Everyone here is a predicament chapter


(DayTime sunrise) desert looking location

Our cart riden by two gray guards was seen moving into the sunrise certainly the back wheel of the car hit a rock causing the back to bump up and back down. Grey guard sitting said "hey would you slow down you're gonna ruin the cargo" grey guard rein said "all right take it easy, I just wanna get this over with as quickly as possible". During the whole commotion we see what's in one of the bags what's inside is leif he has a cloth in his mouth he wakes up, looks down and see his hands are shackled by a wooden rectangle and his ankles are tied with rope. Lief thought 'what happened where am I why are my arms tied oh right we fell into a trap'.

The grey guards had taken liefs cloak and he recalled how they fallen into a trap 'this isnt good' loef thought he tried to get out but no avail. One of the grey guards said "one of the ticks is moving around should I give it another wack" gaurd driver said "better not risk it they all have to be in good condition on delivery you know the orders".

Lief thought 'good condition for what and who's orders ?' then lief remembered something 'the belt' he felt around his waist and the belt of Deltora is still around him. He thought 'I still got it It's safe barda,jasmine,cal' and he began struggling he could hear all three of them, groaning as I just woken up. Lief thought 'good we're all still together' grey guard said "you asked me these four aren't worth the trouble for transporting" driver guard said "who knows maybe the big ones are but the other two are useless specially the scrawny little girl".

Grey guard said "can you believe it I heard she won the championship I bet she won't last five minutes ago was one of us and the second big guy won the special match he may make a good warrior after all". Driver guard said "both of those are true but it's still none of our business the Brighton woman supplies the goods all we have to worry about is delivering them to the shadow arena". Lief thought 'the shadow arena they must be gray guards what are we gonna do' barda thought 'I can't believe mother brightly was in on this all along'.

The cart continued to move where will it stop for now as this was happening kree was following the cart that held his friends he also cawed. Jasmine thought 'its kree he's following us' cal thought 'it's a good thing we have an ally on the outside'. Barda thought 'I never should've let my guard down' lief was struggling to get out of his shackles while thinking 'impossible there's no way to get out of these things'.

(Rain time)

Just then the sun was gone it was replaced by gray clouds it started to rain water driver moved his hand up said "great just what we need". Other guard said "what do you think should we stop and make sure the ticks are dry we should feed and water too otherwise they'll be useless by the time we get there neither of us need that".

Then after they stopped one of the grey guards tossed the bag with lief in it on the ground "be careful you know what happens if they find any broken bones that aren't on mother brightly's report will be the ones fighting for our lives in the arena instead of these miserable fools" other guard said. While he spoke holding bag he said "seriously do you want to end your days in gladiator's leather fighting a vrall" other guard said "don't even joke about that!".

Lief thought 'we're gonna fight a vraal' jasmine thought 'I think I'll skip that thanks anyway' she tried struggling out of restraints but no avail. Barda thought 'so the Shadow Lord even has his hands on the Rithmere games' Cal thought 'I knew there was something strange about brightly still I wouldn't mind going a few rounds with a vraal'.

(Time unknown) raining

During the time after they were unloaded from the cart, the gray guards took our group of adventures out from the bags and chained them up to a tree. In the pattern of sitting starting on our right is lief,jasmine,barda and cal while the gray guards are sitting under a tent made by their cart. Grey guard said "hey it's your turn to give the ticks something to eat" other guard said "huh what a pain" while getting up.

The guard walk to the back of their cart grab something revealed to be old dirty dry meat jasmine said "oh no please don't tell me they're gonna make us eat that nasty dirty dried meat". Cal said "hey beggars can't be choosers" barda said "all the same it looks a heck of a lot better than that stuff they're eating right now".

What the gray guards were eating was rectangular shape grey guard food was like eating food pellets probably a source of protein. Lief looked at his rectangular shackles,said "come on there's gotta be a way to get out of these things" and he looked behind him where the chains were connected a medium size ring. Up above them was kree perched on a branch watching barely making a sound to stay hidden while filli was on Jasmine's left shoulder.

The grey guard walk to our chained up group and filli began hiding behind jasmine he tossed the food to them while saying "here you go ticks be happy you get anything to eat at all". Jasmine said "I am happy, but I can't eat with these shackles on my wrists" guards said "shut up little girl, get smart with me and I'll put you back in the sack and throw you into the shifting sands we'll be there soon enough" and he walked away from them.

Jasmine frowned lief whispered "we should do what they say" barda whispered "lief tell me that you still have the belt" he turned his head to him and nodded. Barda continued to whisper "the shifting sands this is good for us they're taking us right past where we wanted to go". Jasmine said "what do you mean good in case you didn't notice we're chained up who cares which way we're going" barda said "anyway looks like mother brightly really made fools of us didn't she". Cal replied "I didn't trust her one bit in the end I gave it away what gave it away was the bars in the inn".

Jasmine said "the whole time I thought she was the fool, but that's just part of act" lief said "it's all part of it the Rithmere games are just a trap". Lief spoke "they use gold to lure the best and strongest fighter around and then they capture them do you remember what it orwen said the first time we saw him in town".

Flashback

"ya cause i hear last years champion got the money and just took off somewhere without telling anyone".

Back to the present

Lief said "I bet the champion was captured like we were and taken to the shadow arena argh we should've suspected something". Jasmine said "hey check out our two guards" everyone looked the guards were sleeping "are they asleep" lief said. Jasmine said "yeah looks like it" barda said "well if there's anyway we can escape this would be the time" lief said while lifting his hands up "we just need to get rid of these" cal said "easier said than done".

Next scene the rain has seemed to stop, but it's still dark, gray and cloudy the gray guards continue to snooze and out group still chained. Lief said "I can't stand the thought that after all we've been through, they're sure to find the belt when we get to the Shadowlands and the quest will be over".

Suddenly the group heard a snap of a twig they all looked at the left behind them "you hear that someone's there" lief said. Jasmine said "someone or something" then who would appear out of the bush, but doom himself "oh no not him".

Lief said "its doom" barda said "have you been following us?" Cal replied "well he sure didn't come here to see the scenery". Doom then draws his dagger "wait let me guess you came to get your revenge" jasmine said "you four be quiet and don't move until I give you the signal i'm here to set you free" he said, while moving toward them.

Everyone was shocked barda said "I don't get it why would you come to rescue us anyway" doom said "we'll have time to talk later". Barda said "we have time now" then the boy dain popped out of the bush with light brown cloak said "don't worry about your packs and weapons i've already taken them to one of our secret, hiding plces after we unchain you we will need to get through the woods without being noticed please follow us quickly in quietly".

Lief said "wait I remember you you're the one who tried to drug all the finalists" jasmine said "you seem alot different then I remember". Dain said "you can call me dain I was nervous before so maybe that's why I needed you to drink your queen bee nectar but you two refused". Jasmine said "why did you want me to drink it?" Cal added "that's what I want to know too" dain said "to put you to sleep, of course we didn't want you to fight in the final match with doom".

Doom said "we've had our suspicions of the games we planned for that animal glock to win and then we were going to follow him, but he took the drug drink intended for you instead of losing to him I had to find a way to pretend to lose you". Jasmine said "get real you know better than anyone that you lost that match and badly" doom said "its true you fought well but in the end, you'll never know if you really won or not will you, the one in the special match might've put up a more formidable fight".

Jasmine said "yeah right aurgh" doom said "in any case right now, we should concentrate on the task at hand" barda said "first why don't you tell us who you people really are". Cal said "I doubt your here on a coincidence" doom said " all I'll tell you right now is that im the leader of a group sworn to resist the shadowlord" barda said "you're the leader of the resistance!".

Dain said "he is and im a member of it" jasmine said "so smart guy if you're the leader of the resistance why risk your life fighting in the rithmere games". Doom said "we knew the games were more than just entertainment for the masses but had no way to prove it, I had to become a competitor to get a glimpse on what went on behind the scenes".

The grey guards snored loudly getting the six people's attention then one of the gray guards rolled over in his sleep. Doom said "the choice is yours if you wanna get away i'm offering you a chance" all four of our groups members looked at each other. Lief looked at him said "I think you need to answer bardas original question why did you come to rescue us" doom said "when I first saw you in Tom's shop there's something about you that interested me".

We then see a flashback inside Tom's shop of when the others met doom in the first place.

Doom said "I didn't realize it then, but ever since where ever i gone I've heard whispers about four travelers I knew it was you a man,a boy,a wild girl and a creature warrior lad who were always accompanied by a black bird". Doom continued "and all who spoke of you seem to have said the exact same thing that everywhere you went part of the Shadowlord's evil was undon".

Lief looked to barda they both nodded to each other. and barda said "could you take these things off" and doom nodded up and down in agreement. He then pointed to his left and said "as dain said earlier we have a hiding place close by we'll go there and figure out our next move".

(Night time) somewhere in the forest

The moon was shining in the night sky and we see the remains of the shackles have been unshackled, indicating our travelers have been freed. Our travelers with doom and dain began running on a dirt road surrounded by long grass when suddenly a blister was fired ahead of them making them stop. Doom said "I guess they woke up" they turned around and saw the gray guards, launching more blisters.

The result is the grass around them was on fire The two gray guards came charging one of them said "hey stop right there" other said "there's nowhere to run". Doom and dain then separated into the tall grass parts that wasn't on fire leaving our travelers to face them.

One of the gray guards pointed their blister launcher at them said "unless you wanna feel the pain of a blister put your hands in the air and no sudden movements". The group just stared at them standing, and the other gray guard said "you heard him, hands in the air right now all of you" jasmime said "but you guys can't do anything to us or you'll be in trouble if were hurt".

Cal said "basically both of you are in no position to make demands" gray guard said "don't get smart with us little girl and lad" other said "will decide what we can and can't do now raise your hands or I'll blast you".

Lief then extended his arms forward, and said "no please don't shoot we'll do whatever you want" and then he raised his arms up. Gray guard said "hm good that's more like it boy" other said "looks like the kid knows what to do what about you three".

Barda lifted up his arms and said "all right I surrender too" jasmine said "seriously thanks for the back up guys" cal added "don't rope me in with them I was against doing what they say" and he lifted up his arms. Grey guard said "you know you four have caused us some trouble" and suddenly doom and dain popped up from the grass and clocked, the gray guards.

They are both conscience, but they're dealing with their bruises and fell down on their bottoms "uh where did these two come from" one guard said. Doom and dain just stood there and the gray guards got up and ran away while one of them said "so you're not getting away with this" and they were gone.

Doom turned his head around and said to the travelers "now lets get going" lief said "right" and Barda nodded in agreement. Jasmine was surprised, even though she didn't like it she knew they were right and cal decided to agree with all of them so they all ran away.

(Night time) cave hideout in the forest

We see a forest cave inside of it is a long dark tunnel with a light at the end we then see a bunch of swords on a shelf for swords,arrows in bins with barrels and crates. Doom said "at first light tomorrow we'll head up into the mountains we have a stronghold there and so we can hold off and workout are next plan of action" while he stood near the fire then turn around and walk a few feet away from it.

Our travelers had gun stuff that was taken from them barda and lief capes, jasmines dagger and cals fob but he decided to hide baggy and hatter from them. Doom replied "i'm sure those two gray guards have reported your escape to their superiors by now, i'd say you need all the help you can get" everyone was around the fire.

Barda said "we never asked for it besides how do we know we can trust the two of you?" Doom said oh then drew his dagger from under his pit. When he charged everyone was surprised as the dagger was inches away from barda's face then Jasmine got up with her knife, said "you're not the only one and with a knife around here, buddy".

Doom said "hmph I was just testing you" while putting his knife down "we put our necks on the line twice to rescue you, I think that loan should've earned your trust" doom said. He continued "so at the very least you owe us an explanation as to why you're refusing our help" lief said "we can tell you that much".

Jasmine said "no lief we don't own them anything and we can't trust them I mean this guy just pulled a nife on barda" cal said "yeah I agree with Jasmine completely". Doom said "would you like to continue what we started in rithmere" this made Jasmine growl "i'll take you on anytime just let me know when you're ready and I'll teach you another lesson".

Doom said while twirling his dagger "it looks like school is in session" any charge forward with his dagger pointed at her. While they were dagger, tasseling lief said "stop cut it out Jasmine" jasmime said while clashing daggers "I won't they let them capture us they just sat back at the inn as watched as we we're being taken away why didn't you come and help us then".

Cal replied "i'm afraid she's got them there leif" doom replied "there was nothing I could do I had to find out how the traps works that was the whole reason why I was there". Then doom knocked jasmines dagger twirling away the weapon landed blade first into the dirt jasmine knew that she lost. Dain got up in between them while saying "stop it right now I don't get you too why are you fighting when you're both on the same side!?".

Doom stopped and said "relax dain we were just having a little fun" dain said "right im sorry I didn't mean any disrespect by it". Dain then turned to the guys of the group and said "but we need you to trust us and understand our motives, we've committed our lives to helping everyone who suffers under the cruelty of the shadowlord".

Barda looked at lief and cal then back to the others and said "as much as I admire your cause I don't think it would be a good idea for us to go to the stronghold of the resistance". He continued "you know it's only a matter of time before the shadowlord comes after us I think that it'd be best for you is that you keep as far away, from us as possible".

A moment of silence, then dain said "too bad you feel that way when doom told me who we were going to rescue I hope that afterwards we'd be able to fight the enemy together as friends".

Barda said "we're sorry to disappoint you" cal said "im only half sorry" jasmine said "all right let's go" lief looked down then got up. Lief said "thank you for saving us but it's true right now we really can't join your fight" then barda and cal got up from sitting down. When all the members of our travelers began to leave, doom said "hold it" and they all turn their head slightly to look at them.

Doom said "i'm sure I don't have to say this but you shouldn't tell anybody about our meeting tonight if you do, I swear you'll regret it and you'll wish those two grey guards had taken you to the shadow lands after all".

There was a moment of silence between them since doom had just threatened them you could tell he was being serious. Our travelers walked out of the cave jasmine said "so what was all thar about did he really think he had to threaten us" lief said "I think he was pretty angry at us for not going with him my guess, I guess would be he was probably someone who doesn't trust other people all that often.

Lief continued "but he did trust us and he put himself in danger to rescue us and then we let him down so I understand why he would be upset". Cal said "sorry I don't meet his expectations after all, he did let them catch us besides, I'm not interested in joining in their little club". Barda said "I wish it could've been otherwise he would've been a valuable ally but we can't take that sort of risk right now, doom wouldn't be content to keep our little secret there are spies everywhere".

Lief said "I guess you're right" jasmine said "hey we'll go on like we always have just the four of us,besides I thought I made it clear enough that I don't like that guy" cal said "I don't trust both of them". Lief said "maybe later if we're successful in our quest and the shadowlord is defeated we can be friends with them I think that would be good".

barda said "well if we are going to succeed better, then we better find the shifting sands where the fourth gem is hidden". Lief said "you're right but we have no idea where we are and we don't even have the stars to guide us anymore".

Jasmine said "are you serious have you two already forgotten about kree" and she pointed up and they looked kree was flying around cawing. Cal said "don't worry, Jasmine I haven't forgot our feathered ally" jasmin said "he's followed us since we were captured in rithmere, he knows where we are I bet he knows how to get to the shifting sands".

Kree then flew off in the direction they were facing while still cawing and then they all started to run towards him.

(day time) somewhere in the forest

There was a body of water known as a strem and then they stopped lief asked "what do we doing now?". Cal said "I don't know about you guys but I'm getting baggy and hatter" he then placed his hands on the center of his belt, said"OK guys you can come out now".

Suddenly the belt shined silver, and gold and two orbs of the same color popped out of the belt and went to the top of the head and the back transformed back into his animal companions. Cal said "so you two how was your vacation time off" and they both mumbled in excitement meaning they enjoyed their time off".

Then kree landed on jasmines right arm and cawwed is his way of communicating to her she translated "he says we need to cross it the sands are probably over there somewhere I think we must be pretty close". Barda said "perfect the stream will disguise our sent it'll throw the gray guards off if they picked up our trail" lief said "lets go".

Our travelers proceeded to cross the stream of water we now see light, and now our travelers are walking on a gravel path with no plants in sight. By them were grat stone smal walls that show them the path then they stopped and saw a small gray graveled hill. Lief said turning head to barda "it's gotta be on the other side don't you think" barda said "let just hope the gem is there" jasmine said "enough talking let's go" and she ran cal followed her the same way, saying "you don't have to tell me twice".

As soon as those two made it to the top, they turned around jasmine said "come on you slow pokes for all we know the gray guards are right behind us". Lief and barda looked at eachother smiling cal said "let's move it you two we're burning daylight".

Next scene we see jasmine and cal sitting on one of the gray stone rock "you guys are always slowing us down" jasmine said. Lief said "why cause we're not hopping up the hill like hyped up bunnies" jasmine replied "whatever". Barda said "we still got a long way to go to get to the top" they all looked up cal said "ya consider this our break time to get our energy back".

Kree suddenly appeared and cawed at them "what is it kree did you see something over there?" Jasmine asked and then kree flew forward. She then followed by running kree then cal did the samething but he followed jasmine when they reached where their feathered friend is he's perched on a stone that has engraving on it.

Jasmine said "hey look at this" cal then added "yeah there's some strange writing on this stone monolith. Lief said "what do you think it is" barda said " it looks like a sign of some sort" what they saw on the stone was words sentences, but there was too many spaces and some of the words were missing on the letters.

Barda read out loud "the shifting sands danger that much I can make out I can't figure out what the rest of the words say". Lief said "a lot of the letters have been worn away by the wind but I think I can read the first three lines". He said "it says something like the end lies within its rocky walls where all are one, one will rules all below the dead the living strive".

Jasmine said "it's so weird what do you think it means?" Lief said "I don't have any idea, that said we need to find out quickly". Lief then remembered a vision the opal had given him where he was in the sands, calling out to his friends "anyway what we do know is that the shifting sands is not a very pleasant place" he said. "Not a pleasant place I think we knew that before we got here, but we don't have a lot of choice do we" jasmine said "not to mention the last three locations with a gem we visited were dangerous so we know what's to expect".

Lief said "yeah you're both right" jasmine said "of course I am" cal answered "besides, what's the life without a little chaos". Jasmime then said "hang on you said the first line on the stone was at the end, lies within its rocky walls right" lief said "I think so".

Barda said "what have you come up with something?" Jasmime looked pointed said "I could be wrong, but those cliffs over there look like a rocky wall to me I wonder if that's what it's talking about". Cal said "yep that's definitely a rocky wall and I'll bet you two gold coin and that's where we'll find the shifting sands" barda said "I think you're both on something".

Lief said "well if you're right then that means the sands are just on the other side we're there are you guys". Barda, cal and jasmine turned their heads to face leif "let's get the fourth gem" barda said "onward to adventure comrades" cal chimmed.

(day time) forest close to the stone wall bottom

Our travelers walked in the forest to reach to the bottom of the stone wall "looks like a tough climb" barda said. They came with in view of the stone wall and then stopped to get a good view of how big the wall is "it doesn't look like much a wall when you get this close" jasmine said.

Lief said "it sure is rocky though i'm still feeling pretty confident this must be the wall mentioned on that stone we read" jasmine said "and let me guess the only way to get on the other side is to climb".

Cal then heard a hum from hatter "what is it boy" he said then hatter murmured even more "they're ready great now is a perfect time to show them". Lief said "cal what are you talking to hatter about?" Jasmine "yeah what do you mean they're ready?" Barda said "and what's the perfect time to show us?".

"Well every one yes there to show you our four newest allies" cal said as he took hatter of the flipped him upside down "come on out every G". What amazed everyone was that a big shiny ball pumped out from under Hatter then split into four disappeared and showed his golem allies, each engraved with the letter on their forehead.

Everybody minus cal was amazed "everyone allow me to introduce our golem allies"cal said, jasmine asked "cal how did you make them?". Cal answered "do you remember when you left Tom's shop, one of the items I purchased we're four golem cores". Barda said "they're incredible" lief asked "how can you tell which is which why do they have letters on their foreheads?".

Cal said "well the one with the T is Taro,J is jiro,S is sabaro and C is cutaro go on and say hi fellas". Then the golmes walked closer reached out one of their arms and rubbed the heads of our travelers even fili and kree liked their heads rubbed by fingers. Cal said "that's just their way of saying hi and they like you" lief said "hey Cal, what are those green sprouts on their backs?".

He answered "i'll show you fellas would you mind turning around so I can show them and explain" then they know their heads up and down in agreement and turned around. Once they shown their backs cal explained "not only are these fellas the protectors inside Hatter they also have fields of crops on their backs". Jasmine said "wow that's amazing but why is cutaro back including color besides green more than the others".

"Well he specializes in special magic crops like herbs and spices well the others can ship their plants to regular veggies" cal answered. Barda said "I gotta say there are some fine farm friends you have their cal" cal answered "thank you Barda, hey I just got a great idea these guys can help us with our climb boys will you let us ride you so we can climb up that stone wall".

They all turned around to face them, nod their heads an agreement again then they walked to them lifted them up with their hands turn them around and place them on the back of their heads. Cal said "ok everyone to the top of the wall" we then see each member riding a golem as the big guys climbing up the dirt wall. Lief said "were almost there" barda said "it's a long way down be careful" cal said "hey it's ok everyone my golems are very tough".

As soon as I reached the top, they dismounted off the golems to take a chill break lief got up said "oh the view is amazing we're way above the clouds". Everyone including the golems decided to admire the view I could see the forest where they walked through "we climbed all the way up here just to go down again huh" barda said "come on let's go".

They then turned around walk to the direction of the shifting sands cal said "don't worry we've got golems to help us climb down". Cal's golems then picked up our four travelers and put them on the back of their necks and began to descending on the other side of the wall until they stopped at the small part of the stone cliff.

They all got a good view of the shifting sands barda said "look at that beautiful" cal said "yep, the shifting sands look magnificent". Lief said "i'm gonna guess that those are the shifting sands" jasmine said "finally feels like it took us forever to get here". Barda said "now we just gotta look for the gem" cal said "that's the plan".

While they were looking lief started to hear a buzzing noise "what's making that sound" he said "what sound?" Jasmine said. Lief said "that buzzing it sounds as if there are 1000 bees" everyone but lief looked around jasmine "I don't know what you mean I don't hear anything". Barda said "neither do I" cal said "I don't hear any buzzing" barda said "you must be tired lief" lief said "no i'm fine, but I definitely hear a buzzing".

This caused everyone to be concerned lief thought 'I don't get it why can't they hear it too'.

there we have it the completion of the chapter just for the record when I'm about to say I don't own it. I just heard it off a movie. "so much for the preliminaries now onto the main event"