Steven put forth a plan, I suggest we take out the sentries with our snipers, and then set the
captives free. The dragons can fire on the headquarters if they catch on to what we are doing.
Hold Steve, injected Trey quickly, his voice filled with emotion. They have all the captives in the
high school gym. The doors and windows are rigged with grenades. Steve looked at Trey with disbelief; this guy must have expected some kind of a rescue attempt; anyone trying to get out or in
will set them off.
Steve looked at this strange young man, Lady Elsbeth, what is it with this guy? How can he know
all that?
He sees, my Steven, she replied with confidence, he knows!
Trey, we can cut a hole in the roof and extract them that way, Lady Mariah offered.
Mariah my sweet, I don’t know if we can pinpoint an area like that. Trey looked at Steve and Andrew and shrugged his shoulders, I would do better making a hole in the backside of the
building.
Ok, Andrew offered, lets wait for dark and take out the sentries first, and then see what happens.
They waited above for two and a half hours talking among themselves. Steve asking where
Trey and Lady Mariah, (she chuckled at his calling her that), had been hiding all this time.
Trey explained that they both thought everyone was dead. They had fought several of the
black dragons when they encountered them, but had not seen any for several years.
Darkness finally covered the land and Lady Elsbeth quietly began a spiral descent over the
town. Daphne, Jason, please use your crossbows; we want silence.
The three sentries on the rooftops were quietly taken out without anyone noticing. Then Lady
Ariel and Lady Mariah spiraled down and joined Lady Elsbeth and began to take out the rest
of the brigands.
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Lady Mariah, Steve called to her , I want you and Trey to rescue the people held in the gym.
Yes sire, she answered quickly banking to the right and heading over to the high school buildings.
Trey, Mariah called agitation in her voice; do you feel the men hiding on the roof here?
Yes Mariah, they could set off the whole thing. He knew what had to be done, yet hesitated.
You have to do it Trey; there is no other way. Mariah urged him further; they would surely kill all
these innocent people if given the chance.
I know, I know what I have to do; but… Trey hung his head murmuring under his breath,
murder is still murder. He sighed deeply, Get right over the gym; try to keep high enough so they
don’t see you.
Mariah hovered over the gym and waited for Trey. He hated when he had to do this; he hated
taking a life. No matter how he tried to reason the need for their deaths, to him it was still
murder. These were killers, he knew, but killing them like this somehow made him feel that he
was just as bad as them.
No Trey, Trey suddenly heard Jake’s strong voice in his mind. These men have chosen of their
own free will to kill and maim. Jake’s voice was calm and deliberate as he spoke with great confidence. They were allowed to live thru the Great Burning, and they have squandered that gift
by killing and taking what is not theirs. They need to be removed for they are a cancer on our
world. Now do what must be done and take no blame.
Trey took a deep breath and calmed himself. He believed what Jake said was true; and Jake
would know. He now concentrated on his targets below. He brought the two men into focus
and began.
The two men suddenly turned and faced each other, studying each other carefully.
Trey’s eyes rolled up in his head as he concentrated. He sent out flashes of greed, anger and
distrust.
Down below the two men began to shout at each other and back away angrily.
Concentrating now, Trey saw each man reach for his weapon.
The two men on the roof drew their knives and circled each other. In the heat of the insanity
that followed, both fell to the roof mortally wounded.
Trey leaned over Mariah and retched. After a few minutes he sat up and told her he was all
right. Mariah flew to the rear of the gym and Trey began to study the back wall. He noted the
shape of the bricks, and the spacing between each column.
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Ok Mariah, tight beam about four feet from the left corner, up around six feet and arc around just
four feet wide and then down again. Trey took a deep breath, Tell me when you are ready my
friend.
Mariah took a long deep breath and she began to concentrate. Slowly the fog began to lift and
then it became very clear as she was seeing thru Trey’s eyes.
Yes… yes I see it now; I’m ready when you are Trey.
Concentrating, Trey saw a long thin beam of light begin cutting thru the bricks and inner wall
of the gym. Now Mariah!
A thin beam of light shot forth from Mariah and began cutting thru the wall. It sliced thru the
brick and wooden beams and drywall, taking only seconds. Feeling the build up of the flame,
Mariah threw her head backwards and shot a huge blue-white flame silently into the air.
Whew, that was very hard to maintain. I am glad you were directing me Trey.
You did great Mariah; he answered praising her precision and control.
The inner wall of the gym collapsed and they could see thru the opening. A crowd of people,
mostly women and children, were staring out at them in sheer terror. Trey felt their fear and
immediately sent a wave of relief thru the gym. Suddenly they all seemed to wake from a
stupor and began looking about. They surged forward climbing over the debris and out onto
the football field. They all stared as Lady Elsbeth landed and Steve dismounted and walked
over to them.
“Hello there, we’ve come to free you from those monsters.” Steve smiled his best and
continued, “You don’t have to be afraid anymore, we’ve removed the marauders from this
town. They won’t be bothering you again; and their cohorts are fairing no better.
The crowd stood there staring at the dragons and then at Steve.
Steve realized what he had to say and sighed, “Jake sent us here to free you.”
They erupted in cheers and shouts and surged forward:
“Thank you so much…”
“Jake sent you… we heard all about him…”
“The Town Crier was here before they came…”
“Have you freed our men too?”
“Your men…?” Steve looked at Andrew.
“Where are they being held?” asked Andrew looking about the group. “We didn’t know about
them.”
A woman of about twenty-five stepped forward, “My name is Shelly. We think they took them
to the mines; they used them as slave labor to build something. We haven’t seen them in
months, but we’re sure they are still alive.”
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Steve turned to Trey, “Try and see if you can pick up on anything.”
“I’d have to go near the area Steve,” he answered quickly.
Sorry,” Steve apologized, “but I don’t know the range of your abilities yet.”
“Wait, there’s another thing more important,” Shelly offered, “Charlie managed to get out
thru the air vents; she went in search of her father. If they find her there is no telling what they will do to her.” Shelly looked about at the riders. “She’s only nineteen; we’ve kept her hidden from them till now; please?” Her concern showed in her pleading face and voice.
Trey was touched by her concern; something in him was moved and he decided to do
something, “I’ll find her,” he said in a deep voice, “which direction did she go?”
“The forest over there at the base of the mountain,” Shelly pointed. “She’s headed towards the
mines in the forest; she knows every back trail on the mountain. I just hope she doesn’t get
caught.”
Trey and Mariah took to the skies and were off in a flash.
“You think I should go with him Steve,” Andy asked.
“Andy, I have a feeling that boy doesn’t need anyone’s help,” Steve watched them rise up to the
heights. “Jake says he possesses great power, but more important, he understands the
responsibility of welding it.”
Trey and Mariah flew over the forest and around the mountain from the heights. Trey scanned
the area and picked up on the girl as they moved about the backside of the mountain. He could
see her bright golden aura shinning thru the trees. He also saw what was waiting in the woods
ahead of her; his stomach crawled with disgust. He was not restricted by the code of the
dragons; so he decided to make contact with her immediately.
Charlie, can you hear me? Slow down, there are dark figures ahead. Trey observed from above as her pace slowed. He waited until she looked above at him and Mariah. Yes, that’s right
Charlie; I’m talking to you telepathically. We’ve been sent by Jake to rescue your town.
Am I really… are you talking to me? Her voice sounded scared to Trey, yet it held strength.
Yes I am, Charlie. Shelly told us of your escape from the gym and why you came here. Up ahead
are some very dark figures. Pull back, turn around and head for the open field back the way you
came. Mariah and I will land and we can meet properly.
Mariah silently glided into the opening and sat down. No sooner was she on the ground than
Trey saw Charlie headed his way and he was thunderstruck.
Mariah noted his reaction and chuckled.
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Tray stared at her with a silly grin on his face. Her soft brown hair was flying in the wind, her face alive with joy as she ran into the opening. When he saw her eyes he was lost; blue-grey,
almost translucent; wide in delight at the sight of Mariah. She ran right up to her without
hesitation showing no fear at all.
“Hi,” she said just as friendly as could be, reaching out her hand, “I’m Charlie!”
Mariah chuckled and lowered her head to the girl greeting her as an old friend - much to the
dismay of her rider.
Trey climbed down off Mariah and went her, “Hi, my name is Trey. And this is my sister
Mariah… oops! Sorry,” he said thumping his head, “I’m supposed to say, Lady Mariah is my
companion.”
Charlie shook his hand and curtsied. Turning she looked at Mariah, oh you are gorgeous, she excitedly told Mariah. I was told that the dragons were a sight to see, but nothing could have
prepared me for this. She threw her hands about Mariah’s lowered head and continued, you are
so beautiful, Lady Mariah.
And you Charlene have very good taste, yes indeed you do. Mariah chuckled nudging Charlie, who laughed and glowed, much to Trey’s enjoyment.
Please, said Charlie kissing Lady Mariah’s nose, my friends call me Charlie.
All right you two, enough with the love fest; we’ve got to get outta here quick.
Trey was secretly delighted that Charlie wasn’t afraid of Lady Mariah.
Charlie, would you please inquire of Lady Mariah if she would consent to give you a ride. It’s
dragon protocol and has to do with polite manners.
Trey, my brother, I have already agreed to give our sister, Charlie, a ride, said Mariah as she extended her wing to the girl. Trey looked at Charlie, and then at Lady Mariah. Sister!
Shaking his head he climbed up to his seat and turned and offered Charlie his hand. He lifted
her up onto Mariah’s wing and she took a seat behind him. Her unabashed enthusiasm at
riding Mariah held Trey’s attention and he found her very appealing. She had a beautiful glow
about her and he made up his mind that he wanted to get to know her better.
He turned to her and instructed her, “When we are in flight, if you have anything to say just
think it. Do you understand?”
She shook her head and as Lady Mariah began to take off, slipped her arms tightly around
Trey’s waist and leaned against him and held on. A new sensation filled Trey and he decided
that he definitely wanted to get to know this girl better.
Oh my God, Oh my God! This is so fantastic! Oh you are so lucky to be able to do this all the
time.
She rambled on and on as her excitement grew.
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My dear, calm yourself so you may enjoy the journey, said Lady Mariah in a soft voice.
Oh my goodness Lady Mariah, it is so wonderful, she answered excitedly.
Yes my dear, now you must concentrate and think clearly. Lady Mariah’s voice was very calm and it was having the desired effect. Look below and direct us towards the area of the mines.
Charlie looked below and studied the ground; she spotted the path to the log house and knew
they were getting close.
I believe just over that small hill up ahead is where the mines begin.
Ok Charlie, now I need you to be quiet for a bit while I concentrate, Trey told her.
Mariah flew over the area in a wide circle. Charlie pinpointed the log cabin and the trail
leading to the mines. She told Trey she was certain that the men were being kept there. Lady
Mariah picked up speed and then glided down and around the entire area silently. Trey
concentrated as they flew over the area, and then he began to speak in disjointed sentences:
Three openings into the ground…
Large gates over the openings, booby-trapped…
Fear, great fear…
There are at least twenty, no… thirty… thirty-five.
Four guards in a small hut;
Two sleeping, two playing cards…
Trey was silent for a bit more and suddenly broke the silence, we have to get back to Steve and
let him know what we found, Mariah. I fear that the others will come back here and kill everyone.
Charlie squeezed Trey around the waist and leaned her body against his back as they turned
and flew back to the town.
You think they are coming back here, don’t you? You think they are going to try to kill everyone.
I can feel it, I know there’s more; don’t lie to me.
Yes I do Charlie… but I also think we can stop them.
Privately he thought she showed surprising empathy. She correctly picked up on his feelings
about the situation; there was more to this girl than he thought. He found himself drawn to her
like no other.
And I to you Trey, she said so softly that it almost seemed as if the words were floating about him.
As they neared the party of dragons and riders Trey could see Jake himself in the distance
approaching them with a large band of dragons. Mariah settled on the ground and they
dismounted and joined Steve and Andrew.
Jake landed and the now freed townspeople gathered about him thanking him for saving them
from almost certain death. Jake called to Trey and asked what he had found. Trey related
everything and Jake was quiet for a moment.
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Our first order of business is to free the men in the mines. Then we will set up a welcoming
committee for the returning hoard. He rose up and looked at the people gathered there. What
say you?
Yes! “Yes, we want to help!” They shouted out.
Good! Then let us begin with freeing the men. Trey, this is what I would like you to do…he began.
Two hours later the men were free, and the thugs left behind by Dixon were dead. Charlie’s
father had been killed weeks before just as she had feared. She had prepared herself for this <