Chapter 11: The bargain
Phobos gazed at the small child in his arms. Ciara gave out a few small cries and her hazel eyes moved towards her father and mother as Phobos spoke.
"I'm tired of living in the dungeons, my sister. It's dark and damp and cold; I never have any company. And as I can't marry my way out--" He gave Cedric an evil look. "I don't want to be stuck there anymore. I can't control the Veil, Elyon. Only the Guardians can. But I have a proposal for you. Send me to Earth." He suggested coolly. He tossed Ciara up the air and narrowly avoided dropping her.
Will's face went pale and her eyes filled with tears. "Please, Phobos--leave Ciara out of this." She whispered.
Phobos frowned. "Who said I'm bringing her into it? I'm just holding her." He said proudly.
Cedric spoke up quickly. "You're right, Phobos. It is awful in the dungeons. So I'll tell you what. I'll give you a 3 week headstart if you just lay down the baby and leave now. For old time's sake." He offered.
Phobos shook his head. "No. I don't want Meridian anymore. I want Earth." He said. The look on his face was oddly remniscent of an stubborn child.
Cornelia grabbed at her twins and drew them both into her lap. Poor Will! That's her baby. And we've hit a stalemate. Her eyes searched the crowd nearest Phobos. And she drew in a quick, deep breath. Where's Caleb? She wondered.
A figure suddenly swung in from a rope made from a twisted tapestry. It grabbed at the child in Phobos' arms and came to a quick stop on a balcony overlooking the whole dining hall.
Will's face lit up as she realized--the figure was Caleb!
Caleb held Ciara close. "You've lost your bargaining piece, Phobos! I suggest you take Cedric's offer of a 3 week headstart!" He shouted.
Phobos' lip curled. "Oh, you think I've lost my bargaining piece?" He suddenly grabbed Will by the hair of her head and held a dagger to her throat. "I think I found a better one." He purposefully dropped his head beside Will's. "Now take me to Earth, or I'll kill you and your baby." He threatened.
Will lifted the Heart slowly, fingers trembling. A glowing portal appeared. Will looked up at Phobos. "Go!" She whispered.
Phobos smiled and vanished slowly into the Portal.
Will dropped to her knees as Caleb slid down his rope and placed Ciara in her arms.
"Where did you send him?" Caleb asked.
Will shut the Portal and smiled up at him. "I might have sent him to the Yukon." She replied.
Cornelia frowned. "But no one lives in the Yukon!" She objected.
"Exactly." Will smiled and opened a new portal. "It's high time we got home." She said, raising to her feet slowly.
Elyon smiled at her friends. "Visit soon, okay?" She asked hopefully as she slipped an arm around Cedric's waist.
Irma laughed. "Very week now! After all, the Guardians have returned. It's high time we got in shape again!