Casualties of War (Part 3)

Title: Casualties of War (Part 3)
Fandom: Ogham Duir (Original)
Characters: Lady Starr, Grim Ranger, Princess Endora, Nolan (Raven)
Author: sidhe_faerie
Rating: PG
Length: 1173
Content notes: 40, Launch, Death and war
Summary: The trio move on to the next battlefield where Lady Starr receives heartbreaking news


Casualties of War (Part 3)
Red Bluffs…
Endora prepared a simple soup and offered a bowl to Starr.

Starr shook her head. “I don’t want any. Thanks.”

“Starr, you have to eat something. We have traveled a long distance and crusts of bread and bits of cheese isn’t enough to sustain you.” Endora held out the bowl to her.

“Listen to her, Starr. Eat something then we will rest for a bit before we move on.” Grim slurped his soup and smiled. “It’s really good.”

Starr took the bowl and the spoon. “I will try but I’m not really that hungry.”

Endora smiled and picked up her bowl. As she ate she watched Starr finish her bowl then lean against the boulder. 

“Is she asleep?” Grim whispered.

Endora nodded. She took the spoon and bowl from beside Starr and rinsed it out with hot water. “We should let her sleep.”

Grim motioned for Endora to follow him away from where Starr was sleeping. They walked a few yards away and looked back to make sure she was still asleep.

“What is it that you don’t want her to know?” Endora asked.

“Nolan said the thunderbirds have made an alliance with the eagles. That adds a third to their forces. They will most likely launch one major battle to finish the phoenix off soon.  At this rate, the phoenix will be defeated by the end of the year.”

“No wonder they are killing the prisoners. They want to wipe them out altogether.” Endora took a breath. “The phoenix should have asked for help from the griffons but they are too stubborn.”

“I don’t think it would have helped. There are even less of them than there are of the phoenix.” Grim looked around. “I’ll keep watch you get some rest too.”

Endora nodded and went back to the fire,

The sun was coming up when Starr opened her eyes. “It’s morning. You shouldn’t have let me sleep like that. We have to get going.”

Endora sat up. “You needed the rest. I’ll make a portal just out of sight of the battlefield. It will be risky but if we come out with weapons drawn, we will have the element of surprise before they can launch an attack.”

“All packed up?” Grim asked as he came from around the bolder.

“Yes.” Endora closed the pack and handed it to him. “We can go as soon as you’re ready, Starr.”

“I’m ready now.” Starr stood up and dusted off her clothes. “Make the portal.”

Endora pulled the crystal from under her tunic and held it out in front of her. She shut her eyes and a portal opened. She put her gloves on and unsheathed her sword before she walked through.

Grim and Starr armed themselves and followed her. When they were all through, the portal closed.

Salt Basin…
“Do you see any one?” Starr asked. “Are you sure this is Salt Basin?”

Endora knelt down and looked at the ground. “There is salt everywhere so I’m pretty sure we are in the right place and I can smell the death from here.”

“The battle must be over for it to smell this bad.” Grim rubbed his nose. He started walking. “Let’s go take a look.”

Endora and Starr followed him over the ridge to the battlefield.

Again as before, there were bodies everywhere. The battle tent for the phoenix was on the other side of the slaughter. The thunderbirds hadn’t even bothered to set up a tent of any kind at this battle.

Grim walked toward the tent and Starr handed Pyros’ ring to Endora.

Endora said the spell again and nothing happened. She looked at Starr. “He wasn’t here.”

“Then they have him.” Starr let out a shaky breath. “The thunderbirds have my husband.” She sank to her knees and sobbed.

Suddenly, the sky went dark and a large bird landed a few feet away from them.

“Are you the woman looking for her husband?” The raven asked. “You’re not a phoenix.”

“No I’m not.” Starr looked up. “Do you know where he is?”

“I might. My name is Nolan. I saw you at the other battle. Your man said you were looking for Lieutenant Pyros.”

“Yes.” Starr stood up. “Do you or don’t you know where he is?”

“That depends. Does this belong to your husband?” Nolan held out an amulet to Starr.

“Yes.” Starr took the amulet. My son and I gave that to him before he left. Where did you find it?”

“I found it while I was tracing the thunderbirds path to their stronghold in the caves at Falling Tears. I found it about five thousand yards from there. I couldn’t get any closer. There are patrols everywhere on the ground and in the skies.” 

“Show me where you found it. Take me to the place where it was.” Starr launched herself at the raven by the shoulders and shook him.

Grim and Endora grabbed Starr and pulled her off Nolan.

“Starr, that isn’t helping.” Endora looked at Grim. “You need to calm down and listen to what he is saying. He couldn’t get any closer. If he can’t, there isn’t a chance we could get into that encampment either.”

“But Pyros…” Starr started to sob again. Endora and Grim let her go and she slumped to her knees. “He has to come home he just has to.”

Grim looked at Nolan. “How far away is this falling tears place.”

“A days walk,I would imagine.” Nolan looked at Starr. “I wish I had better news for you.”

Starr reached up and grabbed Endora’s hand you can make a portal inside the stronghold and we can get to him.

Endora knelt down and shook her head. “We wouldn’t make it more than a few feet and you know it. “Starr, it’s time to go home. Kyo needs his mother and you need to grieve.”

“I won’t grieve until I have proof that he is actually dead. Starr wiped her face and stood up with Endora.

“That may be difficult.” Nolan said. “There are reports that the prisoners have been fed to scavengers. The thunderbirds have no regard for the bodies. Not even their own. They say that they are just a shell and not worth a proper burial.”

Grim glared at the man. That kind of thing would not help Starr in that moment. “Starr, let us take you home now. Endora will make a portal right to Aura’s so you can see Kyo as soon as we get there.”

Starr nodded. “Endora, would you please?”

“Of course.” Endora took out the faerie crystal and created a portal. She and Starr stepped through immediately.

Grim looked at Nolan. “If there is any news we are in Una on Ogham-Duir.”

“The magick isle?” Nolan nodded his head. “That explains why a fae and a shadow walker would be helping a …vampire?”

“Demon vampire.” Grim corrected him. “I better go. Endora can’t hold the portal forever.”

“Safe travels.” Nolan called after Grim as he stepped through the portal.

Dark Realms Episode 2: Pieces of the Whole

Dark Realms Episode 2: Pieces of the Whole
Word Count: 2848

Wincet called the Dark Army to a meeting room in the center of the Vision Cave. He looked over each one and smiled. “I have sent you on your first mission and you did well but you won’t always be so successful. I’m pleased that you did well but I need to stay cautious. This is, after all, a new experience for all of us. I think we should go around and tell each other what skills you bring to this group so in the future you can work together better. Tona, why don’t you start?” 

“I was a mercenary before I walked through the portal that brought me here.” Tona looked around. “I am proficient in several languages and with many forms of weaponry. I still don’t understand the purpose of all of this. The universe can’t be saved by just the five of us. We got lucky with that windbag Hestrick. Most of you don’t even look like you can handle yourself in a fight.”

Dallys looked at Tona. “We may only be five but that doesn’t mean we can’t do something. Every little thing that we do counts. I’m sorry Wincet. You wanted to know my skills. I have knowledge of herbs and medicines. I was training to be a healer. It was just by chance that I stumbled onto the portal that brought me here.”

“I think the portal was a god send. I was being chased by the law when I ducked into an alley and fell through it.” Nellis looked at the others. “I have been known to acquire things without the owner’s permission.”

“He really is a thief?” Jace looked at Nellis. “Exactly what were you acquiring just before you came here?”

“I was after some jewelry that was on display at a museum. I had a client that was willing to pay a stupid amount of money for them.” Nellis shook his head. “Now someone else has probably taken them and is sitting in some far off place enjoying my money.”

“Nellis, other than acquiring goods you are also a shape shifter. That is a skill we can use to our advantage. It already proved useful in the last mission.” Wincet nodded. “No one ever notices a bird in a tree or a mouse in the corner when they talk about their plans to take over the world.”

“Just don’t turn into a bug. I might step on you by mistake.” Jace gave Nellis a worried look. “You aren’t going to steal from us are you?”

“I’ve checked and no one has anything worth stealing.” Nellis shrugged. He looked at Jace. “So what is your story?”

“I was a police captain in London. I was lead investigator on several crimes including a jewel thief ring that was out of York. I received an accommodation from Her Majesty, the Queen, for that one.” Jace looked around and no one seemed impressed. “So I guess my skills as an investigator will come in handy on these missions you will be sending us on.”

“I was sent through the portal because I was due to be terminated and disassembled.” Borne spoke up. “I do not know what good I will be. My technology is outdated and I have rust spots on my body.”

Wincet shook his head. “My friend, you will be of great use. We will need you to break through firewalls on computers and process information. Your great strength will be an asset as well.”

“How does it help to know everyone’s skills?” Nellis asked.

“When you are on a mission, you will know who will handle each task.” Wincet explained. “There will be times when you need to acquire something for Borne to decipher its code. Sometimes Tona will need to use her language skills to read documents for Jace to follow the clues. Dallys will be of great help to me with potions and she has her fae magick as will to help in the field. Yes! You will all complement each other as long as you work together.”

“So who is the team leader?” Tona asked.

“I am.” Wincet smiled. “But you will know what needs to be done and who will do the task when you get out there.”

Dallys looked up and watched the stars when the others started to argue about who should really lead the team. She wasn’t interested in being the leader. She just wanted to help people.

Suddenly one of the stars exploded and went out.

“Wincet.” Dallys pulled on the sorcerer’s sleeve. “What happened to that star?”

The others stopped arguing and looked at Dallys. One by one they looked up where Dallys was pointing.

Wincet looked up and squinted. “Which star Dallys?”

“It’s the one that was next to the big red one.” Dallys pointed to the sky. “It just exploded and went out.”

Wincet went over to his scrying bowl and waved his hand. He gazed at the image that appeared. “This isn’t good. He turned to look at the others. I think you have your next mission. Exalta’s star just went out and I think I know who did it.”

“Then why do you need us?” Tona asked.

“Because we have to do something, don’t we?” Nellis looked at Wincet. “So, what is it that we have to do?”

“I need you to retrieve a wand of great power from Trystana.”  Wincet walked back over to the group. “She lives on the planet Baikus. You need to go there and take it from her. Ah! Excuse me! Acquire it from her before she uses it again.”

“What does this wand look like?” Nellis asked. “Does it have jewels on it or is it made of precious metals?”

“It is made from the core of a comet. The proper name for it is Star Breaker.” Wincet looked over at his books. “I think I have a picture of it in one of my books.”

“Which one? There has to be hundreds of them.” Dallys looked at the wall in awe. 

Wincet went over to the wall covered with shelves of books and pulled one down. He opened it and brought it over for the others to see. “Here it is!”

“It looks like a club not a wand.” Nellis seemed disappointed. “There isn’t any decoration or anything. What color metal is it?”

“The book says the wand is black stone.” Wincet said as he looked at the drawing in the book. Most comets are made of very dense rock. It will be very heavy, so Borne should be the one to handle it.”

“How is the sorcerer using it if it’s heavy?” Jace asked. “Is this sorcerer a giant or something?”

Wincet thought for a moment. “She has, most likely, put it in some kind of a display then she just lays her hands on it when she wants to use it.”

“How did she get a hold of a thing like that? Why hasn’t someone taken it from her before now?” Tona asked.

“I thought it had been lost years ago. Many had looked for it but never found it. I had no idea that Trystana had it in her possession all this time.” Wincet shook his head. “I don’t exactly know why she has chosen this time to exact her evil on the people of Exalta. I don’t even know why she would do such a thing in the first place.”

“That’s the difference between a good sorcerer and a bad one. You, Wincet are a good sorcerer.” Jace said.

“I’m glad that you think that, Jace.” Wincet smiled. “Now! Everyone gather what you need and meet me on the Travelers Bridge. You are on your way to Baikus.”

Twenty minutes later, the Dark army walked through the portal to Baikus. They emerged at the foot of the mountain where Trystana had her fortress.

Tona waved them into some trees and whispered. “We need to watch the guards for a little while to find out how long it takes for them to patrol.”

“It would be easier to cause a distraction.” Jace pointed to the two by his side. “Dallys and Nellis could slip in and locate the wand.”

“Then how are they going to get it out of there. It’s heavy, remember?” Tona glared at Jace. 

“Hey people! I think we have a little problem. We’ve been caught.” Nellis cleared his throat and pointed to the guards on either side of the trees waiting for them to come out.

“Not for long.” Tona pulled out two knives and killed the two closest to her then lunged at the two on the other side.

Jace looked down at the bodies on the ground. “I said distract them not kill them.”

Tona sighed. “You can thank me later. Come on. We need to get inside.” She moved out from the trees and headed to the wall around the fortress.

The others followed her after pulling the bodies into the trees to hide them.

“Wincet is not going to like this.” Nellis said to Jace as they followed Borne and Dallys to the wall.

“No he won’t.” Jace agreed. “She didn’t have to kill them. It wasn’t part of the plan.”

Tona looked back at them. “Nellis how are you with locks?”

“I never met one I couldn’t pick.” Nellis went up to look at the lock on the metal gate. “Not a problem. I just need a key.”

“I’m fresh out. Can you pick it or not?” Tona asked. 

Nellis put his finger against the lock and then turned it. The lock opened. “I am a key when I need to be. No one on Caspire uses these kinds of locks. We all know better. We use puzzle and tech locks to hide our valuables.”

“Let’s move.” Tona started through the gate. “We will search every room until we find the wand.”

Jace grabbed Tona’s arm. “Just wait a minute. We can’t just burst in and take it. We have to be smart. Let Dallys and Nellis have a look around. Then they can tell us where the thing is.”

“He’s right.” Nellis said to Tona. “Dallys can be the size of a bug and I can make myself a mouse and we can search undetected. Stay here and we will let you know where it is and how to get there.”

“Fine but hurry up.” Tona sighed.

“Tona, Wincet is not going to like what you did back there.” Jace had to say what he was thinking. “We are supposed to be saving the universe not killing it.”

“Jace, if you know a better way to get out of situation like that one then please let me know.” Tona glared at him.

“Knocking them out instead of killing them would have been better.” Jace took a breath then continued. “I’m not going to take your side when we get back. I doubt the others will either. You have to stop rushing in.”

“That’s what a mercenary does. We rush in and take care of the enemy.” Tona shrugged. “It’s all I know how to do.”

“You’re not a mercenary any more.” Jace reminded her. “You’re part of this …whatever it is … so you have to be open to other options.”

“What do you think Borne? Did I do the wrong thing back there?” Tona asked the android.

“Killing was not part of our mission.” Borne looked at Jace. “It is highly probable that knocking them out and tying them up would have been preferred by Wincet. I do not like taking lives. I find that it is a waste.”

“That’s a strange attitude from a soldier of the Metalis Alliance.” Tona shook her head. “Maybe your circuits really are getting a little fried.”

“Maybe he has a heart deep inside that bunch of circuitry.” Jace smiled and patted Borne on the shoulder.

“What is taking them so long?” Tona looked around nervously.

“They have only been in there a few minutes.” Jace said. “Give them time to look around.”

“They have been inside 8.5 minutes.” Borne commented. “Considering their present size and the speed in which they are traveling it will be at least another 10.2 minutes.”

Tona looked and Borne and sighed. “I hate waiting.”

“I noticed.” Jace said with a grin.

It actually took Nellis and Dallys a full twenty minutes to return. They transformed and Dally caught her breath while Nellis told the others what he saw    

“The wand thing is in a room at the end of the first corridor. There are two guards they are armed with swords but no guns.” Nellis took a breath. “The security system is a tech lock. Borne, you’re going to have to crack it. I’m not any good with tech locks.”

“Were there any guards on patrol?” Tona asked.

“I didn’t see any. I circled around twice to make sure.” Dallys said.

“Nellis, what is the scariest thing you can turn into?” Jace asked. “We need to get the guards out of the room so Borne can get to the wand.”

“I can turn into a ribbon viper but I think that might make them want to cut me up not run.” Nellis thought for a moment. “I think an ursaur might be a better choice. It’s big and they won’t try to fight what they know they can’t beat.”

“Ursaur? Wow! That is scary.” Dallys shuddered. “I ran into one of those once and had to transform to get away. It’s not easy to transform when you are scared out of your wits. Believe me.”

Nellis nodded in agreement. “I believe you. Trust me.”

“Dallys, you keep watch and we will come in as soon as the guards are gone.” Tona looked at Jace. “This had better work because if it doesn’t I will have to add two more bodies to the list for this mission.”

“It will work. I scare myself when I turn into an ursaur.” Nellis chuckled. “Let’s get this done. I don’t like it that we have been here so long already.”

“He’s right it increases the chance that we will be caught. Tona checked her weapons. “Let’s go.”

The group went inside the fortress. Dallys turned into a point of light as soon as they went inside. Nellis went up ahead and transformed into an ursaur.

Jace jumped back when he saw the shaggy bear like creature with the long sharp fangs. “Bloody hell!”

“They don’t have those on Terra?” Tona smirked as they ducked behind a corner to hide from the guards when they ran out.

“Not that big and not with fangs.” Jace took a breath to calm himself. “I’m just glad that he’s with us.”

As predicted, as soon as the guards saw the ursaur, they ran out of the room leaving the wand unguarded. Tona, Jace, and Borne came in as soon as the coast was clear.

Borne quickly broke through the encryption on the security system and took the wand out of the display.

Jace looked down the corridor and it was still clear. “We had better hurry. They won’t be gone long and they will be bringing reinforcements.”

Tona took the lead as they left the fortress. Nellis, still as an ursaur pulled up the rear, he waited to transform until they were clear. Dallys dropped to the ground beside him. 

When they got back to the foot of the mountain, they were surprised to find the portal was already waiting for them. They stepped through and saw that Wincet was waiting on the Traveler’s Bridge for them with a very angry look on his face.

Wincet looked at each one of them in turn. “Who/s idea was it to kill the guards?”

Tona stepped forward. “I am responsible for that. It was instinct I’m so used to doing whatever it takes to accomplish my goal. I didn’t think and I’m sorry.”

Wincet gave her a hard look. “It is my hope that this behavior will not be repeated.”

“It won’t I promise.” Tona bowed her head.

Wincet closed the portal. “We are here to be a defense against those that harm others not to be the ones who do the harm. What one of you does, you all do. You are pieces of a whole now, not individuals. You all must bear the consequences of her actions. Do you all understand?”

Everyone nodded.

“Good.” Wincet sighed. “Borne bring the wand to the work room. I have a safe place to put it.”

“Aren’t you going to destroy it with that hammer thing?” Nellis asked.

“I would but the Blacksmith’s Hammer is not strong enough to destroy this.” Wincet waved toward the wand. “For now, we need to keep it safe and hidden from those that would use it to destroy stars, planets, and moons.”

Wincet started down the Travelers Bridge with the others following behind him. Their mood was much more solemn than it was when they came back from the last mission. They were all thinking about what Wincet had said.