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Chapter 74: Lore Master
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Warrior of the Way Chapter 75: Lore Master
"Buttercup? What the hell are you doing at my brother's house?"Rhychard stepped behind Buttercup, his hand pushing the front door open wider so he could take in his brother. "She lives here. What are you doing here?"Karl raked his eyes up and down Buttercup's body, his eyes widened at his brother's words. "I didn't know you took in…people." He glanced up at Rhychard, a knowing smile across his lips. "Am I interrupting something? I can always wait outside for a bit.""You can wait outside forever if you don't watch your mouth." Rhychard narrowed his eyes as he stepped in front of Buttercup. The honey-colored lady stepped back after rolling her eyes and returned to her spot on the floor by Kree. "Now, what are you doing here?" Rhychard asked.Karl followed Buttercup's path with his gaze. When she settled down on the floor, he turned a questioning look to his brother. "She's from the Bottoms. You do know…" He stopped talking when he noticed his brother's body tensing up, ready to use hi
Warrior of the Way Chapter 76: Lore Master
Buttercup shut the door behind her and fell against it as soon as she heard the click. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to calm the knots that welled up within her upon seeing Karl Bartlett. She thought she had left the Bottoms and all its memories behind her. It never even dawned on her that Karl was Rhychard's brother. She wasn't even sure if she had known Karl's last name. Last names were irrelevant in the Bottoms. Real names were irrelevant for that matter.She slid to the floor, sitting there in her misery. Would she ever be completely free of the past? She wiped the tears that started to fall with the back of her hands, leaving smudges on her cheeks. She didn't want to think about where she was a month ago, the strange cars she climbed into, the men she had sex with just to pay her bills and eat. Once she surrendered to her fate, Jerome Williams, her pimp, had not treated her badly as far as street workers went, but he made sure she knew she was his property. He never
Warrior of the Way Chapter 77: Lore Master
Rhychard sat with his legs crossed, staring at the lazy creek as it drifted by in front of him. The cold hardness of his Thinking Rock contrasted with the warmth of the ring he twirled in his fingers, the chain pressed against his lips. It was weird that the metal was warm instead of cold. He guessed it was due to the heat of his body. Still, it felt…different, lately.Birds chirped above him, and occasionally, a mullet leaped out of the water only to fall back with a splash, drawing the Warrior's attention in that direction. The path to his rock was carved into the woods with distinct care and purpose, the bushes trimmed, dead branches removed, and pine needles placed down like a carpet. Logan swore he had nothing to do with it, and Rhychard believed him. Rhychard was the only one who ventured to the creek, so why would the Condo Association pay for someone to take care of the wooded area? It acted as a natural barrier, giving the residents privacy from the few boaters who traveled Ma
Warrior of the Way Chapter 78: Lore Master
Rhychard glanced at the small homes, most needed a lawn mower ran through the yards, and almost all needed a new coat of paint. Of course, before they could be painted, they would all need a solid pressure washing. Decades of dirt and grime clung to the walls, dulling the already faded paint even more. Some of the homes possessed broken windows, and only a few of those were boarded up to keep the weather and mosquitoes out. Curtains covered some windows while sheets draped across others to block out the nosy neighbors and passersby. Garbage cans overflowed, and litter filled the gutters and sidewalks. The Bottoms. These people had basically given up on having anything nice and surrendered to the decay they felt overtaking their lives. "Most humans care very much. These people have merely given up," Rhychard said."It is sad, really. However, if you did feel something of the Void here the other day, it would not surprise me. This place seems ripe for the activity of the Unseelie."Rhych
Warrior of the Way Chapter 79: Lore Master
Another roar echoed. Rhychard raced toward the sound. As he ran, he reached back with a mental probe to the sword, but it was quiet. Whatever had Kree in a fit, it wasn't from the Void. As the Warrior and elf turned down one of the side streets that led to the back of Feather Lakes, they saw the rear of a business lining Washington Avenue with a privacy fence trying to separate it from the denizens of the Bottoms. Graffiti decorated the brown fence, surrounding a dumpster that overflowed with refuse. Pinned against the wooden fence were three kids who seemed high school age. Kree stood in front of them, hackles raised, claws out, growling through teeth that dripped with saliva. Behind the coshey stood a younger boy, probably thirteen or fourteen at best. The kid's face was bruised and bleeding, his clothes ripped. One of the older boys tried to get away, but Kree quickly growled him back into place.Rhychard approached slowly, wanting to step between Kree and the three teens, but also
Warrior of the Way Chapter 80: Lore Master
Buttercup tucked a stubborn strand of hair behind her ear as she walked the sidewalk in front of the downtown shops. The morning was closing in on noon, and the humidity draped a sticky blanket over Harbor City. Florida weather was often confusing. September saw many states starting the decline toward cooler temperatures, but not Florida. It stayed hot and humid, the dry air playing havoc with her hair and causing her cream-colored top to stick to her honeyed skin. It didn't bother her, however. She walked the streets long enough to be able to ignore the weather. Besides, she had to get out of the condo before she melted into a pile of emotions. The reappearance of Karl Bartlett brought back way too many bad memories she wanted to forget.Couples walked in and out of antique stores, browsing for some special find to accent a table or shelf. Buttercup just wandered aimlessly, not really having a destination in mind, but just wanting to get lost in the Tuesday crowd. Yet, no matter where
Warrior of the Way Chapter 81: Lore Master
Buttercup watched as the taller woman walked off, assuming Buttercup would follow. Something about the lady both scared and intrigued Buttercup, and she found herself following. It may have been the comfort she found in The Murky Cauldron, but she didn't feel any malice coming from the woman."My name is Tansy, by the way, proprietor of The Murky Cauldron," the lady said as she led Buttercup to a small kitchen area toward the back of the store. "Tansy Paxton if you wish to be formal, but I hate formal. It's way too stiff for me."Buttercup smiled as Tansy talked. "People call me Buttercup." She stuffed her hands in her pockets as she stood there watching the other woman move about the tiny kitchen.Tansy turned and smiled at her. "You see? Now that's a nice breezy name. I like it." She filled a teapot with water and set it on the small burner plate that rested on the counter. She then pulled a couple of tins out of a cabinet and began to stuff a couple of infusers with loose leaf tea.
Warrior of the Way Chapter 82: Lore Master
The two ladies sipped their tea as each shared more of themselves. As Buttercup listened to Tansy talk, she grew more at ease—and more interested in the areas of magic. She wanted to know more. She was tired of being helpless and depending on Rhychard and the others to keep her safe. Not that there was anything to keep her safe from any more. Vargas, Adrian Michaels, and Jerome were all dead. She was free. For the first time in years, she was actually free. Yet, she was at a total loss as to what to do with that new-found freedom. She felt pathetic."You know, a small group of us meet here every Wednesday night to study witchcraft. If it is something you'd like to discover, whether you have a gift or not, you are more than welcome to join us. We meet at nine after the store closes." Tansy kept her hands on the tea, even though it turned cold an hour ago, and her smile was still fixed on her face. Buttercup would normally assume it all fake, because it lasted so long, but with the older
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Warrior of the Way Chapter 263: Summerlands
While their mother piddled in the kitchen fixing them a plate of fajitas, the Valentine sisters sat on the living room sofa, legs folded under them. Maria Valentine put most of the house back in order after Baltabek's attack, but the destruction remained obvious to Laci. She held tight to her sister ever since the Summerlands, scared to let her go. Jayden, of course, fussed at her to stop being a mother hen.Once everyone arrived back at Rhychard's Thinking Rock, a place Renny decided would cause the least amount of sightseers, the witches and Famallumi returned to the Murky Cauldron while Rhychard placed a still-weak Jayden in the back of Laci's car. The eldest Valentine wasted no time or words as she headed straight for home."I almost lost you," Laci said. "I don't know what I would have done if that happened.""Probably moved into my room since it's the biggest," Jayden said with a shrug."That's not even funny," Laci snapped, shoving Jayden's hand away from her in disgust.Jayden
Warrior of the Way Chapter 262: Summerlands
Rhychard wasn't sure what he hit, but he found himself spinning backward, the Guardian Sword leaving his hand as he hit the ground with a hard thud, the air whooshing out of his lungs. Scrambling to his feet, a pain tugging at the back of his head from where he hit the ground, the first thing he noticed was Laci sprawled on top of Kree. Renny! He jerked his attention around until he saw her still gripping Jayden's arm as both women lay stretched out on the grass. However, he didn't see the wall he ran into, knocking him back on his ass. Another glance around, and he noticed the salt circle and the three witches sitting on the ground, eyes closed as they chanted. An older man he didn't recognize stood behind Wanda, his face a mask of admiration.A groan alerted Rhychard to Baltabek stirring, and Rhychard lunged for his sword. The demon moved faster, however, and shot a burst of his demonic power at the Warrior, knocking him back against the invisible barrier, the air he just managed to
Warrior of the Way Chapter 261: Summerlands
Rhychard heard screams, but he couldn't tell whose or where they originated. They might have even been his for all he knew. Pieces of the broken table jabbed him in his back and legs, and he felt blood making a trail down his side. Groaning, he tried to sit up. He must get up. Renny needed his protection as did his parents.:Warrior, Baltabek is heading to your home,: Kree sent. Rhychard could hear the elven hound moving toward him through their connection. :He hid among the woods along the creek.:"Rhychard!" Renny shouted, and then he felt her hands on his arms along with someone else's on his other side.:Well, he knows how to make an entrance.: Rhychard sent.He could hear shouts of panic coming from the parking lot and other apartments, people screaming at the sudden explosion.Glancing up, he noticed the other set of hands helping him to his feet belonged to his father. His mother stood by the sofa, her face pinched with concern, and Tryna picked herself up off the floor from whe
Warrior of the Way Chapter 260: Summerlands
Tansy walked over to where Alex's backpack lay on the ground from where the gnome dropped it when they first entered the Summerlands, pulling out the container of salt that rolled halfway out. As she stood, she couldn't take her gaze off the dark pack, remembering its owner and how far he came since walking into the Murky Cauldron that first day. Her heart twisted, and she did her best to keep the tears at bay. She didn't know how much time they had, so she needed to make sure she completed the barrier spell before Renny arrived with Baltabek.Kayla and Wanda sat off to the side, Kayla with her arms wrapped around her knees as she stared at the last spot she saw Alex, and Wanda absorbing her surroundings. Since the demons had been cast out of the Summerlands, the dank grayish color slowly faded away, replaced once more by the lush greens and vibrant colors of the flowers that filled the Land of the Dead. They had even seen the return of some of those who had already passed on from the
Warrior of the Way Chapter 259: Summerlands
"Mom! Dad. What are you doing here?" Rhychard just stood there, staring. He didn't need this right now."Your father thought I was crazy," Catherine Bartlett said. "He even made sure I didn't have any hidden wine bottles anywhere. Empty wine bottles, that is. I had to drag him here to see for himself.""You're alive," Rhychard's father said as he stood there and stared at Renny, his brows bunched in disbelief. "How is this even possible?"Rhychard sighed. "I've discovered just about anything is possible these days.""Hello, Mr. Bartlett," Renny said as she casually closed her purse, hiding the gnomes from sight for now. Catherine didn't handle them well last time, and Renny didn't know how Rhychard's father would react. "I'm sorry we didn't come over and tell you. We've just been…well, we've had our hands full."James Bartlett swooped in, wrapping his arms around Renny and giving her the tightest bear hug she ever had. "I can imagine you have," he told her, his voice filled with enthus
Warrior of the Way Chapter 258: Summerlands
Rhychard watched as Renny gathered up the other Warriors and returned them to the Guardian Sword, only to reappear a moment later with Pux on her shoulder. Laci paced the entire time until Renny returned, eager to be on her way to protecting her sister. With the bridges gone, she had no other way back to the Land Above than Renny. None of them did, actually. Rhychard ran a hand over his long, dark hair, worried about what they would find when they arrived in the Valentine household, concerned for his brother, just as Laci showed concern for her sister.Tansy still stood off to the side, holding a sobbing Kayla and a shaking Wanda. Both witches shifted back to normal once the demons left them, but still wore the wear and tear from the possession. Rhychard hoped they would continue to heal with time, at least physically. He highly doubted Kayla would heal emotionally anytime soon considering her hands snapped Alex's neck even though the demon controlled her. That would be a heavy weight
Warrior of the Way Chapter 257: Summerlands
Karl stood there, still not sure what he should be doing or even what was actually happening. He saw what those demons did to downtown. He couldn't possibly stop one if it showed up now and took over Jayden's body. Glancing over at Famallumi, he wondered just how much power the elves possessed. Gormec seemed to always have his giant hammer nearby, and while Karl had seen its power before, was it enough to stop the demons? There were only five of them against a demon like the ones who killed a witch and almost defeated his brother, the Warrior. Karl didn't particularly care for his odds."How do you feel?" he asked Jayden, his hands over his chest."I'd feel better if you'd stop staring at me like I'm about to go off my meds," Jayden snapped."How about I go and fix us all some lemonade?" Jayden's mother suggested. "It'll give us something to do while we wait for the others.""Do we even know they're going to be here?" Gormec asked, leaning on the handle of his hammer. "It's been longer
Warrior of the Way Chapter 256: Summerlands
The witches continued to shout their chant, their power strengthened with their success. Baltabek sent a blast toward them, but Rhychard blocked it and hurled the power at the demon's feet, the ground exploding and shoving Baltabek up and backward into the air. The other Warriors quickly pressed their attack while the demon lay on the ground.Kayla let out a wail, slicing the air, and dropped to her knees. The demon inside of her wasn't so easily taken, however. With clenched fists, he shoved his power at the witches, doing his best to stop their chanting. Rhychard caught one of the bolts before it struck Tansy, but the next slipped past him and struck Laci in the chest, somersaulting her backward to land on the ground in a heap.Kree leaped up on his back paws, spinning in midair before racing over to the fallen witch. Rhychard could hear her moan and breathed a sigh of relief that she still lived. :Is she okay?: he asked Kree.Kree leaned down, pressing his muzzle against Laci's sho
Warrior of the Way Chapter 255: Summerlands
Rhychard blocked another blast, sending it off to the side to explode into the ground. The gnomes fought from inside the ground, churning up the soil the demons stood upon and causing them to slip and lose their balance. Kree darted in all directions, drawing the demons' fire while he attempted to get close enough to bite one of them. The witches sent their power at the demons, Rose from behind and the others in front, doing their best to keep Baltabek and the others from focusing on any one person. They all did their best to bide Renny time to bring the other Warriors out of the sword, but Rhychard wasn't sure how much longer they could keep it up.The demons who possessed the witches spun, one sending a bolt of power at Rhychard's head and the other one sending one at his feet. He swung his sword, blocking the bolt to his head, but missing the one aimed at his feet. The magic snatched at his ankles, spinning him around and dragging him to the ground. His sword arm hit the ground, his
