Magic Spawn Origins

Magic Spawn: Chapter 56

by Meredith Skye

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At the police station, Zane and Edward had gathered all the other members of the Gondorian Warrior Circle, including a few inactive ones they'd called upon. Both Warren and his wife, Marissa, used to play in the group but hadn't for a few years. They were in their late 40's. Warren, though heavyset, was a fighter and had been the Steward of the group numerous times, but life had gotten in the way. They had an 11 year old son, Asher, who had read the Lord of the Rings and had come a few times.  

Two relatively new fighters came with some makeshift armor—Thomas, in his 20's, and Sean, who was just 15.

Jenna, Harlan's wife, was good with a sword and had a full kit of armor. She was there are ready to go.

Daren was there, helping organize things, but Frank had stayed at the hospital to keep people calm.

Even Katia and Triss showed up.

Edward smiled at them. "Hi girls."

They smiled back, teasingly. "Hi Edward."

He looked awkward for a moment.

"What are they here for?" demanded Zane.

"Hey, I'm the Steward. And I say—they can stay!" said Edward nobly.

"You just think they're hot," said Zane, lowering his voice.

"They are so hot," said Edward with a low voice.

Rian wondered if the distraction of having the girls there would balance the benefit. But they were both trained fighters, though not really dressed for it.

Along with the Gondorian warriors were a handful of people who had come along with Daren to help fight.

"Everyone, listen up," said Daren. "We need a plan to stop these things."

The group quieted down and focussed their attention on Daren, Rian and Aldena.

"I'm afraid that they've taken a lot of people prisoners. The zombies are everywhere. I don't know how we can fight them all," said Daren.

"I don't see how we can," said Frank, over his heavy black rimmed glasses. "We fought less than half that many at the Old Mill with twice as many people and got our butts kicked." He shook his head. The others murmured in agreement.

"We need to kill Molan," said Ehina solemnly. She stood near the front, dressed in her white and blue armor that looked like ice. "And the magic-spawn. We kill those two, and the rest should be simple."

They all looked at her.

Not Kyran. It pained Rian to think of it. He said nothing.

"Whose the magic-spawn?" asked Daren.

Aldena nodded at Rian. "His brother, Kyran. He's a focal point for power for the necromancer. Kyran is helping him."

"He's just a kid," said Daren. "You're going to kill your own brother?"

"I didn't say I would," said Rian, angry.

"We must!" argued Ehina.

"He's not actually Rian's brother," said Aldena, taking Ehina's side. "Molan created him. He's not even human." Daren glared at her with mistrust. They'd never gotten along. Daren felt she was a bad influence on Lauretta and her kids.

"That necromancer has taken over Kyran," said Harlan. "He's using him somehow to do all these magic spells."

No one objected. It was all a little over their heads.

Rian scowled. "There has to be another way."

"Look around you, Rian!" asked Ehina. "We're losing! What if all else fails?"

"He's your brother!" said Zane.
 "I know who he is!" snapped Rian.

All eyes were on Rian. There just had to be another way, but Rian couldn't see it. "We'll make the attack on the graveyard. Our focus will be the necromancer, Molan. If we can kill him. I agree, I think that most of our troubles will be over."

"And the boy?" asked Ehina. "If we have to kill him, to get to Molan?"

Rian stared at her. "Then," he said, his mouth suddenly dry. "I guess we'll do what we have to." He saw a small flash of triumph in her eyes.

"Kill Kyran?" asked Edward, wide-eyed.

There was silence in the room a moment. "I'm afraid it won't be enough," said Aldena. "I'm sure that Ehina will agree with me. Even without the boy, killing Molan will prove difficult for us. He's had time and resources to build up a small army already. He has creatures at his command. And our numbers are few."

"What can we do then?" demanded Rian. "I'm not just going to give up!"

"We need reinforcements. Ehina, we need you to get to the crypt and get through to the realm of Cathal. Warn the Arlunni and bring back a troop of Guardians to kill Molan once and for all! They'll have the skill and the resources to see that this is done."

Ehina nodded. "Yes. The Arlunni would come once—if they knew Molan had arisen again!"

His aunt nodded, striding over to the map of the city they'd laid out on the table to study it for a few moments. Rian, Ehina and the others also crowded around for a look.

"Our main force should attack here," said Aldena, as calmly and casually as if it were a training exercise. She pointed to the main entrance and parking lot in front of the cemetery. "With a secondary attack on the Old Mill." She pointed to the road that led from the train station behind the cemetery.

"This should be enough to get their attention. Meanwhile, Ehina will go with a small force from the north side." Aldena pointed to the area near the campground. "Once Molan has taken the bait, Ehina will get to the crypt. Rian, I want you to go with her."  

Rian nodded. "All right."

"And me!" said Edward. "I am the Steward, after all."

"Okay, Edward and Ray, you're with Rian and Ehina."

"I'll go with them too," offered Zane.

Great. Not him!

Aldena nodded. "Good. All of you stick with Ehina and make sure she gets in. Past the crypt, I suspect that Molan has created a portal to nullspace where he's got a teleport point. If Ehina can get to it, she should be able to teleport back to Arlunn." She looked at Ehina for confirmation.

"Yes," Ehina nodded. "I should be able to, if it's not blocked as it is here."

"I don't think it will be," said Ehina.

"I guess we'll find out," said Rian, taking a deep breath and hoping this attack wasn't all for nothing.

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