THE RISING SONS - Hour Five The children asked a volley of questions, each carefully answered by their teacher. When the questions inevitably turned toward the Vurki, Ms. O'Brien was an expert. Her first hand experience with the Vurki made her a living legend of sorts. Her adventures were told in stories around campfires, but her story failed to make the history books.
Ms. O'Brien returned to the book and pressed forward in the lesson into Hour Five. "Just as the middle son had predicted - the truce did not last long. Once the Red and Gray armies had succeeded in slowing Cire's men, all agreements were off. As the three great armies shifted for position, each with the knowledge of the importance of the final hours of battle, they gathered what supplies and equipment they needed and began the preparation for the final push. Toddanson's army had pressed deep into the Gray territory. The news of the Giant's sudden departure was grim indeed, yet Gen. Jayson knew by the look in the Imp's eyes that he would 'fight with the heart of a giant'. Of this there was no doubt. The General demanded much of his troops that day, and each one delivered. They fought fiercely and to the last, led by the courageous Imp. Antony's forces were brave as well. Each had been made aware of the importance of the supplies they held and that something as simple as water could turn a battle. Gen. Ramrod took control of the western flank and with shear determination held off the assault of the Red and Blue Armies. It was at the most crucial moment, the instant that the Red Army was within mere feet of a major supply depot, that the question passed through Ramrod's mind. It stopped him in mid-stride. What of Mac? * * * * * * * * Law Bos was nearly invisible as the battle progressed around them. It had not been easy to get a good location on any of the assassins and he knew that they were just biding their time?waiting for the right moment to make their attack on one or all of the heirs. He knew they were close - the evidence was clear. Law Bos had overheard about the sudden departure of the Giant, Cyrus. Law Bos smiled broadly at the thought of the man's deception. He had known from the moment he laid eyes on him who he really was. Not surprisingly, Law Bos knew the Race of Giants well. He knew they spent most of their lives on the great oceans. He knew that their ships were built by giants for giants and that on one of their ships it was Law Bos who was small. The island Colossal was a stopping place for them. A port and a haven. A place to raise their young and teach them the ways of the sea. All of the structures on their island were built to their scale. When on Colossal or when on the sea, the giants were not big. It was everywhere else that they were out of place. Law Bos had also learned of the great evil that had been unleashed upon Colossal; an evil that even made Law Bos shudder. He knew what they were up against and that they were in grave danger. He also knew that they would have sent a ship to collect their King, so he had sent Boowie to that ship.. He suspected that his friend TF was aboard that ship, and TF was the best kind of friend?the kind who owes you a favor. Law Bos smiled at the thought. Boowie soon returned with the sailor known as TF. Even for the race of giants he was huge. TF had agreed to help Law Bos for only a brief time. His ship would soon be leaving so he would only give him one hour. One hour to track done and kill the assassins. Law Bos hoped that would be all the time they needed. * * * * * * * * Mac and Miss Summertime listened as the roar of battle approached. Once more Mac found himself protecting Antony's legacy. Tucked inside Summer's saddlebags were the symbolic items that made the King of Broughcut the "King". Wrapped in plain brown paper were three bundles, each tied up with string. No one would suspect that he carried Anson's Crown of Justice, Cape of Honor and Septor of Truth. It was these three artifacts which signified to the masses, more so than any single act or deed, that the man who possessed them was their King. Mac and Miss Summertime calmly rode off with the precious cargo as the battle raged on around them." * * * * * * * * |
||||||||||||||
