Chapter 3: Mothers and Sons

Werla ensured that all the doors were locked as she went deeper into the tower. She had left instructions for no one to disturb her. The people’s fear of the imperial witch helped to enforce her orders.

Fear was a good motivator. Hecate had understood that and had used well in her quest for power. Hadrian was learning but he wasn’t as quick a study as his mother had been.

The Guardians hadn’t realized that Amalthea would have become the Child of Darkness on her own. Werla’s help had only sped up the process. The girl had realized that and had turned to the former healing sage to gain power.

And now the Empress was gone, leaving her son to rule. While Hadrian did use her as an advisor, he did not truly appreciate her skills. Yet, as long as he treated her with due respect, she would continue to let him rule.

At last she had arrived at the chamber. It lied deep in the tower, recorded on all the maps as on old storeroom. She doubted that anyone else knew its true purpose.

She murmured an incantation, opening the door. The torch she carried provided the only light. Fighting down a surge of emotion, she quickly lit the lamps around the chamber. In the glowing light, she turned and gazed at her work.

The body hovered motionlessly in the center of the room. Only a few more spells were required to complete the transformation. Soon, after her waiting, it would be finished.

It had taken her longer to revive Nadomus this time. During Hecate’s conquest of Cignus, she had had his body to work with. The Empress had even helped Werla with the spells as a reward for the sage’s loyalty. It had been relatively quick. However, the defeat on Jupiter had taken both Hecate and Nadomus and left no bodies behind.

Of course it had been a while before she had actually missed him, delaying her start on resurrecting him. She wasn’t sure why she was so fond of him. Certainly he was her only child, but she had no true maternal inclinations. In fact, she habored no emotion for the man who had been his father.

For whatever reason, Werla had missed her son. Without the Empress and without a body, it had taken so much time. But her diligience would soon be rewarded.

She lit the needed incense, watching the smoke curl around the body. Already the fumes were working as the body grew pink and warm. She smiled as she recited the final spells.

The body breathed, drawing in both soul and air. With a gesture, she had it lowered to the floor. The eyes twitched before finally opening.

“Mother?”

“My son.” She stepped forward and embraced him. “Oh, my son.”

* * * * *

“Keep your eyes open,” Monea warned, her eyes scanning the landscape around them. “We’re approaching the heart of the Resistance’s territory.”

“Why?” Leda asked. “We’re on the same side.”

“A large group like this could be mistaken as a raiding party,” Ren stated. “Regardless if the watch recognizes me or Monea.”

“Surely they would recognize us as Guardians,” Iphigenia said.

However, Monea shook her head. “The Guardians are now seen as a legend, a story told to children. You all could be seen as another trick of the Empire to draw out the Resistance.”

“So much has changed here,” Scylla murmured. “I hardly recognize Cignus anymore.”

“What did you expect? You basically left us alone against the Child of Darkness,” Ren muttered. However, he fell silent again at Monea’s glare.

“We didn’t know,” Iphigenia whispered. “I swear it.”

“We’re here now,” Dido declared.

“And that should give the people more hope than we have had in a very long time,” Monea said.

They continued walking, the almost invisible path leading them through the bases of increasingly tall hills. The sensation of being watched, whether suggested or real, grew as well. However, the group followed Monea and Ren in silence.

The hills around them grew rocky. The path was now narrow, allowing only one person to pass in many places. It was the perfect place for an ambush.

“I could have transported us there,” Dido grumbled, glancing up at the cliffs as she tightened her grip on her staff. “We’re sitting ducks like this.”

“Ducks?” Ren asked.

“A water fowl like an apevi,” Scylla supplied.

A look of understanding flashed in his eyes. “There are only a few roads to the headquarters and they are all guarded. If we had just appeared, we may have not lived long enough to make our explanations.”

“Is the Resistance always so hospitable?” Dido quipped.

Cassandra sighed. “Enough. We need to stay alert.”

Suddenly rocks rained down on them. Battle cries ran out in the small canyon. Her warning had been too late.

“My name is Harmonea Melion,” Monea called. “I’ve brought back the Guardians! We’re friends!”

Ren fought the urge to pull out his weapons. “My name is Oriren Brioch! Stop this!”

The mini landslides stopped. The group waited anxiously. Finally, people began to emerge from their hiding places. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

“Oriren,” one of the few women called, “we thought you and Harmonea had been captured or worse. It is good to know that you’re still alive.”

“Good to see you, too, Rami,” Ren replied.

A young man, no older than fifteen stepped forward. He eyed Cassandra and the others with stark interest. “Are they really the Guardians, Uncle Ren?”

However, Ren glared at Rami. “Edoru? You have Edoru fighting now? Rami, how could you?”

“I’m old enough,” the boy declared. “Besides, the Council gave me the decision.”

“You could have been hurt,” Ren cried, whirling on his nephew. Then, he noted the scar running down Edoru’s face and neck. “You’ve already been hurt. God, Edoru, what are you doing to your poor mother?”

Rami sighed. “As much as I hate to break up the family bonding, we should be heading on.”

“I think that is a good idea,” Cassandra agreed.

* * * * *

“Dwega Brioch!” a girl cried, running up the path. “Dwega Brioch!”

Ulei flinched at the title. Although it was meant to convey respect, it only reminded her of her lost. With a sigh, she set aside her loom. She hobbled awkwardly to the porch of her house, absently rubbing the side of her twisted leg.

“Ibdi, what is? Has something happened?” She placed a hand over heart. ‘Please, say that Edoru is safe.’

“Rami’s group is back. And you won’t believe what they’ve brought with them?

Ulei felt her patience slip. “Ibdi, tell me or go on.”

“Edoru is fine, Dwega Brioch. In fact, he has grown since he’s last been back.” The girl paused, blushing furiously. “Anyway, the group has strangers with them, claiming to be Guardians.”

“What?” Whatever news she had been expecting, it wasn’t that. “Are you sure?”

“That’s what they claim. Ren and Monea were with them, and Monea was dressed just like the strangers. It’s amazing.”

Ulei nodded absently. After all these years, the Guardians were finally returning to Cignus. Could the end of the Shadow Moon Empire be drawing near?

“Are you coming to see them, Dwega Brioch?”

“Later, later. I’m sure that the Council will see them first. However, you can run back and tell Edoru to see me when he can, Ibdi. The same goes for Oriren.”

“I will,” the girl said with a smile.

Ulei watched the girl bound happily on her errand. Ibdi’s childhood had been so different from her own. It was moments like this that convinced her that the sacrifices were worth it.

“And my son is coming home,” she murmured. She turned from the porch and reentered the house. Humming, she went back to her weaving.

[Author's Note: Dwega is a title of respect that designates a widow. I hope that clears up any confusion.]


Mothers and Sons Werla ensured that all the doors were locked as she went deeper into the tower. She had left instructions for no one to disturb her. The people’s fear of the imperial witch helped to enforce her orders. Fear was a good motivator. Hecate had understood that and had used well in her quest for power. Hadrian was learning but he wasn’t as quick a study as his mother had been. The Guardians hadn’t realized that Amalthea would have become the Child of Darkness on her own. Werla’s help had only sped up the process. The girl had realized that and had turned to the former healing sage to gain power. And now the Empress was gone, leaving her son to rule. While Hadrian did use her as an advisor, he did not truly appreciate her skills. Yet, as long as he treated her with due respect, she would continue to let him rule. At last she had arrived at the chamber. It lied deep in the tower, recorded on all the maps as on old storeroom. She doubted that anyone else knew its true purpose. She murmured an incantation, opening the door. The torch she carried provided the only light. Fighting down a surge of emotion, she quickly lit the lamps around the chamber. In the glowing light, she turned and gazed at her work. The body hovered motionlessly in the center of the room. Only a few more spells were required to complete the transformation. Soon, after her waiting, it would be finished. It had taken her longer to revive Nadomus this time. During Hecate’s conquest of Cignus, she had had his body to work with. The Empress had even helped Werla with the spells as a reward for the sage’s loyalty. It had been relatively quick. However, the defeat on Jupiter had taken both Hecate and Nadomus and left no bodies behind. Of course it had been a while before she had actually missed him, delaying her start on resurrecting him. She wasn’t sure why she was so fond of him. Certainly he was her only child, but she had no true maternal inclinations. In fact, she habored no emotion for the man who had been his father. For whatever reason, Werla had missed her son. Without the Empress and without a body, it had taken so much time. But her diligience would soon be rewarded. She lit the needed incense, watching the smoke curl around the body. Already the fumes were working as the body grew pink and warm. She smiled as she recited the final spells. The body breathed, drawing in both soul and air. With a gesture, she had it lowered to the floor. The eyes twitched before finally opening. “Mother?” “My son.” She stepped forward and embraced him. “Oh, my son.” * * * * * “Keep your eyes open,” Monea warned, her eyes scanning the landscape around them. “We’re approaching the heart of the Resistance’s territory.” “Why?” Leda asked. “We’re on the same side.” “A large group like this could be mistaken as a raiding party,” Ren stated. “Regardless if the watch recognizes me or Monea.” “Surely they would recognize us as Guardians,” Iphigenia said. However, Monea shook her head. “The Guardians are now seen as a legend, a story told to children. You all could be seen as another trick of the Empire to draw out the Resistance.” “So much has changed here,” Scylla murmured. “I hardly recognize Cignus anymore.” “What did you expect? You basically left us alone against the Child of Darkness,” Ren muttered. However, he fell silent again at Monea’s glare. “We didn’t know,” Iphigenia whispered. “I swear it.” “We’re here now,” Dido declared. “And that should give the people more hope than we have had in a very long time,” Monea said. They continued walking, the almost invisible path leading them through the bases of increasingly tall hills. The sensation of being watched, whether suggested or real, grew as well. However, the group followed Monea and Ren in silence. The hills around them grew rocky. The path was now narrow, allowing only one person to pass in many places. It was the perfect place for an ambush. “I could have transported us there,” Dido grumbled, glancing up at the cliffs as she tightened her grip on her staff. “We’re sitting ducks like this.” “Ducks?” Ren asked. “A water fowl like an apevi,” Scylla supplied. A look of understanding flashed in his eyes. “There are only a few roads to the headquarters and they are all guarded. If we had just appeared, we may have not lived long enough to make our explanations.” “Is the Resistance always so hospitable?” Dido quipped. Cassandra sighed. “Enough. We need to stay alert.” Suddenly rocks rained down on them. Battle cries ran out in the small canyon. Her warning had been too late. “My name is Harmonea Melion,” Monea called. “I’ve brought back the Guardians! We’re friends!” Ren fought the urge to pull out his weapons. “My name is Oriren Brioch! Stop this!” The mini landslides stopped. The group waited anxiously. Finally, people began to emerge from their hiding places. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. “Oriren,” one of the few women called, “we thought you and Harmonea had been captured or worse. It is good to know that you’re still alive.” “Good to see you, too, Rami,” Ren replied. A young man, no older than fifteen stepped forward. He eyed Cassandra and the others with stark interest. “Are they really the Guardians, Uncle Ren?” However, Ren glared at Rami. “Edoru? You have Edoru fighting now? Rami, how could you?” “I’m old enough,” the boy declared. “Besides, the Council gave me the decision.” “You could have been hurt,” Ren cried, whirling on his nephew. Then, he noted the scar running down Edoru’s face and neck. “You’ve already been hurt. God, Edoru, what are you doing to your poor mother?” Rami sighed. “As much as I hate to break up the family bonding, we should be heading on.” “I think that is a good idea,” Cassandra agreed. * * * * * “Dwega Brioch!” a girl cried, running up the path. “Dwega Brioch!” Ulei flinched at the title. Although it was meant to convey respect, it only reminded her of her lost. With a sigh, she set aside her loom. She hobbled awkwardly to the porch of her house, absently rubbing the side of her twisted leg. “Ibdi, what is? Has something happened?” She placed a hand over heart. ‘Please, say that Edoru is safe.’ “Rami’s group is back. And you won’t believe what they’ve brought with them? Ulei felt her patience slip. “Ibdi, tell me or go on.” “Edoru is fine, Dwega Brioch. In fact, he has grown since he’s last been back.” The girl paused, blushing furiously. “Anyway, the group has strangers with them, claiming to be Guardians.” “What?” Whatever news she had been expecting, it wasn’t that. “Are you sure?” “That’s what they claim. Ren and Monea were with them, and Monea was dressed just like the strangers. It’s amazing.” Ulei nodded absently. After all these years, the Guardians were finally returning to Cignus. Could the end of the Shadow Moon Empire be drawing near? “Are you coming to see them, Dwega Brioch?” “Later, later. I’m sure that the Council will see them first. However, you can run back and tell Edoru to see me when he can, Ibdi. The same goes for Oriren.” “I will,” the girl said with a smile. Ulei watched the girl bound happily on her errand. Ibdi’s childhood had been so different from her own. It was moments like this that convinced her that the sacrifices were worth it. “And my son is coming home,” she murmured. She turned from the porch and reentered the house. Humming, she went back to her weaving. [Author's Note: Dwega is a title of respect that designates a widow. I hope that clears up any confusion.]


Chapter 4--Coming Soon Jupter's Gone