Certain As The Sun Ch. 3

He had been down this old route many times, thousands of times in fact that the old warrior knew it by heart. The time they'd get there would be around ten o'clock; find an inn to settle for the night and then get what was needed in the early morning...finally he and Oberon would be heading home.

John calmly looked all around at the scenery as Oberon pulled the wagon down the trail. Sometimes there would be a rock formation that resembled an animal; like a rabbit or falcon...or perhaps a tree growing wild. Halfway to John hummed a few bars of an folk old song to past the time.

He was nearly knocked off the wagon when the horse stopped suddenly.

"Oberon?! What's the-oh..."

By the look of things, a boulder had gotten loose from the mountain and fell; blocking the path. Clearly, it had happened sometime last night. "Blast! Well...we can't go that way." John muttered. "Hmm. We've come too far to turn around now...I wonder if there's another path to take?"

He looked up at the sky and frowned at the dark grey clouds that were starting to form. Oberon started to paw at the ground as thunder was heard, clearly Angela had been spot on about the weather. "We might have to make camp...although I'm not too keen on getting wet." He surveyed the area until he saw a jungle not far off...

John rubbed his eyes, that hadn't been there a second ago. Right? Curious, he had the horse bring the wagon closer to see if they could fit through...they could slightly get in ok with the wagon. But luckily the path they took got wider as the two continued, although neither of them wanted to stay long in the jungle. It had an eerie feel about it, as if eyes were watching their every move. A raindrop fell...then another...and another, until it was coming down. "Coming in pails, eh 'uld boy?" John asked his horse, trying to keep the mood light. "That's good; a light rain and not fallin' in sheets."

Oberon's ears suddenly flicked back and his body went tense before he stopped, clearly the horse knew something wasn't right. As if to prove his point, a low growl was heard which chilled both the man and horse. John looked around and saw four or six Egyptian Wolves, Jackals, come out the lush flora around them. Their heckles were raised, and yellow teeth were bared...clearly they didn't like trespassers.

John flicked the reins hard, making Oberon brake into a run. He had dealt with wolves in his homeland, and knew he had to get far from them or find an area where he wouldn't be boxed in. The old soldier grabbed his walking stick and whapped a wolf on the nose; who had tried to scramble onto the wagon. Only for a few more to try, and they too were given a good smack on the snout.

It gave a yelp of pain, and slid off before rejoining the chase.

"Quite the pesky critters, aren't ye?" John muttered, before the wagon suddenly hit a root or rock that sent it side ways. The elder man was tumbled out and Oberon's harness snapped...freeing him from the wagon. Blinded by fear the poor horse wasn't sure which way to go with out his owner. John grabbed his walking stick and knocked a few wolves back; he may have been old and had a limp, but he could still fight. Using his Cudgel-Walking stick like a Quarter Staff, John sent the youngest of the wild dogs scampering off with whimpers.

Quickly, he took advantage of the moment scurried over to his faithful steed; who had calmed it's fear, and mounted as the adult wolves were catching up. "Go, boy! GO!"

The dark grey horse didn't need to be told twice. He bolted forward at top speed, through the branches and other plants. John realized the jungle was thinning, and soon a gate of stone came into view. It started to close, making the old Healer dig his heels into Oberon's sides to hurry. One last burst of speed and they were through...the wolves shut out and howling in anger that their meal had gotten away.

"Whew~ Seems they'll have their dinner somewhere else." John said, to himself. He then cringed and rubbed his left leg. "Oooh, that did'nae help me leg...curse this ol' wound..." He sat straighter to take the pressure off, and eyes went wide at realization that they were in a garden...and the sight of a palace ahead of him. "Bless the Saints..." He breathed. "What be this place?"

Coming closer, he saw the palace was larger than the village itself put together. However, it looked like it was in need of repair as there were multiple cracks and pieces fallen off. A once beautiful garden now was brown and looked like a wasteland. Coming closer, the old Medic saw a stable was a glow with light, and John steered the horse towards it. "Seems that there's someone here after all..." He thought, getting off Oberon once they were in the stable. "You'll rest 'ere, my friend. And I'll go see if the owner will let us stay a while."

Brushing sand off his clothes, John headed up the stairs to the front door. Using his walking stick, he knocked three times. There wasn't an answer...but the door opened. The elder stepped in and looked around the massive hallway; the only source of light was from a few oil lamps that lined the hall to another room. He cleared his throat. "'Ello? Is anyone 'ere?"

Nothing.

He saw beautifully craved statues of Ka Monsters, and paused to look at a Dark Magician and Duos. "Exquisite detail..." He murmured, before whirling towards a sound that came from the room ahead of him. When his back was turned, the statues moved...for they weren't statues at all. The Ka Monsters, or Spirits, had pretended to be motionless so they didn't spook the elderly gentleman. The Dark Magician gave a nod at John before whispering to his companion, "The man has good taste."

Duos huffed. "He was clearly talking about me."

The purple clad magician rolled his eyes, at the comment. Somethings never changed.

"Besides," The Duos continued. "if we keep quiet, perhaps he'll leave."

"I don't mean to intrude, but I've lost me way. If I could rest for a wee bit...I'd be eva so grateful." John tried again.

"Oh come Seth, have some mercy?" The Dark Magician protested.

The Duos, Seth, tried to shush his comrade. However, the magician didn't listen and headed over to the elder man.

"You are welcome here, good sir." 

John, who had been holding his walking stick at the ready, turned around and his eyes widened in semi-shock; in his homeland spirits and things of magic were as common as breathing...but it was still unnerving. "Wha-What the-?!"

The Ka spirit held up his hands, "Don't be alarmed, sir. I wish you no harm." He then bowed. "I'm Mahadd; a Dark Magician."

"Are you insane?!" Seth growled. "We're going to be punished-!"

John peered at the Duos spirit, and poked him with his walking stick. "Just how is this possible...?"

Seth growled, and glared at the old Veteran. "Poke me again, and I'll toss you in the Nile."

The elder man backed off. "Beg ye pardon...I've just never seen a spirit like ye be...be... Achoo!" He covered his sneeze, before shivering.

"You're soaked to the bone, sir." Mahad said, while gesturing with his staff towards the other room. "Come and warm yourself."

As John followed the flying Ka Magician, Seth was fuming. "You know what will happen if-!"

Mahad turned and asked. "You coming, Seth?"

An irritated growl was his reply, before following. "I'm going to kill him!"

John calmly entered a large room that had a long table full of food and a stone brazier warmed the room. Drawn to the fire, John came over and warmed his hands before looking over the array on the table. A few other spirits came in with wine and others were playing soft music.

He had worked up an appetite from running from the wolves; and everything looked so good. He sat in a chair and said a quick 'grace' before ten minutes he started to dig in.

The food was warm and tasted delicious! Even the wine chased the chill from his bones; which helped his wounded leg a lot. He was about to have another sip of the ruby liquid, when a brown puff-ball bounced over and started to stuff it's face. He quickly looked under the table, hoping to find a prankster...but there was none. At that moment, a blue skinned, white winged woman came up with a golden pot. The smell of coffee met the War Medic's nose.

"Would you like some sir?"

"Aye, lassie. Please."

"No! Don't give him coffee, or anything else!" Seth snarled. "You've all lost your minds!"

He was given a cup, and was about to have a sip...when a blonde girl, dressed in blue and purple, flew in and crashed into Seth. Who had still been ranting. 

"Mana!"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" The girl apologized. "B-But there's something you guys have to know-!"

"Alright. Calm doon, old man." John thought, as the spirit gave him a cup of hot coffee. He took a sip, "Perhaps this palace belongs to some good fey or good witch? Either way, it's better than being out there."

A loud roar was heard, and the elder was up and running with a Ka Spirit called Zelua.

"Then again, maybe noot!"

He headed to the door, the spirit helping him gain speed. "Thank ye! Thank ye, for everythin'! Lovely place you have 'ere, but I must be on me way!" John scurried out and found Oberon who had just finished 'his' meal. Getting on his back, John steered him towards the gate. Praying to the heavens that nothing followed him home; before he caught sight of something.

"Sir! You must get out of here, NOW!" Zelua proclaimed, looking around in fright.

"Keep ye feathers on," The man said, before pointing. "What be that there?"

"Eh? Oh, it's just the altar to the Goddess Of Creation. Now we must-wait!"

John went closer, and saw that the altar was covered with roses; curling around it as if was cradling the stone structure. Yet the color of the flowers were what drew John's attention...

They were blue.

Blue as the sky...like the azure sea...

"I've never seen such roses." He muttered. "Angela would love one..." The elder climbed down from Oberon and was about to pick one when something tackled him to the ground! Oberon whinnied in terror and took off for heaven knows where. The elder quickly rolled away and recovered, only to have his mouth fall open. Before him, was a creature that he had never seen before; while it had the resemblance of a man...it was more of a monster.

"WHO ARE YOU?!" It, or rather he, bellowed. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"

"I was 'ost an'-an' I needed a place ter rest." John explained.

The creature snarled. "You dare trespass in my home, eat my food and then try to steal from ME?!"

The healer held his walking stick at the ready. "I didn' know where the master of the house was." He said, carefully and calmly. "So, I could'ne-"

"ENOUGH OF YOUR EXCUSES!" The creature roared, before running at the elder and knocking away the walking-stick like it was a toy. He then grabbed the man's tunic, then brought his face close to John's. "You wanted a place to rest? Then I'll show you to place where can do just that...FOR ETERNITY!"