B y A n d r e w D u n c a n

Copyright © 2010 by Andrew Duncan

All rights reserved. Published by A.D. Ventures.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,

recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher.

ISBN 978-0-9844742-8-8

CONTENTS

Chapter 1: Solo 7

Chapter 2: Something’s Wrong 13

Chapter 3: Deceiving Appearances 17

Chapter 4: Angel of Light 24

Chapter 5: Trust or Consequences 37

Chapter 6: The Giant Emberok 47

Chapter 7: Nothing but Ashes 60

Chapter 8: A Gift from the Dragon’s Heart 69

Chapter 9: High and Mighty 77

Chapter 10: The Way of No Return 83

Chapter 11: Not Without a Fight 98

Chapter 12: Seraph’s Poison 106

Chapter 13: Into the Cave 116

Chapter 14: Blinded by the Light 129

Chapter 15: Certain Destruction 135

Chapter 16: Rendow or Real Magic 143

Chapter 17: Ambush 159

Chapter 18: Reunited 170

Chapter 19: Face to Face 178

Chapter 20: Scapegoat 188

Chapter 21: Much Worse than Death 202

Chapter 22: This Time for Real 211

CHAPTER 1

SOLO

Kristofer Harris could not remember ever

having been this happy — or this tired. He had pitched

his own tent, cut his own wood, made his own fire, and

cooked his own supper. He leaned back into the slight

hollow of the small boulder near his fire. The

unusually comfortable stone seemed to embrace him.

Fatigue from the day’s activities, a full stomach, the

warmth of the fire — this was the ultimate birthday

gift.

“Thirteen years old,” Dad had proclaimed with a

serious but proud smile. “Today you become a man.”

The tent, the backpack, and the sleeping bag

were more than he had expected. But the opportunity

to solo — Kristofer still could hardly believe it. How

had Dad known? Kristofer had not asked, afraid of the

embarrassment if his Dad refused because he was too

young or just a city boy.

When they lived in the city, he could go nowhere

without his parents’ permission, and then, only if

another adult was present, or if he phoned in every

half hour. He had thought all that would change when

they moved next door to the national forest last month.

But his parents were more afraid of the forest than the

city.

True, there were bears, mountain lions, and

poisonous snakes. But Grandpa had told him how to

avoid them and what to do if he crossed paths with

one. And, of course, there were bogs with alligators

and quicksand, and caves and dense thickets where

you could vanish without a trace, if you were foolish

enough to enter them. Then there were the usual

sightings of Bigfoot and ghost lights and UFO’s. But

the scariest (and silliest) of all was the local legend of a

creature simply referred to as “The Beast” — a fire-

breathing fiend with razor claws and dagger teeth.

Indian lore warned of this monster’s shape-shifting

chicanery and its devilish appetite for children.

Kristofer chuckled to reassure himself. He knew

the stories were just for fun. But in the night, in the

forest, alone, it can be difficult to know what is real

and what is not. Besides, Kristofer was not alone. His

loyal friend, Gallant, a huge white German Shepherd,

lay peacefully with his head in Kristofer’s lap. Patting

Gallant on the head, “You know boy, I read this

morning God and His angels are big campers too.”

Gallant rolled his eyes and flattened his ears at

the joke. “It wasn’t that bad. And anyway, it’s true. It

says they encamp, Grandpa says that means they

pitch their tents, all around us.” He studied his silent

friend and wondered if Gallant could be an angel in

disguise.

Kristofer looked heavenward. The full moon

climbed toward her throne atop the sky, her trail

littered with a scattering of luminous jewels.

He sighed and smiled, “How can people call such

a magnificent queen a ‘man in the moon?’” Squinting

at Her Majesty he estimated, “About 10:30.”

Gallant watched with his eyes and his ears

7

without lifting his head.

Kristofer checked his wrist watch, triumphantly

removed it, and stuffed it in his pocket, “Who needs a

watch with such an awesome timepiece overhead?”

Gallant whined his approval.

Kristofer turned his attention to his campfire

burning low. He loved the dancing flames and the

floating sparks. But the glowing coals held a special

fascination. They always reminded him of Grandpa’s

stories of the Emberoks, the bright-eyed, seldom-if-

ever seen folk of the wilderness. Grandpa’s stories

were different, more like eyewitness accounts than

fairy tales. What endeared Grandpa’s Emberoks to

Kristofer was their love for animals and for the

wonders of the wilderness. Kristofer and Grandpa’s

Emberoks were kindred spirits.

He admired the circle of stones containing the

fire. “A job well done,” Dad would say. Of the stones he

had collected for the ring, three had aroused his

curiosity from the moment he saw them. Each had an

odd, thimble shape and was remarkably light for its

size. Tomorrow he would break them open to see if

they were hollow. Perhaps they were geodes with

beautiful crystal linings.

In the middle of a yawn so big he closed his eyes

to make room for it, Kristofer heard a familiar, “Whoo-

whoo.” With yawn blurred vision, he made a quick

search of the camp’s perimeter and gasped at what he

saw. Gallant’s vigilant ears snapped to attention at his

master’s reaction. As Kristofer expected, he spotted

the dark shape of a huge owl sitting on a low branch in

a nearby tree. What stole his breath were the two

radiant ember-like eyes peering out from behind the

owl’s head…

8

…Walking back into camp, again he felt

something was wrong. Switching off his flashlight, he

froze in the near total darkness. He searched the sky

for the full moon or, rather, for the clouds which must

be hiding it. He saw nothing but stars in a cloudless

sky. He mentally checked his astronomy. A lunar

eclipse? No, that was due next month, and would be

only partial. A full moon sets with the rising sun.

Perhaps he had slept and it was near dawn. He pulled

his watch from his pocket. No, he had doused the fire

only a half hour before. Had his watch stopped? He

checked the stars. They agreed with his watch. He

walked over to the fire and felt the bed. It was dead,

but the stones were still warm. Still, something was

wrong with the fire. No, not the fire, it was the fire

ring. Several of the stones were missing — the light,

thimble shaped stones.

So many puzzles in one night were exhausting.

Knowing morning’s light often explains night’s

mysteries, Kristofer decided to get some rest if he

could just make it to his sleeping bag before he fell

asleep. Crawling into his tent, he lay down and as he

slipped toward deep sleep, he reached over to stroke

Gallant and let him know everything was alright.

Immediately, he was wide awake. Gallant was

gone. With a new energy that came from love for his

closest friend, Kristofer grabbed his flashlight and

darted out of the tent.

His search ceased before it began. Kristofer’s

light shone on six stones arranged in two rows of three

in front of his tent door. He recognized the three

smaller rocks by their shapes as the stones missing

9

from his fire ring. One of the larger stones was the

small boulder he had used as a back rest.

Wide eyed and breathless, he watched as the

stone surfaces changed to flowing garments and

unfurled to reveal six humanoid creatures of various

sizes cloaked in hooded capes. Six pairs of ember eyes

glowed yellow at him with the light from his flashlight.

“Emberoks!” He whispered.

10

CHAPTER 3

DECEIVING APPEARANCES

“A man!” two astonished voices replied.

“See, I told you!” said another. “Men are not just

in stories.” He reached out to touch Kristofer who

instinctively drew back, “A real man.”

“A human, to be sure.” The strange creature

having unfurled from the boulder Kristofer had rested

against stepped forward and bowed. He stood at

Kristofer’s height, but there the similarity ended. Like

the others, he wore a dull cloak having the appearance

of weathered rock. He sported a reddish brown, closely

cropped beard with the faintest traces of gray. His

furrowed brow spoke a deep wisdom or a heavy burden

or both. His probing, penetrating eyes glowing yellow

from the flashlight seemed to search every dark corner

of Kristofer’s soul. Only the peace, the soothing calm of

his voice made his gaze bearable. “A man? Perhaps.”

Kristofer’s embarrassment frowned at the

Emberok’s judgment. He liked these creatures better

in Grandpa’s stories.

“We shall see. But he is the one.”

The one for what? Kristofer’s mind raced for an

answer. For some strange reason the thought that

came to mind was “sacrifice.”

11

Aware of the boy’s discomfort, the Emberok

smiled warmly and continued, “Kristofer Harris,

Walker in the Light, do not be alarmed. We do no evil

and wish no harm. My name is Sylvan. I beg your

forgiveness for my companions’ surprise that you

really do exist.” He paused patiently waiting for

response.

Kristofer’s mind whirled but he managed to

stammer, “Sh-sh-sure.”

“Thank you. You honor us with your patient

understanding. You see, several of my companions are

not more than three or four centuries in age, and have

spent all of their very young lives in the deep wild, so

their only knowledge of humans is from stories and

legends.

“Enough of that. We have more urgent matters

to discuss. But first, the flame of fellowship, that our

council may be held in light.

“Friends,” he invited the others to join him in a

circle leaving a place for Kristofer. He turned toward a

nearby tree and motioned. Silently, the huge owl from

Kristofer’s vision flew to the gathering. A small

Emberok, head bowed and eyes concealed under his

hood, dismounted and joined them.

Each Emberok, reaching into his drab cloak,

brought out a beautiful gem and placed it in the center

of the circle. Sylvan motioned Kristofer forward.

Awkwardly, Kristofer joined the others. As Sylvan

opened his dull grey cloak, Kristofer’s light flashed

over the dazzling, glittering, rich purple lining of

Sylvan’s garment. It reminded Kristofer of the large

amethyst geode on display at the museum.

Handing Kristofer one of his own treasures,

Sylvan remarked, “My young master, learn the secret

of the cloak:

12

A heart of gold oft resides

in a dull, ugly, skin.

But beware what beauty hides.

The most exquisite shell

May be rotten within.”

...

13

CHAPTER 7

NOTHING BUT ASHES

His vision clear, Kristofer saw the path leading

down to the bog. They had made remarkable time. Two

glowing stars glided silently toward them.

“Chrysolite!” shouted Glimmer. Chrysolite’s owl

flew to a low branch in the tree where the path

divided. She dismounted before her owl had settled on

the branch and came running, crying, “He killed

Topaze. He killed Topaze! Oh what are we going to

do?”

“Oh, no, no,” whispered Sylvan. For a moment

Sylvan’s peace slipped through anger, and fear, into

self doubt. He turned so that the others would not see

but Kristofer heard him mutter, “I should not have

sent him, I knew his courage was stronger than his

wisdom. He simply was not old enough.”

To his amazement, Kristofer distinctly heard an

answer, “You know it was I that sent him. My will, not

yours, friend. Do not doubt me.”

“Yes, True One.”

Sylvan turned and put his arm gently around

14

Chrysolite, “Did you actually see the deed? Did you see

his empty cape?”

She sobbed all the more bitterly, “He had no

cape when he died. I am afraid nothing but ashes

remains of our brother.”

“Please, kind Chrysolite, tell us how it

happened. Perhaps there is something in our brother’s

passing meant to bring success to our mission.”

Then he looked at each member of the grief

stricken company, “More, perhaps all of us may die in

our quest. But to die in the True One’s will is only a

passage into a complete awareness of His presence.

While to exist outside His will is death itself. We shall

see Topaze again, I assure you.”

Chrysolite stood knowing she would receive the

needed strength for telling her story. “Upon your

command, Sylvan, Topaze and I flew straight up

through the pass and down to Heart’s Blood Hill. We

positioned ourselves in the forest at the edge of the

clearing. Using the petrified form of our cloaks, we

posed as two small stumps. Our mounts perched on us

in the necessity of making a fast escape.”

Kristofer remembered the funny stump and

branch on the limb from which the Emberok in his

vision had conducted the animal orchestra. He smiled

realizing it had been Glimmer wrapped in the disguise

of his cape.

Chrysolite continued, “Seraph and the children

were there. Seraph wove his spell to capture their total

confidence, reminding them how he rescued them from

the wolf. A large bear lumbered into the clearing. The

children froze with terror.

“Seraph moved toward the children and covered

them with his wings. In a voice beyond the children’s

hearing, but not beyond that of bears or Emberoks,

Seraph spoke, ‘She-bear, it iss I, Seraph your ally, an

15

Emberok hater like yourself. Do you recognize me?’

“The bear growled menacingly. She sniffed the

air for a scent of the children she had hoped to have for

her supper.

“‘No!’ The angel commanded, ‘These humanss

are becoming mine. You cannot touch them. It iss

thesse who will destroy all the Emberokss by the fire

of their greed and their burning lust for power.’

“Topaze could hardly restrain himself. His cape

softened and rippled in the wind almost exposing us to

the eyes and ears of Seraph and to the nose of the

bear. I managed to calm him.

“But then Seraph spoke again, ‘Great Bear, I

will send you a meal. Go and lie in wait in your cavern

home. I will send you a feast of Emberok flesh. You

may maul, kill and eat the four Emberokss and the

dog. But the human you must bring to me asss my

prey.’

“Topaze’s anger mounted. ‘We must stop him’,

he whispered, almost loud enough to be heard by

Seraph, ‘We must warn the others. If they have chosen

the short path they may be in the bear’s cave before we

can reach them.’

“Seraph had by this time opened his wings and

shown the children the bear as it ran away. He told

them he had saved them once more. He once again

handed them their gifts spinning his web of deceit

about them.

“Topaze could no longer be still.

“‘I must do something to stop this!’ he cried.

“To my amazement, Seraph was so involved in

his tempting he did not hear. Topaze took high to the

air and dove silently straight at the angel. Swooping

down past his ear, his owl snatched one of the jewels

from the children and flew up and away again in my

direction. Topaze had his mount release the scale so

16

that it fell at the base of my stump. Again to my

amazement, Topaze circled and started another dive,

this time without the element of surprise.

“Seraph had turned away from the children and

from his mouth taken a ball of flame. Turning back he

pointed at the plummeting steed and rider and

sounded an alarm of impending cataclysm, ‘It iss a

forest demon. They must be destroyed by fire.’

“He hurled a portion of the flame at Topaze. But

Topaze was ready. He countered flinging a gem that

collided with the fireball and both exploded in a midair

shower of sparks and a cloud of steam.

“To Seraph’s surprise, Topaze broke through the

cloud hurling another crystal at the monster’s face,

while the owl dove for the other child’s scale.”

Jasmer burst out, “Hurray, for brave Topaze.”

“Both missed their mark.”

Jasmer groaned his disappointment.

“The crystal struck Seraph’s foot scattering the

moonlight exposing his hideous black claws. The owl

blinded by the flash of moonlight as it stretched its

talons for Jeremy’s cursed gift, instead raked your

brother’s arm leaving three nasty scratches.

“Had Topaze gone only for Seraph’s face or only

for the other jewel he may have succeeded. But trying

for both, he got neither. Seraph roared his anger over

the breach in his disguise and hissed his frustration

over his failure at ridding himself of this tiny

nuisance. Unlike most creatures, Seraph’s anger and

frustration seemed to sharpen his wits and crafty

mind.

“First he checked the children with a glance. A

smile of pleasure formed on his lips as he realized they

had not noticed his true form exposed. Elise had not

stopped crying since her jewel had been snatched

away. She leaned over her brother caring for his arm

17

as he wailed in panic and pain.

“Another glance confirmed his plan. He saw

Topaze turning to make a third pass. I cannot

understand what possessed Topaze to attempt another

attack. Perhaps Seraph’s scream of frustration

deluded Topaze into believing victory was possible.”

“Perhaps he simply felt it was his duty,”

Kristofer interrupted, imagining his upcoming

encounter with the Beast.

“Perhaps,” Chrysolite admitted, “But if there

had been any hesitation on my comrade’s part, it

vanished when his foe turned his back and stretched

out his wings. I could almost hear Topaze think, How

could anyone miss a target that big?

“I followed Seraph’s gaze, and to my surprise

the slightest sliver of a moon had reappeared in the

sky. Then the light seemed to stream away and down

to the beast as if he were collecting it with those

outstretched wings.”

“Oh, no!” moaned Jasmer remembering the

blinding flash which had first transformed the dragon

into an angel of light. He looked to Sylvan and

Kristofer and knew that they both understood.

“Topaze plunged toward the monster holding to

his mount only by his knees. He clutched two crystals

in each hand. At the moment he drew back his arm to

launch the first two crystals, the last light drained

from the moon and Seraph spun around to face him.

The flash of light that followed was so intense that had

I been looking directly at Seraph, instead of

concentrating on Topaze, I could not have seen what

happened next.

“Blinded for the moment the loyal owl managed

to keep on course and Topaze held on to half his

ammunition. He had to drop the other two stones

freeing his hand to keep from falling from his mount.

18

It was a most horrible sight for his eyes had lost all

their brilliance.

“The two crystals fell directly towards the

children like shooting stars. One dropped harmlessly

to the ground rolling into a clump of clover.” She

reached into her cape and produced the beautiful topaz

stone, “I recovered it when Seraph left.

“The other, as if guided like the shepherd’s

brook smoothed stone, made a direct hit on the second

ebony scale still lying at Jeremy’s feet. The explosion

bowled both children over with several somersaults.

Praise be to the True One neither child was harmed

from the blast. But now they were more terrified than

ever.

“Seraph had followed the vision searing flash

with a barrage of flaming missiles from the ball of fire

he had held in his hand all this time. Feeling the

approaching heat, Topaze released his last crystals.

They succeeded in countering the enemy’s attack.

“The owl’s vision had returned at least in part

by now for he began to pull up out of the dive realizing

his master was unarmed and probably still blinded.

The owl flew directly over Seraph’s head.

“With an ugly laugh, the dragon angel hurled

the remainder of his fire at the rising defenseless pair.

As it gained on them, my heart ached. I knew they

could not escape. As it caught them, I expected to see

my brother burst into flames, instead the fire

surrounded only the mount. The poor creature

shrieked in agony as its flight feathers dropped like

flaming tears to the ground.

“The owl managed to descend in circles instead

of crashing headlong to the earth. As it neared the

ground it passed over Seraph one last time. Topaze,

faint from the heat that surrounded him, lost his grip

and dropped from the back of his mount feebly crying

19

out, ‘True One!’

“Too weak even to partially cover, the fall would

have meant certain death for Topaze. But his fate was

to be worse. The instant before he crashed into the

hilltop, Seraph reached out and grasped his cape. That

monster involuntarily licked his lips with his fiery

tongue. He darted a look in the children’s direction.

They had not seen. They were a huddle of whimpers

and sobs afraid to raise their heads. In Seraph’s

outstretched hand, my dear frail Topaze hung by his

cape as if hung from a gallows.

“In a sickly sweet voice Seraph called, ‘Children,

come and see the forest demon who so frightened you,

the little thief who tried to steal your giftss. He iss a

great danger to you, though only a pest to me. He iss a

cockroach, a fly, a mosquito to be swatted and

squashed. Children, the forest is full of these enemiess.

But I will help you rid thiss great wildernesss of these

vermin and make it a paradisse fit for a king and a

queen.’

“The children crept closer. Jeremy whimpered,

‘But it looks like one of Grandpa’s Emberoks. They are

supposed to be good.’

“Topaze lifted his head slightly and a tiny spark

leapt back into his eyes. He muttered, ‘True One.’

“Seraph answered, ‘Yess, little man, it iss an

Emberok, though I prefer the more accurate

designation of forest demon. And can a creature that

stealss or destroyss another person’ss gift be good?

Your grandfather wass mistaken. Obviously, he hass

never met an Emberok or he would not speak of them

asss good. He hass only heard falsse taless and

believed silly superstitionss about these dangerouss

pestss. But now you have seen these nasty little

creaturess.’

“Topaze realizing his failure and the

20

opportunity he had given Seraph prayed with his last

words, ‘True One, please forgive me.’

“Seraph sneered, ‘You see, he knowss me and

begss for mercy.’

“‘Shouldn’t you forgive him then?’ asked Elise.

“Hiss offensse iss more against you than me. It

iss your giftss he destroyed, your brother’ss life he

tried to take. Without a doubt those slashes on hiss

arm were meant for hiss throat. Should he receive

mercy?’

“Both children knew that the answer was, ‘yes,’

yet neither of them spoke as the anger over their

precious lost gifts increased.

“‘He simply wantss to avoid hiss punishment. If

he had the chance he would do the same and worsse

again. I will grant hiss last request. I forgive you forest

demon. And I send you to a better world asss your

reward.’”

Chrysolite hung her head in shame, “It was then

I realized that in all the surveillance, in all the battle,

in all the torture, not once had I made one request of

the True One. As Seraph turned away from the

children to produce another ball of fire, I whispered,

‘True One, he is yours.’

“A whisper of breeze blew past me with the

single word, ‘Mine!’

“Seraph turned, his face full of fear, searching

the darkness. A blast of air knocked him to his knees

and the fire from his hands. Topaze’s eyes blazed

bright as the wind tore free the crystal clasp that held

the cloak together under his chin.

“Topaze hit the ground running and scrambled

into a patch of thick dry brush. Still holding the cape,

Seraph scooped the fireball from the ground and sent

it chasing the fugitive. Instantly, a wall of flames

encompassed the thicket. I saw Topaze run around the

21

perimeter seeking a way out. The fire burned toward

the middle until nothing remained but ashes. As the

fire closed in on him, Topaze fell to the ground and the

last I heard of our brother was a squeal of terror as the

flames closed in on him.

22

CHAPTER 8

A GIFT FROM THE DRAGON’S HEART

“Are you sure our brother is gone?” Sylvan

asked.

“How could he have escaped? I saw him until

the moment the wave of flame passed over him. When

Seraph had gone, I flew over the area twice. Nothing

remained as would be expected since he had no cape.”

Sylvan nodded.

Chrysolite said, “But there is more and I will try

to be brief.”

Sylvan cautioned, “Yes, but give a full report.

We have time, now that we travel the shorter path.

And knowledge can be more valuable than might in

battle.”

Chrysolite continued, “The strangest thing

happened next. Seraph seemed almost in shock at his

success at destroying Topaze in the presence of the

True One. He simply stood staring at the charred

ground. He began to laugh, almost a childish laugh.

23

He became delirious, turning to the north, then the

west, then south and shouting pompously, ‘I have

beaten you.’

“Finally he faced the east, as if warning the sun,

‘Come on, come on Rising One if you dare. Thiss time

the victory will be mine.’ With both hands he reached

beneath the breastplate he wore, and with great pain

pulled out two black shining scales. Regaining his

composure he turned back to the children. The

replacement of their gifts swept away the

astonishment and doubt about such unangel like

behavior. They became absorbed once more in the

images of grandeur and pleasure.

“Having indulged the children for several

moments, Seraph took back the charms saying, ‘We

must be careful. I will keep your giftss safe until we

eliminate all the disgusting forest demonss and their

alliess.’

“Both children whined for the gifts. ‘These are

the last two such gems in all the world. Without them

you could never be king or queen. We cannot risk their

losss now that the other two are gone.’

“‘Come. We must survey the land that iss to be

yourss and then I must make sure my pet iss fed.’

Catching up the children, Seraph flew high into the

sky.

“Unfurling, I picked up the ebony scale at my

feet.” She now produced the scale for all to see. Its odd

triangular shape drew the breath out of several of the

older Emberoks. Granite reached into his cape and

pulled out a diamond as large as his fist. The scale

perfectly covered one fourth of the huge diamond.

Sylvan breathed deeply, “A gift from the

dragon’s heart. No wonder it holds such power.”

Kristofer looked a question at Sylvan who began

to explain, “Seraph’s heart was once, so I am told, for it

24

was long before my time, once as beautiful and

enduring as a diamond. Radiant with the warm, clear

light of the True One, its many facets dazzled all who

peered into it and all who had such privilege praised

the True One for such marvelous design and

craftsmanship. It is told that Seraph began to resent

the adoration the True One received and soon believed

he should receive the praise himself. After all, it was

his heart. He began to think of the True One as a leech

and then as a thief. He led a rebellion and many

servants of the True One, dazzled by Seraph’s beauty

and deceived by his cunning, were caught up in his

delusion. The True One watched in silent sadness as

the war raged for a thousand years. After a great

battle leaving countless casualties on each side, the

True One arose from his throne and with a single

command ended the strife in his kingdom, ‘It is

enough. Depart.’”

Sylvan saw the question in Kristofer’s eyes,

“Every young Emberok has the same question, Master.

With such power, why did the Almighty One allow the

conflict to continue so long? I doubt if any creature

knows all the answer to that question. But in the very

least, I believe it was to give Seraph ample

opportunity to turn from his foolishness, and to try the

hearts of all involved in the battle. Indeed numerous

stories tell of massive defections from Seraph’s ranks

before the True One’s decisive stroke.

“Some say Seraph and his army were banished

to this corner of the creation as a purgatory of sorts.

Some say the True One now uses Seraph to accomplish

a secret design still only partially revealed. Some say

before passing final sentence on this mighty one, the

True One, in his great mercy and foresight, allows

Seraph’s unwitting participation in the formation of

creatures even mightier and more beautiful than he,”

25

He looked Kristofer in the eyes, “creatures who one

day will judge those who followed that great dragon.

“Seraph has put forth the lie that he escaped the

True One; and how could that be if the True One

actually is all powerful and present everywhere as He

claims to be? Seraph proclaims the True One to be the

liar, lying to hold on to his subjects through fear by

convincing them he is almighty and omnipresent.

Seraph’s delusion is that he can defeat the True One

and rule over the universe. He enlists all who will

believe him into his army of self-centered fools with

promises of power and pleasure.

“All the True One’s light has departed from

Seraph’s heart leaving only the coldness and hardness

of a diamond. Its empty darkness desires the

destruction of love and light, integrity and truth,

whenever and wherever he encounters such virtues,

lest his true nature and his final destiny be exposed.

“These scales are a part of Seraph’s defense, as

well as a part of his weaponry. They are used to

deceive others, but also to cover the fatal lie in his

heart. Your brother and sister are exposed to the

strongest delusion, stronger than you can begin to

imagine. But now in our possession of this scale and in

the destruction of another, Seraph’s heart of lies is

only half covered, which means it is half exposed to

us.”

Kristofer took the scale, “Then we must destroy

this scale so that Seraph cannot recover it.”

Sylvan smiled at the wisdom, “Your truthsword,

Master.”

As Kristofer brought the point of the truthsword

toward the scale, he felt a strange, pleasant tingling in

the fingers grasping the object. Looking more closely at

the charm, an image began to appear in the ebony

surface.

26

“Quickly, Master. Destroy it,” Sylvan warned,

seeing the danger.

It was too late. The point of the truthsword

halted one inch from the ebony surface. Kristofer stood

frozen with amazement. But that was not how he felt.

His consciousness was swept into the world he saw in

the jewel, a garden so beautiful it must be Eden. He

felt a warm, dreamy peace all about him and through

him as he walked for hours through this paradise. His

favorite animals roamed about freely, a zoo with no

cages. A lion approached him purring like a kitten

letting him scratch his ears. There was no fear. An

elephant picked him up with his trunk and gave him a

ride. A voice strong, clear, gentle spoke from nowhere

and everywhere, “It iss I, Seraph. I heard the liess

they spoke of me. Poor creaturess. They do not

understand. You see I can hear all that you say and

think. I am everywhere and I am the True One. Your

brother and sister are safe and happy with me.”

“Let me see them,” Kristofer cried.

“I cannot yet, for they are nearly, perfectly mine

now. Your doubt could destroy all their hopess and

dreamss.”

“Let me see you,” Kristofer challenged.

“You’ve never asked that of the True One before.

Why should you now? Look about you. All of thiss iss

mine to give you. You can be the High King over all

that you see. I could even make you my Son.”

As Kristofer drank in the beauty, the wonder of

that place he began to believe. He began to believe

that Seraph was not the liar he had been told, that the

Emberoks were at best fools or at worst the demons

Seraph claimed. The thought consumed him. Seraph…

the True One. He was not sure if it was a question or a

statement or if it was really his.

The voice came again, “Yess, your companions

27

must not be allowed to destroy all thiss peacce and

happinesss that iss to be yourss. You must not allow

them to destroy your brother and sister, your

kingdom.”

“But what can I do,” pleaded Kristofer.

“You hold the answer in your hand. The

truthsword which activated your vision of thiss truth.

You must strike the large one first. A blow to

midsection will destroy him. The other six will then

flee into the cave where the great she-bear awaits

them. Then you and all that belongss to you will be

safe.”

A thought from outside that world, a disturbing

thought, pierced Kristofer’s mind, “Hadn’t Chrysolite

reported Seraph promising four Emberok meals to the

great bear. Now he was sending six. If Seraph did

know all, then why didn’t he promise the bear six

Emberok meals? Or had Chrysolite been so clever as to

twist the truth of her story? If not, then Seraph was

not the True One as he claimed and none of this could

be trusted.”

Kristofer Harris looked at the beautiful world

surrounding him. He so wanted it to be true. He

needed a test.

Speaking aloud to Seraph, “Where is my dog,

Gallant, in this world, for I desire him to be in my

kingdom.”

“He hass not yet proven hiss loyalty,” the voice

countered sadly.

“His loyalty needs no proof to me. I know him

and if you, Seraph, are the True One, you know his

loyalty as well.”

Silence filled this imaginary world as Seraph

hesitated. Then he answered, “Very well.”

Across an open field the large white German

Shepherd bounded happily. Kristofer was shocked, “It

28

is true, Seraph is the True One.”

He ran to the dog and buried his head in its side

laughing, saying over again, “Good boy. It is true.

Good…” His praise was interrupted by Gallant’s

familiar bark. But it, like the thought before, seemed

to come from above the sky, from above this world.

Suddenly, he realized the animal he now embraced

had not made a sound.

Jumping away from the beast, he saw two pitch

black eyes boiling with hatred. He heard a death growl

issue from the throat while a red tongue flickered over

the bared white fangs.

He backpedaled as fast as he could. As the beast

lunged for his throat Kristofer felt himself falling

rapidly upward away from that world, the devil dog

after him. The world fell into the pitch dark of space

which then became the stone in his hand. Still the dog

flew up towards him as if it would come out of the

jewel after him. His right arm instinctively finished

placing the tip of the truthsword to the ebony scale.

The scale and the dog disintegrated into a black

powder flash. The rising smoke took the form of a

great dragon. As a gentle breeze blew the image away,

Kristofer heard a hideous voice warn, “Next time, little

man, it will be for real.”

Another bark brought Kristofer to his senses.

Looking around he saw all the Emberoks on their

knees with their heads bowed.

“Friends,” he said.

In a moment he was surrounded. Jasmer went

on and on about how concerned he had been and how

happy he was that everything was all right now.

Granite recited a verse he thought appropriate,

Gemwel laughed sweetly and Chrysolite apologized

profusely for not having the foresight to prevent the

whole situation. Glimmer’s eyes danced with renewed

29

hope. Gallant barked noisily. And Sylvan smiled

approvingly.

Kristofer, a little embarrassed, protested,

“Friends, friends, we must be going. Why I was in the

stone for hours. It must be almost dawn.”

Sylvan answered, “I must correct you, Master.

You were only entranced for a few moments. I did not

finish the second sentence in my prayer. Besides,

Chrysolite may have more for us.

“Yes,” she replied, “But I will finish as we

travel.”

“Lead on, boy!” Kristofer commanded Gallant.

Granite swung Kristofer onto his shoulders

again. Then he held out one arm while Chrysolite

mounted her owl which flew with her to the offered

perch.

30

CHAPTER 9

HIGH AND MIGHTY

As the troop started down the path toward the

bog, Chrysolite began the final part of her tale.

“Having secured the scale, I searched the area

where Topaze passed. Finding no remains as I

expected, I then flew to the forest edge and found the

badly wounded owl at the base of a large oak tree near

a spring that came out of the hillside. I believe her

pain over her lost master hurt her most. From where

she lay she had seen the horrible fate of dear Topaze. I

am afraid that all her hope and desire for recovery was

burned away by the sight. I tried to comfort her,

promising to send help as quickly as possible.

“Indeed it took all my strength to leave that

loyal servant suffering so. I fear her wound is fatal and

my promise of help unkept.”

“What do you mean? We will be there soon.”

replied Kristofer.

“Yes, at least some of us may make it. But even

31

so, it would not be soon enough and those who do

arrive will have their hands full with Seraph. My only

chance for her was Grandior.”

“Grandior!” whispered Glimmer in astonished

disbelief. Gemwel said nothing but shook her head and

bowed it as if in a prayer for the hopeless. Sylvan

waited for Chrysolite to continue with his silent half

smile. Granite, smiling broadly broke into verse:

From his mountain throne

He rises.

Beyond the clouds, alone

He rises.

And makes the heavens his own.

From heights none others dare,

Sing praises

Majestic marvel of the air,

Sing praises

To the One who set you there.

Jasmer answered indignantly, “Yes, yes, yes.

And His Marvelous Majesty is about as likely to stoop

to helping a lowly creature of the forest, as I would be

to stand on tiptoe on the highest peak and sing such a

song. Why Grandior wouldn’t…”

“Who is Grandior?” interrupted Kristofer.

“Grandior is so high and mighty, he will have

nothing to do with ordinary creatures. If you have no

wings or happen, by design or command of the True

One to sleep during the day, I doubt he would give

even the courtesy of a glance in your direction. Why I

would be surprised if Chrysolite… “

“Jasmer, you still haven’t told me who he is.

Granite, would you please?”

“Grandior is the grandest of the All Mighty

32

One’s earth creatures, humans and Emberoks

excepted of course. Grandior is the Great Golden Eagle

King, the Mighty Emperor of the Bright Heavens. His

Realm extends from the mountain tops and is limited

only by the reach of his wings. He is a creature of the

light and is seldom seen after the sun sets. Master, if

this brief explanation will suffice, I am anxious to hear

of Chrysolite’s encounter with this majestic mystery.

For though I have traveled much in the mountains and

heard often the legends surrounding him, I have never

had the honor of a personal encounter nor have I

spoken with anyone who has.”

“Caution,” Sylvan warned, “The way grows

steep. We are on our last descent into the bog.”

“Chrysolite, please continue,” Kristofer

requested.

“As Seraph circled away from the mountain

pass, I flew to the peak above it. I had heard that

Grandior was seen several days ago. I knew that if he

were still in the region, he would be on this peak as it

is the highest for several hundred miles.

“I flew straight to the top as fast as my steed

could carry me. And there he was, larger than any

eagle I have ever seen. He was larger than a condor.

“Immediately I knew he had watched the entire

battle and had followed my approach. Yet he sat

motionless and silent. Only his eyes moved. I told him

of the wounded creature and where she lay. I begged

his mercy, his aid. I asked him to carry the victim to

Glen Haven.

“He remained silent and motionless. ‘Have you

no heart, no pity!’ I cried. I began to grow angry. My

eyes flashed. ‘King or coward?’ I spoke my foolish

thoughts.

“His eyes sparked in answer. A long blink

covered their fire and smothered the flame of his royal

33

wrath. But I had seen enough to warn me of my

danger and to drive out my foolish anger.

“To my surprise he spoke, ‘What have I to do

with the forest world or creatures of the night? Of

what concern to me is this Seraph?’”

“Just as I thought,” blurted out Jasmer. “The

most predictable creatures are those you can depend

on to do nothing. What good is a great and powerful

King who refuses to…“

“Jasmer, let her finish.” Kristofer sternly

commanded.

“Oh Master, and dear sister, do forgive me. I

just could not”

“You are forgiven, just be quiet.” Kristofer gave

his friend a reassuring look. “Continue please,

Chrysolite.”

Kristofer shook his head, smiling as he heard

Jasmer whisper to himself, “… just could not help

myself. Oh my!”

Chrysolite continued, “As I considered my reply,

I heard a wicked squeal of greedy delight echo from

below. I covered. Grandior sat motionless. Seraph and

the children walked out onto a ridge halfway between

us and the pass between the mountain peaks.”

Sylvan interrupted, “Sister, we have heard from

Granite of all that was done to prevent our passage

over the mountains. Can you tell us what happened

after the rockslide?”

She nodded respectfully and continued, “Elise

and Jeremy withdrew into the awful embrace of

Seraph as the ground trembled and the boulders

thundered into a massive wall blocking the path. The

demon angel laughed as if delirious with victory. The

children’s sobs and whimpers turned to cheers and

jeers as his excitement possessed them driving out

their tormenting fear with the seven times more

34

deadly curse of pride and imagined domination.

“‘Did you see that? We stopped them!’ your

brother yelled, sneering at Elise.

“‘Yeah, the forest will be ours. They’ll never stop

us, those nasty, little… little… Emberoks,’ Elise

answered hatefully. She said ‘Emberoks’ in such a tone

of voice, the pain in my heart would have burned its

way out through my lips. What held back my cry was

the most slender strand of hope left by her reluctance,

her hesitation to describe us in such fashion.

“Seraph heard it also. He attempted to erase the

doubt beginning to creep across both children’s faces at

your sister’s remark. ‘Child, you must learn to call

thingss by their true name or you will become

confused. Vermin or forest demon iss a more proper

term for those creaturess. The forest iss yourss and

you shall have it back from the thievess. Yess, we shall

take it back from them to do with asss we pleassse.

But children, the forest iss only the beginning. Come,

we have more to do before the Final Dawn Ceremony.

You are not yet fully prepared.’ Taking up the

children, Seraph flew away to continue their

brainwashing.

“I turned back to Grandior who had not moved.

A faint mountain breeze blew upon us. All my fear and

grief and anguish evaporated. In their place was my

answer for Grandior.

“‘Great one, I know your realm extends far

above the forest, but even the greatest king must keep

his floor swept. And I know that your delight is in the

day, but if the night should refuse the dawn, your joy

would be lost. And with all respect, there is One

greater than you, and a service done to the least of His

little ones, even a creature of the night, is service done

to Him.’”

“You actually said those things to Grandior!”

35

gulped Jasmer, and for once had nothing more to say.

“I simply delivered the message,” Chrysolite

humbly replied.

“What was his answer?” asked Kristofer.

“He was completely silent as before.”

“He gave you no response?” asked Sylvan,

cocking one brow in surprise.

“He finally looked at me. It was a terribly sad

look, a look of loneliness, of pain, an awesome look of

responsibility, as if no mortal creature could possibly

understand the mission, the duty, the burden of flying

so high. I hesitated to make my final remark.”

Jasmer’s reaction was reduced to a gasp of

disbelief. Sylvan cocked the other brow. The whole

troop came to a halt as they reached the end of their

descent and the end of their sister’s tale.

“I could not tell if He was testing me, or if he

was being tested. I have never seen any of our

feathered friends weep, but it seemed as if Grandior’s

eyes were brimming with tears. It was the most

difficult thing I have ever had to say, but swallowing

hard I managed, ‘Great one, the final question is not,

“Of what concern is Seraph to you, but of what concern

are you to Seraph?” You heard him say that the forest

is just the beginning. What then will be next?

Remember, Seraph has wings.’”

“Grandior’s eyes closed, whether in deliberation

or indignation, I could not tell. He did not move again.

But he did speak.

“His final word to me was a command, ‘Go!’

“I obeyed without any hesitation. He gave no

indication he would help our poor wounded friend, and

I had no time to seek help elsewhere. By now she has

passed.”

36

CHAPTER 10

THE WAY OF NO RETURN

The company stood at the edge of the swamp,

held fast by their grief, fear, and anger, sinking into a

quicksand of desperation as deadly as any that lay in

their path ahead. Sylvan, recovering first, saw their

danger. Calling each of his companions by name, he

fixed their eyes with his and gently led them to the

more solid ground of faith and hope. Last of all he

turned to Kristofer.

“Master,” he said calmly, “we await your

command. My counsel is to continue immediately. For

though the swamp is narrow here, the going will be

slow and treacherous. We will be open to any attack

from Seraph should he catch us here. You must choose

someone to lead our party for none of us has traveled

this way before except, perhaps for Granite.”

Granite shook his head, “No, I’ve always

traveled on the high paths. But I would count it an

honor to lead such a worthy band.”

37

Sylvan’s speech pulled Kristofer’s sinking

thoughts up out of a quagmire of sorrow and

discouragement. Saving his brother and sister

required action. He had been given that responsibility,

and until he gave the order nothing would happen.

He opened his mouth to speak. Sylvan

interrupted, “Forgive me, Master. Before you select

one of us to lead, you should know that in the event of

an ambush or trap or attack, the leader is the most

likely to perish. Therefore, I volunteer.”

“No,” Kristofer responded, “if there is no one

who knows the way, I will lead.”

Jasmer led the wave of protest that came from

every member of the party. Gallant barked.

Chrysolite’s owl hooted. Gemwel shook her head.

“Quiet!” Kristofer had to yell at the top of his

voice to be heard.

All obeyed instantly except for Jasmer and

Gallant. Jasmer, who seemed to talk to himself when

no one else would listen, was now screaming to

himself, “… doesn’t he know that it all depends on

him? How could he take such a foolish risk? I am the

least important, I should…”

Kristofer could only get his friend’s attention by

putting one hand on the Emberok’s shoulder and one

hand over his mouth. Even then he heard Jasmer’s

muffled, “I should be the one to go first.”

“Hush! If Seraph is anywhere within a mile, he’s

bound to know where we are now.”

“Oh he can hear much farther than that.”

Jasmer thought sheepishly aloud.

Jasmer’s remark did not register with Kristofer

who had turned in amazement to the last member of

the troop still causing a disturbance. Gallant

continued to bark. Faithful, always obedient Gallant

continued to bark. Kristofer stood in shock as Gallant

38

barked at Sylvan. No. The dog was barking to Sylvan

in the same peculiar fashion he had told the Emberok

where Seraph had taken the children. Gallant ceased

and came to Kristofer. He placed his nose under his

master’s hand, whining as if begging forgiveness for

his insubordination.

Sylvan explained, “Gallant has been through

the bog and knows a path that leads to the mouth of

the she-bear’s cave. He says the path is all high

ground except for the last hundred yards which is a

stretch of water waist high to you, Master.”

Kristofer patted his friend on the head, “Lead

us, boy.”

Gallant cautiously entered a patch of tall grass

followed by the others with Granite carrying Kristofer,

Chrysolite, and her owl. After several steps the giant

began to sink to his ankles in mud. Each struggle to

pull his foot free made a loud sucking noise.

“Put me down,” ordered Kristofer, “I am well

rested.”

Minus the extra weight, the nimble giant could

walk without sinking. Coming out of the high grass,

the path continued about a foot above the swamp

waters on either side. Just ahead they heard several

large splashes.

“What was that?” Jasmer whispered to Glimmer

still riding on Gallant’s back.

“Alligators,” answered Glimmer aloud, “about

ten footers.”

Glimmer heard Kristofer gasp. “Don’t worry,

Master. We will be safe as long as we do not come

upon their nests. They are not man eaters.”

Jasmer mumbled, “Yes, well I hope they also are

not Emberok eaters. How do I let Sylvan talk me into

such…”

Another loud splash just ahead silenced Jasmer.

39

Glimmer exclaimed, “Fifteen footer!”

Gallant led the troop safely to the point where

the path entered the water. As Kristofer raised his

truthsword to shed its light on the water they must

cross, the reflections of a hundred stars appeared in

the swamp before them. Oddly, Kristofer could not

recognize any of the constellations he knew so well. He

noticed the stars shone overly bright. But it was the

grouping in pairs and the slight drift in random

directions that made him realize he saw the

truthsword’s gleam reflected in a host of eyes trained

on him and his comrades.

“Alligators!” shouted Glimmer in delight. “There

must be fifty, maybe sixty, maybe more. And I don’t

see one less than ten feet.”

“I’ve never cared much for large reptiles,”

responded Jasmer shakily, “Besides, they have a

hungry look in their eyes.”

“No. As I said before, they are not man eaters,

nor Emberok eaters, Brother. Gallant is the only one

in danger of being attacked. If it was a meal they were

after, he wouldn’t have made it this far. They’re just

curious.”

“But, how are we to get across?” Kristofer asked.

“You don’t expect us to wade through waist high water

full of huge alligators for a hundred yards. What if just

one of them decides to taste one of us? How will

Gallant get across? What if Seraph has won them over

to his side? After all, they are much more like him

than like us.”

Glimmer chuckled, “Master, they are more

similar to Seraph only in appearance. And in wading

through them I am sure there would be no harm as

long as we did not threaten or frighten them.”

“Frighten them!” Jasmer’s high pitched whisper

sounded as if he were losing his voice.

40

“Are you sure, Brother Jasmer, that you are full

blooded Emberok?” Glimmer mischievously teased his

companion. “Or perhaps you have been around

humans too long. But then tending a garden is

extremely dangerous work, managing dangerous jays,

fending off ferocious squirrels, and scolding scandalous

raccoons. Brother Sylvan, I do need an assistant and I

would be honored by the challenge retraining Brother

Jasmer would present.”

“Careful, young brother. Do not let youthful jest

lead you into youthful pride. Jasmer has had much

experience in the wild, though it has been some time

ago.” Sylvan looked at Jasmer. “Yet what you have

spoken may have some merit. I will give it

consideration.” Jasmer looked horrified at the thought

of leaving his garden.

Backing away from the shore Kristofer said,

“None of you may have the chance. Here they come.”

Gallant backed away also, growling a warning.

Glimmer slid off his retreating mount, as Sylvan

motioned the other Emberoks to withdraw. An

alligator of at least twenty feet came up on the shore

towards the small Emberok, stopped less than a foot

from him, and opened its mouth.

Rather than being gobbled down as Kristofer

had expected, Glimmer seemed to be talking to the

monster. Kristofer turned to Sylvan for an

explanation.

“Glimmer is caretaker of a vast swamp in the

heart of the deep wild. He is skilled with these

creatures, knowing their language and behaviors

better than any of our brothers or sisters. You are wise

to be cautious, Master, for they are dangerous

creatures. But, I assure you, we could be no safer than

to be with Glimmer. Even had he not lost Sapphrond, I

would have asked Glimmer to join our company.”

41

Glimmer turned and walked to Kristofer. At the

same time the alligator turned towards the water and

gave a tremendous bellow. The water’s edge became a

swirl of activity as a number of other large alligators

crawled out onto the bank.

Kristofer swirled his cape into a shield and

shouted, “Glimmer, behind you!”

“Be not afraid, Master. They will not harm you.”

“What are they doing? Why have they come out

of the water?” asked the boy not taking his eyes away

from the dangerous creatures at the water’s edge.

“They know of Seraph’s presence. I told them of

his plan and of our mission. They have offered their

help.”

“What can they do?”

“They can save us precious time and energy.

They have offered to carry us across the water. We can

make it across in a matter of minutes. Without their

help it would take an hour or more.”

Glimmer turned and commanded the scaled

escorts with several abrupt gravelly barks. In response

the alligators turned and faced the water.

Both Kristofer and Jasmer cast doubting looks

at Sylvan. He smiled his half smile and remarked, “We

can take their offer or we can risk offending them and

then wade through a swamp of angry alligators. The

choice seems clear to me, Master. But I will submit to

your decision.”

Jasmer, who seemed to have lost his voice, just

rolled his eyes and wagged his head. Kristofer nodded

his agreement but seemed to wrestle with a question

for several moments.

“Master, you won’t even have to get your feet

wet,” Glimmer grinned broadly. Having a task, being

able to make a valuable contribution to their mission,

had displaced the sense of helplessness and

42

hopelessness which had haunted him since the loss of

Sapphrond. Noticing the question still on Kristofer’s

face he asked, “What is wrong, Master?”

“How will Gallant get across?”

Glimmer beamed proudly having already

anticipated this problem, “Granite can carry him.”

“But I will wade,” said the giant. “For I am

afraid that not even one of these big fellows could ferry

me across to the other side. And the water is shallow

for me. I shall be able to make good time. I may even

beat these swift swimmers.”

“The water is shallow, but the bottom is soft, my

big friend,” responded Glimmer. “Even without

Gallant, you would sink to your knees. Actually, if we

had to wade, the rest of us would be waiting for you. I

know you are too large for one of my friends. That is

why two shall carry you. With their skill and your

balance you should have no trouble standing, one foot

on the back of each. The rest should kneel or sit with

your feet up. Of course Chrysolite can fly over and wait

on the other side.”

“No,” decided Kristofer, “We should stay

together. We don’t know where the bear will attack.

Let’s get going. We will travel just as Glimmer has

planned. Chrysolite will ride with Glimmer and

Gemwel. Her owl shall ride with Granite.”

Glimmer showed everyone to their escort.

Granite picked up Gallant who whined uneasily.

Chrysolite’s owl perched on the giant’s shoulder.

Jasmer fidgeted with reluctance hesitating to take his

designated seat.

Kristofer, placing his arm around his friend,

whispered, “We will be safe with Glimmer.”

Jasmer smiled weakly, swallowed hard, and

nodded in resignation. Nervously, he walked to his

mount, awkwardly took his place, and closed his eyes

43

tight.

Kristofer kneeled on his alligator and nodded to

Glimmer. Glimmer responded with a sharp guttural

command which caused Jasmer’s eyes to open

involuntarily. The alligators plunged into the water

with such amazing speed and smoothness that

Jasmer’s voice returned, “Ooooh! Oh my goodness!”

Gemwel contagiously laughed her delight and

soon the whole company chuckled, giggled and

guffawed at the thrill of their ride. Halfway across, all

Jasmer’s fear had vanished into a bellow of pleasure.

He began to talk to the only one who would take time

from the enjoyment to listen, his alligator ride. To

Kristofer it seemed that the alligators themselves

began to show more of their teeth in a peculiar

alligator smile at the delight their assistance brought

to their riders.

Three sharp barks interrupted the fun.

Everyone looked toward Gallant who whined, and then

looking up, growled and barked once more. High above

them, shining with the stolen radiance of the moon,

glided the evil angel, Seraph, circling like a vulture

over its doomed victims below.

Glimmer gave a sharp command. The alligator

envoy doubled its speed. Every member of the party

including the agile giant had trouble maintaining his

mount. Kristofer found himself lying flat on his

stomach his arms reaching around the great neck of

his ride barely able to lock his fingers underneath.

Kristofer froze in terror. He had dropped the

truthsword and the trustshield into the swamp. His

only hope against Seraph, his only hope for Jeremy

and Elise, lay at the bottom of this dark bog because

he had been frightened of falling in the water. Looking

back as best he could, he watched the spot where his

weapons had sunk slip away rapidly behind him.

44

Seraph’s wicked, hissing laugh wrapped itself around

his heart like some great serpent determined to

squeeze out the last bit of life remaining there.

Kristofer, weak with helplessness, sighed, “It’s

no use.” He pressed his face against the scales of his

mount, “I can’t beat him now. It’s impossible.”

A familiar and yet unfamiliar voice broke

through to him. His brother’s squeal of delight was

laced with a wickedness he had not heard even in his

brother’s worst moments of meanness or cruelty. His

sister screamed demands dripping with a venom of

hatred and fury so violent Kristofer barely recognized

her voice. Both children had learned Seraph’s hiss so

well they imitated him without thinking.

“You’d better stop those nasty little vermin,

Seraph!” Elise snarled, “Don’t let them have our

foresst.”

“Yeah! Send them up in smoke. Thiss iss our

kingdom,” Jeremy shrieked.

“Asss Your Majestiess wish,” the disguised

dragon obeyed. Seraph blew into the air a dark cloud

writhing with lightning trying to escape the black

cocoon encasing it.

With tears in his eyes Kristofer looked up to see

his brother and sister. Seraph turned so that the

children would not see their brother among the party

below. As he raised his head the wind rushed over his

face drying his eyes and the thought rushed into his

mind, “You have not because you ask not. What is

impossible for you is easy for Me.”

Kristofer closed his eyes tight, “I’ve got to help

them. Father, forgive me for carelessly losing the

weapons you had supplied for me. Please help me to do

the job you gave me to do.”

Opening his eyes, Kristofer saw the shore only

twenty yards away. At that moment several things

45

happened. Seraph sneered above, “Die vermin!” as the

first lightning bolt exploded from the deadly cloud and

struck the water with a violent hiss that sounded like

Seraph himself. The entire alligator escort vanished.

Kristofer went under and struggled to find his footing.

He regained his balance and found himself in waist

deep water ten yards from the shore. Granite pulled

himself onto the bank where Gallant barked a warning

to all the others. Glimmer, Gemwel and Chrysolite ten

yards further out swam for shore as fast as they could

in water well over their heads. Behind them Jasmer

sputtered about the rudeness of alligators as Sylvan

grabbed him by the cloak and began to drag him

towards the shore in the nearest to a panic Kristofer

could imagine of his friend. Jasmer’s rambling

abruptly halted as Sylvan pointed to the boiling water

within an arm’s length of them where the first bolt of

lightning had struck. The two Emberoks fled as fast as

possible through the deep water. The head of a large

fiery serpent emerged from its bubbling swamp

cauldron. A second serpent did the same. Both

Emberoks turned and hurled a crystal at the demonic

beasts. A swirl of white fire engulfed one of the

serpents and a swirl of blue fire surrounded the other.

In a blinding flash the light and the serpents vanished.

The blindness was only the natural darkness of

the moonless night revealed by several more bolts of

lightning striking the water. Kristofer turned towards

the shore. Before he could take a step, the water before

him began to glow and then bubble as beneath the

water he saw great white teeth and large scales rise to

the surface.

He stood in shock as the great leader of the

alligators broke the surface with the truthsword and

the trustshield held gently in its powerful jaws.

Without hesitation, Kristofer reached between the

46

rows of teeth and recovered his weapons. Nodding his

appreciation to his huge scaly ally, he watched it dive

and speed away to the right. But his attention was

immediately snatched away from the alligator.

Turning a complete circle, it seemed as if the entire

surface of the swamp was boiling. Already a number of

the flaming serpents were closing in on the party

desperately struggling toward the shore. The lightning

was beginning to fall like rain.

A tremendous thrashing turned his head to see

the alligator leader rolling in the water not fifty feet

away locked in combat with several of the serpents. He

shook one ferociously in his mouth biting it in two.

Both parts became whole serpents almost immediately

and turned again to attack their victim. A tremendous

bellow signaled his defeat as he sank out of sight.

The three smallest Emberoks made it to shore.

Sylvan and Jasmer reached Kristofer. “Come, Master,

there is no time for remorse. Any delay may cost us

our lives. He knew the danger. Do not let his sacrifice

be made useless.”

Turning for the shore Kristofer realized all the

surface between them and the bank was heaving with

the hatching of hundreds of the deadly serpents.

Looking up he saw a bolt of lightning coming directly

at him. Instinctively he raised his shield and braced

himself for the impact. To his amazement he felt only

a slight jolt and heard a loud sizzling hiss as the bolt

was completely extinguished.

“Your capes!” he shouted, “use your shields!”

He had no time to say more for before him and

his two companions seven serpents raised their heads

from the swamp waters. All the Emberoks swirled

their capes into shields. Those on shore stood at a loss

as to how to aid their friends cut off from them by an

ever increasing number of serpents. The three small

47

Emberoks could not swim and fight at the same time.

Granite would sink in the mud to his knees and be an

easy victim for the serpents.

Kristofer drew back the truthsword aiming to

sever the head of the nearest serpent. Sylvan drew a

crystal from the inner surface of his shield and

destroyed that enemy. Then he warned, “Never strike

with the truthsword, you will render it useless.

Besides, you will only succeed in doubling these

enemies by cutting them in two.”

“But how am I to destroy them? I have no

crystals.”

“Wield your weapons against these creations of

the False One.”

“This is no time for conversation, my friends,”

Jasmer smiled seriously.

The two Emberoks took battle positions, one

before and one behind the boy. Sylvan fought to clear a

path to the shore. Jasmer destroyed everything that

attacked their flank. All the while they had to be sure

to cover from the lightning bolts still falling from that

dark cloud above. A large serpent perhaps ten feet in

length struck at Kristofer from the side. Blocking the

strike with his shield, he felt the fangs sink into the

hardened cape and the serpent struggle furiously as it

burned away into nothingness. Kristofer thought

desperately of how he could use his sword. An idea

occurred to him. Maybe these serpents really are

nothing, simply an illusion, a fear Seraph has dredged

up from our minds to delay us the way he uses his

scales to play upon our most treasured desires.

The next serpent raised its head to strike from

the side. Kristofer pointed his sword at the enemy and

shouted, “Show yourself for what you are!”

The fiendish grin that bared the serpent’s fangs

dripping with a fiery venom froze Kristofer for a brief

48

moment that almost proved fatal. Kristofer sluggishly

tried to protect himself with the shield but was too

slow for the lightning strike. An explosion of blue fire

swept the fangs away only inches from his neck. A

single drop of venom fell onto his chest and began to

burn through his shirt and then into his skin as if

trying to eat its way through to his heart. He screamed

at the incredible pain, almost fainted, and without

thinking, placed his hand on the wound. The hilt of his

sword touched the burn and drew out all the poison,

leaving only a scar.

The progress of the three was too slow as the

number of serpents continued to multiply. Twenty feet

from the bank they came to a complete halt and the

circle of their attackers grew tighter and tighter. On

the bank they heard Granite exclaim, “Why, what is

wrong with us? Of course we can help! We will keep a

path clear for them. Gemwel you keep the first several

feet clear, Chrysolite, the next several feet, Glimmer

the next and I will clear the last several feet. We can

do that easily.”

The barrage of crystals kept clear the path to

the bank and the three made speedy progress only

having to cover their flank and either side. The cloud

above moved with them. Lightning flashes began to hit

the dry ground exploding into dozens of small

serpents. Some of the large serpents from the water

began to slither onto the bank. The last several feet to

the shore were hard fought as the three in the water

lost their land support, the Emberoks on land battling

furiously to defend themselves. Gallant, having no

defense against this enemy, stood barking in the

middle of a circle of Emberok warriors.

Finally, out of the water, Sylvan cut a path for

his two companions to the edge of the circle. As they

started to join their companions the serpents

49

intensified their attack, sensing the possibility of their

prey escaping. Several large serpents attacked

simultaneously. Jasmer destroyed one with his last

remaining crystal and disintegrated two with his

shield. A serpent hurled itself at Kristofer as he raised

his shield to protect against a bolt of lightning. At the

same time two others lunged at Kristofer from the

other side. Jasmer threw his shield at the single

attacker, and having nothing else with which to defend

his Master, hurled his body between the boy and the

other two serpents. Sylvan ignored the lightning bolt

headed directly for him and tossed his friend his

shield. Jasmer caught the shield and destroyed the

serpent lunging toward his throat. The other sank its

fangs deep into the Emberok’s heel. With a scream of

pain he brought the shield down with all his might

upon the serpent’s head destroying it with a flash of

flame.

As he sunk to his knees reeling into darkness he

saw Sylvan engulfed in a mass of small biting serpents

from a lightning strike to the shoulder. Gallant took a

limp Jasmer by the collar and pulled him into the

circle of warriors. Kristofer grabbing the Emberoks’

shields fell back into the safety of the circle. Looking

again at Sylvan he saw him lying in a swirl of clear

flames resulting from the diamond Granite had

dropped on him. The serpents burned away, and the

giant lifted the stiffened body of his brother into the

circle.

Kristofer looked to the sky. The lightning had

ceased and the cloud was spent. He shouted the good

news to his companions.

Granite smiled half heartedly at the brief lull,

“Yes, my Master, it may well be true

That once again the sky is blue.

50

That for every dark and ominous cloud

A silver lining is allowed.

But look back to the earth,

Join with my eyes.

See what it’s worth

For the one that dies.

And if heaven is your heart’s desire,

You’ll have it tonight by the Serpent’s fire.”

Then the giant added under his breath, “But not

without a fight my fine flaming foes.”

Kristofer saw the swamp on fire, teaming with

fiery serpents on top of fiery serpents. The ground

around them burned with unholy flames as the

serpents massed preparing for a final assault.

“Not without a fight!” Kristofer said looking

down at his two motionless friends. “We shall attack!”

Granite turned to the boy and opened his cape.

He had only several hundred crystals left. Kristofer

looked to the other Emberoks. They had even fewer.

Kristofer looked out at the tens of thousands of

serpents.

“Not without a fight!”

51