Tawanos: well my comp has been fixed for the most part. I have no idea how
it just was my cousin is a genius. Anyway while he was fixing I got to
writing and I didn't stop for 5 hours. After some editing by my wonderful
sis it's ready to be posted. There was action last chapter and there is
more in this one, and I have much more planned in the next few chapters.
But that's for me to know, and you to find out.
Disclaimer: Me? Own Zoids? Yea right, I wish!
Chapter 10- Flugal Valley
"Here get on my back and I will run us back." Leena got on Bit's back, as soon as she was on Bit started for the woods. He was running between the trees, but he kept going faster. Soon the trees were a blur as Bit ran between them, Liger was left behind they were going so fast.
"What about Liger?" Leena asked Bit as the wind whipped past her.
"So long as he can smell our trail he can follow us anywhere."
It took very little time before they were back on the road and catching up to the caravan. Bit didn't even stop as they ran up behind the Chariot. He just jumped up onto it. When he landed on the roof Leena got off his back and sat down. Bit lay down and looked up at the sky, watching the clouds like that was the only thing he had done all day. Leena was about to ask a question, but Bit put a finger to his lips then jerked his thumb pointing over the edge of the roof.
"Bit? Leena? Are you up there?" Bit sat up and looked over the edge of the roof at Doc who had just ridden up beside the Chariot on a horse.
"Yes, we are both up here."
"Ok, I just wanted to let you know that this boring ride will soon be over. We should reach the Flugal Valley in a matter of hours."
"Good, I was getting bored sitting up here all day.
"Ok, I just wanted to make sure you knew." And he rode off back up to the front of the caravan.
"Why didn't you tell him?" Bit thought for a second as he lay back down on the roof.
"You know how your dad doesn't want the fact about who your family is to get out because it might put you in danger?" Leena nodded. "Well that's kinda how I feel about telling about the armor. As you saw Fury wants my armor, it could be very dangerous if he found out who has it, and I don't want to take any chances of anyone overhearing."
"What happened to the dragon, Jager? I saw it fly at you when you got the armor, but then it was gone." Bit sat up and unbuttoned his shirt. He took it off and turned his back to Leena. Across the right side of his back, below his shoulder blades, there was a tattoo of a blue dragon, the exact likeness of Jager. Leena ran her fingers over the tattoo. She looked at it closely and saw that it was more detailed than any tattoo could be.
"Jager was more than just the protector of the armor, he was the soul of the armor. When I got the armor he joined with me increasing my power over wind and water greatly, my speed as well." The eyes of the tattoo glowed briefly, Leena pulled her hand away and Bit put his shirt back on. "The armor its self is inside me, I can feel it just beneath the surface of my skin, ready to be called on at any moment." The power that he held inside him was epic, yet he seemed disturbed by something.
"Bit? Is something wrong?"
"He wants my armor..." Bit didn't finish, but Leena knew who 'He' was, Fury.
"You have armor? What's it made of? Scrap metal I'll bet." It seemed Harry had recovered from his blow earlier. Unfortunately he had slight amnesia and couldn't remember how he had gotten the massive bruise on his back. He thought that he had fallen off his horse, something that happened incredibly frequently considering the girth and slow pace of his horse.
"Harry, get lost before I hurt you." Bit said coolly. "I am really not in the mood. Now go play with your dolls or something." He finished by flicking a finger at Harry's horse. A little ball of energy flowed off his finger and zapped the rear end of the horse making it start forward quickly.
"You really shouldn't show off like that, it would attract attention." Leena said it, but didn't mean it. She liked watching him doing magic.
Bit wasn't paying attention, he was looking past Leena into the valley, and there was a large group of buildings and even a small castle. As they entered the town of Flugal it seamed that preparations were being made for a celebration of some kind. A villager they passed told them that it was to celebrate a fantastic harvest that they just had. The Caravan all gathered together at the edge of town, circling up as they had before. A well-dressed young lady with red hair approached the Caravan when they had set up.
"I am Naomi Flugal, my father, Lord Flugal, has asked me to invite you and your crew to the festival this evening." Everyone agreed to come, though Bit had to be persuaded.
"Bit, I don't know what happened to you." Doc said. "But you can't live in the past, what happened, happened, and there is nothing you can do now." Bit did not really cheer up, but he did agree to come.
*** Later ***
Bit walked into the square where the festival was being held. Liger had stayed behind to guard the Chariot. There were people dancing to music, others were walking around talking, some just stood around drinking punch, or other stuff. He was dressed in a green shirt, light tan pants, and a dark blue vest. As he walked in a group of girls giggled, he ignored them. He was simply not in the mood.
He went over to a drink table and got a cup of punch. He looked out on the dance floor and was startled to see Leena dancing with Harry. Harry looked like he was having the time of his life, but Leena did not share his view. When the song ended Leena took her chance to get away from Harry, she headed for the drink table and saw Bit.
"Bit, I was wondering when you would show up." When he did not respond she continued. "This sure is a lot of fun, come on you have to see this." Leena grabbed his arm and pulled him away into the crowd. When they were near the end she stopped and pointed at something. Bit looked and saw Brad talking avidly with Naomi. Bit smiled a little but did not laugh as Leena did.
Leena continued to take Bit around to all the sights and activities that were going on, but through out it all Bit seemed distant. There was a constant sadness in his eyes that would not go away. Finally Leena gave up and went to find her father. Bit retreated to a darker, less occupied corner of the square. There he remained until several figures in black rode into the square on large black horses. At once all activities stopped, the music died, conversation stopped as everyone turned to look at the newcomers.
"I am Stigma, I come as a representative of the all powerful Fury." The leader was tall with light hair. "We have come to discuss the new tax laws set down by your new king." A thin smile appeared as he said this. "Hence forth the Flugal Valley is required to relinquish half of every harvest to the armies of Fury."
"But how will we live? We need this harvest to prepare for the winter." Someone said from the crowd.
"Not my problem." He reached into his saddlebags and pulled out a parchment. "This gives me the authority to... persuade any who disagree." A flaming arrow streaked though the air and hit the parchment, the arrow stuck in the ground as the parchment burned around it. All eyes turned to Naomi who was drawing another arrow to her bow.
"I disagree." But before she could launch the arrow the bow was yanked from her hands, it flew through the air right into Stigma's waiting hand.
"This? Against me?" He laughed. "I am the strongest telekinetic there is. You can not challenge me."
"She may not be able to." A figure in bright blue armor strode out of the shadows at the far end of the square. "But I can, and I do."
"Who are you and by what right do you challenge me?"
"You can call me Jager, and by the rights of the people I challenge you. This land and these people are under my protection." Stigma shot an arrow at him from his new bow, but the long sharp fingers of Jager turned it into saw dust before it could hit him. "You may be the strongest Telekinetic in the world, but I, I am the maelstrom and the hurricane, the whirlpool and the tidal wave." A barrier appeared between him and Stigma, but a slash from his arm blades shattered it causing Stigma to cry out in pain and anger.
He called for Sanders to attack, the man on horse back right behind him. Electric energy crackled around his hand as he lifted it into that air. He pointed at Jager, a bolt of energy split the air faster than anyone could see, but Jager was still faster. There was a flash of light as the bolt struck the bare ground, after the flash cleared there was a metallic clapping as Jager stepped out of a shadow behind them. They turned quickly, but again they were not quick enough. The blue stranger threw Stigma from his horse, in an instant Jager was kneeling on his chest with his long sharp fingers pointed directly at his heart like a scorpion.
"Tell your master that he will never defeat me, he will never defeat the people. Tell Fury that these people are under my protection. If anyone should come to do harm to these people I will not be as lenient with them as I am with you." He got up off the man's chest thought he still pointed at his heart. "Now go, go and never come back." He watched as they rode off into the distance, then he turned and walked to the fountain at the center of the square.
There was complete silence as Jager stretched his armored hand out over the water. The water began to swirl and churn as Jager looked at it. Then the water under his hand began to rise up. As it rose something took shape in the rising tip. When it was directly under his hand Jager closed his hand around the thing and the water returned to the fountain. He turned and walked to the raised dais where Lord Flugal sat looking over the festival.
"Lord Flugal, I have protected you and your people this day, and I will continue to do so, but I can not always be here." He opened his hand and presented an ice blue ring to him. "This ring of Ice Sapphire will allow you to call me. I will come to your court later this night to speak wit you privately and explain matters further, for now excuse me I have pressing matters elsewhere." With that he placed the ring in the Lord's hand, turned and disappeared in a blur of blue metal. All eyes turned to the Lord who was examining the ring, it was light blue, and cool but not cold, and the smooth surface of the ring reflected everything. As the Lord placed the ring on his finger it adjusted to fit him perfectly. Gradually people began to talk again, and it seemed that the only topic of conversation was Jager and the events that had just happened.
Bit walked up behind Leena and tapped her on the shoulder. She whorled around and hugged him.
"Bit that was incredible, you were incredible." She whispered in his ear. He hugged her back before they released one another. Doc and Leon were walking up to them.
"What a show!" Doc exclaimed as they approached them. "I never would have expected to find someone so noble and powerful out here. I've never even heard of this Jager character before."
"I wonder who he is." Bit asked innocently.
"Who ever he is I will find him. From what I've seen here I would bet that he's one of the few who I would consider giving up my Leena to in marriage." Bit raised an eyebrow but said nothing. "Well I think it would be a good idea for us to turn in for the night."
"If it's all right with you I would like to stay and see if anyone here knows about Jager." Bit said, knowing full well that no one did.
"You do that Bit." Doc barely stifled a yawn. "I'm going back to the Chariot to go to sleep and I'm taking Leena and Leon with me." Leena started to argue but when she got Bit's look she stopped and followed her father back to the Chariot with Leon.
Bit turned and walked into the crowd joining groups that were talking and planting little rumors and lies that he knew would grow, change and spread. Soon he heard his own rumors being told to him like they were the absolute truth.
"He's fought against Fury all his life in secret." Said one man. "He's one of the great Sleeping Magi come to rid the world of the evil Fury." Said another. "He's already killed 1000 of Fury's best men, he's unstoppable, and I'm on his side." Said yet another, and everyone agreed with him totally.
Seeing that his work was done Bit retired to the drinks table. He watched for a time as people talked until he decided that it was time to see Lord Flugal once again. He slipped into the shadows, walked down an ally and emerged Jager. People who saw him cheered as he passed on his way to the Lord's Citadel.
Tawanos: Now that Lord Flugal has had time to recover from the shock how will he react to Bit? Will he accept him as a friend and an ally, or attack him for bringing the wrath of Fury down on their heads? Only I know. *Laughs* you will have to wait and find out in the next chapter.
Disclaimer: Me? Own Zoids? Yea right, I wish!
Chapter 10- Flugal Valley
"Here get on my back and I will run us back." Leena got on Bit's back, as soon as she was on Bit started for the woods. He was running between the trees, but he kept going faster. Soon the trees were a blur as Bit ran between them, Liger was left behind they were going so fast.
"What about Liger?" Leena asked Bit as the wind whipped past her.
"So long as he can smell our trail he can follow us anywhere."
It took very little time before they were back on the road and catching up to the caravan. Bit didn't even stop as they ran up behind the Chariot. He just jumped up onto it. When he landed on the roof Leena got off his back and sat down. Bit lay down and looked up at the sky, watching the clouds like that was the only thing he had done all day. Leena was about to ask a question, but Bit put a finger to his lips then jerked his thumb pointing over the edge of the roof.
"Bit? Leena? Are you up there?" Bit sat up and looked over the edge of the roof at Doc who had just ridden up beside the Chariot on a horse.
"Yes, we are both up here."
"Ok, I just wanted to let you know that this boring ride will soon be over. We should reach the Flugal Valley in a matter of hours."
"Good, I was getting bored sitting up here all day.
"Ok, I just wanted to make sure you knew." And he rode off back up to the front of the caravan.
"Why didn't you tell him?" Bit thought for a second as he lay back down on the roof.
"You know how your dad doesn't want the fact about who your family is to get out because it might put you in danger?" Leena nodded. "Well that's kinda how I feel about telling about the armor. As you saw Fury wants my armor, it could be very dangerous if he found out who has it, and I don't want to take any chances of anyone overhearing."
"What happened to the dragon, Jager? I saw it fly at you when you got the armor, but then it was gone." Bit sat up and unbuttoned his shirt. He took it off and turned his back to Leena. Across the right side of his back, below his shoulder blades, there was a tattoo of a blue dragon, the exact likeness of Jager. Leena ran her fingers over the tattoo. She looked at it closely and saw that it was more detailed than any tattoo could be.
"Jager was more than just the protector of the armor, he was the soul of the armor. When I got the armor he joined with me increasing my power over wind and water greatly, my speed as well." The eyes of the tattoo glowed briefly, Leena pulled her hand away and Bit put his shirt back on. "The armor its self is inside me, I can feel it just beneath the surface of my skin, ready to be called on at any moment." The power that he held inside him was epic, yet he seemed disturbed by something.
"Bit? Is something wrong?"
"He wants my armor..." Bit didn't finish, but Leena knew who 'He' was, Fury.
"You have armor? What's it made of? Scrap metal I'll bet." It seemed Harry had recovered from his blow earlier. Unfortunately he had slight amnesia and couldn't remember how he had gotten the massive bruise on his back. He thought that he had fallen off his horse, something that happened incredibly frequently considering the girth and slow pace of his horse.
"Harry, get lost before I hurt you." Bit said coolly. "I am really not in the mood. Now go play with your dolls or something." He finished by flicking a finger at Harry's horse. A little ball of energy flowed off his finger and zapped the rear end of the horse making it start forward quickly.
"You really shouldn't show off like that, it would attract attention." Leena said it, but didn't mean it. She liked watching him doing magic.
Bit wasn't paying attention, he was looking past Leena into the valley, and there was a large group of buildings and even a small castle. As they entered the town of Flugal it seamed that preparations were being made for a celebration of some kind. A villager they passed told them that it was to celebrate a fantastic harvest that they just had. The Caravan all gathered together at the edge of town, circling up as they had before. A well-dressed young lady with red hair approached the Caravan when they had set up.
"I am Naomi Flugal, my father, Lord Flugal, has asked me to invite you and your crew to the festival this evening." Everyone agreed to come, though Bit had to be persuaded.
"Bit, I don't know what happened to you." Doc said. "But you can't live in the past, what happened, happened, and there is nothing you can do now." Bit did not really cheer up, but he did agree to come.
*** Later ***
Bit walked into the square where the festival was being held. Liger had stayed behind to guard the Chariot. There were people dancing to music, others were walking around talking, some just stood around drinking punch, or other stuff. He was dressed in a green shirt, light tan pants, and a dark blue vest. As he walked in a group of girls giggled, he ignored them. He was simply not in the mood.
He went over to a drink table and got a cup of punch. He looked out on the dance floor and was startled to see Leena dancing with Harry. Harry looked like he was having the time of his life, but Leena did not share his view. When the song ended Leena took her chance to get away from Harry, she headed for the drink table and saw Bit.
"Bit, I was wondering when you would show up." When he did not respond she continued. "This sure is a lot of fun, come on you have to see this." Leena grabbed his arm and pulled him away into the crowd. When they were near the end she stopped and pointed at something. Bit looked and saw Brad talking avidly with Naomi. Bit smiled a little but did not laugh as Leena did.
Leena continued to take Bit around to all the sights and activities that were going on, but through out it all Bit seemed distant. There was a constant sadness in his eyes that would not go away. Finally Leena gave up and went to find her father. Bit retreated to a darker, less occupied corner of the square. There he remained until several figures in black rode into the square on large black horses. At once all activities stopped, the music died, conversation stopped as everyone turned to look at the newcomers.
"I am Stigma, I come as a representative of the all powerful Fury." The leader was tall with light hair. "We have come to discuss the new tax laws set down by your new king." A thin smile appeared as he said this. "Hence forth the Flugal Valley is required to relinquish half of every harvest to the armies of Fury."
"But how will we live? We need this harvest to prepare for the winter." Someone said from the crowd.
"Not my problem." He reached into his saddlebags and pulled out a parchment. "This gives me the authority to... persuade any who disagree." A flaming arrow streaked though the air and hit the parchment, the arrow stuck in the ground as the parchment burned around it. All eyes turned to Naomi who was drawing another arrow to her bow.
"I disagree." But before she could launch the arrow the bow was yanked from her hands, it flew through the air right into Stigma's waiting hand.
"This? Against me?" He laughed. "I am the strongest telekinetic there is. You can not challenge me."
"She may not be able to." A figure in bright blue armor strode out of the shadows at the far end of the square. "But I can, and I do."
"Who are you and by what right do you challenge me?"
"You can call me Jager, and by the rights of the people I challenge you. This land and these people are under my protection." Stigma shot an arrow at him from his new bow, but the long sharp fingers of Jager turned it into saw dust before it could hit him. "You may be the strongest Telekinetic in the world, but I, I am the maelstrom and the hurricane, the whirlpool and the tidal wave." A barrier appeared between him and Stigma, but a slash from his arm blades shattered it causing Stigma to cry out in pain and anger.
He called for Sanders to attack, the man on horse back right behind him. Electric energy crackled around his hand as he lifted it into that air. He pointed at Jager, a bolt of energy split the air faster than anyone could see, but Jager was still faster. There was a flash of light as the bolt struck the bare ground, after the flash cleared there was a metallic clapping as Jager stepped out of a shadow behind them. They turned quickly, but again they were not quick enough. The blue stranger threw Stigma from his horse, in an instant Jager was kneeling on his chest with his long sharp fingers pointed directly at his heart like a scorpion.
"Tell your master that he will never defeat me, he will never defeat the people. Tell Fury that these people are under my protection. If anyone should come to do harm to these people I will not be as lenient with them as I am with you." He got up off the man's chest thought he still pointed at his heart. "Now go, go and never come back." He watched as they rode off into the distance, then he turned and walked to the fountain at the center of the square.
There was complete silence as Jager stretched his armored hand out over the water. The water began to swirl and churn as Jager looked at it. Then the water under his hand began to rise up. As it rose something took shape in the rising tip. When it was directly under his hand Jager closed his hand around the thing and the water returned to the fountain. He turned and walked to the raised dais where Lord Flugal sat looking over the festival.
"Lord Flugal, I have protected you and your people this day, and I will continue to do so, but I can not always be here." He opened his hand and presented an ice blue ring to him. "This ring of Ice Sapphire will allow you to call me. I will come to your court later this night to speak wit you privately and explain matters further, for now excuse me I have pressing matters elsewhere." With that he placed the ring in the Lord's hand, turned and disappeared in a blur of blue metal. All eyes turned to the Lord who was examining the ring, it was light blue, and cool but not cold, and the smooth surface of the ring reflected everything. As the Lord placed the ring on his finger it adjusted to fit him perfectly. Gradually people began to talk again, and it seemed that the only topic of conversation was Jager and the events that had just happened.
Bit walked up behind Leena and tapped her on the shoulder. She whorled around and hugged him.
"Bit that was incredible, you were incredible." She whispered in his ear. He hugged her back before they released one another. Doc and Leon were walking up to them.
"What a show!" Doc exclaimed as they approached them. "I never would have expected to find someone so noble and powerful out here. I've never even heard of this Jager character before."
"I wonder who he is." Bit asked innocently.
"Who ever he is I will find him. From what I've seen here I would bet that he's one of the few who I would consider giving up my Leena to in marriage." Bit raised an eyebrow but said nothing. "Well I think it would be a good idea for us to turn in for the night."
"If it's all right with you I would like to stay and see if anyone here knows about Jager." Bit said, knowing full well that no one did.
"You do that Bit." Doc barely stifled a yawn. "I'm going back to the Chariot to go to sleep and I'm taking Leena and Leon with me." Leena started to argue but when she got Bit's look she stopped and followed her father back to the Chariot with Leon.
Bit turned and walked into the crowd joining groups that were talking and planting little rumors and lies that he knew would grow, change and spread. Soon he heard his own rumors being told to him like they were the absolute truth.
"He's fought against Fury all his life in secret." Said one man. "He's one of the great Sleeping Magi come to rid the world of the evil Fury." Said another. "He's already killed 1000 of Fury's best men, he's unstoppable, and I'm on his side." Said yet another, and everyone agreed with him totally.
Seeing that his work was done Bit retired to the drinks table. He watched for a time as people talked until he decided that it was time to see Lord Flugal once again. He slipped into the shadows, walked down an ally and emerged Jager. People who saw him cheered as he passed on his way to the Lord's Citadel.
Tawanos: Now that Lord Flugal has had time to recover from the shock how will he react to Bit? Will he accept him as a friend and an ally, or attack him for bringing the wrath of Fury down on their heads? Only I know. *Laughs* you will have to wait and find out in the next chapter.