Atlantis Chronicles: The Thirteenth Sign

8/14/2019 Atlantis Chronicles: The Thirteenth Sign

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Atlantis ChroniclesThe Thirteenth Sign

a novel by: D.C. Akers

CHAPTER 1

CLEARING THE WAY



Gathering speed, moving faster through the dark cover ofthe forest the mysterious figure slips between trees and overrocks, running faster and faster as if someone was chasing him.

The pounding of his footsteps are drowned out by theviolent winds that are gusting through the tall fifty foottrees. Ahead is a small clearing that is starting to emerge ashe draws closer.

The bright moonlight can be seen reflecting off the smallstream that runs across the clearing, time is of the essence!The predator is too close and it must be stopped before all islost!

Reaching the edge of the clearing he stops to scan the areaand takes cover next to a large Cypress tree. His heavybreathing can be seen like smoke in the bitter nighttime air.The trees are swaying and the fallen leaves are whipping throughthe air around him.

The dark figure turns looking over both shoulders andaround the tree to see which direction the danger is comingfrom, the forest is too dark and dense to see anything clearly.

The tree limbs move franticly back and forth exposing him

briefly in the moonlight; he is a large man wearing a long blackcloak with a hood that hides his face. The howling of the windis becoming stronger as the storm approaches making it moredifficult to hear the imminent danger.

The man knows that he will have to hear his enemy in orderto survive. Carefully he moves to the right of tree next to alarge boulder that has apparently come from the mountains above.The man kneels down on one knee and he raises his hand to feelthe wind moving around his fingers and palm. He feels connectedto his surroundings now, then speaks softly.

“NAVA-SHINTO!”

Suddenly the wind stops, there is no sound to be heardother that his own heart beating from within. The leaves thatwere once gliding on the air are now floating in slow motionaround the man as if time had been slowed down to a terrifyingcrawl.



He sits there silent, not moving, his heart racing waitingfor a sound to alert him to the evil that hunts him. Thensuddenly he hears it, a faint hiss in the distance coming fromacross the clearing.

There it was,there was the predator that stalks him, herred glowing eyes glaring into the clearing looking for her prey.It was what he had feared all along, it was a Viper.

Created by Hades himself to rid the world of mortals, theyare dreadfully powerful creatures that feed on the souls of theliving. Their colorless faces, red glowing eyes and longflowing black hair were daunting.

They possess the ability to fly and were masters of blackmagic. They are ruthless and immoral with their prey and

cunning as they are evil. There are few who have survived anencounter with a Viper and lived to tell about it.

Through the trees the Viper looks carefully as she movesslowly around the edge of the clearing, first to the right thenback to the left never going more than half way on each side.

Because of the time shift she knows her prey is close.Looking carefully she moves back to the center knowing now thather victim must be across from her.

She stops and pulls her hand from her long flowing cloak;she then stretches out her long decrepit pale finger as if pointto the other side. A small flicker of white light emerges fromher finger tip in the shape of a small round sphere, it movesslowly across the clearing towards his location.

As the sphere travels through the air it becomes larger andbrighter casting more light as its searches for its target. Heknows he cannot hide any longer, it is only a matter of secondsbefore the sphere reaches him, he must act now.

“SHINTO!” the man says as he leaps from behind the rock.

The harsh blast of cold wind penetrates his body once againas time restores itself. The white light now stopping in midair bursts into an array of bright blue flames due to the changein climate.



The Viper now seeing her prey raises her right handthrusting it forward to release a short blast of red lightening.The crimson colored flash travels across the clearing explodingthe nearby trees into a thousand charred pieces.

The man dives onto the ground then rolling back to his feetrunning trying desperately not to be struck. The Viper turningto follow screaming like a creature of the wild, fires anotherblast of lightening. This time the longer burst ignites a pathof fire and destruction behind the man as he runs deeper intothe forest.

The Viper lets out another ear piercing scream infrustration flying several feet into the air to pursue her prey.The man is running as fast as he can, flashes of red from thelightening soaring past him shattering trees all around.

The Vipers rage has over taken her and she is now driven bypure hatred of the mortal that tries to elude her. She has lostsight of her only objective… to find and kill the boy!

Dodging between the trees with quick turns and rapid speedthe distance between them was starting to grow. The mortal manknew he was leading the Viper away from her true prey and thatwas his goal. Ahead was the large fogbank that he had beenlooking for, it would provide the necessary cover to execute his

plan. It was a plan that needed to work for his sake; as wellas the boys.

The fog bank was thick and only the tall Taureen treesstood above the deep haze. The man had stopped running now, butwas still trying to catch his breath. Slowly he moved forwardwalking down into the white abyss.

The man could feel the wet humidity on his face. His bodywas now colder than ever before but at least the wind had dieddown for now. The man walked slowly entering the fog with his

hands in front of him as if he were blind trying to feel his waythrough the mist and trees.

There was no visibility, just a sea of white and the soundof his own footsteps as they scuffled across the ground tryingto find their way. He had hoped he was far enough ahead of herto get to the other side of the bank where his plan could becarried out.





him. With her poisonous saliva dripping from her fangs and herblack hair blowing around her face as she screams.

“You are mine!”

Out of nowherethe sound of a sword being unsheathed ringsout into the night. The startled Viper turns to her right, butit’s too late. The reflection of the moonlight flashes on theTaureen’slong sword as it cuts through the nighttime airsevering the arm of the Viper. The once captured man falls tothe ground with her arm still clutched to his throat.

The Viper screams in pain and soars upward into the opensky. She quickly looks back down and with her left hand firesback with a barrage of lightening towards her attacker.

Quickly the Taureen swordsman lifts his left arm as thelightening impacts his shield disbursing fragments of energy inall directions. The man on the ground finally removes the armfrom his neck and looks up gasping to see a Taureen Marauderstanding above him.

The large man dressed in metallic green armor, grasping along silver sword in one hand and a gold shield in the other.

“Treece, are you ok?” asked the Taureen commander.

Treece trying to get to his feet “I’m fine Domic, but I

think she’ll be back!”

“I think you’re right, we need to leave! Let’s make our wayout of the fog, up this way”. Domic said as he guided Treece upthe embankment and out of the dense mist.

Treece reached the top of the embankment, once there hebent over to catch his breath and looked up at Domic

“That was close, what took you so long anyway?” he asked

“Sorry old friend, but you said the North side of the fogbank.”

“What… yes well she was a little faster than I thought so Ididn’t quite make it, but lucky for me you did.”

Treece putting one hand on Domic’s shoulder helping himselfup “Please tell me you did not come alone!” he said while stilltrying to catch his breath. Domic looked at Treece and then



glanced above his eyes widen in shock as he yelled “We are notalone!”

Swooping in from behind Treece like a Dragon to its prey,the Viper crashes into him knocking him back down the

embankment. At the same time she grabs Domic by the breastplate of his armor hoisting him into the air with her.

“Domic!” Treece cries out as he rolls back down into thefog.

“Domic!”

CHAPTER 2

STRANGERS AND SCONES

The storm was moving closer and rain was starting to fall. Itrained often in England so those who lived here were use to it.But that was not the case for Titus Earthanial Dalcomeor Ted ashis friends called him. He didn’t like the rain and for Ted itmeant the end of something beautiful.

He liked the moments just before the rain, when the cloudswould gather together as if by some magical power. He felt aconnection with the storms, a connection that was calming, likean old friend coming to visit.



Ted was a tall boy and at the age of thirteen he was quitesmart not to mention well rounded considering his past. Ted wasthin with black hair and sea blue eyes with a small beauty markon the right corner of his mouth. His mother called it a giftfrom the GOD’s, but Ted knew better. His mother would always

say things like that to make him feel special, she was good likethat.

Ted was an orphan and missed his mother and father dearly;it had been two years since he seen them last. It was reportedthat they had died in a strange accident while traveling onholiday to America.

Ted had been sick that year and was unable to go; some saythat he was very lucky to have not been on that plane. Sincethat time he has been living at the Machberry Farms, in thesmall town of Avonwick, South Hams just a half mile outside ofSouth Brent. The powers that be thought it would be best forhim to live here since he was now considered an orphan.

Machberry Farms was really a large Cottage House; there areten children, three cooks and Mr. Grifton the owner thatlivehere. They say it’s over one hundred years old, they being mostof the kids that live here.

It’s quiet for the most part, but there are all kinds of

things to explore on the grounds. There are lots of trees, abarn, pond and even underground tunnels left over from themining days.

The main house was made of large gray stone, with a lightblue roof and a cobble stone path that led in and around thehouse. The house was always shaded by the large Oak trees thatgrew nearby.

There were dark green ivies growing upward on the walls asif they were trying to reach the sky, the hedges of azalea were

a vivid red with a dash of lavender that ran along all foursides of the house.

In front was a small black lamp post that never seemed towork, with a small wooden sign trimmed in blue that reallydangled more than it did hang. The sign said GH for GriftonHouse.



The house was beautiful and Ted was thankful to be there,considering the many other places he could have ended up. Hisfavorite place was the large loft atop of the old red barnbehind the main house. He spent most of his time there with hisclose friend Ava and a very old horse named Libby.

The barn was a place where he could go to be alone with histhoughts. It had a large window to the world or at least thatis what Ted liked to call it. He liked to watch the storms rollin from there while gazing up at the sky. Most of the time it’sjust a place for Ted and Ava to go, hang out and just be kidswhile Libby stands guard.

It continued to rain as Ted looked out the large window tothe world. The once bitter smells of the grounds below were nowfilled with the sweet aroma of Mrs. Glender’sApple Scones.

The scones are his favorite and she always makes a fewextra for him that she hides from the rest of the children.Mrs. Glender is extremely fond of Ted and often tells the otherladies that work at MachberryFarms that Ted is a very specialboy.

Ted stares up at the stormy sky and in the background hecan hear sounds of soft footsteps followed by small squeaks assomeone is making their way up the stairs. Ted knew that it had

to be Ava since there was no squealing coming from Libby.For some reason Libby only liked the two of them, she would

nip, squeal and sometimes even bite the other kids if they triedto enter the barn.

Ava seemed to think it’s because she could understand whatthe other kids were saying about her. They liked to make fun ofher because she is a little over weight and then throwing rocksat her I’m sure didn’t help matters.

Ted and Ava had always been kind to Libby and usuallybrought her food they had snuck out after dinner. It wasprobably their fault she was overweight to begin with. The twoof them could never seem to remember whose turn it was to feedLibby, so she would always end up getting twice as much foodthen she was suppose too; which never seemed to bother Libby.



The soft steps and squeaking had stopped; someone hadreached the top of the stairs. Ted looked over his shoulder tosee Ava standing there dripping wet and her hair flat againsther head.

“It’s time to eat”, she said as she tried to wring her hairout.

Ava was a pretty girl with long blond hair and a smile thatkind of curled up at the corners of her mouth. Her eyes werelight green and when she looked at you it felt like she waslooking straight into your soul. Ava was the first friend Tedmade at MachberryFarms and she has become one of the bestfriends he has ever had.

“I’m not hungry”, Ted said

“Not hungry? Titus Dalcome, since when have you not beenhungry? You know Mrs. Glender made Apple Scones and you knowshe makes them just for you!” she said with a sarcastic tone inher voice as she walked closer to Ted.

Ted was sitting on his knees looking up at Ava and thenturned back to look out the window again. With his bodyslightly bent and his chin now resting on his folded arms thatwhere hanging halfway out of the window ledge.

“I know”, he repliedAva could tell that there was something wrong and that

Ted was not being himself. Ted lifted his head only to turn itsideways and laid it back down looking up at Ava.

“When it rains, I miss them more” he said with a softvoice.

Ava knew exactly who he was talking about; his parents.Although it was hard sometimes for Ava to understand because shehad been abandon by her parents at a young age and was neverreally that close to them. But she understood enough to knowthat it would hurt to love someone that much and then have tolet them go. She had hoped in her heart that she would neverhave to go through that kind of personal pain herself.

Ava looked down at Ted and placed her right hand gently onhis shoulder.



“I know Ted and I’m sure they miss you too.”

The rain had stopped now leaving only a cool breeze and aclear nighttime sky. The back porch light on the main housecame on down below and the rickety door swung open, suddenly a

raspy voice from within yelled out.“Ted, Ava it’s time to come in!”

There was no doubt in either one’s mind whose voice thatwas, it belonged to Mrs. Glender. Ava still looking down at Tedsaid “We had better go.”

Ted knew she was right, she was always right and she knewit. You see Ava was very intelligent and she didn’t mindsharing that with you. Although, in general she didn’t like tosocialize much, she was a little shy and to top things off shewas a perfectionist which got very annoying sometimes.

Even with all that she was Ted’s best friend, she had beenthere for him when he needed a friend the most. That wassomething he would never forget.

Ted and Ava both headed down the stairs and as theypasted Libby they ran their hands over the top her mane.Libby made a low muffled sound as she slowly chewed the haythat Ted had brought for her earlier that day.

The backdoor of the main house swung open again, Tedand Ava could only see the silhouette of the large womenstanding between them and the food they smelled inside.With a thick English accent she said “Well there you twoare!”

Both children smiled as they squeezed past the largewoman and into the house. The sweet smells of the AppleScones were stronger than ever now and Ted could feel hisstomach starting to grumble.

Mrs. Glender shut the door and turned around to seeboth Ted and Ava standing dead in their tracks, staring atlarge empty dinner table that had been completely clearedoff and set for morning breakfast.



Grabbing their composure they both turned to eachother in disbelief and then with the saddest look on theirfaces they turned to look up at Mrs. Glender.

Mrs. Glender was a very big woman; she had hair white

as snow that was always tucked under a red scarf. She worea tan apron that said “DON’T MESS WITH THE COOK” thatseemed to barley tie in the back and black shoes withstockings up to her knees. She wasn’t a pretty lady, but byall means she could cook!

“Don’t look at me like that, you know better than to belate for dinner!” she said.

Ted thought to himself, could it be, could she reallynot have saved them any food. Ava thinking quick said in a

matter of fact way, “You see Mrs. Glender it was rainingand as I am sure you know that there is a forty threepercent chance for someone at our age and approximant bodyweight, not to mention our immature and under developedimmune system that running through the rain on a cold nightsuch as tonight is the perfect way to catch a terriblechill. Which we all know what that can lead to… need I saymore. So you see Mrs. Glender it was important for us towait until the rain had stopped, it was really the onlyresponsible thing we could do.”

Ted stood there flabbergasted looking at Ava with themost amazed look on his face thinking to himself, “She isbrilliant, totally brilliant! Where does she come up withthis stuff?” Mrs. Glender looked down at the two childrenwith a small smirk on her face.

“Ava Alessandria Ashmorewhere in the world do you comeup with these Whale Tales”, she said in her raspy voice.

Ava began to reply but was stopped short with Mrs.

Glender’sfinger on her lips.

“Enough”, Mrs. Glender said

“That is quite enough; you two get washed up, thereare plates for you in the kitchen!”

The two children looked at each other with large grinson their faces. Both children ran past the large dining



room into the kitchen, Mrs. Glender’s voice could be heardin the background

“There is a big plate of Apple Scones too and don’t forgetto wash your hands children!” she said with a small grin on

her face.Ted rounded the corner into the large green and white

kitchen with Ava close behind. The kitchen was paved witha tan stone floor with large green cabinets and whitecounter tops.

It had four wood burning stoves, three huge cupboardsand a small dinner table in the very back called the CooksNook where all the cooks gathered to eat their meals. Onthe nook lying in front of them was a meal fit for a king.

The table was filled with fresh Cod; green stalkedbeans, Bendalebread, fresh Earl Gray Tea and a large plateof Apple Scones. Both Ted and Ava stopped and looked inamazement, their mouths started to water as the aromasurrounded them.

“She said wash your hands!” Ava yelled.

They both ran to the largest of the three sinks theyhad nicknamed the Gobbler because of the horrible sound it

made when the disposal was turned on.“Grab the soap!” Ted said as he reached for the large

faucet handle.

“I am so hungry!” Ava said as she squeezed the soaponto both of their hands.

“Me too!”Ted replied.

They didn’t even dry their hands as they pushed awayfrom the wash area and ran to the small table. Ted and Ava

both went for the Apple Scones first; the taste of the warmsweet treats was so good they just seemed to melt in yourmouth.

The two children ate for about an hour straight whenfinally Mrs. Glender came in and said” Ok you two, time forbed, its late.”



Ted and Ava were so full it was all they could do toroll out of their chairs and put their feet on the floor.Ted looked up at Mrs. Glender and grabbed her apron andgave it a tug.

“Mrs. Glender that was so good, thank you!” Ted said“I second the motion!” Ava added. Mrs. Glender smiled

and said “good, now off you go.”

The two children walked out of the kitchen and throughthe dark hallway to begin the journey up the long windingstair case. The big hallway had a cold draft that seemedto be worse at night and tonight it was particularly cold.

The stairs case was dark red and made of cherry wood withshabby red carpet that ran down the center of the stairs.The entire stair case was dimly lit and so steep that youcould never run up the stairs if you had too.

Both Ted and Ava walked side by side, each holdingonto their side of stair rail. The stair case creakedloudly but only on every other step which was odd, but thehouse was old.

Once they reached the top Ted stopped, leaned on thebanister and said to Ava “I think I ate little too much.”

Ava with the same nauseated look on her face said “Ifeel like a fat toad!”

Just then a soft knock could be heard down stairs onthe large front door, the children looked at each otherwondering who it could be at this time of night.

They listen carefully to see if they could hear Mrs.Glender open the door, but they heard nothing. For a fewmoments there was no sound at all, the house was silent.

Then another knock on the door, but this time it wasmuch softer. Ted turned to look back down the stairs whenhe heard the turning of the old brass door knob as ifsomeone were trying to open up the front door.

Ted looked back at Ava; her face was white as ghostand eyes as big as marbles. Ted turned to move down thesteps when they heard the front door start to open. The



high pitched squeal of the rusty door hinges moved slowlyas it opened.

Ted started to walk back down the stairs to get abetter look when Ava grabbed him by his arm, his foot

stopping in mid air just before he placed it on the firststep.

“What are you doing?” she whispered.

Ted looked back startled, “Let’s see who it is,comeon.”

“Ted...No!” She replied.

Ted moved his weight forward placing is foot on thefirst step; suddenly the creaking sound from the step rang

out as if a siren had gone off! Ted stopped in his tracks,Ava grabbed on tighter to Ted’s arm “Ted please” shewhispered.

The door opened fully and a tall shadow stretchedacross the polished wooden floor onto the first step of thestairs. Ted could feel his heart pounding in his chest andhis hands began to sweat as he gripped the stair railtighter. Ava stood there petrified holding onto Ted as ifshe had turned to stone.

The shadowy figure moved forward and then stopped asfootsteps could be heard from the kitchen as they camecloser to the front door, it was Mrs. Glender.

“I am sorry I did not hear you.” she whispered.

In a deep voice the shadowy figure spoke. “I havecome to check on the boy.”

Mrs. Glender sounding frightened replied, “He is good,he doesn’t suspect a thing.”

“Good, there is no need to make him aware of the plansat this time. We are almost ready to make our journey,” hesaid.

“What would you have me do?” she asked frantically.

The large figure turned from the door way and said “Iwill join you both in two days.”



With fear in her voice Mrs. Glender replied “Yes, wewill be ready.”

Ted and Ava stood there silently not making a sounduntil they could hear that Mrs. Glender had shut the door

and walked back to the kitchen. Ava still holding on tightto Teds arm whispered “What was that about?”

“I don’t know” Ted said quietly. “But she was scared, veryscared!”

“I’m scared” replied Ava.

“I know you are Ava, It’ll be ok I won’t let anythinghappen to you.”

Ava gave a half grin and tried to look relieved.

“Ava” Ted said

“What?” Ava replied

“I can’t feel my arm!”

Ava looked down at Ted’s arm. She was still holdingonto him tightly, so tightly in fact his fingers werestarting to turn blue. Looking startled and a littleembarrassed she quickly let go.

“Oh, sorry I… uh didn’t want you to fall.”Ted knowing that was not the reason, but that she was

truly frightened replied “Right… thanks”.

Ava looked down at the ground and gently pulled herhair behind her ears and with a loss for words replied“Sure… um anytime.”

Both children feeling a little uncomfortable turnedslowly and headed down the hallway towards Ava’s room. Thehallway was drafty and dark with faded burgundy wallpaperand brass candle sconces lining the walls.

“Will you be ok?” Ted asked Ava.

“I think so; I just wish I knew what that was allabout. Who was that man and what boy are they talkingabout. You don’t think they meant you, do you Ted?”





CHAPTER 3

THANK YOU

Screaming into the night and holding onto her preywith one arm the Viper continued to fly higher into thetree line above. She moved Domic towards her mouth tryingto bite him around the face and neck.

Domic no longer having his long sword or shieldstruggled to fight off the predator the best he could. Hisleft forearm braced underneath her neck trying to controlher downward attacks and the other hand trying to reach forthe dagger strapped to the side of his boot.

The sound of teeth snapping and scratching his helmetcould be heard as she continued to attack. Then finally he

had reached it, the dagger.Quickly he unsheathed the small weapon and as fast as

he could and stabbed the Viper in her neck. The Viperscreamed out in pain releasing her grip on Domic. She flewhysterically higher into the night sky.

Domic now falling, the branches started to move pasthim as he fell through the trees. Frantically he tries toreach out to slow his decent but the tree limbs werebreaking as fast as he could grasp them.

Suddenly without warning, a hard thud rings outechoing throughout the dark forest as Domic’s body impactsthe ground. The Terecksnesting in the trees above screamout and fly off into the night briefly blocking out themoonlight.





She is seconds away of having her victory and killing thismortal man. Her arm and neck still bleeding from hisattack, she is ready to take her revenge!

Unexpectedly the loud snapping of branches and tearing

of roots fill the night! The ground starts to tremblearound the Viper and Domic. She stops, still holding thedagger in midair looking around her as the earth shook.Domic still laying there, his eyes closed tight in somekind of trance.

Quickly the large vines that were lying on the groundaround them leap into the air! The Viper lowers the daggerquickly; her body flinches and crouches ready to attack.

Still bent over Domic she scans the area curiously

looking at the strange vines that surround her. She looksup to the sky as a last resort but the tree line is toothick and has blocked her only escape.

The vines continue to move slowly, yet gracefullyaround their victim. The wind is moving freely around themas the leaves rustle by on the cold damp ground. Thenabruptly the thick vines lash out like snakes strikingtheir prey!

Attaching themselves to the Viper’s wrist they

violently pull her into the air only to smash her body backinto the ground. More vines slither along the ground movingtowards her quickly wrapping themselves around her waistand feet.

The Viper lying on her back is trapped, pinned to theground. She screams out into the night, her body twistingsadistically as she tries to free herself from hercaptures. Her hand starts to glow red as small strands ofelectricity flicker around her fingertips and palm. Then

without warning a large uncontrolled burst of lighteningdischarges striking the tree behind Domic’s head! The treeshakes and lets out a loud roar!

Unknowingly, the Viper has attacked one of the most deadlytrees in the Taureen Forest, the ForgonianFire Tree. Themassive tree shakes forward then back again, the leaves begin to



glow a bright orange. Suddenly the leaves burst into flamesengulfing the top of the tree.

The Viper stops frozen by the ominous sight. The tree withall its might swings one of its lower branches forward

disbursing a large ball of fire. The great blaze travels quicklyfrom above impacting its target; the Viper’s body is now coveredin flames as she screams in pain! Her burning body twists andpulls at the vines that hold her captive.

With a fierce vengeance the mighty tree strikes againdelivering a more powerful blow. Only a single streak of flamescan be seen before the demon explodes into a thousand pieces ofred ash. The Forgonian Tree shrieks in victory, it sways backand forth for several minutes looking for other attackers.

Finding no one, it slowly stops moving and regains its treelike composure. Slowly the fire dims and the large ForgonianTree extinguishes its flames.

Scuffling through the trees to the small opening, Treecemakes his way to Domic. He stops, looking at the red ash thatis slowly floating in the air and the large burnt cinders thatlay close by. He could see Domic laying there broken andbattered; he ran to his side as fast as he could.

“Domic, what has she done?”

Domic opened his eyes slowly, but he was vaguely conscious.Treece lifted his head slowly and removed his helmet, takingspecial care not to cause further injury. Domic’s long blackhair fell from the helmet. It was also covered in blood.

“I’ve been better my friend” Domic replied as he coughed upa small amount of blood.

“Don’t speak, save your strength. Here, I have some water.You’ll need to drink slowly!” Treece was holding Domic’s head

in one hand and clumsily trying to open the small cantina in theother.

“You will need more than water, if you want to save him.” Avoice said from the shadows as it moved closer into themoonlight.



It was a man of average size wearing a gold helmet thatconcealed his face. His body covered in light armor that wasgold and red with the insignia of a huge crab claw on hisshield.

“Lay his head down carefully and back away so I can helphim”, the stranger said

Treece slowly lowered Domic’s head to the ground. Then asfast has he could reached for the dagger that was still on theground next to Domic’s body.

“Stand back or… or I will kill you where you stand!”Treece yelled back at the stranger. He was scared and was unsureof what he was doing. He was not much of a soldier and he wassure that he was making that quite obvious!

“Easy friend, I don’t want to hurt you. I am here to helpyou”, the stranger said as he lowered his shield and placed iton the ground.

“I am here to help, please let me, before it’s too late.”

Treece was scared and unsure. He knew Domic did not havemuch time and this was probably the only real chance he mighthave to live.

The man came closer to Domic. Treece backed away to give

the man more room, but held the dagger pointed at him should hedo anything suspicious.

The man’s hands started to shine a bright gold as he placedthem on Domic’s body. Domic’s body arched up to meet them. Theman’s head lashed back. Gradually Domic’s deep wounds start todisappear; his hands and legs slowly start to move again.

A smile of joy crept into the corners of Treece mouth.Domic was going to make it, he was going to live!

The man continued his magic, but as Treece looked down athim, he could see the same injuries Domic once had start toappear on the man’s body. Blood started to drip from his helmetas he fell back onto the ground.

What happened? What did this man do to himself? Treecethought to himself looking on as the man laid there broken justas Domic had looked only minutes ago.



“Are you ok?” Domic said quietly as he looked up at Treece.

“Am I ok, are you ok?” Treece replied in shock.

“Dom this guy just saved your life, but I think he’s dyingnow!” What… what should we do?”

Domic sat up slowly; Treece helped him to his feet.

“He will be ok, but we need to stay with him until he canheal himself.”

Treece remained quite as he stood there staring at the manthat just moments ago he had threaten to kill.

Suddenly as if from nowhere, the rest of the TaureenMarauders emerged. One by one they crept from shadows andbehind trees.

Treece was looking all around and behind himself. Theycame from every location. There were eight in all includingDomic.

“Sir, are you ok?” one of the soldiers said

“I am fine, thanks to Treece, and the Healer. We could usesome water over here.” Domic pointed to the healer lying on theground that was starting to move again. Three of the soldiersmoved to attend to the Healer.

Domic made his way back to the FargonianFire Tree. Heslowly placed his hand on the smooth bark, then leaned closerand whispered.

“Thank you.”

Domic turned around in time to greet one of his soldiers.

“Sir we waited for you on the north side, but when youdidn’t return I felt it was best to come looking”

“Yes, it seems we had a change of plans,” Domic said as hewalked over at Treece with a devilish grin.

Treece still in shock at what had just taken place replied,“I got lost and she was much faster than I thought, ok!”





“Then let’s go get our King!”

Documents

Atlantis Chronicles: The Thirteenth Sign