RIDERS OF TUATHA by Bert McKenzie Copyright 2010
Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any real person alive or dead is coincidental and unintentional.
CHAPTER XXI
As the army plunged headlong into the little group of trees, they seemed to disappear. The little grove was not big enough to hide that large of a group from sight, but the horses, men and unicorns continued to ride in on the east side, and no one emerged on the west end. The actual experience was a little unsettling to Jennifer. She followed Rood and his guards in among the trees, but no sooner had they entered the little copse than darkness descended on them. It was as if a large cloud had quickly eclipsed the noonday sun. The forest seemed to expand and become much larger in the darkness that enveloped them as she followed behind her friends. Just as she was beginning to worry about the unusual size, the horses broke free of the trees and charged out onto a flat, grassy field. It was night and Jennifer was hopelessly lost as Rood brought his troops to a halt.
"My lady," the captain said to her. "You have decided to show us the way. Now is your time."
She looked around her disconcertedly. Everyone was looking at her, expecting some directions. "I . . . I don't know where we are," she said, almost ready to cry.
"There is moving water on the other side of these trees," Clive said as he urged his horse closer to hers. "We must be near a river."
"A river!" she said gratefully. He had just rescued her from certain death by embarrassment. The river had a small, wooded park bordering it just opposite her house. They must have arrived there, and were now in the grassy depression just on the other side of the hill in that same little park. She turned her horse and headed up the hill. Sure enough, as they crested it, the street lights in her old neighborhood greeted her. "Follow me," she said now that she had again found her bearings. She headed south, Rood riding at her side, and the oddly assorted army of fairies and unicorns rapidly following in their wake.
"My lord, please awaken," the voice called to him. Scott slowly opened his eyes and looked around. Other than a pounding headache, he seemed to be alright. Looking about he saw that he was securely tied to a desk chair. The pudgy little doctor was likewise restrained. They appeared to be in an office of some sort. Just across from them was a security guard lounging at a desk which was piled high with mountains of undone paperwork. The security man was apparently listening to a small, transistor radio through an ear phone. Every so often he would lean forward, slap his thigh and say "Alright!" Apparently, the majority of his attention was riveted on the sports commentary playing in his ear.
"My lord, we must find Robin," the voice said.
Scott looked around but could not see the originator of the voice. "Akuta," he barely dared to breathe the name.
"Yes, I am here. I can free you so that we may continue our search," the voice replied.
"The guard," Scott said as quietly as possible.
"Should I slay him?" his unseen friend asked.
"No," Scott whispered. "Can't you just knock him out?"
"What did you say?" the pudgy little scientist whispered. This exchange apparently caught the security man's attention. He turned to look closely at the two prisoners. Scott was struggling with his bonds until he saw the officer look at him. He immediately froze. The security man removed his ear phone and slowly stood. He moved from behind the messy desk and stepped toward the prisoners, looking down and tugging on the ropes to make sure they were still securely tied. The man then stepped behind Scott and out of his field of vision to check the knots holding his wrists behind his back. There was a loud crack and a dull thud, and the security man suddenly flew over Scott's shoulder, crashing onto the top of the desk and scattering the mountains of paperwork every which way.
"I said knock him out, not kill him," Scott said as he felt a sharp blade working on the ropes behind his back.
"Sorry, I know not my own strength," Akuta said as he quickly freed his friend. "But I believe he shall live."
Scott rose and stepped to a table at the side of the little office. On it lay his sword and dagger. "Don't leave me here. Take me with you," the scientist begged. Scott looked closely at the man while strapping on his weapons. "I can show you where your friend is," the doctor bargained.
Scott looked up at Akuta questioningly. "I trust him not, lord," the fairy replied.
"They were going to kill me," the little man argued. "Or at least they thought you would. You can't leave me here. And besides I can help you. Your friend's in the surgical theater and you might not find it without me."
"Cut him loose," Scott said.
"My lord . . ." Akuta began to protest, but then thought better of it. "If you trick us my blade will sever more than these ropes," the fairy wind whispered in the man's ear as he sliced through the bonds.
"Now, show us to the surgical theater, and be quick. My friend isn't very patient," Scott said, glancing at Akuta and instinctively playing "good cop-bad cop" for the scientist. They left the shabby little security office and headed down the hall.
Alex was getting awfully tired of waiting. He had never been very good at it. That was the main reason why he had left Hollywood. If he couldn't be a star overnight, he wasn't sure if the rewards were worth the wait. As he sat by the side of the road the big unicorn nibbled on the nearby grass. "I hate this," Alex finally said aloud. "Where are they?" The unicorn raised his head and gave a soft whinny, as if in agreement to the human's nervousness. "Patience, Madison," Alex told himself, then looked again at the magnificent animal standing so close by. It was watching him curiously.
"Do you really understand what I'm saying?" Alex asked. The animal turned its ears toward him and gave a slight nod. "Then a guess this is all real," he admitted, more to himself than to Firebrand. He stood and slowly approached the big unicorn, stroking its soft white fur with his hand. Alex reached up to scratch behind its ears, then slowly reached down the forehead to touch the golden horn where it protruded. The animal tossed its head and pulled slightly away. "I'm sorry I called you a horse," Alex apologized. Firebrand ducked his head down and nuzzled against the human's neck, his golden spike inches away from Alex's face.
Suddenly the unicorn's ears perked up and he lifted his head, his nostrils flaring. He was the picture of alertness. "What is it?" Alex asked as he looked around. The dark night was just as still as it had always been. The big animal turned and walked to the edge of the little grove of trees, looking down the deserted road. He whinnied softly. "I don't see or hear anything," Alex said as he peered out into the darkness.
Firebrand suddenly reared up on his hind legs and let out an angry cry. As his forefeet came back down to the ground sparks seemed to dance from where they made contact, and the huge animal did a little dance in nervous anticipation. Alex could suddenly hear a distant rumble coming down the road. He peered again into the gloom and detected movement. As the source of movement passed under a street lamp quite some distance away, Alex could see riders on horseback heading their way. "No prob, big fella. I think this must be the cavalry," Alex said excitedly. He jumped up and scrambled onto Firebrand's back and the two of them slowly stepped into the center of the road to await the arrival.
Rood and Jennifer were in the forefront of what appeared to be a small army. Rood lifted his hand as they came to the little copse and brought the troops to a halt as Alex and Firebrand came forward to meet them. "Scott and Akuta are inside the complex," Alex told Rood.
"Then we shall follow them," the captain said.
"Wait," Alex stopped him. "There's a guard at the gate and he has a gun. Someone will get killed if you just try to ride in like this."
"Is there another entrance?" Rood asked.
"Not that I know of," Alex admitted. "The whole place is surrounded by a high fence."
"How high?" the captain asked.
"You can't climb it. It has razor wire at the top," Alex said.
"How high?" Rood repeated.
"Maybe ten or twelve feet."
"Firebrand, have you seen this fence?" Rood asked. The unicorn nodded his head. "Can your people pass it?" The animal snorted and pawed the ground before again nodding. Rood turned and gave orders to his troops to dismount and climb onto the unicorns.
"Now wait a minute," Alex protested. "I've seen that fence, too. Don't get me wrong. These are great animals, but nothing can jump that high, especially not carrying a rider."
"Two riders," Rood corrected him as he helped Caseldra up on the back of a silver horned stallion that he had just mounted. "Firebrand is the strongest so he shall have to carry you humans," he said as he indicated that Jennifer should join Alex. There were not as many unicorns to go around, so some of the army stayed with their horses. "Follow us when the gate has been secured," Rood ordered.
Firebrand turned off the road and headed across country, aiming for a spot on the side of the complex, out of sight of the main entrance. Rood and the other unicorn mounted fairies followed close behind. "This is crazy. We aren't really going to try this?" Alex shouted as he and Jennifer clung tightly to the charging beast.
"For God's sake, don't break his concentration," Jennifer called back. "It's our only hope." Alex could see the buildings rapidly growing larger as they streaked across the open field. Suddenly the fence came into view, growing in height every second. Alex gripped Firebrand's neck and squeezed his eyes tightly shut, praying that it wouldn't hurt too much when they collided with the structure.
At the last possible moment, Firebrand planted his hind feet and pushed with all his strength, sailing up into the air. He extended his legs and sucked in his gut as his body barely slid over the coiled wire, the sharp barbs slightly nicking his chest as he passed. Then he was down, alighting gently and continuing his run to use up the momentum. The other unicorns, unburdened by the weight of humans were easily able to clear the barrier and land in the empty yard within.
"Now where is this gate?" Rood asked. Alex pointed back along the fence, and the fairy captain dispatched Melcot and Rowana to take care of it. "We must find our king and our friends," Rood then ordered. "Search every building." The group quickly dispersed as they broke into smaller parties.
Melcot and Rowana quietly approached the small guard booth at the main gate. "You stand back and I shall kill him," Melcot wind whispered to his mate.
"Remember you not our trick with the blue guard in the canyon before Robin's ascension to the throne?" she asked in reply.
"Now, wait," he began, but Rowana pushed him back and walked quickly toward the booth.
"Hello," she said, looking in at the security guard who had been leaning back in his chair, reading a magazine. The man jumped at the voice, nearly falling over backwards, then quickly got up. "I seem to be lost," she said innocently.
"Where did you come from," the security man asked. "I didn't hear a car."
"My horse has hurt his leg, so I left him to rest," she explained. "Can you give me directions?"
"Horse?" the man said as he looked over her unusual costume. "You from that fair?"
"Yes, I am," she admitted shyly, then gave him a wistful smile. "Can you show me how to return? I am sure you must know the way. You have the look of intelligence in your eyes."
The security guard puffed out his chest as he stepped out of the booth and walked her to the gate. "You just head back up this road about three miles then turn right and follow that road till you get to a wide highway." He then noticed that the gate was tightly closed and eyed her suspiciously. "Say, how did you get inside here anyway."
"Open this and I shall show you," she said softly. The man grasped the lever and pulled the gate open a little way. Rowana stepped into the opening and smiled up at the guard. "Now bend down here and close your eyes," she whispered seductively.
The man smiled and leaned forward, closing his eyes and expecting her to kiss him. At this point Melcot stepped up from behind and struck the man firmly on the back of the skull with the hilt of his sword. The human fell unconscious at Rowana's feet. "Pull him out of the way," she instructed, "and I shall open this gate."
As he complied, Melcot looked back at his mate. "I think I like not that you seem to promise yourself in such a way to others," he said grumpily.
"But who is it that may collect on such a promise?" she replied with a laugh as she shoved the gate wide.
"If it be any other than me, you both are in danger," he growled.
Rowana ran to him and kissed him firmly on the mouth. "When we are home I shall fulfill my promises," she taunted him. "Just see that you are the one who is around." She then turned and whistled softly into the night. The rest of the army and the horses emerged from the darkness and entered the compound.
Herman Blanc walked into the surgical theater in gown and gloves. His two top aides had already turned out to be traitors, so he would trust his great discoveries to no one else. He stepped over to the cabinet at the side of the room and selected a syringe and small vial. Filling the tube of the needle with an appropriately lethal dosage, he slowly moved to the table in the center that held the alien. Intense green eyes stared at him as he approached with the small instrument of death.
"I apologize for this," he said, looking into the deep emerald windows of the strange creature's soul. "But you won't feel any pain like you did at the house of that butcher."
"Are you then the bringer of death?" Robin asked.
The doctor almost dropped the needle, he was so startled and surprised. "You can speak?" he asked in amazement. Robin only watched him in stony silence. "Where are you from? How did you get here?" the man asked. Again the silence was his only reply. "If you answer the questions I may spare your life."
"I bargain not for my life," Robin answered proudly.
"Are there more of you on this planet?" the doctor asked. Again he received no response. "Look, I don't want to hurt you. I'm only trying to learn. If you won't cooperate, then I have no choice but to learn what I can from your dead body."
"My death would not profit you," Robin replied softly. "If you seek knowledge there are many roads to this end. The longer the road, the more profitable the journey." The voice was soft and mellow, almost physical like a plush, warm blanket enveloping the doctor in blissful comfort. "I shall take you down the road of knowledge. We shall travel together, hand in hand. Release my bonds so we may begin our journey." The doctor reached down under the metal table to unfasten the steel catch on the restraining straps. Part of his mind rebelled at what he was doing, but the rest of him had to obey the warm, soft voice.
A crashing sound came from far away as someone apparently broke down a door. The noise seemed to break the spell he was under, and Blanc suddenly jerked away from the table. "Very impressive," he said. "A subtle form of mind control by use of vocal sound, akin to hypnosis I would guess." The doctor reached out to grasp the bare arm and inserted the needle, pushing in on the plunger. "You won't feel a thing," he said.
"I welcome death," Robin replied as he thought of Scott in that burning building.
Just then the doors of the operating room burst open and in came Scott and Akuta led by the pudgy little man. "Robin!" Scott cried and ran to his side.
"My love, you are here?" Robin said. "I thought you had passed from this world. I had hoped to follow you."
"You're okay now," Scott told him, reaching down to fumble with the restraining straps.
"He'll die shortly," Dr. Blanc said as he watched from where Akuta held him. "I've already given him a lethal dose of morphine. I'm afraid it's too late to save him." The man seemed totally dispassionate about the whole affair.
"You shall precede him in death," Akuta said and before anyone could react, he plunged his dagger into the scientist's chest. The man crumpled to the floor with an intense look of surprise on his face.
"I always love you," Robin said as Scott held him. His body was growing physically colder to Scott's touch.
"Isn't there anything you can do?" Scott asked, looking up at Dr. Sorenson.
"I'm sorry, I wish there was," the little man said.
The doors to the room again opened and Jennifer and Alex stepped in followed by Firebrand. "Scott," the girl called. "You've found him?"
"He's dying," Scott said, tears streaming down his face. Akuta crossed the room to Jennifer. "Have you a homing crystal?" he asked.
"Yes," she said in confusion. "Caseldra gave me one."
"Give it to me," the fairy demanded. She reached beneath her tunic and removed the talisman. Akuta snatched it and raced to Robin's side. The unicorn stepped into the crowded room and drew close. "Firebrand, you know what to do?" Akuta asked. The unicorn nodded it's head and stepped next to Robin. Taking one of the king's lifeless hands in his own, Akuta tapped the crystal. Firebrand leaned down to nuzzle the fairy as the magic began to work. The group huddled around the metal table became transparent, then faded from view, leaving Alex and Jennifer alone with the little doctor and his dead boss.
Rood and Caseldra burst into the room a moment later. A tall, wiry looking man was with them. "Dave!" Sorenson called. "My God, you won't believe the things I saw!"
Dave Strahan smiled at his friend. "I think I might after tonight. What happened in here?" He looked down at the body of Herman Blanc, lying on the floor in a bright red pool of blood.
"One of the aliens killed him," the little man replied. "He had already injected the first alien with the morphine, then we got here and a bunch of them disappeared with a big horse."
"A lethal dose?" Dave asked. "Then he killed the first alien?"
"Killed . . . Robin is dead?" Rood asked, stunned.
"Akuta took them by using my crystal," Jennifer told him.
"Then our mission here is over, and we have failed," Caseldra replied. The two fairies turned and quickly left the room.
Jennifer, Alex and the two scientists followed them out of the building and into the front parking lot. The search parties were slowly regrouping and there was a massing of fairies, horses and unicorns. The small group of security agents, scientists and technicians that had been rounded up by the Tuathan army now stood ringed by sword drawn soldiers.
"My brother and sisters," Rood called to his people. "We have failed." An erie silence fell upon the group. "Our king has returned to the western islands. Akuta has taken his body home. We must now join him."
As if directed by an unseen conductor, the entire mass of fairies began to sing the song of passage. The haunting melody tugged at Jennifer's and Alex's hearts, and even touched the captive humans. Caseldra reached up to kiss Jennifer on the cheek, then stepped away, taking Rood's hand. All of the elfin people held hands or reached out to touch their horses and unicorn friends. They all tapped the homing crystals they were carrying, and the entire army faded away into the darkness. Only a cold wind blew dust and scattered bits of paper in the deserted parking lot that had been occupied a moment before by over a hundred people and animals.
"Do you believe what just happened?" Sorenson asked his friend.
"No," Dave replied. "Come on, we've got to figure out what to do about all this."