Treachery. 26

In the dark chambers of Xuthulu's domain, something screamed as he ripped loose the chains that were holding his prisoner. He kicked out and swung low forcing the two things that had been dining on his bowels away from him. Slowly he stepped down away from the place where he had been tortured for the last 400 years. He was free now and he had no plans to let Xuthulu capture him again.

Now was his time to escape. But to escape, he would need to get his magic back. He knew he couldn't hide anywhere in Xuthulu's hellish domain. He would need to jump out of here and start a new life somewhere where his hellish tendrils could not reach.
Walking through Xuthulu's dark swamp he could feel things in the murky water nipping at his toes. He kicked out throwing them off his feet. These things would be as him as long as he moved through the water. Soon they would start to get bigger. Then he would have a real problem Moving over to land, he stepped out and moved on looking for a suitable weapon. He knew his journey would be long and deadly.There would be many threats out searching for him once they realized he had escaped. As he walking he looked around and found he was on some kind of old battlefield. The were dead dark things, Xuthulu's warriors and some other race he didn't recognize. They were tall and man like but different. They had human parts, but some had parts he didn't recognize. It was more alien the anything he had ever seen.
As he kicked over the first one, he found armor and weapons. He took a set of chainmail made of some dark unrecognizable material. Being naked, he donned the strange armor and stretched feeling strong and invigorated. There was a sword but it was old and broken. Moving on he searched until he found something he could use. He found a long sword and a knife that he knew he would have no problem using.
As he picked through the dead on the battlefield, a loud scream ring out from somewhere up ahead. He pulled his sword and hunched down behind a large pile of the bodies and watched all around him. As the screaming continued, he watched as a tall hulking long armed creature came out ripping arms and legs from the dead bodies.It made a pile which it wrapped in the torn uniforms of the dead, then it sat down and started to gorge itself on the dead bodies. Keeping his breathing shallow, He hid among the dead. He knew one sound would be all it took to attract the beast.
As he waited, He thought about how he had gotten himself into this mess. He searched back through his memory for any clue to his past actions. What was his name? Where did he come from? How did he get into this place? As he searched his memory, the name Veridon kept coming up. Was that his name? It felt so familiar to him. He said it to himself over and over again until he convinced himself it was his name. Veridon Palak. Yes, that was his name. He was a warrior from the planet Daprion. He was here because Xuthulu had come to his planet and wiped out almost every living thing.

Veridon had come home and found the village where he lived in flames. He ran in through the gate to see the houses and shops all smashed to the ground. He couldn't find anyone alive anywhere. Not at the school or in the aisle of shops.
Panicking, Veridon ran for home. Being one of the elders Veridon and his family had a house on the hill in Elder's circle. As Veridon entered the circled he stopped. There were bodies littering the courtyard. Men, women, and children. All dead and torn apart like they had all been attacked by wild animals. But Veridon knew that hadn't been the case. This could only be the work of Xuthulu the damned. That murderous monster had been beating and attacking the barrier that they had erected to keep him and his minions out for months. Somehow he must have found a way in while Veridon had been out on his mission to find help for his world. Veridon had slipped from dimension to dimension looking for anyone strong enough to take on the bloodthirsty god. But now he was home and it was too late.
Running as fast as he could, Veridon ran up and found the men of his house guard scattered all around the house in pieces on hanging from the gate around his house. Seeing this horror, Veridon was afraid to go into the house. Niyhe, his wife had been taught spells that would let her transport herself and the children to safety. By where on Daprion would be safe from a god? Xuthhulu could find them no matter where they hid. But he had to know for sure. Maybe they were still here wounded but not dead.
Hurrying into the house. Veridon ran up the stairs two at a time until he was standing in the bloody corridor outside of his main bedroom. There he found his worst nightmare come true. Setion, his chief lieutenant ripped apart as he lay outside the bedroom. He and five of his men had stayed to try and protect his family. Hurrying to the door, Veridon pushed it open and fell screaming to his knees. They were all dead. His entire family from his mother to his youngest daughter Maira. On his knees Veridon wept. He remembered his family from days in the past. The births of his three children. How young Rayon hardly ever cried in the night or little Eyon when he same down with Moroski and had a temperature of 105.5. He almost died but Veridon found a healer that brought his temperature back down to a safe place. And Maira's infectious laughter. How he loved holding her and listening to her laughing.Wiping away his tears, Veridon climbed back on to his feet and turned away. From the front of his devastated house he sent out a probe that scanned all the nearby villages, towns and encampments. There was nothing living no matter how far he searched. Daprion was dead and it was all because of that damned Xuthulu. He would pay for this god Veridon s wore then and there that he would find a way to kill that murderous god.

As the long armed monster lurched it's way closer, Veridon gripped his sword in anticipation. Waves of stench drifted Veridon's way as the thing moved closer. As the  thing got to Veridon's pile it groaned and tilted its head. Veridon looked up into its monstrous maw. Jagged blood covered teeth with bits of flesh growled down at him. Veridon jumped as the thing swung down at him. Body pieces flew everywhere as it kicked it's way toward its prey. Veridon ducked and leaped as the monster came at  him. He swung his sword cutting into its arm. It screamed as it made a fist and slammed down at Veridon. Jumping safely away, Veridon spun in a pirouette and pulled his second blade and hacked at the beast's neck and legs. As it fell, it reached out throwing some kind of web out to entangle Veridon's legs. With a gigantic yank, the monster pulled Veridon off his feet. Veridon fell face first into the bloody mud of the battlefield. Lurching to it's feet, the hulk howled and started moving toward Veridon. As he heaved himself up, Veridon slashed out with his short sword and cut the webs off his legs. Jumping to his feet, he stabbed up with his swords and sent his blades into the hulks chest. Cutting wide, he sliced through the beats heart. Leaping away, Veridon rolled as the beast fell just barely missing him.
As he looked down at the dead monster, Veridon knew this was one of millions of Xuthulu's minions. His only hope of escape would be if he could find and retrieve his chest piece and armor. Only then would he have the power to leave this place and go after Xuthulu for his revenge.
Concentrating, Veridon activated his link to his mystical armament. There, he looked out to see a shining beacon. There was his weapons. They were a long ways away, but they were his only chance. Cutting away the hulks furry clothing, Veridon started on his way towards the mountain and his revenge.

Asleep in his tent, Ivran Ja'dam tossed and turned for hours. The last time he faced the Hyenens things hadn't gone so well. He lost his closest friend and two entire squadrons of warriors in the battle. He couldn't afford a rerun of that. He had to be sure that he was on the winning side and the only way to do that is weigh my enemies and decide who has a better chance to win.
 [Do you not trust me?] A voice said with a deep barrel of laughter. [Forgive me for intruding on your dream but I see the dilemma. I am Xuthlu master of the darkness and evil. I know your heart Ivran Ja'dam. I know what brings joy to your heart. You want eternal life and a place with the gods. And only I can get this for you. But you must give me what I want. You must trust in my power]
"And what is that?" Ivran asked. "What can I give to a god that he doesn't all ready have?"
"I'm sure I'll think of something." Xuthulu's voice boom over him. "Right now have your warriors ready to fight."
"Why should I trust you?" Ivran asked. "You could be just some mage looking for an army to back him up as he made his bid to take control of Aspana."
"Would you feel better if I should you my true nature?"
"What would that prove?" Ivran turned his back to the voice and started to walk off. "I can make illusions too."
As Ivran Ja'dam started to move away, thunder and lightning flared all around him.
"What kind of dream is this?? He thought.
"This is how a god reveals himself. Your magiks won't work on me."
Ivran sighed.
As he turned the sky lit up to show a monstrous oozing tentacled creature reaching out to him. Ivran screamed as he was lifted high into the air and brought in for a closer look.
"Do you believe me now?"
"YES!!" Ivran screamed as he woke up sweating and letting his waste go in the bed then crashing to the floor. Getting up on his knees Ivran bowed before his new god.
"H,how can I serve y you?"
[Just have your troops ready when I call.] Xuthulu said with a devious stare that only Ivran could see. [You are mine now and everything you have belongs to me, and I will use you as  see fit.]
Humble and down Ivran shook as Xulthulu passed. He was right, He thought. He was was his in any he wanted. He would do anything and give him all he wanted and all he had to do was ask.
With a kick as he passed, Ivran fell over and rolled through a puddle of his waste Ivran stood up shakiness as pieces of waste fell aside. But it wasn't always like this. There was a time long ago went things were different. A time when he would stand up for himself, A time when he feared nothing
[Go get cleaned up.] Xuthulu said [There are things we have to do.]
"Yes, Master."

Slowly Ivran shook himself then looked around his royal bedroom. There were clean clothes there for him to be dressed in when he was ready. His crown and the jewelry he wore normally was there on his dressing table. Throwing his legs over the bedside he got himself up and moved to the dressing table. He looked at himself. He didn't much like the image he saw reflected back to him. There were lines that ran all over his face and down his neck. his hair was still a silvery white but his skin tone had darkened to almost black. His eyes were baggy and deep grey which were unusual for an Elf almost five hundred years old. He had done every spell and use any alchemist concoction he had ever heard of to cheat death and prolong his life. Not much had worked, He did add a century, but he was looking for more than that. For his help, Xuthlu had promised him almost god-like abilities. He promised an extraordinarily long life and magic no one else had ever controlled before. That intrigued Ivran. An ability no else had ever had before, That could be useful.
As Ivran looked at his battered aged face he thought about the fact that Sorel had seen when they first met. He had been just past his first mark and a student in the castle of Roman the Dark. He had just returned from a mission for his master and found him busy talking with an astonishingly beautiful woman in a dark cloak.
"And you say the boy knows nothing about what his father is up to?" Roman sat forward and leaned on the heavy arms of his throne while he listened.
"Not only does he not." She said. "He cares only for his games and his women. He knows nothing of an Elves responsibility to honor."
"Is that so?" Roman stood up and stepped down confront the elven maid. He looked over to see Ivran standing in the outer room almost out of earshot and smiled.
"Then he must be taught."
"I am sending his father on a mission that will take some time. Have the boy report to Santar Hybar in Katar. He owes me for his position in Katar's leading circle. He will train him."
"But what of the boy's father?" She asked. "Is he to know?"
"If and when he returns." Roman said without lifting his eyes from his food. "It will be too late."
He took a sweet cherry from a dish of fruit on the table and popped it on his mouth and started to chew.
"You will not speak of this again. The father is not to know any of this. Do you understand?"
"Yes."She said as she bowed and turned to leave his throne room.
"Myumbo." Roman called out to Ivran. He sat down at the table and called out to anyone listening. "You may come out now, she is gone."
"Master." He said with his eyes down. "I did not mean to intrude."
"If I didn't want you to hear, you would be dead," Roman said without lifting his eyes from his food. "She was not important." He picked up his wine glass and held it out as a servant ran in to fill it.
"I am all that you have to worry about."
"I understand Master," Ivran told him.
"You may report now."
"We have taken all the lands to the east and south," Ivran said nervously while his hand moved to the weapon at his side. "The north and south are proving to be more courageous."
"What do you mean?" Roman asked through a mouth full of food."The Great Bats in the priesthood of Welicia are keeping to their promise. They will seize the mountain passes all through Welicia and Dryad. They are the secret to our success. They will keep our city safe while we reach out and destroy the northern lands. Hestifera and Nickidemus can keep Dryad for all I care. They can keep it until the day I come back and rip it from their powerless hands."
As Ivran started out of Romans dark chamber, Ivran thought about Sorel and what they would do when he returned to her and their bed. He hardly had been able to keep his mind off her for the whole ride home. Her sweet lips and those tender thighs had been all he could think of as he made his way further and from her warm embrace.
As the master talked and the bulge in his pants grew larger and larger, Ivran shook himself one of his erotic thoughts. It wasn't safe for either him or Sorel if he was caught not paying attention as the master was talking. Many had made that mistake and very few have lived to regret it.The fate of Baxter his last apprentice still haunted the memories of Roman's great house. Ivran had learned it was better to protect his thoughts and keep them buried deep in his mind.
As Ivran came back from his sexual dream, Roman smiled. At last, his apprentice had made a mistake. Now Roman had all he needed to gain complete control of him. Sorel, what a sweet memory she would be.

Friends and Enemies. 25

In the dark main house of Mancoro, it's master sat brooding over recent events. Things had his way in recent days. Msia Duma was back in his pit where he belonged. Though he found the dragon egg and was accepted by the dragonet, it hadn't done much good. He still wasn't powerful enough to beat Mulu in a battle of magiks. The Demon Hyenen still held Aspana's fates in his hands.
Getting up off his throne, Mulu made his way out of his private study and down through the house. He took the beautiful bone staircase down to the houses ground floor. From there he walked on through the main hallway and out of the house. The night was cool but things like temperature didn't bother the Demon Lord. His body was used to the Underworlds heat, so Aspana was nothing to him.
As he left the house, all movement in the courtyard stopped. The Hyenen's dropped to their knees and bowed to their master. Looking from left to right, Mulu was pleased with what he saw. Not having the nerve to interrupt the Demon lord earlier, Gurresh hurried to catch up to him.
"Was your mission successful?"
"Yes, Master," Gurresh said. "The girl is in the pit you assigned for her."
"Very good," Mulu said. "And what of the other's?"
"They are all here," Gurresh said pointing out back into the darkness. "They were placed in a pit in the dark. Each one in a separate prison."
"Show me where they are."
Nodding Gurresh hurried on to the back of Mancoro. They passed the one-room huts and moved on to the section where the thatched hut was built. From there Gurresh led him through the bigger houses of the dead Hyenen elders. Behind them, there was a line of six deep pits dug into the ground.
As Mulu stepped up to the first pit, Msia stood up ready for whatever Mulu had planned. Mulu laughed at Msia's defiance.
"The weak fool, he thinks he still has a chance to defeat me." Mulu slammed his hands together creating a loud thunderclap. "There's is no hope for you Msia. The prophets have seen it. I will be the next lord of all of Aspana."
"You have brought the war to our lands" Msia shouted up at Mulu. "But that will not make you the lord of Aspana. You can try, but I have faith in Mother Nurisha. She will not make you master sending the people into a hundred years of despair."
"Gods have nothing to do with it." Mulu laughed. "I am beyond the gods. I rule my destination with no help from any higher power."
At that exact moment, thunder erupted in the sky and a bolt of lightning crashed down striking the ground next to Mulu. Mulu gazed down at the burned patch of grass next to him.
"See! Not even your gods can destroy me!!" With that said, Mulu turned away laughing and walked away.
"We will see Evil one. We will see."

As the lightning struck the ground, Sakura woke up screaming. He had been dreaming that he and Astan were being chased by Demondogs. No matter what they did they couldn't get away from them. Neither Astan's magic or Sakura's strength made any difference, they just kept on attacking.
Running as fast as they could, Astan sent bolts of power back to try and slow down the  Demondogs chasing them. Sakura's blade flashed striking them down as they came into his range. Then something grabbed Astan and pulled him away from Sakura. Sakura stopped then dived back with Oblivion cutting into a mad frenzy. But there were too many of them. In a few minutes, they pulled him down. That's when he screamed waking himself up.
As he looked around he realized he had no idea where he was. This wasn't the campsite where he had fallen asleep. He was in a deep pit to high and wide for him to climb out. What had happened? Where were Dar'yl, Quynn, and the others? Where was he? As paced from side to side, a familiar scent drifted down to him. As Sakura drew it in he became angry and started to growl. He had smelled this scent before. Out on the savanna and many times in the jungle around Tinpa. Hyenens and the smell were overpowering. Now he knew where he was. He was in Mancoro, the Hyenen city.
[Yes Love. We have been captured by Mulu Amin.]
[Astan? Are you here too? Are you alright?]
[Yes Love.] Astan answered. [I'm in a pit not far from you and I'm not hurt.]
[Good.] Sakura sent him waves of love. [Becaue I'm not sure what I would do if anything happens to you. And I'm not sure how your father would take it either.]
[My father?] Astan sent confused. He knew Sakura had gone to Tinpa, It had been him that sent him to help the city. But he hadn't expected his father to question Sakura. [What do you mean?]
[I mean your father knows all about us.]
[Oh no!!] Astan moaned into Sakura's mind. [This could mean trouble.]
[No Love. All he wants is for you to be happy. He has no objections to our union as long as we rule with justice and patience. He wants us to bring our lands together. For us to rule as kings.]
Relieved, Astan sent waves of love out to his mate. He wanted Sakura to know that he was happy with the choices he had made. But now they had to concentrate on finding a way out of their prison. Mulu wouldn't leave them alone for too long. By tomorrow, he would be back with torture on his mind. To get out, it would take a mixture of both their talents. Astan's magic's and Sakura's strength.
Astan had tried using his spells to transport him somewhere else. But I didn't work. He could do minor spells, but nothing major which means he couldn't fight Mulu from the pit. But maybe there was another way. Something simple. Something Mulu might not expect.

On the northern side of Mancoro, just outside of the city wall, a grey gorilla sat high in a tree watching the movements in the city. He had been there all day and he'd seen many Demons and Hyenens as they made they way in and out of the city. Nyo was very nervous. He knew Astan was in there somewhere as was Mulu Amin. He moved higher in the tree to keep out of sight. Being caught now would be disastrous to their play. Not that he felt he had to worry very much. It seemed the Demons and Hyenens were to busy fighting each other to look up into the trees.
He had seen Mulu many times going from his house to various parts of the city. He had even seen him stop and beat a group of his Demons to true death. Mulu was malicious, even to his own followers. As it grew dark and lights flared on throughout the city. Nyo watched as a stranger arrived at the gates of Mancoro. From his smell, Nyo couldn't tell this wasn't a Demon or a Hyenen. He had a wild smell and a dark cloak, he was tall with very broad shoulders. At his side, Nyo could see an ornate sword hanging from his belt. There were no features showing. The one thing he did know was that this one was powerful. He had to be or there was no way he would walk into the heart of the Hyenen land alone.
From the gate, the stranger climbed down off his saddle and called out for the master of this city to come out and meet with him. A few minutes later dressed in his battle armor, Mulu Amin with his head held high came walking out to parlay with the stranger.
Moving quietly, Nyo slid down the tree to try and hear what they were saying.
"All is ready," Mulu said. "I have captured the Tigaren, the Pantheran, and a few other enemies."
"You have done well Mulu." The strangers gravely voice said. "When will they die?"
"Their deaths will come when you bring me the king of the Tigarens. He is the only power left that can threaten us."
"He will be here within three days." The stranger said. "Then Aspana will be ours. No one will have the power to stop us!"
As the two allies broke into laughter, Mulu turned and made his way back into the city.
"Myumbo you monster." The stranger said as he climbed on his mount and started off. "Soon I will be rid of you and your Demon and Hyenen warriors. Then we will see who laughs."
With Mulu and the tall stranger gone, Nyo hurried down out of the tree. He had heard what they had been talking about. The stranger was going to go after King Yonas. Somehow they would have to stop him. But how? That could have been almost anyone in that dark cloak. How was he to figure out who the danger would come from? Leaping back into the trees, Nyo moved as fast as he could. He had to get back to the campsite. Palas was his only hope to warn the king before some spy got to him and slipped a knife into his back.

As the moon rose high into the night sky, Pitch dropped down out of the clouds to land in the jungle out beyond the city of Mancora. Aggar climbed down off his back and the dragon shifted back to his human form
"Where to from here?" Aggar asked.
"Mancoro is west of here about ten miles." Akani said. "Its an easy run for us in our animal form."
"What do we do once we find it?" Aggar said as he put his pack on his back.
"We go in and get Msia."
"You really think it'll be that easy?" Aggar folded his arms across his chest, "Mulu will be there and so will his warriors Demon and Hyenen. And who knows what else."
"That won't matter." Akani said. "My dragon is all we need."
"You're being overconfident," Aggar said. "Dragons are very powerful beings but they aren't unstoppable. There are ways to kill a Dragon and I'll bet Mulu knows that. Don't forget he holds Inferno and he can do the same with you."
"You don't know what I can do Aggar." Akani was upset. He didn't like the idea that Aggar didn't trust his newly acquired Dragon abilities. As the new Dragon of sound, there was no other dragon like him. A battle with Mulu would prove his strength his nights."
Aggar couldn't believe what he was hearing. Akani know that the strong always defeat the weak. He thought his new dragon made him powerful. More powerful then Mulu, but he didn't really know how dangerous the Hyenen witch doctor was. But with all the battles and wars Aggar had seen, he knew to never be overconfident in battle. Drake Tyr taught him it was always best to know your enemy.
His weapons and his weaknesses before you engage him in battle. He had to find a way to show Akani his error.
"Face me Akani," Aggar said as he pulled out his knives. "Now attack me!"
As Akani turned he started his shift to Pitch. With a roar, he took a deep breath and aimed for Aggar.
With incredible speed, Aggar dive at Pitch's feet then he leaped up and grabbed his neck. He wrapped his legs around his neck and put his knives to Pitch's weak spot
"Now do you see what I mean?" Aggar said. "You thought your dragon could overcome any enemy, but you were wrong. I slipped in under your guard and had your life in my hands. Now imagine I had Mulu's magic. Who knows what he could do. Your dragon is still young. He needs experience. he needs to grow and learn his limits before he battles an enemy like Mulu."
[You're right.] Pitch sent. [Then what are we going to do? We can't leave Msia in Mulu's hands.]
"We need to find help. There has to be others out here looking to get in Mancora. We find them and band together. Shift back and let's get moving."

As Nyo leaped down from the trees and ran into their campsite, Hayami jumped holding his spear up to challenge the intruder. When he saw Nyo he lowered the weapon and greeted his old friend.
"What did you  find out?" He asked.
"A lot," Nyo said. "Come, we should get to Palas. We all need to hear this."
 Palas sat having a breakfast of fruit and dried meat they had taken from Goren in Domina. As Nyo and Hayami hurried over he put down his mugs of hot coffee to listen. When Nyo was done with his report, Palas stood up and threw the hot brew into the fire.
"I'm the only one that can reach Tinpa in time," Palas said as he stretched his wings to get ready for a long flight. "I'll have to be fast and strong. There might be opposition out there waiting to stop me. I'll take food and drink for two days.
"Be careful my friend," Nyo said placing a hand on Palas's shoulder.  "King Yonas life might be in your hands. Hayami lets breakdown camp, its time to go find our friends."

In Tinpa, Yonas Kinya had just returned home from the war. The Tigarens with the help of the Rhinons and the Zebrens had pushed the Hyenens from their borders to back in the dry lands when a message came telling Yonas that he was needed back at home. On his way back to Tinpa, he met up with a group of warriors from Panthera with written orders from their Regent to escort the King of Tigar home and to be his personal guards. King Yonas didn't see the point, but it was wartime and Tigara could use all the help they could get, so he accepted and took them home with him.
Big mistake.

In the outer study of the kingdom of Ja'dam, Sky stood looking at Quynn and Dar'yl as he explained what he thought was about to happen.
"That's not Cormac's father in there," Sky said as cool frosted breath came out o his mouth.
"Then who is it?" Dar'yl asked fingering his sword.
"I don't know. It's some kind of shadow."
"Does Cormac know?" Quynn asked.
"No, I don't think so."
"Then get ready. He come's."
As the doors opened, Cormac came out with a strange look on his face,
"What is it?" Quynn asked
"I'm not sure," He said. "He wants to see you, but while my back was turned, Father sent for his weapons. He's never done that before."
Just then, a small group of guards came running in with their weapons all pointed at Quynn, Sky, Dar'yl and Cormac.
"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?" Cormac shouted angrily. ""These are guest in our house, put away those weapons!"
"I'm sorry my Prince but this is the king's orders. He wants you and  your friends brought before him in chains."
As Dar'yl reached for his sword, a guard grabbed Cormac and slipped a dagger to his throat.
"Make another move Lion and he dies."
"Put it away Dar'yl," Quynn said. "For now we will do as they say. Give them your weapons.

From the king's study, they were taken down into the belly of Ja'dam's dungeons and stripped of all their weapon's. Cormac didn't have much to say. He was embarrassed by the way his guest was being treated.
"This has never happened before," He said. "My father is a gracious host. even to suspected enemies, he keeps them under a constant watch, but he's never put them in chains or thrown them in the dungeon."
"Cormac." Sky as he came over to the confused man. "I think you should sit down. We have something to tell you."
After Sky told him what he thought, Cormac jumped and slammed his fist down into the bed. What Sky had said could mean only one thing. Ja'dam had been invaded and his father had been taken. It was up to him to go out and find him and bring him home.
"First we get the intruder off your throne, then we think about finding your father."
"How do we get out of here?" Cormac asked.
"The king wants to see us remember." Sky smiled. "I think we can give him a cold welcome."

After a two day waits, King La'darein Ja'dam had his guards bring Cormac, Quynn, and Sky to his audience chamber to see him. Cormac stood proud with his head high as the guards taunted him poking him with the butts of their spears never once using the tips fearing how and what he might do.
As they were led into the audience room, King La'darein sat scowling on the throne with a blue-skinned bald regally dressed stranger there at his side.
"Who are you?" The bald man asked.
"Who are you?" Cormac said boldly. "You're not one of our people and since when did you become an adviser to the king?"
"You will answer his questions." King La'darein said firmly. "And you will stand aside Cormac."
"Or what?" Cormac pushed his way forward. "You're not my father. You're not king here. You're an invader sent here to destroy my people and I won't let you. Sky, now!!"
Quickly Sky inhaled while Quynn, Dar'yl, and Cormac came close with their chained hands held up. Sky let out a short burst of cold. Sent out to freeze the chains. With a single motion, they all slammed their manacles together to shatter them like fragile pieces of clay pottery. As Sky, Dar'yl Quynn and Cormac took positions to attack, King La'darein jumped to his feet screaming for his guards. Like soldier ants, the guard came running in to defend their king. Looking at the armed soldier, Quynn shouted a quick spell, in a flash Dar'yl and Cormac's weapons appeared at their backs in their usual places. Feeling the weight of his sword on his back, Dar'yl roared his battle cry as he pulled the sword and charged forward into battle. With the two warriors ready for battle, Quynn and Sky let loose with bolts of energy and freezing cold as they entered the fight.
As the battle broke out, the bald blue-skinned man hurried down and grabbed a fallen warriors weapon and charged at Cormac.
"You think you will be Ja'dam's next ruler but you are wrong!" He raised his sword to attack. "Ja'dam will be ours and the Dark Elf's with fall!"
"Never!" Cormac yelled as he brought his weapon up to block. Swinging around with his short sword, Cormac aimed low for a swipe at the blue man's chest. Jumping back, the blue-man dodged the attack.
"I am Xanthor of Xuthulu's first circle," The blur man said as he grew three feet to tower over Cormac. "Get ready to die little man!"
As Xanthor's sword crashed down barely missing Cormac, Sky turned from battle and shouted something no one understood at Cormac. Before he could react, Cormac shot up in height match the size of his opponent.
[End the battle Quick.] Sky sent. [The spell will only last minutes.]
With a smile, Cormac dived into battle. His swords moved with a speed he had never had before. He blocked Xanthor's strikes and came back to cut into his arm and leg. Feeling the pain, Xanthor stumbled back surprised at Cormac's skill and speed. Reaching his hand out, Xanthor shot three bolts of energy at Cormac and dived in to attack. With astonishing speed, Cormac brought his blade up and in three quick motions sent the energy bolts back at Xanthor. like crossbow bolts, the three bolts hit Xanthor in his chest, head and shoulder knocking him back and out of the battle.
With a victorious cheer, Cormac turned to the man on the throne who had invaded his home to pose as his father. Looking grim with his sword raised, Cormac started up the steps of the throne. As the spell wore off, Cormac returned to his normal size. A warrior hurried up to step in front of the king to defend him. With one blow, Cormac knocked him aside and stood in front of the trembling king.
"Where is my father?"
"He is here," The king laughed. "But you will never get him free!"
As Cormac raised his sword to strike, Dar'yl grabbed his arm to stop him.
"Cormac." He said. "This is your father. Something evil has control of him. Let me try. I maybe able to free him."
Nodding, Cormac stepped back out of the way as Dar'yl took his place in front of the king.
"What is your name Demon"
"You think I will share that with you?" The Demon laughed. "That would give you power over me?"
"You don't have to give anything to me." Dar'yl smiled. "But I will get what I want from you and you will release King La'darein."
"And what  power do you have that will make me obey you?" The Demon smiled as  his eyes glowed red. "I will never release him.  His soul is so sweet and warm. When it is time, I will bring the rest of  my brothers here to feast on these worms."
"I don't think so." Dar'yl took a deep breath as his mane started to glow white. As he stared down into the king's eyes he roared. The king started to shake and scream. Cormac leaped forward to save his father. Quynn grabbed him and pulled him back.
As the glow faded from Dar'yl's mane, he stepped away from the king and turned around.
"It is done," He said. "The king is free."
"Hurrying to his father, Cormac grabbed him by his shoulders and lifted him into a hug.
"Father, are you alright?"
"Cormac? Where am I?"
"Home safe father. The nightmare is over."
"No," He said. "I'm afraid it's not."
"What do you mean?" Dar'yl asked.
"Who are you?" The king asked getting to his feet. "Why are you here in my house?"
"I brought them here Father. They just saved your life."
"You have my thanks Friend lion, but my warning is for you and your people."
"What is it your Majesty?" Quynn asked.
"The monster that held me prisoner is after the northern lands first." He explained. "There is something up there he has an alliance with. Its a dark hearted beast who wants you Lions and Tigars slave under his claws."
As Dar'yl stood back, Sky stepped up.
"That has to be Mulu Amin," He said frowning. "Only he his that much hate in his heart. He has to be the one the Regent warned me about."
"What do we do?" Cormac asked.
"We head to Mancora." Dar'yl said. "You Cormac, stay here and help your father get your people ready in case the war makes it to Ja'dam."
"But I could go and fight with you."
"No,"Quynn said. "Dar'yl is right. Your place is here with your people. If we need your help. I will come for you."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes," King La'darein said with his hand on his son's shoulder. "We have a lot to do. Our border posts need to be examined and re-enforced. We have a lot of work to do. but we can offer your friends a good meal and a bed for the night."
"Diola lle." Quynn bowed.
"Lle creoso a'baramin." King La'darein said in reply.
"What's that mean?" Sky asked.
"We are welcome in his house." Quynn laughed.

That night there was celebration in Ja'dam. The lights and music went on until late in the morning hours. King La'darein and Prince Cormac stayed up until way pass the 5th hour in the morning when they declared it to be time for sleep. The city guard were set in place as the rest of Ja'dam turned in for some sleep. With Sky at his side, Quynn was shown to a suite where they could lay down and rest while Dar'yl took a place on the royal balcony where he would stay up and be on guard.
As the 6th hour passed a dark demon appeared outside the city gate. With an evil grin, he worked his hands onto a spell that put everyone in the palace into a deep sleep. Then he spoke his spell.

WITH EVIL INTENT AND DARKNESS IN MIND.
FROM JA'DAM TO MANCORA I CONJURE A SPACE.
A SPACE TO PLACE THE TWO I SEEK.
PLACE THEM IN A DARK PLACE.
AND DO IT WITH  ALL HASTE.

As dark magic spun and weaved in the air over Mulu's head, a blast shriek out like a bolt of lightning and flew into Ja'dam palace. In seconds the sleeping forms of Quynn and Sky floated out of the palace and went out to Mulu where it stopped and floated suspended. Mulu raised his hand and guided the sleeping bodies through a portal that lead to Mancora.
"I could destroy Ja'dam," Mulu said as he turned and stepped up to the portal. "But my Demondogs deserve something to kill. I will return later."

As Dar'yl lay quiet dreaming of running through sun-soaked fields with a Lioness dressed in a tan skirt and top Nurisha appeared at his side and bent over to whisper in his ear.
"Be wake my handsome warrior." Her sweet voice sent feelings of thrilling dreams into his mind. "I have work for you tonight."
"What is it Mother Nurisha? Dar'yl said as he smiled and hugged his pillow.
"You are needed in the western mountains." She said as she blew on his tingling ear. "Take no one with you. I will lead you back when the mission is done."
"What is my mission?"
"Free the Griffins from their prison."



Quynn rolled over and opened his eyes, he didn't recognize his surroundings. He looked up and saw the twilight. The moon was high above his head. He was in some kind of pit or crevice. The walls were over ten or fifteen feet high. Too high for him to climb, but it should be no problem for his Dragon. Stepping forward for more room, Quynn took a deep breath and started his shift to Dyrgyn. With a roar, Dyrgyn announced his entrance into the world. With one mighty leap and a sweep of his wings. the dragon was at to top just about to crawl out. As he reached up and over the rim of the pit there was a strong flash and Dyrgyn slammed into a force field that sent him rolling back down to the bottom of the pit. As Quynn sat up back in his normal form his head ached with pain. What was that up there? He had never felt such pain in his life.
Well, climbing out didn't work, he wondered who else might be trapped here. Folded his legs and made himself comfortable He closed his eyes and reached out to read the area at the top of the pit. His mind flared up with pain. He saw the six pits but it hurt too much to go beyond them. As he checked the first pit, burning pain ripped through his mind. Quynn backed away from it. Then he felt a cool stream of comfort radiating out from the third pit. It felt familiar. As he reached for it, he knew it coulld only be Sky.
[Sky? Are you here? Are you hurt?
[No Quynn.] He answered.[Just a little dazed. Where are we?]
[My guess is Mancora. I think Mulu came in the night and somehow took us away.]
[What about the others?]
[They could  be in the other pits but I doubt it.]
[What do you mean?]
[I don't think Mulu would even consider Nyo and Hayami worth bothering with. I think Astan and Sakura are in the other pits.]
[If there's one of us in each pit, that makes four.] Sky sent. [Who could be five and six?]
[I don't know.] Quynn sent. [You're better at this than me. You check them out. I'll try and find a way out.]

Watching from above on a different astral plane, Nurisha stood up in her sparkling gown of stars and mist. She turned to Tyree and Aramis who sat on the side calmly watching.
"What can we do to help?"
"Nothing," Aramis said looking from Tyree to Nurisha. "I know it hurts you to see this happening in Aspana. As the god of life, I feel it too. But we have to let them solve their own affairs."
"But its not just them." Nurisha cried. "There is something dark down there pushing them on. I don't know who it is, but there is something evil and dark down there, I can feel it stabbing into me."
"We will keep watch," Aramis said as he hugged her close. "I know what it would do to you, my Love. I will not let Aspana fall."
As the cloudy scene of the little piece of Heaven faded away, a dark bit of laughter could be heard drifting through the ether

The Wrong Side of the War. 24

The night was quiet as Ranjer winged his way across the ocean towards Aspana. His was a mission of mercy. He was supposed to be here looking for his cousin Quynn. The son of his brother Jandar and the Dragon Rage. They were here at the request of some dream Sky had. Sky's dreams. Ranjer and Quynn had learned long ago to trust Sky's dreams. Sky's dreaming ability had gotten them out of many dark situations in the past. As a matter of fact, it had been Sky's dreams that had brought them together in the first place.
With very little to go on except for Sky's dream, Jandar had sent the two off to save the southern lands. His only real hope had been that somewhere down on the southern continent there were Dragons that Quyyn might find to aid him in his battles. But for now, all he would have is Ranjer and Sky and the lessons his fathers had drilled into all of them.
From the northern ocean, Ranjer banked south looking for the lights of any Elven, Fairy, Human or Were settlement. Though the jungle seemed thick, there had to be settlers here somewhere. At least Sky thought there were. That is what brought them here, A war, but who was out here fighting who? And is this something they should even get involved in? With all the wars and battles the Dragons had been in, Ranjer wasn't sure it even made sense for them to even get involved down here. But the Dragons had sworn to protect Keanna, If there was the conflict here, and innocence was in danger, of course, they would get involved.
As Ranjer made his way south, he saw many small battles all across the savannah and through the jungle. There were a few cities under siege, but Ranjer kept moving south. As of now, the war wasn't his business, finding Quyyn and Sky main objective.
As Ranjer flew south, he felt a strange buzzing in his ear. At first, it was just an annoyance until it started getting stronger and more powerful. What the hell was it? He had never felt anything like it before. Then out of nowhere, he felt a sudden tug down and a voice calling out to him.
Like an arrow, Ranjer started down heading straight for the lights. As he got closer he realized it wasn't the lights of a settlement that he saw. It was the lights of war.
[Help us.] he heard. [Stop the Tigaren's!]
Amazed at what he saw, Ranjer dived in shouting a spell he had learned over the past year. Suddenly the skies grew gray and the winds began to rage. Streaks of lightning flew from the clouds right into the charging Tigaren army. One by one the Tigaren's where thrown about like toy dolls. Some were strong and shook it off, but many lay where they landed and never got up again. As Ranjer flew overhead a Tigaren in bright armor thrust out his weapon and called forth a blast of heat that just missed the young Vampire. Feeling the blast singe his side, Ranjer pulled up and did a turn that had him crash into the jungle just beyond where all the fighting was going on. As he tumbled through the jungle Ranjer did a quick shift and came charging out to attack the Tigaren's in the form of a small man-sized Dragon With a bellow of overheated smoke, Ranjer attacked. The first Tigaren was surrounded by smoke and fell overcome by the fumes. The next three were slashed and torn to pieces as Ranjer did a mid-air flip and dived at a group charging in at a bunch of Hyenen's backs. With his wings spread, Ranjer moved through the Tigaren's like a piranha. He snapped and ripped into the enemy with a ferocity that only a Vampire or Werewolf could.
With the sound of a bellowing roar, Ranjer looked out to see the Tigaren army retreat. As he looked up at the top of the hill, he saw the Tigaren chief putting his sword back into its scabbard.
[We will meet again Mnyama.] The Tigaren said with a strong mind blast. [When we do, one of us will surely die. Until then, Watch where you go. We Tigaren's have many allies that will be looking for you, so beware.]
As the Tigaren's ran off into the jungle, Ranjer slowly made his way down to the Hyenen camp. There was something about these Dog men that Ranjer didn't trust. They all had a sly look about them. Valkar had once warned him about anyone with that look. He said never trust them. It might be wise to listen closely to his father's advise in this strange new land.
As Ranjer started out for the Hyenen camp, a tall Hyenen dressed in bone armor walked out to meet him. On his head, he wore the skull of some horn-headed animal with bone plates covering his chest. On his lower parts, he wore a  black and green kilt. One would think his armor weak, but Ranjer had a feeling it was stronger than Dwarven enchanted gold.
"Myumbo." The Hyenen said walling out to greet him.
"Friend I hope," Ranjer answered with a smile. "But only time will tell."
"Then I will greet you as a friend and hope we continue as such." Mulu Amin bowed his head never taking his eyes off of Ranger. "I am Mulu Amin, Demon chief of all of Aspana. I bid you welcome to my lands and I hope you will join in to take Aspana as my own."
At that moment alarms went off in Ranjer's head. He had made a huge mistake. Somehow he had dropped into Aspana and fell into the wrong side of the war. His father had been right. The Hyenen were the invading army. He should have been fighting on the side of the Tigaren's but now here he wf as sharing a camp with what might turn out to be his worst foe. Where the hell was Quyyn when he needed him.

It was cool and dark as Astan woke up from the horrible nightmare. He had dreamed that Mulu had captured him, Sakura and Msia and trapped them all in a dark cave that sucked away every spell they tried to use to escape. Msia tried a power bolt that bounced back and slammed him into the cave wall. Then Astan tried using flames to propel himself up and out of the cave pit. But instead of propelling him, it lit him on fire and Astan woke up as the green flames began to engulf him. Breathing heavy, Astan sat and looked around the camp. The dream had scared him right down to his core, but he knew somewhere out in the darkness, Mulu was waiting for him.
Looking out into the dark jungle, Astan looked across the camp to where Nyo sat snoring in his sleeping covers by the fire. An alarm blared out in Astin's head. Something was wrong. Nyo shouldn't be asleep. He was supposed to be on watch protecting the camp from intruders.
With his staff at his side, Astan pushed away from the covers and got to his feet. His senses were alert ready to warn him of the slightest movement anywhere around him.  He could hear the sound of Owls hooting in the night as crickets dances all around. The roar of a night hunter rang out as he made his way through the darkness The fresh smells of the jungle filled his lungs as something else caught his attention. Feeling an attack about fall on him, Astan turned back towards the camp as something heavy fell hitting him in the back of his head. Astan fell into the arms of the Demondog as he dropped his club at his feet. With an evil smile, the Demondog turned and headed home to bring his prize to his master Mulu Amin.

"There is one more thing you need before we head to Mancoro." Aggar said as they moved through the thick jungle.
"What?" Akani asked.
"You'll find it here,"
"In there?" He pointed into the dark cave. He could hear strange sounds coming of the darkness. He wonders what could possibly be in there.
"I might be our salvation." Aggar smiled. "You should hurry. Mulu's getting more dangerous by the minute.
After a deep swallow, Akani started on his way in. After a few feet, he turned and looked back at Aggar. He stood and shoed him on. Moving on, Akani looked to his left, then right for any sign of danger. Hi stared ahead trying to see through the darkness, but could barely make out anything three feet in front of him. Strange, Akani thought. Jackals had excellent night vision. he should be able to see clearly in here, but he couldn't see anything.
[You will see only what I want you to see.]
Akani stopped. Did he really hear that? It must be his imagination.
[I am not a part of your imagination. I am your future.]
Akani started to shake. Whatever was in here didn't fear him. He had to push his fear back and continue on. Whatever was in here was important. Aggar wouldn't have sent him in if it wasn't
Ten more feet. Twenty, Thirty feet, then forty. It was getting cold in here. Akani pulled his vest tighter to himself.
[You don't fear me.] The voice said.[That is good. We will do many good things together.]
What could it be talking about? It talked as if Akani was going to join with it. That wasn't possible.
[It is more than possible. We are the future.]
Puzzled, Akani moved on. He went straight ahead then made a right turn.
[STOP!] The voice said as lights flared out revealing a small chamber in the cave.
[I am here.] Came from his left. [Pick me up.]
Looking down, Akani saw a clutch of broken eggs. Beneath the shattered shells, something was pushing its way out. He knelt and brushed the shells aside and found an unbroken egg laying there pulsing with life. Akani thought it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
[I am Flicker. Are you not for me?]

As Aggar sat outside waiting, he wondered exactly what would be coming out of the cave. He had heard the voice calling out to Akani, though he wasn't sure if Akani heard it. Now he understood that his job was to help the subjects get to, and get used to being a Dragon. It couldn't be easy sharing one's body with a Dragon. He had heard some went mad unable to get used to sharing their body.
Just then, Aggar heard a noise coming from the cave. He got to his feet and took a few steps toward the cave and looked into the cave. Suddenly there was a loud screech and something came flying out of the cave. Aggar dived to the side just in time to get under the wing as it took a swipe at him.
Getting back to his feet, Aggar reached behind him for his knives to be ready for the beast next charge. As Aggar waited, something else came flying out if the cave.
[Be still Aggar.] Pitch said. [I won't let it hurt you.]
As the bat thing squeaked, it did a turn then came flying at Aggar with its claws ready to rip into him.
Landing in front of Aggar, Pitch rose up on his hind legs and let out loud roar. A field of cold appeared in front of the bat. It tried to change directions but it was too late. It slammed into the freezing field and froze solid then crashed to the ground and shattered into a million pieces.
[We should go Aggar.] Akani said as he shifted forms. [There is a lot to do if we are to free Msia.]

It was late as Deja sat eating her dinner. She had Rabbit stew made from vegetables she had picked as she walked and her night's catch. She had been ducking battles all day trying to stay ahead of the Hyenens and the Demondogs. She was bone tired and not sure if it was safe to sleep and she missed her father very much. Last time she had seen him was back in the Canin village where they had split up. She had gone out to help the Canin's while Aggar went on to the Pumen village. The Canin had fought bravely and she didn't worry about them being invaded anymore. They knew how to fight now and they could always call out to her for assistance and she would come running.
As she finished off the last of her stew, she thought about Tof back at home. Had the talks with their Human neighbors gone well, or were they now at war at home again? From here she couldn't get much of a read on Tof. He was too far away. But usually, she could pick up his thoughts from ten miles away. She guessed it had something to do with her emotions. She never dared to call it love, since he was married to Lady Keya Thorn and that might bring scandal on the family name. But she had hopes and dreams and it couldn't hurt to have her private dreams. At least that's what her mother always told her. At that thought, Deja wondered if her mother knew her secret. Could she have seen the way Deja looked whenever Tof was around? Or maybe she had caught one of Deja's dreams. Mother was always the better at reading Deja then father or any of the rest of the family except Jandar and Ono.
As Deja wrapped herself for sleep, she heard footsteps from the jungle coming in her direction. In two swift moves she had her weapons out and water on the fire. Shifting to half wolf half woman she slipped off into the jungle to hunt whatever was hunting her.
In the dark of the night, Gurresh slipped from tree to tree keeping an eye on his query. The master had ordered she be taken to Mancoro tonight for an audience. An audience, Gurresh laughed. That wasn't what it really would be. It will be more of an interrogation. Mulu would ask the questions and if she wanted to live, she would answer quickly and truthfully. The master would know a lie if she told one. Honestly, Gurresh expected her to lie. But that would be it. One lie and that would be it. After she felt the punishment, she would not try it again. Not many would. Gurresh had seen what Mulu called punish. It was horrible. Mulu would use his magic to hold her high up over a pit of lake Vipers, then with each question, he would slice off a strip of her skin. He would start in the back, then move on to her front. By then the questions wouldn't be important. He would be doing it more for his own enjoyment. Most people don't last very long.
Looking closer, Gurresh couldn't help but notice how lovely she was. She had beautiful auburn hair braided and lashed together to sit in a bun on the back of her head. Her ears were dainty and pointed with no earrings. Her eyes were lovely with a sparkle that he could see from high up in the trees. Her mouth looked red naturally, He knew she wasn't wearing any kind of rouge. Rouge would not be a smart thing to wear in a foreign land. The makeup would give her a scent that would be easy to follow. She was dressed in some kind of leather that hugged her body showing her perfect form. Though her hair was strange color, Gurresh thought she was quite beautiful and would make someone a fine mate if she managed to live long enough to take a mate.
As Gurresh watched, he heard a snap come from out in the jungle. It was probably one of the others in the raiding party. As he looked down, he saw her jump up and douse the fire. Then she was gone into the jungle. Carefully, Gurresh made his way down out of the trees. He would have to hurry and catch up with the other. The woman looked dangerous. Though there were five warriors out there hunting her. She was alert to their presence. They would need his help to catch her.
Taking his Hyena form, Gurresh started into the jungle. His night vision was clear and had been enhanced by the master. He followed her scent which was different than the Hyenen and the rest of the jungle animals. To him, her scent was sweet like a like jasmine in full bloom. She was heading straight in towards the Hyenens who was lurking just beyond the clearing just ahead. Suddenly her scent change. It seemed more dangerous. She must have shifted to a more deadly form. From her scent, Gurresh could tell she was ready for battle. But if he could smell her, so could the others. and though they had been ordered to bring her safely back, those idiots might make a mistake and kill her.
As Gurresh ran, he could hear the sound of battle just ahead of him. Doubling his efforts he bore down and made the last hundred feet and dived through the trees to find the woman on the ground with five Hyenens standing over her about to deliver the killing blow.
"STOP!" He growled showing his teeth. "This one is under the protection of our master. He wants her alive. Hurt her and you will pay for your disobedience!"
"Look what she did!" Mwani lifted his head showing the cut on his neck. "She did this! She almost ripped my neck open! I will kill her!"
"No, you won't! You will obey Mulu Amin's orders and you will bring her to him and you will do it now!"
Mwani took a step forward with his fist raised. Gurresh knew he planned to attack them both if he had too. He raised his hand and looked Mwani straight into his eyes.
"Do what you have to." Gurresh said. "But revenge won't make you feel better. It will only make you more like Mulu. Is that what you want?"
Mwani thought about what Gurresh had said. He was right. He was sick of being a bully, one of Mulu's henchmen. It was time he moved on started to live his own life in peace.
"Take her." He said defeated. "Do whatever you have to. I'm not going back. There's a whole world out there and I'm going to find my place. Myumbo."
Mwani turned and started to walk away then stopped.
"Gurresh." He said. "Do yourself a favor. Walk away. Don't go back to Mancoro. There's nothing for you there but misery. Take her and find yourself somewhere away from Mulu and his war. It's not worth it."
As Mwani and the others started away, Gurresh reached down and helped Deja up to her feet.
"Thank you." She said. "I must be moving. My father is somewhere out there looking for me. I have to find him."
She turned to walk away and Gurresh grabbed her arm and pulled her back to face him.
"You misunderstand me. You're not free to go. The master is waiting for you. I have to bring you to him and that's what I'm going to do."

It was early morning as Quynn and Sky opened their eyes to a brand new day.  Dar'yl was sitting at the fire thinking about the past day's events. Quynn stretched then looked around the camp. He didn't see Sakura there anywhere. He turned and kissed Sky good morning.
"Morning Love." He smiled. "You sleep well?"
"Not really." Sky answered. "I kept dreaming about Sakura. He was lost and we couldn't find him."
With a glum look on his face, Quynn reached out to touch Sky.
"Are you sure it was a dream? He's not here in the camp.
Sky's face turned a sudden gray. At that moment he knew it wasn't a dream. It was Sakura reaching out to warn them of his abduction.And that's exactly what had happened. Sometime last night while they were sleeping, the Hyenen snuck into camp and took Sakura. How they did it was a total mystery. Dar'yl was on watch and there was no way he would have allowed his king to be taken away. Sky knew that as sure as he knew Quynn loved him. Now the question was, what do they do now?
"We go after him." Dar'yl said upset. "We can let him stay with Mulu. We have no idea what that bastard will do."
"Yes, we do." Sky said. "He'll kill him. That's why he's been after Sakura and Astan. He knows they are the only real threat to his reign as Aspana's master sorcerer."
"What about us?" Quynn asked. "We are not children. We are strong too."
"Yes, we are." Sky said. "But we are not native to Aspana, that might make the difference."
"I don't understand." Quynn said scratching his head.
"He means only a true king of Aspana will be able to destroy Mulu Amin." Dar'yl said as he looked into their eyes. He knew he would have to explain it to them plainly so they would understand. "The last time I was in Timpa, Zaki Manzi took me to the side and warned me about a possible future event. He said for me to take good care of Prince Sakura and to find Prince Astan. With Msia gone, only they can defeat Mulu Amin. He knew this might happen and he was preparing me. We must find Sakura even if we  have  to storm the gates of Mancoro."
"It might take some drastic action and I don't know if we all will survive." Quynn smiled. "But I have an idea. We should hurry to Mancoro."

All for one.. 23

The battle raged fiercely all across Aspana. Mulu and his Demondogs held the south in a sharp grasp moving from one village to the next. Xuthlu and his monsters traveled in from the east. Big cities or small village neither didn't matter, not to the Demons or the entity from below. Zatbi the ancestral home of the Zebren had been torn apart. Leaving the Zebren nowhere to go except to wander the plains or to join the Lions or the Tigrens.  Nothing still survive except rats out scavenging for the dead. From the west, two warriors fought a band of scavengers who's intent was to rob them and take them captive and hold them for ransom. Akani and Aggar knew where Msia had been taken, but saving him would be completely something else. Getting into Mancoro would not be an easy task.
Lying in the dark hidden by the wild growth of the plain, Aggar and Akani watched the gates of Mancoro.
"Now what?" Aggar whispered. "How do we even know he's in there?"
"This is where Mulu took my master, that I'm sure of." Akani said. "He's in there back in the pit."
"Pit? What pit?"
"Mulu has my master trapped in a deep pit with a spell he can't break or climb out of. This is where he kept him the last time he held him."
"A pit should be easy for Msia to escape." Aggar said. "His Dragon can get him out once he's awake."
"That will depend on what magics Mulu is using to hold him." Akani said quietly. "I can not enter, they would know me instantly."
"Then I'll go in." Aggar said. "They won't recognize me."
"They may not recognize you." Akani pointed out. "But they will know a stranger when they see one."
"Maybe." Aggar smiled. "Maybe not. You forget my wolf form is not my only form and that I am trained in magic"
"I do not understand." Akani said puzzled.
Looking out at the city, Aggar made sure there was no one watching. Then he turned and stood up closing his eyes. As Akani watched, Aggar shifted forms. There where once the noble master of Tir Na's armed forces once stood, now stood a magnificent Raven.
"You are right." Akani smiled. "You are full of surprises. No one will recognize you now."
[How do we find Msia?]
"Mancoro was built in three sets of circles. The front two are for warriors and worker Hynen's, the circle in the back is for those who held enough to make themselves important in Mulu's eyes. Mulu's  place was there in the back where it is protected by his Demons. We have to find someway in without getting captured. Find the pit where Msia is being held. Get him out and meet me here.
[You seem to know a lot about this place. Maybe you should go.]
"Me?" Akani stepped back surprised. "No, I'm nothing here. I'm his servant. It's not my place to stick my nose in there.]
[That's where you're wrong.] Aggar stepped up closer to him. [Your destiny is tied in with Msia. I'm not sure what it means but this is your beginning. I have it on good authority that you must keep Msia free or Aspana will be doomed.]
Akani looked at Aggar with suspicion. He had come to trust Aggar's advise, but this was different. Was he to believe that he could read the future? And if he could, why hadn't he done something to stop this war before it had started?
[No Akani. I can't read your mind or the future.] Aggar said as if he had peeked into his mind. "But I have friends that can sometimes peek in. Very powerful friends. You have to trust me on this. You have your Jackal form, now I will teach you how to control a new form. Something small, easy for you to control.]
Jumping into the air, Aggar settled on Akani's shoulder to think for a while.
[Maybe some kind of predator.] He said. [Something adapts to the night. Yes, an Owl would be very useful.]
Jumping off his shoulder, Aggar took his normal form and stepped out away from Akani.
"Clear your mind and relax." He said gentility. "A new form shouldn't be hard to achieve. But at first, it may be hard to control. Once you have the form you must take control and not let the animal in you rule the form."
"Ok." Akani said. "How do I get the form?"
"Form the Owl in your mind." Aggar told him. "Picture the Owl. Feel it's feathers. Left a wing and shake it out. Now left the other wing and shake it. Feel the air on your face? How does it feel?
"It feels comfortable." Akani smiled.
"Good." Aggar said. "Your getting into the form. Now take control and open your eye's and look at me."
Akani reached out with his mind and pulled the Owl in. It squawked, trying to fight for control, but Akani had a good hold and he was in control. Opening his eye's. Akani looked out to see through his new form.
[It feels good.] He said flapping his wings. [I can fly now?]
"Don't be so fast to take off." Aggar said. "The Owl is still fighting for control. You have to walk first before you fly."
Awkwardly Akani took his first step. He stumbled first than took control of himself and walked with more ease.
"That's it." Aggar said. "Relax and keep control. You're doing good. I know others that took a year getting the form."
With that done, Aggar taught him how to move then how to fly. Soon Akani was ready to be off on his mission to get his king free.

The night had been long with a lot of fighting. First Sakura had been surprised by a band of what looked like Elves, but they were different than the Elves back at home. They were faster and more deadly and organized. Which really surprised him. He had fought Dark Elves before. They were always smug and thought highly of themselves. But something was different. The Elves were more like dragons in human form. More confident, surer of themselves. Sakura could even feel the confidence radiating out from them even as he stood there facing them.
"If we're going to fight, we should get on with it." Quynn said from the side of his mouth.
"Indeed." Dar'yl said as he drew his sword from its sheath.
"Slow your roll boys. If we can get out of here without fighting, that works for me." Sky said as he picked his nails clean with one of his knives.
"I am Prince Cormac of house Ja'dam." One of the Elves said. "You have trespassed on our homelands. That must be answered with blood. What is your answer to our challenge?"
Quynn thought for a minute. From all his years with the Eventides, there must be a way out of this. The Ja'dam are very honor bound. There has to be something somewhere in his memory that would fit this situation. He searched back through his memories of Elven law and his knowledge of what he knew of the honor code, Honor battles are hard to break, but there was a way out of all battles. The elven law was set up that way. But he couldn't end it with marriage, and the battle seemed like the hard way out. Maybe a friendship pact. Quickly before Cormac could take the next step, Quynn reached out to Sakura.
"To get beyond this point, I need to know what you know of the Ja'dam family. Has your family ever encountered them before?"
"Yes." Sakura said. "My grandfather's brother knew them very well. He married a princess of the Ja'dam, then disappeared out of Panthera; Will that help?
"Yes." Quynn said slamming his sword back into its place. "It's perfect."
"What is your answer??"
"By right of marriage. We claim a family bond to the Ja'dam through Sakura Duma." Quynn shouted as he walked over and put his hand on Sakura's shoulder. "Princess Arrelia of the Ja'dam became the mate to Leonid of the Pantheran in the year of the toad. That makes you cousin to Sakura. Are we not welcome in the home of his uncle?"
Cormac stopped for a second then called to one of his family Priest.
"Is this true?
"Yes, Prince Cormac." The priest said while bowing. "Leonid lived out his life and fought many battles under the banner of Etis II. He is family."
"Then I welcome you as a friend." Cormac smiled then reached out and took his hand in friendship. That eased the minds of everyone in Sakura's party. Sky looked at Quynn and smiled.
"We thank you for your compassion," Sakura said. "How is my uncle doing today?"
"It is with deep sadness that I have to inform you that brave Leonid was killed in battle saving the king and queen from an attack by trespassers in our lands."
Cormac's eyes looked sad.
"But his mate and children do still live in Mayrill under our protection."
"That is an even sadder day." Quynn said. "We have come to tell you about a new threat to Aspana. There is a Hyenen with great ambition and power seeking to take control of Aspana. He is Mulu Amin and he is very dangerous."
I have heard of this Mulu Amin." Cormac said. "Word of his battles have reached us here in the western part of Aspana. We have allies from the north that just joined in the battles."
"And what of the Ja'dam? "Dar'yl said stepping up. "Are you to ignore the warnings or will you answer when your allies call for help?"
"The Ja'dam will always answer when a friend calls for help." Cormac said sternly. "But only the council can answer for the Ja'dam."
"Then let us be off to present your council with the news of the coming War." Quynn said. "Things are moving pretty fast now, The Hyenen or one of their allies could be here soon. I would not like them to catch you unaware."

It was quiet at the campfire as Deja cleaned up and did some work on her meager supplies. Dani and his people had turned out to make a very good fighting force. They were all fit and use to doing hard work. After the Canin won back there lands a force was picked to stay and keep their lands safe while the majority of them kept on the road moving to Tigaress to join in with King Yonas on the road to war.
As she cleaned away the dried blood and refuge of war, her mind drifted back to memories of home and her parents. Mother was always beautiful with her streaked black and silver hair set in two long braids down her back. Her eyes were gray like the rest of the family. There was a small scar up over her right eye. I once asked her how she had got it and she promised to tell when I was a little older. That meant it had something to do with sex. That was always the way the elders told the young of sexual things. Its like sometimes they thought we had no brain.
Mother had a lovely shape. Father always said all her curves were in the right places. She always smelled like a spring breeze with hints of lilac and foxglove. Ono once said her smell was enchanting. Not sure what that meant, but I guess it meant she was alluring, and that was good.
She was 5 feet 7 with what I thought to be the prettiest smiles. I have seen her turn men away from a battle with just a smile.
Then there was Grandfather and Grandmother, Drake and Tresandra Tyr. Sometimes I thought they had to have been born of the gods. They were both so regal and elegant. It was like they were born to be the king and queen of Tir Na. I've seen Grandfather perform miracles with his magic. He was that good, and Grandmother had the biggest heart in all of Tir Na. I remember her out once for a whole winter season searching for three of our cubs that had gotten lost in a snowstorm. Everyone else thought them lost, dead, but not Grandmother. She had sworn she would bring them back with the first days of spring, and she was right. When we opened the gates of Tir Na for the spring season, there she was. Carrying one while the other two played in a nearby field of snow. They amaze every time I see them.
That leaves Tof, Jandar, and Ono. All I can say is I've never been so proud to love someone and fight at their side. Tof who rules Tir Na with such ease and comfort. He holds the respect of all the Werewolves at home and probably here too. They all just hold themselves in ways that demand respect from Vampires and those around them. Tof in Tir Na and Jandar back at Settlement as the co-king of the Dragons. That leaves my one and only uncle Onasio Alexi Tyr. Brother to Jandar, Tof, and Sharona, Mate to  Tanis Gaelich son of the and Balthazar Gaelich and Lady. Angela the new goddess of death.
There are more things I could say about uncle Jandar's heroism and loyalty to the Dragons and the people of Keanna. But I think I should get on with the story. As the Canin's took a rest and got something to eat, the leaders took this time to plan their next move. Deja listened quietly as they planned on storming three human villages that reports said were in Mulu's hands. She knew these were important villages with strategic roads that led north and west into both Tigaress and Panthera. Sure that the two main cities of the north would be getting help, Deja packed her things and said goodbye to Dani and the others and set out to find her father and her destiny.

The night was quiet and the Owls could be heard stalking their nightly prey. As Quynn and Sky led their party through the jungle, Cormac quietly gave orders to his staff for the coming feast to honor
their guest. Cormac had heard the old stories of Dragons before but never in his short life had he met one. Father would be very proud of him for his find and worried about their news of the coming war. Though the Ja'dam was wise in the ways of war, it had been many years since the last time they lifted their hands in battle.
"Wait!" Sakura said holding out his hand. "This is the wrong way."
"What do you mean?" Quynn asked.
"I said this is the wrong way." Sakura said as they all gathered around. "I know where Astan is. If we leave now and hurry we can find him in Mancora."
"The Hyenen hole?" Dar'yl said confused. "But we can't go there. Mulu is hunting for both of you. If
go there it will be like dropping you right in his hands."
"That is a possibility." Sakura said "But that won't happen if we take him by surprise.
"What's going on?" Sky asked as he scratched his wavy white locks. "Who are they talking about?
"Not really sure." Quynn told him. "Let's just watch and see."
"I'm sorry Ja'dam but we have a war to stop." Sakura said. "And though I do want to meet your father, there's something else we have to do first."
Ja'dam listened for a while then the fog cleared from his eyes. He took a breathe then stepped up to Sky and Quynn to talk.
"Father says it  is important we stop in Ja'dam before you go on "He said "There have been many strange reports of trouble in my homeland. Father wants me to investigate. It seems your enemy may be our enemy."
"You are welcome to join us." Sakura said. "Have your men take the lead and show us the way, you know it better than us."
 As they made their way through the strange land, Sakura couldn't help but let his thoughts slip free. His worry about Astan and his fear that Mulu might catch him before they could find him.
[Dar'yl.] Quynn sent. [Walk with Sakura. He is scared right now. Perhaps you can ease his mind for  a while.]
[Sakura!]
Sakura stopped for a second to listen. He thought he had heard someone calling out to him. It was a named he hadn't heard in a long time.
[Yes my son.] The voice said weakly, [It has been a long time. I was under our enemy's control and kept weak. But if you can come, together we may be able to stand up and fight. With help, we can destroy him.]
[Father, we are coming.]

As Sakura, Dar'yl, Sky and Quynn entered Ja'dam, Cormac led the way. The House of Ja'dam wasn't to far from the border. As they walked, scouts came out to greet them and escort them. Sky was amazed. He  hadn't seen how Dark Eves lived down in Aspana.
"Its not that different from Dark Elves at home," Quynn said. "We have underground hollows all through the Dark Elven land. I've been to Nevarath, Darkshade, Asmoroth and Duskmore. My fathers had me visit and study the differences in our societies."
"My parents allowed my to spend three years with the Sun Phoenix's," Sky whispered smiling. "It was hot there, I could hardly take it."
"We are almost there," Cormac said. "Just another two miles."
The jungle here was full of multi colored flowers and plants. There were banana trees and coconut palms spread all through the forest. There were even fruit trees they didn't recognize. Dar'yl explained all the plants he knew as a small monkeys darted about all around them. Sky laughed at the playful scoundrels as one jumped down to land on Quynn's shoulder. Reaching in his pack, Quynn took out a morsel and fed it to the monkey. Minutes later Cormac came over to them.
"This is very unusual." He said. "'They don't usually come down for stranger. Mother Nurisha must have touched you with her blessing."
Just then another came down to land on Sky. It wrapped its tail around his neck and hugged him.
Wide eyed, Cormac stared at them. He hardly knew what to say.
"Maybe its a sign of good things to come," Sky reached up to scratch the monkeys head.
"I hope so." Quynn agreed.
Before Cormac could say anything else, the escort led them through a hidden tunnel of bushes and hanging foliage into the entrance to Ja'dam. As they made their way down a long tunnel underground, Quynn reached over and pulled Sky closer to him. Sky whimpered in fear. Closed in places scared him. Phoenix's were free creatures use to flying though the wintery nights. The heat here and the absolute dark was not to his liking.
"Don't worry." Cormac said. "It will get better."
And it did. Soon they came to another dark tunnel. Cormac walked out to the entrance and said a few words that Sky and Quynn didn't understand. As Cormac turned back to them the tunnel lit up with a phosphorescent glow.irlift
"Impressive," Quynn sad as they started in.
The tunnel had many twists and turns. There were also a lot of branches that led off in another direction. Cormac explained that there was a large amount of traps and pitfalls down here to stop unwanted guest from entering Ja'dam. Quynn thought that there was something else, like maybe tunnels to other Dark Elf communities.Dark Elf it took more than an hour to reach the land. When they exited the tunnel Whey were in a dark cavern with a  brightly glowing roof. The building here had a intricate design that they had never see. It wasn't  like the Elves up north, there were elaborate bridges and walkways with flowered balcony's and twisted peaks and domed buildings with marvelous glowing orbs that were magically suspended to cast light through glass windows and walls.
"Your home is very beautiful." Sky said as he looked around. Quynn looked awestruck. This was nothing like Dree or Winterhaven. Its beauty was more elaborate and breathtaking.
"Diola ll," Cormac said as he led them through the city. Dar'yl walked quietly behind wondering if these elves could be a threat to Panthera or Tigara. There seemed to be a rather large community here with an army with deadly warriors.
[Don't worry Friend Dar'yl," He heard. [We have no interest in the upper world. As long as you and your people leave us in peace, we will do the same for you.]
With a confident nod, Dar'yl followed them into the first airlift of the palace of Ja'dam. The palace was expertly furnished in the families house colors of brown and gold. Intricately designed woodworking with gold trim ran through all the d said they halls, dining rooms and audience halls. From the front hall, Cormac took them up through the house to his fathers study where they were told to have a seat and wait while he asked his father for a few minutes of his time.
Taking a seat in a  high backed chair with red and gold cushions, Quynn looked up at the five portraits that hung around the room. Cormac had said they were past rulers of Ja'dam. His uncles and grandfathers all famous in Ja'dam history. He said he hoped to follow in their footsteps if he could. It  was then that Quynn noticed that Sky was fidgeting in his seat. He reached out and took his hand.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm not sure," He said. "But I have a feeling we're in deep trouble."
"From what?" Quynn asked. "Cormac assured us we are safe here. He gave his word as a Prince of Ja'dam."
"It's not him," Sky said as he stood  up with trembling knees. "It's his father. He wants us dead."

Rhinons. 22

With Domina safe and Goren sworn in as their new chief, there was only one thing left for Astan to do. It was time he said Myumbo and found Sakura and got back home were they would both be safe. At least that was what he thought at that moment. Be he was forgetting something. For just that moment he had forgotten the person who had started all this war, to begin with. Somewhere out there Mulu Amin was still piloting some way to bring both the Pantherans and the Tigars down.
As Astan looked around he smiled at the Gorillas they were celebrating all around him. The fruit had been gathered and wine was poured. The whole city was bright with the lights of celebration. There had been speeches made by the elders and the leaders of many other clans. Grey and mountain gorillas attended the festival along with the Orangutans of the south and three Human villages from the north. Everyone came to celebrate the downfall of Igoro and the new Chieftain Goren.
As Astan lifted a glass of wine in salute, Goren came over and sat down beside him. He had the face of fear on him. It was all the thanks the people had heaped on him.
"You look worried my friend." Astan pushed a glass of wine into his hand. "The time for worrying is behind you. Igoro is gone and you are the new chief who is going to lead his people into a bright new future."
"I never really thought about what would happen after my father was defeated." Goren said with a nervous look, "I never planned to take the leadership myself."
"Then who did you propose to be the leader? No one has done anything like you did. You deserve the position. The people will  look to you for what they should do."
"And want about you?" Goren said. "What are you going to do? I could use your help here."
"Oh no!" Astan smiled waving the thought off. "I have to go home. I have to find Sakura. He must be worried sick about me."
"Alone?" Goren said. "You can't go alone. The jungle is a very dangerous place.
"He won't be alone." Palas said as he dropped down out of the sky. "I will be at his side."
"So will I." Nyo said as he placed his pack down. "Igoro killed my family. I have nothing holding me here. Nothing but sorrow and memories. It is time I got to see the world."
Goren had thought about it for a minute. The idea of roaming the jungle and the savanna was inciting.  There was still a lot of Aspana that hadn't been mapped yet and he did still feel the urge to be out with his friends exploring. But that would leave Domina without a leader and that could be trouble. It was up to him to steer them in the right direction away from slavery. Now without Igoro, this Domina was moving away from trouble to a more honorable life.
"You all be careful, all of you." Goren shook all of their hands and hugged Nyo. "If you need us, call me. I am forever indebted to you. I will hear you and hurry to your side."
As the walked out of Domina's gates, Nyo turned to Astan with a question.
"Do you know where your mate is?"
"Not at the moment." Astan said with a smile. "But don't worry, I will find him. Or he will find us I should say."

As day turned into night, Mulu Amin stepped out of the shadows outside of Domina's gate. He had seen Igoro's battle with his son Goren. He thought Goren should have been an easy victory. Igoro knew spells more advanced than anything a novice like Goren should be able to stand up to. He didn't understand how Goren had beaten him.
[It does not matter.] Said a deep voice in the Demonic hyena's head. [All will be set right very soon. Igoro and his son will meet again. The end of that battle will be much more to our liking. I want you to go north spreading your demon seed all over Aspana. Let them know that Xuthulu is coming.]
A flash of lightning ripped through the night sky as Xuthulu barked our a maniac fiendish cackle of a laugh. Mulu smiled as one hundred different possible ways to rip Xuthulu's power from him ran through his mind.
"My day will come." Mulu sneered. "And I will be ready."
With a flourish of his cape, Mulu disappeared in a cloud of dark smoke. and a horrible smell.

As Sakura slept, his mind ran through the endless miles of empty dreams. First, he was back at home in Atrua watching a parade from one of the balcony's of the royal palace, then he found himself running through the jungle screaming for Astan. He searched from Atrua down through the savanna, and up into the jungle outside of the Tigaress walls. Sometimes he saw a shadow that resembled Astan, and sometimes he heard his voice calling from somewhere out beyond sight.
His mind started to twist and turned. He saw a vision of his father trapped in some pit while Demon dogs teased him with short bursts of power that burned deeply as he tried to limp away. In his mind, he heard him calling for him.
[Sakura!!!]
[Where are you father? I will come and help you get free.]
[Find Aggar and Akani. They will lead you to me.]
[Who?] Sakura said confused, [Who are there? Where are they?]
[Friends my son.] Msia said weakly. [Find them and they will bring you to me, but you have to hurry Sakura. Time is running out for us. Aspana is soon to become very dark, If we want to stop it we must hurry.]
[I will find you, father, Hold on and have faith. I will find you.]
As Sakura sat up, he looked around the campsite to see Deja busy on watch sharping her knifes. Dar'yl was snoring off to the side, while Sky and Quynn lay quieting wrapped if each's arms. Quietly Sakura threw the blankets off and picked himself up off the ground. Last night they had no direction.
They were on course to find Astan, but somehow they had been turned around. Sakura could feel his mate out there waiting for him but something had turned them in another direction. I wasn't long before Dar'yl woke up and came over to join Sakura.
"We're heading south again." He said. "Where are we going? Astan and the Gorilla city is west of here."
"Yes." Sakura said with a strange look in his eyes. "I know. But there's something else we have to do."
"There's something more important than Astan?"
"Not something." Sakura said as he threw his pack over his shoulder. "Someone. I know you're going to think I'm crazy, but I think my father is out there being held captive."
"Msia?" Dar'yl said surprised. "It's not possible. He's been gone twenty seasons. If he was alive, he would have come home."
"Not if he was being held to weak to even move." Sakura turned to face Dar'yl. "I know what you're thinking. But I felt his call. It was the same as when I was a cub and he wanted to speak with me privately. It was him Dar'yl. I felt him."
Dar'yl looked into Sakura's eyes where he saw the truth coming from his heart. With a smile, Dar'yl had one more question.
"Which way do we go?"

As day turned into night, and night into day, a dread sorrow spread all through Aspana. Demondogs ran wild attacking everything that moved. Elephants were captured and taken to Mancoro where they were branded and kissed by the darkness that is Xuthulu. Their bodies were changed, corrupted and molded into something dark that Xuthulu could control.They retained their massive form but Xuthulu made their thick skin into armored plating. Their ears and trunk were fashioned into a mass of tentacles and stingers that hung down and stabbed out at their victims. Their body was made slender so they ran and hunted easier. The only thing that did not change was their tusk though they did seem sharper and more deadly. Standing at their side was the brown elephants. Almost completely overwhelmed by what he had seen stood Tyrax Greyside, the elder son of Tyrox of the southern Rhinon tribe.
After hearing his fathers call to arms, Tyrax gathered warriors and weapons and hurried out into the jungle to give aid to as many of his people as they could find. Armed with heavy clubs and enough ammo to drive the Demondogs all the way back to Mancoro, Tyrax ordered his warriors armed themselves for a very long fight quietly spread out through the thinning jungle. As the Demondogs slowly came bounding out chasing the Rynon young, Tyrax and his warriors attacked. The physical force did nothing in battle, the explosive pellets that shot from their horns did. Dropping their clubs, Tyrax grabbed his sword and ordered the young to keep them supplied as he waded into battle.
The first Demondog had red eyes and smoke steaming out as he huff and puffed toward Tyrax. With a sneer it screamed out as it advanced on the Rhinons. Tyrax pounded his chest and sent five stones at the Demondog. As the stones hit him he screamed out in pain.
"How dare you strike out at one of Xuthlulu's holy one's!!" The dog yelled at them.
"You can call yourself anything you want." Tyrax raised his sword and readied himself for the attack. "As far as I am concerned you are nothing but Mulu's lapdog. Come, attack me if you dare!"
With a howl, the demon leaped out to swat Tyrax down. Spinning on his heel, Tyrax came in with his first sword. He jabbed and hacked at the enormous beast cutting into his chest and his arms With a loud scream, Tyrax dived in and leaped on the Demondogs back. With his short sword, he stabbed down again and again. As he stood over the bleeding Demon, two more came rushing in at them. With a great huff, he sent a volley of stones at the Demons. One by after the other the Rhinons little sparkling stones streaked through the air and slammed into the Demondogs. Clubs had been useless against their Demonic, they just glanced off but the blaststones were completely different. There was something in them that was deadly to the Demondogs. Spit, Rhinon gases, or maybe their DNA.
With a refill of stones, Tyrax and his warriors shifted to full Rhinon form and charged at the Demondogs. Tyrax stabbed a demon in its chest, then tossed it away as he charged at the next one. Laughing hysterically, Tyrax charged blasting that moved. Two Demons fell as he turned to find a new advisory. As one of the little's ones poured the remains of a bag of down his gullet, four Demons appeared in front of them. They each grabbed one of the young and held them out in front of them with sharp claws at their neck.
"Drop your weapons or they die!" Tyrax shifts back to his human form and throws his swords down.
"Our weapons are down." Tyrax snarled. "Please let them go."
"See this is why you will fail." The Demon laughed. "You care about these, these worms.  You take no joy in killing."
The Demon walked closer dragging the crying Rhinon behind him.
"This thing means nothing to me." The Demon held it as it started to squeeze. The young Rynon's eyes bulged as it tried to get its breath. It kicked and it beat at the hand that held. "I learned my lesson well, and so will you. Soon you will be as bloodthirsty as I am,"
Tyrax watched as the boy died right in front of him. His small group was surrounded how so there was nothing he could do. But they weren't dead yet. One day Mulu or whoever this Xuthlu is, they will slip and there will be a minute where Tyrax will have his chance and he would be ready.

"You may subvert my mind until there's not much left of me, but there is something you should know. I will never be anything like you. Should I tell you why,"

The Demon snapped the boy's body in two and tossed it down at Tyrax feet. The anger at what he had witnessed in the past few days had his brain pulsing like an erupting volcano. Smoke and steamrolled down off his face. Tyrax had felt this feeling once before. It had been three years ago during a squeamish the Rhinons were having with a fleet of Orcs from the north. The Orcs he slipped in five ships at a time during the wild moon season that affected all Aspanins like a wild rage spreading through their blood.
"Yes, brave one." The Demon laughed. "Tell me what makes you so special."
"I have honor." Tyrax said as sparks started to spark from Tyrax eyes. "You kill for and pleasure. You love the blood and gore of battle. We Rhinons only kill in self-defense, or for love and to protect or revenge."
"And exactly what is that suppose to mean?" The Demon asked.
"It means I will do anything to free my people. Even if it means my life."
That was the last thing Tyrax said before he set off the last weapon he had that exploded are in the demons face. Standing off to the side, Xuthlu watched as the demons died. He walked out to where Tyrax and kicked him over. He was still breathing with smoke froing from his nose and mouth.
"Sleep well." Xuthlu said, "When you woke. I will make you the master of my horde.

The Mighty Gorilla Chieftain. 21

As Msia opened his eyes, he sat up and put his hand to his head. It hurt, the was a large bump there and an open laceration. There was blood running down his face as Msia looked around to see where he was. The last thing he remembered was being attack somewhere near the Dragon cave. Someone must have caught him from his blind side and taken him hostage. Well they will be disappointed when the realize what they had taken captive. me
With a snap of his fingers Msia ignited his hand into a torch. As he looked around, he saw a pile of straw and a small burned out camp fire. There were a few bones scattered around and a old Pantheran blanket. The second Msia saw the blanket, he knew where he was. The straw bed, the small camp fire, the marking on the wall. He knew this place better his throne room in his own country. This was the pit he called hell where Mulu had held him captive. He was back in Mancoro.
"Noooooo!!!" he screamed out as his eyes sparked with dragon fire.
"Yes my old friend." He heard laughing. "You are back where it all started. You thought you could get away from me. You thought you could get the star's power and keep it to yourself. Well you we're wrong. I am Mulu Mwinya Amin. There is no one more powerful then me in Aspana. This is my lands and you will all bow to me!!!!"
Msia let the mad Hyenen rant all he wanted. He didn't care about anything he wanted. All he wanted was to make Aspana a safe place for all the people. Tittles and ambition is not what would keep people safe. He needed courage and honor. Courage and honor must reign from Kimbari to the north, and down through Mancoro and Domina in the south to the lowest tip of Aspana.
"I will never bow to you Mulu." Msia's eyes lit up with Inferno's fire. "And neither will anyone else in Aspana. You can moan and make all the threats you want, we will never crown you as king."
"I think you will." Mulu shouted at him. "You won't have a choice. You think the Dragon's can save you? You are wrong. Not even the power of Terra could stop my ascension to the god I will become."
God? That's when Msia knew that Mulu had gone mad. All these years of fighting must have done something to his mind. Mulu looked at him and started to laugh.
"You think I'm crazy." He walked around to stand right in front of Msia."You think I've lost my mind don't you? Well your wrong. My mind is as strong as it's ever, but now I have the power to back up what I say."
"Panthera and Tigaress will never give in to you." Msia called up out of the pit. "We will fight you every step of the way. All of Aspana will fight you. There's no chance for you to succeed with this madness."
"Failure is not a possibility." Mulu laughed. "Just as success is not a possibility for. You and all your allies will bow before me. You have no choice, it's has all ready been written."
"No if I can help it." Msia stepped back into the shade of the cave and started his shift. His eyes began to glow as his body grew in size. He fell down to the ground and roared up a challenging call as his body shifted to that of Inferno, Aspana's new red dragon. As he blow a gout of flame, Inferno stepped out of the cave and leaped into the air. Shielding himself from Inferno's flame, Mulu stepped back away from the rim of the pit. He watched not sure what was about to happen as Inferno slammed into the energy field that covered the top of the pit. Msia screamed as he fell back to the entrance of the cave. As he got back to his feet, Mulu laughed hysterically at the Dragon's failure.
"You thought I didn't know my enemy?" Mulu stepped back to the pits edge and kicked a loose piece of grass to fall down in Msia's face. "This pit is stronger than it was the last time you were here. Not only will it sap your strength, but it will rip the dragon out of you and hold it here for me. Congratulate me, I will soon be a Dragon and the master of Aspana with the power to fulfill my wildest dreams, and you will be dead! Myumbo Msia. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!"

The jungle was quiet as Sakura led the way through a path heading towards the gorilla city Domina. They were coming back to confront Igoro Baba for his in the Aspana wars. They knew destroying Igoro wouldn't end the war. But it would make a good first step. Sakura was afraid that if he let Igoro go free, he attack later at a critical moment when his forces might have a weak opening.
For Goren it was different. Igoro had destroyed many people in Domina that he loved. His brother and sister Hodari and Mara. Beno and his mother and father dead. Gorillas were an aggressive, but they weren't savage. They weren't the thoughtless slavers that Igoro had made them. Igoro and his slave market had to be destroyed.
As they got closer to the city gates, Goren called for a stop and held out a hand to quiet everyone. Listening carefully, Goren pointed to the west as they all got down to keep from being noticed. Out to the west, a line of slave were being walked into the city. In front they were being lead by a small group of armed Gorillas. Thinking this might be a possible advantage, Quynn sent out a message .
[Astan, How good are you at illusions?]
[What do you mean?] Astan replied.
[Can you disguise Palas and yourself to look like Gorilla soldiers? It might not be necca]
[I think so.] Astan said. [It should be easy.]
[If you can disguise you and Palas, We might have a chance to get back into the city.]
[What about us?] Goren asked. [Hayami, Nyo and I would be recognized the minute we stepped through the gates.]
[Don't worry.] Astan said. [I'll still have enough to disguise you so know one would recognize you. But first we have to take out the guards. We'll take the fourth in front if you can get the one's in the middle and the rear guard. But we have to time this right. We don't want them to sound an alarm.]

With the snap of his whip, Fanka Jahar yelled for his captives to move on. There were Elephants, Lycaons and Rhinon all chained and walking in sets of two. It had been a long campaign. They were out hunting for two month. but it had been successful. They were returning home with two lines of twelve. Fanake livked his lips as he thought about the rewards Igoro would give him for his bounty. The Elephants had been slow to move but easy to catch. Being so big, he was surprised at how easy it had been to take them. The Rhinons had been different. Those single horned giants had to be drugged before they were taken. The Lycaons were a another story. They had been caught returning from some battle with the Hyenens. Fanaka and his warriors had come upon their camp late one evening catching them unprepared for battle. The two months had been, but very rewarding.
But now it was time to be home again. Fanaka thought he could use the rest. He was tired of old field rations and was looking forward to a hot meal and the attention of one of Domina's harbor females.
With another crack of his whip, Fanaka yelled at the stopped line to move on. Angry he charged to the front to find his lead Rhinons down on their knees.
"Get on your feet and move!"
One of the Rhinons lifted his head to look at Fanaka, then turned away.
"How dare you ignore me!" Fanaka screamed lifting his whip to strike at the tired Rhinon. "I said get moving!"
As the whip came down, a brown furred arm reached out and caught the shape tip and pulled Fanaka down to the ground. With two punches to the Gorillas jaw, Fanaka was down and out. As Sky dropped his illusion, Goren ran up the the front and started opening chains to get the captives free.
With the chains off, the captives started to run off, but Sky stopped them with a quick force shield gathering them all together.
"You can run for home." Astan said quietly. "Or you can stay and help us to break Domina from its days of slave trading. I can't tell you it will be easy, and I know some of us may die, but this has to be done, if we want Aspana free from its slave trading legacy."
"We were taken while we slept after a raid on our lands." Said a Lycaon as he rubbed the chafe marks from chains on his wrist. "I'm with you and so are my warriors."
The Rhinons agreed and the Elephants stood there looking confused until someone explained it to them. Then they joined in. With everyone ready, Astan sent the signal for Goren and his warriors to head in for the city's gate. For the Gorilla's, today they would be taking their first step into a peaceful future

Hyrd was tired of these night hours. Every night, back and forth, back and forth. And for what? Nothing ever happened here and, it was such a waste of his time. He could be at home with Neesia doing something passionate and wild. Instead he was here pacing back and forth at the gate. Yes, Domina had enemies.  Humans, Pantherns, the Tigars, even the Chimps and the Orangutan hated the Gorilla's. But none of them had ever been bold enough to attack. Not even after the Gorilla's had been raiding in their land.
 No one would dare to attack Domina, day or night. They were to afraid of what Mulu Amin would do to them. And they were right. Mulu was a vert powerful, more powerful then any of his ancestors.
And stronger then all of them. Now that he had taken the power of the Demon, no one could hope to stand against him. Mulu's Demondogs were ripping their their way through Domina's enemies one at a time. The first of the Rhinon clans had fallen before Domina's attack. Their lord now served as Mulu's lead chariot puller feeling his whip on his back to keep him moving. Then came the Zebran's in their flat plains. They had tried to escape, but Mulu and his shamans had put up a mystical wall leaving them no where to go but right into Domina's cages. Next came the people of Namemiua swamp. The fighting had been hard, but the Namemiauns were no match for Mulu's water breathing warriors. They swept in  by sea and took the Humans by surprise. The Humans fought valiantly, but Mulu's magic was just to strong for them. Within a single night, the Humans were beaten and caged in wagons and taken out of their city to be used in Mulu's deadly war.
With the west and the south under his control. Mulu started his move on the north and the west. The Pantherans and their allies would not be far off. Mulu had heard reports of their gathering and preparing to march. There day was about to be on them. Mulu was ready for a real enemy.
As Hyrd paced, a strange face appeared out of the jungle calling out for entrance into the city. Hyrd went to the gate and opened the door and stood at the porticliff.
"Who are you?" Hyrd asked. "I don't remember you from any of the practice sessions."
"I just arrived in Domina last night." Astan called trying to do his best at using a Gorilla dialect. "I was sent out on a mission this morning to find the Orangutan clan in the eastern hills."
"You were sent by yourself?" Hyrd looked down on him with doubt. "Catpain Bayana would never send anyone out by himself. It's too dangerous. The pygmy's would tear you apart and make a quick dinner of you. Your lying. Who are? Where do you come from?"
Moving closer to a stand where Hyrd could see him, Astan tried harder to convince the gorilla he wasn't lying.
"Look. I have proof." He stepped closer while he fished inside his mock armor for something." "Here it is." He said as he held something out to the Gorilla. "Captain Bayana's order in writing, Here, take a look."
Looking to his left and right, Hyrd saw the eight guards stepping out as they got ready to challenge the strange grey gorilla. As he looked back, Hryd saw something moving fast at his left. Something grabbed one of the guards and pulled him away into the darkness.
"What was that?" Hyrd called back to his comrades. Pulling knifes free, they all looked around determining not to fall to the same thing that hunted them in the tall grass. "Don't move. Someone get inside and bring Master Mulu out."
Frightened by the thing in the night, the city warriors moved to make a circle with Hyrd in the center. With their weapons put and ready to strike, they started forward toward thew grey gorilla.
"I am not here to battle." Astan said as he bowed down never taking his eyes of of Hyrd. "I come in peace, just like Mulu did as he slaughtered the people of Statrspeak. I promise you the same treatment that he GAVE THEM!!"
With a mighty leap, Astan shifted to his Man tiger form and attacked. His claws ripped into two Gorilla's as he jumped to his next victim. Scared, the Gorilla's raised their weapons to defend themselves as something fell from the sky like a flashing blade of death that tore into the warriors taking out three more.
As Hyrd looked around at his great band of Gorilla warriors, he realized that there was only three of them left. Puffing out his chest getting ready to charge, Hyrd raised his sword getting ready to give his life for his city,
"Stop!" Goren said as he stepped out of the jungle. "I know you Hyrd. You are very brave and you do not deserve to die here at the city gates fighting for a mad gorilla like my father. He brings nothing but sorrow and death to our people. He kills woman and children. Is he really the chief you and your warriors wish to die for?
Hyrd looked from Astan to Palas, then on to Goren. He knew of the honor less things Igoro had done. He had even participated in some of his attacks. He wanted to speak out, no, scream out how wrong it was, but he couldn't dare to disobey his chief. But if Goren was prepared to challenge him for the leadership of the Gorilla's there could still be hope.
"Are you prepared to challenge him?" Hyrd said as he lowered he sword. "Will you make the challenge?"
[Be careful Goren.] Astan sent. "If there's one thing Sakura and I have learned its that even a friend can stab you in the back.]
[What do you mean?]
[He means that Hyrd looks and talks like  friend, but you don't know what his intentions are.] Palas sent.  [He could lead us right into your father's trap.]
[I have known Hyrd since we both were young and clutching our mother's breast. He would never betray me. He has no more love for my father then I do.]
[OK.] Palas nodded. [Our lives are in you hands.]
"Yes," Goren said as Astan, Nyo and Hayami came out of the jungle to stand beside him. "I will make the challenge. I will stand as the chieftain for Domina."
Having made his challenge, By law the Gorilla's could not touch him or any of his followers. Goren and his group were silently marched into the city pass hundreds of gorilla bystanders.
From the front gate they passed through the commons. hundreds of eyes stared down on them. Some were strangers but many were friends Goren, Nyo and Hayami had lived and grown up with.
As Astan looked up, he could see them staring and whispering. The word of Goren's challenge would move fast, going from gorilla to gorilla straight into the royal palace where Igoro would be waiting for them.
"Keep your eyes open." Goren told them. "My father will try to separate us to get me alone. No matter what happens, stay together,"
As they walked, voices all around them started to mumble. It grew louder and louder until they could barely hear anything else. As Nyo stopped and put his hands  over his ears, the crowd swallowed him into its self. Hayami quickly dived in and pulled Nyo back into line. With a nod of thanks, they turned into the market place were the slaves were being sold. As they made their way through the square, everything stopped. Slaves stared out at Goren and his people. The guards that were keeping them in line looked out and frowned at Goren. Many of them knew who he was. Since they all worked for Igoro, Goren was the enemy. Over the years, there had been many encounters between Goren and Igoro's warriors. Given a chance, they would attack him on sight but Hyrd and the challenge prevented them from making a move.
From the market, they started into Treyvon hills where the houses where the nobles of Domina lived. Houses here were much more elaborate with fancy gardens and and high roofs built around tall trees. Word of Goren's challenge had moved far in front of them. There were richly dressed nobles standing in front of their homes and high up on garden balcony's. There where citizens whispering and quietly talking, betting on the outcome of the challenge. Some took Goren's side while others had more to lose if Igoro fell from power. These were the slave owners and brokers. They knew if Igoro lost, their days would be numbered.
From Treyvon Hills, they turned and  headed for the noble halls of Domina's palace where Igoro, the chieftain of Domina lived. As they started for the palace, there was a loud cheer coming from the peasants and the lower born. That was when a number of Igoro's tried to attack. A trio of gray haired gorillas in the armor of Domina jumped with their swords held high and rushed at them. Hyrd pulled his sword and put himself between the guards and Goren. As the guards stuck, Hyrd held his sword high in defense of Goren. as he held them back. Four of his comrades dove in to take down the attacking city guards.
"Have you no honor?" Hyrd shouted. "You would attack someone who made a challenge!! Are you dogs or gorillas?"
In minutes the fighting was all over and Hyrd's warriors had pulled Igoro's warriors off of Nyo and Hayami. Hyrd checked to see if there was any serious damage to Goren's warriors. Satisfied that they were ok, Hyrd turned to the three attackers."
"You have interfered with a honor challenge." Hryd said as the warriors were bound in iron cuff. "There is no excuse for such insolence. You will be dealt with by the winners of the challenge. You should prey that your master wins. Get them out of here."
As the warriors were lead off, they made their way into the yard of the palace where Igoro stood dressed in his green and gold armor.
"So you have at last come home to pay your respects to me." Igoro said with an evil sneer as he held out his hand for Goren to kiss and bow before him. "Bow and I will forgive all of your past transgressions."
"Bow?" Goren looked at his father with disgust. "I will never bow to you murderer. You killed my mate, and my brother and sister. You destroyed families, clans and made slaves of thousands of free people of Aspana. It is you who should be seeking forgiveness for your sins. I am here to make Domina the proud land it uses to be."
"How dare you speak that way to me!" Igoro screamed at Goren. "You forget who it is you are speaking with."
"No, I know who you are." Goren took a step forward as his eyes began to glow with wild magic. "You are Igoro Baba, my father and the chief of Domina. I am here to challenge you for the chieftain staff."
As Goren made his challenge, the silver staff of his Grandfather appeared high over his head and dropped down into his hand.
"Do you think that scares me?" Igoro laughed. "I don't need that trinket to defeat you. I have the true power of the gods.!"
"If that is what you think, then come father." Goren said as he twirled the staff in front of him. "Kill me if you can."
As Igoro roared he puffed out his chest and hammered it with his fist. Then with a twist of his hands, Igoro formed a power ball and sent it flying at Goren. New to the use of magic, Goren stepped back holding the staff out in front of him. Like an arrow of bright light the power ball few at Goren. As it struck the staff, Goren felt the power ball being absorbed by the silver staff. Thought Goren had studied battle plans since he was a child he had no idea how magic worked. Quickly he turned the staff on his father, but nothing happened.
[That's because you have to use your magic!] Astan sent. [Don't you know anything???]
[No.!!] Goren sent back loudly. [I have never done magic!! How does it work??]
[Your Grandfather swore that you had powerful magic in you.] Astan said. [This is your chance to prove he was right. Reach deep down into your soul. It's there like a bond fire. You have to grab it and take it. Take command of your power and send it at Igoro before he kills us all!!]
"Its a waste of time." Igoro laughed. "My son has no magic. He is as useless as his weak Grandfather was. It took me two weak blasts to kill him. It will only take you to kill you. Say hello to your brother and sister when you see them in the dark lands of death, and tell your mate, her head still decorates the door to my palace!"
Looking behind Igoro Goren saw Shauri's head posted on the gate. As he looked at her sweet face in its death stare. Something deep down inside Goren started to burn. It grew hotter and hotter as the tears ran down his face to fall and be absorbed int the silver staff.
"You will never again put anyone I love in danger again!!!!" As Goren pointed the staff at his laughing father, a bolt of intense power streaked out and burned right through Igoro's chest. As it burned into him he screamed out the name.
"Xuthulu!!"
Above his head a dark cloud formed. As they watched, a tentacled hand reached down and grabbed Igoro and pulled him screaming into the darkness. So died the terrible Igoro the master of Domina.
As Goren stepped back to Astan and Nyo. they stared blindly as the dark cloud disappeared into the mountains.
"What was that?" Nyo asked them.
"I'm not sure." Astan said. "But I have a feeling we'll see it again."