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At last we meet, for the first time, for the last time... Archiving permission granted.
 

THE REAL ADVENTURES OF JONNY QUEST

Synopsis: The heroes cross paths.

"THE INNER LIGHT" chapter 6

by Eric R. Umali

"Destiny"

Race smiled at his daughter's abilities. Benton nodded, saying, "it would seem our kids will be just fine."

"Now if they can just find each other, this'll finally be over." The screen went out, then returned. The three men were already getting used to the episodic views.

**********

More than a month had passed, and the two young heroes grew frustrated and weary.

Jonathor and Bandit trotted into another small town. There had been no more warnings from either Rage or his master. After a few weeks, Jonathor found himself stopping in each village to see if there was work to be done. Raece and the others at the enclave had also expected a quick meeting with the other, so the small pouch of gold coins he had been given had run out quickly.

He had also been keeping his sword arm busy. There were many highwaymen along the roads these days, and a good number of them fell to Jonathor's skill.

They stopped in front of the local tavern, and Jonathor hitched Bandit to the post outside. When he entered, he knew what to expect. A few tables scattered around, poor lighting, and at this time of day, a good number of field laborers drinking heavily to forget their menial work. He strode to the bar and was immediately greeted by a small, ugly mountain of a woman. At least, that's what he hoped it was, what with the leering gaze that he was given.

"My, my... Ain't you a sweet one? What can I get you?"

"Ale."

"That all?"

"Answer a question."

"Anything, darling."

"Is there work to be done around here?"

She smiled. Jonathor relented. "I'll be moving on, then." He brought his mug to a dark corner table.

**********

Jessamyn spied the town from a nearby hill. It looked like every other town she'd been through in the last month, seeming to wander the central part of the kingdom aimlessly in her search for the other. She guided Iris down the hill and headed into town.

She looked over her shoulder at the path she'd been on. Tied to the thick trunk of an old tree were three thieves who'd had the bad luck of attempting to rob her. They'd gone the way of the many other robbers that Jessamyn had crossed since leaving her home. Soon she found herself crossing into the town limits.

She'd learned quickly that the place for information in these small villages was the tavern, and she headed there first, lashing Iris's reins to the post, next to a curiously colored horse who seemed to be quite friendly with her own mount.

Jessamyn entered, her eyes adjusting quickly to the low lights. A number of burly field hands were gathered around the central tables, carousing. A rather repulsive lump of a woman called to her from behind the bar.

"So what can I do for you, dearie?" Jessamyn turned to see a suspicious look on the woman's face.

The young sorceress was about to respond when a large arm wrapped itself around her waist.

"Ah knows whut she wants," growled the voice from behind her. The acrid stench of the unbathed laborer filled her nostrils. Jessamyn shook the large man off her. "All I want is a mug of ale and to be left alone," she said.

"Tha's not very friendly of you, wench." The man shoved Jessamyn so that she faced him. He stood well over a foot taller and probably weighed as much as three of her; covered with dirt and matted hair.

"Neither is this," she answered, and brought the point of her boot right between the man's legs. The ape of a man collapsed in a heap.

One of his companions immediately jumped from his seat and rushed at Jessamyn. She prepared a spell to fell him, too. Suddenly, a stool came sliding across the tavern floor, catching the other laborer's ankles. He fell with a thud at Jessamyn's feet.

The others got to their feet as well, glaring at Jessamyn. She drew one of her long daggers and twirled it in her fingers, letting it catch the light. They slowed, but still came forward until the sound of metal on wood turned their gaze to a corner of the room. A glittering sword lay on a table within reach of a shadowed figure.

The gang sat slowly down, and the weapons were sheathed. Jessamyn's mug arrived and she hoisted it silently towards the figure in the corner, who responded in kind. For a brief moment, he moved just a bit forward, and their eyes met, deep emerald to sparkling sapphire, then the shadows surrounded him again.

A commotion began outside. Soon, two heavily armored soldiers, their faces masked by their black helmets trod into the room, their heavy boots booming against the floor. Without a warning, one of them grabbed Jessamyn by the arms and hurled her to the floor. She rolled and came up on her feet, broadsword drawn.

The soldiers took a single step forward, then were struck in the side by a man-sized missile, forcing them out the door. Jessamyn hurried after.

Once she was outside, the missile was thrown back at her. The man was thrown towards her, and he rolled and came to his feet in the same way she did. His sword was out and ready in an eyeblink. Without a word, they moved towards the center of the clearing, where they were soon surrounded by a dozen soldiers.

One, with a crimson streak on his helmet barked a command. "Kill the heroes."

The soldiers charged. Steel flashed and metal rang on metal. Too close in and distracted to spellcast, Jessamyn was forced to use her very respectable fighting skills. She managed to sneak a few glances at her impromptu ally. He had the light armor and other signs of a trained warrior, but lacked the insignia of any particular army or lord. His long blond hair had been pulled back, but was close to flying loose now. He fought better than any knight she'd ever seen, and the jewel in his sword almost seemed to glow with every strike.

Then, a swipe from an opponent's knife slashed his tunic, barely missing his throat. A gleaming medallion on a gold chain became visible. Jessamyn gasped. She was distracted long enough to miss the heavy battle axe that swung at her neck until too late. She readied herself for the blow.

Which never came.

She opened her eyes to see the warrior struggling with the huge soldier, both pairs of hands on the axe. Through gritted teeth, the warrior said, "you know, I'd really appreciate some help, milady." Jessamyn thrust her sword into the soldier's midsection, felling him quickly.

"Thank you, milady."

"Thank _you_, warrior." The warrior gave her a lopsided smile and they went back to work.

As Jonathor returned to the battle, he allowed his gaze to linger on her. Never had he seen such an amazing woman. She was as strong and skilled a warrior as she was beautiful and graceful. Her fiery tresses swirled about her head like a halo as she fought. But she was in trouble, as the sheer number of soldiers threatened to overwhelm her abilities.

"Can you give me room, warrior?" she shouted. In response, Jonathor grasped his current opponent by the battle harness and swung him into Jessamyn's opponent. Jessamyn backed away and drove her sword into the ground. Jonathor watched in awe as her gauntlets began to glow. She raised her hands and began casting balls of fire at the soldiers. Jonathor let out a war whoop and began cutting through the soldiers like a scythe. Within a few seconds, the two young heroes stood alone, surrounded by fallen soldiers. Only the leader remained breathing.

Jonathor hauled him to his feet. "You work for the wizard, then?"

The soldier nodded. "I am Lorenzo," he said in a weak voice. "Savor your victory, heroes, for it is your last." Lorenzo and his soldiers began to shudder in a sudden wind. The bodies collapsed and quickly turned to dust. Lorenzo himself glowed briefly and disappeared from Jonathor's grasp.

Jonathor turned to his new ally. "At last," he said, holding up his medallion.

"At last," Jessamyn replied, doing the same. In proximity, the dragon designs glowed with magic light. "The prophesy was right," she said, "I _have_ known you."

"And I you," he answered, "though from where and when I do not know. In our dreams, perhaps?"

"Perhaps. I am th.. I am Jessamyn," she said, omitting her title.

"And I am Jonathor... Milady Jessamyn." He gave a short bow.

"How do you know this?"

"The nobility of your soul shines bright, milady."

"As does the courage of yours, warrior. And you may forego using my title. I have never been comfortable with it."

"As you wish. Come, we have a long journey ahead of us. We can talk on the way to this 'destiny' we've been chosen for. There is no reason to keep it waiting."

Side by side, they rode towards the wizard's land.

**********

"Finally," sighed Dr. Quest.

**********

And in the wizard's lair, from some deep dark dungeon, Lorenzo screamed in agony. Surd smiled at the sound, then went to prepare new challenges for the forces of light.

TO BE CONTINUED...

NEXT: "INTERLUDE"