Tony Stanley

Chapter Fourteen

FINAL CONFLICT

The Evil One laughed, the sound of which resonated throughout the castle. He raised his hands using the horn to cast a spell. Spud was suddenly clad in elfin armour, a magical silver sword in his hand. Teedol's dearest friend now advanced with the look of death in his eyes. He was no longer the true friend the cotchit wizard had known. Something had to be done and soon. He was almost upon Teedol when more by instinct than anything else, Teedol cast the spell for the dome of protection... The great sword fell with a mighty blow, bouncing off with a clatter. This had no effect upon Spud as he attacked again and again.

Outside the battle raged on with fury. Globin had slain many ghedi and was now doing battle with one of the giant spider men. He was about to swing his sword in an almighty blow when he was knocked off his feet from behind. A troll had fallen in battle, in doing so he had bowled Globin over. The Spidell had moved directly over the dwarf and was about to sink it's fangs into it's now defenceless prey. Globin had fallen onto the flat side of his sword, there was not enough room for him to free it. Things looked very dark, perhaps it would be the dwarf's last day.. Gryzor had slain the troll after a long, hard fight. Immediately he turned to defend himself from behind. He was now confronted with an orc. The orc proved no match for the dwarvish Lord and was soon dispatched. Gryzor turned in time to see the plight of Globin. With no further thought or hesitation, he threw his battle axe at the giant spider-man, hitting it squarely between the eyes. Just in time Globin rolled to one side as the beast fell. True Globin's sword was lost beneath the beast, but there was no shortage of weapons lying about.

In some ways it was comical to watch the wood nymphs doing battle, they were very clever magic users. A giant troll was about to strike at one of the elves. A Nymph buzzed around the Troll's head, it was no bigger than a bee. This caused great annoyance to the troll, who turned round and around to swat the thing annoying him. The troll became dizzy, the nymph suddenly sprang up to giant size hitting the troll on the head with the troll's own club. The troll could do nothing else but to sink to it's knees as if in a drunken stupor. The elves were not to be out done. Elden was probably the oldest and smallest of them, truthfully past his best fighting days. Still he had great delight in running through the legs of the trolls and giant ghedi bashing their toes and other tender parts with a mace as he did so...

Teedol could not help wondering if it were too late for Spud, or was he only under the control of the Dark One. Perhaps, if that were the case he could do something about it. The cotchit tried to reach the mind of his lost friend. It was as if he were surrounded by an impenetrable wall, yet there had to be an answer. Again Spud attacked the dome, but it held up against the attack of the magical sword. The Evil One grew irritable at Teedol's success. Spud continued his attacks while the Evil One now joined in himself. Again he raised the horn, pointing it at the bubble. A blinding flash of light leapt from the tip of the horn and continued to bombard the bubble, still it held. Teedol's inexperience caused him some concern, after all he was being attacked by his best friend on one side and a mysterious stranger on the other. He looked tentatively at the bubble, under this double attack, it was starting to show signs of weakness. He knew he had to do something. With a flash of inspiration Teedol had an idea, a sudden thought that it was cruel passed quickly. These were desperate times... Teedol cast the image of Spud's dead mother in front of him. She held out her arms to the young cotchit.

" Sedonn Puddin, what are you doing son ? " Asked Spud's mother. ( Sedonn Puddin was his real name, hence Spud ) There was great anger in the young cotchit's face. " Sedonn, son I have missed you, but I don't understand. You have never fallen out with your best friend and Teedol is your best friend, isn't he ? " Asked Spud's mother. The young cotchit lowered his sword. Imperceptible, in the corner of his eye, a tear formed.

" Come my little Spud, come to mummy. " Said the voice. Slowly Spud walked towards his mother. The Dark One was becoming furious at Teedol's triumph. He too walked forwards, towards young Spud. " DO NOT LISTEN ! YOU STUPID COTCHIT !.. IT IS NOT YOUR MOTHER ! IT IS A TRICK. A TRICK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND'S ! " Bellowed the Evil One. By this time Spud was in the arms of his mother, tears running unstoppable down his face. The Evil One moved closer as he muttered words of magic. " EETO DAH EETO NAH INC DEETO. " Before he could finish the incantation, Spud turned around quickly with sword still in hand. The move was sudden enough to catch the Evil One off guard, but it was not on target. The sword did however catch the edge of the mask, knocking it off the face of the Dark One... " GOLAF !.. " Spluttered Teedol.

Golaf tried in vain to save the mask, but it was too late. " Yes ! It is I you FOOLISH COTCHIT ! " Gloated the wizard. " BUT... BUT WHY ? " Asked a puzzled cotchit still within the dome of protection. " What do you mean why ? " Asked Golaf. " Why did you help me, would it not have been easier to kill me that day in your cave beneath Manap Hill ? " Inquired Teedol. " OH ! Yes of course it would, but then I could never hope to get the AMULET OF GALANA! " Screamed Golaf. " If you wanted the Amulet so badly why did you not take it from me ? " Asked Teedol. " DO YOU NOT THINK I TRIED ! The last time I saw you in the tent, after the giant eyeball. I tried then, to kill you. In the dark tunnels under Mount Erun, I tried then to take it from you. BUT NOW, I HAVE THE HORN OF TOR TO HELP ME ! " Gloated the wizard again. Golaf had become so intent on gloating, he had not noticed Teedol had managed to get Spud into the bubble for protection. The young cotchit hid behind his friend, not knowing where he was. In his mind he was still being held by his mother. Teedol had to take care not to shock his friend, the result could be devastating. So for the time being he would protect young Spud, while allowing him to recover from his ordeal. The battle of words continued. " I don't understand. What about the wall collapsing in the cave under Manap Hill ? " Asked Teedol.

" Haa Ha ! Merely an illusion. I had to frighten you enough to make you run, not to mention set you off on your quest. " Answered Golaf. " But the Black Beetles at Forlin were real enough weren't they ? " Asked Teedol. " OH yes ! They were real, but I only had the idea to create them after I saw the panic in your face. They were real in the woods too, but they also were to frighten you on your way. It was only after you had the Stone that I tried to kill you. " Sneered the old wizard. " But you were liked and trusted by everyone. Is that not enough glory for you ? Was it not enough power for you that you should crave even more ? " Asked the cotchit. Golaf did not answer at first. He glared at the cotchit wizard. " You are very clever my young friend. You keep me busy while your friends come to help you... " The old man's face became twisted and cruel. The tension increased.

Teedol could now sense the hatred building in the old wizard. He had to find away of leaving Spud safely to recover. Teedol knew the battle was not over with the old man. NO, it was just beginning ! The cotchit wizard quickly split the bubble in two, leaving Spud inside one of them. Slowly he moved within the remaining bubble around the room, nearer to the old wizard. Still the light was low, the shadows grew ever darker and more secretive, hiding... Hiding... Hiding what, he did not know ! " Give me the HORN ! " Demanded Teedol. " You would like this ? I'll tell you what I will do. You give me the STONE AND I... I WILL GIVE YOU THE HORN... " Cackled Golaf. The Stone within the amulet started pulsating. Golaf raised the horn and fired a blast of searing heat at the cotchit. At the very same moment an icy blast was sent forth from the amulet.

The two beams of energy met in the middle, neither giving way to the other. The power filled the room with a strange light which illuminated every corner. The room could hold no more secrets. The old wizard seemed to grow weary, the beams of energy stopped as suddenly as they had started, casting the room back into dark secret shadows. Golaf moved slowly round, the horn held firmly in his hands. Spud still looked as if he were somewhere else, yet he was safe inside his bubble. Teedol hoped he would be alright. He had done the best he could for him at the moment.

" I will give you credit little one. You have done better than I expected of you, but can you not see, it is useless ? You are wasting your time. LOOK SEE I WILL SHOW YOU... " Said Golaf as he raised the horn once more...

All at once Teedol and his bubble of protection were inside a much larger bubble with Golaf. The old wizard could not get inside of Teedol's bubble. The huge double bubble was speeding over the land, flying low just above the ground and tree tops. The battle raged below with the Dark One's troops wining. Many of Teedol's friend lay dead or wounded upon the ground. Onward sped the bubbles eventually coming to the Red Mountains of Erun. The secret door opened leading to the kingdom of the pixies... The sight was which befell Teedol's eyes made him feel more than sick within the pit of his stomach. Instead of the beauty which should have been, GHEDI RAN WILD ! Mud dripped from the walls. The stream flowed with rancid water...

Still the bubble did not stop. It flew on and on. It's speed was frightening. Through the narrow tunnels, until it emerged on the other side of the mountains emerging in Unicorn Wood. Still onward it flew, stopping only for a brief moment at the place where Bobo's body lay. Harpies now fed on all that remained of Teedol's friend and his guards. Onward went the bubble, over the plains which were now barren and desolate, on towards the now ruined town of Forlin. Still onward, towards the village of Manap. Nothing ! but nothing was the same, it had gone. Where once the beautiful village was, stood dark grey and black ruins. Even the woods had gone.

The bubble turned back to return the way it had come. Above the dreary black cloud was lit up for a moment. The sound of thunder followed. The rain which should have been cleansing began to fall. Instead of cleansing, the torrential rain swept thick black sticky mud down through the streets and along the paths. Golaf laughed, not even the fierce storm could drown out his laughter. At increasing speed the bubble travelled back towards Castle Doom... Deep within the pit of his stomach, Teedol felt a nausea which spread throughout his whole body, until it ended in dizziness within his head. All at once the two wizards were back in the tower. Golaf stood between Spud and Teedol. The young wizard wanted to strike out at Golaf. He wanted him to die. Yet something inside would not let him do this terrible deed, even though the old wizard deserved no better... It was then Teedol recalled the words of the old gypsy woman...

" TRUST NOT IN TRUST, LEST FRIEND BE FOE. " Now he understood the gypsy's warning. He had trusted Golaf, so much so, if Golaf had asked for the Stone he would have given it to him... BUT NOT NOW, NEVER!

Teedol would rather die than let this betrayer of friendship have the Stone. Golaf sensed the turmoil inside the cotchit's mind. He also knew Teedol could never kill a living thing. That was his major weakness...

Outside the sound of thunder raged, flashes of lightening filled the shadows. Tall shadows danced on the walls. Golaf began to laugh once more.

" You have lost my cotchit friend. YOU HAVE LOST ! YOU MAY AS WELL GIVE ME THE STONE. YOU HAVE NO FURTHER NEED OF IT ! " Cackled the old man. A tear formed in Teedol's eyes. Had he really failed his friends and companions ? What could he do now ? How can you save what is already destroyed ? Teedol fell to his knees. Golaf started to walk over to the cotchit. He stretched out a hand, speaking in a soft voice. " Give me the Stone, you have no need of it now. " Golaf raised the horn as if thrust it into Teedol's flesh. Behind the old wizard, Spud had recovered his senses. He could see the plight Teedol was in... He raised the magic sword, thrusting it through Golaf's back... A flash of lightening lit up the room, a beam of light shone through a crack in the brickwork bouncing off one of the many symbols scattered around. Upon Spud's forehead could be seen the reflection of a star cast by light of the storm. The sword sank into the wizard's body... A loud clatter of steel could be heard as the sword hit the ground. Beneath the weapon lay an empty cloak sprawled upon the floor. Upon the cloak was a golden horn. Teedol and Spud were the only two people left in the room. Outside the sun began to shine, loud cheers could be heard...

Teedol came out of his bedroom, sat upon the couch in tears was his cousin Pippa. " My dear Pippa what is wrong ? " Asked a concerned cotchit. At first Pippa could not speak for the distress she felt. Teedol sat down beside her, putting his arm around her as he did so. " Come on you can tell me. What is wrong ? " Asked her cousin again. " What am I to do ? Oh ! What am I to do ? " Wailed Pippa incessantly. " I don't understand what you mean. " Puzzled Teedol. " It's. It's Bobo, he's dead, he's dead ! " Burbled Pippa. Before Teedol could answer his cousin, Bobo walked through the door... " No I'm not.. I just went to get you the poem I wrote for you...

You silly thing ! " Pippa could not believe her ears and eyes as she leapt from the couch, throwing herself at the one she loved. Inside the village hall stood a gathering of all the Elders. Standing before them was a solitary figure. Bobo waited patiently for Teedol to arrive, Pippa on his arm. Standing behind Bobo in the congregation was Lord Gryzor, King Torem, Lord Eldor, Globin, Spud and many other close friends, all waiting for arrival of the bride. Spud was to be best man. Outside was a gathering never before seen in village memory. Dwarves, elves, wood nymphs, big folk, villagers, Dr. Sargle and his players and any others who could not fit inside of the tiny building. Bobo's knees were all of a tremble, he felt faint from sickness caused by butterflies in his stomach... All at once loud cheers could be heard from outside. He knew his waiting would soon be over. Pippa was on her way...

As if this were not enough, the couple were to travel the long route back to the Greater Shire, where this would happen all over again. It was tradition... As Pippa walked down the aisle, escorted by her cousin, Bobo could not help thinking she was the most beautiful person in all of Earth. Some twenty minutes later the bridal procession came slowly out of the small building... Again loud cheers rang out from Manap to Forlin... Sweet scented petals fell in profusion from above. The angelic Pippa was helped into a majestic coach, drawn by a single animal... Neither Bobo nor Pippa could believe the sight now before their eyes. It was Tor. With WINGS ! Slowly the coach drew away from the happy throng, rising into the air as it did so. With each step forward of Tor's mighty limbs the coach climbed higher and higher, winging it's way to the Greater Shire... Teedol, along with the others, watched with tears in their eyes at the beauty of the scene. A solitary figure standing by Teedol's side slipped a note into the cotchit's hand...

THE END OR IS IT ?

This is not the end.. but the beginning of a greater saga.

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The Ring Of Death