Pure Intentions? Chapter 42
A/N: Dear Guest who wonders about Orko's inability to form the necessary words. I would love to privately PM you to discuss your review.
Once again, I thank all of you for your readership. My wish is for each of you to have a wonderful and healthy New Year.
Following the men, the Queen was the last one to enter the library where the entire house staff was lined up, ready to receive their next steps from their King. Within minutes, a plan was devised for repairing the demolished wall. For now, a black tarp would be draped over the crevice to prevent the elements from entering into the room. The night had changed dramatically since their arrival and it was now raining profusely.
Duncan and Randor joined the men in securing the tap in place, while the Queen oversaw the women in cleaning the debris from the room. No one commented that Orko was not around. It wasn't until all the work/cleaning was finished that his absence was noticed.
"Where's Orko?", asked Randor.
Just then, the Sorceress spoke to Duncan via telepathy. She informed him that Orko was at Grayskull having already informed her of Teela's and Adam's capture and of the fact that the Power Sword was left behind. She then instructed Duncan to bring the sword to her and she would try to figure out how to return it to Adam.
Duncan then in turn notified the Queen and King.
"Then let's return to the Palace immediately", stated Randor passionately.
"My liege, we have rooms aplenty and ready for you to retire here tonight", informed the butler.
Thanking the butler for the offer, King Randor let him know it was best that they return to the Palace as he had an early morning Court session to attend to. Tomorrow was the first of the month, which always brought with it a jam packed court session. Petitioners for the Crown's assistance lined all of the city's streets awaiting an audience with the King. Prior to leaving Eternos, Randor had already been informed of Eternian's setting up camp outside the city perimeter as they prepared for Court to begin in the morning. As much as Randor wanted to head to Snake Mountain and retrieve his son and potential daughter in law, he was honor bound by the duty to his crown to attend tomorrow's proceedings. The people of Eternia needed their King more than his son did. This he was sure off, especially now that he was privy to his son's secret identity. He knew Adam was resourceful with or without his sword and would survive through the night at Skeletor's mercy. Randor didn't plan on having Adam away from him any longer than that. He was confident that once his Man-At-Arms, the Sorceress and Orko figured out how to get his sword to him, Adam wouldn't even need their assistance. He was extremely proud of his prodigy.
Thus, Duncan and the Eternian Royals left the family estate. Traveling in one Wind Raider, they quickly made it back to the Palace. Once there, Duncan escorted Randor and Marlena to their private residence safely. Given the Prince's and Captain's abduction, he was not taking any chances. Meeting with the lieutenants under Teela's command, Duncan appointed extra sentry to stand guard outside the Royal apartments.
Verifying that the Royals were safe within their apartment, he bid them goodnight. Prior to leaving the Palace, he decided to quickly visit both Adam's and Teela's bedrooms to retrieve several articles of clothing. Something in his bones told him that they would be needed. Walking briskly, he made it back to the hangar in no time. Seeing that it was still raining, Duncan changed his means of transportation opting to travel in an Attack Track to protect him from the elements. Alone with his thoughts, he traveled to Grayskull.
Meanwhile inside Snake Mountain
Huddled closely to conserve body heat, Prince and Bodyguard sat next to each other in a corner of their jail with their heads touching eyes closed but neither was asleep. Disheartened that they couldn't free themselves, they rested awaiting their rescue. Neither had any doubt that they would be rescued, the question was when.
Hours had passed since their capture and being brought to Snake Mountain. However, none of their captors came to see them after locking them up. Adam and Teela were debating as to the reason for their captivity. Teela presumed it was because Stephania wanted her out of the way as she had previously stated and that Adam was captured because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Adam presumed that he was the reason for the attack and that Teela was captured because she was with him.
Neither knew the real diabolical reason they were captured. Only those cackling with wild glee sitting around Skeletor's council table were aware of the plan they had spurred into action. The three evil-doers were watching the Prince and Captain through Skeletor's round viewing console, laughing at their unsuccessful attempts to free themselves. Confident in their plan, they waited patiently for the prisoners to tire and let sleep claim them. Then they would spring into action. Leaning closely together Marzo, Stephania, and Skeletor would laugh maniacally when one or the other closed their eyes. But to their frustration Adam and Teela were taking forever to fall asleep.
Seeing them huddled together, Evil-Lynn decided to join them. Although initially she had warned Skeletor of joining forces with Marzo and his daughter, she was now intrigued at their success. The white-haired sorceress wondered if their plan would be successful. Deciding to lend her aid in case they were (as she needed to be on the winning side, not against them), she joined them at the council table. Her once lover moved over, making room for her by his side. Peering into the viewing glass, she too saw that Adam and Teela fought their fatigue. She had just the right suggestion to further endear herself to Skeletor. However, in her usually haughty manner her suggestion came out more as a berating than a helpful suggestion. "Are you going to watch them long?", she asked no one in particular.
"I have all night", answered Skeletor sarcastically assuming she was speaking only to him.
"I have a way of putting them to sleep", she volunteered.
"We don't need your magic, Evil-Lynn", answered Stephania "My powers can handle everything those two through at us."
Angered at the vain courtier, Evil-Lynn turned to her as she stated "Then let me watch you put them to sleep."
After several unsuccessful attempts to conjure up a sleeping spell, Stephania threw her arms into the air with despair an angry humph of air expelling from her lips.
"Amateur", Evil-Lynn whispered with a sneer as she walked away from the council table.
"Tsk, Tsk , Tsk", Skeletor uttered with amusement, "there is no use in us fighting over who will put them to sleep." With his final word, he called forth his Havoc Staff and raised it over the viewing globe as he muttered a sleeping spell.
They all watched as a cloud of smoke seeped through the prison gates to hover over Adam and Teela's heads before tiny tendrils formed which lowered toward their noses. One by one the tendrils of magic smoke traveled up through their nostrils embedding in their brains, effectively knocking both of them out. Unable to control their muscle movements, they slumped toward the floor there bodies still entwined.
"Finally, my success is at hand", cheered Skeletor.
An hour after their prisoners fell asleep after having consumed a celebratory meal of roast meats and vegetables from Calculwitta, which Stephania had magically retrieved and cooked, the three left Skeletor's throne room. With their bellies full they made it down to the dungeon a gurney being pushed in front of them by Marzo. Coming to stop in front of the locked prison doors, Skeletor waved his Havoc Staff and with a yellow flash of magic from his eye sockets the prison door was unlocked. Pushing it open, he and Stephania entered the cell. Bending low they picked up one of their sleeping prisoners and deposited them onto the gurney. The prisoner did not once move, clueless in their deep slumber as to the plan that was enacted. Having secured their prisoner with straps on their legs and arms, the villains exited the prison. With a look behind him, Skeletor relocked the door with his magic.
Unbeknown to the remaining prisoner in the cell, they were about to get the surprise of their life.
Grayskull Castle
Duncan arrived at Grayskull in no time. Putting the Attack Track in park mode, he reached behind him to retrieve the Power Sword. From Adam's bedroom he had retrieved a spare sheath; therefore, he wasn't carrying just the sharp blade around. Hoisting it over his shoulder, he made his way to the ramp leading to the jawbridge. Once at the corner, he called out to the Sorceress who immediately let the jawdbridge lower. Running inside, he skidded to a halt only when he was looking up at the Sorceress who remained seated on her Throne. She had her eyes closed seemingly deep in concentration. He knew that she was aware of his presence as the Sorceress's senses were highly attuned. Typically, she was able to process many different situations simultaneously. The powers granted her by Grayskull were immense. Without needing to ask her, he knew that she was trying to contact either their prince or daughter.
Looking around the room, Duncan did not see Orko. He wondered if he was deeper in the Castle, perhaps in the vast libraries already researching a method to bring Adam the sword. After a few minutes, he heard the Sorceress softly calling his name. Turning his attention to her, he waited to hear what she had to say.
"I'm glad you were able to come so quickly." "Adam and Teela are safe for now, but I fear that we must act quickly because their situation may soon change", she informed him.
"I can storm Snake Mountain with a legion of the guard", he volunteered.
"Military force will not be necessary, Duncan", she replied. "What we must do is to deploy a covert operation." "Orko and I will have to save them."
"How?", he asked intrigued by the prospect.
"Hand me the sword?", she directed as she disappeared from the lofty perch of her Throne. When she reappeared she was standing outside on the Castle's roof immediately becoming drenched from the down pour. Following the sound of her voice as she was softly talking to Orko, Duncan joined them on the roof. Unlike the mystic guardian whose headpiece and hair were not plastered along her head, he and Orko were protected by the rain by their head gear. Wiping the rain from his eyes, he saw that the Sorceress was holding the great Power Sword over her head, much in the same manner Adam held it when transforming and de-transforming. Orko was floating behind her in a similar stance. Keeping quiet he heard the Sorceress state, "By the Power of Grayskull!". A magnificent shower of lighting and thunder followed her declaration of the incantation that usually transformed the Prince of Eternia into Grayskull's Champion. When the lightning storm abated, the Sorceress stood in front of Duncan and Orko totally transformed.
To Duncan's surprise his wife transformed into the form of Queen Veena. No longer was she garbed in her falcon outfit with the wings being part of the ensemble. Rather, her wings were now a physical part of her body. Rather than her winged costume, her apparel was also changed. She was wearing a garment she only reserved for special occasion consisting of a golden armed chest plate which protected her breasts and back along with a white pencil tight knee length skirt. On her legs, she wore armored golden knee-high boots in similar design to Duncan's. Rather than the beak from her headdress touching her forehead, Teela-Na now sported two golden teardrops on each of her cheeks. Her unbound red-hair flowed freely down her elegant back.
At his quizzical look she turned to explain to him "Now I don't have to transform into a falcon to travel to Snake Mountain." "Skeletor won't recognize me in this form", she stated as she sheathed the Power Sword between her wings. "We will fly to Snake Mountain together", she said as she pointed to Orko who watched her in awe, "I need you to stay here and protect the Castle in my absence."
Mesmerized by her transformation, because there were still secrets to the magic of Grayskull that he was not aware of, all Duncan could do is nod his head in agreement. Before going back inside the Castle he watched as the two magic users went airborne. One used the magic of his home dimension to float without wings through the night sky. The other used the massive wings attached to their body to fly toward Snake Mountain.