Chapter 9
Morning, Dreams Ending
Morning's First Light
Suzi rolled over and shook her head to clear it. Whisper Looked at her and
grasped her hand. ÒMummy Suzi, what happened?Ó Suzi looked
over though the dim light of the tunnel toward Derrick, Jim and Matt. Who
looked as if they had been dragged by a horse for ten miles.And were fast
asleep.
ÒIÕm not sure sweetheart. But Kitty and Mayra look as bad as
the boys... I wonder what we slept though.Ó Suzi smiled and stroked
WhisperÕs hair as she stood up to make breakfast. Whisper smiled up
at her, as she headed into the forest to check the traps they had set.
Suzi hummed as she started the fire with her magic. Then straighted her bed
roll. Looking at Kitty she tapped her shoulder gently. ÒKitty, hun
wake up. ItÕs morning. Kitty?Ó Suzi jumpped back as Kitty jumped
out of bed and held her daggers tightly in both hands. ÒWhat the
hellÕs a matter with you? You trying to kill me or something?Ó
Suzi screamed as Kitty put down her weapons.
ÒSorry Suzi... I had the worst dream that something took over my body...
Then something else did...MAYRA!Ó She screamed and ran to her
daughterÕs side. ÒWhat did I almost do...Ó
ÒKitty, calm down, sheÕs just sleeping. So are the boys...Ó
Suzi put a hand on her friendÕs shoulder. ÒWhat happened to
you last night?Ó
Kitty explained up to when she fainted. Then looked over at Derrick. ÒI
hope he doesnÕt remember... I almost killed my little girl. If he
hadnÕt stopped me.Ó
ÒCalm down. He did you are all fine now. The camps safe and Whisper
has gone to check the traps. Come on, lets go clean up in the stream and
let the boys and mayra sleep.Ó Suzi led Kitty down the to stream and
was obsorbed into the forest, carful to hide her face and skin from the
sunÕs early rays.
ÒDaddy, Uncle Matt, Uncle Jim?Ó MayraÕs voice prieced
for the second haze of sleep Derrick had felt. ÒDaddy, mommy, Aunt
Suzi and Whisper are gone...Ó Derrick sat up and stomped on Matt and
JimÕs hands.
ÒGet up! Kitty, Suzi and Whisper are gone!Ó Derrick shouted
at the other men, who had returned back into their normal clothes, like last
night had never happened. ÒWhat in the hell is going on here?Ó
Derrick said patting his clothes.
Òhuh? WhatÕs going on... Oh my god.. SUZI! WHISPER!Ó
Matt shouted, scaring a few creatures of various small sizes. Suzi ran back
into camp. Kitty and Whisper right behind her.
ÒWhatÕs wrong?Ó Asked Suzi gasping for breath. ÒYOu
guys look like you have seen us die or something...Ó Suzi smiled as
Matt and Jim grimesed. ÒNow if your done. IÕll start breakfast.
Then we can sleep intill the snu goes down again.Ó
ÒI donÕt think so...Ó Came a echoing voice. ÒYou
are on your own!Ó A huge, dark haand swept the group and their things
outside, into the morningÕs light. Suzi gasped as the sunlight blasted
her skin. It was red and puffy in a few moments. Blistering to touch. Whisper
and Mayra laughed and ran into the strange field of flowers. Derrick running
after them, remembering the Wizard Of Oz.
ÒWhisper! Mayra get back here!!!Ó Derrick cried slipping on
a patch of clover. Òdamn it...Ó Derrick looked up to see Mayra
putting on a flower crown on his head. ÒEnough Angel, Aunt Suzi needs
help.Ó
ÒSimon can help her.. Simon knows everything!Ó Mayra laughed
and grabbed his hand. ÒSIMON! Teliport us!Ó For Derrick it
felt like the world fell out from his feet. Then it was soild, though his
stomach was not. Matt craddled Suzi in his arms. Jim held whisper by the
hand. Derrick looked at his Daughter. ÒSimon! Where are you? Simon?Ó
MAyra scremed at the top of her lungs.
ÒHere I am Angel. PLease stop screaming...Ó said a young man
as he walked down the stairs. A tall man with black hair which adorned two
strange white steaks, walked into the sitting room. ÒAh I see you
brought guests. Aunt Suzi! What happened?Ó Simon strode over to Suzi
and picked her up. Much to MattÕs discust.
ÒSunburn. SheÕs a vampire you know...Ó Mayra troted
by SimonÕs side as he laid her on the couch. ÒYou heal, no?Ó
ÒOf course...Ó Simon placed his hands on SuziÕs cheeks.
Summoning his magic, the sun burn faded into a deep brown tan. ÒThere...
She will sleep for a bit. When she wakes up she will be fine. Now, IÕm
sure you will have questions. BUt I suggest waiting till the young lady wakes
up. Let me show you to your rooms.Ó As Simon past Jim, Jim heard Simon
mutter something that ALMOST sounded like Òevening father...Ó
But Simon was down the hall before Jim collected himself. Derrick and Kitty
herded Whisper and Mayra inbetween them and to their rooms. Matt stayed in
the room where Suzi slept. ÒTo be here when she wakes upÓ was
his excuse.Jim sighed and moved to the couch at the bottom of the house.
Quickly falling asleep on itÕs ruff surface.
Another Child Found
Simon hummed as he help his cousins Mayra and Whisper cook breakfast. The
fire rose beautifully as Simon cooked bacon over the makeshift frying pan.
Whisper was covered from head to toe in flour. Near Whisper, Mayra, laughed
and cracked anther chicken-like-creatureÕs eggs over the large bowl.
Suzi and Matt held hands as the walked into the busy kitchen. Derrick ran
into Matt as he ran from Kitty. His hand clutched around a hairbrush. ÒGive
it back!Ó Kitty screamed running past Suzi and chasing both Matt and
Derrick outside onto the green, dew covered grass. Suzi laughed and ran out
to help Kitty tickle the boys into submission.
Jim rubbed his eyes as he walked into the kitchen. SImon grinned, ÒCome
on in Father, breakfast wil be ready in a minite.Ó Simon called as
he Picked up Whisper and handed her to Jim. Mayra laughed as she cracked
the last egg over the bowl.
ÒEggies!Ó Mayra cried, acting like the girlchild she was.
ÒIÕm Done Simon!!!Ó She screamed, making Jim and Simon
cover their ears. She grinned impishly and grabbed Whispers hand. The girls
ran outside to wash up for breakfast.
ÒWell, I suppose if Kitty and Derrick can have a kid, so can I...Ó
JIm looked at Simon. Who looked at him back and grinned.
ÒMother always said you loved my twin best.Ó Simon gasped out
laughing. As the others walked into the room again, they say Simon laughing
his head off and Jim laying on the floor, shock written on his face.
Town of Horrors... Who said it had to be a shop?
Whisper skipped in between Suzi and Matt. Matt had just been dragged from
a weaponÕs store. He was still complaining of not having weapons that
wonÕt rust covered. Suzi, trying not to die of laughter, held a mask
of serenity. Whisper just skipped on, following her nose toward the tavern.
Smells of freshed baked bread wafted on the air as the group got closer.
As they entered a pump man walked up. ÒEvening MÕlord,
MÕLady, how may this humble servent help you?Ó His greedy eyes
looked them and Whisper over. Stopping only once for the size of MattÕs
purse.
ÒYes, weÕd like dinner for three, in a quiet place.Ó
Matt smiled downn at Whisper, who was about to burst from standing in one
place for so long. Suzi looked very very tired all the sudden. Matt was quick
to follow the Tavern keeper before Suzi started to lecture him on how she
could take care of herself.
As they slid into their seats, a strange bird like creature was set before
them. A potato like object and some more strange vegatbles where placed on
a plater next to the meat. Then a bowl of a strange sauce was placed close
to Matt. ÒI hope you enjoy your meal...Ó The man who had greeted
them smiled and walked away.
Whisper, Suzi and Matt all dug into the meal. Whisper and Suzi eating most
of the vegatbles and some of the bird. Matt had some of the sauce on some
of his meat. Suzi looked at him in discust and smiled at whisper.
ÒWhat?Ó asked Matt after getting tired of all the strange looks
from his lady love.
ÒNothing.Ó Suzi grinned and winked at Whisper.
Matt sighed and could of swore he saw Liz walk in. ÒMan, this is weird.
Then he saw Caro come after him with a knife. Then Liz coming closer and
closer. Caro leaning down to kiss him. Matt stood up and flung the food on
teh floor. Suzi and Whisper stared at him with wide eyes. ÒWhatÕs
wrong Matt?Ó Suzi said looking at him.
ÒDonÕt you see them?Ó Matt gasped out as another woman
with blond hair and black, pupiless eyes leaned voer to whisper in his ear.
ÒSee what?Ó Whisper asked looking around. ÒWhat is there
to see?Ó
ÒCaro.. some strange woman. LIZ!Ó Matt screamed the last because
he saw her holding a dagger over his heart. Then the world went black.
ÒMen... Matt?!?Ó Suzi screamed as he fell onto the ground.
Whisper looked at her.
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ÒWhoa.. WhatÕs with the world? Why is it going around and
around...Ó Matt murmured as he came too. ÒWHAT THE HECK! GET
AWAY FROM ME YOU WITCH!Ó Matt screamed as Liz looked into his eyes.
ÒHeÕs awake...Ó She laughed drily. ÒSuzi bring
those wet clothes... And make sure those Monks dontÕt get any other
ideas about blood sucking vampires...Ó
Matt looked aorund dazed. ÒYouÕre on our side now?Ó
He asked as he looked around to see a bloodless monk. Òoh great...
PLEASE tell me Liz did it...Ó He looked up to the stainglass window.
Òand in a church none the less...Ó
ÒYea well at least WE didnÕt get drugged for showing off our
money! If Liz hadnÕt saved us.. We would of been in jail like Derrick,
Mayra and Kitty... Who knows where Jim and Simon ran off too..Ó Suzi
exclaimed tossing wet clothes into MattÕs Face.
ÒAnd Mommy spooked all the monks into the back rooms.Ó Whisper
giggled. ÒThey were so scared after the head one tried to force Suzi
out.Ó
ÒCome Whisper hunny, letÕs leave Matt and Suzi to talk. I saw
some nice light patterns that might intrest you.Ó Liz muttered leading
Whisper away. As they entered a low cut doorway, MattÕs eye stopped
following her.
ÒWhat the hell is going on!?Ó He almost shouted. ÒFirst
i get drugged then I find out Liz is on OUR side... IÕm losing my
mind!Ó Matt swung his legs over the side of the bench. ÒAnd
the otehrs are missing... What the heck we going to do? Caro, Caroline, whatever
is evil... Or is she good? How the hell we suppposed to know?Ó
ÒWell. We will never know until we find her and the others.Ó
Suzi smiled and kisses Matt. ÒCome on sweetie, lets go get cleaned
up.Ó Suzi lead Matt away into a back room. Liz and Whisper came back
out.
ÒWell Kyra? You understand now, we have to lead them to our parents
so we can free them.Ó Liz looked down at Whisper who was staring start
ahead.
ÒBut if we do that, our aunts and Uncles will get cursed to...Ó
Whisper sighed and kicked a lose stone. ÒI donÕt know what
to do. All I know is that if it goes wrong we are going to have to be able
to save all of them. And not let those damned curses Aunt Joy gave us.Ó
ÒThen we take them to her. Randell, Taysta and the others will
understand... I hope..Ó Liz whispered the last part. Liz and Whisper
walked out of the chruch, walking out into the shadows and waiting darkness.
Jail Break, is this becoming a habit?
ÒLetÕs see, Mayra is downstairs in the cell with a silver handle.
Kitty is in the Combine section. Derrick is three flights of stairs, past
two silver handled doors, in the plain handled door.Ó Suzi read off
and looked up. ÒWeÕre going to have to split up.Ó
ÒOkay I guess IÕll get Kitty.Ó Matt said looking at
Suzi. ÒYou should get Mayra, and the girls will get Derrick.Ó
ÒHow can they...Ó Suzi glanced over at Liz and Whisper.
ÒAllright, after you laddy buck!Ó Suzi kissed Matt for luck
and started down the first flight of stairs. Matt headed down the hall, waving
over his shoulder. Liz looked down at Whisper and grinned. They started walking
down the first flight of stairs.
ÒUncle Derrick sure does like getting into trouble doesnÕt
he Liz?Ó Whisper took two steps to LizÕs one, and panted to
keep up.
ÒYes, but as I hear, Endymion was always quiet and Orcus was the trouble
maker. I guess they switched this life time eh?Ó Liz scooped up Whisper
in her arms as the little girl started to lag behind. ÒAnd Kyra, why
do you let them contune to vcall you whisper? Last I heard you had one pair
of Lungs!Ó
ÒOh, Daddy always called me that...Ó Whisper snuggled into
LizÕs arms to surpress a shudder. ÒAre you sure taking the
others to Caroline, sheÕll free Da?Ó
ÒI donÕt know little one. I hope so... If she doesnÕt
then we will save them ourselves...Ó Liz smiled down at Whisper, how
many doors was it?Ó
ÒThree, two silver handled and the plain on after that is his.Ó
Whisper jumpped down from LizÕs arms and helped pull open the door.
ÒWhat the heck.. no lock?Ó
ÒDerrick! uncle!Ó Liz cried out seeing Derrick beaten into
a blood plup. ÒWell thatÕs why it was unlocked... uncle...
COme Whisper Help me get him On my back.Ó Liz bent down before Derrick.
At least most of his woundÕs have clotted over.. She knew to get him
out most of them would open up again. ÒI wish I was a healer...Ó
ÒStop wishing and lets go. Whisper cast float spell on Derrick and
hovered him about a foot off the ground. Some of his face color came back.
ÒI know a few tricks, lets get out of here.. This jail is to quiet
for my tastes.Ó
Liz nodded and started jogging back up the stairs, her sword drawn in case
of trouble. Whisper and Derrick followed behind. As Liz neared the first
floor she saw the one woman she loved and hated at the same time.
ÒJoy...Ó
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Matt sighed as he stuggled into a guards uniform. Òhere I thought
sheÕd be the easiest to get...Ó Matt stalked off toward the
heavily ornamented door. ÒAlright... here goes nothinÕ...Ó
Matt opened the door and stepped back as screams hit full force.
Òwell so here are the other guards... I was starting to wonder...Ó
Matt scanned the room, over the screeking females and drooling guards. Then
he spotted Kitty, beating some sense into one of the guards.
Matt pulled down his face guard and slinked over toward her. ÒAnother
one eh?Ó Kitty smirked and looked about ready to clobber him with
her fist. ÒWonÕt you guys ever learn? I love MY man! I want
to MARRY him, not mmake out with idiots like yOu!Ó
ÒIÕm so glad you careÓ laughed Matt as he put his arms
around her waist. ÒItÕs me, Matt? You know that other cute
guy in the group besides Romeo?Ó Kitty blushed as he swept her out
of the room.
ÒThatÕs not funny matt, you tell Derrick ONE word and I will
take you hide and make a coat for Suzi!Ó Kitty blushed as she put
her feet back onto ground. ÒThanks Matt sweetie...Ó
ÒHuh? First you threaten to beat me up and then you thank me?Ó
Matt smirked. ÒYour welcome, now, letÕs get out of here before
we go back.Ó
Kitty smiled and they walked down the hall. As the turned the corner MattÕs
grin turned into a straight line. ÒEvening Joy. What brings you to
this neck of the woods?Ó Joy smiled at Matt and closed the space in
between them quickly.
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Suzi walked down the hall looking for MayraÕs cell. Her thoughts keeping
her more then busy. So, if Jim, Derrick and Kitty can have kids why havenÕt
mine come out to scare me? And whatÕs with Caro? Is she this all powerful
being everyone seems to think? Or that old woman who trained us and made
us able to survie in this world.. But then she did force us to come...
SuziÕs thoughts went around in cricles.
ÒOh, hereÕs the silver handled door. Mayra? Hunny you in
there?Ó Suzi called out softly, she had been lucky with the guards
so far, but why press her luck.
ÒIÕm here Aunty Suzi! LEt me out! WhereÕs mommy and
Da?Ó MyaraÕs voice cried out in sheer terror of being in the
cell. Suzi gathered her magic power and shoved it into the lock, shattering
it soundlessly. As the door swung open a eleven year old with black hair
shot out of it into SuziÕs arms. ÒI want my Mummy!Ó
Myara whimpered as Suzi started the long track up to the front door.
ÒMummy!Ó Cried out Mayra, jumping from SuziÕs arms and
flying toward her mother, stopping just short of a tall ladys robes.
ÒJoy?Ó she squeked and JUMPED into Kittys arms trembling and
whimpering in fear. Matt looked frozen, Liz and Whisper held an unconciose
Derrick.
ÒIÕm sorry my friends, but I only have a few mintues, I must
get you out of here before SHE finds out IÕm gone. Where the spell
is getting weaker, so am I. SO please...Ó Joy whispered in hushed
tones. Her face was pale and drawn in the torch light. Her pale hand reached
out and grabbed MattÕs arm, almost dragging him toward the door.
ÒJoy? What are you doing here? Was that you brother and friends? What
the hell is going on?Ó Suzi unloaded the verbel questions, along with
a few physical ones. Like the hand grabbing JoyÕs away from MattÕs
arms. JoyÕs hand snapped away, with a crack. ÒWhat the...Ó
ÒI told you, IÕm getting weaker, you must save them soon. Your
son depends on it Suzi... Please...Ó Joy gestered to the now glowinng
door. SuziÕs jaw dropped, she hadnÕt felt the usaull sparkle
of magic being used. ÒBut first bring Derrick to me. WHisper,
Liz...Ó
Whisper looked up at Liz, who nodded, and brought Derrick to Joy. She
didnÕt say anything, just touched the now black and purple bruise
on JoyÕs right hand. (where Suzi had grabbed it) ÒItÕs
alright little one. Just a mistake. She didnÕt know I was so...
fragile...Ó Joy winced and loked over at Derrick, now floating face
up in the air. ÒNow, Derrick what mess did you get in eh?Ó
Joy smiled and held her hands onn his temples.
Soon a glowing substance swathed him in pale green-brown light. He blinked
and looked around. ÒWhoa, what a trip... i miss much?Ó Derrick
smiled at his girls as they ran over to him and released the spell holding
him in the air. KittyÕs lips met his in a romantic embrace. Mayra
was stuck in a never ending sandwitch hug. Not that she cared because she
had her mommy and da back.
Liz playfully made a face toward joy, who smiled back. ÒWell love
birds, hate to break this up, but inless you want to join thhe boys in being
CarolineÕs play things I suggest booking it...Ó Joy sighed
and ushered Liz and Whisper though her gate. ÒThis will take you to
a wizard tower. Simon and his father are already there, awaiting you. Come
to the castle that Simon shows, then itÕs up to you... For I can only
help at dawn...Ó
Joy disapeared from veiw as the group jumpped though the slimly substance.
Castle and Tower.
Caroline scowled as she watched over her model of Harpea. They had exacped
again. How could they have done it? She had planned it so well, and yet they
excaped again. There was two choices for her. The first, let them come to
her and become what the youngers are now, slaves without their own mind.
OR the second, manipulate them into thinking Joy was the evil one and Caro
the simple servent. Switchign roles would defently keep Joy on her toes.
Caroline tapped a long fingger nail on the tower where Joy was with the boys.
Taysta was with them, guarding her perious objects. Caroline smiled and stood
up slowly. ÒI must be getting older...Ó She muttered as she
walked over to the mirror.
ÒMerlin you old fool. YOu and all those wizards refused to see. See
the wonders of a world untouched by the stuipdity of our world. To see the
oppirtunity to strike. To play with time, worlds and people...Ó Caroline
smirked at herself as MerlinÕs face appeared on ehr mirror. ÒSo
you decided to grace me with your presence...Ó
ÒCaroline, my love...Ó The mirrorÕs imaje said saddly,
dispair hanging on every word. ÒOur children, OUR children, yours
and Mine, youÕve made them mindless pawns. Even now, Starlight is
crying. Why?Ó
ÒWhy? My Merlin, that is easy. I want my family back...Ó
ÒBut like this? Why not by their own free will?Ó
ÒHa! You know as well as I, that they never understood. One day I
will get the spell right. And on that day I wil have MY children back, not
monsters you made.Ó
ÒOh love...Ó MerlinÕs image muttered and vannished.
Caroline smirked and walked over to a small table by the door. Picking up
a goblet of wine she smiled again, fangs showing this time. ÒYou were
not crazy before, but now... I see that I must help our children...Ó
Merlin appeared in the refecting glass as he watcched his wife.
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ÒOuch...Ó Matt whispered out from Liz sitting on his somatch.
ÒUmmm Sweetie? Could you get off?Ó Liz dug her hip into matt
before standing. ÒOuch! I was already in pain! You didnÕt have
to go and do that!Ó
ÒOf course I did. Who else will teach you respect?Ó Liz grinned
impishly over at Whisper who just clucked her tounge and sighed. Liz sighed
annd stood uup gracefully, then slipped on some moss and fell on her butt.
Matt and the others started laughing as Liz turned bright red.
ÒOkay gentlemen, lets get out of this hell hole and onto the
surface.Ó Suzi spoke up and walked over to the huge door, now seen
though the hazy sunshine.
I walked out past Suzi, listening to Derrick and Mayra calling my new name.I
looked around, finding Simon and Jim easily with my eyes, I ran toward them.
ÒWhere are they?Ó I looked past Simon. ÒHurry we do
not have time to waste...Ó
SImon looked at me and nodded. Quickly running down the hill. His voice waking
the cursed and norms alike. Forms of vammpires, wraiths and any other mythical
creatue raising heads, hands and horns. ÒTHey come, The children are
back!Ó
ÒEndymion, Mathew, we must hurry, gather the wizards. You knnow how.
Move!Ó Suzi laguhed like she had when she was starlight. Then she
was starlight. Dressed in purples and golds, she stood regally aas the Clans
belowbecame one, once again.
Derrick was once again encased in armor. A huge battle axe glowing, strapped
to his back. Endymion, now, ran to the huge summoning bell. Then stopped
and flung a look over toward me I nodded and he walked back, standing near
Matthews side. ÒBrother, please tell her that the wizards on our side
are dead, or taytoirs.Ó
ÒSISTER! The wizards are gone, we have Elders, and their apperentices,
but none of the Old ones.Ó Matthews vocie rung out across the feild.
Two figures stood to one side. Awe writen on their faces.
ÒWhat can we do?Ó Whisper cried. ÒWe canÕt take
our ansceters, they will know we mean to take them to Caroline.Ó
ÒCalm Whisper me love. We got to be calm. Surely they will go to Caroline.
We will get there before them and tell her they come.Ó Liz patted
her head and looked over her shoulder. ÒNow quickly, we donÕt
have much time. Mistress Caroline will want us...Ó
The two girls ran for the treee cover. Liz shifted into a horse. Whisper
jumpped on her back and they chaltered to HeavenÕs Castle. The elder
children bellowing orders in their wake. People fell over each other. Soon
they would be free.
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