Episode VI – Family Reunions and Revelations
It is said that the reason why weather in the British Isles is unpredictable and chaotic at times, is because we are the centre of four air masses. This parallels with the way events pan out, with many different people with different agendas. Sometimes when two sides are locked in combat, another side takes advantage for good or ill.
So it seems in the control of Earth by the forces of the Lady High Troll, as other forces are manipulating events between her and her consort to pursue their own agenda’s. This force now doing the running is the previously mentioned force known as “the fallen ones”
Meanwhile there seems to be no coherent force on the part of the remnants of the resistance, which for quite a while have been divided amongst them selves. They are yet hardly any force at all it seems.
+ + +
A Place of Eternal Fire
Location Unknown
The large fiery figure was pacing up and down and deep in thought, and impatient. He was due to meet up with the infernal drow called Vabalavich to get a periodic update on what the drow thought were mutual agendas.
“Oh Vabalvich if you only knew how you are playing into my hands” the fiery figure chuckled.
Just then there was the sound of a summoning spell and the fiery figure closed his eyes and concentrated. He opened them and found himself in what seemed like an empty auditorium.
There in front of him was the wretched Vabalavich, as arrogant as ever.
“Just wait until we wipe that smug grin off your face” the fiery figure thought
“So glad you could join us lord Samael” Vabalavich said in a slightly distracted manner than normal for a drow.
“Progress?” the fiery figure asked
“Some” Vabalavich replied, “We have routed out the resistance from it’s base in a place called Grytviken”
“So you have exterminated them then?” the fiery figure asked
Vabalvich shook his head, “Alas no. We lost the element of surprise thanks to another drow intercepting my dark space spell. Some have gone to our world, others left by sea”
The fiery figure pondered for a moment, should he tell this wretched drow that his dark space was intercepted by that so called loyal one, Raguel? Should he reveal to Vabalavich this loyal one’s apparent obsession with the entity known as Celeste?
He thought better of it; he wanted to see this drow sweat before he obliterated him.
“That is unfortunate” the fiery figure just replied, “I assume that as you summoned me to the world of mankind, you are pursuing those who went by sea”
“Of course lord Samael, what do you take me for?” Vabalavich asked
“My apologies” the fiery figure said in an unconvincing manner, “How have you been getting on with that?” he asked.
“Somehow a squad that found the ship they left on has failed to report back, and we can no longer find the boat.” Vabalavich replied
The fiery figure thought for a moment and then concentrated to see if his mind could find this boat, but for some reason there seemed to be a strange fog obscuring their whereabouts.
“They are using a distraction spell” the fiery figure remarked
“Well I could have told you that” Vabalavich retorted
“It must be very infuriating” the fiery figure went on
“Extremely” Vabalavich replied, showing his irritation
“And who were these dangerous foes” the fiery figure asked, “mostly woman and children” he then chuckled
“With two leprechauns and two former members of that IDEC organisation” Vabalavich retorted, “So they are not the total innocents you would imply lord Samael”
“But mostly women and children” the fiery figure pressed, “And if the Lady high Troll’s loyal consort can not track down a boat with mostly women and children, how long do you think you will keep her under your control?” he added with mock concern in his voice. The fiery figure was so pleased that they were making sure that this drow turned on his partners. That way they would be diverted from preventing the fiery figure and his brothers in arms dong what had to be done, the complete extermination of all mankind.
“Your concern is most touching” Vabalavich replied, “I am addressing all concerns lord Samael, but as far as you are concerned, the world of mankind is secured and you will get your wish of followers to pander to your ego”
The fiery figure resisted the urge to fire another fireball at the insolent drow and thought it was best to play along with him for the moment. “What would please us would be the outlawing of the religion of our enemy” he pressed
“And I told you lord Samael, that is not going to happen, because we are using it to control the humans. Whatever you problem you had in the past, get over it, I just told you will get what you want, human worshipers”
“Indeed we shall get what we want” Samael mused to himself, “But it will not be what you think we want”
+ + +
Aboard an old fishing boat
In the waters off of South Georgia
The two figures of Major Bolak and Mr Vee stood in the wheel house while former US marine Commander Mark Johnston glowered at them while Corporal Tania McCaskey trained her gun on the pair. Also there in the crowded wheel house was another drow by the name of Jaheel.
“I’m surprised you dared to show your face here” Commander Mark Johnston said to Mr Vee and Major Bolak
“Well I wouldn’t have come back here if it were not for Mr Vee here insisting upon it” Major Bolak the drow remarked
“You mean you would have left them to be executed or worse?” Tania said in disbelief, “I thought we were on the same side”
Mr Vee remained silent
“At least he’s honest for a drow” Jaheel spoke up, “You always were governed by sheer pragmatism Bolak. I was surprised you never joined the Hadreth”
“I was from the wrong family and you know it Jaheel” Major Bolak replied, “Plus why would I want to join a rabble that blindly follows a single drow who has an enlarged ego”
“I can see why you were so loyal to the Drow High Council” Jaheel replied, “It was a pity you did not root out the Hadreth from the Russian Liaison team when you had the chance”
“Believe me, if I had been given the support I asked for fro m the likes of your father on the council that jumped up intelligence operative would have been ash long before…”
“Enough!” Mark interrupted, “I want to know what you have done with Mr Andrews”
“We handed him over like you should have done when we were first told what it would take” Major Bolak replied, “Now if you would let us be on our way we need to get back so we can actually do some resisting instead of telling others to do nothing like you and that miserable leprechaun have been doing for the last few months or so”
“You got nothing to say?” Mark said to Mr Vee
“Only that in my experience over the years, sometimes we had to make deals with not so pleasant regimes and individuals to get the job done” Mr Vee replied, “We were made an offer, the Major and I believe we can do what it takes to take back our worlds”
“You made an offer with one of the most hated tyrants from the Mystical Realms” Mark countered
“I think” Mr Vee began, “You will find that he is now second most hated as his daughter has proved to be more hated and feared than he ever was”
“Semantics” Mark replied, “We had not decided if we were going to take his offer up”
“Well the fact that the drow attacked us at Grytviken meant we did not have time for such niceties” Major Bolak cut in
“Exactly” Mr Vee agreed, “The time for discussion was over, our hand was forced”
“Now if you allow us to go back to him” Major Bolak began
“You’re not going anywhere” Tania interrupted
“We can go back in time and make sure this whole invasion never happened” Major Bolak continued with determination
“What makes you think you would get away with arresting a Hadreth drow without proof Bolak”, Jaheel asked, “You were moved against before you completed your slow lumbering investigation if I recall”
“And as a plant in the Hadreth you did not fare much better in alerting the High council to their plans to seize power either” Bolak countered.
“Well I did not leave a boat of women and children to their mercy like you did Bolak” Jaheel replied
“Look even if they had all been executed it would not have mattered if we went back in time and stopped it from happening in the first place” Major Bolak said in exasperation, “Why can’t you as an under cover drow not see that. I say you have grown too sentimental because of your unnatural liaisons with this human” he protested pointing at the corporal
“How dare you” Tania said to the Major
“See my point it made” Major Bolak interrupted, “These humans have corrupted you Jaheel”
Suddenly Tania slapped the major around the face.
“Enough!” Jaheel said firmly to Tania, “Do not give him the satisfaction”
“This is absurd” Mr Vee interrupted, “We are letting the drow and the Lady High Troll win because we are arguing amongst ourselves. Maybe you have a problem with us collecting Mr Andrews to get us this one opportunity to save countless lives from ever have dying in the first place and freeing both our worlds, but that was the price and we are where we are”
“So no matter who you use” Mark spoke out, “So long as the end justifies the means” he said angrily, “Is that it?. No wonder Sue-Lim was angry with you, the way you used her mother and her during the cold war”
“If it’s anything to do with you commander” Mr Vee asserted, “I never used Sue-Lim’s mother, she volunteered. In fact it was her mother’s idea to get pregnant with Sue-Lim as a cover. Somehow I don’t think her mother ever admitted that”
Mark shook his head, “When we get to Stromness you will be held”
“Commander” Jaheel interrupted, “I would not go there” he warned, “Vabalavich has sent a welcoming committee ahead in case our group were unable to find your vessel”
“Well where the Sam Hill can we go” Mark asked, “We don’t have much of a range on this ship and there is no way we could make it to land elsewhere.
“Let us go and you will never have been in this situation” Major Bolak replied
“And if Doctor Henshaw is right about you just creating another universe branching off from this one” Mark responded
“Mere speculation from theorists” Major Bolak countered, “They have no proof that will happen. We have given the Lord Low Troll the sacrificial lamb so let’s use this opportunity he is giving us”
“You have an artificial wormhole generator” Mr Vee spoke up,
“Artificial wormhole generator?” Jaheel enquired
“The humans managed to create a device to do the same thing as a dimension jump orb” Major Bolak explained, “I believe they used their version of magic or M-theory as they call it”
Me Vee then continued “I can give you the co-ordinates of a reasonably safe place on the Mystical Realms to go to, from there you can find someplace safe on Earth” he suggested
“And what about Sky-Guard, we would be tracked down the moment we returned to Earth” Mark snapped back, “Plus we don’t have much power left in it”
“I believe I still know a few people I can call a few favours in to ensure Sky-Guard will not be an issue” Mr Vee replied
“Commander” Jaheel interrupted, “I have my dimension jump orb. I know of one place where there is an enclave of free drow who have been in hiding since the High Council was slaughtered by the Hadreth. “You would be welcome to stay with our people”
“That might work as well.” Mr Vee went on “And if the theorists are right, you will be relatively safe”
“And you will have sent Mr Andrews to his execution for nothing” Mark replied.
“Oh please” Major Bolak retorted, “This is not necessary. You let us go. We go back to the Lord Low Troll and we roll back time and stop the invasion before it happened. You will not notice anything as you will be back to where you were at the place we roll history back to with no memory of any of these unpleasant events”
“Either way” Jaheel cut in” We have to move, “They will be questioning the delay in delivering prisoners for trial and they might send another party, especially if we do not show up at Stromness”
“He’s right Commander” Tania cut in, “We can’t stay on this boat sir, we have to leave”
“And you trust him” Mark asked, “I mean the drow do have a certain reputation”
“Oh please” Interjected Major Bolak, “You wound us Commander, remember it was not the drow who threw their lot in with the Magnus Timor”
“I trust Jaheel with my life” Tania replied with determination, “I have had no reason to doubt him”
“And drow do not kill their own just to commit a double cross” Major Bolak added.
Mark sighed, Major Bolak and Vee did have a point, if this time travel option were to work, then those killed in the nuclear attacks would never have died and Earth would never have fallen. It was a very seductive option, but what if the technicians were right about this merely creating another universe? Even if that did not happen, what about that
Chronology Protection Conjecture they mentioned which would mean the attempt to stop this all coming about would fail and history would play out to where they were now. The technicians had made a pretty strong argument about
causality and various temporal paradoxes as well, which was why they had wanted to discuss things further, even sending Mr Vee back to the Lord Low Troll to negotiate about the trial of Mr Andrews. But as had been pointed out by Major Bolak, events had unfolded the way they had and now he had been handed a fait accompli, the Lord Low Troll now had Mr Andrews, and there was yet a more pressing issue, they had to leave the boat, before more drow and trolls arrived.
“Stand down Corporal” Mark ordered
“Sir?” Tania queried
“I gave you an order corporal” Mark repeated, “You had better be right Mr Vee” he challenged, “I have been entrusted the lives of the people on this vessel as they are non combatants. Tania I will be handing command over to you”
“Sir?” Tania replied
“I’m going with Mr Vee and the Major”
“That would not be advisable” Major Bolak replied
“Why not?” Mark replied, “What are you hiding”
“This roll backing of time spell he has” Major Bolak explained, “It does not send us physically back, it rolls back time and only our consciousnesses and memories travel back.”
“You were in England at the time we have selected” Mr Vee replied, “I was in DC”
“I was in Moscow” Major Bolak replied.
“I will borrow from one of our labs at the IDEC an artificial wormhole generator to go to where I can get hold of troops to move on the Port of Faldon where his daughter made landfall and capture her”
“I will take Vabalavich out before he can steal those old tactical nuclear weapons, let alone the hydrogen bombs he later used” Major Bolak added.
“You see Commander” Mr Vee continued, “It has to be us”
“And what about the Colonel?” Mark asked.
“He may have been arriving in DC” Mr Vee replied, “but let’s say, he is in a safe and secure place well away from the action”
“Where?” Mark growled suspiciously
“That cave where you and Mr Zachery stayed on IDW02” Mr Vee answered, “And don’t worry, they should have the means to get back, if I am unable to retrieve them myself”
“And besides” Major Bolak interrupted, “When we succeed, that will never have happened”
Mark sucked air through his teeth, “I still want to meet that Lord Low Troll, even if I don’t get to go back”
“For what purpose” Major Bolak sneered
“Agreed” Mr Vee responded
“What?” Major Bolak asked indigently, “Why?, for what purpose”
“You want to make your submission about the penalty my old friend will impose on Mr Andrews, although as I mentioned back on Grytviken, he has said to me he will not actively seek the death penalty as he would have done in the past”.
“As if he will listen” Jaheel remarked, “When Mr Andrews had the case against him dismissed, there were calls at the time for the Lord Low Troll’s resignation. He lost a lot of face on that occasion”
“I have to try” Mark replied, “Jaheel, you take the others to somewhere safe”
+ + +
A white space
Location: Unknown
A figure in white appeared a second figure in white who was seated at a table. The figure at the table looked up. “What brings you my way lord Raguel” he asked the first figure
“I Need to speak with you lord Adonael concerning this Celeste entity” the first figure replied.
“I heard that you have arrested Bath-Kol” the seated figure at the table said to the first figure
“She was planning to bother high lord Metatron, especially when she had been told that the Celeste entity has no business being with mankind” the first figure replied in a matter of fact manner, “I would hate to think that you have been bothered my lord by this disloyal one. I asked that she be kept incommunicado”
“As far as I know, she still is” the seated figure reassured the first figure in white
“She even demanded I let this Celeste figure fulfil some unspecified destiny that might lead to assisting mankind” the first figure in white went on
“If you are right and she belongs with us as you say she does lord Raguel” the seated figure went on, “She should not be allowed to interfere with mankind or render aid to the humans”
“I’m glad you agree” the first figure in white smiled, “Which brings me to a request I feel must be made”
“What?” the seated figure asked
“A while ago so I am told by lord Pravuil there was a young child in the city they called London, who was destined to die”
“Go on” the seated figure in white replied
“This Celeste entity apparently intervened and saved his life” the first figure in white replied.
“Does the child still live?” the seated figure in white replied
“Yes lord Adonael” the first figure in white replied.
“And you raise this with me because?” the seated figure in white asked
“I request that Azrael or Rahab attend to this child and put it to death” the first figure in white demanded, “That Celeste had no business in saving lives, especially if it helps a single human”
The figure seated at the table sighed, and shook his head.
“I need you to ask this my lord” the first figure in white pleaded, “I am not of their rank but you are”
“You would have us kill an innocent child?” the seated figure in white asked with incredulity
“It is vital my lord” the first figure replied as he placed his hands on the table and leaned over the seated figure in white, “The treaty forbids us aiding in anyway shape or form a single human, and this Celeste child who belongs with us intervened and saved his life. It is of the utmost importance that we rectify that or we are in violation of the treaty and the fallen ones will feel they are at liberty to cause the extermination of mankind”
“But to take the life of an innocent child?” The seated figure questioned
“You must do this lord Adonael, you have no choice” the first figure in white growled, “Any refusal and I would have to question your fitness to be in your position like we have done with Karael and Bath-Kol”
“My lord Raguel” the seated figure said angrily, “You are threatening even me?”
“My lord Adonael” the first figure in white went on, “I have a sacred duty to watch over the behaviour of all of us who did not rebel as the fallen ones did, so where I see dissent from what must be done, I will stamp on that with utmost zeal. Now lord Adonael, will you send Azrael or Rahab to do what must be done, or do I have to question your loyalty?”
The seated figure stood up and walked away for a bit and then turned around and faced the first figure in white. “My lord Raguel, I ask you this question concerning this incident, was it before or after she got a human soul”
“It does not matter my lord Adonael” the first figure in white went on, “that boy must be put to death”
“You did not answer the question lord Raguel” the second figure in white replied
“As if it mattered it was before”
“As she came from that other world” the second figure in white responded, “And this was before she got her human soul by unknown means, she was not one of us at the time and at liberty to act”
“It does not work like that lord Adonael” the first figure in white spat back, “Her parents are believed to be like us, so she belongs with us. This nonsense about her human soul is a distraction. As soon as she is with us and in custody, I will have it removed, now do as you are commanded and order Azrael or Rahab to kill that child, or I will bring you down”
Suddenly two figures in white with swords appeared beside the first figure in white, “I’m waiting lord Adonael” the first figure said in a menacing tone
+ + +
Deep inside a lava tube
Inter Dimensional World 02
Pete Smith held out the two amulets in front of Celeste in his left hand as he knelt down in front of her, “According to the account by Jenny Green and the commander” Pete explained, “The Spirit of Lust managed to take the magic from amulets such as these and use it to recharge this” he added presenting a grey metal bar in his right hand.
“I’ve never done anything like that before” Celeste whined, “I don’t know how”
Padow the troll spoke in as kinder voice that he could for a troll, “Even though you have a human soul, you are still a major spirit of virtue, and transferring magic from one object to another is an inherent power in all major spirits, just like your magic shield”
“Exactly” Shamus McTuckle the leprechaun chipped in, “I believe you just imagine or will the magic power to flow from one hand to another, and that should do the trick”
Celeste looked at the amulets and the grey rod, apprehensively, being declared to be the Major Spirit of Second Chances had been a revelation and she had had a hard time getting her head around it. Sometimes, especially when she had been seeing her fiancé Simon Hargreaves, she had found herself secretly wishing she was completely human, although she was not sure if that desire was as strong as the desire by the minor spirits to be fully human.
She went to take the items from Pete’s hand when a though struck her, if she did so would she still have the same problem with her clothes she had if she turned invisible, tried to phase through objects, or when she was able to, teleport, i.e. if she took them off to wash say after using such powers, they would disintegrate. Major Bolak had tried to teach her special drow mental disciplines so that would not happen, but the presence of her human soul seemed to make the exercises cause her pain.
“Just a moment” Celeste told Pete and then she stood up, “Just to be on the safe side” she said and unbuttoned her brown suede jacket jacket”
“What are you doing” Shamus asked
Celeste ignored Shamus and pulled off her jacket and dropped it to the floor.
To her horror the jacket became transparent and then faded into nothingness, “No!” Celeste cried, “That was from Sophie” she cried
“When you vanished and then reappeared” at Grytviken Padow said as he shook his head, “You must have teleported”
“But I didn’t teleport away” Celeste said in a state of shock as she stared at the ground where her jacket had disintegrated.
“We’ll get you another one” Colonel Samuel Peters said impatiently, “Meanwhile we need to see if you can recharge that isotope thingy”
“Why did you take your jacket off anyway” Shamus asked
Celeste looked at Shamus with tears in her eyes, “I thought if I did that transferring of power the same thing would happen to my clothes as if I teleported”
Then Celeste thought for a few seconds as the realisation of what had happened hit her, “I can teleport?”
“Yes” Shamus admitted reluctantly, “We just didn’t want you to know or you would have gone and got yourself into trouble trying to fight the Lady High Troll”
“You lied to me” Celeste accused, “You never came to get me from that ship, I teleported”
“Yes” Shamus admitted again, “This was for your own good Celeste, you may be on our side now but you are still reckless and impulsive”
“Oh thanks” Celeste spat back, “Recharge that isotope your self” she shouted and headed deeper into the cave.
“No” Simon whined and started t go after her. Captain Sandra Phillips tried to restrain him.
“Let me go” Simon told the US Marine aggressively and pulled away and ran after Celeste
It was about a minute before he caught up with her
“I suppose you knew as well” Celeste barked at Simon
Simon rapidly shook his head, “No, no” he repeated softly, “I never knew” he then added “Please Celeste” he pleaded, “try and recharge that isotope. I want to get us home”
“I’m sorry” Celeste wept
Simon then held her in his loving arms, “I would have told you if I had known” he whispered
Instinctively Celeste knew that Simon was being truthful, mainly because she had been told that his high functioning autism made him more inclined to be truthful, even when it was probably not a wise thing to do.
“Are you ok?” came a voice from behind, it was Charlene
“She gave me that jacket” Celeste wept, “And she’s probably dead”
“Sophie was a good PA” Charlene said softly, “I could tell she treated you like a daughter and you managed to get on well”
“But I managed to destroy it” Celeste went on
“Given what happened” Charlene went on, “I don’t think she would have held it against you”
“I’ll buy you a new jacket” Simon interrupted
Celeste gave Simon a hug and then the two rested their heads together, “I love you so much” Celeste whispered
“I love you too” Simon responded, “And if you take you top off£ he then said, “I can give you my shirt and we will be married like Pete and Sue-Lim”
Celeste gave a small laugh and closed her eyes getting ready to concentrate on disintegrating the clothes above her waiste
“I wouldn’t do that just yet” Charlene interrupted.
Celeste stopped and looked at Charlene, “Why?” she asked
“You need all your power to get us out of here?” Charlene ventured
“I’m so sorry” Celeste replied
“I’m sorry too” Simon added, hanging his head in shame
“You just caught up in the moment Simon” Charlene said quietly as she put her arms around the two young love birds. Then Charlene led Celeste and Simon as the two of them walked back to the main part of the cave hand in hand.
Shamus was there to meet them; “I’m sorry Celeste” he spoke up, “I should have trusted you”
“You were probably right” Celeste admitted, “I would have tried to do something, just like I did when I went to this world’s moon to get rid of that talisman of disintegration”
“Can we get on?” Pete asked impatiently, “I was hoping that Sue-Lim and I would be able to have kids one day and even though this isotope is depleted, I’m not sure holding it for any length of time will do my chances of fatherhood any good.”
“Sorry” Celeste replied, “Do I need to perform healing on you”
“After you’ve transferred the magic” Samuel interrupted.
“What about the rest of my clothes” Celeste asked, “They’re ruined now, I might as well”
“Keep them on” Shamus interrupted, “We’ll get you some more later”
“No working naked” Samuel reiterated
“Yes Sir” Celeste replied and then took the two amulets in one hand and the grey metal rod in the other hand. Even though the rod was made of some kind of metal, it felt warm, probably because Pete had been holding it.
Celeste concentrated and tried to imagine magic flowing from the amulets to the metal rod.
Suddenly there was some electric feeling in her body as every part of her tingled giving her great waves of pleasure, which at the same time was disconcerting as she had no idea what it was and had never experienced such before. Then Celeste’s eyes glowed red, and the metal rod seemed to develop a blue grey glow. This went on for what seemed like an age as the waves of pleasure throbbed through Celeste’s body causing her to gasp for breath and scream out. Suddenly her whole body glowed with a strong white light as the rest of her clothes disintegrated leaving her naked
Then it was over and the amulets turned to ash and dust. Celeste felt very woozy and was only just able to hand back to Pete the metal rod before she started to collapse onto the cave floor. Immediately Simon caught her and knelt down and held her in his arms. “What’s happened to her” he panicked. Sandra came over covered her with her jacket and helped Simon lay an unconscious Celeste on the ground. Sandra then checked Celeste over.
“She has a pulse Colonel” she said to Samuel, “And she’s still breathing, she’s alive”
“But what’s wrong with her” Simon wailed and then holding one of her hands, “Please come back to me, I love you”
One of the pixies came over, “She will be ok, she experienced a certain form of pure pleasure transferring magic the way she did because she was not prepared for it” then he winked at Simon, “I’m afraid you won’t be able to satisfy her like that Mr Hargreaves” he grinned.
“What do you mean by that?” A confused Simon asked as he gently brushed Celeste’s hair.
“Never you mind Mr Hargreaves” Shamus answered, then he turned to the pixie, “and pixie don’t be so crude” Shamus admonished, turning back to Simon Shamus then explained “Mr Hargreaves your Celeste is just not used to the flow of magic from one object to another and her human soul just made it manifest in an unexpected way in her human physiology. As she was not expecting it she will be out for a while.”
Pete took the isotope and placed it back into the artificial wormhole generator,
Then he looked up at the colonel, “Where to?” Pete asked, “Earth or the Mystical Realms”
“That’s a tough one” Samuel replied.
“Sir” Sue-Lim spoke up, “If we go back to Earth the Sky-guard system will track us down within seconds of our arrival”
“That’s right Colonel” Pete agreed, “Even though Mr Vee gave us the specs on the system, we never had time to make any use of them”
“But if we go back to the Mystical Realms” Charlene objected, “We might be trapped there, plus where on that world is safe to go anyway. It’s under the rule of the Lady High Troll”
“She’s right, we can’t go to Karam Tag Chou or the central city sir” Captain Sandra spoke up, “Those two places were taken by that new Clan Chief of the Manjura on behalf of this Lady High Troll”
This elicited a hostile reaction from Padow, “I cannot wait to run that traitor through” he hissed
“If you have a better idea” Samuel replied to the troll
“The only place I can think of where it would be safe, assuming they do not detect our entry into my world is where my father is hiding” Padow said quietly, “But I have no idea where, it would be there”
“Any ideas” Samuel asked
Padow was silent for a moment and shook his head, “I have no idea Colonel. It would have to be in some out of the way place away from civilisation for those on our world to have believed him dead after all this time”
“Great you lumbering troll, there a lot of places on our world like that” one of the pixies replied contemptuously
“The Waylong Mountains” Shamus interjected
“It could be” Padow replied, “But what makes you so sure?”
“That blasted kobold servant of your father’s, Meetal” Shamus explained, “When I got him on a dark space he was contemplating a place of safety, and that was where he was thinking of. It is not the usual haunt of kobolds so; it has to be there, somewhere”
“Excuse me?” Pete asked, “You are suggesting we go to where this Lord Low Troll is?”
“As strange as it may seem Pete” Samuel replied, “One the Lord Low Troll is on our side this time and two, as we were tricked by Mr Vee into coming to here and he is an old friend of his, I suspect he has probably gone after Mr Andrews to make a deal”
“That would be my father alright” Sue-Lim interjected with venom, “He’s well known for doing whatever it takes no matter how many people he uses in the process”
“As I was saying” Samuel continued, “I want to make it quite clear that we expect any token punishment from his show trial he wants to hold will be exile from the Mystical realms”
“Good luck with that one” Padow replied, “Mt father always resented how Mr Andrews escaped his warped view of justice when that Griffin judge threw out the charges”
Samuel gave the troll a brief stare and then turned to Shamus, “Could you work out the coordinates Shamus if you worked with Pete, Charlene and Sue-Lim” Samuel asked
“Don’t forget me” Simon piped up.
“Sorry Simon” Samuel apologised
“You lot always do this” Simon complained, “Always ignore me because I have
high functioning autism”
“That’s not true Simon” Sue-Lim objected, “If it weren’t for you we would never have got off that hovercraft to Grytviken”
“You didn’t want me to have Celeste here as my girl friend” Simon went on as he held Celeste’s hand as she lay on the ground.
“I’m sorry Simon” Charlene said gently to Simon as she came and knelt by Celeste, “I was wrong, Simon, I let something from my past get in the way and cloud my feelings about her. You’re lucky to have her and I know she loves you with all her heart”
“So Simon” Samuel interrupted, “Would you be able to assist Shamus work out the co-ordinates”
“Yes” Simon replied and pulled out his Iphone, “I made an Ap for that” he smiled as he held up the device.
Shamus came over to look at the device, “How does it work?” he asked Simon.
Simon pressed a few buttons on the screen, and a map appeared, “You find where you want to go and it gives the coordinates for the generator”
“I’ll have a go” Shamus told Simon, “While you look after your future wife”
Simon then had another thought and gently leaned over and kissed Celeste on the lips and drew back.
Celeste’s eyes flickered open.
“I love you” Simon said to Celeste
“Simon, did I get it right” Celeste asked weakly
“Yes” Simon answered in his characteristic abruptness.
Celeste started to try and get up as she did so the jacket from Sandra started slip down.
“Whoa there sweetheart” Sandra said as she held Celeste left shoulder and pulled up the jacket covering her with her other hand, “You lost your clothes”
“What?” Celeste uttered, still disorientated by the process of transferring the magic from the amulets to the isotope
Then Simon, without any warning pulled off his tee-shirt revealing his bare torso and presented it to Celeste, “I want to marry you” he told Celeste, “Here’s my top just like the trolls do it”
A dazed Celeste took the tee-shirt and then slipped it on. Simon then gave Celeste a hug and told her again how much he loved her and how under troll law they were now husband and wife like Pete and Sue-Lim. To Celeste in her groggy state, it seemed like a dream come true to be married to her beloved Simon, and for brief moment wished she was not wearing his shirt so she could feel his body next to hers.
“That’s not valid though” Pete whispered to Padow, “They aren’t really married. Even though for personal reasons, I wish it were” he added as he looked longingly at Sue-Lim. “And anyway if Celeste is only sixteen going on seventeen, I’m not sure if this would be allowed by our laws on Earth”
“I know” interrupted Shamus, “But we’ll allow their little fantasies for the moment, and as for the little detail about age, well if you’re right about this time travel malarkey I doubt Earth’s laws will be enforced and they do seem well suited I have to admit”
“I agree” Padow quietly chipped in, “Mr Smith, let Mr Hargreaves and the Spirit of Second Chances have their time together”, and then after a brief pause added, “And I know troll law does not really apply, but if you wish you and your mate can have yours minor fantasy as well well if you wish”
+ + +
Vabalavich emerged from his teleportation spell alone and was greeted by a drow officer accompanied by two trolls of the Ghetto clan
“I wish to speak with my officer in private” Vabalavich told the trolls
“You word will be actioned” the trolls said, saluted and left.
The drow officer and Vabalavich then headed down to the shoreline at Vabalavich’s instistence so their words would be masked by the waves from any curious troll ear.
“Your apprentice is not with you my liege” the officer said in drow tongue
“He has his first mission of initiation” Vabalavich replied in drow tongue
“You wished my trolls not to understand us” the officer pressed
“Do they know our tongue?” Vabalavich asked
“I suspect they might know a few words, so you are right not to trust them” the officer admitted, “After all amongst the other trolls they are considered traitors”
“For doing what we would not hesitate to do” Vabalavich remarked
“Or what we did” the officer replied
Vabalavich smiled, “Yes we did, didn’t we”
“And it was a long time coming if I may say so my liege” the officer went on, “The high council were weak and decadent”
“I know, you do not have to demonstrate your loyalty to the Hadreth to me” Vabalavich gently rebuked the officer, “How loyal to the Lady High Troll are your Ghetto trolls”
“Fiercely” the drow officer answered, and then asked, “Is this initiation your apprentice on something to do with her”
Vabalavich looked around, specifically insure to make sure the trolls could not see his response, and then whispered in drow tongue, “He has been instructed to make it look like the action of the Manjura leader”
“Those two clans could end up at war with each other” The officer observed
“And we would need to bring in more drow foot soldiers to compensate” Vabalavich remarked.
“I am glad our time is coming” the officer said with quiet satisfaction.
“The humans have a quaint expression” Vabalavich said quietly as he looked out to sea, “Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched”
“Yes my liege” the officer replied, “I am sure the fall back plan will be fitting of a Hadreth leader”
Vabalavich smiled for a moment and then became more serious, “Any news about that vessel?”
“It has not put in at Stromness and last time we checked it was still surrounded by that distraction spell”
“Check again” Vabalavich ordered
“Your word will be actioned” the drow officer replied and then headed back up to the smouldering remains of the settlement
+ + +
A white space
Location: Unknown
The second figure in white looked at the first figure in white as he was flanked on either side by two other figures in white carrying swords.
“You would have me, one of your superiors detained because I do not sanction the death of a child?” The second figure said with incredulity
“Yes lord Adonael, I have brought down higher beings than you” the first figure answered, “I tire of waiting” the then added, “Enforcers do your duty Adonael has shown disloyalty by not doing what must be done to fulfil our treaty obligations”
The two figures carrying swords advanced on the second figure in white.
“Two questions” the second figure in white shouted
“What?” sneered the first figure in white.
“My first question, if I send Azrael or Rahab to take this child’s life, do I do the same with those people who live in that place called Northern Ireland? I mean she saved their lives too by taking a dangerous magic item from that other world to the moon that circles the world of mankind”
“Of course” the first figure in white answered, “She had no right to interfere in the affairs of mankind as she is bound by the treaty. And your second question?”
“What kind of fool do you take me for Bernael” the second figure in white asked with determination.
“What?” the first figure in white said angrily, “You are clearly incapable lord Adonael if you can not recognise who I am”
“The real Raguel” the second figure in white continued, ignoring the first figure’s response, “Went looking for that Celeste entity in the other world”
“I did lord Adonael” the first figure in white protested, “And now I am back. Now enforcers do your duty, lord Adonael must be confined”
The two figures with swords flanked the second figure in white and each one grabbed his arm.
“Make sure he can not communicate with anyone else” the first figure in white said in a menacing tone.
“This is not Raguel” the second figure in white insisted, “This is Bernael, one of the fallen ones”
“Nice try old man” the first figure in white sneered, then he spoke to the figures with swords, “After he is confined instruct on the authority of lord Raguel, overseer of the behaviour of the loyal brethren that Azrael and Rahab are to travel to Earth and slay all humans on the island of Ireland and report back to me.”
“You had no intention of slaying that child did you Bernael” the second figure in white accused,
“Oh I will get round to him eventually, you see the one thing about talismans of destruction, nobody knows what happens to the population of a world if they are triggered in the open as that one was” the first figure in white said menacingly. “Just think, because that Celeste entity intervened and therefore possibly violated the treat, the whole of humanity is under sentence of death”
“Can’t you fools tell that is not Raguel” the second figure in white screeched at the two figures in white with swords
“I’m sorry lord Adonael” replied one of the figures with swords, “We have no choice but to obey”
The second figure in white and the two enforcers vanished leaving the first figure in white alone.
The figure in white grinned, “Our so called chief will have to move over” he laughed, “Now I have got those so called loyal ones to do our bidding” At that the figure in white transformed into a figure of fire
And then left
+ + +
Aboard an old fishing boat
In the waters off of South Georgia
Jenny watched as the two twins carried their belongings through the swirling vortex from the wheelhouse of the boat.
The wormhole had been opened by the drow Jaheel as he was taking the civilians to a drow enclave that was loyal to the old drow high council.
She spotted that Caer was also carrying Paul the youngest child of Jenny’s former boss, Angela and Fidelity was carrying the leprechaun baby, Hogan O’Kerry.
“But Mummy” came the sound of Sarah, Angela’s adopted daughter, “We can’t leave without finding Daddy” she wept
“I’m sorry sweetheart” she heard her former boss reply tearfully, “We have to go or the nasty Ghetto trolls will get us”
“What about Daddy?” Sarah Wailed.
“He’s somewhere on the other world” Angela tearfully replied, before she and her daughter passed through the wormhole.
Mark came back into the wheel house, “Major Bolak is now maintaining the distractions spell so the O’Kerry’s and the pixie can leave”
“And then we go and see that b*****d that calls himself the Lord Low Troll” Jenny remarked.
“No” Mark said coldly, “I will but not you”
“What?” Jenny asked, “I’m still a member of the IDEC special operations team Mark”
“You were reassigned remember” Mark said softly has he gently placed his hands on Jenny’s shoulders, “Light duties only.”
“I never got those orders in person remember” Jenny objected, “Miss Cooper was going to give me the new assignment when we had got back to DC, which never happened”
“No love” Mark said firmly but gently, “We have no idea if this time travel stuff will work and I want you safe where you can have our son, even if it means I never get to see him”
“But I wanted us to be together” Jenny pleaded
“So did I” Mark said in a said voice. Then he paused as emotion welled up inside him, then he continued, “Ever since we first met at the Facility in London, I always felt there was a connection between you and I. The way you handled yourself that time, and the way you dealt with that doppelganger on your own. I knew you were something special”
“But your son needs a father” Jenny interrupted
“I know, but this has to be” Mark told her, “Now get down there and go through that wormhole and have a safe rest of your life with our son”
“I’ll always love you Mark” Jenny said as tears streamed down her face.
“I’ll never forget you” Mark replied, “If I can I will try and find you, but don’t wait too long for me. We don’t know if this time travel thing will work”
Jenny reluctantly left the wheelhouse and went to pick up her emergency case and her short bow and quiver, but one of the pixies held up his hand to stop her. “Not in your condition” he said and magically levitated all three items.
Jenny then had an idea, “Pixie, can you swap the clothes I’m wearing with items in my case?”
“Why would you want to do that?” the pixie asked quizzically
For a brief moment Jenny thought about asking the pixie to swap all her clothes she was wearing, including her underwear for that shortened skirt, so that the last time her Mark saw her, she was wearing what they both called, the Amazon look.
“Nah, forget it” Jenny said, “Lets get out of her” she added and then with the pixie entered the wormhole.
As she emerged on the other side she was greeted by a large forest in a deep valley, with mountains surrounding them, and high above her in the trees she saw dwelling places.
Waiting by the vortex was Corporal Tania McCaskey with the artificial wormhole generator.
“It’s like an
ewok village” Jenny said in astonishment.
“Yeah it looks like that” Tania replied, “drow don’t normally live in trees, that’s why they have managed to keep under radar here”
Then behind her came Mitch and Cherry O’Kerry, the leprechauns. Finally Jaheel came through the wormhole and then spoke an incantation. The vortex behind her evaporated, cutting her off, perhaps forever from her beloved Mark and the father of the baby she was carrying.
“We need to find Miss Fidelity” Cherry said anxiously, it’s time for Hogan’s feed”
Jenny spotted the twins in the distance waiting to go up a large tree and pointed them out.
“Thank you my dear” Cherry told her and rushed off calling after Fidelity.
“What’s an ewok” the pixie asked
“It doesn’t matter” Jenny replied, “Let’s check in” she added as she choked back her tears.
“We got the idea for this village from one of your films” Jaheel told Jenny
“I think I can guess which one” Jenny replied quietly
Tania and Jaheel then embraced and passionately kissed each other, causing Jenny to feel like a spare part. “Oh Mark” Jenny sighed, “I’ll never forget you too” and a tear rolled down her right cheek
+
Mark left the wheel house and went below decks where Mr Vee was sitting while Major Bolak was chanting a distraction spell.
“So glad you could join us Commander” Mr Vee said in is emotionless matter of fact manner
“The non combatants are gone” Mark said sternly, “Let’s see what the Lord Low Troll has to say for himself”
Mr Vee took out a dimension jump orb and started the process of opening up a wormhole, “As soon as it is up to full strength, the major will discontinue the distraction spell and we will all go through”
“Suits me” Mark replied
A blue dot appeared in the cabin and grew in size, and then when it was filling the entire below decks, the major stopped his chanting and entered the vortex, followed by Mark and then Mr Vee.
The vortex then vanished.
About half a minute later, three drow appeared along with three trolls on the deck of the boat. One of the drow was Vabalavich
One of the drow rushed up to the wheelhouse and found it empty, so he left it and called out, “There is nobody piloting this boat”
“Check below” Vabalavich ordered one of the other trolls.
Within minutes the troll reported that there was nobody below. Vabalavich looked around the outside of the boat; none of the life rafts were missing. They had either all gone into the water or had left the ship by another vessel, teleported or transited to the Mystical Realms. One thing was certain, they were no longer here, nor were the first team that had gone to take the boat.
“Great” Vabalavich said angrily as it became clear that the boat was deserted, “We are too late and we have lost them”
“I apologise” said the drow officer, “I got us here as soon as the distraction spell had seemed to be dissipated, but that is inexcusable” The drow officer then handed Vabalavich his dagger and knelt down looking at the deck of the boat. “My life is forfeit and for you to take my liege” the drow officer said to Vabalavich
“I am not sure if this is a failure on your part” Vabalavich told the drow officer, “I seem to have under estimated my old rival from my days with the Russian Liaison task force. Major Bolak, it seems, is almost my equal in ability, assuming it was him” Vabalavich continued, “I give your life back to you to serve the Hadreth, now see if there are any clues on this boat as to where they might have gone” he instructed the drow officer handing back his dagger, “I will return to Karam Tag Chou to see how my apprentice has got on with his mission of initiation”
The drow officer stood up, bowed and saluted, “Your word will be actioned my liege”
Vabalavich pulled out a blue orb, recited an incantation causing a blue vortex to form. After it was fully formed Vabalavich stepped through.
+ + +
Karam Tag Chou
The Citadel of the Troll Emperor
Vabalavich stepped through to be greeted by four trolls with crossbows aimed at him.
“What is the meaning of this?” Vabalavich asked
As if you didn’t know you traitor” a voice came from behind him, it was Brameana
Vabalavich turned around and saw the Lady High Troll in full armour for a Ghetto troll.
Then he saw his apprentice, Jaigon, dead, hanging by his neck from a gallows with his hands and feet bound.
“You sent your apprentice to have me assassinated” Brameana accused Vabalavich, “I had to have him hanged as we have no drowning tank like they do in the Central City. And now you will join him on the scaffold for your treachery”
“Brameana, where did you get this preposterous idea?” Vabalavich asked indignantly
“I told her” another familiar voice came from behind.
Vabalavich span round again, “You!” he said angrily as he looked up at a very familiar fiery figure
“Yes it was I” the fiery figure went on, “I could not let you cause the death of our new ally could I” the fiery figure grinned
+ + +
Deep inside a lava tube
Inter Dimensional World 02
Pete was now wearing a spare shirt from his emergency case, not because he really wanted to, but because he needed to persuade Simon to put on a spare shirt as well so Celeste was not distracted by Simon’s being bare chested.
Celeste’s emergency suitcase had got left behind at abandoned whaling station at Grytviken in the scramble to leave, so had no replacement clothes for the ones she had inadvertently disintegrated. Celeste had tried to say she did not mind and probably deserved such humiliation, and was prepared to work naked. Shamus and the Colonel were having none of it and forcefully reiterated his mantra that she would not be expected to work without clothing. Shamus had promised her she would have more clothes as soon as they could get them.
Sue-Lim helped out by giving Celeste a spare pair of her panties, and Simon insisted she wore his tee-shirt, because even though both had remembered that Shamus had said it was not valid, under troll law, as he had given it to her to put on, they could have been considered to be married under troll law. Even though both realised this was not the case and troll law did not apply, Celeste’s love for Simon meant she did exactly as her beloved had asked, and kept it on, as it was part of their private little “let’s pretend game.” Simon went on to suggest she could have all his tops and he would willingly go with out, for her sake, but Pete came in and put a stop to that. Simon after all, sometimes had to be protected from himself.
But now it was time to leave IDW02. Pete fired up the artificial wormhole generator and with Simon’s help inputted the new coordinates to take into account they were travelling from IDW02 instead of Earth.
As the green dot in the air started to grow, Simon noticed something odd in the readings as they headed for the general area of the Waylong Mountains. Then he guessed what it could be.
“Pete” Simon called out excitedly above the noise of the generator, “It’s another wormhole going to the Waylong Mountains”
“Ouch” Pete replied, “The drow must have found the Lord Low Troll!” he exclaimed
“And that tyrant’s our only ticket out of this mess” Samuel shouted
“What do you want me to do Colonel?” Yelled Pete
“See if you can land near where it’s landing and then Captain Phillips and I will go through first and see if we can take out any other drow.”
“Take Celeste” Shamus interjected
“Why Mr McTuckle” Sandra asked, “She’s a civilian and she has no weapons training”
“But she’s a major spirit and they can do shield spells in case the drow use any fireball spells against you” Shamus insisted in an irritated manner
Celeste gulped and stepped up to beside the colonel and the captain. The thought that she was going into the front line in a possible showdown with drow or trolls terrified her but she needed to make amends for what she had done when she had worked for Sir Sidney Gerald and so closed her eyes and just hoped she would come out of this alive.
“Do I need to take these off” Celeste asked as she fingered Simon’s tee-shirt and the bottom of the panties she had been given”
“I wouldn’t have thought so” Shamus answered back
“You don’t know” Celeste accused, “I’m going to take them off just in case” she shouted nervously, “I shouldn’t be wearing clothes anyway” she added quietly
“No!” Padow interrupted forcefully with more certainty than the leprechaun, “a shield spell does not affect the structure of your body so you may keep them on” Padow then turned to Shamus, “We studied about major and minor spirits too”
“Yes sir” Celeste responded to trolls injunction and again gulped.
Pete and Simon tweaked the controls and then Pete announced that the two wormholes would be 10 meters apart.
“How do I do this” Celeste whined as the two US marines made sure their assault rifles were armed and ready.
“It’s instinctive” Padow replied, “just focus on protecting yourself and them from any harm”
Within seconds the green vortex was at full size and ready to go through.
We are all going to have to go through if we want to leave this world” Pete shouted, “We don’t have any more power for another shot at anywhere else
Celeste went through the green vortex with the two marines on either side. She was utterly terrified as to what would be on the other side.
+ + +
A wilderness cave
The Walong Mountains
The Mystical Realms
After what seemed like an eternity travelling through the wormhole the three of them arrived in an arid dry landscape. In the distance Celeste spotted the other vortex, a blue one signifying it was generated, not by some strange device invented by the humans, but by a dimension jump orb powered by magic. The blue vortex had appeared near a cave entrance which seemed strangely to have some kind of garden nearby.
Samuel and Sandra pointed their weapons at the blue vortex as they spotted three figures emerge and the wormhole dissipate
One of the figures in the distance was a drow, the others looked like humans. As they had come from a darkened cavern, Celeste was finding it hard for her eyes to adjust as unlike the two marines she did not have any dark glasses.
Suddenly the Colonel shouted, “Mark?” then he told the Captain, “Get the others through now” and immediately the captain went back through the worm hole.
Celeste walked forward shielding her eyes from the two suns that were high in the sky looking at the three figures in the distance. Now she could tell who they were, Commander Mark Johnston, Major Bolak and Mr Vee.
What were they doing here?
Celeste looked back towards the green vortex and saw the rest of the group coming through. Simon came through first and ran up to Celeste and embraced her. The two of them then kissed passionately.
“You’re safe” Simon told her
“Welcome to my home world” Celeste whispered then with a grin, “As this is my world, if I were not wearing a top and you then gave me yours”
“It would still not be valid my dear” Shamus interrupted, “Sorry but I think that tradition only applies to trolls and not the other races”
“Spoil sport” Celeste whined
The green vortex collapsed as Pete and Sue-Lim were last to come through.
Most of the former resistance, such as it was were all together in this desolate wilderness
Doctor Henshaw, and Pete wanted to speak with Simon so Celeste reluctantly walked towards the colonel and those who had come via the blue vortex.
The colonel then walked up to the commander, “What happened to the others?” he asked his long time friend
“Another fifth columnist drow and Corporal McCaskey have taken them to some enclave of drow who are still loyal to their old drow high council” the commander replied,
“McCaskey?” the colonel said in a surprised tone
“Yeah Sam” The commander replied, “It seems our Tania was a dark horse and had a drow lover on the side who sprung her”
“Anything else I should know?” the colonel asked in a sarcastic tone
The commander pointed at Mr Vee and Major Bolak, “These two have kidnapped Mr Andrews and handed him over to him” at that the commander pointed towards the cave entrance
Celeste looked at the cave entrance and there coming out of it was one of the most feared trolls she had heard of, and one for a long time she had thought was dead
It was the Lord Low Troll
Celeste gulped at the sight of this tyrant. This troll once had the power to order summary executions and it was this troll who had passed the law which had meant for many years she had been lead to believe her mother was dead, because her father the Spirit of Death had let her die.
Quickly Celeste pulled off the tee-shirt she was wearing so she did not offend this vicious troll as she was according to the others unmarried and dropped it to the ground
“What are you doing?” Shamus said to her quietly as he picked the shirt up and offered it back to Celeste
Celeste shook her head, “Tell Doctor Henshaw, the Captain and Sue-Lim to do likewise” Celeste whispered nervously
“No I will not” Shamus retorted, “Now put this shirt back on” the leprechaun insisted
Simon came across, “Celeste why have you taken my shirt off?” he asked, confused by her action
“You don’t understand” Celeste whimpered and shook her head, “He’s the Lord Low Troll, we shouldn’t anger him, they need to remove their tops” she added and backed away from Shamus, leaving him holding the shirt while she raised her hands in surrender and kneeled on the ground, terrified of this infamous troll.
Simon looked up at the Lord Low Troll and in solidarity knelt beside his Celeste, if this Lord Low Troll made his love do this, he must be pretty nasty and powerful
“Father!” Celeste heard Padow the troll say with a mixture of disgust and contempt
“I see you brought the Prince Low Troll with you” the Lord Low Troll replied with equal disdain.
“I do not go by that name now father” Padow retorted, “As I was usurped from the roll of Clan Chief of the Manjura I have been using the name my mother gave me”
“That Delethon name” The Lord Low Troll replied, “I might have guess you would do something like that”
“This family reunion is all very well” the colonel interrupted. Then he pointed what to Celeste seemed to be his side arm at the Lord Low Troll, “I want Mr Andrews right here, right now”
The Lord Low Troll broke off from his fraught discussion with his son and approached the colonel, “I believe we had a deal”
“Not one we sanctioned” the commander chipped in, “Your friend Mr Vee did this with no authorisation from the rest of us”
The Lord Low Troll shook his head and grinned, “To use an expression from your world, TOUGH”
Mr Vee came up to the colonel and the commander, “I told you, my friend here has assured me that he will not be pressing for the death penalty for Mr Andrews”
The colonel then pointed his sidearm at Mr Vee, “You sold us out didn’t you”
“Oh don’t be so melodramatic, Colonel” Major Bolak interrupted, “Our troll friend here can free both our worlds, is that not worth one man?”
The colonel shook his head and pointed his sidearm at Major Bolak, “You had no right to do that, and we could have done this without the help of this blood thirsty tyrant”
The commander then gently put his hand on the hand the Colonel was holding the sidearm.
“Sam” the commander said quietly, “I don’t think we have much of an option now”
The colonel was visibly shocked that his once right hand man seemed to be going along with what Mr Vee and Major Bolak seemed to have done.
“I can’t believe this Mark” the colonel replied as he holstered his sidearm, “This is the Lord Low Troll here Mark, one of the most blood thirsty tyrants on this world who murdered and lied his way to the top”
“We don’t have much choice now Sam” the commander insisted in what to Celeste seemed like a sad voice.
“I would have to concur with the colonel Commander” Padow agreed, “I would not trust my father here more than I could spit him out of my mouth”
“Oh son, you know how to hurt your own father don’t you” the Lord Low Troll replied
“Oh, so now you recognise me as your son” Padow shouted as he walked up to the Lord Low Troll and pushed him back, “You had me for political expediency and you had no decency to marry my mother because you had married Ghetto scum”
The Lord Low Troll swung his right fist and knocked Padow to the ground. “Yes it was expediency you ungrateful runt” he shouted, “And yes I sired you to help cement an alliance with the Delethon which you squandered, but I loved my true wife, Geerol who gave me a beautiful daughter and I was made to send her into exile, so don’t talk to me about political expediency”
“I met your daughter” Padow growled, “And from what I hear she hates your guts just as much as I do”
“I know” The elderly troll said in a sad voice, “But I still love my daughter”
“We don’t have time for this” Major Bolak interrupted, “Like you said we have a deal. I will ensure you are not hunted down, we will capture Brameana and bring her to you like you wanted and you have that human to deal with as you wish. It is time for you to honour our deal Madron”
The Lord Low Troll looked down at the drow impassively, “You know my
Majura name my mother gave me” he said, emphasising the word “Manjura” as a dig at his son.
“Well?” Major Bolak replied as he approached the Lord Low Troll
“You are right” the Lord Low Troll said to the drow.
Doctor Henshaw came up to the Colonel, “If he’s talking about time travel” Doctor Henshaw said with a touch of venom aimed at the troll, “it won’t work”
“I know you said” Mr Vee interrupted, “But we have to try it just in case it works”
“Quite so” the Lord Low Troll boomed out, “This wench of yours is a feisty one”
The colonel then caught sight of Celeste as she knelt, topless with her hands in the air next to Simon, while Shamus tried vainly to cover Celeste’s front with the tee-shirt
“If you’re expecting the other female members of my team to take their tops off, forget it” the colonel growled
The Lord Low Troll caught sight of Celeste and started to approach her, “Get away Shamus” Celeste pleaded, “he needs to see all of me”
“But I gave you my shirt, aren’t we married under his law?” Simon asked
“You are that child of the Spirit of Death and the so called long dead Spirit of Destiny” The Lord Low Troll growled
“Ye – Yes my lord” Celeste said weakly.
Celeste knew that her mother was really Lachesis, one of the fates who was very much alive, but according to law either one of her parents or Celeste herself had to be dead or put to death, so she kept the pretence hoping Simon with his total honesty would not give away her secret
“Is it true that you gave a top of yours to this wench when she wore none” The Lord Low Troll asked Simon
Totally awed, Simon nodded.
“Then put it back on” The Lord Low Troll Boomed at Celeste, “Your assets are for your husband alone now; I do not wish to see them”
Celeste obediently grabbed the tee-shirt and pulled it back on apologising to the Lord Low Troll, however he walked away ignoring her sobbing as she broke down in tears into Simon’s arms
The Lord Low Troll approached the Colonel. The colonel had again un-holstered his side arm and was pointing it at the Lord Low Troll. “So you the leader of this group” the Lord Low Troll said menacingly
“What if I am?” the colonel replied
“As the drow said” the Lord Low Troll Replied, “It is time for me to honour my side of the deal. I alone have the magics to roll back time for you and a number of others, so you can prevent the calamity that that accursed Vabalavich has made my daughter do to both our worlds, and I expect you to be successful in that mission or else…”
To be continued