n

n

nAn hour later, after intense discussion it was decided that only four people would be detaching their souls from their bodies in the Land of Gaira — Bianca, Daryn, Caleb and Lazarus. Rest will be staying behind and overseeing the battle strategies. Brantley would be designing the entire game plan.

nWhen they started with the next phase of the plan, they were disturbed by a knock on the door. The guard came in and announced,

"A messenger from the kingdom of Yardrak is here and a very old Shaman from Derize Barrens along with— with—

" the guard gulped. His face was pale and he was visibly nervous, almost panicky.

n

"What is it?

" gritted Brantley. He hated that Shaman. Even though he had given him some cues to prod Dawn to recover Stone of Solaris, he hated the way the Shaman had tried to negotiate. It was apparent that the Shaman had become greedy despite his old age. There was no need to capture Dawn or threaten her for the stone, but he did it to gain the stone and upon knowing his connivance, Brantley had cut-off all his ties with the Shaman. His hatred stemmed from there. If he would have become successful, the stone wouldn't have got restored in the temple of Chimala and it was possible that Bianca wouldn't have existed. Brantley knew that there was no point in invading Derize barrens because it was a ghost town.

nEver since Bianca had sat on the throne, nature had restored and it also affected Derize Barrens. The place was no longer a barren. According to his messengers, greenery showed on the land in abundance and it was now mostly a large meadow with small waterfalls. It wasn't as lush as Aztec, but it was gaining.

n

"There are two Cadvals with him.

"

nDawn and Daryn stiffened at the name of Derize barrens. They remembered the Shaman very well and how he had tried to stop them. Daryn went to stand right in front of his family and so did Brantley. The Lykae king's body pebbled with goose bumps. Cadvals were eerie and powerful.

n

"Who asked them to come?

" hissed Brantley. He walked to the guard and held him by his collar.

"Tell that bastard to go back.

" The Shaman never left his land, then why was he here. It was certainly not the time for Brantley to entertain a man like him.

nThe guard started shivering.

"Your Highness, I don't— don't know, but he said that as they were coming from Derize Barrens to Aztec, they found numerous half-eaten bodies of animals, birds and Loreans all the way. A—all of them were littered here and there and v—vultures were circling the skies to eat them.

"

n

"Ask them to get lost!

" Daryn growled as his fist curled tightly.

"I don't want that Shaman and especially those Cadvals around Dawn and my children. This time I am going to use every bit of my power to shred that mongrel and his Cadvals into pieces!

"

n

"Do not allow him to enter!

" growled Brantley, leaving the guard's collar.

nThe guard nodded and immediately started going towards the door when Nusgroth stopped him,

"Wait!

"

nBrantley's growl became animalistic.

"Don't defy my orders, Nusgroth!

"

nNusgroth flinched. He got down from his chair and bowed to the mighty king. He knew that this was a delicate moment, because the cool and calm Brantley rarely reacted like this to a situation. And if he has, then surely the problem was deep-rooted, one he knew very well. After all he had worked along with him to put Dawn into the trail of the Stone of Solaris. He feared Brantley's magic would explode any moment.

"Your Highness,

" he said softly,

"I understand that the Shaman had been extremely greedy at that point of time, but he has something we could all need!

"

nBrantley narrowed his eyes at Nusgroth. A moment of silence ensued. Then he looked at the guard and grunted,

"Show him into the room right in front of the dungeons. I will meet him there!

"

nThe guard bowed and left quickly, closing the doors behind him.

n

"Daryn, I want you to come with me,

" Brantley said in a rushed tone.

n

"Okay.

"

nDawn held Daryn's arm as her eyes became wide with fear. He patted her hand.

"Don't worry, darling, this time he won't be able to harm us at all.

" He bent down to kiss her head.

"Control that heartbeat of yours. It makes me crazy.

"

nAs Brantley walked to the door, he said,

"Nusgroth, Lazarus, you two should mark all the points where the Shadows have attacked and chart out where all they can spread. Meanwhile I would like Dawn and Darius to look for the possible places to strike Zor'gan according to the map. We have to take care of the winged demons. And Bia… my love… I want you to meet me at the peak of Rochnan in half an hour.

"

nShe frowned but without asking a question, she nodded.

nClosing the heavy door behind them, Brantley and Daryn walked into the main hall. As they turned through the corridors, climbed down the stairs and came to the cobbled path, which led to the portcullis.

"I hate that man, Brantley!

" said Daryn for the first time.

n

"So do I.

" Brantley grunted in response.

n

"He had been extremely greedy last time and there is no guarantee that he wouldn't be this time!

"

n

"You are right. I have to gauge the situation.

" He stopped in his tracks suddenly. Turning to Daryn, he said in a breathy voice,

"Let me do all the talking, okay?

" Knowing Daryn's Lykae instincts, he feared that his anger might get the better of him.

nDaryn huffed.

"I won't promise.

" His fists rolled into tight balls again.

n

"Try it, can you?

"

nThe Lykae looked away, but Brantley waited patiently.

"Okay, I will try,

" Daryn loosed a breath.

n

"Good.

" Brantkey started walking again and turned left just before the portcullis.

"And keep that magic ready. I want you to control the Cadvals before they start controlling us.

"

n

"That goes without saying.

"

nTurning left again once more, they climbed down a narrow, stony, spiral staircase that was lit by dim torches. Situated at least two levels below the ground, they reached the front room of the dungeons, where the guards kept all the data. A dozen guards immediately rose to their feet and stood ramrod straight.

n

"Where is the Shaman?

" Brantley growled. He didn't want to wait for him.

n

"Your Highness—

" the leader started to say something but an icy chill ran over his body. He felt his life was about to leave him, his body freezing. His eyes became transfixed past the king.

nDaryn swirled and threw his hands in front. The air rippled and formed a boundary around them. Bright yellow symbols started floating in the air very gently along the boundary.

nA frustrated screech was heard. Every guard in the room felt that fear to the core. They pointed their spears towards the source of the screech.

nThe Shaman glided in slowly, his frail body gently supported by the Cadvals. They stood right outside the thick air wall.

n

"How are you doing, Your Highness?

" he asked, his voice a mere whisper, as his eyes glided to the sorcerer. His face lit up in the semblance of a smile.

"How is Luna, my liege?

"

nA low rumble in Daryn's chest came out as a growl filled with warning.

n

"State your purpose,

" said Brantley in a gruff tone.

n