* * * *
Lord Morgan, his Master, scorned Gartooth. He did not take it lightly as he sulked back to his brotherhood on Zolkren. He knew Morgan had cheated him on his prize catch and had got the information his brothers got with their lives.
The only problem was the proof he needed, which he had left behind. He looked down at his left hand where his two missing fingers were; the knife had struck them clean off. The problem started with that wretched old woman. "Yes." He hissed, remembering her as he killed her that very night and that Captain. Thou he never did find his staff among her belongings as he ransacked her tent.
"It will be just a matter of time; that's all my brothers," he laughed among them. "Her trail will lead us to what we seek among the dead, for they speak beyond the grave." Mixing spice powders and casting dark magic upon the stone as Gartooth lays the body on the altar of the captain and the old woman.
The old woman's enchantment was still working wrapped in her sheet. The brotherhood chanted around them with painted faces among the chalked lines of candlelight, calling forth the spirits to return, taking up the bodies once more. Nothing happens as they wait, sprinkling their dust on the old woman wearing the ring around her neck inside the wrapping doesn't move.
Then, the enchantment breaks as they open the sheet and remove the ring, finding a scarecrow instead. Gartooth screams in anger at one swipe, chopping the head off the scarecrow with his sword as it rolls onto the dirt floor. Anger floods Gartooth's eyes as he realizes he was tricked and that she must still be alive. The question is how? Looking around the room surrounded by his brotherhood, holding their swords angers him more; nobody lives after being struck by a Darzzee blade.
The Master himself personally gave them reassurance that these items held the ancient magic of the dark shadow, a power that had been forgotten and only in the Shadow realm does it still exist. His credibility crumbled like a fragile sandcastle as he observed his brothers roaring with laughter, their mocking voices piercing through the air. The sight of them, their mouths wide open, their bodies shaking with mirth, tore at his heart. A heavy sense of loss enveloped him, leaving him feeling adrift and vulnerable, like a ship without its sails. The absence of his staff intensified this feeling, leaving him unable to join them in their playful chase, unable to heal his wounded spirit. In despair, his gaze fell upon a discarded scarecrow, its lifeless eyes staring back at him, a stark reminder of his own powerlessness. The sound of their laughter echoed in his ears, like a taunting symphony, as they whispered and snickered behind his back on the bustling streets of his home world. The bitter taste of humiliation filled his mouth, its pungent scent suffusing the air around him as he navigated through the sea of jeering faces.
The master himself, not Morgan but the true master of the Shadow Realm, personally gave them reassurance that these items held the ancient magic of the dark shadow, a power that had been forgotten and only in the Shadow Realm does it still exist. The Master's words echoed in his mind, filling him with a sense of hope and wonder. But as he looked around, he saw his brothers laughing at him, their mocking voices reverberating in the air.
As he stood there, his eyes fell upon the head of a scarecrow, its lifeless eyes staring back at him. The sight sent a chill down his spine, a reminder of his own mortality. The laughter of his brothers followed him, haunting him like a ghostly melody. The word "Jardul," which means a fool in his language, echoed in his ears, each syllable a sharp jab to his pride. Their snickers and whispers trailed behind him as he walked through the streets of his home world, tainting the familiar surroundings with a sense of betrayal and humiliation.
He stood there, isolated in the desolate surroundings, the absence of any acknowledgment or admiration leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. The air was heavy with silence, broken only by the distant rustle of leaves. As he gazed into the distance, a flicker of determination ignited in his eyes, fueled by the burning desire for retribution.
The sight of the elderly woman, oblivious to the impending danger, sent a shiver down his spine. The scent of the earthy forest mingled with the acrid odor of his own desperation. His hands trembled with anticipation as he envisioned the moment of triumph, a victorious smile spreading across his face.
In his mind's eye, he could almost hear the clinking of chains, the sound reverberating with a satisfying resonance. He imagined the elation of presenting the "three brothers Robert, Will, and Danny" as prisoners, their defeat etched on their faces. The thought of returning to New Downing, his heart swelling with pride, surrounded by the awe and reverence that the Master would surely bestow upon him, brought a surge of determination to his core. "We will see who the Jardul is," he said to his brothers, determination shining in his eyes. Looking down at the valley floor at the displaced town of what remained of Springfield, his eyes flared with anger, their red hue reflecting his fury. He knew they had to be somewhere in that mess of bodies. He just did not know where or what to look for. Yet, it didn't mean someone down there didn't know who they were and what they looked like now, and he was determined to find out.
* * * *
Initially, it was rough in the beginning as Jayden gathered his Lead Captains and Quarter Masters around the tents. Only he knew where they were going in his mind, and very few on the High Council themselves were privileged enough to know. Jayden faced several problems as he looked at his Lead Captains and Quarter Masters. Some would fall away, and some would become stronger because of the journey. When he saw the Whitmore's tents across the way, they too would experience challenges as they learned to unite and strengthen not only their gifts but themselves as well.
"The Master of Light known as Glen Terman's said." 'There is a time and place for all things as they run their course through the patterns. For if they remain true and pure, it becomes strong; if unguided, it runs wild and may weaken the vine. Yet it is also true that if someone cradles it, it will not grow at all.
They must learn for themselves whether they choose the path of stones and briers or the straightforward path that leads them down to the pits of darkness before they can turn back to the other path instead.
Jayden divided the people into three groups based on readiness and strength, or so they thought. In truth, he paired each group with the same qualifications or similar skills they could all share, provided they were willing to learn from each other, and that was the big question.
Taking the list of each group, he organized it and took the list back to the Master of Light, not that he was much help. Glen put his arm around Jayden, looking over EJ's farm and the valley where he intends to build a new home for them all. Glen smiled, looking at the list, and handed it back. "The choice has always been yours. I cannot tell you," He smiled. "If this is right or if this is wrong, my friend."
Jayden could see in his eyes that he felt great sorrow for the people on the list. Yet there was happiness mixed in as he smiled back and put his arms around him. The Master himself told him this was his task, not Margaret's or Nathaniel's, but his, for his time had come, as all things do in the cycle.
"They selected it specifically for you and no one else. It was not meant for Nathaniel, so he couldn't do it. Sure, he could pull it off for a time, but in the end, something would be missing, the same for Margaret. If the cycle broke, the link would end in the wrong place. No, my friend," Glen said, handing the list of people back to Jayden. "You decide within your heart which group they belong, for that will always remain true."
In the end, Jayden looked about his Lead Captains and Quarter Masters as he paired them up with the people, handing them each a list of families they would oversee. He looks at them each squarely in the eye. "Men, these people are ours, our townsfolk, now in our hands." I am now placing them in your hands to watch over them and guide them as we travel to our new home. Morgan may have destroyed or been destroying their villages as we walk through them, and others may follow us.
"We will offer our help with whatever we can give them. We will turn no one away. In your groups, support them, offer friendship among you, and teach others our craft. No matter how small or great a person is, there is no difference as you travel together as one company.
"You will become one family as you watch, listen, and help each other as we travel across the lands. Where we are going is far away, and we cannot travel alone by gate to get there. This will test your strength, skill, and ability to survive. For Morgan's hand has touched more lives than you have ever known.
"Our task is simple, but hard as we look at our people. We must find a new home to call our own. This task is my task, as well as yours, as I guide you to that place where we can once more call home."
Jayden pulls out a small bag, takes six white stones on a gold chain, lays them out on the table, and declares, "Each of these stones is called a 'warding stone.' We created these for communication in a council room chamber and with these warding stones regardless of distance you will be able to communicate with me and each other no matter where you are. You can only use these stones once I place them around your neck. If a Captain falls in battle, we will select a new Captain, but the stone will not work until I or another Captain I send provides a new stone."
Jayden slowly places each stone around the necks of the Lead Captain and quartermaster, smiles when he sees Captain Tweed's heart that EJ gave him, and moves on. Then he returns to the front with his hands clasped behind his back. The hard part is coming, yet it will be a relief in some ways.
Jayden looked at all the tents on the valley floor. He slowly picked up the lists he'd been working on for nearly a week. He looked at his Captains in their eyes. Deep down, he wondered if he had chosen the right men for the right people, and so on. He remembered the Master's of Light words, 'Choose with your heart, my friend.'
Jayden slowly hands each list to his Lead Captains, whom he has chosen and whom he has wrestled with in his mind and heart for days to lead these people: Captain Rigs and his Quartermaster Gergans, Captain Tweed and his Quartermaster Sir Drealin, and Captain Thomas and his Quartermaster Erilkic.
These three Lead Captains are the ones Jayden trusts with his life as he paced back and forth among them. Only two-quarter Masters, he didn't know enough about, but he knew Sir Drealin and Gergans well enough Erilkic knew very little except that he came from a small town up north of Springfield of the Kanee-a-bees. Derrick says he's a good man to have around when things get tight; he knows how to survive off the land and when danger is approaching.
It was a toss between the two. Jayden wrestled with it for two days, deciding which Lead Captain would need his skills the worst. But his heart rested in peace as he picked Thomas instead of his own, or Rigs. It felt right somehow. So did the people on the paper as he walked through the camp, seeing their faces. He almost knew them well, not by name, but by who they were and their personalities.
Jayden looked back at his six men standing before him and smiled. "I realize this is a lot to ask for a Lead Captain, for that matter, my Lead Captains." Jayden quickly summoned his staff as they watched, knowing now that something was about to happen. The spot where they stood became quiet as he cast an enclosure spell. Then, a blinding light filled the area, engulfing them with peace.
They find themselves on a hill with an altar made of white marble. Glen, the Master of the Light, walks up the hillside and stands by his side. Jayden kneels as the Master of the Light takes Jayden's staff away, and then it shatters into dust onto the altar. Glen called forth the wind, rain, and lightning as it fell upon the altar; a new staff was reborn. Glen placed one hand on Jayden and the other on with the staff, then nodded as the wind blew. Jayden, too, was now reborn once more with his staff. Jayden felt filled with new purpose and life as he embarked on this journey.
The Lead Captains all kneel before the Master of Light and Jayden, feeling the weight of their hands and staffs upon them. The scent of incense fills the air swirling around them as they are reborn. The soft glow of the Master's smile reflects in their eyes, filling them with a sense of pure joy.
"Go, my sons" the Master's voice resonates, a melodic sound that echoes in their ears. The sound of their footsteps, muffled by the plush carpet beneath them, is the only sound in the room as they rise. Each step brings them closer to their new destiny, guided by the silver moon that Jayden places upon their collars.
They stand now as the Masters of Light and Jayden three Synerals and new Captains, their hearts filled with gratitude and determination. A sense of camaraderie and friendship binds them together, a bond as strong as the Light that surrounds them.
These six will lead his people to a new home and protect them, for they have the heart and the mind of the people. As he looks into their eyes, he can see their hearts are pure. "Now it's up to us as we lead them," Jayden said, taking his new staff in his hand. It felt right somehow as he led his men to the chamber of the council he had made just for them.
Jayden stands before his six men around the table. In the corner, there was a flag for each of them, representing each group: the Eagle, The Falcon, The Dove. "The Eagle group will go first, for it is the spy group and will know what we are heading into. The Falcon will be the second group to support the Eagle group. The Dove group is the weakest of the two for its mercy, peace, and aid for the rest, yet each group is strong within itself and made even stronger when they all gather together. All groups, neither one should not be too far behind the other at least more than a week or less."
Jayden could see it in their faces. They understood and nodded as they looked at the charted maps on the table of places where they will make a gate to and from and where they can't. Only one other person besides him has seen these maps. The Master of the gate of this world and beyond has chosen a special place that he will give them. Peace for them all, where they can live together. Yet, to get there, they must prove to him and give up something they hold dear.
Jayden knew this long ago when he met him; he was just a boy at the time, and Nathaniel, as they promised back then, would keep this place a secret all those centuries ago. Now it was time. As he looked around the table at the map, he understood why. He was chosen. They chose him long ago.
With his staff in hand, Jayden stands and stretches it forth, causing a white light to create a line as the stars and galaxies disappear. Jayden shows a planet before them with two suns and three moons around it. Jayden taps his staff on the ground. With a quick rush of wind of brilliant color, they are standing on the lofty peaks of a hill, looking down on an empty valley floor.
The trees are lush and green, and nature is everywhere. You could hear water running off a waterfall somewhere. The sky was bluish-green, and you could see the two suns and the moons; it was late afternoon. The air was crisp and fresh after a morning rain, and the soil was rich and black, ready for planting. The Mountains' landscape was breathtaking as they shimmered with black, green, and red crystals.
Jayden laughed, pointing out far and wide. "This will be our new home. The Master calls it Evitlen. Meaning: 'Heart of the Mountain.' With that, Jayden waves his hand, but it is gone before their eyes as they return once more to the camp; now dusk, he and they shake hands and pat each other on the back, taking the flag. "We shall have one more last supper together as a camp for the morrow. We will say goodbye as one company heads out."