Secrets Revealed

Part 15

Eyes glistering, Altanion beamed with pride and self-satisfactory as young Balta's life slowly began to slip away with each passing second. Watching for only a few more moments at the young gummi who laid in his own pool of blood, Altanion then with a click of his fingers had evaporated the dagger, and the blood which stained his hands, and he turned on his heel, and headed in the direction of the training grounds, leaving the young gummi where he lay.

Meanwhile sat in the Councillors, his head bent over a book, researching further, Cammi tried to find more valuable information or clues in which he could defeat Altanion, but so far it had proven useless, and he groaned as he closed yet again another book, and was about to reach for another stacked up in front of him. His paw outstretched about to take the book, he immediately withdrew, and instead shot up like lightening out of his chair and stared at the wall before him with wide eyes, trying to figure out what his senses were telling him.

Trying to locate what was wrong, he grimaced when he felt his mind tug, and Lalaith's voice ringing through his head "Cammi, Altanion's in the castle"

His suspicions confirmed, Cammi turned to glance at the Councillors nearby and could he see them inwardly stiffening as they too sensed someone arrive in Gummadoon's walls carrying a great evil and they didn't have to think twice to know that it was Altanion.

Immediately turning on his heel he ran towards the library, where he had first sensed Altanion, as he tried to shake off the uncomfortable feeling of dread, which had begun to settle in the pit of his stomach.

The doors to the training grounds swung open on their hinges as Altanion entered the grounds with a somewhat calm air about him. His eyes scanning the training grounds, he frowned when he couldn't find the one gummi he was looking for, then feeling someone paw on his shoulder, it took all his will simply not to turn around and cast an unforgivable spell.

"Cammi" a voice penetrated his thoughts.

Suddenly the frown was wiped off his face, when his face literally lit up hearing the one gummi he had been looking for…Sir Plucki.

Huffing and puffing, Cammi reached the library at the other end of Gummadoon and immediately skidding to a halt, his eyes bulging and his jaw locked open, but instantly snapping shut again as he took in the sight of his friend laying on the floor unconscious in his own pool of blood.

Feeling numb, Cammi could do nothing but stare as his nightmare became a reality, and he felt his legs guiding him towards his friend, as he knelt down by Balta's side. Turning his friend over till he laid on his back, Cammi felt nauseous at the sight of his friends pale face, as he felt another presence nearby.

Looking up, Cammi's eyes met those of his mother's and she stared at them in shock, then immediately kneeled down by Balta's side, she took him in her arms checking him over, then looked back up at Cammi.

"Cammi, you must listen to me carefully now" she said sternly leaving no room for protest as she spoke. "Go and find Altanion, you must leave Balta to us, now go" she strictly ordered and watched as Cammi stood.

Standing to his full height, he closed his eyes for a brief moment trying to locate where Altanion was, and who he was most likely to attack next. He knew it would be someone close to him that he was most likely to attack, but question was who? His eyelids fluttering, as he continued to try and locate his enemy, a second later his eyes then snapped open in alarm, fear and panic shining in them, and he turned down the corridor and headed towards the training ground. His father would not be taken.

Stood up on the beams, Altanion's smile never left his face, and he twirled the staff in his paw. He had easily managed to convince Sir Plucki into letting him training with him, and now it was only a matter of time before the would be left alone, then he would attack him. Deliberately holding back his strength to act like young Cammi, Altanion blocked an attack from Sir Plucki then swung his sword in an arc, to have it met halfway by a staff blocking him.

After a while of swinging Cammi's sword a couple of times, and doing other varies techniques, Altanion soon became tedious with this short training with Sir Plucki and seriously began to wonder just what young Cammi found was so entertaining in his training sessions with his father.

Seeing the doors to the training grounds begin to close, the bottom scraping along the ground with a grating noise, then close with a slam. Hearing that, an evil glint appeared in Altanion's eyes, and he smiled with glee at Sir Plucki, a little of his disguise falling away, the angel blue eyes darkening back to his original coal black pupil's, and he lashed out without holding anything back.

Sprinting down the corridors faster than he ever had before, young Cammi ran out into the courtyard's, he was almost there! Brushing past a few knights he saw there quizzing looks as the knights stood frozen for a moment sure they had seen Cammi in the training grounds only a few minutes ago, when suddenly everything seemed to fall into place and they raced after Cammi.

Running along the outskirts of the training ground walls, Cammi neared the gates and to his utter dismay found them closed. Stopping short in front of the gates, Cammi grabbed a hold of the heavy, brass metal rings and pulled the solid oak doors with the gummi crest embellished on them apart. Not really exerting himself the doors flew open to reveal his father and Altanion, and he felt his heart freeze.

The knights who had previously left the training grounds only moments before surrounded Cammi, and as one was about to take charge after Altanion, Cammi grasp the young knight by the wrist and yanking him back he said in a grave and stern voice, that sounded so unlike his own "Don't be foolish, you are no match for Altanion" he said, then running towards the small battle in the middle of the training grounds, he yelled back "Guard the gates, and protect the citizens"

Said were his words, he mustered all his strength and speed and charged towards Altanion who at the present moment towered over his father. Then he felt all colour drain from his face, and his eyes widened, as Altanion turned his head only slight, to see him, a gleeful smile on his lips, and he turned his attention back to his father on the ground underneath the beams, as he raised his hands and muttered something to low for him to hear, and saw something resembling like a fireball shoot from his hand.

Running so fast, he fell to the ground, Cammi looked up and knew he would not reach his father in time, to block him from the spell, so reaching out his hand, he closed his eyes, and quickly searched his mind for a spell. Then his eyes snapped open and his words rang out, his hand aimed at his father "Dohnm Shledi".

Silver lightening shot from his finger, and raced towards his father, and Cammi watched, his heart pounding, his eyes wide and he stood from the ground, and saw as his spell just in time reached his father and surrounded him, the fireball following shortly after.

The fireball colliding with his father's shield Cammi, felt himself and time suddenly freeze, as things proceeded in slow motion and he turned just for a brief moment to look at Altanion, whom he noticed looked at the scene with mild surprise, but Cammi knew it wouldn't be long before Altanion knew what spell he had used, and find something to conquer it.

An explosion brought Cammi back to reality and he watched as the smoke engulfed the training grounds. Not being able to see his father yet, Cammi turned to face Altanion, surprised that he had not attacked, when he saw that he had disappeared. Instantly he dropped into fighting stance, sure that Altanion was going to attack him while his guard was down. His eyes hard and stern, Cammi scanned the training ground, and the let his magic scan the whole of the castle for Altanion...but there was nothing, Altanion had left the castle.

Relieved that Altanion had left, Cammi turned and raced to his father's side, who by now had stood, his staff in hand, confirming Cammi's thoughts that he was alright, only caught by surprise when Altanion had knocked him from the beam.

Embracing his father, knowing he was safe, Cammi then left the training grounds, in search of the medics tower, where he knew Balta lay, and hope he wasn't too late. Leaving the training grounds allowing his father to be surrounded by knights, and of course his two friends, Cammi took the short cut around Gummadoon also very well hidden from prying eyes, clearly wanting to avoid attention and he arrived at the medics tower, and greeting his mother and friends, alerting them that the castle was now safe.

Walking over, Cammi then collapsed into one of the nearby chairs, and stared at the door at his side, and could only hope that Balta would live. Sighing, his shoulder's sagged and he closed his eyes, wondering how many more innocent lives were going to suffer the wrath of Altanion.

Waiting very patiently by the door for the medics to come out Cammi waited for information about Balta's condition, and he saw that everyone had left. Sitting on a stool for what seemed like hours, but really was only minutes Cammi began to fidget. Reflecting back on the battle Cammi knew he would be in big trouble by his mother and the Council once the shock of their enemy entering the castle and attacking them without being detected wore off, but that his magic had increased significantly and he'd held back and not said anything. Deep in thought about the event and consequences he nearly fell of his stool in surprise when one of the healers touched his shoulder.

"Argh!" gasped Cammi coming back to reality and placing his hand over his racing heart.

"Daydreaming again, Cammi"

"Lilli" said Cammi looking up and instantly feeling his cheeks burn with embarrassment.

She smiled back feeling happy, he was blushing.

"You can go in and see him now" she said signaling to the door.

"Err...thanks, bye Lilli" said Cammi practically diving through the door and shutting it again before he could hear her response.

Leant against the door panting for breath he heard her laughter as she went about her other duties.

"Cammi?" a weak Balta asked.

"I'm here," he said solemnly walking over to his bedside.

"I did what you asked" struggled out.

"Shh...don't talk too much or you'll pass out and I'll have to get Lilli" said Cammi not liking the idea as it gave him another opportunity to embarrass himself again, two in one day he didn't think he'd live.

Balta shook his head and gasped for breath "No, I need to tell you Cammi"

Seeing the young barely adult gummi before him unwillingly to give up he sat and listened to what Balta said.

"Cammi, I found it"

"Huh, you did" Cammi suddenly jumped up very excitedly.

Balta nodded his head and yawned he'd need to rest soon but first he had to tell Cammi what he knew.

"In the Library go to the back past the old bookcases......then turn right and go the end there you'll find..................an old chest of draws"

"I didn't think there was anything back there" said Cammi.

"There is and few know of it….that's why I hid it there......... so it wouldn't fall into unwanted hands".

"What is it?" asked Cammi suddenly very interested.

"Notes I made in a book, but.......only I can open the draw"

"How, Why?" asked a confused Cammi.

"Magic and my fur"

"Your fur"

"Yes, somehow when I placed a locking spell on the draw when.......your sister tried to open it.......she couldn't, but I still could....when I did my hand glowed"

Cammi shook his head typically trust his sister to know where that draw was, one day that nose of her's was going to get her into trouble no wonder Balta placed a locking spell on the draw if Isabelle was interested in his research. 

"Balta what were those notes and can I get to them any other way?" asked Cammi pleadingly he was desperate to get his hands on those notes.

Balta appeared to struggle to speak now and to stay conscious so Cammi silenced him thanked him and left. Walking down the corridor he ran into his mother and Cammi for the first time realizing how late it had become knew what she was going to say.

"Cammi Gummi, what do you think you are doing up at this time?"

When was she going to realize he was no longer a cub he was an adult now in his twenties and she still had to tell him when to go to bed?

"I'm going mother" he replied rather boredly then ran off before she could lecture him about being more respectful.

Now in his room Cammi lay down on his bed the days events now taking there toll and soon he was dreaming peaceful dreams.

Altanion's Realm

My plan failed but I will have you yet Cammi and your father too thought Altanion as he sat brooding in a chair in a dark room.

"Master, master, I find it, I find" said a little troll running in again like before with a spell book.

"Silence maggot and hand me the book before I turn you into a princess" shouted Altanion standing from his chair.

The troll seemed to cower on the floor but at Altanion's words he placed the book in his hands and practically ran from the room crying.

"If I cannot reach you in the physical plane then I shall reach you in the dream" said Altanion smiling as best as an evil spirit can down at the spell.

"Now lets see how strong you are without your father at your side" Altanion said to himself as he cast the spell and disappeared.

Yawning, Lalaith gave a loud sigh. "Ugh, I'm so bored".

Now late evening and nearly time to sleep Lalaith had had to adapt to becoming a human therefore needed to sleep soon. The two knights guarding her had gone to sleep so facing the wall and leaning on her side she closed her eyes and once again tried to sleep, but instead of seeing nothing disturbing images of mist traveling through cracks in the wall and seeping into Sir Plucki's room. Covering his sleeping form until it disappeared Lalaith bolted up in a cold sweat, that was no nightmare, Altanion was in the castle again and by the time she reckoned in was now he must have been in the castle a while. Using a telepathic link she tried to raise Cammi, but he proved to be sleeping rather heavily tonight. So leaving it as a lost cause she decided it would be quicker to do this herself as once she rose Cammi he would have to search for the spell to invade dreams as she couldn't communicate spells to him she was forbidden to even in emergency because he had to learn on his own and by then it could be to late. Summoning one of the guards staffs it flew into her outstretched hand where she promptly raised it to her lips and blew after all she didn't want them waking up and discovering her secret. Throwing the staff over to the knights not to look too suspicious in the morning she set to work on the lock.

"A little to the left a little to right and there" she said triumphantly as the lock clicked open.

Walking out into the slightly larger area she smiled finally it would feel good to be back in her true form even if was only for a short time.

"Retum mium toum forum" she whispered and a celestial glow covered her body.

The dungeons lit up with a bright white light blinding anyone who looked, for a couple of minutes this lasted before dimming then there stood Lalaith angel of truth and hope and she wasn't looking to pleased.

"Now, lets see what you got Altanion" she said as she faded from the physical plane into the dream.

Altanion watched as the gummi captain slowly breaks, oh how he loved this torture the images of family and friends in pain or dead always worked with mortal beings. Under his slow excruciating torture his victims life slips by unknown to them all they think of is that mind numbing pain like ice in their brain, it hurts he know but alas it must come to an end and he grew weary of this play.  

Plucki's dream

There dead, all dead. The doors of Gummadoon are charred black and swinging open barely on there hinges. The stalls with gummi's selling things there gone reduced to nothing but rubble and ash and the bodies lay scattered on the floor killed in gruesome ways the look of intense pain or terror forever on their face. I can't bare it the citizens I protect day to day lay lining the pathways. Running inside the castle I call out for my family and friends, but no reply comes. Walking to my room I find Meloni strung up from the ceiling a rope about her neck and my last hope and defense breaks down as I fall to my knees and weep it cannot be, its a lie a dream it has to be, but if that is so why does it feel so real? I crawl out of the room unable to look at her lifeless body and go in search of my children. Stumbling down the corridor stepping over corpses I find my daughter, Isabelle and next to her Lilli. The two are curled up together their mouths locked open in a silent scream.  Sweeping her hair out of her face I see the fear in her eyes and can only imagine the pain and suffering and the fear she felt as she left this world. Both adult and cub perished alike.

Present (Reality)

Cammi woke up suddenly feeling the presence of evil, surely Altanion wouldn't try to attack them twice in one day. Jumping out of bed, the thought of sleep forgotten and wide awake. Running out the room he went to go and check on his family and see if they were all right.

Now out in the corridor he saw the door to his sister's room. Opening it quickly but quietly he could see her beginning to stir. Quickly she wakes then turn to look at her brother surprised to find him there before saying, "Something's not right"

Running out the room to his parents room, Isabelle right behind him, he barged into the room to find his mother trying to wake his father who's was thrashing around in his sleep and crying.

Suddenly feeling angry and scared, angered because he knew his father never had nightmares so this had to be Altanion doing, and scared because he'd never seen his father act this way before, he looked so…vulnerable.

He's someone I always looked to when I needed strength and courage and he shouldn't be like his thought Cammi as he walked over to his mother, Isabelle behind him, trying to help his mother wake him.

Plucki's dream

Outside again in the training grounds I collapse again and vomit its too much and the worst yet, my friends bodies had obviously lain in the middle butchered to death and then impaled on a spear and placed on the walls for all to see. Cammi though I saw last, I barely even recognized him. His severed head was covered in wounds and blood as it to was impaled on a spear and placed in between my two friends. His body parts lay in different places all over the grounds. Most of his organs seemed to be in the middle, but his limbs lay scattered. His lower body lay at the bottom near the weapons while each of his arms had seemingly blown off to different sides pouring blood as they went covering the walls and then there stood by Cammi's head the one I presume to be Altanion, laughing, he found this carnage...this genocide funny? I attempt to reach for a staff but he sees and before I even blink he picks me off the floor by my throat drawing his other arm back forming the same energy ball he threw at me last time.

"Time to join them" he says smiling, if you could call it smiling it looked repulsive.

I try to move to defend myself but realize I can't move, he's paralyzed me. Unable to move I wait for the expected blow, but it never comes instead I find myself dropped in a heap on the floor. I cover my eyes from the blinding light and finding I can move try to get away best I can. I hear a pain filled scream again and again, it's horrible. It fills my ears deafening me and my hands cover them but still it proceeds echoing in my mind driving me to within an inch of my sanity I can't stand it.

The light has dulled allowing my sore, red eyes to open, but there not prepared for what they see. What appears to be a tall, glowing angel is attacking Altanion and winning. He runs from her and whenever she gets to close he screams and looks terrified I watch on and see this happen a few more times before Altanion turns into some kind of mist and disappears just before the angel touches him. She to seems to change the light dims and her wings fold into her back and the silver in her golden hair fades. My mouth open slightly to shocked to speak I continue just to sit and stare. She walks over to me and offers her hand, which I accept and she pulls me to my feet. So our prisoner is an angel, who would of known? The smile on her face disappears as she says seriously, "I have saved you from Altanion and my only request to you now Sir Plucki, is that when we return to the physical plain you will not reveal who I truly am"

I nod my head thinking it a reasonable request and the least I can do in return for her saving my life. Her smile returns and she takes my hand and I look at her confused for a moment before the light then blinds me again and I feel my feet leave the ground.

Present

Taking hold of his hand, Lalaith smiled again glad he'll keep her secret till the time is right for her true form to be revealed. Taking them out of the dream world making sure that Sir Plucki was in the physical plain again before appearing in the dungeons, again.

The sun will rise soon, dawn is approaching and the sleeping gas she blew on the knights will not last much longer. Now in the dungeons Lalaith dived into the cell pulling the door shut making the lock click back into place in the process as the knights began to wake up. Leaning on her side she pretended to be sleeping as one of the knights came over to check on her. Now back where she belonged for now she smiled and fell into a much-needed sleep.

"Dad" he could hear Cammi and Isabelle say sounding very worried.

Listening he could hear the movement of many gummies around him and guessed it probably to be the medics as he could hear Lilli talking but couldn't make out what she was saying.

Opening his eyes he could see that he was right, Lilli and two other medics were in the room, and so was his family and friends who stood in the doorway and the Councillors Wooddale and Berrybaum at his side.

"Meloni" he said relieved and wrapped his arms around her.

She returns the embrace eagerly and soon he felt the little arms of Isabelle come round his waist and her head lean against his chest. Cammi then appears at his side and he could see the relief in his eyes.

"Father" he says voicing the relief shown in his eyes.

Looking around the room and he saw the concerned faces of the Councillors and his friends. His family moved away from him and stood by the Councillors as his friends and the medics left the room. Now alone with his family the Councillors began to ask what happened.

Listening to his father speak of the evil deeds of Altanion, Cammi couldn't explain only that, when his father didn't wake he felt the presence of both good and evil.

For a time all he had felt was evil and he knew it was Altanion but when his father suddenly stopped breathing, Cammi got scared knowing there was nothing he could do and only then did he realize the presence of good. At the time he wasn't sure who could enter dream and save him but looking back Cammi remembered Lalaith in the dungeons or she was supposed to be.

When the Councillors first heard they came with great haste they couldn't afford to lose there captain now. Though Cammi noticed from where he stood at his father's side that one of them arrived late even though he received word of about his father's condition at the same time as the others. Cammi felt suspicious of the Councillor, he'd noticed that Councillor ventured down to the dungeons a lot more to see Lalaith than he had done with other prisoners, and he wonder if he knew something?

Sir Plucki gave his account of what happened changing it slightly so as not to reveal Lalaith, which seemed to satisfy the Councillors as they left the room. Sir Plucki then looked at Cammi trying to see if he knew anything as he seemed to be thinking about something as he gave his account of the dream. Seeing Cammi deep in thought and a slight smile appear on his face he guessed that Cammi did know. Cammi looked at him funny then as his father just nodded to him he didn't seem to understand.

TBC...