"Heart of the Crown" Chapter 100 (Bonus, 'cause I was late with 99)

[seymoure]

Chapter 100

Nothing Left for Tomorrow

The Count (now returned to his proper age), Robez (now returned to his proper size), and Smiga (healed and healthy) splashed against the hillside no worse for wear.

The water was gone as quickly as it had appeared, and the three stood and found that they were dry and warm. They stood on a slope of a verdant, green and beautiful field.

After checking themselves and their companions by glance, the three looked about them and found nothing that posed any kind of obvious threat.

Then without warning, the sky cracked with thunder and another downpour of a tsunami wave splashed about them.

The wave carried two dragons, a soldier and a small man who cursed every moment he was visible.

As soon as all were aware that none of them was harmed, they began to view those about them and measure who was on which side, and consider whether there really were any sides left in this war.

It was a few minutes after the last wave when a wind rose from the East. It was a strong, constant gust that could blow away leaves but nothing larger.

Slip saw it first. He pointed out the gleaming ball to his friend Hawk.

The others picked up the sight, and soon all were standing with their eyes locked on the heavens.

The ball was the size of a house and colored bright blue, if “colored” was an appropriate word.

The thing was without seams and without visible source of animation. It moved towards the hillside slowly, with an almost regal shine.

Like a small moon descending to the earth, the sphere touched down in the middle of the group.

It winked out of existence at once, revealing, at its heart, Cela of Tar.

Not a word had to be said. Everyone knew that she was their liberator.

“I am sad to say that now that you are here,” a majestic voice intoned from points unknown, “This game is about to come to an end.”

© 2008 C. Wayne Owens
Chapter 101 is here.