spear."

" Ok." Lou looked to Tasha who reluctantly handed her sword to him.

" Please be careful with it. It was my father’s. And I want it back when you return."

"Don’t worry lady. If I survive this you can have it. I like spears and bows myself."

Tasha turned to Tanar who was hastily walking past her. "Can’t I help? I’m just as good as any man here."" You have a responsibility here with the crew. You know what they must do. I trust your decisions on how to handle them."

Tasha’s green eyes brightened and she was all smiles with excitement," Thank you. You can depend on me. Still wish I could go with you two."

" We’ll be more than enough. They’ll have their hands full until you get underway. Be careful Tasha. I think there is a government informant aboard. How else would they know to send troops this way to stop us from leaving."

" Maybe they realized we’re really a pirate ship."

" Well in any case there would have to be an informant to think of that possibility. Watch your back."

He squeezed her exposed upper arm and as he followed Lou down the gang plank, Tasha said after him in return," You watch yours Tanar." There was softness in the tone of her voice or had he imagined it?

   The little man named Winton was suddenly standing by Tasha’s side.

He remarked, " I sure hope the Captain knows what he’s doing. What did you mean by you watch yours?"

Tasha half turned toward Winton," I meant…Hey! What do you think you are doing standing around here? Get with the rest of the crew and help them get this tub under way."

" I thought I was to be your right hand man or somethin’."

Tasha flashed an ivory handled knife and pointed it toward the underside of the little man’s chin.

" I’m in no mood for messing with your kind right now. So get to work! Do I make myself perfectly clear?"

   Winton looked down at the knife point and cleared his throat," Uh, perfectly mamam. Perfectly."

As he left she watched him thinking to herself that he was the most likely candidate for the informant so far. Hope Tanar knew what he was talking about. She was going to put some real pressure on the little man and eventually he will crack. Tanar and Lou were lost to her sight. She shrugged her shoulders, looked at the crew scurrying to draw up the anchor and other preparations. She strolled amongst them barking orders necessary to put them underway. This was more like it. She was in charge.

 

                                                                                       Chapter IV

 

   Once the troops caught sight of Tanar and Lou, they broke ranks, spread out. They immediately charged with swords and spears drawn at a full run toward the pair.

Lou remarked," Quite impressive. Their armors a little odd though."

Tanar didn’t answer for some of the troops were already upon them. He caught one off guard and sliced man’s face wide open with the slashing swing of his sword. The small armored helmet flew off his head untouched as he grabbed his face screaming in agony.

   Another soldier larger than Lou thrust his sword toward Tanar’s side who easily parried it away with the side of his sword. He quickly thrust his sword at the golden chest armor and the sword bounced off it! The large soldier grinned and brought his sword down upon Tanar’s breaking it cleanly in two. The shock of this phenomenon didn’t slow down the barbarian warriors reflexes and he quickly thrust his broken sword into the soldier’s neck. Blood spurted everywhere and the soldiers eyes rolled up. He fell down upon the stone street.

   As Tanar snatched up the others sword he yelled at his partner.

" Hey Lou."

"What?"

" Get one of their swords and use it. Ours can’t pierce their armor!"

" So I’ve noticed Captain. That might prove to be a little problem."

Then Lou like a cat leaped onto a shopkeeper’s table he had just set outside to show his wares. A second later, he leaped again as he parried another soldier’s sword thrust and leaped upon the assailant’s shoulders. Before his opponent could react, Lou shoved the sword straight down the back of the man’s neck. The soldier grunted and as he fell unconscious drowning in his own blood, Lou jumped off and rolled across the stone street to come to a stop in front of one of the officers of that troop detachment.

   Tanar glanced back the way they had come and noticed that their ship was moving away from the docks. He yelled to his partner," Hey Lou!"

"Hey what?"

"It is time to leave. They’ve cast off."

    Lou looked back and grinned," Well, so they have."

Lou never saw the arrow until he felt the head of it push its way through his back and out his chest. Lou waved an arm at Tanar and weakly called to him," Tanar!"

The black man fell to his knees as Tanar looked on in dismay. A soldier rushed toward Lou with an upraised sword ready to hack at the black man’s neck. Tanar in one split second move drew his dagger and threw it. The point of the dagger hit the soldier squarely in the forehead with such force, he flew backwards all ready dead as he hit the stone street.

    Lou had fallen down further lying upon his side, blood running like a flood from his chest upon the pavement. He called Tanar’s name again. More troops rushed toward them before Tanar could reach his friend. Tanar was just thinking to himself that this may be the end for them all the while silently praying to his god that this be a swift death. Suddenly there were war cries behind him. Immediately after several arrows streaked only inches by his head and left side to embed themselves into the chests of the rushing troops beyond.

    Tanar knew at least one of those voices. It was Tasha Lee. As he finally knelt down to Lou’s body he saw Tasha’s two companions run by with small swords raised screaming blood curdling war cries. The very fearlessness and reckless abandon of this new threat took the troops completely by surprise though there were at least two dozen of their number left with reinforcements not far behind. All of the troops took several steps back ready to defend themselves against what appeared to be demons on the attack.

     Lou looked up into Tanar’s concerned face. Tanar could plainly see the pain written on Lou’s face.

"(cough cough) Tanar, don’t let me die here. I want to die at sea. It was my life."

Tanar replied," Nonsense! You are not gonna die. You hear me. I am taking you back where we can attend your wounds."

He placed an arm under Lou’s right arm and helped him to his feet. Tasha rushed to their aid and had her arm under Lou’s left one. As they drug the wounded man toward the docks, Tanar glanced at Tasha.

" Why are you here? Didn’t I give orders…"

Before he could finish she interrupted him," Hey the captain is suppose to go down with his ship, not the street."

Lou chuckled weakly," She got you there Tanar."

"Yeah…"

Tasha grinned mischievously at Tanar. Lou fainted from the pain. Tanar ventured to look back, half expecting Tasha’s two companions to be lying dead or badly wounded. Instead, though one had a nasty gash across her thigh; both were holding their own against the troops. Some had even retreated in fear. After all, who could fight demons?

    To Tanar’s amazement, one of the dark haired warriors had lost her sword and began to fight with her legs and feet. It was a style of hand-to-hand combat he had never seen. At one point she jumped straight up into the air at least five feet and kicked one dark skinned soldier across the face. He could hear the man’s bones snap from where he was.

Tanar swore under his breath because he would have given anything to have watched or perhaps join in the battle.

    Tasha laughed at him." It was a good thing for you that my friends thought I deserved what you did to me earlier today, or you would have been fish food."

" I agree with you, woman." Tanar exclaimed in amazement."

" Lou wake up." Tanar started to shout at Lou again but he could tell that the man though weak did open his eyes and looked around.

"We’re at the waters edge Lou. You think you can make it? The ship is away from the docks. We’ll have to swim for it."

Lou replied," Yeah,(cough) I’ll make it just point the way. I can hardly see…" Lou almost fainted again.

Tanar swore, grabbed Lou and drug him along as he leaped off the edge to the churning dark water below. They made a big splash but were ok as far as Tasha could tell. She turned with two fingers in her mouth whistled loudly several times. Her two companions upon hearing the sound, did not look back, but instead abandoned the fight and ran as fast as they could in Tasha’s direction. Both looked as though they were laughing their heads off.

    Tasha Lee dove in a perfect head first dive and was gracefully cutting the surface of the water within a second or two. Her two companions were not far behind. Troops arrived at the docks edge shortly after and shot arrows at the twins but all missed them badly.

     Seeing all this drama happening before their eyes the crew on the pirate ship cheered wildly and one lowered the fake flag and raised the black skull symbol flag of the pirates of the seas. Soldiers on the docks yelled curses in response and doubled their efforts in shooting arrows at the swimmers. A few moments later some of the city soldiers were throwing their bows and helmets down in disgust as they realized that Tasha and the others were out of range. They could only look on helplessly as the swimmers neared the awaiting pirate vessel.

     Tanar was only a dozen feet from the ship when Tasha caught up with him. She grabbed Lou’s left arm and said," Here, let me help."

Tanar glared at her," Thanks, but you should have never left the ship."

" If I hadn’t, you would have been killed or captured."

     By the time Tasha Lee and the twins were hauled aboard the Grouttos, Tanar had Lou lying on the deck. The warrior was hovering over him dressing his chest wound. Tanar looked up at Tasha’s hopeful face and shook his head. Tasha face fell for she knew what that meant. Lou wasn’t going to make it. She rushed to the big black man’s side and gently stroked Lou’s short curly hair as he struggled to speak. He had a coughing fit.

Tanar said," Don’t try to speak Lou."

"Why? I’ve had it. I just want to tell you two that it was a pleasure working and fighting along your side. W-we sure messed up those troops eh?"

Tanar unenthusiastically replied," Yeah we did Lou."

Tasha added,” It gave us time to get away with our ship. For that I’ll always be grateful, Lou." Her eyes were filled with tears for she had known this wonderful mountain of a man for a number of years. Ever since the time she started sailing with this crew of pirates. Most of the crew had gathered around Lou and the others. Only a few were busy getting the ship under way.

     One older gray hair man with crooked teeth and a red bandanna tied around his head remarked, his voice full of emotion," Don’t leave us Lou. We be lost without you."

      Lou smiled weakly and stared at Tanar," At least I go amongst friends. You know, my wish had always been to die at sea. And wouldn’t you know it…."

Lou was suddenly still. He stared at Tanar but with dead eyes. Tasha tilted her head on Tanar’s shoulder and whispered," Goodbye ole friend."

Tanar placed two fingers on the dead man’s eyes and pushed the eyelids closed. Every head on board bowed for a long moment in silent prayer for what many believed to be one of the greatest warriors and sailors around.

      Tanar rose to his feet and announced loud enough that all would hear," As soon as we are far enough out, we’ll give him a burial at sea."

The crew was in agreement with that. Some were still in deep thought about their fallen comrade when a voice from above cried out to everyone below.

"There is a ship, no make that two that have cast off and looks like they give chase!"

       Tanar cast a glance up to the crows nest on the main sail but the sun blinded him enough he couldn’t see who it had been that had warned them of the approaching ships. He called to the lookout above," Did you say two?"

"Yes and they’re full with armed men."

Tasha at Tanar’s side commented," They’ve discovered our identity."

Tanar laughed,” You think so? Maybe it was the flag no?" He turned to the older sailor with the red bandanna around his head and asked him," Where’s Winton?"

      The old one pointed," We forced him to be look out cause he was all in favor of leaving you in the city."

Tanar stared a moment at the main mast and as he started to take a step toward it, Tasha stepped in front of him. She placed a hand on his chest," You handle him but don’t kill him. We might need him later.’

"For fish food?"

" He knows the seas even better than I. He may be able to help find that treasure that you are looking for. Also, we need to find out why he informed on us and who’s behind him."

"Ok, for now he lives."

"Meanwhile I’ll handle the crew and see if we can’t shake these ships off our backs."

       While Tanar climbed a rope ladder that led to the crow’s nest, Tasha with her red hair flying in every direction barked orders at the crew. It wasn’t necessary. Most of the crew had had enough experience to know to man their stations. They knew what was at stake. One ship the pirates could take on, but two heavily armed ships was asking too much. It was better to run so that there would be another day to fight later.

       The twins watched silently from the bow. They watched approaching ships in the distance, one of which seemed to be growing in size by each passing minute. One yelled back to Tasha," They have rowers on board besides their sails. There is not enough wind to close on us this fast."

       Tasha rolled her eyes," Great! I guess I better get our rowers rowing too. Don’t know how long we can keep that up. I can tell everyone is tired."

Tasha began gathering volunteers amongst the crew to go below and man the oars under the deck along the side just above the water line. As she was about to head downstairs, she heard a disturbance at the stern of the ship. Someone was being forcefully manhandled toward her by two young crewmen. The man between them that had his arms pinned behind him, was an old white haired man who’s face was pale and full of wrinkles, yet the pink pupils of his eyes hinted great power and knowledge. He spoke first addressing the two escorting his person.

"Unhand me hooligans! I’m not so old that I can’t walk on my own." He looked up directly at Tasha’s short sword pointed straight at his throat.

"Oops."

Tasha addressed the two escorting the old wrinkled one first," Let em’ go."

They released his arms, but stayed by his side. Tasha lowered her sword to the old man’s chest.

"So, what do we have here? A stowaway? No, I’ve seen those eyes before. You can only be a wizard. An old one, but a wizard nevertheless. Am I right?"

" Yes young lady. I am Creiton of Lavion."

As he took a bow, Tasha lowered her sword. At the news the two escorts stepped away from him as if he were a plague. Some of the crew was gathering around them now, curious of the latest incident. Some had overheard the old man’s introduction as the wizard of the kingdom Lavion.

The pirate’s crew was soon a buzz with the gossip about this wizard’s sudden appearance on their ship. The conversations were anything but pleasant. It was common knowledge among sailors and pirates throughout that an appearance of a wizard on board a ship was a bad omen, bad luck if you will and that was the last they needed. Two war ships chasing them across the ocean easy enough as it was. Both Creiton the wizard and tasha looked around nervously at the crew’s reaction to his introduction.

      Tasha asked a question out loud enough that everyone could hear as she put away her sword.

"How did you get aboard unnoticed until now?"

Creiton tilted his head and ignored the question. He asked one of his own.

"A woman warrior with red hair running a pirate ship. What is your name?"

" I am Tasha the warrior and it is unimportant where I am from. Now it is time to answer my question. Mind you, tell me the truth or I will run you through and feed you to the sharks."

Apparently this woman warrior was unimpressed with wizards.

" Now tell me wizard how is it that you got aboard unnoticed until now?"

Straightening his pirate attire that he was wearing that Tasha was sure he had stolen off one of her men; Creiton answered matter-of-factly," I wasn’t here until now."

Tasha’s mouth dropped open," What did you say?"

" I shall attempt to explain so that even your feeble brain might grasp the concept."

     Both the twins had made their way through the crowd and were by Tasha’s sides. One remarked. "Oh, this ought to be good."

  Creiton glanced at the twin and ignored her statement. He continued," I simply used one of my greatest spells and made myself disappear from Lavion. Then I made myself reappear aboard this ship. I like to call it transporting. One thing I must inform you is that when I do this spell, someone has to take my place and I take theirs at the location they had previously occupied."

"What are you trying to say old wizard?" Tasha asked with annoyance clearly in her voice.

"I am saying that one of your crewmen is now taking an unexpected shore leave in a small village in Lavion, dressed in my wizard robes with my pet cat Isiaha. That is why I wear his garb, which I find to be a tight fit. Clothing I found doesn’t transport."

    Some of the crew though nervous of this wizard’s appearance amongst them, still managed to chuckle at the unbelievable explanation.

Tasha yelled," Silence! This man may be old and perhaps senile, but he doesn’t appear to be lying."

One of the twins asked her in a whisper," You mean you believe him? How do you know it is the truth?"

Tasha commented," I find this all hard to believe."

   At that moment, Tanar’s form sliding down from the main mast dropped in front of Tasha. He dropped the unconious form of Winton that had been slung over his shoulder, to the deck floor none too gently.

" Oh I believe." Tanar turned around to face Creiton and smiled amusement clearly written upon his face.

"Creiton, you’re a sight! What in the name of all the Gods did you do this time?"

     The old wizard dressed in sailor cloths that were rather snug replied," Tanar. I’ve been looking high and low for you! We need to talk.."

He started to walk toward the mercenary barbarian and a bandanna that had been wrapped around his head fell off exposing his hair. The white hair such as he had promptly stood straight up in the air and everyone except Tanar gasped at the strange sight. Tasha’s twin friends raised their short swords toward him to bar his way and also it was a reaction to this unexpected event. The unknown frightened them as much as it did Tanar. But Tanar knew what it was. It was not an unknown to the warrior.

"Your hair." Tanar pointed toward Creiton’s head. Creiton looked puzzled a moment then felt his straightened hair.

" Oh, that…"

" That explains how you got aboard unnoticed until now. You wore a bandanna…"

" And the transport."

Tasha’s twin companions let the wizard through who grabbed Tanar and gave him a hug," It is good to see you Tanar."

Tanar nervously hugged the old wizard back and said,"Uh huh."

    Tasha stamped her foot hard on the deck.

" Hello? Anyone there? Need I remind everyone that while this happy reunion is going on that the warships are closing in on us?  Though I have rowers rowing as hard as they can and we are at full sail, their rowers out number ours on each ship and we have little wind to work with."

Creiton glanced back and espied their pursuers exclaimed," Oh my! Perhaps I can help with our wind situation." As he started to raise his long bony arms, Tanar quickly stepped in and batted them down with one arm.

He whispered to Creiton," Oh no you don’t. I remember the last time you used that spell. You nearly drowned us and then lightening nearly fried us. I don’t want to fight a storm at sea. There is no where to hide here."

    "You must trust me sometime my son. That is why I am here. To help you and your crew through your journey and to make you see the truth."

" What do you mean?"

Creiton moved closer to Tanar as Tasha continued to watch nervously in the direction of their pursuers.

" Your actions are not of your will. That is to say, some great dark sorcerer has you in his control."

"What? A spell has been cast? What rubbish. I feel fine you ole coot!"

" Perhaps you do now, but as you approach closer to your or should I say his goal, you will change. And nothing but nothing will stand in your way from accomplishing your quest. You may even kill your friends and all of this ships company to win the treasure or whatever it may be."

Tanar stared down at the wizard," Mark me wizard. I will find the treasure and it will be mine not some sorcerers’."

" See you are already changing…"

" Nonsense! I am in control here not some figment of your imagination."

" Be warned. A wizard can always sense when another of sorcery is casting a spell on someone. And I sensed it about you, Tanar."

" That is enough. Get below we’re in for a fight. I’ll talk of this later."

" But I can at least give us some support wind to help us out of this situation, a little puff of wind…"

      Tanar pointed to a hatch on the deck," No. Now get below before I have you carried below."

Some of the crew who remained to listen to what was being said was grumbling louder. And Tanar kept hearing words like "bad luck" "not good to have a wizard on board a ship" and more of the same. Creiton reluctantly went through the hatch to enter the lower level of the ship, as Tasha stopped Tanar by grabbing his sleeve.

" What about Winton on the deck? Did you get anything out of him?"

" His frightened cowardly act was just that. An act. He won’t confess to anything. He is tough as I have seen."

Tasha nodded her head and sighed," I am running out of ideas. We are desperate Captain. I really hate to tell you what to do but we are running out of time too."

"What are you trying to say woman? I am open for a suggestion. Anything."

" Why don’t we give your wizard another chance. "

" Not that suggestion."

" You know it may be our only chance. We have nothing to defend ourselves against two warships. We can’t out run them." Tasha placed her hand on Tanar’s arm. There was indeed a look of desperation in her eyes.

It was Tanar’s turn to sigh. " Ok, ok. But I won’t be held responsible for what might happen."

Tasha rushed to retrieve Creiton from below while Tanar watched helplessly as the warships edged ever closer.

Soon, Tasha brought the wizard above deck holding his hand as they reached the brooding barbarian captain.

Creiton stated," You know I think the natives are getting restless around here. Apparently they know nothing of who I am."

"They know what you are and that is enough to get you and me killed. There could be a mutiny." Replied Tanar.

Tasha asked," In the middle of all that’s already going on?"

"It is possible. Anyway, I have perhaps a solution." Tanar raised his voice loud enough for everyone near there to over hear him," Remember when you saved my life when that giant spider almost has us on the mountain?"

"What?" Creiton asked," Oh! Yes, I remember…"

" Yeah, and uh you placed a magical spell on a large boulder that we were trying to roll down on the climbing monstrous spider. It had been too heavy for us to move, but you lightened the rock within and we easily sent it down upon the spider squishing it dead."

"Yes, that was …er, one of my best…spells."

Tanar interrupted Creiton before he had a chance to put his foot in his mouth," Well, if you can do that certainly you can handle a little wind spell." The warrior tried to hide the fact that he was about to burst out laughing.

"Yes, please. For our sakes." Tasha had to put her two cents worth.

"Well, I guess I could get you out of this mess this one more time." Creiton loudly proclaimed.

    Everyone held his breath and their eyes grew wider as the old wizard raised his arms once more above his head and began to chant in an ancient unknown language only wizards and a few old kings knew.

A large boulder shot from a catapult on board one of the warships came crashing down with a tremendous splash only several yards from the left side of the pirate ship.

Tanar mentioned to Creiton in a low tone that only the old wizard could hear," I let you do this Creiton because I feel I owe you one and we will probably be dead anyway if their aim improves. So help me if this causes a further disaster, I strangle you myself and the pirates will cheer me on I imagine."

" Shut up dolt. I need to concentrate."

                                    

                                                                                      Chapter V                 

    

     Not one voice from the crew could be heard. Everyone held their breath for they couldn’t believe that this old wizard could talk that way to their captain and get away with it. Also they could believe that he was going to try a spell on their ship. As the ship grew silent, all that could be heard was another rock hitting the water near their ship. Also the steady rowing of the oars and Creiton’s chanting which grew louder and louder. At first, there was no visible change around them. No obvious effect from the spell that the old wizard was casting. Maybe it was because he wasn’t finished casting it. Then in the distant horizon toward the east, dark clouds began forming very quickly and as they rose further into the blue sky, they began to advance toward the three ships at a tremendous pace. The water became very choppy and then the waves grew larger and larger with each passing moment. Lightning could be seen darting across the distant clouds. And then the thunderclap woke Tanar out of his daze as well as the pirate crew.

   "Ok Creiton, I believe you have some control on your magic now. But where’s the wind?"

One of the crew whose name was Sentie, a young lad was watching the clouds closely suddenly shouted," Hey! I see the wind. It is…Wait! That’s more than the wind. It is a big wave. A very big wave! And it is headed this way."

   It was total panic at first. Many of the crew ran this way and that until Tasha whistled loudly saying," All right, belay that nonsense. We’re not going to let a little ole wave stop us now, are we? Let’s get this ship facing west with our bow facing the wave." Tasha watched for a second while at least most of the crew settled down and did their jobs. She turned back to Tanar and his wizard friend.

" Hopefully the warships won’t notice the wave in time."

Tanar ignored Tasha’s remark and yelled at Crieton," Creiton, I hope you know what you are doing my friend."

Rain was pouring down in sheets as Creiton glanced at his warrior friend. He saw one fist clinched menacingly toward him and the other hand was wrapped around Tanar’s sword handle. Creiton suddenly dropped his arms and the chanting stopped.

"There, it is done. I think we shall be safe now."

Tanar grabbed him by the arm and pointed toward the approaching wave," Think again wizard. If that wave grows any larger than it is, then we are done for."

" Nonsense. It shall remain that size. I see no other threat."

The words had no more than left his lips, when a tremendous white bolt of lightning streaked just above their heads and struck amidships of the closest warship. Several troops were flung overboard by the concussion and the main mast toppled in after them. As the warship began to quickly take on water a direct result of the bolt of lightening blasting entirely through the deck and bottom of that ship, Tanar pulled the old wizard toward the captain’s cabin.

Creiton protested," Where are we going? You needn’t drag me like a child. So I miscalculated the storm spells potential. The main thing is it worked!"

" Yes too well." Tanar shoved Creiton through the door leading into the captain’s cabin.

" You take refuge in here and if we survive this I’ll let you out."

  Before Creiton could remark, Tanar slammed the door and locked it.

" Better hold on to something." Tanar advised the wizard.

" Wait! Where will you hide?"

" Hide? Ha!" And Tanar quickly moved toward Tasha who had just arrived back on deck from below. Tasha yelled to him to be heard over the storm," I ordered the rowers to stop and they’re bracing for the worst."

" As they should be." Rain was falling at a sharper angle for the wind was increasing steadily.

Tasha pointed to one of the masts," Let’s tie ourselves to that mast there."

" Right." As they grabbed some rope and proceeded to tie themselves to the mast, Tanar yelled to Tasha," Where’s the little guy and the twins?"

" The twins are in your quarters and the other is nowhere to be found."

" The poor fool probably dived overboard thinking he’d be better off on one of the warships."

" He couldn’t have made it through these waters could he?"

" I doubt it."

" Ok I’m ready are you?"

Tanar looked into her eyes," As ready as you are."

Tasha smiled," Has anyone ever told you that you have beautiful eyes?"

" Many times."

Tasha laughed at Tanar’s reply as the huge wave came crashing down upon their ship.

      The tidal wave was very large but not large enough to sink their ship. Damage was sever, but not as much as their pursuers. One war ship was pushed back violently so that the stern was turned and rammed into the other warship’s side. That was enough to sink her. Lightning had struck the remaining warship several times, which caused them to lose all sails and all masts. Those facts Tanar learned only after he came to and found Tasha pouring water on him. Tasha then explained all the information she learned of the ships and ended," And the other warship turned back. Gave up the chase."

   Tanar snapped the rope around him as though it were twine," So the other ship sank with all hands?"

Tasha yelled at the crewman climbing a mast," Forget the sails. They are ruined. We’ll have to stop and repair em’. Go help repair the bow." She turned back to Tanar," I’m sorry. It is a mess around here. We’ve lost a fourth of our crew."

" I asked if the other ship went down with all hands…" Tanar reminded Tasha.

" Oh, not all hands. We rescued three. Two of which are from the garrison from a neighboring city with the special armor to help stop us. One of those two is the officer who was in charge."

" Did you get anything out of him?"

Tasha kicked some seaweed across the deck," As a matter of fact yes. It took some doing but he cracked after a little persuasion by some of the crew. Uh….I think instead of hearing it from me you better go to your captains quarters. Your wizard friend is waiting for you there. He can tell you about it better than I!"

" What?! Now what has he done?"

" Just go talk to him. I’ve got the two that interrogated the officer to swear to silence, but I don’t know how long before this thing will get out anyway." Tasha started to walk off and stopped. She turned around, oh, by the way. The kiss…was nice." She smiled. He didn’t. He just said without emotion," Thanks."

Tasha shrugged her shoulders and left him thinking his reaction was odd, but perhaps he had a lot on his mind.

   Tanar had a headache as he limped toward his captain’s quarters. What did the wizard know that the crew mustn’t? Then it dawned on him and everything began to fit in place as he slung open the door. It was dark in the room except for one partially melted candle whose flame barely lit up the wizard’s Creiton’s face. Creiton looked up at the sound of the door opening and spot Tanar’s big frame filling the doorway.

   "Tanar, I have to confess to you something. But if I do, you must promise not to get angry"

" Angry? I know what it is. I just want to hear you say it."

Tanar picked up a brass spittoon and flung it across the room barely missing Creiton’s body. He shrunk back in fear.

" Go on, speak!"

Creiton was very nervous now. His spell of protection takes time to cast and he knew Tanar wasn’t going to give him that time.

" I-I’m the one who influenced the decision to send reinforcements to stop you. Before, they wouldn’t have cared, but I…I cast a spell on the officer in charge."

Tanar was across the room in as much time as a heart takes to beat once. He grabbed Creiton by the throat with one powerful hand and pulled him to his feet from the chair he was sitting in. But he didn’t choke him yet.

   "Why? The troops. The storm and the wave? I wonder how it was that you just happened to appear on my ship just as we were making our get away. And you just happened to bring up that storm out of control again. Was that to stop us too?"

Creiton looked down at his feet in embarrassment and shame.

" Yes, and I know I’ve betrayed you. But you must hear me out."

" You know, I’m fed up with you and your magic…"

" Please let me down and I can explain!"

" What is there to explain? You want the treasure yourself! That is why you want us out of the way."

Tanar dropped him and the old wizard fell to his knees. As he picked himself up he replied," No, You are wrong. All wrong. There is no treasure."

" What?" Tanar wiped at his own face perplexed at this old man’s behavior.

" It is true. The thought that you will find treasure where you are going was planted in your head by a spell cast by an evil sorcerer. I know not his identity, but I do know that you are being used to bring him a very powerful and dangerous weapon."

   Tanar pushed Creiton down into the captain’s chair by a large oak desk.

" Nonsense! You are fabricating this story to discourage me from going after treasure. How did you know it is a spell from a sorcerer?"

" As I explained to you before. Conjurers of magic can sense when another has cast a spell on someone, especially one as powerful as the one he did on you. I can help you shake off this spell, but only if you turn back now."

Tanar placed hands on his hips. He stood towering over the old Creiton looking down at him with disgust.

" I am a patient man. I even let you conjurer up that storm. I have listened to your ridiculous tale and am convinced even more that you want the treasure for yourself. You are trying to convince me that I’m insane, that I don’t know what I am doing. But you are wrong. I know exactly what I am doing. Because of that my crew and myself will be richer than anyone in the world when this is over."

" No, you will all be dead…"

Tanar took a long strip of cloth out of his chain mail and began to tie the wizard’s arms to the chair.

As he did this task he explained," I have had my fill of you and so for the rest of the journey you will remain in here confined to these quarters. When we reach there I will let you loose for I may need you to help me break into a rather complicated entrance into an ancient place."

   "Ah, so that is why you have been sent there. He can’t get near it. There is some kind of protective spell or curse upon it. I may be of little help against such a force as that."

Tanar had finished tying Creiton to the chair and rose to face him.    

" Still babbling about that evil one eh? Well I guess if you think you can not be much help, than you won’t mind a bit if you stay here for the duration."

Creiton struggled with his ropes replying," If I get free you will be sorry. Head my warning. Once you have the object he will grab it from you and then destroy you."

    Tanar turned and walked to the door. As he opened it he said," It is a good thing I am a patient man, wizard. Or I would have had you thrown overboard instead of tied you. No one is going to get in my way from acquiring what treasure I seek."

Creiton turned his head away from him and remarked sadly," The fever from the spell has hit you. Look at yourself in a mirror and try to believe you are what you were. You cannot know your friends any longer. I am your friend you stupid barbarian. The fever has made you forsake everyone. "

" How can you say that? I know my friends. The ones that remains loyal to me in my quest. I am a warrior and a mercenary. You of all people should know what I seek in life."

" Yes… I of all people know that."

Tanar sighed, Look, we shall laugh at all this later you’ll see. I shall see you later."

As he closed the door Creiton remarked to himself," Not if you are dead."

   A few minutes passed and then Tasha opened the door and quickly made for the wizard. His eyes looked up in surprise," Have you come to free me? Have you made him see the light?"

Tasha stuffed a wad of cloth in Creiton’s mouth," I am sorry Creiton, but the captain ordered you gagged in case you decided to free yourself with a voice spell of some kind."

    The look of despair in Creiton’s eyes made Tasha hesitate from leaving and she stroked his white hair." I will send someone to fed you your dinner in an hour or so. Fret not for Tanar told me that our destination is only five days sailing from here. The weather’s calm and we have a good wind. I shall check on you from time to time. Believe me when I say that I think you have a good soul and I think you will bring us good luck not bad."

   She winked at him and left the captain’s quarters whistling some song Creiton hadn’t heard since he was a young man. It was a song the people of some ancient sailors from an ancient seafaring nation used to sing before a day of fishing began. Some sang it before they would go hunt in the forests of his land Lavion. Though it had the same melody it was with different words. It contained words like treasure, islands, and dragons.

  

 

 

                                                                           Chapter VI

 

  

   He liked this woman warrior and her two companions. Maybe they would knock some since into Tanar. At least he thought, she does care about him. Too bad she was caught up in the insanity. If he were thirty years younger he would have loved a woman like that.

    Tasha’s two companions were waiting for her just outside the door. She asked," Where have you two been?"

The one twin named Ishi replied," We did another search of the ship for Winton. He is not on board this ship. Perhaps he was washed out to sea by the storm."

Tasha frowned and shrugged her shoulders," Ok, forget him. Perhaps you are right. Let us concentrate on keeping our captain alive. He seems to know where he is going and has directed us to turn the ship once more in a slightly different direction."

   The other twin asked," What? Does this island float? Does it move from place to place never staying still?"

" Alright I too am puzzled. He seems confident enough. I worry about elements of the crew that are still nervous about having a wizard on board."

 Ishi remarked," I must admit the old one does give me the creeps sometimes."

" He has a good heart. It’s just sometimes his spells become unstable, uncontrollable."

Tasha looked up shielding her eyes from the sun beating down on them. A clear blue sky with not a cloud around from horizon to horizon. With the wind they had now they should make up for lost time. To Tanar it was not enough. He ordered that men row with oars below at a good steady pace. The men began to grumble again. Why should they have to row when they had a wind to work for them?

   Tasha could see a number of the pirate crew forming small groups here and there animatedly discussing how the captain wasn’t what they had thought he was. The fair weather helped, but after two days of the crew taking turns rowing it was beginning to sound ugly among the pirates. Tasha ordered her twin friends to stick close to Tanar from then on.

    From then on Tasha’s friends stuck to Tanar like glue. He would finally yell at them to go but they would only step back out of reach of his fists and watch him ever vigilante for any threat on his life. They reminded him of two vultures waiting for a sign of weakness so they could pounce on him.

   One day he stood near the wheel starring out to sea, which had become a routine for him each morning. Ishi approached Tanar and stood very close to him. To his surprise she whispered in his ear," I like you and want you. Let me take your mind off your troubles for a while. Let us go below to the cargo hold."

   Tanar couldn’t help but smile at this beautiful Asian girl’s offer. But for now, that obvious pleasure had to wait. He must finish his quest first.

He was polite in his answer, "No Ishi . Though you are beautiful, I must keep my wits about me to be able to find the treasure. If I went with you I would lose all my senses."

She leaned closer and he could feel her chest pressing into his arm like a branding iron.

" Ok, but you don’t know what you are missing."

" Oh yes I do. Now go please."

" If you change your mind…"

" I know where to find you. You and your sister will be only a few feet away!"

Ishi laughed and strolled slowly away.

   As Tanar watched her leave, Tasha cleared her throat behind him. Tanar whirled around his hand on the handle of his sword.

" Easy there captain. If I was going to do you harm you would have never known what hit you."

" What is it now?"

Tasha grabbed the wheel and said to him," Better keep your eyes in your head, Ishi would wear you out."

" I don’t think there’s anything to worry about there. You heard me explain to her. Wait! Are you jealous? That is it! You ARE jealous!"

He started laughing and suddenly felt the sharp point of a dagger pressing against his upper thigh. Tahsa spit on the deck in front of Tanar," Jealous?! I’m not jealous. I care about you like a, uh friend. That is all."

Tanar grinned at her for the first time in quite a while," You are not jealous eh? Then why do your eyes look like coals of fire and it looks like smoke will come pouring out of your ears at any moment?"

Before she could answer Tanar approached her and put his big hands around her waist. His gaze softened. He was very close and Tasha’s breath quickened. Tanar spoke but this time in a much softer voice, almost a whisper.

" Tasha, we’ve had our differences in the past, but now we are on the verge of becoming rich beyond our wildest dreams. Our lives will change and I guess what I am saying is, I want you to be with me when it does."

   Without a word she let go of the wheel and wrapped her arms around his broad neck. He pulled her close and their lips met for one long passionate kiss. The wheel was spinning, but she didn’t give a damn. Her head was spinning at that wonderful moment. No man had ever affected her this way. She was melting, but now was not the time. They still had much to do.

   She reluctantly pulled away. After she had caught her breath and took the wheel she whispered to him," We’ll speak more of this later. Now we have more important things to think about."

Tanar squeezed her arm and that is when they heard several of the crew whistling and hooting at them. Their kiss had not gone unnoticed. Tasha blushed deeply and Tanar didn’t make it any better by blowing a kiss at her.

   Finally Tanar turned to the pirates that were gawking at them to Tasha’s relief," Ok men, that is all the show for today. We can take a break later. Get back to your stations for we must be ready when land is spotted. We are very near the island where the treasure lay for our taking. What say ye to that?"

   Most were still enthusiastic and yelled or cheered for happiness at the news, yet some only grumbled and returned to their tasks. One group of pirates to the right of him ten in number still stood their ground. When Tasha saw them she asked them," Why are you still idle? You heard the captain!"

   At first they stood motionless and stared at Tanar. Finally, after a moment of tense silence, one-stepped forward. He was a man in his late twenties and by the looks of him, a seasoned sailor. He was thin and slightly taller than Tanar. His long dark mustache curled upward as did one side of his top lip. Then he grinned an awful menacing grin. There was controlled anger in his eyes. Finally he spoke," We’ll return to work just as soon as you can prove to us that there will be land out here. Nothing on the maps indicate that there is or ever was."

Some one behind him yelled," Yeah, where’s the proof."

   Tanar glanced at Tasha who shrugged her shoulders," It’s your show. You seem to know where we are going."

He turned back to see Tasha’s twin companions climb up steps leading to the wheel deck to stand by his side on either side of him. He felt a little safer, but not much for some of the rest of the crew began to return curious as to what was going on. It could quickly become ugly if he couldn’t figure out a way to control  or perhaps shock them, preventing them from any rash action temporarily.

   He decided he had better confront the most vocal of the bunch. It was at that moment a voice spoke to him in his head. It was the voice of the strange character in his dream, "Kill him and make him an example to anyone that would defy you."

He replied in thought back to the voice," Yes that way no one will get between me and the treasure."

   Tasha noticed the vacant stare on Tanar’s face," Tanar? What is wrong?"

Tanar didn’t answer. Instead, he drew his sword and pointed it toward the heavens saying," I’ve taken an oath to Valtol god of strength and all of nature, that no one will ever talk to me that way and get in my way from completing my quest."

The young man with the curled mustache asked in dismay," What quest?"

Tasha cried out ," No Tanar! What are you doing?"

    Tanar leaped from the wheel platform deck to the main deck where the young man was five feet below. Without hesitation he pushed his sword against the neck of the young pirate where the point was almost in the skin saying,

" You are trying to lead a mutiny against me and for that the penalty is death!"

   The twins and Tasha jumped from the wheel deck and rushed to stop what was probably going to be a fatal blow from Tanar’s sword. Chances were that it would happen quicker than they could stop it. Tanar swung back his sword to strike and the young man shaking with fear closed his eyes expecting to die any second. The men with him and others around the ship scrambled for their weapons. Some already had weapons on their person and drew theirs expecting to fight for their lives against this mad man that had once been their captain.

   A seagull landed squawking loudly on the railing of the side of the ship close to where Tanar and the others stood. Everyone on deck turned their heads toward the visitor in surprise at this sight. It was then that they heard the voice of the lookout man in the crow’s nest above as he yelled to them below.

" Land Ho! It is a great big island Captain. Look! See for yourself men."

Tanar looked back at the young man and asked," What’s your name?"

" It’s Baili Exle, captain." He was still nervous yet tremendously relieved when Tanar moved his sword away from him and hacked once on the outside wooden railing of their ship, which frightened the seagull into taking flight.

" Well, consider yourself lucky kid, I think we’ve found the island I seek. From now on, I want you to be right hand man to my friend Tasha here. I’ll need someone with nerve like you to help keep the lads in line. You think you can handle that Baili?"

" Y-Yes sir captain." The young man couldn’t believe this barbarian captain gave him a position of authority after what just took place.

   Tanar passed by Tasha who was in the middle of shouting orders to the crew and whispered to her," Watch this Baili lad carefully. He could spell trouble for us when we find the treasure."

He moved on before the puzzled Tasha could have a chance to ask him what he meant.

   Tanar shielded his eyes from the sun with one hand and cupped a hand as he shouted a question to the crows nest," Hey."

" Hello!"

" See anything special about the island?"

" Yeah its a good sized island with a large volcano on the other side opposite to our position. There looks to be a large pile of corral, no. It is the tip of a large pyramid temple sticking out of the water only one hundred yards from shore. Must be a mighty steep decent just beyond the shoreline."

" Do you then think it will be safe to lay anchor fifty yards from the shoreline."

" Can’t say for sure."

" Ok then. Thanks lad, you’ve earned your share."

" Thank you captain."

   Tanar turned to Tasha who was starting to make her way toward the captain’s quarters. She stopped and turned her head slightly when he addressed her.

" Now just where do you think you’re going?"

She sighed as she replied," I am going to release Creiton. We’ll need him. Remember Creiton?"

Tanar hesitated, but realized she was right despite his obsessive behavior," Yeah, go on ahead and release the old fool. We can always use him for bait in case there is a monstrous guardian among the treasure. Just keep him away from me when I’m leading the landing party."

" You don’t trust him?"

" I don’t trust his magic."

Ishi remarked behind Tanar," His magic is tragic eh?"

Tanar whirled around," Don’t sneak up on me understand?!"

 Ishi stared at him," I wasn’t sneaking up on you. I’m your guard, remember? I care about you."

While Tanar was trying to think up a retort to Ishi’s remark, Tasha left without another word.

   Sails were pulled in and the anchor was dropped as their ship reached within fifty yards of the shoreline. A large variety of birds flew overhead and around the island and even from the ship’s side the crew caught sight of a variety of game amongst the forest beyond the white sand shore. There was an occasional disturbing smell of burning sulfur. No doubt from the looming volcano beyond the forest. The crashing sound of the waves and different cries of the birds above were somehow soothing to Tanar. Besides he longed to put his two feet on firm ground. He had already had his fill of the ocean. He needed room to work and run; to hunt and explore again.

   While Tanar helped the twins and some of the landing party lower the two boats to the water, he watched as other members of the crew laughed and danced around. One black man with a musical mouth instrument of a kind he had never seen before began to play a lighthearted tune. He liked the music from this instrument very much. He smiled broadly in amusement at the pirate’s obvious happiness to find such a paradise at last.

   Tasha was holding Creiton’s arm to steady him as they walked toward the boats, for the old wizard’s muscles were stiff from being tied up on a chair for so long. When Creiton saw Tanar smiling he remarked," Nothing like music to sooth a man’s soul."

Tasha smiled," He looks happy now, but I guess it’s really because he is near his treasure."

Creiton sniffed, " Yes, as I explained to you a minute ago he is still under the evil sorcerer’s spell and will be until it is broken or the sorcerer is dead. There will be times such as these where his true personality will show, but as we get closer to his goal, he will be more obsessed and dangerous to us."

   Tasha asked," How can we break this spell?"

The wizard was having a hard time keeping up with Tasha’s long strides toward the bow of the ship. He huffed and puffed as he answered," I don’t know. Perhaps an emotional attachment may be more important to him and if it is tested harsh enough, I don’t know."

Tasha thought hard a moment then her face brightened. She slapped Creiton on the back, which almost sent him tumbling to the deck.

" Creiton my friend, you are the brains of this outfit. I can see why Tanar spoke of you as highly as he did."

" H-He did? Uh, all right. Then you have a plan young lady?"

" Yes, I do." Tasha with her red hair blowing in all directions from the wind, surveyed the island from one end to the other," I must confess, I like that crazy man a whole lot. And I believe that he feels the same. If I challenge him to combat when we set foot on the island, the stress of possibly fighting me to the death will drive out the thoughts the spell has embedded in his brain. He will be his old self again. Yes, simple enough."

" And what if it doesn’t work?"

Tasha’s face dropped, " Then I shall be forced to fight him. If he is as good a swordsman as I have heard, then I shall quickly be killed. There will be one less share of the treasure for him to worry about."

"Your two friends may not stand idol and watch you die."

" Yes they will, for I will order them to stay out of it no matter what befalls me. They’re interference will not be the emotional stress we need for it to work." She turned to Creiton and hugged him which caught him off guard and he blushed. She was amused by his reaction, but only said," Wizard, wish me luck. Unless you have got some magic to stop this."

" No Tasha, I know of no spell that would work. I can only wish you luck."

Tahsa smiled grabbing his hand," Come on, let’s board the boat. It is time."

   Creiton went along without protest and jumped into the first boat, but in his heart, which was beating faster then, he wished so much to stay aboard the pirate ship. He was having a bad feeling about all this. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but he sensed they were forgetting something important. He just couldn’t think of it.

   The first boat contained Tanar, Tasha, Creiton, and the twins Nishi and Ishi. Five crewmen accompanied them. While the second boat had the young man with the large mustache and ten crewmen accompany him. The second boat was the supply boat and as they lowered it to the choppy water below, crewmen on the ship dropped boxes of supplies to the awaiting arms of several men in the second boat below.

   The first boat was already paddling toward shore with two crewmen and the twins manning the oars. Creiton begged to man an oar, but Nishi answered," Ah, old wizard you are too old and frail to row."

Creiton glared," This old wizard can out row you any day….Hey! I have an idea. What if I told you I can make it where no one has to row at all?"

   As Nishi was giving the wizard a skeptical look, Tanar interrupted from the stern of the boat where he sit side by side with Tasha, " Oh no you don’t Creiton. Remember. You do not use your…powers until I say so!"

Creiton protested," Ahh, but it would have been fun, the looks on their faces to see their oars rowing on their own…"

" I said NO!"

" Ok ok."

   Tasha looked at Tanar," Ah, you should have let him have his fun. After all, he has been cooped up tied to a chair through most of the voyage. He has hardly cast his magic at all."

" Yes, and it was safe and peaceful. Let’s keep it that way."

   Tasha mumbled to herself, but Tanar took no notice of it, for his mind was elsewhere as he intently surveyed the island with his eyes. The crewmen looked at each other wondering what was going on with their captain, but remained quiet. Creiton noticed that the birds no longer flew down close to the gentle waves around them. That seemed a bit odd behavior, unless there was someone or something they were afraid of around on the surface of the water.

   It was known that many of these species of island birds were not much afraid of humans. It had to be something else.

" Of course." Creiton exclaimed out loud as he snapped his thumb and middle finger together. It was something just beneath the surface of the sea. He leaned over the side of the boat and peered into the choppy waters. A moment later, he spotted a large dark object passing just beneath their boats.

   Creiton mumbled to himself a protective spell for him and all those aboard the two boats. Tasha overheard him and asked," What are you mumbling about Creiton?"

" Uh, nothing. Just a protective spell for us against whatever we run into when we land."

" No, you were looking into the water. Did you see something we should be concerned about?"

Creiton was about to answer when Tanar exclaimed," Hey! We’re almost there. What are you going to do with your share of the treasure, Tasha?"

   Tasha started to retort with some sarcastic remark when they heard a loud pop, and then immediately after the sound of many wooden planks snapping into pieces. Immediately after that were the screams of many souls dying.

   Tanar shouted," The ship!"

He turned as many in the boats did to see what was making all that noise. To their astonishment and ultimate horror they saw a sight that chilled them to the bone. Nishi the quiet twin screamed in horror at what she was witnessing.

Their ship was being torn apart and set aflame by one of the longest, ugliest creatures they had ever seen. It’s large head, long neck and upper torso was above the surface of the ocean. It was a dark maroon and its body was very scaly. It’s large black eyes and long snout reminded Creiton all the world a dragon, but the torso and large sea fins running along its back were more that of a sea serpent. It emitted a roar like a large trumpet when several pirates’ harpoons and arrows embedded themselves into its neck.

   Two short arms with three long clawed fingers on the ends erupted out of the water and grabbed the bow of the ship, braking off its missal and part of the deck where the pirates with crossbows had been standing. They screamed and tried to run the opposite side of the deck. But a large stream of fire emitted from the beast’s mouth and engulfed their bodies in bright blue flame. Some screamed that hollow scream like a whistle while their air filled lungs exploded in flame inside their bodies; while others fell off the ship into the water nothing more than charred black skeletons.

   Creiton and Tasha looked away in disgust and horror. Tasha became sick and leaned her head over the side to vomit into the churning water. One sailor tried to cut his wrists with his knife but Tanar knocked him out with his oar. He began to row with his oar like a mad man as he yelled, "Row mates like you’ve never rowed before! I don’t want to give that beast time to turn to us."

   Everyone in the two boats that were rowing paddled like mad driven by fear and panic. Nishi watched the dragon in grim silence as it clawed at the unburned part of the pirate ship pulling more and more of it under water. The last of the ship broke apart and sank beneath the surface of the ocean as the two rowboats touched shore.

   Everyone jumped out of the boats and drug them ashore as fast as their legs could move through the white swirling water surface. Creiton glanced back just in time to see the sea serpent grab a man in one of its claws and shove his body into its mouth. The unfortunate man’s scream was cut off when instead of eating him; he emitted a long stream of fire into the air. The force of the stream of fire blew the man’s body to burning fragments which fell like rain drops upon the sea below.

" He actually likes what he is doing." Creiton remarked with disgust. Tanar grabbed his arm," Come on wizard. We better hide out in the jungle or we’ll be next."

   Creiton ran with the others for a dozen yards. Then he stopped, turned around to watch the beast again. He couldn’t help himself. He had to see what made this beast so ruthless. Tasha ran by but stopped," What in name of all the gods are you doing? You will be eaten by that thing out there."

   " That’s precisely what I am wondering. What is it exactly? It seems to be a sea serpent and if that be true, then it can’t harm us on land because it is limited to travel only in the…"

He stopped in mid-sentence because suddenly, more and more of the serpents’ body kept emerging above the surface of the ocean and as It did, two enormous almost transparent bat like wings unfolded from its upper back. Then, to their amazement the wings started flapping like a bird’s and it rose from the water into the air with such ease that it was plain the serpent had launched from the water many times before. It hovered for a moment. Then, with a loud trumpet like a roar it flew with tremendous speed further and further into the sky, all the while heading toward the island.

   Tasha shouted," Time for debate is over. Follow us to the trees if you value your life."

   Creiton began to run so fast that one of his sandals flew off his foot and he had to stop to pick it off the sand. He muttered something under his breath as he ran to Tasha and the barbarian who was yelling to him to pick up speed. The dragon that had reached a height into the sky many thousands of feet, with a roar made a swift dive straight down. It was clear he could see the old wizard and probably thought he would make a nice snack. Creiton could only run so fast. Tasha said in anguish as she placed a hand over her eyes," I can’t look. He is done for."

    Ishi pulled an arrow from her pouch behind her and strung it to her powerful bow. She took aim upward toward the giant monster, which was diving at them at a tremendous speed.

The other twin warrior continued to race toward Creiton who shouted at them," What are you doing? Get down! I’m casting a spell. Can’t you see that?"

Ishi didn’t hear him when she let fly her arrow toward the diving beast.

" Oh, damn it all!" Creiton said in frustration as his arm suddenly flew upward and his hand, which had been closed into a fist, opened. A strange sparkling dust flew upward from his open hand just as Nishi knocked him to the ground. She fell on him to try to protect him with her body. Ishi swore in amazement as she witnessed what was happening with the dust, which was soaring upward into an ever-growing arch of sparkling crystal flakes. The twins and Creiton who were struggling to get out from under Nishi’s body were all under the arch of dust. The air around them suddenly began to chill rapidly. The chilly dust, which spread some sixty yards in all directions and was rising ever higher, began to glow a bright color of light blue.

   The large dragon upon seeing this phenomenon put the brakes on its dive only a few feet from the wall of cold mist. Suddenly, it belched an intense stream of fire directly toward the wall of ever spreading mist. A strange and unexpected occurrence took place as the stream of fire hit the mist. At first what fire hit the wall turned to steam. Then suddenly, the fire bounced off the mist wall and shot back as part steam and part fire right into the startled dragon's face.

 It bellowed in pain and quickly soared upward to a high elevation. Once it had stopped it glared down at the island and shrieked in fury. But it did not attack again. Instead, it flew toward the other side of the island near the large volcano.

   Ishi pulled her sister off Creiton who rose up on his own just in time to see Tasha, Tanar and the rest of the men running toward him yelling and laughing with glee.

   Tasha slapped him on the back," That was the most fantastic bit of magic I have ever seen."

"Thank you Tasha. I was a bit worried for a moment when it sprayed its terrible fire at us. But the mirror mist held, fortunately for us."

Tanar more like his old self said," I have to admit. It certainly worked like a charm. Guess you’ve been practicing that trick."

Creiton turned to face Tanar," That was no trick. It is a spell of the highest order. I’ll have you know, it took me weeks to perfect."

Tanar put his hands up in front of him mocking an action as though he was fending off a physical attack," SORRY. Didn’t mean to step on your ego, but you do have a big one."

" Since I’ve got your attention, let me say that you have of late not been, yourself. You have acted like one possessed about a treasure. Yet you have never seen it. How is this possible?"

   Tasha muttered under her breath," Ho boy."

Everyone’s eyes including the twin women warriors were turned to Tanar silently awaiting an answer. Many expected the warrior turned ship captain to explode with one of his famous fits of anger.

   Finally, he spoke upon a moment of reflection," Possessed. I am not that. I am only trying to be a strong leader for someone has to be if we are to acquire my, I mean our treasure. And I have seen where and what it is first on an ancient scroll at a museum several years ago and then in vivid dreams I have been experiencing as of lately. In fact, I think they were visions of my destiny, of all our destinies shown to me by a guide of the spirit world."

One of the crew let out a long low whistle of amazement.

   Creiton and Tanar ignored the reaction of the pirate.

" What did the guide look like?"

" What difference does it make?"

" Much. Please humor me on this and describe the guide’s appearance."

   Tanar placed his hands on his hips," He was very old, ancient beyond belief and had a very wrinkled face with long white hair hanging down. He wore a long dark purple cloak and purple clothing of a type I have never seen which covered his body except for his bare feet and hands. Oh, and he wore a tall pointed hat with a straight brim around it upon his ancient head. His eyes were like two black coals."

   " That was the evil one that has no name. No one has seen him. Only the results of his magic. If he has allowed you to see him in your dreams, then you are under his influence by a powerful possession spell of which can only be broken one way and that is by his death or yours."

" Nonsense. He has told me where it is and I am to share some of the treasure with him in return for that kind favor." Tanar replied matter-of-factly. 

Creiton changed the line of questioning," What do you know of this treasure? Of what it consists of?"

" Treasure is treasure. You know, diamonds, rubies, gold, and silver. A whole room of it. Oh, and the largest crystal you have ever seen!"

Creiton lowered his head a moment in thought whispering to himself," Crystal? Why does that sound familiar? Crystal…"

" Enough. Time is slipping by. I don’t like the looks of that mountain of fire over there. And I fear that dragon may return. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am not going to waste any more valuable time debating, when I could have a treasure beyond imagination within a couple of hours."

    With that statement to all that were armed he turned and began to walk quickly toward the gently swaying coconut and palm trees. "Crazy or not, he seemed to know what he’s doing. Besides, what do we have to fear when we have a wizard like you to protect us? I say we play this through to the end like true pirates that we are.  What else are we to do without a ship?" Tasha asked everyone her eyes intensely moving from person to person there.

Several of the pirates acknowledged her reasoning.

The old wizard asked," That is my point exactly. How are we to move the treasure off this island after we have it in our possession, provided we survive?"

   " Simple really. Tasha explained," There is an island only three days journey from here that some of us could make in one of our boats. There we could convince the owners to lend there modest but adequate ship to us just long enough to pick up the treasure and bring it to their island. For a share they would put out the word we’ll buy a good ship at a good price. I can tell you now, that it won’t take long before someone will make us an offer especially if they think their going to be paid in gold or jewels. Come on Creiton, I’m not about to let Tanar leave us behind especially in the state he is in. "

   : Alright, alright. I’ll go but remember that I have a bad feeling about this island. You know that dragon was the evil one’s familiar didn’t you?"

Tasha began to walk toward the jungle tracking Tanar’s foot prints along the way as she replied," That is a possibility. What are you saying wizard?"

" I am only pointing out the fact that if the evil one’s familiar is here then he must not be far behind. He may be here as we speak."

They were walking side by side. " Shhh, let’s not give the men something else to worry about." Whispered Tasha.

   It wasn’t long before Creiton, and the others of their party caught up with Tanar. He was standing very still in a clearing of the jungle as if he was listening to something. Tanar turned his head as they were within a dozen feet of him.

" Shhhhh, do you hear that? I believe that we have someone stalking us. I felt it ever since I entered this accursed jungle. Everyone form a column of two, that is; lets each have someone walking along beside us so that we can watch both the left and right at the same time. I don’t like surprises."

   Everyone in the landing party took his advice because when it came to tactics and warfare they knew he knew what he was doing. Creiton started to walk with Tanar, but the stare he got from him made him change his mind and let Tasha take his place beside the barbarian. Creiton walked beside the young man with the mustache whose name he later found out was Tagert. The twins of course walked together and the others all paired up but, one who brought up the rear. He took it upon himself to watch behind their party.

   Tanar’s party slowly made their way through the thick humid jungle. For a while all they could hear was the call of birds above them in the tall trees and in the air. Also they could hear the faint humming of pesky mosquitoes.  Suddenly, Tanar pointed over at some large green leafy plants to the right and whispered," There’s that rustling sound again and there! Look at that."

   Tasha narrowed her eyes and finally spotted briefly a human face gazing at them from between several of the large leaves. Then in a flash it was gone. The rest of the party was wondering what was going on when Tanar and Tasha stopped. More rustling was heard behind near the last man bringing up the rear. He glanced behind him and saw the face of what looked to be a young native from the island or at least this area. The face was painted with red and green lines of paint running horizontally across the forehead and cheeks.

   The pirate no more than exclaimed," Hey!" when suddenly the face along with the rest of the body of the native man burst from the thick plants raising a long spear up to the man’s throat. Others of the landing party turned and cursed drawing their swords, axes and knives. Then the jungle was alive all around the party with rustling of plant life and strange calls from many native voices. Calls of birds and other unidentifiable animals. By now Tanar, Tasha and the twins had their weapons drawn also and were nervously looking this way and that in reaction to all the confusing noises.

   A second later, there was a war cry and then dozens of native men burst from hiding. They came from all directions with spears and deadly blow dart guns that were widely known for emitting poisonous darts. All their faces were painted with the same red and green paint. They wore skirt like garments made from the long bamboo leaves that grew on some of the islands in these regions of the world. They wore large turtle shells for shirts, which made for good body armor worn only in times of war.

  Tanar yelled to his friends and pirates alike," Everyone stay still. They’ll test us. Try to goad us to fight them. If you react, you’ll be dead before you hit the ground."

   The bizarre natives poked their spears at the men and women alike. Several times spears poked hard enough into someone to draw blood. It took all their strength for the twins not to react. Tasha could only grind her teeth in anger and frustration. The natives in red and green yelled things in some island dialect so loudly that no one there

could hear each other speak. Some of the native men danced around with glee and pride for getting the drop so easily on these people.

   Suddenly, there was silence and the natives stood with their weapons pointed at the landing party. Their eyes starred at them in anger. Creiton chose that time to say,

" I could talk to them perhaps. I do know that language some what."

Tanar, Tasha, the twins and some of the crew yelled," No!"

" Well, it was just a thought."

   Then they heard laughter from the bush and out emerged

Winton the man they had thought drown at sea. He clapped his hands together several times.

" Bravo people. You acted wisely and correctly. These people you certainly don’t want to mess with."

   Tanar couldn’t help but take a step toward Winton," You! You are the one that caused my friend’s death."

A native man immediately brought a spear within an inch of

Tanar’s eye. Winton quickly said a word in their dialect and the native warrior lowered his spear.

" Regretfully it did happen and other situations which caused you and your crew grief, but I was only following orders from your wizard. He really didn’t want you to go on this hunt for the treasure you know."

  Tanar glared at Creiton," Wizard!"

The old wizard stepped back in alarm," What? I only wished to protect you from what was surely a quest that would mean your death."

" If I survive this remind me to cut your throat." Tanar growled.

" Ok, that’s enough you two," Tasha admonished." We are in enough trouble as it is."

Winton grinned," I quite agree. You see, after the harrowing ordeal while traveling with you people, I asked myself; why should I get a small share of the wealth when I could have it all. I acquired a small ship and sailed here for I knew of these islands whereabouts before. I just didn’t know that there was treasure on this island until recently. I saw one of Tanar’s crude maps he had drawn and recognized the location immediately."

   " Do these islanders know of your plans to acquire all of the treasure." Creiton asked Winton.

" All? No, I acquired their services by making a deal with them; some of the treasure and your heads for temporary use of their best warriors. You see, they live here and they want us all off this island soon. That gave them added incentive."

Nishi spoke up, " You don’t talk like you did on the ship."

" That was part of my ruse to play along with Tanar and his pirates as if I were one of the guys. I’m actually from the south most continent…But enough of the small talk. Time is short and I plan to make the most of it so…."

Winton spoke some commands in the tongue of the islanders and the warriors promptly confiscated all weapons from Tanar and his party. Then their hands were tied in front of them, but their feet were left untied. A native warrior stood behind each person of Tanar’s party while ten warriors brought up the rear. More then a dozen carrying the prisoner’s weapons walked up front with Winton. After everything was ready he signaled everyone to begin and Tanar felt something sharp poke him in the back. It was his guard hinting for him to start walking.

Winton laughed," Now let us go pick up the treasure from that nasty old temple. By the way. Did you know these islands and temples history? He hesitated a moment as if waiting for an answer then he continued," I didn’t think so. A very long time ago, even before the no- named evil sorcerer you mentioned once and a while; there was an ancient glorious empire by the name of Nua. Written records are all but gone now, but legends say that a terrible disaster took place and most of Nau sunk beneath the waves. That’s right, it wasn’t an island then, but a continent. Those were my ancestors that ruled Nau. I am a direct descendent, and that treasure in the temple that lies on the ocean floor is mine. My inheritance." Tasha asked Winton," Do you know what the treasure is?"

   "No, but I imagine it consists of fine jewels, and booty from those nations my ancestors conquered.”

" Oh that’s good. Everybody here is after a treasure they know nothing about. There isn’t even a legend about it. Don’t you find that a bit odd?"

Tanar answered for Winton," Not at all. The best treasures throughout history to go after are the ones that no one is sure what they may find when they get to where it is hidden."

" Based on what? A child’s perspective?" Tasha chuckled," You two should have stuck together. You both think alike. With the intelligence of a couple of eels."

Ishi the twin laughed at that comment.

Winton said," Thanks anyway Tanar. At least we agree on something."

   All these past minutes Creiton had been muttering something under his breath. His eyes were almost entirely rolled up in the back of his head where you could only see the whites. His body was shaking from head to toe.

Tanar turned his head and asked," What is with you now, Creiton? Tell me you are not doing what I think you are doing…."

Winton yelled back from the front," What now? Is there something wrong with…" Then he froze in his tracks as something above and behind caught his eye. Tanar followed his gaze and swore out loud.

" Creiton! So help me. If you are responsible for this then…"

By now everyone was directing their gaze upward and behind them.

Creiton answered," It wasn’t me I swear. I don’t know how to do that!"

What they beheld was the largest swarm of bees Tanar had ever seen. In fact the bees were the largest bees he had ever seen. Tanar gave his native guard a sweeping kick upon his legs and the native fell so hard it knocked the wind out of him. As he fell, Tanar was beside Creiton and said," Now’s our chance while they’re distracted. Can you stand the sting of bee stings?"

" Yes, I suppose…"

" Then lets take these sukkes." He nodded toward Tasha who saw and understood perfectly the opportunity. She elbowed her guard in the face who fell down holding his nose.

Creiton yelled," Well its about time!"

   Winton who hadn’t noticed the commotion behind him mainly because the sound of the bee swarm had become deafening, yelled to everyone.

" Run. Follow me to the cave."

Instead, with a concerted yell, Tanar’s party rushed the group of warriors that had their weapons. Few had little chance to bring the spears up to defend themselves. Tanar broke his bonds as if they were string. He grabbed a native warrior who was about to throw a spear at one of the twins. Tanar picked him up over his head and threw him into a large lava rock. By this time the first wave of bees were flying among them and stinging people both Tanar’s party and the native warriors alike.

    Tasha was worried about Tanar for he had gone on alone ahead of them after Winton. A descendent of rulers of an ancient kingdom thinking that all the treasure of his ancestors is his makes him a dangerous foe. He may be insane, but he was far from being an ignorant man. Also Tanar was still under that evil spell and wasn’t in his right mind. Then no telling what dangers awaited her friend. Her friend…When she saw Ishi kiss him it made her blood boil. What was he to Tasha the red warrior? What was it about him that made her feel like grabbing him and taking him somewhere alone where they could…. She shook her head desperately trying to keep herself focused. Now wasn’t the time to have such thoughts. "Please be all right my Tanar."

Tasha silently thought to herself.

 

                                                                                           Chapter VII

  

    Tanar was tracking a very clever foe. He should have tied a weight to this trader and thrown him over the side of his ship at the least sign of trouble. But what was done was done. His footprints were very few and light. Some broken leaves here, a half a footprint on a large fallen leaf there was the types of clues he was finding causing him precious time.

   The large volcano was what Winton seemed to be headed to. After almost several hours of tracking in the jungle the volcano’s cone loomed far above him and he knew he was close to the cave’s entrance. There should be a clearing soon. It was then he heard the awful high-pitched scream and a large sound as if thunder from a storm but, this made his ears pop inside. It left a ringing in his ears for several minutes. They quit ringing as he found himself clear of the jungle growth and in a desolate area around the volcano where eons ago hot molten rock had flowed like many raging rivers throughout this island. The tropical sun made the black rocky surface hot to the touch. If you fell on that surface your skin would be cut and scraped all over for the molten rocks were made of sharp points sticking out all over. 

   Tanar spotted the cave entrance just ahead of him. It was larger than he expected. Also it was located in the side of the volcano, which he was hoping it hadn’t. Just fifty feet ahead of the entrance a dark figure hovered, floating several feet above the lava rock surface. As he approached the figure, he recognized the older than time face.

" You! You’re the one in my dreams. Telling one what to do, where to go." The dark one’s voice sounded as if it were an echo in a cave. It was hard to tell if the voice issued from him or from every direction at once.

" Yes Tanar. I am the one. The one that can also help you avoid the traps and pitfalls that await you in the temple. There are guardians there that you will be on your own. I can not help you there."

Tanar tilted his head to the side and asked," What is in it for you?"

   The dark one’s eyes glowed a bright red and he laughed, " Everything and nothing. I can tell you this. When you find the treasure you will know what I want."

Tanar even tough under a spell had an ominous feeling about his answer," What if I refuse to carry out this task?"

The dark sorcerer rose several feet higher into the air and pointed to the rocky surface just below his hovering form.

" Then your friends will die horribly like this one did. Not pleasant …"

   The barbarian looked down to the spot the dark sorcerer was pointing and almost lost the contents in his stomach. There, strewn upon the lava rocks below were hundreds of little pieces of burnt flesh and bone. Amongst these remains lay half of a human head from the nose up. He could barely stand to look but, he did to make sure of its identity. It had to be Winton’s remains.

   Before he could ask the dark one answered," Yes, that was Winton. He decided to try for the treasure for himself. Who knows, he might have got luck on his side and succeeded and ruined everything. I don’t like competition."

Tanar tried his best to sound calm and collected though panic and anger was rising within him as he commented," So I’ve noticed. Just how will you do this from a distance and remain here to make sure I go through with this?"

" I won’t have to. Look." The dark sorcerer pointed toward the heavens without looking and whistled one single loud almost ear piercing note. Tanar watched in horror as the dark one’s familiar large red half dragon; half sea monster flew silently over them and on toward where his friends were traveling.

   As if on cue it glanced down at the little figures below and roared menacingly, then redoubled it’s efforts in flapping its wings to increase its speed.

Tanar knew he had no choice. The dark one added," You know and I know that your wizard won’t be able to hold off another attack by my pet. Besides, you’ll need your wizard inside the temple."

    "Ok, ok, I see your point. All your points. But, so help me that if you hurt my friends I will come back and destroy you. I swear to Valtol god of all nature I shall."

The dark one laughed and a ball of lightning glowing florescent blue enveloped Tanar’s body and he yelled with pain. Then the evil sorcerer raised a finger and lowered it. Suddenly the lightning was gone as quickly as it came. Tanar dropped to one knee with his head hanging down as he tried to breath again; his clothing had wisps of smoke rising from them.

   "You see, I could easily destroy you Tanar. But I have need of you. With your skill and training not to mention your strength, you should have an excellent chance at achieving that of which with all my power can not."

" H-How is it you can not?" Tanar was still trying to shake off that incredible attack he had just suffered. He could barely breath.

   The dark one hovered closer to Tanar as he replied, Your wizard was correct about the curse on the entrance to the temple. An ancient one placed there to keep those that practiced the dark magic from stealing from the temple. How ironic that their civilization isn’t around to use and enjoy the fabulous treasure that lies within. You see, I could enter it with ease but I would not be able to leave. I would be trapped there for all eternity. And that my friend is a long time even for me. I have lived a hundred centuries free to do and go where I please. I would like to keep it that way. Think how rich you could all be if you succeed!"

    His eyes glowed orange this time. He’s a regular rainbow Tanar thought. He was right. Tanar also knew that there was a good chance that the dark sorcerer would kill them as soon as they exited the place with the treasure.

   " Do you promise to not harm my friends if I agree to this…task?"

The dark sorcerer seem to grow in stature as he replied," I give my word. I shall not harm them nor you."

" Then I shall lead my people into that temple and when we bring the treasure back, we also bring forth your share and we shall go our separate ways. Do you agree?"

" Yes. I will contact my dragon and he shall keep his distance."

" Good. By the way, what name do you go by?"

The dark one smiled," My original name in my language is too hard for you to pronounce. Some call me Drako the sorcerer of dragons and dreams. I prefer the sorcerer of dreams. That is how you met me and how I communicated my instructions to find this place. As for my share, it is a certain object amongst the treasure. You will know it when you see it."

   As Tanar walked by the dark one on his way to the entrance into the volcano, he asked one more question.

" One more thing…"

Drako sighed," This will be your last question, for your friends will be here any moment. And I wish not to be seen by them."

Tanar hesitated while Drako’s last statement sunk in. He was nervous about one of his friends. Who and most importantly why?

" I only wish to know what is the difference between you and Creiton?"

Drako’s dragon familiar flew over the sorcerer and Tanar, only several hundred feet above them.

"I practice the dark arts or black magic while your friend is merely an element sorcerer."

The red dragon hissed loudly and Drako impatiently added," I must go. Remember, if you don’t go through the task, your friends will…"

Tanar interrupted him," I know. They will all die. Don’t worry. We’ll do as you ask."

" Excellent. I shall be waiting for your return. I wish you luck with the guardians."

Suddenly his form rose swiftly in flight and he mounted the large hovering dragon’s neck.

Tanar shouted to Drako," Hey, what guardians? What do I do about them?"

Drako’s purple robes and cape moved around as though they had a life of their own.

" That, I leave to your imagination. I believe you will find a way because if you don’t, you will never survive." He laughed long and hard as the dragon flapped his wings and together they flew off beyond the volcano leaving Tanar there near the entrance wishing he had killed Drako while he had the chance. That is when he heard a familiar voice behind him.

" Did I miss something?"

   Tanar turned facing Tasha and tried to sound positive," Oh, I just had an interesting conversation with Drako the sorcerer."

Tasha looked puzzled. Tanar explained," You know, the owner of our dragon friend."

" Oh, that sorcerer…So, what did he have to say?"

Tanar didn’t get a chance to reply for the rest of the landing party burst from the jungle excitement written on their faces.

" Did you see what was riding the dragon that just flew toward the volcano?" Ishi the twin asked.

Tanar replied as calmly as he could as if he were bored," Yeah, that was Drako the sorcerer that informed me of the treasure and where to find it. That dragon is his familiar, you know, a pet of sorts."

" Oh, that sorcerer. I know of him." Creiton commented. He looked straight into Tasha’s face when he spoke and Tasha gave him a nod. Both realizing that this was the sorcerer that had placed the spell on Tanar. This was the same man that was the root to all their troubles throughout the voyage.

Tanar counted heads and it did not look good. Including himself, there was only twelve left out of an entire crew. Oh well, it would have to suffice.

   Tasha approached Tanar and stood only a foot away. She looked into his eyes," Are you sure you think we should do this. Entering a volcano doesn’t seem very wise to me."

 He looked down at her and even under a spell he still noticed and admired how beautiful she was. The way her long red hair flowed across her shoulder…."

"Yes, I’m sure. It is the only entrance that leads into the temple. I have to do this, do you understand?"

" Perhaps, but a volcano? Listen to it rumble. It doesn’t sound very stable. Couldn’t we row a boat out to the temples location and dive down and enter it from there?"

" No. There is no entrance on the temple except where the cave from the volcano leads directly to…"

" I know." Tasha interrupted him." I’ve heard it plenty. I’ll go, but if we don’t survive this, I’ll kill you."

Tanar laughed and turned his attention to the others. He spoke loud enough that everyone heard," So, are there any of you that have second thoughts about going through this? If so speak now. I shall understand. Even though I need every one of you to help me on this. I shall not blame you of backing out now. Once we enter we can’t go back until we have the treasure."

   It was silent for a moment among his party. All you could hear was the steady low rumble of the volcano. There was a haze in the air and one could smell a faint odor of sulfur.

  Finally, the young man with the mustache named Baili Exle spoke," I’m with you captain! We’ve come a long way together. Hardly seems right to turn back now that we’re so close."

Nishi spoke next," I believe the souls of those that perished getting here will rest easy if they know we succeeded. Their deaths won’t be in vain."

Others voiced similar opinions. Without another word, the mercenary turned captain turned and walked in long strides toward the cave’s entrance. Even from several feet from the mouth of the cave, he could feel the heat issuing from it. Was this so wise to walk into what may be the heart of a volcano? Yes, for the treasure was so great it was worth anything, any risk.

   Creiton and Tasha were right behind him. Just before they were to enter the cave Creiton stopped and Tasha asked,

" What now?"

" Tanar, shouldn’t I stay here and deal with the dragon or something?"

Tanar turned his head but, continued to walk replying," No, Drako made it clear that you must be with me all the way till we reach the treasure. What would you rather face, the dragon again knowing well that he may roast you alive the next encounter?"

" Yes, I rather. I’ve already had a bad experience with a cave before."

Tasha chuckled," Yes, I’ve heard that tail from Tanar. Surely you don’t think it can happen again."

"With what I’ve heard of its traps and the temple with its guardians; yes, I do."

   The twins giggled and Tasha hugged Creiton’s arm," Don’t worry so old man. I will keep you safe. If you will promise to let us know when you are about to practice your magic so that we can hide."

" Sometimes I think I’m just an old foolish man."

Tasha kissed Creiton on the cheek," You may be old, but you are no fool."

    Everyone laughed to see the wizard’s face turn red. Tasha lowered her voice so that only Creiton could hear," I say that for you are the one that first realized that Tanar was under a spell."

Creiton never reacted, he just asked," Why does everyone think they’ll need me there? I don’t have any desire for treasure."

   Tanar answered as he enter the cave," You yourself said you came to protect me and besides, there may be something of magic in here that we will need your expertise to fight against. Personally I think Drako is afraid of you."

Creiton tilted his head slightly," Really!? Whatever reason for? He is an ancient and all powerful sorcerer of the black arts…"

" Yes, that is so. But the fact you are an elemental sorcerer caused him alarm. I could read that in his face as he spoke of you and how different you are. That difference could mean his downfall. One thing is for sure, he is afraid." Tanar replied.

 

 

                                                                                                 Chapter VIII

 

    One hundred feet into the cave and Tanar was almost scalded by steam that suddenly emitted from tiny holes in the wall to his left. The holes were so tiny and the pressure was so great that the steam sprayed at least five feet from the wall right toward the barbarian who was in the lead.

   Before Tasha could yell a warning, Tanar with his cat like reflexes, dived to the floor flat on his face. The scalding steam missed him by inches. By the time he recovered from the surprise, the steam had stopped as quickly as it had come. Everyone rushed to his aid and helped him to his feet.

   Tanar warned," Let us move ahead away from these holes." As they continued to walk, Tasha asked," Was that a trap? It sure looked like one."

Creiton stood by the wall carefully avoiding the holes, but close enough to examine their structure. And he provided the answer.

"I believe these are natural vents leading from the center of this volcano. Terrific pressure is building and this steam is trying to escape any place it can. I do hope the walls hold."

Tasha comment," It is good that it is not a trap, but we could have done without the pressure building news. How long do we have before the mountain erupts?"

   " Hmmm," the wizard rubbed his white beard in thought a couple of seconds," Could be a day. It could be hours."

" Well, the immediate danger is past. We should press on," Tanar exclaimed," The sooner we reach the temple and treasure, the sooner we can get out of this hell cave."

   Indeed, Tanar got no argument there. Creiton and Tasha knew that there was another reason that the barbarian wanted to get there as quickly as possible besides the possible eruption at any moment. He was still under Drako’s spell and Creiton speculated that as extra incentive, the dark sorcerer probably threatened to kill his friends if he didn’t do his bidding. Tasha asked Creiton in a hushed voice," What’s to keep Drako from killing all those that survive the temple?"

   "Ah, now that is why we need a plan." Creiton and Tasha talked at great length. Of what, Tanar could not hear over the rumbling. Soon he became suspicious and with suspicion came paranoia and with paranoia came madness! Tanar had a terrible look of greed, hatred and something even more terrible. That was of a killer. of a beast.

   After a while, Tanar was able to calm himself enough by listening to one of the twins Nishi who had started singing an ancient travelers song about fairies and elves dancing in the light of the autumn moon. When he felt calm enough he turned his head and asked his party," Noticed the rumbling? It is getting fainter as we continue. I think we are no longer under the volcano."

   "Yes, I believe you are right young man," Creiton added," We are probably under the ocean."

   Indeed the temperature had steadily dropped the last half hour that they had traveled. At one point, the heat had been stifling where they had ventured very close to the main vent of the active volcano. But now it seemed they were moving away from the volcano and the island. 

   Another half of hour and they noticed that the cave began to drop sharply. At one point the cave tunnel started to shrink in size as they moved on. Finally they reached a point where Tanar motioned them to stop with his left hand. All along the way since the entrance of the cave, there had been lit torches on either side of the walls every thirty or forty feet. Suddenly, there were none in front of Tanar. He could see nothing beyond except total darkness. The type that is typical in a cave without a light source.

   Turning to his crew, Tanar instructed," Alright, we’ll need some torches. Some of you back track and grab enough of the torches off the wall that each of us can carry one."

   Three of the men including Baili soon were back with plenty of torches. They immediately handed them out to the rest of the party. Tanar in front lead them on apparently unafraid of the darkness ahead.

   Creiton remarked to Ishi out loud," Have a bad feeling about this." They had walked only thirty yards down the ever descending tunnel when suddenly, all their torches extinguished mysteriously at the same instant.

Tanar swore and Tasha as well. Then Tanar requested, " Quick Creiton. A bit of magic if you will. We have no flint rock to light these torches again…"

   Creiton replied," One moment, this is a little involved…"

He was heard muttering to himself in an ancient language that even Tanar had not recognized.

   As he waited, Tanar could have sworn that when he glanced one direction or another at that brief instant, there were tiny red glowing eyes staring back at him near the floor of the cave. Actually they seem to float several feet from the floor. But as soon as his eyes focused on that direction in the dark, the eyes disappeared.

" Hurry!" Tasha anxiously told Creiton for she had noticed the strange glowing eyes too. As did the rest of the party.

" Hey, I’m working as fast as I can. I’m not a young sprout of ninety years anymore." Creiton continued muttering a moment longer then he stopped and there was a small flash.

     Suddenly, Tanar’s torch burst into flame as he still held it above his head. Then the cave echoed with the sound of many tiny voices screeching horribly in pain. When Tanar’s eyes had adjusted to the light again, he found that dozens upon dozens of lizard like creatures surrounded him and his companions barely two feet high. Green, standing on two feet with two little stubby appendages for arms and all teeth and sharp claws was the best way to describe them.

   " Hydreck!! What in the underworld are these? "Tasha yelled.

" I don’t know, but they sure look hungry!" Tanar replied.

Saliva dripped heavily from the open growling mouths of many of these lizards. Their eyes darted up and down constantly as if they were sizing up the humans as potential food. Their growling and screeching became louder each second that ticked by as they became bolder and started closing in on the humans from all sides.

   Then they heard a loud hissing from one of the larger ones which must had been a command to attack. An instant later, the mob of lizard creatures leapt upon their prey with wild abandon screeching, biting and clawing. Between the yelling of the humans, the crash of their weapons, the loud screeching of the attacking starving lizards and the cries of those dying; no one could hear themselves think. Not that they had time to think. All they had time to do was draw their swords, clubs, knives, or spears and fight.

   Fight for their right to live, though to Tanar it was for his right to the treasure. He drew his long sword and began swinging it around himself up high, and then he brought it down swiftly and decapitated two of the unfortunate lizards.

   One leapt upon his back and clawed at his armor to no avail. He reached around with one hand and grabbed it by the neck. He shoved his sword into the creature’s body through and through. It was screaming and still struggling as Tanar pried the creature’s body from the sword and flung it with one hand toward a cave wall. It died instantly upon hitting headfirst.

  Tasha slashed and stabbed creatures left and right with her sword and a dark blade dagger. Creiton was running around and around the area with three of the green lizards chasing him and closing in. Creiton shouted to Tanar who could only make out part of his words. Something about lizards, get them and they’ll eat him, which made no sense to Tanar. He knew Creiton was in trouble. After all, he wasn’t versed much in the art of hand-to-hand combat. Most importantly, he had no weapon on him except his magic and the three vermin were keeping him too busy to have time to cast a spell.

  Chuckling to himself, he ran to his aid and with one kick of his muscle bound leg; he sent one of the creatures smashing into the other two. All three went flying into the cave wall nearby. Although they were far from dead, they were out cold.

  Creiton grabbed Tanar’s arm and said," Thanks Tanar. Once again you have saved my bottom."

"Save it for when we have time. And speaking of that. If I buy you some time can you cast something to rid us of these pests?"

" Pest is hardly the word…"

" Can you?"

   Creiton narrowed his eyes in thought and replied," Yes, I believe I have just the thing. Just give me a couple of minutes."

" You got it wizard. Now do your stuff."

He gave Creiton an exaggerated wink and he was off to join the fray.

  The twins were also holding their own against the creatures. Though the creatures were quick and agile, they were no match for the skill in hand-to-hand combat of the twin warriors from the far eastern lands.

  Durande, Baili, and the rest of the pirates fought well, but were suffering many scratch and bite wounds. It would not be long before some of them would collapse from shock or exhaustion. Though many of the devilish lizards lay dead all about them, many more took their place.

   Tanar fought like a demon amongst the vermin, but voiced his frustration. " Where are they all coming from? We must have stumbled upon the whole nest!"

Soon, they were ankle deep in blood from the swarming creatures. Though the sounds they made were irritating, it was the smell of their bodies and their purplish blood that was so overwhelming.

   Creiton sat upon the blood-covered floor of the cave holding a torch and he started a chant as he drew a circle around him with a special stick of black chalk. After a moment his voice raised over the den the creatures were making and he pointed the stick at each of his friends including the rest of the crew. Their forms began to waver, to change. Some of their bodies quickly mutated into six-foot tall badgers, and some into large canyon rats. With hideous growling they attacked the small lizards. This unexpected development where one moment they are fighting humans, and then the next instant they are preyed upon by fierce giant badgers and rats was too much for the vermin. Screaming as one, they scattered in full retreat as fast as their little legs could carry them. They dived into holes in the walls around them.

   As soon as they were gone, the creatures that had been men and women a moment ago turned their attention to each other. Before Creiton’s startled eyes, they attacked one another, clawing and biting; spitting and growling.

" Oh my! This won’t do. It won’t do at all!" Creiton exclaimed to himself outloud. He stayed with the circle he had drawn around him and began chanting once more as one particularly large rat with saliva drooling out of its gapping mouth, slowly made its way toward him. Its eyes were transfixed upon Creiton who nervously kept an eye upon this approaching threat. By the way it was acting, it must have thought of Creiton like one would think of a gourmet meal. The old wizard knew he had only a moment to reverse this spell or all would be lost. Not only for his friends, but also for himself. He chanted faster nervously and began waving the black stick of chalk fiercely at the approaching giant rat. No effect! The stick hadn’t worked! Now more desperate he raised his voice so that all could hear him as he chanted with more authority the reverse spell once more.

   Suddenly the snarling giant rat leapt at Creiton and he instinctively ducked. The rat’s body flew over him to slam noisily into the cave wall beyond. So much for the ring of protection. Desperately his chants continued as some of the other creatures attention was drawn to Creiton because he had raised his voice to almost a scream. A large badger and another rat began to close in on the old chanting wizard.

   Finally, a few animals began to shimmer and change. Within seconds they had morphed back to their human forms. Almost all had bite or scratch wounds on their arms and legs and even faces. Creiton rose to his feet greatly relieved and upon seeing Tanar and Tasha, he started laughing and the more he gazed upon them the harder he laughed until tears streamed down his face.

   When Tanar and Tasha changed back to their human forms, the warrior had Tasha by the throat with both hands and had lifted her above his head. Tasha upon realizing what was happening to her after changing back to human form, drew back with one leg and in a choked voice said," Put me down or I will kick you where it really hurts."

   As the startled Tanar quickly lowered her down to the cave floor to regain her footing he apologized," Tasha! I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I have the strangest feeling we were animals there for a minute."

   Tasha with eyes ablaze with anger replied," We were you idiot! We were fighting the lizards and when we drove them away, we fought each other. You could have killed me!"

She pulled out a wicked looking dagger and started to approach Tanar who started backing away from her.

   " Now Tasha, you know I didn’t mean it. I was in an animal form. I wasn’t myself! Please believe me. Don’t do anything rash."

Some of the rest of the party began to join in Creiton’s laughter. Suddenly, Tanar turned and fled with Tasha chasing him close behind.

" You might have been in animal form, but I think you were showing your true feelings. I ought to…" Tasha didn’t finish as she started running after the bewildered barbarian.

   After the chase went on back and forth through that part of the cave for a minute everyone grabbed the two and restrained them. Nishi took Tasha’s dagger away.

" Give that back". Tasha commanded as she struggled. " I want to open his head and see what makes him think the way he does."

   When Creiton caught his breath and the others laughter had changed to smiles only, he approached the restrained couple.

" You two couldn’t help yourselves. I used a spell to change you into more frightening forms like giant badgers and rats. That gave you a better chance of defeating them."

Tasha stopped struggling when what Creiton said sunk in.

" You what?!"

" I used a spell…"

Tasha interrupted him," I heard you the first time." She looked at the floor and laughed in disbelief, " I can’t believe you did that to us. What if we had killed you by accident? Huh!? What if then we had turned on each other long enough that most of us died? And if you were dead that means we would have never changed back. Am I right?"

   Creiton took a step back," I uh… didn’t have time to think. I just acted. It worked out for the best." He said that with as much enthusiasm as he could muster. Tanar glared at Creiton," When this is all over, I may have two people to kill."

Tahsa struggled a little," Let me go. I don’t what to kill. I just want to pound some sense into him."

Everyone in the group was staring at the old wizard. Creiton was clearly frightened and upset taking several more steps backward.

" Well. That’s gratitude for you! All I have to do is say the right words and I could transport myself away from here. And you never know who might have to take my place when I transport. Might be a goat."

   Nishi commented," I think were talking to an old goat now."

Creiton automatically took another step back and stepped on something loose on the floor. There was a small click sound and suddenly a long thin spear shot out of the top of the cave from a cleverly hidden hole and impaled Creiton’s arm through and through. When in that instant it emitted out of the other side of his lower part of his arm, it drove into the floor next to Creiton. He screamed and said," Help me."

   Everyone forgot their quarrels and all thoughts of their dilemma and rushed to the old wizard who stood there pinned to the spot. He struggled, but could not free himself. All the blood drained from his already pasty looking face and he looked as though he could have fainted any moment.

   One of the pirates," Gods! I have never seen anything like it. Six more inches and it would have rammed him from head to toe!"

Tasha said," He’s not out of the woods yet. When we remove the spear, he could bleed to death."

   " Tasha, you and Ishi help him stay upright and still while I cut the spear away from the floor." Tanar ordered as he drew his long double-edged sword. Both girls held onto Creiton who was shaken but still alert. The pirate, who spoke before, joined the girls in holding onto the wounded wizard.

Nishi watched and paced back and forth nervously," Hurry up. This is awful. The things I said to him. Oh Creiton, I am so sorry for what I have said. Please don’t die. I just don’t know what I’d do if…"

Tears welled up in her eyes. Durande noticed and remarked," Wish I had a girl who cared about me like that."

    Creiton heard her comment, looked at her and smiled,

" Why Nishi, I didn’t know you felt that way."

" Neither did I."

They looked at one another in a different light. With Creiton’s attention elsewhere, Tanar knew this was the best time to try to cut the spear with one blow of his sharp sword. He hoped. In the next instant without hesitation, he swung his sword and indeed in one blow it cut the spear cleanly just six inches from the floor.

   Creiton yelled in pain and this time he did faint. Nishi rushed in to the wizard’s side as they gently lowered his body to the floor. Nishi cradled Creiton’s head in her lap and no one interfered with her from doing so. Ishi asked her sister," You really love him don’t you?"

Nishi glanced at her twin sister and it told volumes. Tears were streaming down her face as she asked Tasha in a shaky voice," How are we going to remove this accursed spear from him?"

   Tasha remarked," The shaft went through only a portion of the bone of his arm. It doesn’t look broken. Just a section of bone punched out."

   Tasha added," Yes, and it didn’t hit many main veins so that the bleeding can be stopped using pressure around his elbow. We have to tie cloth tight around his upper arm now."

She stripped some cloth from her skirt and started tying it around Creiton’s arm. Tanar seemed satisfied and started looking further down the cave tunnel.

   Nishi intercepted Tasha from helping the old wizard," I’ll help him up and if he needs help walking I’ll do that too."

Tasha raised an eyebrow at Nishi," Ok, if you insist. But first we will have to remove the spear shaft. You and Durande hold him steady in a sitting position and I’ll pull it out."

Everyone crowded around to watch. One of the pirates exclaimed to the wizard," I have met many of brave lads in my time. You have got to be one of the bravest I’ve ever seen."

   Creiton replied through clenched teeth," Well thank you. You won’t mind if I holler when they pull this out will you?"

The two holding Creiton upright in a sitting position braced themselves as Tasha counted," Ok, one…two…three!"

Then, with all her might and all her control she slowly pulled and twisted at the same time on the shaft of the spear; all the while bracing her feet against Nishi’s feet. Tasha groaned and grunted. Sweat began pouring down her forehead and along her arms.

Creiton fainted again from the pain, but before he did; the last thing he saw was Nishi’s face. Her eyes were closed and she looked as though she was saying some kind of prayer. And the last thing he heard was Ishi asking her sister, " Are you going soft on me sister?"

 

 

                                                                                               Chapter IX

 

   Tanar had wandered down the tunnel some 100 yards and heard the groans of Creiton. Something told him he had better return. He ran all the way back with his torch fluttering from the air whistling by it caused by the great speed of the warrior. When he reached his party, he found they had managed to remove the spear from Creiton’s arm and had a pretty good wound dressing on him made from one of the pirate crewmen’s shirts.

His first words to them were," We better make him a sled that we can drag him with."

Creiton was indeed out cold and in no shape to travel on his own two feet.

   Upon hearing his words Tasha stood up from squatting where she had been finishing up on the wizard’s dressing, and said to Tanar," About time you were here. Where have you been? What was so important that you left your friend in such a wounded state that he desperately needed help?"

Another voice, a crewman’s said," Yeah, what was so important?"

   Tanar shot him a deadly glance, but patiently explained to al there," I knew you were quite capable of taking care of an old wizard. He is ok, isn’t he?"

" Yes, no thanks to you. But soon he will need a doctor or some kind of miracle. Nishi replied.

   "Well, we won’t need to carry him, and he will not have to walk. Instead we can use what’s left of the spear and one I saw ten yards further in this cave to make a sled."

" We drag him?" Tasha asked.

" Yes, we’ll take turns."

" Why must he go on? Maybe he could wait for us here." Nishi commented.

" Because Drako made it clear to me that the wizard must accompany us if we are to survive."

" Tanar explained with growing impatience. " Now, lets build that sled and get going. Time is getting short. I don’t know how long that fire mountain can keep from erupting much longer."

   Several of the men searched up and down the tunnel and found a number of tattered clothing from people who had passed that way long ago. With the clothes tied together and tied to the spears, they made a functional sled and placed Creiton’s body upon it. He awoke as two of the pirates started to drag him. Creiton took one look around him and commented,

" How long have I been out?"

   Nishi walking beside the sled looked down and smiled," Not long. The spear is out and we’re on our way again."

The old wizard looked up at her face weakened but cheerful," I am grateful Nishi."

" You are welcome Creiton."

" And Nishi."

" Yes, Creiton?"

" You are a lovely sight for this old man to behold."

Nishi blushed," Thank you. You’re not so old."

Ishi overheard and rushed up to her sister. " I didn’t know he felt that way about you."

Nishi smiled still blushing," Just shows me how little you know about him."

" And you know more?"

" I sense his feelings for me since yesterday. It has been first a growing trust between us."

" And now?"

" Now, we shall see…" With those words she kissed Creiton on the cheek. Ishi rolled her eyes and walked faster to pass them muttering to herself about silly sisters and horny old wizards.

   When Ishi was out of ear shot Creiton reached in his cloak in a hidden pocket and pulled out with his good hand a small glass vial.

" Take this as I cast a healing spell in tongue. You pour the contents of this vial on my wound. It has healing properties, but only a days worth. At least it shall help me help us all. I was saving it for a rainy day. I guess this is as rainy of a day as it can be."

She did as instructed and he chanted a short sentence in a language she had never heard before. Seconds later there was a hissing sound from the ugly wound underneath the dressing and the old wizard grimaced a little then stated in a calm voice," It is done. Ahh, I do feel better."

   Nishi took a peek under his dressing and to her amazement the wound was little more than a reddened scar.

" That is amazing!"

" Not at all really. In the time it takes for it to be the next day, the wound shall be back as before. I shall need medical attention by then."

   Tanar and Tanar took the lead as they traveled cautiously down the cave. The walls became narrower still for several hundred yards. Then suddenly in their path was a large seven-foot tall door. It’s width was the same. It looked to be solid lead. The entire surface was covered in carved lettering and pictures.

   Tanar had seen these same letters and figures on an ancient cursed book in a fortress of a sorceress. She had read some of what it said before she was going to pull a sly one on him and try to kill him. The end result was she fell down a well with no bottom. From what she had read it told of an ancient great continent that existed a millennium ago that sank beneath the waves because the people there had riled the wrath of the gods and that was their punishment, death.

   As he mulled that over in his mind, Tasha told of Creiton’s miraculous recovery and he immediately ran back to the sled. When he reached the sled, the old wizard was in the act of climbing out of it. Nishi was helping him and was all smiles. She saw Tanar and exclaimed," Look at him! He has used his magic to cure himself. Isn’t that amazing?"

Everyone stared at her silently and she looked at them and asked," What?"

" It is plain you are in love with him. Just don’t let it interfere with your judgment, " Tanar explained as nice as he could.

Creiton cackled," I may be old, but I’m not ancient yet. I am thankful that her and her sister came along."

" Wonderful," Tanar said with no enthusiasm. He continued,

" Now can we get back to the business at hand? We’ve found a door up ahead. I need you to decipher its lettering and pictures that are carved all over its surface. Also there are two statues. One on either side of the doorway. At least six feet tall both of which are covered in the same lettering."

" Two statues? This has got to be the temples entrance."

He continued as Tanar, Creiton and Nishi walked together toward the door. " It usually means that it was a most important building for the entire culture of that civilization."

   Soon, everyone stood before the door, which was flush into the rocky wall. The two statues both of a top half dolphin and lower half man, stood as described on either side of the fantastic metal door. Both facing outward each with half smile frozen forever on their faces. Lettering covered almost every square inch of the smooth surface of both statues and the door.

   Creiton cursed under his breath.

" What is it?" Tanar inquired.

" This lettering is of Winton’s people. His ancestors who ruled an empire greater than any that exist now… It is the very one of Nau which apparently sunk under the ocean except of course for the volcano island.

" That’s all very interesting, but does it mention about a treasure?" Tanar asked breathlessly.

Creiton narrowed his eyes at the lettering and answered," Yes."

Everyone hooped and hollered with glee and relief.

Creiton added," It also has a warning which I’ve never seen such as this on any ruin before. There may be something in there that will back up that warning. Instantly everyone was sober.

" I don’t see a way to open the door." Durande observed."

That was even more sobering.

Indeed they looked high and low on the surface of the door and found not one button, lever or knob.

" Please none of you touch the door until I examine it myself." Creiton implored as he examined it closely of any sign of a trap.

   After physically examining the door for several long moments, Creiton sat down only two feet from the entrance with his legs crossed facing the door. Tanar hardly able to contain himself asked," Well? No traps?"

   Creiton closed his eyes answering", No traps." Then he began to hum a strange melody over and over again as Tanar let out a sigh of relief.

Nishi whispered to Tanar who was becoming frustrated with this latest setback.

" What is he doing now?"

" He will use his mind and magic to examine the entrance for a possible way in."

" What if he…" Nishi started to ask but was interrupted by Tasha quickly saying," Shhh."

Creiton stopped and excelled a long breath. Suddenly he stood up. You could hear a speck of dust drop to the floor it was so quite. Everyone held their breath as Creiton’s arm shot outward and he placed a hand on the mouth of the Dolphin’s head of the statue near him. He squeezed and turned the metal mouth slowly. There was instantly a sound of ancient gears rumbling and clanking. Finally, with a long groan the metal door moved inward. As it turned out, the door was attached to a set of tracks. One running at each of the bottom corner of the metal door. The tracks ran down each edge both left and right of a runway leading downward some fifty feet or so.

   Creiton turned to his friends with eyes closed and said," Wait. There is more."

Seconds later, as Tanar and the others watched; they were astonished to see three metal arrows fly by the doorway just inside the room beyond, from left to right. And before they could react, three metal arrows flew by from right to left.

Tanar cursed," Are you sure that is the last of the traps for the entrance?"

Creiton opened his eyes smiling," No."

Tanar rolled his eyes," Well, thanks anyway for opening the door…"

" I suggest that we hurry and that we place a wedge of some sort under the door. When it reaches the end of the ramp, it will start its accent back to seal off the entrance once more. We don’t want that."

" We don’t? There is no way to open it from the inside?"

" No."

" Why?"

" They wanted to make sure that thieves didn’t make it out."

" Yeah, we’re much smarter than they thought."

" One more reason…."

" What?" asked Tanar who was still watching the door slowly descend down the ancient ramp.

" They wanted to make sure something wasn’t going to get out."

" The treasure?" Tanar guessed.

" No. Something alive.

Tanar slammed his sword against the wall and the flat of it against his chest.

He boasted," Whatever it is. Bring it on to me. I will defeat it no matter what it is."

Creiton gave Tanar a sour look." I seem to remember what you said the dark sorcerer mentioned to you about the guardians."

" Oh yeah, I remember. But he didn’t say who or what they were. He did say I would need your help especially when we face them."

" Yes, I thought as much. And the key word is them."

   Tasha and her twin companions brushed by Tanar and Creiton and she commented," We can debate this all day, but we don’t have that time. May I suggest we put a rock in the door and worry about who or what later?"

Tanar and Creiton looked after the three women descending the ramp a moment and the barbarian spoke first," Sounds like a plan to me."

As the two followed the women and the rest of the party followed smirking and laughing amongst themselves; Creiton asked Tanar ", Where do you ever find these women?"

" That’s easy." Tanar explained matter-of-factly," I don’t look for them. They find me."

Creiton shook his head," Are all of them so bossy?"

" No, some are worse. Remember the queen and the princess of Lavion?"

" Oh yes, I know…”

Tasha spoke up without turning," I heard that!"

The men broke up with laughter, all except Tanar who whispered," Whoops."

   The sounds of laughter seem to echo eerily for longer than normal after it had died out. It made everyone look around uneasily as they reached the end of the ramp. Durande found a good sized stone with a sharp end and wedged it under the metal door just as it was about to start its ponderous accent up the ramp tracks.

   The echos was the first thing strange they noticed about this room. The second was the lighting. It was well lit with torches.                                                 Creiton asked," Have you noticed the torches?"

" Of course I have. Oh, I see what you mean…"Tanar replied.

Creiton commented", I can see where a torch under certain circumstances could last a week with no wind or cold air, nor moisture. It is dry here, very dry. But for torches to last years, even thousands of years is impossible."

" Even by a magic spell?" asked Nishi.

" Yes my flower. Even by magic spells. There are no eternal flames."

" My flower?" asked Tanar.

" What? The old wizard clearly blushed.

" You called Nishi your flower." Tanar answered amused.

" I assure you it was a slip of the tongue…"Creiton defended.

" No." Nishi said with happiness," I heard you plainly call me your flower. And yes, there is an internal flame. I have one for you."

Creiton turned beet red and said," That’ll be enough about that for now young lady." Several of the men chuckled and some made kissing noises.

Tasha said as she looked at Nishi," I think its sweet. Misguided but sweet."

" Gods! Can’t we talk of something else? Why must I be badgered about an innocent relationship with a woman? You think I haven’t had relations before?! I am not a child you know."

" I know. You are a man m-m-m." Nishi sighed," All man!"

Ishi exclaimed," Nishi! He is a man five times your age."

" Age means nothing if your souls are as one." Nishi countered.

Creiton hung his head," Why? This is embarrassing."

   Tanar slapped him on the back which almost sent him tumbling," Cheer up old man. Nishi’ll make you young before she is through. Or dead."

Tanar’s laughter was cut short for suddenly, their torches and the larger one’s that adorned the walls every twenty feet blew out. Once more they were shrouded in darkness.

   Everyone heard Tanar’s voice as he exclaimed outloud,” Creiton, looks like you’re gonna have to enlighten us again."

The wizard never answered and after a moment Tanar spoke," Creiton? What are you trying to do? Scare us to death?"

Still no answer.

" Creiton?" Tasha called out.

Nishi called desperately next," Creiton please answer. Oh no. Something is not right. Please Creiton."

No one laughed at the anxiety in her voice.

As people’s eyes adjusted to the light they realized Creiton was not among them.

" Well, its not completely here. I see light still coming from the entrance, faint as it is. Durante?"

" Aye Captain."

" You and your men go back up the ramp and check to see if he is out in the cave. And while you are at it, bring that torch I left just inside there. That’s got to be the source of the light."

" Sure thing Captain."

" And Durante."

" Captain?"

" Quit calling me captain."

" Aye…uh, sir."

Tanar cursed under his breath," The rest of you, twins, Tahsa. We will wait here in case he has wondered off mad or something."

" You know it is not that. Just say it." Nishi demanded almost hysterically. " He’s disappeared hasn’t he?"

" Nah. He’s not disappeared.." Tanar started to say more when just as suddenly as before, the torched exploded aflame bathing the large room in brilliant light. It took a moment for everyone’s eyes to adjust to the sudden light of torches flaming on in a sudden burst as they did. Especially for Tanar, the twins and Tasha. Durante and those accompanying him rushed down the ramp to Tanar’s side.

   The mercenary warrior looked this way and that asking Tasha," Where’s Creiton?"

Tasha shrugged her shoulders perplexed at this latest phenomena." Your guest is as good as mine. What is going on? Torches going out and then back on. Creatures coming out of the woodwork. And then someone simply vanishes… You don’t think Creiton might have transport himself somewhere out of danger do you?"

Tanar studied the wizard’s foot prints in the dust of the stone block floor," No, there would have been a flash of light more brilliant than any torches. Still, except for these footprints here and those leading to it where he last stood, I see no other prints. What could have happened?"

Durante was holding something in one hand by his side and Tanar noticed the objects. He pointed at them as he asked him, " Durante, what is that you hold?"

Durante brought them up for Tanar to see as he proudly replied,"These are three of those arrows that would have hit us if we had entered here too soon.  They were sticking in the wall even though it be stone Cap…I mean sir!"

Tanar looked at them with some interest," What are they made of? I have never seen the like."

" They are made of a light metal of which I am not familiar. They feel as though they could fly for ever."

" How do you know that? Tasha asked, "Are you a bow

man too?"

   Durante face beamed," Yes, I was for many years until I took to the sea and pirating. And I found this."

Durante pulled a long bow from his shoulder that Tanar had never seen before. He held it out with his other hand for all to see. " This bow was laying by a long stone bench over on one side of the ramp. It is made of the same metal as the door except it is plated with gold!"

" But that means that those objects are thousands of years old. How could they exist?" Tanar asked.

   Ishi spoke up as she cringed her neck and was watching something intently above them," While we are at it, how could those exist?" Ishi pointed toward the ceiling some thirty-five feet above. Everyone followed her arm and gaze. Nishi let out a scream first of fright then a warrior’s howl of anger. Tanar and Tasha swore out loud at the same time.

   Hovering near the top of the large room was two enormous black bats staring down at them with eerie red eyes. Each bat had a wingspan of at least eight feet with a body seven feet tall. But the heads were the most fascinating. They were perfectly egg shaped with two-foot long white dripping fangs in their gaping mouths. At the end of each body were two legs, and at the end of each leg were two large claws. In the tight grip of the pair of claws of one bat was Creiton’s body. He was unconscious but by his color he was still alive.

   Nishi in her anger and frustration ran to a large block of stone that had once supported some broken statue lying beside it on the floor. In one jump she was on top and she flung her sword at the monstrous bat creature that held onto Creiton’s form. The sword went straight up and nicked the creature’s tail. It screeched once but kept flying and holding onto its prey. As the sword fell back to Nishi’s awaiting hands, Tanar glanced at the metal arrows sticking in Durante’s belt he had around his waist and asked him.

" Are you a pretty good bow man Durante?"

" Am I good? Watch."

   Durante took the bow off his shoulder, pulled out a metal arrow. He strung it on the bow, drew back, aimed and released the arrow like a professional. It flew through the air so fast that the large bat holding Creiton couldn’t dodge it in time. The arrow buried itself all the way to the feathers in the large bat’s chest. As it screeched horribly in terror and pain; the bat released Creiton’s body from its grip. Tanar and Tasha didn’t hesitate, but ran for where Creiton would fall just beyond the stone that Nishi was standing on. Tanar reached the falling body just in time to catch it. The impact knocked the wind out of him and he fell to the floor, but he still manage to hold onto Creiton as he fell stopping the body from taking a deadly impact with the stone floor.

   The other monstrous bat screeched in anger and dived into the crowd of humans. Everyone scattered except Durante; who held his ground with another arrow ready to fire. But the bat had other ideas and caught up with one of the pirates instead of diving toward Durante. In one bite, the bat bit off the back of the pirate’s head. He fell to his knees in shock as the bat approached closer still. In another bite it bit off the rest of his head, blood squirting several feet into the air from the victims neck.

   Ishi gave a warrior’s cry and charged the bat that was trying to devour the rest of the pirate’s corpse. She swung her sword and cut a long tear across its right wing. Now it was its turn to screech in pain. It’s tail immediately reacted and swung around knocking Ishi’s legs out from under her. As it turned to finish her off only several feet away; Durante let loose an arrow from his bow point blank range. It impaled itself between the eyes of the wounded bat. It hissed once and fell dead upon Ishi.

   The remaining bat flew wildly about the large room as if looking for something or someone. Blood sprayed all across the floor from it’s arrow wound. But after a while as the humans shouted obscenities at it, the monster dropped and landed with a loud smack onto the stone floor near Tanar and Tasha. Both warriors rushed in on the dying bat and drove their swords into the back of its head.

   Durante and the rest yelled in triumph. Tanar breathing heavily looked at Durante.

Durante winked," Well?"

Tanar shook his head and walked up to shake his hand," No doubt you are good. I’m glad you made it this far with us."

   Tasha grabbed Durante and hugged him," You saved our butts this time. Can you retrieve those arrows? We may need them."

   Durante replied," I believe I can retrieve the one in its chest, but the other will probably be stuck in its head for good."

" At least we will have two arrows." Tasha commented.

   Nishi was tending to Creiton’s who was slowly regaining consciousness, when she looked around and asked out loud, "Where’s Ishi?"

That is when one pirate heard Ishi’s muffled voice crying for help under the large bat’s body. The pirate pointed and exclaimed," She’s under that thing!"

   Nishi and Tanar raced to the bat’s corpse and together they lifted it’s bony body enough that a pirate pulled her out legs first.

   " Thanks." Ishi said to the three that helped her out," Gods that thing smells awful." She was right. As large as that room was, it still reeked of the smell of the bats body order and spilled blood. Ishi had a lot of the bat’s blood on her body and they were obligated to wash most of it with water that trickled from a little trough. It ran from beneath the wall near the ramp from which they had entered the temple’s room.

   Creiton sat up and blinked his eyes," Nishi?!" he called.

Nishi said," Excuse me, but I must go to Creiton to see to his needs." She ran to Creiton’s side and helped him to his feet.

   Tasha winked at Tanar," I bet."

Tanar commented," I don’t know if I like to see those two together or not. She’s a distraction for him at times."

Tasha amused had a little smile on her face as she ran a finger along the barbarians sinew neck." And am I a distraction to you?"

Tanar pulled away from her answering," Not at all." He then addressed everyone," I think it best we move on. The treasure may be behind that very next door."

Durante commented," I hope so. I am getting tired of these traps."

   The next door was up another ramp identical to the first one in the opposite wall. It too was made of metal and had strange blue stones placed into the metal in the shape of large circles.

   As they gathered their belongings and weapons to approach the next door, Tasha was bothered by Tanar’s cold behavior toward her. Was it the spell? Or was he becoming disinterested in her? She hoped it was the spell and that finding the treasure would break its hold on him. All she could do is stay by him and wait.

   Creiton still stiff from the unexpected "lift" he experienced, was still able to reach the door first. He motioned for everyone to stop before they reached him.

" Two things you probably have noticed about this curious door. One, there are no statues by it and two there is no track for a door to follow this side."

   " So how in the name of the gods do we get through?" Tanar asked impatiently.

Creiton leaned closer for his eyes couldn’t see as well as they use to. The carved lettering in this door was older than the first one. After a moment of reading and studying he pointed to the ramp on the opposite side of the room without looking at all," It tells that you must let the other door close in place before you will see the other door open. Oh, they were geniuses they were!" He cackled for an instant.

   " But how does this one open?" Durante asked.

" It opens onto one ramp on the other side once the other door is closed."

" So in other words, in order to get to what might possibly be the treasure in the next room; we have to trap ourselves inside this temple? Asked Tasha.

" Yes, but don’t worry. I will find a way out." The wizard again sat in front of this new door with his legs crossed, his arms folded and his mouth chanting in an ancient language that time forgot.

Tahsa rolled her eyes," Well, that sure made me feel better."

Everyone gathered around Creiton except for Durante who ran to the other door to pull the wedge away from holding it in place.

   The old wizard held out his left hand high as Durante reached the door and shouted to him," Not yet Durante. I must make sure there are no possibilities of a trap getting set off when these two doors move."

Durante froze, waiting for the go ahead to lift the wedge. He didn’t have long to wait before he heard Creiton yell," Now."

   The young man lifted the wedge and the metal door immediately started it’s accent to it’s resting place. Durante ran back to the others and arrived in time to see the door in front of them, which was very similar to the front one, start to descend down a ramp beyond. As the door descended it revealed more and more of the room beyond. The room they stood in though large was made of stone with large support arches and several cylinder shaped support columns. The one beyond its ramp seemed made of gold.

    In twos they entered as the door moved slowly down the ramp. Two things struck Tanar from the very moment he stepped inside this new room. It’s walls were covered with large metallic plates as well as the ceiling and the floors. Also, to one side of the new room, which was almost the size of the first one, was a ten foot tall pile of gold coins, diamonds, other jewels he couldn’t recognize; and various gold cups, belts and weapons. The pile ran the length of the room some sixty feet.

   Tasha whistled. Even Creiton was stunned.

" Well, you were right. I have to hand it to you boy."

Tanar gave a " whoop" of joy, smiled wide at Creiton and like a small boy on his birthday upon seeing his presents; ran down the remaining length of the ramp. He took a step upon the metallic floor and froze. His hair stood on in and the next thing Creiton knew,  a small blue bolt of lightning jumped from the area where Tanar stood to his leg. And in an instant while everyone watched in wide-eyed terror; the bolt jumped to the barbarian’s chest. Upon contact, his body suddenly flew backwards through the air to land none too gently upon the ramp’s golden surface. Soon after there was an strange odor in the air as if flesh and metal was burning.

   Tasha screamed in terror," Tanar!" She ran as fast as a gazelle to the barbarian. Everyone was not far behind. His body jerked several times and then was motionless. Tasha’s red hair falling over her face with tears running down her cheeks kneeled over him and placed her hand on his neck and then his chest. Everyone hovered over them anxiously and waited until a silent moment later she looked up to them in despair.

" He’s not breathing!" Her voice cracked with emotion. " I can’t believe it. My Tanar is gone!"

Noone knew what to say. It happened so suddenly and so unexpectedly. Creiton reached down and pulled the red headed warrior to her feet. He held her gently patting her back," There there, Tasha. No one could have known. I’ll examine him and see what I can do. We can’t lose him so easily…maybe there is a way."

She began to openly cry," I never told him how I felt. Now I’ll never get to." She buried her head in Creiton’s shoulder; her body shook as she cried. Creiton motioned Nishi over and she gently held Tasha next while Creiton examined Tanar’s body. After a moment, he shook his head.

" I have only seen this kind of wounds on those that were hit by a bolt of lightning from the sky. Never from a metal floor."

   Durante started to wander over to the edge of the metallic floor but froze as Creiton warned," Don’t Durante. This floor, walls and ceiling are deadly. We are safe as long as we stay on this ramp. The bottom of the ramp is held down in place with a large stone. That is probably why there is no contact with the lightning where we stand."

    Creiton began to push in rhythm upon the barbarian captain’s broad chest.

" What are you doing? Nishi asked.

" I am trying to revive him. Get his lungs and heart going again."

" Is it a magic spell?"

" No. I have read about it somewhere. It is like message. If you can make the heart muscle to work again he may start breathing and will be alive. So far, it is not working."

   Even his old voice had a hint of desperation. Then he spotted something beyond Nishi up high further in the room. Nishi followed his gaze to a point a dozen feet from the ceiling in the very center of the tall room. A platform suspended by two metal poles which were attached to the ceiling held a strange object off the metallic floor only ten feet above. The object almost as big as a man’s head was a blue glowing sphere that rested on a golden pedestal upon the platform. The pedestal had small red lights around its surface that blinked off and on with no real pattern. There was a humming sound emitting from the area of the sphere and pedestal, but which object was emitting the sound Creiton wasn’t sure.

   " Look". Creiton pointed at the pedestal and sphere. That got everyone’s attention except Tasha who was leaning over Tanar’s still body once more. Nishi tried to get Tasha’s attention," Tasha, let Creiton take care of him."

   Tasha wasn’t listening until Creiton spoke again as he rose from Tanar’s body.

" That is the orb I have heard of only in legends. And that is Tanar’s only hope."

Ishi asked him," What do you mean. How can objects such as that bring life back? Is it magic?" She seemed very nervous at the sight of it and she wasn’t the only one.

" No, it isn’t magic as we know it. It is what some of my old friends call science. It is the orb of life and death, plenty and famine, light and darkness…"

" We get the picture I believe." Durante dryly interrupted." What can it do?"

" Like the metal plates in this room, it is made mostly of pure energy, but far greater than a small bolt of lightning."

Durante conjured,” So, if a bolt of lightning takes life away then a greater one can bring life back."

   One pirate’s mouth fell open," That is impossible. Only the gods can do this. That device can really do what I thought only the gods could do?"

" Perhaps." Creiton answered then turned to Ishi.

" Do you still have that rope?"

Ishi brought it in the open from wince it had been tied to her belt as her hunting knife.

" This one?"

" Yes, we must hurry. Mush longer and it will be too late. I want tou to tie the rope to one of Durante’s metal arrows and he will send it up there with his bow where it will wind itself around the pedestal or platform. We must pull it loose from the ceiling and drag it over to the ramp. Can you do it?"

Durante looked at his bow and two arrows, and as he studied the platform and the orb it held, he answered nodding his head," Yes sir. I’ll hit it the first time. I’ll make sure of it."

Ishi handed him the rope and he tied a special sailors double loop knot around the arrow where it couldn’t slip loose. He stepped up to the edge of the ramp where it met the metallic flooring; took careful aim with his bow drawn almost all the way back. Then he let the arrow fly.

   As everyone held their breath, Durante turned to Creiton and smiled with a wink. Even Tasha stopped her hand compression’s on Tanar,s chest which she had started again a moment before. She watch the arrow fly on its way toward the platform with the small but strong rope following. It clanged loudly as it struck one support pole bounced off the pedestal, but flew in such a way that it wrapped itself once, then twice around the other supporting pole. Everyone yelled their approval and excitement for Durante’s success on accomplishing it with just one try.

   Creiton ordered," Alright. Now quickly. Everyone help pull on the rope. We need that orb here and we need it now."

After a couple of hard tugs of the rope with everyone’s cooperation; it finally broke free from the ceiling and actually fell their direction landing with a crash ten feet away. They immediately dragged the whole assembly toward the outstretched arms of the old wizard.

Creiton remarked," It would seem the whole thing is one piece. It was some kind of machine that held the orb in place. Funny that the orb didn’t fall loose away from the pedestal while it all fell to the floor."

   Just as Creiton started to grab the orb as it was inches from the ramp, Tasha warned," Careful Creiton. It might not be safe to handle it directly."

" It is safe, but only for me."

" Why? How do you know that?" Tasha asked as she continued to work on the warrior’s body.

" I don’t know for sure. I just know."

As everyone stopped pulling and was watching Creiton grab the orb, a strange blue glow enveloped the wizard’s body and he immediately sat down on the stony surface of the ramp. His eyes were vacant and he still held onto the glowing orb in his two hands. The pedestal and platform lay halfway on the ramp and half on the metallic floor, but no one took notice of it. Everyone was in awe and fear as they watched what was happening with Creiton. His hair began to stand on end and his eyes dilated.

   Tasha remarked," Oh no, not again. Please Creiton. Snap out of it!"

Then everyone’s hair on the back of their necks rose as strange laughter emitted from the wizard’s mouth. Creiton suddenly spoke it made Nishi jump.

                                        

 

                                                                                  Chapter IX

 

                                                                             

" Of course! I see everything now. It is so simple. This device isn’t magic as Drako thinks. No, it is a device for destruction and it can be one for healing. I had already sensed it somehow…but now I know what it is."

" How do you know?" asked Durante.

Creiton turned his head toward Durante, but looked right through him when he answered," Because it told me."

" Ok, I think we need to use the rope on Creiton. Tie up his feet and hands so he won’t hurt himself." Durante commented as calmly as he could.

   " Creiton, are you all right?" Tasha asked.

Creiton looked at her," I will explain all later. First thing is first. We must use the orb to save Tanar."

" How? Asked Tasha," He is dead. Can you bring him back from the dead?" Tasha seemed to doubt, but at the same time she still had hope.

" I don’t know. I sense that it can. I must try. Stand back everyone. I must stand exactly over him when I use the orb." Creiton instructed his companions.

Everyone in the party backed away as Creiton carefully approached Tanar’s body. He was lying on his back; his body turning paler by the second. Creiton stood above Tanar and began to speak out loud in another even stranger language that no one there recognized.

    Ishi whispered to Tasha," Are you sure we should let him use such a powerful device?"

Tasha replied," I want him back. I’ll risk anything. Just in case, get ready to run up the ramp."

The two pirates besides Durante his behind the medal door still stuck down the bottom of the ramp. They were taking no chances. Creiton’s voice rose as he continued speaking out loud in the strange language. Suddenly, he stopped and he opened his eyes. At first there was silence except for the distant echo rumble of the volcano.

Suddenly, tiny blue bolts of lightning shot from the orb and onto Tanar’s chest and head. They danced this way and that as if alive. The light show was just beginning. A moment later a yellow beam of light every bit as wide as the orb flowed from the chest. Then to the amazement of everyone, his body began to float several inches off the ground. He hovered there for a minute then he slowly returned to the ramp stone floor. Creiton’s voice stopped and he knelt down beside his barbarian friend. Creiton gently shook his friend’s shoulders and said to him, " Tanar, wake. Are you feeling better now?"

   Tanar’s breathing started then his eyes fluttered, then opened. He placed a big hand to his forehead.

" What happened? Why am I laying here?"

He started to rise to his feet, but sat back down. " Why am I so dizzy?"

" You have been uh, through a lot for this past thirty minutes." Creiton started to explain. Tasha interrupted him crying out," Oh Tanar! You are ok! I can’t believe it." Tasha rushed to Tanar’s side kneeling beside him.

" What is wrong with you woman? I simply fainted that is all." Tanar replied puzzled by her behavior. Before he could utter another word, the red haired woman warrior wrapped her arms about his shoulders, leaned down and kissed him passionately on the mouth.

" Now if that don’t bring the dead to life, nothing will." Durante commented with a big smile. Creiton tapped Tasha on the shoulder," So have you decided what name you will have for the baby?"

   That comment got Tasha’s attention and she suddenly pulled away from kissing Tanar. Her face was reddened from excitement. She still held Tanar, but looked at Creiton," Creiton, that will be enough. He has been through a lot and I am so thankful he survived that is all."

" What do you mean survive? Survive what? I remember stepping onto the metal floor and then everything went blank…Ah, I did talk to Ordax, god of death and…wait! How could I talk to him? He is in the underworld of the dead." Tanar stood up leaving Tasha still kneeling wondering what went wrong. " Is it a dream or did I…"

Tanar was interrupted by the two pirates voices by the metal door yelling something to get their attention.

   Durante started walking toward the other pirates by the door asking," What are you two yelling about now?"

Everyone walked in the direction of the metal door and the two pirates standing nearby, except for Tasha. She looked down at the ground and shook her head in frustration. Finally she rose, turned and started after them just as they heard the answer to their question.

   One pirate, explained in excitement," Guess what? The floor doesn’t shoot out lightning anymore. We weren’t thinking when we decided to take cover from the power of the orb, and we stood on the metal floor without realizing it."

   The other pirate spoke up to finish the description of their experience, next thing we knew, after Tanar was healed by the orb, we noticed that we were standing on the metal floor and there was no lightning hitting us."

" What does he mean, I was healed?" Tanar asked Creiton, but the wizard ignored his questions.

" H-m-m-m." Creiton rubbed his bony chin in thought." I couldn’t help but notice that as soon as we pulled the pedestal and stand away from the ceiling, that the red lights under the orb quit blinking. It is possible that the pedestal was an artificial lighting device powered by the orb to protect it. What I am saying is, the pedestal made the metal floor charged with the lightning power from the orb. How I really don’t know. But what I do know is it and the orb has to do with science not magic. And this kind of science can defeat any magic, except mine."

   Tanar commented," They can’t say you are modest now." He asked Creiton before he could retaliate," Do you mean that the lightning from that floor jumped out and hit me as I tried to run the floor where…Hey! The treasure."

Tanar glanced quickly at the large pile of gold and precious jeweled treasure lined along the left wall and started to run toward it. Though he was still a little shaky on his feet, he still made it at least a dozen yards before Creiton’s yell brought him to a sudden halt.

" Hey, that’s not the true treasure." Creiton yelled, then he held up the glowing orb," This is."

   Tanar whirled around," How can this be? This gold and jewels can make us rich beyond our wildest dreams! Can’t you see that?"

" Perhaps, but this orb holds a power when released could rule the world. That is why Drako sent you here for he knew you if anyone could fight your way to the center of this temple to obtain it. And that is why he lured me in for he knew that I being an elemental wizard was the only one besides himself able to hold the orb safely."

   Tanar hung his head," So it is true. I was under a spell. A spell that made me obsessed to find the treasure he mentioned he in my dreams and risk many lives to possess it. But I was under a spell." Tanar raised his sword toward the ceiling shouting," But I am no longer in that dream state. I swear by all the gods!"

   Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, Creiton saw the whole pile of treasure against one wall shimmering like a reflection in water and faded away. As the treasure faded away in its place standing several feet apart from one another, was a dozen full sized six-foot tall warriors wearing full golden armor. Stranger still, was the warrior’s skin. It too was golden in color. Their eyes glowed a bright purple while their faces were frozen in a mask of a snarling hatred. Each held a large golden five-foot double-edged sword on one hand and a three-foot in diameter round golden shield. Each shield had only one shape in the middle. It was the shape of a small red dragon in a pose to attack.

   Tanar was about to continue his outburst about Drako when Creiton interrupted his mercenary friend," Uh Tanar, I think we best forget the gold."

Tanar looked at him," Please don’t interrupt me wizard when I am on a roll. Now, where was I?"

" You were about to turn around and face your audience. There have been some late arrivals. They missed the first of your speech it seems." Creiton motioned for him to turn around. He did so and he quickly back stepped a few steps in surprise.

   The startled warrior raised his sword toward them and asked the strange warriors of gold," And just who are you and what have you done with my gold?"

   Tasha shouted at him," Tanar, don’t you get it? They are the gold. They are more guardians of the treasure you idiot!"

   As if on cue, the golden warriors began to advance in double lines as if they were one creature. For stiff looking golden statues they moved with the grace of large cats. The pirates swore and rushed with swords to face this new threat. They fought bravely but were cut down as if they were children.

   The treasure chamber of metal walls rang with the sound of metal swords and war cries as Durante, Tanar, Tasha and Ishi assaulted the golden warriors from all sides. The barbarian mercenary’s sword actually cut one of the golden warrior’s swords in two. Still, the golden opponent tried to club Tanar with its arms. Slowly but surely, Tanar and his friends gave ground in the onslaught of these statues like assailants. Half of the dozen had multiple deep slashes in their armor and bodies, yet it had no effect. For as they soon realized they were fighting something that was animated rather than alive.

   Several times Creiton tried yelling to them to get their attention about something, but to no avail. The clamor of battle was so loud that no one could hear him. They didn’t even notice the rumble of the volcano until it was fairly screaming down the tunnels and temple. What really got their attention was when the temple walls and floor began to shake and shift back and forth.

   Creiton was so preoccupied with examining the glowing orb that he almost stepped into a swinging golden sword of one of the strange guardian statue warriors. And in fact Tanar had to swiftly bring his sword in the path of the other or Creiton would have been cut in two.

" Watch it you old goat!" Tanar yelled without looking back at the old wizard," I almost was too late to save you this time."

   And as Tanar desperately parried and thrust his sword at the invincible golden guardian Creiton remarked loud enough that everyone could hear.

" That is ok. It is time that I returned the favor. Everyone get behind me. I shall try out this, thing on them since normal methods of killing has no effect on them."

Tasha glanced at Tanar and asked," Are you sure he should have something like that in his possession right now?"

Tanar replied," No. But do you have any better ideas?"

Tahsa answered the question by moving quickly behind the wizard and his weapon after first pushing a golden guardian backward with her sword so hard it fell on its back.

   Everyone that had survived so far followed Rasha’s example, even Tanar who happened to look toward the ramp where they had entered the place and he remarked," Hey, why don’t we retreat into that entrance? Only one of them could enter that door at a time. We could perhaps cause some of the tunnel to collapse and seal them in here."

   But before anyone could ponder Tanar’s wisdom, Ishi yelled," Look!" and pointed toward the entrance. Glowing orange lava was slowly creeping through the doorway and down the ramp. Tanar swore and grimly commented," I guess that answers my question."

   Nishi shouted," Creiton, please use the orb if you really know how. We haven’t much time. In a minute, we’ll either be cut to ribbons or burned alive. I don’t think anything can get any worse."

Creiton sighed," Oh, but I’m not sure what the final results will be if I use it now… I need more time really."

" Really? Well, hand me the thing and I’ll use it. I’ll take my chances!" Tanar exclaimed with impatience.

Nishi warned Creiton," Hurry the burning lava will be on us."

Creiton answered," I thought as much. The volcano is erupting. Now there is only one course of action and that is to use the blasted thing."

   With a wave of one hand over the orb while he held it in the other hand; he pointed it toward the golden guardians who were once again almost upon them.

A large blinding blue light flashed toward the guardians, and in an instant, they blew apart. Yet the beam of light didn’t stop there. It continued in a straight line toward the metal wall. A section of the wall instantly disintegrated into nothingness leaving a large gapping hole. But the beam of light continued onward as Creiton desperately waved his hand over and over the orb.

" I can’t get it to shut off!" Creiton shouted to the others," I think we may be in for it when it reaches the…”

He never got to finish his sentence, for about that time, there was a tremendous explosion. The explosion was so powerful that the concussion sent their bodies flying back and Ishi almost fell into the encroaching lava. Tasha helped the old wizard to his feet and he looked at everyone.

" Well? It worked."

   Tahsa looked past Creiton and excitedly replied," I think it worked too well ole bungling one. Look!"

The whole party followed Tasha’s pointing finger. What met their eyes was a torrid of water spraying out of the large hole in the wall opposite of them.

Creiton commented," Uh Oh, I’ve done it this time. The beam shot clear to the surface, the surface of the ocean."

Tanar yelled," Quickly everyone! To the wall on the right. There are ledges and outcroppings along the metal wall. We climb the first ledge and hold on to the partitions above. We should be able to reach them. It’s our one and only chance!"

   Without another word, Tanar’s party ran as they climbed upon the ledge. As soon as they climbed upon the ledge, which was only four feet wide, the water reached the lava which made a loud hissing noise as the lava either turned to steam or began to cool instantly into hardened lava rock. Minutes later, Nishi asked," Now what?"

Creiton answered," I’m thinking about it."

Tanar pointed once again toward the wall with the large hole. Ocean water blasted through the hole the orb had made like a gigantic geyser. In minutes it was a raging river four feet deep and steadily rising. They were forced to climb to the second ledge above. Tasha almost fell and was hanging by her fingertips onto the level below. She yelled to Tanar.

" Help. I can’t pull myself up."

Tanar saw the fast moving water and how it was trying to pull her loose from her grip. He quickly reached down and grabbed her wrists and with some difficulty, he pulled her up to safety.

" Thanks. I thought I was going to be swept away." Tahsa said with a big smile of relief. She gave him a big kiss on his mouth.

   Embarrassed by the sudden kiss in front of the others, he muttered," You are welcome."

Ishi commented with a worried look on her face," I hope it doesn’t rise much more. We are running out of space to climb up to!"

Everyone realized she was right, but there was little to do but watch it and pray to the gods for a miracle.

    When the water crashed into the lava flow slowly creeping down the ramp, a great deal turned instantly into steam. For a moment, Tanar and his friends thought that that cloud of boiling steam would boil over to where they were and cook them alive. But soon the millions of gallons of water won the battle and cooled off the lava further and further up the ramp and through the entrance to the other room.

" I hope that steam ends soon." Creiton commented, " We won’t have air to breath if the water turns to steam much longer."

Tanar looked Creiton up and down," Cretion, why don’t you drop the orb into the water. It is clearly impossible to hold onto the orb and the ledge at the same time."

Creiton indeed looked like he could have a mishap. He was holding onto the orb with one hand and his chin while he held onto the ledge with the other hand.

" Not yet. We will need it one more time before I’m through with it. Think I like messing around with a thing that has unlimited power and I hardly know much about it? It is needed one last time."

Tanar rolled his eyes," Ok, it is your funeral. Hey, the water’s level is dropping!"

   Everyone cheered and then watched anxiously as the water began to recede. At three feet it held its depth and steam had also dissipated further into the other room.

Tanar pointed to the level of water," Look, it is holding at close to three feet. That cannot be happening. It must mean that magic is a foot here."

   When he mentioned magic everybody’s head turned toward Creiton who looking innocent said," That wasn’t me people. By now we should be up to our necks in water and perhaps swept away into the lava."

On cue, they heard explosions as the volcano continued to erupt. Durante spoke as the whole temple began to shake,

"I vote we get out of here while we got our necks."

The whole party took his advice and jumped into the rushing water. The water was hot but bearable. Though the current was strong, it wasn’t strong enough to knock them off their feet except for Creiton. But Tasha and Nishi helped the old wizard by holding onto him on either side to keep him from slipping and falling.

" Thank you ladies for coming to my aid. My bones aren’t what they use to be."

Tanar jokingly commented," Nothing about you is what it use to be."

Creiton shook his finger at him," You better hope I don’t decide to disappear and send you back a mule in my place."

Tanar laughed," That might be an improvement. At least it won’t whine so much."

Tasha made a point," Stop it you two. We are not out of this yet. Let’s concentrate on climbing out of here through the tunnel the orb has left us."

" My thoughts exactly." Remarked Tanar.

   As it turned out, the water was rushing in only on one side of the tunnel left by the orb as it blasted its way through metal, rock and earth. The orb had carved the tunnel a dozen feet wide and six feet high.

   It was slippery at times, but the angel of incline was gradual enough that they had little trouble climbing through it to the surface. Tanar couldn’t understand it. The full force of the ocean should have been flowing down the tunnel still.

   The barbarian captain started to ask Creiton a question, but the wizard interrupted him.

" I know what is stopping the ocean from washing us away. I was thinking the same question and I think I know what happened…"

" Well, are you going to keep it to yourself or what?"

" I believe that lava is flowing into the ocean on the side from the volcano though most of the eruptions effects took place on the other side. When the lava hit the water, it cooled and much of it cracked or split. But some formed a cooling wall of lava around the blast hole since it was pretty close to the shore."

Tasha laughed," I find that hard to believe."

Nishi was walking along side Creiton and she took his hand and remarked," I think it is a good explanation. What else could possibly explain it?" She smiled at Creiton with infatuation plainly written all over her face.

Creiton’s reaction was to look away. His face turned red once more.

Tasha laughed again and mocked Nishi, "What else could possibly explain it?"

It was funny, but as they climbed closer and closer to the end of the tunnel, Creiton had a growing feeling that he was no longer holding the orb. Instead, it was feeling more of attaching itself to his hand like glue. He experimented by trying to let go and waved his hand and arm violently several

times. It was attached as he feared, like part of his body. He moaned in frustration.

   Ishi noticed and asked him," What are you doing? What is wrong?" She reached out and tried to pull the orb from his hand, but it would not budge.

" The cursed thing is attached to me! This is bad, very bad. I should have known it was too easy." He was visibly shaken.

   Nishi asked," What are you talking about?" She was very alarmed by the orb’s strange behavior and feared for Creiton’s safety.

By this time everyone stopped curious at this new and very odd development.

" Tanar, I think your dark sorcerer Draco doesn’t know as much about this cursed thing as he lead you to believe. It is sticking to me like the strongest of glues. Like a (he wrung his arm violently again) part of my skin. Will someone set this thing off me before I lose my mind?"

   Tanar backtracked to Creiton and Nishi and examined it for a moment. Then he comment," I have never seen such a strange sort of wizardry as this. I think you may be right. Perhaps if we cut off your scrawny arm it will leave you alone." There was a twinkle in his eye as he finished the last sentence, but Creiton didn’t notice. He backed away in horror.

" You would do that to me?"

Tanar burst out laughing despite the situation they were in," No! Just a little humor ole wizard. Perhaps Draco has a spell to lift it away from you. We’ll let him do that and then I shall kill him."

Creiton let out a "Whew" of relief and immediately after let out a gasp of horror.

" What now Creiton?"

The old wizard waved his hand back and forth before his eyes and the glowing orb and replied in a monotone voice," It is calling my mind again. It knows that pure evil is near."

Tanar remarked as they all noticed the opening to the surface was near," The evil presence has to be Draco the dark one."

" I think you are right. I must be ready with this cursed orb once more. I mean it will make sure that I am." Creiton dismally stated.

The roar of the volcano grew in intensity with each foot they climbed. Everyone of the party were on edge hearing the erupting volcano and knowing that a bigger menace may be awaiting them on the surface.

   Ishi was the first to the edge of the opening, a ragged circular opening not ten feet in diameter. She turned her head to look down at her friends.

" Hey! I can see a very blue sky out there. At last we made it." There were several sighs of relief from the people below.

A man’s arm reached down from the opening to grab Ishi’s outstretched hand. She smiled thinking that someone perhaps a surviving pirate was there to help her out.

   The next instant as she touched his hand, her expression changed to terror as the arm wobbled and quickly changed shape into a dragon’s outstretched arm and claws. Next thing she knew she was staring into the eye of the red dragon. She screamed and reached for her sword, but it was too late. The clawed hand ripped off her arm like a child would an insect’s arm.

   The snout of the dragon soon followed sticking down into the opening just far enough to take a deep breath and breath a ball of flame at the agonizing Ishi before she could even fall over in pain.

   The instant Tanar saw the snout emit flame he yelled a warning to everyone," Look out! The dragon is breathing its flame." He dove as flat as he could to the tunnel’s rough floor. The others including Creiton took an immediate dive for cover also. Ishi’s body took the full impact of the fireball and blew apart. The flame spread just over her friend’s heads. As quickly as it came, it was extinguished. No one had time to consider their loss of a friend, for seizing his

opportunity with the brief moment before the dragon breathed flame once more; Creiton rose to his knees and yelled at Tanar to get out of his way. Then he held the orb out straight in front of him and spoke several words in a strange ancient language. The orb began to glow brighter and upon witnessing this, Tanar took Creiton’s advice and rolled several times over to give the old wizard a wide berth.

Tahsa enraged by Ishi’s death by the fire of the red dragon, drew her sword and tried to advance toward the monster’s snout.

   " That won’t do you any good now Tasha. Get out of the way. This is the only thing that will defeat it." Creiton yelled.

Tasha quickly dove by Tanar’s side. As soon as she landed by him he grinned and said," You got the impression that the old goat likes to be in charge?"

Tasha rolled her eyes, gave him a peck on the cheek and ducked her head down for the dragon was once again inhaling a deep breath.

   Nishi yelled," Hurry, it is about to breath fire again."

Durante asked," Would you please be quiet and let the man concentrate."

The orb flashed a brilliant blue light throughout the area of the tunnel where Creiton and his friends were trapped. Then with a tremendous whoosh of a sound, an intense blue beam of light hotter than the sun exploded from the orb and hit the dragon squarely in the mouth. It had no time to scream or even think of screaming in pain as the deadly beam cut through its mouth, through its internal organs and finally to erupt into the sky once more through its back end. They heard a tremendous crash as its body fell limp to the ground above. They knew that the red dragon was dead as anything could possibly be.

   Tasha and Nishi rushed to Creiton nearly crushing his wobbly form between them as they hugged him in delight.

Creiton cried out," Stop it you two. I’m not young anymore. Besides this isn’t over yet."

" He’s right girls. We’ve got the master to handle next and something tells me that the orb won’t be much help against him." Tanar remarked.

Nishi jumped up and down with a big smile on her face," But, he saved us from certain death. I love him. Yes I do!"

Creiton turned red in the face with embarrassment again as Tanar shook his hand," I’ve got to admit old man. You did save us and without any side effects too. You are a hero old friend!"

Creiton smiled," I am aren’t I?"

Durante laughed and slapped his bony shoulder," Aye, you are."

Tanar sobered everyone with what he next said," We’re forgetting another hero people. Ishi."

Nishi lowered her head and burst into tears," My sister. Gods, I can’t believe she’s gone."

Creiton tried to hold her as best as he could stuck to the orb as he was. Creiton said nothing until Nishi had cried for a moment and was trying to wipe away the tears.

" I am sorry that I couldn’t have used the orb sooner my dear…"

She looked up into his wrinkled old face and saw compassion, love and something else. A deep sadness. She couldn’t put her finger on it.

" You did what you could Creiton. At least she died the way she always wanted to."

Durante added," It wasn’t in vain friends. It bought us time to use the weapon against the dragon. If she hadn’t bravely gone first into the mouth of it, the red dragon would have caught us off guard. Then it would have slaughtered us."

   Tanar answered," Ok, I take the lead. I want the dark one for myself. When he finds out that his familiar is dead, he is going to be real mad and from the experience that is when one is libel to make mistakes."

" Don’t bet on it Tanar. This sorcerer isn’t a normal being."

Creiton explained," He’s above all manner of tricks."

Tanar asked as he and Creiton climbed out onto the surface once more," Then, what can we do. I know only to use my blade."

" Perhaps, the orb can penetrate his field of force of protection for an instant. Enough that in that time you will have a chance to use your blade."

" Perhaps," Tanar repeated Creiton with little enthusiasm as he peered around his surroundings. He had to blink his eyes a number of times to get them use to the sunlight again. He noticed that the blast of the orb through the surface had caused so much debris to expel outward that it had piled sufficiently high enough around the hole to block most of the water from rushing in. Fortunately, the sea was shallow in this area of the island.

" That explains the reason we didn’t drown."

Creiton nodded in agreement as he climbed up to Tanar’s side. The volcano’s eruptions were strangely quiet. Hardly noticeable at all. The cry of the sea gulls above them made Tanar extinctively look up. In late summer it was always possible to see the moon’s outline and some of its features showing in the late afternoon sky. Normally he took little notice of this phenomenon, but something in its features looked different this time. A dark area near a lighter part of its surface. Tanar’s hair rose up on the back of his neck.

   Creiton and the others followed Tanar’s gaze toward the heavens. The mercenary warrior pointed toward the faint moon.

" That part of the moon looks different somehow…It has a new dark spot on its surface around the area of its largest craters I think," Tanar observed."

" It is exactly what you think my barbarian friend. It is a large burned spot on the surface placed there by the orb." Creiton admitted reluctantly.

Tasha whistled," Gods wizard! Watch what you shoot at next time."

" I told you I had little control of its behavior. I must admit, that may have been doing it a little much."

Nishi wiped away the tears," Just think Creiton, you have placed your signature on the moon."

" Ha,ha," Creiton said," Tis to laugh."

Tanar chuckled and peered at all about across the ocean view and the nearby island’s shoreline.

" Where is that Draco friend of mine?"

" Hopefully far away," Tasha remarked.

" Then I’m afraid my beauty, that hope doesn’t exist here."

Everyone cast their gaze above them once more as the dark one who was suddenly hovering several feet above them finished his thought provoking suggestion," Unless you can hand over the orb to me now."

Tasha glared at him," What is the matter Draco. Lose your dragon?"

    Draco in his flowing red and purple cloak flinched but kept his composure. " He was a thousand life times old and he was beginning to bore me." Suddenly he shouted at the group in aggravation," Hand me my orb now or I shall throw all of you into that volcano."

Tanar waved his sword at Draco," You might find it a bit more difficult than you think."

" Not really you idiotic clod." Draco stated unemotionally as his outstretched arm with fingers spread apart pointed toward the defiant warrior captain. Suddenly, Tanar found himself floating into the air and a few feet over the ocean. He swung his sword several times at Draco, but he was floating too far away to reach him.

   Draco laughed openly at the sight of the warrior helplessly flailing his sword at him.

" What are you going to do now oh mighty fool? I used you like a puppet to gain the most powerful weapon in the universe. You were under my spell all along since the beginning of your quest for what you thought was fabulous treasure."

   As Creiton started to float toward Draco, he held out the glowing orb at arms length in front of him and shouted to the dark sorcerer who was still floating.

" You don’t know me, but I am Creiton a wizard of the elements. I cannot control this horrid thing. If you what it so bad, here. You can have it! Just let us go on and soon we will be out of your way so that you can pillage the world or what ever."

   Creiton only meant to distract the dark one long enough for Tanar to perhaps escape. Instead, to the astonishment of everyone; the orb left his hands and flew straight for Draco. He smiled at them at first in victory until too late he realized that the orb wasn’t flying toward his outstretched hands. Instead it flew straight for his head. He tried to shout something at the orb, but it was too late.

   While Draco was trying to grab the flying orb, Tanar no longer under his dark magical influence; fell to the churning shallow waters of the ocean below him. He hit the waters with a big splash, which in another time would have been a funny sight, but no one had noticed Tanar’s plunge. A strange thing happened to the sorcerer Draco when he missed grabbing the ball of light. The orb hit him just above the mouth and instead of bouncing off his face, it stuck to it. Draco in his panic tried to scream in terror, but the ball prevented him from doing so. His screams were muffled as he slowly drifted down to the small area of rocks and debris that made the new small island where the blast hole was. Tasha jumped out of his way and drew her sword, as did Durante. But they forgot all about swords and any kind of fight because of the incredibly horrific scene that was taking place before their eyes.

   Draco desperately pushed with his hands at the orb, but it was as if it had become part of his face. Then in the next several seconds, his face wavered in shape and opened like the surface of water when a stone drops into it. Draco made choking noises and flailed his arms as the orb burrowed its way into his head.

   By then, Tanar had swam back to the artificial island and upon seeing Draco there charged with a warrior’s yell toward him. Tasha yelled a warning as Tanar swung his sword with all his might at Draco’s neck. There was a flash and the warrior captain flew backwards end over end back into the water, which was growing hotter by the minute.

" Yowch!" Tanar yelled.

   The dark sorcerer was untouched and to everyone’s surprise and horror, his face had closed up around the orb as if it had never existed. But you could see it was in him for his head was swollen twice it’s size almost to the bursting point. He continued to make muffled choking noises and he stumbled forward toward Nishi who shrunk back in terror as she shouted a suggestion," Somebody put him out of his misery!"

   Tasha rushed to Tanar’s aid as he came sputtering out of the water once more.

" What was that about?" He asked her as he observed Draco stumbling and choking.

Tasha chuckled," I tried to warn you that the orb is protecting him from harm for reasons I cannot fathom. Had a nice swim?"

   Tanar pushed past her and heard Nishi repeat that Draco should be put out of his misery.

" Tasha, isn’t there anything we can do?"

She shook her head," Not against that blasted orbs will. Damn thing must be alive after all."

Nishi started to back her way toward the entrance of the blast tunnel when she tripped and almost fell into it. Creiton dropped from the sky and landed close to Nishi. He rushed to her side and as though he heard them. Draco turned to follow the noises they made.

Creiton pointed and glanced nervously at the dark one as he approached commenting," I don’t think he can see you Nishi."

Nishi looked at Draco as the old wizard helped her to her feet. She stifled a scream as she noticed what Creiton had noticed.

   Draco’s had no scar or blood to show where the orb entered his face. But that wasn’t what terrified her. Draco had opened his eyelids to reveal two blue glowing round areas where his eyes were supposed to have been and his mouth was open with blue light showing out of it also.

   Creiton realized that Draco was going for Nishi only because he thought she was the sorcerer in his confusion. That meant the dark one was blind as well. You would too if you had a blue glowing ball inside you face in front of or in place of your eyes.

Tasha yelled," Watch out Creiton."

Creiton cupped his hands to his mouth and threw his voice as he replied," Help me."

Tasha tilted her head and looked at him oddly," What in the gods name are you doing?"

" Trust me."

" Uh oh. Now what?"

Remarkably, Draco stumbled on toward Nishi who was frozen to the spot with fear. She did manage to get into one of her fight stances. But as the dark sorcerer slowly walked by, Creiton had his eyes wondering the air as if nothing was happening. Suddenly, Creiton moved one of his bony legs in the path of the oncoming Draco who tripped over it and fell face forward into the mouth of the blast tunnel.

   Tanar and Durante in amazement rushed to the tunnel, but as they reached it the opening with a rumble began to shrink in size. With in minutes, the tunnel opening vanished with no trace that it had been there, except for the small rocky island they stood on. And for an instant after, Tanar could have sworn he heard a muffled scream.

   Soon, everyone had gathered around where the opening had been. As they stared at the ground, Durante remarked," I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with me own eyes."

Tanar," I wouldn’t have wished a death like that on anyone."

" He is not dead. " Creiton stated, It is worse. He must remain in the temple or should I say tomb for eternity. It was as though he was looking for his own end."

Tanar shuddered and turned to face Creiton," Got to hand it to you Creiton. You got the best of him and you didn’t even have to use any of your magic spells."

Tasha remarked," Thank the gods."

Nishi stormed up behind Creiton and kicked him in the rear end sending him flying to the ground.

" You used me as bait didn’t you. Didn’t you?!"

Everyone burst out laughing at the sight, but Creiton as he dusted himself off and regained his footing, apologized," I am sorry my dear, but you shouldn’t look at it that way. You were simply a decoy. I had to trick him into thinking…"

Nishi interrupted him," I know what you were doing now, but you should have told me ahead of time instead of making me think I was going to die. Oooh! Sometimes you are such a piece of pig doo!"

Creiton jumped forward suddenly and wrapped his arms around Nishi kissing her. As there mouths parted she softened and laid her head on his shoulder.

Tasha said," Ah, now that is better. They made up."

   Then the thought of her twin sister gone hit Nishi again and she began weeping.

Creiton softly asked," What is it dear?"

Between sobs she shakily answered," She is gone. My sister. I just can’t believe it."

   A large explosion interrupted the tender scene and reminded everyone that it wasn’t over.

" How much time we got?" Tanar asked as he nervously continued to stare at the active volcano that seemed to be swelling in size and redoubling its efforts in its eruption.

" I’d say very little if any." The wizard grimly answered.

Durante threw a rock skimming it across the ocean’s surface," You mean we’ve come all this way. Lost a ship and braved incredible dangers, and then lose any chance of treasure. Only to not have a chance to leave with our lives?"

Creiton pulled away from Nishi who looked hurt until she noticed he was still holding her hand.

" Well, that is not exactly written that we should go this way."

Tahsa let out a sigh," I’m going to regret asking this, but what do you mean?"

" I do have a way for us to escape all this."

" How? By making a ship appear and we sail away?" Tasha sarcastically asked.

" No. If you’ve noticed the ocean around here is boiling so high in temperature it could turn to steam." Creiton replied. "Besides, there is no blasted wind." Durante added still depressed.

Nishi looked up into Creiton’s face and asked," Then what great magic can you do to save us?"

" I’ve never used this one with so many people before…"

Tanar looked up at the blasted moon that was now lower in the horizon," Of course. The teleportation magic. Are you insane? You would have to place all of us in an area where there are enough people to take our place here. Do you know of a place? No, of course you don’t. I might as well jump into the ocean now and get it over with."

Tasha suddenly blurted out," Do you have a better way Tanar?"

Tanar stared at her a moment and bit his lip," Of course I don’t. But…"

" But nothing! "Tasha interrupted Tanar. Then she directed her attention to Creiton again," We must try it, but I must ask you this. What will happen to the people that take our place? Won’t they die in our place as well?"

   Hot lava rocks began to rain down upon the boiling water and their tiny island. And there was an earth-shattering explosion. Creiton didn’t look or hesitate when he answered, " I can suspend us in a nether world existence like a dream world for both us and those that take our place for say two days and then the spell shall finish and we teleport then. By then the eruption and destruction will be over and at least they will have water to swim in or perhaps land to…"

" I hate to interrupt, but I think we’re out of time!" Tasha anxiously reminded Creiton.

They could feel the heat and see the flash of the volcano as it exploded. The sound of eruption and high pitched whistling of lava rock missiles coming down had become so deafening that Creiton had to motion to them to get close to him and for everyone to hold hands in a circle facing each other. Creiton closed his eyes and started chanting in that ancient language that no one there knew besides the wizard. Tanar’s last act as he took a last look at his friends was that of a big assuring smile. Tasha silently mouthed out the words" I love you" to him. Then, everything went black for what seemed an eternity. He felt as though he was floating through a night sky with no stars and no sound. He felt as though he blacked out for a moment and when he came to he realized by his surroundings, he was still in the nether world.

   Tanar then noticed his four friends and two remaining pirates each holding hands with the other including his own.

Creiton was next to him looking down and he addressed the wizard," I thought you said we wouldn’t be aware of this place…"

" Well, this is my first time with more than one to teleport. We will still be unaware that time is passing more quickly than we think."

Nishi was pleased and proud," This is remarkable. I didn’t know another universe existed. I am proud of Creiton for pulling us to safety to what would have been certain death." She put her lips together as if to kiss and acted as though she blew one to Creiton.

Creiton smiled and cleared his voice," Believe it or not, it is time to return."

" And I was just getting the hang of floating in this wonderful nether world of yours," Durante remarked sarcastically.

Tasha asked," Do we all go to one place?"

" No, you don’t have to. You just let go of the hands of the people you are holding and I invoke the rest of the magic and you will appear somewhere else." Creiton explained.

" Anywhere we want?" Tanar asked.

“Anywhere, but not where you may want. I must warn you that there is no way of knowing where you will end up. You take that chance to save your life. It only worked for me to go where I wanted, because I was by myself and it was magic of my own."

Nishi looked into Creiton’s eyes," You mean if I go with you then we could end up amongst some of our enemies or anywhere?"

" Exactly." Creiton replied patiently," You want to go with me?"

Nishi looked at Tasha who could see in her eyes that she was serious about this old sorcerer." Oh well, one could do worse. Nishi, I release you from your obligation to me. You have been loyal all these years, as has your sister. Hell, you both have become my good friends and comrades. You deserve some happiness. I shall miss you greatly and I promise to let your relatives know of your sister’s death and how she died with honor and glory, which saved the lives of us all. Till we run into each other again, goodbye."

Nishi wanted to hug her as tears once more ran down her face, but she knew she could not in the nether world.

" I too will miss you. Goodbye everyone."

Creiton started to chant again this time with his eyes turned upward as Tasha turned to Tanar.

Tanar spoke first," Want to go with me. Food is free most of the time. Never a dull moment."

Tasha squeezed his hand tighter," You’ve never been boring even when you were under that damn spell. And we have some unfinished business to settle between us." She winked at him.

" Will it be pleasant?"

" Oh, I think you are going to like it. Besides I think we make a pretty good team you and I."

Tanar laughed," Yeah, that is what I was thinking too."

Durante looked at everyone and laughed too, but for a different reason," Looks like I’m the only one leaving here rich." Then he pulled out several long thin bars of pure gold from a hidden pocket of his short trousers.

" I found these in a corner of that treasure room of the temple. Maybe I buy me a ship of my own and we go sailing together again some day. Bye and good luck." Still laughing he let go of Tasha’s hand and flew away into a cloudy mist that kept building around them.

Everyone was stunned. Tanar was the first to recover," He deserved those more than anybody."

The silence told him that they were thinking the same.

   Creiton opened his eyes," It is done. We let go of our hands and we teleport. Hey? Where is the pirate fellow Durante?"

Tahsa answered," Don’t ask, just know that he will be happy."

Creiton shrugged his shoulders and said," Ok, is everyone ready?"

Nishi, Tanar, Tasha and the others all nodded their heads.

" Are you two sure you wouldn’t want to go our way?" Creiton asked Tanar and Tasha.

" We’re sure. But we will be thinking of you and with you happiness and a great journey."

Tasha exclaimed with much emotion.

Tanar added," I’ll miss your old bony frame, wizard."

" Bony? Don’t you call me bony, you, you… barbarian!"

Nishi said," Shush my love. We must go now."

" Yes." Creiton agreed, as he stared at Tanar," See you two someday, I promise."

Tasha and her mercenary warrior friend grinned as they separated from Creiton and Nishi. They actually had time to wave before they disappeared into the mist.

Creiton looked at Nishi who was staring back at him.

" Ok, it is our time. Did I ever tell you how lovely you look?"

" No." Nishi answered," You did…"

   Whatever she was going to say was lost in the darkness that hit their brains momentarily. When they regained their senses they found themselves standing on solid ground once more. By the looks of it, they were nowhere near the ocean.

   Creiton found as he regained his senses that Nishi was standing at some distance from him wearing a very unusual shirt and pants. Both were black and had very colorful shinny stones sewn into the material on the torso, arms, and even the legs. It looked good on her form no matter what strange style it happened to be.

   That was when Creiton began to notice the noise of many thousands of voices cheering and yelling in his elderly ears.

Then he noticed that he was standing in the middle of a large arena of which he could recognize it not. The language they spoke in the crowd was familiar and perhaps belonged to a land he once visited lone ago in the southern area of a great continent across the ocean.

   Along the large wooden wall that ran around the bottom part of the arena he stood in not thirty yards away from Nishi. But now three men were standing to one side of her dressed in the same suits. They were jabbering excitedly in their language as they stared at her and Creiton in astonishment.

   Nishi at first to Creiton looked as though she was mad at him and kept screaming something to him. She was throwing these strange long sticks at him, but they landed halfway to him. Then he noticed as he looked down at his clothes that he too wore the same black clothes with the colored shinny stones sewn into them.

   As he puzzled over the meaning of the clothing he heard trumpets blare out what sounded like one would play during a charge into battle. He puzzled over this when it suddenly occurred to him that Nishi wasn’t mad at him. Rather she was frightened by something and was throwing those sticks to him not at him.

   That was when Nishi covered her eyes and Creiton heard the unmistakable sound of a beast snorting and then it roared a roar of anger. The sound was behind him. He slowly turned and there not ten yards away stood a large black beast with great pointed horns on its head. Its head bowed low to the ground and it roared again. Then it charged toward him. The crowd roared its approval as Creiton under his breath as he ran toward Nishi exclaimed," Oh dear."

   Durante appeared in an alley in a city known the world over for pirate ships docked in their harbor. And he got his ship. Owner and captain at last.

Tanar and Tasha found themselves on a beach near her mother’s home, which was located on a tropical island in the south seas of Xing. It was doubtful however as hot-tempered they both were that their romantic relationship lasted.

 

                                                                                                  The End