here. We Children of Nature, save a few, are here to protect.” Alanna answered. “But if Devon is alive, why can Igus not sense him?” Loanna asked. “You have actually answered your question. If he is being protected, Corsea, nor any other child would be able to sense him.” Loanna put her arms around Alanna. “Then there is hope!” Loanna exclaimed.
As they approached the bog, they could see that tents had been raised and the knights training. “That is a good group of men.” Ian said, a bit of pride showing on his face. “Putting Sir Douglas in charge was a wise decision.” Gareth noted. “We can all be proud. We have the finest fighters in the land.” Geoffrey added. Yes, they were a fine group of men. They would be made to understand that they must not fear the unknown.
“My lords, I trust everything went well in the forest.” Douglas said. “The women and children are safe. Thank you for asking.” Gareth said. “Excellent job Douglas. I am glad to see you did not let your guard down.” Ian said, shaking his hand, then added. “Would you assemble the troops in front of the command tent.”
Gareth talked from atop Tacit. “I know you have all heard rumors of a rampaging monster. Nothing could be further from the truth. It would be easier to fight that kind of enemy. Our swords could finish that kind of enemy.” Gareth paused to allow that to sink in. He wanted the men to understand they were not going against a fire breathing dragon.
“Our foe does have a name. It is Corsea! Corsea has weapons at his disposal we may not understand. The main one, is fear! Two of my knights and a dear friend were lost during the first confrontation. They never even drew their swords. Their horses bolted, afraid of what they sensed. We will not allow that mistake. We will enter the bog on foot. Sir Philip will brief you on what to expect. But know this. We must find Corsea and engage. We must keep him off balance. Make him expend his energy. Weaken him. Sir Philip, tell them of the first encounter.” Gareth commanded, then dismounted.
Igus and Arianna were facing each other, as they had for almost a week. Arianna could feel Igus weakening. She knew that Corsea was gaining the upper hand. Her own power was not at risk. That is the only reason Igus allowed her to help. Had she been in any danger, he would not have allowed her intervention.
“Igus, how much longer can you keep the seal intact?” Arianna asked, sensing Igus’ waning strength. “I am not sure. I now wish I had told Gareth exactly what he must do.” “That was not an option, my love. Interference of that kind is forbidden.” “Rules! Unbelievable! Lives are at stake, and we have rules!” Igus joked, at the irony of it all. Suddenly, they heard Corsea.
“What is the matter, not having any fun? I understand that a good friend of yours is deceased!” Corsea taunted, “Why do you side with Igus, Arianna? I am much more adept with the ladies,” He sneered. “You may frighten little children, Corsea, but you are less than a gnat compared to Igus! I laugh at your very existence animal!” Arianna exclaimed. Corsea surged at the seal, angered by Arianna’s words. For the first time, she could see who they were fighting. “Yes! Look at me, Arianna!” Corsea seethed. Igus fought back, the seal would hold, for now. “Igus!” “Yes Arianna, I know!”
Devon could only stare in disbelief. Her golden hair reached the small of her back. Her sky blue eyes shimmered in the light of the crystal, that now illuminated the small cave. “You are... Jessica?” Devon asked. “Yes. When you fell, I took advantage of the confusion and brought you here.” Devon was not thankful. Why bring him anywhere? “Why save me, just to imprison me!?” He now demanded. She looked at Devon and knew that he deserved the truth.
“You must know what I am.” Jessica now asked. “Yes, I have surmised that you are a child of nature! But is this your idea of a joke!?” Devon shot back. “Calm down! Igus has always known you were hot headed!” “Igus! What do you know of Igus!?” Devon exclaimed, trying to calm down. Jessica smiled at him. She could see why Loanna loved him.
“Corsea has been using you to attack Igus. Hiding, if you will, behind everyone Igus loves.” “That still does not explain my imprisonment.” “A battle rages as we speak. Igus and Arianna are trying to contain Corsea. Corsea also attacked Brittany and Michael.” “Brittany and Michael!? You must let me leave!” Devon demanded. “They are safe! Arianna sent them to the Blue Isle with Loanna and Melanie!” Something new now occurred to Devon, “My god, they all must think I am dead!” “Exactly! But when the time is right, you will be resurrected.” Jessica assured.
Corsea had allowed anger to cloud his judgement. He expended too much energy because of Arianna’s slight. It would not happen again, he thought, over seven decades, for what!? They never understood, he thought. Why protect the weakling humans. They should be proud to serve the Children of Nature, not the other way around. But I will break free one day soon, he thought. And then they would bow. And Igus would pay, oh yes, my brother will pay dearly.
Gareth instructed each man to carry two torches. One lighted, one in reserve. He had listened intently to what Philip and the other knights recounted. He thought of Arianna’s subtle gesture. And now, with over three hundred and fifty men, he felt he could battle Corsea successfully. Philip led the way, retracing his steps to the spot of the first encounter. With so many men, the journey took too long. Gareth had now wished they had waited until dawn, as Geoffrey had suggested.
“Are you sure this is it Philip?” “Yes my lord. The fog closed in, and the attack was on.” Gareth looked about, hoping to find some trace of Devon. “Something is missing my lord. There is no odor.” Philip offered. Gareth now realized it also, “We must press on. We cannot turn back until we have succeeded!” “Night will be upon us in a few hours.” Ian noted. “Yes, an oversight on my part. What do you think of making camp?” Gareth asked, knowing the night could hide many dangers. “The same as you my friend. I would much rather forge ahead and find Corsea. But it is a best to camp now and start fresh in the morning.” “I will have the men build fries, and set the guards.” Geoffrey now offered.
Gareth did not like the wait. He wanted it done with. He wanted to hold Melanie and Michael. As he tried to sleep, he felt a presence. He sat up and looked around, but saw nothing irregular. The whole area was well lighted, as ten campfires burned brightly. He got up and walked to one of the guards, “Have you saw or smelled anything odd?” “No my lord. All is quiet.”
As he walked about the camp, Gareth could not shake the feeling that he was being watched and decided to look beyond the perimeter. With a torch in his hand, he walked into the darkness. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw someone run behind a tree. He drew his sword and cautiously approached.
“Who is there!?” He demanded. As she stepped from behind the tree, Gareth’s mouth dropped, “Loanna! How did you get here!?” “I have been told there is quite a resemblance, but my name is Jessica. I needed to talk to you Gareth.” “How do you know my name?” “We have a mutual friend. Please put the torch out and follow me.”
Gareth put his sword away and followed her without question. He somehow knew he was safe. They walked about a mile without speaking when Gareth realized they were going down an incline.
“Where are you taking me Jessica?” Gareth asked, as they came to a solid wall. “You need to trust me.” She said, taking his hand. “Either my eyes are playing tricks on me, or we just walked through a wall! I have a feeling you know Igus!” Gareth exclaimed, thinking nothing could amaze him anymore. “Yes, we are good friends.” She said, giggling. They walked through a maze of walls and finally into a dimly lighted room.
“Jessica? Who is that with you?” Gareth recognized the voice immediately. “Devon!?” “Gareth! Thank you Jessica!” Devon said, jumping to his feet. Gareth went to his friend and wrapped his arms around him.
“Thank God! Loanna will be so happy!” Gareth shouted. “The time is now Gareth.” Jessica said, interrupting the reunion. “What do you mean Jessica?” Gareth asked. “It was necessary for everyone to think Devon was dead, even Igus. Corsea was trying to disrupt Igus’ concentration
by attacking his loved ones. As you know, he even stooped to attacking children.” “Keeping me here until your troops were assembled was necessary.” Devon added. “But why here? Why not on the Blue Isle?” Gareth asked. “That was not an option, he needed to be in the bog. Then, when the time was right, bring him into the open.” Jessica replied “I would be the bait!” Devon said, wriggling like a worm on a hook. They all had a good laugh. “Would you mind spending a few more hours here while I meet with Ian and Geoffrey?” “Not at all. She is actually a very pleasant jailer.” Devon said, smiling.
The plan was simple. At first light, bring Devon into the open and wait. They would learn as much as they could if an attack came. Although Gareth still did not know how to destroy Corsea, he was fairly sure he knew how to protect his men. As Devon was brought into the open air, he breathed deeply.
“Fresh air!” He said, smiling. But the fresh air quickly turned sour. “Corsea is already here!” Devon shouted. The knights had been instructed to form a tight circle around Devon and do nothing until the attack reached him. Jessica stood beside Devon with her eyes closed. As the stench grew stronger, a light glow