The Burning Rose (Chapter Eight)

Amidst the ruins of a long-departed colonnade was a woman in red overlooking the steps of a broken staircase leading down a path of gray ash, soot scraped rock towards a caved entranceway. Outside before the caved entranceway stood two rows of powerful warriors dressed both in armor as well rags like pillars apart from one another in wait. The warriors faced towards the caved entrance unflinching as the women in red swayed her arms one covered from elbow to hand in a long purple glove where her thin fingertips could be seen poking out of cut holes in the garment while her right arm from elbow to hand was made out of golden armor which led not to a hand but a fearsome clawed talon.

The women's body swayed inside a breastplate of gold down to her legs in golden plates covering her thighs as well as her shin over purple and black stitched garments. Whatever ritual the woman was performing it was only she that could hear the music her body was in tune with. As the woman swayed a flock of little shiny birds flew towards her over the warrior helmed heads some looked to take notice while others remained as they were.

The woman accepted the birds as her own on both her arms some sat as if on adjoining branches of a tree. The gathering birds tweeted aloud piercing harmonics that soothed the woman they sang to while causing discomfort as seen on the scraggly faces of the warriors down below. The women were entranced by her spectrum of multicolored birds of metal in combinations of red, yellow, blues and greens all singing to her. Then the woman began to sing aloud in a very high-pitched voice! The women lilted her head back as her red mane of tied together locks fell backwards like drapes ready to unveil something! The women's one eye was closed as she sang ever higher up to the gray sky! The women's other eye was unseen inside the socket of a golden mask that covered half her face.

The woman brought her head down to take notice of something heavy footed coming towards her.

"Behold!", the woman in red screamed aloud from her stage as a towering figure trotted loudly beside her.

All of the warriors turned to take notice except one which did not hear the command. A warrior beside him prompted him to take notice of the figure above.

The woman pointed her armored taloned claw at the one warrior who failed to turn promptly on command, "That one!", she told the towering heavy breathing bronzed centaur with the head of a lion beside her.

The warriors scattered away like mice as the one fated by the woman's taloned finger stood frozen with fear as the mechanized centaur with the head of a lion heavily trotted down the shattered steps towards him.

"Broton!Please reason with her!", the warrior pleaded to another large black bearded one with a crimson horned helm who just stood with his arms folded.

The Centaur roared before charging at the lone warrior who drew out his long sword!

The Centaur had in one iron clasped fist a mace while a round shield permanently attached to its other forearm.

The Centaur came to a dead stop before the warrior before it then stood up on its hind legs! The warrior was now looking up at a bronze gate before it came crashing down towards him! The warrior managed to dodge clear of the centaurs front hooved heavy legs as they crashed down upon him! The ground shattered upon impact from the centaur's assault leaving a small crater behind!

The warrior looked over at his comrades for support yet instead of lending a handout they withdrew their own weapons to use against him if he came much closer.

The only sympathy the warrior got was from the one who originally reminded him to look around at his current attacker when he was first originally supposed to.

The warrior on the sidelines shouted at his mate, "Look out!"

As the warrior turned round to face the approaching centaur, he was able to duck the mace it swung at him!

As the warrior turned again to face his attacker, he was just able to block the centaurs mace with his sword!

The centaur's blow was so powerful that it knocked the warrior off balance! The centaur did not miss his second blow as his body turned on its axis like a dial to strike the warriors sword so hard that he could not hold his grip onto it! Then as if in slow motion the sword was flung as the centaur's body swung completely around like a top to strike the warrior again just as the sword fell to the ground! On impact with the warrior the centaur stopped the rotation of its body as the warrior's limp body flew backward in the air until it finally landed with a thud!

The warrior was gasping for air as he spat out blood with his bodies concaved chest flaying on the ground. The centaur blew out steam from its feline nostrils before it used its front leg to three times strike the ground before charging!

The centaur charged over the fallen warrior not once but twice before stopping to see if the warrior was still breathing. When the centaur at last saw his victim completely still with his chest caved in on the ground did it once again rise up on its hind legs to roar in victory!

The warriors simply stood where they were as the centaur trotted into the maw of the cave's entranceway.

From his darkened throne Lord Tyr leaned his long body back while cradling a curvaceous woman on his lap to laugh aloud! The blonde woman dressed in white had her head turned away as she hid her face inside her petite hands to hide from the violence being shown.

One of the three red robbed witches who was stoking the image above the fire pit before there lord shouted, "Does Armatura have to treat our Igniton warriors with such disregard?"

"Armatura is Ignitons Chief Armorer...", Tyr began to tell the witch below him before realizing her point," Though I will let her know that despite our transitioning to a new brand of soldier we still need all of our forces at the ready. Though they are her private army that she can do with as she pleases."

Varna the witch in white gave an arousing sigh in Tyrs arm before saying to him," Those witches are just saddled in their old ways of doing things. They do not have the vision Armatura possess for your reign as well as all of Igniton."

"Bah!", the one witch of fire below chastises," I would beware of Armatura as her ambitions will go too far! Her obsession in trying to find the warlocks secrets should not cost the life of your lordship's loyal subjects, should they?"

Tyr's brow creases before he addresses the witch of fire," Armatura has her ambitions she has bought the services of Brotons regiment, though in the end they all serve me. They know it, you know it let us not stoke the flames of conspiracy. Especially when I am enjoying the entertainment."

Varna begins to rub Tyrs chest seductively in order to sooth his anger. Which it soon does.

A calmer Tyr then waves his hand saying, "If you would continue scrying."

The fire witches comply with Tyr manifesting a new image above the fire pit. The image now shows Armaturas centaur within the confines of the cave where a large vault door is seen on the far wall. The centaur trots slowly into the center of the room where a yellow rectangular line is chalked on the ground. At the center of the chalked rectangular outline is a red chalked gem. The picture of the gem inside the chalked outline begins to fade away.

An excited Tyr leans forward in anticipation as in the image before him the Warlocks Gem-Eyed creature is conjured inside his vault room once more!

As the Gem-Eyed creature slowly appears Armaturas centaur backs up while raising his mace behind himself at the same time covering his front half with his round shield.

A twin beam of red-light shoots out from the Warlock creature's eyes at the centaur!

Armaturas centaur blocks the red beam with is bronzed shield! The Gem-Eyed creature's red beam is intensified as the centaur continues blocking it! The beam begins to bore through the centaurs shield which causes a plume of smoke! The centaur charges at the Gem-Eyed creature!

The centaur ends up charging through a phantom as the Gem-Eyed creatures bloated yellow body becomes intangible! Though as the centaur passes through the creature it becomes solid once more atop the back of its assailant! The centaur starts to buck in order to shake off the devil winged creature with its glaring eyes ready to bore a hole in its head! The Gem-Eyed creature hangs on as it holds the centaurs head in a vice like grip! The Gem-Eyed creature then starts to shoot red beams at the centaur's arm holding its mace! The red beam from the creatures' eyes starts to slice through the centaur's arm at the elbow!

Then the centaur starts to twist its upper body around in place like a top! As the centaur's body oscillates at tremendous speed smoke streams out as a reddish glare begins to grow!

The arms of the centaur holding its mace flies out until it hits the wall of the cave!

The centaur brings its body to a sudden stop as the Gem-Eyed creature is seen cranking back on its lion's head with all its might!

The centaur stood its long-bronzed body up on its hindquarters again in order to shake off its persistent adversary! Then the centaur crashed its equine body back down reverberating a large vibrational crash around the cave which brought some of the ceiling down!

The Gem-Eyed creature still hangs on!

A red glow then begins to radiate around the Gem-Eyed creatures' yellow body as it pulls tighter still on the centaur's lion head! The red glow intensified around not only the horned yellow winged creature, but it was now surrounding the centaur as well!

The red glare became a prism of light that burst within the cave while casting a glare from within to where the entire cave was bathed in red!

A shadow was seen in motion stirred within the red glare as it raced around the cave! Then the shadow began to slow down as it became slower still until the bright crimson glare started to lesson as well!

Then when the red glow had completely faded the Gem-Eyed creature could be seen crouched over a sparkling sand. The Gem-Eyed creature had the sparkling sand pouring from its yellow clawed like dust. As the yellow creature lay on its back in the pile of sparking sand that was once the centaur it seemed as if it was enjoying it.

A weariness befell the demon creature as it began to yawn while raising it arms. Then as its drowsiness befell the creature further it soon vanished away once more.

"The Warlocks creature is unbeatable!", an impressed Tyr declared after witnessing another of Armaturas creations destroyed by it.

"So, it would seem.", Varna said in agreement.

"What of the Eternians returning from the Desert of Fire?", the one witch of fire Tyr had been dealing with put forth.

Another witch beside her more prodding sister saw fit to add," Do you not think it more valuable to Ignitons safety the testimony of Lady Styx in regard to Prince Trace?"

Instead of Tyr answering back it was an incensed Varna who spoke up to defend her lover from the fire witches' vexing questions, "How dare all of you question our lords' priorities! We all grieve in our own way as we wait the Eternians arrival. Do any of you have the power to hasten there journey here? I think not! In the meantime, Lord Tyr, my beloved tries to fill his day in wait to find the answers you crave. We all grieve for the loss of not only Prince Trace but of Solace as well as Warlock Yn whose betrayal has greatly wounded my beloved. Do not forget Ignitons champion Rotar who may have as yet already won the day we just haven't heard of it yet."

"Take it easy my pet...my love...do not overwhelm yourself on my account. ", Tyr tells Varna as he wraps his large arms around her shapely waste to then squeeze her gently as they both swoon in each other's eyes before kissing passionately.

The three fire witches look at one another in disgust at the sight the impassioned power couple before them.

Varna whispers something into Tyrs ear after she catches her breath then Tyr untangles his arms from her yell at guard at an entranceway," You, get word to Dakhurst! Upon my orders you tell Dakhurst that I want Dragon Flyers spread-out in all directions from Igniton in search of the Eternian journeymen! Upon finding them I want them to accompany the party back to Igniton immediately! Is that clear?"

"Yes, my lord!", the guard tells Tyr who immediately erupts, "Now get to it!"

Then after the guard scampers off Tyr turns his attention to the three Fire Witches to say, "You can leave as well until either I have need of you or one of Armaturas messenger birds declares another attempt in seizing the Warlocks vault again!"

Once the witches leave the throne room, Tyr breathing heavily embraces his lover on his lap who sighs in anticipation! Tyr tells Varna as his lips come closer in a low deep voice," Don't worry your pretty little head my hot-tempered witch..."

"Hmmmm...what do you have in store my Lord?", Varna replies weakly as Tyrs lips smother hers in passion again!

"Ugh...", Malcome moaned as he started to regain consciousness again.

"Your finally awake friend were nearing the Mystic River now.", Plodok said as he steered his Ribit from the front seat in front of Malcome.

'The Mystic River...", Malcome began to say before losing his words.

"I haven't had time to check on you since your rescue of me from the Trapper.", Plodok told Malcome who then repeated in confusion, "Trapper..."

"It was the machine that I was being held inside of the same one that caused the rockslide which covered the right-hand path towards Igniton.", Plodok explained

"The tremors...something about them...", Malcome jogged his hazy memory for the word tremor which seemed so important at the moment.

"Moss Man was right...", Malcome said before his words trailed off again then his hand-held communicator began to beep.

Plodok's eyes bulged as he saw a lot of clusters on the radar scope on his console. Then the beeping of Malcom's communicator caught his attention, "Malcome!" Plodok loudly told Malcome so as to keep him awake!

Plodok touched a four fingered webbed handprint print in the shape of his own at the center of the steering wheel in order place the Ribit on automatic pilot so he could face Malcome in the back seat!

Without saying a word Plodok took the communicator which was attached to Malcom's belt in order to answer the incoming call!

"I am spying a whole lot of activity all along the river!", Blovas told Plodok

"This is Plodok speaking as Malcome is still recovering from his injury."

"Do you know what's going on? I detect a large number of people all along the river on my radar.", Plodok added

"There referred to as the Rain-Men or Rains people they live off the river as well as the coast alongside the mountains. I have traded with them before they are a peaceable people.", Blovas related

"However, this may not be a peaceable moment to journey along the river alongside them.", Blovas then related

"Please explain.", Plodok told Blovas

"I think that we should stop our approach first.", Blovas said

The idea of stopping was a sound one as they have been on the run from there Goblin perusers for many treks.

Blovas had once again anchored his air balloon in a canopy of trees to then float down towards the group. Styx was very weary after riding on her own horse Clapper with Zoomer holding onto her while also holding the reigns of Stridor to get him to follow with them. The Ribit was flopped down on all fours on its stomach as Plodok waved to them from his opened cockpit! Malcome could be seen behind him lying in the back seat.

Stridor became restless at not seeing his owner up and about after such a long ride.

"I am all right Stridor!", Malcome shouted to ease Stridor's worries which did come him down.

Plodok laded in front of the mouth of his Ribit with his Sonic blaster out!

"Let me show you what's inside my Ribits mouth!", Plodok said before he blurted the word open to have the Ribits mouth actually do just that.

Karos the Katnik goblin was curled up inside the Ribits mouth when the light from the outside alerted him to what was happening.

"Wh... what is happening? Where am I?", Karos nervousely asked

Zoomer raised his bow to point an arrow straight at Karos!

"No!", Karos screamed as he hid his face from the archer a lot good that it would do him.

"This is the one that captured you?", Zoomer asked Plodok as he kept his arrow trained onto his target.

"Please Zoomy lower your arrow.", Plodok asked his friend

As Zoomer complied with Plodok it was explained in further detail," This is Karos one of my captors aboard the Trapper a ship which captured my Ribit with me inside it. I don't think that they intended to steal me along with the Ribit it just happened that way."

"It couldn't be helped it's the method we use for capturing vehicles who get magnetized inside the net. We send in the worms to retrieve the locked-up vehicle in order to use it for scrap. We usually just take whatever else we can get and discard the rest like any passengers that were inside.", Karos explained in raid detail

"Except for Garak as he wanted me eliminated.", Plodok corrected

"That's just his temperament nothing was ever going to happen to you.", Karos said

"I would say never being able to leave was something, wouldn't you say?", Plodok cooly mentioned

"It was a bluff! I swear!", a craven Karos said as he coward inside the mouth of the Ribit.

"Close.", Plodok glurped as the mouth slowly closed over Karos once again.

"We'll talk again about the others you captured along the way while then ling to them about letting them go.", Plodok said right before the mouth resealed itself once more with Karos inside it.

"You have some tendencies about you Inspector do you not?", Blovas implicitly implied

Plodok forgave the comment to take out his curved blow pipe before asking, "Its story time tell us about the happenings along the river with these river folk. Why should be concerned about their current state of mind?"

"Should I not wait for Malcome to join us?", Blovas asked

After Plodok blew some bubbles from his pipe he sniped back, "I'll fill him in time is short."