Warlord 18

Richard and Maria were making their way through the forest to the Castle. The ground, which they walked on, was murky and damp from the rain that had fell earlier. They wanted to keep close together. Maria was stuck on all the things that Katie had said. Katie was shy and her newfound confidence was nice. Richard was thinking as well. He believed Katie to be right. Though Maria was starting to take a liking to him, he was beneath her.

Maria stopped under a tall tree to talk to Richard, "Richard I know the last couple of days have been nice but I have been thinking. I need to know if you truly care for me."

Richard began to lean upon the tree and look at Maria with heart-felt eyes, "I'se don't know what this feeling is that I have for ye Maria, alls I know is it's a strong one."

Maria laughed but a subtle blush came from her cheeks, "So what do you think this feeling is."

"I'se believe that this feeling is strong enough for me to do this." Said Richard who moved towards Maria.

Richard grabbed Maria around the waist and turned her around to wear her back was on the tree. She started to push him away but slowly gave in. He touched his chapped lips to her smooth ones. His hand slowly moved up her blouse but instead of moving to far she slowed down his hand. She cautiously pushed him away. She began walking away feeling a little ashamed.

"Maria did I do something wrong?" Asked Richard apologetically.

"Richard it's not you, it's me." Stated Maria, "I just don't think this going to work. We are from different classes in society and it won't work. Besides we have to get back to the castle and report what we heard."

Richard looked truly disappointed, and he wouldn't let Maria get away with that, "Maria I love you and you know that."

"No I don't Richard just, stop!" Maria yelled, "I don't and can't"

Richard grabbed Maria and forced a kiss on to her lips but she pushed him away and slapped him across the face. Richard stumbled backwards, almost falling to the ground. Maria then ran up to him and jumped on top of him. Maria couldn't believe what she was doing. She was lying on top of Richard in the middle of a murky forest. They began to kiss more passionately then before. Noises throughout the forest were swarming from there direction. But before the passion went to far Maria rose up from the ground and reminded them of their mission. Richard was smiling more intently then he had before.

Danielle was nearly to the castle by the time Justin caught up to her. She still didn't want to hear a word from him. She was still disgusted by his judgments. Every time Justin began to speak she would turn and walk in another directions.

"Danielle come on talk to me." Said Justin still chasing her into the courtyard, "I didn't mean to do it. Please just talk to me."

"Justin, I'm going to say this once," Said Danielle with sever passion; "I don't want to have anything to do with you, until you can learn to trust me."

Justin walked around the stable where the horses once were, "Danielle come on. You know I trust you, I always have."

"Justin you don't show it," shouted Danielle, "How am I supposed to know you care for me if you never say it?"

"Danielle you know I'm not good at that stuff." Answered Justin, "I thought you always knew, I, uh, well you know."

Danielle rolled her eyes and figured she could get him to say it, "I can't believe you can't even say it Justin. I know this is what our relationship means to you."

"Danielle, I asked you to marry me." Stated Justin, "That should be enough."

Danielle was getting really heated but stayed cool, "Justin your not suppose to start acting like that until were married."

"Danielle stop this." Implied Justin, "You know you love me and I feel the same way about you."

"Then why can't you say it?" Asked Danielle, "You are impossible."

Danielle stormed up into the castle into her bedchamber leaving Justin to pound on the door. Meanwhile Erin, Darell and Twanria were going to the meeting room to discuss their next plan of action.

Katie and Jamiele were approaching the Castle walls just when Maria and Richard were arriving. Katie didn't pay any attention to them because she had other plans. Katie was given dirty looks walking through the palace. Katie walked immediately to the meeting room. A guard came up and tried to grab Katie but was immediately thrown backwards. Jamiele just watched as Katie made light work of any one who stood in her way.

Twanria and all the others entered the meeting room after being summoned by the help. Katie was pacing around the room as each took their respective seats.

"I have summoned all of you hear to tell you the truth about what happened along time ago." Said Katie beginning her story, "Twanria's father was one of four men who held a powerful weapon known as a chakrum."

"We already know this Katie." Said Twanria.

Katie just continued without being phased by the comment, "The part you might not know is that each of the four chakrums can only work for their makers and descendants. Jamiele, here is one of those descendants. The other is Twanria and the next two I don't quite know. The reasons Janelle can wield the power of a Chakrum is because she mixed her own blood with those of the makers. Janelle mixed her own blood with the blood of Jamieles and Twanria's fathers after she killed them"

Twanria felt a little an easy at the last part and had to question, "Your story doesn't fit, Katie. A soldier killed my father. I remember dark armor."

"Janelle was in dark armor and you were being shielded by your mother so you probably couldn't see to much," Said Katie trying to clarify what she say, "My powers expanded and I was there. I could see everything that happened. Janelle and your father fought bravely with their chakrums—"

"Where did Janelle get a chakrum if my father had his?" Asked Twanria.

"Janelle had gotten her chakrum from Jamiele's father when she killed him." Answered Katie, "Jamiele's father was searching for Jamiele, and he thought that Janelle's family kidnapped him. It turns out that they did but Jamiele, was able to get away from them and grew up elsewhere."

Twanria was absorbing all the fax at once along with everyone else but she only had one last thing to clarify, "If Janelle killed my father and took his Chakrum and she still had the star Chakrum, why didn't she attack us with it after I took the circle Chakrum."

Before Katie could answer Jamiele, stepped forward to say, "I know what happened to the Star Chakrum. When I got old enough to leave the sanctity of my home I went to the camp. I snuck in and took the Star chakrum. I took it because I saw my father with it when I was growing up. It was more like a keepsake. I didn't really know it was a weapon or anything. The strange thing was when I touched it, it disappeared, and I really haven't seen it since."

Twanria began to smile since she finally knew the answer to something, "Darell could you please make your chakrum appear, and Justin you do the same."

All before them the Square and Triangle Chakrum's all appeared. Sitting on the table before all of them were the three chakrum. Twanria looked over at Jamiele who started to realize what actually happened to his chakrum. Before one word was said Jamiele held out his hands and concentrated. With a flash of white circling light, the Star Chakrum was revealed in his hands. The Star Chakrum appeared in all its glory with a gold lining and black tip, very similar to Janelle's. With the four chakrum revealed each began to glow a magnificent glow. Jamiele set his on the table to complete the diamond. From the glow images began to form above each of the items. Above the Triangle Chakrum appeared a man with long black hair and dark shady eyes, wearing armor of the purest metal. From the Square Chakrum came a man with Short brown hair, with similar armor. Appearing from the Star Chakrum came Jamiele's father Jammal who didn't look any older from whence he was saw in the vision. Lastly appearing out of the Circle Chakrum was Twanria's father, proud and bold, with the same fire in his eyes, like when Twanria saw him last.

Everyone at the table drew back frightful of the apparitions. Justin was staring at his grandfather. Very distinguished in appearance. Justin knew his grandfather, and he knew him to still be alive. Before anyone could speak Katie began talking in a voice none her own, "These four men were bravely given the power of a weapon to hold to protect this world. These men before you are shone in the time of their proudest moments. Though some may be alive, their gifts were given to the one person in their family who could truly use these weapons for righteousness. Each of these men took a vow to protect and serve, as all who hold the weapons now must do. If you refuse these rules these weapons will be taken from you never to be seen again. What is your answer?

Justin, Twanria, Darell and Jamiele looked at one another wondering what to do. Just was the first to step forward. He put his hand down upon the Square Chakrum and said, "I accept." From the glow above the Chakrum the face looked down upon him and replied, "I believe you." The glow of the Square Chakrum diminished and Justin held it firmly in his hand.

Darell was next to receiving his chakrum. With another accept, the man who floated above the chakrum proudly said, "Use it wisely."

Jamiele, who was still timid about the situation, grabbed the Star Chakrum and accepted it. His father who starred down upon him with loving eyes said, "I know you will make me proud."

Twanria, who didn't want the face of her father to leave the room, accepted the Circle Chakrum. Her father with eyes so bold looked down upon her and said, "You couldn't have made me prouder."

The glow that seemed to be emanating from Katie soon vanished and she came back to reality. A tear filled Twanria's eyes before she completely let go of the image. Danielle, Erin, Richard and Maria were all stunned of what had happened before them.

"What should be our next plan of action," said Danielle trying to light the subject, "We know something is being planned.'

Maria thought it was the prefect time for her news, "You received a letter today from Queen Liana stating that an unstoppable army is heading for the Land."

Maria received looks and stares but she knew it had to be said. Maria handed over the copy of the letter and Twanria read it over carefully.

Twanria stared at everyone and decided to make her decision, "I cannot ask any of you to endanger your lives but for some reason all of us our connected someone."

Everyone looked around and agreed that they would stay and help in the best way they knew possible. Katie was becoming unnoticed when everyone rose up but she thought it was the best time to explain the situation, "I think it's time I told you all why I attacked you that day. When Janelle first captured me I resisted. I even fought against her. I lost quite horribly though. Her chakrum, as yours did, protected her against my attacks. Then from within the tent she brought out my elder sister Lily. Lily was bound and gagged and Janelle said if I didn't help her, she would harm her. I don't even know if Lily is even alive as we speak.

The room became very quiet. No one was talking and everyone sat back down. It made since and they knew she was telling the truth. Before anyone could speak Katie said, "If I was to kill any of you, I would have been able to accomplish it. My power grew every time I used them. I have control over my powers. Janelle trained me to fight with you all. I knew your weaknesses because she knew them. I held back a lot though. I only dealt blows to knock you out, never to kill. When Twanria shot her arrow at me, I lost focus and my attacks became more untamed and any of you hit would soon feel the fool wrath. That is why Erin was hurt so deeply."

" So you're saying that you nearly killed us all instead of coming to us." Said Erin sounding hurt, "That is just not the way friendship works."

"I know." Answered Katie, "I tried the best I can, and I did what I thought was right."

Katie left the room knowing that no one would understand her. She retreated to her quarters in the west wing of the castle. She thought about crying but it wouldn't accomplish anything. Twanria thought that Katie could handle herself so she choose to stay in the meeting room. Everyone was tense from what all they had seen.

Darell reported that he had some business to attend to so he soon left the room. Mostly everyone had to collect their thoughts so each one found reasons to leave. Erin knew her place was with Twanria so she and her both went out into the courtyard.

"Erin, do you think Katie was telling the truth?" Asked Twanria setting up a few targets to through her Chakrum at, "She could be telling the truth."

"I actually wouldn't be able to tell you." Answered Twanria, "If she was then we need to go help her sister."

Twanria grabbed her Chakrum and quickly ran up to Katie's room. She had just now thought of what might be happening to Katie's sister. If her sister truly were in trouble then they would have to do something. Through the long hallways with pictures and doors, they finally met up with Katie's bedchamber. When Twanria entered the room Katie was absent. Before one word was said Jamiele came running up with a message, "Katie said that she went to go make sure her sister was okay, and if possible rescue her."

Twanria looked into her arms and exclaimed, "What is with everyone wanting be the hero. Teamwork would be greatly appreciated too."

Erin ran to the other side of the castle alerting all she saw. They knew what was happening. Erin was able to recruit everyone with in minutes. They met all together in the courtyard. Twanria was just walking around shaking her head.

"As Erin has told you all, Katie escaped and I think it is time to end this once and for all," Said Twanria, "Janelle is trying to benefit from the invading armies instead of help. She keeps trying to busy us. She has tried to separate us since she knows we are the ones who will benefit the war most.

With Twanria's words finished they mounted their horses and Twanria, Erin, Danielle, Justin, Maria, Richard and Jamiele all left to look for Katie. The moon was invading when riding into the forest. Erin kept thinking to herself, "This cannot be good." Justin kept trying to ride next to Danielle but she kept speeding away. When they dispersed from the meeting room, he chased her all around the castle trying to talk to her. Richard and Maria were not speaking to much, hoping that the rest of people wouldn't find out there dark secret. Maria still harbored many angers towards Katie for saying Richard was beneath her. Jamiele kept silently trying to recall all the events that happened earlier. He knew that Katie was telling the truth about Janelle, but Jamiele had been friends with Janelle for such a long time. He wondered how it could be possible he missed it.

Twanria stopped in front of them and dispersed them into the forest. Danielle didn't want to go with Justin so the groups went as follows: Danielle, Maria and Jamiele went off to the east while Twanria and Erin went straight on. Richard and Justin took west.

Justin and Richard fought but Twanria overruled them. They all left in their respected direction. Twanria wanted to be the one to find Katie. Erin and her rode fast through the dark forest. Occasionally Twanria felt someone following her. They stopped to find footsteps. Heavy footsteps. Twanria felt a shiver fall down her back. Erin grabbed her sword and pointed in the area from which the noise came. Erin shouted, "Come out of there."

From behind a heavy tree Samuel, in his armor and dark cloak emerged to greet them with an equal large sword. Erin held her sword straight and charged for Samuel screaming. Twanria grabbed her bow from her back and placed an arrow swiftly in its shaft. With a clash, as if to be lighting, Erin's sword hit Samuels. Twanria's arrow flew through the air. Before reaching impact, Samuel caught the arrow with his left hand, while blocking Erin with his sword. He broke the arrow in two and smiled at Twanria almost laughing at her weak attempt. She grabbed another arrow and waited for her chance. Erin flipped from her hoarse and engaged in battle with Samuel. She felt she had to beat him to prove herself. Erin caught a swift cut from Samuel's sword but Twanria let her arrow fly and caught Samuel fight in the knee. Samuel fell a little, and with this Erin took her chance and jabbed her Sword right through his chest. Samuel let out a small yell and fell backwards onto the sword. Erin stepped on him and removed her sword from his chest. Twanria looked a little mortified since the only person she had ever seen killed was her farther.

Erin mounted her hoarse, and took off with Twanria following swiftly behind. They knew they were close if Samuel was nearby. They rode faster and faster hoping to find Katie before she did something she would regret.