The Burning Rose (Chapter Ten)

From inside his robotic anthropomorphic machine called a Ribit Inspector Plodok's bulging eyes were glued to his radar screen. On the radar screen Plodok watched eagerly the clusters of dots moving very slowly as more dots emerged sometimes forming huge blobs of clustered dots. The activity Plodok watched on the radar screen was an eastern migration of people along a long river which separated them from a destination they were trying desperately to reach. The endless parade of Rain-People migrating down the Mystic River began to agitate Plodok who opened up the cockpit top to let in some fresh air.

Not far away from the large Ribit was Malcome who was brushing there two horses Clapper and Stridor who they had brought along with them. Macolme asked Plodok between the soft strokes of his brush along his horse Stridors golden mane," Has the situation changed any, my friend?"

Usually, Plodok was laid back though in this instance he had a restlessness that would not subside, "I think that I need a dip in a cool body of water!"

Then after snatching a couple of flying golden insects with his tongue Plodok reasoned, "I would go down to the rivers bend accept I was told that an ever-increasing band of exuberant zealots who happen to be there right now would not take kindly to that!"

Malcome who knew Plodoks mood to be more laid back like his own was surprised at how erratic he was suggested to him," Why not take a break for a while? I was also thinking that we ought to let your prisoner out from inside your Ribits mouth as well. I have some rope inside the pouch on Striders side saddlebag to bind him. If you think that you need a break, just think about how stir-crazy Karos must be all couped up like he is."

"It serves him right!", Plodok shot back until he realized how correct Malcom's statement was.

"No! You are right I am coming down!", Plodok said before he hopped down from his Ribit to land right beside Malcome which startled Clapper!

Malcome had already taken a long strand of thick brown rope from a pouch hung on Stridor's saddle just as Plodok was straightening out his body.

"Catniks can be quick, my friend.", Malcome warned Plodok who was holding onto his sonic blaster hung around his shoulders by a leather strap.

"I can be quicker.", Plodok said as he licked another bug out of the air with his tongue for nourishment.

Malcome crept over beside the Ribit with his rope ready as Plodok said, "Open!"

Then the mouth on the frogged face of the Ribit began to slowly open wide revealing its occupant.

"Yah!", Karos let loose a loud scream as he was grabbed forcefully by Malcome who tossed him onto the ground! Karos was now laying on his stomach as Malcome pulled his arms together as he began tying his hands together!

Karos yelped as Malcome tightened the knot on the rope which kept his arms constrained behind his back.

Then Malcome pulled on a long strand of excess rope from where Karos hands were tied together in order to yank the goblin up to his knees!

Karos was then allowed to straighten his legs out so he could squat on the ground as Malcome still maintained tension on the rope he was still tied to.

Karos then let out a strange howl of discomfort as Plodok stood over him with his blaster lowered.

"What are you going to do to me?", Karos asked in fright as a cool Plodok tilted his green head a little before walking towards Malcome

After reaching into his pouch strapped to his side Plodok produced a little yellow flute with a series of holes in the middle. Plodok began to blow a sweet melody from his golden flute as he walked away behind a seemingly confused Karos who's ears perked. Malcome watched in wonder as well as listened to the sweet melody of Plodoks tune as the inspector came beside his Ribit once again. The melody stopped as soon as Plodok leapt inside his Ribit though not for long as the sweet melody began playing again.

Malcome as well as Karos were soothed by the sweet melody being blown to them by Plodok from inside his Ribit until it stopped again.

The mouth if the Ribit then opened itself wide open. Malcome who was not as relaxed he was wondered what Plodok was up to when the sweet tune poured out of the Ribit in stereo.

Malcome found himself becoming mesmerized by the effects of the sound buzzing in his ears.

Then the sound was muted as Malcome shook off its effects, yet when he looked at Karos the goblin was frozen staring off into the distance.

Plodok waved from atop his Ribit before leaping off it again to land beside Malcome.

"What's happened?", Malcome asked Plodok who casually took out his inspector's glow stick in place of his Andreenid flute.

Plodok casually replied," Let me correct you my friend. What is happening is that I recorded the melody from my Andreenid flute into my Ribit then played its sound out of it. Then with some modifying of the tune into a very tight frequency as well as ultra-low pitch directed it at our Katnik friend."

"Amazing!", Malcome commented, "So only Karos is affected by the Andreenids sleepy serenade."

"Precisely, which is why I now have to slightly counter the sounds audio effects...", Plodok began as he walked to face Karos who was in a drowsy daze like state as he flashed his sticks lite in a pulsating rhythmic pattern," by using the light from my glow stick I can stimulate Karos visually in order to keep him semiconscious."

"At least conscious enough to answer some of my questions.", Plodok said as he concentrated on the glazed eyes of Karos who was actually drooling from his open mouth.

"Do you hear me?", Plodok asked Karos who slowly replied in a slow monotone voice," I... can...hear you..."

"Do you recognize me?", Plodok asked Karos

"Yes, you are the frog inspector...", Karos slowly replied

"My full title is Inspector Plodok, now I would like to ask you a series of questions.", Karos was bluntly informed by Plodok

"How many is in a series?", Karos asked dumfounded

Instead of answering Karos question, Plodok began his inquiry," What is your mission in the Mystic Mountains?"

"Mission?", a bewildered Karos asked

"What brought you to the Mystic Mountains?", Plodok rephrased the question to keep Karos focused

"I am a scavenger of machines...I gather spare parts for reconstruction.", Karos answered very emphatically

"Is that why you came to the Mystic Mountains, to scavenge around for machine parts?", Plodok asked as he trained the light of his glowstick between Karos eyes

"Yes.", Karos affirmed

"Why was my robot captured?", Plodok then asked as he blinked the light of his glowstick at Karos

"It was a trap...automated...", Karos said as if to dismiss his actions even in his entranced state there may be an underlying guilt

"What was the trap? Explain it.", Plodok played up to Karos pride for his work

"Areas are first scouted...then arial units are sent to install Lock-Poles...", Karos began before he was interrupted by Plodok who now knew why his Ribit locked up when it did when he was traversing the rockslide before his capture.

"What is the reason you choose an area scouted?", Plodok bluntly asked

"Scavenging...only for parts...", Karos tried to rationalize yet Plodok knew that the areas were really chosen for what transports they could capture in real time.

Plodok had to blink his glow stick a couple of times to get Karos to refocus before resuming his questioning, "After you install the Lock-Poles then what happens?"

"The Segmented-Trapper ship decide on another location to expand the capture area then if another location is chosen...the Trapper detaches into two in order to increase its gathering capacity.", Karos explains before Plodok realized the danger they are still in

Plodok gives Malcome a wide-eyed look to help express the current danger they are still in.

"What happens when the Trapper's other segmented half is in danger?", Plodok asked for reassurance

"They proceed to their location if possible.", Karos put forth

"I wonder why our location hasn't been discovered yet?", Plodok reasoned outload to Malcome who offered only a shrug of his shoulders

To Plodoks surprise, Karos answered instead," If the other part of the Trapper can return to reclaim the damages they will...when they clean up...check off the damages..."

Plodok then blinked his glow stick at a glossy eyed Karos in a slow pulsating rhythm to put him to rest.

"You are getting sleepy...the sounds in your head a to soothing for you to resist.", Plodok said as he watched the goblins eyes slowly shutter until they shut closed for the last time. Then Plodok blew out his glow sticks light.

Another light many miles away sparked itself in the distance. The red glow from Styx's wand sparked as she slowly twirled it from inside the air balloon basket as it began to descend upon the ruins of Igniton.

"Behold!", Blovas announced, "The old mines of Morgoth!"

Styx all the while knew exactly where they were being taken to although not for what reason. Zoomer observed what Styx was doing said nothing until now when he whispered," May I ask what you are attempting?"

Instead of replying back Styx shook her head then whispered, "Tell me when our entourage has departed."

Zoomer then looked beside them to see only two of the Dragon riders with only one paying attention. It was the rider called Pyrok who seeming knew Blovas as they occasionally engaged each other in conversation. The other rider while not paying them a great deal of attention would glance over from time to time. Zoomer decided to cover up what Styx was doing by standing between her and the rider who then turned to notice Zoomers changed position.

"Why did you change your position?", Gavan directed his suspicions to Zoomer who with wide eyes quickly answered," I am fidgety...ready to get off."

Gavan was about to respond when a voice came on from inside of his helmet. A relieved Zoomer simply kept a sharp lookout until he saw another group pf Dragon riders flying in to greet Captain Ravanas group."

The Dragon riders nearing them did not resemble them in uniform in particular the one in the lead who while riding a red dragon he himself wore black armor.

Pyrok cursed the name of the dragon rider who was now confirming with Captain Ravana in the air," Its Black Ash!"

Blovas repeated the name in fear, "Black Ash!"

Zoomer then watched Gavan fly off on his dragon toward his group as Pyrok told Blovas before departing as well," Farewell my friend! May Brahm protect you in this cursed place!"

As the two Dragon riders departed on their steeds Zoomer whispered to Styx, "Its now or never."

Then without hesitation, Styx closed her eyes as she waved her wooden wand outside the basket releasing a fluttering sphere of fire behind them! The small fiery ball of flame flew away from where they came in order to warn Malcome of the plight they were in.

Zoomer hugged Styx after her last act of desperation seemingly left her drained.

Blovas began to let the air out from his balloon to begin lowering it down when the Dragon rider Black Ash came beside them.

Black Ash wore a thin mustache as well goatee upon a thin dark swarthy face. There was a menace about Black Ash who's black armor covered a taught muscular frame like sinew on a skeleton.

This was a changing if the guard that was as unwelcoming as you could get without outright being murdered.

Black Ash then barked at Blovas as he pointed towards a columned area of the ruins, "You will land in that spot! Otherwise, you will crash there, understand!"

As Blovas looked to see Ravana lead her dragon riders away he nodded accordingly," I see that I have little alternative in the matter."

"Aye, we'll get along splendidly that way.", Black Ash said as he laughed then three other dragon riders began to circle the balloon as they too laughed along.

Finally, the balloon was landed inside of the columns of the ruins where the dragon riders then landed around them in a circle.

Black Ash ordered from atop his dragon," Garok! Karver!" Without hesitating the two riders descended from there red dragons in order to greet the travelers in the air balloon. The only one Black Ash did not order was a black skinned Lizard with green patterns in gray armor beside him atop another red dragon.

Garok was a wide stocky brutish looking warrior with a bare gut who wore a small round gray helm atop a thick black bearded face. Karver was slightly taller than Garok with a long hairless yet scraggy face with long brown hair held by a spiked strap around atop his head.

Garok brandishes a heavy looking mace while Karver as his name suggested it produced a long-curved sword as well wore a strap across his chest with many knives decorated inside it.

Karver announced as he pointed his sword in the direction that everyone inside of the basket should head in," There is a Golden Tongue archer amongst the lot!"

The black lizard beside Black Ash commented," Why would an archer from Soros be among them?"

"Who knows Slok, why are you so far away from your brethren in the jungles of Targa?", Black Ash relayed

"You already know that answer Ash. Why are you making the comparison?", Slok answered back

"It is not I who reasons why I either do or die.", Black Ash reminds Slok who seemingly ignores the remark.

The three travelers are then presented before Black Ash as marching footsteps are heard making their way behind him.

"Halt!", a voluminous voice commands as the sound of the marching abruptly stop!

Then a large powerful warrior with a crimson horned helmet came forth.

"I am Broton! You will now follow me along the colonnade!", the red bearded warrior commands

Despite not knowing whose company is worse Blovas along with Styx and Zoomer come forth in order to follow the looming Broton.

"Well, I guess we'll be headed towards Skorch for some relaxation. Which tavern should we head to first, the Crawling Slug or the Lava Flow?", Black Ash asked before Broton answered instead

"The only place your going is the area where this lot was discovered. Armatura wants you to search there for the rest of Malcom's party.", Broton insisted

"Watch the level of your voice!", Black Ash told Broton before continuing," I don't answer to you or anyone! I may decline on the spot if not addressed properly."

Broton quickly produced a brown bag then threw it at Slok who caught it expertly with his quick reflexes!

Slok opened the bag to pull out a gold coin then handed the rest to Black Ash.

Black Ash then put the bag away in a pouch on his saddle before yelling to Garok and Karver," Get onto your dragons!"

Then before departing Black Ash asked Broton, "What do we do with these travelers when we find them? Also, what do they look like?"

"When you find them bring them to the three towers in Igniton as they have an overdue audience with Lord Tyr. The only one of consequence is the Eternian Malcome the other identified is a Frog from Pacwad who is riding a larger frog called a Ribit. Also, they are by the little Snail bridge on the other side of Igniton along the Mystic River. Though beware as the Rain-Men are having a celebration along the river."

"Black Riders! Let's ride!", Black Ash screams as the dragons begin to spread their scaled wings up towards the gray skies above! Then the riders atop their dragons slowly fade away as they fly off in the distance.

Broton then comes over towards the other three travelers where Styx demands," Why are we in these accursed ruins? We were also granted an audience with Lord Tyr!"

"That will have to wait as your first audience is with Armatura. Now start moving along!", Broton sharply commands

As the three travelers proceed in the direction told to them, Broton commands, "About face!"

Upon the command the troop of warriors turn around to face the opposite direction.

"March!", Broton commands as his troops start marching past Blovas, Styx and Zoomer.

Broton then comes up to the travelers in order to start walking in front of them.

After a fair amount of walking the three travelers were led to what seemed the end of the colonnade where a woman in red seemed to be swaying alongside a group of small brightly colorful birds. As they came towards her, they started to recognize the woman as the one they saw in the Desert of Fire alongside the other woman and armored warrior.

Styx recognized the woman as Armatura yet the mannerisms of her seemed mechanical. Armatura then spoke in an equally voice that seemed artificial, "Welcome to the ruins of Morgoth where below these steps lies the traitress Warlock Ynz' vault! Let the siege of the vault begin again!"

Broton then yelled at his men, "March!"

The warriors began to march down the steps to where they started to divide at the bottom to form two lines like a path toward a caved in entranceway.

Blovas worriedly asked,"What's down there?"

Broton eagerly answered," A chance to win the treasures of a lifetime! Now go!"

Zoomer turned to face Broton, but Styx held him back, "Don't do it my friend! Brahms rings of fire will protect us."

Then all three friends proceeded to walk down the broken ruin steps then past the soldiers lined up on both sides until they reached the entrance of the dark cave.

"Draw your swords!", it was the voice of Broton followed by the sound of scraping metal as the two rows of warriors brandished their swords!

"You can die here and now or survive the Gem-Eyed creature that guards the Warlocks vault! The choice is yours!", Broton screamed at the travelers who saw little choice but to enter within.

There was a dim light inside a dark room where a chalked line on the floor was drawn before a large, bronzed vault door. Inside of the rectangular chalked line was the picture of a red gem.

"I can melt the vault door open with my alchemical arrow like I did before with the ship.", Zoomer suggested

"How many of those mercury arrows do you have left?", Styx asked

"Only this one.", Zoomer said

"I would rather you save it. Let us go down to examine the vault itself it may provide a clue at how to open it.", Styx said as Zoomer followed alongside her.

Blovas stubbornly waited at the top of the entranceway.

Then Blovas noticed something as he watched the others walk across the room towards the vault. Blovas noticed the picture of the red gem on the floor start to disappear,

"Mt friends, behold the gem is no more!", Blovas shouted in freight

the others stopped to take note that the picture of the gem had disappeared then Zoomer saw something standing behind of Blovas.

It was the Gem-Eyed creature whose two beaty red eyes lit up behind of Blovas!

Blovas leapt off from where he was as soon as he felt the creatures large belly brush against his back!

The creature seemed somewhat amused at how Blovas was floating around in the room! Then the creature with little incomprehensibly small wings flew up to greet the funny flying man!

Blovas flew away from the creature who was trying to grab him!

Zoomer took out an arrow to place in his bow then trained his aim on the creature flying after Blovas!

"What kind of arrow is that?", Styx asked as he took out what looked like the root of a tree from her satchel.

"An impact arrow of compressed air!", Zoomer told Styx who said, "Hold on! You don't want to hit Blovas by mistake!"

"Fear not friends!", Blovas told his companions as he produced his long pipe then after taking a long deep breath of air, he used his pipe as a funnel for his breath to forcibly push the creature back!

The creature roared in anger then its eyes glowed red before it shot two thin beams of energy at Blovas!

In that instant, Blovas was gone!

"No!", Styx shouted as she held her root to throw at the creature!

"Get behind me!", Zoomer told Styx as he aimed his arrow at the creature who was sneering in anger before unleashing two more crimson beams from his eyes!

Then in another instant both of the creature's perceived threats were gone!

The Gem-Eyed creature then landed on the floor where it rubbed its large belly with a large red gem where the naval ought to be before it to was gone. Then the drawing of the red gem returned once again to its pictured rectangular encasement on the floor before the vaulted door.

Once again, the Gem-Eyed creature had vanquished all its enemies who tried to ransack the vault he eternally guarded.