Sara put a hand on Bonnie’s shoulder. “It’ll be okay.”
Bonnie nodded. “I know.” She held Sara’s hand briefly. “Everything he’s saying feels right, it’s just a little scary.”
Jenni took Sara’s arm. “Let’s give them a minute guys.” Jenni led them back to camp.
They finished packing their things, cleaned up the area, and slowly made their way back to where Bonnie and Charles still stood, conversing.
Bonnie turned on hearing their approach and gave them a faint smile. “Charles has an idea for how we can move quicker. We need to find a good sized log.”
They looked at each other, then Marco said, “I think I remember seeing one a little ways back, c’mon.”
They followed Marco through the trees to the west for several minutes, stopping occasionally to look for some landmark he remembered. Then Faith said, “Wait, let me try something.” She placed her hands on one of the larger trees near them and closed her eyes.
“That way,” she said a minute or two later, pointing. “Not far.”
They moved farther from the river and spotted it after a few more minutes of searching. A tree had fallen years before. Its bark had been mostly stripped away and it had broken into several sections. One was about ten feet long and two feet or so in diameter. Bonnie nodded and agreed that it should work according to what Charles had told her.
Sara went to one end and bent down to pick it up.
“Wait!” Tori shouted.
Sara stopped and raised her eyebrows. Tori ran to the other end of the log and crawled inside.
Merlin perched himself on top of the fallen tree and screeched twice. Jenni heard Tori answer faintly from inside the log. Shortly thereafter, two squirrels scrambled out from the end Tori had entered, chattered at the crowd, and ran off into the forest. Tori crawled out a moment later and climbed onto Merlin, who had hopped down to meet her.
“Okay,” she said to Sara, “it’s clear now.”
Sara laughed and shook her head.
It took help from all of them, but they got the log pried up from the ground where it had rested for so long. Half an hour later, they had it sitting on the river bank, and Charles reformed himself to meet them. The rain had let up and the sky was brighter.
“Basically,” Bonnie said, “you’re going to tie the packs to branches and then sit on the log and ride down the river.”
“Won’t it roll over?” Carrie asked.
“No, Charles and I will be guiding it to keep it steady,” Bonnie answered.
“Charles and you?” Jenni asked uncertainly.
“Yeah,” Bonnie said and sighed. “He’s going to help me finish my change, and then we can go.”
Jenni gave her a hug. “You don’t have to do this.”
“Yeah, I do.” Bonnie returned the hug and said, “I’ve been feeling myself drawn to the water more and more the past few days, but I’ve been too scared to go in. But now Charles can help me through it.”
They all hugged Bonnie and thanked her. Crank, Denny, and Marco tied their belongings to the larger branches that protruded from the log. Bags that held electronics and other things that couldn’t get wet, they tied up as high as they could.
Bonnie looked back once, then waded into the river to meet Charles. She dove under and Charles vanished with her.
Once all the packs were secure, they rested and snacked while they waited for Charles and Bonnie to return. A short time later, a form rose from the river near them, and then a second, less defined one, hesitantly came up next to the first.
“Ready?” Jenni asked.
Charles gave her what she took to be a nod, and they pushed the log into the river. Sara helped the smaller ones on while Marco, Carrie, and Jenni climbed aboard themselves. The twins and Rachael could flap their tiny wings, but still couldn’t fly. They sat near the back with Faith and Denny. Crank took up position in the front. Once the log was moving freely in the river, Charles and Bonnie held it steady, and Sara hauled herself on. Tori scouted ahead on Merlin.
“Okay,” Sara called out. “I guess we’re ready!”
They started moving at once, slowly at first, but gradually picking up speed as Charles and Bonnie maneuvered them into the middle of the river. Jenni’s legs dangled in the water up to her knees, but it wasn’t unpleasantly cold. The log remained remarkably stable and they sped down river in search of Seren’naie.
18
Brandon’s strength was failing.
He had flown nearly two days straight. He hadn’t known how far it was to Mogritas’s castle, and he’d underestimated how hard it would be to carry so many people. They flew directly over the forest, and Brandon couldn’t land because they didn’t have permission — at least that was what Alisha and the others had said.
He’d flown extremely high and glided on strong air currents and thermals, trying to conserve his energy. It had helped, and they’d sighted the mountain range a couple of hours before. Adrenaline had spurred him on, but it was fading fast.
His sharp eyes scanned the mountains. He had only seen the fortress at night in his dream, but he was sure he could find it. If he could stay aloft long enough.
He spied it at last, carved out of one of the largest peaks, about halfway to the top. It was even more impressive in the late afternoon sun. He gauged his altitude and the distance to the castle and began a slow decent, hoping he could make it. They passed over the last of the forest and into the mountain range itself.
Mogritas’s home was much as he remembered it from his dream. The rock of the mountain was a dark gray, the fortress carved directly from it as much as built out of it. There were countless towers and spires, many with open air walkways joining them. He saw one tower, bigger than most, that had a flat roof instead of a pointed one, and he angled for it.
As he got closer, he saw figures around the edges of the roof; evidently they were expected.
“Hang on!” he called back to his passengers. “This may not be the smoothest landing ever!”
He came in too fast and braked too late. Brandon landed heavily on the stone roof of the tower, shaking the whole thing slightly. He heard screams and shouts as his riders were jarred loose and landed awkwardly themselves.
He collapsed, exhausted, with the sun setting in the west.
“Welcome back, Brandon,” a familiar voice said near his ear. “I’m glad you found me … and you brought some friends with you.”
Brandon opened an eye half way and saw Mogritas standing very close. He looked much as he had in the dream, wearing the same dark clothing and his hair neatly pulled back in a pony tail. His gray eyes were even more intimidating in person. The smile on Mogritas’s face did not reach them.
“I’ll make my own introductions my friend, you lie here and rest. I instructed my servants to bring you some food, they should be arriving shortly.” Just as Mogritas finished stating it, a door opened to Brandon’s right and several large figures emerged carrying three freshly killed deer. The smell hit Brandon’s nostrils and set his blood on fire.
He pounced on them, nearly taking the arm of one of the servants along with the first of the deer. He was so ravenous he couldn’t help himself. He ignored everything else around him until he had consumed the carcasses, bones and all.
Night had descended and the top of the tower had been vacated, leaving him alone to his feast. His face and head were covered in blood and he groaned in pleasure. He hadn’t felt truly full in days! His eyes drooped and he fell asleep almost instantly.
* * * *
Alisha watched in fear as the tower roof rushed to meet them. She may have screamed.
The impact broke her grip and she flew across the roof to land at the feet of an enormous armored guard. Pain flashed in her ankle and up her left arm to the shoulder. She groaned and rolled on to her right side.
Everyone else had fallen off too, and were scattered around the roof. Slowly, each of them moved, trying to regain their feet. At least Brandon didn’t br
ing us all this way just to kill us with his clumsy landing.
A trim, distinguished looking gentleman stood next to Brandon’s head, talking softly to him. The man was dapperly dressed, in all black, and his clothes fit perfectly. Must be Mogritas that Brandon told us about on the trip. Alisha got herself to a sitting position and gingerly rubbed her ankle and shoulder.
Across the roof, a door opened and more guards came out, carrying some dead animals. Brandon roared at the site of them and attacked the first one, knocking over the guards and almost making a meal of one, along with the carcass. Bones cracked noisily as his teeth crushed them, and blood sprayed everywhere. Alisha swallowed and averted her eyes from the gruesome scene.
The guard behind Alisha took her by the uninjured arm and helped her to stand. Then he guided her to where Mogritas was talking with her companions.
“Let’s leave Brandon to his meal,” he was saying, “and go down for proper introductions.”
Alisha thought he sounded European, and his skin was nicely tanned and remarkably free of wrinkles for someone as old as Brandon had described. His movements were smooth and effortless, and the guards all obeyed his commands without hesitation. I’ll definitely want to stay on this guy’s good side, she thought.
They were escorted down three flights of stairs and then across a ten foot wide stone bridge, leading to a smaller tower with a pinnacled roof several stories higher. Alisha looked down and her knees went weak. The bridge was twenty stories above the ground with no railing. Directly below was a large courtyard and past that, the mountain fell away into the foothills. She could see the edge of the forest in the distance. She would have fallen if not for the solid grip of the guard on her arm.
Once inside again, the group separated. Alisha, along with, Kim, Todd, and Will, followed Mogritas up a flight of stairs that wound around the inside of the tower. Vic, Maggie, Lori, Zoe, and Mr. Kain were escorted down the same staircase, out of sight.
Alisha and her group were shown into a large room filled with comfortable looking chairs and small tables set on an array of finely woven rugs. The walls were covered with an assortment of tapestries, bookshelves and curio cabinets. Several lanterns lit the room in warm yellow light. The guards indicated chairs for each of them, then moved to stand quietly by the doorway.
Mogritas glided to one of the cabinets and poured himself a drink. After taking a sip, he turned his attention to Alisha and her classmates. “First of all,” he began, “I would like to welcome you all into my home.”
They nodded and quietly expressed their thanks.
“I imagine you have many questions.”
They looked at each other, then Alisha asked, “Where did you take the others?”
Mogritas smiled at her. “Accommodations are being prepared for all of you. They had some different needs than the four of you and are being taken to places that will best suit them.”
“What do we do now?” Kim asked.
He turned and flashed her the same smile he had given Alisha. “You can do whatever you’d like. I am offering you a place to stay: a roof over your heads, food and drink. I can also provide education about your new forms and abilities. In time, if you decide to stay and become part of this community, I would be most pleased. I think that we can learn much from each other.
“But, in the meantime, I’m sure you are all tired and hungry after your long trip.” They nodded. “My servants will escort you to your quarters where you should find a meal and comfortable arrangements.” He gave the guards a look and they moved behind the chairs where Alisha and the others sat.
Kim, Todd, and Will got up and were taken out and up the stairs. Alisha moved to stand as well but a firm hand on her shoulder kept her seated.
“A moment Miss … Alisha, is it? If you please.” Mogritas stood in front of her.
She looked into his eyes, colorless gray and seemingly devoid of emotion. “Yes?” she replied. “What do you want?”
He smiled again. Alisha could see it was a very practiced expression. She didn’t think there was any humor in it. “I need you to release the hold you have on your instructor, Mr. Kain, I believe.”
“Why?”
The smile faded slightly. “I want to ask him some questions and I need to be sure the answers are coming from him and not from you.”
Alisha cocked an eyebrow. “What kind of questions?”
Mogritas set his drink on the table next to her and pulled a chair closer, to sit in front of her. “Young lady, let me be frank with you. I feel we are kindred spirits, you and I. Both seeking to … mold the world into a better place … for ourselves, yes?”
Alisha nodded uncertainly.
“That said, I believe Mr. Kain has knowledge I am interested in. It is possible he may not be willing to part with this knowledge without some … persuasion. The link between the two of you can be quite intimate, I believe, and you may not want to experience the results of the persuasive methods at my disposal.”
Alisha thought this over, then asked, “How do you know so much about me?”
He chuckled. “My dear, knowledge is power. I am a very powerful man. I make it my business to know everything I can about everyone who works for, or with me.”
Alisha’s blood grew warm. Here was someone who could make my life much easier, she thought, to have control over someone like him would be … intoxicating. She gathered her power and met his eyes again.
As she did, his face changed. His eyes remained locked with hers, but his tanned skin became jet black fur. His nose turned dark and triangular in shape; his mouth expanded and menacing fangs grew from his upper jaw. The head of a black panther was inches from her face and she couldn’t break her eyes away.
He growled at her, deep in his throat and said quietly, “Don’t ever try to use your powers on me, little temptress. I will tear you apart faster than Brandon took those deer on the roof. This is your one and only warning. Do I make myself clear?”
Alisha’s heart pounded in her chest and she squeaked, “Yes, sir.”
“Good.” Suddenly, Mogritas shifted back to the suave, tan-skinned man he had been previously. He smiled as if nothing had happened. “Now, please release Mr. Kain so that I may interview him privately.”
Alisha concentrated and found the bond with her teacher. It took a bit of effort, but she managed to break the connection. No trace of Mr. Kain remained in her mind. “Done,” she said.
“Excellent.” Mogritas stood up and replaced the chair he had moved. “I hope you find your accommodations to your liking, if you need anything, just ask one of my servants to fetch it for you.”
The guard helped her up from the chair and guided her up the stairs. They went up two flights and turned into a hallway with several doors. More guards stood at attention at various points in the hall. Her escort took her to a door in the middle on the right and opened it.
Her quarters turned out to be a suite of two rooms: a living area and a bed and bath. The guard nodded once to her then exited and shut the door.
A table in the center of the living room held a tray with an assortment of fruit, bread, and cold cut meat. Around the table was an overstuffed couch and two chairs. Decorative tapestries hung on the walls and two lanterns lit the room adequately. A doorway to her right led to the bedroom.
She passed by the food, her fright from Mogritas having erased any appetite she had, and entered the bedroom. Inside was a small wash area and toilet, but dominating the room was a four poster feather bed. Nothing had ever looked so appealing.
Alisha washed her face quickly, then got out of her filthy clothes and put on a nightgown she found hanging on a hook behind the door. She pulled the covers back from the bed and slipped between the smooth sheets. After more than two weeks of sleeping on hard ground, Alisha thrilled at the feel of the soft bed. The pillow nuzzled her face and she quickly fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
19
Brandon opened his eyes to bright sunshine. He winced and shut th
em, watching red spots float slowly around the inside of his eyelids. Cautiously, he opened them again, adjusting to the light.
It took him a moment to remember where he was. The tower roof was empty, except for himself and three fresh deer carcasses. His stomach growled. How can I be hungry again already? His muscles and bones protested, but he dragged himself over to the deer and began to feed.
Mogritas must have known I’d need to eat again. He went slower this time, taking the time to remove the meat from the bones, not just wolf down the whole thing. He checked his surroundings as he chewed. The tower seemed smaller than when he landed.
High in the sky, the sun made the stone beneath him toasty. Brandon finished two of the deer, then laid his head down. Just a little more rest, he decided.
* * * *
He woke again to the warm sun. He felt much better and worked to stretch the kinks out of his legs and wings.
The sun hadn’t moved much, but he saw the deer were gone and the mess he’d made had been cleaned up. He paced around the roof to limber himself.
A few minutes later, the door leading into the tower opened and a dark clad figure stepped into the light.
Mogritas was dressed as he always was, in his burgundy lapeled black jacket and black pants. Brandon crossed over in a couple of strides and greeted him.
“Thank you for the deer. I couldn’t believe how hungry I was!”
Mogritas smiled in greeting. “Of course, my boy. Think nothing of it. You pushed yourself very hard to get everyone here safely, and job well done.”
“Everyone’s okay then?” Brandon asked. “No one was hurt from my landing?”
“They are all just fine. They asked after you as well and I assured them you just needed rest.”
“How did you get everything cleaned up so quickly?”
Mogritas chuckled. “It took my servants some time. They were fearful of cleaning around you, but they got the job done.”
“Some time?” Brandon said. “I wasn’t out that long was I?”
“You’ve been here almost three days, my friend.”
Three days! “Wow! No wonder I was hungry again when I woke up before.”