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                        Because I have nothing better to do Productions
                                  An Eldrick Tobin project
                           From "It makes sense in my head" Theater
                    In Association with "Can't Get It Out of My MIND!" Inc.

                                   Worlds of Dragon Quest:
                                         Blood Rage

"I'll be back in a little while Mom!" the scruffy looking young man called. He 
was between 15 and 23 summers... it was hard to tell he was at once tall, 
experienced, but yet far too youthful. The air about him seemed new and freshly 
created as he waved to his mother. He carried on his back a standard faire 
adventurer's backpack that was the latest rave with young men seeking their 
fortune... mainly because they had a tendency to survive their would be hero's 
own existence.

Often a pack was all that was left to return to the family of the fallen. The 
family the only ones able to open the pack due to being blood relations... or, 
it was rumored, if their was just a strong bond of love. When buying such a 
pack, the shopkeeper explains all this and does a test... this test can even 
distinguish whether it's just the blood or love bridging the relatives together.

Afterall... if they can't open it... it will mock the family to have it returned
to them.

"I wish you didn't have to go!" she called after him. He smiled and waved again.
She smiled back, but there was something in her eye... her manner that spoke 
volumes for how worried she was. Even the rose's she tied her hair up with 
seemed to droop to mirror their mistress. Even her lavender hair seemed to have 
lost it's sheen.

The shopkeeper put his hand on her shoulder,"You've done a fine job. He'll be 
safe. He'll be just fine. If you worry too much you'll get wrinkles, Maranth," 
The grizzled old man chuckled without the slightest hint of an old man's wheeze.

She whirled giggling,"Have I Balth? Have I truly? Or are you just flirting with 
me you old beast?" she said waggling a finger at him.

He grinned for a brief moment before turning serious,"I would never presume to 
be his father," she looked ready to die,"Now now... let me finish. Ahem. I would
never presume to be his father because he already has the best mother in the 
world... I would only get in the way."

"You are flirting aren't you?"

"Maranth you embarrass me," he pulled out the magical device that had only 
minutes before connected mother son and backpack. "Look at the readings 
yourself."

She walked over and peered at the graphs,"My boy is the genius... what's this 
mean?"

Balth smirked,"You slept through my math lecture?"

"The sun was so warm that year..."

"Yes yes well... anyway... these are the highest readings in the kingdom... if 
not the world," he put the device away matter of factly.

"Is that good or bad?"

He groaned,"You've beaten out whole families. Blood families. Loving Blood 
Families. You're even halfway up the Blood meter..."

"But I didn't... give birth to him," she seamlessly corrected when a traveler 
stepped under the awning appraising a short sword to replace his obviously 
missing one.

"It must be from that time he was injured."

"Oh... I never realized... he could have..." she was shaking.

He put his hand on her shoulder,"Be strong... he didn't... and now he's off to 
seek his fortune."

"I worry he'll die without knowing... without knowing I'm not his mother."

"The backpack thinks you are... he thinks you are... and if you didn't love him 
like I know you do you wouldn't have gotten these readings."

The travelers broke in,"Those are just the greatest backpacks... I beat a slime 
to death with mine. My short sword from the town up the river from here broke on
the first hit! Can you believe that?"

"That's the 4th complaint about Titus that I've heard! He's dishonoring the 
blacksmith trade! I should give him a piece of my mind!"

"Um before you do... my girlfriend ... um..."

"These aren't love testers in that sense lad."

"It's not that... she wants to adventure with me... but her parents would never 
consent to the Test... I was wondering do they HAVE to be Tested to be bought?"

"Lad... when they were first made there was no such Test... and I still go by 
both price tags... it's a little more expensive to do it by township than by 
blood... but if she really loves the town... it would work... you only need a 
soil sample."

"How much more expensive?" he started digging in his pockets,"I have 475."

"For the sword and the backpack that's a little light..."

"But this is only a short sword."

"Lad take that around back to the boulder out there and take a whack before you 
discount the price I ask for my quality," he growled.

The young man startled by the sudden gruff manner did as he was told.

Maranth examined the display,"How good is your work?"

"It's hide tested."

Maranth boggled,"That strong? That sharp? Shouldn't you be charging 475 just for
the short sword then?"

"Crafting steel is so easy for me I feel it's theft to charge 100. Besides if 
the boy wants to sell it later he'll make more than that easy. He could have 
died because of Titus... I couldn't conscience that. My conscience can't hold 
another life on it."

"None of ours can Balth."

Suddenly the lad ran in,"This is the best craftsmanship I've ever SEEN!"

Balth wiped the tear in his eye away,"For that compliment, 475 it is for pack 
and sword."

"You are favored with kindness and generosity, Lord Craftsman. I'll be back 
straight away!" He moved to pay the shopkeeper. Balth waved him off,"Why kind 
sir?"

"You haven't brought your girlfriend and her soil... can't pay me till you have 
all the items in your possession. It wouldn't be just. Now off with thee!"

"Um... hang onto my pack then... I'll be back! Nothing will stand in my way!"

Maranth chuckled,"Does he intend to run the entire 30 miles?"

"He'll be back by nightfall if that's the case... and he and his girlfriend will
know adventure in spades by then. I'd not be surprised if he and his girlfriend 
gave up adventuring after traveled at twilight," he looked out where he saw the 
lad stepping up onto a wagon,"Ah he'll be back right ways quick that way... I'd 
better reset the Test. That wagoneer is a demon of the road I swear."

LATER

Maranth's Son hooted and hollered as he cart wheeled down the road,"This is it 
Cirru! You'll make enough money adventuring that Mother will never have a care 
in the world save what to do with it all!" He ran at a good clip. 10 Full Miles 
per hour faster than a horse. He'd always been gifted with speed and he intended
to make it to the castle with time to spare. "The Path to attain the Order of 
Erdrick's ranks is fraught with peril and that peril will surely bring me wealth
like it has so often brought wealth to other Knights!" He danced around swinging
the sword Balth made for him this way and that,"And even if it brings me nothing
the lands prescribed to Knights are enough to make up for a lack of a fortune. 
Yes some even have made their fortunes from their de facto lands! Mother will 
have plenty to be proud of me either way!" Money or land... either way he knew 
he'd be wealthy enough to take perfect care of his mother long before her 
declining years ever set in. He even knew that some made Knight in their 
first year. And fortunes more than lands could achieve in their coffers. Not 
that the tracts of land offered by Just King Renfrow weren't a prize in and of 
themselves.

He heard to gong behind him and leapt over to the side of the road. He knew what
Pericle was like when he had a fare. Cirru let the horses catch up to him and 
then jogged alongside Pericle,"Where are you headed today, Taxier?"

"Round trip to Thall!" Pericle looked over at him,"If you wish to talk hop on...
if not ye be distracting me Master Cirru."

Cirru deciding he could use a rest leapt to the cart side and into the side 
seat. "Who's the fare?"

"Talk to him yourself... I'm driving these beasts."

"Talkative as ever Perry," said Cirru as he spun into the cabin. He had his 
sword out and blocking only just in time. He smiled at his cabinmate,"I'm Cirru.
Cirru Falsewind."

"Wow... you have a last name? How'd you get it?"

"I run so fast it's like I'm walking on air... or an updraft is carrying me 
forward. A False Wind either way."

"And you've got a cool first name too 'Snatched from the maw of evil' right?"

"Mom always told me it meant 'foundling'."

"Oh! She must be a scholar... my girlfriend is training to be a sage... she 
knows all the stuff like that. I think she's mentioned that before... Wait 
you're the guy who raced that horseman last year! I knew I'd heard your name 
before!"

Cirru smiled,"Yep that was me. I'd sprained my ankle the night before or I'd 
have run faster."

"Wow... oh I totally forgot..." he put away his short sword, and Cirru put away 
his. "Um I'm Darrick... no last name... pleased to meet you."

"Why'd you hire Perry?"

"Perry?"

"Pericle."

"I owe Lord Craftsman Balth for the sword and a travelers's backpack... I'm 
going to get my girlfriend and some soil from her town. Then we'll find fortune 
and glory ourselves!"

"The old way? Are her parents dead?"

"Their souls are... they oppose her at every step. She's convinced she's 
adopted."

"Too bad she's not my sister... she'd never know such blockades to advancement. 
My mother equipped me, and wished me speed to the castle."

"You're a Knight candidate?"

"That's what that tourney last year was about. The Right to Test to take the 
Path."

Darrick was about to speak when the gong sounded, and so he peeked out the 
window,"By the Teeth of Lord Ignatious! A Knight of the Order!"

"You should not speak that name..." Cirru said as he looked out the window also.

The wagon had stopped, and Pericle was livid,"Now see here sir Knight. I have 
Royal Right of passage on this road for saving the Just King's Son 3 years this 
fall... and you're walking your horse right down the middle of the road. Did you
not hear the gong?"

"I heard it Taximan."

"Then stand away."

"You dare command a Knight!"

"When with fare I have the Right to command the King's pavilion to the side of 
the road!"

The Knight made a haughty noise,"This I doubt. But I will take the other lane, 
Taximan. But do not cross me again. Writ or no writ I'll gut you like a baby 
dragon."

Cirru and Darrick had climbed onto the wagon roof by this point, and they drew 
sword and saluted the knight as he passed. He turned his head and spurred his 
horse... only to haul back hard on the reigns and stare at the pair perched on
the wagon. Cirru blinked as he realized the Knight was staring at him. "Is there
something wrong Lord Knight?" he asked smiling at why the Erdrick would regard 
him with such a humorous expression.

The Knight turned and road off. Cirru still puzzled sheathed his blade. 
"Darrick... is there something odd about my smile?"

"Perhaps he found it odd that a man out here in 'the uncultured pastures of the 
masses' has perfect shining white teeth?"

"That must be it," and with Cirru's words the wagon thundered forward. Pericle 
was cursing like a fisherman outside but the boys could barely hear him.

AT THALL

Darrick went to the village well and moved a stone. A small bag was in a 
hole,"Normally I only deposit to it at night so no one knows... but I think I'll 
take it with me. Else how will I eat?" Derrick said as he put the pouch away.

Darrick then pulled a pouch out of his pack and scooped soil near the town well 
into it before sealing it and placing it in his pack. "Parts one and 2 check!" 
Cirru smiled as Darrick made the pronouncement.

"Darrick!" called a voice from a house window.

"Gen!" Darrick answered, and a girl a full head taller than Darrick fought with 
two people to get out of the house.

"Let go of me Uncle!"

The Uncle spoke harshly,"You will call me father! We raised you since your 
parents were killed and that makes US your parents... and you will give us that 
respect!"

"You let me do nothing and talk down to me. You haven't earned me respect!" and 
with that she shouldered through them.

"Molligen you will come back here!"

"So Darrick you're back so soon? Have you made a name for yourself and your 
family already?" The Tall girl asked tickling Darrick.

"I came for you."

"But my family..."

"There's an older way... I have soil from the town. The Lord Craftsman says 
it'll work."

Cirru spoke then,"Yes, anyone in the town will be able to open it however but 
this way you won't need their consent to be Tested, Molligen."

She replied with,"Really? Great! Oh and my name is Gen not Molligen... I'm not a
'loving daughter' just 'a daughter'."

"As you wish, Gen. I am Cirru Falsewind."

"I greet you Cirru. Good to see you're ankle has healed. I saw your race. Would 
you have gone faster without the trouble?"

"I can outstrip horses. I was slow that day."

"Your parents must be proud of you."

"My mother is delighted. Her smile almost outweighed the Honor of being able to 
Test for the Path."

"Wish mine were proud of me," she paused to glare which started them marching 
out of the house,"So will my love and myself be joining you on this quest?"

"I may be passed up..."

"Your soul is too strong to be stopped. You'll prevail. If not this year than 2 
years hence. You may well be honored."

Darrick smiled,"Told you she's going to be a Sage. She's never wrong," he turned
to her,"But you shouldn't invite us along with him like that."

"I foresee us traveling together... under a dark cloud... why the cloud I 
wonder?" Of course the glares of her parents caused her to lose her train of 
thought.

Cirru shrugged,"We are all adventuring, and there is strength in numbers. I 
would be honored."

"Molligen you will do no such thing! The King mandates that packs must be had by
all in this realm. There must be something for the families of the fallen. And 
we will NOT consent!!"

Cirru turned to them. He had never felt true anger like he felt now. "Her life 
leads from this place. And by the older rite she will have a pack. If you are 
lucky she will return and care for you in your declining years as you have not 
for her now. Be thankful that she is law abiding and did not leave in the night 
as I would have had YOU foul people raised me. Let's ride back to my village. 
They sicken me."

The Aunt stepped back,"That fierce stance... tell me boy... who is your 
father?!"

Cirru sneered at her,"I had no need of one."

The Uncle now seeing whatever it was the Aunt was seeing,"And your mother? Is 
her name Calia? My brother's wife was named Calia."

Cirru stepped back as the man tried to grab his leather armored sleeve,"I don't 
know who you are talking about. My mother is Maranth. I come from Falder 30 
miles from here."

"Falder was nearly burned to the ground when we took in Molligen," The Uncle 
said,"We'd only been watching her while Calia was expecting. We never thought 
she'd take root."

The Aunt spoke then,"You have Calia's eyes... I'd know my step sister's eyes in 
a crowd."

Cirru rolled those eyes,"I have my mothers hair. I don't know this Calia. You 
have me mistaken.

"Molligen stand next to him." That got a glare,"Please... as your Aunt it's the 
only thing I ask. We'll even equip you so you can be on your way... just do this
one last thing."

Gen crossed her arms,"I know the spell better than you, but it won't work. I'm 
twice adopted. Second by you but first by Calia. The spell will only tell if 
we've ever been near her."

The Aunt nodded,"That's all I want to know. I don't expect him to be your 
brother. I wouldn't wish you on his family tree. But there is an innocence I've 
only seen in Calia and those she has midwifed into the world. You even have it 
.... Gen."

Upon hearing the name she preferred she shrugged at Cirru and stood near him. 
Cirru rolled his eyes and stood still. He didn't believe a word of this... but 
if this would let them get on their way so be it.

The Middle Aged woman cast her spell,"You have both been near her. I am 
appeased. I do not know if you are her son, but if Darrick is taking one burden 
from us... perhaps you could take the other?"

He was intrigued, and far happier now that they weren't as evil seeming,"What is
it?"

The Aunt bustled off to the house and came back with a travelers's pack as the 
Uncle went to the town blacksmith. "This was Calia's. As we are not blood... or 
truly well loved by her spirit, we cannot open it. If you could take it... 
perhaps you'll meet her half brother. As you bear the earring of a Knight 
Candidate you must accept this subordinate quest. You will probably also meet 
him one day as he is a Knight. The kindest gentlest Knight of all it's said."

"I will accept."

The Uncle came then with a Horse loaded with equipment,"To make sure you all are
well off and to speed you to glory I outfitted Darrick as well ... Gen. Be well.

Pericle called to them,"OY! I don't wait for cheap!!"

Cirru chuckled,"Perry will be Perry! I'll hitch the horse. Perry's team 
shouldn't mind a new face."

Gen turned to Darrick,"Will you not say hi to your parents?"

"They said for me not to... they don't want to miss me all the more. I will see 
them when I have a fortune and am coming to tell them they have a new daughter."

AND WITH THAT THEY WERE OFF

Some time of travel later, Pericle yelled for them to look out the window... the 
seasonal bonfire had started early this year.

Gabriel called back,"It wouldn't happen! It's never early," and then he saw 
his house ablaze... and most of the township billowing black smoke to the 
heavens. There were no signs of anyone trying to put out the fires. His keen 
senses even picked up the stench of death on the wind... something was not right 
at all...

Cirru leapt out of the wagon and ran with all his speed ahead, and then found 
himself rooted to the road. There were dead dragons everywhere... most seemed to 
have been... cowering? Begging for their lives even. Few were dead in anyway 
that showed they fought for their lives. Some even had peaceful expressions... 
like they'd been waiting to die.

The wagon roared up the road behind him, and all but the driver lept off. 
Darrick suddenly called,"Look there!" Maranth was staggering out to meet her 
boy.

"MOTHER!" And Cirru was at her side as she started to fall without the support 
of a building. "Hang on I'll find help somehow! Don't you die on me!"

"I... deserve to... we all did. Our crimes are... great."

"Mother I don't care what you've done you are my mother and I love you."

"I... am... not... I was given you by your mother as she died from fighting 
me," she coughed up blood that stopped being the right color as it leaked down 
her chin,"See? I'm not human."

"Don't try to talk," Gen said behind Cirru,"Cirru... my spells probably won't 
work."

"They won't child... they won't. One who is evil can't be healed by the spells 
of the just."

"You took the forms of the villagers you killed correct?" Maranth nodded,"But 
not to drag more to their deaths... you wished to make up for what Lord Ig," she 
made a sign of warding that glowed,"-natious made you do." Maranth nodded with 
tears leaking from her eyes,"That means you are without evil in your heart... 
and I can save you."

Maranth blinked in shock,"But I must pay for my crime."

"A Hypnotized or else ensorcelled man or woman is guiltless of crimes that were 
anothers bidding for they were not themselves... they were proxies," she said as 
she cast her healing spell. "This will hurt a bit... you aren't in your more 
native form."

Maranth opened her mouth to scream at the pain it caused but instead passed out.

Cirru looked at Gen with tears in his eyes,"Will she be alright."

A voice suddenly came from nowhere accompanied by a pure white light that rose 
from the ground,"Gen's spell was quite effective... with my help. Gen... 
Cirru... it is good to see you both so well. Now give me Maranth before the 
Knight comes this way again."

"Who are you to dare ask for my mother to be put in your care spirit?"

Gen stilled his hand from grasping his sword,"I've seen a painting... it's Calia 
Whiteblood. My adoptive Mother."

Calia's Spirit smiled,"Well since Nelly never seemed to want the title I guess 
it does fall to me still. I can summon the spirit of your actual mother if you'd 
like to talk to her."

Gen shook her head,"Even when it saddens you to think I might want to see 
another besides you, you still are willing to put yourself out for it. No mother 
I do not know her... but I remember fondly the love you bathed me in all those 
years ago. You're all the mother I need."

Calia smiled tears like stars in her eyes,"You do me honor Gen," she turned to 
Cirru,"Is that enough proof that I mean Noble Lady Maranth no harm?"

"I want to know who you are to me. Can you tell me that?" He said shakily. He 
wasn't sure of his footing in the universe anymore. He had to know so he could 
find his feet again.

"I gave birth to you."

"Midwife?" she shook her head,"Than YOU _are_ my mother."

Calia chuckled,"Dear sweet Cirru. I wish that I were, but that is Maranth... 
not I."

"But..." he was confused a bit.

"Calm your heart. Who raised you? Who made sure you were without want? Nor want 
for love? I'll tell you... you are cradling her in your lap. Her who tears still 
streak from your eyes over. I simply bore you... as if I'd midwifed for your 
mother with my own body. She has always been your mother. Worry no further on 
this subject. I will take her from this place," Cirru grappled onto 
Maranth,"There's no need to worry. When the Betrayer is slain I shall return her 
to you. But you must hurry the owner of that Title approaches. He senses you and 
her. You are both like beacons," Calia held out her hand,"Her hand in mine, 
fingers intertwined, like water or wine, as spirits we shall flow away."

"Gen... Darrick... help me... I can't do it," and the three raised maranth's 
hand for Cirru couldn't bear losing her... Darrick couldn't bear seeing one so 
strong look so weak... and Gen couldn't think of losing someone she had just 
saved from death. And so the three pooled together what determination they had 
and moved the light as a feather hand into Calia's though none of them wanted 
to.

"You will not save that vile beast!" And The Knight stepped into view and flung 
his sword. It raced through the air as if it had a mind of it's own. The blade 
even seemed to chuckle with glee that a life would soon be it's plaything.

But then it went flying as out of the rubble of a building Balth stepped. He 
displaced a good hundred man weights of rock like he'd only been buried in a few 
inches of sand at the beach. "Give her to Calia now while I distract him!"

Cirru willed himself to his feet and placed his now waking mother in Calia's 
arms. "Speed her out... and speed her back. I'm going to rip his heart out."

Calia shook her head,"There will be another factor that will stop you... I wish 
I could not see it happening," she thought for a second while Darrick and Cirru 
bracketed infront of her and Maranth,"Gen... take my staff from my back... 
you'll need it," Gen did so,"Good now you are all armed for the coming days. I 
wish I could do more to help... but I also do not foresee my own involvement for 
a while. We will be watching over you all," she glared once at The Knight and 
vanished.

The Knight noticed and reached for her suddenly which got a bracer ripped from 
his arm by Balth's sword. The Erdrick turned and glared at Balth,"Dragon Hide 
Tested your sword is I see... else it could not not have done that. And I'll bet 
that armor of yours is stronger than Hide..." he suddenly leapt tumbled and had 
Darrick's sword is his hand,"So I'll use something... HIDE TESTED!" and he flung 
the sword at Balth who had to suddenly block the sentient sword he'd blocked 
earlier as it battered at his helmet from above.

A sudden horrendous growl revealed that the short sword had hit home. It stuck 
out of Balth's chest, and like a marrionette with it's strings cut he clattered 
to the ground. The Knight whistled and leapt to his horse which was at a full 
gallop. He caught his sword as it landed into his hand and rode off cackling 
like a fiend from hell. Cirru rushed over to Balth and gently turned him over. 
He whispered his intentions to Balth and at a nod from the smith ripped the 
sword out in one motion. Balth panted out,"Your name is Gen, yes? Will your 
spell work on me?"

Gen nodded and holding the staff over her head before brought it down in a 
gentle tap to the ground. She then cast the spell and touched him. A trickle of 
blood slid from her nose. She wiped at it bewildered,"It must be because I don't 
have the power to cast the spell myself yet... so I take physical harm for the 
remaining power needed."

Darrick blinked,"I'll try not to get hurt then!"

She chuckled,"Oh don't worry... heal is my spell... but healmost... which is 
what I had to use... is far from mine. This staff is like a link to Calia... as 
if she was a book of knowledge I could read from but the power for that 
knowledge must come from me."

Balth grinned,"Could you get off me Cirru? The ground is not comfortable after 
years of sleeping in a bed."

Cirru looked down,"No yell? And why aren't you asleep?"

"Wounds werent as bad as your mother's. He diced and sliced her... he collapsed 
the building on me when I tried to rush out to do something."

"Why would he have been so cruel? What did my mother do to him?"

Balth growled slightly,"HE wasn't done tormenting his sister forcing her to move 
from town to town. I know this because she'd talk to herself. She often hid in 
the caves for the first few years she lived here. She spoke of a brother that 
she knew one day and did not the next. A Brother half her blood who slew their 
parents on a whim one night. A Brother who prayed to The Master. A brother she'd 
seen in his true form once. Is the picture forming in your mind? Do you realize 
that he was here just now reaving through us like bamboo before the sword?"

"That fiend is my half-uncle?"

"In truth I think he only posed as your birth-mother's brother. He seems like 
not the kind to leave someone alive who could foil his plans. I must not have 
seemed like a threat."

Cirru's fist clenched,"He'll see me as a threat before long."

"The Path of Vengence on him will not be easy... he's formally an Erdrick, 
though he tarnishes the great name. Remember to many far and wide he is a hero 
who is part of the vigil to keep the darkness back. You don't just accuse him of 
anything," Balth dusted himself off and pulled off his helmet. "What upsets me 
is it might get you hunted hated and feared. Or that you'll have to kill him and 
then prove your actions just."

"I swear for all those who've died here, and those who were forced to kill by 
that which my Half-Uncle reveres... I will kill him... with my bare hands if I 
have to."

There was a sudden eerie applause and everyone looked around worried. Spirits 
popped up out of the ground everywhere like wheat on a field. Cirru jerkily 
bowed to them... and the spirits began pulling the souls out of the fallen 
dragons. And a funny thing happened... the dragon bodies reverted into their 
human forms as the spirits left back for their realm lovingly cradling the 
dragons as they bore them away.

Balth was struck puzzled,"What's this?"

Gen smiled and spoke,"I've read of this. The victims have forgiven their 
slayers. All are going to their peace now. There is no more record here of 
crime," Gen blinked,"Balth... you have a visitor."

Balth whirled and was face to face... with himself. The Spirit smiled,"Balth. 
have. no. fear. I. am. not. here. to. relieve. you. of. life. We. are. simply. 
going. to. travel. for. a. while. together. I. will. wait. to have. my. peace. 
when. you. do. Whenever. that. may. be."

"I do not deserve this."

"I. envy. you. your. modesty. and. your. skill. I. was. never. good. at. either. 
Perhaps. when. we. are. one. I. will. learn. these. things," and the spirit slid 
into him. Balth's own lips moved,"Remember. to. become. a. dragon. at. least. 
once. so. I. may. soar. with. you."

"I will," and with that the night became the night again,"Well Gen... let's get 
you that backpack. Business before quests."

Pericle rolled his eyes at sitting still so long.

Darrick noticed,"Taximan Pericle... you can go."

"Out of respect for the town and the fact this may well be the last time I come 
out to the 'Distant Son'... this always beautiful town of Falder... I will 
wait till morning if I must. I see only one horse in this town save mine," he 
looked about,"Master Smith... is there a cemetary... the creatures of the night 
should grow thinner I think."

"Yes there is... finally many of those graves will have bodies. It's a secret 
cemetary. I can break the illusion," he took the short sword from Cirru's hand 
and examined it,"This is lighter... and what beautiful etchings it has now,"He 
moved to hand it to Darrick who flinched from it,"You don't want it now? It's 
not drenched in my blood so take it. It's not evil now or anything. And that 
etching is oddly very skillful... like the passing wind in a painting of a 
summer's day," He slid it into the short sword sheath at Darrick's side,"You'll 
get used to it I hope. I'd hate to see such a beautiful piece of work go unused 
or end up on some mantle above a fireplace. I guarantee it's no weaker now. It 
might even dislike The Betrayer. Afterall it was used against it's smith."

And finally Balth found the right words to soothe Darrick with.

SOME DISTANCE AWAY

"Balth this is the way to the cemetary?"

"Cirru the boulder there? That no boy was ever aloud to climb... it's not really 
there," and Balth waved his hand towards it and the illusion faded. There was a 
grave for everyone... save Maranth.

"Mother doesn't have one?"

"Nope that was only her human guise you've seen all these years... hence the 
lavender hair... or did you think that normal?"

Cirru pulled down one of his own locks,"But mine is lavender..."

"That's a story I'll tell you after the dead are where they belong."

SOME TIME LATER THAT NIGHT

The deed was done... Darrick proved himself an excellent cook while Gen had 
proven herself an excellent huntress. That got a belly laugh out of Pericle... 
obviously a fan of traditional gender roles. Darrick smirked at him,"You can eat 
your trail rations if you keep that up."

Needless to say he stopped laughing.

Balth creaked like an old mill as he stood up getting ready to tell a long 
story. "Everyone ready?" Everyone shrugged or nodded. "This is a tale of years 
ago... many know it from different accounts... different sides... maybe even 
rumors by those with 'long eyes'... but so far as I am aware since I was part of 
it... this is the truth. I share it with you now."



And with a flash the drakee's were gone. Elsewhere others had gotten rid of 
metal babbles minutes before they would have become a King Metal. That would 
have cost the city a building or 2. Not to mention injuries. One healer can only 
do so much if they don't have a formal shop.

The town's healer and midwife -and Sage- stepped back from the fight with the 
babbles with a sigh of relief,"I am getting so sick of these monster incursions. 
Next thing you know Cam, my half brother will be here... just to prove there's 
something worse than wave after wave of this that and the other."

"Have faith Lady Calia... even now a Hero goes against... HIM," the smith 
proclaimed grandly and with a bow.

"There are still heroes?" She paused and looked at him. Rolling her 
eyes she said,"Pregnant and in the middle of a battle for our lives and you are 
trying to impress me? You amoral toad get back! You wouldn't know responsibility 
if it bit you! 'I only make horseshoes' Where'd that chain sickle come from?"

"Great Lady..."

"Get stuffed! Now just talk," she broke into a sweat from the effort this was 
doing to her blood pressure. She'd have to take shelter soon... and whoa be to 
the town if another King Metal showed up. They just loved to 'speed' in do their 
damage and leave... and almost nothing could stop them. Not in this town of 
farmers.

"Well then... Calia... I ordered it from Titus down river. Does that meet with 
Your approval Great Queen Calia," her staff connected with his lower parts and 
he toppled over.

"You make me ill."

The baby moved again... she had no more time for combat. She locked herself in 
the blacksmith's shop. Unfortunately the blacksmith accompanied her. "You're a 
woman... you'll need help."

She glared at him,"NOW? Now you're willing to do something? That's rich."

"Do you want my help or not?"

"I won't need much... you'll just have to catch the child, and cut the cord. 
This is all you must do," her water broke. Her breathing changed. She changed 
her bodily position.

"This is going to take a while isn't it?"

"Not... really. Though... this is my first child to survive so long. But I... 
deliver... fast."

"No kidding? Really?" He was smug.

Over his gloating the town could not be heard. They could not hear the screams 
of the dying - nor smell the smoke. The smith was all about practicing his work 
without disturbing anyone. No matter how loud things got. He also loathed the 
town and didn't want to so much as here a child cry for scraping their leg.

She glared at him, and then lost all control of her body... the child pushed out 
into the world quickly and easily. He blinked,"You DO deliver fast! I'll just 
use the sickle... hey... why are you backing away from me... this cord isn't man 
length!" He turned and looked behind himself when he realized she was midspell, 
and dove for her just in time. Two dragons were in the shop! He haphazardly cut 
the cord and tossed the child to Calia... breaking her concentration. @

"Now then beasts you face me Maradrak T'Ammers!" he said as he whiped the chain 
sickle this way and that. He had great skill... and BAD craftsman ship as the 
sickle turned into it's component pieces when he hit the grey streaked dragon. 
"I'll kill Ti..." and he was rent assunder by the pouncing dragon.

The other dragon advanced on the sage. The smell of blood was in the air and it 
was tracking the scent.

"Great Dragon, please come to thy senses... Lord Ignatious's will controls you," 
she cast her spell. It did nothing. She would not use an attack spell. The 
dragon didn't know it was even out of the mountains. It dodged chairs and anvils 
as if they were cave formations... not things to just brush aside. And Calis 
knew that from the look in her eyes. "Great illusions... powers that obscure 
thought... give up thy pact and the ruse... Revel-" and she was swatted aside by 
the dragon. "Please let me help you! You are not in your caves... we did not 
invade you!"

The dragon gave pause. Elsewhere Lord Ignatious was in his death throes. He gave 
a final kill command to all those with targets first, and was then gone. The 
dragon advancing on Calia trumpeted and cut her down.

The world changed for the dragons in the smithy. They could see where they 
were... they could see what they'd done,"Balth! Have we... killed?!"

"I taste this man's blood on my lips... we have killed Maranth."

Maranth formshifted into that of a human girl,"Human can you heal yourself? 
Please say you'll heal yourself! I can not work those magics. Do not die human," 
and then her voice was plantive,"Please do not die."

Calia gazed at herself and closed her eyes,"You must take my son. You must raise 
him. I have foreseen all of this. There is nothing to be done," Calia opened her 
eyes and handed her son to the dragongirl,"Raise him well. I... pardon... you."

Maranth crooned so loud she shook the roof. Then she blinked. She felt the 
strangest sensation, and the baby was not crying. It was suckling at her 
breast! "Don't you hate me little one? I took you from your mother." She 
caressed his little chin.. and then saw why the infant was suckling so soon. The 
cord had not been tied,"You are bleeding!" She slashed open her own wrist and 
cast a dragon healing spell. She applied the now flowing wound to the unbilical.

"Maranth, that will not work."

"It works with us. I've saved you from an adventurer or two old beast," she 
quivered in fear,"It has to work! I promised her!"

"You spoke nothing."

"She entrusted him to me and I took him! That is all needs must be done."

The dragon nodded,"This is true. I spoke in... haste."

They both watched as the spell was working. "It IS working Balth!" She said as 
she rocked the baby to sleep. He was in some kind of pain but she knew not what.

"The manchild trusts you. Even as he wails in pain he subsides. Look now... he 
sleeps. Not bad for someone too young to mate. You will be great when you must 
rear your own young."

"I will not have any."

"What?!"

"This is the only child I will ever want. I will love him like there were 10 of 
him. Each full of my love. There is no other child for me. If I had other it 
would lead to him not having the mother I stole from him. No. I will not have 
other than him. At least until his natural cycle is complete."

"As Elder I will respect this wish," He looked at the torn body before him,"We 
will have to become them or be slain. That will not help you raise him. We... 
will have to avoid our deaths for his sake. We will be damned."

"I cannot leave, nor can I leave him."

"And we would not ask such of you. I will tell the others of the rite which must 
be performed. You must taste her bloo..."

"NO! I do not deserve to look as her. I stole a child. I stole a life. I am 
twice damned. Such an honor is above me to take. I shall bury her," she looked 
at the child,"He sleeps like we do in the sun. The spell is complete I can place 
him in a... bed? now yes?"

He chuckled,"Why would I know? My mate never let me near. She was always afraid 
I'd eat the young."

"You do look hungry all the time," she said as she set the young one in some 
collected straw,"Now I can set to burying her."

"I will go about explaining the rite. Many will be forlorn. Hopefully none have 
forced their demise."



"And then we took the places. The villagers barely fought. Only the blacksmith 
had lifted a finger. The next village sent a messenger after the fighting was 
over that Lord Ignatious was defeated. Everything was as it should be. The next 
town barely knew any names here.

"Calia's half brother and half sister arrived by Pericle's father's wagon a day 
later. I explained the fighting. That she had been slain defending the town. It 
was the truth. A Funeral was held for her. It was beautiful. Many had to be made 
silent to keep from spilling the truth. It hurt to not tell them everything that 
had happened.

"Over the years many of us would maintain a guard in the caves to combat 
adventurers seeking revenge for the taking of the Lady Sage upon anything that 
lived in the area. Many found the next world and eased their souls that way."

Cirru was in a heap crying his eyes out,"I don't know what to think anymore. You 
were all so caring so nice, and yet..."

"I do not know how the villagers could forgive us... so I do not know how you 
can either."

Gen stood up,"You risked damnation for one small helpless child. They knew you 
were not responsible. A Drakee is bribed. A Slime obeys the king. The kings are 
promised the equivalent of wealth and power. There is no Dragonlord. You were 
not stirred into service... you were tricked... an illusion was upon you. An 
illusion backed by hypnotic suggestion is powerful. You all thought you were 
only defending your home. HE ordered you into the town by overriding your great 
wills. What is there to forgive?"

Darrick sighed,"I can see nothing to forgive. There was no crime. You should be 
appeased Great Smith. There is no need to torment yourself."

Cirru stood and straightened,"We must kill the knight. HE has commited a crime 
here. The reforming were kept from the reform they thought they needed," Cirru 
wiped the tears from his eyes. He noticed the color against his hand. Then 
looked at his hair again. He nodded,"Also. He has stolen a mother. He has 
killed. He is twice damned. And he deserves it more than my mother ever did."

Darrick held aloft his sword,"No Knight is he! We shall plead against him to 
King Renfrow!"

Gen nodded and turned to Balth,"There is now nothing for you to do if you 
remain. Will you come with us?"

Balth considered,"Do you want me along, Cirru?"

Cirru nodded,"You are like a father to me."

"Not a good one."

Cirru sniffled and smiled,"No, but good enough. Who has been my teacher? Who has 
been my sparing partner? You. I couldn't see this journey without you. In fact 
I almost invited you along with me when I first left."

Balth bowed low,"I will pull my tools out of the rubble. I will make you armor 
that is proof against his hellsword. It will take time but it will be the best 
armor ever. Maybe even as good as Erdrick's Fabled armor.

Gen patted his arm,"Oh you can do better than that I'm sure."

Darrick grinned,"You know? You can give Titus that piece of your mind at 
last."

Balth chuckled,"Oh that settles it then."

Pericle stood suddenly,"I have," he paused," fine wine. I was to deliver it 
here. It should be drank in honor of the town."

They drank to the town in silence as Balth spoke words of the previous 
inhabitants and their achievements. The wake lasted into the wee hours.

THE NEXT DAY

Pericle roused them at dawn. Gen administered something for their heads. And 
then they were off. "Straight away we go to the castle! I'll only stop in Thall 
to spread the dire news."

Balth blinked,"Won't the horses tire?"

Gen grinned,"The wagon is magical. Did you not know?"

"I did not."

Darrick picked up,"Well... the wagon relieves the horses of the effort of 
pulling it. They could travel full speed for days. Only they must be feed while 
still hitched if so overworked."

"I know the enchantment. I did not know it could be applied to a wagon. I have 
seen it applied to flying horses. They do not have the endurance otherwise. They 
do little more than look pretty without the enchantment. Not the breeder raised 
ones at least. Wild ones are a different story."

And with that things got lively as poor Balth was questioned this way and that 
about the world. He in the end just regaled them with a story of the other 
darker world. The world Lord Ignatious had ruled. A world where demons walk as 
men do in this.

Cirru pondered that,"Are there any that are innocent there? Save that they are 
demons of course. That there is enough for many to kill them I'd imagine." HE 
sighed.

"As there are Dragonlords so are there Demonlords... where Dragonlords incense 
and rally and then control... Demonlords only control. And like a criminal who 
maintains his home town such that they revere him... so do the Demonlords 
maintain their control," Balth paused,"As to any demon being truly evil... or 
truly good... the sad state is that it is often harder to tell. Unlike when 
humans say that a person from say Thall thinks different from a person from the 
capital, when I say demons value things differently and truly think differently, 
I mean it."

Darrick blinked,"Do Dragons think differently?"

"We think much like animals often... and like gifted scholars at other times. 
Somehow we find balance between the two. Since I have lived as a human for so 
long... I think I am begining to understand you. You are far more forgiving for 
example... but quicker to judge. Sometimes either is an advantage... and either 
can also be a disadvantage," he paused,"But mark me... when I say dragons have a 
long and vivid memory that allows us to be swayed by the Dragonlords... the 
demons... have longer... almost ingrained memories... often a sire or dame will 
pass his thoughts on. This is why this world fights to keep that world out... 
because they started the conflict... and they seek to finish it as well."

ELSEWHERE

"They come for you even now, Cam. I see them with the Taximan now."

"What else do you see witch?"

"The Half... he is growing in power. He is no longer just on the Knightly path," 
the witch paused leaning back from her crystal ball,"He is a Hero now."

"Does your futuresight see him being my downfall? If it does I will make sure 
that changes."

She paused and looked,"The future tells me you will be your own undoing. Now 
leave this place, Cam. There is nothing else for you here. Go be safe in the 
other world."

The Knight chuckled,"I still have family here. That means I have something."

"You intend to go through with it?"

"I will be the new Lord."

<NEXT PART will be out soon.>

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