The Door Between Worlds Chapter 17

Jason stood up from the table that the doctor had ordered him to sit down on, while he inspected his leg.  It hadn't looked good.  They had put him into a cast, but that wouldn't stop him from doing something about the situation they were in.  Jason quickly snatched the crutches that leaned in the corner of the small examination room and yanked the door open.  His dad, was who knows where in this hospital.  Obadiah was somewhere to the right of his examination room.  He knew this from the rumbling and bellowing that his ox-like comrade had been making.  Obadiah obviously disliked shots.

He peeked out the examination door.  All clear.  Jason soon acclimated to his odd step with the support of the crutch, This wasn't his first cast.  He passed the examination room to his left, listening intently.  Then he moved to the second one.  Nothing.  At the third, he heard low moans and groans.  Grinning, Jason slid the handle down and poked his head in.  Obadiah laid strapped down to a table similar to the one in Jason's room.  Apparently he had been struggling so much so that the nurses had to strap him down.

"How's is going, Obadiah?" Jason creaked into the room.

"I hate those needles.  Battle wounds I can take, but not those things that they just shove into you like they have nothing better to do."  He whimpered.

Jason snickered. 

"I blame you." Obadiah sighed.  And let his head drop back down onto the table.

"Good man.  I'm going to go look for my father.  They refused to answer me when I asked them.  I am hoping that he is okay.  Rest up." Slapping his comrades stomach, James moved out the door, ignoring the pitiful groans following him.

Jason swung down the hallway and around the corner.  Searching for the signs that pointed to the E.R.  The ambulance had gotten to his house quickly, but not quickly enough.  James' breathing had grown shallower and shallower.  It had been with immense relief when they had pulled up to the hospital.  

Turning the corner, he ran into a girl rushing in the opposite direction.  With a yelp of surprise both fell to the ground in a mix of limbs and crutches.  The girl stood up, helping him to his feet, breathing apologies.  

Jason grimaced, and waved off the apology, "Don't worry.  I'll be fine.  Thank-" He paused.  Stunned.  "Jenny, is that you?"  

His sister looked just as stunned.  "Jason?  How did you- how come- why are- I'm so glad you're alive!"  With this she thudded into his chest and gripped him in a bone-cracking hug.

He laughed as his fears and troubles seemed to melt away, so relieved was he that he finally came upon his sister.  "Why shouldn't I be alive?"

She looked up into his eyes, confused. "You don't remember the car accident?  The one that you and mom were in?"

Then he finally remembered it.  He had completely forgotten.  How could he have forgotten?  Did he really just assume that his mother was fine?  He felt sick with himself.  "I remember now.  Is mom okay?"  He asked anxiously. 

Jenny hugged him again, reassuringly, "Don't worry.  She'll make it.  She's.. she's been in a coma for two weeks.  And we don't know where dad is..  and where you were.  I didn't know where you were.  It's just been me.. by myself."

Jason hugged her back, trying to comfort her.  "Don't worry, Jenny.  I'm here now, and I've brought help.  But right now, we need to find Dad.  They probably put him in the E.R.?"

"Why is he in the E.R.?  Where was he?  Where were you?  And why is your leg in a cast?"

"That's a long story, one which we'll have to leave for another time.  Which way to the Emergency Room?" 

Jenny led the way, until they made it to a couple swinging doors that led to the Emergency wing, A couple nurses stood discussing in low tones outside of the doors.  When they saw the two siblings approach, one of them asked,"May I help you?"

Jason looked him in the eye, "Yes, our father in somewhere in there, and we would like to make sure he is okay."

The nurse looked him up and down, and noticed the patient badge, that had his name on it, that was clipped onto his shirt.  "What's your dad's name?"

"James.  James Sterling."  Jenny responded.

The nurse consulted a clip board, the nodded, "Come this way."  With that he swept through the double doors with the siblings trailing after him.  He led them down a long hallway that was lit by those lights you only find in hospitals and dentist offices.  Turning right, down a narrower passage, he stopped at a door, and opened it for them.  "I'll give you a few minutes."  And closed the door behind them.

Jason and Jenny looked at their still unconscious father in horror.  Despite having been given a shower, he looked just as battered and bruised.  Both of his legs suspended in the air, heavily wrapped.  His upper torso was bare, except for a broad strap of clean bandages that was wrapped around his rib cage.  His room was crowded with monitors, and filled the air with beeping.  Jason stepped up and grabbed his dad's only free hand, afraid that he might slip out of his grasp. "Hold on, Dad."  

The Door Between Worlds Chapter 16

Obadiah sprang to a crouched position onto the tiled floor.  Where were they?  Why'd it smell like bacon?  He looked up at a white-washed ceiling.  Then to his right, there was a long basin that was filled with bloodied human body parts. Obadiah cried out and leapt backward.  Then, one pile of limbs moved.

Jason moaned.  He lifted his head up and peered over the lip of his bathtub.. His bathtub?  He jolted upward.  He looked over at Obadiah, who was so besmirched with blood, the only recognizable feature was his beard.  He looked over at the lump of human being next to him.  His father was breathing, but barely.  Jason breathed a sigh of relief to know that they were momentarily safe.

Obadiah stood slowly and heaved a sigh of relief.  He wasn't too injured to live.  He walked over to the basin, and reached out and helped Jason to his feet.  When Jason nearly collapsed, Obadiah remembered his leg injury.  "How is it?  Where are we?"

Jason leaned back against the tiled wall.  "We're home."

"Home?"  Obadiah asked bewildered.

"The world I came from.  The world I was born in.  This is my home."  Jason grinned despite of everything else.

Obadiah pointed at his James.  "So that's your dad?"

"Yes.  We need to get him to a doctor, and fast."  Jason motioned to Obadiah to help him heft his father to a standing position.

Somehow, they managed to get to the bathroom door (Obadiah wanting to ask so many questions, but held his tongue for the time being.)  Opening the door, the trio were about to exit, when Jason suddenly stopped.  "We can't all go down there, I don't know who is home.  Mom or sister might be in with friends." Obadiah saw the wisdom in that and sat down on this odd porcelain thing, that Jason introduced as a "toilet."

Jason propped his unconscious dad up against the bathroom wall, and slid quietly out of the bathroom.  He peeked quietly around the corner and walked down the hall.  The whole house was dead quiet and dark.  Jason wandered the whole house.  Nothing stirred.  He walked from room to room.  Everything felt different, but nothing had changed.  Except for him.  He felt, that after every trip to Alepp, that he was older and more mature.  Responsibility weighed heavily on his shoulders.  The fate of the world somehow seemed to be in the balance, as he thought about Lydia and her army she was gathering.  And then another thing dropped on to his shoulders, like an anvil.  He remember that his mother was probably in the hospital, after the crash.  And where was, Jenny, his sister?  He nearly collapsed.

Jason walked into the family room and picked up the home phone.  He punched in 9-1-1.  When he choked out that he needed an ambulance, ASAP, he put the phone back on the hook and dashed back down the hall, running away from his thoughts.

When Jason threw open the door to the bathroom, he told Obadiah that a doctor was on the way.  Hefting James Sterling between them, they sidled through the small doorway and camped out in the living room.  Jason hunted through the cabinets, and found some crackers and peanut butter that hadn't spoiled, and rifled through to find the first aid kit,  Jason handed out the rations and some bottled water he had tracked down.  He sat down next to his dad, who was slumped on the coach, and started administering simple first aid.  Obadiah was perched across the room on the lazyboy.

Obadiah blurted out, "Why does your bathroom smell like bacon?"

Jason laughed, once against, despite everything he had been through.  "My dad is a lover of bacon, So, he wanted the whole house to smell like it.  My mom only allowed the bathroom."

Obadiah nodded, thoughtful. "What now?  What will our next move be?"

Jason looked at Obadiah.  "I have no idea."

Door Between Worlds Chapter 15

Early morning sunlight filtered through the stretching arms of the crowded trees.  A little rabbit hopped over a root of the oak tree that squatted protectively over it's house.  The rabbit paused.  He sniffed.  He gobbled up the little worm that was wriggling through the damp earth.  This rabbit was an odd rabbit,  He snuffled.  Then he died.

                                                *                            *                       *

Abraham espied the little bunny just as it spotted the worm.  He quickly unsheathed his knife that hung at his belt.  As the bunny gulped it's moist food down, Abraham made his move.  The soft fury beast fell to the mighty hunter.  Abraham Johnson broke into a victory dance.

He laughed at his own antics and headed back to camp.  Since that fateful night that broke the company apart,they seemed no closer to the Fort that they had planned on meeting at.  They had made progress, yes, but the past week had been spent covering their tracks, and trying to locate the rest of their band.  Amos, Saul, and Thomas were still lost to them.  This would be the first time that they actually had fresh meat..  Their victuals were almost gone.  Abraham had to admit to himself, that wasting their time looking for their comrades probably wasn't the smartest thing.  The others had to be at the Fort already, waiting for them.

Abraham slipped back into the camp, as Silas and Emeric stirred.  Gideon was out gathering wood for the fire somewhere.  Abraham wondered vaguely what was taking him so long.  

"Rise and shine, sleepy heads!  I have breakfast!"  Abraham nudged his two comrades with his foot.

Emeric merely groaned and rolled over.  But Silas got up quickly. "Did you say breakfast?"

Abraham nodded.  "It'll take away to cook it thoroughly, but we can have this with some of the apples we found the other day.  But I'm afraid that's  it.  We only have a so much food left, so we'll have to ration more severely."

Silas nodded.  "I thought as much, what with how much Emeric is eating."  He winked at Abraham, and motioned him to keep quiet.  He knelt and grabbed a kettle of water that was left over from the dinner last night, which had turned cold in this altitude.  He gripped the handle and then crept over to Emeric rolled up in his cocoon of blankets.  He let out a whoop and dumped it on Emeric's head, then quickly handed it to Abraham.  Letting out a shout of surprise, Emeric lept to his feet in a surprising show of agility for one who was just asleep.

Emeric spun on the spot, seeing his two laughing companions, he rushed the one who was caught red-handed with the kettle.  Rabbit and kettle went flying as Emeric made contact with Abraham.  A wrestling match quickly ensued.  Silas laughed and egged them on.  

This was the scene that Gideon walked in on,  Beside him were four familiar faces.  They stood, amused, and watched from afar.  As the spectacle died down, the crowd that had gathered applauded appreciatively.  Abraham, Gideon, and Emeric whipped around at the sound, and all nearly fell over.  Stunned. 

"Is this possible?  Is that you, Earl Eric?  And you, Amos, Saul, and Thomas?"  Exclaimed Abraham.  

"Not even a greeting for me, eh?"  Gideon walked over and shoved Abraham playfully.  "I found them on the road..  the road that leads to the fort!"

The clearing was soon filled with sounds of greetings and rejoicing, for the majority of the band was reunited.  For now.

The Door Between Worlds Chapter Fourteen

Jason gritted his teeth, so much so that his teeth creaked, and glared at Lydia.  Just when he was about to open his mouth in retort, there was a loud scrapping noise and excited shouts.  Jason and Lydia both looked up to see what was going on.  A man had dashed into the room, holding something aloft in his hand.

"Queen Lydia!  We found it!  We found the Regina!" He cried aloud in emotion.

As Jason looked dumb-founded, Lydia leapt forward and grabbed it from the now kneeling man.  "Finally!  I have been patient.. but all good things to those who wait, right Sterling?"  Lydia smiled triumphantly.

"Define good things." Obadiah threw back.

Ignoring Obadiah, Lydia continued. "So, Jason, your time has come to decide.  What will you do?  Will you leave your father to die, and rot here under the mountain with your friend?  Or will you take the stone, go into your world, and try to keep your father alive?"

Jason looked at her, then at the stone, then to the "wall" where his father was steadily slowing down.  "Let my father come into the room, so that I know that he is alive.  Let me see him to know that this is not just an illusion!"

Lydia smiled graciously, "Of course.  That can easily be arranged."  Saying thus she motioned to one of the guards by a door.  He entered, then a few minutes later, he came back in dragging Jason's father.

                                                 *                           *                       *

James Sterling moaned, battered and bruised, as he was thrown to the ground.  When the guard had told him to jump off the "treadmill" to the door, he could barely believe him.  James strove to sit up, but couldn't find the strength.  He coughed violently.  He heard the cold voice that he had heard right after he had been captured.  "Behold, Senior Sterling.  Old age doesn't look well on you, James."  Lydia laughed.

James heard Jason tried to struggle, "Now!  Obadiah, now!"

He heard the two thuds, followed by a scream, and then all of a sudden, the Hall was filled with shouting and yelling.  He felt an arm pass under his.  Then his son, his faithful son's voice whispered, "Can you walk, Dad?"

"I think I can.."  James gasped faintly.  Struggling to his feet he opened his eyes.  Jason's grey eyes peered into his.  James glanced down and saw a stone, grasped tightly in his son's hand.  It was deep magenta and glowed dully.  Looking around, He saw Obadiah fell two more men.  That made the body count eight.  The girl named Lydia had slunk back to the big stone doors, where a flood of men waited uncertainly.  No one seemed willing to come within Obadiah's reach.

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Jason whirled in place, looking for an escape route.  Just as he was about to give up hope, he saw right behind the throne, a glowing doorway.  The stone in his hand simultaneously burned brightly.  He shouted back to Obadiah, "This way, Obadiah!  Help me with my father."

With the help of Obadiah, they made it quickly back to the door, behind the throne.  Surprised but pleased that no one dared follow, Jason saw what had been sheer stone, now looked more like quicksilver.  Having no choice, Jason dove for the door, headlong with his dad, and Obadiah in tow.

                                               *                                  *                            *

Lydia smiled at her men.  "The bait has been taken.  The iron is hot.  Let us strike.  Like I said, all good things to those who wait."  The mob cheered.

                                               *                                    *                             *

Obadiah Odin sat up and sniffed the air.  He smelled bacon.

The Door Between Worlds Chapter Thirteen

Jason was hurled to the cold ground.  He sucked air in as pain shot up his leg.  He heard a thud next to him as Obadiah hit the floor.  Odin moaned.

"Remove the sacks from their heads, " A crisp, clear voice commanded.  A woman's voice.

When the sacks were pulled roughly from their heads, Jason took in his surroundings.  His first glance fell on his companion, who laid sprawled on the hard stone floor next to him.  Outside of general bruising, he had a gash on his left forearm that had dried blood smeared across his entire arm.  And from the way he was breathing, Jason was pretty sure that Obadiah had fractured a few ribs as well.  Now that he was completely conscious, he tried to take stock of his own injuries.  He felt bruised and battered, and he saw some minor wounds along his arms and legs, but the serious pain emanated from his knee cap.  He tried to push the pain that was roaring through his body out of his mind, but it kept pressing to the fore-ground.  Before he could look around him much more, the same voice brought his attention back to the front of the hall.

A slim figure stood in front of a stone cut throne, which was squatting on a raised dais.  Along the high-arched hall, many doors led off to who knew where.  There was something imposing and awe-inspiring of this mountain fastness.  That, is the only way that this could be possible, thought Jason.  It must be underground somewhere.

"Hello, Jason dear.  It has been awhile."

Lydia watched as Jason's head snap back to her, now sitting enthroned.  Confusion and surprise clouded his normally handsome now bloodied and soot covered face.  "Lydia?"

"Yes, it is me.  Happy to see me?"

Jason looked down at his ripped garments, nearly useless left knee-cap, at his beaten companion, and then back at Lydia.  "No..  I don't think that I am."

Lydia laughed.  "Oh, but you will.  Once you understand what I mean to do with your world."

Jason's brow knitted. "What is going on, Lydia?  And what do you mean by "my world"?"

Lydia shook her head.  "All in good time, dear.  Now, the pressing question is what can you do for me?"

When Jason just glared at her, she continued.  "Alepp is falling apart, her nobles are tearing at each other's throats, she has no king.  Alepp is decaying, a mere two months after you freed it, Jason.  And do you know why it is rotting?  Because you didn't fulfill the prophecy.  You didn't finish the job.  You failed.  You failed the world you promised to protect.  Yes, you won a few battles, but you did not find the heir of The King.  Because of all this, I thank you.  I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you, I owe you.  Now that Alepp is practically mine, it is time for your world to bow before me as well!"

Jason listened incomprehensibly.  He was astonished.  This was Lydia.  This was the girl who had helped them escape pirates and Drolfs.  This was the girl who had been with them every step of the way.  The same one who had been so eager to escape that sea-side prison-house and make something of her life.  Now here she was talking nonsense.

Lydia smiled.  "No, Jason, this is not nonsense.  This is life.  And it is mine.  Just as your world will be mine after we find the stone."

"I'm sorry, but, what?  No one knows how Ab and I got transported here.  You of all people know that.  There is nothing that can be done until we are zapped back to my world."

"Once again you are wrong, dear." Lydia chirped, and started pacing back and forth on the dais.  Obadiah moaned and struggled to his knees as well.

"So glad you could make it, Obadiah.  Now please, no more questions, I'm trying to explain the situation here to Jason."

Obadiah glanced at Jason.  Jaw pumping, anger seemed to be dancing on the edge of bursting onto Jason's face.  Jason acknowledged his companion with a nod, his mind busy trying to take in all of the details.  But still glad that Obadiah was alright.

"Back to what I was saying.  Jason, you and Ab came here, went back, and came again.  There must been an explanation, so I started searching.  Well, to cut a long story short, it led me to this very mountain.  So, I started practicing my new craft that I discovered, and continued searching for the answer to my question.  Once I mastered my new craft, I knew how to change to weather to my will and send discord amongst my enemies.  I learned how to make fire, wet, and make stone, crack and become nothing.  I have turned my new found powers into something productive and have gathered men that see reason and what really is.  Who can see past the mist that cover human beings eyes.  They now know the truth.  They have been enlightened."  At this last bit, her face lit up with maniacal delight.

Jason looked to Obadiah, who looked stunned, then looking back to the witch.  He asked, "Enough of this madness.  What of this "stone" you have been going on about?"

She looked back down at them, and started walking toward them.  "This stone is the answer and solution to my problems.  It is called the regina.  It is said to to possess power beyond all imagination.  Once you or Ab have gone through with this stone, as long as you hold on to it, the portal will enlarge it self slowly but surely.  And at the end of a week, my entire army will empty into your world.  It will seem like it is the end, but it will only be the beginning of something bigger and better.  Your world and our world will be made new.  They will be made one, both will be stronger because of it, and will be united under my rule."  She halted right in front of them.  "What do you say, Jason?  Will you join me?"

Jason grimaced through the pain and glared up at her.  "I don't think I will.  I think what you are doing is wrong, and that you will have Elohim to answer to."

"Elohim! HA." Lydia let out a bark of derisive laughter.  "Elohim is nothing to me.  He is nothing."  She glared down into the Jason's stony face.  "You will do as I say."

"What if I don't?  What if you just kill me now?"

"Well, you may do that, if you want to see your father die a slow and painful death first."  With that, she clapped her hands, and what had seemed to be a solid stone wall gave way to something like that of a projector screen.  What Jason saw was horrifying.

James Sterling was running.  On what looked like a concrete treadmill, that seemed to be going at a very fast pace.  On the walls surrounding this huge tread mill, were thousands of sharpened stones that stood out like rhino horns, three to four feet long.  And where the tread mill disappeared into the ground, hundreds of short teeth poked horizontal with the ground.  But what worried Jason most of all was his father.  His father looked like he could not hold on much longer.  He looked that fatigued.

"Let him go!" Jason shouted, and he actually tried to rise, before he remembered his leg.  His face contorted once again with pain and rage as he collapsed back to the floor.  "Do it now! Or else!"

"Or else what, love?" Lydia sneered.

Obadiah leapt to his feet and tried to hurl himself at her, but was restrained by guards who had been waiting for something like this to happen just behind them and out of their sight. "Join me Jason, or else watch your father be impaled on one of those stones.  Hurry.  He won't last much longer."

The Door Between Worlds Chapter Twelve

Bright morning sunlight poured through the color stained glass and splashed down on the pews, altar, and paintings of the chapel.  Standing up from the kneeling stool he had at the front of the chapel, Priest Bartholomew shuffled toward the door easing his bulk through the doorway.  He shook his head full of wispy white hair, muttering all the while, "This isn't good.  Not good at all.  What is happening, oh Lord?"

Stepping out of the small chapel, he waddled his pumpkin shaped body across the courtyard of Earl Eric's castle.  "He needs to know." He rumbled as he shuffled up to the door.

Heaving open the heavy oak doors, he paused and panted, catching the eye of a smirking guard who was on duty across the courtyard guarding the gate.  "Quiet yourself son, if you had any respect, you'd be rushing over here to help me open this darned thing."

"But, I'm on duty, I can't-"

Waving away the excuse, he slid his bulk through the doorway and walked into the cool, dark of the Great hall.  Shaking his head, he pushed through a door on the right side of the hall, and waddled along a corridor that he knew led to the Earl's private chambers.  Stopping outside the large door frame, Bartholomew cocked his head back, and swept his wizened old hand along the carved frame.  He had always admired this work of art.  Shaking himself out of his revere, the Bishop knocked loudly.

A tired voice responded, "Come in."

Earl March never believed in a chamberlain.  He thought that that would be too overbearing.

Watching his fat priest struggle to fit through any doorway always brought a grin to his face. Earl March grabbed a wine cup from the side of the table and downed it in one gulp.  Peace planning for a nation for tiring.  "Peace with you, father."

"Peace with you, son.  But don't sit there and pretend you don't find my appearance amusing."

As he continued to grumble, Eric smiled.  This is why he loved his priest.  Priest Bartholomew had been with him since birth, and had been one of his closest friends during the darkest hour of the war with the Pirates.  As the priest stopped, Eric offered him a chair and drink, which the priest accepted, with slight reluctance.

"What's on your mind, father?"  Eric asked as the priest got settled.

After a sip, he put the cup down deliberately, he shifted his bulk in his chair.  "It's troubling.  I was praying in my chapel today, when I felt a cloud descend on my thoughts.  It had nothing to do with the weather, as I thought it did.  There.. there was something unsettling.  It seemed as though God wanted to tell you something.  I don't know what happened, but the other day when you sent off that party of men, my heart has been heavy ever since.  Something isn't right.  I believe that.. that the men have fallen into peril."

Eric's face had clouded with every word.  "What?  Are you sure?"

Priest Bartholomew nodded solemnly.  Eric thought for a second, then nodded back.  "It could to be connected with the thunderstorms on the mountaintop.  Would that be an unreasonable suggestion?"

"No, my liege, it would not."

The earl sat motionless, then all of a sudden, leapt to his feet.  "I must ride after them.  I sent them, so I can not allow them to fall into harms way!  Pomoshink!"

At the sound of his name, a page jumped out from the shadows where he had been lounging, ready to go at his masters beck and call.  "Find, Difensore, and tell him to muster the troops, and to have them ready by sundown."  Bowing quickly the page-boy disappeared with a flurry of movement out the door.

"And you, father, pray for us.  We will need His sure hand protecting us tonight."  And with that, he disappeared as well.

The Door Between Worlds Chapter Eleven

Abraham stopped before he entered the clearing- Silas, Emeric and Gideon on his tail.  He vaulted from the saddle, then he whispered, "Silas, Emeric, you two go on this side of the clearing.  Gideon and I will take the other side of the clearing."

Abraham and Gideon glided from shadow to shadow, as they peered into the clearing, making sure there was no one in the clearing.  As far as they could tell, the clearing was empty.  Abraham was about to step out into the clearing, when Gideon grabbed his forearm and pulled him back into the shelter of the trees.  Abraham watched as a band of seven men burst into the the clearing.  Bloodied and muddied from the battle that had just finished, they stopped and strove to catch breath.

One of the men who looked like he was in charge, asked to no one in general, "What does it take to satisfy that Mathie?" He let out a string of fluid curses under his breath.

One of men followed suit and asked the surrounding wood, "Why can't we just settle with the two back there that we captured?  What were their names?  Sterling and Odin?"

Abraham whipped his head around to Gideon.  He looked like his jaw just dropped about a foot.  He looked at the company of seven men as they started moving forward swiveling their head from side to side.

"Should we attack them?" Gideon whispered.

"No.  Stay where you are, maybe if they'll leave we can keep going. We just need to alert Silas and Emeric to stay put-"

But before Abraham could think aloud as to how to inform his comrades, the two men flung themselves out into the clearing and charged at the group with shouts of rage.  Gideon cursed silently under his breath, and immediately looked at Johnson.  "Sorry Ab."

"Doesn't matter, we need to help them."  Drawing his sword he jumped out into the fight, Gideon on his tail.  Two men had already fallen to the swords of Silas and Emeric.  The leader whirled around just in time for Abraham's weapon come crashing down on his skull.  With his head in half, the leader of the band collapsed.  Before the rest of the search party knew what had happened, their attackers had doubled.  Gideon slew another.

Adrenaline pumped through Abraham, as he turned to find that two others had fallen to Silas and Emeric.  When the only one left of the seven noticed that he was the only one standing, he turned tail and fled.  But before he could get far, Gideon threw a knife, which buried itself in between his should-blades.  Abraham looked at him in surprise.  "Nice throw."

Gideon grinned through the mud on his face.  Abraham looked around at the other two, who had smiled as well.  He glared at them, suddenly stern, "Why would you do something like that?  When these men don't return to their commander, he will know something will happen!  That was rash!  We may have just jeopardized what Jason and Obadiah had sacrificed for.  And that was to keep us safe so that we can continue the mission."

Silas and Emeric looked abashed.  Silas was the first to speak up, "I'm sorry Ab, I wasn't thinking."  Emeric nodded in agreement.

Abraham nodded in acceptance of the apology, "We need to leave, and fast."

As the four went back into the wood to get their horses, Abraham grimaced.  When would they have to stop running?

The Door Between Worlds Chapter Ten

Mackluckie watched as the company rode hard and fast for the forest, he grabbed his horn that hung from the saddle of the Drolf standing next to him.  He blew it twice,and his troops sprang after the retreating quarry, leaving five fallen Alptraums, four dead Drolfs, and seven men lying on the ground.  He grimaced, Jason Sterling had a crew of hardy men.


                                         *                                *                              *

Adrenaline pumped through Abraham's veins as they raced toward the treeline.  He chanced a glance back, what he saw wasn't comforting.  The advantage that the company had had, was now vanishing at a rapid pace.  He turned back around, and shouted a warning up to Jason.  Riding next to Jason, Silas turned around on his steed, notching an arrow.  Taking aim, he let fly.  After hearing a dull thud, and a bone rattling shriek, they assumed one Drolf had fallen.

Before any of them could congratulate Silas, Jason yelled through the wind, "We're almost there, get ready to jump off the horses and load your bows.  If we all-"

But before he could finish his command, out of the refuge that they were trying to gain, spilled nearly eighty men.  All of them armed to the teeth.  All of them ready to do anything that they could to stop the fleeing band.  Hemming them in from in front, and the monsters approached from behind.  There was no way that they would be able to break through the oncoming wave of fresh soldiers.  They were trapped.

Jason reined his horse in, once everyone had gathered around him, "Split into two groups.  Ab, Silas, Emeric, and Gideon go west and get out of the way before they hem us all in.  Obadiah, lead the Amos, Saul, and Thomas in the opposite direction.  I'll hold them off here-"

Odin rumbled disagreement, "You will do no such thing.  You can not alone withstand these two combined warhosts.  Two are better than one, I say. Amos take Saul and Thomas, now."  He turned and glared in defiance at Jason.

Jason was about to object, but their enemies were closing in fast.  He sighed, "Fine.  Remember, to meet up at the Fort.  Obadiah, you can stay, everyone else, fly.  NOW!"

The appointed groups galloped in opposite directions. Confused, the enemy stumbled to a halt.  They had not expected the company to split.  Least of all, going in two different directions, and leaving behind two of their own.  Coming to their senses, and ignoring the shouting and threats of their commander, who was standing on a knoll a little way away from the battlefield, they zoned in on the quarry standing midway between the two armies.

Mathie watched in frustration as his armies ignored his remonstrances. He mounted his Drolf and descended into the battle to try to restore order, and send out parties to pursue the retreating groups.  He ignored the command of Queen Lydia echoing through his head to stay out of the battle.  He didn't want his quarry slipping out of his grasp.

Jason Sterling and Obadiah Odin watched as their pursuers gained them.  They looked at each other, then grasped each other's forearm.  "Elohim with you," Jason intoned.

"And also with you." Obadiah responded.

Turning so that they were back to back, they started chanting the old Aleppian battle chant. "The Warrior is my Rock and Fortress, whom shall I fear?"  With a mighty shout, their enemies fell upon them.  They continued to chant as their swords swung like lightening. "The rumbling enemies crash on Him like water on the stone-cold cliffs. Whom shall we fear?"

They felled as many as were in their reach, but more and more replaced the fallen. "The spear and arrow fly, but whom can pierce the protection of my Lord?  My enemies surround me, and scoff and say, 'Where is your God?  Who will protect you?'  But whom shall I fear with Elohim's Hand of Protection on me?"

Jason fended off three men at once, as Obadiah was pressed with two Alptraums from the back.  Jason jabbed to the man on his right, which put the ruffian on guard, and the other two launched themselves at him, thinking that he had put his guard down.  Jason sidestepped the first swing from the third man, and spun, swinging.  Hearing the satisfying crunch of the metal biting into the shoulder blade, he grimaced.  Expectant, Jason dropped to a crouch as a sword whistled through the air above him.  He swung his sword and flipped the soldier that had started on his left onto his.  The man hit the dirt, but Jason finished him off before he could think of getting up.

As he anticipated the first soldiers move, he rolled backward.  Jason collided with the soldier, knocking him down.  Jumping up, he spun around and dispatched the soldier as he was struggling to get to his feet.  When Jason turned to see how Obadiah was dealing with each other, a searing pain pierced the back the back of his leg.  He looked down and saw a spear protruding from his kneecap.

He tried to pivot, but he was tripped and pushed down to the ground.  Someone grabbed the spear shaft and wiggled.  Sterling's face contorted in rage and pain as he let out a cry of agony.  He struggled in and out of consciousness, but one of the last things he remembered was Obadiah hurling a man ten yards, before he was finally tackled by five men and thrown to the ground.

Then Jason knew no more.

The Door Between Worlds Chapter Nine

Mathie Mackluckie rode on the shoulders of his drolf, as they narrowed in upon the group of nine.  He watched as they attempted to get into formation, but Mathie's troop had the element of surprise, and they far outnumbered the group of nine.  Queen Lydia had said that he was to take fifteen drolfs and ten alptraums, and enough men to keep them under control.  Although he hadn't thought that this was necessary, he had bowed to her wishes.  He didn't like defeating his enemies by sheer power.

Mathie watched as he ordered his troops to attack.

                                    *                                   *                                   *

Jason yelled at his counterparts to fall into formation.  He tried to organize them into a ring around their horses, and on two of those horses he placed Silas and Emeric.  They would have a better vantage point and more room to work with their arrows. He barely finished his preparations when the enemy struck.  And they struck hard.

The drolfs flew in from the sky, and the alptraums from the ground.  Jason could barely believe how many there were. "Hang fast men!  Silas and Emeric, wait till you can see the whites of their eyes, then fire at will." Jason encouraged.

Abraham smiled, remembering that line from history class. "Good one, Jas."

Jason laughed, despite the situation.

The Drolfs dropped down in the middle of the circle of defenders, although they had already lost three of their number, including their riders, having fallen and broken their arms or collarbones.  Silas and Emeric abandoned their bows, and vaulting themselves from their perches they rushed into the crowd of assailants.  Synchronized with their comrades in the middle, the troop of Alptraums charged the circle.  Beset from both center and middle, the defenders were pushed apart as the battle commenced.  The company fought in groups of twos and threes, fighting a losing battle.  Jason and Abraham stood back to back and fought off the monsters that assaulted them.  They unearthed their use and techniques of the sword that they had mastered in Alepp two years ago, and found that they were swifter and stronger since then.

The raging sea broke as if on a cliff face as the Alptraums, Drolfs, and men attempted to break the duet apart.  Abraham slashed low, while Jason cleaved space free up high.  Jason jumped and twisted in midair as an Alptraum leapt at him, swinging his sword as he landed, he cleft through the soft fur of the stomach.

Jason whirled around as he heard Abraham cry out.  Another bear-man crouched over him and prepared to deliver the killing blow.  Jason sprang forward, but he knew he couldn't get there in time.  Then, out of nowhere, without any weapon at all, Obadiah Odin barreled through and tackled the Alptraum, and started wrestling it.  Jason hurried to his aid and helped him dispatch it.

  Abraham tried to stand up, but he wobbled.  He groaned.  "My ankle is sprained, Jas.  I don't know if I will be able to get out of here without slowing y'all down."

Jason rushed to his side and had his bestfriend wrap his arm around his shoulders, "Don't worry, Ab.  I'll get you out of here."

Obadiah's panting brought them back to the battle raging around them, "What's the plan, Jason?  We won't be able to defeat the enemy, there are too many, and our men are too outnumbered and wounded to carry on like this.  Saul had his arm dislocated, the two Tronido brothers have suffered concussions, Amos stumbled over a Drolf's body and got attacked by another one of those demons.  He has scratches all up and down his back.  And we can't forget Abraham's ankle." He pointed out needlessly.

Jason nodded, "We need to try to make it to the forest.  Where are the horses?"

"They've scattered-"

But before Obadiah could finish his sentence, Thomas Fresco burst through the battle with all of the horses in tow.  Abraham grinned, then winced.  "Glad you were wrong this time, Odin.  Ouch.  I think I might've broken a rib too."

Jason found his horse and blew the horn that hung at the saddle.  Five more figures rushed toward the group of four standing by the horses.  Jason was relieved to see that they recognized the old Aleppian horn signals.

While the enemy was still trying to figure out the sudden absence of their quarry, the company gathered around Jason and Abraham, "Friends, on the horses as quickly as possible.  This is a battle we can't win."  Ignoring their mutterings, Jason waited until everyone was mounted.  When everyone was ready to ride, Jason continued, "Head to the forest, and if you become separated on the way, meet up at Fort Katafygio.  Now, go!  Heeyah!"  Jason urged his horse to a gallop and the company raced away across the plains with the enemy in pursuit.

The Door Between Worlds Chapter Eight

The company rode down the grassy knoll into the wide plains that separated them from the Northern mountains.  Jason looked at the jagged peak in the distance and grimaced.  And then he continued to eat bacon.

As the group clattered along the grassy trail, Gideon came abreast of Jason.  He grinned as Jason handed him a slab, "Thank you, Sterling.  What's the plan when we reach the Promonton pass?"

Jason chewed thoughtfully before he replied, "We were planning on going up through the pass about fifteen klicks and then turn right before we reach the peak of the pass, we'll leave the horses there at a fort that guards the pass that Earl March holds and leave the horses there with them.  When there we'll go on foot and turn up into the mountains to continue upward."

"How far?"

"As far as we can go.  No one in recent memory has reached the peak of the topmost mountain.  So we will keep climbing until it isn't possible to climb anymore.  And then we'll climb more."  Jason laughed.

                                            *                            *                            *

James woke up on his back.  He tried to open his eyes, but they were blindfolded.  His hands scrapped against the ground, sensing where he was, nostril's flared trying to make sense of the clear, cold air that hit his lungs.  His mind was groping for what had happened to bring him to this place.

Just as suddenly as the cold air hit his lungs, the memories came flooding back.  James Sterling tensed at the memory and struggled to his knees when he heard a voice just to his right.

"Hello, James Sterling.  Good of you to join me."  A young confident voice quipped.

"Who are you?"  James asked defiantly.

Lydia smiled, he sounded just like Jason, "You are Jason's father, are you not?"

James Sterling tensed his muscles, his jaw clenched. "Where's Jason?  Do you know where he is?"

Lydia let out a taunting laugh, "Yes.  And no."

"What do you mean by that?" James didn't like her.

She ignored him. "Mathie, prepare the troops.  I don't want Jason's father kept waiting."

"Yes ma'am," answered a rumbling, cheerful voice.  Then he heard footsteps departing.

"And you, Sornione, get yourself off your hind in and show our guest to his living quarters."

A grunt carried across the room from where James was on his knees, "Yes ma'am."  A cynical voice responded.  He felt a thin hand with long, clawlike fingers grip his shoulders and pull him to a standing position.  Sornione shoved him hard in the small of the back before he could get set on his feet.  He stumbled to the ground.  Sornione grabbed him and hauled him up with surprising strength, James Sterling shoved Sornione off.  He continued to walk blindfolded.  Sornione order him to halt, and stepped around him and yanked open a door.  A burning smell sifted through the air to James' nostril.  He grimaced.

Sornione tore the black cloth off of his eyes and gave him an elbow into the place between his shoulder blades. "Run." He said and slammed the door.

James hit the ground and started running against the ground that was moving against him.

                                       *                             *                          *

It had been two days since they had started across the plains.  Abraham Johnson looked up from his horse and looked across to the dark forest that hemmed the Promontan mountain range in.  He was still gazing when the attack hit the small company from the rear.

A sharp cry arose, one that he had hoped he would never hear again.  A drolf landed right in front of him and Peanut Butter.  (His horse)  "Jason!  We're under attack!"  Abraham yelled.  He turned and leapt into his saddle and spurred Peanut back to the camp, with the drolf flapping right behind him.

The Door Between Worlds Chapter Seven

Lydia watched as the figure raced across the field, away from the Alptraum.  She smiled as she turned away from the window and walked back into her throne room in her mountain fastness.  She would be prepared to receive James Sterling.

Count Sornione strutted into the hall, "Shall I have the archers shoot?"

"No, Sornione," Lydia glared.  He was so impatient.  No, they would have to be deliberate.

"But, ma'am, if I may be so bold, I would suggest we at least fire at it to let it know who's land it dares intrude upon." The Count said imperiously.

Lydia grimaced, "We want him to come this way.  Now, please, open our gates so that our guest can be welcomed."

The Count stayed where he was, "Why do we want this foreigner to step foot in our mountain?  This has never happened before, and I will never allow it to happen as long as I'm alive."

Angered to be thus defied, Lydia stood up, and then she walked slowly down the stairs.  Sornione stepped back a pace.  "How dare you question a direct order."  She said it in a voice barely above a whisper, but it held the force of a tornado.

Sornione stared hard down at her into her once brown, now black eyes.  She didn't have any respect for him.  She didn't think he could wipe her life away in a-

Count Sornione never had a chance to finish his thought, for the next thing he knew, he was being struck by lightening.  Then he was hurled back against the stone wall.  He groaned, his vision dimmed, and a black warmness was about to envelope him.  But before he lost consciousness, he heard Lydia's voice filter through the darkness, "Who is wiping out who's life, sweet Sornnione?" She laughed.

                                                *                                *                                 *

James Sterling stretched his long legs as far as they would go, and pulled them back as quickly as he could, racing and propelling himself off the rocky ground.  The Bear-man was just behind him, snarling.  When he had jumped through the portal, James had almost been struck dumb with wonder.  But when death is on your heel, you forget your surroundings and run.  That is life is, running until you have finished your story, running until you are full to the brim and ready to burst.  Death catches you, only when your story is done.  Only when it is time to meet your Maker.

Jame's story was no where near the ending.  As a matter of fact, he was more alive than he could ever imagine.  He breathed, pumping air down into his engines, finding another gear he never knew he had. He turned a tight corner that dead-ended abruptly.  He whipped around as he heard the Alptraum come racing around the corner.  He looked around for something to defend himself with, there was nothing.  Nothing but solid cliff face.  He grimaced.

The Alptraum growled, he gathered himself, and just when James Sterling was making his final prayers, he was grabbed from behind and hauled into the cliff face.  The last thing he saw was the beast flinging itself before the cliff swallowed James Sterling.  Then he knew no more.

                                                 *                                  *                                 *

Jason Sterling hauled himself up into the saddle, the early morning mist rising from the ground.  He shivered, it had to be below freezing.  Alepp could definitely get cold in the morning.  His fellow companions were mounting their horses around him as they prepared to head up into the mountains.  Jason looked up at the snow capped peaks in the distance, he sighed inwardly, it was going to be a long journey.

"Hey Jas," Abraham rode up alongside him, "Have some bacon."  Abraham handed him a slab of bacon.

Jason smiled.

He ate.

Fan-Art: Meet The Characters From The First Book

One of my good friends, Jared Patterson, was reading my book and decided to do some hand-drawn art for fun.  This is some of the characters from the first book, "The Sterling Prophecy."

Meet the characters from the first book.

My apologies for the pixels.. my camera on the computer isn't the best.  This is the Emperor.

Meet Abraham Johnson.

Here's Jason Sterling and Frodo!  

The Door Between Worlds Chapter Six

James Sterling stepped out of the Emergency Room that contained Lily Sterling.  He walked down the hall to the vending machines, hoping that a soda would help him stay awake.  He was weary.  Weary and worried beyond imagination.

His wife was in the E.R., his son was missing, there were police who were inquiring into the accident, and searching for his son.  Of course, it was for their benefit, but they wouldn't leave James Sterling alone.  What he wanted right now was to be able to look for his son, and watch his wife simultaneously.  But since he wasn't able to be in the same place twice, he would be spending the night watching over his wife.  James had already been searching with the rescue teams since last night, when the accident happened, all the way until dinner time.  That's when he had arrived at the hospital.

He pushed open the glass door that contained the vending and ice machines, and punched in the button for a Pepsi.  The price tag showed: $2.00.  Sterling grimaced as he fed the bills into the slot.  Really?  No wonder our country is in debt...  He laughed.  His thoughts were wimping out on him, as well as his ability to piece together two sentences.  Exhaustion wasn't even a word to describe what he was feeling.

The can got stuck, James promptly shook the machine.  Just as promptly, the lights flickered, dimmed, then went out.  He looked at it, then thumped his head down on the vending machine.  He growled, "Could this night get any worse?"  He sighed and turned around.  What he saw made him regret his previous statement.

What stood before him, was a disturbing creature that stood about six feet tall.  At first glance, it had the appearance of a bear, but on closer inspection, the face was similar to that of a human.  It had a flatter nose.  Not like the snout of a bear.  It's eyes were like those of a human.  James didn't know how he knew, but he just felt like they were human eyes.  And the mouth didn't show the normal sharp teeth of a bear, they were closer to those of a humans.

James Sterling started at first, then his mind thought this might be a practical joke.  When he was about to ask this.. whatever it was, if it was a practical joke, a low, guttural growl emitted from the creature.. He decided that that could not have been produced by a human.  Then he noticed another thing, this bear was standing like a human being.  Before, he could think of anything else.  The Alptraum, which was the Aleppian name for this creature, launched itself, growling, at James.

James barely dodged it, as it flew into the vending machine, smashing glass and sending sodas and snacks flying across the room.  Sterling rushed to the door to pull it open, but when he exited, it wasn't a clean hospital hallway, it was an entirely different scene that met his eyes.

The Door Between Worlds Chapter Five

Jason looked around the crackling fire at his companions, who were digging into their meals with the vigor of men who had been on horse back since dawn.  The light, of not just the fire, but of companionship and adventure were akindle in their eyes.

Jason Sterling looked around at his companions, who were sitting in a circle around the fire.  These had been handpicked.  Sitting on his right was his bestfriend, Abraham Johnson.  Next to him was Thomas Fresco, who was not very broad but every fiber in his being was tough, he knew how to handle a short sword like no other in all of Alepp.  Gideon and Emeric Tronido sat next to him, they were brothers, Gideon was broad through the shoulders, and had an air of confidence that reflects the other's confidence in him.  Emeric was slimmer than his older brother, but what much more swift, and was a match for anyone with the longbow.

Next to him sat another capable bowman, Silas Lawine.  Not as slim as Emeric, he had bulging arm muscles that resembled that of a carthorse.  Saul Urugano, a quality spear-man, was slightly thick across the waist, but he was muscular and willing to do anything to protect his friends and fellow soldiers.  Amos Relampago was a stout axe-man, who could swing an elephant across a large room.  Obadiah Odin was probably one of the most powerful of the group, with his five foot ten inch frame and he was four feet across the shoulders.  He could wield a battle hammer like no other, his spirit was alive with love of country, brotherhood, and Elohim.  Nor would he pass up good food.  And it was with him that Jason Sterling was engaged in a conversation with.

As they finished their meal, Obadiah leaned back against a log they had set back, and questioned Jason, "So, are you able to give some more details as to why we are riding through this barren wasteland?  All Earl March said, was that it was a mission of the utmost importance for the survival of Alepp." A silence reigned around the camp fire, as every head turned to watch Jason.

Jason leaned back, and thoughtfully chewed his food. "That, my good friend, is a very good question.  I'll try to answer it in short, so that we have some time to sleep."

"Glad to see your inner mother finally show, Jas."  Abraham quipped.  All of them laughed appreciatively.

Jason waved the comment away and plunged on, "You all are aware of the dire situation Alepp is in, any week now, this country could be sunk into a civil war.  The lords of this country think that they would do better by seizing the throne.  Baron Hilldeg is the Protector of the country, but they are not satisfied.  They have become greedy.

"Why this sudden upswing?  It seems that just in the past few weeks it has happened.  Two years ago, we were rid of the Pirates that harassed this fair country.  Now, all of a sudden, that is forgotten and we have turned on each other.  Why?

"From what Earl March said, there are rumors of something.. dark coming from up north.  In the Promontan mountains.  That for several square miles around this one certain pinnacle in the middle, the entire land is dead.  Nothing moves.  There are tremors, and thunderstorms continuously.  This started right around the time that the bickering started..  The Earl suspects a connection.  And that is our mission.  To find out what it is."

Gidean piped up, "What if it is just a thunderstorm?  Nothing more.  What does he think it is?"  the others murmured in assent.

Jason looked around the campfire slowly, "He suspects sorcery."

The Door Between Worlds Chapter Four

Jason and Abraham mounted two war stallions, and clattered out of the courtyard with a company of seven men at arms.  The well-wishes of Earl March followed them out of their safe-haven.

A new day had dawned, and they were heading to northern Alepp, without so much as a second thought.  They knew what they had to do.  Or atleast most of them did.

"So, what was the plan again?" Ab inquired.

Jason turned in the saddle and looked disbelievingly as Abraham, who was riding just behind him.  "You seriously were asleep?"

"Yes, I was.  What did you think I was doing in your chair?  Faking sleep?  Nope.  That being sucked through vortexes and traveling to different worlds, and having to wait by your side to make sure that you're okay, is tiring business.  So don't blame me for having fallen asleep."  Abraham grinned.  "Those eggs were good though."

Jason sighed dramatically, "Atleast we know your appetite was sated."  He laughed and urged his horse into a gallop.  Abraham stared after him, as the company surged around them.  He laughed, "I used to think I could get away with those things.  But I guess I'll just have to deal with my ignorance."

They traveled for another three days, only stopping to sleep during the nights, but always constantly moving.  They didn't want to attract attention, so that was why there retinue was not large.  Instead, they consisted of the most loyal and hearty of Earl March's men.  They didn't stop at any castles, which normally they would've done, but this mission needed speed and needed to be hidden in secret, so that it would not be hindered by the bickering lords of the land.

On the fourth day, Jason Sterling saw the mountain ranges, which were cloaked menacingly in dark clouds.  He turned to Gideon, "How are our supplies holding up?"

Gideon's, who was the leader of the band of men, brow furrowed, "We have food enough to last us for another fortnight."

Jason nodded and turned back to his companions. "We'll rest down here for tonight.  We deserve it."

Everyone grinned and busied themselves with setting up camp.  Jason jumped off his stallion and walked up to the crest of the hill they were planning on camping on, and looked across a wide plane to the mountains.  The plane was all that separated them from their goal... then why did he have this foreboding feeling in his gut?  Jason shook his head, as if to get rid of the feeling, and turned back to his friends.

The Door Between Worlds Chapter Three

"Abraham was, as you know, vacationing in, what do you call it?  The Hawan Islands?  He told us that he was in the van traveling across one of the islands, they were participants in a crash-"

"You tell the story as if it was a choice.  We didn't choose.  We were just in the wrong place at the wrong time."  Abraham interjected.

Eric glared at him, "Fine.  You were in an accident in Hawaii that you had no idea would happen.  Better?"  He shot at Ab.

Abraham grinned and nodded.

"Anyway, Abraham wasn't injured in the crash, but he was knocked unconscious-."

"Aren't you going to tell him how it happened?" Abraham laughed.

Eric ignored him and continued on, "And what happened to you, happened to him.  He was shot back here through dimensions and landed out there in the field."  Eric pointed out the window, and down the hill.  "And when he saw him, we knew you wouldn't be far behind.  So we kept a watchman posted."

Jason looked questioningly at the Earl, "What happened?  How did we end up here?"

"We think that it was because the kingdom Alepp is in danger of falling apart."

Jason blinked.  "But everything was perfect when we left."

"No, it was on the way to perfection, as everything is.  Nothing is perfect, but you learn and become more experienced and more prepared for what comes at you.  Alepp was on the road, but now it is stumbling.  You never established the heir on the throne, and that is why you were brought back."

Jason's jaw dropped.  How could he have failed that part of the prophecy?  How could he have forgotten?

Eric continued on, "And now the lords of the land are arguing and bickering on who should lead the country until the Heir should be found.  Baron Hilldeg is the Regent right now, but his authority is being questioned more and more as the weeks go by.  So that is probably why you were summoned here."

There was a rapid change in the mood of the room, from one of good-natured joking to a tense and drawn silence.  It was only broken by Abraham's off and on munching on Jason's eggs.  Eric was appraising Jason with a fatherly look in his eyes. "Don't worry, Jas.  You can rest up all you like to have strength for the coming days."

Jason forced a smile, but his cracked voice gave away his sadness, "You're right..  I just thought I was done."

Eric looked down at Jason, who's head had dipped down as if weighed down with an impossible amount of responsibility.  He stepped over and spoke to him, "Jason Sterling.  Two years ago, you saved an entire country from the hand of a cruel oppressor.  And you went through all sorts of trials and tribulations to see that they were successfully driven from the island.  You accomplished more than anyone would have thought.  So don't dip your head.  Elohim is always teaching lessons to us, and it is our job to accept them and be ready to learn from them.  He wouldn't give us anything beyond what He knows that we can do.  Or, if the task seems to strenuous, then He shows His strength through our weakness.  Don't fret.  Keep your head high."

The Door Between Worlds Chapter Two

Jason woke up and looked around, Abraham was gone, but in his place was a tray for bright yellow eggs and buttered toast.  Jason swung his long legs over the side of the bed and stood.  Stretching up, he reached his six foot five inch frame to the ceiling.  Over the last nine months, he hadn't grown, but muscle had replaced some of the last baby fat, and his skin had tanned from the weeks in the sun.

Jason's mind flashed to the car accident.  Was his mother okay?  Was she alive?  Was he alive?  The Adrenaline rushed through him.  Worry and fear for his mother, and confusion about Abraham's appearance.  Was he just an illusion?  Was he actually in Heaven instead of Alepp?  Jason stopped his frantic pacing.. then he knelt to the ground.  He knew what he had to do.

"Dear Elohim.  Help me, Father!  I am in so much need of comfort, yet I push your hand away.  I need rest and peace, but I turn away from your safe-haven to go toward the turmoil and confusion of my soul.  My Lord, give me strength and peace for anything that You have in store for me.  In my Protector's Name, Amen."

Jason looked up after he finished his prayer, but stayed in his position as he took deep, calming breaths.  Then he stood and walked over to the table of food that Abraham had sat at, and was now unoccupied, he looked at the food and decided he didn't feel like food right now.  He was already full.  Then he strolled over to the window, when he recognized the mountains of Alepp, he grinned and looked up into the clear, dark blue sky.  Then his glance fell down the rolling hill that the house was positioned on, and watched as geese rose up from a nearby lake, and horses galloped and raced in a paddock near the village.  Peace was an enjoyable thing.

Jason turned and surveyed the room.  The ceiling was high and held up by carved mahogany pillars.  Designs were intricately painted in woven all throughout the woodwork of the walls.  Dragons and knights were fighting over dames and fair ladies.  Centaurs and Drolfs fought before kings and princes.  He was drinking it all in, when his reverie was suddenly disrupted by someone knocking at the door and coming in without waiting for an.

"Enjoy your nap, princess?" Ab asked as he walked over to Jason.  

Jason hadn't seen his friend since break had started.  He was tanner, and a bit more filled in, like Jason.   Abraham's dirty blond hair had become even more pronounced from his trip to Hawaii, and his eyes were the same as ever.  Dark blue as the ocean he had swam in.  He was a stark contrast to Jason's appearance, although both were long, Jason had sea grey eyes, and jet black hair that had grown longer over break, but not as long as Abraham's.  Jason refused to do that style.

Jason grinned at his friend as they did a quick man-hug, "Yes, I did.  Abit confused, but other than that, pretty well."

"A dose of confusion is good once and awhile.  Keeps our feet on the ground, and helps us remember that we're still human."  Abraham was not one to let a joke slide.

Jason looked suddenly at the doorway, as he realized that they weren't alone.  His smile broadened as he watched Eric March walk toward him.  "Welcome back, Master Sterling."  His deep voice rumbled.

He reached out and grasped the Commander's fore-arm and shook it, "Glad to be back, Commander."

Abraham looked up from Jason's food that he had dug in, "What?  Oh.  No one's told you!  He isn't commander any more.  He's Earl.  Earl March.  Earl of the Marches!  Ya get it?"

Jason rolled his eyes, and continued as if he heard nothing, "Really?  That's awesome!  Congratulations!"

The Earl's smile widened, "Thank you!  Much appreciated."

Jason turned from the one to the other, expectant.  But neither seemed willing to address it.  Finally, he broke the silence. "Well?  is anyone going to tell me?  Why am I here?  How did this all happen?  How did Abraham get here?  Is my mother okay?"

Abraham looked pointedly at Earl March, "You can tackle that."  Thus saying, he leaned back in Jason's chair and tossed a bit of toast five feet in the air and caught it between his teeth.