aback. Devon could see Igus struggling for an answer and took the advantage, “I am no longer in the dark Igus! I do not know all the answers, but I know of your power.” Jessica and Arianna stood by and watched as Devon took command. Neither knew Devon well enough to gauge his ire.
The Blue Isle was a beautiful place. Not much more than a speck in Our Lady, but ever so lush. Since coming to the island, Loanna, Melanie and the children had explored almost every inch. Alanna and Arianna chose the island as their protectorate over one-hundred and fifty years ago, when the isle was much smaller. After the Serenity was formed by Igus, the land mass doubled to almost six miles at it’s widest point. Except for an occasional storm, the waters around the island were as smooth as glass. Brittany seemed drawn to one particular spot on the island.
“Melanie, I can see daddy and Igus!” Melanie looked around and thought Brittany was seeing things. “No Brittany, they are not here.” “Yes Melanie, look, he is talking with daddy!” Brittany insisted, holding a black crystal. Melanie looked at the crystal Brittany was holding. She could hear voices, one of them obviously Devon. ‘I am no longer in the dark Igus!’ She heard. “How are you doing that sweetheart?” “I do not know Melanie. But I can see daddy in this rock whenever I think of him.” Melanie took the crystal from Brittany and immediately, the voice was quieted. Odd she thought. Then she decided she had been drawn into Brittany’s daydream, and dismissed it.
The dank odor grew steadily as Gareth’s troops walked deeper into the bog. They approached what appeared to be a crag surrounded by dust. Gareth had heard of deserts, but had never seen one. The earth was bone dry and each breath of the wind seemed to disturb the delicate landscape. ‘He is here’! Gareth thought. Finally, the end was in sight. Corsea could sense the approach of Gareth’s army, and cringed. They have somehow found me, he thought.
“Light your torches!” Gareth commanded. Ian now went to Gareth, “Is he still entombed!? Shall we try to attack!?” “Yes, Corsea is still trapped! But attack, what?” “I only try to make a suggestion.” “Ian my friend, we cannot attack, what we can not see!” “Douglas! Break the forces into three columns.” Geoffrey now commanded. The men followed the commands without question. Each man lit a torch, then formed a semi-circle at the front of the arid precipice. Douglas now ran up to Gareth.
“My lords, there seems to be a cave at the center of the wall.” He said, pointing to what appeared to be a vine gate. “Just like the Cave of Lights!” Ian shouted. “Collect all the dead wood you can find, I want the opening surrounded with a barrier of fire!” Gareth commanded, wondering how Devon was making out.
“There is no longer time for your games Igus! You try to make me look foolish, while my friends risk their lives!” Devon shouted. Igus raised his brows. “Devon! I have never tried to make you look foolish! You...” Devon did not let him finish, “I no longer care about your secrets! Corsea has attacked me, Brittany, Michael, Ian, and God knows who else! He has killed two of Gareth’s knights! Either tell me what I need to know, or cut and run!” Devon demanded. Cut and run. That was more than Igus could take.
“Do you think me a coward, Devon!?” Igus asked indignantly. “In your own words Igus, ‘we have never labeled each other’. Just answer me, can the seal be replaced!?” “No. I have searched for an ebony crystal, but cannot find one.” “Then there is no recourse, Corsea must be destroyed.” Igus looked at Devon, disappointment filled his eyes, “You sound callous my friend. Do you find the thought of killing so easy?” Devon now lowered his head. The thought of killing a person had never really crossed his mind. The anger had been clouding his judgement. Then a thought crossed his mind.
“Igus, will you let me talk to Corsea?” Devon asked. Igus looked at Jessica and Arianna who had stood by quietly, “With their help, I believe that could be accomplished. But what do you hope to gain Devon?” “I am not sure. But what you have said about killing has saddened me.” “Come then.” The four of them levitated to the top of the rock. Igus instructed Devon to close his eyes, then Igus, Arianna and Jessica did the same. Almost instantly, Devon could see Corsea.
“So Priest, you would now seek me out! What do you want!?” Corsea demanded. “You have attacked my friends and family. Have you no compassion?” Devon asked quietly. “Compassion? I have been entombed for over seven decades! Do you think I have been shown any compassion!?” He growled. Devon felt himself shiver. He tried to find a way to reach Corsea.
“When a man breaks the law, he is put in jail. You broke nature’s law, do you not believe that you should be punished?” Devon asked. “I am above laws Priest! I am accountable to no one!” “You believe that killing innocent beings is justified?” Jessica now asked. “Truth be told, I have not killed anyone!” “Your actions have caused many deaths!” Igus countered. “Why do you bother me!? Soon I will be free Igus! Then we will discuss death!” Corsea exclaimed. “Would you consider a compromise?” Devon asked. Corsea looked at him, “You have no power! What could you possibly offer!?” “Do not underestimate me Corsea! What would it take to avoid a battle? A battle, I might add, that will very likely result in your death.” Devon said, as a matter of fact. Corsea was intrigued. He knew of the army that was at his door step. He also realized that by expending all his energy to break the ebony crystal, he would be sorely exhausted and vulnerable.
“Have Igus release me and I will leave Kingsland.” Corsea finally replied. “Will you allow me to talk with my friends? Devon asked. “Yes, of course!” Corsea said excitedly. With that said, the communication was ended.
“You cannot be serious!” Igus shouted. “Do you doubt his word Igus?” Devon asked. “The Children of Nature are bound by their word, but that is not the point. He would go to another land and cause havoc. Do you want that on your conscience?”
Melanie and Loanna watched Brittany and Michael playing hide and seek. The women had little to do. Alanna cooked all their meals and insisted they relax.
“I wish there was something to do.” Melanie said. “I know what you mean. I not only miss Devon, but I am bored silly.” Loanna echoed. “It would be nice if I could use this crystal the way Brittany imagined.” “What crystal Melanie?” “This black one.” She answered, handing it to Loanna, adding, “Brittany said she could see Devon with it.” Loanna looked at the crystal, “I have never seen a black crystal before. Brittany, come over here!” She called out. Brittany and Michael both came to the women.
“Yes mommy!” “Brittany, did you see daddy in this crystal?” “Yes, he was talking with Igus.” “Show me how you did that sweetheart.” Brittany took the crystal and sat down. Loanna almost laughed as Brittany seemed to close her eyes with all her might. Slowly Brittany opened her eyes and looked into the crystal. Loanna and Melanie watched as a miniature figure materialized above the surface of the crystal. It was Devon!
“See mommy! It is daddy!” Brittany giggled. “Yes, I do! Can you talk to him?” “I never tried that.” “Well, why not try?” “All right mommy!” Brittany closed her eyes again and began to speak. “Daddy! Can you hear me daddy?” Loanna and Melanie watched as Devon looked all around.
Back in the forest Devon, Igus, Jessica and Arianna all looked around. “Brittany? Where are you honey?” Devon asked, trying to figure where the voice was coming from. Igus already knew, “She is on the Blue Isle!” “Brittany, how are you talking to me?” Devon now asked. “I do not know daddy, mommy asked me to try, so I did.” She said, giggling. Igus closed his eyes and contacted Alanna.
“What do you need Igus?” Alanna asked. “Brittany is communicating with Devon. She obviously has found a crystal. Please see what type it is.” Alanna walked to where Brittany was sitting and bent down. “Amazing!” Alanna exclaimed. Brittany was startled and the communication ended. “What is it Alanna!?” Loanna asked. “May I have the crystal, Brittany?” Alanna asked. “Sure! There are a lot of them!” “Loanna, Igus has been looking for an ebony crystal. I cannot believe they were right under my nose.” “What
does he need with an ebony crystal?” Alanna gave Loanna a smile. “Never mind.” Loanna said. Alanna closed her eyes and told Igus of the crystal.
“This changes everything!” Igus shouted. “What has happened, Igus?” Devon asked. “Brittany has stumbled upon an ebony crystal!” “Then you can reseal the tomb!” “It will not be that easy!” Arianna now warned. “Of course it will not be easy, but at least there is now hope.” Igus said. Jessica now joined in, “Gareth has found Corsea. His troops surround the tomb.” “Their timing is perfect! As soon as Alanna brings the crystal, we will go to the bog.” Igus said, feeling relief that his brother need not be killed.
The events did not go unnoticed by Corsea. No! He screamed to himself. I have eaten worms and grubs for too many years! How long am I to be punished. “So you finally use the word...punished!” Corsea recognized the voice and shouted, “You allow this to continue Artemus! I am a child of nature! I made a mistake!” Artemus looked at Corsea and was saddened. He knew Corsea all too well. “Would you try to make a fool of me!?” “What are you saying? Better yet what is it you want!? I have been imprisoned and