The Amulet- part XI

He flew gracefully through the air, ignoring the rodents and fish that any other eagle would have taken home for dinner. But, those eagles would be in their element here. This one was not where he was supposed to be, not at all. This one was moving fast, and this one held an amulet in it's claw.

The majestic bird slowed when he got a few miles from his destination. His instincts we're sharp and absolute as to the direction he needed to take and what is actions would be when he got there.

He would watch and he would wait. When the moment came he would act, using the power of the stone in his claw to rescue two people on the verge of eternal damnation at the hands of creatures no other humans even knew existed.

At some point they would be out of the hand of the murderer, likely given to an underling to hold. This would be his chance. He knew the fight would consume everyones attention, and he was counting on it to do so to the point where he could swoop down and acquire them into the stone.

That was the plan as it stood.

The large wings carried him through the thick pine forest, easily avoiding collision. The destination was several miles ahead and he needed time to assess the area to be able to secure an unseen vantage spot from which he could observe the battle.

After a half an hour he had arrived, found an obscure branch at the edge of the arena with a full view, and lighted on it.

II

The murderer stood on the sidewalk with his two prisoners unable to move within his grasp. He began walking to the battlefield. It would take him close to an hour to get there, even at the great speed he was capable of in his battle gear.

Purity and Paul we're silent, passing through dozens of people who never saw them. Even the lady with the Gucci bag who was knocked to the sidewalk had no clue. She simply thought she had tripped.

The murderer moved faster and faster, reaching speeds that allowed him to take bounding steps a half mile in length, sometimes a little further. The three would be there in 45 minutes; 450 miles from where they had started.

III

The arena was complete. It was not much more than a round clearing in the forest, two hundred feet in diameter, with two sets of grandstands along the outer edge for spectators and an area between them, with the ground raised, for the Elders. The center section was empty, room for the contestants to maneuver. Directly across the field from the Elders earthen rise stood several types of weapons, some hanging on hooks suspended from the trees and others strewn about. Not one of them was missing a sharpened edge.

A few of the weapons sported a dull, green light; meaning they were fully charged.

The visitor stepped aside when he saw the distortion in the air, the outlying trees going out of focus. This was not a pathway used for harvesting. It's shimmering layers of reflectivity of the surrounding environment was a sure sign that the Portal of the Elders was forming.

The opening took on an elliptical shape and looked like a cartoon mouth expressing surprise. The size remained uniform until a hideous and nasty foot stepped through, at which point the shape changed from elliptical to that of a giant archway door, ample room for the huge beast to step through unimpeded.

It was Mian, the Chief of Security for the Council of Elders. It was his responsibility to make sure the area was adequate for the Elders themselves. Since no real threat to safety existed for these behemoth kings his job was akin to making sure the salad fork was chilled and that the napkins we're folded just so.

A table the size of a semi-trailer had been set up and it held an amazing menagerie. Deer and javelina we're prevalent, along with finger foods such as juvenile alligators, some bobcats, and many opossums- a favorite snack of the Elder Council. This would be the most elaborate desert tray ever put together by Mian.

Every animal was struggling against the binders that held them to the table. Not one made a sound, thanks to their vocal cords being removed as part of their preparation.

" You have done well, Sed. The council will be pleased."

" Overlord Sed!"

Mian chuckled. "Overlord Sed, then. But for how long? The skills of your competitor are honed to perfection. The odds are against you, my old friend, there are none who expect you to survive."

" You, in particular. Is that not true- OLD friend? Do you think your plans to sabotage my victory remain your secret?"

Mian had indeed thought his plans to be a secret.

Sed enjoyed the look of dismay on Mian's face, until his impudent glare returned when the invited dignitaries began to fill the stands. The Elders would be the last to arrive.

" You pitiful toad, do you not understand? Nothing pleases the council more than a good fight- except for underhanded dealings and friends betraying one another to please them. You have been a fool, Mian. You will be destroyed along with that bumbling idiot."

Childhood memories danced through his mind as Mian stared at his former friend. All three had hatched on the same day and were raised by the same steward. The three had spent many years gathering the souls of humanity, and Sed and Mian had moved on.

Mian had taken the position of Chief of Security for the council and Sed had become the Overlord. His defeat of Mortivius, the murderers father, secured his place as Supreme leader of the underworld.

" How can you even try to kill him? He was your friend!," Mian said.

Both creatures bowed to the council as each beast made his way out of the portal, ten in all, and they did not rise until every one was seated in one of the thrones brought in for the occasion . Mian motioned towards the desert table and a being of questionable origin began serving the hideous, hoary headed assembly.

" That is not your concern, Mian. I will deal with Mortivian my own way," Sed told his former friend.

" Deal with me?"

Sed and Mian turned to see that the murderer- Mortivian- had arrived.