Ch. 4: Look Into My Eyes

Back to Arheled

             The   world   cleared. Pain   faded. Around   them   was   the   dreary   red   desert   and   red-stained   sky   of   the   hated   Graveyard   of   the   Dragons. Nearby   the   same   half-emerged   frozen   shapes   of   ancient   dragons   distorted   the   crags. Except   for   a   cluster   in   front   of   them,   which   was   a   red   somewhat   darker   than   the   others.

             They   walked,   neither   daring   to   make   a   loud   sound,   the   stones   and   red   sand   crunching   under   their   shoes. Beyond   and   to   the   left,   after   some   peering, they   found   the   crooked   natural   bridge,   a   good   quarter   mile   away.

             “Gerald,”   said   Camille   hesitantly,   “um,   about   what   we   did—“

             “Yeah?”   His   voice   sounded   too   hard   and   cold. He   tried   to   soften   it. “Yes,   what   about   it?”

             “I   really   enjoyed   it. I   swear. I   never   had   such   a   high. So,   um,   thank   you.”

             “I’m   afraid   I   cannot   reciprocate.”

             “Oh,   come   on,   Gerry,   you   are   such   a   prude   it’s   sweet.”   she   said,   half   brassily   and   half   affectionately.

             “I   am   no   prude. I   am   merely   prudent. I   love   you,   Camille,   and   I   am   not   going   to   throw   my   love   away   on—casual   sex.”   He   spat   the   last   two   words. “And   twice   I’ve…known   you. Neither   time   by   my   own   will. Please,   Camille,   try   to   understand   what   I   have   done,   and   forgive   me.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “You   only   forgive   people   who   hurt   you,   silly. You   ever   so   much   as   kiss   another   girl   and   then   I’ll   be   mad,   but   why forgive   you   for   so   much   fun?—Oh,   right. Outside   of   marriage. Sorry. You   Catholics   are   like   from   another   planet.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Fortunately.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “And   I   didn’t   take   my   Pill   this   morning!”   she   said   in   mock   annoyance. “Likely   by   the   time   I   get   back   it’ll   be   too   late   and   I’ll   have   to   go   for   an   abortion—“

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “WHAT?!”   Gerald   roared. He   heard   the   sound   clapping   from   crag   to   crag,   but   he ignored   it. Grabbing   Camille   by   the   shirt   he   shook   her   vehemently. “Listen   up,   you   little   baby-killer. You   ever,   ever   get   an   abortion,   I   swear   I   will   bring   down   the   blood   of   our   child   upon   your   head,   and I   will   send   you   back   to   this   Graveyard   as   fast   as   you   leave   it!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Will   you   like   get   your   hands   off   me,   you   big   jerk?!”   she   spluttered,   more   shocked   than   angered,   he   had   acted   so   unexpectedly. “So,   what   am   I   supposed   to   do? Get   pregnant? Have   a   kid? Easy   for   you   to   say.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Gerald   let   go   of   her. “If   you   become   pregnant,”   he   told   her   soberly,   “I will   marry   you   as   soon   as   I’m   of   legal   age.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Well…17…technically   next   year   you   will   be. But,   like,   marriage? That’s   kinda   scary. Can   we   make   it? I   mean,   I   can   handle   boyfriends,   but…marriage…that’s   so   damn   hard. I   don’t   know. Can’t   we,   like,   shack   up   or   something   first? To   see   if   we   fit?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “No   one   fits.”   Gerald   said   through   his   teeth. She   gave   back   a   step   before   the   fury   in   his   eyes. “No   one   is   ideal. No   one   matches. All   you   can   hope   for   is   that   God   will   make   your   damn   will   stubborn   enough   to   fight   through   it   and   learn   to   put   up   with,   and,   maybe,   after   a   lot   of   time   together,   really   love. It’s   not   a   passion   thing. It’s   not   a   fuzzy   feeling. Love   comes   from   decision. Love   is   born   in   the   will.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “You’re   freaking   me   out.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “What’s   wrong?”   Gerald   snarled. “Can’t   handle   a   little   truth? Mature   enough   to   screw,   but   not   to   face   facts   like   a   real   woman?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Camille’s   face   was   pretty   red,   and   likely   both   would   have   come   to   blows   in   the   next   second,   had   they   not   been   distracted   by   the   dragons   in   the   stone. They   were   moving. Cracks   formed   and   little   bits   of   stone   rained   down.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Oh   God.”   said   Camille.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “The   one   time   that   ejaculation   is   correctly   used.”   Gerald   said   dryly. They   shifted   to   dragon   in   a   flash. Camille   took   to   the   air   while   Gerald   raced   along   the   ground. They   reached   the   landmarks. A   great   dragon   above   them   yawned,   and   yawned   seismic   waves. As   the   land   cracked   and   shook   around   him,   what   Gerald   had   taken   for   a   mountain   far   away   broke   stone   eyelids and   opened   huge   eyes,   for   it   was   the   head   of   a   dragon   like   a   mountain   range,   and   he   was   dead,   burning,   black.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Gerald! It’s   here!”   screamed   Camille. The   shard   of   road,   slanting   down   and   ending   suddenly,   was   remarkably unshaken   by   the   turmoil. They   leaped   upon   it. At   once,   to   their   amazement,   they   saw   that   it   ran   on   down   farther,   into   a   dimness. They   raced   down,   and   left   behind   them   the   graveyard   of   waking   dragons.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   road   bottomed   out. All   around   them   was   a   green   shadowy   fern   forest,   except   that   the   green   of   the   trees   was   mostly   moss. The   overcast   gloom—if   it   was   overcast,   for   the   sky   felt   like   it   had   no   sun   at   all—had   made   it   seem   the   trees   were   leafing;   but   they   were   so   ancient   their   few   leaves   were   black,   and   they   seemed   about   to   die. As   they   went   on   down   the   road   the   stone   surface   emerged   from   the   moss,   eroded,   aged   beyond   guessing. Then   they   became   aware   that   one   of   the   trees   beside   the   road   was   not   a   tree   at   all,   but   a   huge   statue   of   a   man   seated   in   a   chair   of   stone. And   then   they   became   aware   he   was   no   statue,   but   alive,   and   looking   at   them.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             He   was   either   made   of   leaves   or   garbed   and   haired   in   a   green   as   vivid   as   leaves,   the   bright   color   of   the   ferns. His   hair   looked   leaflike,   so   did   his   mustache,   and   his   leonine   face   was   fierce   and   stern,   eyes   glowing like   emeralds   or   like   new   leaves   held   to   light.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Dragons.”   his   fierce   deep   voice   said. ''   “Return   to   the   Graveyard,   or   I   send   thee   there   myself.” ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “What   the—who   ARE   you?”   screamed   Camille.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   am   the   Green   Man.” <span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">   the   being   answered. “''I   watch   the   Roads   of   the   Stars. Begone,   ere   I    bego   thee!” ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “In   the   name   of   Jesus   Christ   I   ask   thee   for   aid!”   Gerald   shouted,   as   the   Green   Man   rose   slowly   from   his   chair.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   being,   tall   as   the   trees,   paused. His   voice   came   down   like   thunder   all   around. “''How   canst   such   as   thou   endure   that   Name?” ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Gerald   shifted   to   human. “Because   we   were   born   of   women.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   Green   Man   sank   to   one   knee,   bringing   his   face   only   a   little   from   theirs. “''What   abomination   is   this? What   atrocity   has   he   committed   now? To   blend   the   vile   Dragons   with   the   noble   race   of   Men…how   you   must   have   suffered,   little   children. I   crave   thine   indulgence. Now   what   wouldst   thou   ask?” ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “We   ask   to   return   to   Winsted,   and   to   be   shielded   from   our   Father.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;">''<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “The   first   I   can   do,   but   the   second   none   can   do. Perhaps   the   Road   might   sheathe   thee;   but   he   is   Ainu,   and   his   vision   sharpens   daily. I   will   take   thee   into   Winsted.” ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             He   picked   them   up   (both   in   human   form   now)   and   strode   down   the   road,   and   the   land   quivered   beneath   him. Phantoms   of   houses   and   cars   began   to   appear   like   ghosts:   they   were   in   the   dimension   immediately           above   the   primary   level   of   physical   space. The   Green   Man   reached   forward,   his   arms   impossibly   long,   reaching   through   not   distance   but   space,   and   as   he   did   the   phantoms   of   Winsted   sharpened   and   the   mossy   forest   faded. He   set   them   down   beside   the   street,   and   faded   as   well.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             They   were   on   North   Main   Street,   in   eastern   Winsted,   north   of   the   town   green. Soberly   they   set   out   to   walk   home.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “My   offer   holds,   you   know.”   said   Gerald.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “You’re   only   offering   to   marry   me   if   I   get   pregnant?”   she   said   sardonically. “Well,   thanks,   that’s   really   flattering.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   am   a   bit   young   to   marry.”   said   Gerald. “But   if   I’m   a   father   I’m   bound. I   have   a   duty   to   that   kid,   and   his   mother. I   don’t   care   if   I’m   guilty   or   not   in   how I   fathered   him:   he’s   my   responsibility   and   I   have   to   face   facts.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Wow.”   said   Camille.”   “That’s—I   wish   all   my   boyfriends   were   like   that.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “What,   you’re   going   out   with   multiple   boys?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Shut   up,   you   retard! F—   you!”   she   laughed.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   refuse   to   let   you.”   he   said   dryly.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Huh? Oh,   I   was   only   cussing. I   didn’t   mean   that   literally!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Then   why   did   you   say   it,   if   you   did   not   mean   it?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Well,   I—I—oh,   for   cryin’   out   loud,   a   girl’s   gotta   have   something   strong   to   say.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “There,   congratulations,   you   just   said   a   strong   thing   that   wasn’t   obscene. Personally,   I’m   fond   of   ‘tarnation.’”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “You’re   crazy.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Gerald.” <span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">   said   the   Father   of   Dragons. “''Gerald. Where   are   you,   little   Jerry?”''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             He   could   not   be   seen. He   could   not   be   seen. He   was   an   Unseeing   Dragon   and   he   could   not   be   seen. Even   in   his   dream   it   sounded   feverish,   desperate.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   gifted   you   well.”   Cornello   smiled. “Since   your   protection   and   your   power   are   combining   to   shield   you   from   my   sight,   I   will   look   harder. My   power   grows,   son. We   share   blood. That   blood   calls   to   me. I   will   find   you   in   the   end.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             He   awoke,   perspiring. It   was   always   hot   here,   on   the   tiny   tropical   island   he   and   Camille   had   decided   to   teleport   onto   for   hiding. The   island   was   small,   but   the   sea   teemed   with   life,   and   as   neither   dragon   was   quenchable   they   hunted   in   the   reefs   with   great   enjoyment. They   seldom   took   on   human   form,   now,   for   there   were   so   many   crazy   bugs   and   discomforts   here,   even   in   the   little   cabin   they   had   built.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Camille   was   pregnant. She   was   still   demurring   on   the   marriage   offer,   though   Gerald   grimly   persisted,   but   she   had   agreed   to   hide   here   with   him. He   thought   it   ironic   that   her   suggestion   about   them   shacking   up   first   was   being   fulfilled.   Except   the   sex   part,   he   added. By   God’s   grace   he’d   stayed   clear   of   that   so   far. But   it   was   growing   harder. He   thought   of   the   last   time   she’d   gone   swimming   in   human   form,   with   nothing   on,   and   only   laughed   at   him   when   he   hollored   at   her. He   thought   with   despair   that   it   might   well   be   time   to   separate. Camille   would   be   glad   in   one   respect—he’d   never   relaxed   the   cloak   on   them,   and   she   was   beginning   to   complain   about   never   seeing   herself   in   a   mirror. Too   bad   he   couldn’t   make   her   invisible   to   himself:   nothing   his   power   mantled   was   unseen   to   him.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             He   shifted   to   dragon   to   make   use   of   the   extra   senses   and   went   outside   to   check. Human   survelliance   might   yet   spot   them,   if   they   were   careless. Had   they   buried   their   feces? Erased   footprints? Remembered   to   cover   the   fires?

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “What’s   wrong,   sweetheart?”   Camille   had   been   in   swimming. In   human   form. He   hoped   she   was   wearing   something   this   time,   and   didn’t   look   over   at   her.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   dreamed   of   him.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Wha…? You   mean,   our   Father?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “He’s   still   hunting   us,   Camille.”   said   Gerald. “I’m   afraid. He   has   not   only   magic,   but   science   to   help   him.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Even   science   can’t   see   an   Unseeing   Dragon.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   hate   this   place.”   Gerald   muttered. “It’s   always   swampy. Summer. I   need   some   cold. Some   fall   color.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “You’re   homesick?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   miss   them.”   he   whispered. “My   family. I’m   too   young. I’m   not   old   enough   to   leave   them.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Cheer   up,   it’s   only   been   two   months.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Halloween   is   this   week.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             A   blinding   glare   filled   the   night. Both   flinched   and   shielded   their   eyes. The   voice   of   Cornello   filled   the   earth   and   sky. ''   “Reveal   yourselves,   Dragons. Otherwise   this   island   will   be   nuked. I   know   you   do   not   have   the   power   to   resist   that!” ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Gerald   and   Camille   looked   at   each   other. She   teleported   inside,   scooped   her   clothes   in   a   heap,   and   both   teleported   at   once.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Instantly   they   felt   themselves   seized. Relentlessly,   they   were   hauled   out   of   the   void   between   dimensions   by   which   dragons   tekeport   and   slammed   against the   rocks   like   sklapped   eels. Gerald   heard   Camille’s   shuddering   moan   and   felt   a   similar   sound   escaping   him. He   only   hoped   that   her   baby,   being   in   dragon-shape   inside   her   dragon-body,   was   more   resilient   than   in   human   form.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             ''“Little   bastards,   bastard-born   and   bastard-breeders,   do   you   not   know   that   when   you   teleport   you   do   so   by   moving   through   the   Graveyard   of   Dragons? And   anything   that   passes   there   is   under   my   knowledge,   where   it   enters   and   where   it   departs. I   knew   where   you   hid. I   was   biding   my   time. But   now   you   are   needed,   and   now   you   are   summoned!” ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Why   now?”   Camille   screeched. “What   were   you   waiting   for?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Why,   for   the   occasion   to   become   sin,   of   course.” <span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">   laughed   the   Father   of   Dragons. “''Do   you   not   know   that   I   am   Damned? Do   you   think   that   your   tormenting,   pleasurable   though   that   is,   is   my   only   purpose   for   you? Camille   I   can   reel   in   any   time,   for   she   was   steeped   in   sin   from   her   birth. But   you…you   would   indeed   be   a   prize. But   you   remained   continent,   even   in   cohabitation. How   touching. How   despicable. I   fail   to   comprehend   how   you   can   remain   so   strong,   little   Catholic. But   I   will   break   you. Oh,   I   will   break   you,   my   most   hated;   for   am   I   not   your   Father,   and   do   you   not   owe   me   a   father’s   bond?” ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “You   cannot   kill   my   soul.”   Gerald’s   voice   astounded   himself,   so   calm   and   clear   and   cool   was   it. “My   will   is   under   God’s   protection. I   am   of   the   Church   of   Christ.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;">''<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “You   owe   me   obedience! Do   not   deny   the   bond   I   hold   upon   your   spirit,   little   Catholic.” ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “You   forfeited   all   devotion. You   forfeited   all   respect. For   your   damnation   absolves   all   bonds   you   may   have   earned. You   did   not   beget   me. You   possess   a   human   body   and   beget   by   it’s   substance;   but   you   do   not   truly   beget   of   your   own   nature. You   are   a   spirit. You   can   never   have   a   true-begotten   son.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   Catholic   dragon   stood   against   the   fire-limned   heavens   that   glared   down   at   him. “You   are   not   my   father. I   am   not   your   son. I   deny   you. And   all   your   works. And   all   your   empty   glamour!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Do   you   indeed.”   The   voice   from   the   sky   was   cold   and   jeering   and   cruel   as   knives. “Do   you   also,   may   I   ask,   deny   the   bond   of   flesh   you   share   with   her? Do   you   renounce   the   fatherhood   of   him   you   sired   within   her   womb?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   supernatural   calm   was   like   a   sea   of   solid   stone   within   his   soul. “I   affirm   it   and   accept   it. Her   child   is   my   son. I   place   him   under   God’s   protection.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Laughter   like   chunks   of   stone   falling   upon   each   other   cascaded   from   the   sky. Camille   crouched   and   whimpered. “Much   good   that   protection   vails! Listen   to   me,   little   Catholic. While   his   mother   is   unCatholic   and   in   state   of   bitter   sin,   that   body   of   hers   is   in   my   power,   to   stamp   upon   until   the   life   within   her   ceases. I   will   kill   your   darling   child,    unless   you   yield   and   do   me   service!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   calm   shook   a   little. “The   boy   is   born   of   dragons. He   is   dragon   too. No   dragon   really   dies. He   will   only   go   to   the   Graveyard   of   Dragons.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “And   you   think   that   once   you’re   there   you   can’t   be   killed! You   fool. It   is   by   my   spell   and   by   my   curse   bred   in   your   nature   that   your   houseless   souls   do   not   depart   and   are   not   judged,   but   your   bodies   are   reassembled   in   the   Graveyard. But   if   you   are   killed   in   the   Graveyard,   you   die   indeed,   and   dying   scape   me. Ancalagon   is   there. He   will   consume   your   darling   offspring,   unbaptized,   in   Sin   Original:   Limbo   waits   him,   never   Heaven,   no   salvation   for   your   baby!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “That   depends   upon   the   Mercy of   God.”   said   Gerald.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Please,   Gerry,”   whispered   Camille,   “do   like   he   says! Don’t   get   him   mad!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   thought   you   wanted   an   abortion   once.”   he   said,   unable   to   restrain   the   sarcasm.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Well…not   any   more. Not   now.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “How   touching.”   laughed   the   Father   of   Dragons. “You   better   listen   to   her,   Gerrymander. For   I   will   not   stop   with   your   unborn   son. I   will   kill   Camille…I   will   kill   your   mother…I   will   kill   your   father,   your   sisters,   your   relatives,   every   friend   you   ever   made,   every   girl   who   shared   your   smile   all   the   days   of   your   bitter   life. I   will   torture   them   to   death   before   your   eyes. It   will   take   years. Are   you   sure   you   can   bear   it? How   many   of   them   are   in   the   state   of   sin? How   many   of   them   might   be   sent   to   Hell   by   your   stubbornness?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “What   exactly   do   you   require?”   Gerald   said   coldly.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Oh,   I   am   not   stupid.”   his   Father   said   contemptuously. “I   see   the   martyr-fire   that   consumes   your   soul. In   such   a   mood   no   threat   or   fear   would   work   upon   you,   and   if   I   demanded   anything   you   knew   was   wrong,   you   would   not   do   it,   and   then   I   might   lose   my   temper   and   wreck   all   my   careful   planning. It   used   to   happen   to   Satan   all   the   time. Fortunately   for   Hell,   some   of   us   have   better   self-control. What   do   I   require? First,   obedience. I   have   a   few   chores   to   do. Harry   the   Children   of   the   Road. Give   them   battle. Oh,   I   doubt   you   could   kill   them,   they   are   far   too   powerful;   but   if   they   reach   the   Heart   of   the   Earth,   they   have   orders   to   absorb   its’   power   that   the   Road   may   be   stronger,   and   this   would   kill   the   Earth.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “What   are   you   talking   about?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “See   what   happens   when   you   explain   something   to   a   Catholic.”   the   Dragon   said   to   nobody. “There   are   six   superheros   penetrating   the   earth. They   seek   a   thing   of   great   power   that   both   of   us   need,   and   if   they   get   it,   they   will   unknowingly   kill   the   Earth. Think   Hiroshima   times   ten   thousand. Stop   them. Delay   them. Kill   them,   if   you   can   (though   you   won’t,   of   course.)”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   will   give   them   battle.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Excellent. And   they   say   you   people   aren’t   reasonable. Now,   shift   and   get   better,   little   Camille:   you’re   coming   too.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Even—in   my   condition?”   she   said.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Dragon-babies   are   tough.”   laughed   Cornello. “Oh,   and   one   more   thing—both   of   you   must   lick   my   (bottom).”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Is   the   purpose   of   this   intended   to   mock   God,   or   me?”   Gerald’s   voice   was   like   flint.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Only   you,   proud   one. You’re   supposed   to   be   humble,   aren’t   you? Agree…or   our   bargain   is   off.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Clever.”   sneered   Gerald. “You   knew   that   if   I   was   ordered   to   suck   your…other   organ…I   would   refuse,   as   that   is   a   sex   act,   and   you   would   have   to   martyr   me. My   dignity   lies   in   my   salvation. I   will   endure   it,   for   my   sins.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Then   Cornello’s   power   took   them   both   from   that   place.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             They   appeared   under   the   earth.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             It   could   hardly   be   anywhere   else. A rounded,   irregular   shaft   snaked   steeply   downward,   the   sides   of   which   were   not   solid   but   a   mass   of   squirming,   glowing   half-fluid   rock,   held   at   bay   by   some   unimaginable   power. Six   people   were   walking   wearily   down   the   shaft. They   seemed   young,   one   in   fact   couldn’t   be   older   than   12,   but   at   the   same   time   old,   pinched   and   worn   with   long   toil   and   weeks   of   travel. A   young    man   of   thirty   with   red   hair   and   a   hollow   face   led   them. Gerald   noticed   a   slight   pale   boy,   and   a   tall   blonde,   and   a   girl   with   blue   skin   as   well.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             As   one   Gerald   and   Camille   acted. He   made   themselves   invisible,   and   her   attacks;   while   she   fired   bolts   of   vision    that   made   the   sight   of   her   victims   go   haywire. Five   of   the   six   reeled,   clutching   their   eyes. Except   for   the   sixth. The   young   man   with   red   hair.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             His   eyes   burned   red. Camille’s   attacks   wavered. Gerald   saw   her   eyes   dilating,   the   air   warping   and   vibrating   between   them. “What   is   it,   honey?”   he   shouted.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “He’s…revealing   me.”   she   said   in   a   ghost   of   a   voice. “I   can   see…in   his   eyes…everything   I’ve   done…I’m   doing   the   same   to   him,   and   it’s   not   working,   he’s   like   you,   he’s   good…”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Then   stop   fighting   him!”   snapped   Gerald.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Auughh!”   screamed   Camille. Horror   dilated   her   face. Her   features   twisted   and   melted   as   her   human   shape   appeared. She   had   been   swimming   naked   all   right,   for   she   wore   nothing,   her   pregnant   belly   obscene   in   its’   largeness. Shock   leaped   in   the   burning   red   eyes   of   their   adversary   and   his   glow   broke,   but   he   was   too   late. Camille   slumped   dead   upon   the   burning   floor,   and   her   body   burst   into   flames.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             A   wordless   roar   of   grief   and   negation   erupted   out   of   Gerald   as   he   turned   upon   the   enemy. He   teleported   inside   their   group,   invisible,   making   them   invisible   to   each   other   and   the   passage   invisible   as   well   while   he   struck   with   dragon-limbs   like   a   flail. With   a   hideous   satisfaction   he felt   bodies   being   thrown   and   smacked. Jets   of   powers   in   many   queer   colors   rayed   and   frothed   about,   but   did   not   hit   him,   for   they   could   not   see   him. Ice   and   water   and   awful   blades   of   energy   hissed   and   reft   the   boiling   walls,   which instantly   flowed   together from   the   tremendous   pressure. A   grip   as   strong   as   stone,   as   strong   as   the   very   earth   itself,   seized   his   neck,   and   forced   his   dragon-face   upward,   until   he   found   himself   looking   into   the   burning   red   eyes   of   the   leader,   who   was   holding   him   with   his   bare   hands.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Look   upon   my   eyes,” <span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">   the   roaring   voice   of   the   red   man   echoed,   “and   gaze   into   their   depths!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Gerald   was   unable   to   move.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   eyes   of   his   enemy   were   huge   as   ponds,   consuming   the   world   like   the   screen   of   a   movie. A   soft   red   light   pervaded   the   air. Displayed   in   stark   detail   was   himself. Every   deed   he’d   ever   done,   his   tormented   nature,   like   a   man   floundering   in   mire   and   by   some   miracle   keeping   afloat,   were   plain   before   him. He   saw   himself   and   Camille   that   first   day   in   the   river,   saw   how   clean   his   soul   had   been   of   all   that   evil,   and   to   his   utter   confusion   realized   he   was   both   far   better   and   far   worse   than   he   supposed. A   seesaw,   a   wobbling   line   that   still   held   in   one   direction,   faithless   and   faithful,   he   saw   himself   at   last   exactly   as   he   was. Tears   of   mingled   happiness   and   humbleness   spilled   out   of   his   human   eyes. He   was   not   evil. They   were   not   evil.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Abruptly   he   was   released. He   and   the   strange   man   had   both   collapsed   to   their   knees,   unharmed   by   the   scorching   floor,   hands   upon   each   other’s   shoulders. “A   Catholic   dragon.”   the   red   man   whispered. “A   repentant   Dragon-born. My   God   in   Heaven. Can   you   forgive   me?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I’m   the   one   who   needs   forgiving,   brother.”   said   Gerald. “Who   are   you?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   am   Ronnie   Wendy.”   he   answered. “And   we   are   the   Children   of   the   Road.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   have   to   fight   you,   Ronnie.”   said   Gerald   sadly. “My   Father   holds   hostages.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Then   fight. You   have   no   ability   to   harm   us. Forest?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   pale   boy   lifted   a   paintbrush,   and   green   fire   came   from   it. And   Gerald   felt   blissful   oblivion   fall   upon   him   as   he   was   painted   into   stone.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

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