Maybe I should be a preacher....

Well, it isn't the swine flu, but there IS a flu going around. And so far, most of my family has been on the receiving end of it. Except me, of course. No, I have to stay quarantined because I could be a carrier. And with a whole household of small children, that is a total nightmare. (As I am sure you can imagine.)
So, total writers block, at least on this particular story. Perhaps my talent is short stories. Full of action, and not long and drawn out. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing better than a book the size of a dictionary, but maybe I am just not that type of writer.
Today, I saw the cutest kitten in the entire world. It tried to pull me into its cage. I almost let it adopt me, until I saw the sign that said: $99 + $25 tax. Needless to say, I 'just said no' and ran the other way.
Money is a great thing. Even greater for us lazy people that have yet to get a job. Oh sure, I got one lined up for this summer, but at this present moment, I have no job, no life, no car, and no money. And, while money is 'the root of all evil', it certainly pays for a large amount of material things.
Yes, I am a Christian. In word, if not in deed, but we are def. working on that! Yes, there are days(alot of days) when praying or reading my bible is least on my want to do list, but that doesn't mean it isn't important. The way the world is going today, the best thing to do is maintain a healthy relationship with our heavenly Father.
'Our' heavenly Father? not to turn this into a sermon or preaching or anything, but yeah, if Jesus Christ isn't part of your life, you should seriously consider making Him part of it. No matter what anyone tells you, there IS an afterlife. And there is only two places that you can go. Heaven, or Hell.
Yeah, there are alot of people out there who proclaim to be Christians in word, but their actions are the total opposite. I should know. There are times when I have and do bring blights to His name. Don't look at me and them and think that all Christians are fakes.
I know of Catholics, Christians, Pentecostals, and alot of other different 'religions' where the actual people have an awesome relationship with Jesus. If you wanna be a Pentecostal, and you've got Baptist on you telling you that all Pentecostals are going to hell, don't' believe a word they say.
Eternal redemption has got nothing to do with 'religion.' God gives every individual a gift. He sent his son to earth to pay the price for our sins. Every individual has the choice to make if they will or will not let the Creator of everything into their lives. As long as you can accept that Jesus Christ died for YOU! and loves you, and wants you to be His child, and you walk a life worthy of Him, then no religion you believe in can affect you. That is what I believe.
But there. I've gone and preached to you. I don't wanna force my 'religion' on you. Not only would that be wrong morally, heck, I'd have politicians on my butt telling me that it is wrong to spread the 'Good News' on the web. (That IS a joke, of course. A very bad one.)
We've already gone and taken out God from our Pledge of Allegiance. Our country is going downhill whether people will admit it or not. God DOES exist, though. And I really don't' see just HOW taking His name out of our pledges will take HIM out of our society.
He was, and is, and is to come. He was here in the beginning and will be here at the end. He is beside me, behind me, and inside of me. He is alpha and omega, He is Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and God. He is the Father and the Son. He is my king, my Lord, and my Savior.
Is he yours?

The Stormblade Part 5

Hagridor did not wait to see if the men he had ordered to assist him were following. He ran in his hurry to find the clearing. He was extremely angry. Not only had Fox come back after convincing his sister to run away with him, he had the gall to return and tell him that Reba was dying! Hagridor seriously wished that somebody would stand in his path at that moment. He gripped his sword tighter and moved faster.
Finding the clearing in record time, Hagridor ran over to the place where Reba lay, pale and barely breathing. He shoved Josh away savagely, and beckoned to the camp physician. He glared at Chad, who began to shift nervously from one foot to another. He looked up as the physician stood. "Well?" he asked sharply.
The physician avoided eye contact. "She is…there is nothing I can do. The wound is too deep to deal with here, and she has already lost much blood." He backed up in order to avoid Hagridor’s sword, which Hagridor slammed into the ground, point first.
"What do you mean, ‘nothing you can do!’? Surely there is something…can’t you ease her pain, at least?" Hagridor spoke sharply, with a dangerous show of temper.
The physician spoke softly, head bent. "Perhaps if we got her back to camp, then we could save her baby at least, and maybe we can bring her back." He glanced up at Hagridor’s angry, pain-filled face. "It is her only chance."
Hagridor turned away from him. "Put her on a stretcher." He snapped. "She will come back to camp with us. I would give her that at least, a safe place." He muttered quietly.
Chad, who stood at the edge of the clearing heard him and spoke up. "There is no safe place on Dargothia, Hagridor. If I had been you, I would have listened to Fox when he asked you to join him."
He stumbled backwards, holding his hand to his face where Hagridor had vented his anger by punching him. He pressed his back into a nearby tree as Hagridor stepped towards him until only a few inches separated their faces.
"Understand this," hissed Hagridor, waving a dagger in front of Chad’s face. "If Reba dies, it is you and Fox that I will take my revenge on."
"It was a Jarling that stabbed her; how can you blame Fox for it?" Chad asked calmly.
"Because he stole her from me!" shouted Hagridor, holding the deadly blade under Chad’s chin and forcing him to hold up his head. "He lied to her, made her love him. She would not be here dying if Fox had left her alone! Fox is going to die; I will kill him myself. And whether Reba lives or dies will no longer make a difference."
Hagridor longed to bury his knife into Chad’s throat; he was beyond rage. All he felt was a cold, deadly force inside him that propelled him to take his revenge. No, Reba wasn’t dead-yet-but what she must be going through made him want to destroy whatever had caused it.
Chad appeared to stay calm. "She did love Fox, and Fox loved her. Why do you think that he risked his life to find you? You were the only one that could help her-he put his life on the line for her."
"As well he should have." Answered Hagridor, flinging away his dagger, and shoving Chad aside. He spoke over his shoulder as he gestured for his men to follow him. "A life for a life. What I said still stands." He gestured for two of his men to seize Chad while another three grabbed Josh and Ming, pulling them along roughly.
He paused in front of Edar and his three men. "You may come or go. The choice is yours." And then he stalked away.



Fox opened his eyes groggily and tried to focus. The first thing that he saw was Hagridor standing over him. He grimaced.
"Am I dead?" he asked.
Hagridor’s face was stony. "Unfortunately, not yet," he answered in tones of ice.
Fox grinned unexpectedly. "Man. That means that you’re alive too."
Hagridor’s eyes flashed. "Watch it, Stormblade. Just because we removed a few arrows doesn’t mean that you’re off the hook. You still have answers to provide, and after that, I want to personally have the pleasure of destroying you."
Fox raised his eyebrows. "Aren’t we violent? So, how long have I been laying here?" He spoke lightly.
"Three days." Answered Hagridor.
Fox stared at him in disbelief and tried to sit up. The effort left him gasping for breath as the pain struck.
Hagridor pushed him back down firmly. "You may not get up yet. You have no idea how many stitches my physician put in there. I watched him," He shuddered. "Trust me when I tell you that you don’t want to exert yourself."
Fox looked up at him curiously. "I thought that you hated my guts and wanted me dead-which is why you had at least a half dozen archers ordered to shoot me on sight. Why in the world would you care if I overexert myself?"
Now it was Hagridor’s turn to grimace. "I don’t. But I can’t have you die before you tell me what I want to know. And then, I want to personally be the cause of your death."
Fox stared at him. "And, pray, do tell, what it is exactly that I need to inform you before my untimely passing?" he asked sarcastically.
"Everything you know." Answered Hagridor with no emotion.
"Ah." Said Fox with a raise of his eyebrows, as if that explained everything. "If you knew half of what I do, you’d go crazy from information overload."
Hagridor’s face remained impassive, though the muscles tightened quite a bit. "So you say." Then, perhaps tired of dueling over words, Hagridor stood abruptly and started to stride out of the room.
Fox quickly forgot his pride and called out. "What about Reba?"
Hagridor stood with his back to him. He did not turn around.
"What about Reba?" Fox repeated. "Is she okay?"
Hagridor spoke in a whisper. "She suffers no more." He walked out, his back straighter than a metal pole.
Fox tried to close his eyes, but the tears still slipped through.


Fox lay inside the tent on a cot, fully dressed. His memories swept over him like a flood. In his imagination, he could see Reba, still alive and untouched by the darkness that surrounded him. Then, another-Reba, lying on the ground, pale and barely breathing forever replaced that peaceful memory; the knife that had been intended for his heart buried in hers.
Again and again the memory replayed of the pain in her face as he told her that he wished she had chosen to marry Hagridor those three years ago! He groaned and covered his face with one hand. The other was bound across his chest to prevent him from moving it. He peered out at the bloodstained bandages and heartily wished that he had bled to death or that Drake’s men had finished him off. Why had he told Reba that he no longer loved her? Had she known that it was his frustration with her brother Drake that had pushed him over the edge?
Just then, Chad walked into the tent. Upon noticing Fox, his downcast features instantly lit into a fake smile. "Hey, what’s up?" he asked lightly, as if discussing the weather.
Fox did not bother to play the game. "Reba’s dead." He responded stonily.
Chad’s gay demeanor vanished instantly. "She is not dead," he replied flatly. "You’re lucky to be alive."
"She’s alive?" exploded Fox. "Do you mean that Hagridor lied to me? Where is she?" He tried to sit up.
Chad pushed him back down. "You’ll see her soon enough."
"I want to see her now!"
"She’s resting, Fox. And didn’t Hagridor tell you?"
"Tell me what?" Fox demanded. "Of course he didn’t tell me anything, other than that she was dead!"
"Oh." Chad replied. "Well-" He was interrupted by a new, cold voice.
"I thought you were for the Dargothians, Fox, I didn’t know that you were part Neptunian."
Chad whirled around as Fox looked up sharply. Hagridor stood there, dressed in black. He carried an open sword. Chad backed up to stand in front of Fox. Hagridor glanced at him, then down at his sword and laughed; but it was a laugh without humor.
"Don’t worry, Chad. This sword isn’t for Fox. That one is still in my tent."
"What do you mean, Neptunian blood?" asked Fox, puzzled and still angry. "How could I possibly be part Neptunian? And why did you lie to me?"
"That’s what I wondered too-until I saw Reba’s child." Answered Hagridor, stone-faced. "And I lied to you to find out just how much you love her."
"What?" Fox would have jumped off from the cot if Chad hadn’t held him down.
"That’s right, Fox." Continued Hagridor in the same monotone. "Reba had a child-a boy."
"Now?" burst out Fox. Chad had to continue restraining him.
"He is barely an hour old, Fox, and the very image of you and Reba, except for one thing;" His voice was dangerously soft. "He has green eyes-just like any Neptunian child."
Even Chad seemed shocked at this announcement and forgot to hold on to Fox. "You‘ve got to be kidding!" he protested. "You can’t say that he is a Neptunian simply by the color of his eyes!"
Hagridor shook his head. "Fox doesn’t know his own blood line. He had adopted parents who conveniently met up with an ‘accident’ when he was nine. It is very possible that Fox has Neptunian blood in his veins. In fact, it is a certainty, since Reba was obviously a pure-blooded Dargothian." He stared at Fox accusingly. "Only Neptunians have green eyes."
Fox glared back at him. "Even if that is true, and I do have Neptunian blood in my veins, what does it matter?" he demanded. "I have spent my entire life fighting for Dargothia. And so have many other Neptunians!"
Hagridor hesitated. "Xavier always knows where we plan to strike, and he is always ready for us. How do we know that you aren’t leaking information to him?"
"Give me a break!" Fox hissed. "I haven’t set foot in your territory until three days ago. And why would I destroy what I have worked for my entire life?"
"I don’t know!" Hagridor suddenly yelled. "But I can’t trust you!"
"Fine." Fox snapped. "Don’t trust me, but you must let us leave!"
"Oh, you will be leaving, Fox, have no doubt of that, but Reba and her son stay with me, where they can be safe." said Hagridor.
"They will be safe with me!" Fox hissed. "And you have no right to keep them from me!"
Hagridor raised his eyebrows. "I have every right. Reba will stay here with me and be safe. As for her son, I will raise him according to Dargothian customs, and you will not so much as lay eyes on him." He answered, clearly unaffected by Fox’s passion.
Fox tore loose of Chad’s grip and flew at Hagridor. Hagridor didn’t even blink as he snapped his fingers, and out of nowhere, six of his men swarmed in and grabbed Fox, restraining him.
He fought against them furiously. "Where is my child?" he seethed.
Hagridor stepped towards him, eyes narrowed. "Safe from you!" he said coldly. "You conned Reba into running away with you three years ago. I haven’t seen her until now, and she was almost dead! You made her think that you loved her, and it was your fault that she got hurt. If it hadn’t been for you, she would have been with me-safe and happy!"
"And if it hadn’t been for Fox," interjected Chad, who was also being held at sword point, "You wouldn’t have his son."
Hagridor nodded. "Yes, I guess I do have to give you credit for that, Fox. Though I am not sure if it is a good thing she had a child with Neptunian blood. I suppose you’d like to see him," he mused. "But too bad for you, it’s not going to happen." He gestured to the guards. "I banished you once, Fox, and you came back. I guess I’m going to have to finish this."
"Hagridor!" Fox spoke desperately; it was his only chance. "You and I, we are not enemies. I didn’t force you to hate everyone! I don’t know why you think that I am part Neptunian, but fine, believe what you want!
‘Reba loved you too, Hagridor, but because she chose me, she had no choice but to listen to me. I am her husband-we are one, and when you banished me, you banished her." He stopped, the pain from freshly wrenched wounds was overwhelming, and he almost gasped for breath.
Hagridor watched him impassively. "What once was no longer matters. The point is, we have a score to settle." he signaled the guards again, but this time it was Chad who started talking.
"Hagridor, listen to him! It wasn’t Fox who hurt Reba, it was the Jarlings."
Hagridor seemed to notice him for the first time. "Obviously." He commented dryly. "But I’m blaming Fox."
"Calvin was angry at Fox for not allowing him to accompany him to Dargothia, So we believe that he tried to take revenge on him by hurting Reba." Continued Chad. "I don’t know if the king was behind it at all, but Reba spoke his name; it was him!"
Hagridor stared at him. "So whom do I punish for the wounds of the woman I once loved?" asked Hagridor sarcastically.
"Whichever Jarling is responsible." Chad replied.
"And what about the child?" questioned Hagridor.
"Leave him here?" Chad said lamely.
Hagridor considered for a moment, then snapped his fingers, releasing Fox. "Seems like you’re off the hook for the moment, Fox." He said. "But believe me, you and I will have it out sooner or later-and sooner if I can help it." At that he turned his back to them and stalked off, his men following loyally.
Fox turned to Chad; there was a new light in his eyes, and it was dangerous. "I have a son." He stated, and began preparing himself for a journey.


A few minutes later, Fox slipped quietly into the healer’s tent. The healer raised her eyebrows at him, but left without a word. Fox knelt at Reba’s side and watched as her eyes slowly flicked open.
"Fox," she whispered, but Fox shushed her quickly.
"Save your strength, you may need it yet." He said, glancing down at the tiny bundle she held in her arms.
Reba smiled and held it up to him. "His name, if you don’t mind, is Cedric." She said.
Fox held him carefully, staring into his face. "He does have green eyes." he said in astonishment. He studied the child for several more moments before giving him back to Reba.
"Reba," He started, "What happened?"
Her eyes clouded over. "He murdered Falina, and he took Calvin."
"Don’t worry." Fox tried to soothe her. "We will find them, and save Calvin and avenge Falina. Stay here with Cedric and Ming, and please, please don’t exert yourself. I need you, I love you!" He said the words he feared that he would never be able to say again.
Reba understood. "I will. And Fox," she added, as he stood up to leave, "I love you too. But are you sure you can do this?" She added in concern. "You are wounded!"
Fox shrugged manfully, then grimaced. "I’ll be fine." he assured her. "Really, Hagridor’s healer’s did a fine job, even if they had planned to just heal me enough so he could kill me as soon as they finished."
"Fox!" Reba cried in horror.
"Reba, it’s ok, I’ll be fine. Don’t worry." He laughed humorlessly. "Once we find Calvin, we will be ready to attack Xavier’s army. And if any of us survive that, I’d say we’d be doing pretty well."
Reba fought off the drowsiness that suddenly tried to overcome her. "And when the war is over?" She murmured.
Fox bent down and kissed her forehead. "Then we have the rest of our lives to be together, in freedom."
He left the tent quietly, determined to bring down Xavier at all costs, be it his own life.


Josh paced back and forth and Ming was getting dizzy from just watching him. "Josh!" She pleaded. "Please stop; you’re making me dizzy!" Josh didn’t stop. "JOSH!"
"What?" He asked impatiently. "Ming, we’ve been inside this tent for three days! If we try to get out, they act like they’re going to stab us. If I stay here much longer, I’m going to go crazy!" Just then the tent flap flew open. Hagridor himself stepped inside, Fox behind him.
Ming jumped up beside Josh. "Fox!" she cried joyfully.
Josh stepped forward angrily. "Now see here-" he began, but Fox interrupted him.
"Josh, Hagridor and I made a deal, and you and Ming are part of it."
"What!" exclaimed Josh.
"You, I and Fox are going into Neptunian country to find the Jarlings and Calvin." Explained Hagridor. "Ming stays here."
Josh’s jaw dropped, and it wasn’t for the first time in the past few days. "What about Reba?" he protested.
"Reba’s alive." Hagridor snapped. "But barely. She is resting along with her son." Ming smiled, she knew the child’s name.
"Was it really a Jarling who stabbed her, then?" asked Josh.
"Aye." answered Fox. "His name was Rhayden, and if I catch him, which I will, he will die the same way."
Josh grimaced. "What now?" He asked. "How will you find these ‘Jarlings‘?"
Fox narrowed his eyes. "We will track them if we need to, but I believe they are headed to the palace with Calvin to hand him over to the king."
"Besides," added Hagridor. "I have my informants."
Josh opened his mouth to protest again, but suddenly Fox was right in front of him pointing a dagger at his chest.
"Listen to me," he threatened quietly. "You will do what I say. There is more to this than you know."
"Yeah," said Chad helpfully. "One of his parents was a Neptunian." He had sneaked into the tent behind Fox unnoticed.
Josh’s eyes widened, Ming gasped, and even Hagridor winced as Fox’s knife buried itself into the wooden post inches away from Chad’s head. Chad ran out the door as Fox advanced threateningly.
Ming suddenly remembered what Reba had once told her: that Fox was only twenty years old. He was a new man now, dangerous and deadly. She felt compassion for him. He had lived his entire life with one purpose: to destroy Xavier.
Hagridor brought her back to he present with a snap of his fingers. "Shall we go now?" he asked with fake cheerfulness. Turning to Ming, he said. "You will not be harmed in any way. Whatever you want or need, just ask for. My men are at your command." He paused thoughtfully. " And if we don’t come back, you are free to lead them or to go at your pleasure." He bowed to her and started to walk out.
"Why?" Ming questioned softly. "I know nothing."
"Because you can learn, you are Hayden’s only heir, and I trust you." Hagridor replied, and left.
Ming’s eyes widened as she realized the enormity of what he had just said. Her face softened as she watched his retreating back. It was straight as could be; yet there was an invisible burden he seemed to carry that sunk down his shoulders. She felt pity for him as she thought of the pain he must be carrying. She turned and looked at Fox and Josh. "Are you really going?" she asked them.
Fox nodded. "This is the only chance that any of us have to survive. Calvin knows where my camp is now, but if we strike first, he won’t have a chance."
Josh nodded in agreement. "And we’ll find a way home while we’re at it." Ming thought that he seemed a little unsure, but for some reason, the possibility of them never getting home again didn’t bother her



A few minutes later, Ming waved goodbye as Hagridor, Fox, Chad, Josh and several of Hagridor’s men disappeared into the surrounding forest. To her, their mission seemed impossible, and she knew that not all of them would return. Suddenly, her gaze riveted on Hagridor. A dark shadow seemed to surround him, and she gasped in shock as realization hit her.
"Edar!"
He stood beside her in an instant. "Lady."
"We have to stop them!" she lowered her voice as Edar raised his eyebrows, indicating the Cinsors who had gathered to watch their leader depart.
"Why?" he questioned, pulling her inside the tent behind them.
"Hagridor has the same darkness around him that Drake had, and Drake is dead!" Ming burst out.
Edar shrugged, then sighed and grabbed Ming’s arm as she headed back outside.
"Ming, please listen, and don’t upset the Cinsors. Hagridor has the same chance of coming through this as much as Fox, Chad and Josh do."
"But the shadow..! Ming protested.
"Ming…it’s ok, Drake and Hagridor are what you call third cousins."
"Cousins!" echoed Ming. "Wouldn’t that mean that Drake and Fox should have been enemies also? And are you saying that the blood that they share has something to do with the darkness that was around both of them?"
"I really don’t know all of it." Admitted Edar, rubbing his forehead. "But you are not the only person that has seen the shadows that lies around them both. Now, please, you must focus on leading these people until Hagridor returns."
"I don’t know how!" Ming retorted. "Nobody has ever filled me in on how to command period, let alone so many! And what about Fox’s camp? We left it almost four days ago! Zaya must be worried sick."
"I will send one of my Sivians to alert her in due time. First, we must attend to this camp. Don’t worry, I’ll help you to the best of my abilities. But if I were you, I’d get used to ordering people around."
"Why?" questioned Ming, taken aback.
But Edar didn’t answer. Instead he bowed and held the tent flap open for her. Ming took a deep breath and stepped outside.
While Ming was in control of one camp, Zaya was in charge of the other. And like Ming suspected, she was worried. Fox had gone to find Reba, as had Chad, Edar, several of his men, and the teens.
That had been three and a half days ago. She had sent out search party after search party. The Sivians were restless without their leader. She had sent out yet another search party about two hours ago. She could hear them returning now. She stalked out of the tent she had been hiding her nervousness in.
She waited for the leader of the group, Balin, to report. Bowing slightly, he did so.
"Lady, we found the clearing where lady Reba must have been gathering herbs for the returning warriors."
"And?" Zaya queried impatiently.
"The ground was trampled by many feet. And there was a great deal of blood…"
"They were all slaughtered?" Zaya interrupted incredulously.
"Not that much blood." Balin said hastily. "My guess is that it was coming from one person, before Commander Fox and the rest arrived."
"Reba?" Zaya breathed softly.
"It is possible." Answered Balin. "But if lady Reba still lives, then she is in Cinsorian hands. As I believe Commander Fox, Commander Edar, Chad and the two young teens that came from Earth are also. The signs are clear."
Zaya almost sank to the ground in disbelief and astonishment. "Do you think they are all still alive?" she asked.
Balin hesitated. "Well, Lady, forgive me, but you are aware of the ongoing feud between the Cinsors and ourselves, particularly the individual, Hagridor? If Hagridor is still in charge of them, I find it difficult to believe that Commander Fox would make it out alive."
"We must find out and rescue them if they are." Zaya said firmly. "We cannot free Dargothia without Fox. I cannot command all these." She gestured to the rebel Dargothians who had gathered around them, straining to hear what was being said.
"I will ready those under my command at once, lady." Replied Balin, not trying to sway her mind. "When shall we leave for the Cinsorian camp?"
"At once!" snapped Zaya, stalking back into her tent, preparing herself for a battle.
Balin bowed to the closed tent flap and began giving orders. If he was at all upset or nervous, he hid his emotions well.



Many leagues away, a group of men moved silently through the Dark Forest. Well, not exactly silently. Josh stumbled over every rock and root. And Chad, who hardly ever went outside, was no better.
Hagridor let out all of his breath in frustration. "Could you be any louder!" he snapped.
"Give them a break, Hagridor." Fox said just as testily. "They’re doing the best they can."
Chad raised his eyebrows. It wasn’t like Fox to defend anyone, much less him, a computer nerd who only supported the rebels for pay. Well, had; he was in a little too deep to demand money now.
Hagridor whirled on Fox. "Do not tell me what to do! You may think that you are of use to me now, but I assure you, there’s always someone else I can find!"
Fox backed away and started to reply but then he narrowed his eyes and gestured for all of them to remain quiet. Hagridor also listened to the surrounding forests’ noises. He might have disliked and even hated Fox, but he knew better than to ignore a man who knew the forest better than he.
And then, he heard it too. Not necessarily a sound, but a lack of peace. Extending two fingers, he sent two of his men into the dense trees that loomed on either side of the path.
They slipped away, their camouflage cloaks blending into the forest floor. There was no sound for about thirty seconds, then a sudden crash and a yell. Casting away all thoughts of obscurity, the rest of the group rushed towards the muffled noises in order to be of aid.
Except that, there was no need to be met. Hagridor’s two soldiers held a struggling young man, who must have been about eighteen, between them. His thick black hair fell into his equally dark eyes as he tried to break their grip. A single earring glittered on his right ear. What must have been his sword lay unsheathed on the ground behind him. He was also swearing.
Hagridor stepped forward to question him, but Fox was faster. Placing himself between Hagridor and the young man, he spoke accusingly.
"I know you!"
The young man stopped fighting for a moment and rested in his captors grip. He looked up at Fox sideways. "Release me." He growled with a hint of fear. "You have no right to seize innocent men!"
"Innocent!" Fox snarled. "Your father is, or shall I say ‘was’, a devil. How can you be innocent of the blood your family has shed?"
"I did not choose my father, and I am more ashamed of what he was than any Dargothian who calls himself loyal!" The man cried out desperately.
"What are you talking about?" demanded Hagridor. He turned to the stranger. "What is your name?"
Fox locked eyes with the young man when he remained silent. "Shall I tell him, then?" He spoke softly, without breaking his gaze. "This is the man that I saw the day Drake died; he was standing at the edge of the pier. His name is Tuxor, and he is the son of the late Dargothian traitor, Rahn."
Josh gasped, understanding dawning, while Hagridor opened his mouth to command Tuxor’s execution.
But Tuxor spoke first. "Yes, I was there, when Drake died, and I am also the son of Rahn Shrika." He confessed bitterly. "But why do you hold the sins of my father against me? I had no part in that man’s death! I have never betrayed my loyalty to Dargothia! Who are you to mead out your so called justice to the innocent?" He spat.
Hagridor paused but Fox got right into Tuxor’s face. "Yes! I accuse you of the crimes your father committed; Drake’s blood is on your hands."
The soldiers had to exert themselves in order to restrain Tuxor.
"I had no part in Drake’s death!" he screamed. "My father had innocent blood on his fingers, yes, but he has been paid back for his crimes. I came here to find you and ask you to help my mother and sister, who are also loyal Dargothians, and instead you try to kill me? You are no true Dargothian, you seek blood not peace!"
Fox took a step back, caught off guard by Tuxor’s intensity. He glanced at Hagridor, who stood watching with interest.
"How do we know that your family has not betrayed us?" Hagridor asked.
Tuxor was silent for a moment. "I have no proof other than my presence here." He finally replied. "If the king knew exactly where I was or what I am doing, he would destroy my family without mercy."
"It is not enough." Fox said angrily.
"Then what is?" Tuxor shot back. "I know of no other way to prove to you that I am a true Dargothian than to tell you that one of your men is soon to die at Xavier’s hands. I tell you only for his family’s sake, to save their grief-not your own." He added venomously.
"Which man are you talking about?"
Chad stepped forward and Tuxor was taken aback as he recognized him.
"You are Chad!" he stated in surprise. "Xavier has been searching for you, he has posted a reward for your head."
"Which man?" Chad asked urgently, ignoring the other’s shock.
Tuxor stood as straight as one could with their arms pinioned behind their back. "His name is Kiroten. He is to be put under arrest by Mingol, Xavier’s second in command, and put to death as a rebel. His family will die also."
"How do you know this?" Fox demanded.
Tuxor refused to answer, his lips shut tightly. Fox cursed and might have knocked him senseless then and there had not Hagridor intervened.
"Enough is enough!" he hissed, pushing Fox aside, and glared at him. "Fox, if you can’t keep your emotions under control, you just may live to regret it! Tuxor, we can’t let you go, because we have yet no reason to trust you."
"But he just told us about Kiroten!" Josh protested in his defense.
"It could very well be a trap." Hagridor replied. "However, we cannot ignore it if he really is telling the truth. Tuxor, you have a choice. My men can either take you back to my camp and you will stay there until I return (if I return), or you can accompany us to the city of Dargothia. It is your decision."
Tuxor hesitated. "If I go with you to Dargothia, and the king discovers me, I will die. But if I stay at your camp, your men would also harm me on the account of who my father was."
Hagridor waited quietly.
Tuxor bowed his head. "I will return to Dargothia with you and your company. Perhaps, if all goes well, I can return honor to my family by dying for Dargothia."
"A bit morbid, isn’t he?" Josh whispered to Chad.
"Honor is more important to a Dargothian than their very lives." Chad whispered back. "You would do well to respect that."
Josh fell silent, ashamed.
The two men that had been restraining Tuxor let him go at Hagridor’s command. He stood there, waiting.
"Chad?" Fox turned to him. "You heard what Tuxor said-Xavier wants your head. I cannot force you to follow me if your life is in danger. You can stay or go back. Which do you choose?"
Chad’s eyes locked with his. "I will follow you Fox, though I may die."
Fox rested a hand on his shoulder. "I can ask no more." he said softly. He turned, and without a second glance to anyone, strode ahead.


Many miles away, a lone figure entered Galina, a city on the other side of the Dark Forest that few knew about, a place beyond Xavier’s power. He was dressed in black, and carried a short sword on his hip. His eyes were dark, and carried a determination of one back from the dead. The people of Galina stared at him with awe. They did not know this stranger, but soon, they would give their very lives for him.



Zaya stood at the head of the rebels, dressed for battle, and prepared for death. She looked over at Balin, who stood beside her. He nodded at her, and she opened her mouth to give the command to move out, but a shout covered up her words. She whirled around to find out who had spoken, and saw one of the rebels pointing at the clearings’ edge.
A lone man stumbled out of the trees, and obviously overly fatigued, hurried to her, bowed quickly, and managed to gasp out, "They are alive!" He nearly fainted then, but Balin caught him, and shoved a flask of shala into his mouth.
Zaya, waiting impatiently for him to recover, saw that he was a Sivian, on of the four that Fox had taken with him to search for Reba. "Well?" she asked, drumming her fingers on the hilt of her sword.
The Sivian took several deep breaths. "The lady Reba lives with her son, whom she calls Cedric."
Balin smiled to himself, the name would not have any meaning to anyone else, but to him, it was his life.
"Where is she?" Zaya demanded. "And what about Fox?"
"They are staying at the Cinsorian camp." the messenger replied. "Their leader, Hagridor, and Fox went to rescue the earth boy, Calvin, along with the other boy, Josh. Reba is well enough at the moment, she was stabbed by a Jarling named Rhayden, the same Jarling who took Calvin prisoner. The healer there believes that she will live, and Ming, the earth girl, was left in charge of the Cinsorians with Commander Edar as her second." The man sagged with exhaustion.
Zaya blinked as the information processed. "I thought Hagridor was Fox’s enemy." she said.
The Sivian shrugged tiredly. "He still is, but at the moment, they both have a common goal that they want to reach. So, they learn to get along." he chuckled.
"And Chad?" Balin questioned.
"With Fox." he replied.
Zaya sighed with relief. "So everyone is safe as safe can be for the moment. Thank you-" she glanced at the messenger. "What was your name?"
The Sivian shrugged again. "Not that it matters, but it’s Link."
"Thank you Link. Are you hungry?" Zaya asked him.
Link sighed. "Not yet, milady, I just need to crash for a few hours; I’ve been traveling since daybreak."
"Go ahead and find a tent for now, it looks like we won’t be going anywhere for the moment." She told the gathered Dargothians. She turned to Balin with a look mixed anger and relief. "I’m going to kill him, Stormblade or not!" she hissed.
"Why?" Balin asked innocently, already knowing the answer.
"Because he was supposed to come back and marry us!" she stormed.
Balin laughed aloud and drew the black fighter into his arms. "Then maybe we should just go to him!"


"Edar, who was my father?" Ming asked as they both stared into the campfire. It had been a long day, and most of the Cinsorians were sleeping or standing guard. Reba and Cedric were still in their tent. Ming was worried that Reba did not have enough strength to recover while, secretly, Edar knew it.
He sighed. "I never knew your father. Your mother though, I knew her well, in fact, it was I who help her escape Xavier’s palace."
"You?" Ming asked, incredulous.
"Aye." Edar replied quietly. "She was young, and beautiful, which I suppose was one of the reasons that Xavier married her. The other was because Sailee was Hayden’s daughter, and her child would inherit the throne. Unfortunately, Sailee loved another man, and she spent the night with him. Xavier eventually found out, and had the man executed.
Sailee might have endured the same fate if Xavier knew she was pregnant. But by then, Sailee had told me, and I arranged her escape. I didn’t know however, that your mother took a medallion. I guessed it later, when Xavier was venting his wrath. She used it to take her to your home, Earth, where I suppose she found a new life, free of Xavier’s tyranny. But Ming," he added, looking at her with concern. "I believe you were that child, Sailee’s daughter. Tell me then, what happened? I know that you are adopted, how so?"
Ming bowed her head, ashamed. "My mother gave me to strangers when I was young; I barely remember her."
"It is nothing to be ashamed of." Edar said. "I do not know why she chose to have another raise you, perhaps because she could not do so herself, but even though you cannot remember her well does not mean that she didn’t love you."
Ming’s head snapped up, and an old fire burned in her eyes. "If she really loved me, then she would have kept me as her child, not given me away!" she cried. "Don’t you understand?" she asked, her anger fading, "I was over all this, I didn’t care anymore, and then, all this happened. Why? Why couldn’t I have just gone on being normal?"
Edar moved closer to her, and lifted her face to his. "Ming, listen to me. I do understand: I understand the pain, the feeling of betrayal, the hate that came into your heart. I know what it feels like to be abandoned. But Ming," he said earnestly. "Your mother loved you! I cannot tell you why she hurt you that way, or why she didn’t keep you as her own, but it is time to bury the past-"
"I did try and bury it!" Ming hissed angrily, jerking away. "I had stopped being angry and upset! I had gone on and begun to live my life normally! Then, then...." Her voice sank to a whisper. "Then I came here, and it seems so-right. And everything feels like it’s going to be okay, and I feel like I belong! How can I go back home and forget everything here?"
"You don’t! That is how it is supposed to feel." Edar said. "You are Hayden’s heir, the true queen on Dargothia. All you have to do is accept it, Ming. That is all."
Ming closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of the smoke, and felt the heat of the dying fire on her face. With it, died the pain and resentment she had held in her heart for many years. It floated away, along with the sparks that rose to the stars. It was time to let go, to be who she was meant to be, to answer the call that had long been silent.
She took a deep breath and opened her eyes. Determination filled them, along with a new fire, a burning passion. "We will win this war." She said. She was a new woman; she was a Dargothian.


"So, you are the son of the guy who killed Drake?" Josh asked curiously as he and Tuxor fell into step with each other. It was almost dark, but they had not stopped, eager to reach Dargothia before the Jarlings did, if that was possible.
The moon had not yet risen, and shreds of the dying sun streamed through the trees.
Tuxor, who had been watched closely for an attempt to escape, sighed deeply. "Yes." he replied, as if he had admitted it many times before. "I was. Though," he added rebelliously. "I believe Drake had as much of a part in his own death as did my father."
"Well, I believe you." Josh said encouragingly. "About sons not choosing their fathers."
Tuxor looked sideways at him. "That is because is it true."
"Yeah." Josh muttered, embarrassed. They walked in silence only a few moments before Josh’s curiosity got the better of him. "I heard that your father was a Dargothian; why did he change sides?"
Tuxor’s jaw worked angrily. " Because he was a traitor."
"But why didn’t you just leave?"
"My father joined Xavier when I was a child." Tuxor snapped. "By the time I was old enough to join the rebels on my own, I had my mother and sister’s lives in my hands. If I had left then, Xavier would have killed them both."
"And your father?" Josh asked in spite of himself.
"My father," spat Tuxor. "Would have accepted what his king told him, would it have been his wife and daughter’s deaths or not!"
Fox glanced over with a frown at Tuxor’s heightened volume. Tuxor glared back, silently daring him to say a word.
"That’s pretty harsh." Josh commented, missing their interaction. "So, why are you here now?"
"Rahn Shrika no longer holds any power over me." Tuxor snapped. "I was trying to find the Dargothian camp and ask them to help my family. I did not know that their leader holds me responsible for his second’s death." He said it loud enough so Fox could hear him clearly.
He scowled, and started to reach for his sword.
Hagridor, who was behind Josh, just laughed. "Put away your blade, Fox, and try a bit better to get along, at least until we reach Dargothia."
Just then, he stiffened. "Do you smell that?" he asked.
They all sniffed, and Chad let out a moan. "Dragons!"
Josh’s eyes couldn’t have been wider, and Hagridor snarled.
"Just what we need." muttered one of the Cinsorians as he drew his sword.
Tuxor paled, but he too, drew his sword.
They all strained their eyes for a glimpse of the legendary beast, when suddenly, it was upon them.
Silent as a wraith, the dragon had slithered up behind them, its wings folded tightly to its side. Its venomous teeth dripped poison, which splattered on the ground. The dragon’s scaly tale whipped the ground behind it as its red eyes glowed with menace.
"Spread out!" Fox whispered. "And if you get a chance, the only place he is venerable is his eyes, throat and belly. Don’t bother with his mouth, the poison will melt your blade like butter."
"Can he breathe fire?" Josh asked Chad hoarsely as they moved further apart.
"The older ones can, but I think this one is still too young." Chad muttered. "They learn to breath it right after they learn to fly, and this one’s wing’s isn’t fully developed." He pressed his lips together tightly as the young dragon followed the sound of his voice.
Fox stepped closer to the dragon, and the two stalked each other warily.
Suddenly, Fox jumped at him with a shout and waved his sword.
The dragon roared in confusion and attacked.
Fox dodged as Hagridor tried to chop off the dragon’s tail. His blade snapped and he was thrown several feet away as the dragon batted him with his tail.
The dragon whirled on Fox as he stumbled across a tree root and fell. Josh watched in horror as the sharp teeth started to snap down on the rebel leader, when suddenly, the dragon’s head jerked up and he roared in pain.
Tuxor had slid underneath the dragon and stabbed its soft belly up to his sword hilt. He pulled out his sword and rolled away as the dragon fell, thrashing onto his side.
Tuxor jumped to his feet and with a shout, sank his blade into the dragon’s throat. He fell to his knees and breathed heavily as the dragon finally died.
Fox had sat up and stared at the dragon dazedly, then slowly looked up at Tuxor. "You killed him." he stated quietly.
Tuxor shrugged and got to his feet shakily. Hagridor was also standing up and holding his arm.
"He would have killed me." Fox pressed. "Why did you stop him?"
Tuxor turned and looked him in the eye. "I am not my father." he replied, his eyes sorrowful. "I could not let a good man die."
Fox nodded and stared at the dragon again. He did not stand up until Chad went and gently pulled him to his feet. He walked up to Tuxor and put a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you." he said, and his eyes communicated much more.
Hagridor grunted as one of his men bound his arm with a strip of cloth. Fox turned to him quickly. "What happened?" he asked.
Hagridor started to shrug, then thought better of it. "His tail, it knocked me into a tree. I think it’s broken." he added, trying to move his arm.
"Great!" Chad complained to Josh, who was still in shock from Fox’s near death. "We’ve got a man with a broken arm, a son of a traitor, a rebel leader who is recovering from his own wounds, a computer nerd, and an earthling with no experience." He turned to the two Cinsorians who had remained unscathed. "Looks like it’s up to you two to catch up with the Jarlings, take revenge on their leader and save Calvin, and then, once you’ve done that, go and win the war against Xavier!" he said in mock cheerfulness. "Not a bad job, eh?"
"Shut up!" Five voices snapped at him.
But instead of cowering, Chad just laughed. "And everyone has such a great attitude!" He ducked as Fox threw a dagger at him for the second time in four days.

The Stormblade Part 4

It was growing dark outside, a dark cloud slowly moved closer to the city of Dargothia, a rising storm ready to break. Fox watched as Drake appeared from a nearby alley and in front of Rahn, the bailiff and his men. They started in surprise, giving Drake just enough time to turn and run towards the city docks. Fox cursed and followed inconspicuously, spotting Delmar slip away behind the soldiers, headed back towards the tavern. What had happened? Drake was going to get killed! The Neptunians chased after him, branching out and cutting off most of his escape paths. They cornered him at the pier, a platform built high above the ocean water, which tossed and crashed in the wake of the coming storm. A crowd had gathered to watch Drake’s failed attempt of escape. Rahn, slowly comprehending that he had his prey in his grasp, waved the archers to put down their bows, and stepped forward.
"Hello Drake." He said coldly. "It’s nice to see you again."
Drake was silent as he stepped backward, closer to the edge of the pier and closer to the wildly thrashing ocean with the sharp rocks below.
"What is the matter, second in command to the Stormblade?" Rahn mocked. "Are you afraid?"
Fox gritted his teeth at the words. If only he had more men, he would have risked a rescue attempt. As it was, Edar, warned by Delmar of their failure, slipped up behind him and grasped his elbow, indicating that Fox would do better to remain still. They both watched in silence.
Drake finally spoke, lightning flashing behind him. "Why would I be afraid of a traitor? Come and fight me like a man, if you have any courage left."
That was enough for Rahn. Traitor or not, he did not stand by to see honor blighted. Baring his teeth and throwing aside his weapons, he threw himself at Drake, his dark eyes blazing. The two men grappled in silent desperation as each tried to throw the other of the pier. The soldiers stood uncertainly, not daring to break up this fight to the death, and the crowd also watched in silence, afraid to cheer for either man. And then, as suddenly as they had fought, and before Fox could rush to the rescue, both Drake and Rahn tumbled off the pier and hurtled towards the rocks below, locked together in mortal combat.
Edar had to hold Fox back tightly to stop him from leaping onto the pier and betraying their identity. The dumbfounded soldiers rushed to the edge of the pier. A few brave-hearted ones lay down on their stomachs and looked down.
"I can’t see anything!" one of them called.
"No way anyone can survive that fall," said another, young, soldier.
They shook their heads in disbelief that a Dargothian rebel could have bested their leader, and retreated militarily, ordering the crowd to disperse as they did so. As Edar dragged Fox away under cover of the crowd, Fox noticed a young dark haired man fight past the soldiers grip to stand at the edge of the pier. Upon reaching the safety of a nearby alley, Edar shook him viciously.
"Will you stop!" he hissed. "This is not the time or place to panic."
Fox stopped trying to pull out of his grip and nearly yelled back. "Panic! Drake is splattered on the rocks below, and you’re telling me that I have no right to grieve his death?"
Edar pushed him against the wall. Fox was strong, but he was no match for the older Sivian leader. "Listen to me." He growled. "Grieve for his soul, by all means, just not here. If those soldiers had been in any other condition than shock, they would have spotted you and killed you. And then were would this rebellion be?"
Fox was sullen, a characteristic not common to him. He turned his head for a moment and stared out of the alley and into the teeming crowd. His jaw clenched. "Fine." He snapped. "I will mourn him later. Our plans to crush the palace are worthless. The only thing we can do now is to return to camp and await a better time."
"Now you’re thinking clearly!" Edar smiled grimly as he released Fox. He made to stay close behind him though, as they exited the alley.
"Gather your men and head out of the city. I will meet you at the forests’ edge at sunset. I have to find a few people first."
Edar nodded once. "I will leave Delmar here to rally the people." Then he disappeared into the crowd. Fox put on his hood and also blended into the crowd.
Lightning was still flashing and then it began to rain.



Fox slipped silently into a nearby alley, covering his face with a hood, and followed the twisting streets until he arrived at the same door that Drake had so recently left. Knocking softly, he waited until it was opened.
"Leah," he said softly, uncovering his face.
Leah smothered a gasp. "Fox!" she cried. "Your man, he came, the girl!" she garbled.
Fox held up his hand hastily. "Can I come in?"
She opened the door for him. "The girl, she says her name is Zaya. Her back was very bloody. I cleaned and bandaged it. I think she will be okay."
"Is she conscious?" Fox asked.
Leah nodded her head and gestured him to follow her. "Aye, she’s in here."
Fox followed and found Zaya sitting on the edge of the bed. Fox sat down beside her, and Leah quietly disappeared. "Are you okay?" he asked her.
Zaya nodded. "I’m fine now. Where is Drake? All I remember is feeling a little dizzy and then I woke up here. Leah won’t tell me where he’s gone."
Fox took a deep breath. "He died a hero, Zaya."
Zaya opened her eyes wide and stood up. "What?" she exclaimed.
Fox looked at the floor. "He was just supposed to distract the palace guards. When he saw you being whipped, he became angry, and interfered. He had Delmar fight the guards for time to escape, but it wasn’t enough. After you fainted, he brought you here, the safest place he could think of. At that point, the bailiff had joined the search for both you and him. Drake didn’t have a chance, but he went down fighting. If only…" he stopped.
Zaya’s brown eyes flashed. "If only he hadn’t seen me? Maybe then he’d still be alive. It’s all my fault, isn’t it?"
"No!" Fox spoke angrily. He sighed. "No." he said more quietly. "It’s not your fault. He died doing what was right. He died for Dargothia. He did exactly what any one of us would do. Now, can you travel?"
The fire died out of Zaya’s eyes slowly, and she sat back down. "Aye." she said. "I can travel, a little. But where are we going?"
"First to Chad’s, than out of the city. We’ll come back when we’re better organized." He took a deep breath. "Besides, there are a couple people that I’d like you to meet."



A few minutes later, Fox and Zaya slipped out the house and into the alley. Fox had paid Leah well for her help, and they hoped she would not be discovered.
They hurried through the darkening streets, hiding their faces from passer byres, until they reached a tall building. Ducking behind it, Zaya gasped as she ran into Josh.
Fox flipped his hood off. "Zaya, meet Josh. Josh, Zaya. And also, this is Ming." He added, gesturing at her. "They are both from a different world. Not only are they searching for a way back, they have agreed to help us win the war, on account of that being the only way back."
"Where is Drake?" Ming asked innocently.
"Dead." Fox replied shortly, pushing back his rising panic.
"Dead!" Ming exclaimed, surprised. "But, how? And what about Delmar?"
"What do you mean about winning the war is our only way back?" questioned Josh suspiciously. "We don’t have to win it, we just have to take over the palace."
Fox winced. "Yes, well, about that. You see, there really is no medallion, in the palace." He added hastily. "But, I know someone that can help us find it anyways."
He pushed a few boxes away from the wall and pushed open the door that had been hidden behind them with a flourish. "Shall we go talk to Chad?"
"You lied to us?" argued Josh.
"They’ll be time to discuss it later, I promise." Answered Fox. "Now hurry, before a patrol comes!"
They stepped inside the dark hallway and Fox shut the door behind them.



Inside of Chad’s apartment was like the inside of a computer. Wires, plugs and various objects filled up the room. In the center of it, seated at a table bearing four computers, was a young man with brown hair typing ferociously at a keyboard and swiveling his head from screen to screen.
Without looking up, he spoke. "Well, well, looks like reject Fox is still playing nursemaid." Turning around casually, he said, "and you look beautiful as always, Zaya."
Fox had not even blinked an eye. "Look, Chad, I need your help."
Chad’s green eyes widened expressively. "Oh ho, so the great Stormblade finally comes begging for help. I should get this on film."
Fox gritted his teeth. "I am not-"
Zaya cut him off. "He means-we need help."
Chad grinned. "Anything for you, sweetheart. For a price, that is."
Fox gestured to his sword threateningly. "Will this be enough?"
Josh broke in. "Please-Chad-my friends and I are trying to get home, and we need to find a medallion. Can you help us?" he glared at Fox for a second, but he didn’t add what he might have wanted to say.
Chad seemed to see him for the first time, and he raised one eyebrow. "Of course I can help you, but that doesn’t mean that I’m going to. Besides, there are hundreds of medallions, do you seriously expect me to find the one medallion that will ship you home?"
Josh gaped, than gave it up. It had been a long day. He refused to lower himself enough to ask how Chad seemed to know all about them.
Zaya stopped him. "Chad, Drake is dead. We need you to come with us and help us to find another way to dethrone Xavier and get these teenagers home."
"Why should I help these kids? They aren’t Dargothians or Neptunians. And who cares if Drake is dead? Nobody liked him anyway. As I recall, at one point he rebelled and tried to kill you, Fox."
Fox pulled out his sword and pointed it at Chad. "Yes, he tried to kill me. But that was a personal misunderstanding that you shouldn’t even know about. He’s dead because he rescued Zaya from getting killed. Now, however, the entire city is looking for ‘accomplices.’"
"Well, what do you expect me to do?" Chad asked in disbelief.
"Get the medallion." Said Ming.
Chad gaped at her. "Sure, that’ll be easy." He said sarcastically. "I couldn’t find it for Xavier, how could I find it for you? You’re-" he broke off as Fox exclaimed.
"Xavier! You’re the one who brought him the medallions a long time ago?"
"Did I say that? Why, no I didn’t. In fact, I didn’t say the word Xavier, or medallion at all. I said-" Chad stopped as Fox grabbed his shirt collar in one hand and pulled him close. In the other hand was a dagger that moved up near Chad’s neck.
"I said-Did you have dealings with that evil lying killer?"
Chad tried to move his body away from the dagger, then gave up. "I might have-once."
Fox nodded, still holding on to Chad. "And you did what for him?"
"Nothing." Tried Chad.
Fox just moved the blade closer.
"All right! I’ll tell you. Just get that away from me!"
Fox remained where he was, but moved the blade back a little. "Continue." He said stonily.
Chad sighed. "Yes, I had business with Xavier Narvedstor. Once. He asked me to find a medallion that he believed was hidden somewhere in the Dark Forest."
"And did you find it?" interrupted Fox.
"Well, no. I mean, he wasn’t evil back then. And it was worth some good money."
Fox pushed Chad back into his chair contemptuously. "A medallion, hmm? What type of medallion, I wonder? Maybe it was a medallion that magically transported people from other worlds to here. It is interesting, though," He mused. "That you never found out…I wonder if that was the medallion that Sailee took with her?"
Chad cowered miserably. "Maybe. But it’s not like I knew that then! I’m innocent!"
"Try an innocent tool. But I could still use all this to turn the Dargothians against you if I had to."
Chad gaped. Again. "You wouldn’t!"
Fox smiled grimly. "Want to make a bet?"
Zaya interrupted. "Guys, come on. Chad, he won’t hold it against you if you help us. We need to get out of this city, so hurry up and make your decision."
"Come on!" cried Chad. "You’re nuts if you think that I’d help you. Do you think that I want to die early?"
Fox pulled him to his feet and started to drag him out the door. "Everyone dies early here, Chad. Is there anything you need to do before we go? I figure if we hurry we can just meet the Sivians and all the other rebels we rallied; they’re headed back to the Dark Forest, you know. I’m sure they’ll be a bit upset about missing a fight. But maybe we can offer them some blood, eh?"
Chad’s short frame struggled uselessly. "Wait! Fox! Hey, baby," he tried Ming. "Some help here? Fox!"
Zaya stopped Fox. "Chad, consider yourself arrested until further notice."
"What?" Chad yelped. "You can’t arrest me! I have rights!"
Fox grinned. "Technically, you don’t, as you aren’t Neptunian or Dargothian."
"You don’t know that!" Chad accused.
Zaya looked Chad in the eye. "Chad, we’ll make a deal with you. If you find us a way out of the city, and help us get the medallion tried to find for Xavier, we’ll make sure your name is cleared. Deal?"
Chad groaned. "Whatever. If I die, I’ll make sure that it’s you people I haunt."
"Stop complaining. We don’t have time for it." Fox replied.
"I don’t care." Said Chad, giving Fox a dirty look. "I am not happy with these arrangements, and trust me, if you haven’t noticed that, I’ll plan to inform you later. But let me finish this, first." He wheedled. "I’m almost done."
"What is it?" asked Josh.
Chad flashed him a venomous look. "None of your business-that’s what." He muttered rebelliously, than eyed Fox warily as he raised his eyebrows and fingered his knife. "Ok! It’s a code I’m making to protect all of my stuff."
Fox glanced at a clock. "Five minutes."



"You say this ‘Drake’, second in command to the Stormblade was killed, but he also sent one of my captains to his death?" questioned Xavier, king of Dargothia, as he stared up at the chandelier that hung motionless above him..
His chief advisor and second in command, Mingol, bowed deeply. "Removed forever, Your Grace." He replied. "It is said that the man he slaughtered is the Dargothian traitor you made into the city bailiff, Rahn."
"Can you confirm their deaths with bodies or some article of clothing?"
"No, my lord, but there is no way that either of them could have survived that fall."
"Hmmm," Xavier turned towards Mingol with a slight interest. His long red hair was bound up in a ponytail, his golden crown reflected the sunlight from the window high above where they both stood and danced in sparkling patterns across the walls. "So, the Dargothian was more loyal and eager to please than I first thought." He mused. His white face was creased in thought.
Mingol sneered. "I think not, lord. It is well known that the bailiff and the Stormblade’s second in command had been mortal enemies for quite some time now."
Xavier turned away. "It is no matter-they are both dead. Reward his family as you see fit, with gold from the treasury if you wish. And Mingol," he added as Mingol bowed and started to back away. "Send a few officers with my regards. Have them try and comfort his grieving family. His son-Tuxor, is it?-might be persuaded to join our army. Do your best to have that happen, and do not let him join the rebel camp."
Mingol bowed again. "It is as you say, Your Grace."
"And are you still keeping an eye on the Dargothian spy, Kiroten?"
"Yes, milord." Answered Mingol. "He has a wife and one child. They are currently in the rebel camp, but they will come as soon as they hear of his soon-to-be arrest."
"Good. And he does not suspect?"
Mingol grinned, not a pretty sight. "No milord."
Xavier smiled also. "When they arrive, kill them. Kill them all. Even the child." He added, anticipating Mingol’s question.
"At your command, my king." Mingol replied. He disappeared through the grand doors.
Xavier sat in his throne and plotted the downfall of his own archenemy, Fox Stormblade.


The small group that had left Chad’s apartment ducked through alleyways and went inside abandoned buildings in order to avoid the Neptunian soldiers that marched through the streets, searching for them.
Slipping out of the city, they met up with Edar and his men. Delmar was not with them, and Ming asked where he was.
Edar sighed. "He remained in Dargothia, to rally the people there."
"But won’t the palace guards recognize him?" she asked.
"No." Replied Edar. "Any who might have seen him will remain silent." He did not say why they would not talk, and Ming did not ask.
"Why didn’t Drake finish what he was supposed to be doing?" Josh finally burst out. "He was always saying how Dargothia came first; so why did he rescue Zaya when his job was to distract the people in the square?"
Zaya tossed her hair, and her eyes burned. "Are you saying Drake was a coward for rescuing me?" she demanded.
"Zaya!" Fox snapped, whipping out a dagger and waving at both her and Josh. "Why won’t you just shut up? Josh didn’t say that Drake was a coward. He asked why Drake did the very opposite of what he has always said."
"And?" Ming questioned, eagerly awaiting his reply.
Fox rubbed his forehead tiredly and sighed. "I really don’t know, Ming. I have no idea."
He glanced at Zaya. "He wasn’t in love with you, was he?"
"Of course not!" Zaya sounded shocked. "We have known each other too long to be in love."
"I know." One of Edar’s older warriors spoke up. They all looked at him. He swallowed nervously, but continued doggedly. "Your man, Drake, you said that he always told everyone that Dargothia came first, yes?"
"Aye." it was Zaya who responded."
"So, you are Dargothia."
"What?" Josh’s brow was furrowed in confusion.
"I think I know what he means." Ming said slowly.
"Tell us!" the demand burst from more than one throat.
Ming blushed. "Dargothia isn’t the city. It isn’t the forest, and it isn’t the palace. Dargothia is the people, Zaya, Fox, Edar, Chad…" she named them all, looking at each one in turn. "You are Dargothia." She repeated. "You can destroy a city, you can burn a forest, but you cannot touch the people."
"What do you mean, ‘cannot touch the people?’" questioned another young Sivian. "I can thrust a sword through any one of them!"
"You can harm the bodies, and you can break their hearts." Ming replied. "But you cannot touch their souls. Dargothia lives in every one of you, of us. Its fire cannot be quenched; its power cannot be destroyed. We fight for the people; we fight for Dargothia!"
It was the first speech Ming had ever made, and it surprised them all. Her chin was lifted, and her cheeks flushed, but she was smiling. And it put fire into every one of their breasts. Their eyes shone and their hearts beat a little faster. If they could have defeated the king and his men on courage alone, they would have won the war that night.
As it was, an old Dargothian victory song sprang to their lips as they hurried back to the Dark Forest, knowing that Drake’s death was not in vain; they remembered what their forefathers had fought for, and what they would win.
Later that day, when everyone had reached the camp, Fox went looking for Reba.
"Have you seen Reba?" he asked Jade.
Jade shrugged. "She said that she was just going to take another walk. Actually," she frowned. "She should have been back awhile ago. And, I haven’t seen Calvin and Thoran for a good while either."
Fox’s face went white. "When did she go?" he asked anxiously.
The answer was not comforting. "Several hours ago, before the noon meal."
"But it’s almost dinner time!" cried Fox. He began running towards the woods. "Get Edar, and a few of his men to follow me. And the teens, too, while your at it. If she’s in danger, they might come in useful."
Jade shrugged as Fox hurried away. "Useful?" she said to herself. "I would think they might get in the way." She reconsidered. "Well, maybe the girl wouldn’t…."


Chad gestured to Josh hurriedly. "Josh! Come on."
Josh and Ming forgot their search for Calvin and Thoran.
"What’s wrong?" asked Ming. "Did you find Calvin?"
"No, but now Reba’s missing, and Fox wants your help looking for her." Chad answered, hurrying away.
Josh ran to keep up. "She’s missing too? But, what could have happened to all of them?"
"There are worse things in this forest than Neptunians, as I’m sure you’ve been told." Began Chad. "One of those things is called the Dark Cinsors."
"Who are they?" asked Josh.
"You mean, what are they?" Chad corrected him. "They are, well," he paused for a moment. "They are dark. They can be your allies, but I wouldn’t recommend it. You see, a long time ago, their leader, Hagridor, was Fox’s best friend. He lived in the Dargothia slums along with other Cinsors."
"What happened?" Josh asked curiously, wondering what they were getting themselves into.
Chad hesitated. "Well, let’s just say that they came to a disagreement, and now Fox is Hagridor’s worst enemy."
"So, how does that relate to Reba, Calvin and Thoran?" Ming queried.
"I don’t know about those two, perhaps they’re searching for herbs too, but if Reba went out by herself and Hagridor found her, he wouldn’t hesitate to take revenge." Chad said grimly.
"But Drake just died, Reba can’t die too!" Josh cried out. Chad didn’t answer.
Several minutes later, they burst out into a small clearing, and saw Fox bending over a figure on the ground. They stopped abruptly, and Ming gasped.
"Reba!" there was no need to say more.
Reba lay on the cold forest ground, gasping for breath. Her chest was covered in blood. Fox was kneeling beside her, his hands poised over her, but they trembled, and he appeared helpless, not knowing what to do.
"No…" whispered Chad. "Not that way."
Ming glanced at him, distracted, wondering whom he was talking to.
Edar stood just behind Fox, but when Fox looked up at him, he looked away. Fox looked about to panic. "Who did this?" he cried out to Reba.
Reba managed to open her eyes a slit, and murmured something.
Fox was in a rage. "I’m going to kill them with my bare hands!" he hissed between clenched teeth.
"Who?" Edar questioned.
"The Jarlings." Fox replied grimly. "She just said their name. They must have stabbed her."
"No!" Ming choked out, drawing attention to herself. "How could anyone have done such a thing?"
"For one who serves Xavier, easily." Chad answered quietly.
"Surely we can do something to help her! What about a doctor?" Josh asked.
Fox came back to the present, looking up hopefully. "Did you ever find Thoran?" he asked.
Chad glanced at Josh, who shook his head. "We can’t find Thoran or Calvin."
Fox put his head into his hands and groaned. "Then are lost, we can’t do anything."


"Fox, She‘s dying!" Cried Josh. "You have to do something."
Fox stood in the dark forest, lost in memories even darker-torn between the past and the present.
"Fox, please!" Ming’s desperate cry added to Josh’s.
"It’s too late." Whispered Fox. In his imagination, he was kneeling again beside his mother and father, crying out the same words, begging his enemies to help him, to not let them truly be dead. But his words had fallen on deaf ears, the same as Josh’s were now.
No! The past must not be part of this-it must not effect the present. He must overcome his fear and prove himself to be what father wasn’t. He would help.
Fox roused himself, like a man awaking from sleep. Josh was kneeling next to Reba; he looked up at Fox and his eyes were desperate, pleading.
"I will go and get help." The words croaked strangely out of his mouth. "She will live." His speech became stronger as he set his mind.
Josh seemed puzzled. "Go and get it? Where?" he asked. "You said that Thoran is the only doctor, and Dargothia is miles away! There isn’t time to go there."
"There is one place that is rather close." Fox spoke slowly. "The Cinsors-Hagridor."
Hagridor. The man who used to be Fox’s best friend, and now was one of his worst enemies, and the man who stood in dark shadows. Josh’s jaw dropped, but it was too late. Fox was already gone.



Fox ran through the forest, trying to cut out the memories-his parents, their enemies, the pain of his mistakes-that rushed through his head, and the fact that he was probably about to die. The branches whipped his face viciously, and the blood ran into his eyes. He ripped the machete out of his belt, slicing through the brush, and anything else that opposed him.
Finally, he made it to the Cinsors camp. He slowed down slightly, his eyes darting from side to side. He gripped his machete tighter as the startled Cinsors stared at him. Then, his eyes focused straight ahead on the large green tent that rested in the middle of the camp. Fox knew exactly how many steps it would take to reach that tent, but the question was, would he make it? Already, Hagridor’s men were beginning to rush towards him, weapons in hand.
Ten steps…shouting and yelling, arrows being put to the strings.
Seven steps…an arrow pierced his shoulder, causing him to grunt.
Five steps…another, in the back, almost forced him to his knees. He cried out.
Three steps…so close, a third arrow burrowed into the arm that held his machete.
He pitched forward onto his face. He started to rise, but slipped on the blood that was pouring from his wounds. He was losing consciousness fast. He tried to pull out the arrows and defend himself from the blades that were about to fall on him, but he couldn’t move. His view of the tent was gone, cut off by the men as they swarmed around him. He tried to speak, but failed.
Suddenly, there was no longer a throng about him. Only one figure towered over him-tall, dark: Hagridor! He was reaching down, studying him.
"Fox?" he asked doubtfully, his face creased in lines of puzzlement. .
Fox reached up. "Reba, she’s…" He started to speak, the pain coming in great waves, but Hagridor cut him off.
"Why are you here?" He asked. "You were tried, banished and condemned from this place. Half of my men want to kill you, including me!"
Fox smiled, faintly. "They already did, so that should take care of any past grievances. But Hagridor, Reba’s hurt, bad. Jarlings-" He had to stop. The blackness was all around him; he couldn’t focus on Hagridor’s face anymore.
Hagridor began to shake him violently, trying to keep him from sinking into unconsciousness. "Where is she? Is she alone?"
"No. Ming, Josh, Chad….in the clearing." Fox mumbled, closing his eyes.
"Where?" Hagridor asked again, sharply.
Fox felt frustration building up inside him-enough to clear his mind for a moment. How slow was Hagridor, anyway?
"In the clearing, next to the river. Josh is with her. So is Ming and Chad. She is bleeding," He looked down at the ground, where pools of blood were forming. "Maybe more than me." The words exhausted him, and he began to black out.
Hagridor snapped orders, but Fox couldn’t understand him, and as Hagridor let go of him, he started to fall. Someone caught him and held him up again. His last thought was about Reba, then the darkness and images from the past surrounded him and he knew no more.

The Stormblade Part 3

Drake stalked into his tent and flung the door shut behind him for the second time that night. He unbelted his sword and threw it on his cot angrily. He muttered to himself as he poured himself some shala out of a canteen and then sat down heavily into a chair.
"How could he dare expect these children to help us?" he seethed. "He is putting every one of us in danger."
Reba, who was sitting in the far corner of his tent, spoke quietly. "Drake, you need to calm down."
Drake became silent, but his eyes still burned with anger.
"Let it go, Drake." she continued. "It's not worth it."
Drake finally exploded. "It is worth it! Fox doesn't know what he's doing. He brings children into our camp, and expects them to help us, who knows how! And supposedly, the female, Ming, is the heir of Hayden!"
"So I heard. But couldn‘t it be true?" questioned Reba mildly.
"It is possible." Drake admitted reluctantly. "The ages definitely match up, but seriously, Reba! The chances of a female earthling coming here and claiming to be our future queen-"
"Is no more of a chance than three teenagers appearing from nowhere and claiming to have held a missing medallion." She interrupted, coming to sit on the arm of his chair. "Besides, you know that there is no way to activate one of those medallions unless someone touches it and has royal blood flowing in their veins."
Drake looked up at her, his face softening somewhat as he saw his sister's beautiful face. "Perhaps. I am not convinced. How would a medallion have ended up on Earth anyway? After all, it ‘disappeared.’ We have yet to see what brought them here."
"Because that is where Sailee took it." Reba answered, cocking an eyebrow and ignoring his mocking.
"Sailee?" Questioned Drake, incredulously. He thought it over for a moment. "Yes, it is possible, and yet another thing to worry about besides! If Calvin found one of the medallions on earth, supposedly in his attic, how much does he know? His mother must have known Sailee well, for her to have been given the medallion. And if Xavier believes she’s alive, or that one of the teenager’s is Hayden’s heir, we are all in danger! And Calvin said that the medallion belonged to his father, so he must know more than he is telling!"
"Do you think that Xavier could be his father?" asked Reba.
Drake stood up abruptly. "I don’t think so," he said flatly. "That would mean that Sailee, Hayden’s daughter would be his mother. And if that were true, then why couldn’t Calvin activate the medallion? Why Ming?"
Reba slid into the seat of his chair. "Then why did he say that it belonged to his father?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at him. "It seems to me that there are a great deal of questions that are being asked, and no one to answer them."
Drake handed her his cup. "So it appears. And Hayden’s heir or not, I think that Fox should get rid of them as soon as possible." he said firmly, and exited the tent.
Reba raised both eyebrows at Drake's display of determination. She sighed. If Drake and Fox became enemies, whom would she choose? Her brother or the man she loved?


Ming and Calvin were arguing furiously as Josh sat nearby, rolling his eyes.
"And just who is this, King Hayden?" she demanded. "Who is Sailee? And why does everyone suddenly seem to think that I am Dargothian?" Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes sparked.
Calvin groaned. "I told you already!" He still remembered almost everything he had read from the book. "King Hayden was the last good king. He had a daughter named Sailee who ended up in an arranged marriage to Xavier, who is currently the tyrant king."
"And I come into this, where?"
"Well, Sailee really loved another guy, I forget his name, and ended up cheating on Xavier."
"Sounds like a soap opera." Josh commented.
Calvin shrugged. "It is what it is. Anyway, she got pregnant and ran away before Xavier had a chance to find out and kill her. She stole his medallion; again, no one really knows why, maybe cause she wanted revenge for her forced marriage or something."
"I‘m sure." Ming retorted dryly. "So my mother is really a Dargothian who somehow found her way to Earth and made a living for herself after having me?" Her voice trembled. "Even if that all was true, Calvin, how does that explain the medallion in your attic, and me being adopted?"
"I don’t have a clue." Calvin snapped. "All I know is, the only way to activate the medallion was to have someone with royal blood touch it. The instant you touched it, Ming, it lit up like a beacon. If that isn’t saying the obvious, I don’t know what else would!"
Ming burst into tears and ran out the door.



Ming sat by a campfire, her knees drawn up to her chest, sobbing. She didn’t understand this place or its people. She didn’t know why everyone thought that she was one of them, and she didn’t believe that it was possible. Years of pain washed back over her as she remembered her mother telling her not to cry, a long time ago, when she was very young, as she was handed to a complete stranger. She couldn’t understand why her mother was giving her away. She had never understood why every home, every family that fostered her, for there had been many, had never kept her longer then a year. She had known that she was pretty, but never flaunted it, only hoped that it would help her find a family who would love her. But it hadn’t. Even the family who fostered her now was showing the signs of wanting her out. She was alone in the world, and knew that that was how it would always be.
Just then, she felt a hand rest on her shoulder. She looked up slowly, not bothering to wipe away her the tears that ran unchecked down her face.
Reba sat down beside her. "Why are you crying?" she asked. "Has someone hurt you?" She looked concerned.
Ming turned her face away. "A long time ago." She answered, in a moment of self pity.
"Your mother?" Reba queried knowingly.
"How do you know about her?" Ming asked in astonishment.
Reba smiled. "Sailee is a well known legend to every Dargothian. She had the courage to defy Xavier. If you are indeed her daughter, there will be no trouble in putting you in your rightful place as queen of Dargothia."
"But I don’t want to be a queen!" Ming cried. "I just want to be normal, to be loved, to go home!" She started to cry again.
"Shhhh." Reba hushed her, patting her shoulder. "It will be alright. If you truly want to go home, we will find a way to send you back, but rest assured," She looked deep into Ming’s eyes. "Whatever your mother did to hurt you, I don’t believe that she did it for any other reason then to protect you. No mother is capable of hurting their own child on purpose." She patted her belly. "I should know."
Ming did not quite believe her, but she was grateful for Reba’s caring attitude. "Thank you." she glanced at the tent. "I should probably go and apologize...."
Ming wiped her eyes and they both stood. A bond was forged between them as Reba smiled. "Think about what I have said, at least." She said. "I know that you cannot yet accept it, but maybe someday?"
"Maybe someday." Ming replied, unbelieving, and walked away.



Meanwhile, Fox was conversing with one of his men inside his own tent.
"I think that it would be wiser to strike here, and then here." he said, pointing to various places on a table sized map that he had just unfolded. "What do you think, Balin?" he questioned the tall, older man beside him, the battle commander.
Balin gazed at the map for a while before he spoke. "I think, lord," he finally said, slowly. "That to attack the city of Dargothia is foolish. We would never conquer it."
Fox grinned wolfishly. "Exactly." he said. "That's what Xavier thinks. And if he continues to think that, than we do have a chance."
Balin still shook his head. "A very small chance, surely not enough to risk men's lives for. Besides, Xavier 's palace is in Dargothia."
"We have to take over that if we expect to win the war," said Fox.
"It will be guarded better than his treasury," said Balin, pessimistically.
"I have more informants in his palace than I do scattered all over Delmada." Answered Fox, non-deterred.
Balin sighed. "And every one of them is dead loyal?"
"Every one." said Fox firmly.
"Than perhaps we can do it," said Balin, still staring at the map.
"We can and we will, with you to head my troops," Said Fox, bowing slightly to Balin in a gesture of honor.
Balin bowed back, deeply. "And when Xavier is conquered and dead, than it will be you who will rule Dargothia. And I will serve you until the day I die."
Fox shook his head violently. "No! No more kings. I will not rule. Delmada has had enough of royalty. We will have a free government. The people themselves will rule; but I will not. I am content just to be a pillar holding up the structure."
Balin bowed again. "It will be as you say, lord. But until then, you have my strength, my loyalty, and my heart."
Fox nodded slightly, then bent over his map, in an attempt to find just the right place to strike in full force.
Just then, Reba entered the tent and came to stand behind him. She put her arms around his neck.
"Still plotting the destruction of Dargothia?" she teased.
Fox turned around so that he was looking down into her face. "The end of Xavier’s reign, yes. The destruction of Dargothia, never!"
Reba slipped out of his arms and toyed with the wooden figures he had placed on the map; they stood for Xavier and his army.
"Do you truly expect these outworlders to be of any use to us?" she suddenly demanded, looking straight at him.
"Have you been speaking to Drake?" he asked, ignoring her question.
"Fox!" replied Reba, sitting down on a nearby chair. "Perhaps Drake is right and these children will only bring trouble. After all, the one named Calvin has possibly lied once already."
"He has not." Fox said as he once again leaned over the map. Balin pretended that he wasn’t listening. Newly weds arguments were not his concern,
"They can not even pick up a sword, how can you expect them to be of any use?" she asked again.
"It is not for you or I to question Dargothian fate, Reba!" Fox whirled on her. "They are here because they are meant to be here. I don’t know what purpose they will serve, but I’m quite sure that there is one. And it is my duty as a Dargothian to protect them and I will not have you or Drake, or anybody else do otherwise! Do you understand me?"
Reba’s eyes were wide at his sudden outburst, but she said nothing.
Fox continued. "Right now, it is both of our jobs to focus on taking back Dargothia for the people. These children will help support the people by just their presence. If Drake doesn’t like this, he can deal with it! But neither of you will stop me from carrying out my duty."
It was Reba’s turn to become angry. "All you care about is the people! What about me, or the baby?"
Fox was taken aback. "Baby? What baby?"
Reba was crying now. "Your baby, my baby, our baby. The baby that will be born soon."
Fox blinked. "You’re pregnant?"
"Yes!" Reba shouted. "I’m pregnant. I’m going to have a baby. But are you even going to have time for it when it is born? All you ever do is plan battle strategies and recruit soldiers. I barely even see you anymore."
"I didn’t know you were pregnant." Fox was still stunned. "When did you get pregnant?"
Reba glared at him. "See? You are so busy that you didn’t even notice! I’ve been pregnant for eight months."
"Wha-?" Fox was dazed. His wife had been pregnant for eight months, and she had had to tell him? How could he have not noticed? How come nobody else had thought to tell him? He made a mental note to get mad at Balin later. "But, you do see me, you’re seeing me right now." He added in weak protest.
"It’s not the same." Cried Reba. "I want to have a house, somewhere safe where we can raise this child and any more that come. I am tired of living in fear and in hiding."
Fox went over and embraced her. Balin had conveniently disappeared several minutes ago. He gently pushed her chin up so that she was looking him in the eyes.
"Reba, I’m sorry that we have to live in hiding. But I promise you that our child will not grow up as we have. The time to strike is almost here. We will win, and then, when Dargothia is able to survive on its own, you and I will find a little house somewhere, and we will raise all the children that you want. First, however, Xavier has to be defeated. If he is allowed to continue as he has, killing everyone who doesn’t obey him, and ruling over our people in tyranny, nobody will be able to live freely. But we will survive this, believe me."
Reba sniffled and looked deep into his eyes for a moment. Then she nodded. "I believe you, and I am with you until the end." She caressed his face. "Whether we live or die."
"So, uh, why didn’t you tell me you were pregnant, like, seven months ago?" Fox ruined the romance of the moment.
Reba sighed and rolled her eyes. "Well, for the past six months I figured you knew, like the rest of the camp, and were just trying to ignore the fact. I didn’t realize that you couldn’t see what was right in front of your eyes!"
"Ah." Fox replied. He shrugged. "I was busy."
Reba let out a snort of disbelief and stalked away, but not before she smacked the back of his head, hard.
At dawn the next morning, Fox and a large company of men moved out. He had asked Reba to remain behind and gather herbs for any that would be wounded when they returned. She was still upset, of course, but she obeyed without protest, knowing that he was just trying to protect her and their child, now that he was aware of it. He also ordered Drake to alert the other rebel Dargothians in the forest, and join him later at a tavern in Dargothia. They would not attack until everyone was ready.
Two of the teenagers he had agreed to let accompany him. He was not sure that they wouldn’t be a hindrance, as none of them had excelled very far in their lessons, but if it was Dargothian fate that had brought them, who was he to question their abilities? He had, however, insisted that Calvin remain behind.
Fox frowned a little at this memory. Calvin had been quite perturbed when he had been informed of his decision. But Fox believed it was better for him to stay at camp, especially since he had yet to declare his loyalty to either side.
He sighed, again. With a touch of luck, Dargothia would be free soon, than the teens could go home, while he and Reba would be free to return to the forest. Alone.
He winced. Oh yeah. The teens going home….he couldn’t wait until they found out that he had lied about the medallion. He pushed the troublesome thought into the back of his mind and focused on getting into Dargothia.


Drake kneeled on the bank by the river, scooping up the cool water in his hands and splashing it on his face. Refreshed, he leaned back against the roots of a nearby tree and closed his eyes, basking in the warm sunlight that filtered through the branches above.
He had been traveling fast ever since daybreak. It was now almost sundown. He had been careful to stay on the path, knowing that one step off from it could result in fighting and perhaps death.
Without warning, a branch snapped. Drake’s eyes snapped open and he leapt to his feet, groping for his sword. He unsheathed it just in time to counter the first blow of his opponent’s sword.
As they circled each other warily, he took the time to study his new enemy. It was a tall man with long light hair pulled back in to a ponytail, and dark eyes. He was dressed in a green meant to blend in with the surrounding forest.
Drake frowned. This man was obviously not a Dargothian, but neither a Neptunian. A half-breed perhaps? Whatever the man was, he gave Drake no more time to think, attacking him ferociously.
Though he handled his sword well, Drake easily disarmed the man and threw him to the ground. Raising his sword to drive it into the man’s chest, he suddenly felt a cold, deadly prick on the back of his neck.
Stiffening, Drake glanced out of the corner of his eye. Another half-breed stood behind him with narrowed eyes, holding a naked blade to Drake’s neck.
Slowly, he rotated his head, peering into the forest around him. As he did so, a ring of warriors materialized, most of them pointing arrows aimed at his heart.
Breathing heavily from exertion, Drake hesitated. The bows strained tighter, and the blade at his neck pressed closer, drawing blood. Drake finally dropped his sword; two men broke ranks and seized him, pinioning his arms.
Drake struggled against them as the man with the sword stepped in front of him.
"Who are you?" he asked, sheathing his sword and studying Drake.
Drake glared at him, but made no reply.
The man raised his eyebrows, amused, but not surprised. "My name is Edar. We are the Sivians. You are trespassing on our territory." He said, gesturing to the forest around him.
"This isn’t anybody’s territory." Snapped Drake. "Anyone and everyone have the right to travel on it. No blood is supposed to be shed here." He added, straining against his captors.
"We recognize no rights." Edar declared. "This land is ours."
"I’ve never heard of the Sivians." Drake argued. "Who do you serve?"
Edar’s eyes hardened. "No one." He growled.
"I have to travel through here." Drake tried again. "There is no other way; I cannot cross the Neptunian boundaries."
"Then you are Dargothian." Surmised Edar. "What is your name?"
"Drake." He said reluctantly. "Second in command to the Stormblade."
"I have never heard of ‘the Stormblade’." Edar remarked.
"Well, if you insist on taking over this path, you’ll hear of him mighty quick-I assure you."
Edar studied him once again, than snapped his fingers. The two Sivians released him hastily, relieved to be rid of him. Drake reached down and slowly picked up his sword, sheathing it.
"You may continue on your way." Edar finally said. "We will find this ‘Stormblade’ and bargain with him. We want no trouble with anyone, but we must have a place for our wives and children." He raised his hand in farewell, and both he and his men vanished.
Drake took a deep breath. Where had these ‘Sivians’ come from? Would they be a threat in the future? And why hadn’t they killed him?


Meanwhile, Reba was busy gathering herbs for any wounded that might return. Several of Fox’s men had offered to go with her in case of any danger, but she laughed them off. She did, however, take Calvin with her. She knew that he was disappointed that Fox had not allowed him to go, and she wished to ask him about the world that he came from.
The two traveled deep into the forest searching for the rare gurro root, said to cure fevers better than any other natural herbs. As they searched, Reba asked Calvin question after question, and was amazed at how alike their worlds really were.
"But what about your king?" she asked. "Surely he must know about there being other worlds."
Calvin shook his head. "We don’t have a king; we have a president, but it’s different. And as far as I know, nobody but us knows about Dargothia."
Reba fell silent as she pondered this. Opening her mouth to ask yet another question, she suddenly spotted a gurro plant. "I found one!" she cried, and set busily to digging it up. Calvin stood over her awkwardly. He knew nothing of plants and herbs, and had only come because he could not stand another minute in that camp.
He glanced up, and studied their surroundings with little interest. Suddenly, he blinked and focused on a small group of trees of to his left. "Reba..." he started to speak, then breathed in sharply.
Reba, suddenly aware that something was wrong, stood up. "What is it?" she asked, then she gasped as she, too, saw what Calvin did.
From behind the clump of trees, five men slid into view. They were dressed in green, and all carried open blades.
"Who are they?" Calvin whispered, putting his hand to his sword, grateful that he had thought to wear it today while at the same time hoping that he wouldn‘t have to use it.
Reba closed her eyes and placed a hand on her swollen belly. "They are called the Jarlings. I do not know who they serve."
The Jarlings surrounded them, swords held steady, as their leader spoke, arrogant with authority. "I am Rhayden. What do Dargothian rebels want so far from their camp?"
Reba warned Calvin with her eyes to be silent as she answered Rhayden. "We are searching for herbs to tend to our wounded. We did not know how far we had strayed."
Rhayden studied her carefully, eyeing her swollen belly. "Surely your husband knows you are out with another man?"
Reba flushed angrily, but she held her temper. "My husband is fighting in the war, he knows what I do, and trusts me completely."
"Ah." Rhayden replied, as if that explained it all. "Just who is your husband anyway?" he watched her with narrowed eyes.
Reba stood as straight as she could, and Calvin glared at the Jarling. "My name is Reba, my husband’s name is Fox, leader of the rebels, known as the Stormblade to some." She replied.
Rhayden and his men stepped closer. "How interesting." he said quietly, dangerously. "The Stormblade’s one weakness, his wife. And I have found her when she has barely anyone to protect her. What a prize you would make for Xavier."
Calvin drew his sword. "Wrong, Jarling, she has me to protect her, which I will do with my life."
Rhayden shrugged. "You asked for it." he swung at Calvin, who parried his thrust, knowing that it was useless. He wished he could tell Reba to run, but even he knew that she, a pregnant woman, would not get far. She was back to back with him now with her own sword, protecting his unexposed back.
Calvin began to sweat as he tried to prevent the Jarling from killing them both. Fox’s lessons came back to him as he stepped and parried and blocked. But it still wasn’t enough for one who knew practically nothing about a broadsword to defeat a man who had spent his entire life fighting with one. His sword was knocked away, and he stood motionless with Rhayden’s blade at his throat.
Reba also dropped her sword once she realized Calvin’s position. Rhayden chuckled with malice. "So should I kill you both and just bring your heads back to the king, or do you think that he could use you better alive?"
"Go ahead and kill us, you pig!" Reba spat. "Should be easy for you , considering everyone else you have probably killed!"
Rhayden put his hand to his chest in mock drama. "Everyone else?" he asked with fake pain. "There wasn’t anyone else, unless of course, you mean a spy that had to be executed. Her name was Falina. Does that name sound familiar to you?" he asked with a sneer as Reba’s eyes opened wide with shock. "Yes, she was the king’s handmaiden. He favored her highly. Too bad she was a traitor."
"Murderer!" Reba hissed, and threw herself at him. Caught by surprise, Rhayden pulled a dagger from his belt and stabbed her with it as he stumbled backwards. Reba fell forwards, and fell to the ground with a moan.
"You killed her!" Calvin screamed, and fought madly as they tried to restrain him. Rhayden shrugged callously. "One less rebel to worry about." He said, and helped to drag Calvin away, into the darkest part of the forest.


Drake reached Dargothia around midnight. He went to a house at the back of an alley, and slept there until noon. When he woke up, he tipped the woman who lived there, and began his search for Fox, Ming and Josh. They were waiting for him inside a tavern, positioned in the slums of the city.
Upon entering, Drake spotted Fox conversing with a figure dressed in green. It was Edar. Josh and Ming sat beside them. Drake allowed himself a stare of disbelief before he stalked across the room. Pulling up a chair, he sat down between them.
Keeping his face expressionless, he spoke. "You know what, Edar? I’m not even going to ask how you got here. Because I don’t really want to know." He raised his hand, gesturing the waitress to bring him a shala.
Edar grinned. "We simply traveled straight to the city, through the forest, than asked around, looking for the ‘Stormblade.’ Everyone in the slums seems to know you, Fox." He added in admiration.
"I used to live here." Fox responded, looking into his cup and swirling its contents. "Several years ago, these people were subjects under the king’s cruel reign. There was no one to lead them in a rebellion. They were unhappy, upset, and dangerous."
"And now?" Prodded one of Edar’s men, who had just stepped up behind them. He was young, with a rust colored beard and blue eyes that shone with the fire of youth. Ming looked up at him in awe.
"They are still unhappy, and still dangerous." Fox answered quietly.
Drake tapped his fingers impatiently for a moment. "And we are strong!" He finally burst out. "When Fox became our leader, we realized that we could do something about their situation. So we moved into the slums, the dark part of Dargothia. When the time is right, we will rise, and Xavier will fall, along with any who support him." He glowered at Edar, as if he expected him to declare himself loyal to the king.
Edar met his gaze levelly. "I was just taking to Fox-before you arrived, Drake- and he was telling me about your rebellion. Correct me if I am wrong, but I understand that there is not yet enough of you to make a difference in a battle, no matter how strong you might be in spirit."
"Aye." Drake replied grudgingly. "But surely only another hundred would be enough to turn the flow of the tide in our favor."
"Hmmm." Edar speculated for a moment, than turned to the young man behind him who had spoken. "What do you think, Delmar? Should we make up the difference?"
Delmar gripped his sword hilt eagerly. "We are only fifty, milord," he said to Fox, while trying not to stare at Ming, who watched him from under her eyelashes. "But we make up for our numbers with our skills. And if, because of us, you were to win, you could show us gratitude by giving us a place to live-our own territory."
Drake laughed aloud, the stress lines about his face disappearing for a moment. "You have quite a bargainer there," he told Edar. "You should listen to him, Fox." He added.
Fox also chuckled. "What say you, Edar?" he asked.
Edar stroked his chin. "I think that very soon I’ll resign from leading my people, and give the job to Delmar. But, for now, we will fight for you-if you will allow us to live in the forest in peace."
"Agreed." Fox said. "How shall we start?"
"Why not the palace?" Delmar offered. "It will be the most guarded, but if that were taken, the rest of the city would not be hard."
Drake grinned. "A man of my own heart." He said. "I’m with him."
"So, you’re just going to attack a well guarded palace in hopes of being able to take it over?" Josh questioned in disbelief. Ming shuddered at the thought.
"That is what war is." Delmar jumped to his leaders’ defense. "Don’t worry." He comforted Ming. "It would be far more simpler and less dangerous than meeting them in open battle."
"But a palace?" argued Josh.
"It’ll work;" interrupted Drake, "If we can distract the palace guards first. Make them think that another part of the city is being attacked. And when they go out to secure that, we move onto the palace. Va la!"
"Great," said Fox. "You distract, we’ll attack."
"What!" Drake exclaimed. "What do you mean, me distract?"
"Exactly what he said." Answered Edar smoothly. "Delmar, you’re with him."
Delmar saluted hastily, obviously disappointed at not being able to join the ‘real’ fight. "Aye, sir."
Fox glanced at him. "Don’t worry, Delmar. You’ll still get to be in a fight. Just do this first."
Delmar saluted again, causing Drake to sigh disgustedly as he got up. "Shall we go now?" he asked Delmar.
"Yes sir!" he responded smarty, trying to impress Ming.
Drake rolled his eyes.


Delmar took great pride in being the youngest Sivian warrior under Edar’s command. He didn’t realize that pride was a fault. He was disappointed at not being able to join the fight immediately, but one of the first things he had learned was to obey orders no matter the circumstances. He also knew that if they succeeded, Ming would surely be quite impressed; maybe she would run to him afterwards, her long black hair streaming out behind her. He would pick her up and….Delmar came back to the present with a jolt. He was following Drake through the winding streets, coming closer and closer to the city square. They were both dressed in black, with red capes swirling behind them.
When they reached the last block between them and the square, Drake pulled out his sword, and Delmar did likewise. Just as they were about to attract the attention of the bailiff and his men-who were lounging near the town’s stables-Drake tensed.
"What’s that noise?" he asked.
Delmar shrugged impatiently. "I don’t know. Sounds like a gathering in the market place. Probably somebody being punished."
Drake sheathed his sword. "Let’s go see."
"Are you out of your mind?" Delmar gaped. "We don’t have time to deal with anything but distracting the bailiff."
"Oh well." Drake replied.
They hurried back the way they came, turning down new streets and alleyways until they reached the public whipping platform. There, tied to the post, was a young dark-skinned woman. Her long brown hair was knotted and tangled as it mixed with the blood oozing out of the deep cuts that covered her back.
Delmar looked at Drake and saw him working his jaw angrily. "Drake…" he started.
"Go back to the tavern," ordered Drake, pulling out his sword. "Tell Fox to attack the palace from the rear. I’ll be making a distraction all right, but not where he wants it."
"But," Delmar tried to protest, but Drake got into his face.
"Look, Delmar, I like you. Don’t make me kill you. Do as I say, and don’t worry. I know what I’m doing."
Delmar turned to run but then stopped.
"Drake, let me help you." He said, unmilitary-like, forgetting about Ming.
Drake didn’t hesitate. "Let’s go!"


Zaya squeezed her eyes shut tightly, and braced herself, clutching the pole she was bound to. The excruciating pain from her bloody back almost blocked the sound of the whip strokes.
Between waves of unconsciousness, Zaya heard a loud voice speaking, but she couldn’t make out the words. The whip was still falling once, twice more, a third time. She willed herself not to scream in agony.
Finally, the whiplash stopped. Zaya did not dare to move, for fear of her back ripping open even more than it already was. Someone cut the ropes that held her hands above her head. She fell to the blood soaked ground, unable to stand.
A rough hand grasped her coffee colored shoulder and this time she did cry out, shrinking away and glancing up at the same moment. The face that came close to hers was blurred, but she would have recognized it anywhere.
"Drake!" she cried softly, rolling the r.
He quickly brought his finger to her lips. "Shhh." He whispered. "Save your strength. We have to get out of here."
Zaya scowled. I am not going to run from my enemies." She argued unreasonably. "And you should be attacking the palace, not saving me!"
"I know, I know." Drake said quickly. "But we don’t have time for this. Here, get up."
He stood up, helping her to her feet carefully. Zaya looked and saw a young man with a short sword fighting the king’s guards.
Zaya wanted desperately to ask Drake who the other young man who had suddenly come to her rescue was, but the pain from her back numbed her entire being.
"Just a little farther," Drake kept whispering as he parried a sword thrust from a single guard and kicked him away. "Not much longer now…"
She tried to keep on walking, to focus on anything but her back, but she failed, and slipped slowly into unconsciousness.

When Zaya fainted, Drake was at a loss of what to do. He knew that the palace would be finding reinforcements, and that Delmar couldn’t last much longer by himself. He didn’t have much time to do anything, much less find a place to hide Zaya.
Curse it all! What had she done to make them suspect her so? He gently picked her up, glancing down at her dark skin. He felt her warm blood cover his arms. He needed to get her someplace safe, where she could be taken care of, and soon!
He carried her down several streets, traveling down an alley until he reached a side door of the house he had slept in that morning. Already, he was beginning to hear shouts in the distance. Making sure that nobody had followed him, he kicked the door with his boot several times. After a moment, it opened a crack, slowly.
Exasperated, Drake stuck his foot into the opening and shoved it open brutally. The young woman behind the door gasped as she stared at Drake and Zaya. "What happened?" she demanded, finally finding her voice.
Drake’s eyes flashed. "I do not have the time to tell stories." He snapped. "Where can I put her?"
The woman put her hands on her hips. "No one comes into this house and puts us into danger without a good explanation." She said, lifting her chin a little, gesturing to the three young children that hid behind her skirts.
"Look," said Drake desperately. "I’ll keep them away from your house if you’ll just help her. She’s already lost a lot of blood. Please tell me where I can put her."
The woman glanced at Drake and than at Zaya in the agony of indecision. She looked at the children nervously, than finally sighed. "You can put her in the bedroom." She said, leading the way. "I don’t know if I can help her, but I’ll try."
"That’s all that I ask." Answered Drake, setting Zaya down on the bed gently. He turned away. "I’ll be back, and I’ll tell you whatever you want to know."
The woman began preparing to wash Zaya’s back. "And if you don’t?" she asked, not looking up.
Drake hesitated. "I will be." He lied, than hurried out the door, loosing his sword as he did.