Laughables

[WitchQueen]

Ahmed calls to Freemoncy, Razrif, Pharess and Najf tells them of Bruckos' escape. I want you to continue to secure Queeta and I will be there as soon as I can but first I must go back to Argos and try to contact with the slaves and let them know what is going on. I'll have to trust someone there. I will get back to you as soon as I can. Ishtar will monitor Bruckos on the Moniotor at the WaterFall and keep me posted to what they are doing. They are securing Oblikan also.

WitchQueen

[aswad]

A bit of humor is always very good

[razrif]

i demand a pay rise or i'm out of the story!

[WitchQueen]

Razrif, if the story makes big I will give you a tip although this is not the law. You are an inspiration you see and I hate to leave you out so be a good sport about this. It is all for all of you the best I can do. You must be brave in case it ever becomes real in the afterlife. Who knows. I have made sure that you are not alone in the story but the boat stays so if you are sick you will get over it. I would post a picture for you if I could but I do not have the capability to do this so you post one for me. Please do this.

And now to continue. Ahmed decides he must go directly to Quetta and see what Freemoncy, Razrif, Pharess and Najaf are doing. Aactually they have been wandering around Quetta to explore. Freemoncy wants one of the men to keep guard in the museum near the porthole entrance. They have all been talking with Najaf about Argos. Razrif thinks they should pass through the porthole and see if any of the Druids are around. We must remember that they have been on the Dark Planet with Ahmed and they saw Bruckos and the other four Druids for them selves. Najaf has told them that the cave on the other side is pretty secure with a large rock covering the entrance. Finally they decide to sneak back into the museum and go through the porthole. What they do is spend time in the museum and as it nears closing they try to hide. At the last minute Najaf decides to remain on Quetta and to wait for Ahmed. He tells the others not to wander too far from the cave entrance when they explore. This they agree upon.

Once the museum closes the men come out of their hiding in a storage room in the back of the ground floor and make their way up to the attic on the top floor. Najaf stands guard at the entrance to the room and Freemoncy, Razfif and Pharess transport through the porthole. The cave is pretty spacious and there is some light from the entrance. Since Najaf had one of the battery lights with him he gave it to the other three so that they could see in the cave.

At the entrance to the cave the men can hear some talk outside. There are some creatures not too far away but they do not know if they are Druids or slaves or both. They decide they must investigate the voices. Pharess voluteers to go out and see what he cana. He goes outside of the cave entrance which is totally hidden from outside view and makes his way through the narrow passiage way to the edge of the rock. He can hear the voices clearly and they are Druids with one slave with them. The slave is a Quettan. Quettans are highly visible because the have slanted eyes and creases on the side of the eye itself. The Quettan does not try to escape. It would be futile for him to do this. And furthermore he does not have a weapon. Druids are quick and savage and they also carry swords for play although they really do not need the sword to fight.. They have long sharp teeth and long sharp claws. The Quettan would not stand a chance.

The Druids are talking about Quado and Bruckos. The Druids hate Argos which is depressingly dark and dismal. Actually sides are being taken between Quado and Bruckos. Even the Druids know that it is near the time of Bruckos' trial. They do not know that he has escaped. The judge chosen is called Zarcof and he is an Oblikan. This is where the trial is expected to take place. Ahmed is aware of all of this. Some of the Watanis were supposed to go to Oblikan and search for one of the Giant Red Spiders so that the spider could be milked of his venom. This is the only way to tranquil Bruckos. The Oblikans are seeking the death of Bruckos for his crimes. Ahmed realises the trial will go on whether Bruckos is present or not. Time will tell these things.

Ahmed decides to transport to Quettan to see his men. They must help the Quettans secure the Planet. Quetta is pretty nice and the people are happy for the most. It is a little wild there with shotouts and gambling and some bordelos. Well Quetta is a bit more like the Wild, Wild West of old. They have a train and Ahmed is considering this for Xanthia although the horses and the wagons are quaint and functional. Not too may Quettans are allowed to come to Xanthia because of their habits. The lifestyle is not wanted on Xanthia. Still some of the men from Xanthia might want to travel to Quetta for a visit. It is considered an adventure.

Ahmed now appears in the attic of the museum and confronts Najaf. "What goes?" he asks Najaf. Najaf figures now they are going to hear it. This is not a game and Ahmed is sure to be angry with the others. "What goes Najaf. Where is everyone else?" "They went through the porthole to investigate the cave." replies Najaf. Ahmed is now a little irritated. This is not a game. "I must go through now and see what they are up to. "They swore they would be very careful and not be seen." Ahmed goes through and confronts Razrif and Freemoncy. He whispers," What goes on?" Raz replies, " Pharess is out side of the cave. We heard voices. He is trying to hear what they are saying." At this time Pharess comes back into the cave and is surprised to see Ahmed. He explains to Ahmed what he heard outside and about the Quettan slaave. "I can't transport him from here he is too close to the cave.
They will search if he disappers."

The men leave and go back to the museum. "Best set up some men on the other side of this porthole and secure the cave. They must remain quiet and if they hear any talking near they must transport through to the museum. They can keepj their food and water on the other side and work shifts of four hours. They must be totally trusted. Check with the army of Quetta but I want you to use our men for the watch. Tell them not to use the phones inside of the cave and keep them turned off. "I must go now and set things up at other places. Don't for get that Bruckos is out and he is working on the other Druids in the Prison."

Bruckos has found the keys.

WitchQueen

[WitchQueen]

Well Anisa, where did you get the pictures of the Fairies? Maybe you could post them in this story. They would go nice with the SpaceShip and the Dancing Girl of Quetta. I have the Dancing Girl but I do not have the Fairies. They are perfect. I like Illustrations.

WitchQueen

[WitchQueen]

Ahmed now returns to Xanthia. He hopes for the best with his men. There is no sense to fool around any longer. He is trying to decide what to do about Bruckos. Well he returns to the Palace Garden and he is greeted by Tartufe. Ahmed enters the Palace by the back door and greets Ishtar, who is doing dishes in the kitchen. Tezia and Neeta are there and Abaka is playing in the front sitting room. Ahmed tells the children he must speak with Ishtar privately so they go into the opposite sitting room to talk.

Ahmed carefully explains all of what has happened. "I want you to understand that Bruckos is very clever and will try to return to Argos via Oblikan. He does not know that the porthole has been blocked so even if he escapes we will be sure that he will hide out on Oblikan and plan his strategy." Ahmed continues to explain to Ishtar everything he can so that she may be prepared in case they come to battle.

In the meanwhile Ahmed is not aware that Bruckos has found the keys to the cells and has released the other prisoners. Bruckos has terrorized the other five prisoners with threats to their families. The men agree to help the Druids. But I do not know. Bruckos wants the men to cross the bridge first in case it has been boobytrapped. The men have no choice. They must go first. So this is how it goes. Singley they cross and bruckos is satisfied. The five men have a brief opportunity to speak on the far side of the bridge. Mosul, the leader speaks and says," we must not be traitors. We must escape any chance we get. They all quickly agree. At this time Bruckos and the other Druids cross the bridge. To them this is a great feat. Now we must search for the porthole. At this time the Labyrinth shifts to their amazement. "Curses,"says Bruckos. He thought that he had the map of the Labyrinth figured out. Not so he sees. "We must study this for while and sort things out. After about ten hours Bruckos believes he has located the porthole. It seems familiar. Bruckos believes that it is night time on Oblikan and he decides to pass through the porthole and see what the others have set up.

Bruckos just passes through to the far right side of the porthole. He is in the shadows. It is very dark in the cave and Bruckos sees that there are five guards by the door. They have revolvers. Bruckos decides to go back to the other side and then he will send the five men through the porthole with one of the Druids. This Druid is called Pedra. He is known to be very vicious. He will pass through with one of the men and he will be holding onto him. This man, Garth is terrifies by this. They all hate Pedra except for Bruckos. Bruckos has promised Pedra a territory on Xanthia. Once they are through the porthole the five men see the guards. The five of them try to subdue Pedra so that he can't harm Garth. The five men make a break for it and run out of the cave. At this point Bruckos and the other Druids transport through and they also make a run for the forest. They are fast and make an escape. "Curse those men. They will pay. We must make our way to the porthole as fast as we can." Once the Druids are at the cave to the porthole to Argos, they kill about twenty of the guards along the way. Now Bruckos sees that they are trapped. The porthole is blocked with large boulders and dirt. Bruckos must hide on Oblikan and they will search. The Oblikans hate Bruckos. They will try to bring the Watanis back to help to catch the. They must go to the mountains and find shelter and hide out for now.

Ahmed now knows that Bruckos has escaped to Oblikan. Well the Oblikans must hunt them down. Ahmed has enough to do. He must secure Xanthia and release the news of Bruckos' escape. Also he is waiting the return of Freemoncy, Razrif and Pharess from Quetta. Najaf will stay on Quetta. Ahmed is happy to spend time with his family but it will be necessary for him to go to Quetta and speak with Munna about the death of Calif. This will be a difficult task for Ahmed to do. Ahmed decides to take Ibrahim with him so that the boy can visit with his mother. Ahmed explains all of this to Ishtar. I will be leaving tomorrow and I will also be taking Barok back home to Masra..

That evening Ishtar tried to make things as normal as possible under the circumstances. The dinner was nice and Nadia tidyed everything up. The children told Ahmed many of the things they have done. And Ahmed and Ishtar got to spend a nice night together. In the morning the birds were all chirping and then Ahmed sent a soft rain to the area.

"Ishtar I must go to the Training Camp here at Najaf and set up plans for going to Quetta and then Kruata. You must spend time in the Rain Forest and keep track of Bruckos. He does not know we have a Monitor here on Xanthia. Anyone going under the WaterFalls will think the Monitor is a well. Work with the Watanis and make arrangements to obtain the venom of the Giant Red Spider. Do you think you can do all of that for me?" "I will do it Ahmed. Malika will help and the children do what I ask of them. You are my love, Ahmed." Ishtar kisses Ahmed on the cheek.

WitchQueen

[WitchQueen]

Ahmed has decided to remain home for the time being. This way he can plan his strategy about the current situation. He does not like to do things haphazardly. Now after three days at the Palace, he decides to go to Quetta and speak to Munna. Ahmed has told Ibrahim that they will be making the journey together and they will be bringing Barok home to Masra. It is the morning of the day of Tuesday and everyone is up early to see Ahmed off. At the last moments Ahmed decides that he will also take Karif and Amman on the trip. All of the boys are excited. They will be making the trip on horseback and Ibrahim is riding Bandit, his favorite and Karif is to ride Moon Dancer. Amman will be riding Midnight. Ahmed will be riding his new horse which he calls Excaliber. Excaliber is a brave man with a Sword. (This is from the story of King Arthur.)

It is time to leave and Ishtar, Tezia, Neeta and Abaka bid farwell to Ahmed and the boys and off they go. Ishtar has decided to go to the Rain Forest and view with the Monitor hidden by the WaterFalls. She has Cassem hitch the wagon but Ishtar decides to ride Morocco to the Forest. Once they are at the village of Chief Maboto, Ishtar lets the children play with the Watani children of the village. Malika promises to entertain them and keep watch. Ishtar decides to take Tezia with her to the Water Falls. Ishtar explains to the girl about the Monitor and tells her that she will teach her things that she wants her to remember. The area of the Water Falls is truly scenic. Ishtar shows Tezia the hidden stone staircase that leads to the porthole from the River Styx. Ishtar tells the girl, "This is where I first came to Xanthia. This porthole is from Earth. The Druids would like to transport to other places and cause havoc and destruction. We must help prevent this." Ishtar shows Tezia how the Monitor views where one thinks of . It's scope is vast. Ishtar concentrates on Argos and the slaves. She sees that they are working on what she believes is the buried cave which hides the porthole to Oblikan. Ishtar decides to phone Ahmed and explain what she sees. "Ahmed is it not possible for you to do something to slow them down?" Ahmed decides to create another blizzard and then when it is high he will cause an avalance. This will help. "This is good Ishtar, now I want you to scout Oblikan and search for Bruckos. You have seen him. Pretty soon the trial will begin and the Oblikans are getting ready. I must now go. I'll talk to you later in the day."

Ahmed and the boys are approaching Masra and they head for Omar and Salma's house in the city. Finally at the house Ahmed speaks with Salma. She is happy to have Barok home although the boy would like to make the trip to Quetta. Ahmed wants to stop at the Training Camp and speak with Omar and bring him up to date about everything. Barok wants to go and Salma gives in and lets him. Barok asks his mother if he can go to Quetta with Ahmed and the other boys. "You have been gone for quite awhile now, you know." "I shall ask father if I can go. I would really like to." "Ask him then," says Salma and with that they depart to the Training Camp.

At the Camp, Omar greets them. Ahmed has called ahead. Ahmed wishes to have a talk with Omar and so the bloys are to go to the dining hall while the men talk. Ahmed explains everything to Omar. "Everyone has seen that Bruckos has escaped from Zergos. Rumor says the Druids can fly so the men have decided to post watch on the roofs of the high buildings.. The short wave radios work and they are using them to practice but you must get the shipments to Kruata and speak with the Africans. They are more vunerable than the others."

"Well as soon as I finish up on Quetta, I shall return and plan the trip. What about the explorers?" "The explorers have left and started tracking the main river in the Rain Forest. The other explorers are on Kruata and they will be ready to leave when you arrive," replies Omar. "Let us go have lunch and spend some time with some of the men,"Ahmed tells Omar.

WitchQueen