The Conspiracy of Hearts and Daggers

Chapter One

Tataran stood between two rows of skeletal warriors while his host, there hooded skull faced leader was sitting at the other end on what looked to be a throne made of segmented bones. The armored warrior Tataran was prepared to meet his end, if it came to that as he had two weapons at the ready: his holstered pistol as well as a sheathed short sword.

Skeletor admired Tataran while he leisurely sat on his throne. If Tataran had any chance of sniping the contended ghoul it would have to be at a distance with his firearm.

"Welcome stranger!" Skeletor told Tataran as his voice echoed throughout the hollowed-out room which resided at the very peak of Snake Mountain.

Skeletor continued, "Do come closer so we can get better acquainted."

Tataran presumed that there was nothing to fear from his host as he thought why he would have been allowed this far just to be killed off. As a military mind himself, Tataran could not find this ploy serving any kind of purpose. Unless his host was just mad, Tataran thought otherwise as everything up to this point gave the appearance of being truly calculating in effect.

As Tataran approached, he saw a hulking red furred man with the face of a mandrill crouched beside his host.

"Excellent!" Skeletor told Tataran who now stood before him.

The black orb that Skeletor used to peer through was also before Tataran, the scryers orb was also an object that Tataran had seen before.

Upon noticing Tataran glance at his orb, Skeletor waved his blue skinned hand to produce the image of the Goblin army that was still surrounded by his Skelcon warriors outside of Snake Mountain. The image also showed General Harkans tank with Damon still beside him.

Skeletor brazenly asked, "Why are you not in command of this army?"

"I serve General Harkan loyally and without question for the benefit of the Goblin army." Tataran replied.

"Such a well scripted answer." Skeletor snidely informs, as he then asks," Do all of your compatriots in the Goblin army feel as you do about General Harkan?"

"I will respect you more if you are completely forthcoming with me. It is your honestly that has stayed my hand from completely smiting your battalion so far. So, keeping that trait up would work in your favor." Skeletor adds.

Tataran sensing the pitch from Skeletor, who could make for a powerful ally, becomes more inclined in sharing certain details that he would not normally," General Harkan is not well liked by many of the Goblin soldiers, me included. More often than not it is Harkans commands which leads to numerous setbacks. There are many Goblin soldiers who opt for me to take Harkans leadership role as General."

Skeletors tacit nod gives Tataran the distinction of explaining his plight further," It is General Harkan's great wealth, influence and power which either bribe him obedience or discourage rally against him."

Tataran then looks down for a moment before slowly shifting his glance to both sides as if he was wary to go on.

"I sense that your General Harkan is not alone at the top." Skeletor goading Tataran on implies," That man beside him the only non-Goblin that I see amongst your battalion. Who is he?"

Tataran speaks as low as he can the man's name, "Damon."

From where Skeletor presides, the name Damon means nothing, yet to Tataran the name holds menace. Skeletor then notices the long-haired man beside Harkan atop the tank looked up as if hearing his name called. Damon gazes in the direction of where it came from. In that instant, Skeletor knew who he was dealing as he makes contact with Damon's eyes through the orb's image. The connection was finally made between the two sorcerers, they now knew the presence of the other.

"You have done me a great service Tataran." Skeletor then says.

Despite the compliment, Tataran was unaware of what Skeletor's meaning was. Though before Tataran could pry for an answer, a voice from afar cried out, "I come from Anwat Gar bearing great news concerning Prince Randors capture!"

As Mer-Man gloats to Skeletor about his seeming victory he is unaware that Randor has already not only been rescued from Anwat Gar but is safely aboard the Majestic once again. The only unintentional saving grace that could console Mer-Man if he knew about Randors escape from his imprisonment of him would be the unintentional side effects of the prince's current physical condition. For as a side effect of being brought back to the surface of the ocean in the way that he had been the prince was in a state of hypothermic delirium.

Prince Randor was in and out of consciousness as his body shivered with cold sweats. The only ones tending to Randor were Duncan, Glenn, Malcome and Drusilla. Duncan, who had rescued Randor from the underwater cave had a proper thermal wet suit on while the prince had not. The breathing apparatus, Duncan had given to Randor was able to solve the princes need for oxygen. Unfortunately, the depth pressures were far too contentious for one so minimally insulated as Randor was. The dire circumstance forced Duncan to improvise in order to save prince Randor yet he was despondent about the outcome, nevertheless.

Randor had to constantly be dampened with warm towels by Glenn and Drusilla as they tried to keep his body temperature stable with a dry towel along his naked torso. An iv for fluid was injected into Randors arm so as he would not become dehydrated from water loss. Duncan was surprised at how much medical knowledge Glenn had to which she replied," I am from another world remember. I traversed time and space to get here!"

"Glenn..." Randor weakly said upon hearing the women he had only known for such a short time, the women who was trying so desperately to save his life.

The prince's arms were clutched by Glenns cool but caring hands as his wrist and forearm were rubbed tenderly.

"Call me Marlena when you're able." Glenn told the prince as she caressed his forearm," For now just try and save your breath."

Prince Randor coughed upon Glenns request as he faded out again.

In Consul Ari's cabin, Powers was scrying with her wand the scene of prince Randor being attended to as Scopes looked on with his enhanced vision.

"Do you think the prince will recover?" Scopes asked.

Powers answered direly," For our sakes, I hope that he does. Skeletor's plan involved the capture of prince Randor not his demise."

"Why have you not informed Skeletor about Randors escape yet?" Scopes asked.

"You're asking me too many questions." Powers insisted, "Let us wait until we get ashore first. Then we can implement my strategy in the confines of Consul Ari's Island estate."

Powers then peered down at the sleeping form of Ari as he lay on his bed.

"Where we can finally work in seclusion, away from any prying eyes." Powers told the sleeping Consul.

"Kaliva-Tay..." The Consul spoke back to Powers.

"Yes...yes...we are all three of us going to stay at your estate on Kaliva-Tay." Powers professed.

"Kaliva-Tay...the island of healing...the island of life..." Ari confessed anew.

This new revelation from Ari spurned Powers to pay closer attentiveness to what he was departing to her.

"What goes on in Kaliva-Tay?" Powers inquired to Ari.

"My rehabilitation...center...dedicated to all for healing..." Ari concluded.

Overhearing what Ari stated, Scopes supposes," They will want Randor to stay in Ari's rehabilitation center along with us. We won't be alone with the Consul at that point like you had planned."

"Which could only benefit us more." Powers continues," Randor is no threat to us in his current condition. Also, with him nearer to us, it could be presented to Skeletor that he is ripe for the taking once more."

A voice then echoes throughout the ship, where it can be heard by everyone aboard," We are nearing port now. I repeat we have arrived at the Golden Isles and will dock shortly!" Zarek informs everyone.

"Yes. now might be the opportune time to contact Skeletor." Powers suggests as she stops scrying the situation in the emergency room where Randor is being attended to.