Tales Of The Echo Forest, Twins

began to surround Devon. A voice suddenly cut through the darkness.

  “So Priest, you live! And Jessica, you would battle me also!” Corsea growled. “I fight no one. I only seek to protect my friend!” Jessica barely finished, when Gareth shouted, “Now!”

  Every knight struck a flint to light their torches. As the air lit up with over three hundred torches, Corsea’s image could be seen for the first time. Devon looked at the floating figure, as if he had seen a ghost. Pain covered Corsea’s face.

  “Clever! Very clever!” Corsea shrieked in pain, “I will give this battle to you! But you will bow to me, once I am totally free!” As quickly as it had begun, it was over. The stench and Corsea’s image faded. A great cheer went up from the knights.

  “It seems you have made him mad!” Ian shouted, slapping Gareth on the back. “How did you know it would work!?” Geoffrey now asked. “Philip’s details of his encounter! He had no time to do anything except regroup. The attack stopped when his men, all with torches, gathered together!” As Gareth finished, he could see that Devon was still shaking.

  “It is over Devon! You can relax my friend!” Gareth shouted. “Did you see his face Gareth!?” Devon asked. “Not really, he was facing you. Why?” “It was Igus!” “No!” Jessica insisted. “Corsea is Igus’ brother.” Jessica asserted, as she opened her eyes. Devon turned to her, a thought now crossed his mind, “Are you Loanna’s sister?” “No. It has been said that everyone has a double. I would like to meet her though, she must be very beautiful.” She answered coyly. Devon laughed along with the other men. “Yes, she is!” Devon assured her.

  “What now Gareth?” Geoffrey asked. “We leave the bulk of our forces at the main camp. We now know that Corsea can be defended against, so the men will be safe.” “But Gareth, what if Corsea breaks the seal? How do we defeat him then?” Ian asked. Gareth looked to Devon, “What do you think?” “I am not sure, perhaps Igus will be less unyielding now that the first battle is over.”

  Brittany and Michael sat making mud pies. Melanie watched them and thought of her own childhood. She had known that Gareth would be with her forever, even then.

  “Where are you, you look a hundred miles away?” Loanna asked, sitting next to her. “Oh, I was just thinking of Gareth.” Melanie answered, wistfully. Loanna hung her head. “I am sorry Loanna. I was not thinking.” “Do not worry Melanie...” Loanna’s eyes suddenly went blank! “What is it Loanna.” Melanie asked, as Loanna seemed to come back to normal.

  “Devon! He is alive Melanie!” Loanna exclaimed, hugging her friend. ”Thank God! Did Igus tell you?” “No, it was someone named Jessica. I do not know her, but she said Devon was safe.”

  “Yes, they are all safe for now.” Arianna added, walking up to them, Jessica just told me of the battle. I was on my way here to let you know that Gareth and Devon were fine.” “Is Corsea dead?” Melanie asked. “No. That battle may cost many lives I fear.” Alanna warned. Loanna stood up and walked to the children. “Are you saying Corsea can be destroyed Alanna?” Loanna asked, washing the children’s mud caked hands. “I am not allowed to talk of such things.” “I do not understand. In one breath you say many may die. Then you say you cannot help?” Melanie now asked. “We can protect to the extent of our powers. It is a thin line. Our powers come from different sources, therefore we all have different weaknesses.” “Does any one person know of each of your weaknesses?” Loanna now asked. “If there were an answer to that, I would not be able tell you.” Alanna explained.

  Devon could see that Igus seemed a little more relaxed. He could also see Arianna was making some food. “Igus, I am glad to see your feeling well enough to eat.” Devon said, as he and Gareth entered the clearing. “Well done you two! The battle weakened Corsea considerably. It will take him weeks to regain his strength.” Igus said, putting his arms around the two men. “Actually, the credit must go to Jessica.” Gareth conceded. “Yes. Even though Gareth figured out what was needed, Jessica kept the bait well hidden.” Devon said, now walking to Arianna. “Will I be able to see Loanna anytime soon?” He asked her.

  “All you need do, is turn around silly!” Devon turned to see Loanna standing at the base of the Great Rock. He ran to her and took her in his arms. “Oh my love! When I thought you had died, I...” “I know Loanna! I have missed you also!” “Can anybody join in this reunion?” They all turned to look at Jessica. Loanna thought she was looking in a mirror!

  “Jessica! Clever ruse!” Igus exclaimed, then added. “It is good to see you again.” “Thank you Igus, it has been too long.” She said as she walked to Loanna. “You are a very beautiful woman.” Jessica said, studying Loanna. “Thank you, but do I know you?” Loanna asked. “I have not been in this place in a long time.” Jessica allowed. Nobody saw Igus raise his brows.

  Devon and Loanna walked to the Parish. Loanna wanted to get some extra clothing before returning to the Blue Isle.

  “What did you think when you first met Jessica?” Loanna asked. “You must remember, I had been a prisoner, at least in my mind. I think what you really want to know, is if I found her attractive.” Devon answered slyly. “Well, did you?” Devon could see that the answer could be taken wrong no matter what was said, “Let us say I was not fooled for a moment.” “Good answer my love.” Loanna said, putting her arms around him. “I miss Brittany, Loanna. I wish I could go with you when you return to the Blue Isle.” “What are you saying Devon!? I thought you were coming also!” Loanna shouted. Devon knew she would be upset, that is why he wanted to be alone with her when he told her.

  “Gareth and I need to stay. Corsea is obsessed with us. If he expends energy concerning himself with us, then perhaps Igus will have the time to reinforce the seal.” Devon said, putting his arms around her. Loanna had enough of Corsea. “I do not care! You belong safe with me and Brittany! You have done more than your part!” She exclaimed, pulling free of Devon’s arms. “Loanna, you know you do not mean that...” Loanna cut him off. “Yes I do Devon! I love you too much to allow this. I have already lost you once, I will not go through that again!” She demanded. “All right my love. I will go back with you.” Devon lied, taking her back into his arms. Loanna knew it was a lie.

  Gareth sat in the study at Cashell. His mind could not focus on anything but Melanie and Michael. Though he knew they were safe, he missed them sorely. Corsea! When I find you, I will destroy you! He thought.

  “You look lost.” Katryn said, as she and Lisa entered the study. “Without my wife and child, I am lost mother.” “It will not be forever Gareth.” Lisa offered. “She is right my son. A battle always means hardship.” Katryn added, suddenly missing her husband. Gareth looked at his mother and put his arms around her. He could see the pain in her eyes.

  “At least there is some good news, Devon is alive!” Gareth exclaimed. “Thank God!” Lisa said. “Oh that is good news! Does Loanna know?” Katryn asked. “Yes, they are at the Parish as we speak.” There was a knock at the door and Ian walked in.

  “Ian, welcome my friend. Sit down and have some wine.” “Thank you Gareth. Good day Ladies.” Both women said hello, then Lisa left the room, she knew they would begin planning an assault. She also felt lonely.

  “Have you given any thought as to our next move?” Ian asked Gareth. “Next to Melanie and Michael, it is the only thing I have thought about. But we still do not know where to find Corsea. Igus, Arianna and Jessica all refuse to answer my questions. It is all very frustrating.” “It does seem strange, but apparently the Children of Nature cannot help directly.” Katryn noted. “We know Corsea’s weakness...” “No!” Gareth exclaimed, cutting Ian off, “We know nothing! I am sorry old friend. I did not mean to shout.” “Not to worry Gareth, we are all on edge.” Ian allowed. “His weakness in the phantom state is different than his weakness in the physical state.” Gareth said. “But Corsea knows we have figured that out, would he be foolish enough to try another attack?” Katryn pondered. “No my lady, I believe he will bide his time and regain h
is strength.” Ian stated. “Ian is correct mother, that is why it is so important to find him before he breaks the seal.” A thought suddenly came to Gareth, “Come Ian, we will join the troops at the bog. But first, I want to see Jessica.”

  Gareth and Ian could see Devon and Loanna walking toward the forest. As they rode up to them, they dismounted.

  “Good day you two.” Gareth said, almost feeling envy for Devon, thinking of Melanie. “Hello Gareth, Ian. Are you going to see Igus?” Devon asked. “Actually, I want to talk to Jessica.” “She is probably at the bog Gareth.” Loanna offered. “Yes, I figured that also. I am going to ask Igus to contact her so she’ll be waiting for me. I do not want to waste time looking for her.” “Why do you seek out Jessica, Gareth?” Devon asked. “I want to pick her brain, if you will. She seems a little more receptive than Igus or Arianna.”

  As they walked through the forest, they all could smell a dank odor. “It begins again!” Devon exclaimed. “It seems that we do not have as much time as Igus thought!” Ian said. Gareth agreed with Ian. Igus must help somehow, rules or no rules. Gareth needed answers. Arianna welcomed them and began.

  “Igus went to the cave