Chapter 14 (Tristan's Realization)

Tristan moaned and came awake, finding himself under a berry bush. One of the Ogres had hit him over the head--rather hard--and he had rolled under the bush when he fell to the ground.

The follower cautiously stood, rubbing the black and blue bump starting to appear on his forehead, and looked around. He was the only one in the garden. No Ogres, no Garian, no Yeshua. Ben, Josh, and Kaela were also gone, too.

"Hello?" Tristan called softly. "Ben? Kaela? Josh? Are you there?"

No answer.

Tristan grimaced. The Ogres must have taken them, he realized. But where would he put them?

He pondered this for a bit, and then finally decided that such important prisoners as Yeshua and his followers would probably be kept in Daran's main headquarters--the temple. Then he slipped out of the garden gate and headed for his destination.
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Tristan paused when he reached the temple. Several formidable Ogres were guarding the entrance. No way he could just waltz up and enter.

He picked up a decent-sized rock from the edge of the road and hurled it at a stack of spears on the other side of the guards. The spears fell with a loud clatter to the ground, and the Ogres turned toward their disturbed weapons.

That was all Tristan needed. He dashed across the open stretch of ground and disappeared into the entrance before the Ogres even noticed him.

Looking around, he could see that he was in the huge, dim throne room, where Daran usually was. Tristan was about to flee before the dark master could see him, but then he realized: Daran wasn't there.

That's odd. Where is he?

Tristan began looking for anything that might tell him where to find Yeshua and the other followers. Finally he found a thick, wood door that had runes carved on it. He, being a native Elandai, could easily see that they read, "Dungeon".

Well, that's where I have a suspicion I'll find them. He entered the door and began walking down a dark, long flight of stairs. There was no railing, and it was beginning to make Tristan a little queasy. Then he had a horrible thought.

Oh, how could you! he scolded himself as he picked up the pace as much as he dared down the stairs. It's in the Book of Prophesies! Why couldn't you see it!

Tristan began to run. It was prophesied that Yeshua would be Daran's undoing. And naturally, if Daran had Yeshua as his captive, he would see that he wouldn't be able to defeat him. And that also explains why Daran wasn't on his throne; he's overseeing the execution of Yeshua!
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This chapter is a little short.

Izori