The Aldonn Chronicles Ep 19: Forget Me Not Part 1
Previously on The Aldonn Chronicles:
Aldonn has amnesia. He can’t remember anything that happened to him before the fateful day he woke up in prison. While in prison, he met a member of the Thieves Guild named Frank, and together they escaped. On the outside, they befriended a member of the King’s Guard named Edward, who was fired and replaced by a wizard, and the three of them foiled the Thieves Guild’s plan to take over the capitol city of Capsin. After saving the king, they were offered a job by Webber, who was leader of the Adventurers guild. Ever since, they have been travelling the world, saving people, and fighting monsters.
Janice owns a bar, and is a good friend of Frank. She has Telepathic powers, and once tried to help Aldonn remember his past. She wasn’t strong enough, however, but vowed to find her mentor in hopes that he’d be able to help Aldonn where she couldn’t. Little does everyone know, she has her own reason to want her mentor found. She’s been looking after a little girl named Holly whom our three heroes adopted after her parents were killed at the hands of Frank’s old boss Lee.
Penelope is the daughter of King Gatezy, who rules the human country of Memroxia from his palace within Capsin. She used to sleep with Edward, while he worked for her father, but they split up when he joined with Aldonn.
The two-part Season Finale starts now:
Janice woke up with a start. Sweat trickled down her forehead, as her night shirt and vinyl bottoms clung uncomfortably to her skin. Rising slowly from her bed, Janice took comfort from the feel of her bare feet touching the stone cold surface of the concrete floor. The concrete walls of her room closed in around her, an ineffective protection against the outside world.
A faint red glow from a nearby window fell onto Janice’s face. Out of curiosity, she inched towards it, pushing past all the shadowy figures who stood whispering unintelligibly in her room. She was careful not to touch them as she got closer to the window, afraid of what might happen if she let them know she could see them there.
Staring past the bars on her window, she looked out onto the burning city, as it crumbled and fell against to pressure of an unseen assailant. She felt as if she should be surprised, or worried, but wasn’t, because it was a long time coming. The pieces had been moved into position long before that day, and it really was well deserved.
Squeezing through the bars, she took a walk out into the street, where everyone continued their normal activities, oblivious to the chaos surrounding them. It was almost as if they had no will of their own, and upon closer inspection, Janice realized everyone’s faces were completely featureless. No nose, mouth, or eyes, or any distinguishing characteristics to tell one person from another. This was a little weirder, and filled Janice with a reasonable amount of dread.
Seeking comfort, Janice scurried barefoot across the red hot dirt of the road, to a fountain at the center of town. Looking directly into it, she could see the reflections of demons, and monsters of horrific detail all gazing towards the sky, towards some unseen point of interest. The one thing Janice couldn’t see was the one thing that would calm her nerves, her own reflection. It was as if she wasn’t in the picture, as if she wouldn’t make it that far.
Looking away, disgusted and frightened by what she saw, she recognized someone she knew, and made her way toward the steps of the palace. The palace blazed brightly for the flames, but clearly wasn’t the source of the disaster. Nevertheless, it burned along with everything else.
Frank sat on the steps, but his face looked older, and more scarred. It also missed the playful grin that usually sat lightly on his lips. He held aloft a lantern the glowed a bright white. The light within the lantern felt familiar to her, but Janice couldn’t imagine why.
Frank looked upon her with dull, hopeless eyes, and she felt the sudden urge to be at his side. Rushing forward, she grabbed his arm, and knelt sympathetically before him. Brushing her fingers over the rough stubble and scabs that inhabited his cheek, she looked into his eyes, and spoke words she could here, but had no control over saying. “Help me. I don’t think I’m supposed to be here.”
He looked solemnly at her, but made no other motion to acknowledge her presence. When he finally spoke, it was with a harsh gravelly voice that he said, “Almost nothing is certain.”
“Almost nothing?”
Frank looked to the lantern at his side, and it caught Janice’s attention as well. She didn’t even notice as the wind picked up and blew the city away, until there was nothing left but Frank, the lantern, and herself.
“One thing is certain. The light must be protected, until the time is right,” Frank whispered knowingly.
Janice asked, “Can he stop this?”
“He is the only one controlling the outcome of the future unknown. Only his life and death can make a difference.”
Janice reached towards the lantern, and felt a sudden rush. Looking around, she saw to her horror that she was now inside the lantern. Instead of the black outside, everything was white, and oh so bright. Putting her hand against one of the walls, she screamed, “Help!”
There was no answer.
A thumping turned her attention to the wall across, and what she saw scared her more than anything else. The shadows had found her, and they knew she could see them. Knew she could hear them. And they wanted in.
More shadows surrounded the lantern, all banging, thumping, and smashing in an attempt to get to her. Janice’s legs gave way beneath her and she fell, hitting her head hard on the floor. Crawling into a corner, her head still throbbing, she whimpered to herself and tried to pretend like the shadows weren’t there, but she couldn’t. They were too many, and so angry.
Clenching her eyes tightly shut, she screamed, and awoke quite suddenly in her real bed. Looking around, she saw the beautiful linen that lined her walls, the soft rug by her bed, and warm fire cackling in its place. Putting her head in her hands, fear and sadness washed through her, and she sobbed silently to herself for well over an hour.
* * *
“Oh beautiful city, how I missed thee!”
Frank exclaimed happily to Aldonn, Edward, and Leroy, as they entered town square. Running forward, he spread his arms wide, and attempted to embrace one of the many houses that were built up around the palace. A number of onlookers watched in sheer mirth at Frank’s playful show of affection, but the housekeeper didn’t take as kindly. Lifting a bucket up and out the second floor window, she proceeded to pour the contents of last nights bed pan onto Frank’s head.
Edward laughed at Frank, as he exclaimed loudly and dived into the city fountain. “Serves you right,” he called out gleefully. Frank shook a fist towards Edward, and then proceeded to wash the waste from his messy brown hair.
Leroy surveyed the city in awe, seeing everything for the first time. He took particular interest in the two largest buildings, the Palace, and the amazingly tall Wizard’s Tower. He’d never been to Capsin before, Aldonn and the rest had met him during their last trek, saving him from a band of religious fanatics known as Paladins.
He turned to Aldonn and asked, “So what do you plan to do now?
Aldonn didn’t have a chance to answer, as Frank stumbled out of the fountain, and interrupted. “We are taking a much needed rest, is what we’re doing. No more missions, and giant bugs for us. Oh no, we’re going to eat good food, have a proper nights sleep in a warm bed, and be actual parents for our young Mrs. Frank jr.”
Edward joined in. “I wouldn’t mind staying a while and catching up on current events. This is the center of the world, after all.”
Aldonn shrugged. “I could practice some new moves, I guess.”
Leroy nodded understandingly. “So this is a parting of ways I suppose.”
Aldonn grabbed his hand and shook it. “You’re not staying, then?” he asked.
“You have your quest, and I’ve got mine. You’ve got me this far, and from here, I should be able to easily follow some leads. Maybe find some evidence to put my mind to rest,” replied Leroy.
Edward took Leroy’s hand next. “A lot of people have found peace of mind from one religion or another. I hope you find the religion that was meant for you.”
“I’ll find the RIGHT religion.”
Frank was the last to say good-bye. “You’ll have to get back to me on that.”
“Good-bye friends.”
With that, Leroy left towards the Library, while Aldonn, Edward, and Frank made for Janice’s pub.
They entered the pub to find it empty. The chairs were place upside down on the tables, and the mugs sat unused on the shelf.
“Frankie?” A cry came from the far end of the bar, where one chair was down, and Holly sat drawing.
The three of them rushed to her side, relieved that she was all right. Edward ruffled her hair lightly with his hand, and smiled. She grinned back and said, “Eddie, you’re back!”
Aldonn spread his arms and asked, “What about me?”
“Aldonn!”
Edward shrugged. “At least she knows your name,” he told Aldonn comfortingly.
“Where’s Aunt Janice?” asked Frank.
“She’s in the back,” answered Holly, gesturing behind her.
Frank followed her gesture, and found a door behind the bar. Following the resulting corridor down, he stopped at the first door on his left, and peeked his head in. Janice was sitting at a desk, her head in her hands, facing away from the door.
“Welcome back, Frank,” said Janice groggily, without looking.
Frank raised his hand and asked, “How many-“
“Three,” replied Janice, again without looking.
Lucky guess.
“Luck had nothing to do with it,” Jance said.
Okay, I’m pretty sure I didn’t just say that out loud.
“And yet I heard you louder than if you were talking to me.”
That’s not good, I’d better watch what I say. Frank was at a loss for words, finally saying, “So this is new.”
Janice nodded in agreement. “My powers having been growing exponentially over the past few years.”
Exponentiawha? Wait...this explains why the bar is closed. I bet it sucks to hear everything those dolts are thinking.
“You have no idea,” said Janice, finally turning. Getting up, she stumbled into Frank’s arms and they both collapsed on her bed.
I’d forgotten how amazingly well shaped her breasts are.
“Frank!”
Oops, stop thinking about her breasts, stop thinking about her...man I wish I could see them again...no...not a swinger anymore...oh god I want to touch them. Holy shit she’s hearing every word of this, and looking at me... “Uh...oops?”
Janice leaned in and kissed him.
Wow her lips taste so good. The last time we were together was amazing...but I’m not doing that stuff anymore...be strong, be strong. Think about...vampires. Man they suck...I want to suck...NO
Janice let go. “I’m sorry...I...I’m scared Frank. I can’t block people’s thoughts anymore. I don’t know what to do anymore...”
I’ll find some way to help her.
“You can’t, Frank. Only my own people can help me now.”
She’s not human?
“I’m a Mystic.”
What’s a Mystic?
“They live in a faraway country. It’s well hidden, no human or druid can find it. I’d say more...but I can’t. I ran away at a young age, and now I can’t get back.”
There’s gotta be something in the books...I’ll get Leroy to check them for any mention of Mystics.
“Oh Frank...” moaned Janice, dropping her head onto his chest, “Just hold me for a little while.”
The two of them sat quietly in each other’s arms. Frank tried, at least at first, to think only encouraging thoughts. It was hard to control his thoughts, however, and quickly he forgot to even try and his thoughts began to wander.
I wonder if I could get her to take off her shirt.
* * *
“You did it, didn’t you,” asked Edward.
Frank looked at him in surprise. They were back at their Guild headquarters, waiting for Webber to debrief them. The room was like a large classroom, with rows after rows of seats, all facing a podium at the front of the room. Frank sat comfortably over two chairs, while Aldonn and Edward sat in the next row down. Edward was turned to Frank, and they traded innocent glares.
“Did what?”
Edward crossed his arms. “You know, ‘It.’ With Janice.”
“I don’t see how that is any concern of yours,” replied Frank defensively.
“You said you’d stop sleeping around!”
Frank squirmed. “Well it’s not like I wanted to sleep with her. There were extraneous circumstances.”
“What kind of extraneous circumstances?”
“The private kind. Look Eddie, I’m sorry no girl wants to sleep with you, but that’s your problem, not mine.”
“You don’t see Aldonn sleeping around.”
“Aldonn is a year old, he clearly doesn’t count.”
Aldonn looked up in surprise. “Leave me out of this, would you?”
As the two of them apologized, Webber entered the room. Wearing a well pressed suit, and carrying with him a long cane, Webber walked briskly to the podium, and smiled.
Edward nodded to him in welcome. “Afternoon, sir.”
Frank leaned forward and whispered, “Brown nose.”
Webber interrupted them, “Stop bickering you two.” He leaned onto the podium and continued. “You three did an amazing job. Not only did you get the caravan to its destination...most of it anyway, you also squashed a giant bug invasion, envoked a mass suicide from a fanatical group of Paladins, stopped an evil plot involving love potions, and kicked some crazy vampire butt.”
Frank shrugged, “Yeah, we’re pretty awesome. Is this the part where we get paid?”
Webber shook his head and answered, “Not quite. Master Relis of the Wizards council is expecting some supplies to be delivered tonight...”
Frank groaned. “Oh come on, not another mission. We’ve been gone for months, when do we get a rest?”
Aldonn stopped Frank with a raise of his hand. “We’ll do whatever we can to help.”
“That’s us, genuine heroes,” said Frank under his breath.
Webber continued. “He didn’t want the package delivered to the tower, because a lot of people have a vendetta against wizards, so it’s being delivered to a warehouse instead. We believe that the materials are safe, but we can’t be sure, which is where you come in. You’ll intercept it at the warehouse tonight, and guard it until we’re ready to move it to the tower.”
Edward raised his hand and asked, “What kind of materials are we talking about?”
Frank looked to him in surprise. “Does it matter?”
“He’s a wizard,” said Edward angrily.
“And an Ally,” interrupted Webber. “One who is experimenting on a cure for Amnesia.”
Aldonn sat up, “A cure for Amnesia?”
Webber nodded, “Yes. I figured you would take particular interest in this case. He’d be interested to talk with you. If you are willing, you should meet with him in the tower. I can get you clearance.”
“I’d like that.”
Webber folded his arms, “Any more questions?”
Frank grudgingly rose his hand, “Can I get another of those communication stones? I, uh, broke my last one.”
Webber glared at him with a look that could melt plastic, “The communication stones are unbreakable.”
“Okay, then I lost it. Can I get another one?”
Webber’s jaw dropped, “That was a priceless artifact, worth millions of gold. People would slay dragons, burn forests, wipe out civilizations for one of those.” Webber couldn’t continue, and just stared at Frank in disbelief.
Frank shifted in his seat.
* * *
Aldonn approached the Wizard’s tower with awe. From the base of the tower, he couldn’t crane his neck back enough to see the top. The tower was mostly grey, with red streaks running vertically up each side.
Aldonn had never realized how wide it was, either. It was at least as wide as his guild house. Standing in front of it was a humbling experience to say the least.
The door towered feet above him, made of non-descript wood. Reaching out, his fist rapt dully on its surface, yet the door didn’t react in any way. He took a step back, and pondered what his next move should be.
Suddenly, and quite to Aldonn’s surprise, the door disappeared, replaced with the view of a warm study. A man who looked to be in his early twenties stepped through. The man had red hair, a short moustache, and wore a long flowing robe.
He gestured at Aldonn impatiently and said, “Come on now. This portal wont stay open forever.”
Aldonn looked him over and tried not to judge, “Relis?”
“Master Relis...me? Gods no. What would give you that idea?” asked the man in genuine surprise.
“Well, I was supposed to meet him...”
The man nodded, again impatiently, and said, “I know all about why you’re here, he’s waiting for you upstairs.” Grabbing Aldonn’s hand, he dragged Aldonn inside, and just in the nick of time; the portal closed quickly behind them.
The man continued, “My name is Eric, and I’m still in training. As much as I’d like to be on the council one day, I’m afraid that day is still far off.”
Aldonn looked around the room. It was like a huge library, with shelves and shelves of books, but the room only had enough chairs for 2 people. The chairs did look very comfortable, however.
Looking outside, Aldonn realized they were in fact many stories up. He turned to Eric and began to ask, “So the door...”
Eric answered quickly, “Wasn’t a door at all, no. There’s nothing below us but brick. Keeps unwanted people from getting in. The only way in is if a wizard lets you in.” He then pointed Aldonn towards the only door in the room. “Master Relis’ study is two floors up.”
“You’re not coming...” started Aldonn.
Again Eric interrupted him, a habit that was starting to get on his nerves. “No, I’ve got more important things to do with my time.”
Aldonn wasn’t sure how to take that remark, and decided to just continue to the door.
Opening it, he found a plain spiral staircase leading straight up. The walls and stairs were made out of cold brick, but every few steps sat a lightly glowing candle that seemed to keep the empty space unusually warm.
Aldonn followed the stairs for two flights, each marked by a non-descript wooden door with a circular metal handle. Finally reaching the second level, he pulled on the handle and the door swung open.
Inside, an older man with a mostly bald head and scraggily grey beard sat cross legged in mid-air, floating casually, surrounded by a number of floating books all propped open to different pages.
“Master Relis?” queried Aldonn, cautiously.
The man didn’t respond to the question, but instead asked a question of his own. “Have you ever wondered how come you can’t remember anything of your past, and yet you can speak fluent Human?”
Aldonn felt suddenly as if he could speak candidly, and he did so openly. “I have sometimes wondered if perhaps my Amnesia might have been artificially created.”
The wizard landed lightly on his feet, and turned to approach Aldonn. He gave Aldonn a quick look over, and arched an eyebrow in interest, “What gave you that idea?”
“I know things, that I shouldn’t know in my condition. And I’m learning things a lot faster then I should. I think I used to be a fighter, but I don’t know who I was fighting.”
Relis folded his arms. “And you think you were fighting someone, and they made you forget? Is that what your gut tells you?”
Aldonn shook his head and said more quietly then he’d intended, “Not exactly.”
“What then?” asked Relis, his interest peaked.
“Sometimes I feel like I’m a holstered weapon. And if I were to remember the things I’ve forgotten, it would be like unsheathing the sharpest sword the world has ever seen.”
Relis continued to look into Aldonn, almost scrutinizing every detail of him. The candle light of the room dimmed, so slowly it was almost unnoticeable, and Relis finally spoke, but his topic of conversation had changed.
“The brain is a complex, and varied thing. It has power that few can recognize and tap into. Even Wizards such as myself have little foresight into the truth of the mind. To control the mind, we must first understand it. Your mind is either fragmented and altered, or else, most concernedly blocked. If you are the weapon you fear yourself being, then we should be afraid for who might have such control over you.”
Aldonn felt a chill run down his spine, and he asked quite plainly, “Can you help me?”
Relis stepped back into the shadows and said quite clearly, “I might be the only person willing to try.”
* * *
Penelope entered the long dining hall cautiously. She’d been called for dinner by her father’s servants. As usual, her father was at the furthest end of the table, while her meal was closest to the door. Sitting down, she was a good fifty feet away from her father, just far enough that she’d have to shout to be heard. Just loud enough that she couldn’t hear what he was talking about to his wizard guard Manejo, though she could still guess their topic of conversation.
“Hey dad.” She yelled to him, but he didn’t respond. She began shoveling down her dinner, angry that her father no longer paid her any attention. Ever since the wizards had taken interest in him, he had been spending every moment of his day negotiating and conspiring with them. She could remember a time that the two were completely open with one another, now it seemed like the only thing they held in common was the secrets they kept.
Finishing quickly, she looked down towards them, and decided to get a little closer. Getting up, she crept towards them. Manejo immediately noticed her approach and shut up. King Gatezy turned towards her, and raised an eyebrow.
Penelope put her hands behind her back and spoke clearly. “Hey dad, I just wanted to say that I love you.”
Manejo stared at her skeptically, but King Gatezy merely smiled and said, “We have important things to discuss, princess. Good night.”
She nodded, and tried not to look so disappointed. She hadn’t really expected him to say anything nice in return, but she did miss the days when he loved her back, and tucked her into bed at night.
Turning away, she began to stalk back to the door, but she made sure to take her sweet time doing it.
The king turned back to Manejo and asked, “So you’re afraid they will attack the shipment?”
Manejo shook his head and answered, “Afraid? No. We’re hoping they will. If we can draw this out, we can finish it before it even starts.”
“So you want me to pull all my men from the storehouses along the port,” guessed the king.
“Absolutely. Let them in, and we’ll make sure they don’t...”
At that point Penelope had gone too far to make out what they were saying, but she’d heard enough.
* * *
“You can’t trust him,” exclaimed Edward angrily.
The three of them were in the storehouse, overlooking the handling of the shipment, as it was being brought in. Aldonn had just finished explaining to Frank and Edward what Relis had promised him. Edward unfortunately didn’t take it so well.
Aldonn was shocked. “He says he wants to help me. He says he can free my mind.”
Edward got up from the box he was sitting on, and looked Aldonn directly in the eyes, “Listen to me, no wizard holds any interest in your well being. The only reason he’d want to free your mind, would be so that he could have it for himself. Wizards are selfish and more importantly self absorbed. They look after themselves and theirs, everyone else be damned.”
“I don’t have to listen to this,” said Aldonn angrily. Turning lightly on his heels, he strode out the storeroom.
Frank watched Edward slump disheartened onto a spare box. The room was full of wooden boxes piled to various heights. There was only one window high in the room, and two doors, a large front entrance, and a smaller back door.
Trying to think of something comforting to say, but couldn’t, so he decided instead to stay silent. What could he saw, as sorry as he was to admit it, he thought Aldonn was right. Edward had overreacted. Plus, Aldonn has every right to seek out help. No one could know what he was going through. Aldonn had the worst case of identity crisis, and he deserved a break.
Edward didn’t even know why he had reacted the way he did. What did the wizards ever really do to him? He certainly didn’t care that they had replaced him on the King’s guard...did he?
The two of them sat silently as the crates were brought in, and the doors were closed for the night. For close to an hour, Frank and Edward sat alone, and didn’t say a word to one another.
Edward started to feel himself nodding asleep, and quickly made an effort to break the ice. “What time is it?”
Frank jumped off his crate, and looked out the window to the moon above. “Looks to be maybe just past midnight,” he answered.
Frank looked to the ground, and the moonlight that shone at his feet, and was almost mesmerized by its glow. Suddenly, and quite to his surprise, a strange looking flower landed at his feet. He crouched to take a closer look at it, just as Edward noticed it from his place across the room.
Edward yelled, “Hold your breath,” but it was too late. The flower opened, releasing a huge cloud of gas that spread to cover the room. By the time it dissipated, Frank was unconscious, and Edward was nowhere to be seen.
A tall man, dressed in light green armor, and wearing dark green face paint stealthily slipped out of the shadows. Quickly checking that the coast was clear, he made a move for the recent shipment. Just as he was about to reach out to the box, he noticed a shadow on the floor, and grabbed the two and axes that hung on either side of his belt.
He turned quickly, swinging his axes at Edward, as Edward came at him with a sword. Edward deflected one axe, and dodged the other. Edward swung down at the man’s legs, but the man caught his blade with an axe.
Edward growled, “Druid.”
The druid looked into Edward’s eyes, and answered, “Look who’s talking.”
Edward tried to pull his sword away, but the druid kept it locked with his axe. With his other hand, he threw his second axe the short distance to Edwards head. Edward managed to free a arm, and grab the axe just in the nick of time. He swung the axe down at the hand that held his sword locked, and the druid let go.
The two stumbled away from each other. Edward now held his sword in one hand and the druid’s axe in the other. The druid was disarmed.
Edward lowered his weapons. “Why are you here?”
The druid smiled and raised his arm. Edward knew what would come next, and dropping his weapons, be began a dive to his left.
It was lucky he did, for as the druid flicked his hand up, a dart shot out from under his wrist, and missed Edward by mere inches. The druid did it again and again, but Edward managed to get behind a crate and used it as protection.
“I cannot let that shipment reach its destination,” said the druid resolutely. Pulling a seed from his belt, he sliced one side of it with his finger nail, then threw it behind the crate.
Edward’s eyes widened in surprise, but he didn’t have time to run. The seed sprouted long green vines that wrapped around him, pulling him down towards it. Swearing, Edward tried to wrench the vines off his leg, but one just grabbed his arm, and started making its way toward his chest. Soon, he couldn’t even move.
The druid stepped around the crate and leered down at him. Edward struggled against the plant that refused to let go.
Raising his arm, the druid chided Edward for what he hoped was the last time. “Sweet Dreams.”
Suddenly as he was firing a dart, a sickle hit his arm, digging in, and knocking is aim awry. He looked at it with surprise and pain. A chain lead from the sickle up to the now open window where a costumed woman stood, holding the chain with one hand, and a second sickle on a chain in the other. She pulled the druid towards her, and jumped from the window. Stretching out her leg, she aimed for his head, kicking him hard, and sending him into a pile of crates.
She hooted in victory and said, “That’ll teach you to try and take what isn’t yours.”
Flicking her wrist, the sickle in the druid’s arm let go, and the chain was pulled back into her sleeve until she held the sickle in her hand once more. Running to Edward, she knelt down, and used her sickles to cut him free. Giving him a hand, she pulled him up.
“Who are you?” he asked.
She struck a pose, “The Nightly Avenger, to your rescue.”
Edward stared at her for a moment, confused. “Is that your real name.”
“Of course not. You don’t think I’d tell you my real Identity. That’s a secret.”
Edward wasn’t sure how to respond, but luckily he didn’t have to. The druid managed to remove the crates from on top of him, and fired a dart at The Nightly Avenger. Noticing the druid’s attack, Edward pushed The nightly avenger away, and then dived aside himself.
The Nightly Avenger threw a sickle at him again, but he caught it. Pulling her towards him, he elbowed her in the face, then threw her into the wall. She hit the ground hard, and groaned. The druid aimed his arm at her, when Edward came up behind him and forced his arm towards his neck.
The druid tried elbowing Edward with his other arm, but Edward slid his arm underneath the druids elbow. Bringing his free hand up, he grabbed the druids dart arm, and pulled it back, releasing the dart into the druid’s neck. It took mere seconds for the druid to collapse in a deep sleep.
Turning to the woman in the dark black costume, he helped her to her feet. The costume covered almost her entire body, except her mouth and eyes.
“How did you know to come here? Who are you.”
She smiled coyly and answered, “That’s for me to know, and you to find out.” She then grabbed him, dipped him, and planted a huge kiss on his lips.
Her lips tasted sweet, though Edward was to surprised to fully appreciate the gesture. She then dropped him on his head, and still smiling, threw one of her sickles towards the roof. It dug in, and pulling on it, The Nightly Avenger vaulted herself straight up. Throwing the second sickle through the window while in mid air, it latched onto the building beside, and she pulled herself out the window, and out of sight.
Edward watched her go with his mouth wide open.
* * *
When Frank woke up, Edward explained about the druid, and the woman in costume, and the fight. They used Edward’s communication gem to tell Webber to get the authorities.
Edward then continued, “You won’t believe the best part, though.”
Frank, who was still trying to recover from the gas, groggily replied, “I’ll take my chances.”
“She kissed me.”
Frank raised a tired eyebrow. “You’re right, I don’t believe it.”
“It’s true.”
“Was it an ‘Oops, I accidentally tripped and fell on your lips’ kiss? Or a ‘I love you grandma’ kiss?”
“She dipped me and everything.”
“She dipped you?”
Edward nodded. “What’s wrong with that.”
“Nothing. It’s very manly.” A couple city guards entered the storehouse and Frank pointed them towards the druid. “He won’t be waking up for hours,” He said convincingly.
They barely had his hands tied when he began to stir. He couldn’t move much as they dragged him out of the storeroom, but he whispered Edward’s name. “Edward...”
Edward turned with what looked like surprise painted on his face.
The druid continued, “Don’t trust them Edward. Don’t trust them for one second.” If he had anything else to say, they would never know, as he drifted back to sleep.
Frank looked to Edward who matched his gaze. “What was that about,” Frank asked.
Edward merely shrugged, and gave one last concerned look towards the wizard tower, where Aldonn was currently at Relis’s mercy.
* * *
Penelope stumbled into her bedroom, locked the door behind her, and collapsed on her bed. She tried to message her aching back, but couldn’t reach it with her arms. Sighing, she rolled over, to find Webber sitting in a chair in the corner of her room. How he got in without her seeing him, she didn’t know.
“Who the hell are you, and what are you doing here,” she asked.
“I know who you are,” he said quietly.
Penelope sat up angrily. “Is that supposed to impress me?”
Webber shook his head. “I mean the other you. The you who jumps across rooftops wearing a shoddily put together costume to hide her face so that her daddy doesn’t learn what she does when he isn’t looking.”
“Get out.”
Webber didn’t move from his chair, but continued to talk in his quiet controlled voice. “You have spirit, and drive, but you don’t have skill. You are going to keep fighting, and it won’t take long before you come across someone stronger than you, and they kidnap you. As soon as they realize you are the daughter of a king, they’ll ransom you away, but not before having fun with you, torturing you, and breaking both your spirit and your drive.”
“What do you want from me?” asked Penelope, who was feeling chills from Webber’s speech.
“I have some info about a treasure that will solve your problem, and let you be the hero you want to be.”
Penelope crossed her arms, “I’m listening.”
* * *
The druid sat alone in his cell, thinking despairingly to himself. He’d failed, and now he was certain catastrophe would follow. He wasn’t worried for his own life, he knew that was over, but what about his people. Worse than that, the whole world could be at stake.
There was a thump outside the bars of his cell, and the guard keeping watch fell silently to the ground. The druid watched in curiosity, and to his surprise, Edward stepped out in front of him.
Edward folded his arms and said quite plainly, “I’m listening.”
To Be continued
Next time on The Aldonn Chronicles
The season, and possibly series finale is so close, one could almost smell it. Is Edward really a druid? Is Penelope really a hero? Is Janice going to go mad from the voices in her head? Should Aldonn trust Master Relis? Expect few if any of these questions to be answered in the next episode. Stay Tuned, and visit
www.aldonn.com