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Flying 151

Ergon slashed at the guard on his right side, while lowering himself in a slanted left crouch to get protection from his shield whose bottom was tracing light gray spirals, interrupted by deeper fast move gouges on the grey stone floor. It was a half pass slash, with an upward twist at the end, a specialty of his. The right guard was caught by the blow at the bottom of his helmet and was knocked backwards. It was a good defensive move, for the quickest of moments. For a second the guard had been taken out of the battle. Every silver lining has a black cloud. Seeing an opening not at Ergon, but his weapon, the left guard smashed down on Ergon�s sword, knocking it onto the floor where he kicked it away.

Kinesis� strength was failing. Her power to cause the ice mist was flowing from her fast. Her arms had the feel of cold bubbles running through them and out her fingertips. As long as she had the power, she vowed to herself not let Phora be taken by the Wisp. Weakening, she went down to the floor on her right knee to steady herself. Wobbling, she could feel her body begin to fail. Her arm became a heavy tree limb that wanted to break and fall from its trunk. The room began to slowly spin. The bubbles through her arm became smaller and warmer. She began to tremble as if she were in a snow storm, shaking as if she were freezing to death. Her breath was steady, but coming in deep heaves.

Thrasymachus came on. His cruel smile ate at her courage and hope.

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Flying 152

Ergon could sense that he would die, just as animals sense an approaching storm. He was without sword and his left shoulder was beginning to freeze in place, restricting his shield use. That did not matter. He would take the Wisp guards with him at his last stand. He reached for his dagger, pulled his shield close and became a boulder on the stone floor with the two guards towering over him waiting for the right opportunity to finish him with strikes to any opening. His plan was suicidal. He would spring at the one on the right and drive his dagger into the helmet, then turn and try to grasp the other neck in a choke hold until he crushed him. The guard�s armor would protect against the choke hold, but Ergon would spend his last strength trying to tear off the helmet and with it the guard�s head. It would be almost futile, but it would be more than letting them hammer him to death.

Kinesis went down to her other knee. Her fingers wavered, but the ice mist held even as another suction cup crackled against its frozen sheath surrounding Phora. Her body became heavier and heavier, hard to hold in place as its power ran through her fingers.

Thrasymachus was there in front of her. The smile, that of a bird of prey, which couldn�t smile at all. He got out his dagger to begin to penetrate Kinesis� armor. He locked his eyes onto Kinesis slits in her visor. The edge of the dagger came towards them. He had only to give a sudden strong push at the edge of a slit to make enough of a hole for a Wisp tentacle.

Ergon steadied himself for the spring to action. Kinesis drew her hidden dagger with her left hand, though she could hardly find the strength to hold it.

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Flying 153

�WHUMP!� �WHUMP!� �THUNK!� The guards above Ergon sprouted indoor combat spears from their chests. They reeled backwards from the impacts, yet still tried to strike blows at Ergon. Fruitless. The massive spears had done the job. Their sword blows landed only to bounce or deflect from Ergon�s armor. Thrasymachus went down on his right side, an ultra range arrow going from the back of his knee through the kneecap to protrude out the other side.

Keep guards flooded the room. The torrent of black armored figures swept into the chamber like a black tide.

Pyro, the first in, had thrown two spears at once using both arms. Only three persons in the Keep had such power and control. Pyro was one of them, Ergon the other. It was rumored that Phora could do it, but the rumor was never confirmed. Pyro, Telos, Hyle, Yare and a Wisp unit had come through the secret door behind Thrasymachus and had attacked. Thrasymachus tried to recover to continue his attack on Kinesis, but Yare and the Wisp Unit had pinned him down, thrown tentacle revealing powder on the backpack, and had fastened C clamps around the eight tentacles that they had discovered. The Wisp was bound.

�Holding canister!� shouted Pyro. One of the Wisp Unit guards brought over a thick walled glass urn that had a pewter colored metal top with one large and two small valves. The urn was surrounded by copper strands that had been locked into place by fastening bolts. The urn was big enough to hold five gallons of fluid, or a number of small creatures. There were buttons and switches on the shining pewter top.

�Connect,� said Pyro.

�Done,� came the reply as one of the Unit guards brought a silver colored flexible tube and attached it to the large valve, then brought the funneled nozzle end to the edge of the backpack.

Pyro took the nozzle and thrust it into the backpack while giving the order, �Valve open.�

�Done.�

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Flying 154

There was a loud sucking hiss, the kind that one makes through almost closed lips drawing in a deep breath. Suddenly, inside the container a form took shape. It was ugly and menacing. Kinesis had seen something like it washed up on her beach, an octopus. This creature had small slit eyes, and the brain sack was longer and flatter than the sea creature on her beach. The Wisp�s color was that of the stone floor, then that of the copper top, then again, that of the gray steel bands that surrounded the urn. It could assume the colors of its surroundings and blend in with them becoming almost indistinguishable from them. The tentacles were visible as they met the undulating body, but vanished to reappear, only to vanish again leaving a split second of a bluish trace where they once were. One tentacle was left out; it ran to Thrasymachus� nose from a side valve in the urn, which had two C traps built into it. A Unit guard double checked to make certain that the tentacle was held securely in place by C traps at the urn and at Thrasymachus� visor.

�Wisp secure. Unit guards, do combat search of the room,� said the lead Unit guard. The Wisp Unit, of four Keep guards, immediately fanned out to scour the room, first checking the dead Wisp guards around Ergon. It was not a pretty sight, for the check was to drive a dagger through the foreheads of each. A quick way to die, but they were already dead from the spears which had driven through them so that they lay, back arched, on the floor with only a part of their bodies touching, the sword heads bearing most of the weight.

�Phora secure,� said one of the Unit guards that had rushed to Phora�s side.

Ergon stumbled over to his sword and picked it up, turning towards Kinesis. Kinesis slumped to the floor, her hands falling to her sides.

�Yare and Telos, help Kinesis. She has once again saved Phora,� said Ergon. Yare and Telos ran to support Kinesis. They whispered something to her. She responded and they pushed the release buttons on her neck armor. They removed her helmet and her golden hair streamed down in twisted knots. Her eyes were half open, slowly closing.

�Is Phora truly safe?� she asked in a whisper.

�Yes, thanks to you and Ergon,� said Telos.

�Done,� said Kinesis. Her eyes closed, the slightest clinch of her right fist was felt by Yare, and Kinesis fell back into Yare�s arms.

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Flying 155

Telos, Ergon, Pyro and Yare walked over to Thrasymachus.

�Numbing potion,� said Pyro.

A Unit guard brought a small thimble sized flask. It was filled with a honey colored liquid, but it moved in the flask like the metal, quicksilver or mercury. Pyro took the flask, pried open Thrasymachus� mouth with the wrist protector ridge of the handle of his sword, pulled Thrasymachus� head back, and poured the liquid into his throat. He removed the sword handle and jammed it between the bottom of the chin protector and Thrasymachus� chin. Thrasymachus struggled not to swallow, but Pyro had his nose in a pinch and when Thrasymachus gasped for breath, he had to swallow the liquid.

In less time than it takes to blink twice, Thrasymachus� body stopped all movement and a blank look came across his face.

Pyro spoke. �Wisp, Thrasymachus� body cannot feel pain or react to your commands, but it can speak and observe for you. Do you understand?�

�Yes,� came the dull reply from Thrasymachus.

�The other Wisps have been accounted for,� said Pyro.

�What is their fate?� asked Thrasymachus.

�It is we who ask questions,� replied Pyro. He looked straight into Thrasymachus� eyes.

�Forty guards left with the wagon convoy, but only thirty-eight came back. Where are the two missing guards?�

�Do you think for a moment that I would tell you, swine of the Keep,� said Thrasymachus. The voice was still dull, but somewhere in it was a hint of deep hidden hatred.

�Oh, I think that you will tell us,� said Pyro, inching closer to Thrasymachus.

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Flying 156

�Never,� said Thrasymachus.

Pyro leaned his head to the right side and turned his head slightly away from Thrasymachus, though his eyes never broke contact. �I know that Wisps get their enjoyment from the sensations of using other beings� minds. It is the sensation of pleasure that is gained from controlling the mind and its body. Control is the key for Wisps. You live for it. Wisp. Do not think that I fail to see the workings of your mind.� Pyro raised his right hand to signal a Unit guard to bring over a one foot square box. It was completely sealed in heavy steel plate with a softer metal, something like lead, forming a screen fabric around it. It was heavy; the Unit struggled with its weight, though he handled it as if it were made of glass. He gave a small grunt as he placed it on the floor beside the urn.

�There is something in this box that we all fear, especially Wisps. Would you like to know what it is?� Pyro leaned even closer to Thrasymachus.

�I fear nothing, not even death,� replied Thrasymachus.

�Not so. You fear the very thing that you cause in other beings �loss of control. And in this box is a mind worm,� said Pyro, chewing the words, �mind worm.�

Thrasymachus� eyes widened and the Wisp in the urn wrapped itself in its tentacles.

�Ah, good,� said Pyro. �You know what I am talking about. You can make things easy on yourself. Tell us about the missing guards now, or you will tell us about them after you have met the worm, that is, if you can control your thoughts after it has been with you, and I mean with you.� Pyro was close to Thrasymachus enough to merely whisper the last statement.

�I fear nothing,� came the reply.

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Flying 157

�Too bad,� said Pyro and nodded to the Unit guard who lifted the strange looking box, placed it on top of a solid wood stand that another Unit guard had brought over, and attached a silver flexible tube running from the box to a valve at the top of the urn. He opened a flap in the top center of the box, easing the metal fabric to the side, and slowly withdrew round scissor like handles for thumb and forefinger. They were attached to long control rods that ran back into the box. There were plated seals with rubber grommets where the rods entered the box. The guard manipulated the handles while watching the urn.

�Valve open,� the Worm handler said.

�Done,� said Pyro and twisted a metal flange straight up.

Flying 158

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Flying 158

The silver control rods came down slowly into the urn. Twirled around the rods was a translucent ribbon, about half an inch wide. The ribbon was made up of small segments, about the size and color of a little toenail. The ribbon was flat and appeared lifeless, but it moved slightly. At the beginning of the ribbon was an undulating amoeba like head. Streamers of fluid would appear and reach out three or four inches only to return to disappear into the amorphous shape of the blob head.

The Wisp flattened itself at the bottom of the urn and swatted at the control rods with its tentacles. The rods would move from the blows, but the worm was not bothered and moved with the strikes as foam does on a sea wave.

�One last chance,� said Pyro. �Speak.�

There was no reply. Pyro nodded his head to the Unit guard at the handles of the control rods. The rods went down to the Wisp�s body then stopped. For a second, nothing happened. Then, two fluid runners slipped quickly down the bag side of the Wisp�s body to it s right eye. The Wisp squirmed and twisted, but the runners were like tears fastened to the face of an injured person. Slowly, they slid into the right eye socket.

Thrasymachus gave out a long moan and his eyes began to roll back.

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Flying 159

�Easy now, not too much,� said Pyro to the Unit guard in control of the worm. The guard made some slight adjustments to the handles and Thrasymachus� eyes returned to stare blankly ahead.

Pyro took Thrasymachus by the shoulders. �Tell me, Wisp, what happened to the two guards that did not return with you and the caravan? You do not want me to let the worm have its way.�

�Nnnever,� came the feeble reply. The Wisp in the urn had twisted its tentacles into knots and its frail skin showed blotches of gray, pink and putrid brown.

Pyro looked to the Unit guard with the rod handles. �A little bit more so that the Wisp may taste what we go through under their control.� The guard edged the rods down a bit more. The worm�s entire head disappeared into the eye socket.

Thrasymachus began to breathe in gasps, eyes moving in circles, then in scattered directions without control. His body started to quiver. There was a quick gasp, then projectile vomit that splashed down Pyro�s armor. His nose began to bleed and his teeth chattered like dried peanuts in a shell.

�Enough,� said Pyro, and the Unit guard withdrew the rods an inch. The head of the worm became visible, and it was covered with blood and white/grey matter.

�I know that you can hear me, Wisp. Once more, what happened to the two missing guards? This may be your last chance to stay whole.� Pyro spoke like a hanging judge.

�Uh, uh, No more. No more. The two guards escaped when we engaged in battle. We had them surrounded, but somehow they managed to disappear. We searched for a while, and then went on.� Thrasymachus began to fall, but Pyro held him up.

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Flying 160

�Where did this take place?�

�Three days ago. The caravan was on the way back to the Keep.�

�How did you gain access to the wagons?�

There was no reply.

�How did you gain access to the wagons? Tell me now or the worm will begin again.� Pyro had set Thrasymachus on the floor, but was behind him bracing him in an upright position.

�I, no Thrasymachus, made an advance on one of the young guards, Treste. She and I, Thrasymachus, were in the driver�s box. To escape, she opened the lid and climbed out on top of the wagon. She tried to get around to the back, but my, my Maulers were in the nearby bushes. They had me, no Thrasymachus, and had ripped my armor before I knew what was happening. It would never have happened except for my desire for her. Fool that you, I, Thrasymachus is, are�.� Thrasymachus� head fell back and his eyes rolled up in his head. The Wisp in the bottle began twisting and tying its tentacles in knots.

�Is he dead?� asked Hyle.

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Flying 161

�Now he is,� said Pyro, as he drove his dagger deep into Thrasymachus� forehead with his right hand while holding Thrasymachus� around the neck with the bulk of his left arm. Thrasymachus jerked slightly, his eyes swiveled to the left and his mouth drooped open with a bit of drool from the lower lip. Pyro eased him to the stone floor. �Rest easy Thrasymachus, though you have brought pain to the Keep.� He turned to the Wisp in the urn. �But, the Wisp is not dead by any stretch of the imagination. We shall have more to do with him. Secure the tentacle to Thrasymachus into the side valve. Take the Wisp to the holding dungeon.�

�Done,� replied two of the Unit guards. They secured the valves, making sure that the eighth tentacle was in the side attachment valve, put two carry stretcher like poles on either side of the urn, fastened it to the poles with leather straps and two chains, then carried the urn from the room. They were replaced by two new Unit guards.

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Flying 162

While the interrogation was going on Ergon had walked over to where Yare and Telos were administering to Kinesis. They had stretched her out on the floor beside Phora. Telos was supporting Kinesis� head while Yare was trying to get drops of a purple liquid on her finger to rub over Kinesis� lips and tongue.

Ergon spoke. �How is she?�

�Very weak,� replied Telos. I am going to put some emergency �Regain� liquid on her tongue and lips to begin to revive her. I think that she will be alright, but she is very, very weak. She was casting some sort of mist spell around Phora to protect him from the Wisp. It worked, but the effort must have been enormous for her. The Regain will help.�

She managed to get two drops of the liquid on the index finger of her right hand. It made round deep purple buttons on her finger. She moved her finger over to Kinesis� lips, turning it over to spread the drops on them. The drops held like cold honey. Slowly, she drew her finger across Kinesis� lips, which were now a dusty rust color. The Regain made a thin streak of purple that looked like an old scar. Then, it made tiny bubbles and became a spewing blue foam that grew in size until it covered the dusty rust color. Kinesis reacted by sticking her tongue out and clearing the foam off of her lips. She withdrew the foam into her mouth and swallowed. Her eyes stirred underneath closed lids. The streaks bubbled again and once more Kinesis� tongue came out to sweep away the froth. She swallowed. Her eyes opened a bit. After the forth sequence, her eyes were wide open.

�Don�t try to speak. The Regain liquid is on your lips and you must keep licking it off and swallowing it. Go ahead and close your eyes and rest. All is well. You and Phora are safe.� Telos spoke softly and put Kinesis� arms in a fold across her stomach. Kinesis eyes closed and she entered a deep restful sleep.

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Flying 163

Pyro turned to Yare. �Go quickly and see how Terra is doing. I�ll be there as soon as I can. We must get a retrieval party for Treste and the other guard. I think I know who that person may be, but I�ll have to check the wagon guard list first.�

�Done,� said Yare and turned quickly to the door. By the time she had reached it, she was in a full run.

Telos and Hyle moved quickly to Pyro�s side.

�I will bet the other missing guard is Parmenides,� said Pyro. �He and Treste were on their first convoy mission. They were inseparable. He would have been in the same wagon, and I would guess that he controlled the back emergency door. My suspicion is that he saw Treste, Thrasymachus and the Maulers and went out to defend, knowing that the wagon was already compromised.� Pyro looked keenly at Telos who nodded her head in affirmation.

�You are probably right. No telling what happened to draw the other wagons into the fray, but we must send out a rescue party now. Hyle and I will lead it. We�ll need a Wisp unit, some guards who have had experience with Maulers and some tracker hounds,� said Telos. Her hands were moving in a grip combat fashion around the handle of her sword. �Pyro, make sure that Ergon is treated. Post extra guards around the room and do another Wisp sweep.� Telos did a sweep full circle with her eyes, which returned to Kinesis then Phora. �I am on my way to the first level to make sure that Rescue 1 is ready to move out on my command with the extras that I mentioned already.�

Pyro nodded. �I�ll take care of everything here, Kinesis, Ergon and Phora.�

�Excellent. Get word to me as soon as possible about Terra and Noesis.� Telos took a quick look at the body of Thrasymachus on the floor. �He was too good a guard to have let his desires run away with him.�

Telos flipped her visor down and left the room at the same combat run as did Yare.

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Flying 164

Pyro studied the lead Wisp Unit guard who was moving slowly about the room with a metal pronged device in one hand, Wisp powder and a C trap in the other. He left nothing unexamined. In fact, when he approached Pyro, he moved the indicator device in ways that let Pyro know that he was being scanned. Other members of the Unit were doing similar, yet different actions, such as moving bits of the broken furniture back and forth across the stone floor over which they had spread a layer of Wisp revealing powder.

Pyro moved over to Ergon who had sat down at the end of Phora�s bed. He was still at combat ready, though Pyro could tell that his shoulder had taken quite a hit.

�You should go to the Emergency Ward and have that shoulder looked at,� said Pyro.

�I�ll do so as soon as I see that the dust has finally settled around here.� He shrugged his injured shoulder. �It�s coming back, but I�ll not be up to full strength for a few days.�

Pyro chuckled. �Full strength� was for Ergon the strength of three men at full combat readiness.

�I think that it would be wise for us to put Kinesis in Phora�s side room library with a guard medic as soon as we determine that she is in steady recovery,� said Ergon. That way, as soon as I get back from the Ward, I can keep my eyes on both of them.

Pyro nodded. A combat Medic Unit entered after the Wisp Unit leader had given a final �All clear� signal. The Wisp Unit left through the secret passage way to the first level, scrupulosity scanning as they went. Pyro could see another Wisp Unit doing the same outside of the main door to the room.

The head of the combat Medic Unit came in and directed two assistants to Ergon and two to Kinesis. She walked over behind the assistants to Ergon and Pyro. �Which one of you is injured?� she asked. Then a split second later she said, �Never mind. Ergon let me see that shoulder.� She flipped back her visor to reveal a round face with a slightly red nose that looked as if something had taken a small bite out of the tip, almost as if the end had been sanded off. Full ruddy cheeks and lips with gleaming white teeth. Her eyes were sandy gray, but had the look of a wolf about to eat its prey. She was tall, sturdy and a full figure. Her armor wrapped around her as if it were two sizes too small, but that was not the case; she was simply strong as an ox.

�I should have known,� said Ergon with a low growl. �Kyrooraz.�

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Flying 165

�Right you are, Ergon. Now off with that shoulder plate and let me have a look.�

�No way until I am sure that the room is secure,� replied Ergon, shifting his weight a little away from Kyrooraz.

�The room is secure, Ergon. No more resistance or you�ll be in trouble.� Kyrooraz�s eyes became a granite grey and with her red full lips half smiling over white, very white, teeth, she had the appearance of something that could become a human dragon, given the right stimulus.

Ergon turned to face Kyrooraz, his eyes blazing. �I�ll determine when the room is secure,� he roared.

Before he could blink, Kyrooraz had snapped her visor shut, moved close to Ergon and squeezed a small pouch she had hidden in her hand. A small puff of white powder hit Ergon squarely in the face. He swatted at Kyrooraz with his hand, but she had stepped back and he missed completely. His body followed his hand and he started for the floor. Pyro, Kyrooraz and the two other medic guards caught him. Even so, Kyrooraz, who was closest and caught much of Ergon�s weight, gave a loud grunt as she maneuvered him more securely into the arms of the others.

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Flying 166

Kyrooraz gave a quick look at Pyro. �Just a whiff of my special sleeping powder. He�ll be back in a minute or two �maybe a little more� (Kyrooraz glanced at the flesh colored pouch in her hand, lightly tossed it a few times to feel its weight), �but I�ll have the shoulder plate off and will have had a good inspection and set before he knows what�s what.� She looked at Pyro�s puzzled expression. �Don�t ask. Ergon and I go a long way back. Better you just keep your mouth shut and do what I say or you�ll end up in a deeper sleep that he is.� She turned back before Pyro could answer and hit certain buttons on the shoulder plate next to the armpit known only to medics. Ergon�s shoulder armor plate came off like a bottle cap. She peeled back her armor gloves and ran her bare hands, palms down, lightly over Ergon�s shoulder. In one spot on the top between his neck and beginning of his arm, she raised her eyebrows, felt the under armor with the tips of her fingers, then frowned.

�Just as I thought; dislocated shoulder. I am amazed that he could even move. He must have been in terrible pain. Pyro, Salla, and Grayne, lift him up so that I can get behind him. Be careful not to move his arms.� The group maneuvered Ergon into an upright sitting position and Kyrooraz moved behind him. She placed her arms around his waist and over his shoulder. With a quick twisting move she moved the shoulder back into its normal position.

Kyrooraz took a deep breath. �Whew. Glad that powder is still working. I wouldn�t want to be near if he were able to feel what I did.� She ran her fingers over his shoulder, across his neck and down his side. She was pushing each muscle and feeling its place. Satisfied, she leaned back and gave him a pat on the back.�

�Grayne, put his arm in a sling, then bind it to his body. We�ll put the shoulder plate on last so that it holds everything tight. It is designed to allow medical supports, so the fit will be good. But, I think that, knowing Ergon, he will not be in much of a conversational mood. So, back off and let me handle him if he becomes a little reactive.�

Kyrooraz watched as Grayne quickly put a sling on Ergon�s arm and strapped the arm to his body. She and Salla had some trouble with the shoulder plate (Ergon�s muscles were beginning to twitch and the sudden expansion pushed the plate almost from their hands), but they got in on and it was a good fit.

Ergon gave a groan, his eyes moved back and forth under his lids, and his fingers rippled a dance on his leg armor. For a second all was quiet.

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Flying 167

�Aaarrrrgggh!� shouted Ergon and leapt up in the air. Unfortunately, because his left arm was secured tightly to his side, his balance was off and he careened over backwards to his left side to go sprawling on the floor. He struggled to a sitting position, reaching for his sword (which Kyrooraz wisely held in one hand) sputtering and kicking out in front of him.

�Are you through, Ergon?� said Kyrooraz with her eyebrows in arches and her lips in a pucker.

�Dragons! What is going on? Kyrooraz!� stammered Ergon reaching around to feel his left arm tied to his body with the arm armor attached to the side and forearm hitched in the front across his belt .

�Fixed your shoulder, just now. That I did, indeed, while you were sleeping and dreaming of flowers. Bet you weren�t going to even bother going to the ER Ward?� She didn�t even stop to give Ergon a chance to reply. �You�ve had a dislocation. The hit you took must have been a boulder cruncher. Got the shoulder blade back in place, but you cannot use your arm for a good three days. I have some meds for you to take that will speed the healing. And don�t give me, that �I�ll heal on my own� look. You take the meds or you�ll get another dose of something else from me. You know better than to mess with me. Why, falling for that old sleight of hand trick. What kind of top Keep guard are you? Best you let us watch over Kinesis and Phora.� Kyrooraz took a small step backwards as Ergon began to try to stand up.

�Better just sit for a moment,� she said. �I gave you an extra dose of the powder, and you just may be a little bit dizzy if you get up too quickly.�

Ergon started to get up. Then, he sank back to the floor. �What a mess, I am. To handle a Wisp attack and then go down like a leaf in a drain spout. And to miss the old pouch in the hand. Never could get by you, Kyrooraz. Three days, huh?� He shook his head, in something like disbelief and also as if he were clearing a haze from his eyes

�Yes, three days. But, I�ll let you stay here with the other guards if you promise that you�ll take the meds I give you. Otherwise, I�ll ship you down to the recovery part of ER Ward and they won�t let you out. Take it or leave it. Your choice. And, I have your sword, so you don�t have much arguing power.� Kyrooraz�s grey eyes flashed and she spun his sword like a top with her right hand, tip of the sword on the floor.

�I agree,� said Ergon softly.

�Didn�t hear that,� said Kyrooraz/

�I agree,� shouted Ergon.

�Fine. That�s what I wanted to hear. Heard and witnessed.� She turned to Salla and Grayne. �You see. These Keep guards can be tamed. It�s all about getting the bit into their mouths and having them accept it.�

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Flying 168

Ergon gave her a look, the kind of look one gives an opponent that has outwitted you, but has yet to meet you head on. �Thank you, Kyrooraz and your team for setting my shoulder. Kyrooraz, you and I will have to sit down and have a meal together while I am in recovery.� Ergon�s eyes narrowed down to hooded slits.

�Ha! I�d rather eat with a dragon,� mused Kyrooraz. �But, I�ll join you for a meal on my terms. I�ll bring the meal, sometime, when you�re not expecting me.� She ran her thumb over her nose in a gesture that indicated that she had made up her mind about whatever Ergon was snooping around about.

�Easy for me to arrange. I�ll be sure that you go out on the next caravan,� said Ergon out of the side of his mouth.

�Yes, and you�ll be the mule among the horses pulling the wagon with me in it. Ha. Ergon. You should have been hit on the head, not on the shoulder. Maybe, some sense would have gotten in. But, enough of this banter. Off you go to the ER Ward. Let them take a better look at your shoulder. Before you go, what guards do you assign to Phora and Kinesis?� Kyrooraz�s tone of voice changed instantly with the last question to one of cold combat.

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Flying 169

�A full detail all the way around including the entrances to the secret passages, now that they are no longer secret,� responded Ergon, his voice no longer quizzical, but straightforward and low to the point of being a whisper. �I want Theatetus, Philo, Helena and Altreda to be the main guards here. They are part of my Attack Unit. I know that they are going to consider this grunt duty, but too bad. I want the toughest here. Pyro, send for them and tell them to come on the double.� Ergon eased himself into a standing position and carefully walked over to Kyrooraz, who was holding his sword to the side, not to keep it away from him, but to get it out of the way just in case he lost his balance and fell toward her.

�You�re moving better. I thought that the powder would keep you down longer. Looks like I was wrong.� Kyrooraz took a few steps towards Ergon and handed him his sword, point down.

�Thanks for getting me back to functioning, Kyrooraz,� said Ergon in a somewhat sheepish way. He took his sword and put it in its scabbard with a smooth move, without even looking for the opening.

Kyrooraz noticed. �Hmmm. Maybe, more powder the next time,� she muttered under her breath, but Ergon was close enough to hear.

(to be continued)

Flying 169

�Next time is for a meal, together,� barked Ergon.

�You wish,� snorted Kyrooraz and flipped her visor down, only to call for it to go up again. �Ok, maybe a meal, but I�ll pick the place and time. You know, for an old, beat up, stump of an oak that you are, you�re not half bad. Almost worth taking a second look at. Of course, burned once, shame on you, burned twice, shame on me.� Kyrooraz�s grey eyes were edged up like the eyes of a cat and they were flashing beneath her long eyelashes.

(to be continued)

Flying 170

Pyro stepped in. �That�s why nothing gets done around here. Too many hidden volcanoes making smoke and clouding the air. Ergon, go to the ER Ward, now. Kyrooraz, go over and help the other guards get Kinesis into Phora�s library. I�m going to Theatetus� station and get him to bring the others Ergon wants.� He gave Ergon a push towards the door, which may as well have been trying to move a boulder across a bed of grass �Ergon hardly moved with the push. But, he knew that Pyro was right and signaled that he was on his way. He left the room at a fast clip, giving Kyrooraz a backward glance as he left, which almost caused him to run into the side of the door.

�Typical Ergon,� Kyrooraz said with a shake of her head.

�Typical Kyrooraz,� said Pyro. �I know he�s still hurting, but you had him drooling like a kitchen dog. Kyrooraz, we need to put some sort of shield around you.� He gave her a quick assessment stare, then began to get his equipment together. �I�m going for Ergon�s team. Seal the doors behind me.�

�Done,� replied Kyrooraz. Pyro left the room. Kyrooraz sealed the door and went over to the guards around Kinesis.

(to be continued)

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