The Magician’s War (Chapter 6)
As they lay breathless on the shore,
the water slammed together once more.
They moved off to a stand of trees.
They were enjoying the light breeze.
They decided to have their lunch.
They ate leftovers. They had a bunch.
Preserved by magic, it tasted fresh.
They relaxed and caught their breath.
One panther was named Eros, the other Ra.
The eagle was named Pern. He gave a caw.
Identical panthers, Anika could tell
which was which by their mental meld.
Soon, Pern let out a screech and took to air.
They were surrounded everywhere.
Giant black ants, about two feet high each.
They were moving in for a lunch to eat.
Anika drew her sword that was on her back.
She gave the first ant a vicious whack.
Lopped off his head with a single blow.
Each panther grabbed an ant. They weren’t slow.
Pern swooped down and tore out ant eyes.
They fought like hell, because it meant their lives.
Anika slaughtered ants right and left.
Chopping, cutting, obliterating the pests.
All of them did their part.
Soon, they were surrounded with ant parts.
They got their stuff and moved out fast.
They didn’t see any ants on their ass.
They traveled many miles without a problem.
They came to a desert to cross. How then?
They packed all the water they could.
Off they went, she pulled up her hood.
A day later, they found possible ruins?
They were mounds in a circle. Pern flew in.
Nothing moved. It looked deserted.
There was a well. Or something converted?
There was water in what was a well.
She purified it with magic. It was swell.
Then, they started to look around.
There was movement in one of the mounds.
Little pigmy people. A whole village.
They didn’t look like they would pillage.
Through magic they could communicate.
They were desert dwellers called Lumicates.
Natives to this world. The desert was safe.
They moved here so ‘the change’ didn’t overtake.
800 seasons ago, everything was changed.
That was all they could explain.
Anika knew what change took place.
It was made over by magic in their wake.
Her wand said they were close to a portal.
She didn’t mention this to these mortals.
They rested and spent the night.
The chief gave them a magic light.
A stone that glowed when touched.
The pigmy’s had found it in the rough.
Anika knew it was an amulet.
It had powers beyond being lit.
Next day they headed for the next portal.
The 3rd Level Of Hell awaits the 4 of you.
But, that is a future story to tell.
When we talk about the 3rd Level Of Hell.
——————————————-R.W. Johnson—–(2017)