The Girls of Ohmer Chapter 13 Cliffhanger

The Girls of Ohmer Chapter 13

Cliffhanger

The demon Pakaar Flew with supernatural speed, tracking the fugitives by the telltale wagon ruts. He followed the trail out of the valley and south towards a pass through the mountains. He could tell that they were not far ahead and smiled wickedly. He would be the one to bring the witch to Brock. Not that Brock held any power over this particular demon, but it was always a pleasure to watch him squirm as the binding agreement they had was cinched just a bit tighter.

Brock had his agenda, to regain his power through the realization of an age old prophecy. The prophecy told of a child of light who would contain the power for all men. In order to release this power to Brock, and Brock alone, the child had to be raised in a certain way and in the end he would have to sacrifice his own bloodline. During that ceremony Brock would be able to seize the uncaged power all for himself. He would be supreme ruler. Even demons would be subject to his dominion.

Brock was a fool to think that such a plan would come to fruition. He was a fool to think that the demons he conspired with did not know the prophecy as well. Pakaar knew something that Brock did not though. During the ceremony to sacrifice the childs bloodline, demons could, for the first time, feast on the power of men. That is to say, they could add the magic of mankind to their own. In which case the would be angels from hell. They would be untouchable by light or dark, they would be a new creation, an unstoppable force in the cosmos!

The demon grinned wider as he sighted the wagon ahead. He knew that he only needed the Woman, but slaying the old man and children in front of her would be a pleasure he would savor.

++++++++++

Nina sat next to Tom in the drivers seat, as Hilario and the girls rested in the back of the wagon. Tom was sullen about the failure of his ruse.

He had wanted to fool the soldiers into going on and looking elsewhere. Now, as it was, the situation was much more pressing. They had identified themselves through a little slip of the tongue or a trip of the child. Either way the outlandish wagon and costumes were now a liability. They would have to get through the pass tonight, a long journey that would be made more dangerous by the encroaching fog.

As the road ascended to the pass, the shoulder dropped off into a steep valley. Driving off of this road would be a deadly mistake. Fortunately for them they had a ram pulling the wagon. Blue was much better equipped to traverse the steep road than would be a horse or a mule, even a team of ostrich.

Nina bundled her feathered robe close around her. "So what's the plan now?" she asked.

.

"Well, I figure we'll reach the mountain town of Casa Dagger just before sunrise. When we get there, I'll drop you all off at the home of a friend and go on west to dispose of the wagon in a nearby canyon." Tom was peering ahead, squinting through the fog as he spoke. "Then I'll return on Blue and we'll head south on foot down the Apprentice Trail."

Nina was less than impressed with this new plan. "Apprentice trail?"

"Yes" Tom responded." In ages past young wizards were tested along this path. It was arduous magically, mentally, physically and spiritually. I was a mere Fifty years old the first time I tried to earn my hat. It took me three more tries to complete it."

"Then why would we be going on such a difficult route? Surely there are better ways to get to where Brock is and rescue my family!" Nina was perplexed, she wondered if Tom had finally lost his mind completely.

"Oh yes." Tom responded sarcastically "It is much easier to approach the ninth gate on the back of a demon. Have you got a demon handy? Do you know of any who will help out some weary travelers?"

"At your service!" Pakaar said in a cordial tone that dripped with menace.

Nina screamed. Tom reached into his pocket for something.

Pakaar had no intention of giving Tom a chance to do anything tricky. The demon knocked Tom off the drivers seat, sending him flying into the valley below.

Toms left hand was wrapped around the stirrups. Even with the massive strength of the ram, the weight of a grown man pulling to the side, steered Blue over the edge.

The demon grasped Nina by the hair and yanked her out of the seat as the wagon went over the side.

Nina screamed" Nooooooo!" as the wagon disappeared into the fog. Moments later she heard it crash into the rocks far below. The muted sound of shattered wood and metal. Her beautiful granddaughters, Tom and Hilario, all lost in an instant! It was too much for her heart to bear. She was powerless to do anything but mourn for her sweet lost babies.

The demon cackled with glee as he listened to her woeful screams. He turned south flying high above the mountain. Nina screamed and wailed well into the night, until exhaustion finally outweighed grief, if only for a couple hours.

++++++++

Emelia sobbed as she fed the boy, her boy. When the overseer had brought him in, she was told that this was the last feeding. That the baby was to be thrown into a sacrificial fire for Brocks demons. She could not bear the thought. Her little spark of light, her reason for being, how could they be so cruel to one so innocent?

Her own child had only been with her for a couple of days before he had wasted away. But this one, her little Timbob as she had taken to calling him. He was so much more a part of her. He was indeed special too. She didn't quite know how, but there was a light in his eyes beyond reflection, as if this child were filled with light.

When he finished feeding, she tried to coax him to continue." No baby get some more, Come on Timbob, you must feed to grow up big and stra, stra," She broke down. realizing that he would never grow up, he would never be big or strong, and she would never see him again.

The overseer came into the room. Emilia knew it was no use to beg for timbobs life but she had to at least try.

Before she could speak though he raised his hand and announced that the sacrifice had been postponed.

Emelia handed over the baby. She was smiling with relief until the overseer punched her in the nose, breaking it. She fell over, holding her nose as blood gushed out.

"Wipe that stupid smile off your face!" he said, delivering a kick to her stomach before walking out of the room.

Just before the door closed, as Emelia was trying to get one last look at timbob, she noticed a woman in a black feathered robe being dragged into the room across the hall.

The woman was unconscious, that's all she could see before the door slammed and the lock clicked.

Minutes later her door was opened again and she was taken out of the plush feeding room back to the dingy cell she spent most of her time in. She sat there in numb silence awaiting the next torture.

++++++++++

Erika lifted her head, it hurt. She could not remember where she was at first. the floor was cluttered and tilted at an odd angle. She fumbled around in the dark and her face bumped into something furry. She initially recoiled, being startled by it. Then she reached out and touched it.
Wentworth hung suspended in mid air before her. "I'm in nevertime" She said hoarsely " But why?"
She thought back to what had happened today. There was the botched performance for the soldiers. She had started nevertime then. But after giving them all a dose of Toms Tranquil Tonic and painting that Captains face, she had returned to realtime.
Then they packed the wagon, lit a fire of boots and equipment, and went down the trail.Hilario was telling them all about monkeys in the jungle when...."When Nina Screamed" she said, giving voice to her thoughts. "Then Tom yelled and the wagon bumped and began to fall" That's when she invoked nevertime.She gasped at the realization that they were suspended in midair above the rocky valley below.

The Girls of Ohmer Chapter 12 On with the show

The Girls of Ohmer Chapter 12

On with the show

Hilario ran. Ducking under limbs and darting between trees, he was like a wolf on the hunt. He loved the sound if the wind passing his ears, the closeness of the woods, and the way obstacles appeared quickly. He had a split second to decide to whether to jump, duck, or go around. Sometimes he went right through, jumping and curling up like a cannonball, blasting into shrubbery only to burst from the other side and hit the ground running.

In little time he returned to the point where he had seen the Black Wind soldiers. He stopped at this lookout to determine the best route to meet them on their way to the camp.

They were slow and awkward on their horses in this terrain. Hilario saw a point where the armored men would have to bottleneck onto the trail that the wagon had followed, this would be the best place to confront them.

He took off, running a straight line to that point. Going downhill he would get there long before them. At one point the hill became a cliff, about a 20 foot sheer drop. Hilario didn't miss a step as he launched himself off the edge, aiming for the top of a sapling. He grabbed the tree in mid flight, using it's springiness to slow his descent and angle him toward the ground. His feet touched the forest floor as light as a falling leaf. The tree snapped back up as Hilario released it and continued his beeline to the rendezvous with the soldiers.

++++++++

Inside the tent Tom was explaining what had to be done to put on an acceptable performance so that the soldiers would be convinced that they were in fact a traveling circus, rather than the fugitives they were looking for.

" Most importantly, you must act as if you believe it yourself. Have fun with it! And don't use your real names. Erika, you'll be Sparrow, Vay, you'll be hummingbird and Nina, we'll call you, vulture."

"Vulture!" Nina objected. " why not swan or robin, if we're using bird names!"

Tom persisted "Robin?! Don't be ridiculous  Your part of the act requires a detestable name to work. Now put on these costumes while I make preparations outside."

Nina was surprised. " Costumes? Where did you get these?"

"I brought them, naturally. Why do you think I'd paint the wagon like a circus wagon if I had no circus costumes? That wouldn't be  very convincing now would it?!" Tom exited the tent to get ready for the show.

Having been constructed to put on a hawkers show to sell tonic, the wagon was easily transformed into a stage for the circus that was to perform. The side of the wagon folded down, becoming a stage and revealing shelves that used to hold numerous bottles. Now they contained some banners, rope, torches and a couple of folding benches capable of seating eight.

Tom stretched the rope from one corner of the stage to a tree and from the other to the tent. This effectively gave the impression of a small arena. The two benches he placed side by side, planning to seat the highest ranking in the front and the others could stand behind.

Having made all of the preparations, Tom went into the back of the wagon to get dressed.

++++++++++++++++++++++

Hilario stood in the center of the path waiting for the soldiers to arrive. He began thinking about what he might do as an acrobat so he decided to practice as he waited. He jumped up and landed in a handstand, then transferred his weight to his right hand and began using his left to toss rocks into the air. He was unsuccessfully trying to catch the rocks with his feet when the soldiers spotted him along the path. Being distracted by the approaching noise, Hilario was struck in the chin by a rock and toppled over.

The leader of the Soldiers was chuckling as they approached " So, you must be one of the performers who tried to evade us."

Hilario stood up, brushed himself off and bowed graciously  "At your service mister. Only we did not try to evade you, we simply lost our way, in our hurry to find you we ended up here. Lucky for us you came along today!'

"The Name is Captain Nezbah, Pygmy!" The leader said with scorn.
"OK Captain Nezbah Pygmy  That is a strange name," Hilario said "My name is Melchore of the Jungle, I am an acrobat! How are you today?"

The soldiers behind the captain stifled a chuckle as he raised a hand to silence them. "I am Captain Nezbah! You are the Pygmy!"

Hilario smiled up at Nezbah. "Oh, Yes I am from the people of the jungle, but I am not a Pygmy, They live in the lowlands. They are very short, that is how you can tell the difference mister"

Captain Nezbah Grew red in the face. "Captain Nezbah!" he yelled.

Hilario looked up at him and calmly whispered behind his hand "Hey mister, captain Nezbah is right here, you don't have to yell for him." then he looked at the soldiers behind Nezbah and made the motion of his finger twirling around his ear while nodding toward the Captain  "too many nights in the wilderness, aye?"

In a rage Captain Nezbah drew his sword and threw it end over end at Hilario, who did a back flip into a handspring and landed on his feet just behind where the sword sunk into the ground.
 "Olay!" Hilario said with a flourish. He pulled the sword out of the ground and handed it to the captain handle first saying. "Very good Captain Nezbah, But the show doesn't start for a little bit. Follow me and we will go to the campsite."

With that Hilario turned and started walking down the trail.

The Captain was speechless. He sheathed his sword and followed with a curse to wisecracking pygmies.

Hilario  stayed on the trail, but he took his time, stopping often to ask questions in order to give Tom and the others as much time as possible to prepare the show for their esteemed guests.
 Hilario stopped and turned around for the tenth time. "So You're saying that you don't hire soldiers who are too short? What do you do if you need someone to crawl into a small space?"

Captain Nezbah had reached the end of his patience. Looking over his shoulder he called to his archers. "If this imbecile stops one more time, turn him into a pincushion!"

Hilario turned and quickened his pace just a little. As it was, he had delayed the soldiers by at least an hour.

++++++++++++++

Back in the camp Tom was painting Vays face as Erika looked on. "Ok little one" Tom said" Show me that dance. Vay started bouncing and spinning around. The costume was much too large for her but for a clown the effect was perfect. "That's great hummingbird!" Tom and Erika clapped along as Vay did her best to stay upright, although she did fall twice.

Erika modeled a red cape and a brown bowler hat. " How do I look Tom?" She spun around and tipped her hat.

"Just like an authentic caticorn wrangler" he said with a big smile "Now, you know what to do when I give you the signal, right?"

Erika smiled "Yup! Don't worry Tom, Sparrow is on the case" She smiled and cracked the little whip tom had fashioned out of a stick and a piece of string

Just then Nina came out of the tent. "Tom! Get over here!"

Tom stood up and walked toward her. " Is something wrong Ms. Vulture?" He said with a smile. "Perhaps the robe is too big? We could cinch it with a belt."

She was wearing a long black robe with a hood. Frayed feathers decorated the arms and shoulders. "It's not the robe." She whispered as he came closer. "It's what you have me wearing under under it!" She was trying not to blush.

"Don't let that concern you now" He said" Just go and start your meditation. You may need those wicked wiles in full effect before this is over."

"Is that what this get up is about!" She was getting angry about the whole situation." I'm supposed to parade around in next to nothing in front of those maniacs?"

Tom tried to reassure her. "Calm down Nina, I'm sure it won't come to that. Let's just say It's a contingency if The first plan fails."

"Well I'd feel better about this if I knew what the first plan was." Nina was grasping at straws, looking for reassurance.

"So would I." Tom turned and walked quickly away, not wanting to admit that he was winging it.

Nina stood staring at his back in disbelief, before ducking back in the tent to try to remember how to use her latent abilities in dark magic.

+++++++++++++++++++++++

When Captain Nezbah and his soldiers arrived, Tom greeted them wearing a purple suit and vest with a green bow tie. His top hat matched the ensemble being purple with a green band around it. "Welcome, welcome, to Wentworths amazing circus! Gentlemen, If you will kindly set up camp over there we will let you know when the show is ready to commence." Tom pointed to a clearing about 30 yards away.

Captain Nezbah released his troops with a gesture but stayed mounted where he was. "AHEM!" He looked down at Hilario, awaiting an introduction.

Hilario looked back. "You gotta bug in your throat?" he asked.

Tom realized what was expected and prompted Hilario. "Melchore, introduce our guest!"

Hilario caught on as if waking from a trance. " Oh, OOOOH. Mister Wentworth, This is Captain Nesbah of the Black Wind. Captain Nesbah," He gestured to Tom" The amazing Mr. Wentworth."

+++++++++++++++++

Nina was in the tent, sitting cross legged on the ground, deep in meditation. She was searching for the memory of how to use dark power. She could recall nothing from the ages and lifetimes past. Evidently, whatever had her magic trapped behind that glass wall, had stifled the soul charm as well. In her subconscious she could see the power inside her, radiant like the sun. It was bright and warm and love and lovely. She longed to touch it, to embrace it, to control the flows of light and love as she had for years. she thought about the dark power she was searching for answers about. She wondered what It would look like. As she was contemplating this thought, she noticed a blur around the fringe of the light inside her. She reached out to it and instantly recoiled. It was cold and slick. like pond scum, or egg whites. It was alien to her and very unpleasant. Regardless, she knew she must try, try to learn what was hidden behind the light.  She reached out again, steeling herself against the cold darkness. It was like slipping into a pool of icy sewage. The sensation made her feel dirty, filthy, no...Inhuman. Just as she was about to flee from this sickening experience, the voice of Serendipity rose up from the past. Just a mere whisper but Nina understood. "Embrace and control."

Nina dove into the darkness, embracing this aspect of the power. Her queasiness disappeared, replaced by a cold calculating assurance that she had power once more. Phenomenal power, untainted by useless ideals like love or morals. Pure and raw, power!

Nina recoiled from these thoughts. She would not let herself be lost in that blackness. She would not become the very evil she was fighting. Still, even after recoiling, some power lingered.

+++++++++++

Captain Nezbah was unconvinced that it was just a mistake that brought the circus performers to this obscure valley. He was about to order them taken into custody when he was distracted by a movement to his left. Suspecting an ambush, he reached for his sword.

As Nina stepped out of the tent, Nezbah froze. She was obscured by a dark hooded robe but none the less, there was something captivating about her. When she looked up he caught a gimpse of her golden eyes. Speaking as if in a trance, he asked "Who is that lovely creature?"

Tom, responded offhandedly "Oh that's just Ms. Vulture, the fortune teller"

"Ms. Vulture." The captain repeated, hanging on the words as if it was an ancient secret being revealed. "So she is unattached?" It wasn't so much a question as a proclamation. The wicked wiles were in full effect.

Tom avoided looking at her, knowing that all would be lost if he lost his train of thought  Even so, time seemed to speed up.

+++++++++++++++++

"Captain Nezbah, Soldiers of the Black Wind, We proudly present to you, Wentworths Amazing Circus!" Tom was standing on the stage in the glow of several torches as he opened the show.

Vay came running out from behind the wagon with a hoop in her hands. She immediately tripped and fell, planting her face in the dirt. Behind her came Popsicle being ridden by the squirrel dressed in a sheriffs vest, followed by Dog chasing and barking.

Vay sat up, bawling. Tears streaked trails through the dirt on her face. As she caught her breath she cried "NINA!"

Toms hopes sank as he saw the look of surprise and recognition on the Captains face. Nina came running to Vays aid, picking her up and holding her tight to comfort her. Things were going downhill fast as the Captain stood up and shouted "Seize them you idiots!"

Tom shouted above the pandemonium that was erupting. "Erika! Plan C, Now!"

Nina looked over at Tom thinking, "Plan C? How many plans did he make up?"

The next moment, all of the soldiers and Captain Nezbah himself collapsed to the ground unconscious  Captain Nezbahs face was painted like a sad clown.

Nina looked around."What happened?"

Erika grinned as she held up a familiar shaped bottle and said "Toms Tranquil Tonic! That's what happened."

Nina looked at Tom quizzically as he explained "They'll be out for at least four hours but we must move fast."

++++++++

In the next Thirty minutes, They packed up the camp, released the black horses, made a bonfire of all the soldiers boots and saddles and stripped them of their weapons. Before an hour was up the wagon was leaving the valley and heading south to a gap between the mountains that would conceal their travels west.

+++++++++

Captain Nezbah was dreaming about a sultry woman in a feathered robe, when he felt a chill. He awoke in a mist shrouded valley  a fire smoldered nearby, smelling of burned flesh. He wondered where he was. Had there been a battle? He shivered. His cloak was gone, his boots, his sword and dagger  even his socks were missing.

He looked around to see all of his soldiers sleeping soundly. Was there no guard posted? He screamed at them in a rage. "Get up you lazy good for nothing heathens  I'll have your heads for this. As the soldiers awoke, their first expression was not of absolute fear as it should have been, but of mirth. The captain stood in front of his formation, wearing a sad clown face, and screaming at his soldiers for their lack of bearing!

The captain continued berating the soldiers when suddenly he felt an oppressive weight bearing down upon him. He smelled brimstone and death.

From behind him he heard the voice of a demon and he shuddered inside.

"Where are they" The demon asked in a supernatural voice that seemed to emanate from everywhere.

"I don't know!" The captain responded as he started to turn around. Before he completed the turn to face the demon, dark claws slashed forward. A severed head spun through the air, a sad clown face painted on it.

The valley echoed with the screams of Soldiers as the demon slaughtered them for their incompetence. He then streaked across the landscape following the wagon tracks. He would have his quarry. There would be no more mistakes!

The Girls of Ohmer Chapter 11 Torture and the Circus

The Girls of Ohmer Chapter 11

Torture and the Circus

Emilia woke with a start. She had been dreaming of torture. Since coming to this dreadful place she had known no peace, no happiness. There was very little time when she was not being tormented.

The only respite she had was the time she spent with the boy, her boy. Of course she was not the real mother, but when she held that tender innocent bundle in her arms, that didn't matter. All of her woes faded when she looked upon that little face, felt those perfect tiny fingers curling around hers, and suckled the child close to her heart.

She wept of course. That was required. For some reason the monsters who tended this place wanted her to cry as she fed the child. On one occasion she had smiled and laughed as he looked up into her eyes, such a sweet well tempered baby, what mother could resist?

He was snatched from her grasp and held roughly by the ankle. The overseer threatened her. " If I see one more smile I'll dash this whelp on the floor and make you clean up his brains before I kill you! GOT IT?"

She was horrified! She reached for him pleading and crying. "No no no, please I will do anything! Please oh please oh please don't hurt him I beg you!" She fell to her knees and crawled forward, pleading with him. She touched his pants leg and received a kick in the face for her effort. "Don't touch me Wench!"

The overseer stepped back and pointed at the chair she had been sitting in. "Now sit there and shut your face!" Emilia complied, watching the dangling baby through the corner of her eye as she wiped blood from her fattening lip.

If she could touch her magic she would show this dirty brute what's what. She'd strip his skin off as he screamed for mercy. But as it was, she could not touch her power, something blocked her. She could sense it, but it was out of reach, as if it were behind a glass wall.

After sitting down and assuming a properly wretched demeanor, the child was handed back to her. She moaned with grief for fear that her relief would be taken as joy.

After that time Emilia was careful to conceal her joy. The child, the boy, her boy was the only bright spot in the universe, he was her only reason to go on.

Her husband had been killed during a robbery and soon after, her own little baby boy had succumbed to a strange illness. Emelias neighbors had feared a plague, but little Stepheno was the only one afflicted. He just sort of dried up, it was as strange as it was heartbreaking.

Emelia had decided to take her own life when Her father suggested coming here to care for a very special baby. The child was indeed special, but most days she wished she had finished her miserable life before all of this suffering began, before she loved the boy, her boy.

Despite the fact that it was his Idea for her to come here, she still loved her father very much. He was a blundering fool, but he always showed her love and tried his best to provide for her. She hadn't seen him in quite a few days though, and she was starting to worry.

He was a servant to the master of this place. He usually stopped by to give her a kind word and assure her that he would see that she got better treatment soon.

Her worries about her father were cut short as she heard the clanging lock on her door being opened. The morning torture was about to start. She took a deep breath and steadied her nerves for what was going to be an excruciating hour before she was allowed to feed the boy. Her boy.

+++++++++++++++++

The Tinkers wagon was parked in a small valley between two high ridges that radiated from the mountain like fingers. Beside it was a tall pointed tent that looked like a wizards hat. outside the tent there was a small fire where Tom was just preparing breakfast.

The Group had been traveling for days towards the mountain that now loomed on the close horizon. Initially, Nina had protested about the garish wagon and Toms outlandish choice of clothing, But Tom insisted that the best place to hide was in plain sight. Tom had repainted the wagon in bright orange, black, and a shade of yellow that Nina didn't even know existed. It was so bright it seemed to radiate it's own light. Tom called it "flower-essence" yellow. Whatever it was, that color was sure to attract attention.

The side of the wagon now read: "Wentworths Amazing Circus". Tom had gone over a cover story with the rest of the party, explaining that they didn't really have to perform, but if questions were asked they should know what part they would play. Tom was ringmaster, Nina was a gypsy fortune teller, Hilario was an acrobat, Erika was an animal trainer, and Vay was a little clown. Naturally Bear Dog was two of the perspective animals in the act, joined by Wentworth and a very unwilling Popsicle the caticorn.

The journey to the mountain had been largely uneventful. Only two times had patrols from the Black Wind come near. The first time a rider was dispatched to ask them if they'd seen anyone matching the description of the fugitives. Toms jokes and antics soon had the inquiring rider doubled up with laughter, he rode off thanking Tom for free tickets to the show and saying he wouldn't miss it when the troop visited Bargerville the following month.

The second patrol was actually dispatched to demand a performance in their camp that night. Tom assured them that Wentworths Amazing Circus would be there by sundown. Then Tom pointed the wagon west and drove Blue all night and into the next day so they could find shelter in this valley.

Hilario lifted the flap on the tent and walked out into the cold morning. He was hugging himself and shaking. "Oh Tom! It's so cold here. How can people survive?"

Tom Chuckled."Don't worry my friend you'll find it more comfortable after your body finishes the acclimatization process and your metabolism adjusts to compensate for the lack of ambient heat."

Hilario gave Tom an incredulous look. "whatchoo mean Tom? I got no acrimeitzyshun! I'm Wahakan! We are honest people!" He stood proudly and thumped his breast with his fist.

Nina was watching from the back of the wagon. "Hilario! Tom was just saying you'll get used to the cold. Just try to eat more and dress warm." She limped up towards the fire, her ankle had healed much but it was still a bit tender especially in the morning.

"Hey Lady! How you doing?" Hilario grinned and ran to Ninas side. "Can I help you? You want some food? I go get rabbits, or birds, maybe some fruit?" The little man had steadily been growing enamored with Nina over the past few days.

Something that seemed cute at first was rapidly becoming bothersome. "No Hilario." She responded, pleasantly but not overly warm. "I can make it on my own."

Hilario looked deflated then he put a smile back on his face and began talking to her a mile a minute. "Hey lady, you see that mountain? How big is that rock? You know if we gonna go all the way up? I bet we see forever when we get there! Maybe we..."

"Hillario!" She snapped a bit too sharply. Seeing his wounded expression she continued more gently. "Why don't you go find some rabbits after all, Tom can teach you how to fashion boots out of the skins. The mountain is no place for bare feet."

"OK lady! I go now!" Hilario dashed into the tent to get his Flute and darts. Nina sat down next to the fire, warming her hands and pulling her blanket tight around her shoulders. Tom looked up from the porridge he was boiling in a pot over the fire. " He's taken quite a liking to you" Tom commented. "I think he's in love."

Nina rolled her eyes and then chuckled at the thought of being married to a four foot tall tattooed jungle man. "I honestly have done nothing to warrant his attentions." she responded.

"And you've done nothing to prevent them as well." Tom put the top on the pot and moved to sit next to Nina. It seems that not all of your magic has been subdued.

"What are you talking about? I try every day and I am still unable to touch even a smidgen of the light!" The continued absence of her magical skills was starting to wear on Nina.

"Yes, yes," Tom agreed. "You can't touch the light. But the dark power is growing stronger, unchecked"

Nina looked streight at Tom. "What in the world are you talking about?"

"Your wicked wiles." he said plainly. "They are a glammer, and do not require the light."

"Ha Ha wicked wiles indeed!" she laughed " I've never even dabbled in that kind of magic!"

"The point is, you have a latent ability that was overshadowed, or maybe overshined is the right phrase, by your goodness. That is to say the light magic in you outshined the dark. But you are a soul descendant of Serendipity, and she did not become the most powerful sorceress by only fostering one kind of magic. She could bring down a foe with a wink, and send him back to slay his master for even thinking ill of her." Tom continued. " Did you ever wonder why so many fall in love with you at the drop of a hat?"

Nina shrugged "I guess I just thought thats how men are, always trying to get a woman to settle down."

Tom chuckled "Oh yes, Princes with harems always stop their caravans to dismount and swear undying love to shopkeepers!"

Nina blushed. "That prince was crazy!"

"No, he was glammered." Tom insisted. "And now it's getting worse. If you don't get control of this, the next patrol to cross our path will be dragging you off to a wedding chapel!"

"Getting worse?" Nina grinned "Tom! Don't tell me it's effecting you too!"

Tom blushed, the red hue rising from his neck to the tips of his ears. He turned quickly and spoke over his shoulder as he tended the porridge."Let's just say it's a good thing I'm twelve hundred years old! Otherwise I'd be foolish enough to ask for your hand."

The sharpness of his response gave Nina pause. "What can be done? I can't control what I don't even notice."

"Meditate." He responded "It will be more difficult without your power, but you can tap into your soul memory without it. Remember how it works and how to control it. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go think!" Tom huffed off to the tent tugging his bushy beard and mumbling about cupids under his breath.

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Inside the wagon a little white dog was curled on the floor with a wounded cat and an old grey squirrel.

Bear Dog had been spending less and less time as a girl since her experience as a vampire. Nina had questioned her about it the day before, to which she responded, "Dogs think differently, when I'm a dog, the things that I did to those soldiers don't seem so bad, but when I'm a girl it seems so horrible! I can't believe that was me! I can't believe I was going to do the same to you, to Tom, To Erika and Vay! Being a vampire was the awfullist thing in the world! I don't even want to think about it ever, ever, again!!!" With that she turned and ran to the wagon, transforming into a dog enroute.

The dog opened one eye at the sound of Tom shouting outside. She peeked out of the wagon to see him closing the tent flap. If it had been a door he'd have slammed it, but flaps are so un gratifying when one wants to express anger.

Dog hopped down and trotted over to Nina by the fire. Nina was just stirring the porridge, it was nicely done so she set it on a rock beside the fire. She turned to see the dog approach. "Good morning honey! Are you going to be a girl at all today?" Nina was trying to cheer the girl, once again she missed her power which could sooth the most worried child.

In response the dog growled lowly and sat beside Nina, moving in close for an ear scratch. "Ya know kiddo," Nina said "You can't run from this forever." The dog cocked it's head quizzically and whimpered. Nina sighed.

In times past the girls voice had come from the dog, but now it would only bark or wine or growl. Nina guessed that keeping such a low state of mind helped the Girl hide from the guilt of what she had done and almost done. Had it not been for Vay, the whole party would have been slaughtered by the vampire. Nina knew that as much as anything.

Nina scratched the little dog behind the ears. "It's OK baby, everything is going to be alright, you'll see." The dog barked and looked up at Nina without a care in the world.

Just then Hilario came running up the valley. Nina was astounded at how fast he was. No wonder Wakakans didn't ride horses, she thought, they'd take twice as long to get where they're going.

Hilario skidded to a stop on the soft dirt of the valley floor. " Lady, they come here! Men in the black wind, they come here now!"

"How many?" Nina was hoping it were only two or three scouts. Hilario could no doubt take that many out with his flute, maybe more.

Hilarios response was cryptic. " Mucho!"He said "Maybe seven or eight hands."

Nina was confused. "You mean seven or eight men? Or three men but one is missing a hand?"

Hilario shook his head. " No lady! Seven HANDS!" He emphasized the last word while holding up his hand and wiggling his fingers.

Tom, having overheard the conversation stepped out of the tent and clarified the situation for Nina. "He means 35 to 40 soldiers are headed up the valley. Wahakans use the hand system. After counting to nine there is no ten, but two hands. Then it's all rounded or estimated to the nearest five. Four hands is twenty fingers. Got it?"

Nina was not interested in this alternate system of counting. She wondered what they were going to do when 40 murdering soldiers found them here, camped in this valley with no escape. She asked Tom. Tom shrugged and replied. "I guess we'll have to put on a show for them."

Nina couldn't believe her ears." A show? A show! You expect me to perform for those dirty murdering bastards?"

Tom looked at her with more seriousness than she thought he possessed and sternly replied. "I expect you to do what you must to stay alive and un captured!"

Nina resigned to do her best. Tom told her to get the girls and meet him in the tent then to Hilario he said,"go out and meet them, bring them here and tell them how sorry we are that we got lost on the way to their camp. Tell them we are preparing a special performance just for them."

"We are?" Hilario smiled at the thought.

"Yes my friend. We are going to give the performance of a lifetime! Now go!" Tom pointed toward the mouth of the valley and Hilario turned and ran in that direction.

As Nina lifted the tent flap for the girls to enter she heard Hilario shouting " Come to the circus! Come one come all!" As he ran out of sight.

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Emelia was dragged into the feeding room. Her torture today had been harsher than usual. She could hardly move because of the pain the wracked her body. She struggled to her hands and knees, then stopped to take a breath. She could feel the stabbing pain of her newly cracked ribs as she tried to summon the strength to stand.

"Get your worthless ass into that chair!" Her overseer kicked her in the rear and she fell forward knocking her chin on the floor. Stars leaped into her vision and swirled around as she tried to get her bearings.

"Get up!" He screamed. She was trying her best but first she had to figure out what up was. After the knock on the chin she was woozy and incoherent. She started to fade as her eyes slid shut. She heard the overseer screaming as if from down a deep well. Darkness came, warm echoing darkness.

There was a bright flash of "right here right now" followed by a snapping crackling sound that made Emilia wretch. She opened her eyes wide and tried to scream but the pain in her ribs was tremendous. The overseer had drawn back his foot to kick her again and she instinctively covered her side and tried to roll away. she caught the boot right in the stomach, knocking the wind out of her. "l'll teach you what happens when you go to sleep on the job around here ya dirty tart!"

He raised the boot and stomped on her hand as she was trying to stand. Summoning all of her will, Emelia succeeded in standing, limping to the chair and sitting down. She gasped in short little breaths, it was a delicate balance between the pain of breathing and the agony of suffocation. The overseer sat on the edge of the table before her.

He smacked her in the face and said, " Aye, why so glum? Don't ya appreciate fine dining?" It wasn't until then that she realized she was in a dining room, not the usual feeding room. The Overseer grabbed a piece of warm bread and stuffed it in his mouth before continuing. " Ya see the master feels bad about the lack of hospitality you've received, so he's planned this little reunion party with your daddy before you feed the baby today. Now won't that be nice?" Emelia looked up at him. Her ribs were on fire, her jaw was swelling, she felt like throwing up. She didn't see how she could eat anything, but she so looked forward to seeing her father. She tried to sound grateful as she responded,"Yes sir, that will be very nice." but it came out sounding like "Yeshsshherrrr dawooob be bewwy mife." her tongue was swelling too although she could not remember biting it.

"Well then Love! Let me just go get him for you!" The overseer sounded jolly as he headed to the door and disappeared.

What was this all about? she wondered. Maybe her father had finally talked with master Brock and things were about to turn around for her. If she ever got a chance to speak to him she would tell him what a rotten person this overseer was. She would see that he was punished harshly, perhaps thrown in the deep dungeon, not the rooms in the east wing where she was.

The overseer returned dragging somone by the armpits, somone with a bag over his head. Emelia panicked when she recognized the clothing, she had made that shirt for her father. " Father? are you alright?" although it sounded like "Fasha awooo owipe?"

The overseer cackled as he set her father in the chair across from her. "Don't worry miss, he:s as right as rain. Just got a little headache is all. Seems he disagreed with the way we was treatin you and he brought it up to the master. After careful thought, the master replied like so..." with that the overseer lifted the bag from her fathers head like a magician finishing a trick. "Taaa Daaa!" he said.

Emelia could barely comprehend what she saw. It was a grotesque copy of somone who resembled her father but it couldn't be him, it just couldn't be. Her mind refused to believe it. Then the overseer grabbed the dead man by the hair and shook the misshapen head like a puppet. "Now eat up darling, you want to grow big and strong don't you? Ha ha ha ha!" the overseer looked genuinely amused as he helped himself to another slice of bread.

Emelia closed her eyes tight. As best she could she said, " I'm not hungry. Take me to the baby."

The overseer grabbed a handful of roast chicken from the table and slammed it on the plate in front of her. "You'll eat when I tell you or you'll find dead baby on tomorrows menu. Got it?!"

"Yesh" She responded through sobbing short gasps. She began eating. Her dead father seated across from her was blurred by agonizing tears.

The Girls of Ohmer chapter 1 Audio

Here's Chapter 1 in audio book form. I apologize to my steady readers for a lack of new chapters this week, but after meeting the inspirations for this story and hearing how they identify with the characters, I decided to rewrite chapters 8,9, and 10 to be more appropriate for young audiences.  Actually the story will split after ch 7 and take 2 forks. one abbreviated child friendly version and the darker version that has been developing with blood and guts and stuff like that. They will be nothing alike so don't think that what happens at the end of the kid one will be anything like the completion of the more mature version.

thanks for reading or listening and please comment and share with your friends.

The girls of Ohmer Chapter 10 Dance of the slaughter

The Girls of Ohmer Chapter 10
Dance of the slaughter

There was no bear, there was no dog, there was no little girl. Only the vampire remained. Icy death in clotted  veins, a cold shriveled unbeating heart incapable of love or compassion. No feeling, no remorse, no joy, only the lust for hot blood remained. Only the urgent need to spill the crimson life from pulsing arteries. And to wreak vengeance on those who stole her innocence!

The vampire streaked out of the door screaming with fury, hatred,and thirst. Far too long had she stagnated, dormant. For months she had hidden in the recesses of the innocent. Thirsting, waiting, watching...

The first soldiers to meet her didn't even comprehend that they were going to die. Flashing clawed fingers sliced through necks, showering gouts of blood on the front steps. She bathed in torrents of red mist, glorious showers of life giving blood.

The vampire was a whirlwind of death, striking her fist into the heart of one then pulling another down by his hair and biting through his throat.

The blood drought was ended. Now she was deluged, flooded, overflowing with phenomenal power. The power to crush, rend, rip...murder.

she delighted in the manic dance of the slaughter. Spinning and reeling from one doomed suitor to the next. She made her way through the group pramanading through slick puddles of gore.

The behemoth was too slow to notice her until she grabbed the shaft of the spear in his gut and ripped it out of him in a sideways arc that trailed his intestines like ribbons. The giant fell forward with a wet smack.

She spun the spear as she slashed and tore through the terrified formation. None were spared the fate of this force of unnatural fury. A tempest of retribution collecting the long overdue payment for the suffering these dark riders brought to the people of this land.

The vampire charged after the fleeing few. Shish kabobing two with the spear and jerking the head right off of another.

Blue had gained his whits and was ready to join the fight again,but when he saw the vampire he was spooked, charging back into the building, streight through the back wall.

Hilario was out cold, had he been conscious he would most likely been brought down with the rest. Not one remained.

The vampire stood in the middle of the slick street, soaked through and through with sticky blood, steaming from her body on the heat of the massacre. She lifted her face to the night sky screamed in triumph!

Tom looked on slack jawed in amazement. In just over a minute the vampire had reduced this formidable fighting force into just so many steaming piles of dead flesh. A troop of thirty marauders ground to bits and bled out.

Nina cried out the girls given name"Sarah!"

The vampire looked up, noticing the warm living flesh in the doorway. She grinned an evil grin licking her lips. "Prey" she said almost seductively as she began sauntering toward the pitiful beings huddled together on the foyer floor. Like lambs waiting to be led to the killing floor.

Nina wept as Tom tried to shield her from the approaching horror. Erika was laying on the floor behind them , with Vay holding her hand, trying to comfort her.

The vampire stopped, eyeing her new victims.

Just then Vay stood up, she looked the vampire directly in the eyes. "Beaya? I wuv you Beaya."

The vampire stared at the little girl, as a familiar voice rose up inside her. Deep beneath the cold heart a little light flickered, warming and kind, foreign to this bloodthirsty killer. The light grew until it sparkled through her eyes and a whisper escaped the red lips. "Vay?"

The vampire trembled, as if frozen with indecision. Two personalities struggled inside, two opposing factions of thought. One that would spill blood the other that would love.

Despite the surge of power provided by the gluttonous blood feast, the vampire was no match for the girl who combated the evil with pure shining love.

The vampire was banished from this form never to return. As she fled from existence it was not the coppery taint of blood that she smelled but an overwhelmingy sweet fragrance of honeysuckle.

The girl pitched forward landing on her hands and knees. Sicking up clotted blood and crying over what she had done. She was herself again, but a coldness lingered deep inside her, a vacuum where something precious used to be.

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In the aftermath of the battle Tom worked quickly to revive Hilario while Nina did her best to administer to the Girls. Vay was Ok, remarkably so considering the living nightmare she had just witnessed. She was obediently collecting the girls few belongings and placing them in a sack.

Nina had cleaned up Bear Dog ( who immediately upon recovering her senses, had renounced her vampire moniker.) Now Erika was being tended to, she had some bruises and scratches but had fared pretty well considering. Although a dark bruise around her neck would be visible for some time.

Tom shook Hilario " Hey friend!  Wake up! We must be going."

Hilario slowly opened one eye and then the other." Hey mister, you see me ride dat big blue? Oh he like to run over people, he like it too much."

Tom reached down and helped Hilario to his feet. The little man was unsteady at first but was improving rapidly. His carefree attitude didn't suffer a bit. " Hey mister, you got something to eat?"

"There's no time for that. We must get away from here. More troops will come for the girls." Tom stopped in contemplation."They'll probably be looking for us too. I'll have to change my appearance" he said stroking his braided beard. "Go find Blue and meet me behind the shop."

"OK mister. Where he go?

"Try looking through that gaping hole." Tom pointed behind Hilario toward the ruined wall where Blue had fled from the vampire.

Tom provided Nina with a wooden staff to lean on, and then he went down to the basement to grab some supplies.

Nina and the girls went out back to find Tom's carriage, which he said would carry them all with a little help from Blue.

The carriage was really a sideshow hawkers wagon. On the side was stenciled "Toms Tonics! a cure for every ailment" in gaudy gold paint. In all actually it was an armored box on wheels. Comfortable accommodations for two adults traveling with valuables.

Nina hobbled up to the back of the wagon and tried the door. It was locked tight. " hold on girls, Stay here while I help Hilario hitch up Blue." Nina began hobbling forward when she heard the girls laughing and she heard Tom shout.

"Ho Ho Hold on there Nina! You should sit and rest! Tom was standing there with a large sack of supplies slung over one shoulder, wearing the most ridiculous pointed red hat, andthe a belted bright red coat to match! Bright red with white trim. Wentworth perched on his shoulder wearing the same, only tiny and sleeveless.

Toms beard was unbraided and combed out to a bushy mass that covered his chest.

"What is this?" Nina groaned "we're supposed to be on the run, and here you are dressed up like a lunatic." The girls giggled wildly at this comment.

Tom was abashed."What do you mean? This is a fine traveling coat and hat. We'll be traveling to the mountains and it will get very  cold. As a matter of fact..."

Tom dropped the bag and began rummaging through it. "Hilario! Come here I have something for you."

Hilario stepped around the wagon but stopped in his tracks and began laughing at the site of Tom. " Oh mister I bet you do! Ha ha ha, you look alike krispy kringal, ha ha ha! You wanna me paint de ram nose red? Ha ha ha!" Hilario fell down laughing and rolling on the ground. The others had no idea what he was talking about but laughed along because the joy was infectious.

Tom wasn't so amused. " well, you'll be bagging for this later" he huffed as he stuffed the green coat and hat back into the bag.

Hilario stood up, wiping tears out of his eyes. " Come on mister Kringal! I been such a good boy! Ha ha ha.." Hilario burst into another fit of laughter as Tom unlocked the wagon and tossed the sack inside.

Minutes later they were rolling down a path that led away from the village. An orange glow lit the sky behind them as the fire Tom had set engulfed the menagerie.

The girls were in the wagon with popsicle and wentworth, while Hilario sat next to Tom playing "feliz navidad" on his flute. Every time he moved a little gold bell on his hat jingled.

Tom looked down at his driving companion, pleased that the green coat fit so well. Tom clucked at Blue and hummed along with the flute as they rode towards the mountains.

The Girls of Ohmer Chapter 9 Chaos and the unfortunate child

The Girls of Ohmer Chapter 9
Chaos and the unfortunate child

The supreme khan of the Black Wind, known simply as Brock, sat brooding in his underground throne room. It was cold and dim, several torches lined the wall in the massive chamber but they did little to cut through the darkness which seemed to have actual mass and weight. It was oppressive.

A wrinkled old servant scurried toward the throne, bowing in deference to his master.

"My lord Brock," he started, the fear and respect apparent in his trembling voice. " the last four Ohmer witches have been spotted in the village of Silverbrook, a patrol is moving to capture them now."

"I trust the patrol has a stock of magic traps in supply? I will not accept any excuses for letting.them get away." Brocks voice was higher than what would be expected from such a massive man. It was higher in pitch and volume, sometimes it split into two or ten voices at the same time.

"Yes my lord, they have some mine traps, also a behemoth should the need arise." The servant averted his eyes quickly, he was afraid for his very soul, but one does not refuse service in the Black Wind. To do so was suicide, very horrific and painful suicide.

Brock had made many concessions in order to escape that cave where Serendipity had entombed him. One of those concessions was agreeing to be inhabited by a horde of demons. Sometimes when he spoke it was in their voices. Having the demons enabled him to use magic after all these long years of destitution. But the side effects he suffered were a new kind of torture. He only hoped he could regain his former power and banish these demons before he went completely mad.

The servant continued bowing on one knee in front of Brock. He dared not move or speak. The last servant to interrupt Brock had been dragged from this chamber, a headless corpse.

"What of the mother and the child?" Brock inquired. This time his voice was deeper and supernaturally raspy. Like saw blades dragged a through ice.

"They are the same my lord, the mother is in the dungeon as you ordered. The baby is in the south tower, he is well." The servant swallowed hard, working up the courage to ask a question that may result in a very painful, very immediate death.

"My lord," He cleared his throat, squeezing his eyes shut to avoid staring at the bloodstained floor. "My lord, is it completely necessary to torture the wet nurses before they feed the child?" The servant looked up at Brock with pleading eye's." It's just that my daughter ,Emilia, she volunteered to serve you and now she is being beaten and burned, sometimes worse before she feeds that child. Please show her mercy my lord, she is on your side, we both serve loyaly!"

The old man fell prostrate before Brock, weeping with his face on the floor. His fair Emilia was all he had left in this world. She had come to this place on her fathers recommendation. All she wanted was to care for a sweet little baby after losing her own to some unknown disease.

"Mercy?" Brocks voice was a calliope of pitches, as if every tainted voice inside him was competing to be heard. Brock stood from his throne as the servant began trembling with fear. Every demon in Brocks being was chattering with glee; suffering was comedy to them, delightful play. " I will show your daughter the mercy of removing her sniveling worthless father from this world."

The old man began to speak" But, but I've been true to you lor.."

With a mighty swing Brock brought an Iron hammer down on the mans head, driving it into the floor and crushing it to bits.

"And so I make your departure quick!" Brock dropped the hammer and sat down on his throne, as demoms delighted inside him.

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Outside the managerie was a chaos of screaming horses and shouting soldiers. Many riders had been knocked off of their mounts and some had been crushed underneath them as Blue blasted through the formation like a wrecking ball. His gold horns pummeled horses,men and armor. Nothing withstood the force of the ram.

Inside, the sound of the havoc subsided and silenced as Erika finished invoking nevertime. She opened her eyes to see that everything was silent and still. Now she had all the time in the world to move her sisters to safety. But she couldn't bear the thought of leaving Nina and tom here to fight off the attack alone. If she could just get a cart, she could take them all to safety. She remembered that the honey merchant down the street had a fine cart that she should be able to pull with everyone in it. It may take a while but there was always time in nevertime.

Erika opened the door, the scene outside was as a diorama of a battle she had seen in school. Soldiers in black cloaks and armor lay on the ground, some were mounted, holding swords to strike the great beast that had decimated their line. Others were in the act of trying to remount or scramble out of the way. One was under his overturned horse, the look on his frozen face clearly one of pain and surprise.

A direct path to the honey merchant was not possible, there were too many riders in the way. She thought about just crawling under, but she had to find a path to bring the cart back through. So Erika walked to the biggest openening in the formation. No good. There was a horse laying on the ground, its skull clearly smashed on one side. The unfortunate beast stared fearfully with its one remaining eye.

The next biggest gap showed promise. Erika believed the cart would fit.

As she passed a dark rider trying to remount, Erika had an idea. She went down the line unbuckling saddles. Then she started stealing every arrow she could reach from the saddle mounted quivers.

Just as she started taking arrows, Erika spotted something curious.

A glimmering orb was attached to one saddle. She was about to ignore it when she noticed a tiny figure inside the orb. Upon closer inspection the figure was a tiny version of Erika! The tiny Erika was riding a unicorn. "Oh how wonderful!" Exclaimed Erika as she clapped her hands together. She knew that stealing was wrong, but if she could just hold the little glimmering ball, just for a minute.  Then she would get back to her duty.

Erika reached for the orb and Flash! A blinding light emitted and the chaos around her erupted! The rider closest to her tried to turn his mount to meet Hilarios next attack. The mans unbuckled saddle slid neatly off with rider and gear, they landed on Erika knocking the wind out of her. She was pinned under the rider, eyes tearing and gasping for breath that refused to fill her burning lungs.

The rider rolled off of Erika and grasped her by the throat. "Well lookie here!" he growled "If it ain't a little prankster!"

All around, riders were falling and unsaddled horses were running for their lives as Hilario charged in for another pass with the massive ram.

Erika started to fade, her vision was closing in and sounds started to echo in her mind. She felt herself slipping. In her tingly fingers she held a bundle of sticks. Sticks? Where did she get sticks? Her confused thoughts chased this question to a bright white answer. Her only hope. NOT STICKS! ARROWS!

She jammed the arrows into the soldiers face, skewering his eyes and lacerating his cheeks and forehead. He dropped her and stumbled off screaming woefully.

Inside the house, the group stared terrified at the sudden onset of realtime. The door was wide open and Erika was being strangled right in front if them. Vay thought of nothing but her big sister. Although Erika had escaped the grasp of the bad man, there were lots more coming for her. As well as troops who realized the door was open and their quarry was in site. Vay screamed with all of her might! "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Soldiers tumbled back off the steps. The ones after Erika stopped to cover their ears. Then there was a huge thump and the ground shook, followed by another and another. Down the street one of the shops was knocked down in a plume of dust. The sun had completely set and nothing could be seen by the torchlights on the street. Just a cloud of dust and ominous ground shaking thuds.

Nina called to Vay, "Get in here baby." And then to Tom "save Erika!"

Hilario plowed into the soldiers, scattering them. As he passed the cloud of rising dust, something knocked him and Blue across the street. The ram sailed through the air crashing through a shop window. Hilario tried to land gracefully but could not avoid smacking into the side if the building.

The behemoth emerged from the dust cloud. It was a twisted monster, twenty feet tall and somewhat man shaped, with knots of muscle bulging unnaturally. Its head was almost square shaped but it was not centered between the massive shoulders due to a very crooked spine. It had thick gray skin.like an elephant, with three stubby fingers on each hand and three stubby toes on each foot. It grimaced showing blunt black teeth as it spied the two figures running up the steps.

Tom ran into the fray, ducking sword swipes and spear thrusts. He grasped Erikas wrist and yanked her along behind him, all the while jinking and jiving, ducking and twisting, narrowly missing being stabbed or decapitated several times.

Tom lunged up the porch as the behemoth lumbered after them. When Tom tried to slam the front door the behemoth reached forward and yanked it off its hinges, tossing it aside. Tom pulled a red lever in the bank of levers next to the door. There was a twanging sound as twelve balistas released twelve bannered spears aimed at the street. The behemoth was skewered through gut and shoulder. The other spears clattered off the cobblestones only one finding a target as it pinned one soldier to a dead horse.

The behemoth staggered back. It was trying to dislodge the spear from its shoulder. The soldiers regrouped and charged toward the front door.

There was a low hollow moan behind Tom and Nina. It rose in volume to a howl as they turned to see a stunning female vampire behind them. Her expression was of hot rage and cold anguish.

"Oh dear lord" Tom gasped. " you poor unfortunate child."

Nina was speechless as Bear Dog Vampire streaked past her, out the door and into the fray.

The Girls of Ohmer Chapter 8 The black wind blockade

The Girls of Ohmer Chapter 8
The black wind blockade

Bear Dog Vampire was very upset. This day was starting out to be the worstest ever! Not only was she bound up in some sort of dried up super snot, she had to endure the stench of Toms Terrific Tonic again. It was almost enough to make her cry.

Tom returned with a bottle of his awful smelling tonic, smiling and humming to himself. He looked ridiculous in his spotted coveralls. Bear Dog Vampire began to despise him for what he was about to put her through. She could not hide her animosity.

"Hey Bee Dee Vee, why the long face? I'll get you out of that muck in a jiffy!"

"It's not that," she began to break. A single frustrated tear rolled down her cheek " its just the horrible smell of that terrible  tonic!"

Tom scrutinized the label, making sure he had grabbed the right bottle. Should he put "Toms Terrible Tonic" on her, she most likely would not survive the experience. Nope, he had the right one. Terrific!

Tom smiled. " Well if the smell is your only worry then worry no more my little shape shifter! Smell is just a matter of perception! Which do you prefer, apple pie, or honeysuckle?"

Bear Dog Vampire smiled at the mention of honeysuckle. That was her favorite smell in the whole wide world. "I like honeysuckle!" she said with a grin. Then sensing a trick she reserved herself. "what are you up to Tom?"

Tom looked injured by the insinuation that he was up to something. " Nothing, nothing at all, I'm  just here to help you. Here, hold this tightly in your hand."

Tom pulled something out of his pocket and placed it in her hand. It was a button carved from a yellow seashell. It looked like something that would be on an old ladies sweater. There was a honeysuckle flower embossed on it. She sniffed the button. " It smells like old socks!"

Tom shook his head. "Don't smell the button! Hold the button, and smell the tonic!" Tom popped the cork and quickly placed the bottle under Bear Dog Vampires nose.

She tried to pull away but then caught just a tiny whiff of the most enticingly sweet honeysuckle fragrance. Oh it was wonderful! It made her think of summertime and butterflies. It filled her nostrils and tickled her brain. The most luxurious smell in creation. "Mmmmmmm" she took deep sniffs " mmmmmmmm!" was all she would say.

Erika and Vay were running out of the room  coughing and holding their noses. They were saying "EEEEEWWWWW!" in unison as they retreated to the kitchen.  To them the smell was putrescence incarnate.

Tom dipped an eyedropper in the tonic and began dripping drops here and there to dissolve the dried goop from the snot trap.

As Tom worked he looked at the placid face of the girl before him. " I understand why you like being called Bear, and even Dog, but why vampire, if you've never actually changed into one?"

She stopped sniffing the bottle of tonic.  " how do you know I've never been a vampire?"

"Because you still have the eyes of an innocent." He replied.  "Being one of the unliving undead for even a short while can change a person."

"But Tom! I always change back when I want to."

Tom stopped working for a moment, and placing a hand on her shoulder, looked her directly in the eyes." Little one, some things cannot be forgotten. When you are a bear you are still natural, still warm, you still feel joy and love. It's the same when you transform into a dog. However, no matter what the stories say about vampires, I know for a fact that they are all cold and unloving. To assume such a form would be unnatural for you. It would be a tragedy for you to lose your innocence when it is still in bloom. Do you understand?"

Bear Dog Vampire nodded her head, although she did not comprehend exactly what he meant. Vampires are strong, and they can see in the dark, and they are so fast! Yes he was righton one point, she had never changed into a vampire before, but thats only because she was always at home and safe when the sun went down. Some night though, she would try it just to see what its like to stalk the darkness without fear.

Tom was not convinced that she understood. " Listen very closely." He continued " If you ever do make that change, and you feel lost,"

"I won't get lost." She interrupted.

Tom shook his finger in front of her face." Shh! Listen. If you feel like you are losing yourself, I want you to think of the smell of honeysuckle and the warmth of your mothers hugs. ok?"

"Hugs n honeysuckle!" She said with a grin

"Very good!"He said" now close your eyes and think about your mothers warm hugs while you smell this."

Before long the job was done and Bear Dog Vampire wasstanding released from the binding goop. She stood smiling dreamily as she sniffed the bottle of tonic and remembered her mothers warm embrace.

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The journey back to the village took most of the day. By the time Nina pulled Blue to a halt in front of Toms managerie, the sun was setting. Nina felt like she had been dragged behind, rather than riding on top of Blue.

Not only were the injuries she sustained from the trap aggravated by the long ride, but her magic was still out of her reach. This was deeply troubling. Nina had not realized how much she relied on that power for everyday things. Everything from giving herself a burst of energy when she was sleepy, to helping alleviate pain, to the simple task of heating water.

If another demon showed up, Nina was at a loss for what to do. Maybe Tom would have some ideas, after all, he used to be a wizard long ago when men wielded magic. He seemed to have adjusted quite well, although his sanity my have suffered some.

Hilario dismounted with the grace of a panther, landing soundlessly on the street in front of Toms. " I will alert those inside to our arrival" he bounded up the steps and knocked on the door, a loud rapid stacatto like a woodpecker on a tree. Then he jumped down the stairs and began helping Nina get down from the saddle. " OK lady, be careful, I don't wanna drop you."

Even though she was in pain all over, Nina smiled at the fortune of being rescued by this funny little man. He reminded her of a grasshopper or a flea, jumping and springing about, like he had all the energy in the world. Sometimes during the day he had been a bit annoying with all of his questions, but when she saw the child like wonder in his eyes she couldn't remain upset.

No doubt this was all quite new to him.  Before today he had never even seen a square building. Doors were a curiosity to him, and locks were an enigma, everything from how they worked to why anyone would need one.

Wahakans had a much different way of life. Nina almost wished she had grown up in the jungle, until she remembered what brought Hilario here in the first place. His parents and brothers and little sister had been taken into slavery.

Nina paused, considering the fate of her child, and grand child, and the danger they were all in even at this moment. The two situations were remarkably similar.

Tom opened the door as Hilario helped Nina limp up the steps.  "what happened to you?" Asked Tom as he hurried to help get Nina inside.

"The lady get caught in a trap mister. I just help her get out and we come here" Hilario smiled up at Tom. " Nice suit mister!"

Nina groaned as the two men helped her across the porch. " How have the girls been?"

Tom was about to tell her what a delight it was to have them around when the trio heard the sound of hoof beats coming down the street. A lot of hooves.

"Inside. NOW!" Shouted Tom. He didn't know what was coming but he was sure it wasn't good.

As they entered the house, Tom barred the door and began flipping levers on the wall beside the door. Outside the house, shutters were closing automatically and the spear tipped poles that held the banners angled down, pointing to the street in front of the managerie.

Tom looked Nina. " get to the basement with the help of your friend, I'll get the girls and meet you there."

Nina protested, "Blue is out there!"

Out on the street Armed riders were assembling in formation. A crescent line in front of the building. They carried the banner of the Black Wind, the army of Brock.

Hilario smiled" Don't worry lady, I'll get him!"

" No Hilario I'm afraid its too dangerous!" Nina was resigned to the loss of her faithful mount. The Black wind were cruel and would most likely slay the beast for fun, but their only chance was to try to find another escape.

"Come on lady! The danger is the fun part!" Hilario insisted.

Just then the leader of the troops stepped his black horse forward and shouted. " Tinker! We have no quarrel with you! Send out the witches and you will be spared!"

Nina gasped. They were here for the girls too! Brocks minions referred to all females with magical ability as witches, and Ohmer girls had an extra portion of magic compared to others. " Tom you can't let them get the girls! My magic is useless right now. You must protect them!"

Hilario spoke up" Lemme out mister, I have something for this crazy guy!"

The girls were standing on the stairs, staring at the scene below. Through the window they saw the hooves of dozens of black horse. Iron shoes sparked on the cobblestone street.

The leader began to speak again. "Tinker! This is your final warning! Send out the...ack! Gurgle..."

While he was speaking the leader failed to notice the mail slot on the front door had opened, and the very end of a flute poked out. A deadly lullaby sailed silently into the leaders throat, pinning his spine to the back of his helmet. He hunched over and slid out if his saddle, falling to the ground like a sack of bricks. The other riders in the formation sat in stunned silence.

Hillario burst out of the door screaming " YAAAAHEEEEEEEEEEE!" He rolled across the porch, dropped to the ground and popped streight up onto Blues back. "Go big fella! Go go GO!!!!"

Blue reared up then drove head first into the flank of the formation. Knocking the stunned riders aside like bowling pins. Trampling one in the process.

Inside the house Nina was talking to Erika, a hasty plan of escape was underway. "You know what to do. Be brave sweetheart! I'll see you on the other side of nevertime, and the other side of that blockade."

Erika steadied her nerves and took a deep breath raising her hands above her.

The Girls of Ohmer Chapter 7 Karma

The Girls of Ohmer Chapter 7 Karma

Hilario ran into the cave, being being careful to avoid several traps that had been halfhazardly hidden on the cave floor. " What kind of idiot places traps in such a manner?"

Hilario called into the darkness.
"Hello? Is somone there?"

Nina smiled in the darkness, her magic may be subdued but her karma was in full effect. " Help me please! I accidently sprung a trap!"

" OK, hold on miss! I must make a torch, then I will find you and release you from the trap!" Hilario walked out of the cave and began gathering dried grass. He cut a section of stout rope from one of the traps inside and bound the dried grass tightly together. He then took a bit of salted fat from his pack, and sliced into thin strips. These he inserted in the top of his hasty torch, finally binding that portion very tightly.

With that done, he gathered dry grass to build a fire. He reached into his bag and pulled out his plunger, a two piece device that produced great pressure in a very small space, by putting a bit of lint inside it he could produce an ember in an instant simply by pushing the plunger into the handle. Hilario removed the ember from the plunger and placed it into a nest of dry grass, he whispered to the ember, thanking it for bringing light and warmth. The bundle of grass smoked, then erupted into flame, Hilario pushed the flaming bundle into the top of the torch which began to burn brightly as the fat melted and the surrounding grass wicked it like a lamp.

Hilario called the into darkness again. " OK miss, I have a light, now where are you?"

"I'm here!" Nina shouted.

The echoes bounced around too much for Hilario to get a fix on her direction. He knew from past experience ( 6 years hauling guano for the community gardens) that a quiet sustained sound would be better than shouts.

" Thats no good miss! I can locate you better if you make a lower sound for a longer time. Perhaps you could sing a song?"

Nina couldn't believe this! A song? Really? Well, she would try, but in her condition she didn't feel much like singing, and all that would come to mind was one of Vays favorites.  Nina cleared her throat and began." I know an old lady who swallowed a fly, I don't know why she swallowed the fly. I guess she'll die!..."

Hilario grimaced and mumbled to himself. "I hope this lady looks better than she sings, otherwise she might scare me out of the cave when I see her."

Hilario pinpointed the sound coming from a narrow passageway to his left. He easily avoided more clumsily set traps and crawled into the tunnel. There were several ropes leading down the tunnel. Evidently, all of the traps were set to drag their prey through here. "Hold on lady, I'm coming to help you!"

Nina continued " she swallowed the bird to catch the spider, that wiggled and jiggled and tickled inside her..." Then she saw a glimmer of light far below. " yes yes up here! "She shouted. The head of a bright torch came out of a small opening in the rock below,  followed by the face of a curious little man.

Hilario looked up. "Oh, hello lady! What are you doing up there? Don't tell me you were stupid enough to fall into that trap on accident!"

Despite her discomfort, Nina blushed at the remark. Yes she was indeed that stupid, she admonished herself to be more careful in the future. "I um, I was distracted." She replied.

"I'll say!" Replied the man as he climbed out of the tunnel and stood up, peering up at nina. " you must have been plenty distracted to miss a trap made of wood in a stone cave. Now stay still, I'll have you down in no time."

Hilario observed the construction of the traps. Several ropes led from the tunnel to pulleys mounted in the ceiling about 4 feet apart. By climbing one of the ropes nearest to the lady in the trap, he would be able to free her using his knife.

"OK lady, here I come!" He ascended the rope like a monkey on fire! Even in her pain, Nina was amazed.

Hilario fashioned a harness from some rope and secured it around Nina. " Hello lady! " he said jovially " are you ready to get down from here?"  Before she could reply, Hilario cut the rope holding her ankle she started to plumit to the floor screaming. Before she made contact with the hard stone, the rope holding her harness tightened, and she swung sideways in a long smooth arc. Soon the swinging lessend and she was gently set down.

Hilario slid down a rope and landed beside her. " Boy lady! You are a screamer!" He rubbed his ears which were ringing from the echoing shrieks from Ninas freefall.

+++++++++++

The next morning was sunny and warm. Bear Dog Vampire was the first of her sisters to wake up. She quietly slid out of bed to explore the house on her own. The myriad of interesting items in the managerie had peaked her curiosity. She quietly opened the door and tiptoed to the stairs. Popsicle was following close behind, not wanting to be left in the bedroom when mischief was happening.

The two of them slunk silently down the stairs,  being very careful to be as quiet as possible. As they reached the first floor,  Bear Dog Vampire marvelled at the assortment of gizmos and gadgets. She wondered what they were all for. Looking at them, she could only guess.

She looked over her shoulder before reaching forward to pick up a small contraption that looked like a copper ball with 4 protruding legs made of wood. As soon as she touched it the thing sprang open and ejected a sticky fibrous goo all over her. As the goo dried, it tightened her arms against her body and essentially immobilized her. Bear Dog Vampire heard the basement door open but there was nothing she could do to escape detection. She had been caught red handed and she had to face any punishment that followed. But it wasn't Tom, it was Wentworth.  Today he was wearing a tiny vest, with a little gold star on the front.

She smiled at the funny little squirrel. " howdy sherriff. Care to help a cowgirl out? She said playing along with his dress up game. The squirrel ignored the girl. He stalked towards the sparkly caticorn, then pounced on its back.

Popsicle jumped straight up in the air. Before he landed, he was already running. When his feet hit the floor he ran in place for just a moment. His claws finally found traction in the shiny wood floor and he took off like a rocket. Wentworth was screeching and chattering, holding onto Popsicle with all his might. Popsicle ran all over the place, jumping and ducking over and around the piles of shiny oddities.

All of the noise alerted Tom, who ran into the room just in time to trip over cat and rider, sending him headlong into a shelf of wooden boxes of assorted sizes. The whole mess tumbled to the floor on top of Tom.

Wentworth looked over at the ruckus Tom was making, and was unceremoniously knocked off of Popsicle by a chair rung. Popsicle ran up the stairs passing Erika and Vay without stopping.

Both master and squirrel sat dazed on the floor. The only difference was that one wore a cowboy get up, and the other looked to be dressed as a clown.

Erika and Vay came rushing down the stairs to see what all the noise was about. " Tom! What are you wearing?"

"Pretty snazzy huh?" Tom replied as he picked himself up and dusted off. His purple coveralls from before had been replaced by baggy white ones with large multicolored polka dots. The sleeve and pant cuffs were decorated with blue and red fringe. That suit combined with his braided beard and wild unkempt hair, made him look like a deranged clown.

Just then Bear Dog Vampire cleared her throat." Ahem. Excuse me! A little help here please!"

"Oh golly! It looks like you found my four legged snot trap! Pretty clever aye?" Tom smiled with pride and began inspecting how well the fibers had adhered to each other. " Splendid! The anamorphic properties of the cellular stabilizers caused evaporative contraction just like I had planned!!!" Tom was hopping up and down clapping his hands and laughing. The laughing and clapping made him look more deranged than ever.

"OK OK, now how do we get it off?" Bear Dog Vampire was getting more  frustrated by the second.

" Never fear little bear dog girl! I have a tonic that will remove that snot in a jiffy!" With that he did an about face and skipped down to the basement for a bottle of Toms Teriffic Tonic.

"Oh no! Not again!" Bear Dog Vampire was not looking forward to another stenchfest compliments of Toms Tonic!

++++++++++

Mornings in the box canyon are usually cool and foggy. Today was no acception. Nina shivered despite the fire of bundled grass "logs" that burned nearby. Her rescuer had introduced himself as Hilario from Wahaka. Nina knew of his people, and their close connection to the land. She had fallen asleep soon after he had given her a concoction made from the inner bark of a tree. She didn't know what it was but it blessedly took her pain away and she fell into a deep restful sleep.

Nina sat up with a groan, the pain relief had been temporary, this morning she felt like she had been hit by an avalanche. Every muscle ached, every bone, every sinew. She wished she had some more of that concoction Hilario made the night before. Maybe he did have more. Nina called out into the fog. " Hilario! Where are you?"

She tried to stand but her left ankle would hold no weight. Hilario had splinted it the night before, but standing was too painful.

"Here I am lady!" I brought some sweet root and fresh water for morning meal."

"I told you to call me Nina. But thank you for the food and water"

Hilario smiled saying " OK lady! Here, roast these on a stick, that will warm you up." He didn't know how to tell her that Nina sounded too much like Meena. ( a very derogatory term among Wahakans)

As the sun broke the plane of the valley edge above, the fog burned off quickly and they could see Blue grazing just fifty yards  away. "Wow!"  Said Hilario "Look at that big fella. If it wouldn't be such a waste of meat, I would take him down right now! But its bad juju to waste an animal."

Nina cocked an eyebrow in disbelief. " And how, may I ask would you accomplish such a feat as bringing down that beast? With your knife?"

" No way lady! That would be stupid. I'd use this." He handed her a flute about 2 feet long and made of wood.

Nina chuckled. " what are you going to do play him a lullaby? "

Hilario was a tad insulted by her condescension. He grabbed the flute, flipped it around, drew a lethal looking dart from his belt and placed it in the end of the flute without finger holes. He pointed to a dragonfly hovering over some wildflowers and after an explosive breath, the dragonfly was skewered, and vaporized by the impact at 20 yards. Hilario retorted " with a poison dart, I can play a deadly lullaby!"

Nina blinked. This little man was blunt. He didn't skirt around the subject or pull any punches. She liked him. " Well my new friend, don't go singing any deadly lullabys to our ride and we'll be ok."

"Whatchoo mean lady? You ride that thing?"

To demonstrate she gave a whistle for Blue, who turned and walked towards her. When he arrived she gave a series of clucks followed by a gently spoken " down" and the great beast laid down beside her gently nuzzling her cheek.

Hilario stared in disbelief. " I'll get my bag and we can go then."

Nina said " I have a saddle just over there behind that rock." As she pointed in the distance.

Hilario retrieved the saddle and followed Ninas instructions on how to place it on Blue and cinch the straps. ( Wahakans did not ride animals, they walked everywhere) Finally Hilario helped Nina up into the saddle, being careful not to injure her ankle any further.

" Alright Hilario, come on up." Nina reached down to assist him.

Hilario jumped streight up and scrambled behind her, standing on the back of the saddle and holding Ninas shoulders.

"Are you going to be able to stay on like that?" She asked " Blue is really fast."

"Lady, this way I can jump off!" He responded.

" Here we go. HA!" Nina gave the signal and Blue accelerated  to top speed in an instant, almost.throwing Hilario off.

When he gained his balance, Hilario started to grin. This was faster than he ever imagined, like falling forward instead of down. He hooped and hollered. " WHOOOOOO! HEY LADY, WE'RE FLYING! THIS IS LIKE FLYING!! WHOOOOOOOOO" Hilario stood behind Nina the whole way back to the village, grinning like a crocodile.

The Girls of Ohmer Chapter 6 The echoing darkness

The Girls of Ohmer Chapter 6
The echoing darkness

Erika closed the bedroom door. Upon inspection, the room seemed quite nice. There was a canopy bed big enough to sleep ten. It was mounded with pillows that matched the satin curtains hanging from the canopy. The ceiling was speckled with glimmering lights that mimicked the starlit sky, and the walls were painted all around with a mural of a beach. All in all it was a beautiful place for three girls to spend their nights. On one wall was an open doorway leading into a bathroom. There was a large tub shaped like a swan.

"Alright! Exclaimed Bear Dog Vampire "look at the size of that tub!"

Vay eyed it suspiciously " I don't wanna take a baff!" She was adamant. She crossed her arms and sat down defiantly.

Erika knew how to handle this. It was nothing a little dose of nevertime couldn't handle. "It's OK Vay, you don't have to if you don't want to."

With that Erika took a deep breath and raised her arms.

"Nooooo" Vay protested  " dats not fayah!"

Erika smiled with her eyes closed and lowered her arms, also lowering the volume of Vays disagreements. Vay was as still as a stone, her little legs poking out from underneath the bed where she was scrambling to hide.

Erika grabbed Vays ankles and dragged her out from under the bed. Then reaching under Vays arms, Erika pulled her into the bathroom, up over the edge and into the tub.  Vay sat in the luxurious tub like a marionette with the strings cut.

"First things first." Erika reached for the bottle of Toms Terrific Tonic and popped the cork out. Pungent fumes that escaped causing Erika to hold the bottle at arms length. " Eeeeeewwww! That stinks!" She was about to give up on the stuff right then and there when she spied a particularly large glop of glue and glitter right on the top of Vays head. " Well," she resigned" stinky is better than baldy!" And with that she poured half of the putrid goop over Vays head. It was like an explosion of funk in Erikas nostrils. Pouring the liquid out released so much stinkieness that she could hardly breathe. She was coughing and gagging, her eyes were watering, she thought she might get sick.  "Just get it over with." she coughed to herself.  She began vigoursly lathering Vays hair, and to her surprise the glue loosened right up, it really did work in a jiffy as Tom had said. A horrendously stinky jiffy, but a jiffy none the less.

In less than a minute all of the sticky glue and sparkly glitter was washed off and running down the drain. Even the mess on Vays clothing was gone without a trace.

Erica saw only one knob on the bathtub. It wasn't labeled hot or cold, simply bath. When Erica experimentally turned the handle ( she did not want her sister scalded or frozen)  warm sudsy water poured out of the mouth of the swan shaped tub. In no time the most wonderful bubble bath surrounded Vay. The smell of lilac perfume scented the air, and the horror of Toms Tonic was a thing of the past.

Erika stripped vays clothing off and wrung it out. Then she gave vay a proper bath and cleaned herself up as well. When Erika brought real time back, both girls were squeaky clean and lilac scented. Vay was snuggled in the bed amongst a mountain of soft pillows, grumping about the loss of her " spawkowies".  It would take her days to forgive Erika for washing the sparkly pixie dust off.

Erika explained how the swan tub worked and handed Bear Dog Vampire the bottle of Toms Teriffic Tonic. " Just get in the tub, pop the top off and dump it all on your head. Then take a bath. The lilac smell comes from the swan bubbles, but I think Toms Tonic smells much better!"

Erika grinned as she shut the bathroom door and heard Bear Dog Vampire scream "Eeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwww, yuck! Get it off get it off! I'm gonna get you for this Erika!"

" Just lather up and wash off! It's really not that bad ya big baby!" In truth it was that bad and then some, but Erika couldn't resist playing a trick on her sisters every once in a while. Otherwise what would be the fun of being the big sister?

++++++++++++

Nina awoke. Well she didn't so much wake up as she slowly became aware that she was in pain and in the dark. For the longest time that's all she knew. Then she became aware that she was upside down. Shortly after Nina realized that most of the pain was in her head and left ankle, she couldn't feel the foot below that ankle and when she tried to reach that foot with her hand, her body was racked with pain. Nina screamed out and her voice echoed for a great distance. This alarmed her. She recalled the cave of the shackles where she had presumably fallen prey to a simple hunters trap while on the lookout for complicated magic traps. That cave was much too small to produce an echo like this. She must have been moved somewhere else, but where? She recalled the twig snapping, the noose around her ankle, and then... She strained to remember what happened next but her mind was foggy. A ride down a tunnel perhaps?

Well, nothing to fear, Nina had only to tap into her inner light to brighten this space and surmise what her situation was. Only she couldn't. That place inside her was still filled with power, yet she could not touch it. Almost as if it were behind a wall or... Nina gasped, she had not seen this magic trap because she had been dragged into it! She was as helpless as a man, dangling from who knew where in the echoing darkness.

++++++++++

Hilario Melchore was a simple man. He worked, he ate, he slept. Right now, he traveled. Hilario was from the jungle of Wahaka, and things were not going so well for his people. There was a new tribe that had moved close to his village and they were not peaceful as his people were. They were warriors. They raided his village and took his people as slaves. Hilario barely escaped with his life. He decided to search for help in the east, where it was known that the people had much knowledge on the practice of war and the practice of peace as well.

Hilario had travelled for weeks. Now he was hopelessly lost. Earlier in the day he had turned down a valley that he was certain would lead him to his destination. Now hours later, he found himself in a canyon with steep walls on either side. As he rounded a bend he saw that the canyon ended at a sheer wall. He also saw something that made him think he was hallucinating from the fatigue. It was a blue ram grazing in the grass. Then he noticed a cave, and from the cave he heard cries for help. Hilario crossed his heart and ran toward the cave.