Solid as a Rock

By Gregg Schwartzkopf

The Ebony Flame and the Shadow Stone race toward a major confrontation as Cass and Rodger accept their destinies, everyone else gets time in the spotlight, flying carpets soar, villains monologue, and loose ends are mostly tied off. Nothing says epic conclusion like battling a fire-breathing dragon.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gregg Schwartzkopf
• Release date: Mar 25, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370250486

Gregg Schwartzkopf

For someone who has a great marriage, adult children, three grandchildren, and a stable day job, Gregg Schwartzkopf spends a fair amount of time in realms of fantasy. He's been an amateur magician, role play gamer and, yes, a Mets fan (YOU GOTTA BELIEVE). Recently (that is, within the last decade) he decided to try his hand at creating stories in imaginary worlds that other people might like to share.All of my books published through Smashwords are now listed as Free.

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Solid as a Rock

Gregg Schwartzkopf

Published by Gregg Schwartzkopf at Smashwords

Copyright 2017 Gregg Schwartzkopf

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only, and may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this e-book with others, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, please return to your favorite e-book retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction with all persons, places and situations represented originating in the mind of the author or fictional representations of real places. Any resemblance to real persons, or events is strictly coincidental.

Acknowledgements

It has been a long and satisfying road since I conceived of the idea for Caswel Esmar’s exile at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico. It’s amazing what a sandy beach and watered-down sangria can do for the creative spirit.

Independent authorship is a collaborative effort. There are many people to thank, beginning with supportive family and friends. My wife, daughters, in-laws, and gaming associates have all encouraged me over the last few years to complete this project.

Thanks are also due to the Backspace Writers Forum, especially Karen Dionne and Chris Graham, for providing a safe place for aspiring authors, like me, to get feedback and encouragement. I owe a debt of thanks to all the people who have read my drafts and offered feedback throughout the course of this series.

I have formed a close partnership with an excellent editor at Kat’s Eye Editing and with an awesome cover artist at JH Illustrations. Thanks again to Kathie and Jeanine for making my creative efforts look good with your expert hands.

Finally, I’d like to thank Cass, Rodger, Interloper, and the gang for sticking with me, even though I tortured them through four books. I hope they are happy with their resolutions. I will miss them. Perhaps there will be a reunion someday.

And to Joan’s little sister, I’m sorry about the inadvertent name change. Fear not, Grace. It’s fixed now.

CHAPTER ONE

One drawback to setting up headquarters in a former prison carved out of an ice cave is that it’s always a bit chilly. It was a good thing a few of the Darkmoon Wardens used knitting to relieve the stress of the job. The sweaters were ugly, but warm.

The principle advantage to our headquarters’ location was that, when we captured a prisoner, we had some place to store them. We currently hosted two Gloom Hags and one of Torchbearer’s Alfaran operatives. The latter sat literally cooling her heals in a cell one level below our operational base. The Warden patrol found her meeting with a Trawlkin tribe in the Western Wilds of the Fae Realm. Trawlkin raids were on the upswing against the Brightsand and Marshwynd Clans and we’d expected a connection to Torchbearer’s return.

I descended the stairs to her cell with two of my Wardens in tow, giving me a more intimidating presence. It was probably unnecessary. Our captive was pacing nervously in her sparse enclosure.

I understand you’re called Jevi Segar te Brightsand. I apologize for the temperature. You’re probably used to a much warmer climate.

She stopped moving and squinted at me in the torch light. So you are the human. How foolish are the Elders to let you command the Wardens?

They needed me to be useful and this was the thing I was good at. You know how sneaky we humans can be. Speaking of sneaky, what was an upstanding Alfaran like you doing consorting with Trawlkin?

She walked over to the wall opposite the cell door and slid to a crouch. I will tell you nothing.

Your clan is experiencing raids by those violent thugs. Have you no concern for your own family?

When the Torchbearer liberates the Fae…I will tell you nothing.

I lifted up a small ceramic jar sealed with wax that I’d concealed in my hand. This tells me a few things. We found it in your pack.

She shuddered and turned her face away. Go ahead and examine it. I will…

…Tell us nothing, you’ve made that clear. We already know what it is. What we haven’t determined is why any sane person would offer Tabor’s Oil to Trawlkin. The brutes already rage in combat. They don’t need magical enhancement to get irrationally angry.

Jevi buried her face in her arms and said nothing. One of my guards pounded a fist into his other hand. He was also Brightsand Clan and was not pleased about a traitor in their midst. I reached over and touched his arm. It’s all right, Rael. We have what we need. I addressed the prisoner again.

Your silence is pointless, Jevi, because your thoughts are racing.

Her head snapped up. What about my thoughts? What do you mean? I’ve remained silent.

I left and told her nothing.

##

It was the day before Winter Solstice, a time of meditative reflection for most Alfarans and the heart of the Christmas season in the Realm of Mortals. I needed to check on my operatives in Palmer Park, Long Island. Lynera and Esme took over operation of a thrift store that our captive Gloom Hags were using to distribute cursed magic charms. We’d neutralized that threat, but other Gloom Hags were still working with Torchbearer. We needed to search the store thoroughly and running it gave the two Alfarans an excuse to stay in town.

I wanted to contact either my son, Rodger, or my primary agent, Caswel, but the crystal ball wanted to discuss my interview with the prisoner.

Your trap using the Trawlkin was very clever, intoned the crystal in my head.

Elder Kaviss was very helpful. When I infiltrated Wardens into a Trawlkin tribe using transmutation, I never thought it would gain us access to an Alfaran spy. May I phone home now?

The crystal ignored me. Tabor’s Oil is a significant development, based on what your prisoner is thinking.

It’s a hazardous combat drug, but Trawlkin are already dangerous, reckless warriors. They ignore pain and fight with no thought of self-preservation as it is. It’s like they bathe in Tabor’s Oil daily. Giving it to them is a waste of magic.

The Oil has a secondary side effect.

I’m all ears, or all brain, given that this is telepathy.

Anyone using it becomes more susceptible to the magic of its creator. Torchbearer is duping the Trawlkin into using Tabor’s Oil that he fabricates so he can more easily control them with enchantments.

It seemed our enemy was controlling an army of Trawlkin, training sorcerers in Europe, turning humans into Dream Dwellers with the help of Gloom Hags, and suborning renegade Alfarans to his cause. What a merry Christmas this was becoming.

CHAPTER TWO

Cass was sitting in his Monday health class when I managed to make contact. The discussion centered on how celebrating the holidays could be both a positive and a negative for one’s mental health. The instructor was Sister Patrice, the guidance counselor, so it wasn’t surprising that she would plug faith as a stress reliever.

Are things still quiet on the home front, Cass?

Cass straightened in his chair and focused his eyes forward while directing his thoughts at me. Mortals really go nuts about this Christmas thing.

You’re in a Catholic school and it’s a major holiday. Even Unitarians celebrate it, so I hope you’re participating enthusiastically.

I still have shopping to do. That reminds me about a snag we encountered with the thrift shop.

I know the Elders recently transferred more money into Jamil’s account. Was that because of the shop?

Torchbearer’s phony charity, the one he set as cover for sending Gloom Hags into town, stopped paying the rent. Jamil had to pay for the space until end of the year. We’re transferring the donated items to other charities.

Make sure we aren’t handing off anything dangerous. More Tokens of Exchange could be hiding in odd places.

Cass nodded his head before realizing he was listening to a disembodied voice. I see you’re interested, Cass, noted Sister Patrice. Can I count on you for the caroling party on Wednesday?

Um, caroling? That’s like singing. I’m not a singer.

Another student chimed in. Anyone can sing Christmas carols. Count me in.

The class quickly badgered Cass into joining the holiday gathering and I shifted focus to Lynera at the thrift shop.

It’s been a mess, Interloper. We had a rush of donations after the November holiday and now we have to transfer all the old and the new inventory to other places. Humans seem to be at their most generous at the end of the year.

It’s both the holiday spirit and a last chance for tax deductions.

They should just declare every day Christmas if that keeps them from being pig-headed and aggressive.

And here I thought you were starting to like us. I hope you are sorting out any potentially harmful merchandise.

We sequestered all of the Breath of Morpheus and Night’s Kiss, of course. We need to transfer it all back to the Realm of Fae for storage. Esme and I haven’t found any Tokens yet. The two human girls who befriended Cass are helping after school.

Amanda is empathic, so she may be able to locate emotionally charged auras on any of the stock.

I’ll put her to use and keep you posted on the results.

##

I pulled out of trance and considered my next contact. I wanted to reach out to Rodger, but decided it could wait until he, Cass and Joan were together at lunch. The crystal ball interrupted my thoughts. I’ve been monitoring the prisoner and she is still irrationally convinced that Torchbearer will rescue her.

He does seem to inspire loyalty without actually delivering on promises.

The crystal persisted. It is more than that. It appears invading here was always part of his plan.

We knew he was after the Fae Realm as his prize.

I mean here specifically. He plans to strike the Chambers of the Forgotten. He needs to eliminate the Wardens first and he wants to capture me.

That did make a certain amount of sense. The sodalite crystal was a fragment of the Shadow Stone. Torchbearer was the avatar of the Ebony Flame. The two were working in opposition, one seeking to preserve the status quo and the other looking to upend the natural order.

We need to reinforce the nearest Fae Gate which is in the foothills of the Ladder of Stars, I said. Even if the troops break through there, the march to our headquarters would take days. It’s all uphill.

There is something we are missing, observed the crystal. He must have a way to shorten the distance. We just haven’t discovered it yet.

If he uses more Tokens of Exchange to summon Dream Dwellers, many of them levitate. Night Predators can take the form of large raptors. If he sends a vanguard ahead, he could delay our response to his ground troops.

For once, the crystal behaved like a rock and remained silent.

##

Katrina Petrov’s parents pulled her out of school early because they were traveling for the holiday. That left Rodger, Cass, Joan, and Randy Sleiger at the usual lunch table. Joan and Randy were exploring a relationship, though they’d only been on two dates so far. Randy was a freshman and, so far, remained