Chapter 2

EJ slowly opened his eyes while in his Ma's arms after being away for so long. He smiled as he looked into her face. With tears in her eyes, Martha greeted him with a warm smile and said, "Good morning, my little one," holding him close. Tears flowed down his cheeks when he saw his mother, Martha Downing, holding him again after many weeks and months of being held prisoner in Morgan's cells. His sisters, Julie, and Anna, were ecstatic as they all wept, seeing his smiling face, and holding his hand, kissing his little cheeks. As he glanced around the cavern, noting everyone's efforts, he saw his brothers Robert and Will preoccupied with their father, Wayne Downing his Pa, who differed greatly from his father Jim Stuart. His three little brothers Sam, Ted, and little Danny were close by, making sure nobody could disturb them.

His sisters were so happy that they all wept, seeing his smiling face as they held his hand in theirs, kissing his little cheek. He did not care as he tried to hug them each, but he was too weak to muster a soft one. His brothers were busy with Pa as he looked around the cavern with his eyes, watching everyone working. So much had changed not only in their appearance but in their eyes, seeing something more, yet he couldn't remember what it was; for the moment, he didn't care, for he was home with his family where he belonged,

Pa hurries over, leaping two steps at a time, with his brother right behind him. Then he kneels next to Ma so EJ can see him. Pa picks his son up in his arms as gently as a butterfly in one arm. He holds him close to him and puts his little arms around his neck. EJ cries into his shoulder how much he misses him and all of them until there is nothing left but soft, dry tears of joy.

"Did you sleep well, son?" Pa asked, his voice filled with concern.

EJ whispers, "Yes, Pa, but please tell me my name?" he asks, looking around the cavern. "I do not think Jayden told me or anybody else. All I know is that we were all wood something. My mind is still a little foggy."

Jayden returned to the Tweeds camp in the cavern's corner. "Glad to see you awake, son," he said, smiling at EJ. Now then, I need your father's help for a while, young man, and see about finding some food and supplies for all of us before it gets dark."

Pa carefully rubs his son's head, placing him back on Ma's lap, right where he belongs. Ma gently wraps the surrounding blanket, brushing his soft hair, and rocks him and the baby back to sleep. Jayden knows the chance of survival in these conditions is rare. They have nothing except the clothing on their backs, some with young children and babies.

Regardless of one's possession of magical abilities, it hardly mattered when they were running away from something that was much more powerful than them. The only ray of hope was to find a safe haven; a place that had been long forgotten, hidden deep in the mountains, far away from the reach of many galaxies. He retrieved a map that he and Derrick had visited during their childhood. Only three of us know about its existence, he thought to himself. Me, Derrick, and Nathaniel, all swore an oath to keep it secret with our lives until the hour was near. Except I was not the one planning to lead the group, Jayden said to himself as he looked at the Tweed family. "It should have fallen into Nathaniel's hands. He is more qualified than I am. He was always a better swordsman than I will ever be. He can outmatch me easily in magic and wisdom. Why me?" He grumbled.

Jayden walked around the cavern and saw the fear in the people's faces as he passed them. Even the children are afraid to play as they huddle close together like little frightened mice in a cage. Jayden spotted a couple of wizards hiding in a corner off by themselves. Nothing more than he hated his hidden secrets, except for the ones he knew as he carefully glanced over at the Tweeds. Jayden quietly walked over to where they stood, grabbing each other by the arm. Bring them to the middle of the room.

"Folks, I have just one thing to keep your mind occupied," giving these two wizards a hard stare. "For tonight only … These two will astound you, surprise you, and make the little ones laugh as they put on a special magic show of wonder just for you. So, prepare yourself for a night of entertainment. With music and dancing like you never had before."

Then Jayden took up his staff and pointed up and around the walls of the cavern, saying the words "nerveana dern nasta." Lights the room up with colors of reds, greens, and blues as if the rocks themselves were coming to life. A soft yellow ray of light flowed down the cavern walls. The children screamed with delight as he laughed, watching their smiling faces. Jayden kindly walked the two wizards back to their corner of the cavern. "Remember, they want something that boggles the mind and is fun."

"We don't do card tricks or simple parlor tricks," they replied.

"Well, you do now," he said and walked away.

The room was abuzz about tonight's fun as Jayden walked through the cavern, smiling from ear to ear. "How are you and the boys coming to get us some of those supplies?" he asked.

"Well, we cleared the first hurdle with the Kanee-a-bees' help, sir. "Sir, with the Kanee-a-bees' help, we cleared the first hurdle," the captain replied. "Someone reported that most of the homes are damaged or flattened to the ground."

"What about my forest, my beautiful trees?" The fairy Queen asked.

"Sorry, my Queen-ship." The captain looks down at the ground. It's all gone like it was never there."

The Queen looks at Jayden sadly, her eyes filled with sorrow. "Do you think some of my people made it more than just a handful?"

Jayden could not give her an answer as he walked away with a heavy heart. The news of the destruction was devastating. The forest, once a vibrant and thriving place, was now a barren wasteland. Yet for the people, he had to remain positive and not show his true feelings, realizing the strain and the responsibility he had was now on his shoulders.

Jayden had two problems. He was stuck here with this group that needed him the most. The second problem is that he still has a group of men down in EJ's world in a camp doing nothing except guarding an empty field, looking for a boy who does not need rescuing now. He struggled between balancing his duty to protect his people and his desire to find his son. His strength was his determination and his leadership skills, but his weakness was his inability to be in two places at once.

Right now, he needed all his men within the cavern; any of them could be a spy or more. It is undeniable that someone from EJ's world followed him back, leading to this extensive devastation, and there is a possibility that they are still present. He felt a mix of anger, fear, and determination. Determined to find the traitor and protect his family, he was angry at himself for not being more careful and fearful for the safety of his people.

Jayden paced back and forth, wondering what to do and thinking of the possibilities of each choice he made. Either way, it was a gamble, but one more day would not make a difference if he could give them a full belly, a roof over their heads, and a warm place to sleep. "If I have to sing them a lullaby and have those pains in the neck wizards tuck them in … it will be done," he said to himself.

"Jayden, we broke through, and we're sending out scouts now." The captain replied.

"Well, that is good news," he said.

"Yes, sir."

Jayden saw the worry on his man's face. "What is it?"

"Well, I can't describe it as if everything is all dried up and gone?"

Jayden followed the man out of the tunnel into the open air. Devoid of any moisture or plant life for miles, the air was hot and dry. The homes stood severely damaged, on the verge of caving in at any moment. As far as the eye could see, the landscape was devoid of life, with dead trees, dried-up sticks, and crumbling old buildings scattered for miles.

Jayden knew what he needed to do. The families inside must not see this, for they needed hope and strength right now more than anything. "Captain, gather what you can and bring it inside the cavern."

Jayden takes out the maps that Derrick left him of all the caverns in case of an emergency like this. He places a rock on the floor. He projects himself to each of these locations without leaving where he is at. As he guides them, he looks around all the caverns, with tears in his eyes for his people now.

The people in the caverns look up to see Jayden in the middle of the room like they did when they saw Derrick. "People of Springfield, we leave our town of Springfield behind with great sadness, but we will not forget it. We will build a new town, a stronger and better one, as it is the people in the town who will make it a rich and fruitful generation."

"Our town is not just made of sticks and mortar, but of love and friendship, which holds it together. I have designated Captains for each of your locations, who will assist you, bring us all together in safety, cater to your needs, and provide support to any other survivors who may still be stranded before we set off on our journey to a new land of safety for all who wish to join.

"If not, I will do my part in wishing them a safe journey home with a simple warning, not that you need one. Ask yourself this question first. If you have one apple and you cut it into two pieces. Then, place it in one hand and one in the other. How many apples do I have? Then look outside under the stars, putting your hands back together." Giving each smile as the light fades from his rocks. Jayden watched the first of the supplies being brought in.

"Sir, the Barracks cellar and some of the home fruit cellars were mostly still intact." The captain replied.

"Now, what about blankets and some clothing for the children?" he asked.

"Right here, sir," a man said, huffing and puffing with armloads with six more behind him. 

Jayden could see the cavern filling up quickly with supplies faster than he could hand them out. He needed hands; his men's hands were all tied up with supplies and rescue efforts. Jayden needed to step back to take stock … "I have all the hands I need just sitting there watching me. Sir Drealin, you are just the man I need; find me someone in this lot that can do something with this … this…mess …" Jayden pointed to the pile of blankets, clothing, sheets, miscellaneous items, and whatnot. "And somebody that knows how to cook a meal without burning the place down around us."

"Yes, sir, right away, sir." Drealin looks towards Mrs. Tweed, pleased as punch with her boy in her lap.

"I think she'll be just fine," Jayden replies.

"Sir, it's the boy I'm concerned about."

"Who's that?" he asked.

"He has had nothing to eat since he woke up, and he is thin as a rail; she cannot keep him warm, so she is holding him so tight with the blanket. She hoped he would go back to sleep until we find something for him."

Jayden gasped. "Drealin, why are you just telling me this now?"

"Sorry sir, you have been a kind of busy―" He answered.

"Not that busy," said Jayden, walking quickly over to Mrs. Tweed. "I hear the weather outside is rather nice. Would you and the boy like to take a quick walk outside with me?" Handing baby Jess over to her older daughter, taking Lily by the arm, and carrying on a friendly conversation. "Your husband has been a great help." Jayden placed a can of meat into his pocket as they walked through the tunnel and rushed her husband. "We're going out for a stroll. Would you care to join us?"

Jayden, grabbing his arm, swings him around outside, away from everyone, behind a house, away from everyone. Jayden took the blanket, spreading it out on the ground so she could lay her son down. "As I was saying, nice day for a picnic,"

Jayden cast a heat spell to warm up the can of meat, popping open the lid. He gave Lily a hard stare as he handed her the can and a fork from his pocket. "Lovely weather we're having for a picnic." He picked up a handful of dry dirt, watching it sift through his fingers.

"Alright, alright, I get the point." She said.

"I am glad because my friend Jeff and I did not save this boy just so you could let him down. If he needs something, you tell me … whether or not I am busy. Right now, things are not as ideal as we would like them to be. So far, nothing has gone according to plan—mine, his, and everyone's plan. So, I am not making any more plans from now on. I am using what I know and what my gut tells me."

"So, what is your gut telling you?" she asked.

"Well, it isn't good," Jayden said, looking around at this place. "If Morgan can do this without being here to do it himself, we are in deep trouble. Now then, my boy, you just lay here awhile, and your parents will take you back inside when you are ready."

Ma watched Jayden leave, giving them a warm smile, and posting a couple of Captains, not that they needed any right now. Ma had been practicing her warding spell as she cast it around them. EJ heard her say, "Nosar-de-farna. He felt a slight tingle go up and down his petite body.

"Alright, son." Pa watched him eat the last bite of meat from the can, wiping his chin. Pa smiled and rubbed his hair. "Ma has made it safe for you to ask anything you like."

EJ smiled and took a deep breath. "Pa, I figured out most of it, but I am still a little lost. What are we, and where are we?"

"Well, you are a wood elf. We all are. Your brother Danny, too, Grandma, Richard, and your Aunt Mary. You are in a delightful place called Springfield, where beings such as us and other folks occasionally live. Now, to answer your question earlier, which I could not; none of us could; our lives and yours depend on it.

"Your name is Sylen, which means strong oak in Elvin's tongue. As for your old name and ours, they do not exist anymore. Your old life is gone, and so is ours. We are no longer farmers, and I do not have farmer's sons.

"I am now a Lead Captain and have my own men. We hunted and set up camps and tents, and you three boys helped me. Danny is part of our family, too; his name is Vanen. Every day, we carry on like an actual family; nothing changes. You are my son, just as it should be," Pa said, hugging his boy. Now, when we go back inside, you must remember.

Ma looks at Pa, taking his hand and their son. "Just be yourself and play the game. Who can lie the best yet tell the truth?" she said. "You will get the hang of it; just watch and learn. After a while, I even forget who I am. But I never forget that you're mine," she said as she kissed his cheek and wiped the last bit of juice off his chin. "Are you feeling better now?" she asked.

"Yes, Ma, seeing the sun again just feels so good."

"Good, because there's a group of people headed this way, and I don't want them to steal our spot."

Pa laughed. "But Ma, you always said there is always room for one more."

"Funny dear, that was before I had a house; now I have a corner."

."

Chapter 1-2

Pa picked up his son in one swoop. Ma grabs the blanket and makes a run for the tunnel with her boy, laughing in Pa's arms. Ma reached the corner, laughing as Pa placed Sylen in her lap, smiling as she wrapped the blanket back around him.

Jayden frowns as he watches them and really begins to worry as the people come in droves. Drealin checks the items off the list, shaking his head, and watches the pile recede to nothing.

"Sir," Drealin said, pointing to the list of things. Jayden knew very well what was happening as the items trickled down to nothing. These people did not know how to share; they were in it for themselves, taking more than they needed while others went without, like wolves among the flock. Derrick was right. He was in for some challenging times ahead, not just fighting off Morgan's attacks, but also from his people.

Underneath the cavern, everyone could feel it shaking like someone or something was blasting a hole out of the mountain. The men outside screamed back into the tunnels for cover as the rocks exploded into little pieces. "Now that's better," they heard a woman cough as she climbed out on her hands and knees, helping some more people out.

"Oh, my!" Margaret said, looking around. "What a mess." Looking at the people in the hole, "You better stay there till I know it's safe."

"Yes, Margaret, we will." They said, holding their children close to them.

Margaret turned with her eyes amber hot, hair flowing in the balmy air, and stepped away from the mountain. Her hands clenched tight around her staff—points with her staff on the cliff's ledge. "You, I can see," she raised her staff of white flame. "How dare you enter this valley, my valley of green, with your poison?" She yelled.

The Darzzee henchmen looked down at her and shook, crying out to his master as he fell to his knee, dead with his four comrades beside him. Aunty M tried to feel sorry for them but looked around at all the destruction they had possibly caused or helped. She had no regrets about taking their very souls and sending them directly into the Light. She questioned, however, if she could live with the fact.

That her new life as the Lady of the Light. She would take upon the consequences of being a guardian of Truth and be the one judge that would decide their guilt for the crimes they would commit in the name of the Dark Shadows of Twilight and their masters, in particular Morgan and his master Hess.

Margaret cries, looking at the house where her family is. Now smashed to cinders, not even a frame stood standing. For the first time, she felt completely and utterly alone as she slowly weeps. A man places an arm around her. "Woman, why do you weep for something that is not dead, gone, or lost?" he asked.

Margaret recognized the voice as she turned around and saw Jayden standing beside her. "You mean?"

"Oh yes. They are inside waiting for you, in fact, wondering where you are. I too was worried because I needed all the help I could get. But did you have to blow up my mountain to get my attention?" he asked.

"Sorry, I got tired of waiting. Those annoying wizards and their wives could drive a person batty."

Jayden and Aunty M entered the cavern with her group. It did not take long as she searched the room, finding just what she was looking for. Plus, one extra surprise when she looked at the ground in Ma's lap, holding her boy against her, sleeping comfortably. Now that his belly was filled, he had three blankets and a long cotton night shirt keeping him warm. She was not about to put him down on the hard, cold floor just yet.

Aunty M kneeled, taking his little hands and brushing his hair. It was the most wonderful thing she had seen in a long time. Yet she could feel it. In the cavern, as night came closer, she could see it in Jayden as worry set in.

She looked around the room for Derrick, watching the people; something was wrong. Aunty M slowly left, hating too, but knowing the boy was in capable hands now. She went back over to Jayden to ask, but already feared the answer. "Jayden, where's Derrick? I could have sworn I heard his voice on the mountain."

Jayden slowly turned. "Yes, that was him saying goodbye."

"Goodbye?" Aunty M sounded shocked.

Jayden puts his arm around her. "Walk with me." Passing the men stacking crates of food and bags of wheat grain, flour, salt, and dry goods. Setting up makeshift tents outside the tunnel to house things in. Jayden slowly brings her up to date as they sit outside watching the men work, another group of people coming this way led by four Captains. "Margaret, I never intended to be in this situation," he said, as he saw the people coming down the broken road. "I have led nothing in my life except a classroom. I have always been on my own. Nathaniel is a lot more capable than me in these sorts of things," he said.

"Yes, he would say the same about you. I am sure if he was in your shoes, but he cannot, can he? Look around. These people are a lot stronger than you think. They built this town once long ago, and now it is up to you to build a new one. I say let us have one heck of a shindig and then bury our sorrows and then get the heck out of here. Oh, by the way. I killed those four Darzzee that might have had a hand in this mess on that cliff over there. But I think you're right. There are dark souls in your group. I felt them when I walked in," she said.

"Now then, my dear friend, about our little shindig. The cavern is out of the question because of its size unless you want me to make it bigger and since your supplies are running short. There are more ways than one to skin a skunk. One is to gate all the people down to where your men are or bring men and supplies up here. You need the horses to pull the wagons with the supplies you have now.

"Unless by some off chance, some of the livestock survived and the horses here made it beside one lucky horse. EJ's Pony and we just haven't been able to find them yet. Either way, you are going to need those men and supplies, regardless. 

"Now for the people here. Like I said, move them all down where your men are, leaving a few up here to resume the search while you gather what you need for your people to move them." She said as she looked around the area for a hint of green and hope, but not finding any.

Jayden looks at Margaret. "How about I just leave you in charge? I'll follow you," he replied.

"Jayden, someone didn't give me the job, and I strongly believe that someone intended to give it to you, not to Nathaniel or me. You see, before Derrick left, we had a friendly chat on that hill over there. It made little sense to me then, as he looked far away, looking to the future using his gift of sight. He placed me right where I needed to be. I thought he was a crazy old fool, making me a nanny for so many children to watch over them, to care for them as my own.

Today, when our world was falling apart, I gathered all the children and their mothers that I could find and brought them with me to make a shelter in the mountain for our lives.

It was not by chance or accident that we huddled together in the dark, awaiting it to stop. Jayden, Derrick, knew the time, he knew the task that was suited for the person. Nathaniel has his task, and you have yours. It is me that follows you, my dear friend."

Drealin came out of the tunnel looking for Jayden and bowed to him. "Oh, please, Drealin, you don't need to do that; get up, man," Jayden replies.

Drealin smiled, ignored him, and handed him the list of supplies found. "I found several cooks for you just like you asked, sir. They just want to know what to prepare and how many are coming to dinner."

Aunty M laughs, slapping Jayden on the back. "What?" Jayden's face grows long, pacing back and forth. "Tell them to prepare anything that will make my mouth water, and cook as much food as they would for an army of three hundred hungry soldiers, and they're starving. I want those bellies full tonight, every last one. Drealin, you tell them that," he said.

"Yes, sir."

Aunty M and Jayden headed back inside the tunnel, where all the people were now. It was really getting crowded, and people nearly stepped over each other. They wanted to be with everyone, afraid of being left behind.

Jayden could see this was not working out as people in the corners of little families filled the tunnel. Margaret was right; either they had all been out in the blistering sun looking at the town blown to bits or found a better place for refuge and soon. The air was stifling, and the stench was growing inside the cave of so many people with no air moving around the room.

Jayden stood on a crate so everyone could see him and waited for the crowd to be quiet. "People, I know you are frightened of what is out there, seeing our homes and countryside gone as if the world has died. I, too, am moved, but I am just one person, and we all need your help if we are going to make it. As much as I would like, this cavern is not big enough to hold all of us. More people are coming from the neighboring towns, some not as bad off as we are yet. But their land is dying all the same within hours or days; this poison, this disease that plagues our lands, will far reach them.

"I have seen it in other worlds like ours. Some call it the plague of death, for it leaves nothing in its path alive. We only hope to find a place where it has not reached, till the soil once more for a season, maybe two, and gather the supplies, foraging, sharing our knowledge with each other as we look and build a new safe haven to call our own.

"With that in mind, we are not abandoning our friends and families that may still be here waiting for us to find them, for the search goes on as we speak. With that in mind, I have entrusted five of my best captains, whom I trust, to take you into their hands and move you to a safer place. Where there is lots of fresh air, green grass, trees, and open space, then we will have a nice dinner and entertainment under the stars all together." Jayden quickly steps off the crate. "Alright, Margaret. I hope for our sakes we can pull it off."

Margaret said, "That is why I am going down first before the rest. I hate surprises, and you do not let them out of your sight." Margaret pointed to three men standing in a corner, watching Jayden with interest. "One of these men is your spy."

Jayden stared, stunned, at the corner where she was pointing. It was the captain he pointed to, EJ, on the hill watching their campsite. He was a longtime friend and a companion that he fought with by his side numerous times. He saved his life twice in battle with Captain Walters.

Now, he is standing remarkably close to the boy whom his friend had saved. Jayden's hands clench white with anger, then release as he regains control. "This is no time for a battle. There will be a place and time as he focuses on the task. But there is one thing he can do now," he said, looking around the room.

"Captain Walters, I need you to organize fifty people into a group with Captain Richards, making sure each person has the basic needs according to Sir Drealin, and then take them down to the campsite."

"But― I thought we were staying here, sir?" Walters replies.

"Why? There is nothing but dried-up dirt and old buildings; we need fresh air and sunshine," Jayden walks away.

It only took a couple of hours before Jayden had his first group of people as they walked through the tunnels back outside, where they could see the broken town of Springfield.

The second gate opened on the mountain's north side with three wagons and eight more soldiers. Jayden nodded, and his loyal Captain Rigs, driving one of several wagons they brought with them, saluted him. "Glad to see you again, old friend."

Rigs said as he jumped down from the wagon. Captain Rigs looked around at the town. Margaret was right. Sure, is a mess, nothing but dried-up dirt."

"How are things down there, Captain?" Jayden asked, watching the men load the wagons, almost dropping a flour sack on the ground. He could see mistakes happening right before his eyes. Jayden made his way over to the wagon and said, "easy, son," he said, helping him lift the flour sacks.

"Thanks, Mr." The young lad smiles.

"Anytime. Say I'm looking for a boy about your size to run a few errands for me."

"I cannot, sir. I am supposed to help load this wagon like my Pa told me to."

"Who's your Pa, boy?" The boy points to the captain, talking to an older gentleman. "I see." Captain Rigs smiled as Jayden walked over to the young man's father and introduced himself. The boy shakes hands, leaping about Jayden like a tadpole on stilts.

"Captain Rigs, meet Jared. I am sure you could use a good errand boy."

Captain Rigs shakes hands and laughs, slapping the young boy on the back.

Captain Rigs continued, "Anyway, things are better down there than here, sir. Plenty of wood for cooking and lots of space to spread out into groups to get organized." The boy tagging along like a lost puppy. Rigs smiles as Jayden laughs at the boy's amusement.

"Well, then I won't keep you, Captain, since you have things well under control," Jayden replies.

"Yes … but… the boy," Captain Rigs tries to escape it.

"Oh, he's all yours." Jayden calmly said and laughed as he walked away.

"What?" Captain Rigs replied in shock.

Jayden laughed, walking away with the biggest smile on his face. Things were going well, with a few bumps now and again as Jayden walked the confines of the groups. He was standing on the hill where Derrick planned to build the jewel of the town that would have held and hidden the biggest mystery of all.

Looking down at the cobblestone street now crumbled by broken buildings, people picked up the scattered books of pages of old history; Jayden fumbles in his pocket for the key he still has, of many now, to several libraries of borrowed books. The one thing about being a wizard is the people you know and the books they hold. If you borrow a book, it is fine because it is always called back to the owner in the first place when you no longer need it. So, with a wizard, the wizard is the borrower of all books.

It depends on which library you are in when you borrow them. Unless, of course, you are the wizard who owns the books and lends them all out, then you are in trouble because either you need a bigger library, if something happens to all the wizards, all books will returned to you all at once, or you were a fool to lend them all out in the first place at the same time, or you need to find more wizards to lend books to.

Jayden returns under a lean-to, showing the map of the caves, the old city, and the tunnel system. Working with other sects was difficult, to say the least of his problems, as he watched his compatriots leave through the gate down to the main camp. The wizards have their way of doing things. The Pixies have theirs, and so on and so on. "You expect us just to leave? They could be still out there somewhere." It was the same old question.