Inferno is Born. 8

With his arms loaded with wood, Quynn made his way back towards the camp. He was tired and hungry. He hoped Dar'yl was having a good hunt, because Quynn thought he could eat a horse all by himself. It had been that hard these last few days with all the flying and the fight in Tinpa, then the long walk here. When this was all over, he planned to take Sky somewhere quiet where they could make love and sleep for a week.
As he stumbled into camp, he dropped the wood and started to build the fire. It wasn't until after he blew the wood into a blaze that he realized that he was all alone. Neither Sky nor Sakura was there at the campsite. Maybe they had gone out to help Dar'yl with his catch. Quynn decided to wait for a while. There was no point in getting worried though something deep down told him Sky would have sent word to him to tell him what they were doing.
Ten minutes passed and Aggar and Deja came back with the full water skins. Aggar looked around and noticed Sky was missing. Then he realized Sakura wasn't there either.
"Where's Sky and Sakura?" He asked.
"With Dar'yl I think." Quynn said unconvincingly. "I think they went to help carry his catch."
"Are you sure?" Deja asked. "Dar'yl never seemed like the type of hunter that would need help."
"He didn't tell you they were going?"Aggar asked him. "That doesn't sound like Sky."
"No." Quynn said. "When I came back to camp, they were gone."
"Call him. I think you should check. Just to make sure."
[Sky, Where are you?]
[Don't be mad at me.] Came his answer. [Yas Twospears came in and he said he knew where Astan is. Sakura insisted that we go.]
[You know better than to leave like that without letting me know. This could be a trap. You should have waited for us all to get back!]
"What did he say?" Aggar asked worried. He knew from the look on Quynn's face they were talking.
"They're following a lead to Astan." Quynn told them. "Someone came in while we were out and Sakura wants to check it out."
"It could be a trap." Deja said. She grabbed her pack and put it back on. "Where are they now?"
"What's going on?" Dar'yl said as he came in with a string of white backed ducks around his neck. "Where is Sakura?"
"Someone named Yas Twospears came into camp and said he knew where Astan is." Aggar told him. "Who is he?"
"A lying weasel of a Chimp." Dar'yl snarled. "Sakura is in trouble.
"Sky is with him." Deja said. "Quynn's talking to him now."
[Where are you? We'll come get you.]
[No.] Sky said, [Don't. Sakura needs to do this himself. He's feeling down on himself. If we get in real trouble we can't handle, I'll call you]
[You're sure about this?]
[Yes Love. He needs a shot of confidence. This should do the thing.]
[What should we do while you're gone?]
[Go to Basolos.] Sky suggested. [If this is a ruse, and I think it is. We still need to know where the Gorilla city is.]
[OK.] Quynn sent. [I love you Little Bird.]
[I love you to Dragonwolf.]
"So where are they?" Dar'yl asked. "I'm ready to go."
"We're staying here." Quynn said as he picked up the string of ducks and started to de feather one. "They don't need our help. Sakura needs to do this himself."
"Are you crazy?" Dar'yl shouted. "Those damned Monkey's could kill him?"
"I don't think so." Aggar shook his head. "Sakura is a born warrior, he can take care of himself against a few Chimps."
"And if there's more than a few? What if the whole tribe is there?"
"Dar'yl." Quynn said. "Calm down, Sky is with him. He won't let anyone hurt him."
"It is not Sky's job to protect him. It's my job and if he gets hurt, I have failed. I have to go find him."
Quynn stopped and put down the duck, He knew a little about responsibility. His cousin Ranjer use to feel exactly the same about him. He would never let Quynn do anything by himself. He was always there to protect him and make sure he didn't fail at anything, until the day he had to face Per Lhoris and Janx Develos alone. After beating the spider and defeating the Witch hunter, Ranjer finally accepted that Quynn didn't need him for protection, but he would always need him as his cousin. It was time Dar'yl learned that lesson.
"Dar'yl." Quynn took him to the side. "Sakura is in a place in his life where he has to stand on his own. He has faith in you, but he also needs to have faith in himself. He has to fight his own battles. His battles and Astan's. King Yonas described him as a pampered little princeling. He has to prove to himself that that's not him anymore. He can't do that if you keep running to his aid. Let him do this. If he needs us, Sky will call and I promise you I'll get us to him in a matter of minutes."
Dar'yl thought about what Quynn had said and deep in his heart, he knew he was right. It was time for Sakura to be the king Dar'yl knew he was meant to be. He had to trust him this time to fight his own battle.
"I know you're right." Dar'yl said as he relaxed and sat down. "Sakura can take care of himself and it's time I let him do it. But it's not easy stand aside while he's in danger. I've been at his side for so long. But it has to be done. So what are we doing?"
"You're getting some well deserved rest." Quynn picked up the duck to finish what he started. "After dinner, Aggar and Deja are going into Basolos to find out where the Gorilla's are. I'll keep watch."

After a dinner of wild duck and vegetables, Dar'yl shifted to his lion form and found a comfortable place and fell asleep. Quynn had a short conversation with Aggar to explain what he thought they needed, then shifted to Dragon and took his place on watch. Nothing would enter the camp while he was there. Aggar and Deja left their weapons in camp with their packs and headed down for the village of Basolos.
As they approached, they saw a re-enforced wall of bamboo surrounded the village with tall torch towers arranged every 20 to 25 feet around the perimeter. At the gate stood two Pumen warriors armed with long spears. Aggar and Deja walked down to meet them. As they approached, the two warriors raised their weapons to stop them.
"Halt! Identify yourself!"
"I am General Aggar Fen of Tir Na." They raised their hands to show they were unarmed. "This is my daughter Deja. We are here to talk with your chief about a very important matter."
"Unal Metana is very busy." The younger warrior shouted. "He doesn't have time to talk with a Human. Go away!"
"I am not a Human." Aggar shifted to his Man-wolf form and howled. Then Deja shifted. "You shouldn't judge people by their looks. Human's are just as trustworthy as Pumens or Pantherens. You have to give all people a chance before you judge them."
"You speak wisely." The second older Pumen said. "And you should listen before you speak. Go inform my father he has visitors."
"Yes sir." The warrior opened the gate and hurried into the village.
"My apologies." The older guard said. "You must forgive the impetuousness of the young. He is eager to please and he hasn't had any experience with the other races of Aspana and the world. Unal will be here shortly."
"Maybe it's time to allow some of the young to visit other places." Deja suggested. "I know I enjoyed my days in Eventide and Dree, and I learned a lot about acceptance."
"Perhaps you are right." Una said. "I will suggest it to the council. I think father will agree."
Just then the door opened and Unal Metana stepped out to greet his visitors. Una introduced himself then his father to Aggar and Deja then stepped aside to let them talk.
"What can we do for you strangers?" Unal asked.
"I am General Aggar Ren of Tir Na." Aggar bowed. "My daughter and I are here representing Prince Sakura of Panthera on a very important matter. I'm not sure if you know, but Prince Astan of Tigaress is missing. We think he's been kidnapped by slavers and they are holding him hostage. But we don't know where. We come to you because Sakura remembers a story about his father helping the Pumens. We thought you might have some idea where the Gorillas might be."
"The city you are looking for is called Domina." Unal explained. "It's about a day as the crow fly's west of here buried deep in the jungle. The Gorilla you are looking for is Igoro Baba, master of that city. Beware, he is very dangerous. I have been fighting him and his warriors for years."
"Thank you Unal." Aggar as he reached out to shake his hand. "Prince Sakura will be happy to hear this."
"There is something else." Unal said. "Prince Sakura is not the only one looking for Prince Astan."
"Yes." Deja nodded. "We know. Mulu Amin wants him too. We have to get there first. That's why we should hurry."
"There is another." He said. "He was here a few days ago on his way to the Gorilla city."
"Who?" Aggar asked him.
"King Msia." Una said with a smile. "Prince Sakura's father."
Aggar stood there staring with his mouth open. He couldn't believe what Una had just said. Sakura had said his father had died defending the city from a massive Hyenen attack many years ago. How could it be possible for him to have been here a few days ago?
"Are you sure it was King Msia?"
"I am without a doubt." Unal said. "He spoke to my people of the attack when we first met years ago. It was him, I am sure."
"And he went to Domina after Astan?"
"Yes he did." Unal said. "He wishes to bring Yonas his son home safely."
"Thank you Unal." Aggar said eagerly shaking his hand. "We have to get back with this news. Sakura will be pleased."
"Tell Msia I will be prepared if he needs my warriors. All he has to do is send a signal and we will come.
"We will tell him." Aggar bowed. "Forgive us, we must hurry back. Myumbo."
With that said, Aggar and Deja shifted to wolf and ran off back to find Quynn and the others.
[Father!] Deja sent. [Msia is alive!]
[Yes Princess. We have to hurry!]
[Why, what's the hurry?]
[Because when he mentioned Msia, the Star started to vibrate. I think I know who gets it now. Don't mention Msia to the others, but we have to find him quick.]

Sky was tired as he followed Sakura and Yas Twospears through the dark jungle. He had been walking all day and half the night when they stopped to make camp. He had thought he was going to get time to rest when Yas dropped down out of the trees and convinced Sakura that he knew where Astan was being kept. Sky thought he was lying. He suspected Yas was leading them into a trap, but Sakura didn't want to take the chance that he was telling the truth. He couldn't take the chance and pass on what Yas was saying. This was Astan's life, and that was way to important to gamble on.
With Yas in the lead, they followed close behind moving as fast as the could. It was a two hour run when Yas took them to a set of caves near the border of Mancoro. Sakura could smell the scent of Hyenen all over the area. The smell was making him nervous and jumpy. He almost expected Hyenens to come charging out of the caves at any second.
[I don't like this.] Sky sent to Sakura. [I'm getting a very bad feeling.]
[I can't turn away.] Sakura sent. [Astan might be in one of these caves. If he is, we have to save him.]
"The one you want." Yas pointed to the caves. "He is in one of these caves."
"Which one?" Sakura asked as he raised his eyebrow. Sky stepped out to look into the three caves. He didn't see anything except some drag marks in the ground in front of two of the caves. Sakura looked closely at Yas to see if there was any deception in his eyes. He couldn't tell what was on the Chimp's mind, he just looked at him with his big brown eyes.
"They were hiding here." Yas said. "That is all I know. See the drag marks? There is your evidence."
Sakura sniffed the air trying to locate Astan's scent or the scent of the Gorillas. But all he smelled was musk of the Hyenen. The only way he would know for sure would be to go in and search each cave.
[What do you think?] Sakura asked Sky.
[I think this is some kind of trap.] He answered. [I think there's someone or something in there waiting for us.]
[We stay together.] Sakura reached back and pulled his sword free. [It better be Astan or Yas will pay for his deception. Yas goes first.]
"Show us." Sakura said to the Chimp. "You lead us in."
"Me? This is not my responsibility. This a task for the prince of Panthera. I wait here."
"Oh no!" Sky poked him in the back with his frosty touch. "You bought us here, you go first or I'll freeze you right here and smash you to bits!"
Sakura grabbed the spear off the Chimp's back and pushed him toward the cave.
"Get moving."
Yas stumbled forward then looked back at them. Sakura was growling deep in his throat and holding Oblivion out at Yas as it glowed with power.
"Without my weapon?"
"I said move!" He shot a small burst of energy at Yas's backside. The Chimp jumped with a yelp and
stumbled into the cave shaking. Sakura and Sky followed him in letting their eyes adjust to the darkness of the cave. Yas shook as he slowly moved in. Sakura wasn't sure if it was the Gorilla's he was scared of, or something else. Suddenly Sky heard something move behind him. He turned just as a great brown and white striped Bear jumped out of the darkness and swung a paw at his head. Sky ducked and sent a stream of freezing cold at the floor beneath the Bears feet. It slipped when it took it's next step towards Sky and fell heavily. Sky formed a long spike of ice and as the bear fell, he drove it down into the back of its neck. Its howled in pain then rolled over and tried to get up, but the spike had broken its neck. All it could do was lay there and whimper. That's when the rest of the clan attacked.
Brown and white striped warriors came running out of tunnels to attack them. Some in bear form and some in Human warrior form. Yas screamed for them to attack. Sakura kicked him in the back and sent him sailing right into the rush of oncoming bears. He was trampled to death as Sakura pointed Oblivion at them and blasted them.
"Astan's not here. Let's get out of here!"
"Right behind you!" Sky shouted. Together they ran on through the cave sending blast of cold and energy behind them. The Bears threw spears and rocks charging on after them. As they reached the cave entrance, Sakura turned and blasted the roof of the entrance caving in the entire cave and burying the savage bears. Sky stepped forward with his hands raised looking to see if anything survived the cave in. Sakura reached out to Sky scaring him for a second.
"Its over." Sakura said as he tried to sooth Sky's mind. "You can relax. None of them got out."
Sky turned to look at Sakura with panic in his eyes. "You're wrong. It's not over. Look!"
Sakura turned behind him. The trees were full of Chimpanzee's with glowing eyes. Sakura walked out to the tree line to confront the Chimps.
"Your king is dead." He shouted. "He betrayed my trust in him and led me into a trap. I have no quarrel with the rest of your tribe. You can fight me and die, or you can leave us in peace and regain my friendship. The choice is yours. Make a decision now."
Wikur, a gray furred Chimp in dark shorts and vest jumped down and walked over to them. He bowed to them before saying anything.
"My apologies Prince Sakura. Yas Twospears over stepped his place in the tribe. He was our leader, but we were all against this attack. That is why no brothers were here involved in the attack. We will not attack you, we are your allies and we will be there when you need us."
"Thank you Wikur." Sakura bowed. "I accept your apology and I will remember. Now I have to go find Astan and bring him home.
"Maybe we can help with that." Wikur waved down another Chimp warrior.
"How?" Sakura asked.
"This is Mustasi." Wilkur introduced the young Chimp. "He was in the jungles far south taking his rite of the warrior trials when he saw Gorilla's escorting a Tigaren. I think that was Prince Astan. He can tell you where they were."
"I am in your doubt." Sakura grabbed his hand and shook in vigorously. "I thank you for your help."
"Mustasi will tell you all he knows. Myumbo my friend, and bahati nzuri."

The trip south to Domina was quiet. No one said very much, they all kept to themselves. Quynn talked to Sky while they walked. They told him all about the trap and that only Yas and a clan of savage bears had been responsible. But Sakura didn't believe that. He knew someone had to have put Yas up to it. Yas didn't have the intelligence or a reason to attack Sakura. There had to be someone much more powerful behind him. It had to be Mulu Amin. Only he could scare the Chimp into betraying them. Then Quynn told him what the Pumen had told Aggar about Domina and the Gorillas. How they had been raiding their village and stealing the Pumen young for years. How they had built a wall around their village to protect themselves from any further Gorilla raid. Unal gave them directions to find Domina and promised to answer Sakura's call if he needed their help. Sky said he and Sakura would meet them on the journey south. He sent his love to Quynn and broke their contact.
From Basolos, they traveled south out of the Tigaress jungle and through a small part of the Pantheren savanna and into the dark jungle of Mancoro. With Dar'yl in the lead, he kept his senses open for any sign of Hyenans on their trail. After the night of walking, they dodged two Hyenan hunting parties and one group of Gorilla's escorting a string of slaves to the city. Quynn pointed to them then signaled Dar'yl to stay on their trail. He had to go find Sakura and Sky and bring them back. With luck, Dar'yl should have followed the Gorillas to their city by then.
As Aggar watched Quynn slide away into the jungle, Deja stopped to message him.
[What should we do?]
[Msia should be close.] He said. [I think this star will hatch soon. We should try and find Msia.]
[How?] She asked. [How are we supposed to find a king that has been lost for almost 10 years? He could be anywhere.]
[We don't. We let the star find him. It knows who it wants and where to find them. We follow the star, this way.]
[Wait Father.] Deja grabbed his arm to stop him. [That means leaving Dar'yl alone out here with no back up, I can't do that.]
[I understand Princess.] He smiled and touched her face. [You're so much like your mother, I see it more everyday.]
[Then you know why I'm staying?]
[Yes.] He said as he kissed her cheek. [Keep him safe. I'll be right back.]
With his knives on his back and the egg in his coat, Aggar Ren ran off on his own to search out and find the King of Panthera.

Astan sat quiet in his cell meditating. He could feel Sakura was near and he wasn't alone. He had friends with him. Good friends that he could count on. Astan knew Dar'yl was out there somewhere close. He was almost never to far away from the Lion prince. But that wasn't it. There were others, strangers. Four people from a far off land and Sakura trusted them all.
One was hot and fiery. He was quick, hot temper and fast on his feet. He was the leader of the men from New Keanna, the land of the Dragons. Sakura called him Quynn and his mate was Sky. Sky was very different from Quynn. Sky had a more easy relaxed attitude. He loved nature and anything that grew from the planet. He love cold weather, snowball fights and making love by a fire to his mate Quynn. Astan just knew he was going to love these new friends.
Standing off in the distance, Dar'yl watched as a lovely young warrior maiden came walking over to him and started to talk to him. This young lady was the daughter of Tir Na's highest ranked military officer. This was Deja Shyael Ren, the daughter of Aggar and Sharone Ren. The princess of the Dark wolf clan of Tir Na. With his eyes closed he could see her in some of her pass battles beating back the enemies of the clan. Her sword clashing as she engaged her enemy. She was a formidable warrior. But there was someone missing from this group. The elder and most experienced of them all. Deja's father Aggar the General. Where was he, Astan wondered as he settled back to wait and see who got to him first. Goren, Igoro, Sakura or Mulu Amin. He prayed for Aspana's sake that it would be Sakura or Goren, or the world was going to be in real trouble.

Running at full speed, Aggar charged in through the jungle. A Hyenan jumped out to block his path. Aggar pulled his knives, growled and leaped at the Dogman. The Hyenan pulled his club and raised it at the Man-wolf. Aggar slammed into and stabbed down slicing through his arm cutting the tendons and muscle. As the Hyenan fell, Aggar grabbed him by his neck and with a quick jerk, he snapped it silencing the Dog man. As he dragged the Hyenan to a heavy row of growth, Aggar hid the body and looked around to see if there was any more Hyenan out there spying on him. He could hear the sound of shuffling footsteps somewhere out there close to him. Aggar kept low with his knives ready for the attack. As he looked out, three Hyenan came stalking out through the bush. They stopped and listened, then one pointed to the north urging a companion to go search there while he sent the other to the left and he kept on coming straight in. Aggar kept low as the Hyenan silently moved in towards him. Picking up a small rock from next to him, Aggar tossed it causing the Hyenan to jump and turn his attention back the way he had just come from. With the Hyenan turned, Aggar reached out and grabbed him by his muzzle and pulled him back. He slipped his knife in through his back piercing his heart. The Hyenan moaned and fell dead in Aggar's arms. Quietly, Aggar let him slide down to the ground and he pushed him deep into the mud and leaves. As he stood to get up, someone hit him from behind. Aggar fell and rolled to the side as a Hyenan attacked. He slammed his club down at Aggar missing by inches. Aggar kicked out hitting him in the leg. He fell and Aggar slammed his heel into the Hyenans stomach. Jumping back to his feet, Aggar raised his knife to finish off the Dogman when suddenly another came growling out to attack. This one was armed with a short spear. Growling, it stabbed the spear in at Aggar aiming for his chest. Aggar managed to leap out of the way almost in time. The spear grazed his side just as he jumped out of the way. Landing to the side, Aggar slashed out with his blade hoping to slice the Hyenans throat, but he missed as it stepped back and swung the end of the spear around at Aggar's head. Aggar ducked and went down spinning with his leg out to trip the Dogmen. He went down hard but rolled away before Aggar could get to him.
As Aggar stabbed down at the enemy on the ground, the second Hyenan had regained consciousness behind him. He looked up too see his companion battling the newcomer. He reached out and grabbed his club and quietly started toward the two fighting warriors. With the club raised over his head, the Hyenan snarled then fell as something slammed into his head from behind him.
Hearing the commotion behind him, Aggar knew he had to move and do it fast. He grabbed the head of the spear and spun himself around slashing out at the Dogman. The spear stabbed straight into his chest and sliced deep into his heart. Aggar kicked him away and turned to be ready for whatever was about attack his back. Behind him stood a Jackal armed with one of the Hyenan's clubs. There at his feet lay a Hyenan all bloody and broken. Aggar looked down at the Dogman then back at the Jackal standing there with the club.
"You did that?"
"Yes." The Jackal said. "Hyenan are the enemy. They have been chasing my lord all through Aspana. I will not let them hurt him again. I will protect him with my life!"
"Your lord?" Aggar slipped his knives back into their sheaves and relaxed a bit. Maybe this Jackal isn't an enemy. "My name is Aggar Ren. I'm here with friends searching for someone. Who is this lord your talking about?"
The Jackal bowed to Aggar then put down the club. He had never seen anything like Aggar before. Wolves were very rare in Aspana, there were a few in the northern temples but none down here in the southern parts of the continent. He wasn't sure if he could be trusted, but Akani was desperate for help. He had done all he could for Msia and he was still getting weaker and fading away.
"My name is Akani Azima." The Jackal said. "I am the aide and protector to the one true king of Aspana and he is hurt and needs your help. Will you help us or are we going to be fighting?"
"I will do what I can to help," Aggar said. "Where is he?"
"This way."
Akani turned and ran off into the jungle. Holding the Star in place, Aggar ran in after him. They dashed and ran through the jungle shifting as they ran into their animal forms for speed. In minutes, Akani led Aggar to the side of a mountain were he saw a set of caves. As they shifted back to their normal forms, Akani pointed to the cave on the right.
"My lord rest in here."
With Aggar behind him, Akani went in. As they moved through the cave, their eyes adjusted to the darkness. Akani led him deep into the cave. They twisted and turned until Aggar was completely lost with no hope of finding his own way out. Then there was a light from a torch burning ahead of them.
"He is here." Akani hurried on to kneel at the side of a body that lay across from the torch. Aggar went in and knelt down for a closer look. Just as he thought, it was a Pantheran Lion man. Aggar pushed the hair from his face and looked down on his face. It looked familiar. He looked just like Sakura only much older. Could this be some lost relative?
"Who is he?" Aggar asked as he looked him over.
"This is King Msia Duma. We were attacked by a Demon." Akani said. "Can you help him?"
"Give me a minute to check his wounds." Aggar said as he took off the dirty blanket that covered the king. He could hardly believe this was Sakura's father. He wondered where he had been all these years since he disappeared. "But I doubt there's much I can do. He needs a healers attention."
Aggar inspected Msia from head to toe and found there were no cuts or wounds on his body. He bent down and listened to his chest for a heart beat. It was very slow, hardly beating at all. King Msia Duma was dying and there was nothing Aggar could do about it. He looked sadly up to Akani to give him the bad news when he heard a voice in his head.
[I am for him. Put me on his chest.]
Aggar jumped when he heard the voice. He thought someone had snuck into the cave for a second, then he felt the Star crack in his shirt. He reached in and pulled the egg out as a small beak protruded out from the crack.
[Put me with Msia.]
Aggar pulled the egg from his shirt, then laid it down on his chest then got up and pulled Akani away from the king. Akani fought trying to get back to Msia's side until he saw the egg cracking on the kings chest.
"What in Rimnar's name is that?"
"The only thing that can save him." Aggar said. "Now stand back!"
As they watched, a small red lizard broke out of the shell and looked up at them. It's eyes sparkled with an amazing blaze, then it tore into Msia's chest and buried itself deep in his heart. Msia jerked, then jumped up and screamed. Akani tried again to break free and run to him, but Aggar held him tight. Suddenly Msia's body burst into flames. He burned so hot Aggar and Akani had to back away from him.
"You did this!" Akani screamed at Aggar. He grabbed Msia's sword off the ground.  "You killed him! Now you will pay for your treachery!!"
Akani raised the sword and took a step towards Aggar to attack him when suddenly something roared behind him. Quickly he turned to see what was coming at them.
[Hold your sword my friend.] He heard in his head. [I'm am not dead!]
That's when the leg of a Red Dragon stepped of the flames and into the cave.
[I, Msia Duma have been reborn. I am now the Red Dragon Inferno!]
Inferno was red and over fifteen feet long with huge wings wrapped around his back. His tail was spiked from its tip all the way up along his back. He had a long dragon snort with three short horns. One on each side of his head over his eyes and a third short one just over his nose. His legs looked sturdy and powerful and his claws looked sharp.
As he stepped in closer to Aggar and Akani, the Jackal fell to his knees shaking and bowed. Aggar bowed his head in respect,
"Welcome Inferno."Aggar said. "Your Sire Terra sends his apologies for not being here to greet you. His days were long and his time had run out. But he hopes you can be a new beginning for Dragons in Aspana."
Inferno stepped out to Aggar and shifted back to Msia now dressed in red leathers and looking all  healed.
"Thank you." He said as he reached out to shake Aggar's hand. "So this is what Mulu's been looking for. I think we should go thank him."

The Hidden. 7

The dungeon was dark and cold as Shauri led Goren through the maze like catacombs. She had sweet talked the guard on duty with promises and an amazing perfume she had made special for this dangerous journey to see the Tigaren prisoner. Domina's dungeons were a lot more crowded these days since Igoro had taken over the city. Many had opposed him in the beginning of his reign, but they had all disappeared, lost in the jungles or buried somewhere deep down in these dark halls.
Goren always knew of his fathers evil schemes. In fact Igoro didn't hide anything from his son. He always dared him to move against him. He thought Goren weak and unable to do anything to stop him. But this time time he was wrong and Goren would prove it.
With a simple firefly spell cast before them, Shauri led Goren down pass the political prisoners and into the deeper sections that lead to a place made for special prisoners. Here they found Astan Kinya sitting with his legs crossed in the lotus position deep in meditation. When Goren and Shauri came into view, Astan opened his eyes and looked up at them.
"Aiya Goren son of Igoro." Astan nodded his head. "To what do I owe this visit?"
"You know who I am?" Goren was surprised.
"Yes." Astan said. "I know the son of my captor."
"Then you know why I have come to see you." Goren took a chair from the small guard post and pulled it over and sat in front of the Tigaren Prince.
"No." Astan said. "From your aura, I know you to be Igoro's son. But I can't read your mind. I have not mastered that technique yet. Perhaps in time I will if I survive."
"I don't mean you any harm." Goren said. "In fact, I want to help you escape. I plan to get you out of here, but to do that I will need something from you."
"And what might that be?" Astan asked him as he stood and got up on his feet. "You want to take over this city from your father, is that not right?"
"Yes." Goren said. Again he was surprised the Tigaren had read him so right. "I do."
"Then I would be trading one Gorilla master for another." Astan turned and walked back to his pile of hay and sat back down. "What makes you a better ruler then your father?"
"I." Goren said. "Don't plan on joining Mulu Amin in his mad war to rule Aspana. I don't plan to send out our ships to capture more innocent people to enlarge the slave trade. In fact, I plan to tear the slave market down and free every slave there is in Domina. I would hunt down and free every slave we ever sold if I could. I want to end all the fighting and bring my people to a peaceful life. I hate what my father and the others have done to our people. This has to stop. My brother and sister died fighting my father's wars. I've had enough of war destroying my people. It's time we learn to live and stop dying."
"Well said Prince Goren."
"No." Goren shook his head. "I am no prince. I'm just a Gorilla that cares about the fate and welfare of my people. With your help, I can turn Domina into a safe place, a place that can have trade and relations with the rest of the people of Aspana."
"What if I can't help you?" Astan asked. "What if the Tigaren's refuse to help you?"
"Then I will do it on my own." Goren said. "I will still help you escape, but it will make my fight that much harder. But I promise you. I will free my people or die trying."
Astan stood up and walked to the bars and stuck out his hand.
"You will have my help." He said as he shook the Gorilla's hand. "Sakura and I will both help you."
"I thank you Prince Astan." Goren bowed to the Tigaren prince. "We will have to be very careful. Shauri or my cousin Beno will come back and lead you out of here tonight after I find a way to distract my father."
"If you can get me out of the dungeon, my magic can help."
""Be ready at midnight." Goren said. "Someone will come."
 "I will be waiting." Astan said. "Bahati nzuri."

It was dark in the Domina jungle as Msia and Akani pushed their way through the thick growth of trees and bushes. They were on their way to the jungle city to free Prince Astan from the hands of the Gorillas that had captured him. Akani walked in front with  his blade out slicing his way through the thick bushes and vines that blocked their path while Msia followed close behind him his every sense alert for any sign of the Gorilla's attack. The jungle was quiet, no birds sang, and there was no sounds of predators on the hunt. Msia stopped and put a hand to Akani's shoulder. He turned to see what bothered his lord.
"It's to quiet." Msia said. "Something stalks us."
"How do you know?" Akani asked.
"An old lion's instinct. We are being followed."
"There's a clearing ahead." Akani pointed. "We should wait there for whoever is behind us."
Hurrying on, Akani chopped quickly through to the clearing in the jungle. Once there, Msia sniffed at the air and found a foul smell coming from all around them.
"A Demon!" Msia growled. Akani threw down his pack to be ready for the attack. He looked everywhere turning quickly trying to protect his lord. Suddenly there was a loud burst of laughter echoing through the jungle.
"Stand back my lord!" Akani said. "I will protect you!"
"No." Msia said. "This fight is mine!"
Suddenly in a burst of smoke and brimstone, Draidor Moram appeared hovering high over their heads laughing. In a sudden move, he sent a bolt of energy down at them. Msia grabbed Akani and threw him to the side and leaped up into the air to confront his enemy.
"I know you foul beast!" Msia said as he hovered there high in the air across from the Demon. "You and your kind tortured me for years while I was Mulu's prisoner."
"All those sweet days of pain." Draidor laughed. "We had such fun, didn't we."
"Only a Demon would call pain and misery fun!"
"Of course!" Draidor said. "We live on pain and misery. The only thing better is the feeling I'll get when I strip you and your servant of your lives. But first, you have something Mulu wants. Where  is it?"
"Now it is my turn to laugh." Msia said. "I know what he wants, and I don't have it. I never did. He held me all those years for nothing. I don't have the Star of Hekima!!"
"Then I guess you die for nothing." Draidor blasted Msia with his hellish bolt. Msia raised his hands and cast a shield in front of him that held strong reflecting the blast away.
"I am not the weak and tired Lion I was back in Mulu's pit." Msia raised himself up into the sunlight where he could absorb it's power. He began to glow with the energy of the sun. "Your dark god is nothing compared to Alee, the sun!"
Msia sent two blasts of pure concentrated sunlight at Draidor. The Demon shrieked and dodged out of the way then dived down towards the ground and the darkness of the jungle. If he couldn't take Msia, he would take Akani.
"NOO!!" Msia screamed. He shot down and put himself between Akani and the Demon. Draidor shot at them unable to stop before he hit the Lion king. As Draidor hit and made contact, he exploded in a great burst of shadows and a scream that tore through the jungle sending fear into every creature for miles. When the shadows faded, Msia lay still at Akani's feet and Draidor was gone.
Quickly, Akani knelt down to check Msia to see if he still lived. His breathing was shallow, but his heart was still beating. Akani lifted him and and carried him off. He knew the Gorillas had to have heard Draidor's scream and they would be coming to see what it was. He had to find somewhere safe to hide the Lion king where he could protect him until he woke up.

As the last of the Canin warriors were being swept up, King Yonas called for Sakura, Dar'yl, Quynn and Sky to attend him in his private office. A tall Tigaren officer named Hati had been sent to bring them in. He found them outside the wall helping Aggar aand Deja round up the last of the Canins. They didn't know how, but soon after Aggar and the Lycaon's arrived, the Canin's started to fall and stay down. Whatever magic that was keeping them fighting had stopped and they started to fall from there wounds.
Tired and spattered with Canin blood, Hati stepped out of Tinpa's gate to look for Sakura. He found him with Dar'yl, Aggar and Quynn separating the mortally wounded and putting them out of their misery. Sad and exhausting work he thought as he approached.
"You are Sakura Duma?"
"Yes I am." Sakura said as he put Oblivion back in its sheath on his back. "What can I do for you?"
"My king has ordered me to bring you to see him." Hati said. He looked from Sakura to Quynn and Aggar. "Will you please follow me."
"We'll wait here." Quynn said as him and Sky sat down to rest.
"No." Hati said. "The king wishes to see all of you. Please can everyone follow me."
Aggar and Deja stepped back towards Dain thinking the king was asking for Dar'yl, Quynn and Sky.
"Begging your pardon Sir." Hati stopped them. "But King Yonas asked for all our new friends. That includes you and the young lady there."
Aggar shrugged and called for his daughter to follow them into the city.
As they walked through Tinpa, the citizens were busy cleaning up after the battle. Huge boulders had been set on catapults and launched into the city. Many buildings had been hit and destroyed. Only the magic of the city's mage's kept the walls from coming down. Tigaren females swept and helped to clean up the small stuff while the stronger males did the heavy work moving the large stones and pieces of fallen masonry. The city was damaged but thanks to everyone working together, it had survived.
From the market place it was a short walk to the palace. As they entered, the courtyard was busy with warriors and palace staff hurrying around setting up tents to treat the wounded citizens and warriors of the city's army. Hati guided them through the makeshift healer units and into the palace. King Yonas was in his office going over arrangements for feeding the city and getting the repairs started to get Tinpa back int order.
As Hati approached the doors to the kings office, there was a dark furred Pantheren warrior standing guard. He snapped to attention the second he saw Hati coming. Hati whispered something to him and he quickly went in leaving Hati waiting with Sakura and his friends. Sakura whispered to Dar'yl that he didn't know any of his people were serving the Tigaren king.
"You might be surprised." Dar'yl said. "I heard he pays well. There are a few of us on his payroll."
"Not enough." Hati said. "Your people fight so bravely we are happy to hire any Pantheren we can get. The warriors we have, your father and the Regent sent to us."
In a few seconds the warrior returned.
"The king will see you now." He opened the door and waved them in. With Hati in the lead, they entered the kings office. It was a large room painted red with golden curtains, a huge liibrary that cover three of the for wall. There were racks of parchments and maps set to the side and a great oaken desk where the king sat going over different plans with one of his advisers. As they entered he looked up  and smiled.
King Yonas was a big Tigaren with massive muscles, green eyes and grey hair tied back with a leather cord just like Astan wore his. He was dressed in a leather harness with the golden tiger head on the buckle in the center of his chest. Leather pants with a hold in the back for his tail and a sword strapped to his back.
"Come in." He said as he dismissed his adviser so they could talk alone. "Sakura Duma, the last time I saw you, you were a smart mouthed, over active, over confident young cub that had a habit of talking and acting before you considered what you were saying."
Sakura looked down at the floor. He knew the king was right. In his youth, he was an over indulged, pampered young fool who didn't care about anything but himself. Then he met Astan and everything in his life changed. He was like a fire that came into his life a taught him responsibility and respect. No longer did Sakura think about himself, he taught him that he was a prince and the next in line for the kingdom of Panthera and it was time he started to pay attention and think about others before himself.
"Your majesty.."
"I am talking." King Yonas said sternly. "I didn't think you could ever earn my respect. I thought you would be a lazy lay about for the rest of your life. But today you proved to me, I was wrong. You and your friends came in answer to my call when I thought all hope was lost. Your father would be so proud of the warrior you have become. You faced the enemy with your father's sword and beat them down when I thought all was lost. Astan was right about you, and he couldn't have picked a better warrior to be his mate."
Sakura 's mouth dropped open. He had no idea that the king knew about them and he sure didn't expect him to be ok with the idea.
"Yes." King Yonas smiled. "I knew all about how the two of you felt about each other."
"And your not mad?" Sakura sounded like a ten year old club who had done something wrong and expected to be punished.
"How can I be mad?" King Yonas asked. "Do you love him?"
"Yes, with all my soul." Sakura had tears of joy in his eyes.
"And I'm sure he loves you." He walked out and around the desk to stand in front of them. "Now all you have to do is go find him and bring him home. Then we'll talk about what comes next. If you want to be together, we'll find a way."
Then he turned to Quynn, Sky, Aggar and Deja.
"I want to thank you all for your help." He said. "But this is not over yet. Mulu Amin is still out there and he means to either rule us or destroy us. I don't think he cares which. Sakura will need your help to bring him down and to save Astan. Will you help us?"
"That's why we came here Sir." Sky said. "To help save Aspana."
"You know."  King Yonas said. "We use to have, what are you called? Dragons? There was once Dragon's here. Maybe one day there will be again."
"That's possible." Aggar said as he patted the Star of Hekima nestled in his jacket. "I really think that's a possibility."
King Yonas looked at Aggar strangely not understanding what he was saying, then he turned back to Sakura.
"The question is." King Yonas folded his arms and scratch his chin. "Where is Astan?"
"I'm not sure where." Sakura said. But I knew who has him."
"Who?" Zakia Manzi asked as he entered the office."
"Someone named Igoro Baba. Do you know who that is?"
"No." Said King Yonas. "I never heard of him."
"I know who he is." Zakia looked at them with a grim face. "Igoro Baba is the master of the Gorilla city Domina. He is a slave trader and a dark wizard. If he has Astan, then he plans to sell him."
"To Mulu Amin." King Yonas slammed his fist down on the desk. He turned and went and pulled a rope that signaled his guards to come answer his call. "This means war!"
Seconds later, the door opened and another of his Generals call in to answer his call.
"Yes your Majesty?"
"Send out a message to Regent G'ania Gazina of Panthra and Ayad Naadu of Rhinon. The Gorillas have gone to far. I will tear their city down if I have to to get my son back!"
"Wait Majesty." Sakura pleaded. "If you charge into the city, Astan might get hurt. Let us go first. I will bring him out. I swear I'll get him out."
"You have four day." King Yonas said to them. "Then, I'm coming in and I will kill every single Gorilla in the city. Four days, not a minute more."
"We won't fail." Sakura said as everyone started to leave the office. "I'll bring him home safe and sound."
"I hope so." King Yonas looked at Sakura with sad eyes. "Astan is my heart and soul. If something happens to him, I don't know if I can survive. You have to bring him home. You and Astan are our future."
"We'll get him back." Sakura said as he opened the door to leave. "We have to."

Outside the city walls, Quynn, Sky and their friends waited for Sakura to join them. Dar'yl, Aggar and Deja sat quietly and oiled and did repairs on their on their armor and weapons. They had a feeling the next few days would be very trying and busy. Deja put down her sharping stone and turned to her father.
"So what are you going to do with it?"
"I don't know yet." He answered. "If I remember correctly, Jandar said that a Dragon picks the person it wants to merge with."
"What does that mean?"
"It means the egg will tell me who it wants." Aggar whispered as Sakura came out of the gate and headed over to join them. "I'll explain later."
"Is he really going to attack the Gorillas?" Sky asked as Sakura joined them. Dar'yl and the others came over to stand with them. "It'll only make things worse."
"If the Gorillas sell Astan to Mulu, nothing will matter anymore. I'll have lost him and so will his father. Can you imagine if someone took Quynn away from you and sold him to your worst enemy? Will anything matter to you at all except getting him back? And how would his family feel?""
Sky thought about it. What he would do if Janx Develos was still alive and Aster Telor found a way to hand Quynn over to him. Sky would go to the Underworld and back. He would even defy the Gods to find him and bring him home. Then he thought about Jandar and Rage. They would tear up the world to get him back.
"Yes." Sky agreed. He reached out and took Quynn's hand and squeezed it. Just the thought of losing Quynn sent chills through him. "You're right. What do you want to do?"
"We have to find his city and get Astan out."
"How?" Dar'yl asked. "Do you know where it is?"
"No." Sakura said. "I have no idea how to find him."
"I might." Quynn raised his hand. "Well, he's in the slave trade right? Why don't we find someone who owns a slave. I know it's legal here in Tinpa, but what about the other Aspana cities? Someone has to know right?"
"There are cities all along the coast that have a heavy slave population." Sakura said. "But we don't have time to go searching for someone on the coast. We need someone closer. Someone that knows a thing or two about slavery."
"Pardon me." Hati spoke up. Everyone turned to him. "There is the village of Basolos. Many years ago, your father saved them from slavers. They fought at his side to end the slavery in Panthera and Tigaress. They might know something."
"I remember G'ania telling my that story when I was a cub." He smiled as he remembered the stories about his father. Msia Duma was a brave king and he would never stand for someone stealing his people and selling them into slavery. He had caught the slavers and brought all the people home safely.  "If I remember the stories right. Basolos is a village of Puma's He had a close friend who was their chief. I think him and his mate had been captured and my father went and got him and the rest of the Pantherens, Tigeren and Pumens free."
"Do you know where the village is?" Dar'yl asked.
"Yes." Hati said. "I know where it is. It's not far off our south border about a day and a nights travel. But it is down near the Hyenen lands. I can take you there."
"No." Sakura stopped him. "You're staying here with the king. I need you here to protect him and keep him from attacking the Gorilla's before my four days are up. Slow him down if you have to, just don't let him attack."
"You sound like you don't think we can defeat the Gorilla's I assure you, we can."
"I know you can." Sakura put a hand to his shoulder. "I just don't think that is what Astan would want. He would want us to find a peaceful way to solve this."
"What if peace is not possible?" Hati asked him. "What if we have to fight?"
"Then we fight." Sakura growled. "And by Rimnar we will win!"
"Here." Quynn took something out his pocket and handed it to Hati. "This is a message stone. We use these back home to contact people over long distances. Just hold it in your hand and concentrate on me and I will hear you. We will contact you when we have Astan back safely."
"You contact us if there is an emergency." Sakura reached out and shook Hati's hand. "I'm counting on you Hati. Keep the king safe. Myumbo."

From Tinpa, they traveled south through the Tigaren jungle all day and into the night. Dar'yl took the lead with Sakura following right behind him. Quynn and Sky were next with Deja and Aggar bringing up the rear. Dar'yl kept himself alert for anything that might be a threat to them. The Tigaress jungle was not known for its safety. Though King Yonas tried to keep it patrolled, sometimes pirates and poachers slipped in to hunt some of the exotic animals and raid the ancient ruins for the treasure in the hidden burial sites.
As they walked, Deja questioned her father about what he had told her back in Tinpa.
[Father, what did you mean about the Star?]
[Jandar once told me I would make a good candidate for a Dragon.] Aggar told her. [But he said, the egg would have to choose me. Dragons choose who they merge with.]
[Even if your the one holding the egg?]
[That's right.] He sent. [Rage explained that the Dragonet knows who it wants. I will wait until it finds the right person. Then it will call them and if they accept, it will hatch.]
[What if they don't accept?] She asked worried about the young Dragon in the Star.
[Then it will die.] He said. [But that's not for us to worry about. The Dragon knows what its doing.]
[But what about that Shadow Dragon that caused that war? It picked and evil man. Was it destined for him?]
[No.] He sent. [That was a Shadow Dragon. They are different. They have darkness in them. It takes a very strong person to merge with one and keep it from becoming evil. Don't worry, this isn't a Shadow Dragon.]
[I hope not.]
The trip had been long. They were traveling all day and far into the night and they were getting close but there were all tired. Sakura called a halt to the march and ordered them to set up camp for six hours of rest two at a time. While Quynn went out to gather wood for a fire, Dar'yl went out to do some hunting for dinner. Deja and Aggar had found a clear blue river and went to fetch them all fresh water to drink while Sakura and Sky kept watch.
"After we eat." Sakura turned to Sky. "You and Quynn should get some rest. I want you both fresh and ready to go early."
"Is something wrong?" Sky asked. "You look worried."
"I am worried." He said. "I can feel Astan. He's trying to hide it from me, but he's scared. I know what Mulu will do if he can get his hands on him."
"We're not going to let that happen Sakura." Sky said with confidence. "We'll get to him in time."
"How do you know that? Did you have another of those dreams of yours?"
"No." Sky said. "But I have to trust in us. The Regent called me here for a reason. I trust that."
Just then, Sakura heard something in the trees. A rustling of the branches and a familiar scent.
"We're being watched." Sakura reached back and pulled Oblivion free of its scabbard. "Whoever's up there better come down now."
"Peace my friend." Yas Twospears said as he swung down of of the tree. "It's only me, an old friend."
"Are you following us Yas?" Sakura put his sword away. "I smelled your scent hours ago."
"I must be slipping." The Chimp laughed. "I remember not to long ago when I could hide from you."
"That was then. This is now. Is there a reason your being evasive?"
"You have the smell of war on you Sakura." Yas said. "That's not like you. Where have you been?"
"I was in Tinpa when Mulu attacked." He said. "The fighting was fierce. We almost lost the city."
"But Tinpa still stands. That is good."
"Why are you here Yas?" Sakura was beginning too get a bad feeling. Yas Twospears was acting strange, not at all like his old friendly self. "Is there something you want?"
"More something I can do for you." The Chimpanzee smiled. "I know where Astan Kinya is."
"Where!?" Sakura almost jumped and grabbed him in excitement. "Where is he?"
"Not far from here. A Gorilla has him hold up in a cave. I can take you to him if you want."
"Show me." Sakura said eagerly. "Take me to him."
"Wait Sakura." Sky stepped in front of the Chimp. "Wait for the others to get back, then we'll all go."
"It's really not far." Yas said. "We'll be back in an hours time. We should go now, I don't know how long they'll be staying there."
"I think this is a mistake!" Sk.y said. "We shouldn't go alone!"
"Then stay here! I have to go. Tell the others where I went and I'll be back shortly"
"I'm not letting you go alone!" Sky said adamantly. "Someone has to watch your back."
"Yas will be with me. Don't worry."
[I don't trust him. This could be a trap. I'm coming with you!"
"Then lets go."