All Hallow's Eve. 6

With Sky on his back between Ranjer and Mera, Quynn headed back home. They had found five out of six ingredients and their only hope to find the last one, was at home. Someone there had to know what a Skype was. Between Cutter's library and Jandar's, their had to be a clue there somewhere.
As they flew over New Keanna, they saw the city was all decorated for the holiday. All the kids were dressed up to celebrate. There were Jack-O-Lanterns and scarecrows and all the usual decorations set up. But they didn't have time for that. They had to get to the library and figure out what that last ingredient was.
As they landed and made they way to the Manor with Sky leaning against Quynn. Their friends hurried out to greet them. As they reached the garden, Shayn and Ono stepped out of the manor.
"How did you do?" Shayn asked. "Did you get everything?"
"All but one." Ranjer said. Mera held out her bag to show him what they had collected.
Shayn took it and looked through it checking its contents.
"What about the last one?" He asked them.
"Who is your friend Quynn?" Ono asked. "Is he alright?"

"This is Sky Petrus." Quynn introduced them. "He's a Snow Phoenix from Pollex. There's a long story which we'll tell you later, Right now we have to find a Skype."
"A Skype?" Sky looked at Quynn with bright eyes. "Quynn, there's something I should tell you."

"What is it?" Quynn asked worried. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." He said with a smile." I just wanted to tell you my nick name is Skype. Sky PEtrus. Everyone calls me Skype."
Ranjer, Mera and Quynn looked at him in shock. Sky was actually two of the ingredients they needed. They had everything they needed to bring Master Jeikor's soul back to his body.
"And more." Said a voice from behind them. They all turned to see Master Jeikor coming out of the garden to greet them.
"MASTER JEIKOR!!"
"Surprise!!" He smiled.
"You mean all this was for nothing?" Ranjer said confused.
"No." Shayn said "I think you learned a lot didn't you Ranjer? Professor Insa told us how you used lessons you learned in almost every quest you went on. In Maron's Hollow you used what you learned in cryptozoology to defeat the Hobgoblins,"
"And in Aquilona." Master Jeikor said. "You remembered that Arrowroot would make you invisible and saved Durlan Dylani from the Scaqi. Had you not been there, Aquilona and the Scaqi might have gone to war. I can't tell you how proud we are of you three."
"That's right." Ono congratulated them. "This proves you're ready to graduate and you were paying  attention in class. All of you. You are now fully tested and you pass every course. Congratulations and Happy Halloween!"

"And I think I found the best gift of all." Quynn said as he put his arms around Sky. " I found my future, my destiny."

                                     The End.

The Dragon and the Phoenix. 5

Alone in his cell, Sky Petrus sat and looked out at the starry night. He wished he was out there in the night sky dancing beneath the stars or home in Pollex with his family teaching the young ones the ways of the mountains. Anywhere but here in this cell being held by Janx Develos, the Witch hunter that had killed his entire tribe.
It had all started a long ago when one night when Wynter Ceria, one of his tribes hunters, didn't come home. He had been out with a small hunting party and some how had gotten separated chasing a caribou through a mountain pass. The rest of the hunters had gotten worried when he didn't answer anyone's call and the search couldn't find anything. Not a scent or a mental trail of where he had gone.
Returning home, he was reported missing and for three days search parties went out to search for Wynter with no success until two searchers disappeared. In their Tower of Enchantment, the mystics probed the mountains and valleys for a week before they came across a presence they were unfamiliar with. Master Aster claimed it could only be Wynter or one of the other two missing searchers and they must be in some distress but Master Cynus disagreed.
"I have known Wynter a long time." He argued. "And I know his mind when I touch it. The mind I felt out in the mountains is dark and sinister, that is not Wynter Ceria."
"Then who is it?" Aster asked. He he walked around the table his dark feathered robe pushed back over his shoulder to confront the elder Cynus Silas. "There's no one else out in those mountains but the lost three. I've personally checked every cave and trail and found nothing. If you feel something, it can only be that fool Wynter."
"Have a care Aster Telor." Cynus looked up with glowing eyes. "Wynter is no fool. He is one of our senior hunters and a trusted friend. He deserves respect."
"As does Master Cynus." Asam Arryn of Casthor in the east said as he slammed his fist down on the table. "You forget your place here in the Phoenix council of Sun and Snow. You will show respect to your elders whether they be members of this council or not."
Aster looked around the table at the five mystics assembled there and knew he had spoken out of place. He longed for leadership here but it wasn't his time. But soon that could change if plans he had set in motion went his way.
"My apologies." He said as he bowed to the table. His dark eyes never left Cynus or Asam as he watched to see if they had any suspicions in him. "I meant no disrespect to you or Master Wynter. These are just such strange events and I've been so busy with the search my mind is on edge."
"Then you should rest." Jonik Jon, another member from Casthor said from across the table. "You have been working to hard. All those trips into the mountains, one would think you might have found something."
"If I had." Aster said from the door. "You would know."
Then he turned and with a flourish of his robe he was as gone. Jonik stood and walked around to stand by Cynus and Master Chace of Pollex and watched Aster hurry down the hall.
"There's something about him." He said. "I get the feeling he's up to something. Are you sure he had nothing to do with the disappearances?"
"No." Cynus shooked his head. "He is not my first choice for membership in this council, but he has proven he had the power to be here."
"But does he have the wisdom?" Chace asked. He stood and went to look out at the snowstorm raging outside. "He has proven his power and ambition, but I see very little compassion in him. It scares me."
"He has powerful backing." Cynus reminded them. "King Raine himself stood behind him and requested his admission."
"I understand that." Asam said. "But I still have my doubts and my questions. But he is from your city, that makes him your responsibility. I hope he doesn't let you all down."
"So do I" Cynus said as they all got up to leave.
"Asam" Cynus stopped him. "I would like a moment of your time."
Asam told the other to go on without him. He wrapped his gold and red cloak about him and walked with Cynus to his private office. They went in and he shut the door and cast a spell of privacy over the room.
"Asam." Cynus sat down behind his desk. "I think your right. There's something dark going on here and I think Aster is behind it."
"What are you thinking?" Asam asked. "A coup? Is he trying to take control of the council?"
"Maybe." He said. "I'm not sure. One of my apprentices came to me a told me about a dream he had. He said a dark man would come and with help of a Snow Phoenix with dark feather, they would destroy Pollex."
"And you believe him?" Asam pushed his hood down so his bright red hair would flowed down his back. "Has the boy been tested yet?"
"No." Cynus said. "But I know this boy and I trust him."
"But you can't arrest the kings adviser without proof he's done something." Asam frowned. "I see your dilemma. What do you need from me?"
Cynus sat back a thought for a second. There really wasn't enough information for him to do anything yet.
"Just advise." He said. "And maybe to see if you had sensed anything amiss in our city."
"I feel tension." He said with his eyes closed. "There is something on the horizon for Pollex and it doesn't feel good. I advise you to keep your eyes on Aster and to find out where he is going out in the mountains. Jonik is right, there is something out there and Aster knows what it is."
"Thank you my friend." They stood and shook hands." I will take your advice."
As the door opened, Cynus's spell of privacy dropped he ushered Asam out to the towers exit where he shifted to his blazing Phoenix form and took off for Casthor.
Returning to his office, Cynus took off his blue and white long coat and hung it on a hook behind his desk, the walked to the great picture window and stared out at the storm. He had a lot on his mind with the missing Phoenix's out there in the mountains. He knew the storm couldn't hurt them but he was worried about what it was that was holding them. Something had to have them or they would just fly home. And what was Aster up to? And then there was his apprentice Sky Petrus and his dreams. What did they mean?
He was late and Sky flew at top speed between the high towers of Pollex. He had been tutoring one of the sons of King Raine and lost track of time. He was supposed to be back at the Tower twenty minutes earlier for a test with Master Aster, and he was not very tolerant of tardiness. That meant Sky should expect some form of punishment. And knowing Aster, that would probably mean pain. That was one of the reasons Sky hated having to take classes or any lessons with Aster. One reason, the other was because he was afraid of Aster Telor.
Master Aster was not like the other six Snow Phoenix mystic masters. He was not a gentle or tolerant man. At least not to Sky he wasn't. He was man of two faces. The one he showed the king and his elders was a mask of obedience and confidence. The face Sky and the lesser apprentices saw was cruel and vindictive. he taught with a hard hand and punished failure swiftly. Sky knew of a few who had worked tirelessly to please Aster and failed and had their powers and abilities bound because of Aster's jealously. But that isn't really why Sky was afraid of him.
Two nights ago while Sky was in a deep sleep, he started dreaming he was running through the streets of Pollex being chased by someone. At first he couldn't see who it was that was chasing him. He ran from his parents house through the streets. He tried to shift and get airborne but for some reason, he couldn't. It felt like there was someone in his head blocking his ability to change forms. He couldn't get his natural Phoenix form or his polar bear form so he kept running trying to get to Master Cynus and the safety of his tower.
From his house he ran through the market place and into the park. Once in the park, he ran into a dark man that reached out and tried to grab him. Sky ducked under his arms and made it out of the park only to find Aster standing at the entrance to Cynus's tower. As Sky approached the tower, Aster grabbed him and held him until the dark man came and bound his hands and feet in chains and they dragged him to the palace. The next thing Sky knew, the royal palace of Pollex was in flames and he could hear people screaming as the rest of the city burned and Aster was standing there watching while the dark man laughed.
Sky woke that morning and screamed as he felt a burning feeling in his arm. As he sat up in bed he looked at his arm and found a huge burn there. For the rest of the night he didn't sleep. He sat up in bed and stared into the night, The next morning, he went to the tower and told Cynus all about his dream. Master Cynus listened while he told him about the dream with interrupting or asking any questions until Sky was done.
"Are you sure it was Master Aster in the dream?" He asked.
"Yes Master." He answered. "I'm sure. I saw his face and his blue, black and white robes."
"And you didn't recognize the dark man?"
"No, I've never seen him before." He said. "But I was know him if I see him again."
"Maybe it was just a nightmare." Cynus said trying to sooth his mind. "It could just be your worry's about passing your test with Aster."
"I don't think so." Sky said. "This isn't the first time I've had dreams like this. Three times before I've had dreams and in a few weeks, they came true. I dreamed of you two weeks before you found me and took me as your apprentice. Do you remember last year when I came to you and told you that his majesty had had an accident? I saw it in a dream. And there was one more dream, it was about a dragon."
"A Dragon?" Cynus looked at him confused. "There hasn't been a Dragon visit he in a long time."
"Not yet." Sky said. "He's coming for me. My dreams are real master. Master Aster is going to betray us and Pollex will burn."

In a grim mood, Aster Telor made his way through Cynus's Tower of Enchantment pushing anyone that got in his way aside. He went from the meeting room to one of the masters private balconies and spread his robe open and made the shift to his Phoenix form. In feathers of blue, black and white he launched himself out towards his own small tower and sailed off. From high above Pollex he looked down on the city with anger. His will had been thwarted again. Cynus and the rest of those old bastards had smacked him down again and put him in his place as the lowest member of the council. He had even had to apologize for a comment about that old fool Wynter. It erked him that they took so much pleasure in reminding him that they were all his seniors. Well no more he swore. That was the last time he would ever bow to any of them. He was tired of bowing to them and that idiot King Raine and his useless family. Tonight he would step out and take what he wanted.
As he dropped down onto his towers top balcony, Aster shifted back to his Human form. Aster Teler was a tall man at six foot two inches. He had black hair and a trim mustache and goatee with dark brooding eyes and a long straight nose. He wore a robe of blue then black then white feathers that was long almost to the floor. Beneath that, a deep blue tunic and pants of linen.
From his roof entrance, Aster took the stairs down and into his office and grabbed a chair and threw it against the wall and screamed out his rage then swept everything off his desk.
"Something on your mind?"
Aster spun quickly with a spell ready to blast the intruder to find Janx Develos leaning against the wall by the door. He lifted his hand to let the spell fade and picked up his chair.
"Tonight it ends." He said as he sat down. "Gather your hunters. Tonight they all pay and I take want should be mine."
"Then you agree to my terms?" Janx said. "You get what you want, and I get what I want."
"Yes." He said. "Just make me king here and you can have anything you want."
"Then it starts at midnight." Janx turned his dark coat whipped around and smoke erupted all around him. "Be prepared."
He disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

As the Spider and the Dragon plunger to the ground Sky tossed and turned in his bed. He could tell the Dragon was no longer conscious. Then with a loud crash, they hit the ground and Sky leaped up from his dream with a scream.
"NOOOOOOOO!!!!"
He wiped the sweat from his face and leaned forward with his head in his hands. He was worried about the Dragon after that fall. Was he alright? His heart beat like a drum when he thought of the handsome boy the Dragon was. Sky prayed to Rimnar, Saila and Atol the god of love that he was. Then something caught his attention, it was a smell. He jumped to his feet and run to the window when he realized that the smell was smoke. Something was burning. As he looked out the window he saw smoke rising from the palace, and Cynus and Denil's tower. In fact all the towers except Aster Telor's was burning.
Grabbing his fur cloak, Sky ran from his room and ran down the hall to the stairs and headed for Master Cynus's quarters. He had to try and save him from the fire. His quarters were two flights up from Sky's and he took the stairs two at a times until he reached his floor and pushed open the hallway door. Smoke bellowed out as Sky opened the door. With a wave of his hand, he forced the smoke back and ran in. As Sky ran down the hall, shadowy dark figures darted around from room to room. When he reached Master Cynus's room, one of the shadows grabbed at Sky. He leaped up and kicked out and felt his foot connect with something as he knocked it back out of his way. Landing back on his feet, he cast out with his cold energy and sent a frigid blast of ice at the intruder then turned as another came in from behind him. He ducked under a swing and grabbed the intruder and tossed him back out of a window.
With the way clear, Sky dashed into Cynus's quarters and hurried in to look for his master.
"Master!" He called. "Master Cynus, where are you?"
"Here." Came a weak answer from the side of his desk. Sky hurried over and found Master Cynus laying there bleeding from a dozen stab wounds to his chest and body. Sky picked him up and started to try and take him out of the tower.
"No." Master Cynus said. "I'm to weak to shift. I can't fight or fly anymore. Leave me here to die in my home."
"No Master." Sky cried. "Please let me save you."
"Go Sky." He said. "Get out of Pollex. Go find your Dragon, I will rise again in time and see you again. You were right, Aster betrayed us. Go before he finds you. Help your Dragon to avenge us."
"I will Master." Sky hugged him then laid his body down and went to the window and looked back.
[Go my son.] Cynus sent weakly. [Go and stop him and the dark man from getting to Casthor.]
Sky leaped from the window and shifted to his Phoenix form and took off high into the sky.
As he flew he saw that all of Pollex was a blaze. His next thought was of his parents. He had to go and help them get away.
Diving down, he soared through the towers and to the area where his parents lived. Beneath him he could see the shadowy figures all over the city setting fires and attacking and slaughtering his people of Pollex. There were hundreds of them. Somehow, Aster had let them into the city during the night and just like in his dreams, they had set the city on fire.
With his parents house in sight, Sky dropped down to land and shifted as he ran around the side of the small house. As he approached the front door, he didn't notice the smoke seeped from under the door or the cracks in the windows. He reached for the door and started to turn the knob then something in his head started screamng and he erected a force bubble around himself just as the house exploded.
Like a leaf in the wind he was thrown back to land 30 feet away. As he shook his head and sat up he looked out to see the houses all around had been demolished by the blast. Then he realized what that meant. His parents were dead, and since they had died in the explosion, they wouldn't be coming back. Sky got up on his knees and looked around to see the dark things rushing forward at him. He was so angry he screamed out his rage and sent a pulse of icy energy out freezing the attackers.
"Very powerful." Said a voice out of nowhere. "But not powerful enough!"
Janx Delelos appeared from a burst of smoke and started walking towards Sky. Sky jumped to his feet and hurled a blast of ice at the Witch Hunter. Janx waved it off and laughed at him. Janx Develos was a tall man with eyes that were black as coal with no white at all. He was completely bald, pale and hairless and dressed totally in black from his black coat, shirt and pants to the strange shadowy cloak he was wearing.
"Who are you?" Sky asked as he backed away.
"My name is Janx Develos." He said looking perverted and evil. "And I am your new master and owner. Your body and your soul are now mine to do whatever I want with. And I promised you, we are going to get to know each others body very well."
Sky was horrified at the idea of this man touching him. He turned and ran off into the burning city trying to get away from him. Behind him he could hear him laughing.
"Run if you want. You can not escape me!!"
From the ruins of his parents house, Sky ran through the city. He tried many times to shift and fly away but for some reason, he couldn't take either of his mystical forms. At the marketplace he ran into another group of the shadow things and was able to fight them off and run back towards Master Cynus's tower. There, he ran into Aster Telor who with a back hand smack, knocked him back and to the ground. As he scrambled to get up, Janx appeared behind him and grabbed him and sent a burst of some strange energy into him and knocked him out.
"You have done your part." Janx said as he hoisted Sky over his shoulder. "Now you get your reward."
Aster smiled thinking that meant they would be on to Casthor where they would take thst city and he would become its king. Instead, Janx blasted Aster and he screamed as he burned without leaving any dust, ash or even smoke.

As the Polidor Mountains came into view, Quynn, Ranjer and Mera looked out and noticed smoke rising from the north end of the range. At that moment, Quynn knew that was where they were supposed to go. That had to be Pollex burning.
"Look at that!" Mera pointed north. "Something is burning out there."
[Yeah.] Quynn sent back. [That's Pollex. That's where we are heading.]
"How do you know?" She asked. "That could be just some forest fire out of control."
"No." Ranjer told her. "I think he's right. That's Pollex burning out there. There's something you didn't tell you. Quynn has been having these dreams about a boy in Pollex. He dreamed the city was burning and we, Quynn at least he's supposed to go help the boy."
"Since when are you having precog dreams?" She asked. "I thought that was my part.?"
[I don't think I'm having the dreams.] Quynn told her. [I think he's sending them to me.]
"Why you?" She asked.
[Because he's special to me.]  Quynn said shyly. She could feel there was more but he didn't want to say it yet. [It feels like he's a part of me.]
"Like a brother?"
[Like you and me.] Ranjer squeezed her hand. [Let's just help him save him and don't ask questions for now. He'll tell us when the time is right.]
"Ok." She said. "We'll do anything you want. Do you know where to find him?"
[He's not in Pollex anymore.] Quynn sent. [He's been taken somewhere else.]
"Can you find him?" Ranjer asked.
[I'll try.] He said. [But I can't do it while I'm flying. I'm going to set down there on that slope and try looking for him.]
Quynn spiraled down and landed on a snowfield and let Ranjer and Mera climb down off his back then shifted back to his Human form.
"I'm not really sure how I should do this." Quynn said. "This is new to me."
"If he's been sending dreams to you." Mera said. "Then there's a connection between you too. Think about him and how you feel about him. Get a clear picture of him in your mind then call out to him. If there's a connection, he'll answer. Close your eyes and try it."
Quynn closed his eyes and thought about the boy. He remembered his handsome face and the magnificent Phoenix that he had shifted to. He felt him in his heart. At that moment he felt love for the boy then suddenly he felt pain and he knew the boys name was Sky. He called out to him.
[Sky! Its me Quynn. Where are you?]
[Quynn? My Dragon?]
[Yes.] Quynn answered. [Where are you? I'm here near Pollex. Show me where you are.]
[I'm here.] He sent. and Quynn saw a picture of a small dark castle in his mind. Quynn could feel Sky and knew where the castle was and how to get to it.
[Hold on.] Quynn sent. [I'm coming to get you.]
[Hurry Quynn. Please hurry, he's going to do things to me.]
As he said that, Quynn felt in his mind exactly what he meant and was horrified. He opened his eyes and shifted back to Dragon form.
[Get on.] He told Ranjer and Mera. [I know where he is.]
Without another word, Ranjer and Mera climbed on and held on tightly as Quynn started to run and took off.

Develos Castle was not that far from Pollex. He had been watching the city for years and lusting after some of the handsome young boys he had seen there. For years he had snatched one or two of the young ones or hunters if he found them alone out in the snow. He had gotten tired of hunters and stragglers and wanted something better. Then he saw Sky and decided it was time he took a Snow Phoenix to keep and use whenever he wanted. Janx had probed Pollex and found Aster and read his jealously and his thirst to rule and knew he could use him to get the boy he wanted. Now he had him and he had plans to use the boy then move on to Casthor where there was another supply of handsome young Phoenix boys.
After he had returned to his castle, Janx locked Sky away went to his study to rest and set up his torture instruments for a busy night. He didn't plan to kill Sky just yet. He wanted him to last as long as he could, weeks or months depending on how strong the boy was.
After getting so rest and doing all the preparations on his torture room. Janx had Sky brought down and chained up to the wall.
"Are you ready to begin?" He asked as he went through his assortments of whips and picked out the one he wanted. Sky fought against the chains and tried to get loose.
"Relax." Janx smiled licking his lips. "You might like this."
"Nooooooooooooo!!!"
Janx walked behind Sky and ripped the shirt from his back. "Your skin is so beautiful, so white and lovely."
He struck out with the whip across his back. Sky screamed, he hit him again and again as the member in Janx's pants started to swell. Sky screamed sending his pain out to Quynn. Janx laughed hysterically as he beat the boy. Then he put down the whip and stepped to Sky and ripped off his pants and stared at his naked body.
Just then he heard a great roar as Quynn came tearing through the wall. Janx dived back and held out his hands and sent a bolt of power at Quynn. Quynn folded his wing in front of him and deflected the bolt off to crash into a wall. Janx ran over and dived out the window,
[Get Sky out of here.] Quynn sent as he followed the dark man. [Leave him to me.]
"No Quynn." Ranjer shouted. "I can help you in this fight."
[No.] He sent, [This is my fight. I have to fight for Sky. I think I'm in love with him and I saw in the dark man's mind what he wanted to do to him. His mind was disgusting and he has to be stopped. Keep him safe until I get back.]
With that said, Quynn dived through the hole in the wall and flew out into the night.

As Quynn sailed out through the hole, he scanned the sky for his enemy. A flash of darkness gave away Janx's position, He was there high over Quynn flying with bat like wings spreading out from his back. Janx dived down and shot a bolt of power to him, Quynn ducked and spun around and lashed out with his tail to strike at the dark man and almost knocked him from the sky. Janx formed a series of power balls and launched them at Quynn. Like arrows they streaked down at him, he used his wings to bat each one away from him then roared and blasted Janx with his flame. Janx did a flip in the air to avoid the flames then pulled a sword and dived at Quynn. As he swing down at Quynn, he hit him in the back and Quynn fell. Janx laughed in triumph as he watched Quynn fall, he thought it was over and he had won but Quynn was only dazed. He spread his wings and caught an up draft then turned and launched himself back at the dark man.
Seeing the Dragon coming back to continue fighting, Janx spread his arms and summoned his power at he thought would finish off the Dragon. With his energy building he waited until Quynn was close enough then launched his bolt at Quynn's chest.
Everything that had happened to Sky flowed through Quynn's mind. The death of Master Cynus, the explosion and the death of his parents, the pain of the beating and the destruction of Pollex and all its people. All this filled Quynn's mind and triggered the power he had inherited from his fathers. Rage's strength and will and Jandar's power as a master mage. His eyes started to glow and it spread all over and through his body. Quynn let out a ear piercing roar as a bolt of power shot out from him to meet the dark mans bolt. As it met the bolt, it pushed it aside and flew straight at the dark man. When it hit him he screamed and exploded in a burst of dark energy then he fall and crashed into his castle and it crumbled around him and sank into the ground.
Exhausted, Quynn flew down and found Ranjer and Mera cradling Sky surrounded by the bodies of about 20 of Janx's dark creatures. Ranjer and Mera had been fighting them while Quynn fought their master. Landing, Quynn ran over and dropped down and pulled Sky away from Ranjer and held him close. As he gazed down at the boy with his white hair in his face, Quynn bent down and kissed his lips. Sky's eyes fluttered open and he looked up at Quynn and smiled weakly.
"I knew you would come." He said with a tear in his eye, "I knew you would save me. I saw you in my dreams."
"You are my dreams." Quynn said as he smiled at him. "And my future."

The Web. 4

It was late by the time they left the academy and they were all tired. Silvermoon was on the west side of Taggitia, a pretty long flight. Quynn told them he could do it but Mera insisted they stop and rest for the night.
"I don't think we should try looked for the web at night." She said. "Remember what Elan said about those spider things. We should wait until the morning. I'd feel much safer then."
Ranjer whats to argue since both him and Quynn had perfectly good might vision. But he knew she was right and Quynn was exhausted. So they found a nice warm island with no inhabitant and they all went to sleep.

The winds were cold as Quynn sailed through the skies. It was a cloudy day and it was raining litely. Beneath him, all he saw was snow. It went on as far as he could see. He did a roll and zipped up into the clouds feeling free. As he rolled and flipped through the cold air, he heard a noise and looked to his left. To his surprise, there in the sky riding not to far away he saw a beautiful white bird glowing in the sunlight. Quynn knew the moment he saw it what it was. It was a Snow Phoenix. He had never seen anything so beautiful in his life, he couldn't look away as it danced through the clouds. At first he thought it was small like a dove of hawk. Then as he flew nearer, he realized it was almost as big as he was with at least a fifteen foot wingspan and long tail that trailed behind it leaving a frost trail. Its entire body was snow white with sparkling plumage and what looked like a crystal crest on its head also left a trail as it flew. Its head was like that of an eagle, looking regal and proud. As Quynn watched, it turned and looked at him and he saw something in its eyes flash and it turned and flew straight at him. As it approached, he was completely mesmerized. He wasn't scared, he felt no fear, but he did feel something deep in his heart.
Angling his wings, Quynn let it fly up beside him. That's when he heard it call out to his mind.
[Help me!]

The next morning Ranjer hunted a deer and had his fill of its blood then let it go knowing it would recover from the blood lost. Quynn and Mera found some fruit and vegetables to make a nice breakfast. Once they were done, Quynn shifted to Dragon and they were off heading west to Silvermoon and the next ingredient. All the way there, all he could think of was the dream and that handsome bird. Who was he and why did he need Quynn's help? Or was it all just a dream?

High above Keanna in the golden city of Fortis, home of the gods, Tyree the god of the wild and the forest and jungles sat brooding on his throne of stone. He was very angry because some how during the war with Darkshade and the Dragon's, his special place, Silvermoon had been forgotten. What was once a paradise of freedom for the Satyrs, Fauns, and Nymphs was now a horror of spiders, cobwebs and darkness and some of it was his own fault. It had been him who cursed the Dark Elves into the spider form and let them loose on his oasis of nature. He had thought the Dragons and their allies would come to clean out the spiders, and they did. Another of his faithful subjects, Braddoc of Durmista and his clan had come and fought the spiders, but they didn't get them all. They missed two spiders, Pers the spider king and a single queen egg. From these two spiders, hundreds had been born, Enough to over run his oasis and turn it into a place of death and despair. But that was years ago and today a Dragon was heading to Silvermoon and with a little of Tyree's help and some magic, things could all be put right.
As Quynn, Ranjer and Mera headed west, Quynn looked out to see dark clouds covering the entire horizon over Silvermoon. The clouds looked dark, ominous and unnatural. They all could feel something wasn't right here.
"I don't like this." Mera said as she held on to Ranjer and lightning flashed around them. "There's something dark and deadly down there."
"I feel it." Ranjer took her hand into his and held her tightly. "Silvermoon is cursed."
As Ranjer's words faded from their ears there was a great flash of lightning and everything went dark. Seconds later they woke like in a dream. No longer were they riding through the skies on Quynn's back, now they were standing in a grassy field with beautiful summer flowers and butterflies wolves running about. Quynn looked around confused as to where they where and Ranjer and Mera just stood there staring.
"Where are we?" Quynn asked Ranjer.
"Dead?" Ranjer looked at him scared.
"No," Mera said. "We're not dead. Not yet."
"NO." A voice boomed. "YOU ARE NOT DEAD. YOU'RE IN MY GARDEN."
"Who are you?" Quynn asked. "Where are you?"
"I'm here." The voice said. "Just turn around."
As they turned, they found a tall handsome man with dark brown hair and wild blue eyes dressed in a long white toga sitting on a small bench staring at them. He waved them over as another bench appeared.
"Please, sit down." He said. "I need your help."
"Who are you?" Quynn asked again.
"My name is Tyree." He said. "God of the wild. My brothers said I could trust you to help me."
Ranjer, Quynn and Mera bowed before the god of the wild impressed by his gentle statue and his innocence. Tyree heard what they were thinking and made a sad face.
"Innocence." He said. "No, I'm not innocent. We gods make mistakes to and we regret them just like mortals do. That's why I need your help."
"How can we help you?" Quynn asked.
"Not long ago during the last war." He explained. "Queen Talsara sent her Dark elves into Silvermoon to take possession of my land. I care for all jungles and forest, lakes and wildlife, but Silvermoon is special to me.  I love the Satyrs and Fauns that live there and treat them like my own children. Talsara's Elves stole my scepter and used her dark magic to turn my children to statues, then smashed them, I became enraged and without thinking, turned them all to spider things. I had hoped the Dragons would come and destroy my mistake, and one of their allies did come and try. But he missed two and from that, hundreds have been born to turn Silvermoon into feeding ground for the Spiders. I want you to fix that mistake."
"How?" Ranjer asked. "We can't possibly defeat that many spiders, If there are as many as you say, we would need all the Dragons and then some. How can we beat them all?"
"By killing the two that got away." Tyree said. "I will send you back to before Silvermoon was over run and all you have to do is defeat two spiders. A male and a female and you will stop Silvermoon from dying. Will you help me?"
"This is what Silvermoon use to like look?" Mera asked as she gazed around at all the flowers and animals in the field."
"Yes." Tyree nodded."Though much better. All you see here is this field. There are glades and ponds, forests and meadows here with an abundance of life, but I need you to help me save it. This is how it looks now."
Tyree showed them images of dead fields with skeleton like trees where nothing lived but the spiders. There was webbing everywhere high and low connecting trees and anything tall. Cocoons with spider victim hung from the trees and desiccated animal bodies hung trapped in webs.
"We'll do it!" Mera shouted without even asking the others. "What do we have to do?"
Tyree stood up and walked over to where they were standing. He reached out and touched each one of them between the eyes.
"Just go to sleep." He said." When you wake up, you will be in Silvermoon in the past. One more thing. There are friends of your there in Silvermoon. Don't let them see you. Good Luck."

It was dark when Quynn woke up and he was lying in a field of thick grass. He sat up and looked around confused for a moment, then unsure if that was a dream or not. He knew this wasn't the island where the Academy was or the one they had spent the night on. And he hadn't crashed so that left only one possibility. It wasn't a dream, this is Silvermoon in the past. Then he didn't have time for doubt if he was to do what Tyree asked them to do. Where was Ranjer and Mera? He stood up and looked around. Then he heard a groan to his left. There was Ranjer with Mera right beside him. Quynn hurried over and shook him awake.
"Hurry up." He said. "Get up. We have work to do."
"What?": Ranjer opened his eyes. He jumped up looking for Mera. "Mera?"
"I'm here." She said as she sat up. "Where are we?"
"Silvermoon." Quynn said. "Remember Tyree?"
"Oh yeah." She snapped wide awake a jumped up." Come on, we should hurry before its to late. They should be fighting still."
"Where?" Ranjer asked as he looked around not seeing anything.
"Hold on." Mera closed he eyes and cast out again with her mind. After a few seconds she opened them again. "Over there. Beyond the hedges."
Quietly the three hurried across the field a and ducked behind the hedges. Pushing through the hedges, they watched as Braddoc and his centaur clan waded into the battle with the spiders. Sword and spear met twin claws and deadly fangs as they fought. Braddoc and his clan dived into the fight with a ferocity that surprised Quynn and his friends.
On the other side of the field, they watched as small Satyr bellowed his rage then grew three times his normal size and ran at a huge Spider thing. A second before the two met, another spider dived in between them and attacked the Satyr while the big spider scuttered away into the forest.
"That's it!" Mera pointed. "That's the one we're after. We can't let it get away!"
"Stay here." Ranjer said. "Quynn and I will go after it. I want you to watch us from here and keep us advised on where it goes."
"I don't like being stuck here." Mera said. "But I'll do it. You just find the spiders, before I get caught here."
"We'll be as quick as we can." Quynn said as he shifted to his wolf form and ran off. [Lets go Ranjer.]
Ranjer kissed Mera and shifted as he ran off.
Through the dark forest they ran. Through the trees and highers as they searched for the spiders. Quynn caught a scent but he couldn't follow it since there had been spiders everywhere, this secent might not be from the two they were looking for.
[Mera.] He sent. [Where are they?]
[There's a lake to your left. Head down that way. They are trying to find somewhere to hide from the centaurs.]
Dodging around trees and over a stream, Quynn and Ranjer raced through the forest. They could hear the battling of the Centaurs and spiders not to far off in the distance and they kept their eyes open for any spider traps and webs. As they leaped over a pile of downed trees, something shot out and snagged Ranjer by the leg. He fell and rolled across the ground banging his shoulder against a rock. Shaking it off, Ranjer sat up and tried to stand only to find there was a long strand of webbing attached to his leg. As he reached down to bite it off, a spider crawled out of the trees and started to reel him in. Ranjer growled and shifted to a form half way between Human and wolf, with strong arms and sharp claws. He grabbed the webbing and with a mighty heave, pulled the spider off balance and toppled it over on its back. With Vampire speed, Ranjer grabbed his sword from his side and drove it down through the spiders thorax then slashed the web strand from his leg and was gone after Quynn.
With a five minute lead, Quynn made it to the lake first. He stopped at the edge of the lake and looked around scenting the air for the unmistakable iron scent that spiders have. Putting his nose to the ground, Quynn wander around the lake with every muscle taunt and ready for any attack. He knew they where there somewhere. The spider smell was so strong it burned in his sinuses. Then all of a sudden, something told him he had to move fast. Quynn leaped to the right just as a spider the size of a small elephant leaped out at him and stabbed at the spot he had been in with its two front legs. Sharp spider claws sank into the ground and ripped out chucks of soil as the spider turned on Quynn.
[So small one.] The spider sent. [You are just in time. I need a snack to hold us until those damned Centaurs go back where they came from. Then we can come out and lay eggs and make Silvermoon the home of a new Spider nation. In a few years we can move on Talsara in Darkshade. We will breed so many children, not even the Dragon will be able to stop us and you will have started it all.]
[I don't think so.] Quynn said as he backed away and started the shift into his dragon form. There in front of Per Lhoris, Quynn became Dragonwolf, a great cross between a timber wolf and a red dragon with all the attributes of both creatures. He had the strength, power and shape of a dragon with wolf features combined with the instincts, bravery and stamina of a wolf. Pers Lhoris stepped back and reared up on his back four legs and held the front two pedipalps ready to battle. Poison dropped down from his fangs burning the ground like acid.
[I don't know how you managed to find me Dragon.] Pers sent his . [But I doesn't matter. You will die and my children will feast on your body to make them strong.]
[We'll see about that.]
Pers shot a string of web at Quynn hoping to tangle him, then wrap him up quick and easy. But Quynn was way ahead of him. He blasted out with his flame and burned the stream of web out of the air then leaped in to attack. With his front paw, Quynn bashed at Pers, beating at his multiple eyed head. Pers slashed back at Quynn trying to use the claws in his tarsus to rip into his dragon hide, but dragon hide was far to tough for spider claws.
Pushing Quynn back, Pers sprayed him with his acid venom. It burned Quynn, searing his scales but it didn't get through them. With a great roar, Quynn grabbed Pers and lauched himself up into the sky. Pers grabbed hold of his body and squeezed trying to crush him as they rose higher and higher into the sky. Quynn held his breath and soared straight up then reached in and tugged at one of Pers eight legs with all his might. As he heard something snap, Pers screamed out in Quynn's mind and stabbed again and again at his side with his other three front legs.
The pain in Quyyn's side was excruciating, He didn't know how much more he could take before his hide split and Pers was tearing into his flesh. But he knew he couldn't stop now. Quynn grabbed two more legs, gritted his teeth and pulled. Pers last leg frantically beat at his head but Quynn kept pulling as hard as he could. As Pers screamed in agony, the two ripped right out of his body. Just then, Pers hit him one more time in his head and everything went black and Quynn fell.
Like a stone he dropped, but some how he turned so Pers was on the bottom. Again Pers screamed, Ranjer heard him and watched as they fell. Quynn hit the ground with a splat that crushed Pers killing him instantly.
Seconds later, Ranjer ran out and found Quynn back in his Human form laying in a crater. Ranjer looked down at his bruised body scared to move or go check on him. He shook his head and shifted to his normal form and jumped down into the crater and grabbed Quynn and lifted him into his arms.
"Cousin?" He cried. "Wake up! Please wake up, I can't do this without you."
Ranjer hugged him close to his body as tears ran down his face. He looked up into the night sky and prayed for help.
"Ranjer." A voice. said. "Your task here is complete. The spiders are all dead."
"Yes." Ranjer cried as he looked up into the starry night. "But so is Quynn. Is this what you wanted?"
"No my hero. He is only asleep and you have earned the gratitude of a god tonight. I will always be watching over you three and when you need me, I will be there. Sweet dreams my hero."

As Quynn slept, he saw someone in his dream. It was a young boy about the same age as he was. He had snow white hair and icy blue green eyes. He was dressed in white linen tunic and pants with a cloak made of some kind of white fur. Somehow Quynn knew this was no ordinary boy, this was the Snow Phoenix he had seen the other night in his dream. He looked sad, as if he had been crying. He was sitting alone on a small cot in a room with bars on the windows. He was a prisoner. Quynn reached out and tried to touch him and get his attention, but just as he did, a dark man walked up to the cell door.
"There's no one left to help you." He said. "No one's coming to your rescue. Your family's dead and you are the last one. You are mine now."
"I will never be yours." The boy said. "Not my mind or my body. He is coming for me and I will be free and there's nothing you can do about it."
"Only in your dreams." The dark man laughed as he walked away. "Only in your dreams."
"You are more than a dream." The boy said as he turned and looked straight into Quynn's eyes. "I am waiting for you Quynn."

When Quynn opened his eyes, he was surprised to find a pair of bright blue eyes staring back at him. At first he thought it was the boy from the dream, then he blinked a few times to focus his vision. It wasn't the boy, it was a Satyr standing over him said hello.
"Aiya my young friend." It smiled. "My name is Zinder, what brings you all to my garden in Silvermoon?"
Quynn sat up and looked around. He saw Mera and Ranjer laying just a few feet away just starting to wake up. For a second he was a bit confused, but then he remembered what the Satyr Zinder had said. He was in Silvermoon. Then memories of Tyree and his battle with Pers Lhoris came flooding back to him. He remembered finding the spider by the lake and their battle. He remembered the pain of Pers stabbing again and again into his side and ripping its legs off and crashing into the ground. It all had been real, not a dream. They really did stop Silvermoon from being infested by cursed spiders. He looked down at Ranjer's leg and saw the webbing still attached there. The ingredient they had come here looking for. Quynn smiled at Zinder and got up and unwrapped the web from Ranjer's leg.
"We just stopped here for a rest." Quynn said as he stuffed the webbing into Mera's bag. "Nice garden you have here. Anything to eat? I'm starved. It's been a long flight."
"Why of course I can." Zinder said. "I can offer you a very nice lunch of fruit and vegetables with a nice spring wine. Just follow me."
Quynn helped Ranjer and Mera up then introduced them to Zinder. Zinder was an older Satyr with grey salt and pepper fur covering his lower parts and dusty grey hair on top. He wore spectacles and a short green vest and walked with a staff. He seemed a happy fellow and very knowledgeable as he showed them around on the way to his cottage.
Silvermoon was absolutely beautiful with lust forests and sparkling lakes. They passed Nymphs dancing in the lake while young Satyrs chased Fauns and each other in a game of tag. Everything here was so peaceful and calm, it would be a wonderful place to live.
Zinder led them to a small cottage in a clearing with a well and a fire circle in the front yard. He asked them to have a seat by the fire while he ran inside and gather a tray of fruit, cheese and wine and brought it out to them. While they ate, Mera took out the list and crossed off the web.
"That makes three ingredients." She said. "We need two more."
"Whats next?" Ranjer asked as he bite into a pear then took a sip of wine.
"Either we find the Skype." She said. "Or we figure out what melts but doesn't freeze. Any idea what a Skype is yet?"
"No." Quynn said between mouthfuls of cheese. "Could be animal, could be a person."
"What about the other?" Ranjer said. "What melts but doesn't freeze?"
"Phoenix blood." Zinder said casually. Then he turned and picked up a loaf of bread. "Bread anyone?"
"Phoenix blood?" Quynn said almost choking. He dropped his cheese as they all turned to Zinder. "How do you know that?"
"Of course Phoenix blood." He laughed. "Phoenix blood is very hot, it can melt almost anything but it can never freeze. You know they live up in the frozen north don't you?"
"Yes I do." Ranjer smiled. "Toric taught a lesson on Phoenix's. I had forgotten about the property's of their blood, but you're right. I burns like acid. I also remember he said there are two different breeds of Phoenix's from two different cities. Casthor and Pollex."
"Which is closest?" Mera asked.
"Pollex." Zinder said. "Casthor is out in Kensor in the east while Pollex is in Fresia. It's north of here."
"You seem to know a lot for a Satyr." Ranjer said. He looked at Zinder suspiciously. "Travel much?"
"I use to get around a little in my day." Zinder collected the dirty dishes and took them to a tub for washing. "I do more then dance and chase Nymphs. I've had a few adventures. Would you like to hear about them?"
"Not right now." Quynn stood up and dusted off the crumbs from his pants. "We have to get going. Thank you for your hospitality, maybe we'll be back one day to visit."
"I'll be waiting." Zinder waved as they left. "Be safe, my heroes."

From Silvermoon, Quynn flew on to northern town of Gordan where Mera went into town and bought a pair of heavy coats, pants and boots for her and Ranjer. Quynn being a Dragon was immune to most weather. Cold weather ready, they were back in the air and heading north.
From Gordan they flew northwest and watched as the landscape went from tropical to a more forest type with more oaks, maples and pine trees. The forest became more thicker and the trees grew higher. Then the temperature started to drop and the mountains reached higher and higher. Mera bundled herself in her coat and some blankets she had picked up while shopping.
As Quynn started climbing up and winding his way through the mountains, it started to snow on them. Mera held out her hand to catch some and watched it melt in the palm of her hand. She had never seen snow before. Pentanthin her home planet was much closer to the sun and had no polar region. There was cold weather, there were even nights so cold frost would cover the ground. But snow was and absolute foreign concept to her and from the smile on her face, Quynn figure she liked it.
As he gazed out at the snow covered mountains, his mind went back to the boy. In the last dream at the end, it seemed like he had looked right into Quynn's eyes. Like he could even see him. Quynn knew he could see things in his dreams, but he had never been seen by anyone while he was dreaming. He didn't even see how that was possible. And how did he know his name? Quynn definitely remembered hearing him say I am waiting for you Quynn. How could he know I was coming?
[Cousin.] Ranjer sent. [What's wrong?]
[Nothing.] Quynn answered. [What makes you think somethings wrong?]
[The day you were born.] Ranjer sent straight into his mind. [I was one of the first to hold you. I was seven years old. Your father put you into my arms and made me promise to always protect you, and I've done that haven't I? I've always been there when you needed someone to talk to or if you were in trouble, right?]
[Yes you have.]
[Don't you think I can tell when there's something on your mind?] He asked. [What is it?]
Quynn was quiet for a few moments, then he decided to open up to his cousin.
[What do you dream about when you sleep?]
[I dream of lots of things.] Ranjer said. [Sometimes I dream of running through the forest chasing after Azeal and Tanis, sometimes I dream of flying with my father Valkar. Sometimes I'm with my other father Drake. What does dreams have to do with it?]
[I've been dreaming about someone.] Quynn explain. [Its a boy, I think he's in trouble and he needs my help.]
[Do you know who he is?] Ranjer asked [Or where he is?]
[Not really.] Quynn said. [All I know is that he's a Phoenix and he needs my help. He has no one else and someone is holding him. He's in trouble, I have to find him.]
[Ok.] Ranjer patted his side. [Lets go find him.]

The Tooth and Scale. 3

As the sound of Durlan's scream for help rung through the docking bay, Bhari dropped the message stone and yelled for the city guards. He ordered ships sent out immediately to search for Durlan. Mer men scattered and small crafts were launched out into the sea to search.

"Is there anything we can do to help?" Haymar asked his worried friend.

"Not unless you know a way to track Durlan and get him back safe." Bhari led them up into a small square carriage that carried them all up into the city. From there, he led them through the beautiful city and his own private little house on the palace ground.
Bhari's house was small but furnished very nice with elven furniture of shades of blue and green. It had a lounge and a dining area. It was just a place where he went when he wanted to be alone. As everyone sat down, Ranjer started to ask questions.
"What do you think happened?" He asked. "Who could have attacked him?"
"Not any of my people." Bhari said as he poured drinks. "Durlan is the crown prince, he rules in my fathers absence. Everyone respects him."
"Then who?" Mera asked.
"Aquilona has enemies." He said. "On land and in the sea. We are not the only Mer in the Shyr. There's the Sharkiods of the south and the Scaqi who live in the deep trenches to the west."
"I've never heard of the Scaqi." Ranjer frowned. "Who are they?"
"The Scaqi are a species of Mer that developed from cephalopods." Haymar explained. "They're dark and mysterious. Very deep in dark magic and torture. If they have Durlan, he's in real trouble."
The room was quiet and Bhari looked worried. Quynn wasn't sure what they could do, but he knew something had to be done. As a Dragon his protective instinct were urging him on. He had power so it was his duty to do something to save an ally of his clan, but what?
"How do we find him?" Quynn asked. "There has to be a way to track either him or the craft he was in."
"My warriors are out searching." Bhari assured them. "They will either find him or the craft. You're our guest. You just rest, if there's anything you can do, I'll come and get you."
Just then, there was a humming coming from Bhari's pocket. He reached in and took out his message stone and excused himself to answer it.
"He's scared." Mera said. "I can feel it coming from him. When Haymar described the Scaqi, his heartbeat doubled."
"I'm sure they do." Haymar said after draining his glass. "The Scaqi are ugly vicious things, both his people and mine tell stories about them. They're the boogeymen of the seas."
"How do we help them?" Quynn asked. "We have to help."
"By finding Durlan and bring him home."
Everyone turned as Queen Anemone walked into the room. Haymar jumped to his feet and went to greet his mother's closest friend. She hugged him then he walked her in to join the others. Queen Anemone was the complete image of the perfect mermaid. She had beautiful lite green hair decorated with shell and pearls and was dressed in a dressing coat of gossamer lace with a bodice and skirt of golden scales. Her lips were a lite shade of green and her eyes were soft and warm. But right now, they were wet with tears.
"Please." She cried. "I need your help to find Durlan and rescue him."
"Auntie Ane." Haymar took her hand. "Bhari doesn't want us to interfear. He said his warriors would find him."
"If the Scaqi have him, there's nothing Bhari can do." She said. "My son loves his brother and he is brave. I have no doubt he plans to go down into the Scaqian trench himself to search, but he is needed here. My husband is away on royal affairs, with Durlan missing, Bhari is the king. He must not be allowed to go there or Aquilona is lost. This is not the time for a war with the Scaqi."
"War?" Quynn said. "Its that serious?"
"I'm afraid so." Queen Anemone nodded. "The Scaqian trench is enchanted. If one of my people cross the border and enters the trench, they will know and attack."
"Wait." Ranjer stood up. "How long has he been missing?"
"Two day." She said. "He took the craft out two days ago."
"And how far away is the trench?"
"A days swim to the south." Haymar said." Why?"
"Because if what your saying is true, then Durlan can't be in the trench." Ranjer explained. "If he was, the Scaqi would already be attacking. I think we should look somewhere else."
"But that won't stop Bhari from going there to look for him." Quynn said. "And that would be bad. We would go search, but we can't breathe underwater."
"Yes you can." Queen Anemone said as she stood up. "I can help with that problem. I know a spell that will let you go search while I will keep Bhari busy here. But you must hurry, I can only distract him so long."
"We understand." Ranjer said as they all stood up. "We will bring him back."
"Follow me." Queen Anemone took them all back down to the docking bay and Haymar's ship. She led them all to the edge of the dock then stooped down and filled a small cup she had picked up with water and stood and faced them.

LUNGS TO GILLS.
AIR TO WATER.
TO FIND THE PRINCE.
BREATHE AIR AND WATER.
TO BRING HIM HOME.
MY TASK TO YOU.
TO MAKE HIM SAFE.
AND GET HIM THROUGH.

She dipped her hand into the water and sprinkled in each of their faces. Ranjer, Quynn and Mera felt a warm feeling spread all through their bodies and that was all. They weren't even sure the spell had worked.
"Now go." She said. "Bring him home safe."
"We will." Mera said. She went and hugged Anemone as Haymar, Ranjer and Quynn climbed back down into the ship. Once Mera joined them, Haymar secured the hatch and they were on their way.

From Aquilona they went out on the search. They first checked the mines and sea bottom fields where all the farming was being done. Then they headed further out and checked a set of caves Haymar remembered he and Durlan and played in when they were younger. The first two, Haymar explored and found they were empty. In the next one, he found three Munos warriors hiding out and called out to Ranjer and Quynn for help.
Unsure of exactly what was going to happen, Ranjer and Quynn stepped into the small air lock and set the controls to fill it with water. As the lock filled with water, Ranjer and Quynn felt a strange tingling all through their body. Ranjer looked down and watched as his feet widen and became flippers. Scales appeared all over his legs and as the water rose over their heads, gill slits formed in their neck. Ranjer exhaled and took his first deep breath of water and relaxed when he realized he could breathe.
[She did it.] He sent to Quynn as the lock opened to let them out. [I can breathe.]
[Then lets go see what Haymar found.]
Ranjer floated out of the lock and was shocked at how comfortable he felt in the water. As a Vampire, water was really not natural to him. He had swam before with Quynn, but deep water had never been his friend. Now here he was at the bottom of the ocean, some place he never expected to be.
Together, Ranjer and Quynn launched themselves out into the water and swam out to the ridge where the caves Haymar had been searching were found. As they swam up, they met Haymar hiding in the reefs. He waved at them frantically to get down before they were spotted and they lost the chance at surprise.
[I think this is it.] Haymar sent. [I found pieces of the little craft Durlan was in scattered beyond the ridge and Munos are in the cave here."
"Munos." Quynn frowned. [You mean follows of Munoecus? How can that be? Munoecus was killed by Maxius, he gave his life to defeat that monster."
[Yes.] Haynar sent. [But not all his Eelmen were destroyed. Some escaped and hid out in the deep trenches. The same trenches the Scaqi call home. The Munos are simple minded minions, it wouldn't be hard for a Scaqi lord to take control of them and use them against us.]
[Then you think Durlan is somewhere in the cave?] Quynn asked. [How can we be sure?]
[Easy.] Ranjer smiled. [Mera can scan the cave. She's better at it then either of us. Plus, we need to know whats in there before we go in. Mera, are you listening?]
[Yes Ranjer.] She answered. [Give me a minute and I'll have an answer for you.]
From her seat in Haymar's ship, Mera cast out with her mind. She saw the five Munos in the front of the cave tearing at the carcass of two dead tuna they had caught and dragged into the cave. The sight of them eating sicken her but sensing something deeper in the cave, she moved on. From the front chamber she moved further in. In the second chamber she found the rest of the shelium ship and two Scaqi studying what looked like a control console. Mera guessed they were trying to figure out how the ship worked and the secret of the shelium alloy it had been built from. At that point there was no doubt in her mind that Durlan had to be here somewhere.
As Mera slipped further back, she felt pain radiating out in waves like every few second. She strengthen her connection and deaden her pain receptors and moved further in. As she turned the corner, she found Durlan tied to a wall and a tall Scaqi lord standing behind him lashing out with his mind, beating him. Each mind strike was like a whip coming down and tearing into his back. Durlan flinched with each strike but refuse to cry out.
[Tell me.] It sent. [What is the secret of the dome? What is its power source?]
[Never!] Durlan screamed. [I will never tell you anything! Beat me all you want but I will never give you our secrets. I will die first!]
[You will die either way.] The Scaqi said as it struck again. [But first you will see your precious father chained up and sliced into pieces, then I will torture that sweet mother and defile your sister. And you will live to watch it will happen.]
[You should kill me now Zeliax L'ysos.] Durlan sneered. [Because I swear by Sazar's spear, I will kill you its the last thing I do!]
[Strong words from a helpless guppy.] Zeliax laughed and sent a searing blast at his mind. [I fear you will never leave this cavern alive. But I will give you a chance to change your mind. When I return, I want answers or your fate will be sealed.]
As Zeliax left the chamber, Mera reached out and touched Durlan's mind.
[Prince Durlan.] She sent. [Your mother sent me and my friends here to save you, if we get you free, can you swim?]
[Huh?] His head raided up and he turned to see who was talking. [My name is Mera Serban. I'm here with Haymar Dree, Ranjer and Quynn Tyr. We're here to help you. Can you swim?]
[Yes.] He sent. [I'm weak, but I can swim. Where are you?]
[Haymar and the others are right outside of the cave.] As she reached in and strained to touched the lock on the chains that held him. Durlan felt the lock check open and he shook one hand free. [You're to weak to fight. Stay there until one of us comes to escort you out,]
[Hurry, he won't be gone long.]
Drawing back, Mera pulled back until she was back outside of the cave with Haymar, Quynn and Ranjer.
[I found him.] She sent. [He's free but very weak and in pain. Your going to have to go in and bring him out.]
[How?] Quynn asked.
[One of you will have to slip in and get him.] Mera said frustrated, [I found him and got him free. You think of some way to get in there. I can't do everything. And hurry, that monster won't stay away long.]
Ranjer racked his brain for an answer. He could try slipping in as a mist, but he wasn't sure if or how that would work underwater. There had to be a way. Something some how. Could Quynn do it? No, his dragon form was to big and this had to be done quietly. Ranjer looked around them trying to find an answer, but there was nothing there but rocks, the reefs, shells and that purple striped seaweed. Then a memory hit him. Purple striped seaweed, Arrowroot!! Ranjer quickly reached down and grabbed the arrowroot and stuffed it in his mouth and started to chew. Quynn and Haymar stared at him like he had completely lost his mind.
[Ewwww! Ranjer!] Quynn sent. [What are you doing?]
[Going to get Durlan.] He grabbed more of of the weed and stuffed it in his pocket as he started to fade away out of sight. [Get back to the ship. I don't know how long this is going to last. Be ready to go fast.]
As Ranjer completely disappeared, Quynn and Haymar nodded guessing what Ranjer's plan was and took off swimming back towards the ship.
Swimming carefully, Ranjer swam in and passed the hungry Munos. One looked up and almost brushed against him but he kept moving on through the chambers. He passed three Scaqi in the next chamber and went in to the chamber where Durlan was waiting. As he approached him, he called his name softly.
[Prince Durlan.] He whispered. [I'm Ranjer Tyr. I'm here to take you home.]
[What?] Durlan jumped. [Where are you?]
[Right here.] Ranjer held out the visible arrowroot to Durlan. [Take this and chew it, It'll make you invisible.]
Durlan took the weed and put it in his mouth and started to chew on it. Seconds later it started to take affect and he became completely invisible.
[This is amazing!] He sent.
[We should hurry.] Ranjer said. [I don't know how long it will last.]
With Durlan at his side, Ranjer guided him out of the chamber and into the next where the three Scaqi were busy going over the remnants or Durlans ship. As the were about to past, Durlan stopped.
[Are you armed?] He asked Ranjer.
[Yes.] He answered. [Why?]
[Give me your sword.]
Ranjer looked over at the Scaqi, then handed Durlan his weapon. He had seen the marks on Durlan's back and didn't need anymore answers. Quietly Durlan floated up behind Zeliax L'ysos and raised the sword then slammed it down through his skull. Zeliax didn't have time to utter a sound or send a thought before he died. Quickly, Durlan yanked the sword free and stabbed the next Scaqi to death.
[This is going to be your only warning.] He said to the last Scaqi. [Trespass on Aquilona, or threatened any more of our people, and we will slip down into your waters and kill every last Scaqi we find and you will never see us coming. Now you and your Munos slaves get out of our waters!!!]
Like a frightened squid, the Scaqi took off out of the cavern. He gathered the Munos and in minutes they were gone and swimming back to Scaqi water. Ranjer and Durlan spit out the arrowroot and watched as they hurried away.
Thirty minutes later, Haymar steered his ship back into the docking bay in Aquilona. Bhari was there on the docks waiting for them. As Haymar exited his ship, Bhari stomped over to confront.
"You went out to search didn't you." He fumed. "Didn't I tell you how dangerous it was, You could have been killed and for what. You found nothing!!'
"Are you calling me nothing little brother?" Durlan said as he climbed out of the ship.
"You? How?" Bhari ran and grabbed his brother in a hug and buried his face in his chest and cried in relief. "Thank Rimnar your safe. We were so worried."
"Thank our friends here." Durlan said with a smile. "Not only did they save me, they showed me something that will help protect Aquilona, How can we ever hope to re pay you great deeds."
"I know how to pay them back." Bhari shook hands with Ranjer and Quynn and kissed Mera's cheek. "You will have the tooth you came here for and something else."
"We can't ask for anything else." Ranjer said. "We're just glad we could help."
"Nonsense." Bhari said. "I know Quynn likes Haymar's little ship. We will be building one just for you and sending it to the shipyard at New Keanna. This is so you can visit us anytime you want."
"Thank you!" Quynn jumped up and hugged the two brothers. "We'll be back after this is over for a longer visit."
"Namaarie mellonamin."

"Now what next?" Ranjer asked as he pulled out the list. "We have the ash of the little queen and we have the tooth from the Mer royal. Where do we go next?"
"Elan said we should be about to find the web in Silvermoon." Mera said. "But that's all the way over to the west."
"What about the scale?" Ranjer asked. "Where can we find a scale from a snake that talks."
"A snake that talks?" Mera moaned. "I can't believe I didn't think of this earlier!"
[What?] Quynn asked.
"A snake with legs." She smiled. "You don't get it? A Savonti!!"
"By Rimnar!" Ranjer smiled. "You're right. One of their scales would be perfect and we shouldn't have to fight to get it."
[Bravosa it is.] Quynn did and flip and turned south to the Saprein ocean and the Andrake academy of magic. The trip took about two and a half hours and it was very nice. The sun was high and warm and the ocean sent cool breezes to cool Quynn's belly. They talked of the adventures they had so far and what might come next. It wasn't long before the shores of Bravosa were in sight and Quynn turned a little west for the island where the school had been moved to. As they circled the island, Quynn felt a familiar mind touch his.
[Is that my favorite Dragonwolf I see circling the Academy?]
[Uncle Insa!!] Quynn roar a greeting. [Permission to land sir.]
[Granted Quynn.] Insa sent. [It's good to see you.]
As Quynn dropped down into the courtyard, Professor Insa, head master of the academy and Zark, the weapons master stood there waiting for them. Ranjer and Mera jumped down from his back and Quynn shifted then ran to greet the professor with a hug.
"Aiya uncle." Ranjer waved and smiled then shook hands with Zark. "It's good to be here at last."
"You could have come here for school any time you wanted." Insa reminded him. "It was your choice to stay in New Keanna. All three of you. And don't think Shayn isn't keeping me advised on your progress. I know all about your day dreaming."
"Yes Uncle." Ranjer looked down. "I know."
"Tell me, why are you here?"
Ranjer told him about what had happened to Master Jeikor and their mission to save him. They told him about Maron's Hollow and Aquilona all they had done. Then Ranjer told him this had all been his fault for not paying attention in class.
Insa took Ranjer and walked him over to a bench and they sat down. "Tell me, what's bothering you?"
"I don't think I should be in school." Ranjer said. "Nothing is getting through this thick head of mine. Maybe I'm just stupid."
"Ranjer." Insa lifted his head to look into his eyes. "You are not stupid. You are one of the smartest young men that I know and this mission proves it."
"What do you mean?" Ranjer asked.
"Who's idea was the Arrowroot?"
"Mine." He answered.
"And who figured out how to defeat the Hobgoblins?"
"I guess I did."
"How did you know the queen had to finish her spell by midnight, or that arrowroot would make you invisible?"
"I learned about Hobgoblins from Cutter." He said "And Master Jeikor taught us about arrowroot,"
"Then I guess you were listening weren't you?" Insa smiled. "Not so dumb after all.
Ranjer looked up at Insa with a huge smile then he hugged the old smoke dragon. He was right.
"So I'm guessing one of the ingredient is what brought you here." Insa asked once they joined the others.
"Yes." Mera said. "We need the scale of a snake that talks."
"I see." Insa frowned. "And what does that say to you?"
"It says Savonti." Mera smiled. "And I know just the lord we need."
"Who?" Quynn asked.
"Lord Yaru." She said. "Unlike the other Savonti. He has more of a snake like body."
"Yes he does." Insa said with a smile. "How long can you stay?"
"Not long." Ranjer told him. "The longer we take, the less hope we have to save Master Jeikor."
"Then Zark will go and fetch a shedding from Lord Yaru while you young lady will go see your brothers and sister." Insa ordered. "They will never forgive you if you leave without seeing them. Tored and Luke should be in fencing right now and Nysa will be in the infirmary. I'll call them and have them meet you there."
"And you two." Insa turned to Quynn and Ranjer. "You should get something to eat. I'll send a tray for you, Mera to the infirmary. You can be on your way in an hour.
"Oh Uncle Insa." Quynn stopped him. "Do you know what a Skype is?