Episode 14: Part 2
After introductions had been made, everyone gathered at one of the large wooden tables in the shop. Kristen produced a wooden box while Scratch and Yum-Yum brought three large wine glasses filled with water for the guests.
"Are those… living gargoyles?" Kara asked in astonishment.
Connor nodded and gave a friendly laugh, "Yup. They've kinda grown on us so don't worry. They're both pretty friendly and relatively tame."
From the box, Kristen took three raisins and dropped them in the glasses before stirring. To everyone's amazement, the raisins dissolved and became a sweet smelling mulled wine.
"Whoah… that's cool. What did you do?" Quinton asked while the guests from Hyperion Falls sampled the drinks.
"Feywine Raisins," Kristen chuckled as she made herself a glass, "I always keep a stash handy for special occasions… and honored guests."
"Too bad we don't have access to any of these back home," Joe smiled while taking a sip, "It's good."
"Speaking of home, I heard congratulations are in order. You're a Dad now," Kristen said while sitting down.
Joe kept smiling and produced his phone, proudly pulling up a picture of an infant son with Asian looking features. "Yup, baby Tyler's going on four months now."
"Aww, he's so cute! He looks a lot like Claire," Kristen said while she and Noelle both gushed over the picture.
"You'll forgive Claire for not being able to make it this time," Bishop said gently, "She's got her hands full and Nick is helping to keep an eye on things in the city for us while we're gone."
"Danny and Izzy?" Kristen prompted.
Kara took a calm swallow of wine and cleared her throat, "We decided it was best they stay out harm's way. Izzy is four months pregnant now... with a girl."
Kristen grinned, "Awesome! Maybe one day she and Tyler will get married to make the Hales and Winthropes one big family for real."
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Joe said with a guarded smile before becoming focused on the task at hand. His serious and sensible leadership qualities were beginning to resurface again as he cleared his throat, "Now... we were still called here to stop a demon problem. How can we help?"
Kristen sat upright and nodded while growing solemn as well, "Yes... there's a problem growing here that the Druids would be normally powerless to stop. Because the fey have become much more active here, it's even more unpredictable and dangerous as well."
Kristen folded her hands and cast an unusually serious look around the table, "Every seven years, the Faerie Realm is required to pay a tithe to the demons of the Underworld. This was the result of an ancient treaty between the two races to keep peace. As far as we know, the land of Faerie shares a cosmic border with the Underworld and the tithe was agreed upon so that the demons would not attack or interfere in the land of the fey."
"All right, so what does this tithe have to do with people getting kidnapped?" Laura asked.
Kristen nodded, "There are some old Celtic legends like the story of Tam Lin where it's suggested that the fey give over a number of people who are fair and beautiful to be sacrificed."
Bishop slowly frowned in thought, "Knowing the way the demons are, they probably wouldn't discriminate too much between an Elf victim or a human one. It's the souls that are ultimately important. I suppose the fey will be more willing to let young attractive humans be taken in place of their own?
"Precisely," Druid said while the five knights wore silent looks of growing horror. "That makes all the young students here in this college town all the more vulnerable."
Noelle was the first to shake her head indignantly, "I can't believe this… that the Faerie Courts would allow such a terrible thing to happen!"
Kristen fixed her young charge with a solemn expression, "Noelle, you should know by now that as beautiful and mysterious as the faerie people are, they're just as dangerous and unpredictable. It would be a mistake to assume that the Courts are truly friendly towards the people of our world."
Joe nodded slowly from across the table and looked to Kristen, "If the fey are truly complicit in allowing this to happen, are we going to have to fight them too?"
"I'm praying that it won't have to come to that Joe," Kristen sighed, "I had asked for you and Kara to help stand guard against any demon activity, at least in Somerset Valley. If the fey get involved, the knights and I will try to take the lead on that end."
"All right then," Joe said, "Kara and I will start patrolling together and get our bearings on campus. If you knights see any demons, let us know and we'll be there to help."
Professor Bishop drummed his fingers on the table and gave a thoughtful look, "In the mean time, I'll help Kristen try to pull up more information on the demon houses and work on ways to get the hostages back."
"You won't be joining us in the field?" Laura asked in slight disappointment.
"Nah. I'm getting too old for running around and punching demons in the face," the professor replied with a modest chuckle.
"Could I still stay behind here and help then?" Laura asked hopefully, "I'd love to learn more from you."
"It's okay with me," Bishop said with a kind nod before looking to the other knights, "Provided it's okay with your team?"
Everyone else returned the nod as Connor rose from his seat, "All right then. If that's the plan, we'll keep a sharp lookout until we fine tune our counter-strategy."
"Then let's not waste any more time," Stephen said as he moved toward the door, "We've got time for a quick sweep of campus before dinner. Let's go!"
The next day, the Red and Gold Vanguard Rangers took a late morning stroll around the college to get a feel for the new terrain. As they idly walked the campus grounds, Joe pulled his blazer a little closer to stay warm, "Just like old times at college, huh Kara? Patrolling for demons and slaying monsters?"
The Gold Ranger gave a sidelong glance followed by a faint nod, "Yes, though we have a slight advantage now that we're both a little older and wiser."
"Ah Kara. Cautious and careful as always. I'm glad you're tagging along with me on this one," Joe laughed quietly.
Kara grimaced slightly as they continued walking, "If I can be perfectly honest with you, there's a part of me that actually wishes you had stayed behind in Hyperion Falls... and let me take care of the problem here."
Joe turned in surprise and frowned, "Kara... why would say that? The Vanguard Rangers are needed here and we were asked to help. I have a responsibility as our leader to go."
"That's just it," Kara protested, "Your commitment to your duty is admirable, but you risk forgetting about your other responsibility... to your new family back home. Things are different now. You have a wife and child to think about. What if something were to happen to you?"
Joe fell silent and chewed his lip, "I guess when you put it that way, you have a point. Still... we're Rangers and if people are in danger, we're obligated to help. Those demons are taking people away from their families here. I won't let them do that... so that my own family won't be in danger. Claire understood that and she still let me go to help here. I promised her that I'd come back safe and sound."
"You know as well as I do that she'll still worry," Kara answered levelly while looking him in the eye, "That's why she asked me to personally look after you and guard your life while we were here... to keep you from doing anything too heroic... her words, not mine."
Joe stopped and looked at his comrade again in surprise before giving a small snort of amusement, "I guess I'm good hands then."
"We Empyrian warriors are loyal to a fault and never break a vow," Kara replied with a mysterious smile, "I'd be an awful soldier if I allowed my commander to get killed here, wouldn't I?"
Joe smiled warmly and put a gentle hand on her shoulder before continuing on his way, "Thank you Kara... for keeping me honest and for being a good friend. And I still mean what I said too. I'm glad that you're here to help me. Now come on... let's stay sharp and cover some more ground."
Early that afternoon, Quinton Wallace took his skateboard out after his Sociology classes ended early for the day. He had decided to go for a little cruise to patrol campus while at the same time clear his head. Although it was still cool out, it was a little more sunny and pleasant which put his mind at ease. While he boarded down a parkway and turned a corner, he stopped abruptly when he saw Kayla heading his way from the opposite direction. Just like yesterday, she was alone and the Spring Knight had to stop and take a breath to calm his own beating heart.
After the demon attack yesterday, he was still a little concerned and he boarded over to talk to her. She looked up in surprise when she saw him and again gave a relieved smile, "Quinton... there you are. I was a little worried about you."
"I... Kayla? You were?" he asked as she took his hands and gave a little squeeze.
"Of course I was... after those monsters attacked yesterday... I didn't see you and I was a little worried something might have happened. I heard that one of the students might have been taken by them yesterday."
"Yeah... about that," Quinton answered as he got of his skateboard and walked along with her, "I'm fine. I just wanted to come by and make sure you were okay too. I wouldn't have been able to forgive myself if I let you get in harms way the other day."
She smiled gently and gave his shoulder a nudge, "Aw, that's really sweet of you Quinton. I was actually a little flattered you were acting so brave and protective yesterday during the attack. It's a side of you that I don't see very often and... well, I think it was a nice surprise."
"Oh... well, it's no biggie," Quinton sheepishly answered, "Um, Kayla? Can I walk you home? There's something kinda important that I want to talk to you about."
She turned to look at him intently, "Is everything okay? Is something wrong?"
"No. No. Nothing's wrong," Quinton answered hurriedly, "This is a good thing... well, at least I think so... oh boy, where do I start?"
"How about at the beginning?" Kayla laughed kindly as she stopped and patted his arm.
The Spring Knight nodded and tried to channel every single one of Connor's pep talks through his mind at the moment, "Right then... Kayla, you and I have been friends and neighbors for well... a really long time now. I uh, know I can sometimes be a little spazzy whenever we hang out... especially recently, but there's a good explanation for that."
"Really?" she asked raising an eyebrow in amusement, "And what is that?"
Quinton rubbed the back of his neck and cleared his throat, "Well... it's because I really enjoy spending time with you and I was hoping we could do that a little more often... maybe in a differnt kind of way."
Kayla stopped a moment and seemed to slowly put the words together, "Oh... Quinton, I... I don't know what to say... I..."
Their moment was interrupted as another demon portal abruptly opened up nearby surprising the two young people. Kayla squeaked in surprised fear as she saw several demon foot soldiers of House Phoenix pour out followed by the large burly monster, Gorgoroth the Enslaver. The jailer looked about before he spotted Kayla and waved his soldiers onward, "Over there! Grab that girl. She'll be perfect."
Quinton immediately interposed himself between her and the advancing demons. He tensed and assumed a fighting stance while giving an angry snarl, "No! You aren't going to take her! I won't let you!"
"Quinton? What's going on?" Kayla asked fearfully clutching his sleeve.
"Go on! Get out of here. I'll hold them off for you," the Spring Knight pleaded. This was desperate. He wasn't sure he could take these demons all by himself and he was torn at the idea of exposing his identity in front of Kayla if he called his armor.
Unfortunately, the demon troops didn't give him any time to think about it as they charged right on top of him forcing the knight to fight back unarmed and unarmored. Despite his disadvantage, Quinton held his own and kicked aside the first pair of soldiers while redirecting the spear thrust of a third demon into another enemy. The knight used his momentum and rolled off the attack, snagging the weapon while swinging it to ward away a few more foes.
"This is getting very annoying," Gorgorth growled as he rushed in and swung his own weapon at Quinton.
The Spring Knight raised his guard and blocked with the spear but the sheer force of the powerful demon sent him flying backward and caused him to hit the ground hard. As he rolled to his knees and tried to shake off the hit, Gorgoroth fired a plume of hellfire that exploded around the knight, throwing him backward in a stunned heap.
As Quinton lay on the ground in a half conscious fog, he was surprised to see the arrival of a few faerie soldiers who looked to belong to the Spring Court. The squad of Elves were clad in green tunics over their armor and they wore helmets with small stag horns ornamenting them. To his horror, he saw the Elves had captured Kayla and forcefully dragged her back toward the small platoon of demons.
The leader of the faerie soldiers handed over Kayla to Gorogorth and the demon stood down, giving an appreciative nod. Amid her fearful cries for help to Quinton, Gorgoroth opened another portal and took her away with him followed by his foot soldier escorts.
"No... Kayla..." Quinton croaked as he painfully dragged himself forward and struggled to rise to his knees.
The fey soldiers of the Spring Court gave a pitying look as they watched Quinton struggle before they shook their heads and began to follow the demons through the portal. The leader of the troops walked over and looked down at Quinton for a long moment before speaking, "For your own good, please just stay down Sir Knight. Forget the girl... it would be suicide to follow us into the Hinterlands."
The soldier turned on his heel and quickly walked through the portal before it closed leaving Quinton laying on the ground, beaten, dirty, and sore. Hot tears stung at his eyes as the Spring Knight rolled over onto his back and pounded the grass angrily. He failed. He was so close but he let those monsters take Kayla and the faerie soldiers of Spring... his own Court were helping the enemy. He didn't know what to do at the moment and he knew he should get up and call the others for help. He had to go save Kayla, but as he lay there he let his emotions get the best of him and he couldn't help but let a few angry tears roll down his cheeks.
Meanwhile, across campus on the other end of town Connor Walsh walked by himself and headed into a local park. Because it was still a bit cool out, not many people were out walking around at this hour. The Summer Knight made his way deeper into the secluded forested paths deciding on taking a calming stroll. While he did, he thought about the surprising arrival of the Vanguard Rangers the other day and he pondered just how serious a threat this demon menace was. It obviously had to have been serious if the normally cool headed Kristen was on edge and if powerful veteran Rangers were showing up too.
Even more sickening was the thought that the fey and the demons were basically on the same side at the moment and the innocent humans of the valley were being caught in the crossfire. As he walked, he decided he wouldn't let any more of his classmates come to harm... not if he could help it. The Summer Knight glanced over and stopped as he suddenly saw a faint glittering light appear from a nearby pond that he passed by. He frowned and headed off the walking path to investigate.
As he approached, he saw that it was a small forest pond and nothing looked particularly off about it. There was no sparkle and Connor continued to survey the area, wondering if maybe his mind had just been playing tricks on him. As he took one more glance at the waters, he jumped in fear as he saw another reflection behind his own... a very familiar one. He whirled around and clenched his fists, ready to defend himself from the young red headed sorceress in a green dress, the same one who helped to lead the Fomorian armies... Leanansidhe.
"Leanansidhe! What are you doing here! What do you want!" the knight growled as he prepared to raise his ring and summon his armor.
"Calm down Summer Knight. I am not here to fight you," she replied calmly raising her hands indicating she was unarmed.
Connor kept his guard up and remained tense while staring daggers at her, "If this is some kind of trick..."
"I assure you, I have no intention to harm you... at least not for now," she said while passing by him and walking calmly toward the pond.
"Sorry... I just find that a little hard to believe, what with all the prior times we drew swords and you tried to kill us."
Leanansidhe shrugged then looked to him, "No... today... I am more interested in talking... specifically to you."
"With me?" Connor asked incredulously as he relaxed his posture a little bit, "What do you want from me?"
Leanansidhe gave a pensive frown as she paused to search for the words, "This may sound strange... but I cannot help but have the feeling that I've known you before. You keep insisting my name is Leanne and you act as if you seem to know me."
"It bothers you... doesn't it?" Connor noted as he warily walked over near the pond, making sure to keep his distance from the sorceress.
Leanansidhe bent down to kneel by the water and look at her reflection before glancing up and looking the Summer Knight directly in the eyes, "I want you to tell me about her... everything you know about this Leanne person... then we'll see how I really feel."
A/N:
To answer the Guest review questions:
1.) Kristen is not Krissy from Vanguard Chapter 7 and 8. She had not been previously mentioned in the story but I wanted to tie her to the old team as one of their unnamed classmates.
2.) I'm not quite sure about any other Vanguard Rangers returning for this one. Nick's on guard duty, Danny's got a lot to deal with (especially considering how temperamental Izzy is to begin with), and as for the two girls... well, I can only speculate that babies and pregnancy can be a real handful sometimes. ;)
3.) As for Izzy's student Laurel becoming a Ranger in a future story, who knows? It's always possible, right?