Changing the Tide: The Six Realms

Chapter 7: Realm of Water, Earlier that Day

            Cody shot up in bed out of breath; he swung his legs off the side of his bed and stood to his feet quickly. Something was going to happen, he was sure of it. He pushed through the double doors that led to the main hall way and ran for the armory.

            He pushed the armory doors open; everything was still in its place, as far as he could see. He walked quickly to where he kept his armor, looked at the collection of weapons he had and took his duo sword, his favorite. He tied it to his belt and walked out of the armory taking a deep breath.

            He walked to his son’s room and pulled the door open to his three-year-old son lying down on his bed, his closed eyes facing the ceiling. “My son,” he whispered, “never forget who you are,” he got down to one knee and kissed Skylar’s forehead. For an odd reason Cody had a feeling things were going to change.

            He pushed himself to his feet and Skylar stirred under his covers and opened his eyes slightly, “Daddy,” he said in a weak tired voice.

            “Yes son,” Cody replied giving his son a plastic looking smile.

            “What that?” Skylar asked pointing to the sword tied to his waist.

            “Daddy’s sword lad.”

            “Oh, when do I get one?” he asked a little more awake this time.

            “When you’re older and ready my boy,” he smiled and ruffled the boy’s hair, “go back to sleep son.”

            “Okay,” he started to close his eyes again, “love you daddy,” he smiled and feel back to sleep with ease.

            “I love you too son,” Cody turned away, pushed the door open and ran down to the stable.

            The feeling in his gut that said something was about to change just nagged at Cody’s soul. He told the stable keeper to get him a messenger quickly. The young boy was always full of energy and he thought this job wouldn’t take him long, and indeed he was right. After about ten minuets the boy returned with another young man with chiseled features, spikey black hair with a purple streak that ran down the middle.

            “Thank you lad,” Cody said talking to the boy.

            “My pleasure your majesty. This,” he motioned to the Darkness dweller, “is Gage Moody.”

            Gage bowed slightly, “It is my pleasure to do my lord this favor.” He stood up straight hands at his side.

            Cody nodded, “Good,” he continued to prepare his horse’s saddle, “your mission is to deliver this very important message to each of the realms rulers”.

            Gage raised an eye brow, “This is going to be a long trip”.

            “Yes, and I trust you’re up to it?”

            “Yes sir, I’m ready.”

            “Good,” he said again, mounting his horse now. “I need you to tell each ruler that we need to call a Council meeting immediately, tell them I’m already there waiting for them”

            “Anything else sir,” Gage asked getting ready to take off.

            “No, that’s it.” Cody pulled on the reigns and guided the horse out of its stall. “This is a very important message,” he added when he got outside.

            Gage nodded, “Yes sir, I understand completely.” With that the young man pulled the black cloak he wore over his head and vanished.

            Cody tugged on the reigns of his horse again, “Hiyah,” with that his horse sped off, taking him to the Council Room of the Realms.

           

~~~

It took his steed a good twenty minutes to get to the Council meeting room, when he got there he was the first one there. The others should be here soon, he thought to himself.

He paced around the table thinking about what they had discussed three years ago. He thought about the boy he left sleeping innocently in his bed while something was right about to happen above his head.

That’s when he heard it, the sound of a hundred horse hooves running down the hill. He ran to the balcony window that looked out onto the Realm of Water, his realm. He saw what he feared then, a giant phoenix hovering over his magnificent castle.

He gasped, “No,” he whispered and pounded his fist on the wall so hard it made his knuckles bleed.

“Cody,” he heard and turned around to see Carissa had just walked in with the others close behind her, “you okay?”

“No,” he responded. He took a step towards them and motioned them to come to the balcony; so they could see what they all had feared the most in the last three years.

James spoke first, “It’s her”.

They all nodded at once.

Zachery spoke next, no one bothering to take their eyes off this terrifying sight, “Someone needs to call Jennifer”.

Dustan nodded, “That and gather the children as quickly as possible.”

“Agreed,” David said, already starting to make his way toward the double door.

Cody finally tore his eyes away from the scene and made his way back to his realm. The plan they made three years ago was now being initiated and there was no turning back.