Evil Gets It’s Answers but Not It’s Person

Evil Gets It’s Answers but Not It’s Person
(Combined threads from the previous site)
(OOC: Continuation of 2013 Archived Mystery Island, Family Ties Are the hardest To Break)

KHALID ONARIS

Khalid sat in the overstuffed leather easy chair sipping a Butterbeer, waiting for the mission he had coordinated to be completed. This was his biggest move to take down the Dark One. He had sent the Fixer to get the Caretaker Codebook and signatures he could use to trick the Caretakers into helping him. If the Fixer failed, he had added Fai to the mix to insure things were dealt with. The Dark Medjai looked at his chessboard and smiled. By moving the pieces around on the board, a plan had presented itself. It had taken a while but he had finally found his loophole in his vow to the Dark One. The pieces were in place now all he had to do was insure word never reached The Dark One.

His sister Arianna had unknowingly showed him, he had men loyal to the Dark One in his camp by finding the added mark on their palms. He had sent those guards to protect his family not betray Arianna. Well if his plan worked then every Dark Mark in both his and the Caretakers' camp would meet a quick end. As long as he had nothing personally to do with it, the vow held and the Dark One dare not touch his family. All the men on his island had now been checked, and the few others who had been found had been dealt with. They were swimming with the sharks at the moment.

Slowly shaking his head and taking another long sip of the Butterbeer, he realized he could not just tell his sister or brother why he had requested the things he did. Khalid watched the clock tick away the minutes as he realized that Fixer was not going to be happy but to protect the Spellman's as Fixer had wanted, he had promised Shadow that he would insure that they had at least one of them in his pocket. Franco was the one that Khalid had chosen. The reporter was a thorn which kept digging into his side but Khalid had read his stories which had been added to the Daily Prophet and Franco's fact finding abilities could be very useful. The young man's new promotion to Editor and Chief made him the ideal pawn. After what Franco was going through at the Hog's Head in Hogsmeade, Khalid planned on breaking the man easily and then forcing him to work for them. Now all he had to do was convince Fixer.

Frank Cole stepped out of the Cabinet into the barracks on Khalid's private island. The men he had brought back with him had followed his orders and stayed in the main common area of the spacious two-story building. They were all waiting to see if any of them would be staying in his employment. He had been given the men to choose from by Khalid. Khalid would be paying their first years salaries, and each man chosen would be given a sizeable bonus.

Franco Spellman had been placed in one of the chairs not far from the cabinet, and the two mind-blockers who had been charged with making sure he made it stood over him. Cole did not like the way the man looked. With any luck he would not fight Khalid's questioning and he could be delivered to the hospital. When they were at the Hog's Head, Cole had done what he could to partially break the man, so he would break easily for Khalid, but the Spellman men had an inner strength which Franco was just learning how to control. Cole turned and motioned Lance Kildare, a doctor, toward Franco to check him out. The man's face had gone ashen.

Franco's eyes darted around the room trying to make his mind focus, as he thought, “What is Lance doing here? Are me and Lance all that are left? Is Cole or Shadow going to hurt Lance if I don't give them what they want? Was Titan telling the truth concerning my nephew? Does Shadow plan to hurt Charles?” His head felt heavy and clogged, like someone had wrapped it up in a thick winter blanket. He tried to concentrate but uncertainty kept drifting in and threatening to swamp his thoughts.

Lance had found Franco as soon as he followed Cole out of the cabinet. His friend looked ashen and confused. As Lance tried to move around Cole slowly, he took a few moments to look around. By the style of the place, he was back on Khalid's island. This was some type of barracks though, evident by all the chairs, sofas and other things around the main living area and realized he was going to be allowed to go to Franco.

Lance made his way quickly to his patient. "Frankie, how you feeling?" Lance reached into his pocket and pulled out a packet of pills. As he shook two of them into his palm, one of the blockers took the packet and pills from him, while shaking his head and pointing to Cole. Lance stared at the man, but until Cole came over, he was not going to be able to give Franco any heart medicine. Franco had a whole in his heart which had been repaired multi times, but only once at St. Mango's. Lance's job was to keep him alive, until he could get him back to the hospital. He had no idea how long that was going to be.

Watching the byplay between Lance and the blocker, Franco continued to replay just what Shadow or Fixer could put his young nephew through, thinking, “Will the files be enough to gain Charles release...what did Cole do after I left?”

Franco tried to turn up the edges of his mouth in a mock smile as he replied to Lance, “Not as bad as I will soon...I am a dead man as soon as I give them what they want Lance...Nobody has ever left one of Shadow's traps alive except kids...We don't even know if Bren will make it...if he does...watch him close as Shadow always fixes his errors, Lance...I will try to hold out but not if it gets more killed...

Cole inwardly cringed. He had done his research on Khalid and David Valentine, known in impolite circles as The Shadow. The man was an expert of staying just on the outside of being recognized as having taken part in anything. The money was good for the job; what he had figureed at the time would be short and sweet, and he would come out richer and with a small group of men, he could use to find more profit. Cole never played one side against the other.

Cole had made a promise to Franco's brothers, especially Marco, when he had discovered what he was going to be forced to do to complete the job. Over the years he had made it his goal to keep innocents out of the line of fire. He attempted to stay away from pure evil. He also figured maybe he had miscalculated Khalid and Shadows true personalities. Because of that miscalculation he was going to was forced to correct the miscalculation and come out of it alive.

(Franco) "Please tell me that Fixer gave them a chance?”

Cole stated, with no emotion in his voice, "When we left the Hogs Head everyone was alive and Fai was given orders to keep them that way."

Lance needed to calm his friend down. "Frankie I want you to breath steadily and listen to my words. You are not dead yet. I do not know why we have been brought here, but for whatever reason Khalid wants you alive, or Cole would not have been able to bring me. As far as I know, m friend, Shadow is not even here, so let's just take this as it comes. Now all I need to do is try and get you stable, so help me Franco. Breath and use some of those techniques, Darik has been drilling into all our heads at his lessons." Lance added a smile he did not really feel, but he had learned along time ago how to make the most of bedside manors .

Listening to Lance, Cole felt a little regret; he did not have a friend, like the doctor kneeling in front of Franco. Friends were dangerous to have, because they could get hurt or be used to control your actions. Cole had kept himself apart for those types of relationships. Since his wife and son had been killed, in cross fire aimed at him, he had kept himself aloof from all relationships where caring or love was involved.

Franco's eyes had drifted off to the one side. "Frankie look at me, focus." When Franco looked back, Lance added, "Cole told Fai, to let everyone go and I have high hopes he followed that order. By now everyone is safe and getting any medical attention they need. I'm afraid I am all you have at the moment, but I am not about to let you go … so stay with me, ok?" Lance gave a genuine smile when Franco nodded.

"Franco was listening to Lance …. There was a strong connection … it may just help keep Franco alive until Cole could get him released and returned to his brothers." Cole thought as he watched the interaction. "This is turning out to be a babysitting job, with other people depending on him to keep them alive." . Cole was getting mad … he never wanted anyone again to have to depend of him for their life and here he was smack dab in the middle of his worst nightmare. When he got out of this job, he promised himself a long vacation. His new men were going to be trained, so he would take them somewhere at least he could relax and get his brain back in order.

Cole looked around the room and said, "Alright everyone, I have to go and give my report. When I will return I will choose my team. At the moment you all have an equal chance. Everyone here has seen how I work and has heard my offer to the three now at my personal lodgings. If you stay then you are with me until, either you are killed, hurt beyond an ability to help me, or until I kill you. There is no trying in this, you are either in or very out. If you can not deal with this first rule you will not be able to deal with the rest. You have until I get back to decide if you want to stay or you may leave. Khalid has told me any will be welcome back into his employment Think carefully on your decision." Cole looked around one more time to make sure all had heard him. He wondered how many would be left when he returned.

Walking over to where Franco was seated, he said, "Doc?" It was a question on how Franco was doing. "We need to go to the main house now. If Franco needs help the blockers will help, but he come with me now."

Franco shock his head from side to side as he thought, “There is no way he is getting to that house...I would rather he kill me here! At least I could die with honor...instead of broken...”

Lance's heart sank. Franco was not going to get the time he needed to relax and gain some strength. His anger was building against his great-uncle. There was no need for this. Lance reached up and put his hand on Franco's arm. "It will be all right Franco, hang in there." Then with malice in his eyes he turned to Cole.

Rubbing his hand through his hair, Cole said, "I have no choice in what I am doing, Doc, if I want to keep all of us alive."

"I need to give him some meds and your goon here," Lance pointed to the mind-blocker who had taken the pills away from him, "decided to take them away."

Franco cringed and locked his eyes on Lance as he thought, “What did the blocker catch in Lance's thoughts? Did Lance plan and get caught trying to help make sure I did not feel the death Shadow plans for me?” Franco swallowed hard “What will they do to Lance now? If only I could see and think clearly? I could help Lance escape.”

Lance received the pills back and looked at Franco, "Frankie, I want you to take these two pills. I cannot knock you out, not for the reason Cole wants you awake though," Lance shot a glance at Cole, then turned back to Franco, "You need to be alert and be able to fight reactions your body has to whatever, my great-uncle has planned. I am staying Frankie."

Cole looked at the man, who held out the packet and pills. The man was a definite candidate for employment if he wanted it. He thought on his feet. Cole handed the packet an pills to Lance, "Doc, do not knock him out like you did Greene at the Hog's Head. We will use what ever means necessary to wake him back up… I still have three syringes in my pocket… do not make me use them."

Franco tried to sit up straighter in his chair as he strongly said, “No way Cole am I going to that house or letting you anywhere near me with what you used on me...So you better kill me now cause I will fight the whole way.” After a few moments of staring into Cole's eyes to try and get his point across, Franco said in what he hoped was a strong voice, “I will force you to have to kill me as I have no intention of giving up anything else, cause nobody ever sees Shadow or his boss and lives to tell, Cole! I am dead anyways so why not go out my way instead of the way Shadow killed Tr...”

Cole was losing his temper. Grabbing Franco's hair, he pulled his head back and gave him no choice but to look at him. "You are going where I say you are going … you are going to do what I tell you or anyone else tells you to do … you are not a dead man at the moment so start using that brain of yours and stay alive. Shadow is going to be the least of your problems, if I am reading Khalid correctly. It has been requested you stay alive by more people than those on this island."

Franco froze as he realized his emotion had almost told Cole why Shadow was keeping Franco alive. His mind raced as he thought, chastising himself, “The only reason Shadow is wanting me alive is he wants to tie up all the loose ends. I almost got Lance to be a loose end.”

"Franco, take these pills." Lance fought his own panic. Franco was adamant about fighting what was happening and it would only weaken him, but Lance had no idea what words to say to get his friend to stay calm and gain his strength back as much as possible. Cole is in charge …. I am not saying to give in but he has the strength behind him. …. Franco we are going to survive this." Lance put the first pill into Franco's mouth, and grabbed the glass of water the blocker offered, almost forcing Franco to take it. "Open your mouth Franco." Lance wanted to make sure the pill was swallowed, not seeing it; he gave him the second pill in the same manner.

Lance had to almost force the pills into Franco's mouth. Cole hoped the doctor had not knocked the man out, or all of them would pay a stiff price of retribution from the dark wizard sitting in the main house. Cole saw Lance did not even trust his friend to do what was right. Somehow Franco had to be given the will to live and fight. Fai would be there soon and if Cole could not insure Khalid allowed him to make Franco give what Khalid wanted, than Fai would be the one to get the information. Fai was a master at delivering pain.

Lance nodded and turned back to Franco who was looking at him through barely focusing eyes, "Here Frankie, take this medicine, it will give you strength." Luckily, Franco nodded and took the medicine offered. His eyes darted around the room. "I am staying Frankie … I will be here." Franco focused in on Lance's voice and nodded. He never took his eyes off Lance even when he was being lifted back to his feet and was started out the door. "I'm still here Frankie…. Breath my friend … just concentrate on breathing." Lance said, as he followed behind Cole who was in the lead, with the goons haltingly walking Franco towards what looked like an English Country Mansion.

Khalid was notified when Cole had come through the cabinet, so he was standing at the large bay window in the "playroom" which looked out over the back of the cleared part of the island. He could see the barracks, stables, pool, tennis courts and workout porch and gym. At the moment his eyes were drawn to the five people coming up the gravel walkway from the Barracks. Frank Cole was in the lead, another man was being walked between the two human blockers Khalid had sent to Cole to help shut down the blood-magic at the Hog's Head. Behind them was Lance Kildare. His mind caught fire as he thought to himself, "Why did Cole bring my great-nephew back here. He should have wiped his mind or taken his word of honor he would not say anything … now I have to deal with him again." One of the few things Khalid still believed in was the families word of honor. The group made its way directly for the "playroom". Khalid returned to his seat in the leather lounger, as the group arrived at the door.

Cole rapped on the door twice, but did not wait to be invited in. Khalid would already know they had arrived back on the island, and he would know the main house would be where he would bring Franco. Stepping into the room he found Khalid comfortable sitting in his favorite leather chair. It was also the one, he enjoyed giving orders from. Cole nodded and lead the group into the room, motioning for the blockers to stand Franco in front of Khalid. Cole walked up behind Franco and whispered, "On your knees Franco, now." The blockers helped Franco drop to his knees and Cole grabbed a handful of his hair and forced him to look up at Khalid.

Franco had been forced to come to the house, but one of the blockers was going to be nursing his shoulder for a while. Franco had only stopped when a wand was placed to Lance's neck by the other blocker, who raised his eyebrows, daring Franco to continue. Franco had stopped but he was willing to bet his blood pressure was up. He could feel the adrenalin. Now he stood in front of Khalid. The man looked relaxed and his facial expressions were closed. He just stared at them. He could not help himself, he had to dig, make the man react, maybe make him kill him so he would not have to even think of giving up the files or information which would get his friends or other innocents killed. “So you're the scared-cat holding Shadow's leash and now Fixer's as well! What too scared to face your sister...yourself...you need to send your goons! Speaking of scared-cats, where is he...I figured he want the pleasure himself or am I too old for him to handle?”

Cole tried not to react to what Fanco was saying. The man had given up trying to get Cole to kill him so now he was going to try and get Khalid to order his death. Cole knew Khalid wanted Franco alive too much, so the only result to it would be pain …. A lot of it.

There was no way he was going to his knees. Planting his feet as flat on the carpet as he could he said, “Make Me! I am not doing anything as long as you Cowards...Where is Charles? How dare Shadow go after him...that's low even for you...”

Cole did not wait for one of the blockers to react to the challenge With a chopping motion he hit the back of Franco's knees and the man went to the floor hard. Smiling at Khalid, Cole turned back to the man, now kneeling on the floor and said, "Do not ever refuse what is requested of you, Franco. I still have a job to do and making you obey is part of that job."

Lance tried to step closer to Cole. Cole had pulled one of the hypo's out of his pocket and was blocking Lance from getting near Franco. "Franco, careful…" He hoped his friend had gotten the message, but whether it would make Franco stop his try at self-destruction, was another unanswered question.

Slowly Cole put the syringe in front of Franco's face so he would truly realize he was about to give him the medicine. Cole was fighting the idea because of one it would take away any chance Franco could contol any part of the situation he was in and two he was not sure what the reaction would be to the surium considering Lance had already given him some medication.

Lance had stepped forward, but Cole took his other hand and held the doctor back. Turning momentarily he said, "Stay out of this Doc or you will be made to leave and not have free access to your patient." Cole looked back at Khalid and asked, "Your orders were to get you information, which I have, or at least can obtain easily, and to bring you Franco Spellman. You have paid me to stay as long as Franco is in your custody, so your orders now are?" Cole stood holding Franco's head up, staring at Khalid and waited.

Saint stopped and looked at Khalid unintentionally thinking a little aloud, “What would Khalid want with me? Shadow it's easy to figure...he wants answers then me dead...but Khalid...this is his Party not Shadow's?” Focusing his eyes on the man sitting in front of him, he looked at him with a hard stare, “What Khalid...Shadow not telling you what his doing? Your Tool going independent...Why else would you send your delivery boy here to package me? It sure isn't for an interview into your dealings! Well if you want to know what Shadow is up to ask him! I don't answer cowards!”

Cole looked at Franco, "Khalid has not ordered Dalton's to even be brought into this situation. Charles's is fine with his mother and will not be harmed. One of the jobs Khalid has given me is to protect Dalton and his mother Kat." Cole was not sure of the reason, but when Khalid talked about Dalton, who's birth name was Dalton, he had as close to a fatherly look in his eyes as Cole had ever seen. "I have two fully trained wizards watching them day and night … you have no reason to believe me, but they are fine and will stay that way.

Khalid looked at Cole and asked, "Is the problem solved?"

Franco moved his head painfully to look at Cole, who nodded to Khalid. Then he moved his eyes back to the Dark Wizard.

Lance listened and was just short of stunned. He had met the precocious twelve-year-old twice. He was a great kid, smart and funny. It had never occurred to him he would be brought into a conversation, where they were discussing Franco's future.

Khalid relaxed his arms on the arms of the chair and drummed his fingers. He studied Franco for a bit. The man's eyes were partially glazed but wide open. There was fear there but also determination not to give into the situation. He shot a glance to where Lance was being forcibly held away from Franco. Lance caught his eye and stared. Changing his glance to Cole, Khalid fired off several questions, not hiding his anger, "Cole, why is he back here? I thought I made myself clear! My great-nephew is a problem that I have no time to worry about!"

Cole looked back at Lance and saw the stare he was giving his Great-Uncle. Turning back to Khalid he said, "You want Franco alive … the only way to ensure that is if he has a doctor nearby. So it was either leave him at the Hog's Head or bring him with us… I made the judgment call. I have his and Martin's word of honor they will not lead anyone here or tell anyone how to get here… I can return Lance to Hogshead if you request it …. But I do not recommend it." Khalid was Cole's employer, a position he was starting to regret, but he had to stay with it until he had completed his job. He did not fear Khalid … the man was old … and although he still had a good calculating mind, Cole could see shades of madness creeping in to his brain functions.

Franco turned his head the best he could and met Cole's eyes. “Shadow works for this coward...Does Shadow know that his boss is not going to allow my death? Oh, this is sweet as Shadow must have left the Hog's Head believing every person at that table had a death sentence...Shadow doesn't show unless he has already planned the funeral...I would have Loved to see His Face when he was told...”

Lance could see the look in Cole's eyes; the man was trying to tell Franco to shut his mouth. Cole's reaction was no surprise. He grabbed a larger handful of Franco's hair and slammed his fist into the side of the man's face. He saw Cole pull back on the punch, if he had gone full forse Franco's neck would have been broken. Again he tried to get to Franco, but one of the blockers stood in front of him, daring him to move farther. Lance took a step back and raised his hands in submission. The blocker smiled, nodded and stepped away. Lance's hands balled up into fists, but he stayed where he was.

"Franco you will keep your mouth shut or you will get more of what I just gave you … nod if you understand." Cole was desperately trying to keep Franco from receiving a harder dose of pain when the questioning started. He knew Franco was not going to be generous with his answers and he could see Khalid's calculating look. The man was adding up all the insults … and Cole was worried what the final sum would mean.

Franco nodded adding a smile. Even with the pain, he realized he had struck a chord in Cole. He had made him angry. Straightening his spine as much as he could with Cole still holding onto his hair, he said, "Oh, I understand Cole … but my brother was right you hit like a girl."

Cole balled up his fist again and hit Franco harder. After Franco shook off the force of the punch, and realized his lip was bleeding, he just smiled and looked back at Khalid.

Khalid had not shown any emotion. He just sat in the chair as if he was watching a play being presented to him.

Khalid paid no attention to Lance's stare as he looked back to Franco. "Cole, you better be right in this. I have not paid you all the hundreds of thousands of gold galleons to be wrong." Khalid sat forward in his chair and reached for Franco's face with both of his meaty hands. "So you are My Thorn! I Have Plans For You!" he said as he forced Franco to stare into his eyes and added a chuckle.

Franco tried desperately to pull his face out of Khalid's grasp. The goons had a firm hold on his shoulders, and even though Cole had released his hair, he still could only move a couple of inches. Khalid's eyes held an evil glint, which did not do his nerves any good. The man's breath smelt like stale Butterbeer, and it was making Franco's stomach churn. "You think I am a Thorn Now...You Seen Nothing Yet! You Will Not Get Anything From Me Khalid Ornaris! Try your hardest Khalid, I am not the boy I was the last time we met. I have had some rough training lately." Franco could still feel the bite of the whip, even though Lance had sealed most of the cuts.

Khalid released Franco's face, but not before he gave it a couple health slaps. Sitting partially back in his chair, bracing himself on the arms with his elbows, he looked at Cole, who was ridged, Khalid smiled, the man seemed to care about Franco, this could be a good development. All he said was, "Where is Fai?"

Cole shrugged, "The last time I saw him he was opening up the Hog's Head to the world again. I told him to aspirate wherever he wanted too. He was not mine to command after we left the tavern. He should have a report for you eventually." Cole added a knowing smile to the end of his explanation. Fai had been sent to the Hog's Head to spy on him. It would be interesting to hear what he reported to Khalid. It would also be interesting on who Khalid believed it there was differences in their reports.

Franco stared at nothing special for a moment, as he thought about the thick folder he had on the Chinese killer. “Fai, was he left behind to take out the others. Is Khalid just wanting to have Fai take me out and if so why in front of Khalid? Am I bait and if so for who?”

Nodding Khalid's relaxed back into his chair, asking, "The Files?" The man was definitely someone of few words.

Cole looked down at Franco who had become still, but kept his eyes on Khalid. "I know where the files are but unfortunately I cannot get to them. Franco needs to be there and from what I understand there is a standing order, he can not appear to be under any type of cohesion when he tries to remove them. Have not figured out how to accomplish that yet."
Franco tried not to show the cringe he was feeling as he remembered all the information Cole had already gotten with the use of the truth serum drug he had used at the Hog's Head. They had to try and cover the situation the best he could so he said, “I Told You...I Am Not Getting Those Files in the bank vault...And Cole Forget those Names...They Can't Get the ones in my office...Plus They are on vacation!” Looking at Lance as best he could as he finished, “In fact Nobody is at the Daily Prophet until Monday...” Franco had been able to keep one thing from Cole. The fact that getting into the office was easy...but the safe was not only voice but also Blood Locked. If they went for the safe...Well they would find themselves trapped.

"I am not going after them, Franco because you are going to voluntarily get them for me." Cole knew he could break Franco eventually, if he was allowed to do it. The man had his weak spots and Cole had made note of everyone of them. Franco did not know the camera he treasure so much which had belonged to his deceased mother was not safely locked away, where only Cole could retrieve it. It was one of the aces in the whole Cole had in his arsenal.

Franco smiled and said, "Good luck on that happening Cole…"

Khalid looked over his shoulder and asked the two elves standing about three feet away with their heads bent, "Is my Guest room ready?". Then he looked back at Franco and smiled. "You will like my guest room, Thorn! You are one of the people I had in mind when I decorated it myself. I have even added a few play toys."

Cole cringed. The first time he had arrived at the island, to see if he wanted to work for the man, Khalid had given him the grand tour, to try and impress him. He had been impressed. No expense had been spared on decorating any of the room. Most were designed for comfort. One of the rooms was definitely not outfitted for comfort. The items it were designed to give pain and get information from those who were reluctant to tell him what he wanted to know. He had called it his "guestroom". If Franco was taken there, they would have to tie Lance up and keep him totally out of the room, only letting him see Franco when he was laid out on another bed somewhere else.

Looking at Lance as best he could as he finished, “In fact Nobody is at the Daily Prophet until Monday...” Franco had been able to keep one thing from Cole. The fact that getting into the office was easy...but the safe was not only voice but also Blood Locked. If they went for the safe...Well they would find themselves trapped.

Khalid snapped his fingers and two more men appeared from another room. To them he said, "Take this man," indicating Franco to the guestroom while I talk to Fixer"

Franco was still on his knees, but he tried to straighten his spine as tall as possible, “Holding me prisoner is not going to get you anything Khalid...they haven't build a room that I can't escape...”

Before the men had gotten to Franco's side to drag him away, Cole leaned down and whispered in Franco's ears, "Stop the crap talk, Franco… your mission is to remain alive until I can get you back to your brothers … you will succeed in this mission understand." Before Franco could answer the two summoned goons, yanked Franco off the floor and started for the door.

Even with everything going on, Lance had to smile which he hid behind his hand as he coughed. Franco had become really good at Darik's games of escape. Darik had praised him on how he had gotten out of a few of the situations he had set up. Franco had not only gotten himself out of one totally sealed room, but he had gotten Lance out of the impossible situation also. To this day Lance could not figure out how

As they all watched the struggling Franco being dragged out of the room Khalid said to Lance who was starting to follow, "I Did Not Say You Would Be Joining Him Nephew! …. Grab him" The two blockers grabbed Lance's arms and held him tight. " I want him double blocked. If even one of his thoughts gets out, you both will pay my price."

Lance looked at Khalid and said through gritted teeth, "Uncle he has a bad heart … let me go with him. He will need medical treatment …" To this he received a full laugh from Khalid.

When Khalid looked his way Cole nodded. "The doctor is telling the truth, Khalid." Khalid only nodded.

Forming his fingers in a pyramid in front of his face, Khalid decided to wait until either Cole or Lance decided to talk. It was his way of finding out what was really important to the men. It would give him a clue on how to proceed. He added a contemplative smile to the mix.
Lance struggle in the goons grasp. "You afraid of me Uncle?" As Lance continued to struggle the goons took a tighter vise grip on his arms and forced him to a kneeling position. He had to stop, as the pain got too much to fight against.

Cole watched Lance. The man apparently had more backbone than he had originally given him credit for in the beginning. The doctor was pushing the family envelope …. how far it would go before it broke, was not what Cole was looking forward to finding out. Cole tried to keep all expression off of his face. Khalid was observant, and Cole did not want him to hold Lance's wellbeing up to him as a control mechanism

LANCE KILDARE
Khalid was not please the way the his men were treating his nephew, but he would discuss it with them later. Leaning forward in his chair he bore his eyes into his nephews. "I am afraid of no one nephew. You showed promise when you were younger, but then your mother turned you into a sissy, always trying to heal people. Do you how your knowledge of the human anatomy could make you rich in many circles? You could ask for any amount, with the ability to delicately get information from people."

Lance held still and looked at his Uncle. Taking a cleansing breath, he said, "I already have all the power I want in this world. I have the power to cure others; I have the power to know I make a positive difference in others lives." Adding a touch of a smile to the corners of his mouth, he added, "You cannot take those powers away from me Uncle, they will always be there."

Cole watched the byplay between the Uncle and Nephew. The doctor was still holding his own. Cole knew he had some of the training the group of Caretakers had gone through. Right now he hoped, Lance had done well in the training and had received everything they could throw at him. Cole knew the look in Khalid's eyes and understood. The doc was about to find out about living through whatever hell Khalid could come up with …. He had seen some of the special rooms in the house, which had been magically enhanced, to contain very bad parts of the world.

Khalid sadly shook his head, "I can see you do not agree with me nephew … someday I will show you the power you are truly missing in your life. For now I think you need rest."

Talking to the blockers he said, "Take him to the east wing and lock him in the green room. The thermostat is set to 90 Degrees in that room and I have the rainforest effect activated, so he can sweat out his anger. I have tried to be very authentic and added a few pets also." Khalid knew Lance realized what he was saying by the look in the young man's eyes. There were some nasty critters that lived in the rainforest. "Guard him well, because your lives depend on him learning his lesson." Turning back to Lance he said, "I will let you see Franco when I think it is necessary, until then nephew I hope you like the heat in your new home. Oh, and nephew, since you have chosen to return to my life I will have Fai inform your mother and father you will be staying for an indefinite amount of time … at least until you learn you full worth to my world." Khalid let out a deep chuckle and waved his hand and said, "Take him away." Lance barely had time to shoot a look at Cole before he was shoved out of the room, headed for the stairs to the East Wing.

Lance thought to himself as he desperately tried to retain his balance as he was shoved, "I hope you do send someone to my father and mother … and I hope you think that person is expendable. He was not going to give his Uncle the satisfaction of begging.

Cole watched the scenario play out in front of him. Khalid was dangerous and a borderline egomaniac. He was going to have to play this one close to the line of totally giving in and holding himself separate. When Khalid and he had first discussed employment, Khalid had made it very clear he wanted Cole to work for him exclusively. It had taken hours to convince the man, he was a lone wolf when it came to working under another man's directives. Khalid had made him an offer though which he could not refuse. The offer consisted of men of his own to lead strictly under his control, their salaries paid for a full year, use of the training facilities on the island and at one other location, more money in the bank than he had in a long time and the ability to come and go as he wished. The only thing he had to do was get his hands on the Caretaker Codebook or the information from the person who compiled it, some samples of signatures, and word to a people about his displeasure at how they were handling their lives. He also had to bring Franco Spellman to the island so Khalid could "talk" with him.

All of this had not worked out as Cole thought it would. The people, although captive, did not want to hear Khalid's suggestions; it had taken more than just talking to get the name of the man who wrote the codebook and obtaining the signatures had made it necessary for him to give information about himself to someone who could use it against him.

Cole watched as Lance was shoved out of the room. The doctor had barely been able to retain his balance. From the laughs which the two blockers had made Lance's falling would have made their day. He had never visited the "green room" but knowing how Khalid's mind worked, it was not going to be a pleasant place to be locked into. Cole had trekked through the rain forests. They had been beautiful but deadly if you did not watch your step. If one of the poisonous animals did not get you, then the humidity and rain, which did not allow you to dry out, caused sickness and skin problems.

Taking a chance on pushing the envelope a bit, Cole took a seat in the straight back chair with a very thick leather padded seat. It did not look comfortable but it allowed him to sit and be at eye level with Khalid. This man could have him killed with a flick of one finger, but Cole knew his value and he still had not gotten the code information or the files Franco maintained on all the stories and leads he had over the years. At the moment Cole was safe, but that could change quickly.

"I suppose you want my report first." he volunteered to Khalid, carefully. keeping his voice level and his eyes from shifting or looking down. I have your signature samples," Cole reached into his pocket and pulled out the piece of parchment, the people had written on. "I had each of them give their signatures in three forms, because I was not sure which would be used to sign what you need them for." Cole knew exactly what they were going to be used for; false orders which would change a situation so everyone involved did what Khalid wanted them to do and not what needed to be done.

"I told all those involved what you wanted me to tell them, but I do not think they are going to listen. Tarik, is flatly refusing to translate any Runes …. And he says all of them have been destroyed… I will keep my eyes open for any copies and let you know …. Then you can tell me what you want done. I gather your whole family plays chess," Cole took a moment and glanced at the chessboard set up on a small table. "The man is good …. countered everyone of my verbal moves with one of his own…. If I can find some Runes you are interested in it may be fun to convince him he should translate them." Cole tried to keep the smile steady on his face. He was not looking forward to playing any type of chess, verbal or physical with the Medjai Amir.

"During my stay at the Hog's Head, I found out who writes the Codebook for the Caretakers. It should not be hard, when I am done here, to get either a copy from the man, or have him make me a copy." Franco relaxed back in the chair allowing Khalid to digest the information and ask him any further questions. He wanted to check on Franco and he had men to choose.

Cole watched as Khalid walked over to his chess board and moved a few pieces around. Cole had played chess and the moves Khalid had made would make no sense in a real game. His employer was listening to him, but pretending not to.

After a few moment Khalid returned to his seat, "Very good report Cole, you have done excellent work, and when you have the remainder of the information I will make the final payment to our agreed upon fee to your account. I also have set up a separate account for you to draw on to pay up to fifty men for your little private army. Their bonuses will be paid directly by me." Khalid wanted to make sure all of Cole's men knew where there money was coming from incase he wanted to call them back. Money bought loyalty. "I do have a question for you, though, when we first met made you an offer to join me full time. You would never want for money or prestige. You would never want for a place to stay or any company you desired. All of this just for being available in case I need something or someone. You turned me down then, have you reconsidered now that you have had a taste of what affluent life I am offering you can bring to you?"

Cole had been watching the man's eyes. His mouth was speaking smooth words of praise and a full rather easy life, but his eyes told a different story. They were cold and calculating. If Cole had not made promises to others, such as trying to keep Franco alive, he would have excused himself, left and never looked back. He would have been totally on his own again with probably little or no money, but he had been there before; he would have been a live and with a little more life expectancy then he as currently looking at when he turned Khalid down.

Purposely staying relaxed in the chair, he smiled and said, "I appreciated your extremely generous offer when you first made it Khalid and I appreciate it now, but for most of my wizards life I have been my own boss and I prefer it that way. I will work for you as you need me, but I need the ability to turn down a job or to just walk away. It is how I operate. If this upsets you, you can pull back any or all of what you have offered me up to this point, but I am afraid I will not change my mind." The look spreading across Khalid's face worried Cole, but he had to hold to what he had said. The Dark Wizards face was getting redder and tighter as he talked.

Khalid shrugged his shoulders in an attempt to look to make Cole think he had accepted the decline of his offer, but his mind was traveling at breakneck speed. Nodding, he silently contemplated Cole's answer. He knew his silence was grating on the mercenaries nerves. "Many people say they are not going to change their minds and then have a revelation which allows for them to see things differently." Khalid decided to change the subject to gauge Cole's reaction. "I have had a talk with Shadow about what I need from Franco, and he has guaranteed me he will get the information, although Franco will not be at all well I am sure when Shadow is done with him. I told Shadow I have further need of Franco and he said he would try his hardest to keep him alive. I am still trying to decide how many of the toys in the guestroom I will allow Shadow to use." Khalid smiled, he had gotten a reaction from the hardcore mercenary.

Cole unsuccessfully fought the cringe and the squirm he made in the chair. Franco would not live very long if Shadow was allowed to question him. He knew Shadow would keep him alive as long as possible, using as many unnatural means as he could, but he would only be keeping him alive to answer more questions and to feed his sickness for causing pain to others. Cole cleared his throat and said in a steady practiced voice, "The man has a hole in his heart… he will not last long under Shadows methods. If you let him do what he wants you will lose all possibilities of getting information either now or in the future." All Cole received for his worry was a shrug from the man perfectly relaxed in the chair across from him.

After allowing another moment of pointed silence Khalid asked, "How did you like my sister? She is beautiful isn't she?" To himself he thought, "I was always taught everyone has a price, what is yours Frank Cole…. What will make you agree to come work for me and never walk away?"

The questions contained land mines, but Cole could not pinpoint where. "I found your sister beautiful and very gentle. She also has backbone and courage beyond what I have seen in most females." Cole was not about to let Khalid know he had a maddening crush on his sister. She and Greene were together for all intensive purposes and Cole had made the connection with the man, he had sworn to himself he would never make… Cole had been secretly married to Richard's adopted sister, before she and his unborn child had been killed, trying to make him give up information he did not have at the time to give. He eventually found the information and it was now in the safe hands of the Caretaker Group.

Slowly Cole stood up saying, "Until I get you the rest of your information, I do not have anything else for you. If you will excuse me I need to check on Franco, since he is under my care until the files are retrieved, and I also have some men to ask if they would like to be employed by me. I have weeded out all the ones with Dark Ones mark from the group you sent me, but I suggest you check not only the ones you have here on the island but anyone employed by you anywhere. If you need me I should be back at my private quarters in about two hours." Cole wondered if Khalid knew he had done a sweep of his private quarters and removed all the extra surveillance equipment and spells. He had even had two elves check the place over, under the guise he was helping them train. They had found a couple he had missed. He never let more than 24 hours go by without doing a sweep.

Khalid looked unswervingly at Cole as he stood before him preparing to leave. He wanted Cole to see the self-satisfying look on his face, a look purposely meant to slap him in the face. He had found a way to at least keep Cole on a short leash. Snapping his fingers he said, "Franco can be watched through this, Cole. As for his future health under my son's expert hands...we shall see." He waited to gauge Cole's reaction. If he was right, Cole had made a promise to somebody concerning Franco.

Handing the mini-viewing screen to Fixer he said, "Maybe I should ask Fai to keep My Guest company until Shadow's return in a week? What do you think Cole? Fai might be able to break Franco down...especially since my nephew will be a tad too busy to check his condition..."

Cole realized he was in deep trouble. Khalid's whole body language had changed. He was thinking of Cole at the most as an enemy and at the least someone he was going to get control of, whatever it took. He was about to be packaged and in the hands of someone who he grew more ensure of, was going insane. Cole changed his own body language to defiant. He could not escape, so he needed to let the scenario play out.

"I was not kidding about the man's heart, Khalid. You have spies at the hospital, have one of them check Franco's records. If you let Fai handle him, he will not be alive next week for Shadow to question. He is mostly broken already, I saw to that, heavy handedness will only get you his death …. Then what? You know his brothers will not stop until they take you down. They have not tried to the fullest extent of their abilities, but you kill their brother and nothing will hold them back. Not the Ministry…. Not your security systems …. Not even your sister and your brother. Think well on what you do, Khalid."

By the expression on Khalid's face, Cole knew he had hit a cord, but the expression was only fleeting. The rock hard expression returned with a vengeance. "Oh by the way Fixer, I took the liberty on moving your things to your new room located here in the house.... Hope you like Egyptian?" Turning to the men that stood behind Cole, Khalid said, "Show my guest his new quarters and then bring him back here! He Is Not To Check On Either Of My Other Guests Until I Give The Okay. I believe his things were moved to the Tomb..."

Cole had half turned to leave when he was spun back toward Khalid and his arms were seized by the men's steel grips. There was nowhere for him to go. He knew the island had an apparition damper on it. You could come but unless given permission you could not leave. He would have dropped the small television screen if one of the men had not grabbed it out of his hands. "I believed you were a man of honor Khalid. I have men to choose and train. I have told you I would work for you." Khalid said nothing at first. Finally he looked at Cole and with a slow smile spreading across his face he said, "We will I believe have more to discuss upon your return, Mr. Frank Cole?"

Trying not to fight, as every muscle in his body was screaming to do, Cole let his mind understand he would be returning to this room soon. He would have to spend whatever time he had thinking of the possibilities he had for either escaping or turning Khalid's opion to the positive where he was concerned. Chess was not one of Cole's strong points. When he finished this job though he would be studying the game in more detail. He was being given lessons now on how the game taught strategy and figuring out counter moves.


Cole walked between the two men, checking every inch of the passage they were going through. He did not fight the men, because there was no escaping at the moment, he would have to be patient. He was lead down a very narrow hall which sloped downward and curved in a wide spiral. When they came to a volcanic rock wall, the men stopped. One pulled on a metal ring and twisted it. A rock door slide slowly open and Cole was shoved into an six foot square box of a room right out of an old Muggle mummy movie. It was red sand brick with two torches lighting each one of the four walls. The ceiling was only about 6 foot from the floor, which meant his 6'2" frame was not going to fit in a vertical position. Even the floor was sand and there was a low two food wide shelf off to one side, which he figured was meant to be a bed. It was hot and stuffy. Air was being circulated but just barely. It was not going to be pleasant.

While one guard held his wand ready the guard holding the mini-screen, reached into the room and placed it on the floor just inside the door, then reached over grapped the metal ring and twisted it again. The door slid shut.

Cole looked around and then retrieved the screen and sat on the shelf. He needed to stay alert and gather all the information he could. Until Khalid decided, he had been in solitary confinement long enough the screen was his only link to any outside world.

As Cole tried to make himself comfortable on the rock slab, which was supposed to be his bed he took some time to examine his new home as Khalid had called it. The man was definitely into authenticity. Mold covered some parts of the walls. Some of it so large it had grown in to a fungas which hung from the ceiling in lacey death traps, for the few bats which coward in two of the corners. Khalid had even added his own sick brand of smell therapy . There was the smell of rotting food, ammonia gas, formaldehyde and hydorgen sulfide. Cole had only been in the room for a few minutes and his eyes were already watering and his stomach was threatening to add to the smells. He fought hard with his body to keep his stomach under control.

His eyes jerked back to the small ten-inch square screen as it came to life. Cole sat in stunned silence at what it showed.

Fai was beyond angry but he never allowed it to show. He had just been about to open the back door to the Hog's Head and leave when some of the citizens barged in. If boxes had not been stacked close to the door he would have been discovered. There would have not been a problem with him getting away, but he had survived for a long time without people knowing who he was or what he looked like. He had to wait until he could slide out the door and apparate to the island. Cole had an hour head start on him reporting. Fai had worked for and with Khalid for several years and the two men trusted each other

Entering the "playroom" he bowed to Khalid. "I apologize Master Khalid for not coming sooner. Cole made it my responsibility to open up the Hog's Head for the population again and make sure everything was cleaned up, A couple of his new fighting force left two bodies in the back room of the tavern. Because of the time it took me to dispose of them, I was almost caught and had to wait until I could escape, before I returned. I have taken the time to write down my views on what happened. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask." Fai handed the small parchment scroll to Khalid and bowed, then stood patiently waiting for questions. He knew a few of the items would get Cole into very hot water. The man would discover he could not treat Fai like a servant.

Khalid examined the scroll, raising his eyebrows to several of the entries. When he was done, he rolled it back up and through it in the middle of his chess board. Then he walked over and shook Fai's hand. "I am pleased my friend, you have done well this day. I have one other thing for you to do if you are not too tired."

Fai bowed and replied, "I am at your service Master Khalid,"

Fai was very pleased with the reception he had gotten from Khalid on his report. He smiled as he followed Khalid through the house. There was only one room at the end of this hall and Fai, had been it before. The guest room had not been used much, but when it was, Khalid got his answers. Opening the door for his employer he bowed him in and then followed.

The guestroom was tastefully decorated in yellows and gold's. Flowing lacey curtains covered the windows allowing for a partial view of the small tarrases outside of each of the floor to ceiling window casings. Several overstuffed chairs sat at one end of the room. A small table sat between them and a coffee table sat in front. On the wall behind the chairs, hung a 72" screen and golden speakers which would allow for great surround sound dotted the walls completely around the room. A rich brown and gold rug covered the floor on the end of the room where the chairs were.

The surprising part of the room was the other end. The floor was hard wood which you could see a clear reflection in. There were chains fasted to several places on the floor with large bolts. There were also chains fastened to the walls and extending down from the ceiling. At the end of each chain was a solid leather strap. On the wall was an open shelving unit with beautifully hand carved molding. These shelves held, canes, whips, and cattle prods. There were handcuffs and a variety of straps.

Franco had been fastened with outstretched arms, facing the back wall, his shirt had been removed and a gage was in his mouth. His terror-filled eyes, that he turned toward Khalid over his should, grew bigger when he saw Fai follow him in. Franco had seen Fai work before. Fai bowed toward Franco and smiled as he heard his new orders, "You have pleased me Fai. Please keep my guest entertained as I talk to Mr. Cole."

Franco watched over his shoulder as Khalid and Fai entered the room. "This is not a good thing …. I think I am in trouble. Franco thought to himself. Looking back at the wall he took a couple of deep breaths. Lance had healed all the punishment he had taken at the Hog's Head, although his skin was still sore in spots but only on the front of his body. He looked back just in time to see Fai bow his way and saw the smile of anticipation on the man's face as Khalid gave him his orders.

Khalid walked to the wall opposite Franco and flipped a switch. The 72 inch screen at the other end of the room came to life showing Franco hanging on the wall and everything else nearby. Then he made his way to the wall where Franco was hanging and leaned against it, so he could look the young man in the eyes. Khalid smiled and waved because he knew Cole and Lance were both able to see and hear everything which was going to happen.. He reached up and grabbed a healthy handful of Franco's hair and yanked his head back as he said, "You will find Fai quite talented in breaking people! Let's see how long you last Thorn!"

Lance had been thrown into a room, which was a piece of earth right out of a Rain Forest. Even the walls were painted as if you were looking deep into the trees. The ceiling gave the impression there was an emergent layer of trees about 150 feet above his head. This was the umbrella layer and the only part which would have seen abundant sun. There was also an upper canopy layer painted magically in place. The upper layer flowed from where the ceiling would have been to the floor of the room. The floor was dirt and covered in very little vegetation. Even the lighting had been regulated to give the effect of little light being able to reach the ground. The air in the room was thick with humidity and there was water dripping everywhere.

The only chance Lance was going to have of staying semi-dry was to go into the small open tent, which had been set in one corner. In the tent were a very uncomfortable looking cot, a small wooden table and a very uncomfortable looking camp chair. The cot had a flimsy layer of mosquito netting around it. "Well at least Khalid does not want me to die of death by mosquito." Lance thought as he killed one of the largest bugs he had ever seen, when it landed on his arm for a meal. Just as that one died another decided to try for his neck. When he looked down something slithered into the corner. "Great snakes … I do not like snakes." Lance thought knowing it was the understatement of the year… snakes petrified him.

As the door to the room closed, and his jailers laughs were cut off, Lance heard the sound of a large cat, not too far away. Khalid was being authentic … he hoped not too authentic though. As the large cat again voiced its sharing of the space, Lance turned around. The one thing totally out of place in the room was a large 50 video screen on the same wall where the door would be if it had not disappeared into the scenery.

As he watched the screen came to life and Lance said out loud, "NO, Franco …. Khalid you are going to kill him." Lance was looking at Franco tied to a wall and a smiling Fai, a well known torture professional standing only a foot from Franco's back. He heard Khalid's words and cringed. Lance froze at the sight.

Franco pasted a smile on his face. "Why don't we sit and talk about this Khalid, like men would do. …" Khalid shook his head no, so Franco gave him a surprise. Franco wrenched one of his hands free from the Muggle bindings, which was an easy thing to accomplish when you knew how to make your hands and wrist larger than normal when being tied, and then reverse the process and stretch the mussels to make the wrists and hands smaller. With the free hand, he shot his fist into Khalid's stomach. Chuckling he pulled back.

Lance moved closer to the screen. His fists were in balls at his side. He added a smile to his balled fists, when Franco got one hand loose and punched Khalid in the stomach "Good going Frankie, good for you." Lance knew Frankie was going to be punished, but the hit showed his friend was still thinking and fighting.

The next move anyone made was Fai, as he came quickly forward grabbed Franco's hand and magically bound it to the wall. Franco's hands were now spread farther apart and his hands were open and flat against the wall. Fai did not let go until he gripped the meaty part of Franco's hand between the thumb and the pointer finger. He squeezed hard. Franco tried desperately to hold the yell from the pain in, but was not successful for all of it. Franco was in pain, but since Khalid had let go of his hair when he socked him, he turned toward the wall, put his forehead against it and allowed a small smile to spread across his face.

Fai was going to go after Franco using pressure points. Pressure points could heal and relieve pain or they could cause the pain. Fai was a master at the craft. Lance could not do anything but watch and Franco's pain was evident, "Breath, my friend …. Just breath, Frankie." Lance thought to himself knowing full well he was the only one hearing his voice.

Fai had arrived and Khalid was holding true to form. The dark wizard was going to have Fai use his own special brand of torture on Franco. Cole put his elbows on his knees and made a pyramid with his fingers, resting his chin on the tips. There was nothing he could do but watch. His anger was growing but at the moment there would be no release for it, so he watched.

Cole yelled encouragement to Franco, knowing the sound would not leave the room. Franco was still acting cocky, but he was using it as a defense mechanism against the fear which must be threatening to take over. "Good going Franco… He deserved that punch." The smile on his face only lasted long enough to watch Fai restrain the man again.

Cole looked at the floor. He knew Fai would do something to make an impression on Franco and on Khalid. He was also using his main expertise, other than dead-point accuracy with throwing knives, of pressure points. Franco was in desperate trouble … Fai could hurt, maim and kill with a single touch to the right part of the body. If Franco fainted from the pain, Fai could bring him back to consciousness and continue with something he enjoyed doing …. Discovering how much pain he could inflict with the different pressure points on the body, without causing death. Khalid wanted Franco alive, so Fai would hold back a little, but he would not hold back enough to stem of unconsciousness.

Turning to Fai, he said, "I have no real questions for you to ask Franco, here at the moment. Just soften him up so when I return, he will be willing he help me. Oh and Fai I need him without any marks on his body." There was no way Franco was going to be able to get the files out of the bank if they thought he had been beaten or tortured. Khalid was not worried though because Fai was a master at pressure points.

At this point Cole dropped his face into his opened hands. The dark wizard was going to attempt to have Franco do his bidding, asking no questions and with no hesitation. He hoped Franco had decided to live and not give up his life under the mistaken possibility that his death would mean an end to the whole thing. Khalid would be disappointed but he would find another way to get what he wanted from someone else. The list of possible subjects was short, but it contained children. Cole groaned at the thought. Picking his head back up, he unwittingly looked back at the screen.

Lance momentarily turned away from the screen, and dropped his head into his hands. Rubbing his face, he was worried, "The man is going insane …. He is having Franco tortured for no apparent reason." The only hope Lance had of Franco surviving the questioning was the fact Khalid had said he needed to have Franco alive when he returned. There was still time to see if Khalid was going to let him help Frankie.

Franco looked back at Khalid and relished in the fact the man's face was bright red, with a mixture of pain and anger. Trying to relax his mussels and breathe, Franco wondered why he was going to be "softened up". It made no sense to him, that Khalid did not want answers to questions… Franco was still trying to figure out what questions the man had. He knew he wanted the family files in the bank and the story files in his office, but other than "are you ready to get the files?" he could not think of other information Khalid would want. He also realized Fai, had just been given unlimited ability to cause Franco as much pain as he wanted to for an unspecified length of time. Franco returned his forehead to wall, and concentrated on his breathing. He was determined to stay alive until Lance was allowed to get to him.

Lance tried to relax when he saw Franco's mussels relax and saw him purposely taking cleansing breaths. The whole idea of "softening" Franco up was a mystery Lance was not sure he wanted answered.

Khalid made his way to the door, but stood to watch as Fai started to work. At first the man just stood there examining Franco from a distance. Then he slowly walked toward him and ran his hands down the man's extended arm and down his back to the top of his slacks. Franco's eyes were glued to the wall and there was a slight shake to his whole body. Khalid looked at the screen, which made the whole scene bigger than life. He had watched Fai work before on several occasions, the man was a master.

Lance took his own deep breath and turned back to the screen just in time to see Fai, step closer to Franco. Khalid was not in the scene, but he had not heard a door close so he figured the dark wizard was still in the room watching. Lance's breaths came hard, Fai was starting his job on his friend. Lance knew the pressure points in the human body and seeing Franco's body shake was not helping his own nerves.

Franco shivered as Fai's hands grabbed his wrists and then slide down his arms, over his shoulders and down his back. He knew a little about pressure points, but mostly as healing therapy. He had never delved into the possible pain aspects. "I guess I am going to find out the hard way," he thought as Fai's hands reached the top of his slacks. Franco had waited for the pain to hit, but nothing. Now he was worried, Fai was toying with him.

Fai had made one pass with his hands and had not caused any pain. Lance looked down and rubbed his face again with his hands. Looking back, he saw Fai, starting the process over again. The broad smile on Fai's face caused Lance to cringe. The man was enjoying himself and that meant Franco was going to suffer that much more.

Cole watched as Khalid walked out of the view of the screen but since he heard no door closing, he figured Khalid had stayed to watch.

FRANCO SPELLMAN
Fai had started work. Cole knew what was coming. He had watched Fai operate once before when the man belonged to the now defunct Seven organization. All he could do was try and will Franco to fight and stay conscious. Fai was judging which pressure points were more available than others. He could read a man's body to a millimeter of an inch in depth.

On the second trip down Franco's arms with his hands Fri stopped and placed his thumb in Franco's right armpit, wrapped his hand around the front of Franco's arm and pushed up. Franco screamed and Fai smiled. Starting at Franco's hands again he brought his hands down the man's arms this time repeating the maneuver under the left side of Franco's armpit. Franco screamed through the gage and whimpered. Tears had come to his eyes. Fai smiled an even bigger smile, turned and bowed to Khalid, who walked out of the door laughing.

Lance stood and watched, he could feel the hot trails of tears traveling down his own face. It made him feel so helpless not being able to go to Franco. He was worried because, even though Fai was a master at what he was doing … the hole in Franco's heart which had been temporally sealed at the Hog's Head by the elf, could open again without warning.

Even though Cole saw the move coming before Fai had his hand completely in place he jumped when Franco cried out. Fai was adding psycological minipulation into the mix. He was getting Franco to play close attention to where his hands were, and not be able to "tune out" of the process. Cole knew to Fai it was a form of gratification to know he could hold someone's total attention. He was using painful pressure points, but not crippling ones in the process, which would satisfy Khalid also.

Franco felt the tears coming down his face and it made him grown that much more. He was giving into the pain and the situation. It is one thing to know someone is going to cause you pain and try and steel yourself against it, but it is totally different when the pain hits. Fai's move had cause shooting pain, down the whole side of Franco's body, first on one side and then on the other. It was not a quick pain, but stayed and radiated slowly through the rest of his body. Franco forced himself to breath. He had to stay alive until someone came.

Watching Franco continue to force air into his lungs, made Lance feel better, but he still felt like he was going to come out of his own skin. He started to pace in the small clearing which had been given to him to move around in the room. He could feel the bites of the bugs and the water dripping from overhead, but his mind barely registered his surroundings. Lance never took his eyes off the screen for more than a few seconds. He kept telling himself Khalid wanted Franco alive so at some point, he would stop Fai, or they would come and get him. He hoped it was soon.

Fai, one step closer to Franco and untied the gag. "I like to hear the results of my abilities. Feel free to let me know how you feel, Franco Spellman. I take joy in my job." Fai laughed out load.

Lance walked up very close to the screen and yelled, "Someday I will let you feel the pain your job causes, Fai," His clothes were soaking wet from the steady dripping of the "trees". He could hear the mosquitoes diving toward his skin, just before they hit. He knew he could not be heard but the words came flying out anyway. All of a sudden the large cat's voice sounded very close. Lance took a moment and looked at all the walls. He felt he could see for some distance, because Khalid had used magic to create the illusion.

Cole raked both his hands through his hair… his stomach was still threatening to send it contents up his throat and the smells in the room were making him dizzy. Khalid wanted him alive, so the worst that could happen would be that he would pass out … a condition he knew he would not be allowed to stay in for long. Even when he put his hands over his mouth and his nose the stench was too strong to not filter into the cavity he created.

Through gritted teeth, Franco said, "Someday you will regret this Fai, even if I do not survive I have some brothers who will take you apart." This made Fai, laugh louder and longer.

Taking a step back, Lance said again out load adding a snicker to his voice, "You better listen to him Fai …. His brothers do not forget and they also take pride in their work." Franco's brothers were very proficient at paybacks." Lance slapped hard at two mosquitoes who had decided to mate on his arm. He was going to have to get in the netting soon to keep from feeding the bugs, or he was going to have too many bites to allow him to sleep. As he thought of sleep, he saw something move in another corner of the room. He caught the very end of a snakes tail. "So much for sleeping." he thought as he realized the room was gradually getting darker..Khalid had programmed in a night period. "Great…." Lance watched the screen, trying not to scratch the bites on his neck, face and arms.

Cole could not hold back the smile which slowly spread across his lips. Fai better have a good place to hide when Franco was released, and he would be released even if Cole had to go against Khalid and get him out. Franco's brothers were experts at retribution against anyone who hurt their family or anyone they cared about. As it was Cole was going to have to watch his back for a while, even with saving Franco's life. He was not sure it would be enough to counter what had happened at the Hog's Head the night before.

He was not very far down the hall when he heard Franco scream again. He hoped Cole and Lance were enjoying the view.

The bow Fai had just made to someone off camera, and the laugh which got gradually quieter, told Cole, Khalid had just left the room. Fai was on his own to choose what he wanted to do next.

Fai had hit two spots and now knew the man was sensitive to his touch. He had found there was a psychological edge to first running his hands along the person's body, trying to get them to guess where his hands would stop. Sometimes he would cover the same space several times before he found the pressure point he desired to use.

Placing his hands on Franco's arms just below his tied wrist, he slowly moved down the arms and then down the man's back.... placing his thumbs on either side of the man's spine. When he got to the top of Franco's slacks, he removed his hands and laughed.

Placing his hands on Franco's arms just below his tied wrist, he slowly moved down the arms and then down the man's back.... placing his thumbs on either side of the man's spine. When he got to the top of Franco's slacks, he removed his hands and laughed. Then he started the process over again, but this time he stopped on the man face just below the jaw line, quickly found the soft spot below the ear, made a shape point with his knuckle and pushed in. He got the desired results. Franco screamed.

Lance tried not to hold his breath, as Fai ran his hands down Franco's back. There were pressure points which could cripple a man along the spine. Fai would not cripple Lance on purpose because Khalid had said he did not want him marked, but if Franco moved suddenly and Fai did not catch the move, the wrong point could get depressed quickly. When Fai took his hands away, Lance let out the breath, but the relief was short lived.

Within a very short time, Fai had found the point he wanted to use and delivered a large amount of pain to Franco's body.

Franco's eyes went blurred, his head hurt with a pain he did not know he could take without passing out. His spine felt like it was on fire. For a brief moment he felt his body go limb, but he fought to stand back up on his feet. He could hear Lance in his mind, telling him to breath, just keep breathing.

When Franco's legs gave way, Lance gulped a breath. His friend had come very close to fainting. "Where was Khalid ….." Lance felt three mosquitoes hit him at the same time. He headed for the cot with the netting. He was shivering from being wet, from being mad and from worry about his friend and patient. Sitting down on the cot, he arranged the netting and put his face in his hands. It did not stay there for long, because he could not keep his eyes off the screen.

Closely Cole watched the movements of Fai's hands. The man had opened his hands and was allowing his thumbs to travel down Franco's spine. On push in the several of spots along the spine could cause unbelievable pain, crippling or even death to Franco. Cole held his breath, knowing he was keeping the toxins in his lungs, but his body would not let him release it.

Then he started the process over again, but this time he stopped on the man face just below the jaw line, quickly found the soft spot below the ear, made a shape point with his knuckle and pushed in. He got the desired results. Franco screamed.

Cole let out his own grown. Fai had not used any of the points on Franco's back yet, but he had located a particularly vicious point. Cole made fists with his hands and pounded on his own knees. Khalid was going to pay. Cole would have to bid his time, but the man was eventually going to pay.

Franco's eyes went blurred, his head hurt with a pain he did not know he could take without passing out. His spine felt like it was on fire. For a brief moment he felt his body go limb, but he fought to stand back up on his feet. He could hear Lance in his mind, telling him to breath, just keep breathing.

Cole jumped to his feet when he saw Franco's knees buckle. Franco had not passed out totally though because he was fighting to stay on his feet. Fai had moved out of the camera view for a moment. Slowly Cole let out the breathe he had been holding and sank back down on the rock slab. There was nothing he could do to help. He did not like the helpless feeling. He very rarely got it …. Only when someone elses life was involved. "Khalid, I want to talk with you now …. Come get me you coward." he thought to himself as the door to his room slid slowly open.

Khalid realized he was thirsty. Butterbeer was not going to help this time. He headed for his wine cabinet and picked out an expensive overpriced imported wine. It was time to relax. Pouring himself a glass he sat down in the playroom in his favorite chair and enjoyed the glass of wine as he thought about having Cole under this control. The man was surprising and would be a very nice asset to have in his human arsenal. Another glass later, he called one of the men to him and said, "Bring Cole To Me!"

Cole watched the door open, ready to jump if he could get an opening. The guards were well trained. They stood outside the door, both with wands drawn and pointed at him. They waited for him to come out. As he started out the door, one of the guards magically bound his arms to his side and let him proceed them up the winding hallway.

At the top, one walked ahead of him leading the way through a maze of hallways, headed Cole figured for wherever Khalid had decided to have his talk. Finally they ended back at the doors to the room Khalid called the playroom. It was a comfortable room, but several things were out of place if you looked closely. There were several sets of handcuffs on a small table in the corner and a wheel containing chains and the item, which looked like a table proped in the corner, was really a rack straight out of medieval times.

When Cole had hesitated at the door, he was shoved into the room, losing his balance. Both guards laughed and pulled him back up by his arms, which they bent toward his back. They finally maneuvered him to stand in front of Khalid, who was relaxing with a glass of wine in his hands.

Khalid crossed his legs and sat back in the chair, totally relaxed. After he snapped his fingers the 72 inch screen which had just lifted out of the table along the side wall showed a verbatim report telling what Fai had reported about the trip to the Hog's Head. Swirling his wine around a little he smiled and said, “As you see Cole, Fai has given his view of things …." “There is a couple of things we need to clear up I believe...like what you and Greene talked about in the store room and the other is just what other talents you have besides whatever nice little present you gave Franco?”

Cole took time to read the report on the screen, using half his brain to come up with an explanation to answer Khalid's questions. After a few moments he looked back to Khalid and said, "Interesting report … truthful I will agree on some points." Glancing back at the screen he continued, "He was telling the truth I took Greene into the storeroom. The first reason was I needed to separate him from the rest of the group. I had caused him considerable pain, and talking to him in front of the rest would only allow them to remind him of the pain thus making him harder agree to your terms."

Cole continued, when Khalid did not say anything, "The second reason was because I do not trust Fai. The man enjoys his work too much …. He was also a member of the Seven, trained by them and by Daniel. I would have been taking the chance, he felt like Daniel did about you and maybe willing to report to others who have taken over most of their operations. …. Greene and I talked about how the others had already given their signatures and his holdout would have only caused more pain to others, not yet tried with that type of encouragement. I got his signature, so I must have done right." Cole waited to see if Khalid was going to buy his story.

"As far as other talents, I am not sure what you mean. I used drugs on Franco, because I was in a hurry and the man had all ready been through the bite of the whip. He really does have a bad heart and it was the easiest and quickest way to get information from him. … You would have enjoyed hearing berate his brother, Neo, for giving up. It would have been words he never would have normally used." Cole added a smile to his explanation. He knew Khalid would have seen the irony of Cole having Franco tell his treasured brother, he was disappointed in him for giving in to Cole's demands.

Khalid took a sip of his wine and put the glass down on the small side table. Looking at Cole he stated, "Cole, Fai saw its results...why hold such a valuable tool from me...Unless You plan on one day using it on me?"

Cole gave a very light chuckle, "I did not hold anything from you, Khalid. If I wanted to hold it from you I would have not used the procedure.

"So tell me more about this drug and could we use it to control him?" Khalid wondered if he could use the drug and speed up the process of getting the information he required, to fullfil his plan to take down the Dark One. "Also if he dies of a heart attack then he is useless to me! I have a hospital here on the island...can his heart be fixed?"

Cole was walking through a minefield because of Khalid's questions. He chose his words carefully. "The drug is from a plant which can be found on an island in the Black Sea. It is the only place it has ever been discovered. The process to distill it is complicated and can go wrong during any of the dozen or so steps, which are required … not considering it takes 48 hours to even be able to start the process. It is a truth serum of sorts …. You cannot make anyone do something they do not want to do …. When Franco told his brother how he really felt, he wanted to tell him …. When he gave me the signatures, deep down he wanted to give me the signatures. On Franco, it could be very dangerous because it could cause his heart to stop …. Truly a damaged heart. The drug is also useless for getting someone to fetch something, because while under it they look like they have been drugged and once it wears off they can just keep refusing to do what you want. "

The hospital on the island was first rate. It was fully equipped with everything St. Mango had only a little less of it. "Your hospital is first rate, and Lance could do the operation with no problem. I know you have a full nursing staff. …. If Lance agrees to do the operation here, then I think it can be arranged." Cole decided to try and play an ace card. "Khalid if you continue to have Fai attempt to get information out of Franco, you will never get it …. The man does not want to live if he thinks what he does is going to cause innocents to suffer …. He will give up his life first. I have found out someone out there wants the whole Spellman family dead and forgotten. Fai only looks out for himself … the Seven was not the first organization he left and changed sides from … show me you can trust me Khalid. Let me talk to the man …. Let me talk to Lance …. Let me try." Cole stared did not waver from Khalid.

"I am tired of looking up at you, Cole, on your knees." Cole hesitate just long enough to be put to his knees the same way he had put Franco to his knees earlier, by having the backs of his knees karate chopped. He went down hard. "Cole, if I decide to test you where My Thorn is concerned and let you attempt your theory, how do you plan on breaking him?"

Cole came up with the craziest way he could think of, because all he need to accomplish at the moment was to get Fai to stop torturing Franco and get to the man with Lance in tow. "I plan to talk to him …. To discuss the matter …. There may be a little pain given to him … but it will not kill him or cause his heart to rupture. … The drug I use also has one bad side effect … it does not take long to get you hooked to the point, you feel greater pain not having it than the pain you feel having it administered. I really do not want to go that route, because it would make fixing his heart harder and more dangerous … still possible but there would be drugs Lance would not be able to administer to him …. Drugs which may be required to kill the real pain from the operation. Khalid, this drug is not the only one I have learned about in my studies and in my travels."

Cole made sure his feet were firmly planted on the floor. He could see Khalid getting ready to threaten him. There was something in his eyes, which let anyone interested in studying the man, know he was getting very pleased with himself and figured he had you over the preverbal barrel.

Khalid smiled and refilled his glass from the nearby carafe. “Cole, as many know I can insure that you have steady work... or I can insure you never work again!”

Cole nodded. It was useless to fight the rightness of the statement, and Khalid knew it. It had originally been asked to see if he could get Cole to beg for his life. That would have been the end to Cole's usefulness and his time would be short. Khalid only appreciated strong people, who did what was necessary … most of the time what he thought was necessary. To show fear was to show weakness. He was useful to Khalid, because he could freely go places Fai and even Shadow could not go because they would be recognized and possibly killed without anyone asking questions. Cole would have to do some fast talking where the Caretaker group was concerned, but returning Franco and giving Green the files he had hidden in his house on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, would go a long way to smoothing that path.

Khalid's eyes went hard as he said with malice in his voice, "Cole, Fail Me and You Already Seen Your Home …. Succeed and It's Bonus Time"

Cole nodded. It was all he could do. Khalid did not give empty threats. Cole had several arguments he could use with Franco to get him to agree. If he had to use the drugs he would personally be responsible for getting him off of them. There were a couple he could us which would have the same effect but be less toxic. Cole was not worried about a possible bonus. His bonus would be getting Franco back to his family … alive.

Smiling, hearing Cole give the only reply he could and still stay in Khalid's employ, he rang the small bell sitting on the side table next to his glass. Two goons in military garb walked calmly into the room and gave Khalid smart salutes, and then stood patiently at ease waiting for orders. Never looking away from the kneeling Cole he said to the two men, "Bring the doctor to me."
Adding a large smile to his face and picking up his glass of wine, he drained half of it the continued talking to Cole. "The ones I want to know about are ones that insure loyalty."

"While we wait for my nephew … let me make myself crystal clear." Khalids knuckles had become white around the stem of the crystal wine glass. After a moment he visibly relaxed and added, "I know you made Somebody promises concerning My Thorn, Cole! I Know You Told Greene something that You Did Not What Revealed To Me! I Don't Care If You Take A Job From Them Once In A While....BUT NOBODY BETRAYS ME...Without Paying The Ultimate Price...I was Hoping that Shadow and Fai were Wrong About You...But After Fai's Report...I am starting to wonder...Maybe I Should Have Fai Talk To Greene or Are You Going To Clear Up This Matter?”

Cole took Khalid's comments about the promise he had made to Marco Spellman and what he may have told Greene, which he had no proof of, as rhetorical. "Khalid I have never betrayed you…. You pay too well. Every job you have hired me for, I have completed to the specification you set. I have my methods, which may not always coninside with yours, but one of the reasons you have hired me is because I can think out-of-the-box and get things done with little muss or fuss."

Cole was acting under control and this infuriated Khalid. It gave him nothing to punish the man for now. Deciding to find out how Cole felt about loyalty to him he asked, "And If Somebody Paid More For You To Betray Me?"

"That is an easy question to answer Khalid; I only work for one person at a time. I would tell you I was not working for you anymore… which would probably be impossible because I would not want to return any money you gave me. So you question is a non-problem."

Lance tried not to hold his breath, as Fai ran his hands down Franco's back. …Within a very short time, Fai had found the point he wanted to use and delivered a large amount of pain to Franco's body… Franco's eyes went blurred, his head hurt with a pain he did not know he could take without passing out. …


When Franco's legs gave way, Lance gulped a breath. …. "Where was Khalid ….." Lance felt three mosquitoes hit him at the same time. He headed for the cot with the netting. He was shivering from being wet, from being mad and from worry about his friend and patient. Sitting down on the cot, he arranged the netting and put his face in his hands. It did not stay there for long, because he could not keep his eyes off the screen. [/quote]

Lance only stared at the wall beside the screen. Suddenly the door had reappeared and the door was swinging slowly outward. From outside the door he heard a voice say, "Come doctor, you are being summoned… we have our wands out so do not try any tricks. Master Khalid would prefer you are unharmed, when you go before him again."

Slowly he rose off of the cot, opened the mosquito netting, and closed it quickly when he was on the outside of it. It had taken him ten minutes to kill all of the biting bugs in the net and he did not want to come back to any. He figured he would be coming back, because he was not planning on giving into his great-uncles demands.

As his feet crossed the threshold of the room, Lance was magically bound. His arms were down straight against his side and he could not move. A humans first impulse is to fight bonds, but the magical ones only grew tighter as you fought, going back to the present state when you stopped fighting.
==============================================================
One of the two goons started down the hall, and the other one pushed Lance between them and fell in behind. The cool air of the walkway was making Lances wet clothes grow cold and making his body involuntarily shiver. He could not scratch the mosquito bites, which were on his arms, neck and face. His hair was plastered to his head. He was trying to hold onto the hope Khalid would let him dry off; but it was only a small hope.

It did not take them long to reach the large wooden doors which lead into Khalid's playroom. The lead goon barely had it opened before he was shoved and partially dragged, forced to kneel in front of Khalid's chair. He looked at Cole and figured they were both in a lot of trouble. Forcing a small smile on his face he looked at his great-uncle and said, "You wanted to see me, Khalid?" One of the goons hit him hard on the side of the head.

Khalid sat back in his chair and relaxed his arms on the overstuffed arms of the chair. He looked back and forth between the two men, packaged in front of him. He knew both of them had been trained enough they were not feeling the over whelming fear, so many of the men brought in front of him had felt. That fear had given him an odd pleasure and a sense of power. These men were just making him mad. Cole's breathing had finally returned to normal and his eyes were not watering anymore. His great-nephew looked horrible. The bugs he had added to the "Green room" had made their mark on the boy. Looking at his nephew he asked, "So my dear boy, learned anything?"

Lance held the smile on his face wondering how cocky he could get without receiving another pounding. "I have learned I do not like the Rainforest environment. I have also learned you think watching someone being hurt is enjoyable. What else was I supposed to learn, Uncle?"

"What true power is, of course?" Khalid wanted his great-nephew to admit, Khalid had complete control over his life and comforts.

Lance looked at Cole, who returned his glance and shrugged his shoulders … the man was going to be no help. "You have not gained anything by your demonstrations of control, Khalid. Yes, I am wet and bitten and packaged in front of you …. Cole is packaged in front of you. What control do you want great-uncle … what would make you know you had enough?" So far Khalid was not demanding anything, he was just enjoying the fact he had two men tied and kneeling to him.

Smiling and forming a pyramid with his finger tips, Khalid enlarged his smile and said, "Earlier nephew you said that you had enough power, the Power To Cure. But Nephew who can You cure locked in The Green Room? I Have True Power because I Have Control Of Just When, Who, and of Course If You GET To Ever Heal Again! That Nephew is TRUE POWER!"

"But Uncle," Lance started, "Others crave your power, and the only way for them to get it is to kill you. My power belongs to me and totally to me. My power must be earned not grabbed by whoever can steal it. My power cannot be stolen… it has value." Lance felt like he was in a battle of wits against a man going slowly insane.

Khalid chuckled and slowly shook his head back and forth. Looking first at Cole, then raising his eyes higher so they met the eyes of the guard standing to the right of Cole, he said, still chuckling, "I Want What Fai Said Is In Cole's Pocket! It Is Time the doctor Learns how I can and will bend him to My Will!"

Cole immediately started to struggle trying to keep the men out of his pocket. Maybe he could break the three hypodermic needles, or maybe the man would be stuck by them. The other guard standing to his left put a head lock on him and closed off his windpipe. If Cole wanted to breathe and not be crushed by the tightening bonds, he had to stop fighting. He turned his blood-thirsty eyes to Khalid and locked on.

The first guard reached into his pocket and pulled out the three hypo's. Smiling he walked over to Khalid and carefully put them on the small table beside the man's chair then returned to his guard post near Cole. When Cole was released, it took all his willpower not to fall forward. He gulped air into his lungs, trying not loose eye contact with Khalid.

Khalid examined the needles with his fingertips. Turning back to Cole, he nodded and said, "Thank you Fixer." Looking at the guard who a moment ago had Cole in the deadly headlock he said, "Bring In The Young Girl Found on My Island!"

Lance looked at Cole as he fought. When the hypodermics were put on the table he had swallowed hard. The truth serum in them could be deadly if used wrong. It would also not be hard to get someone hooked, so the withdrawal would be worse than many forms of torture. Turning his eyes toward his great-uncle he said, "Khalid don't do this …. Don't hold my actions up for someone else to get punished… leave the young girl alone."

Leaning forward in his easy chair and placing his elbows on his knees, Khalid loosely clasped his hands in front of him. Looking at Lance, with a deadly dare in his eyes he asked, "The Girl or Franco, Lance?"

LANCE
Lance dropped his chin to his chest. It was an impossible decision to make. The girl was an innocent and thus protected under all costs from being harmed by any kind of dispute within the magical world. Franco was his friend, and would never forgive Lance if he saved his life at the cost of another. Slowly Lance raised his head and met his Uncle's eyes, "What do you want me to do Uncle. I will not take another person's life. You may take mine in trade."

Cole caught Lance's eyes, and Lance just shook his head "no" and turned back to his Uncle, for his judgment.

"No Nephew! You Will Choose Either The Girl or Franco For You To Give The Drug To! The Only Other Choice I will Consider is Having Fai bring Me Your Cousin, The Princess! Choose Now or I Will Have You Give One To Each!"

Lance closed his eyes. He knew the choice he was going to have to make it was the only choice possible. Opening his eyes, he bore his stare into his great-uncle's brain. "Khalid if you make me do this … I will find a way some day to pay you back tenfold. I will make it slow and painful." Closing his eyes one last time and taking a deep breath, he opened them and said, "Franco, I choose Franco." Lance had several positive things going through his mind as he made his choice. One Franco was an adult and had been given the drugs before and survived. Two, Khalid needed Franco alive and able to function, so even if he got him hooked on the drugs, which after three shots would be guaranteed to happen he would not allow him to die. In addition, there were a whole bunch of people who would be able to bring Franco back from the addiction. It would be painful for his friend, because no painkillers could be given while the drug was in his system because of counter reactions.

Khalid smiled at Lance and said, "Now that was not so hard was it Nephew. I am even going to let you administer all three shots to your friend." Khalid laughed aloud when he saw the look of disbelief on Lance's face. "I see you do not agree with my methods, well think on this…" Khalid's voice became deadly, "Either you administer the shots or I let Fai continue with his favorite past time." As he finished the sentence, Khalid picked up the remote for the 72 inch screen which was showing Fai's report and hit a button. The screen changed to the "guestroom" and showed Fai torturing Franco, who looked weak. The man was yelling with the pain, but he was not fighting anymore.

"Stop Uncle …. Stop the torture; I will do what you say." Lance needed Franco as strong as possible if he was going to have to go through having the drugs in his system.

Khalid looked sidelong at his nephew, smiled and curtly nodded. Then he pushed another button on the remote. Fai stepped back turned and bowed to the camera. The expression on the man's face was pure disappointment. Franco sagged and was inhaling deeply, slowly getting his feet solidly under him. He never looked away from the wall.

Turning totally toward Cole, Khalid stated, "Fixer, I Am Disappointed In You! I Thought You Said that you were not trying to keep these away from Me?"

"I never kept the drugs from you Khalid. You knew they were in my pocket, because the report on line 23 said I had administered some to Franco… the needles were tools, which I kept in my possession, the same way you or anyone who needed tools would keep theirs. You knew about the drugs so I did not keep that from you. Do all of your goons give you an accounting of everyone of their bullets, guns, knives, ropes, manacles or other tools they use to carry out their job ... How have I kept them from you?"

While Cole talked, Lance had never taken his eyes off the screen. Franco had made it back to his feet, but he was still shaky. He still had not moved his eyes from a spot on the wall directly in front of him. Under his breath in a bare whisper he said, "Hold on Frankie … you are not alone."

Khalid's hearing had become very acute, because he spent a lot of time listening to people trying to whisper to make sure they were not planning anything against him. He heard what Lance said. Scooting to the edge of his chair, he leaned toward Lance and said, "You seem anxious to get to Frankie nephew. Well I think it is about time to make your wants a possibility." Khalid stood up, straightened his jacket, grabbed the syringes off the table, bouncing them in his hands a couple of time, and motioned for Cole and Lance to be brought behind him as he headed for the guestroom . Once he looked back and said, "Come on gentlemen, I know how much you want to be with your friend," adding a laugh which boded only ill. Partially to himself, but so the others could definitely hear, he said as they climbed the long staircase, "I do so enjoy giving my guests what they deserve." Again, he added the laugh, which made Cole and Lance shiver, because it held only pure evil in its tones.

When they reached to door to the room, one of the guards magically opened it and stood at attention as Khalid entered. Khalid answered with a sharp nod.

The guestroom was tastefully decorated, in yellows and gold's. Flowing lacy curtains covered the windows allowing for a partial view of the small terraces outside of each of the floor to ceiling window casings. Several overstuffed chairs sat at one end of the room. A small table sat between them and a coffee table sat in front. On the wall behind the chairs, hung a 72" screen and golden speakers, which would allow for great surround sound dotted the walls completely around the room. A rich brown and gold rug covered the floor on the end of the room where the chairs were.

The surprising part of the room was the other end off to their right. The floor was hard wood, in which you could see a clear reflection. There were chains fasted to several places on the floor with large bolts. There were also chains fastened to the walls and extending down from heavy wood rafters embedded in the ceiling. At the end of each chain was a solid leather strap. On the wall was an open shelving unit with beautifully hand carved molding. These shelves held canes, whips, and cattle prods. There were handcuffs and a variety of straps.

Franco had been fastened with outstretched arms, facing the backwall, his shirt had been removed …

When they all were in the room, Khalid walked over to one of the overstuffed, barrel swivel chairs and sat down. He motioned for one of the guards to get him a glass of wine from the recessed cabinet, and turned his chair to make sure the screen was still giving a very detailed picture. When the guard brought him his wine, Khalid nodded and turned back to the rest of the people in the room at the far end. Cole and Lance had been shoved up against the same wall Franco hung from and guarded. Khalid put the three needles down on the table. "Ok, let us begin gentlemen." He looked to where Franco was and called, "Franco, can you hear me," receiving no answer he asked again a little louder, "Franco Spellman can you hear me?" Still receiving no answer, he signaled to Fai to administer whatever "wakeup call" he choose.

Fai walked up to Franco and grabbed the man's hand with two fingers and squeeze right between the thumb and pointer finger. Franco flinched and moaned, but did not turn his head. Fai had started to move his hands to Franco's back, when Lance said, "Stop Fai … Franco answer Khalid … look at me friend …. I told you I would be back …. Answer Khalid."

Franco slowly turned his head toward Lance and took a moment to focus his eyes. Weakly he asked, still attempting to get his eyes to recognize the people in the room. "Lance …. Are you really here?"

"Yes Franco, I am standing about five feet from you along the wall …. Can you see me?" Lance was trying to get Franco to think and concentrate.

"I see you my friend… are we done here? Has Khalid released us yet?" However, Franco answered his own questions as his eyes wondered the room. He saw Cole and then he saw Khalid. "Lance he is still here … I can see him in the chair." Franco started to fight the bonds.

"No Franco do not fight, it will only make them worse…" If Lance tried to tell his friend what they were planning on doing he would never understand them in his present frame of mind. "Franco, Khalid is going to ask you some questions and I want you to answer him, please."

Franco started to turn his head back and forth in a very determined manner, "Nope … can't do that… would mean people get killed … cannot do it." Franco's stare went back to the wall. His survival mechanism had kicked in again. Lance looked at Khalid and pleaded for more time with his eyes.

Khalid reached over to the table and picked up one of the syringes. Holding it out to Lance he said, "You have made your choice nephew …. If you would like to change your mind I can have the young girl brought up here in a matter of minutes."

Lance felt the bonds on his arms disappear, but two of the household goons had their wands pointed directly at him. Slowly he walked toward Khalid and took the hypo. Khalid raised his brows as Lance hesitated to return to Franco. Khalid looked at Fai … "If he does not administer the hypo correctly very soon, I want you to hit three pressure points at one time of Franco's body. It is your choice." Fai's eyes light up with the possibilities as he bowed.

Passing by Cole, Lance noticed the man's face set in regret. At the Hog's Head, they had learned Cole had been given six shots of the same serum in rapid succession. He survived the overdose but almost did not survive the comedown from its effects. Now Lance was going to be force to put his own friend though that living hell.

When he reached Franco, he was not alone. Fai stood a mere 12 inches away from the man, flexing and un-flexing his fingers. Lance got up against the wall so he could see Franco's face. "Frankie, look at me please," Franco turned his head toward Lance's voice, "I am going to give you some medicine for the pain. It will be all right…. I am not leaving. It's going to sting a little but it will make you feel better."

Franco turned his head and focused on Lance's, voice. All he did was nod, but kept his eyes on Lance's. Taking a deep breath and very slowly letting it out. Lance jabbed the needle into Franco's neck. It only took a few second, for Franco's weak body to process the drug. Within that time, his eyes had glassed over and his head wobbled to both sides. Franco's knees were also weaker and threatened to give out totally. Lance looked toward Khalid and saw the man holding out the second needle.

"It is too soon Khalid … you will kill him." Lance kept thinking of Franco's weak heart. The meds would slow his heart down even more.

"Lance, give him the second shot or I will have Fai complete my previous orders." Cole was watching every move of everyone in the room, but Khalid had blocked all avenues of escape. Franco was going to be putty in his hands, because now he could control the man, by either giving or withholding his next 'fix', and his nephew was learning about absolute power and that it would be better to be with Khalid and not against him. To Khalid life was good.

Lance walked back over to Franco and checked his heart rate under his ear. It had a steady beat, but it was weaker than Lance liked. Franco could probably survive the second shot but not the third. Lance decided if force to give the third shot he would inject himself Franco turned glassy eyes his way and asked, in a slurred voice, "Lance, the meds are really good, I feel fine." Franco added a lopsided smile to the statement.

"I know Franco, but I still have to give you one more, all right … hold still this is going to sting like the last one." Lance hesitated …. His mind begged him not to do this, but it was the only real chance Franco had of surviving. He had seen that look in Fai's eyes before; the man did not care if Franco survived or not, as long as he could practice his pressure point techniques. Franco was looking at Lance with trusting eyes. He raised his hand to make the jab when there were four very loud pops. Lance put down his arm and….

Standing in the middle of the room were four elves. Lance recognized one of them from the Hog's Head, as being specially trained to control blood-magic. He would be willing to bet the other three were from the same family or from the same clan. They moved quickly. One walked over to him and took the hypo out of his hand, then proceeded to check on Franco. Lance smiled and nodded. They could do more for Franco than he could now with their elfin magic. The other three had packaged the guards into one of the corners of the room and rendered them unconscious. Khalid had started to rise and was saying something Lance could not understand. Lance walked over to Cole and released him. Cole looked at Khalid who had been forced back into the chair and said to Lance, "The man is speaking an Elf dialect … he knows these elves."

"Can you understand what they are saying," Lance asked still watching Khalid fighting being restrained in the chair.

"Not really, something about … learning …. Backwards …. Help ….. can fix… but the words make no sense." Cole and Lance both walked over to where Franco had been taken down from the wall and was lying flat on the floor. The elf had one hand on Franco's chest and the other was slowly traveling from the top of Franco's head downward on his body. A warm glow emanated from the hand. Franco looked at peace and was resting comfortably. Lance and Cole looked back at Khalid, who was not fighting so bad, as the elves held him in the chair. He was looking from one elf to another in rapid succession.

T-bell the head Elf, made sure his brother had the other end of the human room under control. His other two brothers had bound the four humans he knew as guards and put them to rest. Then he headed to Master Khalid, who had jumped out of his chair and was telling him in his own clan's dialect, to leave him alone. He was adding that he was fine and did not need their help anymore.

Forcing Master Khalid back in the chair, T-bell held him long enough until two of his brothers could join him. Cee-bell would have to stay with the sick human at the other end of the room. He recognized the human doctor and the other Human who was a problem at the building in the town of the humans.

When his brothers arrived to help him, T-bell put his hand on Master Khalid's forehead and thought, "Calm yourself Master Khalid … you are protected again …. Calm yourself … feed on our energy …" T-bell tapped the Master's forehead three times and then placed his other hand on the Master's chest, to calm his heart. It was easy with humans because they only had one heart.

Master Khalid was fighting the treatment. T-bell would have not stayed away so long but they needed to talk with Tocoferty (Son of Father Who Gives Life) Darik, a royal wise elf, who preferred to live among the humans and had studied them extensively. With the added instruction and a promise from Darik to visit on a regular basis, T-bell delved further into Master Khalid's mind.

Sending his one brother, Ra-bell and the other brother Sen-bell to stand behind Master Khalid, T-bell signaled for them to add their hands to the procedure. T-bell heard a rustle behind him. Looking around he saw the human named Fai walking toward them. The human had to go. T-bell concentrated on joining with Master Khalid and thought, " Master Khalid send Fai away … send him to look for marks on the hands of your people …. Send him now." Khalid looked at T-bell and then turned to Fai and said, "Fai, go and check every person on this island for the mark of the Dark One. … I will be fine. Do not return until you have checked, every man, woman and child for the mark."

Fai gave him a questioning look, but bowed and left the room. He had dealt with these elves before and always lost in any test. Khalid liked them and on this island if Khalid liked something, everyone liked it.

When Khalid looked back at T-bell, his eyes were clearer and he was growing scared. He could not remember the last twenty-four hours or more. The only reason the elves would be surrounding him now, was if he was having a treatment and he was not scheduled for a full mind-dive for another three or four days. Khalid looked around the room. He was in his guestroom, which he hardly ever ventured into anymore. At the other end of the room, was an elf and ….Khalid's heart missed a beat…. his grandnephew was standing over a man with another man at his side. His grand-nephew looked up and their eyes met ….. Lance's held pure hatred and shame. "What have I done … what have I done." he thought to himself.

As he watched the elf stood up, said something to Lance and they apparate out with the man on the floor. They had not gone far, because there was a block on the whole island, so they must have gone to the hospital. The man who had been standing beside Lance slowly started in Khalid's direction. He had the look of a predator on the prowl.

Khalid looked at T-bell who smiled and turned to meet Cole as he walked up. "Please Master Frank, let us help Master Khalid then all will be explained to you."

Cole nodded and T-Bell turned back to Master Khalid. His brothers had their hands on the back of Master Khalid's head so T-bell placed the fingers of his hands on both of Master Khalid's temples. Khalid closed his eyes and his body visibly relaxed. After about two minutes, the brothers removed their hands and T-bell placed his on Master Khalid's chest, pressed once and then removed them.

Khalid opened his eyes, bowing his head. He had done something wrong and now he needed to find out how far he had backtracked in his treatments. "T-bell, How bad? Is this the man?"

T-bell said, "Master Khalid, you have been without our assistance for over twenty-four hours. You ordered us to attend to the humans in the building in their town, but it took longer than you expected. I have returned and bought three of my brothers so we can help you." T-bell looked at Cole and nodded, "Yes, Master Khalid this is the man you told us to find. He is part of your good self … we trust in his knowledge and abilities." T-bell bowed to Khalid and then walked around to the back of his chair and joined his brothers. T-bell looked at Cole, while his brothers watched Khalid for any movement.

Khalid closed his eyes for a moment and relaxed into the chair, then opened them and looked at Cole. He could not talk to the man here. One of the reasons he very rarely came near this room was because it had been used over the years when he had relapsed to cause pain to others. "T-bell, is there any place in this house that I don't have a constant reminder of my failure? I must talk with him and I rather it be where I am reminded of happier times. A time when I wasn't the disgrace I have become."

T-bell walked around to the front of the chair and bowed. "Your tent has been made ready, Master Khalid. We knew it would be where you could relax and find your trail again.

Khalid smiled and stood up slowly. The two elves behind him were ready to catch him or just steady him if needed.

Cole had been watching the process. When the elf had suggested they take Franco to the local island hospital, Lance immediately said yes. He had been worried about Franco' heart. Cole had told him what the counter agent was for the serum he had been injected with. After they apparate out, Cole had one thing on his mind, get to Khalid and take him out, however when he had headed that way he saw the three remaining elves performing some type of therapy on the man. When the one elf he recognized as being a powerful blocker was there he calmed down and walked up to the group slower. Khalid now looked relaxed and in control. The madness had gone out of his features.

Khalid looked at Cole and then down at T-bell who smiled and nodded. Looking back at Cole he said, "You have no reason to trust me Cole … it is perfectly understandable … but I ask for a little of your time." Khalid made a motion to T-bell and Cole was handed his wand. "You may leave at any time but I ask you to stay for to receive an explanation for my behavior. Your money is in the bank and the fees of all the men you choose has already been added to a special account, which will pay them automatically as long as you do not stop the payments. I have also signed over the island to the west to you. There are complete training facilities and very nice living quarters. It is yours whether you continue or not. After our talk you will have a choice on whether to continue in the job I offered, or leave."

Cole looked at the elves, who were still keyed into Khalid's every movement, and nodded. This whole thing had become too interesting to turn down. "It is still understood, I am a free agent, who had taken a job but is not employed by you?"

Khalid smiled, "Yes that is true. Now if you will follow me we will go to the one place which holds happy memories for me … the one place I use to heal."

Cole followed Khalid down the hall to a spiral staircase at its end. They walked down the stairs and emerged is a beautifully laid out garden area. A small path meandered through the garden, which had flowers growing very close to the pebbled path. When they walked through a hedge, Cole could not help but gasp.

The whole area was about 50 foot square and surrounded by a high hedge. Off to one side was a small garden containing date trees, several varieties of berry bushes, and vegetables with ripe fruit. In a back corner was a fountain, which seemed to flow out of the top of the four foot high piled rocks and cascaded into a clear pool of water. The grass was a velvet cushion, which added lightness to every step.

When Khalid smiled in his direction, he returned the smile, as he was led to a tent set just off center to the right. From his travels Cole knew the tent was called a buryuut hqiar , literally meaning "house of hair" because the nomads normally built them out of goat's hair). Most of the tents were black in color, but Khalid had opted to have color added to the outside. Cole figured he had used the colorful curtains, normally hung on the inside as outside walls. The whole structure measure about 20 feet by 20 feet and looked light as a feather.

Entering the tent, Cole discovered Khalid had kept the outside measurements. So many wizards had homes and other living areas where the outside was smaller than the inside. There were fantastic rugs covering laid out over every inch of the floor and pillows and cushions piled everywhere. The small table next to the back wall contained, several putter plates and crystal stemmed glasses.

Khalid motioned to a comfortable looking pile of pillows, for Cole to relax on then sat down cross-legged near another pile close to the first. One of the brothers went to the table and filled two of the glasses with a very dark wine and one of the plates with a variety of food items also generously displayed on the table. The brother brought them to Cole and Khalid bowed, and Khalid nodded and said, "Thank you." Then he offered Cole anything he desired from the plate. Cole chose a couple of the figs. Khalid put the plate down on the rug, within easy reach, took a sip of his wine and relaxed back on the pillow.

Khalid looked into his wine glass and sat back up. Keeping his legs crossed he rested his elbows on his knees and swished the wine for about 10 seconds then he looked at Cole. "I do not know how much of my personal history you have found, but I do know you are known for your research, so most should not be a surprise.


Cole had put himself in much the same sitting position as Khalid. He nodded and answered the dark wizard's unasked question. "I did do my homework before I came to work for you the first time. At the age of eleven or twelve, your history ends on any records I was able stop find, until you were around twenty-five. From that point to the present there were only bits and pieces found, none of them which would have allowed you to lose the designation of dark wizard."
Khalid listened and occasionally nodded. "My first kill was by pure accident but it was far from my last. I killed mine and Arianna's mother when I was twelve and ran. No one at the time knew about my blood-magic or if they did had not told me I had the ability."


Khalid took a sip of his wine and not looking at some spot on the side drape he continued. "I do not remember much of what happened that first year I was on my own. I remember being scared and hungry most of the time. Somehow, I ended up in Egypt's darker side of the Wizardry world. There I found people who said they liked me and would be willing to train my magic and show me how to survive in the world. At the time, I thought that was the only type of world in which I could exist. After a few months, my life before then had become a far away dream." Khalid turned his eyes back to Cole and in a tight voice said, sounding like the child he once was, "I did not know …. I did not know I could have just returned home."

T-bell walked up to Khalid's side and put two fingers on his temple. Closing his eyes he mumbled soothing, Cole could not understand. Khalid slowly turned his head toward the elf looked into his eyes and nodded. T-bell returned the nod and took his hand away but did not move from Khalid's' side.


Khalid started again in a much calmer voice. "I was taught the strong took what they wanted from the weak … so I became strong. Not just physically but with wealth and all the prestige, it would buy. I became an assassin."


"With the money I gained from that, I bought companies and people who would work for me, no questions asked. I saw a girl I wanted once, but at the time she was engaged to another man." Khalid's eyes traveled into the distance again. "I was not deterred. I went to her father and told him I was going to buy his family business and totally dismantle it. After a couple of hours of letting him try to prove to me the company would be worth saving, he stopped, sat in his chair and asked me what would make me save the company…. I told him his daughter as my wife. To this day, I remember the look of horror on his face. I gave him twenty-four hours to think about it." Khalid gulped the rest of his wine and finished with, "She showed up at my door eighteen hours later with her suitcase in her hand." Khalid stopped as he remembered all the women that had come to him like that. Saying a little aloud, “Did any of them really love him or did they stay out of fear?”

Khalid reached for the letter from the only one that had left. He had never opened it and still wondered why she left. “Maybe one day, I will find her again and ask why she ran away.” Her leaving had broken his heart, as she was the only one he still loved. He had a picture of her in this tent. He had hid it as Esmeralda was determined to destroy it.
His lover Esmeralda Russo was the only one that he had grown to hate, as the woman only wanted power. He had two children by her and both had turned out just like her, his daughter Dalphe and his youngest son Jackson.


Putting the letter down as he turned back to Cole, “I am getting off track. I have had many women in my life but only one have I ever loved. A month after our wedding she left that letter and I guess never looked back. You might think that woman was David's mother, she was not. Don't get me wrong, I cared deeply for Shadow's mother but it was not as soul-bounded as what I felt for Lillie. I have not given my name to another woman since.”


After what seemed like an eternity, Khalid came to what Cole had witnessed as he said, “How to explain what I am facing? I swore that I would never again reach the state you witnessed. I guess I deserve this but not when my family is in danger. There are those that would see those I truly love made a distant memory.” Khalid shook his head as it was coming out all wrong. He had hired Fixer to insure that his family was place on the right path. Khalid wanted to tell them himself but to do so would break his vow. Smiling as he realized that he planned to still break that vow but not yet. Khalid needed to know that he would be insuring the Dark One's downfall as well.

Looking at Cole, the Dark Medjai said, “Maybe if you asked your questions, I could become more focused? What do you need to know Cole to make your decision?”