27

Squeaking with fury, the Dawgs arrived. In seconds they had covered Batach's body, their sharp teeth trying to tear at the monster, who had instantly covered himself in protective magic.

Hundreds of other Dawgs attacked the undead.

“Get General Baldo to safety!” screamed Orleo, leaping out of the way, as a group of ferocious Dawgs rushed past him to join the attack. He turned now to see to the injured Elders. One of them was seriously hurt. Two of them appeared to be none the worse. They scrambled to their feet to join Orleo.

“What now?” he gasped, staring, as more and more Dawgs raced to the attack.

The Elders could see hardly see Batach now, as he roared and fought with the ferocious Dawgs. His huge hands constantly tore Dawgs from his body and dashed them to the ground. But still they came at him.

****

As Palaber and his three passengers flew high over the mountains and down towards Collegian, the three brothers and Alicia were standing in the middle of a park near the edge of the city. One of the brothers, Tomask, was holding the frightened Salter's upper arm. The pain of the Warlock's grip was excruciating, but the prince would not cry out. He had realized he was going to die. He knew Feverfew would not join with the four evil beings. He sighed, as he thought about his mother. Was she safe?

His sigh made Tomask look at him. He squeezed Salter's arm harder. “Don't worry, boy,” he hissed. “Soon, you'll be able to go with the, Lady.”

It was then Mangus materialized at the far side of the park.

Before Alicia and the brothers could do anything, a blast from the druid cut Tomask's arm off.

Immediately, Salter was covered in protective magic. Like a fisherman's net the magic held him safe.

Salter gaped as Mangus began to walk across the square to his captors. The prince wondering who the stranger was, shouted with happiness, when he heard Tomask screaming with pain and anger. The evil brother's arm lay twitching on the ground, not a meter from him.

Suddenly, Alicia, screaming like a demented cat, shot magic at Mangus, who easily warded it away.

“Not good enough, Alicia,” he shouted, walking even closer. With his eyes now fixed on the Warlock brothers he shouted, “I killed your brother many years ago. Now it is time I finished the rest of you.”

Salter gaped, when he saw the Lady's grandfather glow brighter and brighter. Magic blasted at the brothers with such power that Alicia could only stand and stare.

Crying with fear and pain the brothers moved apart, trying to summon enough magic to fight back. But they knew it was hopeless. Mangus was too powerful for them.

Tomask was the first to die, as magic burst around his head. Putting his remaining hand to his head he screamed louder and louder, until his bulging eyes popped out and he fell to the ground.

It was obvious to Alicia, Tomask was dead. She grew afraid as she watched Tomesk stagger back, a pointed shaft of lightning magic protruding from the center of his chest. As he fell, almost beside his dead brother, his chest exploded.

But cursing with anger, the third brother, with magic covering his body, leapt at Mangus. The druid was taken by surprise and fell back.

Magic covered both Warlock and druid as they rolled about on the ground. When they parted, Mangus leapt to his feet.

Alicia stared at the last dead brother. His mouth was agape with horror and his eyes were still bulging with fear.

Mangus now studied, Alicia.

She looked around. There was no escape. Suddenly she fell on her knees. “Please, Mangus. Be merciful. Let me go. Let me go and I will harm no one again. I'll... I'll change... Please...”

Mangus frowned. He looked at Salter, then muttered a word. The magic protecting the prince disappeared.

With a joyful cry Salter ran towards him.

Mangus studied Alicia, who was still on her knees, pleading. He smiled at Salter then said, “Well, prince what should I do? Should I kill her or let her go?”

Frowning, Salter looked at Alicia. Tears were running down her pale face. Immediately he felt sorry for her. “Let her go,” he said.

“Very well,” said Mangus, taking his hand. “Come, we have a long ways to go to get you back to your home.”

As they turned their backs and walked away, Salter said, “If you wouldn't mind, sir, I would like to go to Collegian...”

As they were walking away, they didn't realize that Alicia had risen to her feet. Summoning her magic, she drew back, ready to unleash her most powerful magic at the unsuspecting Mangus and the boy.

They had just reached the far side of the park when Mangus gave a start. Immediately, he caused a protective wall to appear, protecting both Salter and himself. He was just in time.

Alicia's magic hit the protective wall and was forced away.

Mangus turned. With his eyes wide with anger he curled his long hands, causing several balls of black magic to shoot at Alicia.

Writhing in agony, and begging again for mercy, the evil woman was quickly destroyed.

As they left the park Mangus said to Salter. “Let that be a lesson to you, boy. Alicia was lying. The secret to being a great magician is, to learn when people are lying to you. That woman and the Brothers deserved to die for all the evil they have brought upon this land.” He smiled. “Now let us go back into the Keep. You must be hungry. We have to prepare for a long trek.”

****

By then Batach had almost single-handed killed all the Dawgs that had been attacking him. Other Dawgs, were still tearing into some of the undead and the monsters as he crushed three of the rodents in his hands and threw them at Orleo and the other Elders, who stood watching the battle.

Batach, roaring with anger, glared at the Elders now, getting ready to unleash a blast of magic that would wipe them all out.

It was then, the shadow of the great dragon passed over the area. From fifty meters above, Ferol, with a triumphant scream, leapt from Palaber's back and floated to stand between Batach and the Elders.

“You time has come, evil one!” shouted the Special, who was glowing all over with magic.

Orleo and the other Elders almost cheered, when they saw, glowing brighter that Ferol, the Tarsis Amulet around his neck.

But a frown crossed Orleo's face, when he saw the Lady and Feverfew come running towards them. Why is the boy, Special wearing the amulet? He studied Feverfew. Where is her magic? Somehow he feared, even with the power of the amulet, the boy wouldn't be strong enough to destroy Batach.

Batach studied Ferol. He gave a start when he saw the amulet hanging around Special's neck. He feared the power of the amulet. He took a step back, his huge feet crushing several dead Dawg's bodies into the ground.

“Yes!” screamed Ferol, taking a step closer to the towering monster, “you are right to be afraid. Your time has come, evil one. Prepare to die!”

With a scream, he shot a lightning bolt of blue magic, the most powerful of magic, straight at the monster Batach's face.

Batach, although momentarily stunned, was just quick enough to protect himself. Waving his huge hands down his body, he conjured up a protective armor that instantly covered him completely. Now he blasted magic back at Ferol.

The Elders, the Lady and Feverfew watched, as Batach and Ferol moved out into the middle of the square, blasting at each other, the power of their battle making the ground beneath their feet tremble.

The battle continued for several minutes, with each of the adversaries scoring hits against each other. None of them was fateful. But as they fought, the Lady was the first to realize Ferol, even with the power of the Tarsis Amulet, wasn't strong enough... and it didn't take Batach long before he too realized it. He cursed, when he saw the Lady take up a stance beside Ferol, as she now joined the battle.

Now both Ferol and the Lady's magic blasted up at the monster.

For several minutes, though staggered by their joint magic, Batach fought back. Summoning his power, he felt himself grow stronger. He almost smiled when he threw a blast at Ferol and the Lady, watching as the beautiful woman spun away holding her shoulder. Her arm hung useless down the side of her body. She had been injured.

Feverfew cried out as the Lady stumbled and fell to the ground. And just then Orleo, and the other Elders that weren't injured, joined the battle, their magic combining with Ferol's now.

The battle continued for only a short while, but by then, Batach had realized he was the more powerful. With a tremendous roar that shook the buildings all around them, he blasted at Orleo and several Elders who stood beside him. Batach's powerful magic threw the Elders back.

Now only a frightened Ferol was left.

Though Ferol tried his best, he could feel his power waning, as he stumbled about, blasting his powerful magic up at the monster. But it was no use. Batach was actually growing stronger now, somehow he was absorbing any magic Ferol threw at him.

The Lady, with Feverfew bending close to her, stared, horrified when Batach took a step forward, his huge fingers spraying magic down at Ferol, whose face was twisted with the effort and pain, as he tried to fight back. Then it was over. With a cry, Ferol fell back.

Batach stepped to tower over him, to finish the Special off, more magic blasting down onto the helpless boy, whose only protection now was the Tarsis Amulet... and suddenly the glow from the amulet died away.

“Nooooo!” screamed Ferol, shocked, as he prepared to die. Without the power of the amulet he had no chance.

At the same time, a few streets back, Eager was racing towards the square.