Chapter Five

Time seemed to stand still within the temple. Frozen in anticipation of what was to come.

The demon stood poised over its sire ready to end his life. His other father struggled to reach him before he killed Mirial.

Outside darkness was spreading over the land. Animals ran caught in a frenzy. Panicked by the supernatural atmosphere. People everywhere prayed to the gods for protection from the coming horror.

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A greenish light, emanating from the spirit map floating over the conference table, illuminated their faces .Both men had been intently studying the map for hours.

" The guards we have posted at every Nightshadow dwelling have found no clue to the Ragghyr's whereabouts, My Lord." Corek looked Kay straight in the eye.

" We have to find him, time is running short! If he bears a demon child we must deal with it immediately." This time it was Nias who caught his attention. The beautiful young Lord had the presence of thought to pretend he felt sorry for the other young man.

" I am aware of the situation." His reply had more than one meaning, a fact Nias obviously picked on because his face paled a bit . " Frankly I am not too worried about that. I do not want someone else to find him though, they might hurt him or even try to kill him." He held Corek's gaze for a moment." Also, we have a potential civil war to worry about."

" The people are frightened and the priest are feeding their hysteria. Once we find Mirial the people will settle down. " Corek replied.

Kay turned his attention to the map .Where could Mirial go? As future Ragghyr he had been brought up a virtual recluse. Only his closest family and a handful of servants were allowed near him. There was no one he could turn to outside his family. Except for Dreian! The magical creature had been free to roam all over Jureal since his creation.

Mirial was first and foremost a Nightshadow. That meant he had access to magic at all times. But, he also was tuned to elemental magic which he favored over the dark magic. So where would a plant elemental go?

His most powerful sages had cast powerful spells of detection , so finely tuned they could pick up Mirial's unique signature from the thousands of inhabitants in the land. They had come up with nothing. It was as if Mirial had dropped out of the face of the earth. Somehow he was masking his trail, as well as Dreian's.

" He is still in Jureal, I just know it. Dreian would not risk a sea voyage with Mirial so far advanced into his pregnancy." As he lifted his eyes he was rewarded with a glorious sunset. He wondered for the moment on the beauty of nature. Then realization hit him like a brick.

" Magic Barriers!" He screamed waving his hand over the map. In an instant the whole layout of the land changed. Twelve distinct sections were shown in greater relief. They were dispersed throughout the island, and quite varied in climate and topography.

" Of course!" Exclaimed Corek." The magic in those areas is so concentrated no one would notice him there and since it is a natural occurrence no one would give it a second thought.."

" There are too many of them. By the time we survey them all Mirial's baby will be born." Nias was dismayed with the mere thought of the strenuous task ahead of them.

" True. Still we must send the hunting parties to all of them."

" And do what? If we divide our force into twelve groups they wont be able to face Mirial, much less a demon."

" Perhaps..." Kay interrupted rather absentmindedly. " We do not have to deal with all of them. Mirial would want a place that was close to a forest, preferably a place that was lush, abundant with plant life."

Only two places matched the description. Both were on opposite sides of the island. It would take nearly two months for the men to reach each one. He opted into dividing his force. Kay himself, against Corek's advice, would lead one of the teams. He chose the last and most remote of the two. The place was a veritable heaven. That was without a doubt were Mirial was hiding.

Soon he would find out if he knew Mirial as well as he believed.

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Zary was waving frantically at them. She seemed worried.

Had something happened to Mirial while they were away. They sped up the hill not stopping when they reached the girl's side.

" Zery, Dreian, I think it is time!" She huffed trying to keep in step with the men.

Tears were staining her rosy cheeks. Dreian had to admire Mirial's mastery . Out of the forked stump of an old tree he had created the twins: a boy and a girl. They were physically perfect. Mirial had infused them both with a piece of his soul.

The night of their creation was permanently edged in his mind. It did not detract from the wonder that he too had been created in such a fashion.

" Whoa! What are we supposed to do, Dreian?" The little boy turned to him. They always did. He had somehow become their big brother.

" Relax! I will take care of this. Zary you will help easing our Lord's pain:, Zery you will bring some water from the spring." They nodded, content with having something to do to help Mirial.

Poor Mirial was sobbing in the grip of labor pains, regretting the day he had wished for a son.He lay sprawled on the rudimentary bed. His blankets had been kicked all the way down to the edge of the bed. Sweat poured down his face , his whole body rocked in spasms with every contraction. He was nearly exhausted from the effort.

" Zary, help me undress him."

" Dre... Dreian... ah...ah... Help me! Mirial managed to moan through his pain.

" Shh! I am here. It wont be long now." His slender fingers gently probed the reddened belly.

" Do you feel a numbness spreading over your..." He hesitated . What could he call the strange organ housing the unborn child, it was not properly a womb. He would worry about semantics that later. " ... over your...mm... womb?"

" Yes! Yes!" He stated through clenched teeth.

" Good. Your skin is becoming intangible. In a little while I will be able to introduce my hands into your body and pluck out the baby." Dreian could not stifle a laugh when he saw Mirial grimace at the thought.

" Get ready It is t...." He was cut short by Zery's hurried entrance. The boy came crashing into the room spilling water everywhere." Dreian frowned at him.

" Men ..." He panted." Many men on horseback, heading this way."

" No! My baby!" Mirial froze halfway to a sitting position. His face contorted in agony.

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" The child went into that hut, My Lord! Shall we follow him in?

" No. Wait out here, I will go in." The soldier opened his mouth ready to protest the King's command, but stern look from him made him retreat.

A terrible scream erupted from the small house.

" Mirial!" Kay dismounted in seconds and ran into the hut.

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Dreian was prepared. The blade shone in his hand. From the beginning he had been certain of the outcome of this venture. He would spare Mirial's life even if it was at the cost of his own .

His eyes widened at the sight of the emerging newborn . His blood slicked head and shoulders protruded from Mirial's midsection. Dreian could see the tiny ebony wings on the babes back. The little demon was almost out.

True to his nature the first thing he would do would be to slay it's "mother" by consuming his heart.

Dreian was advancing towards the creature when Kay burst through the door distracting him.

He heard Zery and Zary scream as the babe leaped unto Mirial's ribcage.

Rapidly he caught the infants wings , managing to dislodge him from Mirial's body.

The creature would not surrender. It needed Mirial's essence to survive. This was his most vulnerable moment.

Meanwhile, Kay reached the bed and stood , sword in hand, between them and his spouse. The demon was desperate. Suddenly he turned against Dreian. Somehow he had sensed that Dreian shared Mirial's essence. With a powerful thrust of his tiny hand he ripped into his chest and clutched out his heart.

A small cry left Dreian's lips; at the same time Mirial let out a blood curdling scream as he shared Dreian's death through the psychic link between them .

The little imp jumped out the window the grizzly prize held tight in his hands.

Outside the men gazed in horror as the demonic baby flew into the forest.

Immediately they gave chase, but it eluded them in the thick greenery. The hunters suffered one casualty as one of the men was strangled by a vine. Apparently the child had Mirial's ability to control plants. By nightfall they had lost all track of the creature.

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Six months had passed since the birth and the demon still roamed the countryside. He had caused great destruction among the farmers . The creature had a voracious appetite , it made no discrimination between humans and animals. It had also grown to a man's height in a very short time.

Soldiers were dispatched to all his targets, but he would just move on to a new, unguarded, zone.

Kay knew he was bidding his time until he was strong enough to open a dimensional gate. For that he would need a Nightshadow man who had a strong tie to Quiax'n. Such men were fewer than the people imagined, which allowed Kay to keep them all under close watch. Mirial's son was not as powerful as a true demon. In fact he was more like a possessed human than an actual demon. He would not risk a direct attack on a full company of sorcerer-soldiers. When he finally showed his face it would be in a duplicitous fashion, of that he was sure.

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" Almost a full year to it's birth and that creature is still free." Corek paced his chamber in a somber mood.

" He will be found, and killed, sooner or latter! What matters is that Mirial wont conceive again. Kay still needs an heir." Nias sounded so smug that Corek wanted to shake him. Just to put some sense in him.

" Mirial! That bastard should be dead." Elra burst into their chamber . Corek unconsciously tightened his robe , while Nias hurriedly covered his nakedness with a sheet. She continued her tirade oblivious to their actions. " No one has ever survived a demonic birth. Even then the priest did not slay him as they should."

" How ? He is under the King's protection." Added Nias.

" Be that as it may, the demon is the problem. While it lives our plans are useless. Forget about the throne all of Janizz is doomed. Our whole world is damned." He exited the room without a second glance at them.

" He is loosing it, brother. This demon is got him scared. He may even expose us in his state of mind."

" I know, sister. That is why I have taken steps to ensure he does not. The same plans I have for a certain pesky Ragghyr." His golden eyes shone with satisfaction." After all a Sarenese queen can rule just as well as a Lord Chamberlain"