Book - Chapter I

Within the Depths of Darkness Trilogy

 

 

Her Calling

 

Chapter I

 

Devastation

           

 

            Janeal woke up early, excited for the new day.  The sun shone brightly through her window.  A gentle breeze teased the leaves on the Oak tree casting dancing shadows on her floor.  She smiled as she thought about Kendall. The boy she grew up with.  She laughed with him, cried to him, learned and played with him.  He was her best friend. 

They were going to the hills as they often did, to shoot their bows – keeping their skills honed and striving to be better.  She sat up on her bed, anticipation building.  She expected to inhale the wonderful aroma of breakfast, but it wasn’t there.  An uneasy feeling crept over her, drastically weighing her muscles down. The energies in the air were unsettled, chaotic…evil.  No, no, not today, raced through her head. Dread filled her mind.

            As a child Janeal had been able to feel both negative and positive energies permeate the air.  Unfortunately, negative energy had a devastating effect on her.  This morning, as she sat on her bed, she felt her muscles weaken with the heaviness. Her legs didn’t want to move. The disparaging energy wrapped around her forcefully; happiness drained from her body and she was overcome by nausea. What’s happening?  Why is this here today?  The realization of the Mongastols visiting Concord today, hit her. They would be gather the cumbersome taxes as they did every month.  That’s why, she thought shaking her head.  But I’ve never felt it this strongly before when they have come.  Why is today different? They can’t ruin my day!  Janeal shook her head as strongly as she could, rubbed her hands over her face and tried to focus what willpower she had left.    

Janeal wiggled forward to the edge of the bed.  Her feet melded to the cold, polished wooden planks and the frailty of her body manifested itself stronger. She had to get to her mother. She couldn’t overcome the feelings and their destructiveness alone. Janeal drug her feet across the floor, her hands grasped the cool rock wall as she tried to keep herself from falling. Even the seams in the floor took advantage of her weakness making her lose her balance. Janeal clenched the doorframe pulling herself into the front room.  She stumbled across the floor and fell on the heavy lath table. Her elbows pressed firmly into the wood as she struggled to breath. The comforting heat from the wood stove caressed her body and the satisfaction that her father started it this morning – something normal, soothed her.

            I hate you! It’s all mine. You owe me! Came pounding into her head.  They weren’t her own thoughts, but they consumed her.  Janeal shook her head and felt faint. The nausea was more pronounced; she dry heaved several times.  “Mother?” She squeaked.  The air was silent. She pushed herself off the table and tripped across the floor struggling to find another wall.  I must get to mother quickly, she thought, I’am going to end up on the ground and my mind will go black.  It had happened only twice before, but she remembered vividly how she felt leading up to the episodes.  Finally at the doorway of her mother’s room, she strained to pull back the delicately embroidered curtain.

            “Mother?”  Janeal gasped, pulling down on the fabric. Her mother stirred slightly in bed.  Bethany turned toward her daughter. Janeal could feel the darkness around her mother. It came at her like an aggressive fog. No! It’s affecting you too.  Why?  As Janeal grew up, her ability to see and feel the energies of others were manifested.  No….No.  A tear ran down Janeal’s pale cheek.  She’d never seen her mother like this.  Her face was vacant and gaunt.

            “Come in darling,” Bethany voice matched her faint aura. 

            “Mother, why aren’t you well.”  Janeal’s voice strained.

            “I’m weak my dear, but I’ll be good enough.”  The wall braced Janeal as she struggled to her mother’s side and she fell to her knees by the bedside. Slowly Bethany looked at her daughter. Her eyes struggled to show her pride.  She reached up, her hand shaking, and fumbled to wiped Janeal’s cheek.  Her love was shadowed with worry.  Bethany eyebrows furrowed and her smile faded. “Your energies are disturbed.  Come up here.”  Bethany motioned next to her. she strained to turn her body. 

Janeal placed a weak hand on the bed and with great effort pulled herself up.  As she lay next to her mother, Bethany slid her arms around Janeal.  She felt her mother brush her honey blonde hair off her face.  It fell gently on the bed.  Bethany whispering in her ear, “Breathe deeply and close your eyes…Imagine being in the hills; picking flowers.  Feel yourself smile. Feel the relaxation trickle down and feel your body get light.” 

Her mother’s voice had an energy of its own; a peaceful energy – One that could calm even the fury of a storm.  Even in her state, her healing ability showed strong.  Janeal felt the troublesome force slowly lift from her body.  The warmth of her mother’s arms saturated Janeal’s soft tanned skin. Janeal took a slow, cleansing breath and opened her eyes. She couldn’t explain what her mother’s touch did, but with the renewed energy she turned to her mother and placed a kiss on her cheek.  Bethany squeezed her daughter’s hand and sank deeper into the bed.

“Mother, why has your energy faded?  I don’t want to leave you here like this.”  Apprehension filled her voice. 

Her mother smiled softly, looking deeply into Janeal’s eyes, “Go. Enjoy your day.  I’ll be here when you return.”

Janeal studied her mother’s gaze.  Beyond the darkness she saw confidence and peace.  Confused at the conflicting information, Janeal hesitated before she stood. What an awful start to the morning.  Not only was her mother not feeling well, but Lord Gurthorp’s Mongastols were coming today.  She had no desire to be there when they came.

That evil man, thought Janeal, ruling the land with control and hate.  Janeal’s mother always told her that one day good magic would defeat him and peace would return to the land, but now they had to follow his rules for fear of death or terrifying captivity.  All Janeal’s life the Mongastols had come to Concord, doing Gurthorp’s bidding.  Such hideous beasts with a foul devastating odor.  She cringed at the idea of what they were. 

Janeal’s father’s voice interrupted her thoughts.  Kendall must have arrived. A chill of excitement energized her to go.  Janeal shook her head when the thought of Kendall’s defiance toward Lord Gurthorp had entered her mind. Why am I worried about this? We are leaving.  His father encouraged him to hide it for, but each month it grew more apparent in his actions.   Janeal’s father had also made every effort for she and Kendall not to be around when they came. Yet she was more aware of the heartache and burden the creatures caused when they arrived.  And being more mature now, her father couldn’t sway her perceptions anymore. 

Janeal gave her mother a kiss; uncertainty pulling her to stay.  But the urge of seeing Kendall overtook her and she returned to her room. She tugged on her deer-hide leather pants while listening to the conversation outside. Quickly she pulled the light brown tunic over her head, flipped her hair out and tightened her leather belt that securely held her knife. Pulling her hair back in a braid, she ran over to the window.  There he was, his muscles chiseled like stone, bursting through his tunic.  Her heart fluttered sending electrifying chills through her extremities.  She grabbed her boots and tripping over herself she hopped to the front door trying to get her last one on. 

Janeal glanced toward her mother’s doorway as she slowly turned the handle. Her mood had lightened, but the thought of her mother’s condition troubled her. She opened the door and managed to ignore the looming feeling that her leaving today would be a mistake.

 Kurt, a tall stout man; cleanly shaven with his thick russet hair pulled together at the base of his neck, had finished cleaning her bow - a beautiful mountain mahogany bow he had intricately carved for her last birthday.  She ran up, embracing her father with vigor. 

“I love you!”  She exclaimed, as he kissed her cheek.  She anxiously watched him place the bow into its leather case. 

Kurt tied it closed, placed it in Janeal’s waiting hands and picked up a box.  He turned handing it to Kendall. “Stop by Barob’s and deliver this. He’ll give you food for the day in exchange.”   

Janeal turned toward Kendall, her gaze filled with desire.  She anxiously shiftet her feet and wiggled her hands.  His chestnut hair flowed past his hazel eyes down to his strong jaw. The warm tingle returned and moved lightly through her body.  She always enjoyed being with him, especially while they learned to shoot, and learned how to survive off the land.  Kendall caught Janeal’s eye.  She blushed, quickly pulling back her yearning look.

“Ready?”  Kendall smiled wrapping his arms around her.

“Definitely.” She replied with an enthusiasm that quickly drained.  She turned to her father.  “What’s wrong with mother?” 

He smiled compassionately, “It’s the Mongastols.” 

“But they’ve come before and it hasn’t affected her like this.”

He nodded, “I know.”

“I feel guilty leaving her.”

“Janeal, I’ll take care of her.  There’s nothing you can do for her if you stay.  She just needs to rest.”

Janeal knew her father would watch after her.  He had always taken such good care of them both, but the nagging feeling she had just wouldn’t let go. Apprehensively, she smiled and nodded to her father as he hurried her along. 

“Take care, Kurt,” Kendall responded. “And tell Bethany I hope she feels better.”

Janeal and Kendall walked around the house, the ends of the thatch roof almost brushing the top of Kendall’s head.  He was tall for his age and would soon be taller than her father.

Janeal couldn’t get her mother out of her thoughts.  “I’m worried about her.”

“Does she have a serious fever?”

“No, it’s more than that Kendall.  Her positive energies have been depleted, overshadowed.  There’s darkness around her.  It was affecting me this morning too.”

Kendall tilted his head toward her. “Are you well?” He asked, taunting her with his hand on her forehead.  “You don’t seem to be ill.”

“I am now.” she paused; frustration filled her voice as she abruptly pushed his hand away.  “But my mother isn’t and it bothers me.”

Kendall chuckled, “I’m sorry.  What do you think’s causing it?  Do we need to stay here?”

“No.  I think it’s the Mongastols, but the energy seems different.  I’m not sure, because I don’t understand it.  I haven’t felt it before like this.”

Kendall shook his head and sighed heavily. 

“I know.  I know.” Janeal nodded.  “Let’s forget about it.  There’s nothing we can do.”

“So they say,” Kendall replied begrudging, “but if you feel your energies drain and we need to come back, we will.”  He strongly added.  Janeal grabbed Kendall’s hand tightly and leaned on his shoulder to comfort her anxious thoughts. 

Janeal and Kendall arrived at Barob’s, a quaint little store in the middle of Concord.  Barob, the owner, kept a bazaar next to his shop.  The townspeople relied on him for most of their day-to-day supplies.  He sold fresh fruit, herbs, paper goods, textiles, and farming supplies. Others in town would bring their wares to the bazaar.  Barob was Concord’s barber and there was a funeral parlor in the back of his shop.  Janeal respected the busy man and was regretful for all he’d been through.

            Barob despised the Mongastols.  They’d taken his only two children away decades ago when the town rebelled. His wife passed away from the grief shortly after.  Fortunately, at that time, the townspeople didn’t rebel to the extent they had when Janeal’s great grandfather was a child.  Too many loved ones had died then and those who survived had gone into hiding – fearing for their lives. Now, the twelve families of Concord appeased Lord Gurthorp’s thievery to protect their livelihood.

            Janeal and Kendall entered the shop where the aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air.

            “Jern, I need you to put these sacks upright in a row.” Barob instructed.

            “These shouldn’t go anywhere!” Jern, a well filled out teen, about the same height as Janeal, threw back.  His thin, medium length, dark brown hair straggled down his cheeks. 

            “Things need to be this way.  Let’s get it done.”  Barob coaxed. 

Jern’s father, Quain was away…often since his wife left. Barob had taken the responsibility to look after him - to teach him how to work and control his temper. The arrangement benefited both the shopkeeper and the young man, keeping them both focused on what positive things they could. 

            Kendall carefully set the box on the counter.  “Here are the goods you ordered from Kurt.”

            Barob was a lanky man in his seventies.  His head was slightly balding with silver hair.  He turned toward the box.  “Ahh, the handles for my drawers.” He said rubbing his hands together quickly, “Thank you, thank you.”  He eagerly shuffled over and opened the box to inspect them.

            “How’re you doing this morning, Jern?” Inquired Kendall.

            “I’m here, aren’t I?  Have to get everything ready for those damned fiends!” Jern spat.  The townspeople brought their smaller goods demanded by Gurthrop to Barob’s shop.  The larger items were taken to the road in front of Janeal’s house; leading out of town.

            “Easy now, young man.” Kendall warned Jern.  “If I had my choice, I’d fight them also.  But there’s no reason to look for a fight today. Nothing good will come from it.” Kendall put his hand on Jerns shoulder looking him sternly in the eyes. “Good sense needs to take the lead.”

            Jern yanked himself away from Kendall.  “Every time they come we should be looking for a fight!”  Jern shot back.  An uneasy feeling came over Janeal, nausea tingled in her stomach.  She tried to ignore it.

            Kendall shook his head.  “Keep the peace, Jern.  That’s what you need to think about; keep the peace. There will be nothing but pain if you don’t…for all of us.” Turning to Barob, he continued, Janeal watched him trying to calm the frustration in his voice, “I’d love to take some of that fresh bread on our hike today, sir.  Smells good.”

            “Oh, yes.”  Barob startled.  Janeal thought he was remembering what he’d endured as she watched the grimacing gestures cross his face.  “Shondra brought it in bright and early this morning.” Barob, still distracted, wrapped the bread in brown paper.  “Take some cheese,” he continued, “and dried ham. Don’t forget your favorite fruit.” He pointed to the basket at the end of the counter.

“Splendid.  Thank you much, sir.  Take care.”  Kendall said as they packed it all in a leather satchel and walked out of the store.

“That wasn’t goo-“

            “Good morning to you!”  Someone interrupted from down the road.  Janeal heard the faint squeaking of wagon wheels and the even rhythm of horse hooves clicking on the hard dirt.  She turned and waved.

            “Morning!  It’s good to see you,” she said as Dallan and his family came up to the store.  Dallan sat next to his wife, Courtney, while their son, Chrish, sat in the back on top of bagged grain.  “You helping Barob today?” 

“Yep,” answered Dallan.  Each month a different family helped Barob and her father load up the owed goods that were turned over in lieu of taxes. 

            “I baked some spice cake,” said Courtney holding out a small wrapped bundle, “Here, take some up with you.”

            “Thanks.”  Janeal said, grateful for the strong compassionate bonds that held the town together.  Janeal leaned on the wagon. “We’ll see you all later this afternoon?” The town gathered each week for the bonfires.  The ladies brought their favorite foods and the men their favorite drinks.  They would sing and dance enjoying the warmth of the fire on the cool spring evenings.  Chrish was quite the dancer and loved to amaze the few young ladies he hoped to court.

            “Wouldn’t miss it,” Chrish said, his eyebrows rose quickly several times.  Janeal chuckled, waved good-bye and gave Chrish an understanding smile.

           

            At the bottom of the hill Janeal turned and looked back at the town.  The trees had new leaves and the buds of the flowering ones were beginning to open up.  She heard the chirps of the baby birds high up in their branches as their parents swooped down, with brightly colored wings spread and brought them breakfast.  She watched the squirrels scampering back and forth, while the smell of flowers and damp grasses filled her senses; the peaceful energies flowed around her. Maybe today will be a good day after all, she thought.

Janeal heard Kendall’s footsteps rise above the sound of the rushing water of the river below and continue up the hill. She turned and saw him leaving her, but she didn’t want to go yet.  She wanted to soak up the serenity, so she conjured up a plan to keep him with her. “Kendall! Wait.  See if you can hit that mound of grass across the river; the one next to that big rock,” she coaxed.

            Kendall faced her. “Alright,” he paused, bewilderment covered his face. “I’m sure I can.”

Janeal knew it was an easy shot, but smiled at his confidence.   She knew success was easier to achieve when you possessed it.  Her mother taught her to believe in herself no matter what kind of situation she was in.   She walked up the hill and sat down above him, just enough that she could see him aim and still see the target across the water.  She pulled a crisp, red apple from her bag and took a bite.

            She watched Kendall get his stance set.  His leg muscles bulged from his leather pants as he balanced his body.  Janeal’s desires arose in her mind, but she quickly fought them back. She didn’t think she was ready to commit to him in that way.  He put the arrow on the string and pulled it back as he raised it to his well defined cheekbone.

            “Are we keeping score today?  Because I’ll bet on my score,” Janeal said with assurance. 

            Kendall didn’t move. “Of course, we can do that.  What is your wager? And who is your bet on?” he chided.

            “On me, of course,” Janeal mocked back. “How about a dog?”

            “You want another one of my dogs?

“I want my own.  A puppy. And you can show me how to train it.”

“Okay, that’s if you win.  If I win?”

“I don’t know. What do you want to win?”

“A kiss,” he winked.

Janeal froze. A kiss…She wanted to kiss him.  The longing had been there for a long time, but the thought scared her.  She questioned her resolve.  Was she ready to put that on the line?  Risk their friendship?  Kendall caught her attention as his comforting smile reached out. The twinkle in his eye made her heart flutter. He’s worth it.  She bit her lower lip and nodded.

“You have yourself a bet,” He said with assurance as the arrow flew, hitting the mound of grass next to the rock.

            “Very well,” Janeal giggled with the thought of the kiss from his full soft lips still running through her mind.  “Now go up the hill to that tree, stand behind it as if you’re going to pick off a deer, and hit that mound again.”  Of course Kendall’s hit was dead on. 

“Now it’s your turn.” Kendall continued the challenge and Janeal hit each target that was pointed out to her.  She glanced down the hill toward Concord.

“Jern was heated today.”  Janeal asserted.

“I don’t blame him.” Kendall’s demeanor and tone changed.  “I agree with him. I think his anger is justified.”

“Maybe, but if we fight them, we’ll die.  There aren’t enough of us.  And we’re not powerful enough.”

“I know.  That’s the only reason I won’t start something.  It would cause too much heartache, but someday Janeal.”

“I’m glad you haven’t Kendall.”   Janeal’s voice softened.  “I don’t want to lose you.”

Kendall stopped and placed his hand on her shoulder. He exhaled loudly. “I know.  Now let’s forget about town…them.” he added as his voice energized, “Because I’m going to win that kiss.”  He turned and jogged further into the hills.

Throughout the morning they continued to challenge each other as they travelled away from town.  At the top of the highest hill, with the Tastiska Mountains looming behind them, Janeal watched Kendall take his last shot across the vale. He hit his mark and was out of arrows.  Neither of them had missed their challenged shot.  It was up to Janeal’s last one to declare a winner.         

“You think you’re a better shot?” Janeal laughed pulling the final arrow from her quiver.

“I sure am.  I’m looking forward to that kiss.”  He said running his finger softly across her jaw.

            She adored him and deep inside was looking forward to that kiss, but she wouldn’t willingly let him show her up in the archery. 

“Excuse me, please.”  She giggled, as Kendall gave her a look of triumph and arrogantly backed out of her way.”  She walked up the hill and stood two steps behind the spot Kendall took his shot.  Janeal took aim and slowly pulled back her string. 

            “You’ll not come close,” Kendall said, mocked.  

            Janeal ignored his jests and watched her target. Across the vale to the other hill, filled with scattered blooms of pasque flower, violets, cowslip and wild grasses swaying in the spring breeze, she saw the tree.  There it was, a large oak that towered above the rest, holding Kendall’s arrow. She inhaled slowly as she stood up tall, feeling the muscles in her shoulders twinge.  With the greatest of ease her long fingers let go. The flight of the arrow was strong and true, hitting the mark right above Kendall’s. 

            Slowly Janeal lowered her bow.  With a bit of a smile on her face, trying not to laugh, she turned to Kendall.  His gaze made her heart skip a beat.  She watched his muscles twitch and knew she’d better run.  She turned to escape as his arms grabbed her waist, but realized she would damage the bow if she pulled away; her muscles relaxed.

            “You’ll never be as quick as I am,” he chuckled.  Janeal turned to look at him; passion consumed her. She chuckled quietly and wanted to kiss him.

            Janeal place her flat palm on his taunt chest.  She felt the quiver of his muscle as he leaned into her.  He provocatively ran his folded knuckle across her cheek, opening his hand under her chin.  She felt his warm breath soothe her as his thumb slowly caressed her lower lip.  She felt their energies intertwine when he placed his lucious lips temptingly close, when suddenly the moment was jerked to a stop.  Fear and anxiety overcame her mind.  Her exhilaration was stolen. The air turned frigid, and the rancid smell of evil encroached upon them.  They’re back, she thought.  Something’s wrong.  She looked at Kendall with urgency pushing him away, but his concerned look couldn’t console her fears. She knew they had to get home.  Pushing Kendall away, she put her bow on her back and ran.  Kendall followed behind her.   It would take fifteen minutes if they moved quickly. 

Around large granite rocks and thick brush they dashed.  At the base of the hill they ran into the river that was filled to capacity.  They couldn’t cross.  Catching her breath, she looked across the fields toward village.  Dark clouds were slowly forming over it.  They crawled through the tops of the trees and hovered above the roofs. Janeal gasped; fear shot through her heart.  She could feel the negative energy grow stronger. She gasped and choked on her cries as her tears flowed.  She fought to hold them back.           

“Come on,” Kendall said, grabbing her arm.  “I know that look.  Let’s go!” 

He pulled her toward the bridge upstream.  A strong sense of urgency came over her. My mother!  She thought.  The sheer strength of her will, hastened her run. 

             They crossed the bridge into a field where the villagers were preparing to plant the summer wheat crop.  Janeal’s eyes clouded with tears and the pain in her chest overwhelmed her. Her foot came down in a furrow and she fell to the ground hard.  Time seemed to stop.  She could hear her heart pounding in her head and her gasps felt like a winter wind in her lungs.  Kendall grabbed her arm pulling her up. He wiped the dirty tears and sweat from her face and urged her on. 

Janeal still felt the pain in her chest dragging her down. “Kendall,” She cried stumbling across the ground, “Slow down, I can’t do it.”

            “You can do it!  When do you ever say you can’t?!”  Kendall said with frustration. “I’m not sure what you’re feeling, but watching you makes me nervous!”  He grabbed her around the waist and helped her continue.

The yelling and commotion in town filled the air as they stopped at the edge, gasping for another breath.  Jern couldn’t keep his mouth shut.  Tears continued to run down Janeal’s cheeks and her sobs were audible.  She watched what was happening in front of Barob’s and fell to the ground, darkness surrounded her mind.

“I knew it!” grumbled Kendall.  “I should have sent him home this morning.”  He reached down and pulled Janeal up.  “Push it out of your head.  You need to be strong.  We need to help.”

            The darkness clouded her sight; the pain throbbed in her head.  But her family…her friends…she had to fight it.  She shook her head while pressing her palms hard on her temples.  Taking a deep breath she exhaled as much of the discomfort as possible.

The wagons were in front of the store.  The stench of rotten milk and bloody flesh decaying in a murky swamp flooded the air. Two Mongastols, eyes bulging from their round, wrinkled faces, sat in the front of one wagon, while a third stood at the back. 

Jern stood on the porch of the store screaming, “Stop, you damned devils!! You can’t do this anymore!!  My pa worked hard for that grain!!”  Barob struggled to hold the boy back, but age took his strength away.  Jern yanked his arm out of the grip and jumped down into the street. He picked up rocks, throwing them furiously at the trespassers.

            “Go away.” Gurgled the creature turning around in anger.  Its smashed bulldog nose crinkled at Jern. 

            “No, you go away!  We don’t want you here!”  Jern continued to throw rocks.

            “What are you doing?” screamed Dallan, as he came out of the store.  Courtney followed him, their arms filled with more goods to load.

            “Don’t want them here.  They ain’t welcome!” Jern bent down to pick up more rocks.

            Dallan threw the wares into the back of the wagon and quickly stepped in front of the beast as it hobbled toward Jern.  With drool running down its face, its long arm reached up and pushed Dallan to the ground.

            “You big fool!”  Jern screeched, running to the other side of the road to grab a large walking stick.

            “That won’t work, Jern!”  Chrish hollered, running out of the store. “You need to get outta here!”

            Courtney watched in horror as the beast followed Jern across the street, its shoulders hunched.  “Nooo!”  she cried. “Jern, run!”

            “I ain’t goin’ nowhere!  This damned devil is gonna meet his maker today!” Jern yelled.  He walked toward the mongastol with the stick brandished in his hand.  Courtney dropped her load and tried to moved toward the fight, but Barob grabbed her arm and yanked her back.

            “You can’t be involved in this,” Barob said in a sober voice. “Don’t get yourself hurt.” Courtney’s hands covered her escaping sobs.

            “Jern, stop!  You’re going to get killed.”  Kendall yelled as he and Janeal to her moved toward the disturbance down the street.  Kendall pointed at his bow and then at the store. “I wish I had my sword.” He mumbled.

Janeal strained to get to the edge of the walkway.  “Barob!  Get some arrows!”  She managed to scream.  She fought the daunting darkness that continued its effort to overcome her; she had to help. Bracing herself on the banister of the walkway she looked at Kendall.  “You know this is pointless.”  She hung her head, resting it in the palm of her hand, trying to breathe.  She continued shaking her head. “It’s not the right time.  It’s not the right time.”

Kendall paced the ground behind Janeal, smacking his fist against the rail. “When is it time?  I’m tired of this!  We can’t live like this anymore.” Anger prevailed in his voice.

            Dallan stood up and ran behind the beast. It stood three heads above the tallest man in the lowlands, even with its shoulders hunched.  With all of his might Dallan pushed it, not budging him any; he stood like a massive tree rooted strongly in the ground.

“Over here, you big brute.  Bring your smelly mass to me!”  he yelled.  Chrish jumped off the porch next to his father and joined in by throwing rocks at its head.

            The Mongastol groaned, “Dooon’t!”  He turned, dragging his hands off the ground to push Dallan down again. Jern came up behind him, pummeling him with the stick.

            “AHHHHH!”  The beast bellowed and faced him.  It picked Jern high up in the air as if he were a feather.  “You be sorry!”

            Jern spit on the beasts face, “Add that to your sorry ass!”

            The beast backhanded Jern sending his body forcefully back.  It landed in a lifeless heap on the hard ground. 

Janeal stomach convulsed as she saw Jern lying there. Kendall yelled hitting the rail again and again.  “Barob!”

Dallan and Chrish stood there stunned. The beast turned toward them.  They looked at each other.

            Chrish rushed to the beast, picking up the dropped stick and beat the beast with more fury than Janeal had ever witnessed.  Dallan pulled his dagger out of its sheath and ran to join his son.  Dallan made some good gouges, yet they didn’t penetrate deep enough to do any vital damage.  The Mongastol’s moss colored hide was thick and as hard as tanned leather armor.

“No!  It isn’t going to end.” Janeal sobbed.  Memories of the many stories her mother told flooded her mind.

The two Mongastols in the wagon had been watching, but showed no interest joining the fight until their companion’s cries turned from irritation to agony.  They stumbled from the wagon gurgling back and forth; stumbling across the ground.

“Here!”  Barob panted.  Janeal watched blood drip from his fingertips.  He had to put new blades on, she thought as she watched the lantern light glint off the metal tips. Kendall grabbed them out of his hand.

            “Chrish, look behind you!” cried his mother as a Mongastol shuffled up behind him.  Chrish turned around, only to be met by a skull crushing blow of the beast’s knotted fist; the sound echoed like a tree crashing to the ground. Chrish collapsed.  Dallan retaliated with a strike to the beast’s head.  Unfortunately, Dallan was surrounded.  Janeal gasped.

Kendall pulled her shoulder toward him and shoved some arrows into her hand.   He ran across the street.  Wiping the tears from her eyes, she regained some composure. Carefully, she loaded an arrow and aimed at the back of a Mongostol’s neck.  Whoosh! Thud! It penetrated the beasts hide.  The beast turned toward Janeal struggling to pull the as Kendall let his go. The beast groaned as this arrow hit its target; digging deep into its side.  It grunted and hobbled to the wagon.

            Two beasts still hovered over Dallan.  He drew his weak, but still functioning arm back, aiming to drive the dagger into the beast in front of him.  He’d been able to dodge the direct hit of the powerful smacks and they just glanced off his body.  Blood trickled down his face.  His left arm dangled by his side.

            “Stop!” Courtney screamed falling to her knees. 

            Janeal and Kendall kept the onslaught of arrows at the remaining two beasts that relentlessly bombarded Dallan with blows, but it wasn’t enough to deter them before Dallan was on the ground.  His last breath was taken while he drove his dagger into the leg of a beast.  

Courtney slumped in Barob’s arms, sobbing.  Three bodies lay lifeless in a dirty, bloody mess.  Janeal and Kendall, with their arrows, pushed the beast to their wagon.  The beasts grumbled and drove their wagon down the road.  Janeal knew they were hurt, but not mortally. Her mother had always warned that it took something special to kill them. 

            Courtney pulled away from Barob’s relaxing grip, ran out into the road and fell on her husband.  Her sobs grew louder as she screamed out her loss.  Janeal’s arms fell by her side, her bow dropping next to her, her body numb.  She’d never seen anything like this.  Stunned, she watched Barob come out of his shop with sheets of thick material.  He walked over to Jern, and covered the lad’s broken body.  Barob’s face was gray; vacant.  He knelt by the body and bowed his head, but only for a moment.  Then he was up and went back into the store.  As he came out of the store with more material, Janeal realize the Mongastol’s wagon had turned down the road toward her house.

            “Mother! Father!”  She cried, grabbing her bow and running.  She only had two arrows left.  How was she going to stop this madness?  She could only hope they would continue on out of town.

             “Go Kendall,” yelled Barob, “Go help her!  But don’t be ill minded, you don’t need to die.” 

            Janeal heard Kendall running up behind her.  Her sobs grew louder. “What’s happening?”  She cried out.

            “I knew something was going to happen when I heard Jern talking the way he did this morning, but I didn’t think it would get this bad.” Kendall’s voice was filled with emotion.   Janeal had never seen him so despondent.

            They turned the corner and ran toward her house.  Janeal saw the wagon stop behind the Mongastol’s second wagon.  Her heart seemed to stopped.  It was in front and there were two more beasts!  She watched her father come from behind her house with a load of goods.  Shondra and her mother, Ireish, were loading goods to the first wagon.  Janeal noticed Kendall’s father, Alan, come from behind her house with another box.  He must have come to help her father load.

She heard the muddled conversation between the beasts in their own language.  The beasts were agitated.  The largest Mongastol walked back to the second wagon, looked in and threw his arms up abruptly. Angry words to the others filled the air.  They turned toward Janeal’s home.

            “Father!”  Janeal screamed, gasping for air. “They killed three people.  Get out!”

            Her father turned toward her, confusion covered his face.  Shondra and her mother gasped in fear as the Mongastols advanced toward them.  Alan quickly ran in between the Mongastols and the ladies.

            “No!” yelled Kendall. “Get back!”  He loaded an arrow and let it soar, but it was too late, Alan had been taken down.  They kicked him relentlessly.

 “Nooo!” Kendall ran toward the fight, but Janeal followed closely and grabbed his arm. He yanked it away almost pulling her to the ground. She wasn’t going to watch him get hurt.  She sprinted after him and dove, tackling him downward.  Both hit the ground hard, the unbreakable soil biting their skin.

            “NO! Kendall, they’ll kill you too!” Janeal shrieked. Kendall knelt up.  “I need you!”  she pleaded, pulling herself up next to him.  

The barks of Alan’s frenzied dog joined the chaos.  Kendall knelt up in the dirt and pleaded with the dog to come to him, but to no avail a Mongastol kicked the life from the dog.  Kendall yelled out in frustration.

“You dirty…” Kendall punched the ground over and over.  “You will pay!”  He cried out.  Janeal held him tight.  His urge to fight pulled strongly against her.  She watched her father pull Shondra and Ireish out of the way as a Mongastol’s next blow came. It smashed down on him. 

“Father!”  She cried choking on her own words as the anguish dragged her to the ground.  She felt helpless.

Suddenly she heard her mother’s voice.  Bethany was standing at the open front door; words flowed from her mouth.  Janeal watched her mother stand tall, her body radiated an odd light around it. She said some words that Janeal couldn’t understand…a different language. As Bethany raised her hands an intense green aura surrounded her mother.  It grew brighter and brighter as the words from her mother’s mouth grew louder.  She gathered the green light into an orb with her circling arms and with a strong heave, pushed it away.  It travelled through the air, encompassing her father.  Kurt mumbled and stirred.  Janeal gasped, she thought her father was dead.  Her mother grabbed the side of the doorway and collapsed. 

Through her tears, Janeal could see the mixed up image of the Mongastols frantically loading to leave.  As she watched them pick her father off the ground and throw him in the back of the wagon like a sack of potatoes, she struggled to get up, but Kendall held her still.  Janeal coughed, the dust filled her lungs as the wagons moved out.

            Janeal pushed herself away from Kendall and ran to her mother.  Thoughts raced through her mind.  Why did this happen?  Why does this evil have to ruin our lives?  Are the hopes of peace in vain? Why did they take my father?  Janeal lifted her mother in her arms.  She was alive, but very weak.

            “What was that mother?  What did you do?” Janeal questioned through her sobs.

            “Janeal,” Bethany’s breathing quickened, “Your father…is still alive.  You need to get him…you need to stop this.  It’s all up to you.”  She took a deep breath.  “I will always be with you.”  Her body went limp.