Lords of the Silverwings

Lords of the Silverwings – Written by Dennis Berney 2011

Ben paced the floor of the maternity hospital waiting room. Four hours had pasted since he brought Vespa in and now he waits for the Doctor and some good news.

“Complications” is what the Doctor told him three hours ago…Ben was very worried.

He picked up a magazine off the corner table and realized that he had looked at it before and placed it back on the table.

He moved over to the window and looked out on this beautiful spring day. The Suns brilliant light felt warn of his face and he closed his eyes for a moment and his thoughts went back to the vacation that he and Vespa shared a couple of years back…The Caribbean…He thought. Warn, white sand and the blue water and how beautiful it was.

The radiant warmth felt very comforting to him and he was very tired from the lack of sleep.

Ben fell asleep and started dreaming….

He found himself on the Island of Doctor LaMain wondering through the dense jungle…Lost.

Humidity...stifling humidity…weighing down on him making it almost impossible to breath.

Thick, heavy jungle mud making it almost impossible to move his wheels.

A moment later he found himself falling into darkness. A bottomless black pit.

It seemed like he fell for hours. When through the darkness…the shadowed, hooded form of Doctor LaMain materialized in front of him and started moving closer…and closer.

Ben tried to move, to strike out at this ghostly apparition…but he could not move. He was frozen in fear and the Doctor moved closed.

Inches…only inches away now!

Ben heard a voice as cold as this darkness that surrounded him. It went through him.

“I’m back”…

Just then Ben was awake… A scream… A scream of extreme terror is what woke him from this nightmare.

“Was that me” Ben asked himself? NO!!! It was Vespa!

© DennisB 2011

Ben quickly turned to roll through the waiting room doors and down the hall to the delivery room where he last seen his wife.

He made the short distance in record time and was met in the hallway just outside the delivery room door by the Doctor still in his surgical gown.

“MY WIFE, IS SHE OK” Ben shouted as he tried to look past the Doctor.

“VESPA, I’M HERE HONEY…I’M ON MY WAY”!!

The Doctor held Ben back. “Look at me Ben” he said “Look at me”.

Ben looked in to the Doctors eyes.

“There was nothing we could do to save your wife” The Doctor looked deep into Ben’s face.

“We tried everything to save her” tears came to the Doctors eyes.

“Something happened…we don’t know what it was…She screamed “God No” and then she slipped away. She just slipped away…there was nothing we could do.

The Doctor looked back up into Ben’s eye’s “We saved your baby daughter” Ben looked up…”she’s a very healthy, beautiful baby Silverwing”.

“Her name is Betty after my mother” Ben added, tears streaming from his eyes…”can I see her”?

“Yes, she’s in the scooter newborn nursery…she should be cleaned up by now...please follow me.

The Doctor lead Ben to another door and into a small hallway lined with large windows. There, just on the other side of the glass was his new daughter wrapped in a baby blanket and at the end of the crib was a name plate with the name “Betty” printed on it.
Ben stood there looking at his new daughter through the glass.

A nurse came in and picked her up and brought her closer to the window so Ben could get a better look.

Ben fell deeply in love with his new baby daughter.

The tears of great lose turned to tears of joy for Ben.

On a far off Island in the Caribbean. Deep in the darkest tunnels and pit falls, the twisted evil soul of Doctor LaMain, rejoiced…”Now for the others”.

© DennisB 2011

Days turned into Weeks. Weeks turned into Months and time pasted. Ben had his life full of all the things a single parent must accomplish each day with a new born in the house.

Betty grew at a very fast rate and soon Ben was taking her into town with him to meet the good bikes at Lu-Lu’s diner.

Betty loved to go to the diner for homemade cinnamon rolls, but most of all she just loved to be with her dad.

On the road to town Ben needed to slow down as Betty gave it her all to keep up. She just loved that twisty road that went from her home in the canyon to the little valley below.

It wasn’t long before Lu-Lu put her to work at the diner doing jobs like cleaning and greeting the customers as they came through the door.

Lu-Lu always called Betty her little baby girl from heaven.

Soon it was winter and Ben and Betty started sending out Christmas cards to their friends and the cards started to be delivered to their home each day.

Betty always would roll to the mail box when she saw Mort the mail delivery bike coming up the road. Her house was the last one in the canyon and Betty would bring him ether a cool drink in summer or hot drink in winter and they would visit for a short time by the mail box.

One evening Ben and Betty were opening Christmas cards by the fireplace and reading them to each other.

“Look father, this card is from the Caribbean” Betty held the card out to her father.

“I wonder who it’s from” Ben looked at the card and there was no return address.

“Must be from Sally” Ben smiled.

“OK, let’s see what’s new in Sally’s life, shell we” Ben opened the envelope and pulled out the card. Just then two small yellow stones fell from the card to the floor in front of the fireplace.

“What’s this” as Betty picked up the stones and looked at it them with some curiosity.

“It’s just two small yellow rocks” Betty’s eyes got big as she held out the stones to her father.

The two stones touched each other as Betty held them out.

Just then…In a brilliant flash of light that filled the room and blinded Ben momentary.

A second later Ben blinked his eyes and realized she was gone…Betty just vanished in front of him…

© DennisB 2011

Ben stood there for a moment, dazed by the sudden bright flash that just took his young daughter.

There was nothing he could do. He felt helpless.

“Betty” he whispered to himself.

Ben looked at the Christmas card that he still held. It had dancing little Christmas elves on the front and when he opened it there was a black spot that looked like it had a swirling mist inside of it.

Ben looked closer at the black spot, and then closer….suddenly he dropped the card and his mined was swept away into the blackness of the spot.

Ben felt like he was falling into a bottomless pit and everything around him disappeared.

The dark mist engulfed him but he felt that he was not alone in swirling void.
There were voices…and misshapen, grotesque creatures just out of sight in the mist all darting about and all the time whispering to him in a language he did not understand.

Then a hooded figure appeared in the mist and moved slowly closer to him. An evil apparition, one that Ben knew…It was Doctor LaMain.

The Doctor drew closer to Ben and in a voice and language that Ben could understand, said “this is your daughter’s new home now”.

In a flash, Ben was standing, again in his living room.

The room was very silent except for the wood burning in the fireplace.

Ben stood there in the silence.

His mined already working on what to do.

© DennisB 2011

Ben knew that time makes all difference in a recovery of this type. Quick response was necessary to minimize shock and trauma to his daughter.

Ben was on the phone and booked a flight that very night to the Caribbean Island where he last encountered the evil Doctor.

Another call was made to Police Detective Sally so she would be at the Island airport to pick him up and get the ball rolling on the recovery and things needed.

Ben did not pack. He just put his cell phone in his glove box and grabbed his wallet.

Ben closed his garage door behind him and off he went.

“Airport, next stop” he told himself as started down the road to the valley’s small air terminal to catch a flight to the big city’s International airport.

“No baggage” is what he told the desk receptionist at the airport terminal “Yes Sir, please get on board. Your flight leaves as soon as you get seated Ben”

Ben looked at the receptionist “How do you know my name” Ben asked?

“Sir, this emergence flight will have only one passenger….You…and it’s none stop to your Island destination…One more thing, when you see Detective Sally at the airport, tell her hello” and she smiled.

Ben was on board the big jet and soon it was air born.

It was a little eerie to be the only passenger on board this huge aircraft.

Ben sat next to the window in first class for the entire flight and soon the plane started it’s decent through the darkness.

Ben could see the Islands runway all lit up from one end to the other and they circled and then made their approach.

As soon as the wheels touched the tarmac, Ben could see police vehicle lights approaching the plane.

As soon as the plane stopped the Captain opened the door and rolled over to Ben.

“Good luck Ben getting your daughter back and if there is anything I can do…Please just let me know…I’m Captain Richards.

The moving stairway was wheeled to the door and Ben shoot out the door and down to Sally waiting at the bottom.

“Ben, the boat and the equipment are ready to go…It’s good to see you again, my friend.” Sally smiled.

“Let’s get to the boat”…

© DennisB 2011

“Boat…Things have changed around here Ben. We now have a helicopter to get us from one island to another” Sally smiled. “It’s a lot faster”

The trip to the helicopter was a short one. It was warned up and ready for take off when Ben’s plane landed.

Ben stood for second and looked at this shinny new police helicopter and then jumped in the side door.

“Here, put these headphones so we can talk” Sally handed Ben headphones and he put them on.

“I’ve never had a ride in one of these before” Ben said as he looked around at all the equipment that was on board.

“Ben, I’m going down that cave hole with you…That’s the reason for all the extra stuff.

“Hook on the safety harness and we’ll be on our way” Ben hooked himself in.

Betty gave a takeoff signal to the pilot and up they went into the dark morning sky.

“Sally looked over at Ben “Ben, I never had a chance to tell you how sorry I am about losing Vespa. She was a fine scooter and a good friend. I sure do miss her”.

Ben looked at the sun rise on the eastern horizon “I’m sure she would love to be here right now”.

“The pilot will let us off on the other side of Doctor LaMain’s island”

The head phones started to crackle and Sally’s voice was starting to breakup.

Ben pointed to his headphones to let her know they were not working correctly.

The helicopter stared to vibrate a little and then to shake violently.

Alarms started to go off.

A green mist stared to form around the helicopter and then came through the open door like some intelligently controlled green monster.

Ben, Sally and the pilot started to choke on the foul vapor.

Small electrical sparks started to shoot wildly off all the inside aluminum helicopter sub-structure.

“We need to land as soon as we can” the pilot yelled at Sally.

“I’m setting her down as soon as were over the island.

Just then the engine sputtered and shook the aircraft with great force; a second later it went silent.

JUMP!!!!

© DennisB 2011

Ben and Sally quickly un-attached the harness that held them and started to jump from the now, falling helicopter.

The pilot reversed the rotor pitch and the helicopters decent slowed.
They were almost to the islands when they hit the water.

All three swam the short distance to the islands north shore.

Wet, cold, and nerves a little frayed, the three stood there looking at the downed aircraft from the beach. A third of the helicopter was out of the water.

“WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT” Sally screamed? “I’ve never seen anything like that before”.

The pilot just shook his head and could not come up with any explanation of what happen but did say he activated the emergence transponder before they hit the water.

“We need to get the gear” Ben started to wade out to the wreckage.

“Hold on, I’m going with you” said Sally.

Sally and Ben reached the downed helicopter and grabbed most of the equipment and headed back to the beach.

“We need to get going…Stay here and wait for the coast guard, they should be on their way already…One more thing…you did a great job saving our butts and I’m putting you in for a commendation…Thank You”.

“Just doing my job Detective…but that was a close call” the pilot looked at the chopper.

Ben grabbed half the equipment off the sand and started down the beach. “Hold on Ben…I’m coming with you” Sally picked up the remainder of the gear and double timed it after him.

The pilot watched as Ben and Sally rolled into the jungle at the beaches edge and disappeared into the heavy foliage.

“I’ll be seeing you both, very soon” The pilot turned toward the downed helicopter and started to roll out into the water.

The pilot and the crashed helicopter vanished…

© DennisB 2011

It did not take long for Sally and Ben to find one of the trails that ran through jungle growth. Even as overgrown as it was, it was much better then creating a new path in the dense tropical growth.

The hours past quickly and the morning was now becoming afternoon and with it came the extreme heat and humidity of the day.

Thick jungle mud started caking on their wheels making it difficult to move. Every few minutes they would need to stop to remove the mud.

It was late afternoon when they finally reached the Well of Life.

The well was over grown with jungle plants and veins but the sound of the waterfall could still be heard from jungle above.

Sally looked over at Ben “Let’s make camp here for the night and enter the cavers below in the morning.”

Ben already started to clear the entrance with his machete. Chopping at the heavy veins like a machine in high gear and out of control.

“I NEED TO GET TO MY DAUGHTER, SHE NEEDS ME” Ben shouted as he continued to chop wildly at the veins. Driven by the vision of the dark and misty world, the Doctor showed him in the Christmas card.

“OK Ben…At lest take a brake and have something to eat and drink and then we’ll rescue your daughter and kick Doctor LaMain’s butt”…Lord knows he deserves it.

Ben slowed and looked at the clearing he just made and then over to Sally. “Your right…Let’s have a little food and water and then descend into this hole…Please forgive me”.

“I remember the last time we went down there…There is no night or day, it’s always just dark”.

Ben and Sally opened their gear and pulled out a few things to eat and some fresh drinking water.

It wasn’t long before repelling harness were on and the ropes tied off.

They lowered their equipment down first and then stood there for a moment and looked at each other knowing full well this might be the last time they would breathe fresh air and be part of the world.

The Sun was just setting as Ben and Sally dropped into the dark world of Doctor LaMain.

© DennisB 2011

Betty saw her father vanish from her sight in a flash of brilliant white light.

The image stayed with her for a few seconds before the darkness overcame her.

“Welcome little Silverwing child…Offspring of Vespa and Ben. I’ve been watching you grow over the last few months…How beautiful you are”.

The evil voice scared her and she began to cry.

“Now, Now” the voice came from the darkness just beyond the limits of her sight.

“You should not cry little one…Good things are ahead for you” the voice snarled.

Just then a torch was lit and placed in a metal holder on the opposite wall of this now seen, large stone room. Cave moss covered most of the floor and tree roots pierced the ceiling and glistened with cave moisture in the low flickering of the torch.

The sound dripping water could be heard echoing through out the large room.

A raised stone throne was at on end of the room with a dark and hooded figure seated on a large high back chair made of twisted roots with small animal skulls woven in.

Large and small misshapen creature darted and danced in and out of darkened alcoves and entries. Snarling and growling at Betty from afar.

Betty tried to roll forward but her back wheel was chained to the stone wall behind her.

“Who are you” she asked in a timid child’s voice?

“WHO AM I” the hooded figure shouted back!

“Why… I’m the bike that brought you here; to this world…I’m surprised your father did not tell you of ME!

“I’m Doctor LaMain…A friend of your mother and father”.

Betty started to cry again.

“Go ahead…Get it all out…You’re my little girl now”…

© DennisB 2011

“Gwen…Get in here…NOW...”Doctor LaMain called out. “Someone get Gwen in here…I have a job for her”.

A few seconds later a small dark misshapen scooter appeared in the entrance across the chamber from were Betty was chained to the wall, she moved with difficulty toward the seated Doctor.

“O’ yes, most powerful one, what can I do for you” Gwen’s voice trembled with fear as she bowed deep in front of the Doctor.

“I have a job for you to do…” O’ yes master” Gwen replied.

“From now on you will tend to every need of my new daughter…Do you understand me”?

“O’ yes great master…every need”. Gwen quickly glanced over at Betty and then back to the floor.

“If you fail me again…” the Doctor leaned forward. “You will be thrown into the river of fire…Do you understand me”?

“O’ yes most great master” Gwen started to shake with fear.

“Get her water, food, and a blanket to keep her warm…GO ON NOW AND BE QUICK ABOUT IT”

Gwen turned and glanced over at Betty one more time as she scurried from the room.

Betty could feel the hate coming from Gwen, as she pasted, and it made her feel very uneasy.

© DennisB 2011

Doctor LaMain was soon called away on other important business when a large worrier bike entered the room; He was carrying a short spear and a sword was on his belt. He leaned and whispered something of great importance to the Doctor.

“Captain…You serve me well with this news, you will be rewarded for it” and the worrier bowed to the Doctor.

“Captain, double the guard and put everyone on full alert” the Doctor ordered.

“Yes great one” The Captain turned and rolled from the room.

The Doctor looked over a Betty “I’ll be back soon and then we will talk more" then he rolled out of the room.

Betty could hear him shout as he moved down the tunnel "GET OUT OF MY WAY"!

Gwen returned shortly with a cup of water and a small bowl of what looked like some kind of stew.

“Here you go…Some water and some cave stew…I’ll get the blanket for you as soon as you eat your food” Gwen sat the water and food on the floor in front of Betty.

“Thank you Gwen” Betty picked up the water from the floor.

“How long have you lived here” Betty asked.

Gwen looked surprised at the question “All my life…I was born here”.

“And where is here” Betty asked with a slight smile on her face.

“You ask too many questions…and this is bad…I’ll go find you your blanket now” Gwen turned and left the room.

Betty could feel she was being watched from the shadows and picked up the small bowl of stew and began to eat it.

“I must keep my strength up” she thought to herself.

© DennisB 2011

Ben stepped to the edge of the Well of Life and looked down into the darkness.

The water falling into the well disappeared just a few feet down from the top where Ben and Sally stood.

“OK, here I go” Ben stepped into the darkness and down he went into the dark cavern below.

In just a second he was standing in the waterfall pool, his eyes trying to adjust to the darkness.

He picked up the equipment bags and moved them over to the dry walkway a few feet away.

“OK, SALLY, COME ON DOWN” he shouted

Soon Sally was standing in the waterfall pool.

“Seems like only yesterday we were here, not two years ago” as Sally looked around.

“This is where Doctor LaMain shot poor old Captain John…This very pool”.

“Let’s see if the sword booby trap is still working.” Ben rolled over to the waterfall and stepped on the trigger plate under the water and then stepped aside to see what would happen.

A mechanical sound came from behind the waterfall and all of a sudden they were looking at a rusted sword tip piercing the waterfall vale.

“We need to be careful of these old traps, and maybe some new ones" Sally wisphered.

They disarmed the sword trap and moved quietly down the dark tunnel beyond…

© DennisB 2011

It wasn’t long before Gwen returned with a blanket and placed over Betty “There you go, this should keep you warm“.

Gwen picked up the empty bowl from the floor and turned to roll away.

“Gwen” Betty called out.

Gwen turned and looked at the little Silverwing chained to the wall “I’d like to be your friend…maybe we could talk sometime”.

Gwen did not say a word and then turned and rolled out of the hall.

Betty looked around at the dark dismal room for a moment and then closed her eyes. She thought about her father and her home in the canyon and started to cry… She soon drifted off to sleep.

Betty’s fell into a deep, deep sleep…She found herself standing in front of a most beautiful castle. It shimmered like it was made of silver.

Large pendants with silver wings on them flew in the breeze above the castles spires against a sky so bright and blue it almost hurt her eyes to look at it.

The land around the castle had beautiful oat trees and patches of wild flowers growing among a trimmed and well kept lawn.

“She is here….Tell the King…she has arrived” Betty heard called from the castles great ramparts.

Soon the castles huge oak doors groaned as they were opened in front of her.

A soft cloud of fluttering butterflies surrounded her and softly pushed toward the open doors.

She noticed that the guards at the door were Silverwing scooters, like herself. They were lightly armored in silver chain male and had short swords as weapons in their belts.

“We were expecting you young lady” Betty quickly looked over at a very beautiful lady Silverwing scooter, holding a book, standing in front of her just inside the huge doors.

“Me” Betty asked?

“Yes, you….Your name is Betty, is it not…Let’s see… the daughter of Ben and Vespa” he said as she looked up from the book.

Betty was almost speechless “Yes, I’m Betty”.

“Welcome Betty to the Kingdom of the Silverwings…My name is….well they call me Peach” Peach blushed for a second.

“Please follow me and I will get you cleaned, warned up, and get you some good food…Follow me” Peach turned and started to role into the court yard. Betty followed behind.

The great castle doors were pulled closed behind Betty.

“The King wants an audience with you as soon as all is done…So follow me now”.

Betty followed…

© DennisB 2011

Betty followed Peach through the court yard. Trees, roses and flowering plants of all types bloomed in the afternoon sunshine. Half a dozen or so, grounds keepers watered, turned the soil, and trimmed the many flowering plants.

Peach turned and looked at Betty “Please keep up now”.

“Peach, this is all so beautiful” stated Betty.
“You do not have flowers where you come from” Peach asked?

“Yes we have flowers, but not this beautiful” Betty responded.

They soon came to marble stairway that lead to a second hallway. Lit by candles.

Every where Betty looked was clean and neat.

They came to a door just off the hallway. “This is your room Betty… Your bath has been drawn and clean towels are waiting for you. You have two hours to get ready for your audience with the King.”

Peach rolled to the door “Clean sheets and new towels will be brought to you everyday you are with us. They will clean and dust your room every two days.

“I’ll be back in one hour to escort you to our dining room…What would you like for dinner”?

“Pepperoni pizza and cold milk, Please” Betty responded.

“Very good, pepperoni pizza and ice cold milk it is, in one hour” Peach turned and closed the door behind her.

Betty rolled over to the sunken bath tub…It had red rose peddles floating in the water… and she smiled.

© DennisB 2011

After being chained to the wall in that dark, dank chamber room the hot water bath felt like heaven to little Betty.

“I wonder if I’m still dreaming…If I am, I do not want to wake” she thought herself.

Time came to exit the tub and get dried off. The towels were warn and soft and Betty patted herself dry. Soon there was a knock on the door.

Betty looked at the clock and an hour had paced “seemed like just a few minutes to me” She told herself.

The door opened and it was Peach “Betty are you ready for some pizza and milk. Our royal chief is excellent and I’m sure you’ll love what he made for you…Please follow me to the dinning room”. Betty followed.

The short journey to the dinning room was again a treat for young Betty.

Beautiful oil paintings and tapestries hung from the walls of arched ceiling hallways and fresh flowers on every table.

The late afternoon sun shown brightly through large glass windows showing off the marble floors and hand carved woodwork.

Peach turned to say something to Betty when she noticed a light aurora forming around her.

Peach quickly reached for Betty…”I HAVE YOU” Cried Peach!

A flash of bright green light engulfed them both and for a moment it seemed to Betty, she was standing in the castles hallway and Doctor LaMain’s dark hall.

The bright light faded and still Peach held Betty tight.

Now…nothing but silence and warm light surrounded them.

Peach and Betty slowly opened their eyes…

© DennisB 2011

“I am” a deep voice whispered in Betty’s mined. The blinding light faded and they found themselves on a white marble floor lined on both sides with swirling clouds of white mist. Small swirling wefts of clouds would dance out on the floor before them and then quickly vanish.

“I am the Lord of the Silverwings and I brought you here to tell you that you very special…Special indeed” the voice rang out.

“Your tires are already set upon this path and you cannot falter.” the voice faded and went silent for a moment.

“A great worrier you will become… you will change your world for all time with your courage and your love.” The voice faded and went silent again.

“I must send you both back now. Always remember…I’m with you”…

Blinding light engulfed Peach and Betty and quickly faded. The smell of stale cave air almost gagged them both as Betty realized that she was back in the dark hall of Doctor LaMain’s world.

“CHAIN THEM BOTH TO THE WALL AND PLACE A SPELL OVER THEM SO THEY CAN’T BE TAKEN AGAIN” Doctor LaMain’s voice roared out of the darkness. His great anger could be seen as fear in the faces of all those who served him.

Both Peach and Betty were pushed to the cold wet floor and dragged to the wall where they were chained.

A dark and very dirty bike covered in animal fur and slime rolled over to Peach and Betty.

Peach did not need to be told who this bike was. It was Doctor LaMain’s wizard and evil spell maker…Her name was Zela.

Zela closed her eyes and chanted a few words of magic and the chains that held the two captive to the wall started to glow a faint red.

“This should keep you from wondering off again child” as Zela looked at young Betty.

Then Zela’s gaze shifted onto Peach “Good to see you again, Sister…Enjoy your short stay with use” Zela laughed and rolled off in to the darkness.

“She is your sister” Betty asked after a few seconds?

“Yes…My half sister…We share the same mother” Peach responded as she looked over at Betty.

Gwen soon entered the great cave hall with water, blankets, and food.

© DennisB 2011

Soon, Gwen rolled into the darkness, exiting the great cave hall and Betty and Peach were alone and chained to the wall...and alone.

Peach pulled on the chain and shackle to test its strength.

“Peach, did you hear what the Lord of the Silverwings said” asked Betty as Peach settled back down with her blanket and bowl of food.

“What….No…I did not hear or see anything. Just a flash of light and we were here chained to this wall” Peach yanked on the chain once again.

“You did not see the….” Betty’s words fell short as the dark foreboding and sinister figure of Doctor LaMain entered the cave chamber. He was closely followed by his entourage of large and small, misshapen bikes and scooters. All whispered amongst themselves as they followed their leader.

The evil dark figure stopped in front of the two captives chained to the wall “I’m very happy to see you both enjoying our hospitality and the fine food we have provide you”.

The Doctor started to move toward his thrown chair and stopped and looked back, toward Betty. “Little Betty. My sweet little Betty….Your father is on my island once again and he has brought a friend…He’s going to attempt a rescue…This should prove to be interesting….Most interesting”.

The evil Doctor turned, chuckled to himself and continued toward his thrown chair.

“BRING MY SECURITY CAPTAINS” the Doctor shouted.

Betty smiled to herself and looked over at Peach and whispered “My father is here to rescue us”.

© DennisB 2011

Ben and Sally moved carefully along a narrow path. One side of the path dropped of into a bubbling river of molten lava. Steaming and bubbling as it moved along its slow journey.

Sally looked back at Ben following her “Be careful here, there seems to be some loose stones on the path” and she moved forward once again.

Ben realized that this is where Vespa picked up the diamond she had made into her wedding ring, years earlier. Ben closed his eyes and bowed his head for a moment and said “Thank You for your gift”.

A voice that could not be heard by ether rescuers, a voice as old as time itself, came from the darkness “You are welcome, my son”.

They made their way along the old stone pathway and found the entrance into the domed ceiling room where the huge rock pillar once stood in its center.

Old wooden torches were stacked next to the entrance and two were quickly lit.

Ben looked up to see if the light hole was open at the top of the cave room. It was over grown with island vegetation. Plant roots searching for moisture and nutrition now hung from the small opening, almost touching the rock floor of the great room.

They dropped their packs on the stone floor next to the almost empty gold pit. One bar of gold, shimmering in the torch light, held to the still leaning trap floor, by the rope that triggered the Doctors fall from this life.

“Greed… the Doctors own greed triggered this trap” Ben whispered looking over to Sally next to the hole in the floor. Her eyes still affixed on the single gold bar. A single bar of gold that belong to her long ago, pirate, great grandfather, Gay Beard. A scooter of great compassion, loyalty, and love for his ship, the Marinette, and all that served her.

“Let’s take a short brake and have some food before we take the plunge into the pit…What do you say Ben”?

Ben’s shifted his eyes from the dark gold pit over to Sally “You right…I’m getting hungry and a little tired. A break sounds good to me”.

Ben quickly shifted his eyes over toward the small sound he just heard in the darkness, beyond the flickering torch light.

Then Ben whispered “were being followed and watched”.

© DennisB 2011

Ben and Sally finished their small meal and grabbed a few minutes of sleep before getting their climbing gear out and preparing for the decent into the dark pit.

Ben rolled over to the edge of the pit and held his torch over the opening “I just hope we brought enough rope”.

Sally started to hammer climbing rope keepers into the rock floor.

Ben placed his torch on the rock floor and quietly disappeared in the darkness that surrounded them.

TAT…TAT…TAT Sally’s hammer fell on the keepers. The sound echoed through the caves darkness.

Ben quickly and quietly moved along the stone cave wall, just outside of the light from the burning torches. His eyes were starting to adjust to the low torch light.

Then he saw a dark shape move, just a little in front of him.

Whatever or whoever it was, was wearing a dark cloak that blended into the cave walls.

Ben could see small slits in the cloak and a slight reflection of torch light in the eyes of this silent ghost like apparition hidden against the wall.
Ben moved silently closer and closer.

Then…

© DennisB 2011

Then the gaze of the ghostly apparition pressed against the cave wall, changed from Sally to the approaching Ben, now just a few feet away.

Ben could see the surprise and the hate in its yellow eyes as he moved closer.

The torch light glinted off the shinny blade of a short dagger that appeared from under the cloak of the specter and was swung around toward Ben as he charged.

The blade struck the cave wall and sparks filled the air in front of Ben.

Ben hit this cloaked apparition with all the force he could muster and the specter was knocked to the cave floor, still holding the dagger.

“SHE IS NOT YOURS ANY LONGER….LEAVE NOW OR DIE” the specter hissed in a loud growl.

Sally quickly rolled over and had her 9mm pistol out of its holster and was ready to fire when a brilliant flash of green light blinded her and Ben.

The ghostly specter was gone and the cave went silent.

Ben looked over at Sally “We need to get her back quickly” the words Ben spoke echoed in the still air of the cave.

The two rescuers prepared themselves for the decent.

© DennisB 2011

“WHERE ARE THOSE TWO” the king of the castle of Silverwing roared to his servants.

A courtyard gardens keeper was brought in and he bowed deeply before the King.

“Your highness. Some most disturbing news. They vanished in a green flash of light as they were rolling to meet with your highness.” The gardener was uneasy specking to the King.

“I was trimming flowers in the east garden when I looked up to see Peach and a young female Silverwing heading to your majesties court room…when they just vanished in a green light.

“VANISHED” the King shouted! A Kings adviser leaned over and spoke in a whispered voice to the King.

“What is your name I have not met you before…Are you new to working in the castle garden” the King asked?

“My name is Dital, your Highness and I just started last week” Dital spoke nervously to the king.

“Well Dital, welcome to my kingdom” said the King and noticed that Dital had yellow eyes and was stroking a silver coin that he wore on a chain around his neck.

“Dital, can you show my court wizard where Peach and this young lady Silverwing vanished” the King asked?

“O’ yes my Lord… Dital would be happy to show your wizard” Dital resonded.

Dital bowed deeply and turned, and as he did, he looked to see if the wizard was following.

The court wizard with Dital in the lead rolled out of the great hall and down the hall where Peach and Betty vanished.

The King looked over to his adviser “I do not feel well, please cancel all my other appointments for today…very strange” the King said and then rose from his royal throne and almost fell over.

The adviser caught him and steadied him. “Thank you, Max” the King spoke quietly.

Every one in the Kings great hall bowed as he rolled out.

© DennisB 2011

“This way, this way” Dital kept saying over and over to the Kings wizard as they rolled down the great hallway.

“Right here is where it happen…Right here” Dital pointed toward the floor.

“Clear the area Dital…behind me, right now” and Dital moved behind the wizard.

The wizard raised his wand and pointed it at the spot Dital showed him. The Wizard chanted “REWIND THIS EVENT FOR ME TO SEE”!

A small orb of blue light appeared on the carpeted floor and then grows larger and larger. Soon the image of Peach and Betty moving down the hallway could be seen.

The image was of Peach looking over at Betty and then Peach reached over to her, a flash of bright green light and they were gone.

The wizard brought his wand to his side and the image vanished.

“Very strange” the wizard spoke to himself quietly.

“One more time” and the wizard held forth his wand “REVEIL THIS EVENT FOR ME TO SEE”!

A small orb of orange light appeared on the carpeted floor and then grows larger and larger. Soon the image of Peach and Betty moving down the hallway could be seen. But this time he could also feel and see the image of a dark, evil wizard chanting in the background.

Dital pushed the wizard from behind sending him into the orange light of the image orb.

The wizard turned and looked at Dital for just a moment and then the orb of orange light vanished with the wizard inside.

“Have a fun time wizard” Dital said as he smiled to himself and started to make plans for the Kings demise as he rolled back out to the castles garden.

© DennisB 2011

Ben, now with repelling harness installed, throws his rope down into the dark pit; he then stands and waits for Sally to get her harness on and rope ready.

“I have not repelled in…” just then he feels a small tough on his climbing rope.

“That’s strange” then his rope goes taunt, almost pulling him in to the pit.

And then, a very strong pull is felt on the rope, as if someone or something was climbing up the rope.

Ben braced himself on the pits edge to keep from falling in “SALLY, HELP” he cried!

Sally was there in a heart beat. She threw both lit torches down the pit and then un-holstered her 9mm pistol.

She waited for a second until she could see a target.

She took careful aim and fired two shoots.

The creature on the rope howled in pain and let go, causing Ben to suddenly fall backwards onto the cave floor.

“ARE YOU OK” Sally yelled.

“Yes, I’m OK…But what the hell was that…What did you see Sally” Ben picked himself up off the floor and unhooked the climbing rope from his harness.

“It was a hideous dark cloaked creature with glowing yellow eyes and I could feel its intense hatred of me as it looked at me. It was three times the size of the creature that we found next to the cave wall” Sally shivered.

“Sally, are you ready for this” Ben asked his friend?

Sally looked over at Ben. Her eyes were huge with fear “I’m ready, but that thing scared the hell out of me”. Sally’s eyes shifted back to the pit opening.

“OK…Lets get my daughter back”

Ben grabbed the rope and reinstalled it on his harness and looked over the pits edge and could see the bottom where the two torches still burned.

Sally reached into her glove box and handed Ben her back-up 9mm pistol “just in case” Sally smiled.

Ben smiled, put the gun in his glove box, turned around and started his descent into the pit.

© DennisB 2011

It didn’t take long for Ben to reach the bottom of the pit. He stopped a couple of times to look at the bottom of his rope to be sure that nothing was waiting for him.

Sally soon joined him. They picked up the still burning torches and looked around for a second.

It was a small place with several small opening leading to dark passage ways.

The creatures black blood was splattered on the dusty rock floor and lead off to one of the openings.

Ben whispered to Sally “what do you say…should we follow it”?

Sally nodded and took the lead with her pistol ready and her burning torch leading the way.

The sound of a rusted gate could be heard swinging open and then closing, down the dark passage.

The blood trail was hard to follow at times and small water pools washed away any sign of passage.

The smell of stale cave air and the feeling of being watched, followed them as the moved forward.

The dancing torch light on the cave walls, made it seem like things were moving everywhere.

They soon came to a rock stairway leading down further into island. A huge iron gate was recently pulled closed, the rusted chain and lock swung as if someone recently passed through and a pool of black blood was at its entrance on the floor.

Sally pulled the rusted gate open slowly to prevent warning anything ahead of where they were.

The blood trail led down the steps into the darkness.

Sally froze….

© DennisB 2011

In Sally’s flickering torch light, she could see the creature standing on the first platform of the stairway. Pressed into the corner, its yellow eye’s caught in the torch light revealed it presents. It snarled its dislike at being this close to out worlders.

Sally and Ben slowly moved closer to the creature, pistols drawn.

Black blood was pooling under its misshapen bare feet. It hissed at Sally like some crazed animal that was cornered.

“So your bleeding to death and you can’t run any more” Sally’s words echoed off the rock walls.

“DON’T COME ANY CLOSER OR I WILL KILL YOU” it hissed showing its sharp teeth

“My name is Sally. What’s your name” Sally kept an even gaze on the creature’s eyes to show she was not afraid.

“DON’T COME ANY CLOSER OUT WORLDER” it hissed again.

“This is Ben, we have come here to get Ben’s daughter back” Sally’s voice almost a whisper.

“HE CANNOT HAVE HER BACK… GO HOME…SHE BELONGES TO MY MASTER NOW” the creature almost slipped in the pool of blood but caught itself on the rusted chain that ran along the wall, behind it.

“We cannot just leave here without the young girl” whispered Sally.

“THEN YOU WILL DIE HERE” It hissed and then the creature flung itself at Sally.

Sally shot once and the creature collapsed on the stone floor in front of her.

The sound of the shot echoed down the stone corridor “they know we are here now’. Sally whispered.

© DennisB 2011

Max, the Kings advisor helped the King to bed and then summonsed the royal doctor.

The royal Doctor completed his medical examination on the King.

Just outside the Kings Bedroom door Max patently waited for good news.

The door to the Kings Bed chamber opened and the Doctor stepped into the antechamber and closed the door behind him.

Max stepped up ”Doctor, what seems to be wrong with his Majesty”?

“I don’t know…He was as healthy as you or I this morning when I talked to him at breakfast”. The Doctor looked at the floor, shook his head and started rolling toward the door. Then he turned to look at Max “I’ll be in my laboratory if you need me….the nurse will stay with his Majesty…let him rest for now” then he turned and rolled out the door.
Max’s thoughts went to the events of the morning. Over and over he examined every minute of this morning. The words and the events, all were looked at over and over.

‘Where is the royal wizard” he thought to himself. “He should have reported back by now”.

Max rolled quickly to the Kings Great Hall.

“CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD… BRING ME THE ROYAL WIZARD…AT ONCE” Max yelled as he entered the great hall! “AND BRING ME HIS APPRENTICE.”

The Captain of the guard snapped to attention “At once Sir” and quickly rolled from the room.

The Captain shouting and giving orders to his men could be heard all over the castle.

Max nervously paced the floor in front of the thrown waiting for any information.

The evil Dital, assassin of Doctor LaMain, made is way to the Kings Bed chambers.

© DennisB 2011

Betty and Peach quickly awoke as a ball of orange magic opened to light the middle of Doctor LaMain’s cave hall floor.

The orange light dissipated and there stood the Kings royal wizard Logan.

“WHERE AM I…I DEMAND TO KNOW WHERE I AM” Logan shouted as he looked franticly around at his new surroundings.

The Kings wizard was then thrown to the cave floor. His magic wand was taken away from him and he was dragged over to the wall where Peach and Betty were chained.

Doctor LaMain, sat on his thrown chair watching as the Kings wizard was chained.

“Logan, now MY wizard will make sure you do not wander off.

The Doctors wizard rolled over to Logan and chanted magic over the chains that now held him. The chain began to glow red.

“Zela…I thought that was you standing next to the Doctor…I recognized your foul smell as soon as I was brought here.

“Do not worry Logan, your time is growing short” Zela turned and started to roll away, then she turned back around “Enjoy your short stay with us” she turned and rolled out of the room.

The Doctor was handed Logan’s magic wand “Very nice, very nice indeed, as he looked it over…I’ll keep it safe for you… wizard” and the Doctor placed it inside his cloak pocket.

Doctor LaMain rolled over to his three captives and looked at them one at a time.

“My, my, we are getting quite a little group of outlanders now. Please excuse me…I need to take care of more pressing business at this time…BRING THE YOUNG GIRL TO MY LABORATORY” and he rolled from the cave.

© DennisB 2011

“Sally, I was just wondering…How much ammunition you brought with you” Ben asked as he stopped to look at the dead creature Sally had just shot.

Ben noticed that it had feet instead of tires and wheels. The skin was speckled dark gray with what looked like infected boils on its legs and feet. Black blood pooled under its dead body and ran between the stones that formed landing.

“Sally…I have never in my life seen anything so grotesque as this creature.” Ben was almost transfixed on the dead body.

“We need to get use to it. We’ll seeing a lot more of them”. Ben continued to look.

“BEN, we need to get a move on it. Just be thankful that bullets kill them…I have four more clips besides what is in the pistols. Your right, we need to be careful with our ammunition from this point on. Lets go, we need to save your daughter”

The two move slowly down the stairs. The sound of dripping water echoed in the still air as they moved along the stone stairs leading ever downward until they came to a level rocky corridor.

Sally froze once again. “Ben” Sally whispered “the light up ahead…do you see it and I hear voices”.

“Put out the torches. We do not need them at this time” Sally whispered.

The two torches were quickly extinguished and set against the wall.

Ben and Sally moved slowly along the rocky corridor until they reached a wooden bridge. Growling voices and movement could be seen in the shadows of the lit torches that lined the walkway that crossed under bridge. Small crude doorways were carved into the sides of the walkway many cloaked creatures moved in and out of these from time to time.

“Must be where they live” Ben whispered.

“Let’s wait for a few minutes” Sally whispered back.

And so they waited and watched from above.

© DennisB 2011

“Sir”…Max’s attention shifted to the Captain of the guard standing in front of him.

“Yes Captain…Did you find the royal wizard”?

“No Sir, we searched every inch of the castle and the surrounding grounds…He is just not here”.

“Did you find the wizards apprentice”?

“Yes Sir, we did”

Max looked at the small group of large castle guards standing before him.

“So where is this apprentice” Max asked?

“Right here Sir”.

The Captain moved to one side and there standing between two large guards was a small boy dressed in the robe of a wizard’s apprentice.

“What is your name young wizard”?

“My name is Albert, Sir” The young boy looked nervous.

“Albert, we need to find out where you master has gone…Can you show us. He was last seen in the hallway that leads to this very chamber. Can you show us what happen to him” Max asked again?

“Follow me Sir”

Max and the royal guards followed young Albert into the hallway.

Albert removed his wand from his robe pocket and held it out in front of him.

The young wizard chanted “REWIND THIS EVENT FOR ME TO SEE”!

A small spark came out of the wand and formed a small round orb of blue light.

The blue orb quickly vanished.

“Sorry Sir, I’ll give it another go”

“REWIND THIS EVENT FOR ME TO SEE” a small spark again came out of the wand and formed a small round orb of blue light and then it grew larger.

Soon all could see the royal wizard with his wand out before him and the grounds keeper behind him.

All watched in horror as the events in the vision unfolded before them.

“PROTECT THE KING” Max yelled as he turned and dashed to get to the Kings Bed chamber.

“FOLLOW ME AND SOMEONE FIND THAT GARDNER…AT ONCE”!

© DennisB 2011

The royal guard stationed just outside the Kings Bed chambers hears the alarm and quickly opens the door and steps in.

The King was in his bed but the nurse, tending him was in a heap at the edge of the bed.

The guard starts to draw his sword and feels a sharp pain in his side.

He looks…a dagger handle is…Dital pulls the lethal knife from the dead guard’s body and starts for the helpless King.

The assassin climbs onto the Kings bed and raises his knife just as Max and the Captain of the guard inter the door.

With one fluid motion, Max is pushed to the floor by the Captain who hurls his own dagger hitting Dital mid body, the force of the knife knocking him from the bed and onto the floor.

Dital screamed in pain as he hit the floor and was soon surrounded by the Kings guard.

“DO NOT KILL HIM… WE NEED INFORMATION…AND TAKE THAT MEDALION FROM HIM” Max orders.

Soon young Albert enters the Kings room and Max throws the medallion to him “Find what evil spell or curse is hidden in this so we can heal our King” Max orders… And thank you for saving our King”. Young Albert, the royal wizard apprentice smiled.

The screaming Dital is carried from the room but is stopped by Max for just a moment “WE WILL find your master and WE WILL keep you in chains for the rest of your short life… assassin, take him away”!

© DennisB 2011

Doctor LaMain had young Betty brought to his libratory. A well lit large room with empty cages along the back wall and a long table with crude home made looking laboratory equipment placed upon it, that dominated the center of the room.

“Please come in young Betty” the Doctor smiled as Betty was carried in.

“Make your self comfortable and I will tell you of how I became the ruler of this world” the Doctor turned and feed a small piece of meat to a small hideous looking creature in one of his cages.

“To start, I’m so happy you are here. You seem to just brighten up this world of mine” the Doctor turned and smiled at Betty.

“I own this island you are under…Yes you are on my island” he continued.

“One day I was exploring the volcanic caves and accidentally fell into a deep dark pit. I laid there, at the bottom of this pit for what seemed like days to me. Hungry, no water and with a broken frame and in the dark” He watched Betty’s face expressions.

“I was found by a band of under world creatures…I thought they were going to kill me at first. They gave me food and water and repaired me” the Doctor turned to feed another little piece of meat to the next creature in the cage.

“Well, one thing led to another and I found myself a small group of followers that were dissatisfied with their leader, their king and his wife…So” he looked over at Betty and smiled.

“I just organized a little insurrection…And guess what…After winning this little revolt, the good creatures of this world started calling me Master and Your Highness. I became the new leader of this world…How about that” the Doctor smiled.

“I would like to introduce you to the old King and Queen” he stepped aside and the two creatures, he was feeding, started to shake their cages violently.

“I removed their vocal cords so now they can not talk… Aren’t they just lovely.”

Betty started to cry and could not look any longer…

© DennisB 2011

Albert took Dital’s amulet to the Department of Magic. That’s the name Logan the head wizard, his Master, named this room in the castle.

“What is this” Albert asked himself?

It had a slight glow to it in the dark felt a little warmer then the surrounding air.

No inscriptions of any kind, just a hole where neck chain ran through it.

Albert stood back and took out his wand and pointed it at this little curiosity.

“SHOW ME YOUR SECRETS” he bellowed and nothing.

“SHOW ME YOUR TRUTH” and nothing.

“TELL ME YOUR SECRETS” and nothing.

“TELL ME YOUR TRUTH” and the amulet came to life and started to talk to him.

“What truth would you like to hear” young wizard?

Albert was astounded that it whispered to him.

“Why are you here in the castle of the Silverwings” Albert asked and waited?

“To make the King ill so he would be docile when he is killed” it answered.

“Why must the King die”

"Two Kings are not needed in one kingdom” it answered again.

“How do you make the King docile” asked Albert?

“I’ am tuned to the King to destroy his immune system” Albert gasped and rolled quickly from the room.

A minute later, Albert was standing at the end of the Kings Bed with his wand.

© DennisB 2011

The next day the King was setting up in bed and feeling much better. A kingdom wide celebration was planned for the Kings return to health.

In the darkest part of the castle. In a place very few have ever seen, Dital was chained and questioned day and night by Max and other court officials.

“Where is our wizard and court servant”?

“What did the medallion mean by two Kings are not needed in one kingdom”?

“Where is the young Silverwing girl named Betty”?

Over and over he was asked…Until he finely broke down.

“INVASION AND WAR” Dital shouted out “INVASION AND WAR…THEY ARE ALL WITH MY MASTER…KILL ME OR LET ME SLEEP”

The bad news was brought before the King.

“PREPARE FOR WAR” The King shouted from his bed.

© DennisB 2011

Ben and Sally waited for the passage way that ran beneath them to clear and then made their move to cross the small wooden bridge.

“It’s clear” and Sally rolled over to the other and waited.

Ben waited for moment then he shot across as well.

We need to disguise ourselves to fit in a little better” Sally whispered.

“A couple of those dark cloaks that everyone wears here…I would hate to get killed here for being out of fashion” Sally smiled.

“We could steal some from the laundry room” Sally suggested.

Ben looked over at Sally “I don’t think these creatures do laundry or take baths by the way they smell”.

“We need to…” Sally’s words were cut short. Just then, two large, heavily armed creatures moved into the open doorway below. The doorway that lead to where they were hidden.

The sound of grunting and metal weapons striking metal grew closer.

Heavy foot steps could be heard coming toward them and there was no place to hide.

Sally and Ben took out the pistols “Lets rush them” Sally suggested”

“Rush them” Ben replied.

“It’s our only chance” Sally whispered back.

“OK…on three” Ben and Sally prepared to rush the heavily armed creatures in the small corridor leading to the wooden bridge.

“One...Two…Three” Ben and Sally rushed the two creatures, slamming into them, knocking them back against the corridor wall with great force.

Ben and one of the creatures rolled down and out of the doorway, out onto main walkway beneath the wooden bridge.

The large creature was unconscious. Ben looked around to see if anyone saw him but the walkway was empty.

Ben pulled the smelly brut back into the doorway and into the darkness.

“Grab their cloaks and weapons” Sally whispered. “I just whish we had some rope to tie them up with”.

Ben looked over at Sally “we could kill them and just leave them hear”.

“Ben… I just can’t bring myself to kill, even this horrible looking creature, when it’s just lying there unconscious”.

Just then the creature woke and started to rise.

© DennisB 2011

The creature, growling and hissing, reached for its dagger.

It quickly realized that its weapons were in the position of this out worlder standing over it.

With its left arm, it hurled a devastating blow to Sally, knocking her into the cave wall.

It started to stand. Ben jumped onto its back and forced it back down to the floor.

Ben was then thrown into the wall by the growling, angered creature.

“SALLY, SHOOT IT, SHOOT IT NOW” Ben screamed.

Still dazed, Sally brought up her 9mm and pulled the trigger.

The creature slumped and fell too the floor.

Ben picked himself off the floor was then grabbed from behind by the second creature, now awake, and was thrown at the tunnel wall again.

Ben impacted the wall with great force and fell unconscious to the floor.

Again, Sally took aim and fired.

The second creature went silent and slummed over and fell over.

Sally rushed over to Ben.

“Wake up, wake up” as she shook Ben.

Ben slowly opened his eyes and looked up at Sally “I had him right where I wanted him”. Ben whispered and then closed his eyes for a seconded “I just whish the tunnel would stop spinning…Did you get him”?

“I sure did…I didn’t think getting two cloaks was going to be this difficult old friend” as she helped Ben up from the floor.

“We need to get a move on it” Sally whispered. “Let’s go”.

They pulled their newly acquired cloaks around themselves.

A few seconds later, Sally and the still dazed Ben rolled onto the main corridor and were gone.

© DennisB 2011

It was a beautiful, warm spring like day and all was at piece in the kingdom of the Silverwings.

The Kings army was on standby for the better part of two days. Combat at close quarters and other military drills were completed to insure the safety of the castle and all that called it home.

The King, himself was feeling much better and a celebration was underway when a small cloud started to form over head. Not to significant at first but it started to grow larger and soon was a swirling mass of boiling darkness.

Lightning bolts shot out from its center terrifying those under it.

Then thunderous shafts of lightning started to strike the highest towers and ramparts, splintering the beautiful hand carved stone and wood, raining it down of those who watched in terror below.

The King called for the wizard’s apprentice, once again “bring me the royal wizard”

“I’ll get him, Your Highness” Max turned and rolled out of the Kings hall.

Albert, was trying to get some studying done. He was reading up on dark spells and how to resolve problems once a spell is diverted. The sound of the lightning storm forced him to place a magic sound proof dome over himself so he could study.

Max knocked on the door to the Department of Magic. There was no answer so he opened the door latch and slowly opened the door.

There under a transparent dome of white light sat Albert at the reading table. Eye affixed on the old leather bound book in front of him.

Max rolled over and gently kicked the chair leg with his wheel.

Albert looked up and saw Max standing just a few feet away.

“Hello Max can I help you Sir”.

Max just stood there looking at him.

Ablert just shook his head and picked up his wand off the table next to him and waved it.

The dome of light vanished. “Hello Max, sorry all that thunder made it hard for me to study”.

Max just smiled “The King has requested you in the great hall…Immediately”.

Max’s smile changed to a more serious look “Bring your wand, young wizard” this storm is getting out of hand and it is starting to do harm”.

Albert placed his wand in the inner pocket of his robe. “I should be able to help Max…I’m ready, lets go”.

They rolled from the room.

© DennisB 2011

As Albert and Max rolled toward the Great Hall, Albert could see and hear the great thundering and the destruction it was causing.

They rolled outside for a moment to see this bubbling mass of turbulence that was hanging over the castle.

Albert retrieved his wand from his robe pocket and held it toward the sky.

“CLOUDS BE GONE” sparks and a beam of light shot out of the end of the wand. When the beam of light hit this huge mass, the beam was reflected back down striking a small wagon of hay, setting it ablaze.

All went eerily quiet and the cloud mass got darker and bigger in the sky.

Max and Albert watched as a large spot of green light came out of the center and slowly drifted down to the center of the court yard.

All things stood still as they watched this ball of light as it pulsated. Birds stopped singing; bug’s stopped buzzing in the garden. All the world went very still as this ball of light just stood there pulsing green light in all directions.

All of a sudden… the green ball of light vanished and in its place stood a huge dark foreboding creature with yellow eyes. Its dark cloaked figure, hunched over and brisling with weapons.

It looked around and gave off a loud growl and held its long spear into the air as a challenge to all.

Albert looked over at Max “is this invasion, we were told of”?

Just then they both looked up to see hundreds of green balls of light falling from the center of the swirling dark cloud mass.

“TO ARMS, TO ARMS THE INVASION HAS BEGUN” Max shouted.

© DennisB 2011

Albert held out his wand “RETURN TO WHERE YOU CAME”. The beam of light from the wand just bounced off the huge, hideous creature and it let out another loud growl and then started toward the young wizard.

The ground under Albert’s wheels started to shake with each step it took.

He raised his wand once more. ‘The death chant” he said to himself.

“THE DEATH OF YOU” he yelled, a brilliant red beam of light shot from the end of the wand striking the creatures shield hurling the creature back several feet. It whirled about and threw its spear at the young wizard.

Albert quickly moved to one side and the spear struck the wood door frame, splintering it.

Albert raised his wand once more toward the on oncoming creature “THE DEATH OF YOU” he yelled once again.

The red light from the wand, again struck the creatures shield. The creature leaned into the force of the magic.

Albert held the wands death beam for as long as he could and then yelled “DEATH TO YOU” once again. The red beam intensified and the creature hissed and growled at its force.

Then…The red light disintegrated the creatures shield and hit the huge beast square in the chest. It yelled its most terrifying scream as it turned into a pile on flaming dust.

Albert let loose his concentration and the red beam vanished. The ground that was once beautiful green grass, before him, was now smoking and burning.

Albert fell to the ground exhausted from the battle. Then he looked up…

A hundred more green pulsating balls of light had landed on the castles beautiful garden….And a hundred more came for the swirling dark cloud above.

© DennisB 2011

Growling and cloaked, yellow eyed, creatures dressed in chain mail with many weapons strapped to them, pasted Sally and Ben. Some of the larger ones pushed the smaller larger out of the way. One was pushed into Sally as she and Ben made their way down the main corridor. She did not look up but keep moving, Ben close behind her.

Ben and Sally slipped into a small doorway to catch their breath.

“Let’s keep moving” Ben whispered to Sally as they both looked at the floor.

“YOU TWO…YEAH, YOU TWO…COME WITH ME, I HAVE A JOB FOR YOU” the voice was gruff and had a slight hiss to it. Sally and Ben turned to follow.

They followed the large creature. He pushed the others out of his way as he went.

He turned down a small hallway that lead to a large room with an open window at one end. Hundreds of long fighting spears lined the walls.

“YOUR JOB IS TO HAND OUT THE SPEARS TO THE FIGHTERS AS THEY PASS BY THE DOORWAY…ONE SPEAR EACH…DO YOU UNDERSTAND”
Sally and Ben shook their heads yes “OK, WHEN YOU FINISH HERE LET ME KNOW AND I WILL FIND YOU A NEW TASK…MY NAME GORT AND I’M THE MAIN LOGISTICS OFFICER HERE”. He turned and walked out the door.

Ben and Sally started to hand out spears to the cloaked creatures as they pasted the window, trying not to make eye contact.

Sally and Ben rolled over to get more spears “One of us needs to get out of here and find Betty” Ben whispered and rolled back to the doorway to pass out the weapons.

Soon more spears were needed “I’ll go” Ben whispered.

“OK, you’ll know where to find me” Sally went back to work.

Ben slipped out the door and was gone.

© DennisB 2011

Ben wondered the hallways and corridors of this underworld for what seemed like hours.

He passed a doorway where large battle shields were having spells put on them for invincibility. Factory rooms with small creatures making swords and knives. Rooms that were laboratories that had back walls filled with cages.

Soon he came to a large doorway that had two large well armed guards posted on the out side. He rolled on by without looking inside or attracting attention to himself.

He found a shadowy place along the corridor and watched the guards at the door.

It was not long before Doctor LaMain rolled out of the guarded doorway and went right past him. He was followed by many bikes and creatures of all sizes.

Soon he saw Betty being carried out of the door and down the corridor. His hart jumped with joy at seeing her.

He followed…

© DennisB 2011

Ben moved in close behind the creatures carrying his daughter. Pulling his dark cloak in around himself and not specking to the others.

Betty was carried into the laboratory that he had passed earlier. He also noticed when he passed the open door that Doctor LaMain was already inside.

He waited in the shadows. Soon the Doctor came out of the door “take her back and chain her to the wall” he ordered.

Ben now knew where his daughter was being kept so he decided to follow the Doctor.

The Doctor rolled down the corridor with his entourage following. Ben had no trouble blending in at the back of the pack.

The Doctor turned into an open doorway, onto a rocky balcony over looking a large cave. There were hundreds of large, heavily armed, cloaked creatures standing in a long line that snaked through the cave .

At the other end of this cave was a whirling cloud of dark mist and standing next to this dark mist was what looked like a female wizard with a wand.

The Doctor looked down from his balcony and spoke “YOU ALL ARE ON A GREAT MISSION…KILL ALL YOU SEE AND TAKE NO PRISONERS…A NEW WORLD AWAITS US ALL” the Doctor then nodded to the wizard.

She raised her wand and a green beam of light shot out its end creating a ball of pulsating light around the first creature in line.

The ball of light then rose off the cave floor and slowly moved to center of the swirling mist cloud.

Small bolts of lightning grabbed hold of the green light ball and pulled it into its center and then it disappeared as thou it was swallowed by the mist.

The hundreds of Creatures watching the event growled and banged their spears against their shields.

Ben stood there for a moment and watched as another creature was turned into a ball of light.

“Where are they going” he thought to himself.

Ben then turned and followed the Doctor.

© DennisB 2011

Betty, still crying over the horrible sight of the true King and Queen of this world caged and mutilated because of the sick power quest of one scooter, the evil Doctor LaMain. She was quickly chained to the wall with her friends Peach and the great wizard Logan.

Soon Gwen rolled in with water and food bowls for all three of the captives. She got even closer to Betty this time and looked into her wet, tearful eyes.

Betty, this is my world, not yours. Gwen took a quick look behind her self then back to Betty. The evil scooter that has brought you here is my father, not yours.

Gwen reached into her cloak pocket and pulled out the wand that was taken from Logan when he was brought here. She put the wand on the cave floor in front of Logan, turned and quickly rolled from the room.

Logan picked up the wand and quickly placed it in his glove box. Then he looked around the room and then over to little Betty.

“There must have been a reason why they wanted me out of the Kingdom” Logan whispered. We will find out for what reason, in a short time.

Logan looked around the great hall again. It was still empty.

He reached for the wand and pointed it at Peach and Betty “TAKE THESE SCOOTERS BACK TO THEIR HOME, THE SILVERWING CASTLE”.

A blue ball of warm light shot from the end of the wand hit the red glowing chains that held them and then surrounded Betty and Peach”.

Soon they found them selves standing before the King. Sharp long battle spears and swords pressed against them, held by the Kings battered looking royal guard.

Meanwhile the Doctors evil wizard stopped her transport of fighters through the swirling cloud and whispered the name “Logan”. She could feel his magic being used in her underworld.

© DennisB 2011

Castle guards and soldiers rushed past Albert as he rested, his wand smoldering from his first battle with the cloaked creatures invading his home.

He watched for a few seconds to catch his breath, and then he stood once more.

A brave castle guard was cut down not more the 20 feet from him and then the creature looked around and saw Albert. It started toward him. Its eyes flashed and then it growled. It kicked the pile of burning ash, that once was his comrade, at the young wizard, trying to blind him.

Albert quickly rolled out of the way of the burning cloud and then leveled his wand once again at his enemy approaching him.

The red hot light of Albert’s wand once again hit the creature’s shield knocking it back…And still it came growling and hissing like some crazed animal, pushing against Albert’s magic.

A guardsman came up from behind the beast, driving his battle spear into the creatures back. It screamed and the red beam of Alert’s wand caught the creature in the chest and it was gone in a flash of light.

Albert yelled to the guardsmen “YOUR WHITH ME” and they took on the next invader…and the next.

The sound of fierce battle could be heard coming from every corner of the castle.

Noble Silverwings, cooks and gardeners, all answered the Kings call to arms…Protecting the home they loved.

Max rolled up to Albert “WE NEED YOU TO PROTECT THE KING”. Just then Max raised his sword and blocked a knife thrown by an approaching creature “GO NOW WAZARD” he yelled as he started to battle the oncoming beast.

As Albert left the field of battle. He could hear the sound of Max doing battle with the huge creature…he turned and shot a red hot bean of light into the creatures face, blinding him…Max went for the kill.

Albert turned toward the Kings Great Hall.

© DennisB 2011

Ben rolled down the corridor that lead to the great door that he saw his daughter being carried from earlier.

Dark cloak pulled around him as he rolled, he was working on a plan to get the two guards away from the door.

“Almost there” he told himself “just one more corner to go”…A bright blue flash of light came form the hallway just in front of him.

Ben looked around the corner with caution. The two guards were on the corridor floor and a Silverwing with a wand held in front of him, emerged from the doorway and looked at the two unconscious creatures.

Ben got so excited that he turned the corner and called out his daughters name “BETTY, BETTY” as he rushed toward the Silverwing with the wand.

Logan held out his wand and was about to…”you know Betty” he asked as Ben rolled toward him.

“Yes, she’s my daughter, where is she” Ben asked as he looked beyond Logan through the open doorway.

“You are Ben…of course… your daughter talked about you none stopped…Good to meet you finally, I’m Logan, the Wizard to the King of the Silverwings” Logan smiled. “I was also brought here against my will”.

“My daughter, where is she” Ben asked.

“She is safe Ben…I sent her and another to the Royal Court Chambers of the King”. Logan smiled.

“Thank You Logan” Ben said as he looked into wizards face.

“We need to find out what’s going on here. This Doctor LaMain, kidnapped me and had me chained up in this cave, for a reason I don’t know”. Logan quickly looked down the corridor. Sounds of creatures approaching caught his attention.

“Must be the changing of the guard” Logan whispered. “We must hide and take these creatures by surprise, help me drag these two into the door”.

They dragged the two unconscious guards into the cave doorway and then they waited.

© DennisB 2011

Albert entered the Kings Great Hall. Three creatures were fighting with the Kings Guards.

He raised his wand and hit the closest creature with his red death beam square in the back. The creature hissed and yelled and turned to ash as one of the guards ran his long swords through its neck.

One creature saw the wizard turn his comrade into flaming ash and started to run from the great hall.

It tripped over the body of a killed guard in its retreat and it fell to the floor. Two Royal guards jumped on it and killed it with their swords.

The third creature, closest to the King, held its ground and tried to through spear into the King. One of the Kings guards leaped in to the air in front of the King. The huge spear killed the guard instantly.

Albert shot a beam of red light into the creatures face and it reared back with pain.

The King grabbed the spear from his dead guards body and thrust it into the throat of the creature killing him instantly.

“Your Majesty…Are you all rite” Albert asked as he quickly rolled to the King side.

Just then a blue orb of light started to materialize in front of the King.

All pointed their swords and held their spears ready for the next battle.

The light orb grew larger and brighter. All in the Great Hall readied themselves for what was coming out of this blue sphere forming in front of them.

© DennisB 2011

Dital was asleep when the first sounds of battle woke him suddenly.

He looked and could see flashes of green light coming through the window of the dungeon cell where he was chained.

He heard the sounds of screams and metal weapons being thrown together in combat.

The red flash of a wand could also be seen and the tormented screams of the underworld worriers as they were being turned into ash.

“Very strange” he said to himself “I thought I had rid this kingdom of its wizard”.

Just then…

A small ball of green light formed just outside of his cell and grew larger and brighter.

Soon the ominous shape of his master’s chief assassin, The Soul Stealer, appeared.

The air in the dungeon suddenly went ice cold.

This shadow of a creature, had no name and those that have seen it did not live to tell of it.

It moved like a whiff of black smoke over to the wall and faded into the shadows.

As it did it looked over at Dital, his blood went cold…he knew he was already dead.

© DennisB 2011

“HOLD IT” The King shouted to his guards.

Suddenly the figures of Peach and Betty materialized and the light orb disappeared.

The guards relaxed and their weapon were lowered.

“PEACH” the King shouted “AND THIS MUST BE LITTLE BETTY, WELCOME HOME”.

“Where’s Logan” Albert asked?

Mean while in the dark castle dungeon…

Dital watched the smoke creature as it settled against the stone wall of the corridor just out side his cell.

It blended into the stone like a cameleon lizard waiting for it’s pray.

Hunting…waiting….And it did not need to wait long.

The dungeon guard saw the flash of the green orb and rolled down the corridor to investigate.

The guard stopped in front of Ditals cell. “What was that light I saw down here” he asked.

Dital said nothing and just looked at the guard. He knew that the guard would soon be dead.

The guard unlocked the cell to enter and then opened the door.

The Soul Stealer made its move.

It floated off the stone wall and approached the guard from the rear.

It made no sound as it approached.

The guard rolled into the dungeon cell and stood before Dital “Now tell me…WHAT WAS THAT GREEN LIGHT” the guard asked.

The Soul Stealer floated behind the Guard for a moment like a black swirling cloud….

Dital just watched.

© DennisB 2011

Dital watched the black cloud like mist of the Soul Stealer as it loomed over the top of the Silverwing jail guard.

The guard could see that Ditals eyes were not fixed on him, but on something behind him.

The guard slowly turned, reaching for his sword…yellow eyes in a cloud of black swirling mist was the last vision of the guard.

The Soul Stealer lunged and engulfed the guard.

Small sparks flew off the guard as he screamed with pain…but the sound of the scream could not be heard, muffled by the mist surrounding him.

Dital just watched, soon the Soul Stealer let go and the lifeless body of the guard fell to the cold stone floor.

The black cloud swirled. Yellow eyes affixed on the chained captive before him.

Slowly, it removed the key from the dead guard’s belt and brought it over to Dital.

A voice as cold as the grave, whispered to Dital “come…I need you”.

The Soul Stealer unlocked one of the wrest cuffs and then dropped the key in Dital’s lap.

It whispered to Dital once again “come with me, we have work to do”.

The Soul Stealer floated from the cell with Dital following close behind.

© DennisB 2011

Logan, the Kings wizard, readied his wand as the creatures approached.

Ben drew the 9mm pistol from his glove box and readied himself.

The brutish shadows of the guards could be seen on the corridor wall opposite the dark doorway where Ben and Logan waited.

Grunts and low growls could be heard from the creatures as they approached.

Then the two approaching guards realized the doorway was left unguarded they drew their swords.

The two guards moved slowly toward the dark and unguarded doorway and carefully looked into the dark recess of the opening.

The sudden blue flash of Logan’s wand sent both guards hurling into the far stone wall of the corridor.

One of the creatures instantly regained his footage, growled loudly and started to charge the doorway with his sword in hand.

Ben pointed his pistol at the head of the oncoming creature and started to squeeze the trigger.

“BANG”…the sound echoed down the corridor and the huge creature slumped and fell to the stone floor.

Ben looked at his pistol…He did not fire the shot. The pistols safety was on.

Logan was amazed “What magic is this” he asked as he looked at the pistol Ben held.

The Kings Wizard had never seen a hand gun before.

Just then, a dark cloaked figure appeared in front of the doorway, taking Logan and Ben by surprise.

Logan brought up his wand in defense.

The dark figure held another pistol and had it pointed at the dead guard.

“WAIT” Ben yelled at Logan!

The dark figure then looked over at Ben and Logan and pulled back its hood.

© DennisB 2011

“SALLY” Ben yelled out in excitement at seeing his friend.

Sally smiled at seeing Ben “I just ran out of spears so they gave me the rest of the day off, nice of them”.

“Who’s this” Sally asked at seeing Logan?

“Logan is my name, Royal Wizard to the Court of his Majesty of the Castle of Silverwing and you are”?

“Hello, I’m Sally, Police Detective and long time friend of Ben’s”

“Good to meet you Sally…We need to find out what’s going on here” said Logan as he looked up and down the corridor. “Let’s pull these two guards inside so no one trips over them and compare our notes”

They quickly pulled the creatures into the dark cave entrance.

Ben told them of the large cave and the army he saw gathered there. He also told them Doctor LaMain’s words when he addressed the army of creatures. Ben also told them of the female wizard sending the creatures through the swirling cloud as green balls of light.

“INVASION” Logan hissed low and to himself.

“CAN YOU TAKE ME TO THIS CAVE” Logan shouted with excitement as he looked at Ben.

“WE NEED TO STOP THIS MADNESS…PLEASE, LET’S HURRY” the wizard shouted.

Ben released the safety on his pistol and looked over at Sally.

Sally removed the clip from her 9mm and installed a fresh clip into the weapon and nodded to Ben.

“Let’s go stop this invasion” whispered Ben as he looked into the faces of his friends.

With Ben in the lead, the three friends headed down the dark corridor.

Logan followed Sally and Ben and as he did, he thought about the evil Zela and if he could create the magic strong enough to bring her down.

© DennisB 2011