Path of Malious Lamont Ch01

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1. The Curse

Six hundred years later.

It is quite a clear sunny morning as the sun finally reveals itself from the large Gol mountain range to the east of the great city of Phobos. The light floods into the city bringing the warmth back from the freezing Phobos nights. At only six o’clock the city is already bustling with busy people going about their day to day duties, the cobblestone roads and cramped concrete buildings provide what makes ninety percent of what’s considered the strongest empire in the known world, the ruler was just and stern he had the respect and admiration of every other kingdom.
The city was of Phobos was a prominent vast icon of the current Solarian empire, , and broken into three large sections which also tended to divide classes of people, to the North West along the shore line protruding atop a large hill sat the Phobian Castle. Nestled down the hill and all the way to a six foot concrete wall that surrounded the entire castle grounds sat elegantly built homes for the wealthy and the royal, outside this wall wrapped around the castle grounds like a horseshow from northern coastline right around to the western coastline was the business and citizen district, a few of these houses were multi-storeyed, and this district also housed most churches of faith and barracks of the towns guard. Outside this district the houses became lower quality and of poorer class, the streets became more crowded and vendors would set up besides houses and other businesses to trade, it could create chaos for any travelling horseback to move through freely, there was a main road that passed through all districts straight to the castle, it was kept clear and heavily guarded.
Most citizens of Phobos were well enough to each other, they more kept to their own classes and therefore little to no conflict rarely arose, the city was fair to the poor and did not leave them to live in squaller which seemed to strengthen moral in the city. But as good as moral and the living conditions of this city were the main drawing point for a lot of citizens into Phobos was its highly decorated immaculately prestigious Crystal Academy, it sat in the west end of the business district against the coast, although held high on a raised plateau with the drop to the ocean on one side wrapping around to a drop into the Phobian gorge, the view from the academy was breathtaking, a 360 degree panoramic view of ocean, to the beautiful cedar forest in the gorge, to the rolling Gol mountains far in the distance and being on a raised surface it also overlooked the city and the impressive Phoboian Castle.
The schools appeal was not for its view but more for the list of incredible students who passed through and the incredible success rate of the Crystal Academy students, the teachers at the academy were the best in the world, by far the most knowledgeable and most experienced. The headmaster Professor Matteiu Stark was a well respect sage, wise beyond any means, he was tall and dark skinned, he had short greying hair and a clean shaven face, he was well spoken and well dressed, he held himself professionally and compassionately, he had been the headmaster at Crystal Academy for quite some time but was never questioned in his role.
The schools honour role consisted of many famous people in the world of Solaria, including, Arch-Magelord Feberlastin who was an incredibly gifted mage but also considered a very wise man as well, king Drazdien Phobos the current ruler of Phobos had attended Crystal academy and even king Thelious Krestin, king of the great city of Krestin was sent over two thousand miles to attend the prestigious school, more recently the school had produced its current list of famous students, including Sir Dreil Marken, specialized in combat and current Solarian duelling champion, Sir Calandin Rouchfore knighted for his many heroic exploits and Captain of the Phobos royal guard, Elaine Havier who quickly became the most gifted healer in Solaria and ended up moving to Krestin where she is head Physician at the Krestin Royal Prince Romulous Hospital. And probably the most important, but not the most known nor the most successful was a man named Jasic Sharpe, who is known greatly to governments, authorities and most of all to criminals and creatures of the dark, he has served for many rulers acting as a royal guard but now spends his days roaming the land trying to help the helpless a true tale of heroism as his legend grows from the people whose lives he touches.

The academy sleeps amid the waking city and not a peep is heard from inside the grounds. In particular a room that resides in the upper north section of the massive academy bell tower…

BONG!

The young boy shoots straight up from his slumber, a look of horror etched on his face. A long cluster of hair braided together hangs down the right side of his face, the rest of his hair is short and messy from a long night of tossing and turning. He quickly composes himself and realises his surroundings, his expression turns dramatically into anger as he plonks face down onto his bed and throws his pillow over his head.

BONG!

All three young boys in the small dorm room now have their heads covered by their thick feathered pillows. Their beds are positioned in row on the north wall of the high ceiling magnificent bell tower room, they are separated by small desks and two large windows either side of the middle bed admitting large streams of light, illuminating the whole room. The bell continues to chime three more times and the boys remain motionless, at the completion of the sixth chime the boy on the left throws off his pillow.
“There is no getting used to that?” says the young teenage boy with short dark hair, he tucks the seemingly misplaced braid behind his ear and looks over at the second boy.
“Oh come on Dontae, at least we’re the first ones awake!” replies the middle boy raising his scruffy head, his hair is shoulder length and tangled, his thin chiselled jaw compliments is already impressively toned chest and stomach, he hops out of bed in just his underwear and starts fishing through the clothes on the ground for his uniform. Usually the guidelines for the academy are strict, and all rooms must maintain a level of cleanliness and organisation, but this room was probably the only one that doesn’t constantly get checked by the hall monitors, it was too far out of the way, up in the bell tower, probably the least desirable location in the school, but it was cheap and affordable for the parents of the three students who board there.
“You could even see the light side of death Drake.” Dontae remarks rubbing his eyes with a yawn, then glances past Drake at the boy on the right who has messy blonde hair and a nose which is bent on the bridge making it look like he has been slogged in the face one too many times “How does Jordon sleep through that?” Dontae adds slipping into a seated position on the end of his bed.
“Beat’s me?” Drake replies throwing on his school blazer complete with the emblem of an eagle in the upper left “I’m just getting down stairs for breakfast before I’m forced to eat Mervin’s porridge again!” Drake slowly stumbles out the door still half asleep, Dontae slowly raises to his feet and walks over to Jordon and knocks on his head with a hollow ‘thuk’ Jordon stirs a bit and opens one eye.
“Wha… ugh, eah why you wakin’ me Tae?” says Jordon in a rather tired manner, with a strong hint of Aquilan accent.
“If that big bell won’t let me get any sleep I’ll be dammed if you’re getting any, besides you need to get up we gotta study for history essay on the Brycillian war.” Dontae throws Jordon his school uniform and finishes buttoning up his own shirt “I’ll be in the library when you’re ready” Jordon tosses his uniform off the bed and continues to drown himself in his pillow as Dontae exits the room carrying a few text books.
He passes Drake on his way to the library, he is surrounded by girls, Dontae gives him a nod, and Drake replies with casual wave, even though Drake came from a poor family he was incredibly popular, he was captain of the football team and was already being scouted by the Phobos national team, it was quite an honour at his age to even be considered. Dontae continues down the hall and comes by Siam Duraal and two of his thug friends, they had made a profession out of tormenting Dontae because he was a little different and didn’t follow the fold, Dontae hoped they didn’t see him but in a bare hallway there wasn’t much luck. Dontae looks towards the ground as he tries to walk by and Siam throws him into the wall.
“Well look at what we have here Olley” Siam says to his thug friend as Dontae struggles at the firm grip Siam has on his collar “On the way to the library are ya, spend some time with ya nerdy friends, oohh or are ya on ya way to ya little Liara…” Siam’s friends laugh as Dontae breaks free only to be slammed back against the wall by Siam “Listen Lamont girls like Liara don’t give a crap about guys like you, your just the friend, the one they talk to when guys like me dump em’ oh and why we are on the subject maybe I should go offer my services to the school ball to her”
“You leave her alone!” Dontae retorts getting a little flustered, Siam and his friends laugh.
“Oi now, no need to get violent Lamont, perhaps I’ll teach ya a lesson of how yous should treat people who actually deserve to go to this school!” Siam says raising his fist and Dontae drops his books to cover his face.
“OI!” comes a familiar voice from Dontae’s left “Leave him alone Duraal!” says Drake walking over and breaking his grip, Siam knew better then mess with Drake, he was too popular to fight, Siam merely backs away.
“Just chattin with the boy Drake, nuffin harmful aye Lamont?” Siam says in his smug attitude.
“Yeah, well I just ended your conversation, so piss off!” Drake threatened and Duraal a little angered mouthed the words ‘I’ll see you later’ to Dontae and takes off with his friends up the hall.
“You right Tae” Drake asks.
“Yeah I’m fine!” Dontae replies in a huff of embarrassment and takes off making a left into the library, which on this day was practically bare, most students are pre-occupied with football or organising to go watch the duel arena where tonight Krestin super knight will be duelling Phobian’s best warrior Dreil Marken, Dreil had already claimed the champions crown in Krestin two months prior and today was his first defence. But in the quiet confines of the library in the almost hidden back tables sits a young attractive girl with dark wavy hair, cute button nose, and the most beautiful entrancing brown eyes buried amongst a sea of books twirling her hair around her quill. Dontae enters the library and comes up beside her and thumps his books down on the table, she jumps immediately out of her present daydream and realises Dontae is sitting next to her.
“Picturing yourself flying away on a unicorn with Dreil Marken hey Liara?” Dontae remarks.
“Oh very funny Dontae, I suppose you fully prepared to answer how the Slostjere army penetrated the Brycillian forest undetected?” Liara comments in a sarcastic tone.
“Ah, yeah… so are we gunna do this?”
“Well about that, Tae I can’t study this morning, I have a surprise adept levelling exam.” Liara explains in an apologetic tone.
“Liara you’re not really going to leave me here after seventh year are you?” Dontae is hoping that she says no.
“Dontae we’ve been over this a thousand times, if I want any chance at becoming a mage I have to attend that school, you and Jordon are much welcome to visit at any time”
“Oh yeah in a city full of mages I’m sure that will be a real treat” Liara gives a slight sigh she wears an expression like she has heard this a thousand times before but still seems to feel sad about leaving her two best friends.

BONG!

Dontae and Liara both look towards the clock, the warning chime for the first lesson. Dontae looks back towards Liara who is packing up her books, she lays her hand softly on Dontae’s shoulder. then without a word continues to walk out of the library, she gives a slight smile and wave to Jordon on the other side of the table who has just entered and by the looks of it thoroughly enjoying his chicken and salad roll, as she departs Jordon walks over and sits beside Dontae still wearing his night robe.
“Jordon? Why are you still in your robe, you’ll get in trouble again”
“pfft anotha detention. I got nuffin to do at lunch anyway. Might as well spennit in a classroom, oi where yew goin’?” Dontae tucks in his chair and looks at Jordon.
“Ah to class… I got Mathematical science, I believe you’re supposed to be in chorography right now!”
“Bah I kno how ta git from Aquilla to Crystal Academy right enough” Jordon replies then taking a big bite out of his roll.
“Whatever, at least just go get into uniform”
“hmpf” Jordon muffles with a mouth full of chicken, as Dontae rolls his eyes and leaves the library pondering the three childhood friends being torn apart, Dontae finds it hard to contemplate the idea that has been playing on his mind the last two lesson. Every time Liara brings up her desire to become a mage it tends to really effect him, in fact so much so that he lost concentration in chemistry and dropped his vial that contained raw Pegasus excrement, the whole classroom had to be evacuated and Dontae earned himself a morning break detention.

Dontae sits head resting upon his arm gazing at the clock the somewhat vacant detention room with Jargus Drenner who got caught trying to peep into the senior girls change rooms, and Siam Duraal who is sitting out the remainder of his four detentions for beating up two 3rd years. Dontae looks back at Siam seated at the back of the room death staring Dontae, he runs his finger along his throat and Dontae turns back to face the front of the class. The teacher Ernie Garmound reclines back reading the paper and once again Dontae’s mind lingers on what would happen if Liara left Phobos, His Aunt and Liara’s parents were good friends, so Dontae and Liara have grown up together their whole lives and Jordon’s parents moved from Aquila to Phobos when they were all starting junior schooling so Jordon’s dad could coach the eagle house football team. Jordon’s older brother’s played football with Liara’s brother and they all met at one of the eagle house games the three of them have been inseparable ever since. Dontae’s concentration is suddenly broke by a loud knock on the door followed by the entrance of a familiar face wearing the same maroon night robe and holding a bowl of porridge, Jordon walks up to the teachers desk and lays down a piece of paper in front of Mr Garmound who looks confusingly up at Jordon.
“Mr Kaahn you are late again, what part of a detention do you not understand.” Mr Garmound says in a rather bored manner.
“Well I gots ta eat don’t I Earnie” Jordon replies spooning another mouthful of porridge into his mouth.
“That’s Mr Garmound to you Jordon, now sit down.” Jordon spots Dontae and walks up to him wearing a stunned confused expression. He sits down at the desk across from Dontae and stares directly at him with a muddled look of confusion, he spoons another mouthful of porridge but doesn’t take his glance of Dontae who remains staring at the clock, another whole minute goes by as Dontae can feel Jordon’s eyes piercing the side of his head, he finally turns in frustration.
“What?”
“eah what you doin in my detention room?”
“Miss Eltora didn’t think it was funny when I caused the whole 5th year chemistry class to discharge there breakfast all over her classroom floor”
“Ha haaa classic!”
“Yeah well, she thought it was even less funny that I seemed to wait until I reached her feet”
“Ha, good one, bah I woulda heaved down da cows back”
“Why doesn’t that surprise me?”
“While ya ere though, I gots summtin special planned fa lunchtime” Jordon says quietly leaning in towards Dontae.
“Any statement coming from Jordon Kaahn’s lips that has something to do with something special being planned is without a doubt the worst kind of situation I could get myself into now isn’t it?” Dontae replies turning his head back to the clock.
“So dats a yeah?”
“Let’s hear it then”
“Callan has History wit dat crackpot Missus Truallen an she reckons dat dere is some treasure an such that resides deep in da cursed swamp”
“Oh I can predict the rest of this story… You think that Misses Truallen however crazy she may be, might somehow in her whole history of conspiracy theories, which have never interested you until you heard that treasure might be involved, has just now stumbled on to a insane farfetched story that could actually be true?”
Jordon pauses “Yah”
“And you think that it would just be worthwhile finding some mode of transportation to travel down to the forbidden swamp at lunchtime totally skipping all our afternoon classes to find out if it’s true, even fully knowing that tomorrow we have an essay due on the Brycillian war?”
Jordon pauses again “Yah”
“Because with this story floating around Solaria for god knows how many years, has never once been investigated, and that by some miraculous coincidence we are going to stroll into that swamp, find the one place where a chest full of treasure has been buried and recover it to bask in the millions of gold coins we would receive as bounty?”
Jordon looks up pondering for a second “Yah”
“No way Jordon!”
“Ohh com’on Tae, it’ll be a righ great adventa yew keep sayin how ya wanna travel da lands an becom’ a great eplora like Djorim, an ya dah was”
Dontae sighs and reclines back in his chair rubbing his hands over his face.
“Jordon there is no way to get there in time, that’s at least half a day trip one way”
“bu, naught if ya ave a Pegasus!” Jordon says with a grin etched across his face.
“Oh my god I can almost see the amount of trouble we are going to get in now… alright tell me, how are we going to get one of the most rare animals in Phobos?” Jordon take a small piece of paper out of his pocket, unfolds it in front of Dontae and starts to read.
“Dear stabul masta, I Callan Kaahn ereby give permission ta Jordon Kaahn ta take my faithful Steed Ramahnus for a warm-up exacise before tomoras race. Signed Callan Kaahn”
“Callan let you borrow Ramahnus?”
“Well not exactly, ya see Callan has got a triple lesson of combat trainin’, so if we cood git down to tha stables and get Ramahnus before he gits out, den its home free mate… com’on Tae, ya know its eatin ya up”
Dontae looks long and hard at Jordon then peers out the window.
“When we get back we gotta study though, o.k?”
“Ha haa, I knew ya’d wanna, aight I’ll meet ya at da stable ah lunch.”
“Callan is so going to kill you”
“ee’l be right, settle righ down afta I give im’ some treasa!”

The thought kept racing through Dontae’s mind in Botanical science, which was a lesson he shared with Liara whom instantly knew something was up and tried to pry it from him all lesson.
“Fine then, I’ll follow you all afternoon if I have to!” Liara says in one last stubborn ambitious attempt to pry what was going on.
“Oh no you won’t” Dontae replies as they make their way through the massive corridors in front of the main hall. Dontae then sighs knowing very well how stubborn Liara is when she has got her mind set on something he stops walking and pulls Liara into a side corridor.
“Fine!” he quickly looks back to the main corridor to see if anyone is listening then ducks back in “Jordon and I are venturing into the forbidden swamp in about ten minutes, we are using Callan’s Pegasus to fly down.” Liara’s face drops in a somewhat exhausted look.
“Oh Tae, you know Jordon always gets you into these situations, why in the name of… wait you know what, No Dontae, I forbid you to go!” Dontae is a little taken back by Liara’s parental approach but he turns his face around into a smile, but before he can answer Jordon comes round the corner and spots the two, he ducks into the corridor and instantly receives a punch on the arm from Liara.
“Wha was dat for?” he says rubbing his arm.
“Your stupid ideas that’s what” Liara replies looking a little flustered.
“You hit like a bludy man you do” barks Jordon, Liara raises her fist again and Jordon jumps behind Dontae.
“Ok look, Liara you’re my best friend…” Dontae is interrupted by Jordon interjecting.
“oi wha bout m…”
“Shut-up” both Liara and Dontae cut Jordon off at the same time.
“You’re my best friend and I ask you as my best friend please, please don’t tell anyone. This is something I want to do for me, not for Jordon” Liara gives a sad sigh as if knowing full well she can’t say no to something Dontae wants so much, which by now she could tell he did.
“Uh oh, red ot chilli psycho alert” Jordon interjects pointing out the corridor at a skinny eccentric looking girl with fiery red hair and a weak receding jaw. Without a second thought Dontae pulls Liara close and embraces her in a kiss for a couple of seconds whilst the girl passes, he lets her go and checks to see that the red haired girl is gone.
“What the hell was that?” Liara asks wiping her mouth.
“Bloody Juliet Marsh, won’t leave me alone, I swear in her mind we are already seeing each other” Dontae says double checking she’s gone.
“Well next time you decide to get lippy, try Jordon. I won’t be your tool for avoiding confrontation when you should clearly tell her you’re not interested!” Dontae’s shoulders drop seemingly agitated.
“Liara I don’t have time for this, please… just don’t tell anyone!” Dontae exits the corridor and heads for the stables and Jordon steps up to Liara and leans in, Liara pushes him back.
“What are you doing?” Liara asks holding Jordon at arm’s length.
“Wha, Tae got one?” Liara rolls her eyes and takes off in the opposite direction to Dontae, Jordon shrugs his shoulders and pulls out a piece of bread from his pocket shoving it in his mouth. Jordon catches up to Dontae five minutes later outside the stables, Dontae gives a nod and Jordon takes out the forged note and gives it to the stable carer, Mr Brivell, a short stocky man with a wide squashed face, Brivell eyes the note then looks at Jordon.
“Young master Callan has never let anyone take Ramahnus before?”
“Dats cuz I aint neva asked im before” Replies Jordon in a confident tone, Mr Brivell eyes them. cautiously then gives a accepting shrug and disappears into the stable returning after a couple of minutes with the most beautiful magnificent white winged horse one would ever see, an angelic placid creature with a light silver mane and tail, Jordon smiles and reaches forward to take the reins off Mr Brivell and he sharply draws them back.
“Make sure he’s back by sundown, or else!” Mr Brivell demands as he slowly hands the reins to Jordon.
“No worries mate” Jordon says leading Ramahnus out of the stable and past the academy grounds, once outside Jordon hands Dontae Ramahnus and takes a warm cloak out of his backpack as he is putting it on Dontae can senses the distinct feeling that he is being watched, he turns suddenly to see Liara standing there dressed in a elegant blue travelling cloak.
“What are you doing here?” Dontae asks.
“Well, I’m not going to just willingly turn my back and let Jordon lead you down the wrong path” Jordon looks up at her screwing his face up “And seeing as though you swore me to secrecy I believe the only way I can be sure you’re not going to get into trouble is by coming with you. And it looks like your options at this point is to take me with you or have the whole school knowing where you’re going. So with that said I believe Pegasus are capable of holding three” Liara finishes walking over to Ramahnus. She firmly grips the reins places a foot in the stirrup and vaults up onto the back of Ramahnus she then tosses her head to flick her hair out of her face and looks back at the other two who are speechless and defenceless against her case “So are we going?” Liara asks rather smugly knowing full well they can’t debate, Jordon turns to Dontae and leans in so Liara can’t hear.
“Its aigh mate, I fink I can drown er in da swamp” Dontae ignores Jordon and walks up repeating what Liara did and climbs on, Jordon shakes his head and walks up to climb on Ramahnus but the Pegasus takes a few steps back.
“Oi ya stupid orse, stay still” Jordon tries again, and again Ramahnus trots away from him.
“You really don’t have a way with animals do you Jordon,  just be calm, talk to Ramahnus ensure him you’re his friend” says Liara in a condescending tone with a faint smirk enjoying Jordon’s trouble trying to mount the steed.
“I aint talkin’ to a blooty orse!” exclaims Jordon.
“It’s not a horse, it’s a Pegasus!” replies Liara. Jordon ignores her advice and heads towards Ramahnus again, as Ramahnus moves away Jordon stomps his foot in frustration.
“Dis is bludy ridiculous… fine… ere orsey orsey orsey!” Jordon demands in a mocking tone and Liara shakes her head and calms Ramahnus by patting the steed down the side of the neck, Ramahnus drops his back legs to make Jordon climb on at the end. Jordon climbs on and raps his arms around Dontae who has his arms wrapped around Liara.
“Now what?” asks Jordon. Liara shakes her head again at Jordon’s ignorance as she leans forward grabbing the reins and whipping Ramahnus into a gallop the great steed starts to pick up speed, getting faster and faster, heading straight towards the open cliff of the Phobian gorge, Jordon starts to panic as the steed gets nearer and nearer.
“dis retarded orse is gunna killus!” he yells in a panic, Ramahnus keeps sprinting at full pace towards the gorge then leaps off the edge to the piercing sound of Jordon’s girlish scream, then in a magnificent sight the enormous wings of the Pegasus stretch out from each side and they start to soar through the air. Liara’s face is full of excitement and an enormous smile is etched across her face, Dontae is holding her a little tighter looking down at the thousands of tiny cedars in the gorge. he is trying to catch his breath as he gets an unbelievable feeling of joy shoot through his body, meanwhile it looks as if Jordon is bracing for impact his eyes are jammed shut and his face screwed up, Dontae laughs as he looks back at Jordon’s face which is glued on Dontae’s shoulder. They seem to glide for what seems an hour before they touch back down to the dirt road on the outskirts of Phobos. They ride for a couple of hours at which point Jordon had reopened his eyes gazing at the beautiful scenery. The luscious grass speeds by and the beautiful view of the ocean in the background gives the landscape a breathtaking appearance.
“How long till we get there” Dontae asks in Liara’s ear.
“Well we need to travel inland, at this speed I say a few hours” just as she finishes her sentence Ramahnus leaps high into the air again and starts flapping his beautiful white wings climbing high and higher into the sky, Jordon quickly shuts his eyes again as Ramahnus ascends to the peak of his flight capacity and relaxes back into a glide “Well maybe just a couple now” Liara says in a giddy voice, obviously engrossed in the excitement of riding a Pegasus.
They glide for a while before the Pegasus touches back down, in a small clearing up ahead, they dismount and Jordon pulls out a giant salami sandwich out of his backpack, Liara nor Dontae are surprised as he starts to munch into it, Dontae realises Liara didn’t bring a pack so he takes his off.
“Is that Djorims old pack?” Liara asks looking at the old faded backpack Dontae is scrambling through.
“Yeah, the same one he used when he climbed the Kvarsha mountains” Dontae replies taking out two scones and handing one to Liara, she smiled with that cute innocence she has as she accepts the scone.
“sogw” Jordon is even less comprehendible when his has a mouth full of salami “Where ta nah” he asks with a big swallow.
“You’re the one who was supposed to have the map!” Dontae replies.
“I aint neva say I gots a map” Jordon says in his own defence.
“You two truly are the masters of preparation!” Liara butts in reaching into her pocket and pulling out a multi folded piece of parchment, she walks over and places it on an old cut down tree stump, Dontae and Jordon gather round to see that it was actually a map of Jayton, well the middle of Jayton anyway.
“The way I see it we cut off an extremely large portion of travel by flying over the gorge” Liara draws a line mapping their direction from the academy over the southern forest and to the road which they landed “we were on the main road for a an hour or so before we took to the sky again” she continued the line along the southern road “which means this clearing is part of the southern plains, I would say we still have a good three hours until were are at your swamp, although I would recommend we give Ramahnus a rest and walk for a bit, it’s a big trip for a Pegasus to make in one go!”
“Walkin’ nah, I aint say nuffin bout walkin!”
“Jordon!” Liara starts but Dontae butts in.
“We’ll walk, wont we Jordon!” Dontae asks as if he wasn’t really asking a question at all, Jordon rolls his eyes and sighs.
“I guess we walk then!” Jordon submits and pulls out another bread roll from his pockets.

Meanwhile back inside Crystal Academy Drake Villiano is pulled out of his current class and taken to the headmasters office, not really perturbed by the event knowing full well he has done nothing wrong but was still intrigued, he sat waiting for a few seconds before the massive oak double doors of the headmasters office open and Drake stands up before he can walk inside Professor Matteiu Stark comes strolling out.
“Ah, Mr Villiano, I will be brief for I really must leave, but I understand not too long ago two students who’ve been confirmed as your roommates acquired the use of Mr Callan Kaahns Pegasus via a forged note, unfortunately five students have not reported to class of late. All of this as you could well imagine is a direct breach of school rules but much less concerns me of a stolen steed then where they plan to go with it, now I know camaraderie is encouraged at this school and the thought of snitching on one friends seems disloyal but wherever they have gone this is really not the time for it. There has been a growing concern for safety in Jayton with the known return of a certain dark knight. Now I mention this to you in the strictest confidence for we don’t want to insight a panic but please Mr Villiano if you know of their intended destination, you must tell me immediately!”
“Wow this is all news to me Professor, but you know it wouldn’t be hard to piece together this mystery, knowing Jordon as well as I do I’d say he set his sights upon the treasure your staff member brought up, that said to reside in the forbidden swamp!”
“I beg your pardon” Stark asks a little confused “My staff would never mention such nonsense!”
“Well professor it’s going all around school, crackp… I mean Mrs Truallen revealed it to her whole class!” Stark looks totally dumbfounded, he couldn’t believe one of his own staff is fabricating such lies.
“Mr Villiano, return to class, and mention nothing of our conversation with your classmates!” Drake nods and takes off taking one last glance back at Stark who seems lost in his own thoughts.

After an excruciating three hours of Jordons offbeat tunes, Liara’s random comments about surrounding fauna and Dontae’s stories about Djorim they come to another small clearing, enough for a Pegasus to get a run up and take flight, Liara agreed that perhaps Ramahnus had been rested enough and they could take to the sky from here. Just as they were all getting ready to jump back on the Pegasus Liara catches a glimpse of someone disappearing behind a tree behind them. She jumps and stares at the spot where she saw it.
“Wha?” Jordon asks.
“I swear I just saw someone in the forest!” Liara replies a little spooked.
“Liara we are miles from anywhere why would there be someone following us?” Dontae asks as he too is trying to follow her gaze.
“Aye, whoeva ya are come ouh aye, jus wanna talk… anyone… oi…” Jordon yells to no reply “No-one there luv” Jordon states “Now come on, getting a bit darker eh, we wanna get in an outta da swamp before she turns dark!” Jordon adds and Dontae quickly agrees, Liara with her eyes still on the forest decides it would be best to take to the sky again as well, and possibly escape what she saw in the bushes. About five minutes later Ramahnus was at the peak of his flight again, they all looked towards the looming Gol mountains, there were dark storm clouds gathered around the mountain ranges, and covered the direction they were heading, as they glide down to the foot of the closest mountain the darkened clouds above them starts to swirl above the swamp which gives the whole approaching landscape an ominous look, Ramahnus dives down to the ground now, much to Jordon’s screaming and comes to a gallop on the muddy terrain outside of the swamp. All of a sudden Ramahnus comes to a grinding holt, the three jolt on top of each other and Ramahnus starts to trot around avoiding going further and exhibiting a strong sense of fear, the three of them dismount and Liara tries to calm Ramahnus down offering the great steed some bread from Jordon’s pack, much to his debate, she strokes its mane. Ramahnus starts eating the bread and Liara turns back to the boys “He’s not going any further, something isn’t right about that swamp” Liara says peering down the dank muddy path surrounded by a thick green slime and large eerie trees that hang over the path and disappear into the slime.
“Well we didn’t come all this way to turn back because a Pegasus is scared” Dontae remarks.
“Tae, you have no idea what’s down there, this is stupid” Liara says impatiently nervous.
“Liara, no one forced you to come, in fact you blackmailed us to come, so you can either comes with us or stay here with Ramahnus” Dontae says as he starts walking towards the swamp.
“besies deres treasa in dere” Jordon tells her as he follows Dontae. Liara looks scared as she watches the boys disappear into the swamp and eventually follows suite with a deep sigh running to catch up to the boys. They have been creeping through the dark intimidating swamp for quite a while now, bubbling noises of the slime and the squawking of ugly black crows is all that can be heard as walk on. The constant bubbling of gas being released through the retched green sludge keeps them on their toes it smelt as if it had been a dumping ground for excrement for the past hundred years, they avoid touching the sludge at all costs staying to the seemingly clear cut path that navigates them towards a giant tree in the distance, quite an odd site in the middle of this wasteland. It looked somewhat majestic compared with the weeds and dead trees and tree trunks that lined the dark swamp it soured into the air and the massive roots branched around them looking as if the tree itself was fighting back the swamp, they all looked amazed to see such a wide tall tree, it is unlike anything they have ever seen before at least five times the size of trees around Phobos, Dontae starts to circle the tree in excitement as Jordan just stares up at its marvel, and Liara keeps looking around, terrified about her surroundings, each tiny noise sending another shiver down her spine and causing her to jump. Dontae gets to the other side looking up at the large overhanging branches, and without paying attention to where he is going twists his ankle on a lumpy object and falls over coming face to face with an old pruned face that looks like it has had the life sucked out of it. Dontae screams as he slides himself away from the body, and both Jordan and Liara quickly run around the massive tree base to where Dontae lay.
“What? What is it? Are you o.k?” Liara inquires frantically as she looks over Dontae, she can see a look of terror over Dontae’s face who is still staring towards the tree, Liara looks at Jordon who’s jaw has dropped and is staring the same direction as Dontae, Liara turns to look at what they are both staring at and nearly falls over at the sight of the disgusting decayed body, “Oh my lord, what is that?” Liara comments looking rather calmer then before Dontae ignores her question and leans in closer to the body. His eyes are fixed upon a glowing amulet hung around they corpses neck.
“Can we get out of here now. Please!” Liara comments looking away from the body.
“Yeh, I fink ya right Lee” Jordon replies looking towards Dontae who is still ignoring the both of them, his eyes are mesmerised on the amulet.
“Tae?” Liara’s attempt to get his attention falls on deaf ears as Dontae reaches out towards the amulet.
“Tae wha are ya doin’? we gotta get outta ere.” Jordon says.
“Just one more second.” Dontae approaches the body and touches the amulet “wow, look at this” Dontae says as he unclips the amulet off the creatures head and holds it up looking into the frosty blue coloured amulet. It was the most beautiful display of a single colour he had ever seen, it swirled around inside its casing like an entire galaxy trapped within a small amulet, Dontae flicks it with one finger and the motion disrupts the swirl inside as it becomes frantic for a second as the amulet spun then calmed again when it stopped. Dontae clips the amulet around his own neck and smiles, as he does the corpse’s hand springs to life and grabs Dontae’s wrist, Dontae screams out in fear as Jordon and Liara rush over and try to pry the hand loose, Jordon looks towards the corpse’s face and suddenly the eyes spring open “Expellio” grunts the husky voiced corpse, Liara and Jordon are thrown 10 feet away in opposite directions. Dontae grapples with the creatures bear like grip but can’t pry it loose it starts to chant in its daunting voice.
“Heskio dalie tacamatus” It continues to chant in a threatening manner as Jordon and Liara get back to their feet, Jordon dives into his bag and pulls out a small throwing knife, it his combat training class he was a cut above everyone when it came to throwing knives, Jordon grabs the blade and hurls it towards the creature and hits it perfectly in the neck, but it does not seem to change anything, it continues chanting and pulling Dontae closer, Dontae pushes its head away with his other arm and is immediately sent into a dizzy spin, strange sounds shoot past him, his head begins to feel light, he hadn’t felt this sensation for a long time, then he snaps too again, but not in the creatures grip he snaps back in to a crystal clear vision of what seems like the past, he can see what looks like a grand throne room of an exquisite castle eight men stand in a circle with goblets drawn, one man in particular is wearing the same crystal blue amulet, he smiles at the others ‘today marks the grand inauguration of the raven clan, brought together by blood we shall be known from this point forward as the mighty, blood ravens’, Dontae gets the same dizzy sensation and comes too again, this time in a different vision which he can see a face he recognises from history books Rumulous Krestin, the great crusader standing above a cowering man with the same amulet, Dontae figures the corpse in the swamp is this man, an army of Krestin knights stand by Rumulous side, all battle weary, There was another man that looked vaguely familiar to Dontae, he was standing at Romulous’ side, Dontae swears he had seen him before. Rumulous points his sword at the man’s neck, Dontae’s breath catches in his throat the sword of heaven, it was passed from Krestin king to Krestin King the most famous sword in history, the sword that conquered the Pheltons and the Brycillians ‘your reign is up tyrant, your life ends here’, Dontae then spins into another vision. Deep underground it is a large tomb of some sort, strange altars everywhere and fire is exploding out of various golden stands, a big square room with a sunken square level in the middle which houses a golden sarcophagus, an enormous red flame bellows out from the four corners of the sarcophagus followed by the sounds of thousands of screaming souls, it’s almost deafening, Dontae starts twitching as if the vision is starting to hurt him, he then visions a single red glowing jewel, he can see the corpse holding it within his left hand he felt it had experienced great torture and pain for many years the strange corpse has suffered being trapped in this spot, unable to move, unable to die the vision then comes to a single dark knight striking the corpse through the chest with his sword, Dontae is twitching like mad now his eyes are closed tight like he can’t stand the pain and all of a sudden the connection is severed, Dontae collapses backwards trying to regain vision he can see the corpse levitating Jordon off the ground. Jordon is clutching at his throat.
“Ignitious” Liara shouts pointing her wand at the corpse, the corpse spontaneously combusts and Jordon drops to the ground, the corpse turns and looks at Liara letting out an evil croaky laugh, it the looks at Dontae and notices the amulet around his neck, its face drops as it looks down at its own chest, the corpse screams in pain as the fire starts to consume the corpse. Liara rushes over and drags Dontae away.
“Jordon, help” Liara yells at Jordon who has made his way to his feet and runs over slinging Dontae over his shoulder, the three take off down the muddy path from which they came, Jordon has Dontae draped over his shoulder, Dontae is still blurry and moaning incoherently. After what seems like an hour in their frantic state the three come bursting out into the clearing and are instantly confronted by Ramahnus and another Pegasus, beside them one horse and carriage. Standing beside that carriage with a rather disappointed look is the impressive tall structure of the Phobian crystal academy headmaster Matteiu Stark. Stark is dressed in a long pinstriped brown suit and a large black travelling cloak.
“Professa Stark you gots ta elp us, dere is summit evil in dose woods” Jordon says in a frantic voice, Stark looks at Dontae, Jordon lowers him off his shoulders and Dontae finds his own feet but still hasn’t regain his clear vision.
“Mr Lamont, are you o.k?” Stark asks rushing over to give Dontae a hand.
“I… I’m jus, jus a little dizzy sir” Dontae replies blinking wildly to regain vision then stumbling over. He grips onto Starks neck as he falls and stark helps him back up.
“The three of you in the carriage at once!” Stark demands and without questioning Liara and Jordon help Dontae into the carriage. They can see Siam Duraal and one of his bully friends hunched over on the back seat. Liara, Dontae and Jordon take the front seat and wait. Seconds later Stark enters the carriage sitting next to the unconscious Duraal and they begin to move.
“Sir me orse?” Jordon states looking at Stark.
“The Pegasus’ are tied to the carriage. This is a most disappointing situation, Mr Kaahn you are already one step away from expulsion, and Miss Lawrence I would have thought better from you. Now I want an explanation!” Stark looks angry as he is glaring at Liara.
“Well ya see” Jordon starts but is cut off.
“From Miss Lawrence thank you!” Liara looks as if she has just let down her own father, her defeated expression is only matched by her quite unconfident tone.
“It was a silly mistake Professor, we were just going on a little adventure which kind of got out of hand.” Liara explains looking down at her feet.
“And why were Mr Duraal and Mr Prowse withering in pain when I came upon them, they slipped into unconsciousness shortly before you exited the swamp?” Stark asks Liara again.
“I don’t know sir, they must have followed us. We didn’t know they were here.” Liara replies realising it was Siam Duraal she saw earlier duck behind that tree. Stark seems to slow down and composes himself for a second, he slowly leans in with his fingers joined at the tips and angled out to make a triangle with his lap, his forehead rests on the tips of his fingers.
“Liara” Stark begins slowly “Are you familiar with the ‘Maldición de la Muerte’?” Liara shakes her head from side to side in a worried look, Stark looks down at the ground and lets out a small sigh as he looks back at the three removing his hands “It is a terrible curse, one which I thought I would never see again in my lifetime. But ten minutes ago when I seen Mr Duraal and Prowse. I was so sure that they were suffering from it. But then something happened. Something that did not make sense” Stark ponders this chain of thought.
“They didn’t die!” Dontae says quietly sitting upright once more. He still has sweat dripping down from his brow and looks as if he is going to throw up. “The ‘Maldición de la Muerte’… Curse of Death right?” Dontae asks as his head drops back to the headrest. Stark is gawking at Dontae in disbelief.
“How do you know of the curse of Death Mr Lamont?” Stark demands.
“Come on Professor, you taught my father, my uncle always told me he was interested in black magic at a young age, that’s why you won’t teach me, that’s why every time I’m sent to your office you excuse me without hearing why, and you had levelling mages convince me that I have absolutely no magical premise.” Stark remains calm looking at Dontae.
“Where have you come up with this Mr Lamont?” Stark queries unfazed by Dontae’s badgering.
“You asked my mother’s sister not to tell me when she took me in after my mother died, you then asked the same of my father’s brother, who refused, he believed I had the right to know. So you made Djorim out to be crazy. So no one, not even me would believe him, and until now, I didn’t. Until now when I seen your fear of my father, and of me!” Dontae begins to get more heated as Stark still carries the same unfazed pose, Jordon and Liara cannot believe what they are hearing “So, am I warm… Professor? I think I deserve to know that at least” Dontae says heatedly bringing his head back up from the headrest and looking into Starks eyes.
“There is some truth to what you say Mr Lamont, I did teach your father, but he wasn’t interested in black magic, he was obsessed with it. And you are also correct that I was scared of your fathers powers mixed with his obsession. Not for my safety, for his. Conducting black magic destroys the soul my son. And it is true that I asked your mother’s sister and your father’s brother not to tell you of your father’s obsession, not because I wanted to keep you from becoming a mage, but because no boy deserves to grow up knowing his father has done terrible things. But I never asked the levelling mages to hold you back, you have no magical premise. But you do have a distinct power which is why I kept my distance. For you do have an unexplainable power to access ones memories through touch. And I did not want you to find this horrible truth about your father, I was trying to protect you Dontae.” Dontae looks agitated his eyes are searching around the carriage, it did add up but he did not want to believe it.
“What about Djorim?” Dontae snaps back at Stark.
“Djorim still believes your father was innocent. I did not make him out to be crazy. The people in this city did, the people that witnessed firsthand what your father did, they were convinced that Djorim was up to the same antics, but they could not prove it. That was until he was caught years later with dangerous relics in his possession, I believe in the time previous to this he was filling your head about your father, and it seems I was right. Djorim was sentenced to prison for his collection of dark artefacts but before he could face trial he vanished, and never returned to Phobos. I was scared you would believe the things that Djorim was saying. But obviously you didn’t, and I hope now I have clarified enough for you to believe you shouldn’t” Dontae shakes his head trying hard not to believe this story, looking for anything to argue with Stark.
“How do you know of this power and I don’t!” Dontae argues looking rather flustered now ignoring his burning wrist which is still hurting from where the corpse grabbed him.
“You do know Mr Lamont! You just don’t believe it… And you will always know, as long as you remember her. As long as you remember Catherine!” As Stark mentions her name Dontae’s face drops, he knows now everything that Stark has just told him is truth, there is no escaping it now. Dontae feels sick he can’t believe it, the carriage starts to shrink around him and he becomes light headed and before he knows it, Dontae blanks out and collapses to the ground.