The Road to Cragorus
March 22nd, 2006 by Salem
Chapter 33 - It did not take long for Christina to find Vivien, for Vivien had just got one last belly full of Jarody’s blood. Christina landed just in front of Vivien and began to talk to her slowly in a loud voice, “Selene wants us to get everyone,” yelled Christina as she opened up her arms as if she were about to give Vivien a hug, “EVERYONE! And bring them,” continued Christina now mimicking as if she just gathered something in her arms and began to pull what ever it was to her, “HERE,” now pointing to where she is standing, “Back to the TidusBlade. THE! TIDUS! BLADE,” yelled Christina now pointing to the mammoth sword behind them. Vivien writes something in her PDA then turns it for Christina to read, “I’m mute, not stupid.” “I am sorry Vivien. I just wanted to make sure you understood me,” said Christina. Vivien shows Christina her PDA again, “You fly to the hill and I will fly to the other side.” “Yes, we will find them faster if we split up,” said Christina. The two women took to the sky and went their own way to find the others.
The Gemini Twin HexBlade Masters had just turned a corner onto the loading dock with Hoofar Isis’ palace mage behind them grumbling incoherently leaving Salem to believe that they would have been better off with a small group of trained soldiers. A door opened in the middle of the loading dock and the MobilBlade emerged. As soon as Mal had driven the MobilBlade out of the magical doorway, it closed up again. “Ready when you are,” said Mal. “We leave as soon as the others arrive,” said Selene. “Fine,” said Mal, “Who’ve we got here?” “This is our escort, Khet,” said Salem. “THAT’S MAGE KHET, you know-it-all harlot!” yelled Mage Khet. “You are getting your twins mixed up,” said Salem, “my sister is the know-it-all.” “You know just as much as I do!” said Selene. “And yet I can keep my mouth shut,” said Salem. The twins continued to argue as they walked farther down the dock alongside the TidusBlade. Mage Khet knew he had to follow them but felt it would be better to let the two women have their argument on their own and wait with the carriage driver. Salem looks back just as Selene asks, “Is he following us?” “No, he is staying with Mal.” answered Salem. “Good,” said Selene.
The twins could see the BoltBlade had already been unloaded onto the track. “I hope the track tests out as fine,” said Selene, “They can begin making plans on talking other countries into begin building tracks. The new BoltBlades can connect this world and a new era of peace can begin.” Selene turns and sees Salem looked odd at her. “What is wrong?” asked Selene. “There are times I hate it when you talk like that,” said Salem, “to hear my voice say stuff like that is almost maddening.” The twins find themselves at the back of the TidusBlade looking into the sand colored water and their reflections. “Now that I think about it,” said Salem, “I do not think that thing was called an Utat.” “Hush sister, we promised not to speak of that,” said Selene. “We are alone and anyway we only promised our future selves not to tell anyone else,” said Salem. “Still, I do not think we should be talking about that until we are the ones who go back to meet our past selves eighteen years ago,” said Selene. “Twenty years ago,” corrected Salem. “No, Isis was not born yet and it was after Lord DarkRaptor died, killing De La Groot,” said Selene. “Yes, you are right. I still think your future self was looking a little fat,” said Salem. “Not healthy to know what the future holds for us,” said Selene. “Hey, I would not have agreed if I knew the future me would sleep with Hoofar Ted,” said Salem. “Great, now you got me thinking about it,” said Selene, “I do believe now that it was Jarody who was with us.”
“Salem, Selene!” called Pixie Dust above them, high on the BoltBlade track. The twins looked up and waved. “I would give you a ride to Cragorus, but there is no track near there,” yelled Pixie. “It is OK, Pixie,” yelled Selene, “it is not very far anyway.” “Then I guess this is so long until next time!” yelled Pixie. “Bye, Pixie Dust!” yelled Salem. As if it were sensing it’s master approaching, the door of the BoltBlade opened to allow Pixie to enter, then closed shut again as the sound of the engines build as they power up. Salem and Selene watch as the BoltBlade begins to roll forward and builds speed until it was out of their sight. “Was a great way to travel,” said Salem as the twins began to walk back to Mal and the MobilBlade. Vivien and David were waiting at the MobilBlade with Mal and Mage Khet. It looked as if Mage Khet was showing them the vanishing coin trick. “Now you see it,” said Mage Khet before clapping his hands and holding his paws up to show the coin is gone, “now you don’t” Vivien writes something on her PDA and shows David who says, “It’s behind your right paw.” “Are you really sure?” said Mage Khet trying to sound very mystical. “Yes, I’m sure. Vivien’s a vampire. They can see through flesh,” said David. Mage Khet dropped his arms and puts the coin back in his pocket, “Cheaters,” he grumbles, “Whoever heard of a vampire that can walk in the suns light.”
Christina, Zealot, Emhril and Haiku arrive around the same time as the twins. “I see we are here and ready to go,” said Selene. “Not just yet!” yelled Detective Lagan, as she and Detective Pacer approached the Blade Masters. “David Koror is still involved in our investigation,” said Detective Pacer. “Really?” said Salem, “But you had him for six days. What more do you need from him?” “We hardly had enough time with him, between his father dragging him around the ship and that attack that knocked us both out during a crucial part of our questioning, we still need time,” said Detective Lagan. “That is why he needs to stay here,” said Detective Pacer. “We cannot spare him,” said Salem. “WAIT ONE DAMN MINUTE!” yelled Mage Khet, “First of all, who are you two?!” “I am Detective Lagan and he is Detective Pacer,” said Lagan. “We are with the Lysts Palace City Police Department,” said Detective Pacer. “Well Detectives, if you didn’t know it, you are out of your region” said Mage Khet, “You have no authority here.” The detectives looked at each other. “Even more reason why David must stay on the ship, off of foreign soil, said Detective Pacer. “We need him with us,” said Selene, “so travel with us or forget having him in your investigation.” Detective Lagan was about to speak when Selene cut her off, “Anyway, I am sure Raphael has recovered and told your department everything they need to know.” “We can’t just forget our orders and leave without getting the information we need from David,” said Detective Lagan. “Then you are coming with us,” said Selene. “Great, the MobilBlade is going to be cramped,” said Salem.
The Blade Masters were busy placing what fresh supplies they had gathered in town into Pawn’s ThievesBlade’s void. James, Jarody and Sturmer exit the mystical doorway. Sturmer ran to Zealot’s side, ready to travel. “Hey? Where are you going? I’m not ready yet,” said Jarody. Everyone including James looked surprised. “We thought you wanted to stay on the TidusBlade,” said Selene. “Ha ha ha, just wanted to make James here sweat it out,” said Jarody. “The detectives are going with you?” asked James. “They still need to question David for their investigation,” said Salem. “That is too bad, I was hopping they would help us with a mystery of our own,” said James. “What happened? Did more Mirror Blades turn up missing?” asked Selene. “No, nothing that serious, it seams that cutlery and small jewelry have been reported missing as well as the gold plated utensils that were used during the Thanksgiving Dinner,” said James. “Pawn,” said Salem and she looked at the small face of her pet lying on her shoulders. Pawn gave a squeak of disappointment and opened his ThievesBlade’s void. Gems, cutlery, watches, and even a few brushes fell out and onto the loading dock. “It is not called the ThievesBlade for nothing,” said Salem, “I am sorry.” “It is OK Salem. I had a feeling that your pet was to blame,” said James, “These things disappeared in places where the only explanation was a small animal had to have taken them.” James took out his ComBlade and called Harke to send a few security officers to retrieve the found items from the dock.
Mage Khet’s attention was on the young Haiku. “Here is a normal coin,” said Mage Khet. “Can I feel it?” asked Haiku. “Sure, you see, just a normal coin,” said Mage Khet. “Um, Mage Khet,” called Selene, “I see where you are going with showing that trick to a child, but!” “Hush. This young one hasn’t been poisoned by your philosophies and truth telling,” said Mage Khet as he took the coin from Haiku’s small hand. “Yes, that is a great way to go, but she is not going to fall for it,” said Selene. Mage Khet clapped his hands together and showed Haiku his empty paws. Haiku looked at both his hands and said, “It is behind your right paw.” Mage Khet quickly turned to Selene trying to see if she had tipped off the small child. “It was not me. That thing on her back is a Blade, one of its powers allows her to see through your flesh.” Mage Khet put the coin back into his pocket grumbling about child Blade Masters. Haiku takes her seat next to Mal up on the driver’s seat along with Salem. Zealot, Selene and Jarody sit on the rear facing seat as the others enter the MobilBlade’s passenger cabin. Mal gave the reins a tug starting the MobilBlade on it’s trip to Cragorus with Sturmer following.
The MobilBlade was an hour out of the city with Isis’ palace being the last thing still visible on the horizon. Emhril was sound asleep on his large armchair inside the MobilBlade with Detective Lagan and Detective Pacer questioning David about the man he saw fried to a crisp in the Slambrawn Manor garden. On the roof of the MobilBlade, Jarody is playing strip poker with Vivien. Jarody had only taken his shirt off and Vivien was in her underwear. Mage Khet was trying a new trick with Haiku still on the driver’s seat with Mal. Salem and Selene were inspecting the release mechanisms on Darkwind, Skyclap, Syntax and Raptor. Zealot kept an unblinking eye on the dirt road behind them as Sturmer kept jumping from bush to bush, making sure that no one was in them. “I can see the mountains ladies,” yelled Mal from the driver’s seat. “They are still six hours away,” yelled Salem. “We will have to make camp at the base of the mountains for a night’s rest. It is going to be a long climb to the top,” said Selene. “How will we get the MobilBlade up there?” asked Mal. “We cannot. You, Haiku, Mage Khet, and the detectives will have to stay at the campsite until we return,” said Salem. “WHAT?! No way ma’am. You heard the Hoofar! I’m going with you,” yelled Mage Khet. “If you want, but you climb on your own, we cannot spare the energy hoisting you up the mountain,” said Salem. “Fine by me,” said Mage Khet. “I’m going too!” yelled Haiku. “It is too dangerous. You have to stay with Mal,” said Selene. “But I have Carber. You’ll need Carber if daddy or anyone else gets hurt,” said Haiku. “The kid is right,” said Salem. Selene thought it over, “You have to be able to climb on your own,” said Selene. “No problem,” said Haiku.
Suddenly, Mal pulled the brake and stopped the MobilBlade almost knocking the twins off their feet. “What happened?” called Salem, grabbing on Syntax’s reins to regain her balance. “Look!” yelled Mal as he pointed to a wall of logs blocking the road. Sturmer runs past them and starts to sniff the logs. Zealot and Christina wanted to see what was wrong but knew they had to stay and make sure no one was trying to sneak up on them from behind. Vivien quickly started to redress as Jarody began to swear about the interruption. “Anyone back there?!” yelled Selene. “No! all is clear!” yelled back Zealot. Jarody jumps down from the top of the MobilBlade down to the sand covered road, “Where did they get trees in the middle of the desert?” Sturmer continued to sniff the large logs before he turned to one side, lifted his leg, and began to urinate on them. Jarody began to laugh hid head off, “Great pet you have here Zealot!” “He is not a pet, he is a friend!” yelled back Zealot. Haiku looked around where they were and began to point at something, “What are those?” Selene looked at where Haiku was pointing, “Oh, those are pyramids. They are like large size mausoleums for the bodies of past Hoofars.” “Are one of those for Ted?” asked Mal. “No. They stopped building pyramids over three thousand years ago,” said Salem, “It takes too much man power and time to build just one.” “When Hoofars die, they are taken to the City of the Dead where they are placed inside a vault with their most treasured possessions and sealed inside,” said Selene. “Do they still mummify their dead?” asked Jarody. “Yes we do,” said Mage Khet, “A very awful and gruesome process.” “But I bet it’s fun to watch,” said Jarody.
“Mal, transform the MobilBlade. Jarody, wake Emhril up. We will need him to blast away this roadblock,” ordered Selene. “I got a better idea. Why not let Sturmer piss on it some more? He might get through,” said Jarody. Vivien finishes getting dressed and stands up on the MobilBlade. “Vivien, fly up and keep an eye on the surrounding area,” ordered Selene. “Why don’t we just go around the logs?” asked Jarody. “The wheels will get stuck in the sand and the caterpillar tracks would work but I think staying on the road is a better choice,” said Selene. Jarody enters the MobilBlade as it starts to transform into it’s battle mode. Darkwind, Skyclap, Syntax and Raptor detach from the MobilBlade and stands at the sides of the road with Salem on Syntax and Selene on Darkwind. Rook swooped down and landed on Selene’s shoulder as Pawn got ready for what was about to happen. Jarody shook Emhril awake just before Emhril’s seat turned to face forward next to the EarthBlade cannon. “Emhril, Are you awake?” called Selene. “I’m up!” yelled Emhril. “Blast that roadblock!” ordered Selene. Emhril was still groggy as he looked around for his EarthBlade and loaded it into the cannon with the shackle on his wrist. Emhril fired the cannon and the EarthBlade flew out with the eternity chain streaming out of the barrel. Pawn opened the ThievesBlade’s void between them and the roadblock just after the EarthBlade passed. The EarthBlade hits the logs, blasting them apart and turning them into splinters. The stray flying pieces of wood gets sucked up by the ThievesBlade’s void protecting everyone from getting hit by a stray piece of wood. As soon as it was clear, Pawn closed his ThievesBlade void. The EarthBlade gets pulled back into the cannon by the eternity chain. The MobilBlade transforms back into it’s standby mode and the Blade Masters move on to Cragorus.