Vincent Trigili - The Enemy of an Enemy

After the ceremony, Mantis made his typicalquick getaway and we all headed over to the Dragon Claw for thereception, which was a whirlwind of handshakes, pats on the back,cheers, music, and food. It was a huge event, orchestrated by thecaptain’s hostess, Carol.

When it was all over Kellyn and I returned tomy quarters on the Nevermore …

Kellyn woke me early the next morning andreminded me that we would be jumping very soon.

“The Dark Knights are still here, so Iasked them to handle the jump. I hope you do not mind,” shesaid.

“No, that was a good idea. Where are theothers?” As we were still in what was now our quarters, I couldnot sense them.

“We are meeting on the observation deckfor the jump in one hour,” she said.

“All right. I will have a shower and go upthere,” I said. She went back to her previous quarters to getready herself, and then we went up to the top deck together.

“You know, Vydor, you are very lucky. Notmany people get to be woken early the day after their wedding nightto face battle with a demon,” commented Luke as I arrived. Itwas a good thing that Kellyn’s primary power was healing, becauseafter the look she gave him I was sure he was going to needemergency treatment.

I noticed that Rannor was with us, so Iasked, “Can he hear us yet?”

“Yes, Master Vydor, I can. Master Gafar isserving as a link for me until I learn how to do this myself,” Rannor replied.

“Good. Have you been told what is about tohappen?” I asked.

“Only that we will be jumping soon,” he said.

“Well, I wish I had more time to explain.I will just say that jumping is dangerous for me at this time and Icannot do it alone. You may see some odd things, but do not worry;united we can handle it,” I said. “Rannor, make sure youhave a good physical hold on Gafar and do not let go until the jumpis over. We will take care of everything else. Focus on holding onto him while you have a grip on him and it will hold through thejump. Okay?”

“Yes, Master Vydor, I can do that,” hesaid and grabbed hold of Gafar’s arm.

“Commander, we will need the jump countdownup here. I do not have time to explain why, just be aware that wewill probably face greater than normal hangover coming back,regardless of our preparations,” I said over the comm, taking careto leave it open so that we could hear the countdown as I walkedback to the group. Privately to the other master wizards I said, “I plan to take the offensive this time, so be ready for somefun.”

Then we heard over the speaker, “Jumping infive, four, three, two …”

The blueness of jump space surrounded us all,and I saw the dark specter moving towards us. This time I lookedhim right in the eye without fear and said, “Foul creature, beware!I, Grandmaster Vydor, and all six of our realm’s masters standbefore you. Prepare yourself for battle!” With that I called up abolt of pure magical energy and blasted him in the dead center ofthe chest. He screamed out in pain and shrank a little in size, butflew right at me in spite of the blast. I stared him down withoutblinking, and then raised my left hand, with my wedding ring on it,and channeled the power that I felt coming from Kellyn through thering and into him. The bolt cut a hole right through him; this timehe fell back in intense pain. “Spirit of old, you have no powerover me. Your curse on my family ends, NOW!” As I screamed “now” Ichanneled another bolt, this time combining the powers of all thewizards, and when this bolt hit him he burst into fire and wasconsumed, leaving only us and the spirit of light.

“Well done, Grandmaster Vydor, you arefinally free,” the spirit of light said. “Now you must prepare foryour greatest battle yet. Take this scroll. It contains vitalinformation that you will need soon. Do not worry about how to readit. When you return to normal space you will have the knowledgecontained in it.” I took the scroll the spirit offered withoutpausing to think about it.

Almost instantly after that we were back innormal space, but none of us suffered any side effects from thetrip. I looked around at each one, and as they realized what hadjust happened there was much cheering, jumping and hollering. Oncethey calmed down, I spoke, using my real voice so that Gafar wouldnot have to relay my words. “Today we united and defeated a demonwhich has plagued my family for countless generations. This is amajor turning point for us, as it shows our greatest power comesfrom our unity. We must stand united, since we are the last andgreatest defense the forces of light have in this realm. Everythingdepends on us.” I stood in front of them and said, “Soon we will befacing the greatest battle this realm has ever seen. Many will die,perhaps even some of us, but we cannot falter, or sacrifice ourdedication to the battle; so I ask you now to repledge your loyaltyand dedication to me and our cause.”

Starting with Kellyn, one by one, they statedtheir support with a bow. Then over the loudspeaker I heard thecommander of the Dark Knights say, “The Dark Knights will standwith you to the end, Grandmaster Vydor, no matter what happens.” Itwas only then that I remembered I left the comm open before thejump.

“Commander, how many Dark Knights remain onthe Dragon Claw?” I asked over the comm.

“None, Grandmaster. All one hundred of usmade the journey over yesterday,” he said as he entered the room,turning off the comm as he passed it.

“Commander, the Dark Knights’ skin is notblack because you dyed it; it is because you are a subrace of theZalionians. Correct?”

“Yes, sir,” he answered.

“And your race has a natural ability tocommunicate through a form of telepathy?” I asked.

“Yes, sir,” he replied.

“Your race also has a natural resistance tomagic, has it not?” I asked.

“Yes, sir,” he answered.

“Well then, I plan to ask the Empire toassign you to my craft indefinitely, if you and your Knights arewilling,” I said.

“Yes, sir, but there is no need since we havealready informed Zalith of our decision to join you here,” repliedthe commander.

“Excellent. Then prepare this ship for thenext jump. I expect that we will be jumping into a hot battlezone,” I ordered.

“Yes, Grandmaster,” he snapped as he turnedand left.

“Rest and eat. I must call the captain,then we must have a full council meeting before the next jump. Imet with Mantis two nights ago and have much to tell you,” Isaid to the wizards. “Rannor, I will need you to take your oldposition in the medical bay, as there are too many of us here nowfor Kellyn to treat alone.”

He seemed to light up with that comment andasked if he could be excused to check out the medical wing beforeany battle occurred. “Go, but be back before the next jump,” I said.

“Oh, do not worry. After what I justwitnessed, I will be back early,” he said and left with aspring in his step, looking younger than before. This baffled meuntil Kellyn sent via our link, “You gave him a job; he feelsneeded again.”

“Ah, of course! Thank you, Kellyn. Okay, Iam going to call the captain. Feel free to listen in. Just stay outof sight,” I said.

I wandered off to find a private-looking nookto place the call from. Kellyn followed me over and set up thecall, then returned to the table with the group to eat.

“Master Vydor, I am glad you called,” camethe captain’s greeting. “I need to talk to you about the DarkKnights.”

“Go on, Captain,” I replied.

“Well, it seems that they are not reallyImperial citizens, nor truly part of our Navy,” he said.