It was dark when Nereus returned to the cave. He had been out all day watching Msia, Aggar and Akani after they left the Dragon cave, There were two Dragons know. He would have to work quickly before there were Dragons everywhere. With only two Dragon's, Nereus thought it would be an easy battle, With the Dragons best kept secret, the location of their cave in mind. Nereus went back to his cave to wake up a few of his brothers. The war with the Dragons will be on again.
As he dropped down to land, many battle scenarios ran through his mind. He would look at one then dismiss it and move on to the next one. Once at the cave entrance, Nereus made the shift to human form. Dressed all in black, he started in then stopped. There was something wrong here. Something felt different then earlier. He could feel his brothers and sisters sleeping inside. But there was something else. There was something alive in there. With his claws extended, Nereus started into the cave. He knew it wasn't a Dragon in there, the smell was different. With his eyes adjusted for the dark, Nereus walked on past his sleeping brothers Zaharia and Notus. Past his sister the golden Hestria who was so at home in the sky, she could fly almost twice the speed of any other Griffin. Beyond her were two of the eldest Griffins of the clutch. Eurus and Pita who lay sleeping on a private shelf high above all the rest. They had not been awake in century's. Not even during the time of their last war with the Dragon's. Nereus knew their time was growing near. They may never wake to fly with the others again. But that wasn't important right now. Neither was that strange smell. It was time to get the clutch up and out in the air again.
"Rise and let the sweet mountain air full your lungs." He shouted. "It is time for the brothers and sisters of the wing to go forth and again claim the lands that we once ruled. Wake up and sleep no more. We have enemies destroy!"
One by once the Griffins asleep in the cavern opened their eyes and raised their heads. They shook out their wings to stretch their long dormant muscled then climbed up on their feet and roared.
Zaharia walked up and bowed before Nereus, showing respect to their leader.
[Hail proud Nereus.] He said, [It is good feel the ground under my paws again.]
[Aye.] Notus said as he joined them. [It will be good to be in the air hunting again. In fact, my stomach growls with hunger. I would hunt for something warm to fill my belly.]
As all the Griffins gathered at the cave entrance, Stormcrest stepped out of the shadows to join them.
Nereus looked up and noticed the grey and white Griffin and went to greet him.
"Hail Brother." He said as he bowed. "You are newly hatched. I bid you welcome to our clutch. What is your name?"
[I am Stormcrest.] Beno said as he nodded his white eagle head never taking his eyes off of Nereus. Something deep inside didn't trust Nereus. Maybe it was the Griffin cub, and maybe it was what was left of Beno. But until he knew what these Griffins were about, he was going to be reluctant to throw his future in with them. [I am newly hatched. I'm not sure where I am or what happened to me.]
"Relax." Nereus said as walked over stroked Stormcrest neck. "We are going out to hunt for dinner. Then there is something important we have to tend to. There are Dragon's here. We must destroy them. Follow me."
Nereus dived off the cliff and made the shift while he fell. With his wings spread, Nereus turned the dive and soared up high in the air. Instinctively knowing what to do, Stormcrest spread his wings and leaped in to the air. The feeling of flying was amazing. Beno had never felt such freedom before. In his heart he thanked Stormcrest for his gift of life.
As the Griffins flew high over the island, Nereus took the lead. He lead them from Assassa north across the straight and into Aspana. They passed over the tip of the continent then stopped and watched as an Elephant clan moved north along a widely used trail. From there, they turned east and entered Gorilla country. At that point Beno started getting nervous. They were getting very close to Domina. Though he was not the same Gorilla he had been the day before, Beno's loyalty hadn't changed. He knew if Nereus or any of the Griffins attacked any of the Gorilla settlements, he would have to do what he could to stop them. In a few minutes Domina was right in front of them. Nereus started to drop down into the forest out beyond the city. Stormcrest came down and set himself down right beside Nereus so he could be ready to fight if he gave an order to attack. Deep down he could hear Stormcrest reassuring Beno that he was right to worry. Nereus and the Griffins were very dangerous and volatile. They were use to being the top predators in their lands, They didn't share anything and those that lived around them and they never cared for anyone beside their own.
As Beno sat and watched Nereus, a thought crossed his mind. These Griffins were dangerous. Everyone of them. If that was so, why was Stormcrest so ready to betray them. Shouldn't his loyalty lay with them? His own kind?
[Like Dragons.] Stormcrest explained. [My mind and intelligence lay with whoever I bond with. The leader of the clan is usually very careful who they let bond with our young. You would not be normally allowed to bond with me. But it was fate that sent you, so my loyalty is with you and no one else. I have your sense of honor, your allegiance and your devotion to the Hominid people of Aspana. I will not fail you.]
Satisfied by Stormcrest's answer, Beno slowly made his way closer to Nereus. He had to get him away from Domina or they would attack and he knew Stormcrest could not stand against fifteen deranged and hungry Griffins. They would tear him up then move on to the city.
[Why are we here?] Stormcrest asked. [I thought we were hunting for food.]
[Aye.] Nereus shook his head. [There is food beyond these walls. All we have to do is attack and our bellies will be full.]
[You want to eat them?] Stormcrest with a sickening tone. [They are hairy, dirty animals. Even worst then Humans. I will not eat that.]
Nereus looked out at the city walls, then back to Stormcrest. His eyes narrowed. He didn't like to be questioned. And certainly not by anyone newly hatched. He was supposed to follow, do what he's told and keep his mouth shut. But he did have a point though it was minor. Gorilla;s weren't their normal choice for food.
[What do you suggest?]
[Follow me.] Stormcrest took off diving up into the trees then he launched himself into the sky.
On the ground, Krotus stepped up next to Nereus.
[Rather bold of him don't you think?]
[Yes.] Nereus said. [Keep a close watch on this one. I don't trust him.]
[Do we follow?]
[Yes.] Nereus leaping up into the tree's to follow. With the Griffin's following behind him, Stormcrest led them out onto the savanna and to a great herd of Water Buffalo's. Picking one, Stormcrest dived down and grabbed his catch then found a quiet place to eat. All through the herd, the Griffins fall upon them like a Dragon clan picking and choosing from the fattest of the herd. He could hear the water buffalo all around him scream out with their last breath as the Griffins settled down to eat. Through he was usually a vegetarian, Beno enjoyed his first taste of meat. He had to admit to himself that he had enjoyed the feel of hunting. The excitement had been almost unbearable. And that first taste of blood as he bit down. It was such an intense feeling. A shiver passed through his body as he took the last bite and pushed the carcass away
As Stormcrest watched them eat, he wondered what Nereus had meant when he said there were Dragon's here. There hadn't been a Dragon in Aspana for over three hundred years. Were they to go north across the sea, or had Dragon's somehow come south to Aspana. Beno had no idea, but it wouldn't take long for him to find out.
As the morning sun rose out of the western mountains, Sakura, Deja and Dar'yl woke up to find Sky and Quynn sitting by the fire waiting for them to rise. It had been late when Quynn came back to join them. He explained what had happened in Domina between him and Shumo. Most of the Hominid people wanted peace, they were tired of all the war, death and destruction. They said only Igoro and his circle profited by the sale of slave and they wanted no part of it. But Igoro ruled here and his power was absolute. They were powerless to go against him and the price of disobedience was to high for them to pay. But if we could destroy Igoro's right to rule, they would support Goren as the next Chief.
"So that means we have the honor of bringing Igoro down," Deja said as she flipped one of her knives up and caught it. "Is that it"
"Yes." Quynn nodded. "Can you blame them? If any of them get caught conspiring against my father, it won't be just that one person who will pay. He will torture and kill a whole family line, just to make a point.."
"And what about Goren?" Deja asked. "Will he treat him the same way?"
"Without a moments hesitation," Quynn said. "He's already killed his wife. Goren is just an itch that needs to be scratched. He'll use his death to show everyone that there will be no exceptions."
"How can anybody be so cold hearted?" Sky asked as a cold shiver went through him. "And I thought Aster Telor was evil."
"Who?" Deja asked. She threw her knife and sent it straight into the trunk of a palm tree.
"Just an old enemy Quynn disposed of a few years ago. He tried to give me over to be someone's sex slave. He's dead now."
"Then we are off to Starspeak after Igoro? Dar'yl asked.
"No." Sakura said. "We are off to Starspeak to find Astan." He is our highest priority. We find him first, then we go for Igoro. I'm sorry but Domina's leadership problem is not why we're out here. I'll be glad to help, after we find Astan."
"Agreed." Quynn said."Is everything ready to go?"
"Yes." Dar'yl said as he grabbed his pack and hoisted it onto his back, Sky and Quynn moved to a clear spot and made the shift. Sakura and Dar'yl climbed on Quynn's back while Deja made herself comfortable on Sky. With a nod, Sky spread his wings and launched himself into the sky leaving a bright trail of ice crystals behind him.
From Domina, they flew south then west towards the Ayss Mountains. Dar'yl and Sakura explained the different lands and people that passed below them. They passed a field of grass were Orangutan warriors were fighting some savage type of Canins. Sakura told Quynn he had never seen anything like them anywhere on Aspana. Dar'yl thought they looked familiar but he didn't recognize them. They looked like some cross between Hyenen and something wild and unknown. As they reached the shore, Dar'yl spotted six ships that bore Igoro's sign. A white Simian skull on a field of black. He explained that these were the ships he used to raid cities and villages up and down the coast. He could also use them to supply arms and warriors to his ally Mulu. Quynn wanted to go down and blast them from the water but Sakura said no. It would take just one volley of arrows from any of those ships to hit one of them and slow them down. They were to close to Astan to take that chance.
Further on as they flew into the Starspeak Mountain area, villages and towns were getting more and more sparse the deeper in they flew. There were no Gorilla's or Zebran, No Tigarns or Pantheran in these mountains. There were only goats and birds. Many different multi colored birds of all kinds.
"Astan told me this is Avian country." Sakura explained. "He said they were taking a friend back here."
"Yes." Dar'yl said as he pointed down to a charred black great oak that stood void of its limbs and branches. "I think Igoro has been here."
As they looked down they saw what was left of what must have been some kind of huge Aerie. Scattered at the base of the tree and all around its trunk were the bodies of the Avians that had made the tree their home. Sakura saw eagles, condors, swallows and crows all dead and spread out under the burned tree. There had to be hundreds of bodies down there some in bird form and in the state between bird and human. there were young and old, there were even broken shells and what was left on the unhatched.
"There must have been a horrible battle here." Deja said with a shaky voice. "I hope they took a lot of enemies with them as they fell."
"I'm sorry to tell you Deja." Dar'yl said. "But only Avians died here."
"How do you know that?" She asked.
"Look around. Do you see the bodies of anything but Avians here? No that's because Igoro did this all by himself. This was a night attack. He caught then while they slept and he killed them all."
"I wish we had time to stop and bury them." Sakura said. "But we have to move on."
From the Aerie Sky and Quynn and Quynn came down to land. There were carrion birds everywhere picking the meat from the dead bodies. It made Sky sick and he turned and buried his face in Quynn's chest.
"Be brave Snowbird." He whispered in his ear. "They're at rest now. Nothing can ever hurt them again."
As they moved from tree to tree, it was always the same. Adults with children either buried beneath them or some where close. No one could've survived this massacre. Igoro had gone to far this time. Somehow they had to stop him and they all knew.
"Which way?" Deja asked.
There were no tracks to follow, there was nothing here but death and the slightest scent of something foreign. Sakura shifted to his lion form and walked around getting the scents from the area. He could smell the fear the had raged through all of the Avians as they died. Then he smelled something that didn't belong there. It was a familial smell. It was the scent of the one he was looking for.
[Astan was here.] He sent to them. [And it was after the slaughter. He wasn't alone, there were a number of Gorillas with him. They went that way.]
As they walked in silence, Sky kept a close watch on Goren. He wasn't sure if he even wanted to continue on with the fight for Domina or Aspana. There had been so much and so many lost in his past history. His brother and sister, lost in some battle over some stupid piece of land. Land that know one but Igoro thought was at all useful. They there was Shauri, Goren's beautiful star of the night. Dead. He knew what had happened. She probably bickered over some minor event with Igoro until he had had enough. Her temper, he always told her it would get her in trouble. But he knew the fight really would have been about him. Igoro probably came to their house insisting on seeing Goren. He probably accursed them of being traitors and Shauri just couldn't stop herself. But it was just a rouge to get at Goren. His father had hated him for years since the day he choose Grand father over him. In other words, peace over war. But he couldn't stop thinking about what he had lost. First Mara and Hodari, then Beno's parents. Now Shauri and Beno? There was no one left of his family except little Awiya, Mara's one and only son. Goren had tried to stay away from him so his father couldn't use him in some scheme to get at Goren, but knew it was only a matter of time until Igoro came up with some plot didn't. Eventually Goren had to get the young one and away before Igoro did something they all would regret.
As they stepped out of the jungle and onto a rocky terrain, Quynn looked ahead to see Palas flying over head circling a slope over a small mountain. Beneath Goren come out of the jungle as three of his warriors ran out to greet them.
"The cave." Hayani said as he fell to his knees and covered his face. "We found it!"
"How do you know it's Omerian's cave?" Goren asked. "Was he there? Whats the matter with you too?"
"Yes, he was there." Nyo said. Something had scared them. Nyo was shaking so bad Goren was surprised he was still on his feet.
"What is it? Where is he?"
"He's dead." Hayani said. "We found him with stab wounds all through his body. Someone must have attacked during the night, and caught him while he was sleeping."
Quynn, Sky, Deja, Dar'yl and Sakura looked at the two Gorilla's stunned. They weren't sure what to think. Could it have been Igoro? Is he that far ahead of them? Goren didn't think so but it was possible. But if he was, why hasn't he found us yet? Then a sudden thought hit him. Or has he?
"Hayani. Nyo." He called to his warriors. "Find Palas and get him back here immediately. We may be in trouble."
Without thinking, both Hayani and Nyo both turned and leaped into the trees to start their search for Palas. Looking confused, Astan hurried over to Goren to see what had frighten him so much.
"Goren." Quynn said. "What is it? Are we in trouble?"
"Yes." He said nodding his head. "I think we are. It's my father. I think was been here. Omerion's death is a warning for us."
[Yes. It is.] A voice boomed out through their minds. Sky and Quynn both jump with surprise. They hadn't been expecting Omerion's sudden call. [Igoro was here. He caught me unprepared to do battle. But there are ways for my consciousness to stay and deliver this massage to you.]
"I am sorry Omerion." Goren said sadly. "I didn't mean to lead him here to you. It was not my intention to bring Domina's trouble to your door."
[My death was foretold long before you were born young Goren. Just like your Grand sire. We both knew when our end was near. But I don't think its your time. You Goren Baba are our hope for a more peaceful existence for our Hominid people. The future I see for you is cloudy right now, as is your fathers though that does not mean it is hopeless. There is always for those with honor and bravery."
"What am I to do Omerion? We have lost so many. How am I supposed to overcome my fathers ruthless rule?"
[Have courage Goren.] Omerion's voice started to fade. [You are strong and you are not alone. Go home, You must face your fears before you can overcome them.]
With that said, Omerion's voice faded out into the winds. As Goren looked up into Quynn's face. Quynn shook him trying to bring Goren out of Omerion's trance.
"Wake up!" Astan slapped his cheek lightly. "Wake up Goren!"
"I'm here, I'm here." He pushed Astan away from him then grabbed a water skin and took a deep drink.
"What happened? Your eyes glazed over and you started to mumble something about your father. Is he here or not."
"No." Goren said. "He isn't here anymore. But I know where we have to go."
"Where?" Palas asked as he dropped down to land.
"We are going back to Domina. Back to confront my father in the hell he's made for us."
Friday, March 24, 2017
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
For Whom the bell tolls. 16
Deep down in a dark place that no one living, dead, mortal, or immortal ever goes something stirred. It snapped it's tentacles and whipped its clawed hand around as one of if its many blood red eyes slipped opened. It heaved and hauled its massive tentacled body up from the dark pit out between reality and the void where Rimnar and his accursed brothers had trapped him long before time and light was created. Xuthulu the hideous, horrendous lord of the nameless dark place where nothing lives but him and his horrifying hate for those that trapped him there in his private world of death. He through back his head and screamed the names of the gods, his own brothers that sentenced him to his eternal death so many eons ago for losing the battle between death, reality, torture and existence. Xuthulu the master of dark emotions and pain, the lord of insanity and chaos is awake. But what was it that woke him and caught his attention? Unknown to Rimnar or any of the other gods, Xuthlulu was not totally blind to things that went on in the world of reality. There was one eye that could still see the world of mortals and another that could spy on the Gods. Xuthulu knew about the death of his most hated enemy Rimnar. In fact, he was partly responsible for Rimnar's death. How do you think Extremus got the power to kill him? It was all due to nudges and the prodding of the darkest of lords. With Rimnar dead, Xuthlulu flexed his muscles and felt himself move just a tiny bit. His power to affect the surface world had grown just a little. Aramis, Nestor, Sazar and Karis had not checked on Xuthlulu's death dimension in over a thousand years. They didn't know that Rimnar's death had weakened his dark deathly prison. He wasn't strong enough yet to break free but with a little more evil and hate in the mortal world, he could at last be free. and as Xuthlulu watched what was going on in Aspana, he knew his time would come soon.
SOON. Xuthlulu breathed these silent words out to the darkness. VERY SOON! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA.
It was late in the afternoon as Mbutu Asami stepped out onto the balcony of the Kimburi's royal palace. The Panthera capital city was the second biggest city in all of Aspana. It housed more the twenty thousand Pantherans from the felidae family including lions, panthers, jaguars and cougar. Though carnivores, the Pantherans were one of the first species to organize from prides roaming the savanna to a society with tools that built themselves a city. They built magnificent three and four story buildings with indoor and outdoor plumbing. There was a communal bath house with hot and cold pools, stream rooms and showers. The Pantherans also had beautifully decorated architecture with mosaic tiled murals and fabulously painted scenes of some of there past history spread all over the city. Kimburi was one of Aspana's shining examples of growing progress. Now back to the story.
As Mbutu stepped through the glass doors of Duma palace, he took a deep breath inhaling the fragrant smell of the violets and the honeysuckle that grew in such abundance all through Duma palace. There was goats foot and blue squill. Morning glory and foxglove. All arranged in sections around the palace garden. As Mbtutu looked around,, he found Regent G'ania Gazzini going from section to section with his water can watering the flowers. Mbutu walking out to meet him.
Ahhh Mbutu." He said. "Are they not glorious? See how the violets are so vibrant? And the squill. So bell like I can almost hear them ring."
"The flowers are beautiful Regent." Mbutu said. "Your garden is lovely."
"Its Duma's flowers, they are not mine." The Regent puts down the water can. "I am only the gardener. Is everything ready?"
"Yes Regent. The Tigars will be marching from the west and the Rhinons will come from the south. If we come in from the north, we will meet near the Dominian jungle."
"We will surprise them." G'ania said with a smile. "And we will be a finishing blow. Have the troops ready to march this evening. We'll find Sakura, and we will get him back."
"YES REGENT!"
After Mbutu left, G'ania thought about how he had got in this predicament. More than twenty years ago, a wounded and exhausted Cougar had been found just outside of Kimburi in the sugar cane fields. He was loaded on to a cart and taken in to the best healer in the city who fed him, took care of his wounds and listened to his story. Knowing desperately his tribe needed help, they heal and had him taken immediately to the palace for an audience with the king. Once Msia heard about the cougar, he had him taken in to a private room where he could make his petition for help from the crown. Msia listen to his story very carefully than ordered his palace guard unit to arm themselves and be ready to march withing the hour. G'ania Gazini had been Msia's oldest and closest friend. They had grown up together like brothers even though their fathers had been rivals for the throne of Panthera. When Musa Duma was coronated as the king of Panthera, he kept Faraji Gazini as he most honored adviser. They were together for many years until Faraji was killed in defense on the crown To honor his friend, G'ania was taken in to the palace to be raise with the royal family. He was givin the best tutors and studied right at Msia's side.When it was time for Msia to take the crown, G'ania was picked to be the one to present it to Msia and place it on his head. For years they fought side by side to keep Panthera safe. They fought pirates and and slavers. They fought all trouble from within and from outside of their home nation. G'ania was the one that pushed Msia to make and keep the peace with the Tigarans and the Rhinons.
As Msia walked down the palace stairway, G'ania was waiting at the bottom with his troop of Pantheran warrior. Once Msia joined them, G'ania give the signal to head out. It was more then a day and a nights march to get to the lands the Cougars had made their homes. Msia sent scouts out to keep a watch on the Hyenen force that was holding the city while G'ania and Msia had a temporary camp set up so their troops could rest up from the long march. After a few hours, one of the scouts came back to report on the Hyenens. It would seem they were not really on watch for anyone that might come to the Cougars rescue. They had taken the Cougars, men women and children and put them in a large group of caged wagons which they gather on the south end of the village. With the Cougars safely locked away, the Hyenens went on with their pillaging. They tore into the Cougars yearly harvest and stored away all their food and livestock. A cheer went up when they found the Cougars stills and vineyards. Within a few hours the Hyenens were all drunk and running crazy through the village. Msia sent five warriors out to protect the caged Cougars until his men were all rested and ready to go.
Three hours before dawn, the Pantheran warriors creeped out of the jungle to the torn down gates of the Cougar village. Msia split his troops into five parts. He sent one to the north, east, south, and west sides of the village leave one behind just in case the Hyenens had a surprise somewhere waiting for them. When all his warriors were in place, G'ania gave the signal to attack.
Like avenging angels the Pantherans attacked. The Hyenens were caught asleep and drunk from a night of celebrating. The attack didn't last very long. After about an hour, the Hyenen forces were routed out and running from the village. Cheers went up from both the Pantherans and the Cougars as the caged wagons the torn apart they were set free. As the leaders of the village came out to give thanks to their saviors, they notice that something was wrong. Msia Duma was nowhere to be found. Somehow, the Hyenens had come up from behind and grabbed him during the fighting. All they found was his helmet and sword Oblivion laying there buried beneath eight dead Hyenens.
In immediate response, G'ania sent warriors out in all directions to find their king. He sent word to the Tigarans. the Rhinons and the Elephants for them to be on the look out for the Hyenens who captured the king. G'ania even had a spy in Mancoro alerted. They searched for months and waited for a response from their allies but no one know where Msia had been taken. After a years, all hope of recovering the king was lost and G'ania took over as Regent until Sakura was older and wise enough to take his place as the king of the Panthers.
That day was here, but Sakura was no where to be found. If Sakura was not found soon, Panthera might fall into a civil war that could tear the great nation apart. G'ania could hold it together for a little while but the people would not wait to long before they started to look for someone else that could keep the nation safe and prosperous.
[Astan?] Sakura sent out. [My love where are you?]
[Here.] Astan replied. [I escaped from Domina along with a group trying to free the Gorilla city.]
[Are you hurt?]
[No.] He said. [But there is someone here hurt very badly. We are looking for a shamen. A healer that can help us. Where are you?]
[We just left Domina.] Sakura sent. [We have agreed to find this Igoro Baba and put an end to his domination over the Gorillas.]
[Be careful Love. He is very skilled and very evil. He won't stop until all of Aspana is in his grasp.]
[And Mulu Amin?] Sakura asked. [What of the Hyenen?]
[He is more dangerous then Igoro. Beware of him.]
After the warning, Astan sent out a caressing thought that wrapped itself around Sakura's mind. It felt to Sakura as if Astan was there touching his body. Sakura closed his eyes and imagine he and Astan were there together. With a moan, Sakura reached out and pulled Astan's body close to him. He slide off the tunic he was wearing and felt for those oh so familiar nipples on his chest. Astan moaned and smiled with pleasure. He pulled closer to Sakura and gave his body over to his mate. Sakura purred in Astan's ear sending erotic vibrations into his brain. Astan let out a short groan as Sakura's hand slipped into his pants and wrapped around his member. His touch was like silk as he stroked slowly up then down. Astan's knees started to go weak so Sakura lowered him down to lay and pushed his pants down his legs. With his legs free, Astan spread them allowing Sakura access to the most intimate parts of his body.
[YES!] Astan moaned. [Please don't stop!]
With a smile Sakura's hand slid down between Astan's quivering legs. It stroked up and down between his cheeks as it searched for the magic spot on Astan's body. When he found it he slowly put pressure on it until his finger slipped in. As his finger pushed in, Astan let out a loud yell of orgasmic pleasure. Sakura grabbed his member and held it close to his stomach and flicked his prostate with his finger. Ropes of pleasure exploded from his body as Sakura buried his face in his neither region. While this went on, Sakura's organ started shooting out his pleasure. They lay together as their bodies slowly finished there mating.
As Astan came back to his senses, he sent Sakura sensations of satisfaction.
[Thank you my Love. Now hurry, I don't think we have very much time. We are in Starspeak. Out beyond the Ayss Mountains.]
[We will be there soon. Stay safe,]
As he got up, two of Goren's warriors were coming back into the camp. They seemed excited about something. Sakura wonder what it could be. Goren jumped up and called them all over. He seemed excited.
"Come." Goren waved at them. "There is news."
"What is it?" Palas asked while he brushed leaves from his feathers and hair.
"My warriors have found Omeron's cave." Goren explained. "Its ten miles west of here out beyond a swamp."
"Then we should get moving." Astan said. "Igoro is here somewhere searching for us. I can feel him out getting closer. We should hurry."
"I will take to the air and try and find him." Palas said with a nod. "If I can, I will try and move him off in another direction. Away from the cave more to the east."
"Be careful." Astan said. "If he see's you he won't think twice about blasting you out of the air."
"I won't let him get that close." Palas flexed his muscles and spread his wings. For a second his image blurred then he shifted to a blue, black and grey falcon. He hopped up in to a tree right at their side. [Igoro can look for me in the sky, but he won't recognize this form. He defeated all my people, but he doesn't know all our secrets.]
With that said, Palas launched himself off the branch and up into the sky. Sky and Quynn finished cleaning up the camp site while Goren, Moyo and Tamu got Beno ready to travel. Once all the packs were collected and was straightened, Goren took the lead and they started out and back on the trail.
There was very little talk as the moved through the jungle. Goren was busy trying to keep to the sparse trail while Quynn watched there back. At one point while they walked, a strange noise caught Quynn's attention. It was like thew hiss of a snake only soft at first, t was hardly audible, but to his Dragon hearing it was clear as a bell.
"What are you looking for?" Sky asked.
."Don't you hear it?" He said with his back to the group. "There's something back there."
"We're being followed?"
"Yes, but its not Igoro or Mulu. its something else."
"Come on." Sky pulled at his arm. "We don't want to let them get to far ahead."
Quynn nodded and together they ran to catch up with Goren and Beno.
Off in the shadows of the jungle, a eight foot long Dreadfoot came clawing through the trees. It had hungry and had a scent of something moving through its jungle. As saliva dripped from its huge mouth, it howls its silent call to the other Dreadfoots in this part of the jungle. Iy stopped for a minute and listened as the others answered his call. One, two, three howled back. They had heard him and were coming in to hunt with him. The Dreadfoot barked three short bursts of sound telling them to come in from the west and the south while he would attack from the east leaving them no where to go but to head north. Quickening his pace, the Dreadfoot hurried in to what he hope was going to be a easy catch.
Dreadfoot's are huge ten foot reptiles with a body more bear like then reptilian.They run just as fast as a house and they climbed like a monkey. They had tails that could grab and hold on to prey as they bite or squeezed the life out of them. Their jaws could snap shut with unbelievable strength. They saw better on the infrared level meaning they hunted by heat signatures. Their nose was used merely for breathing while their tongue lashed out to taste their preys scent in the air. Dreadfoot's stayed close to tropical regions of Aspana leaving the cold north and northern islands alone.
As Quynn and Sky caught up with Goren, they grabbed the stretched and yelled for them to run. The Gorillas had no idea why they were running, but if the two from the north thought they should run, they would trust them and get moving. As they ran, it wasn't long before Goren heard the howling of the following Dreadfoot's. He hurried to keep up with Quynn and Sky while his warriors were right behind him.
"Leave me." Beno said as he reached out and grabbed Goren's arm. "Carrying my stretcher is slowing you down. Those are Dreadfoots behind us. You know what will happen if they catch us."
"No Beno!" Goren yelled down to him. "I will not leave you here to be eaten by those things. We'll take our chances together."
From the barking and howling Beno could tell that the Dreadfoots were close. They were coming in from the south,east and the west leaving them no where to go but to the north. There was probably a trap waiting for them. Beno had to get them to change directions and they better do it soon. With a strong heave, Beno rolled out of the stretcher and crashed into the growth of the jungle. Sky and Quynn swtopped and reached down to grab him. Beno pushed them away.
"Go!" He yelled as he pulled his sword from its scabbard. "I will hold them off as long as I can. Take my cousin and get him away from here.
"No!!" Goren yelled as Sky and Quynn pulled him away. "I won't leave you!"
"Myumbo Cousin. May your jungles always be green." With that, Beno got to his feet and stumbled away into the jungle.
"NOOOO!!"
Grabbing Goren by his arms, Sky and Quynn ran off into the thick jungle leaving Beno there to fight the Dreadfoot's alone.
As Beno pushed his way through the jungle, he could hear the Dreadfoots getting closer and closer. He needed a place he could defend without worrying about getting attacked from behind. Pushing further in, he came to a great crevasse in the side of a cliff that ran up high over his head. This would do, the Dreadfoots could only attack from the front. Beno took a deep breath as the first Dreadfoot of many came howling out of the jungle going right for him
"Come on beastie." He yelled. "Let us see how fearsome you really are."
As the front Dreadfoot lunged at Beno, he struck out with his sword and cut a deep slice across its maw. The beast howled and for a second stepped back shaking its head. As it reared up on its hind legs, the Dreadfoot kicked out clipping Beno on his chin and slamming his head back. As he lost consciousness, Beno fall forward, easy prey for the beast and all of its pride. Howling its victory, the Dreadfoot stepped in to claim its prize. With a final roar, the beast reached down to grab him out of the crevasse and pull him out. Suddenly there was a big flash of light that blinded the Dreadfoot. It stepped back shaking its head to clear its vision. When it looked back, there was tall Satyr with huge rams horns on its head standing there in front of Beno holding a staff made of gnarled wood..
"Hold beast." It said. " I am Tyree. You will have to find something else for dinner. This one is under my protection."
The Dreadfoot's howling and pawed at the ground as they came in to surround the Satyr. The Satyr puffed out his chest and let out a tremendous roar that rocked the ground. Unafraid, the Dreadfoot's attacked. The first one came in snapping at Tyree's legs as another launched its front hooves in for a blow at his chest. Tyree kicked out hitting the first one on in its snort. They he reached out and grabbed the second one by its front hoove and threw it out beyond the ring of snarling reptiles. As the third and fourth beast attacked, Tyree took his staff and slammed it down on the ground causing a tremor the run out knocking the Dreadfoot's off their hooves.
"I am Tyree, god of the wild and I command you to STOP!!
Like scared puppies four of the Dreadfoot's slinked back with their tails between their legs leaving the biggest of them all standing there snarling. Holding out one hand, Tyree stepped forward with a grim look on his face.
"You will leave now or you will suffer my wrath. And it will be long and painful. Begone!!"
Tyree's voice had a thundering effect that scared the last of the reptilian beast off. As he turned back to Beno, he reached down and easily picked the Gorilla up.
"Sleep my son." He stroked the hair on Beno's head. "For when you wake up, there will be a new destiny for you. One filled with wonder and excitement."
With a wave of his staff they were going.
When Beno woke up it was late in the evening. He looked up to see stars twinkling in the night sky. He sat up and looked are, but he didn't recognize where he was. He was in the jungle, but all of his senses told him this wasn't the same he had battle the Dreadfoot's in. Then he remembered the Dreadfoot's. What had happened? The last thing he remembered was the Dreadfoot lashing out and kicking him in him chin. He reached up and put his hand to his chin. It was sore but not broken. That mean he really had face the great beasties. If that was true, why was he still alive? He should be dead and in the stomachs of the whole pride. As Beno tried to get up, pain lanced out from his chest and legs. He felt dizzy and a little nauseous. As he felt his chest, he started to bleed again. Astan's healing was wearing off. Beno looked around. He wanted somewhere he could rest and live out his last moments. He knew he was dying and he wanted it to be as peaceful as it could be and here, who knows what wild things were roaming here in this jungle. Off to the left he spotted what could be a cave.
"That will do." He said to himself. On his hands and knees he crawled into the cave. It was dark in there but that didn't matter. He wasn't expecting to be here for very long. He thought within an hour, Tyree would be taking him up to meet his ancestors for the final eternal rest.
As he made his way in, Beno could hear the chirping of bats rousting up in the cave ceiling. The cave smelled damp with a tiny touch of mold in the air. From the entrance, Beno pushed himself up on his feet and staggered deeper into the cave. Looking around, he noticed the patches of phosphorescent glow that ran all along the ceiling and walls lighting the cave with a eerie glow.
As Beno's pain got worst, he stumbled into a small chamber filled with strange glowing orbs. Beno flopped down after taking his last step. This was as far as he would go. This wound due for his final resting place. He sat back and thought about his life. The parents he loved so much that was killed by Igoro. His cousins Hodari, Goren and Mara and their hunting trips on the savanna. So many memories flashed through his minds. He wished he could have lived to see Igoro's bloody reign come to its end. He would have loved to been there to see him grovel in defeat. But it didn't look like that was going to be possible.
"Myumbo Cousin. I hope you reign in peace."
With that, Beno turned his head and made himself comfortable for the last moments of life. As he closed his eyes, Beno thought he saw something flicker with light. It was one of the orbs that were blinking through the room. Beno cocked his head and watched as it grew bright then flicker on and off. He sat up and reached out and picked up the orb.
"What is this?"
[I feel your pain.] A voice said in his head. [I can take it away.]
Startled. he dropped it in his lap.
[Have no fear.] The voice said. [I can feel your heart. Its getting slower and slower with every beat. Let me make it better.]
"Who are you?" Beno asked as he picked it up again.
[I am your future if that is what you want.] It said. [I can make us whole again. All you have to do is ask.]
As Beno's eyes began to closer and he took one final breath of air. He said yes to the voice.
Before his last breath escaped his body, the orb cracked open and a small Griffen cub popped out and buried itself in Beno's chest. As the cub entered, Beno's eyes opened and his body started to convulse. Hie eyes took on a golden glow as feathers grew and his body started to change. Wings grew as hands and feet turned to paws. His head took the shape of a grey eagle and he shrieked out his birth announcement to the world.
[We are Stormcrest and we are born to fly!!]
SOON. Xuthlulu breathed these silent words out to the darkness. VERY SOON! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA.
It was late in the afternoon as Mbutu Asami stepped out onto the balcony of the Kimburi's royal palace. The Panthera capital city was the second biggest city in all of Aspana. It housed more the twenty thousand Pantherans from the felidae family including lions, panthers, jaguars and cougar. Though carnivores, the Pantherans were one of the first species to organize from prides roaming the savanna to a society with tools that built themselves a city. They built magnificent three and four story buildings with indoor and outdoor plumbing. There was a communal bath house with hot and cold pools, stream rooms and showers. The Pantherans also had beautifully decorated architecture with mosaic tiled murals and fabulously painted scenes of some of there past history spread all over the city. Kimburi was one of Aspana's shining examples of growing progress. Now back to the story.
As Mbutu stepped through the glass doors of Duma palace, he took a deep breath inhaling the fragrant smell of the violets and the honeysuckle that grew in such abundance all through Duma palace. There was goats foot and blue squill. Morning glory and foxglove. All arranged in sections around the palace garden. As Mbtutu looked around,, he found Regent G'ania Gazzini going from section to section with his water can watering the flowers. Mbutu walking out to meet him.
Ahhh Mbutu." He said. "Are they not glorious? See how the violets are so vibrant? And the squill. So bell like I can almost hear them ring."
"The flowers are beautiful Regent." Mbutu said. "Your garden is lovely."
"Its Duma's flowers, they are not mine." The Regent puts down the water can. "I am only the gardener. Is everything ready?"
"Yes Regent. The Tigars will be marching from the west and the Rhinons will come from the south. If we come in from the north, we will meet near the Dominian jungle."
"We will surprise them." G'ania said with a smile. "And we will be a finishing blow. Have the troops ready to march this evening. We'll find Sakura, and we will get him back."
"YES REGENT!"
After Mbutu left, G'ania thought about how he had got in this predicament. More than twenty years ago, a wounded and exhausted Cougar had been found just outside of Kimburi in the sugar cane fields. He was loaded on to a cart and taken in to the best healer in the city who fed him, took care of his wounds and listened to his story. Knowing desperately his tribe needed help, they heal and had him taken immediately to the palace for an audience with the king. Once Msia heard about the cougar, he had him taken in to a private room where he could make his petition for help from the crown. Msia listen to his story very carefully than ordered his palace guard unit to arm themselves and be ready to march withing the hour. G'ania Gazini had been Msia's oldest and closest friend. They had grown up together like brothers even though their fathers had been rivals for the throne of Panthera. When Musa Duma was coronated as the king of Panthera, he kept Faraji Gazini as he most honored adviser. They were together for many years until Faraji was killed in defense on the crown To honor his friend, G'ania was taken in to the palace to be raise with the royal family. He was givin the best tutors and studied right at Msia's side.When it was time for Msia to take the crown, G'ania was picked to be the one to present it to Msia and place it on his head. For years they fought side by side to keep Panthera safe. They fought pirates and and slavers. They fought all trouble from within and from outside of their home nation. G'ania was the one that pushed Msia to make and keep the peace with the Tigarans and the Rhinons.
As Msia walked down the palace stairway, G'ania was waiting at the bottom with his troop of Pantheran warrior. Once Msia joined them, G'ania give the signal to head out. It was more then a day and a nights march to get to the lands the Cougars had made their homes. Msia sent scouts out to keep a watch on the Hyenen force that was holding the city while G'ania and Msia had a temporary camp set up so their troops could rest up from the long march. After a few hours, one of the scouts came back to report on the Hyenens. It would seem they were not really on watch for anyone that might come to the Cougars rescue. They had taken the Cougars, men women and children and put them in a large group of caged wagons which they gather on the south end of the village. With the Cougars safely locked away, the Hyenens went on with their pillaging. They tore into the Cougars yearly harvest and stored away all their food and livestock. A cheer went up when they found the Cougars stills and vineyards. Within a few hours the Hyenens were all drunk and running crazy through the village. Msia sent five warriors out to protect the caged Cougars until his men were all rested and ready to go.
Three hours before dawn, the Pantheran warriors creeped out of the jungle to the torn down gates of the Cougar village. Msia split his troops into five parts. He sent one to the north, east, south, and west sides of the village leave one behind just in case the Hyenens had a surprise somewhere waiting for them. When all his warriors were in place, G'ania gave the signal to attack.
Like avenging angels the Pantherans attacked. The Hyenens were caught asleep and drunk from a night of celebrating. The attack didn't last very long. After about an hour, the Hyenen forces were routed out and running from the village. Cheers went up from both the Pantherans and the Cougars as the caged wagons the torn apart they were set free. As the leaders of the village came out to give thanks to their saviors, they notice that something was wrong. Msia Duma was nowhere to be found. Somehow, the Hyenens had come up from behind and grabbed him during the fighting. All they found was his helmet and sword Oblivion laying there buried beneath eight dead Hyenens.
In immediate response, G'ania sent warriors out in all directions to find their king. He sent word to the Tigarans. the Rhinons and the Elephants for them to be on the look out for the Hyenens who captured the king. G'ania even had a spy in Mancoro alerted. They searched for months and waited for a response from their allies but no one know where Msia had been taken. After a years, all hope of recovering the king was lost and G'ania took over as Regent until Sakura was older and wise enough to take his place as the king of the Panthers.
That day was here, but Sakura was no where to be found. If Sakura was not found soon, Panthera might fall into a civil war that could tear the great nation apart. G'ania could hold it together for a little while but the people would not wait to long before they started to look for someone else that could keep the nation safe and prosperous.
[Astan?] Sakura sent out. [My love where are you?]
[Here.] Astan replied. [I escaped from Domina along with a group trying to free the Gorilla city.]
[Are you hurt?]
[No.] He said. [But there is someone here hurt very badly. We are looking for a shamen. A healer that can help us. Where are you?]
[We just left Domina.] Sakura sent. [We have agreed to find this Igoro Baba and put an end to his domination over the Gorillas.]
[Be careful Love. He is very skilled and very evil. He won't stop until all of Aspana is in his grasp.]
[And Mulu Amin?] Sakura asked. [What of the Hyenen?]
[He is more dangerous then Igoro. Beware of him.]
After the warning, Astan sent out a caressing thought that wrapped itself around Sakura's mind. It felt to Sakura as if Astan was there touching his body. Sakura closed his eyes and imagine he and Astan were there together. With a moan, Sakura reached out and pulled Astan's body close to him. He slide off the tunic he was wearing and felt for those oh so familiar nipples on his chest. Astan moaned and smiled with pleasure. He pulled closer to Sakura and gave his body over to his mate. Sakura purred in Astan's ear sending erotic vibrations into his brain. Astan let out a short groan as Sakura's hand slipped into his pants and wrapped around his member. His touch was like silk as he stroked slowly up then down. Astan's knees started to go weak so Sakura lowered him down to lay and pushed his pants down his legs. With his legs free, Astan spread them allowing Sakura access to the most intimate parts of his body.
[YES!] Astan moaned. [Please don't stop!]
With a smile Sakura's hand slid down between Astan's quivering legs. It stroked up and down between his cheeks as it searched for the magic spot on Astan's body. When he found it he slowly put pressure on it until his finger slipped in. As his finger pushed in, Astan let out a loud yell of orgasmic pleasure. Sakura grabbed his member and held it close to his stomach and flicked his prostate with his finger. Ropes of pleasure exploded from his body as Sakura buried his face in his neither region. While this went on, Sakura's organ started shooting out his pleasure. They lay together as their bodies slowly finished there mating.
As Astan came back to his senses, he sent Sakura sensations of satisfaction.
[Thank you my Love. Now hurry, I don't think we have very much time. We are in Starspeak. Out beyond the Ayss Mountains.]
[We will be there soon. Stay safe,]
As he got up, two of Goren's warriors were coming back into the camp. They seemed excited about something. Sakura wonder what it could be. Goren jumped up and called them all over. He seemed excited.
"Come." Goren waved at them. "There is news."
"What is it?" Palas asked while he brushed leaves from his feathers and hair.
"My warriors have found Omeron's cave." Goren explained. "Its ten miles west of here out beyond a swamp."
"Then we should get moving." Astan said. "Igoro is here somewhere searching for us. I can feel him out getting closer. We should hurry."
"I will take to the air and try and find him." Palas said with a nod. "If I can, I will try and move him off in another direction. Away from the cave more to the east."
"Be careful." Astan said. "If he see's you he won't think twice about blasting you out of the air."
"I won't let him get that close." Palas flexed his muscles and spread his wings. For a second his image blurred then he shifted to a blue, black and grey falcon. He hopped up in to a tree right at their side. [Igoro can look for me in the sky, but he won't recognize this form. He defeated all my people, but he doesn't know all our secrets.]
With that said, Palas launched himself off the branch and up into the sky. Sky and Quynn finished cleaning up the camp site while Goren, Moyo and Tamu got Beno ready to travel. Once all the packs were collected and was straightened, Goren took the lead and they started out and back on the trail.
There was very little talk as the moved through the jungle. Goren was busy trying to keep to the sparse trail while Quynn watched there back. At one point while they walked, a strange noise caught Quynn's attention. It was like thew hiss of a snake only soft at first, t was hardly audible, but to his Dragon hearing it was clear as a bell.
"What are you looking for?" Sky asked.
."Don't you hear it?" He said with his back to the group. "There's something back there."
"We're being followed?"
"Yes, but its not Igoro or Mulu. its something else."
"Come on." Sky pulled at his arm. "We don't want to let them get to far ahead."
Quynn nodded and together they ran to catch up with Goren and Beno.
Off in the shadows of the jungle, a eight foot long Dreadfoot came clawing through the trees. It had hungry and had a scent of something moving through its jungle. As saliva dripped from its huge mouth, it howls its silent call to the other Dreadfoots in this part of the jungle. Iy stopped for a minute and listened as the others answered his call. One, two, three howled back. They had heard him and were coming in to hunt with him. The Dreadfoot barked three short bursts of sound telling them to come in from the west and the south while he would attack from the east leaving them no where to go but to head north. Quickening his pace, the Dreadfoot hurried in to what he hope was going to be a easy catch.
Dreadfoot's are huge ten foot reptiles with a body more bear like then reptilian.They run just as fast as a house and they climbed like a monkey. They had tails that could grab and hold on to prey as they bite or squeezed the life out of them. Their jaws could snap shut with unbelievable strength. They saw better on the infrared level meaning they hunted by heat signatures. Their nose was used merely for breathing while their tongue lashed out to taste their preys scent in the air. Dreadfoot's stayed close to tropical regions of Aspana leaving the cold north and northern islands alone.
As Quynn and Sky caught up with Goren, they grabbed the stretched and yelled for them to run. The Gorillas had no idea why they were running, but if the two from the north thought they should run, they would trust them and get moving. As they ran, it wasn't long before Goren heard the howling of the following Dreadfoot's. He hurried to keep up with Quynn and Sky while his warriors were right behind him.
"Leave me." Beno said as he reached out and grabbed Goren's arm. "Carrying my stretcher is slowing you down. Those are Dreadfoots behind us. You know what will happen if they catch us."
"No Beno!" Goren yelled down to him. "I will not leave you here to be eaten by those things. We'll take our chances together."
From the barking and howling Beno could tell that the Dreadfoots were close. They were coming in from the south,east and the west leaving them no where to go but to the north. There was probably a trap waiting for them. Beno had to get them to change directions and they better do it soon. With a strong heave, Beno rolled out of the stretcher and crashed into the growth of the jungle. Sky and Quynn swtopped and reached down to grab him. Beno pushed them away.
"Go!" He yelled as he pulled his sword from its scabbard. "I will hold them off as long as I can. Take my cousin and get him away from here.
"No!!" Goren yelled as Sky and Quynn pulled him away. "I won't leave you!"
"Myumbo Cousin. May your jungles always be green." With that, Beno got to his feet and stumbled away into the jungle.
"NOOOO!!"
Grabbing Goren by his arms, Sky and Quynn ran off into the thick jungle leaving Beno there to fight the Dreadfoot's alone.
As Beno pushed his way through the jungle, he could hear the Dreadfoots getting closer and closer. He needed a place he could defend without worrying about getting attacked from behind. Pushing further in, he came to a great crevasse in the side of a cliff that ran up high over his head. This would do, the Dreadfoots could only attack from the front. Beno took a deep breath as the first Dreadfoot of many came howling out of the jungle going right for him
"Come on beastie." He yelled. "Let us see how fearsome you really are."
As the front Dreadfoot lunged at Beno, he struck out with his sword and cut a deep slice across its maw. The beast howled and for a second stepped back shaking its head. As it reared up on its hind legs, the Dreadfoot kicked out clipping Beno on his chin and slamming his head back. As he lost consciousness, Beno fall forward, easy prey for the beast and all of its pride. Howling its victory, the Dreadfoot stepped in to claim its prize. With a final roar, the beast reached down to grab him out of the crevasse and pull him out. Suddenly there was a big flash of light that blinded the Dreadfoot. It stepped back shaking its head to clear its vision. When it looked back, there was tall Satyr with huge rams horns on its head standing there in front of Beno holding a staff made of gnarled wood..
"Hold beast." It said. " I am Tyree. You will have to find something else for dinner. This one is under my protection."
The Dreadfoot's howling and pawed at the ground as they came in to surround the Satyr. The Satyr puffed out his chest and let out a tremendous roar that rocked the ground. Unafraid, the Dreadfoot's attacked. The first one came in snapping at Tyree's legs as another launched its front hooves in for a blow at his chest. Tyree kicked out hitting the first one on in its snort. They he reached out and grabbed the second one by its front hoove and threw it out beyond the ring of snarling reptiles. As the third and fourth beast attacked, Tyree took his staff and slammed it down on the ground causing a tremor the run out knocking the Dreadfoot's off their hooves.
"I am Tyree, god of the wild and I command you to STOP!!
Like scared puppies four of the Dreadfoot's slinked back with their tails between their legs leaving the biggest of them all standing there snarling. Holding out one hand, Tyree stepped forward with a grim look on his face.
"You will leave now or you will suffer my wrath. And it will be long and painful. Begone!!"
Tyree's voice had a thundering effect that scared the last of the reptilian beast off. As he turned back to Beno, he reached down and easily picked the Gorilla up.
"Sleep my son." He stroked the hair on Beno's head. "For when you wake up, there will be a new destiny for you. One filled with wonder and excitement."
With a wave of his staff they were going.
When Beno woke up it was late in the evening. He looked up to see stars twinkling in the night sky. He sat up and looked are, but he didn't recognize where he was. He was in the jungle, but all of his senses told him this wasn't the same he had battle the Dreadfoot's in. Then he remembered the Dreadfoot's. What had happened? The last thing he remembered was the Dreadfoot lashing out and kicking him in him chin. He reached up and put his hand to his chin. It was sore but not broken. That mean he really had face the great beasties. If that was true, why was he still alive? He should be dead and in the stomachs of the whole pride. As Beno tried to get up, pain lanced out from his chest and legs. He felt dizzy and a little nauseous. As he felt his chest, he started to bleed again. Astan's healing was wearing off. Beno looked around. He wanted somewhere he could rest and live out his last moments. He knew he was dying and he wanted it to be as peaceful as it could be and here, who knows what wild things were roaming here in this jungle. Off to the left he spotted what could be a cave.
"That will do." He said to himself. On his hands and knees he crawled into the cave. It was dark in there but that didn't matter. He wasn't expecting to be here for very long. He thought within an hour, Tyree would be taking him up to meet his ancestors for the final eternal rest.
As he made his way in, Beno could hear the chirping of bats rousting up in the cave ceiling. The cave smelled damp with a tiny touch of mold in the air. From the entrance, Beno pushed himself up on his feet and staggered deeper into the cave. Looking around, he noticed the patches of phosphorescent glow that ran all along the ceiling and walls lighting the cave with a eerie glow.
As Beno's pain got worst, he stumbled into a small chamber filled with strange glowing orbs. Beno flopped down after taking his last step. This was as far as he would go. This wound due for his final resting place. He sat back and thought about his life. The parents he loved so much that was killed by Igoro. His cousins Hodari, Goren and Mara and their hunting trips on the savanna. So many memories flashed through his minds. He wished he could have lived to see Igoro's bloody reign come to its end. He would have loved to been there to see him grovel in defeat. But it didn't look like that was going to be possible.
"Myumbo Cousin. I hope you reign in peace."
With that, Beno turned his head and made himself comfortable for the last moments of life. As he closed his eyes, Beno thought he saw something flicker with light. It was one of the orbs that were blinking through the room. Beno cocked his head and watched as it grew bright then flicker on and off. He sat up and reached out and picked up the orb.
"What is this?"
[I feel your pain.] A voice said in his head. [I can take it away.]
Startled. he dropped it in his lap.
[Have no fear.] The voice said. [I can feel your heart. Its getting slower and slower with every beat. Let me make it better.]
"Who are you?" Beno asked as he picked it up again.
[I am your future if that is what you want.] It said. [I can make us whole again. All you have to do is ask.]
As Beno's eyes began to closer and he took one final breath of air. He said yes to the voice.
Before his last breath escaped his body, the orb cracked open and a small Griffen cub popped out and buried itself in Beno's chest. As the cub entered, Beno's eyes opened and his body started to convulse. Hie eyes took on a golden glow as feathers grew and his body started to change. Wings grew as hands and feet turned to paws. His head took the shape of a grey eagle and he shrieked out his birth announcement to the world.
[We are Stormcrest and we are born to fly!!]
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Dragons Rise. 15
"I did it!" he screamed. "I did it! They are mine and there's nothing Msia or any of the fools in Panthera can do now to stop me!!"
Grinning pleased with his success, Mulu started in to collect his reward. Dragon power would now be his. He would be the most powerful Dragon was ever hatched. As he reached down to collect his first egg, there was a great rumble that ran through the mountain. Mulu took a few steps back as he tried to keep steady on his feet and ride out the tremor.
Suddenly he heard a great roar that seemed to be coming from everywhere and nowhere at the same time. As Mulu backed up, a billowing wind came flooring into the chamber all around him. With one last tremor, Mulu fell to his knees and the chambers shaking calmed down to a few weak shudders. Thinking this was his chance, Mulu scrambled to his feet and started again for the eggs.
[HOLD INTRUDER!] Said a booming voice from nowhere. [YOU DO NOT BELONG HERE. THIS IS A SACRED PLACE WHERE ONLY DRAGONS MAY WALK. TURN AND LEAVE NOW AND WE WILL TAKE NO OFFENSE.]
"I am Mulu Amin," He said pounding his chest. "Warlord and master of the great Hyenen nation and soon, all of Aspana. I claim these eggs as my own. The fruit of my long search. Step away and let me collect my reward."
Suddenly the rumbling started again as the voice began to laugh.
[HAVE A CARE DEMON. YOU ARE POWERFUL, BUT AS I SAID. THIS IS A PLACE OF DRAGONS. YOU HOLD NO POWER HERE. WE WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO STEAL ANY OF OUR EGGS.]
"And what will you do Worm?" Mulu laughed. "There are no Dragons in Aspana. The time of Dragons was long ago. Aspana has not been the home to a Dragon in a thousand years. You do not scare me. I will take what I want and there is nothing you can do about it!"
As Mulu looked around, there was a beautiful fist sized ruby sitting a few feet away from him with two topaz, a garnet, three sapphires and giant pearl. He took a step forward and reached down to grab the gem and suddenly there was a ear shattering roar. Mulu turned quick and standing across from him in the chamber entrance was Msia dressed in handsome ruby red leathers and Akani and a stranger.
"Your wrong Mulu." He said. "There are still Dragons here in Aspana, Would you like to meet one?"
Msia took a big deep breathe and blew out a great plumb of flame that engulfed his whole body setting him on fire. As the heat grew to volcanic heat, Mulu stepped back and tried to shield himself from the flames. As the heat and flames dowsed, there standing in front of Mulu was a huge red Dragon. It roared as it started toward the Hyenen.
As Inferno started toward him, Mulu moved bake and gave Msia a curious smile.
"There has been many changes since you escaped from my pit." Mulu said. "You found the Star of Hakima I see. I've done a little improving too. Watch what I can do."
Holding out his arms, Mulu started to spin around and around. Thick black smoke started seeping out from him until he was nothing but a great cloud of smoke. Then in a flash of eerie blue light, Mulu exploded and the cloud started to break apart.
"Behold Dragon!" Mulu said as his Demon form stepped out of the cloud. "You are about to take your last breath."
With that said, Mulu launched himself at Inferno with his claws ready to kill. Inferno roared again as Mulu attacked. He spread his wings and dived at Mulu. Flames surrounded him as he attacked.
[NO!!] The voice screamed. [THERE WILL BE NO COMBAT IN THIS SACRED PLACE!! BEGONE HYENEN FILTH!!!]
A bolt of lightning came flying out from the back of the cave, and like a flaming arrow struck Mulu in his chest. Mulu screamed and threw up his arms and started to shake. He stood there frozen in place for a few seconds, then disappeared in a great explosion of smoke. Inferno pulled himself up out of his dive and did a quick circle around the room. Not knowing what had happened to his enemy, he came back to land a few yards out from Akani and Aggar.
"Where is he?" Msia asked. "Where did Mulu go?"
[HE HAS BEEN SENT BACK TO HIS HYENEN CITY.] The voice said. [I COULD NOT ALLOW YOU TO DO BATTLE HERE. THE EGGS WOULD BE DESTROYED. I MUST PROTECT THE EGGS HERE.]
"Who are you?" Akani asked. "And why have you been calling me?"
[IT IS NOT ME THAT HAS BEEN CALLING YOU AKANI.] The voice said. [I AM DREAD, THE FEAR DRAGON, I HAVE BEEN PLACED HERE IN THE DRAGON SPIRIT TO PROTECT THE LAST OF ASPANA'S DRAGON EGGS.]
"Myumbo Dread." Msia bowed. "I thought my sire Terra was the last of the Dragons here?"
[HE WAS.] Dread said. [HE WAS THE LAST OF THE LIVING DRAGONS. I AM JUST A SPIRIT PUT HERE TO PROTECT THE EGGS UNTIL THE NEXT GENERATION IS BORN. THAT GENERATION WILL START WITH YOU INFERNO AND YOU AKANI.]
"Me?" Akani looked from Aggar to Msia feeling unworthy. "I am not Dragon. I am not worthy."
[YOU HAVE STOOD WITH MSIA ALMOST FROM THE MOMENT YOU MET HIM. YOU HAVE FOUGHT BY HIS SIDE AND FOUGHT TO PROTECT HIM. YOU HAVE A DRAGONS HEART, MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT THAT. IF YOU WERE NOT WORTHY, PITCH WOULD NOT BE CALLING YOU.]
"Pitch?" Akani looked to Msia and scratched his head. "I don't understand."
"Pitch is the Dragonet that's calling you." Msia explained. "The voice you keep hearing."
[I am Pitch.] He heard in his head. [If you agree, soon we will be Pitch. I will share my existence with you. There is no reason to fear.]
"Once Pitch hatches and merges with you." Msia said as he moved to Akani's side. "You will understand everything."
Akani was confused by all this talk of him becoming a dragon. Though Msia was now a dragon, he still didn't understand how it is that dragons weren't monsters. The story's told of dragons in his youth still haunted his memories. He remembered the stories about villages being eaten and the field that were burned. We're the elders wrong? Was that not a true history?
[Some was true.] Pitch said. [Some was just made to scare you. I will tell you everything once we are joined.]
"Is this what you want Sire?" Akani looked at Msia fright in his eyes.
"This cannot be my decision." Msia said. "This has to be your choice. But it will make you stronger and give you the ability to help save Aspana."
"Then I will do it." Akani said. "If it can help to stop my people from being Mulu's dog soldiers, I will do it. What must I do?"
[THERE IS A GREEN VERDITE STONE THERE AT YOUR FEET.] Dread sent. [PICK IT UP.]
Akani stepped forward and looked down at a beautiful fist sized verdite. He picked it up and held it and looked deeply in the flashing sparks of reflected light.
"What happens now?" He asked.
[We merge!!]
In a flash of light the verdite cracked into two pieces in his hand and the Dragonet jumped into Akani's heart. His ears started to buzz and scream as the dragon started to merge with him. He fell to his knee as his body began to grow and change. Wings sprouted from his back and started to vibrate and throw off a sound that was almost hypnotic to anyone near that could hear it. His arms and legs stretched as they became scaly with long sharp talons. A tail grew from his rear with a long fin that stuck out like a fan. Pitch through back his head and roared his first challenge out to the world announcing the birth of a new Dragon.
[WE ARE PITCH! THE DRAGON OF SOUND!!]
Pitch was a dark green slender dragon with great broad wings and a massive tail with two small horns placed just over his eyes. As his wings moved, they made a curious sound quite pleasant to hear. He told them that it was a part of the song he sang of the joy of being joined. As he moved out to join them. he shifted back to Akani dressed in forest green leathers.
"I understand now." He said with a smile. "Its all so clear. Myumbo my king and friend Aggar."
"Welcome Pitch." Aggar reached out to clasp his arm in friendship. "Now Aspana has two Dragons."
"But what about Aggar?" Msia asked. "Surely he had great honor. He brought my egg to me. Shouldn't he be a Dragon too?"
[AGGAR HAS A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE FUTURE OF KEANNA.] Dread told them. [HE WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN. BUT FOR NOW IT IS UP TO YOU TO HELP BREAK ASPANA FROM ITS FUTURE OF BONDAGE. THERE ARE MANY THINGS TO BE DONE AND VERY LITTLE TIME. MULU MUST BE STOPPED AND THERE IS ANOTHER WHO THREATENS ALL DRAGONS.]
When Mulu opened his eyes and sat, he looked around and realized he was back in the jungle right outside of Mancoro's walls. There were no Dragons and he didn't have any eggs. He knew he had just been in the Dragon cave about to do battle with Msia in a Dragon form. But he couldn't remember anything about where that cave had been. Somehow either Msia or the owner of that voice had the power to send him back here to Mancoro. Mulu stood up with mad burning eyes. He was very angry. No one had ever had power enough to do something like that to him before and he swore no one ever will again. As he walked out to the front gates of his city, two Hyenen warriors came running out to meet him. They bowed and reached out to take his arm and to help him into the city.
"DO NOT TOUCH ME!!" He screamed as he sent a bolt of energy out to consume both warriors. They died screaming in a burning pyre of hate and flames as Mulu walked on into the city. As he passed two quivering guards, he called out an order.
"Have that cleaned up immediately."
From the city gates, Mulu walked on through the city ignoring everyone around him. At the front of his place, one of his Demondogs hurried out to greet his master. Mulu looked at him with pure hate in his eyes. The Demondog cringed with pain as the hate started eating him alive. Mulu kicked the dead body out of the way as he entered his manor.
"Basara!" He called out as he made his way to his private study. "Attend your master. We have people to kill."
It took only a minute for Basara to answer the call. He ran in and through himself down at the feet of Mulu's throne.
"We await your orders" The demondog said with his horned head down. "How may I serve you today?"
"I want all my ships ready to launch." Mulu said. "Today we start out to conquer Aspana and the rest of the world. Gather my armor and my weapons. We launch at dawn."
"Yes master." Basara said. "My lord. A message came for you while you were out. It is from the Gorilla, Igoro Baba."
"What does he want?"
"He said he still holds Asatn." Basara said. "He awaits your orders."
"Does he?" Mulu smiled. Here was another chance at the Tigerens and the Panthrens. He would have to make it count. "Get my armor. I will deal with the Gorilla myself.
Bowing, Basara got up and hurried out to carry out his masters orders. Mulu waited a few minutes then rose from his throne and walked down to a huge mirror set in the east wall of his throne room. As hyenen slaves came in carrying his armor, Mulu spread his legs and held out his arms so he could be dressed. Bronze greaves were placed on his legs and strapped in place as chainmail pants were put in place and strapped down. A leather kilt with leopard skin sides were wrapped around Mulu's waist as a chainmail shirt was fitted over his head fitted to him comfortably. Bronze gauntlets were fitted on his arms then he was handed a Hyenen robe to put around his shoulders. Now Mulu was ready. All he needed was his head piece and weapons. As the head piece was placed on his head, Mulu turned and looked at his reflection in the mirror.
"Yes." He said. "But I don't need this helmet. Take it off,"
Dressed and ready for war, Mulu grabbed his staff with the blue wildebeest skull and Tigaren canines and started for the door.
"Have my first ships ready to launch at dawn." Mulu raised his staff over his head. "I will return by then."
Circling the staff over his head he disappeared. He had a Tigaren to find and a whole world to crush under his thumb.
After a eight hour trek through the forest, Astan called a stop to their journey. He set two of Goren's warriors to be on watch while everyone else got something to eat and a good rest. Beno for the moment was in much better shape then when they arrived at Starspeak. With the help of Astan's healing ability, he no longer had to be carried. But that was only temporary. Beno's wounds had been really severe and beyond Astan's ability to completely heal. Goren had suggested they find Omeron Zucia, an old friend of his grandsire.
"Do you know where we we find him?" Astan asked as he chewed on a piece of dried meat Goren had passed around.
"Grandfather always said I could find him deep in the forest out beyond the Ayss. He never said where. Just that if my need was great, he would come find me."
"Then maybe we should stay put." Astan said. "So he can find us."
Goren agreed. So that set up a small camp for the day.
While Astan and Goren were setting up camp, Palas dreamed he was high in the sky absorbing energy from the sun. He dived and turned doing flips as he soared through the clouds. It felt good being up in the heavens after all the time he spent locked away in Igoro's dungeon. But his mine was still set deep in turmoil. His Aerie had been destroyed and all of his brood mates were dead. The Gorilla had destroyed everything that mattered to Palas. All he had left was his great need for revenge which burned like the sun in his heart. As he sailed through the daytime sky a strange feeling of peace started to seep in with the suns energy. Was it the sun that eased his mind and heart?
[No.] A voice said in his head. [I feel the trouble that burns deep within you. But vengeance will not clear away the pain. Your Aerie now fly's here in the heart of the underworld in a divine place made just for them. Do not weep, for one day you will join them, but not today. If all goes right, I have a very special future for you and your friends. So get some rest my noble warrior, the days to come will be very hard. I am counting on all of you to help bring peace to Aspana.]
As Palas opened his eyes, he looked up to see a rainbow spreading out across the sky. Was a dream he had just had? Or had he really just heard from Tyree? Only time will tell. He curled up and went back to sleep with peaceful dreams.
As the sun slipped down behind the Ayss Mountains, Shumo lead Quynn into the city of Domina. All around them the city's citizen came out from their homes to get a peek at the Human. Quynn watched as the pointed and snickered to each other. Being so deep in the jungle, most of them had never seen aq human before. They marveled at how close the similarity was between their two species, From the gate, Shumo lead him down the main concourse of the city then took a left to the market place to head toward Domina's slave market. As they approached Quynn saw many different species of Aspana locked and chained in the slave yard. There were two Rhinon warriors chained next to a trio of proud Pachyderms. In the next caged area there was five Sealens diving in and out of a small pit filled with muddy water. Further down he saw two very thin Tigarens laying in the sun in their Tiger form. From where Quynn walked, he could tell they were dehydrated and hungry. He also saw Jackels and Hyenens huddled in a cages looking like they were plotting a escape attempt. Giraffes, Antolopes, Babbons, Gorillas thers there that he couldn't identify. The smell here of all the slaves was overwhelming. Something had to be done about this. Quynn knew he couldn't leave while Aspana was so deep in the hands of a society ruled by slavery.
Once at the slave market. Quynn was lead into two story building and placed in a chair in a small office wre he was told to sit and wait. After a few minutes, Shumo came in and told the guards to leave. As the two guards left, Shumo came around the desk and sat down.
"Why are you here Human?"
"I came to buy a slave." Quynn said. "Just as I told you in the forest."
"A slave?" Shumo said as he narrowed his eyes. "Really? What kind of slave are you in the market for? A strong Rhinon or maybe a female cheetah for pleasure? How about a group of Orangutans, they make great builders. Or maybe you have fields that need working, we have Chyimps that are good at field work. What exactly are you in need of?"
Quynn stopped and thought about what his answer would be. He couldn't tell the truth. That would alert him and Igoro to what was to come. He had to find a convincing answer that wouldn't arouse suspicion.
"Your not here to buy a slave." Shumo said quietly. "Your here for something else."
"Why would you think that?"
"Your not much of a liar, are you Prince Quynn." Shumo said as he sat forward to stare deeply in Quynn's eyes. "You don't have the eyes for it. Your here for something else. Do you want to tell me what it is, or should I guess?"
"I have no idea what you mean." Quynn said with a shocked look. "I have traveled long and hard to get here."
"All by yourself? Shumo said. "With no guards or any kind or protection. Our forest is very dangerous for a lone Human to travel. We have spiders that can kill you with one bite, not to mention that you would have to travel through the Hyenen territory to get here. I think you came here with others that are waiting in the forest, I'm just not sure why.But I can guess. You came here looking for Prince Astan, am I correct?"
Now Quynn had a trapped look on his face. He looked from Shumo to the door to judge if it was possible to overcome the Gorilla quickly and get away.
"Don't worry." Shumo as he nodded his head. "No one else knows your secret. Just me, and I want that bastard Igoro dead too."
"With Astan gone." Quynn said. "There's only one reason for me to be here."
"The slave. You want us to free the slaves."
"Yes." Quynn nodded. "Domina is not a poor kingdom, you don't need to relay on the sale of slaves to survive. Free them and show the world the real honor of the Gorillas."
"As long as Igoro Baba is master here, there will be slaves. If you can give us peace and take Igoro down, then we will free all the slave. I give you my word on this."
"We will hold you to that promise." Quynn stood up and pushed his chair away. "We will return with Igoro's head. Myumbo Shumo."
"Not so fast." Shumo got up out of his chair. "It won't be so easy to get out of Domina. Everyone saw you enter. Igoro will be told you were here. He probably already knows and is coming back to see the Human that came knocking on his city's gates. How am I to explain how it is that you are not here in the dungeons?
"Tell him..." Quynn thought for a minute. "Tell him the truth. Tell
him I came here looking for Astan. Tell him you put me in the dungeons but I was
so powerful, your dungeons couldn't hold me."
"You want me to lie?" Shumo said in
disbelief. "I can't lie to Igoro. He will see right through it and have me
put to death.""You won't be lying. "Quynn said as he stepped back away from Shumo and started to shift. [Tell him we will be looking for him. Aspana will have justice for all his crimes. Tell him that he and Mulu will pay for what they have done to Aspana.]
With a final roar, Quynn blew out a gout of flame that blew out the wall behind him.
In three steps he leaped into the night sky and was gone leaving Shumo standing there with his mouth open in disbelief.
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