Chapter 11

"Father, I’m worried about Jayden."

Looking at his eldest son, Myaku could offer no comfort.

"His path has always differed from ours. Tiath saw this. Khira willing, we will see him again."

The strangers approach, Master Myaku."

Silence fell over the group as they observed the shore. 8 strangers left the rowboat, a small boy among them. 2 of the men approached the trees where Myaku and the others were, stopping just a few steps away.

"I am Prince Brian of Khiranirn and this is General Richardson."

"Welcome to Daisanu, Your Highness," greeted Myaku as he stepped out of hiding. Turning to Kevin, he nodded.

"General."

As the others joined them, AJ did a head count and came up with 16 of them altogether.

"I fear you are too late. King Marduk attacked a few hours ago. My sons, 5 guards and I managed to get away, but the rest of my people have either been captured or killed."

"I am sorry for your loss, Master Myaku but I’m afraid we have more pressing concerns."

Controlling his grief, Myaku nodded.

"Yes, the sacrifice. He is here."

"You’ve seen Nick?"

Myaku surprised by AJ’s outburst noticed the others interest as well.

"If you mean the Drake, then yes I have."

"Nick’s only half-Drake."

"Yes, he would have to be for the spell to work, but his hand does bear the mark."

"Thanks to that bastard," hissed AJ, his anger once again mirrored by the others. Myaku could almost physically feel the menace radiating off the General who had yet to speak a word.

"We should move. Time is running short."

As they made their way deeper into the trees, Myaku was surprised to see the boy walking hand in hand with the General.

Cole felt his nerves settle when Kevin squeezed his hand. Looking up at the General, tall, strong and able, Cole had every confidence they would get Nick back. Feeling eyes on him, he turned to see Master Myaku looking at him. With Kevin beside him, he felt brave enough to ask.

"How did Nick look?"

Myaku took a moment to consider his answer.

"There was a sadness about him. I caught but a glimpse as we were escaping but there was no mistaking who he was. The wizard was by his side and he looked as if he was explaining something to Nick."

The name so foreign as he spoke it. For years, the man had only been referred to as the ‘sacrifice’. He had never understood why Lady Gaia had not just killed the child years ago, but as wise Tiath had explained, one day he would. Today, after meeting these people who so obviously cared for their friend, he saw the ‘sacrifice’ as more than just the key to prophecy. He saw him as someone’s brother, friend and looking towards the boy and General, perhaps something even more.

"What will you do with all the prisoners?" asked Nick. They were walking through the camp on their way to meet King Marduk. The King had requested his presence as soon as they had docked but Luke chose to wait until they had secured the Terayanu.

"They will either be sold as slaves or killed."

The indifferent tone used caused Nick to stop and stare at Luke. The wizard realizing he had stopped, turned and felt his anger rise despite himself at Nick’s expression.

"What did you expect to happen?"

"I……."

Nick stopped, berating himself for acting this way.

"You’re right. I should have known."

Nick’s acceptance only riled Luke up more.

‘What the hell is wrong with you? Why the hell should you care that the drake thinks you cruel and cold?’

Luke scolded himself but then all anger left him as he realized he did care.

Nick felt Luke strengthening both their mental shields and found it curious that he should be so distrustful of his own king. Entering the largest tent, Nick finally came face to face with the man responsible for all this chaos.

Jayden kept low as he saw the dragon prince enter the tent. He forced himself to remain in hiding even when he saw his people being herded into the large cages at the camp’s center. Tiath had made it clear what he had to do. The only way for the spell to work was if the blood flowed from the living creature to satin the sacred grove. Should the sacrifice be killed earlier, then the blood would turn cold and no longer be acceptable. He would carry out his duty tonight.

‘There you are.’

King Marduk was almost giddy with happiness when the half Drake was presented to him.

"You have done well, Luke. I am pleased."

Luke bowed in response but remained silent.

‘Yes, that’s the way it should be. Everyone loyal only to him, ever ready to his bidding. Soon it will all come to pass.’

"Just as you planned, Your Highness. Everything is coming together."

Turning, Marduk faced his advisor, Jakati.

Nick was surprised. So used to being in the presence of a strong and capable ruler in the form of King Barrett, he had expected King Marduk to be anything but the frail old man he saw. There was a glint of madness in his eyes and Nick found it hard to accept that this man had been the cause of all their troubles. But the appearance of the King’s advisor…………….

Jakati was everything Marduk wasn’t. Tall, imposing, he dominated over everyone else. But unlike Barrett, absent was the sense of reassurance and trust. Observing the conversation between the two, Nick came to the realization that Marduk was nothing but a puppet, merely a pawn.

As if he heard, Jakati turned to glare at Nick. Shields slammed into his mind as Luke completely dominated his senses. Nick felt his knees buckle under the mental pressure but he was saved from falling by Luke’s strong arms.

"He has been a lot under of strain since the binding." Luke attempted to explain.

"Forgive me, Master."

Nick was shocked to realize Luke was addressing Jakati.

//Stop Nick. He can read your thoughts//

//Luke?//

//Trust me//

As Nick felt himself lose consciousness, he had time for one final thought.

‘This is starting to become a bad habit.’

Coming to, Nick found himself in another tent lying on a bed of furs. Sitting up, he let out a startled gasp as he came face to face with Jakati. Before he could move away, he was grabbed and crushed into a brutal kiss. Attempting to strike the man, he growled in frustration as his arm was twisted and he was slammed back against the bed.

"Let me go!"

Nick had had about enough. At this point, he wished they would just kill him and get it over with.

Picking up on Nick’s anger, Jakati released him, amused.

"Such spirit! I can see why Luke likes you."

Caught of guard, Nick remained silent as he sat up and moved as far away as he could which incidentally wasn’t by much since he found his left leg chained to a metal pole by the bed.

"What is this?!"

"Just a little insurance. You can never be too careful."

Nick hated the condescending tone being used and attempted to ignore the man.

"You are fortunate that I am not partial to pleasures to the flesh, no matter how tempting a morsel might be presented," Jakati smirked as he ran a hand up Nick’s leg.

Wrenching himself away, Nick glared at the man.

"You have realized the truth of the ‘great’ King Marduk. It is a fact that I am not yet ready to share with the world. If it weren’t for the fact you’d be dead by tomorrow……………"

Nick almost sighed with relief when Luke walked into the tent. Luke eyed Jakati warily not missing Nick’s bruised lips and defensive pose.

"Master?"

"I was just leaving, Luke. So much fire in this one. I’m surprised that you have yet to try him."

The question though casually posed was a test and they both knew it.

"My mind was on the mission, Master and with the change in plans, I did not find the time."

Luke answered with as much indifference he could manage. The two faced each other until apparently satisfied, Jakati nodded and left.

Turning back towards Nick, Luke approached him slowly, secretly pleased to see him relax and not shy away.

"I was trying to keep him from seeing that you realized who truly ruled but I was too late. I did not mean to be so rough."

Nick was surprised at the confession and had to ask.

"Why do you care?"

"I’m not supposed to but it doesn’t matter. Either way tonight you die."

"With Jikal’s moon tonight, we either try to get him out now or later at the grove," stated Howie.

"How far is the grove from here?"

"About an hour away."

Although it pained him to say it, Kevin spoke up.

"The camp will be too heavily guarded. We’d have a better chance if we waited for them to reach the grove."

Nodding, Brian added.

"They wouldn’t bring the entire troop. Some would remain behind to guard the prisoners. Speaking of which, while we go for Nick, you take your men and free your people. No matter what happens, they should be set free."

Whack!

"Ouch! AJ!"

"Wait, there’s another one!"

Whack!

"Got it!"

"AJ!"

"What?!"

AJ honestly didn’t get why Howie was so upset.

"Mosquitoes can be real killers, D. I was just trying to be helpful. Oh, wait! There’s another one!"

"Enough!"

Cole’s giggling however stopped whatever retort Howie had planned and they both turned to see the boy trying to contain his mirth. Seeing them both looking at him, Cole hurriedly turned to face Allyne, Matthew and Wesley, but seeing the smiles on their faces, the group abruptly broke out into fits of laughter.

Brian, sitting a few feet away, smiled and turned to face Kevin. Trying to find something to say to ease his friend’s mind, Kevin surprised him by speaking up first.

"How much you willing to bet Howie kills AJ before we leave the island?"

"Anything, Kev. Howie’d be too afraid AJ’s ghost would follow him around for all eternity."

The two friends exchanged smiles before Kevin turned to stare up the path that led to the grove.

"We’ll get him back, Brian. Alive."

Feeling a hand on his shoulder, he was surprised to have AJ answer him instead.

"Then let’s get going."