Chapter Ten: "Meetings of War"
The Evergreen Forest. It stretched out in early April's morning light, now a full month since the battle at West Eternos. Spring was in full swing, birds chirping, insects buzzing, and flowers budding. As he stood upon the clearing, Keldor felt a shockingly small portion of himself . . . hating this season.
Could it be that all things of beauty now disgusted him? Could it be that all things he once found amazing now made his stomach turn? Just how far had he gone? Just how much was this great evil did he study that made him hate all things that were the influence of light and love?
At what point did he completely turn to the cold embrace of hatred? And at what point did he actually start enjoying it?
Around him, the Evergreen Forest went about its daily business. Keldor stood silently, listening to the sounds of nature . . . and then heard the loud rumble of machinery. Behind him, Calyx led a dozen tanks, which protected a very large convoy.
"This is as good a location as any," Keldor told the rock-man.
"I agree. I'll have the Troopers start the construction for - "
There came a sudden roar from the edge of the forest. Both Calyx and Keldor looked over, slightly startled by the primal cry. A mere second later, another cry echoed forth, this one much a little more humanoid sounding that animalistic. It was obvious that these two cried were from different beasts.
While Calyx responded to this noise with aggression, Keldor felt strangely curious about it. He gripped his Chaos Staff and took a few steps forward. At that exact moment, two forms came tearing into the clearing.
One was a razor-beast, a four-armed creature not too different than what would be a Bear on Marlena's world. The other was a large, orange-red furred humanoid that was almost ape-like in appearance in not for the large build and obvious modesty per a loincloth. Its face was white and it had blue streaks around the eyes.
Keldor recognized the humanoid as a Man-Beast, one of a wild tribe of similar looking creatures. These were usually indigenous of a few forest pockets in the Dark Hemisphere, but seeing one here was not too uncommon. What was was the fact that this Man-Beast looked far too thin and was unnaturally slow against its current enemy.
The Man-Beast was able to get quite the clawed strike against the razor-beast. As soon as it had, the Man-Beast lumbered backwards and opened its mouth. A loud, high sounding noise emitted from the toothy gaping maw.
Two Rancor Dogs came pounding across the clearing. Keldor would have assumed that these two dogs had been the Man-Beast's pets, save for the fragment of memory that bopped up at that moment. The leaders of the Man-Beasts tribes usually had an unnatural ability to call or command lesser animals. The Rancor Dogs were, for the Man-Beast, a means to an end. Yet another weapon. A living, breathing, ferocious weapon - but a weapon none the less.
This intrigued Keldor.
Against the razor-beast, the Rancor Dogs were not much of a threat. The first was knocked away by one of the huge, clawed paws. It's neck snapped immediately. The other, however, was able to take a quick bite at one of the lower arms. That was its last move, though, as it was gutted with one fell swoop of claws.
However, this gave the Man-Beast a moment to act. He leapt at the razor-beast and slashed as its throat. Keldor was shocked to see this brute contain such strength despite its diminished size and shape. It ripped into the razor-beast's shoulder with its long teeth, trying to tear into it and finish it all.
Despite the Man-Beasts intense burst of fury and wild passion, the razor-beast managed to throw it away from him. Its four arms went to quick work, slashing and clawing at the flailing Man-Beast. Just when the razor-beast was about to shorten the conflict by going for the jugular, Keldor acted and released a beam of power that instantly killed the razor-beast.
"Who . . .?" the Man-Beast wondered once Keldor walked over.
"I am Keldor of the Horde," Keldor introduced himself. "And I just saved your life, Man-Beast."
"Beast-Man. I was expelled from my tribe," the creature corrected in a deep, guttural voice that sounded surprisingly intelligent but also very simple.
"How is that? You called animals into your service. That is the ability of a chief!"
"My claim was challenged. I lost my place among my people and was forced away. I move and hunt and walk alone now."
"No. Not alone. I saved your life, Beast-Man, and now you must repay your debit."
Beast-Man at last stood up, the look upon his face filled with confusion. "What you mean?"
"I killed that razor-beast! I saved your life!"
"You did . . . did you not? Then you are my master, then, right?"
Keldor smiled a little. "Yes. Master." He liked the sound of that word.
"And then . . . we become friends, right? I have no friends."
Keldor smile turned into a sneer. "No."
Beast-Man frowned.
Keldor sighed deeply. "Perhaps, in time, yes. Friends."
Beast-Man got down on both knees and lowered his head. "Then you are my master now, Keldor of the Horde."
King Randor had only been to the Golden Isles once before in his life and that was in his early days as an Eternian youth. Long before the cares of the world would change into the man he was now. The man he seemed to have been destined to become.
Before him, the waves crashed uncaringly against the gentle slop of the beach. This was a neutral as things got on Eternia. The Golden Isles was one the very few nations that had no true enemies. Save the Horde, of course.
What drew King Randor here was the war, really. The Golden Isles were going to be the last place the Horde would look for or attack due to their small size. It was here, Randor had decided two weeks ago, that he would attempt to rally two long dormant kingdoms into aiding Eternos.
Emissary Smokey of the Cat-People and Ambassador Woods from the Bears both stood just behind Randor. Behind them, back at the conference building, was Hawk from Avion and Bumblor for Insectia.
"The Horde has defeated you in several key positions, Randor," said Woods in a deep voice.
"I am well aware of that. However, we have done just the same in return."
"Only with the help of Avion and Insectia - which cost them both many lives," Smokey said.
"And that is why we must all join forces and combat this common foe. It will cost many lives, but sitting by and allowing the Horde to conquer Eternia will cost even more!"
"If we contain ourselves, hold our forces strong against this coming onslaught, then we shall be maintained," Smokey replied.
Woods grunted a little. "While we agree that all of Eternia does indeed share this same foe, my people have not justification for war with the Horde. They have yet to maintain themselves in the Evergreen Forest. Even these reports that you send us are not enough evidence to convince my people to attack."
"I think we both agree that our involvement in this war will be nothing more than defensive," Smokey concluded.
"Agreed. Save for stronger evidence to the contrary," Woods added.
Randor nodded, then reached into a small sachet and produced two computer pads. "I understand," he told them. "These were gathered this morning. They contain notes and news regarding the current troop movements and military massings in the Evergreen Forest by the Horde."
Both Smokey and Woods took a pad. Randor went on. "As noted there, these activities are indicative of a military strike. The Horde has arrived in the Evergreen Forest, Ambassador Woods. And with their continuing strength on the coast Mystic Mountains and if the Bears stand by and do nothing, Ambassador Smokey, then the Vine Jungle is sure to be next. Avion and Insectia are still recovering from their respective battles and are in no condition to defend both the Mystic Mountains and the Vine Jungle. The Horde are currently upping their attacks on our lines in the Desert, so Eternos is in no shape to offer assistance.
"Gentlemen," Randor continued, "Eternia must unite or it will die."
Duncan remembered the lie and continued to roll it around in his mind. His return to Eternos must be one that conveys hopelessness and devastation - both of which were admittedly not far from the truth. He knew this day was long in coming, but had hoped against hope that it would not be so. That something would happen and would delay this day inevitably.
His entire body felt stiff and tense, most likely due to the event that was about to occur.
Commander Duncan arrived at the Hall of Wisdom and was greeted with the usual arrogance of the Gunslinger-Rangers on duty. Tonight, there seemed to be more of them than usual. The Evergreen Forest was dangerous, he knew, but would it really require one hundred men to escort twenty-five?
"Duncan," Teelana said then, stepping out of the Hall of Wisdom. He smiled at her beauty, despite the fact that she still had some leftover baby fat. Teelana's red hair waved in the dusk air and he marveled at her strength in this day.
They kissed and she handed little Teela off to him.
"Hi sweetie!" he told the baby and kissed her on the forehead.
Teela cooed and then drooled a little bit. Duncan smiled and hugged her again. At that moment, the doors of the Hall of Wisdom came open once more and the Council of Elders came walking down the stairs. As soon as they did, the Gunslinger-Rangers formed a tight formation around them.
Duncan, Teelana, and Teela followed them, flanked by three Gunslinger-Rangers. The entire group, leaving a dozen behind to guard the Hall of Wisdom, made for seven caravans. Five were for the Council of Elders, one was for Duncan's family, and the last was for a few of the Gunslinger-Rangers. All of the other Gunslinger-Rangers were to ride on horseback around the caravans.
"May our travels be both swift and silent," hoped Eldor.
Silent, Duncan hoped, but not swift. Long. As long as could be.
"This is what must be, Duncan," Teelana told him honestly. "Castle Grayskull has returned and I must claim my place as its protector."
"I know. I knew this time was coming, but I though maybe there was chance that since Teela was born, you would be released from your duties."
She shook her head, then stroked her fingers across Teela's cheek. "No, my love." She bit her tongue, simply because she was dying to tell Duncan about how Teela would now be bound to Castle Grayskull when they proper time were to come.
Duncan sighed heavily and looked out the back of the caravan. They were getting closer. He glanced back at her and saw tears beginning to swell up in her soft green eyes.
"I will always love you, Duncan," she told him plainly.
"I know," he answered. "And I will always love you too,"
"This is what must be," she said to him and put her hand on his. "Destiny and fate are not our to command. Not always, at least. I am tied to this just as you are tied to your own path."
"Our paths will meet once again, right?"
"Yes. Of that, I am sure."
He took her into his arms, and the short-lived family of three were brought calmly into the warmth of each others love.
The caravan came to a halt a few minutes later. Duncan, Teela, and Teelana all emerged, just as the Elders had. Above them, the moons were in full and lighting the plains. Castle Grayskull casted a shadow upon the entourage.
As the Elders walked over to the half-bridge, the drawbridge clanged open. Teelana turned to her lover and daughter. Not a word was exchanged. Only a deep parting and passionate kiss between Duncan and Teelana; which was followed by Teelana holding Teela for one last time.
"I love you," Teelana told them both.
"I love you too," Duncan answered, meaning the deepness of each word.
"Thank you, Duncan, for giving me the life that I always wanted. This is . . . not the end."
Teelana walked from Duncan and Teelana, towards the Elders. She glanced back one last time before entering Castle Grayskull with the Elders. Duncan stood there and watched as the drawbridge clanged back to its previous position.
As soon as at it thundered close, Teela started wailing in Duncan's arms.
An hour later, Hordak received the reports from Calyx regarding the location and the preliminary construction efforts of Horde's base. Hordak had been in the Evergreen Forest briefly a week ago and was both familiar and secure of the new base location. What did disturb him were Keldor's actions there.
This Beast-Man Keldor had recruited. Keldor could have just as easily allowed it to perish, but had saved its life somehow, thereby forcing it into Keldor's control. The reasons behind this were explained - Beast-Man could be a fine ally, especially considering his power over animals.
Indeed, part of Hordak was proud that Keldor was on the look-out for new recruits. However, there was concern on Hordak's part. Could Keldor feel the need to make up for what happened with him and his kingdom by taking in this Beast-Man? Could Keldor even be attempting to create a second power base, directly under his control? There was no reason for Beast-Man to obey Hordak's orders, that was for sure. This last theory bothered Hordak because it called into question just how much he really trusted Keldor. He was surprised to find that he didn't trust Keldor nearly as much as he had thought he had.
"I am concerned about Keldor's loyalty," he confessed to the Three.
"As you should be, Hordak. His power has already swollen beyond the limits we had perceived him to be at when we first encountered him," they said as one voice.
"I only hope he will not be the end of me or of this invasion," Hordak grunted.
"Of that, we can not say for we do not know."
Hordak sighed and stood up from his throne of bones and skulls. "It is time for me to take a much more active role in this war, Three. Engage and retreat, engage and retreat. Our victories have not lasted long - like holding a mug full of water in your hand without a cup: these victories just seep right through the fingers."
"That, Lord Hordak, would be an excellent idea."
At that moment, a small alarm went off a Hordak's side. He took in a deep breath as a read-out appeared on the table. It was a communications line - directly from Horde World. Directly from his brother.
Alone in a large chamber, Hordak watched as the swirling mass of power that represented both his master and brother Horde Prime came into view.
"I have received your most report, Hordak," Horde Prime told him forwardly. "Your invasion of Eternia does not look like it is going as planned."
"Set backs, Horde Prime. They come with every invasion."
Horde Prime made a sound of mild disgust that echoed throughout the chamber. "Hordak . . . if Eternia is too difficult for you, there are other worlds in that solar system that came be invaded. Etheria, perhaps."
"No! I will claim Eternia for the Horde!"
"And I should believe you, then?"
"Yes. Our plans will go ever onward. You can hold me to that."
Horde Prime made a deep rumbling sound. "That I shall, Hordak. That I shall."
Duncan arrived back at Eternos shortly after mid-night, holding a sleeping Teela. Randor, who had just returned himself, greeted Duncan with a wide-toothed smile.
"Duncan!" shouted Randor.
"Teela's asleep," grumbled Duncan.
"Oh, sorry," he replied in a lower voice. "The Cats and Bears have decided to join the alliance! With them, we may just be able to overturn the war!"
Duncan nodded solemnly. "That's great, Randor. Really. That's good news."
Randor perked an eyebrow. "Is something the matter?"
Duncan let out a small, sad noise.
"Teelana is dead."
Randor's jaw dropped. From there, Duncan told him a lie. It was a good lie, concocted by the Council of Elders themselves. And while it was a lie to be told, the tragic sadness of Duncan's voice made it nearly true.