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.
* * *
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.
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