PANGERAtTH

North in Piramesses, Yedda and the brothers have been invited for a birthing day dinner at the Queen’s request.

As they clean up around the cabin there is a knock on the door. Opening the door Yedda finds a courier holding a package. “Miss, please accept this gift on behalf of the Queen, for tonight’s celebration.”

Smiling she takes the package, saying “Thank you and please tell the Queen, thank you very much.” She tries to close the door, but the courier pops his head in before she can, and anxiously states” Miss I will bring you to the celebration whenever you and your companions are ready. Please take your time I will wait outside.” He then shows her the decorated horse and carriage behind him. Her eyes sparkle wide at the beautiful carriage awaiting her, all this for her. She is not used to all this attention. Flattered, she says “Thank you so much, we shouldn’t be too long.”

Turning back inside she places the package on her bed, opens it to find the beautiful emerald stiletto’s, the kind she not so elegantly drooled over in the shop, her mouth drops “By the goddess.” The brilliant luster of the long thin diamond heel sparks in her eyes. Not knowing if she could even stand in these, let alone walk. She cares not, for these shoes are worth it, and he will be there, and she is sure he would like to see a woman, not a tomboy, so she will endure the broken ankle for him and for the shoes. Beneath the praised shoes is a long shiny and smooth emerald dress, a kalasiris, as well as two small shirts and two shendyt’s, men’s wraparound skirts, as well as laced footwear. Taking the goods out the package and placing it on her bed she looks over to Kri and Spri.

“Uh-uh, No! Way!” Kri says, folding his arms and tapping his foot. “I can’t wear that... I’d be the laughing stock.”

Yedda turns to look back, with a blurted chuckle she says, “If I’m willing to do this Kri. Come on it’s the latest fashion, all the men of importance are wearing it, and anyways who do you know here besides us?”

“That’s not the point. Anyways I’m not important enough to wear that so…”

As Yedda laughs and inspects her clothing Spri looks at Kri, raises his eyebrows then shifts his eyes to Yedda. Kri acknowledges what he is trying to convey, its Yedda day.

He concedes “Alright I guess it couldn’t hurt for one day…ugh” unwillingly he briskly snatches the clothing from Yedda’s bed.

They go about their business and slowly take turns to dress in the backroom. A room to house the wood for the fireplace as well as the cutlery, dishes and food storage. Placed there is a table and chair with a polished metal mirror, brushes, hair ornaments, ribbons, and cosmetics. Things Yedda has yet to use as there was no purpose for such excess in her village. Normally she would shun such things as being too girly for her, but today is a special day and a certain someone will be in attendance, so she must try and make a good impression.

After dressing and fixing themselves up and putting on their winter clothing, they go outside to the awaiting horse and carriage which slowly parades them through the streets it’s chiming sleigh-bells ringing. People stop and stare, wave and smile, some children run alongside, following it all the way to the pyramid steps.

Kri, loving all the attention stands on the edge of the carriage waving back forgetting the skirt he is wearing, cold air rushes upward forcing his knees to clinch and fall back to sit and jitter.

Pulling up to the palace. Helped out of the sleigh they walk into the palace and up the flights of stairs, following the music to the dining area they reach a finely dressed man in a white suit and tails with a top hat.

He announces them after twice tapping hard his golden bejeweled staff to the floor. “NOW ARRIVING, MISS Yedda, SIR Spri, and SIR Kri.:

Their eyes survey the gawking curious room. Beautiful and elegant couples sashay across the dance floor. Twirling they sneak a peek over their partner’s shoulder at everyone arriving.

Yedda’s face drops and heart races when she notices Ali proudly statured and walking towards them. ’oh man, I look ridiculous.’ She looks down at herself. ‘Oh, my goddess look at my belly, this dress is way too tight, shoes are too tall, oh and my hair is just not working tonight. Seriously?’ Nervously brushing her dress, she tries to fix her hair which is perfect and not in need of fixing, not even the one long red curly strand that hangs softly down the right side of her face and seems to evade replacing. Spri taps the diamond tipped toe of her shoe and whispers up “You look amazing Yedda, don’t worry. A deep sigh as she looks down, smiles and mouths, thank you.

Never had she ever thought she, of all people, would be among such nobility, it’s overwhelming. If only her mother could be here on this special day and see her dressed so graceful.

The curious room seems to hover as Ali approaches Yedda.

Snooping groups of guests convene to look-on at the newcomers the prince is attending. He never does that for anyone, not even dignitaries from other kingdoms.

If the music had stopped just then you would have heard the hush of whispers, for the nobility have no gossip on these finely dressed visitors as they do not look as they did the day they arrived. Strange how simply a change to a fine ensemble can blind an onlookers judgment.

The prince, dressed in a long, fine, and form-fitting white coat buttoned up to a V-shaped neck exposing his toned caramel skinned mid-chest. A Dark green and gold trimmed sash is tied around his waist matching precisely the color of Yedda’s dress.

Unknowingly gawking, Yedda surmises ’Did he pick my dress, it would seem too coincidental we are matched so.’ The only thing she is missing is a ceremonial sword as Ali’s, which is sheathed in gold and jewels and hanging at his left.

Realizing she is staring and not wanting to look a nervous blubbering girly girl, she looks down and skittishly removes her winter coat, handing it to the attendant girl.

Looking up, expecting Ali to be there, only to find he had stopped before reaching her. His eyes wide and stunned, as are the brothers who stand to her right looking up in a daze at the girl turned woman before them. With just a removal of a winter coat, a transformed child is replaced by a beautiful, elegant young lady. The gorgeous dress inadvertently causes her posture to stand elegantly and proud as she wonders why everyone is staring.

Her long red curly hair is tied back with a dark emerald ribbon with only the one aforementioned straggler falling over her face. Her lips moistened and red from berry juice she applied at home. The long sleeveless gown of emerald green and gold trim hovers just above the floor, and her bejeweled shimmering shoes that catch the light of the room sparkle as does her eyes of jade.

The hanging neckline of the dress reveals a beautiful golden flutter-fly against her now flushed chest, its wings opened and outlined with emerald gemstones. She places a lighter green shawl over her shoulders attaching it with a flutter-fly diamond brooch.

Kri, never noticing what has always been there picks his jaw off the floor and stands speechless for once, just batting his eyes.

A flush Ali approaches. Bowing he reaches out his sweltering right hand “My lady please do me the honor of escorting you to the table.”

“Awwww…” whispers Kri, who is immediately tapped by Yedda’s shoe and hushed by Spri. Ali expresses a hidden smirk.

Yedda takes gently his hand, he rises to meet her beautiful white smile and sparkling green eyes staring into him as well.

As they walk, musicians in the back of the room play soft music.

Constantly looking to his left at Yedda, Ali is in awe at what he sees. He whispers close to her ear “Yedda you are truly a wonder to the eyes. This kingdom as you have said is full of beauty and marvels. Yet they are but a backdrop to you, for there is nothing in all Pangerath more alluring, more magnificently beautiful than the woman honoring me with her presence. Thank you. You are truly the belle of the ball, Happy Birthing Day”

Her cheeks blush, her heart flutters and throat tightens, Yedda sighs a deep sigh as she looks to Ali on her right. No one has ever made her feel like this. This is not her, not her life as she knows it, it all seems a dream. ’Why would a prince care for a girl from nothing, no namesake, no fortune, not even a home, why?’ Her mouth dries as she tries to swallow and comprehend all these thoughts and emotions.

Trying to make sense of it, ’It must be royal etiquette or something, he must say this to all the girls, to make them feel comfortable or something. Yeah, that has got to be it’ Assuming that she just smiles uncomfortably and says “Thank you Prince Ali, and I must say you look very handsome tonight as well. Also, thank you for all this, it truly feels like a dream.”

Ali nods and says, “Then it must be my dream.” Yedda continues blushing as she looks to the floor shyly. “Yedda you should be treated like this every day.” He professes.

Maybe just too shy, or maybe because everyone is still staring, she looks straight ahead avoiding any contact with his eyes, which have not left her despite the google of eyes upon them.

Looking ahead, Yedda’s eyes open in awe as they seemingly float across the floor and approach the graceful Queen, who stands to greet her and the brothers.

Dressed in a long red dress with black lace sleeves adorned with red roses. Her silky long black curly hair hangs down to the middle of her back pulled back from her face and tied with a large red ribbon. Gold dust shimmers throughout her black hair.

Yedda curtsies and says “Your majesty you are truly regal and so, so… beautiful. We thank you and your Son for the invitation, we are honored.”

Everyone gathers from the dance floor to take their appropriate seats at the long dining table, graciously nodding to the Queen and to the new guests as they pass.

The Queen smiles and gently takes Yedda’s arm in hers escorting her to her seat nearby. “Thank you sweet, sweet child. You, my dear, are a sight to behold to be sure, as told by the wandering eyes of the room…hehe. Most of all my sons. And it is truly our pleasure to host this special event, my dear. I hope you and your friends enjoy the evening, your evening, precious Yedda. You only turn fourteen once and it should be special. You are a young woman now my dear.”

Yedda slouches just a little, thinking of how much she wished her mother was here on this special night. As well as her best friend. Shaken free from the thoughts entering her mind by the Queen gently bumping her and winking, saying “Truth be told it was all my sons’ idea. He had never done this for any other young lady. I think you have lit a spark in him, my dear. Finally, someone got through hehe.… good job girl. Nothing makes a mother more contented than to see her child happy.”

Speechless, Yedda widens her eyes as she takes her seat to the left of the Queen who sits at the head of the table, Ali to her right across from Yedda. The brothers sit to Yedda’s left on stools especially made for them to reach the table.

The enormous table, with seating for all, is eloquently decorated with all types of foods. From meats to vegetables and, spirits to other drinks. The Queen looks and nods to her left at the servants, who then walk over to each of the guests and ask, “Can we help you prepare your plates or pour you some drink?”

Yedda looks up to the servant on her left “No, no, that’s ok, thank you I can handle it.” The servant looks at the Queen, not knowing what to do. The spoiled guests usually want to be waited on hand and foot. The Queen smiles and nods to the servant to fall back. She knows that Yedda is not the type of girl to be attended if she can do it herself she will. Her admiration for Yedda grows ever-still. A take charge kinda girl.

The brothers, on the other hand, spit out orders, asking to fill their wine cups as they stack their plates with a variety of meats.

As they eat and quietly discuss events, the soothing composition being played in the background, along with the assembly of candles flickering, brings serenity to the joyous evening.

At the stairs they see three of the queen’s couriers talking to the doorman who then walks over to whisper in the Queen’s ear. “Very well send him in” states the Queen, wiping the corners of her mouth with a serviette.

Looking at Yedda “I hope you don’t mind, it could be very important?”

“Not at all your grace…please.”

Looking frightfully uneasy the men walk over, two of which are carrying a large wicker basket. The frontman hands the Queen a sealed scroll. Taking the scroll, she looks at Yedda. “It’s Malus’s seal.”

Yedda drops her fork on the plate as her mouth drops. She and the brothers stop what they are doing to pay attention.

As the Queen breaks the seal a key drops. Picking it up she begins to read aloud “Queen Orpah as per your request here is your freed slave.” Yedda stands with the brothers and walks over to the basket. The Queen, thinking that there may be a person inside the basket hands the key to her courier swiftly demanding he open it.

Unlocking then removing the chain the courier lifts off the lid releasing a flurry of flies and an unbearable foul stench. Covering their mouths, they all stand back as the Queen covers her mouth and swats the flies with her serviette to look inside.

“By the GODS….” She cries on horror and looks to Yedda. Yedda looks into her eyes and immediately recognizes the shock, hatred, and sorrow, for she too has felt it.

Yedda must see for herself. She starts to walk, but the Queen places herself between Yedda and the basket, shielding her from what she should not see. Yedda looks into the Queens startled, moist eyes, nodding slightly” Please I must know who it is.” the Queen covers her trembling mouth, lowers her head and reluctantly stands aside.

Ali looks to Yedda, with a haunting look he pleads “Yedda…Please…Don’t!”

Yedda peers over the lip of the basket, gags and shouts a wailing scream as she jolts backward in horrific disgust. Inhaling a long deep quivering breath, her eyes widen, her hands shake uncontrollably, the hairs on her body stand erect. She stands frozen covering her mouth with her quaking hands.

Unable to hold back spatter from her mouth she falls to her knees bent over screaming, as tears mix with saliva and flood to the floor. The brothers grab a hold of her shaking arms “Come on Yedda, please over here, don’t look at that.”

On her knees, she turns away from the basket “Oh my god!” she yells out, “Oh my God!”

“It’s my sister Cherine…oh my God.” Trying to catch her breath she stands, moves in circles hyperventilating. Becoming dizzy she plants her hands on the walls hanging her head as she breaths heavily. Crying out in pain. “OH MY GOD, THAT WAS TRISTAN’S…Tristan’s…NO I am so sorry Cherine…I am so sorry.”

Cherine’s sullied rag covered body is curled up inside with knees tightly woven to chest. Chains still around her neck, arms, and legs; her once angelic face is now an emaciated grey, with dried dirt, and a permanent look of terror. Looking upwards, hardened in position. Her cheekbones protruded; her eyes echo the torture she endured in her final moment. Her mouth opened wide in fear, while her stiff cramped hands are raised as though pleading for mercy…none was shown.

“Take her out of here NOW!” The Queen demands.

Frightened and shaken, the courier motions to help pick up and close the basket removing it from site. The whole table is standing in horror and shock some taking refuge within their partner’s arms, some scurry out screaming and crying in each other’s arms. This does not happen in Piramesses, horrors as this do not really exist. Even in the great war, things like this were not heard of, children were not subjected to that! War was between men on faraway battlefields not where they eat and lay their heads, it’s unheard of.

Ali walks to go over to Yedda, who’s against the wall. The Queen looks at him, shaking her head no. She needs time. So, he sits back down, places his head in hands on the table, trying to comprehend and digest what he just saw, staring absently at Yedda, wishing he could ease her pain, not knowing how.

As the Queen goes to sit, Yedda turns to her, her eyes soaked in tears “I’m sorry, I need to go”. Lifting slightly the left side of her dress into her wet hand she runs past the Queen and Ali with head down. Holding her mouth, not looking at anyone she exits down the stairs to run home.

The brothers apologize and follow.

“Everyone out!” the Queen commands.

The startled guests hurry to leave, while the musician’s and servants walk back into the kitchen area. Ali goes up to his chambers.

The Queen takes refuge in her chamber and can be heard throughout the pyramid, mumbling and screaming, throwing things “How dare he…MONSTER!” Among other obscenities

In her cabin, Yedda goes to the back room to sit alone.

The brothers arrive shortly thereafter. Looking into the back room they see Yedda sitting hunched over elbows on her knees holding her head up, her fingers hidden inside her now freed hanging hair…crying. Uncontrollable heart wrenched crying.

They remove themselves from her site when she looks back at them with red eyes and snaps “NOT NOW!”

Sitting alone with her thoughts, her memories of Cherine and of how Tristan always worshipped her. How she never teased him or bugged him like the other sisters. ‘How can someone just take a young one’s life, she hasn’t even begun her journey through life when she was taken into slavery, then meaninglessly killed like that, who can do that to someone so innocent. She was the most innocent of us. Why?’ Anger and guilt are replaced by self-blame and her belief that she did not do enough to help her sisters, to help Tristan.

What was she doing here, why didn’t she just go to see the ancients on Hellwyn, why didn’t she stay behind to help Tristan.

Guilt is a powerful regret when trying to cope with loss. It is also the prelude to anger, that leads to decisions not normally made.

A knock on the door halts her thoughts “I don’t! Want to see anyone.” She shouts grimacing and replacing her head in hands.

Spri goes out through his smaller door on the side. Ali looks down as Spri opens the door saying in sadness “Sorry Ali, she’s not doing good, and can’t see anyone right now.”

Frowning Ali nods “I understand. It’s just I feel horrible, this was supposed to be a special night for her. Please when you get a chance, please just tell her I am so sorry and if she needs anything. I will be right here, anything she needs.” He turns and mounts his horse.

Spri closes the door starts to walk back to his bed. Climbing up he sees Kri sitting on the pillow facing the back room, his back bobbing with his head hung low. Spri asks “Brother everything ok? He has never seen his brother not joke or have a smart remark, never sad as it seems now.

Kri just nods his head, a slight sniffle can be heard.

Concerned, Spri says “Kri?”

Sniffling, Kri replies in a gurgled voice shaking his lowered head as he speaks “Did you see that young girl. I did bro…I have never…I never want to see anything like that again. And Yedda, that poor girl all she has been through, her home, her mother, Tristan, now this. What are we doing here bro? Why did we come on this stupid trip, why couldn’t we just stay at home and mind our business?” To have to see so much pain, it’s not right, I want to leave and go back home. I have had enough pain for many lifetimes. I just want it as it was, hunting, playing laughing…ahhh laughing.”

Spri walks up to stand at Kri’s back placing his hand on his right shoulder. Trying to console a brother who has never needed consoling “We are here cause our friends needed our help, cause they have no one else to help. I can’t leave. I especially can’t leave after all I have seen. And Bro, for all the pain she has seen, she still goes on. And Tristan…Tristan gave his life. The least I could do is honor him in some way and continue so his sacrifice wasn’t in vain. And Bro he did that for her and for a Minotaur he did not even know, how can I do less…how can I stop? I can’t… not now. Not until this is done and she and her sisters are safe again and back home. We need to help her, as strong as she is, she needs us, now more than ever she needs us, and we need to make her life better. We need to make sure that that girl in there can one day be happy again, hopefully, laugh again…OK!”

Kri breathes in loudly as he sniffs then nods his head in agreement” I hate when you’re so philatopical.” Spri tilts his head back closes his eyes and smiles.” Hmm. Oh, bro…It’s philosophical.”

A day to be celebrated turned to a night of sorrow and pain as they sit to their own thoughts. Drifting in and out of sleep as the night progresses into silence and self-prescribed solitude. Horrors that shall forever remain in future thoughts, shared by the Queen, her son, Yedda and the brothers, and all the un-consenting participants of this awful day.

Unbeknown what has happened this dreadful night is the kingdom of Tanis, who wake to a new day, oblivious to such horrors in the North.

Deep in Tanis’s hidden underbelly, the medic arrives as he does daily to change Tristan’s bandages. Still thankfully asleep and unaware of the pain that awaits his animation. Blurred dreams flash through his rem sleep, forcing broken silence with fractured mumbled words that echo through the dungeon that imprisons his body.

The stench of infection tightens the medic’s nostrils. The beaten swollen red flesh, carved from shoulder to tail, still seeps trickles of dark blood as he reapplies ointment tainted with poppy seeds to aid in the healing process while keeping its host lethargic.

Looking over to the sentry Angel who sits and watches, he explains “This will keep him out for a few more days hopefully. I gave him a more potent ointment, but he will probably still cry out as the infection subsides, but at least he won’t be awake and have to deal with the pain.” As he finishes wrapping with clean linens, removing the old to his tray, he gives Angel a subtle but heartfelt smirk as he exits, returning to his room.

Days later, Tristan, finally awakens to his own voice yelling out, “Yedda! It’s’ me.” Over and over again, frightening Angel from her sleep. Blinking his glazed eyes, trying to gain focus after days of sleep, the outline of Angel finally comes into view, accompanied by intense pain.

“Owww…ohhh,” the dried blood of his torn skin cracks slightly, painfully impeding any further movement. Recalling the whip at Mika’s hand, he queries Angel in a battered cracked voice “Hey Angel how long have I been out?” Subtly blinking and grinning, happy he is back she replies “Maybe seven days give or take. Do you want me to call the medic?’

With labored breathing, fixated on his chest, he replies “No, no, I’ll just try not to move too much.”

“Good idea. The medic usually comes in in the morning to change your bandages and reapply ointment, maybe you need it?” Quizzically she continues “You must have been having a nightscare, you kept yelling out Yedda.”

Trying to recollect the blurred fragments of the nightscare, puzzled, he says “Mmmm…. Yeah was scary and so real. I was on my knees holding her in my arms after a battle or something, it looked like her but older a bit and something different about her. She kept saying where’s my Tristan and you’re not my Tristan. Kinda freakin me out. Thinking about it now I hope she is ok, I hope it wasn’t some kinda sign, cause there is no way Yedda would leave me in here for this long. So maybe something is wrong?”

Trying to piece together his dream and what it could mean, Angel looks at Tristan and says, “I’m sure it was just a dream and they are all ok.” Still trying to encourage him, she continues “Maybe they just don’t know where you are or where you are being held. So many possibilities and as you said she would never leave you if she knew where you were. You told me she was your best friend, so I am sure she is doing everything she can, to find you.”

“Speaking of Yedda and finding you. Stephen Wals the royal commander came to see you a few days ago; he wanted to ask you if you knew of a white witch and if you were, in fact, a white witch. I told him he is nuts; how can a boy be a white witch.” Tristan rolls his eyes, like yeah heard that before. A subtle laugh jumps out when he thinks of when he met the brothers.

She continues “He said that there was a white witch in Piramesses with two brownies. So, it must be your friends…Right? They are probably just trying to figure out where you are. He was trying to make like he cared, but I didn’t tell him anything.”

Tristan slowly rolls to his side, sucking in the pain he forces himself to sit. Looking at Angel he smiles knowing it must be his friends “Yeah your right, I am sure she is searching for me. I just hope she will find me before there is nothing left of me.”

Angel’s eyes crease as she looks and laughs at Tristan.

Tristan also tries to laugh, but even breathing moves his skin slightly, which in turn shifts his scabbed tissue, sending jolts of pain through his body. So, he avoids the temptation, opting to just smile instead.

Hearing the laughter, the medic arrives in the room “So you’re up, good, good to see. And how are you feeling?”

Tristan huffs, like this man gives two hoots about him, annoyingly he says, “Well could be better, no thanks to you and your friends.”

“Ugh…” sighs the medic walking towards Tristan’s cell. Opening the door, he says “Nothing to do with me, I heal not harm, so please do not insult me. Angel and I already went through this.”

Angel speaks up “Actually Tristan he has been here every day tending your bandages, I also thought he was like them, but he is not. I really think he cares.”

“Well…finally. Thank you, child” smiles the medic.

Tristan twitches his mouth as he looks at the medic inspecting the bandages, who then looks up and says “Ok so I’ll have to replace these, too much dirty blood on em still. Have to make sure they don’t get infected.” He slowly unravels the bandages, taking care not to hurt Tristan much more. Tristan shudders as the dried bloody bandages are removed and the stench of rotting meat occupies the area.

Impressed the medic says, “My boy, very nice, very nice indeed, your healing remarkably well.”

“Doesn’t feel well?” remarks Tristan, as he squirms his body.

“Yeah, and I can smell it over here” rasps Angel.

The medic raises his eyebrows and shakes his head then places new bandages and ointment on the torso and back, as well as his neck. As he tends the wounds talking and footsteps can be heard coming their way, the medic speeds up the bandaging as Mika enters the room.

Looking then finding the medic he inquires commanded-ly “Well is he finally ready, it’s been ages now?”

The Medic continues wrapping, stuttering in a fearful voice, he replies “Not yet… sir. His wounds are, are very deep. I would say at least another week.”

Raising a piece of parchment in the air, Mika growls “Another week, no way we have more contestants coming in and the snow is hardly containable as it is. He’s got three days, do your best, he goes in, in three.” He looks to Angel and smiles as he continues “No matter what…three days.” Turning abruptly, he walks back out of the room looking over the fight program.

Acknowledging what the medic has done, the chance he took lying, Tristan turns his head to say” Thank you very much. I am sorry I was rude earlier.”

The medic stands and taps Tristan on his right shoulder “No problem my boy, just wish I could do more.” With that, he walks back to his clinic in the rear and yells “Guards we need food for the boy in two.”

Tristan manages to stand, still a little hunched over, but the moist ointment is helping lubricate the wounds, so he can make it to the corner, near Angel. Sitting and talking all day until night they catch-up on what he has missed out on.

The next day in Piramesses, Yedda is awoken by a knock on the door.

Normally she would let the brothers answer, but she decides to wrap the blanket over her head and body and go herself, telling the brothers, it’s ok.

Opening the door, it is Ali again. He has been coming every morning for the past few days, but the brothers would not let him in, telling him Yedda didn’t want to see anyone.

He stands there in his winter coat, his right hand tucked inside at his stomach.

Looking curiously at him she notices movement within his coat, but says nothing, as he seems already too anxious. So, she just asks, with a somber tone “Hi Ali, how are you?”

He gently smiles back and says “Not too bad thank you. I just wanted to see how you were doing. I don’t want to disturb you though.”

“Thank you Ali, and you’re not disturbing me, I just needed some time to think. I am sorry for the way I ran out the other night. Please accept my apology and please apologize to your mother for me.”

“Oh, Yedda! There is no need to apologize at all. We felt terrible at all that happened, and you having to see… yeah.” He stops, not wanting to bring up that horrible night.

Yedda knows this so she offers up a soft smile and invites him in. Walking to her bed to sit she pats the top hoping he will sit. He does. Sitting there Yedda hears sounds coming from inside his coat “cha-caw, chirp”

Tilting her head, she looks at the coat then to him, coaxing she asks, “What is that, what’s in your coat, Ali?”

Ali looks down then up to Yedda, smiling he says, “Well I wanted to give this to you the other night for your birthing day, but after all that happened.”

“That’s’ ok Ali, I don’t need anything but thank you anyways. You’ve already done so much for us.”

“Well, I already have it so if you don’t want it then.” He reaches into his jacket; a light squawk is heard as he pulls out a small fluffer.

Holding it in two hands, a little smaller than the height of the brownies it stands nervously shaking and changing into multiple colors as its small brown beak chirps and its big brown eyes look at Yedda ‘chirp’

Her eyes open wide and mouth drops, her whole face in fact changes and lifts up “Awwww, ohhhh…myyyy…it, it is sooooo cuteeeee…. Ali … is that really for me?” In that one moment everything that has happened, all her pain, all she has seen, fades to black, replaced by the joy only an innocent cute, cuddly creature can bring. Radiant and blissful she stares and gawks at the little fluffer before her as do the brothers who sit across on their bed peering over at the little thing.

Ali moves his hands towards Yedda, who opens her hands to accept the fluffer.

Standing in her hands she starts petting its soft fluffy, furry, feathers. Ali says “I hoped you would like it. I hoped it would make you smile even for just a moment.”

Smiling ear to ear, something Ali hoped he would see as she excitedly says “Ohh…And it does Ali. It truly does. Thank you so very much, Ali. She is so… cute. Is it a she?”

“Not quite sure how to determine the sex of fluffers, we usually just name them not thinking of what sex they are.”

The fluffer looks up at Yedda, then starts to purr as it turns a bright pink color.

“Aww…look at that color… and its fur or feathers or both. Sorta reminds me of a little kitten or bird kitten, soft, cuddly. Look at its little ears and…haha, it’s got small wings like a baby chick. Can it fly?” A rush of excited questions brings a smile to Ali as he answers “No I ‘ve never seen em’ fly before. I think those are used to control where it goes somehow, like rudders or something. It can run really, really fast. Ha, sometimes it runs so fast it gets dizzy and falls. He-he-he.”

Petting it Ali says, “And can you feel the bottom of its feet.”

Yedda holds the fluffer up to her face and rubs her hands under its feet. “Yeah they are a little rough and sticky-ish”

“That’s because it can climb most surfaces, actually haven’t seen a surface it can run up.”

Furtively Spri starts to walk towards Yedda’s bed “Wow, that is such a great gift, Ali.”

Yedda looks to Spri “Now no hunting my fluffer.”

Spri stops where he is “Don’t worry I would never.”

Everyone turns to look at a wild-eyed Kri “What…I wouldn’t either,” he says while furrowing his eyebrows…like really, why always me.

Ali explains as he continues to pet it “See how pink it is. That’s because it’s happy. When they like a certain person they turn a bright pink and purr like that. And, they are completely loyal to that person forever. And if they sense danger, which by the way they can somehow sense from far, they will start flashing different shades of red to warn you.”

“Way cool.” Adds Kri.

“Awesome, especially for our journey.” Adds Spri.

Yedda looks down at the fluffer as she continues to pet it. “Really that is so cool. I love it, Ali… thank you so much. This has really made my day. I think I will call it…Kit.”

Ali smiles as his hand accidentally touches Yedda’s, who in-turn pulls back. He then pulls back his hand as well. Chagrined, looking to make as nothing happened, he says “That’s a great name, like a kitten?”

Yedda smiles “Yeah.”

Kit cuddles deep into Yedda’s stomach and wiggles down into her hands as it purrs evermore. A great warm smile comes over her face as she can feel the vibration from the purring Kit, soothing her to relax.

Ali stands, walks to the door, turns back smiles and nods to the brothers, then says to Yedda “Well enjoy Kit and let me know if there is anything I can do for you guys.”

Yedda remains seated not wanting to disturb her new friend. Looking up she graciously says, “Thank you again, Ali…I love it.” He smiles “My Pleasure Yedda.” Then walks out.

The brothers move over to Yedda’s bed and walk towards Kit. Kit removes it head that is now tucked in between her arm and stomach and stares with its big brown eyes at the approaching brothers, stopping them in their tracks as it flashes a dark red “Guys” Yedda, barks.

“Ugh…” says a coy Kri.

They sit where they are. Kit, showing its content, changes back to various shades of pink as it replaces its little beak between her arm and stomach…purring.

Days pass as Yedda and the brothers get to know their new friend Kit. Playing outside in the snow, watching it zoom around making a blur of itself, sometimes going so fast that when it stops it gets so dizzy it falls to its side, making all who witness it laugh out hardily.

Time has a way of healing, unfortunately not forgetting. But with friends around making you feel better, the pain seems to take a back seat, that is until you are alone with your thoughts once more. Companionship seems to be the only solace to roaming painful memories.

They have all become fast friends even the brothers are now liked by Kit as they take turns to pet and play with the little fluffer. Watching in awe as it runs up the wall and hangs on the ceiling of their cabin.

Ali arrives one day to speak with Yedda. Standing in her cabin with just her alone, in an emotional tone, he tells her “Yedda I hate to bring this up, but it has to be said. My mother has prepared your sister Cherine for whenever you would like to have the funeral ceremony. She thought about bringing it up while you were both practicing your magic together but thought it might be better to come from me. I am truly sorry to bring it up.”

Yedda lowers her head as feelings she pushed aside resurface. Taking a deep breath, she says “No, it’s ok I can’t keep avoiding what needs to be done. It’s not fair to Cherine as well. Can we have the service tomorrow if possible?”

Looking up, with downcast eyes, he says “Of course…I will inform the Queen and have everything prepared for tomorrow afternoon.” Ali looks to the ground then leaves the cabin to inform the Queen of Yedda’s decision.

Meanwhile, in Tanis, the cold morning brings not only shivered bodies of chattering teeth in the dungeons, but also the realization that today Tristan is to once again fight in the arena. Something he has not at all looked forward to given the last time he fought he disobeyed and was delivered into searing pain by the whip.

He tries to harden himself and remember spells he has been seeing in his dreams, hoping to end it fast. Standing up with his eyes closed and moving his hands around he whispers words and tries to see in his mind’s eye the outcome of those words. Angel watches but says nothing, not wanting to disturb his thoughts.

A couple of hours later the guards arrive, tossing into his cell a new shirt, the same type as before. Black leather with black leather armbands. “Not long now boy, better put that on.” Orders the guard.

Still, in some pain, Tristan puts on the new shirt over his still bloodied bandages.

Angel shakes her head in disbelief that they are actually going to make him fight so soon. She stands, holds onto the bars between their cells, her face etched in fright at the thought of her friend going through that pain again, or worse.

Glowering she says, “Now just go out there and get it over with, it is you or him, no need for you to get hurt more than you already are…OK?”

Tristan walks over, places his hands-on top of Angel’s, who looks down at the hands “Don’t worry…I won’t go through that ever again. I am going to try some new spells I have been dreaming about. So, when the time is right, and my friends come…I will be prepared. From now on I’m going to take this time to learn and become stronger.”

Angel smiles, nodding in agreement.

The guards open the cell and escort him to the main door to the arena placing the cloak once again on his shoulders to hide his face within the black hood.

Standing there he can hear the roar of the crowd as Mika gives his speech.

The guards open the doors to the deafening crowd. Tristan walks slowly out not looking at the crowd. His nerves now on high alert, he sighs a deep breath as he takes his place beneath and in front of the podium housing Mika, who lowers his arms to point at Tristan, yelling “I GIVE YOU THE UNDEFEATED…THE RETURN OF…THE DARKKKK…WIZARDDDD.” The crowd goes nuts. Tristan raises his head slightly to get a look at the capacity crowd.

Shaking his head, he can’t understand how people can so badly crave this violence, thinking ‘how can these people want to see me and someone else fight each other for sport’, disgusting, I don’t get it. Get a life, people.’

The crowd’s attention turns to the opposite side of the arena. As the doors open the crowd chants” BLOOD ORC!.BLOOD ORC!...BLOOD ORC!”

‘what the’ cringes Tristan.

A huge orc over 8-foot-tall stomps out and looks up to the crowd as he raises his large morning star, the top of which is all metal with long spikes protruding outwards.

Tristan looks on, his eyes bug-eyed now ’What the hell, are they crazy’ he thinks. ’This can’t be right; this guy is not going to fight fair with that huge weapon and it’s an orc don’t they hate humans?’

Fear and confusion overlap his face as he looks up to Mika who has a grin from ear to ear as he looks down on Tristan. He then says the words to release Tristan’s magic.

Realizing he has no choice but to fight, he nervously tries to think of a spell. The orc is so tall compared to him and obviously much stronger, so he thinks and thinks as the bulking orc approaches tossing sand into the air with his weapon.

Slightly hunched he starts tapping the morning star in his huge hands. Slobber from his thick, black tusked, rotting and overlapping teeth, falls onto the cold sand in front of him. The mist from his foul breath grows closer as he marches onward. Tristan can now hear the huffing from the overweigh bulging orc.

Finally, a thought has finally come to Tristan’s aid. He looks to the ground, facing his palm to the sands he yells out “FLUCTUS HARENIS!” The sand beneath his feet starts to shake. The crowd stops chanting. Bewildered, most begin to stand. The orc notices something is happening, so he starts to run, watching the sand in front of him. His heavy footsteps tremble the sand around his feet. The blood orc stops when he sees, before him the sand rising beneath Tristan, raising him into the air. Looking down at the blood orc Tristan yells out “SUPERIORES!” the sand rises even higher to where he now stands the same height as the standing crowd and high above the perplexed slow-moving Orc. A ramp of sand supports Tristan as he looks down on the orc who has started to slash at the wave of sand beneath Tristan’s feet, grunting and howling in a furious holler. His weapon has no effect on the sand for as soon as he swings and strikes it replenishes itself.

Tristan moves his right leg forward as he does the wave beneath moves with him, matching his steps and forcing the orc back as it does.

Mika gazes and stands now, along with the whole crowd who have never seen such a thing before, as told by the silence that has taken over the anxious crowd’s voice. Then like a conducted orchestra the awestruck crowd, with one voice echoes ‘DARK WIZARD!...DARK WIZARD!’ pumping their fists into the air.

Tristan gets a chill down his spine as the cheers encourage him, giving strength and overpowering his once nervous thoughts. He walks even faster, taking the wave of sand with him.

Leaping forward into the air, out-stretching his arms like a bird. The thick-walled wave of sand beneath his feet gives way, entombing the orc in a mass of cold sand. Only the tip of his weapon can be seen plucking through the sandy grave. Tristan falls and rolls on the ground, spins on his knees to face Mika on the podium and the orc grave in front of him.

The crowd chants as Tristan stands and looks at Mika with disgust. Bowing his head to the crowd Tristan walks towards the doors past the incapacitated, entombed orc. And like that, it is over. The doors open as Mika stands addresses the crowd “Your winner and still undefeated…DARK WIZARD.” The crowd shouts his name over and over. The thunderous applause increase, inviting Tristan to turn and nod slightly in acceptance. He has never felt such a rush of emotions, from fear to exhilaration to something he has never really had…self-confidence. He turns and walks confidently proud back through the doors.

In the dungeons, Tristan is greeted at his cell door by Angel who looks as though she has been pacing back and forth more worried than Tristan was. She excitedly says, “I heard you fought the blood orc…I am so glad you’re ok, they are crazy for humans those ones.”

Tristan enters his cell which is then locked behind him. Walking over to meet Angel at the rear of the cell he is all smiles” Yeah the blood orc…I was scared at first but then I thought of a couple of spells I dreamt of and it just hit me what to do. To tell the truth, it felt good to get my anger out and the crowd seemed to love it.”

Angel looks at Tristan curiously, thinking ’the crowd?’

She has not seen him care about an approving crowd before. At least he is safe, that’s all she cares about “That’s awesome. You know they don’t care about you right? The crowd that is, all they care about is the fight, the blood, no matter who wins.”

Looking back at Angel, Tristan quizzically says “I know that Angel…you’re the one who said just get it over with, so I did…as fast as possible. Now you look at me like I am enjoying this or something? You think I want to be here? I hate it here. I hate that my so-called friends haven’t even come to find me and that I am stuck in a cell day and night, tortured, starved with no friends in sight.”

Angel shakes her head then lowers her doleful eyes.

Realizing what he said he walks over to put his hands on the bars separating them and says quietly and apologetically “I am sorry. I didn’t mean that. You’re my only true friend here, you have been the only one to help me in this…” A disgusted look takes on his face as he looks around and continues “In this disgusting hell of a place.” He smacks the bars

They both sit in the corner on the straw ground near each other. Angel looks over and says, “I know I haven’t known you as long as your other friends, but I do consider you to be a great friend and all I have, so…sorry but it hurt when you said that.”

“I didn’t mean it like that Angel. I just…”

“Please Tristan, let me finish. I have been in this place longer than you for no reason at all. Only that the King demanded me, be here. I have seen people come and go from your same cell. I never got close to any of them because I knew that one day they would probably be gone or maybe I would have to fight them. So, I stayed away. Until you arrived, I was lost, you made me feel wanted again, you made me believe that one day I WILL get out of here, and most of all you made me not want to die. Your friendship did that, from the first time I saw you…and your sad eyes…. ha…I felt you needed me, which gave me purpose again…So even though I haven’t known you as long, I still consider you to be my only true friend and always will be. I just worry about you is all. The crowd and the arena can change you. I have seen it so many times, the grandiose of the arena can make one feel superior and forget they are locked up and have no will of their own. Just please be careful. I don’t want to lose that friend I adore.” Blinking slowly, she lowers her head, she has never thought she would ever feel like that towards another person, she was warned long ago by her parents to never trust a human, especially man. That her family is all she had and all she should ever trust. And to have the nerve to say what she just said, not knowing if it is reciprocated, well that to her is scarier than fighting in the arena.

Tilting his head and trying to look up into Angel’s dejected face, trying to undo what he unintentionally just did, he says, “Angel…you are my friend and I feel exactly the way you do. And your right the arena did change me just now and I am sorry about that, I guess I was just in the moment. One thing that will never change is my feelings for you; you have been the only saving grace in this place and I do promise one day WE will get out of here and WE will be happy…. TOGETHER far from here. I’m glad you told me how you felt, and I am glad you tell it to me straight that is what a true friend should be able to do, like Yed…; please always tell it to me straight.”

Angel opens her eyes to Tristan’s face that is trying to peer from underneath her bowed head, smiling she says, “You fool…I will always tell you straight, I promise, like Yedda, you can say her name you know she hasn’t forgotten you. She must be an amazing girl.”

Tristan laughs, “she tells it like it is, I’ll tell ya and she always called me a fool just like just did, ha-ha.”

Mika marches briskly into the room clapping his hands “Very good young one, very good indeed. Have never seen that before. But next time we need to make more of a show, more running around and magic and stuff. Ok?…. Ok then.” He walks swiftly past the cells and into the medic’s room. Tristan and Angel shake their heads in disbelief.

Tristan blurts out to Angel “I don’t get this guy. I finally fight and not cause trouble, yet it is still not good enough…whatever. Not here for him anyway and one day I’ll see him again. When not harnessed to his magic collar that is.”

“Don’t listen to him, he is never happy, it’s all about profit and entertainment. You just make sure you do what you have to as fast as possible in there. It’s not him fighting, so whatever.”

“And you as well, Angel of Death.” They both give a loud sparked laugh then cover their mouths while giggling.

Days turn to weeks in the dungeons. Tristan has gained more confidence and popularity with each win in the arena. Tanis and surrounding villages start to talk of the dark wizard and of his wins. Kids pretend to portray him when playing fighting. His banner along with the Angel of Death’s banner are the top sellers. They even bring privileged kids into the dungeons to see the champions and get an autograph, much to the dismay of Angel and Tristan.

Angel still warns him of not getting a big head, and for the most part, he listens. But he does seem to be enjoying the crowd more and more with each win and seems to stay longer in the arena after a win just to hear them chanting his name. His victories have even got the attention of a couple of harbingers, who have come on many occasions to see this dark wizard in action.

This day though the harbingers are all on their knees in Malus’s war room in the fortress near Bubastis. As Malus looks over his war table and maneuvers his troops around the map, he says, not to one particular harbinger, but to all “So tell me of any news from the North, from Tanis or that pretentious Queen?”

“My lord there has been no response to your gift to the Queen. As for drunkard King of Tanis he still has no clue our troops rest closer to his borders,” spews Sakkara, the fire priest, in his usual crackling, smoked voice.

“Good…good… anything else?” turning his head to look back at the four harbingers still on bended knee.

Sakkara looks to his right and the other harbingers who look down, so he replies, “My lord…um…there is a wizard in the league of legends called the dark wizard, that seems to be making a stir‑‑a name for himself.”

“Why would I care about a wizard in a pathetic game?”

“Well my lord it seems he has magic’s not unlike your own.”

Malus stops and turns, walks over to Sakkara, looking down on him. Sakkara lowers his head as Malus folds his arms staring intensely at Sakkara and the other harbingers “There is no one else who has magic’s like I do…at least not anymore.”

Peto, the water priest bubbles hesitantly, saying “We know my lord, but we have seen him perform magic not of just one class, but of all four elements. And he is but a child.”

Malus walks to Peto, intrigued, he asks” and…who is this child, this wizard?”

“We are not sure my lord, but a boy was taken by the lion a while back in the season of flowers, who upon capture, was seen in the company of two brownies and a girl, who performed witch magic’s when the guards tried apprehending her.” Adds a nervous Peto.

Malus sighs and looks to the floor “The white witch, she is the one, the girl that had the audience with the Queen in Piramesses…Hmm. Curious so it was not just a rumor as I had thought. And this boy…huh, I remember a boy from Treeden and I believe it was the same boy who tried stopping us from obtaining my dragon, a very pretentious young boy. Well, no matter now, they are of little consequence, they are but children and can do nothing. Our plans are already in motion.”

Fearing retribution, Peto lowers his head even further into his chest” We thought we had enslaved all white witches and killed the rest, my lord.”

“As I said Peto they are of no consequence. Once I deal with Tanis and they are still around. Then I’ll deal with them and if…” Peto interrupts “But My lord…what about th‑‑th the prophecy my Lord…Also, this boy could be…” Malus rolls his eyes again, sighs and says “Could be…? As for the so-called Prophecy…there is no such thing fool. Those are ramblings of the ancients and an old man, meant to try and persuade people to war, to revolt against me. Now, what are you trying to babble about this boy?”

Peto looks to his fellow harbingers who nod, urging him to continue. With a deep breath he says” My lord, could it be that the boy is um…well he would be the same age should the white witch you took that night 13 season or so ago, should she of had a child.”

“Malus stops his eyes peer into Peto” Preposterous I had cursed her to die should she give birth. Even if the child was mine it surely would have died in the cabin without its mother.” He paces, deep in thought…what if. ’It could not be’ he thinks ’of all things to have a child with, my most despised enemy…fickle is kismet?’

He stops in front of Setna the wind wizard and commands” Go to the cabin and see if there are any clues to its life and…” staring down he notices the harbingers all lowering their head, even more, he asks “What is it now!”

Setna raises his head” My lord we already went, and it has been razed to ashes. We found out it was destroyed around the same time some 13 seasons ago, and that only the bones of an adult were found.”

“Ok so there you go she had died and even if she had had a child the crows or animals must have ravaged it. If…she had a child.”

“My lord,” says a frightened Setna “If she did not have a child there would be no curse and she would have lived, therefore there would be no bones at all? Someone must have taken and raised the child. Most likely the same person the razed the cabin, for the white witch burn their dead.”

“Enough of this, that boy is not my child and even if he was, do you believe me to be a father that would care for it. NO, so ENOUGH! Now back to our plans.”

Eager to not push the matter more they all at once bow” My Lord.”

Resuming his pacing, pulling at his chin he continues but he is unable to focus for now this boy is taking over his present thoughts. “I assume if the boy and a witch were traveling so far north that they were heading to Piramesses for help, which the girl has already done, that is why the Queen was so interested in our slaves. Then maybe they would have gone to the council of the ancients on Hellwyn.” The harbingers look to each other curiously, their master never loses focus, he does not stray from course…ever. They refocus when Malus starts again “You say this boy has magic’s not unlike my own. He was seen in the company of a white witch. He could somehow be a witch or half-breed or warlock…hmmm.”

Standing and staring at the ceiling he mumbles.

“My lord,” asks Peto “Is all ok?”

Annoyed and with an absent look to Peto, he brushes his hand in the air “Yes, yes.” Nodding as he grips his chin he continues “Curious, very curious. I shall go see for myself….this dark wizard. When is the next tournament?”

The dismayed harbingers secretly look to each other, for Malus never attends these so-called fake tournaments. “The next is the league of legends championship which is in two full moons, master.” Replies Peto.

“Very well, make preparations for me to go to the tournament. All of you will join me, with minimal guards, so as not to alarm that fool King. We will move ahead of schedule for Tanis. It would seem the perfect excuse. Just before the tournament bring my forces ever close to the borders of Tanis. If I am to go to Tanis, I might as well pay my condolences to the King…on his short rule, and see this boy, this dark wizard, for myself.”

All four harbingers nod and say, ‘My lord’ then stand and walk out of the war room leaving Malus pacing back and forth, hands cupped behind his back in deep thought’ Peto is right, someone has raised the child.’

In Piramesses, it is a sad gloomy day. Yedda and the brothers are escorted by Ali to the rear of the great pyramid where a pyre has been set-up atop the small bridge that spans Lake Tyrn from Piramesses to the base of Hellwyn Mountains.

The tightly woven white linen wrapped body of Cherine has been prepared for her funeral and placed on the pyre at the center of the narrow bridge, surrounded by royal guards holding torches.

The Queen stands back and to the left side of the pyre, as Yedda and the brothers stand to face the front, with Ali at her right.

Walking over to Yedda, the Queen whispers softly” My dear…I am so sorry for your loss. Please take your time, whenever you’re ready just nod to the guards.” She then returns to her spot on the left.

Yedda walks slowly to the body atop the pyre, leaning over as tears drip onto the white sheer covered face, she whispers “I am so sorry I failed you, my sister, my friend. I swear I will get our sisters out of there Cherine, on my life I swear it. I love you and I will see you again someday.”

Backing away she looks over to the guards who stand at the ready and nods.

The guards move to the pyre placing the torches beneath the logged structure, setting the kindling below to flame.

With all heads lowered, they stand in silence. The crackling, smoking air in front brings to each, thoughts of their own mortality and how fragile and quick life can be, with no regard for status or age. That is one thing the rich and the poor the young and the old, everyone, everything living thing has in common, that one day they all share the same fate. We are all part of a threaded together energy, from man and woman to a rock and a blade of grass, from rushing water to the blue sky, everything is connected by this energy, unseen but there, and that eventually, all living things must return their energy to this fabric of life. The body may die but the energy can never die only move on to become part of this tapestry of energy until the next vessel is in need of it.

Yedda recounts times in their home, of playing and laughing, of Tristan staring at Cherine. Of Cherine’s beautiful contagious smile, and when Tristan and she were locked-eyed on his birthing day. Fond memories that bring a smile to Yedda’s face.

Ali walks over to Yedda places his right arm over her shoulder pulling her into his chest where she remains, reminiscing, as she sobs to the crackling fire warming her closed eyes.

Hours pass as day begets night. The once full of life, animated body of her friend is reduced to glowing fragments of tinder. Yedda looks on as the smoke and fleeting tinder’s rises into the air. She thinks to herself ’How a once vibrant young life can be reduced to glowing particles that float up to disappear into the air, then she is no more. How a friend, so happy and enjoying life is now being carried away so easily by an unseen gentle wind, never to be seen again. In this world. ’

She leaves Ali’s embrace and walks over to the radiant embers, raising her shaking hand she summons “Ventus Telarum” a spell the Queen has been showing her how to perform.

Nothing happens, so she tries again with more authority, this time shouting “VENTUS TELARUM.” Still nothing, Yedda looks over to the Queen who has started walking towards her. With heavy eyes, Yedda shakes her head, no and mouths, “please.” The Queen stops and returns to her place. Yedda walks closer to the ash. Wanting this to be over and her friend to be at peace she cries, amid a torrent of tears and conviction, and rage of heart “VENTUS…TELARUM!”

A spinning funnel of wind forms, grabbing the ash and embers. Yedda’s raises her hand as she continues to say Ventus in her mind, leading the wind towards the waters of Lake Tyrn in the distance, beneath the mountains waterfall.

The tornadoes ash hovers just in front of the rush of water creating a watered dimple, as resounding ripples spread across the vast lake.

She sighs and closes her mind. Removing her hand to cover her tear moistened mouth. Everyone looks on as the wind stops, letting the ash of her sister gently rain down to be embraced by the waters beneath and slowly absorbing her friend into the rippled current.

Returning to the group she looks at the Queen and Ali, and somberly says “Thank you both so much for this. I really appreciate all you have done for me. She, at least, is now freed and in a better place.”

The Queen reaches out to grasp Yedda forearm, saying empathetically “I am so sorry for your loss Yedda. I am sure she is in a happier place. If there is anything more we could do please do not hesitate to ask.”

Yedda places her hand on top of the Queens that is holding her arm “Thank you so much. I am just going to go home for now if you don’t mind?”

“Of course,” replies Ali, who rubs her back before she turns to walk to the back door of the pyramid on through to the front and on to her cabin.

The brothers nod their heads to the Queen and Ali then silently follow Yedda home.

Months pass since that heart-wrenching day. Yedda and Ali have been hanging out daily, and a strong connection has grown between them. The brothers notice it, but more on the part of Ali than Yedda. She senses his sentiments but does nothing to provoke or stoke them. She makes it clear each time he tries to get closer‑‑she either turns away or changes the subject of discussion.

Yet he is almost as stubborn as her, so he continues to try and garner some insight into where she stands on them as a possible couple.

She has more on her mind though, especially since releasing her friend to the heavens. Her thoughts and dreams of Tristan continue to haunt her. Her heart cannot be swayed to think of anyone or anything else at this time. She does not know why she continually thinks of him, maybe guilt or a desire for times long past and of the fun and laughter’s they once shared, or maybe it is his ghost haunting her dreams, upset she left him to die alone. No matter what thoughts or dreams she has, it has always the same outcome…sorrow.

All these months Tristan as well has dreamt of Yedda, but not of the fun times. His blurred dreams of clutching her in his arms as she lays dying, saying to him you’re not Tristan who are you, where’s my Tristan, constantly torment his nights.

While his days are filled with trying to find a reason as to why after all this time his so-called friends have not made any attempt at finding him. ’Where are they’ he thinks over and over, ‘What have I done wrong. I thought I was their friend. Was it something I said. Are they alive even?’ All these thoughts begin to take its toll on him, he tries to replace memories and questions with fighting, the crowd’s cheers become the laughter he once shared with Yedda as well as the reprieve from anguished thoughts. Each time he fought he won, but the repetition of winning did nothing to ease the pain and hurt he felt and what he believed was their abandonment.

The once happy times, filled with laughter and happiness, of friends and family, have been exorcized. Replaced by low self-worth and blame he places on himself for not being a good friend, why else are they are not there to take him away from this horrid place.

Maybe it is the isolation or the feeling of being abandoned, either way, it accumulates, each day his anger fills the void of loneliness. Minor things he would have let go in the past now infuriate him. A once optimistic happy young man is slowly replaced by a pessimistic hateful one.

His soul once full of love and compassion begins to vanish deeper beneath hate and fear, regret and pain, even his once vibrant relationship with Angel has diminished.

The only thing that seems to fill his feeling of being worthless and abandoned is fighting and the cheer of the crowd. Their praises seem to fill what he desires most, to be wanted again, to be loved. He does not realize that they do not want him or care for him, that they cheer as so for all winners in the arena. He does not hear that he hears only the adulation when they open the doors for him to fight, and fight he does and win he does, time and again, for he does not ever want to lose the feeling of being wanted, ever again.

When he fights and wins, he returns to sit dormant and despondent in his cold cell. Angel has tried daily, to reach out to her friend when she noticed him drifting further away from her with each fight. But he desires instead to practice magic’s and talk to himself, praise himself and his fights at times, even so much as calling himself the Dark Wizard.

One afternoon Mika arrives in the dungeons. All decked out in fine robes and gold jewelry.

Standing between Angel and Tristan’s cell doors. Looking down on them as Tristan hums words and Angel lays on her side staring at Tristan.

He clears his throat and challenges “Well prepare yourself the championship is nearly upon us. Then we shall see who among you, is the true champion of this house.”

Angel sits up, looks at Mika then to Tristan. Lowering her head in sorrow when she sees that Tristan does not even seem to register what is to happen. That a friendship lies in the balance. She yells out to Tristan “TRISTAN…how can you say nothing?... Do you even care anymore?... TRISTAN” No response. Not even a subtle movement. She hangs her head and sobs as Mika laughs and goads before leaving the room.” Ahhh friendship…ha-ha. Bit of advice girl. He is gone…time for you to prepare yourself.”

Tristan stops mumbling for a second to yell out “You KNOW who the true champion is?” Closing his eyes, he continues reciting words of magic.

Angel sighs and sniffles, lowers her head as a tiny tear forms beneath her eye. Shaking, she curls into a ball on the floor, facing away from Tristan. Amidst a mouthful of tears, she cries “Look what you’ve done to him.”

Tristan starts mumbling once again, Angel can hear him whispering to himself “You will all see I am the best, they will all cheer my name then everyone will want me. I am the best you can’t stop me. I hate you all, you’ll see, especially you for leaving me and...”

Angel closes her eyes. Her friend is truly lost. She has no idea how to bring him back from this pain of loss he has replaced with so much hatred.

In Piramesses Yedda has awoken to a bright beautiful day. The birds are chirping, children are running about trying to gather what snow is left to make snowballs. The scent of spring is in the air as the snow slowly starts to give way to pockets of green grass.

While Kit is asleep and purring on Yedda’s pillow she goes over, gently strokes her feathered furry friend. It slowly opens its eyes and gives a little chirp then gets into her hands. As she raises Kit to her chest she says, with a smile “How about we go for a little walk Kit-Cat” chirp-chirp, brrrruh.

Getting dressed she looks over to the brothers who are not in their bed. ’Hmm must have smelt the spring in the air as well.

Placing kit on her shoulder she walks out and heads to the gate and outside the walls, eastward towards the forest. After a long march she is nearing the forest, the snow-dusted skeleton of trees, outline the forest in the distance. Ahead of the forest she sees a blur of red and hears a distant high-pitched ping, like when a crystal glass is tapped with a fork. Looking around she spots its source, it’s a ruby fox, pouncing about in the snow. Its fur is sheathed with grains of rubies which makes its distinct sound and brilliant red color. They are not big enough to harm people, so she continues over the white wasteland before her.

Approaching the edge of the forest Kit who was taking shelter inside her coat, runs out and begins jumping up and down on her shoulder. Turning a bright glowing red, chirping and sort of mini-growling.

“What is it, girl. I don’t see anything?”

She can feel Kit’s feet vibrating, while she changes different shades of red. “It’s only a ruby-fox, no need to worry girl.” Off to the right, not far from them she notices a small mound of snow that seems to be moving. Then she hears whimpers. Slowly walking over, she looks down and sees a creature curled up in a ball, shaking and moaning. So, emaciated the ribs can be clearly seen. As it hears Yedda behind it, it rolls over onto its back…it is the blue imp. His lips are trembling as he looks up in fear at Yedda, thinking she may harm him. But he is too weak and unable to run away or defend himself. His still broken tail can be seen twisted and twitching on the ground to his side. His pure white pupiless eyes roll back and forth while his mouth remains open. Yedda bends over, the imp opens focuses its eyes wide in fear of what she will do to him. She whispers, “it’s ok I won’t hurt you.” Her soft tone and caring eyes relieve the frightened imp, he musters a sigh of relief then passes-out.

Yedda removes her coat and wraps the imp inside picking him up. As she does Kit jumps and chirps louder. “Kit we have to help him, or he will die out here.” Kit growls and runs to her right shoulder and the shelter beneath her hair hanging down the side of her head. Yedda holds the wrapped imp close to her as she rushes back to the cabin.

Arriving just before dusk Yedda, now shivering and blue-lipped as she enters the cabin. Shaking, she places the imp on the floor in front of the fire pit, unwrapping him from her jacket. She rushes to grab tinder and logs, shaking cold she tries to start a fire, but the words Ignis won’t form as she is too cold.

Finally, after rubbing her arms and grabbing a blanket for her and the imp she is warm enough to utter “Ignis,” erupting a flame amidst the tinders.

Kit stands on the floor facing the imp, her furry feathers are spiked and still flashing shades of red while it stands guard, trembling and growling at the imp before her.

Sitting on the floor beside the imp, Yedda rubs its body as the fire grows. Looking at Kit she says, “Its ok Kit he won’t harm us, he needs our help, the poor little thing.”

Kit looks up at Yedda blinks its eyes a few times then goes to rest on Yedda’s folded legs, not taking her eyes off him until exhaustion takes hold and they fall off to sleep.

Later, Yedda is awoken by the sound of metal knocking on the floor. It is Spri and Kri pointing their swords at the imp, saying” Don’t move a muscle—creature.”

Kri looks at Spri, excitedly saying “I swear it is him, he was the one.”

Yedda sits up and yells at them, moving in front of the imp she swishes the brothers away with her hands. Kit falls to the ground squawking at the brothers alongside Yedda.

” Hey what are you guys doing.” She says as she kneels in front to protect the creature.

Pointing his sword at the imp, Kri says, with a vengeful tone “That is the thing that was on the roof of the St Clair’s and I swear I saw it when we fought those soldiers…where Tristan d….”

Yedda looks to the imp who is curled in a ball, scared and shaking, but still too weak to move or defend itself. Her eyes widen and furiously sharpened on the imp “Is this true, did you have any part in what happened to Tristan?”

The imp shakes as it tries to raise its head and open its mouth to speak. His eyes terrorized, he can sense her anger, he has seen such anger befall him before. Taking a deep breath his eyes roll as his head falls to the floor, unconscious.

Yedda stares at the convulsing unconscious imp her fury almost got the better of her. Sighing to a lowered shameful, shaking head, she says to the brothers “Listen I am not going to kill a defenseless animal or creature or whatever it is.”

Spri pipes up “It’s an imp! The imp I saw sitting on a tree limb when we fought.”

“Ok, an imp then. I am not going to kill it. If it is responsible for what happened then we will wait until it wakes then ask it and if so then we will take it to see the Queen. We don’t kill.”

Kri tightens his jaw, peers at the imp, then Yedda arguing “Of course it will deny it, it’s scared and rightly so, it got T killed. And is prolly here scouting or something and will get us killed as well.”

Yedda closes her eyes slowly then re-opens them, sighing she says “Scouting, really, he looks in good shape to scout. He has been attacked or beaten, and by his body, he is starved, he’s not a scout. And we…are not like them, we’re not killers. So, let’s just wait until it is better. Ok….?”

The brothers reluctantly put their swords away. Kri storms off to the backroom mumbling to himself, “should be beaten and starved.”

Spri walks and crawls up to his bed vigilantly overlooking the imp.

Yedda turns and places her hand on the imps broken tail “Vigoratus.” A white light surrounds the breakage. She uses her other hand to straighten the tail as the light glows, mending it. She then gets up and goes to the back room to get a cloth which she uses to bind the tail in place.

Spri looks on shaking his head in disbelief at her virtue.

Days pass. Yedda has been at the imp’s side, taking care of it, feeding it, protecting it, and helping it regain its strength, before questioning it. It has not spoken, and she has not tried to make it speak…yet.

Its body has begun to fill out again. No longer shaking from fear, hunger, or cold. Its eyes no longer embedded deep into its skull. They seem glossier now as it sits up to sip some soup Yedda had brought it.

Kri walks in, slams the door behind him and walks straight towards Yedda. The imps head cowers, rightfully afraid of Kri and Spri.

His eyes never leave Kri as he moves towards him.

Yedda puts her hand out stopping Kri’s advance “Kri?”

Kri stops, tightens his jaw as he peers at the imp behind Yedda “He is better now. Don’t tell me he can’t DEFEND himself?”

Yedda looks back at the frightened imp. With a deep breath, she says, “Can you understand what I am saying?”

The imp looks up, “Yes”

Kri blurts out in anger “It can talk, see…. Who are you, are you a spy, why did you follow us?”

“Wo…wo, Kri, one thing at a time.” Demands Yedda.

As Yedda sits she turns to face the imp behind her “Were you following us at that home and then with the soldiers?”

The imp looks down in shame “My master told me to find witches white.”

Kri draws his bow and arrow from his shoulders and aims it at the imp “I TOLD YOU; get out of the way Yedda.”

Yedda moves her arm to block the arrow “Wait… Kri!” Sternly looking at the imp, she asks” Who is your master?”

Still looking down, his big white eyes look up in sadness “Master Malus.”

Yedda catches her breath as she rushes backward in horror, her eyes strain, her skin crawls as she looks down at the imp. Kri yells out “I knew it, that’s it. We need to get rid of him NOW Yedda before he can go tell Malus where we are.”

The imp looks up in fear “Master no more, Malus is not.”

“Of course, you’re going to say that you damn disgusting creature,” yells Kri. “You make me sick.”

Yedda remains calm and tries to calm down Kri “Kri…hold on a sec, PLEASE! Let me take care of this.” Trying to ease the tension and hold back her own anger she gently asks, “Why would you help Malus?” The imp sits with knees to chest, folding his wings around them “Malus hurt if I no do what he says.”

Yedda looks at his bandaged tail “He did that?”

The imp nods.

Yedda frowns as she looks into his frightened eyes. A lover of animals, Yedda is saddened by his plight, she can feel he is telling the truth “Kri put that away.”

“But”

“Kri…please!”

Grimacing Kri reluctantly puts his bow back over his shoulder and the arrow back in its quiver just as Spri walks in.

Spri looks around at the dead silence in the room “Is everything ok?”

Yedda nods her head as Kri stomps up to his bed. Kri fills him in then Spri joins him on the bed. With a black look on their faces, they look on, enraged at the imp below.

Kri, overcome with so much anger he continues to yell out “You have all the info you need. Let’s bring it to the Queen and been done with it. It deserves what is to come.”

Yedda looks at the imp, nods her head and says “I am sorry, but I have no choice but to bring you to the queen for trial. For aiding in the killing of my best friend.”

Shaking in terror the imp says, “Me no help kill anyone…me swear it, me only follow.”

Kri again yells out in anger “You followed us to the St Clair’s house, brought the soldiers, and in doing so our friend died because of you.”

The imp tilts its head as it ponders what Kri has accused him of. Then says” Me only told soldiers where you were, soldiers took friend away to Tanis dungeons. No died.”

Yedda’s lips quiver along with her cheeks she jumps to her feet in a rage. Does it think her stupid in trying to deny what it did? “WHAT?’ She shouts.

Spri and Kri stand on the bed their eyes wide, Spri says” Your just trying to get out of your part in his death.”

The imp looks up to Spri “No lie. Me follow soldiers to dungeons, to medicine man who take arrow out from friend.” Yedda folds her arms, paces, shaking her head as what she is hearing, she says” Your telling me my friend Tristan… is alive?”

The imp looks up at Yedda, nods his head and says, “Me not know name, me know boy who with you and bull man when soldiers come. That boy in dungeons for fighting in tournaments.”

Kri looks to Yedda who is shaking “Yedda he is lying, Tristan is not in a dungeon. We saw him fall. We saw the arrow hit him.”

Yedda looks at Kri, her eyes moisten as she says in a choked voice “But everything happened so fast, and we were rushed away so fast. Maybe it is true, maybe I just left him there…Tristan…”

The imp walks to Yedda and puts his three-fingered hand on her knee “Me no lie, you help me, me was bad then me know, but me no lie now. Your friend is ok. He is the famous dark wizard of games.”

Looking down at the imp her eyes squint as she thinks, then says” I heard that name before, dark wizard of the league of legends.”

“Yes. Him is.” The imp acknowledges.

She covers her mouth, tears fall from her eyes as she looks to the brothers who are finally speechless “Could it be him…. oh my god… did I leave him there? Has he been there all this time…fighting. Oh, my Gaia he must be….”

Spri and Kri both look at the imp then Yedda. Spri says “Yedda don’t, we don’t know if this is the truth, it could be trying to save itself.”

The imp, still with his hand on her leg looks up and shakes his head…No.

Yedda lowers her head as she closes her eyes, her lips tremble still as she looks down with tear-filled eyes at the imp. In a watered voice, she looks over to the brothers and says, “I believe him, but we need to find out for sure.”

The imp steps back and says, “I take you.”

Squinting her eyes and stepping back Yedda asks” What, how can you take us?”

Kri jumps down and stands in front of the imp” No way, it’s a trap, nice try. Yedda he is playing on your emotions.” Pulling his sword and pointing it at the imp’s chest, the imp steps back.

Looking at his tail he slowly begins to move it. He then removes the bandage and snaps his tail, disappearing, leaving a puff of blue smoke.

Everyone jolts back looking around for the imp. All that remains is smoke and a smell. Kri takes in a deep sniff, shakes his head “See I told you… I knew it. And I remember this same pine smell around the Muar’s house, but I thought you would all laugh…again.”

Just then the blue smoke appears on Yedda’s bed with the imp standing within it.

He looks at Yedda with enthusiastic eyes and says “Me take you, you save me, me no like Malus…Malus bad. You fix me now I can take you.”

Yedda ’s heart races at the thought of her best friend being alive, she sits on her bed in front of the imp, staring him up and down. Looking over at the brothers she insists “We have to try, if there is any chance Tristan is alive, we have to try.”

Looking back to the imp she asks” but how can you bring us?”

“Me can hold you, and when me go you go to.”

Spri, not convinced, and protective of Yedda, says “I don’t think so, she is not going anywhere with you. If anything, we will go, me and my brother.”

“WHAT?” remarks Kri.

The imp turns to look at the brothers “Ok, me take you then, me no care, me only want be paying back for helping. Me want to be showing you me tell truth about friend.”

A sudden knock at the door startles everyone. Yedda yells out “Come in.”

Ali walks in, looks curiously at Yedda on the bed with the imp “Hmm. I see he is all better. Do you need me to take custody of him?”

“No…no, it’s ok. Actually, we just found out something crazy. He says that Tristan is not dead and that all this time he has been in the dungeons of Tanis playing in those games you talk about. As the dark wizard no less.” Raising her eyebrows, she bites her lips nervously.

“Really, the dark wizard, and you believe him?” replies a skeptic Ali.

Yedda looks back to the imp “Well he said he would take us there to prove it. So, the brothers said they would go with him.”

Ali motions Yedda to come and speak to him. As she walks over and stands in front of him he whispers in her ear” Um…I hate to say it, but don’t you think it convenient that you of all people find it and knowing it is in trouble tells you what you would want to hear?”

“I Do…but I can’t take a chance that what it says is not true. What if I did leave Tristan back there and all this time he has been in a dungeon and fighting, all alone, all this time. What must he be going through and thinking? That no one has tried to save him. I have to at least see if it’s true.”

Hesitant, Ali nods his head. He can tell by her voice and sadness in her eyes that she needs closure no matter what the outcome. He would never fully have her in his life if she did not do this. Even if it meant he might lose what he has been trying to build with her, to Tristan.

Ali looks to the imp “What is your name creature?”

The imp tilts his head in wonder at the question. He replies in a low tone, with a great smile showing his white fangs “No one has ever asked name…I call Lucious.”

Yedda returns to the bed followed by Ali, who stares deep into Lucious’s eyes and says” Now Lucious if you are lying you will meet with swift justice…and I will serve it…Do you understand what I am saying?”

Lucious looks down and nods as his eyes look up to Yedda.

Kri says “Why can’t he just bring Tristan to us, if he can transport by touching why not go their grab Tristan and bring him here?”

Lucious looks to Kri, replying “In that place are magic’s and a thing on necks of dungeons people if they leave they be died.”

Suspicious, Kri squints and stares at Lucious, thinking ’This is a setup for sure. He seems too eager to bring us to Tanis. All these excuses, something must be up?’

Spri says,” Ok, you will bring us to inside the dungeons and we will see if he is there and take it from there. Maybe find a way to get him out. If he is there, at least he will know we haven’t forgotten him and that we will get him out…somehow. We’ll go tonight.”

They all agree and prepare for the journey to Tanis.

In Tanis, Tristan lays on the straw floor as Angel looks on at him. He has not talked to her in what seems like forever. He just sits with his back to her, moving his hands and mumbling as if practicing magic.

He is a scrawny and an unsightly, a bilious, mal-nourished boy. A poor reflection of what first arrived in the dungeons. His hair matted and eyes sunk-in with dark circles beneath. His skin a grayish sickly color as if his darkened soul has come to surface, replacing a healthy vibrant exterior with a despondent care-less one.

Mika walks in from the far corner, stands at the cell door of Angel. As he looks at Tristan’s back and Angel sitting in her corner, he announces “So tomorrow is the big day. All the bigwigs will be here. And guess what, you will both be in the arena along with a few others. You gotta love the tournament of champions.”

Laughing, he continues “Now let’s see how long this so-called friendship will last when you’re fighting each other, ha-ha. There can only be one winner. Will it be the angel of death or the dark wizard, or who knows maybe we will have a new champion? Just as long as we get a good show, that’s all that matters, right?” Smiling he says “Have a great… sleep. Oh yeah, I almost forgot…I warned you girl those many moons ago to not get too comfortable cause one day you might fight each other. Ahh…” He moves along to the other cells in the dungeon, looking back and still smiling.

Angel looks over to Tristan to gather any response. There is none.

With her friend lost she falls off to sleep, alone with her thoughts and fears of what is to come.

In the dark dungeons, the crackling of torches echoes through the halls accompanying the moans of the sickly and dying. Shadows unreachable by torches light suddenly become occupied by the brothers and the imp. They crouch in a corner across from Tristan’s cell.

Only the black silhouette of someone asleep on the cell floor in front of them is visible. Lucious nods his head to the form in front of them. The brothers look at Lucious then to the cell.

Standing silently they try to hear if any footsteps may be approaching, then peer out from the shadows to look around. A rat appears as Kri looks around the corner forcing a loud girlish shriek. Thank the Gods he is diminutive, for his shriek is not heard. Spri and Lucious look to him as he stands visibly shaken and super hyper now, with his palms up “What, it freaked me out!” he whispers.

There is no more movement, so they quietly creep into the cell. Nervously walking to the front of the motionless hooded figure before them their breaths sputter, they put hand to chest trying to ease their heavy pounding heartbeats.

Bending over to have a look at the hidden face. They stumble back and give a deep startled huff. It is, in fact, their friend. Not the clean, full one they remember, but him indeed. Tristan wakes to the gasps, his eyes frightened wide as he jolts up to his knees and rushingly crawls to curl up in the corner, hiding in its dark protection.

Peering down in front of him he realizes it is the brothers before him.

All the movement wakes Angel, who looks over, catching the eyes of the brothers she puts her finger over her pursed lips “shhh…” she warns them.

Still wide-eyed and out of breath at the shock of seeing Tristan, they acknowledge Angel’s plea and quietly, but excitedly say” T…. oh my god…Tristan, is that really you?” As they stare him up and down. What they see before them is not the chubby boy, but a skin painted skeleton glaring at them with a look of hatred and fear in his eyes.

“What did they do to you T…? Gulps a sad Spri.

Tristan hisses “My name is dark wizard now get out of here and leave me alone.”

Heartrendingly, Spri tries to explain “Tristan we didn’t know…I am so…so…sorry. We thought you died in that field. Yedda’s heart was torn out that day and every day since. We found out just today that you might be here. Then we came right away to find you. We would never have left you here if we knew, you gotta believe us, T?”

Kri stands forward and says, “We are going to get you out of here, just tell us what we need to do, and we will do it?”

“I don’t need! You so just get out of here. Why would I leave here…I am worshipped in the arena and I am strong enough now to take care of myself. I don’t NEED you! or want you! you mean nothing to me.”

Angel cuts in” Tristan they are your friends and so am I. We all need somebody sometimes.”

Tristan turns and glares at her and barks” Mind your business!”

“Listen we are not leaving you here, we will think of something then come back and get you I promise,” says Spri.

Tristan looks at the brownies and shakes his head “You don’t get it, I don’t need anyone anymore. I can take care of myself as I have been. You guys mean nothing to me and neither does Yedda. Your onetime fake friend Tristan, the needing trusting fool, is gone, he was far too weak.

I am more powerful and the undefeated champion, admired by all. You guys are pathetic. Now get out of here.” Tristan swipes his hand towards the brownies sending Spri flying and hitting the cell door bars, mangling his left leg and knocking him unconscious to the straw floor.

Kri runs over to his brother “WHAT THE HELL…. T…WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?”

Angel rushes to the door as well, bends over and tells Kri “He was tortured and made to fight when he did not want to. All he talked about was his friends coming to save him one day. Then after time and many…many fights, he just turned off… he left, he left me, left himself and everything he cared about. That why he took on the dark wizard, to relieve himself of Tristan’s pain, I’m sure of it.”

“Yeah well, we didn’t know. But there is no need to attack us when all we want to do is make up for what happened and get him out of here” replies Kri, bending over to lift his brother over his shoulder.

Angel follows Kri as he walks away, whispering and pleading for her friend” Please don’t leave him, he is still there, deep and dark, but there. He just needs to believe that his friends still care and won’t forsake him. I know, I have been here from day one with him and the pain he endured, the constant waiting took its toll. You must free him, or he will not survive.” She tries to think of what must be done before they leave. Hurriedly she whispers “You would need to get rid of Mika. His magic’s bind the collars that suppress our magic’s. With him around, we could never get out alive.”

Kri stops and turns, nods and says, “Thank You…?”

Angel replies “Angel.”

“I am Kri and this is Spri. We will think of something don’t worry we won’t leave him here again. You just tell him that we will be here. We will not leave our friend no matter who he thinks he has become.”

“If you can, tomorrow is your best chance as there will be a full house and most of the fighters will be in the arena, a lot going on. Would be the perfect time with all the confusion.”

Tristan yells out “GUARDS…..GUARDS…intruders.”

Angel runs back to her corner “Tristan, stop…please!”

Kri hobbles to the corner where Lucious is waiting. The guards run in with torch in hand. “What’s going on in here?”

Tristan points to the corner” There…. there…intruders over there.”

The guard makes his way towards the corner, with torch held high in the air, adjusting his eyes to try and see what is there. Only a faint wisp of smoke rises from the dark corner. Turning his nose up into the air, sniffing in, he says “What is that…smells like pine.” Not seeing any intruders, he makes his way back to his room. Looking back at Tristan he barks back “Keep it down in here freak.”

Back in Piramesses, Yedda paces anxiously awaiting the brothers return and any news on Tristan. Ali tends the fire-pit as she bites her nails, then says “Yedda don’t worry they will be f…” he is interrupted as Lucious and the brothers appear on the floor in front of the fire-pit.

Yedda runs over, as Kri lays his injured brother on the floor.

Ali stops poking the fire and rushes to his knees beside Yedda.

Grabbing Kri’s jacket, Yedda gasps “What happened, what’s wrong with Spri?”

Kri wipes his running nose then anxiously unfolds and straightens his brother’s leg “I think it’s broken can you try to heal it Yedda?”

Placing her hand over the un-twisted leg, closing her eyes she says “Vigoratus” a white glow surrounds the entire left leg healing the tiny bone inside “Get me a bandage…”

Lucious grabs the bandage near the fire-pit, the one used around his tail, handing it to Yedda she wraps the leg tightly for support, then looks to Kri” What happened?”

Kri sits back on the floor looking at his injured brother. Not wanting to look at Yedda who is anxiously awaiting news.

He feels terrible and does not want to tell her what or who he saw and how changed their dear has become, but he must.

Looking down and nervously biting his lower lips he tells her “He’s alive, Yedda. He’s alive.”

Chills run through Yedda’s body, she immediately stands to cup her mouth. With a shaking hand, she says” Oh My God… It is true then? T…Oh…Tristan is alive, Ali.” He just nods and lowers his head.

She walks to sit on her bed. Hanging her head, she grabs her hair in anger “And I left him there alone” her legs shake violently. Then, raising her reddened face and loosening her grip on her head of hair, she asks “How is he?...is he hurt, was he happy to see you and did he mention me?”

Ali pouts and his heart sinks as he looks over at Yedda.

“K girl one sec, my brother is lying here you know, please one sec,” grunts Kri.

“Oh…I know. I’m sorry Kri. I.. I just, I didn’t mean to not regard Spri, of course, I do. I’m just…Ok, so what happened to Spri?”

Kri takes a deep breath trying to think of a way to make it sound as bad as it looked, ’here we go.’ Closing his eyes slowly, then clinching his jaw he hardens to look at Yedda and says, “Tristan did this to Spri.”

Squinting and twisting her head, flummoxed at what he just said, she says” What are you talking about. Tristan would never do this; how could you say that?”

“Listen Yedda, I’m sorry but it’s true. He got mad and hit Spri into the cell bars. He…um.. he’s not the same Yedda, he’s not our T anymore.”

Yedda sternly stares at Kri, mad at his accusations and assumptions, shaking her head she demands “What do you mean not the same. It is Tristan right?”

“Yeah but not the Tristan we remember. He has…like taken on this dark wizard persona, like to the extremes. I think he blames us for not helping him and abandoning him. When I looked into his eyes it was…”.

“It was…WHAT?”

“Evil…Yedda, pure hatred and evil…he wasn’t there, and he doesn’t want our help. He said… he said he is powerful enough now to take care of himself and…he doesn’t need or want us, and that we mean nothing to him any longer.”

Yedda stands, her face flush as she grinds her teeth, her eyes fall along with her mouth “It is my fault. I should have never left without knowing for sure. He hates me, and I don’t blame him. He must have thought I didn’t care or that I didn’t lo..” Ali turns away from hearing it.

Kri walks over and places his hand on her leg “Yedda…there is no-one to blame. We all thought he died. How could we have known? And we were rushed off by Bala before we could do anything, Tristan told him to get us out of there as well.”

Yedda sits back on the bed. Kit turns a dark shade of blue as she comes to sit and purr on her lap, looking up at Yedda with her big sad eyes she can feel Yedda’s pain. Yedda strokes kit, emotionally saying “I don’t’ care what he said we should have gone back, we should have stayed and fought. I should never have left my best friend there alone. And then to know he has been in that place for so long, wondering where I was, why I didn’t come to get him. He must have felt so unwanted. I changed him, I did this!”

Ali gets up to go sit beside Yedda. Placing his arm around her and rubbing her shoulders he says in a comforting tone” Yedda you can’t blame yourself. No one could have known. What could you have done, you can’t fight trained soldiers alone. You would have been taken as well and been rotting in the dungeons. At least now we have a chance to save him.”

Yedda turns her head to Ali. Wiping her eyes and running nose she sniffles” Your, your right Ali. I can try to make up for it and hope he eventually forgives me. We need to get him out of there. NOW!”

Walking over to sit by his brother, Kri looks up to Yedda knowing he must tell her all, he says” Yedda…” Sighing “Yedda…there was this girl there, Angel, in the cell beside Tristan’s. She said that one of the reasons Tristan is like the way he is now is because he held out fighting in the arena for so long but…it, it cost him, it took a toll…it”

Yedda shrugs her shoulders, shakes her head “And?”

Not wanting to hurt her anymore but knowing he must tell her. Inhaling a deep breath, he says” He was tortured in order to make him fight.”

Yedda rushes to stand, grabbing the nob of her bed as she staggers and almost falls. Pacing back and forth tears stream down her face as she tries to catch her breath.

Kri continues “He does not look the same physically either; he has lost a lot of weight, he looks extremely sickly.”

“Enough…please, Kri…enough,” cries Yedda.

Mashing her teeth, she stands straight, her anger replaces her tears. Empowered by wanting to get her friend out of there, she demands “We need to do this now!”

Spri finally comes too. Moaning in pain “What happened?”

Kri walks over “It’s ok bro we are back home. Yedda did her thing, so hopefully, you should be fine soon”

“I remember Tristan hitting me… I think. Then that’s it.”

“Yeah… he ah… hit you into the bars and it broke your leg. But like I said, Yedda fixed it so…”

Grabbing his bandaged leg, Spri sits up with his leg still stretched out in front of him. “Yeah, he definitely wasn’t himself for sure. We need to get him out of there asap.”

Kri smirks and says, “That’s what we were just talking about.”

Yedda kneels down to Spri “I am so sorry for what happened. You know he would never want to harm you.”

Nodding his head and smiling “I know he wouldn’t. It’s ok. I can’t imagine what he went through in there. He is pissed for sure and I would be too.”

Kri looks over, shakes his head, smiles and thinks ‘wow what a bro I have.’

Spri looks to Lucious who is sitting near the fire-pit “I must say Lu; you really came through. Thank you.” Yedda and Kri also look at him and give their thanks.

Lucious blinks slowly, lowers his head and says” Me sorry I hurt your friend, me want to help fix.”

Yedda smiles and says “Lucious we know you were just obeying that cruel man, we would be glad to have a friend like you with us. Thank you very much. But are you sure you want to help, you don’t have to, you have done plenty already?”

Lucious’s eyes become glossy as he says “Yes me want help, Malus break Lucious. He hurt Lucious, no more. And me never have friend before, no one ever call me or ask me name before, no one care before to ask. So Lucious do everything he can to help friends.”

Kri walks over to Lu, pats him on his on the short hair atop his head, smiles and says “Cool…dude… you-rock.”

Ali speaks up and says” Count me in as well. I’ll do whatever I can to help.”

Yedda looks to him “Are you sure? I don’t think your mother would approve Ali.”

Assured, Ali replies “Yedda...please. You’re my friends.” He looks softly at Yedda “I would do anything for you…. guys.”

Butterflies fill her stomach as she smiles and lowers her head, blushing slightly.

Kri looks at everyone and says” So the girl told me the best time to get him out is tomorrow. They are having some championship contest or something and it will be packed and a lot going on.”

Ali looks over and says” You mean the tournament of champions. Yeah, it’s crazy busy then, a lot of outsiders as well as royalty, lords, and ladies.”

Kri replies” Yeah that’s it. She said this guy Mika controls the collars around the prisoner’s necks which controls their magic’s. We would need to take him out before any rescue can be made.”

They all nod. Spri says “Agreed”

Ali gets up and sits on the floor near Spri “Ok so let’s all go over our roles for tomorrow.”

They sit around planning Tristan’s rescue.

After a lengthy discussion on what roles each will play it has become dark outside.

Dawn will soon be upon them. Then it is time.

Part Two: War