This is a story of full fiction, no robot or fantasy creature was harmed in its creation. Please check out the ALL NEW Rhaven Lore at www.rhavenlore.com
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STAR CHILD
RETURN TO THRAE
CHAPTER FIVE
Lord Taskotter of the House of Cigam was a huge bulk of a man, jovial in appearance and jolly in attitude, with a healthy laugh that would echo forever through the castle. However, today he had no reason for laughter. Today his castle was under siege by robotic invaders.
"Enforce that south wall you fool! Where the hell is the General of Arms? Will someone please fetch Namder!"
"General Namder is dead sir!" a soldier yelled above the horrific sound of battle. Lord Taskotter moaned and glanced over the parapet. Hordes of silver and yellow autonoids rushed the castle, blasting at anything in their path. It was a sea of evil that tread across his lands, Taskotter grumbled at the audacity of this thoughtless villain.
"I'll be damned to the inner hells before I allow my House to be overrun by filthy mechanicals!" Taskotter cursed. "Jonas." Taskotter grabbed the young man by his breastplate, almost knocking him of his feet. "Inform Lieutenant Lundy I want all his Wolf Knights to take back the north wall, we will clear a path for the escape of families and innocence."
"Yes Lord Taskotter." Jonas bowed low.
"And Jonas." Taskotter pulled the young man close to him and looked deep into his azure eyes. "Jonas I want you to take possession of my nephews. Safeguard them away from this disaster. they may be Cigam's last hope."
"I. I will do my best Lord Taskotter. God be with you." Jonas bowed again, hesitated for a moment, as if trying freeze time and then sadly raced off to find Lieutenant Lundy and then the young brothers.
Lord Taskotter laughed, not his famous heartfelt chuckle, he laughed at the irony of the situation. For so long the House of Cigam with its arrogance and pride had believed they were invincible. Though they were the Thirteenth Family of Salvane, Taskotter believed they were truly the first, first in nobility, and first in courage. The parapet exploded around him, sending him hard to the stone catwalk. Taskotter forced himself back to his feet, his ears ringing and blood gushing from a wound on his forehead.
"Come you foul scum, come and witness the bravery of Cigam!" Screamed Taskotter. "While tonight you taste our blood, it will be no victory! Call out my warriors; call out so vengeance will remember our names!" And the warriors, young and old began their victory song, it was soft at first, but grew with strength and valor. Taskotter laughed, holding his nicely round belly. Tears rolled down his pudgy cheeks, tears of pride, if he was going to meet his maker, it is better to meet him with a smile filled with courage and not a scowl formed from fear.
The hordes of X1s rushed over the walls, a flood of metal warriors, their plasma rifles bursting away, lighting the gray cloudy sky to crimson.
Dango stopped and pointed. "What the hell is that?"
Puck, Ash and Otto joined Dango on top of the hill and stared, in the distances, flashes of red lightening illuminated the horizon.
"It is a battle." Otto said solemnly.
"A battle? What type of battle can create that kind of lightshow?" Puck asked wrinkling up his nose in disbelief.
"X1s posses Electro-plasma rifles, the discharge is viewed by a brilliant red shaft of light." Otto explained.
"Otto whose castle would that be?" Dango leaned forwards as if it helped him see better.
"I believe that is Cigam, Thirteenth Family of Salvane."
"Are you saying there is a real war going on there, right now?" Ash asked, flinching at every new flash of red. "That's horrible."
The small group had been walking all day long, through the thick forest of Bramford, across the Onnet River. Ash had taken off his shirt long ago, during the hottest part of the day and now as night was blossoming across the sky he was feeling a chill.
"Otto can I have my shirt please?" Ash leaned against the big man for warmth.
"There is nothing we can do for Cigam.Prime's forces are too great for us." Otto pulled Ash's shirt from where he had it tucked into his belt and handed it to the boy. "We will need to travel south for a mile or so. I know of a cave where we can hide for the night."
"Oh great, I hate caves." Puck spat.
"But caves are wonderful places to find that which has been lost." Dango said shaking Puck by his shoulders. "You wouldn't believe the interesting things I've found in caves."
"Like bugs and dirt and slime. yeah I'd believe that." Puck spat again.
"Come, it would not be wise for us to remain out in the open." Otto instructed, looking nervously around.
"Is there something wrong Otto?" Ash whispered, seeing the concern in Otto's eyes.
"Remember me telling you about my excellent hearing?" Otto whispered back, Ash nodded that he did. "There are X1s moving in our direction."
Ash almost screamed, he looked around cautiously and quickly grabbed Otto's hand.
"No worries Ash, if we continue south we should be able to evade
them."
However, Ash did worry, mentally and physically he wasn't ready for a confrontation with an army of robots. Of course, he couldn't think of any time when he would be ready to fight robots. It took them another three hours to walk to the cave, several times Otto would have them hide and be silent until the unseen enemy had passed. Ash was shaking by the time they reached the cave hidden at the base of a sloping cliff. He couldn't remember ever being so scared before, all he could think of was that stupid movie 'Blair Witch Project' as they had raced through the darkened forest, knowing that something or someone was hunting them.
"Everyone inside." Otto whispered. "No one has followed us; we should be safe here tonight."
"It smells in there." Puck complained as he tiptoed into the dark cave.
"Quit complaining and hey is that a spider?" Dango coughed out a laugh as Puck almost fell over himself to avoid the make-believe spider.
"You bitch!" Puck cursed and jokingly punched Dango in the stomach. Ash had to smile at the odd pair, he was happy to see that despite their dangerous situation, Puck and Dango could still find time for humor. It made all this sneaking around through the woods seem almost silly. Ash stopped at the opening and looked at Otto, the large autonoid stood perfectly still, staring out into the darkness of night.
"What. what is it?" Ash stuttered, wondering what horrors were stalking them now.
"It's nothing, no activity in our area."
"That's good right?" Ash got enough courage built up and stepped away from the cave opening towards Otto. He wasn't sure why the cave felt so safe, most likely it was a deathtrap if the robots did find them.
"That is very good. I don't think the X1s were after us, from their movement, I believe they had another target they were after." Otto patted Ash confidently on the shoulder. "Go inside the cave and get some rest. Tomorrow we have a long journey."
"Aren't you coming in?"
"No I will stand guard here tonight." Otto smiled and knelt down to look Ash in the eyes. "Tomorrow I promise to sleep next to you, but tonight I must keep an eye on the woods."
"Okay." Ash said disapprovingly. He walked into the cave and spied Puck in Dango's lap kissing passionately. Ash didn't breath, he stood as still as he could and watched his best friend kiss this odd man so lovingly that Ash felt his heart pain. To be kissed like that, so much passion, so much love, Ash inhaled deeply trying not to feel envy over his friends love.
"I'm always in the mood for a threesome, if you'd like to join us
Ash." Dango said laughing.
"Ash?" Puck fell off Dango and tried to smile. "I thought you. you were outside with Otto."
"Sorry. didn't mean to watch. Otto is standing. going to stand guard. told me.. into the cave. to come on it." Ash knew he was babbling, but he couldn't form a full sentence.
"Come on over here." Dango patted the ground next to him. "I promise no hanky panky."
Ash obeyed and didn't complain when Dango wrapped his arm around him and pulled him close. "I must be in heaven. Dango sandwich on the menu tonight."
"Dango, be nice." Puck said as he lay down, resting his head on Dango' s shoulder.
"I'm always nice." Dango whispered giving Puck a kiss and Ash a quick peck on his forehead.
Ash awoke before anyone else, carefully he unwrapped himself from Dango's arm and stumbled outside. Otto was still standing in the same place as if he was nothing more than a marble statue.
"Good morning." Otto said before Ash could speak. "Did you sleep
well?"
"Good enough I guess. Any problems last night?" Ash stepped next to Otto and looked out into the woods; they weren't scary looking in the daylight.
"All nice and quiet, we shouldn't have any more encounters with the X1s today." Otto put his arm around Ash's shoulders. "I was thinking last night; perhaps you need a weapon, just in case we do encounter problems. I could teach you how to use a sword."
"Don't need a weapon. I am a weapon." Ash said proudly.
"That is true." Puck said as he exited the cave. "Ash is an expert in Storm and Thunder."
"Most remarkable." Otto said arching an eyebrow. "A very effective defense."
"That's right Storm and Thunder with a little Bruce Lee thrown in for power." Ash grinned, it was important to him that Otto understood he wasn't completely helpless.
"Perhaps you could teach me some of this 'Bruce Lee' technique, when we have the time." Otto said obviously impressed. Ash nodded proudly, not bothering to explain who Bruce Lee was.
After a quick breakfast of dried meat and fruits, the group once again headed west. It wasn't long in their travels before Ash took off his shirt and handed it to Otto. Puck even removed his H'Orla, carefully packing it away in the backpack that Dango carried. As they walked, Otto found it necessary to educate Ash in the specific names of every flora and fauna they passed. Ash didn't really mind the lessons, the scenery was so amazing, that Ash wondered if he was dreaming. Endless hills of sparkling emerald green grass, a sky so blue that it looked painted. If there was such a thing as a paradise, then Ash was witness to it.
"I say it's time for lunch." Dango complained, breaking into Otto's speech as he explained the difference between a Draco-cornix flower and the similar Red Wynex rose.
"There is a lake just past the next hill, it is well shaded and a perfect place for a rest." Otto said, eyeing Dango, annoyed by his interruption.
"A lake huh?" Ash almost drool as the thought about the cool water. "So tell me Otto, can you swim?"
"I know how to sink, as for swimming. that is something I have yet to master."
"In all your millions of years of existence, you never learned to swim?" Dango chuckled.
"If I may correct you, I was created over a thousand years ago, not a million and yes; I have not yet learned to swim." Otto said slowly. "Finding someone to teach me has been a challenge."
"I'll teach you! I'll teach you!" Ash chirped in.
The lake was indeed beautiful, an oasis of tall oak trees neatly snuggled around the banks. Because of the gorgeous surroundings, they had a full meal, allowing them more time to relax. After the meal, Ash quickly pulled off his shoes and raced into the water.
"Hey get naked!" Dango yelled and was abruptly elbowed in the side by Puck. "What? I was wanting to see him naked."
"Otto come in, it's great!" Ash said waving to the tall autonoid as he fell back into the cool water.
"Perhaps we should continue on our journey?" Otto suggested.
"I think we can take half an hour to relax. It will be nice for Ash to enjoy himself. after all this has been very stressful for him." Puck said stretching out across the grass.
"I suppose you are right." Otto muttered and lumped his way slowly to the lake.
"Relax time huh?" Dango said as he kissed Puck's nose. "How about a little hanky-panky to pass the time?"
Puck slipped his hand inside Dango's trousers and smiled. "I'm all into hanky-panky, so just how long are you planning on keeping these pants on?" Puck and Dango rolled across the grass in a tight embrace.
Otto halfheartedly removed his shoulder guards and other items, as Ash anxiously waited for him.
"I'm not sure this is such a good idea." Otto complained as he removed his trousers, his last stitch of clothing.
"Hey you have a .." Ash slapped his hand over his mouth. He never once thought Otto would have a penis, so much for thinking of him as a computer with legs, now he was a computer will a willie, that was a completely different story. Ash liked the idea that Otto was more human than he had previously thought. Otto waded into the water slowly, stopping once it was up to his waist.
"Nice penis." Puck observed with a bit of a shock.
"Thanks, I used mine as the model." Dango laughed. "I thought it would make him feel more. more human."
"You are so talented. It must have taken hours of hard research to get it just right." Puck giggled and turned his attention back to Dango.
"Okay let's get this over with." Otto said grudgingly, looking at the water as if it was acid.
"This is suppose to be fun. stop acting like your doing a job." Ash laughed and splashed water at him. "Be careful, the lake drops off fast, don't know how deep it is, couldn't reach the bottom."
This information did not please Otto at all; he stared down at the water and frowned.
"You know there are creatures in this water right?" Otto informed.
"Creatures? What kind of creatures?" Ash quickly swam to the big man.
"Various cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates." Otto said confidently.
"You mean. Fish? Crap, Otto you scared me to death. Now quit
stalling."
Ash first demonstrated the simplest form of swimming; the dog paddle. Otto watched carefully and then attempted the maneuver.
"You're doing good. a little more movement.NO keep moving your arms!" Ash yelled as Otto began to sink. "Kick your legs more!"
Suddenly an explosion shocked the lake.
"What the hell?" Ash screamed, shielding his eyes from the brilliant blast. Ash managed to see Puck and Dango dodging the explosion's debris and pointing up into the sky.
"What are those?" Puck yelled.
It was then that Ash heard hum of an engine. He couldn't believe what he was seeing, eight naked boys riding golden falcon shaped gliders. They looked like surfers riding the invisible waves. The boys' helmets resembled the head of a falcon, it made them look very menacing, a strange contrast to their graceful nude bodies. On their arms, they had long blades like silver wings attached to gauntlets around their wrists. Ash watched as another beam of energy struck the ground, sending Dango flying through the air.
"Fly Boys!" Otto cursed! "Ash swim to me!"
"Otto get Ash out of the lake!" Puck yelled, as he rolled out of the way of another explosion.
"What the hell is a Fly Boy?" Ash screamed, but before Otto could respond, an explosion engulfed him. The blast threw Ash to the shore, knocking the wind out of him.
He managed to roll over on his side, sucking hard to get air back into his deflated lungs; the once calm lake was now in waves of tantrums, this once peaceful place was now a battleground. Ash looked towards the lake again; still no sign of Otto.
Puck with elegant hand movements cast his portal spell and stepped into the cloud of blue smoke. Instantly the cloud reappeared above one of the flying boys.
"How dare you attack us!" Puck screamed with such fury, the Fly Boy screeched with terror. In a smooth effortless move, Puck punched the falcon boy in the back of the neck, knocking him unconscious immediately. Dango dodged another explosion, quickly rolling out of the way and landing on his feet, he cursed under his breath as he spotted Puck and the lifeless boy falling from the sky. Puck tried his best to get the golden glider under control, without any affect, it had no visible controls or gears. Puck silently cursed himself as the ground zoomed closer.
"Lean to your right!" Dango instructed as he raced towards his falling lover. He knew he had to time this just right if he was going to save Puck. Two more explosions erupted in his path; Dango dodged them and in one swift movement let loose his two daggers. They hit their targets perfectly, right where Dango believed the engines were encased. The gliders sputtered and fell hard to the ground. Dango didn 't take the time to witness his success, he dived into the air and grabbed the two boys. He rolled as he hit the ground as the glider crashed in an explosion of fire and dirt.
"Puck, are you all right?" Dango instantly asked as he sat up.
"I'm fine." Puck said angrily. "I didn't think that one out first."
"You're damn right you didn't. that was the stupidest thing I've ever seen you do. What were you thinking?"
"I just said."Puck stopped and looked around. "Where the hell is Ash and Otto?"
They both jumped to their feet and began looking around.
"Ash!" Puck yelled. "Where."
"There he is!" Dango screamed and pointed up to the sky. Puck stared, unable to say anything at the sight of Ash being swept away on a golden glider of a Fly boy.
"ASH!" Puck cried and raced off after him.
Fylgiar and Boy rode towards Pallatora. Fylgiar normally liked the lonely road, with Boy sitting behind him, his small arms hugging him tight. However, this trip was filled with destruction and death. Fylgiar pulled the reins and slowed the horse; another squad of X1s marched towards them.
"So many robots. why does Prime need us to find Prince Asrais?" Fylgiar said to himself and then to Boy's surprise leapt off his horse and stepped in front of the advance army.
"Fyl, what. what are you doing?" Boy hurriedly dismounted the black and white mustang. "Move out of their way!"
"Hang on, I have a few questions." Fylgiar held out his hand to stop the troop of autonoids.
"Move aside, human." The army said in unison.
"Do you know who I am?" Fylgiar asked.
"Affirmative, you are Fylgiar in service to Prime." The first X1 answered.
"I don't work for your fucking master." Fylgiar spat.
"Please Fyl. don't adjutant them." Boy whispered.
Fylgiar looked over the fifty or so autonoids and decided Boy was probably right. No matter how much he hated being associated with Prime, there was no sense in arguing with robots, might as well be arguing with a tree.
"Tell me autonoid. Prime has such a magnificent army, why does he need me to retrieve a child, when all you have to do is travel a few miles out of your way to accomplish the same purpose. Plus I think you would be quicker at the job than I?"
The autonoid looked to his brothers, as if Fylgiar's question was beyond their knowledge.
"Prime is without flaw, we do not question our master."
Fylgiar stepped to the side and allowed the autonoids to continue their march. He and Boy stood still, watching the abnormal army march over the hill, and disappear.
"Simply wonderful." Fylgiar said smiling.
"What's wonderful?" Boy asked. Fylgiar leaned down and kissed Boy, lifting him up onto the horse. "What's wonderful?" Boy asked again.
"Each autonoid had a dent." Fylgiar cheered and climbed onto the mustang. "A dent on the left breastplate, each identical in shape and size."
"So?" Boy said flatly.
"What are the chances that every X1 was hit in the exact same spot, by the exact same weapon?" Fylgiar asked.
"Very unlikely." Boy said looking back in the direction where the X1's went.
"Correct. Prime's army is made up of duplicates. created through magic. I now know how to destroy his armies." Fylgiar directed his horse over the hill; it was only a few miles to the Eller city of Pallatora. Fylgiar was a professional once he accepted a job he finished it without question. However, this job was different, this job he did question. When he did find this Prince, he wasn't exactly sure what he would do. What was more important; his ethics or money? Ethics didn't put meat on the table, but money didn't fill the soul. Fylgiar gave the horse a sharp kick, sending him into a hard gallop.
"What are you thinking Fyl?" Boy inquired, trying his best to read the expression on Fylgiar's face. "How would you destroy Prime's
soldiers?"
"Never mind. it's not important. Let's get to Pallatora. I want this fucking job to be over."