_Chapter 3: The Enemy_ 

          "I think you do have a chance at pulling this off, Ron, but it is
going to be quite risky.  Do you truly understand, you have a very limited
window of time in which to make this work?” Lars, Karen, and Linda were
sitting with Ron as they discussed his plan for saving Kumiko.  

          "Yes, I understand that, but it’s the only option we’ve got left. 
Everyone says I can’t beat Mordreon alone.  The Guardians are willing to help,
but only if we have a plan that will work.  This is the best chance we’ve
got.  Hell, it’s the *only* chance we’ve got.”  Ron was pacing the room like a
caged animal.  Now that he had a plan, he wanted to get after it.  But, his
first plan had failed because he’d not considered it long enough, he was
sure.  He could not afford for this plan to fail as well.  As things were
going, Kumiko had maybe 2 weeks left, if that.  

          "Can we do it, Ron?  I mean, can we really beat him?” Karen
wondered.  

          "No, Karen, we can’t *beat* him.  He’s too goddamned strong for
that.  But, hopefully we can trick him.  The Guardians should be able to beat
him back after he’s lost interest, but I can’t guarantee anything.”  After
getting no response, Ron added, "So, we’re agreed?  This is what we go with.” 
There was consent in the room.  "Fine.  Let’s make this thing work.  Linda, I
need you to get one of the bedrooms ready, I’ve written down everything you’ll
need to do.  I’ve got a task to perform.”  

          The group split up to get things ready for their mission.  *That’s
exactly what it is, too.  A *mission*.  This is our last chance at obtaining
our objective, and we’ve got to make sure the planning stages are all done
right.  *

          But he had a short task to do first.  He just couldn’t leave it
alone.  

          He pulled into the driveway and shut off the engine.  He knew she
was home, though there was no sign of life in the house.  He walked up and
rang the doorbell.  It took a long time before the door opened, and there she
stood.  

          "Yes?  Oh, it’s you.  Did you come to get your jacket back?” 

          "No, Ms.  Calverson, I didn’t.”  Ron handed her a card, which she
took, and looked at quizzically.  She then looked back to him.  He explained,
"In the near future, you may need a place of safety or refuge.  Go to the
address on that card, and give it to whomever opens the door.  They will let
you in, and protect you.  I cannot tell you more than that.”  

          She was stunned, and all she managed was, "But… why?” 

          "Because as much as you needed me last night, I needed you.  To help
me remember what it was all about.  I know none of this makes any sense to
you.  Someday, it will.  I’ve taken as much of your time as I should.  Have a
good evening, ma’am.”  Without another word, Ron turned and walked back to his
truck.  *Well, that’s out of the way.  At least she should be safe when the
fighting starts.  *

          Ron returned home to find that preparations were well underway.  

          "I need to go back to the Spirit Realm.  We’ve got to make sure the
Guardians will agree to this," Ron told Lars.  

          "Would you like me to come with you?” he asked.  

          "No, they don’t know you, and I’m not sure how they’d react. 
Besides, I’m going into friendly territory, I hope.”  

          "Good luck.”  

          Ron settled into a recliner, and leaned back.  He settled his mind
with a breathing exercise, and focused on moving beyond the body.  As his mind
began to float, he turned all his energy back in upon itself, and suddenly
found himself in the Plane of the Watchers.  

          "Hello, Master," Jessica said.  Ron turned to see her, as beautiful
as ever.  He opened his arms, and she came to him.  They stood like that for
some time, until Ron realized that he didn’t really have time to waste.  

          "Jess, I need to get back to Guardian Hall.  We think we’ve come up
with a way to save Kumiko and the baby.”  

          Jessica nodded, and turned to lead the way.  It was only a short
distance to Guardian Hall from where he had appeared.  

          "Jess, why didn’t I appear at the seashore?  It’s where you had me
leave from.”  

          "Master, the seashore is where the Watchers spend most of their
time.  You can appear anywhere in the Plane.  Most likely, you appeared where
you did, because that was where I was.  Now that you know the way, you can
appear there anytime.  Sir, we are at the gate path.  I am not allowed to go
up there, so you must leave me here.  I will wait for you.”  She gave him a
brief but warm kiss, and then sat down upon a large rock.  

          Ron turned and headed up the path.  He was met at the gate by a
large guard.  This was new to him.  

          "Your name and business?” the guard demanded.  

          "Ron Chaffey, I am here to see the Three Sisters.  They invited me
to return.”  

          Though the guard gave him a very odd look, he summoned a young girl
to take him up to the Hall.  The girl was very quiet, and did not volunteer a
conversation.  Ron was lost in thought, and so didn’t really notice.  Not
until he had entered the Hall and noticed the strained atmosphere, and the
look on Calliope’s face, did he think something was amiss.  

          "Ma’am?  Is something wrong?  Has something happened?” 

          Calliope’s face darkened with grief.  "Yes, Ron.  And I’m trying
very hard not to blame you for it.  You see, Valeria and Callista were taken
by demons while they were out patrolling the Spirit Realm.  The demons were
part of Mordreon’s band.  We can only conclude that Mordreon is trying to
dissuade us from helping you.”  

          Calliope’s pronouncement hit Ron like a hammer.  He staggered, and
struggled to catch his breath.  "How… how long?  Why didn’t you have Jessica
tell me?” 

          "It’s been two Earth days, which is nearly a year in our time.  I
can only imagine the horrible, disgusting….”  Calliope broke off, tears
running down her face.  Ron wanted to go to her, to comfort her, but she
composed herself.  "We thought to tell you, but Jessica told us you were in
the middle of devising a plan to save your friend, Kumiko, and we didn’t wish
to distract you further.”  

          "Damn it," Ron said.  He sat in a nearby chair.  His voice was
deathly quiet, but then he nearly shouted, "Damn it!  Why is it that
everything I touch falls apart!” This time, it was Calliope who went to Ron. 
She wrapped an arm around him until his mood quieted.  Ron felt a strangely
warm attachment to this woman he didn’t know.  Then something struck Ron. 
"You said Val and Callista… what about Minerva?” 

          "Minerva was not with them.  She was still here, at Guardian Hall. 
She is punishing herself for not being with her sisters.  I have been unable
to get her to eat or sleep since it happened.  She flies into a rage anytime
anyone comes near her.  I fear the situation is hopeless.”  

          "May I see her?  I need to apologize.  You were right to blame me,
this *is* my fault.”  

          Calliope led him down a hallway, and then another.  She pointed him
to a door.  "She’s in there.  I don’t want to seem cowardly, but I can’t bear
to see my daughter like that.  Please, help her!” The pleading in her eyes
tore at Ron’s heart.  He nodded, and headed for the door.  

          The door was massive.  It was carved with a battle scene, with
creatures Ron didn’t even want to guess at.  He thought to knock, but knew
instinctively that was not the right approach.  He quietly opened the door and
walked in.  

          Minerva was standing resolutely, staring out the window at the sky. 
As he walked toward her, she showed no sign of noticing him.  Once he was
within range, however, she turned and struck at him wildly.  

          "This is *your* fault!” she screamed.  Ron ducked and twisted away
from her attacks.  He couldn't dare hurt her, and he couldn’t find a way to
stop her until she’d vented on him.  She swung on him repeatedly, missing in
her blind rage, screaming epithets and telling him what she thought of him,
and humans in general.  

          Eventually, the rage started to burn itself out.  Ron had stood and
taken the abuse, partly because he agreed with her assessment of blame, but
mostly because he knew she *needed* to lash out at something, *anything*.  As
she stood there, beating against his chest, he quietly reached up and grabbed
her hands.  He pulled her hands together and up, holding them against his
chest, so she would look him in the eyes.  The hurt he saw there was enough to
break his heart.  But he had to get her back to a better frame of mind first.  

          "So, it’s my fault.  Okay, so what?  Does that fix things?  You’ve
been standing here for a year, blaming me.  Has that accomplished anything? 
No, it hasn’t.  Your sisters, my friends, are in trouble.  *What are we going
to do about it?” *He saw the defiance flare in her eyes.  *Good.  *

          "What did you expect me to do, go up against Mordreon alone?” 

          "There are who-knows how many Guardians in this place.  Take some
troops and go get them!” 

          "I can’t.  A decision like that has to be made by the Judges.”  

          "And?” Ron prompted.  

          "And what?  They have not made a decision like that in eons.  Why
would they risk that kind of trouble for my sisters?” 

          "Did you bother to ask?” He didn’t let her answer when he saw the
look in her eyes.  "I didn’t think so.  Never assume the worst, or that’s
exactly what you’ll get.  I learned that lesson the hard way.  Can anyone ask
the Judges?” 

          "Yes, but it’s a very formal thing.  You’ve got to know the rules,
and the procedures, and… and I don’t know them.”  She began sobbing against
his chest.  Now was time for support.  

          "Can we learn them?” he asked kindly.  

          "There are books," she sobbed, "But it will take too long to
memorize it all…" Her entire body was shaking now.  

          "Not for me, it won’t," he said, "It’s a skill I’ve mastered.  It
will only take me as long to learn it as it will to read it.  We’ve got to
try.”  

          Minerva looked up at him, her eyes rimmed with tears, but with a
glimmer of hope.  "Do you really think… do we have a chance?” 

          "There’s always a chance, Minerva.  You can’t ever give up trying. 
Once you’ve given up trying, there’s no chance at all.  Until then, there’s
always some hope of success.”  

          She melted against him, and he let go of her hands.  She wrapped her
arms around him in a warm embrace.  Again she looked up at him, with a look he
had long come to recognize.  

          She led him over to her bed.  It was very Spartan, very much less
decorated than the room he had first been brought to.  As she walked, she
undid the sash around her, and dropped it to the floor.  Upon reaching the
bed, she turned to him, her robe unfastened.  

          "It was unfair of me, of us, to blame you for this.  After all, we
brought you here, you didn’t ask to come.  It is the noon hour, so the books
we need are not available just now.  Please, lie with me, and let me apologize
properly.”  

          Though Ron was a little dismayed by the formality of her statement,
her body had most of his attention.  Her robe wasn’t open very far, and so
revealed nothing, but his imagination was filling in most of the details.  He
embraced her, and she tilted her head up to meet his mouth.  As their lips
touched, Ron reached inside her robe at waist level.  He moved his hands
around to her ass, and pulled her gently to him.  Once again, her body melted
into his.  Ron slowly edged his hands up and to the sides, parting her robe
away from her body.  As his hands reached her shoulders, she shrugged the
garment off, allowing it to fall to the ground.  The young woman was now
completely nude, but Ron was still fully dressed.  This would soon change,
however.  

          Minerva broke the kiss, and pulled Ron’s T-shirt off him.  She
worked her way down his chest, kissing and nipping the flesh as she went. 
When she reached his nipples, she tongued each one extensively, setting Ron
all a-tingle with pleasure.  She continued on down, past his navel, until she
got to his belt.  She unfastened his belt and pants, and pushed them down and
off his legs.  She took more careful hold of his briefs, and slowly peeled
these off his body.  Now they were both nude, and Minerva took Ron’s dick
gently in hand.  She blew a warm breath over its length, watching it twitch
and lengthen.  She flicked her tongue gently along the underside of his shaft,
seeing it stiffen as she played.  She placed sloppy kisses from the base all
the way up the shaft until she reached the head of his dick.  Then she
engulfed him, all the way down her throat, full length until her nose was
buried in his pubic hairs.  

          Ron was in so much pleasure it was painful.  Minerva began sucking
him off with all her strength.  She eased him out of her mouth slowly, and
then plunged him back in to the full depth.  Ron was shuddering with the
ecstasy of it.  He rested his hands lightly on her head, but she needed no
encouragement, she was fully into what she was doing.  

          Minerva continued this treatment for some time, Ron doing his best
to hold off his impending blow.  But he just wasn’t able, and finally he
spurted his load down her throat, and she took it all, and kept sucking, as if
to find more.  

          When she finally pulled off him, he was fully hard once more.  She
stood up, took one long look at his rock hard cock, and then she jumped onto
him, wrapping her arms and legs around him.  His cock was nestled in her pussy
fur, ready to enter her.  She said, "Enough with the formal crap.  Fuck me,
dammit!” 

          Ron reached down, and adjusted himself so his dick was properly
positioned.  Then Minerva allowed herself to sink onto his rod.  She let out a
loud "Ohhhhh!” as her body fully engulfed his member.  Ron staggered over to
the bed, and dropped down onto it, Minerva still wrapped tightly around him. 
He started humping into her, pumping himself in and out of her warm, tight
hole as fast as he could.  

          Minerva was screaming and thrashing in the pleasure of the moment. 
She pushed him to higher and higher levels, with her voice and with her body. 
Suddenly, her body exploded in orgasm, her voice resounding through the room
as she shrieked her climax.  Ron held on for dear life, and kept pounding
away, extending her orgasm as long as he could.  

          Once she started to come down from her peak, she looked at him
lustfully, and kissed him hard on the mouth.  Once they broke the kiss, she
said, "I want you in my ass.  Now.”  

          Ron pulled himself out of her, and flipped her over roughly.  He
positioned himself at her rosebud, and started to press in slowly.  He was too
slow for her, however, and she began to push back as hard as she could.  Very
quickly, Ron was fully buried in her ass, his stomach resting against her ass
cheeks.  

          "Fuck my ass, you stud!  Fuck me good!” Minerva growled, like a cat
in heat.  Ron began rutting into her ass, moving in and out as fast as his
body would take him.  He reached up and grasped her tits, mauling them as he
fucked her ass.  

          He was not far from his own orgasm this way, and she was quickly
approaching another.  He took hold of her nipples and twisted lightly, sending
a twinge of pain and pleasure through her body.  It was enough to send her
over the edge, and once again her shrieks of pleasure filled the room.  Her
ass clamped down on his prick, and that was enough for him.  He shot his full
load deep into her ass.  

          They were both exhausted when they came down, so they lay down on
the bed for some rest.  They both fell asleep, resting in each other’s arms.  

          "These books read like… well like law books, I suppose," Ron said,
chuckling.  "Of course, that’s exactly what they are, so I don’t see why I’m
surprised.”  He’d been reading for the better part of two Spirit days, and was
almost through the information he needed to have to confront the Judges.  

          "Yes, but you’d better make sure you get the formalities right,
otherwise they won’t even listen to you," Minerva warned.  She’d been with him
for the entire two days, passing him books to read, and pointing out the
relevant passages.  "A Guardian hasn’t been in front of the Judges to make
this kind of request in my lifetime, which is a pretty long time.”  

          "Well, I think I have the procedures down.  I’m looking for…
‘arguments for the prosecution’, I think it would be called.  I’m looking for
stuff that will convince them we’re right.”  

          She passed him another book.  "This is the only book on demon law we
have.”  It was a very small book.  "There aren’t very many rules that demons
will follow.”  

          Ron glanced through it quickly, looking for sections that might
apply.  "Ah-ha!  Found it!” He read through the section speedily, and then
went back and studied it carefully, memorizing every word.  Then he turned to
Minerva.  "I think we’re ready.  How do we get to the court, anyway?” 

          "We walk, how else?” She smiled at him.  "Come on, let’s go get
Mother.  She’ll want to go with us.”  

          They entered the great hallway of the Council of Judges.  Standing
before them was a massive Spirit, nine feet tall.  

          "He’s a Centurion," Minerva whispered.  "He guards the Council. 
You’ll have to start by telling him your business.”  

          The guard stared down at the three of them expectantly.  Ron stood
erect and said, "Ronald Chaffey, representative of the Guardian Society and
the Earth Realm, requests an audience with the Council of Judges to discuss an
issue of importance to both Earth, and the Guardians.  Will you please inform
them that we are here?” 

          The guard was unimpressed.  "Wait here," he said, his voice booming
through the hall.  He walked off, leaving them standing alone.  They said
nothing as they waited, all of them too nervous to talk or joke.  

          When the guard returned, he was accompanied by a much less imposing
individual.  "Hello, my name is Jarvis.  I understand you wish to see the
Judges.  May I ask what the issue to be brought before the court is
concerning?” The man had a sniveling expression, and walked quickly and
quietly, shoulders slightly hunched.  He reminded Ron of a mouse.  

          "I wish to discuss with the Judges… An act of war.”  Ron was
gratified to see the terrified look on the man’s face.  

          "Oh!  Please, come this way.”  

          As they walked , Calliope put her hand on Ron’s arm to get his
attention.  Seeing the questioning look on her face, he gave her a reassuring
smile and a wink.  She shrugged, and they continued to walk.  

          Jarvis led them to a set of double doors, closed and guarded by two
more Centurions.  The Centurions parted at Jarvis’ approach, and pulled the
doors open.  The four of them entered the Council Chamber.  

          Jarvis drew himself up as straight as he could as he announced,
"Your Honors, there appears before you a representative of the Earth Realm who
wishes to speak with you about…" Here, Jarvis’ voice stumbled.  He cleared his
throat, and continued shakily, "About an act of war.”  

          The Judge in the center of the large bench before them spoke, his
voice sonorous and clear.  "Let him speak.”  

          Jarvis quickly motioned them forward as he disappeared into a corner
to be away from them all.  

          Ron stepped up, glanced at his two companions, and, seeing their
support, began his speech.  

          "Your Honors, my name is Ronald Chaffey.  I come before you as a
representative of the Earth Realm, and the Society of Guardian Hall.  I come
before you today to speak of a most serious matter, committed by a band of
demons against the Earth, and Guardian Hall.  This act was the kidnapping of
two prominent Guardians, known to you as Valeria and Callista Calliopis. 
These individuals, while performing their normal duties, were abducted by a
group of demons under the leadership of Mordreon, an eighth level demon
presently affecting the Earth Realm.  

          "The request being made of the Council at this time is that your
Honors would release the Centurions and the Guardians to assault the
stronghold of Mordreon in the Demon Realm, and to rescue our comrades, Valeria
and Callista.  I know that the Council will not make such a decision lightly,
or in haste, so let me please outline for you why we believe that this is the
proper course of action at this time.  

          "First, the rule of law states that an armed assault may be used to
remove a destabilizing influence to the Realms, either Earth or otherwise. 
Your Honors, in that these two individuals are great supporters of the Earth
Realm, and have invested a great deal of energy into protecting its positive
course, anything that bars them from continuing their work by its very nature
destabilizes the Realm.  Further, as I have been told that I am an important
part of the future of Earth Realm, I must speak for myself.  I consider these
two individuals friends, and, as such, I feel compelled to rescue them at any
cost.  Since I would certainly be destroyed in such an attempt, and my
destruction would be a serious disruption to the stability of Earth Realm, I
ask you to consider this in your decision.  

          "Second, the law states that anything having a severe negative
impact on the Earth Realm directly is liable to a forceful resolution.  As I
have pointed out already, these individuals were staunch protectors of the
Earth Realm, and there is serious negative impact being done simply by their
absence.  We cannot know how many humans have already been harmed by their
absence over what has been only two Earth days.  I would remind you,
respectfully, that you have an obligation to the positive course of the Earth
Realm, and that this affront has caused a serious negative turn.  

          "Further, the law states that any action that causes a severe
negative impact on any Spirit Society requires a forceful response.  Your
Honors, if you had been to Guardian Hall in the last Spirit Year, you would
have seen how distraught their society is.  You would have noticed the
increased vigilance, the overwhelming security precautions they have been
forced to take.  The very nature of the Guardians’ task requires an optimistic
outlook, and this has been severely damaged by the loss of their two
comrades.  In the name of the Society of Guardian Hall, I am stating a formal
request for assistance at this time.  

          "Continuing, it should be pointed out that, by holding these two
Guardians for an extended period of time, which the law states as any longer
than two Spirit Days, the Mordreon band has broken Spirit Law.  Valeria and
Callista have been held for an entire Spirit Year, your Honors!  That is
nearly 200 times as long as the law allows for.  Since the order of any
society is kept together not only by its laws, but by the *enforcement* of
those laws, it behooves us to take action in the upholding of this law.  

          "It should also be noted, your Honors, that, by taking prisoners in
any form of battle or contest, the Mordreon band has executed an act of war,
as established by the code of the Demon Rules, section 12, which states that
under no circumstances are prisoners to be taken and held captive, but are to
be destroyed or driven off in any hostile action or unprovoked attack.  Your
Honors, the Demons have disdained your authority, and have chosen even to
ignore their own rules in attacking the Guardian Society in such a cowardly
manner.  Since they have chosen to conduct an act of war, it is only
appropriate and right for us to respond in kind.  I would ask again for your
permission to send forth the Centurions and Guardians to take this matter in
hand.  

          "Finally, your Honors, and I know your time is valuable, so I will
take very little more of it, I would ask you to consider one last point. 
According to the book of Spirit Law, the job of the Council of Judges is to
preside over the positive flow of events in all of the Realms.  The Earth
Realm, The After Realms, and, of course, the Spirit Realm.  Your Honors, how
can you, as fair and honest guarantors of justice, attempt to preside over the
positive flow of these other realms, when there is a serious negative flow in
your own?  I mean no disrespect by this, I only intend to show you how
inequitable the present situation is, so that you may have all the facts
before you as you make your decision.  

          "Your Honors, as the representative of the Earth Realm, and the
Society of Guardian Hall, I thank you for your time, and we await your
judgment.”  

          Ron stepped down off the speaking platform, but remained beside it
in the event of questions.  There were none, so he returned to his seat.  The
central Judge intoned, "Thank you, Mr.  Chaffey, for your passion and your
eloquence.  This Council will recess to chambers to discuss the issues before
us.  Please wait here for our return.  Jarvis will provide you with
refreshment, if you so desire.  Court in recess.”  The Judges rose silently,
and walked to the side door leading to chambers.  None of them looked at him
as they left, which caused Ron to worry.  

          "It was a great speech," Calliope said.  

          "But was it enough?” Ron responded.  

          "We’ll have to wait and see.”  

          They waited for only a short time, before a young lady approached
them.  "Mr.  Chaffey?  The Judges would like to see you in chambers, please.”  

          Ron looked to his companions.  There had been nothing in the law
books about this.  Calliope said, "I don’t know what they want, Ron, but it’s
best not to keep them waiting.”  

          Ron followed the lady through the side door into the Judges
Chamber.  There, all the Judges were seated at a table, a little less formally
than they had been in the Council room.  The head justice spoke up.  

          "Mr.  Chaffey, please sit down.  Would you like some refreshment?”
Ron indicated that he did not, so the Judge continued, "It is very unusual for
a human to make a request of the Judges.  Actually, anymore it is unusual of
anyone to make a request.  I think sometimes that we have been ruling too
long.  Anyway, that is neither here nor there.  We had a couple of questions,
of a more personal nature, to ask you, and we didn’t want you to be hindered
by the presence of others.”  

          "I appreciate the thought, your Honor.  What would you like to
know?” Ron replied.  

          "How long have you known about this problem with Callista and
Valeria?” 

          "Two… no, three Spirit Days, sir.”  

          "Really?  You learned the full formality of the request procedure in
just that short a time?  Impressive.  But tell me, why do you really care what
happens to those two?” 

          "Well, sir, there are two reasons.  First of all, they saved my life
just a short time ago, and I consider them friends.  Also, It was they who
promised me the help of the Guardians in saving a young lady’s life from this
demon, Mordreon.  Oh, and one more thing, sir, is that Mordreon would not have
bothered with them if it had not been for me, so I feel extremely responsible
for the position they are in.”  

          "I see," said the head justice, "Well.  Ron, I’ll be honest with
you.  Until forty-five minutes ago, the Council knew nothing of this problem. 
Had it been presented to us as early as nine months ago, we would have
responded favorably to a request for assistance.  To have it brought to us by
a human tells us that we are woefully out of touch with the Spirit Realm.  For
that piece of information more than any other, we owe you a debt.  We have
sent two scouts to find out where they are holding Val and Callie, and we will
see what strength of force must be fought.  I assume you will want to go with
the assault force?” 

          "If that is permitted, sir.”  

          "Normally, it is not.  However, we are going to make an exception in
your case, because you have a vested interest in the outcome.  Also, you may
be of some help in leading the ladies away from the battle.  You will take
orders from the Centurions, however.  Is that understood?” The voice was
stern, and not to be argued with.  

          "Yes sir.  My only interest is in the safety of those two girls.  To
that end, I will do whatever your warriors tell me to.”  

          "Very good.  Go join your friends in the chamber.  We will come out
to you when we have the scouts’ report.”  

          Ron was led out of the chamber and back to his waiting companions.  

          "What did they say?” Minerva asked.  Ron could see that Calliope was
just as anxious to know.  

          "Well, they said they’ve sent some scouts to find where Val and
Callista are.  It looks like it’s a go.”  Amid their smiles, Ron decided not
to tell them the other part of the conversation.  If the Judges wanted them to
know that, they would tell the Guardians themselves.  

          After a couple hours, the Judges came back to the Council Chamber. 
The demeanor of the Judges was returned to its somber state.  Ron wasn’t sure
if they’d received bad news, or if this was just the way they looked when in
an official role.  

          "We call this court to order," intoned the Judge.  "Mr.  Chaffey,
would you and your companions take the podium, please?” After they did so, the
Judge continued, "Mr.  Chaffey, I have sat on this Council for longer than the
United States has been in existence.  And in all my time, never has a human
come before this court.  To have done so, and spoken so well and so succinctly
to plead your case speaks well of you, and your people.  I would like to enter
official thanks into the record for bringing this matter to our attention.  

          "Calliope Sarenis, Minerva Calliopis, I tell you now that this
matter should have been brought before the court a long time ago.  As the
ruling family of the Society of Guardian Hall, it is your responsibility to
lead your people.  When you show a reluctance… or even a *fear* to come before
the Council, it reflects rather poorly on us.  However, in light of some of
your past dealings with this Council, I understand that you may have felt that
a negative response was a given.  In light of that, I will render no decision
on this matter at all, but set it aside.  I ask that you consider more
carefully your actions in the future.  You have chosen your spokesperson well:
the lad is either very well trained, or has a good heart.  I choose to believe
the latter.  

          "In the matter before this court, the Council has already taken
steps.  A short time ago, a scouting party returned from Demon Realm.  The two
sisters are alive, and all right, but somewhat worse for the wear.  They are
guarded by twelve demons, of a moderate strength.  

          "The Council’s decision, therefore, is this: We hereby order the
second brigade, Centurion battle force, to send out an expedition of no less
than 36 men.  They will be accompanied by Mr.  Chaffey, who will serve in an
observer’s role only, unless otherwise directed by the Centurion leader. 
Their only objective is the safe recovery of the two Guardians aforementioned
in the plea before the court.  Upon the safe extraction of the two Guardians,
the assault force is to return to the Centurion Garrison, with the exception
that Mr.  Chaffey and the two ladies may return directly to Guardian Hall. 
Mr.  Chaffey, if you will wait outside, you will be taken to the Centurion
leader.  Ladies, I suggest you wish him luck.  As for me, I don’t think he
needs it.  May the future favor you, Mr.  Chaffey.  This court is adjourned.”  

          Ron was taken to meet the commander of the attack force.  Ron stared
up at the nine-foot giant, glistening in his battle armor, his sword sheathed
at his left side, and some sort of staff across his back.  The man noticed
Ron’s discomfort, and quickly sat down to be closer to eye level.  

          "My name is Marius, I am colonel of the fourth column of the second
brigade of the Centurion battle force.  I am told that you are the human
responsible for our mission.”  

          "Well, sir, I did bring the issue to the attention of the Council,
but it was ultimately their decision.”  Ron was horribly intimidated by this
man.  

          "Aaah!  Let’s cut the crap, shall we?  I know Valeria.  She’s a
damned fine fighter.  Any mission aimed at saving her cute little butt is just
fine with me!  So, have you any thoughts about how to deal with this
scenario?” 

          "Sir, with all due respect, the only time I’ve fought a demon, I had
my head handed to me, so I don’t think I’m the guy to be asking for advice.”  

          Marius’ laugh rolled out of his body.  "Yes!  Quite so.  Oh, humans
are so much fun!  Now I know what the Guardians get out of their job.  Well,
come then, and we’ll show you what we’ve cooked up.”  

 
 
          Ron was flabbergasted at the mixture of the old and the new.  He was
riding on… no doubt about it, it was a hover-chariot, self-powered, but with
no visible means of propulsion.  Yet his companion was wielding what was
described as a lance.  It didn’t look much like a lance, at least not the ones
he’d seen in cartoons, but the soldier with him had told him it was an energy
weapon, not intended to be used for actually striking an object.  

          They were at the tail end of a formation of 50 such chariots, just
now entering the Demon Realm through the gateway guarded by a full company of
Centurions, fully geared and ready for battle.  

          "Are they our backup?” Ron shouted over the din of the moving
vehicles.  

          "No," replied the soldier with him.  "They guard that gate
permanently.  They cannot leave that post unless they are relieved by another
company.  The Demon Realm is a nasty place, and we don’t want their kind in
the Centurion Garrison.”  

          They rode on in silence, his driver keeping in tight formation with
his comrades.  As they approached the objective, the column slowed, and spread
out across a larger front.  Finally, the column stopped.  The hover-chariot
settled to the ground as Marius approached.  

          "Ron, the encampment is just over that rise.  We intend to make a
frontal attack, across a wide front.  If there are indeed only 12 of them,
they will be very preoccupied with us.  You and Buran here will slip around
behind them, and find our friends.  Once you’ve got them untied, get them into
the chariot, and get the hell out of Dodge, understood?” 

          "Yes sir!” They both chimed.  

          "Good.  Buran, when you’re halfway to the gate, let off a signal
burst, and we’ll disengage.  We’ll keep them from following you back.  Good
luck!"" Marius snapped a salute, which Buran returned.  Then Marius strode off
to his chariot, while Buran moved them off to the left end of the line.  

          Marius gave the signal, and the line of chariots roared into life,
riding over the ridge like a cavalry charge of old.  Ron watched in
fascination as the demons came out to fight, quickly finding cover from the
bursts from the energy lances.  

          "I count about twenty demons, Buran!” cried Ron.  

          "Twenty, a thousand, it doesn’t matter at this point!” he shouted
back, racing the chariot over the rocky ground, moving to get around the
formation without being seen.  

          Marius crouched behind the protective framework of his chariot.  The
demons were using grenades, which he had not been ready for.  He didn’t expect
them to be so well armed.  To his right, Vernon rose, fired, and fell, a large
hole punched in his chest from a burst from a small energy cannon.  *My God! 
Where the hell did they get that from?  *He moved his right flank forward
cautiously, hoping to pull the demons’ attention away from his left side,
where Ron and Buran were just now moving past his line.  

          "Fuck!” bellowed Buran.  "Where in all the After Realms did they get
THAT?” He pushed the throttle on his chariot to full power, accelerating so
fast that Ron nearly lost his balance.  

          "Michael!  Jeremiah!  Lob… NOW!” ordered Marius.  His two mortars
launched an amazing blast of plasma into the middle of the demons.  Three fell
to the ground, wounded or dead.  Two more jumped clear of the blast.  The rest
just kept firing.  More grenades fell into the midst of the Centurions.  And
more Centurions kept falling.  

          Ron and Buran reached the back of the demon camp.  "I cannot see
anything, Ron," Buran said.  "One of us will need to move forward while the
other covers him from here.”  

          "Let me go, Buran.”  Upon seeing the look Buran gave him, he said,
"I’m smaller than you.  They’re less likely to see me.  Plus, you’re likely a
better shot with that damned thing than I’d be.”  

          "Okay, GO!” Buran yelled.  Ron raced forward, sprinting from tree to
bush to rock, moving steadily forward, all the time praying that he wouldn’t
be seen.  

          Marius saw his opening.  "Left flank forward!” He’d seen Buran and
Ron head past some time ago, and knew it was now time to keep the enemy’s
attention focused forward.  

          Ron was now at the edge of the clear area.  He crept slowly around
the perimeter, trying to find the two girls.  Finally, he saw them, shackled
against a stone wall, their legs had to be cramping.  *Even spirits have got
to get tired after a while…* He gave a signal to Buran, and moved out
carefully.  

          Marius’ troops had closed to half the distance they’d started at. 
He was down to 35 troops, though, and that wasn’t good.  *Come on, you two…
Let’s get this over with!  *

          Neither girl had their eyes open when Ron got to them.  He
immediately felt for a pulse, then felt foolish.  *Do spirits *have* a pulse? 
*He was surprised to find that he did, indeed, feel a pulse.  As he touched
her, Callista stirred.  She opened her eyes as Ron looked at her chains.  

          "Ron!  My God, what are you doing here?” Then she heard the battle
raging in the background.  "What’s going on?” 

          "You didn’t think I was going to leave you here to rot, did you?”
Ron said.  

          Callista shared a look with Valeria, who was now awake also.  

          "We’d almost lost hope, but I knew you’d find a way," Valeria said.  

          "Yeah, well I came as soon as I knew about it.  You know, you’ve
only been here a little over two Earth days.  It’s a good thing I showed up
when I did.”  His voice was strained as he tried to pry the shackles off
them.  He focused his mental energy on them and, with some effort, managed to
get Callista’s hands loose, at which point she gave him a furious hug.  

          As Callista let him go to free her feet, he spotted Buran behind
him.  "Maybe this will be faster," Buran said, removing his sword.  Ron could
see the energy pulsing through the blade, and Buran merely flicked it against
Valeria’s shackles and they fell apart.  Ron finished freeing Callista, who
fell against him as she had to support her own weight.  

          "Buran, can you carry Val?” Buran nodded, and nearly flung her over
his shoulder.  Ron lifted Callista into his arms, and then ran for the
hover-chariot.  

          "Charge!  Full Frontal Assault!” screamed Marius, urging his men
forward.  They had reached the compound.  He had only 30 men left now.  But
the demons only had 5, and were falling back quickly.  

          Buran was racing the chariot at breakneck speed back towards the
gate to the Centurion Garrison.  He slowed down only momentarily to fire off a
blinding burst of energy into the sky, then revved his speed back to maximum.  

          "Okay, troopers!  Fall back!  Fighting retreat!  Move, move, move!”
Marius and his team ran back for their chariots.  Two more demons lay dead,
but there were now only 23 Centurions.  The demons pursued them to the edge of
the compound, but, not knowing their prize had been stolen, they didn’t
follow.  

          "They’ll be after us soon enough.  Rear flank, keep your eyes open! 
Full speed!  Back to the Garrison!” The chariots roared over the rise, out
onto flat ground, tearing up the distance to the gate.  

          Buran and Ron waited for the returning force at the gate.  The two
girls slept in the chariot, exhausted from their ordeal.  The company of
troops around them tensed at the sound of approaching engines, but relaxed
when they saw who was at the front.  

          Marius came over to Ron after reaching the gate.  

          "Did we win?” asked Marius.  

          "See for yourself, sir," replied Ron, gesturing into the chariot. 
Marius leaned over and looked in.  

          "Indeed we did.  Good work, Ron!” 

          "Sir, I’d like to thank you and your men for this.  You lost a lot
of men out there, for just two women.  I’m not sure how that’s fair…" 

          "Son, we’re Centurions.  Nothing makes us happier than to die in
battle.  Dying to save a Guardian, well… legends will be written about those
who fell today.  Buran," he turned to the soldier.  "Take these three back to
Guardian Hall.  After that, get yourself a shower and some rest.  We’ve all
earned it today.”  

          There was a small crowd gathered as the chariot pulled up to the
Guardian Hall main gate.  Dozens of Guardians cheered the return of their
comrades, and their hero, Ron.  The two ladies were helped out of the chariot
by a slew of people, but when it was obvious that they needed to rest, and
weren’t up to such a gathering, the crowd quickly backed away, allowing them
the space they needed.  Each in turn embraced their mother, and then took the
arm of another Guardian to help them off to rest.  Calliope and Minerva
remained, waiting for Ron to climb down.  He turned to Buran.  

          "Great work out there, man.  Glad to have you, all of you, along on
this one.”  

          Buran bowed slightly.  "Always here to serve.  And you didn’t do
half bad yourself.  Now, I really need a shower, so why don’t you go take care
of the ladies who are waiting for you, hmm?” Buran gave him a smile and a
wink, and Ron shook his head ruefully as he clambered down off the chariot. 
He waved as Buran pulled away.  

          "You don’t look too banged up, I guess," Calliope said.  

          "I had the easy part," Ron replied.  "The Centurions did all the
work.  I hope those two are going to be okay.”  

          "There’s an old saying in Guardian Hall.  ‘If you make it back from
the battle, you’ll live.’ They’re here thanks to you, Ron.”  Calliope’s voice
left her.  Minerva, who had been quiet to this point, merely gave him a fierce
hug, a soft kiss, and then turned to go where her sisters had gone.  

          Calliope regained her voice.  "Minerva’s still a little shaken.  Now
she blames herself for not having the courage to go to the Council herself. 
And I, too, should have done it.  Thank you, Ron, for showing us the way.” 
They were walking towards the Hall, and entered just as a rain shower began. 
"Uh-oh.  Looks like a heavy one today.  We get occasionally heavy storms of
rain here.  It keeps the plants healthy, but it gets us soaked.  Come on in
and take a rest before you head home.”  

          Ron and Calliope retired to a small sitting room.  Ron revealed what
he had been thinking since she had thanked him.  "You know, I didn’t exactly
help them entirely out of the goodness of my heart.  I have my own problem,
and I need them to help me with it.  Without them, I don’t think I can do it. 
Or, at least without someone to convince the other Guardians to help me.”  

          Calliope rose and went to the window, staring out at the rain
pouring from the sky.  "I don’t think you’ll have any trouble finding
volunteers now, Ron.  Do you think any Guardian doubts your motives?  Not very
damned likely.  Besides," she said, closing the curtains and turning to him in
the now dimly lit room, "You’re forgetting that I’m still here.  I have more
authority than they do.”  She had moved over beside him, and settled onto the
sofa, facing him, only an arm’s length away.  

          "Yes, ma’am, but-" she stopped him.  

          "My name is Calliope.  If you’re going to call everyone here who is
older than you ‘ma’am’, you’d better start calling *everyone* that.”  She
chuckled at his bemused expression.  

          "Okay, Calliope.  What I was going to say is that, well… I guess
they have more of a connection with me.  For all the reasons you know about
already.”  

          "Yes, I do know.  And you know what else I know?” He shook his
head.  "I know that it is unfair for them to have all the fun.”  She slid over
to him, pressing her warm, soft body up against his.  She kissed him urgently,
her tongue forcing its way into his mouth, swirling and twitching, and then
she sucked his tongue into her mouth, encouraging him to explore.  

          She had pressed him back against the sofa.  He could barely move,
not that he wanted to get away.  This woman was *hot*, and she was also
beautiful.  Her blonde hair spilled over her shoulders and down her back.  Her
large, soft breasts pressed into his chest, the nipples burning little points
into him.  Her strong legs rested on either side of him, her crotch a pool of
warmth in his lap.  

          She broke the kiss long enough to pull his shirt off of him.  She
loosened the ties on her robe, but did not pull it off.  Her mouth re-engaged
his as her hands worked at his belt and pants.  Once she had his pants fully
undone, she rubbed her robe-covered pussy up and down his crotch, getting him
fully hard.  Once she felt he was ready, she pulled his dick out of his
briefs, holding him firmly in her hand.  With her other hand, she lifted her
robe up out of the way, and impaled herself on his cock.  She let her robe
fall back down, covering their joining.  

          Ron regained enough of his senses to reach up to her tits, and knead
them gently, feeling her nipples pressing into his palms.  She started moving
herself on his dick, sliding faster and faster as her excitement grew.  Soon
her movements were so great that remaining lip-locked was impossible.  Ron
engaged a tit instead, sucking on her nipple until it was rock-hard.  He
switched to the other nipple as she continued to ride him, bucking furiously
in his lap.  He started bucking back up at her, and she grew even more
frantic, moaning out her lust for him.  

          Very soon, her body was wracked with pleasurable spasms, her body
seizing in the joy of orgasm.  Her mouth was locked in a silent wail of
ecstasy.  She continued bucking on his cock until she came down from her
peak.  

          Suddenly, she climbed off him, leaving him unfinished.  But she
wasn’t done with him yet.  She knelt and took his manhood into her warm
mouth.  She slowly sucked him into her mouth, caressing his balls with her
hands while her tongue danced along his dick.  She ran her tongue all the way
around the head, and then slid her mouth back down his length, all the time
sucking and licking and caressing as she went.  Ron couldn’t take much of
this, and soon was blasting the back of her throat with his cum.  She sucked
it all down, and kept right on going.  

          When she had him fully hard again, she pulled off her robe.  With a
clear view of her body, he knew she was damned good looking no matter how old
she might have been.  She grabbed his cock gently and held it in place.  She
turned to face away from him, and settled down into his lap, his cock sliding
slowly into her ass.  Once she was fully impaled, she wiggled in his lap,
sending shivers through his engulfed cock.  He reached up for her breasts,
cupping them, and tweaking her nipples lightly.  Each time he did this, she
shivered, and he could feel the sensation all the way down his cock.  

          Once they were both ready, they began a steady rhythm.  Up and down
she went, faster and faster.  Soon, they were rutting into each other hard
enough that the slapping sound filled the room.  So did her screams of bliss. 
Their bodies hurtled toward the peak of pleasure; nothing would stop them
now.  Ron reached down and started plucking her clit.  Her body was wracked
with a massive orgasm, her body thrashing up and down on his prick.  Her ass
was gripping his cock in waves, and it was more than he could take.  He spewed
his seed deep into her ass, and the sensation shot her even higher.  They were
both groaning out their pleasures, giving voice to the inner animal that they
had let loose.  

          Finally, they came down.  They lay back on the couch, Ron’s dick
still buried in her ass, slowly shrinking from its aroused state.  She turned
her head to face him, and they shared a long, sensuous kiss.  

          "Now," she said, "I know what the girls were so happy about.”  She
smiled at him.  It was one of the most beautiful smiles he’d ever seen. 
"Thank you for giving me back my daughters.  Why don’t you rest now?  I’m sure
the girls will be able to talk to you in an hour or so.”  

          Ron was in no shape to disagree.  She laid with him until he fell
asleep.  He never felt his cock slip from her as she rose and covered him with
a blanket.  

          Ron awoke to a gentle urging.  

          "Ron, the girls are ready for you to talk to them.  But I must warn
you, they are not ready for action yet.”  It was Calliope, quietly urging him
to rise and join the rest of the worlds.  

          "Okay, let me get dressed, and we’ll go.”  Ron quickly put his
clothes back on, no longer embarrassed in front of her.  Just before they left
the room, he gave her a quick kiss, and a light caress on her ass.  He
whispered, "You’re just as good as any of them.  Maybe even better.”  She
smiled at him, and led him out of the room.  

          After making sure the two were really all right, Ron outlined his
plan.  

          "This is the only shot we’ve got.  If you can’t help me, then we’re
dead in the water.”  Ron stared at them plaintively.  

          "It’s a good plan," Callista said quietly, "But right now, we’re
just not up to it.”  

          "How long will you need to recover?” Ron asked.  

          "A couple of years.  Say, four or five days in Earth Time," Calliope
answered for them.  "If you want them in good shape to fight.  And we’ll need
to get others on our side.  Of course, that’s not really a problem.  You’ll
have as many Guardians as we can spare, Ron.  We might even convince the
Centurions to help out somehow.”  

          "How?  The battle is in… well, it’s in Kumiko’s head.  Isn’t that in
Earth Realm still?” Ron asked.  

          "Yes, but there are other ways to have an effect on Mordreon other
than a frontal attack.  Let us worry about that part of it, I have to see if I
can convince them to help out, anyway.”  Calliope said.  

          "Okay, so we’re agreed?” Ron asked.  He got nods.  "I’ve got to get
home.  I don’t think they expected me to be gone this long, even if it is only
a couple of hours.  I’ll be back in five Earth Days.  That’s cutting it closer
than you know, but I think I can keep her going for that long.  Get well,
please.  And, for God’s sake be careful!  I can’t take too many more of these
rescue missions.”  He smiled at them, and each one of them gave him a hug and
a kiss.  Minerva was the last of the sisters to approach him.  

          "Thank you.  For everything.”  She kissed him warmly, "Especially
for not letting my stubborn attitude get in your way.  You be careful, too. 
You’ve got more things to worry about than we do.”  She embraced him, and then
turned away.  Calliope led him out of the room.  

          "In all of Minerva's thirty-three hundred Spirit Years, she’s never
managed to give in to anybody until now.  Thank you again for all you’ve
done.”  They were standing now at the gate leading out of Guardian Hall.  "I
will miss you while you are away.  Be safe.”  She kissed him warmly, and
embraced him.  This time it was he who had to turn away.  

          "I will be back here soon," he said.  "I promise.”  

          "We’ll be waiting.”  She waved as he headed through the gate.  

          True to her word, Jessica was waiting on her rock.  

          "Jess, didn’t you get wet?  You didn’t have to wait for this long.”  

          "I had nothing better to do, Master.  Besides, it does not rain
here.  Only in there.  Things are quiet at home, but they are concerned about
your extended absence.”  

          "Well, we should get going then.  There’s no reason I can’t leave
from right here, is there?” 

          "None at all, if you can find the way.”  

          "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can….”  They both chuckled
at the joke.  

          "I’ll be waiting for you when you get there.”  She kissed him
lightly, and faded off into the distance, into nothingness.  He focused his
attention, turned it in on itself, and tunneled his way back to reality.