Millions of In-Worlds

Chapter 22: Murder and Rage

"Do you know that lairbeasts were once respected citizens of the Kingdom?"

Freck and I nodded yes.

"Their abilities to shape shift were second to none. Wishes, your mother is a reducer. She can shrink herself down to the size of a butterfly's body quicker than anyone else. It happens so fast that if you are not watching closely, you will miss it."

I thought back, "When she showed me the first time, I almost did miss it."

Grandma Chrys mentally said, "Yes, she is quite amazing, but as fast as she is, the Controllers were faster. Just like your mother is known as a reducer, the lair-beasts were called controllers. They were named that because of the perfect control they had over their physical shapes.

"After awhile they became haughty and arrogant. They made it known that they, because of their self-perceived superior talent, should rule the land. They gave little regard to traditional Keeper values of equal respect and sanctity of life. At first their actions were hidden. Reports started filtering in about missing people. Searches were initiated. The controllers expressed their deepest concerns and even led many of the search parties. For a time nothing was discovered. All searches were futile until a Keeper happened one day upon a grisly bone yard. Further investigation proved the bones were the remains of the missing. The Kingdom exploded in outrage.

"No voice was louder than those of the controllers. They demanded justice. They whipped the people into a frenzy. Ordinary law abiding Keepers screamed that the guilty should pay with their lives. It was exactly what the controllers wanted. They smugly stood behind the cries of blood for blood.

"It was reaching crisis proportions. The Keeper's Council was beside themselves with worry. The Keeper people feared that they, and their loved ones, were no longer safe in their homes. Controllers told the people that if the Palace refused to act, they must, take over for the common good. They were very convincing and many believed that the High Council and Grand Keeper be turned out. 

"It was looking desperate, until news started coming in about secret rituals. At first no one wanted to believe that any Keepers could possibly be involved in murder and cannibalism. Two young people, much like yourselves, quietly followed a group of controllers and observed as they gathered in a basement of a large stone structure. They stripped to the skin as they entered and were handed black hooded cloaks to wear. Soon one appeared among them wearing a scarlet red cloak. He called for silence then led them in an eerie chant. The kids could not make out the words. Chalices filled with a thickish red liquid were given to everyone. In unison they swore an oath, 'We enemies of the Gardener pledge by the blood of the Keepers which we have slain, to rule the Kingdom and all the in-worlds from this day forth. Amen.'

"The children were horrified. Luckily their spying went unnoticed, and they escaped safely to their homes. The parents brought the kids to the Palace to tell the High Council what they observed. As they revealed the gruesome story, expressions of disgust were heard throughout the Great Hall.

"The Keepers did two things. They suggested that the families of those children move temporarily into the Palace for their protection. Then they sent out a call to the Controller leaders to meet with them. At this point they did not know that their secret blood ritual was witnessed. They anticipated that the High Council would plead for their intermediation with the people. What they did not expect was that the truth of their dark plans were coming to light.