By Richard LeBlanc
Chapter Twelve
"Wow - the man wasn't joking when he said i would know when it was over." Thortan muttered. He hurried over to where the former empire was. As he walked through the decimated streets, one thought went through his head - did Toymaker survive the blast or was he consumed by it.
"Wonder if he survived." he muttered.
"I did - he didn't." a familiar voice replied. he looked over his shoulder and saw Toymaker slowlt reappear from thin air.
"That was quite a show you put on." he commented.
"Thanks." he stated. with a wave of his hand his enchantment faded.
"You sure that Tmelan is dead?" he asked.
"He was at the heart of where the dimension gate opened. He was the first to fall - his fortress followed suit - then his empire. having nothing left to destoy - the disk destroyed the gate and ended the spell." he replied seriously. Thortan shook his head.
"If you say it's over - i'll take your word for it. Did you find that piece of the puzzle? if not - we could be here for a while digging for it." he asked. Toymaker looked around.
"That would be true - but i picked it up before i stepped out of harm's way." he replied. he took out a small gemstone from his pocket and then took out the old looking jewelry box. he carefully placed the gem where the broken lock was. a bright light flashed from the box. when it faded - the old box looked new.
"Wow - that's pretty neat. What does it do?" Thortan asked. Toymaker slowly closed the box. he took a deep breath and then slowly began to open it. as he did - an unnatural light began to seep out from the box. once it was fully opened - a light shone up at Toymaker's face.
"Toymaker!" Thortan shouted. Toymaker couldn't hear him. all he could see was a tranquil place - in a far away land - much like the home he lost so long ago. There - in this place was wonderous creatures - and a great source of power. Just as he hoped to learn more - the light blinked out. He was back in the shattered remains of a dead plainswalker's empire.
"You okay?" he asked seriously.
"I'm fine. I just saw it." he rpelied.
"What?" he asked.
"A place to call home - a place where i can build in peace. I'm sorry for rambling on like this. You have fulfilled your end of the bargin. It is time i do the same. Do you want to go home now?" he asked curiously.
"I was thinking about that - would it be possible to stay here? The place is minus one plainswalker - that makes it that much safer. Besudes, if i go home - i'll just be plucked up like i was last time." he answered.
"If that's how you feel - i can respect that. I thank you for your help. Goodbye." Toymaker concluded as he faded from view. Once he was completely gone, an eerie smile crept across Thortan's face. He then began to laugh an evil laugh.
"That was almost too easy." Thortan said in a female voice. He looked around the ruined empire and did a happy little dance.
"One down - two to go." he said with an evil cackle. Just then he vanished into a burst of red flames.
To be continued in Forbidden Places!
