Tonight he was to meet with his most important ally. Mulu Amin had called and ordered Igoro out to a meeting deep away in the darkness of the jungle.
As he walked, Igoro went over what had just happened in Domina. The resistance of his son Goren and Lady Shauri had been put to an end. He hadn't dealt with his rebellious son, but his witch of a wife had been dealt with and would no longer give him any trouble. That was to bad he thought. Lady Shauri had been a beauty. If it wasn't for her mouth, he could have made a great deal on her in the slave market. But Goren would never have let him get his hands on her. He should have taken care of Goren when he dealt with his other two traitorous children. Goren thought that Hodari and Maia had died fighting Humans inj the battle of Jerika, but that was not true. Hodari and Maia were growing far to powerful as they were backed by the white Apes of one of the south Mountain clans. If they had continued to live, there was no doubt they would soon challenge Igoro for leadership of all the Hominids. Igoro couldn't have that. Goren's popularity with the eldars was enough. Hodari and the White Apes would threaten all his plans so they had to be dealt with. And they were. Igoro ordered them to march on the Humans, but they never made it very far from Domina. They were caught in a trap between Igoro's guards and the Hyenens who killed them leaving their bodies surrounded by Human swords and spears. With the Human's getting thew blame, Igoro was free to continue on with his plans to raid and enslave the weaker people of Aspana.
But that was then. Things were different how. Now he had a much better hold on Domina and Goren was on the run as a traitor. here was nothing standing in his way of taking as much of Aspana as he could. Mulu Amin might even soon be bowing at Igoro's feet.
With conquest on his mind, Igoro stepped out of the jungle and into a clearing were Mulu sat waiting for him. As Igoro stared at the Hyenen warlock, he was impressed by the armor Mulu was wearing. It was made of some dark netal that seemed to absorb the light and energy from all around him. He wore a breast plate of the shiny dark metal with leggings and a dark cloak wrapped around his back. He looked like he was ready for war.
"Myumbo Mulu Amin." Igoro held out his hand in a salute to the Hyenen chieftain. "All goes as we planned. The Tigarens are on the march. So are the Rhinon while there is no sign of the Pantherans anywhere."
"Do not be fooled Igoro." Mulu said as he stood up. "G'ania G'azini is no fool. He will come."
"Then we all crush him and anyone else he brings into the battle."
"What about Astan Kinya?" Mulu looked at him with raised eye brows. "I was told you had him in chains in your dungeon. Where is he?"
"He escaped with that bastard son of mine."
"What?" Mulu screamed. He took a step forward will energy into his fist to strike at Igoro. "You let his escape!!"
"Have a care Hyenen." Igoro said with glowing eyes. "I am not one of your Demondogs. You do not have command over me."
"Your right." Mulu said simmering down. "I don"t have command over you or your Gorilla army."
"And you need me if you want our plans to work." Igoro's eyes lost their glow. "Astan will return. I know this because he and Goren have no where else to go. My traitorous son will bring back and put him tight into our hands.
"And what of Sakura?" Mulu asked. "Will he be walking into a trap too?"
"Sakura will come." Igoro said with a devious smile. "Once we have Astan back, he will fall to us just like a Spider monkey. He will do anything to get his love back His emotions will betray him."
"You think Sakura weak because he loves Astan?"
"Yes." Igoro sneered. "Sentiments are a weakness. Have no love for a brother or a son. They will always let you down and be your downfall. Females are to be used and tossed aside when your done. Power is the only thing take matters."
What a silly Ape, Mulu thought. His cold heart will be his down fall. There will be no one there when he needs help and that is how I will destroy him.
"Find your son." Mulu said is he turned to walk away. "Find them both and have them chained in the dungeon. I will return once the Tigarens and the Rhinons get here."
With that said, Mulu swept his arm around him and disappeared.
"I will find them Dog master." Igoro smiled. "And I will be waiting for you with a surprised of my own."
As Igoro disappeared transporting back to Domina, Xuthulu's laughter could be heard ringing through the dark jungle.
[These mortals. What fools they can be over a little thing like power. Once I have what I need, it will be so easy to crush them all.]
As Msia led Akani and Aggar from the cave, he felt a strange tingling running down his spine. He never had it before, but he knew instinctively what it was. It was a feeling of danger. He held up his hand and put a finger to his lips to quiet them.
[What is it?] Aggar asked as he pulled his knives from there place across the front of his chest.
[There is danger out there ahead of us.] He said as a low growl started low in his chest. [Both of you keep quiet as we leave.]
[I feel the vibrations.] Akani said. [There are three of them, and they are heading right for us.]
Like preying cats, they got down and moved away from the cave. Msia could smell something that was like the Hyenens but different. There was something strong and repugnant about the smell. Moving slowly, Msia walked out through the tall guess then jumped to his left. As he watched, a strange group of Hyenens went pass him. These Hyenens had long saber like teeth with mottled fur and red blazing eyes. They were much taller then average the Hyenen and much wider. They look stronger and more fierce then any Hyenen that Msia had seen before.
As he watched, he pulled his sword free from its scabbard. One passed followed by another. The third stopped and looked around sniffing the air for a scent he knew was here somewhere. As it looked around, it caught the scent it was looking for. Barking out it's challenge, the Demondog leaped it to the grass at Msia. Diving to the side, Msia rolled through the grass and leaped at the Demondog. Their swords clashed with a loud clang. The Demondog swung high going for a head slice at Msia. Msia leaned back and let the strike safely go over his head With a kick kidney, followed by three jabs Msia sent his opponent down to the grass. As the Demondog fell, Msia readied him self to deliver a final strike; He raised his sword and sent plunging down into the grass and mud. The Demondog and quickly rolled to the side then jumped up to try and wrestle Msia to the ground.
To the left of him, Akani had shifted to Pitch. Roared in anger, Pitch sent a volley of sonic blasts at his opponent. As they hit the Demondog, it fell to the ground and rolled to the side. As it jumped up to its feet, the Demondog dived at Pitch with its claws bared. It slashed at at Pitch's chest looked for a weak spot in the Dragons armor, but he didn't have one. his armor was reinforced by a layer of sound they covered him entirely. With a swing of his tail, Picth sent the Demondog flying. Pitched roared then dived at his opponent sending a ear piercing thin razor sharp beam of sound right at the Demons chest. It screamed as the beam cut into it sending blood out to splash over Pitch. Looking around, Pitch saw Aggar deep in battle with another Demondog. He was just about to leap in to push the Demondog off of Aggar when he heard a warning to stay out of the fight ring through his head.
[This is my fight.] Aggar said. [I am no use to you if I can't handle it on my own.]
In his Man wolf form, Aggar leaped high slashing down at the Demondog. As he came down to land, he grabbed his knives and leaped back into the fight. Aggar moved so fast there wasn't much the Demon could do to defend itself. As it roared out a stream of hell fire, Aggar slid down beneath it raising his knives to split the Demon open from its throat all the way to its crotch. As the Demondog fell, Aggar stood up and looked out to Msia to see how he fared in his battle. He saw Pitch standing over a dead a Demondog, but Msia was not there.
"Where is Msia?" Aggar asked is he went over to join Akani.
"I don't know." Akani looked at him with fear in his eyes. "He was here in battle with one of these Demon things. I got busy with my battle and lost sight of him."
As they looked around, they both knew what had happened. A second, third and fourth must have joined in on Msia's fight. He had been overwhelmed and they took him away.
"You know what this mean?" Akani said. "He is back in Mulu's hands."
"Then we have to go get him."
"Yes." Aggar agreed as he kicked the corpse of one of the dead Demomdogs. As they watched, the Demon began to shrivel and return to its former Hyenen form.
"There is something strange here." Akani said as he knelt at the side of the reformed Hyenen..
"Mulu is powerful and very formidable. But he does not control Demons. That is beyond his powers . There is a new enemy out there that we know nothing about.
"Then we will have to be careful." Aggar said. "But first, we have to find him and get him free.""
"I know the way to Mancoro." Akani said as he shifted to Pitch. [Climb on and I will fly us there.]
It was early in the evening when Ranjer stepped from the Academy showers to find Bly Sharpwing sitting on a bench waiting for him.
"Aiya." She said as she took flight and zipped up to hover in front of him. "I have a message for you from Jandar and Rage."
"Hmmm!" Ranjer frowned. "I wonder what they want."
"I don't know, but Jandar said it was urgent."
Landing on Ranjer's shoulder. Bly took a small piece of from one of her pockets and dropped it in Ranjer's hand. As she launched herself back into the air, the parchment grew in size to something he could read.
Ranjer.
Something has come up that we need your help with. Can you please come to Settlement so we can explain.
Jandar Tyr.
After reading the message twice, Ranjer folded it up and stuck in it his breast pocket. From the shower room, Ranjer heading up to the main floor of the Academy. There he met Dack Rainer giving six new cadets a tour of the school.
"Where are you heading?" Dack asked.
"My brother Jandar sent a request for me to come see him in Settlement. I thought I might get a quick bite before I left."
"Have you been practicing all evening?" Dack looked at him with a surprised look on his face. "You missed dinner. The commissary is closed. You might get bread and some meat and cheese, but that's it. Your bettor off waiting until you get to Settlement."
"I guess that will have to do." Ranjer smiled at the cadets who stood there staring at him like they knew who he was. He ruffled a blond kids head and asked him how his visit to the Academy was going.
"Sir." He said "Its been OK, but my father doesn't have the money for me to come here for school. We're from a poor village on the western edge of Tir Na. I might not even have the time to come here for school, It's almost harvest season back and and I'll be needed to pick my share before the grapes wither die."
"Don't worry about that." Ranjer smiled. "If your here on this tour, then everything has been arranged.
Tir Na sends five of it's best students here every years. And there's no charge. Everything will be paid for by the crown, You can thank King Tof when you see him after orientation."
The boy's smile lit up his face as he thanked Ranjer. With a wave, Ranjer went on his way. As he walked away, he heard another boy ask if he knew who he had just been talking to?
"That was Prince Ranjer." He said. "He lives at the palace. One day I want to be just like him."
High praise Ranjer thought. He hoped one day he could live up to it.
From the main hall, Ranjer hurried out into the Academy's foyer when he stopped for a minute to tell Jovan where he was going.
"Be careful." Jovan said from the the Academy front door. "There's been a lot of talk about strange Dog men out raiding the last few nights. Keep your eyes open."
As Ranjer waved he started to shift to his wolf form and headed out on his way. From the gates of the Academy, Ranjer ran west then north following the road Dreik fashioned around the perimeter of the island. From the Savonti camp, he stopped to pay a small tribute to Yaru and Xanu the two Savonti lords that had choose to come to Keanna, From the Savonti camp, Ranjer made the shift to his eagle form and headed out to sea.
Ranjer always loved his time spent watched the sun set back on the beach in Tir Na. From here, Danyet Island it was even more beautiful. The way the sun went from gold to amber and the dark blue always calmed his mind and helped him to relax.
As Ranjer left the Island, he had a strange feeling that someone was watching him. He looked around searching the sky's but for any threats but the horizon was clear, there was nothing dangerous anywhere near him. Still he thought he should be careful, There were many ways to spy on someone. visuals was just the easiest.
From the island, Ranjer beat his wing and and gained some altitude taking him high up over the clouds. Settlement was to the west about a three hour flight. He thought if he had time,, he might stop in Vasagi to see how his father and brother was doing. He hadn't them since Azeal and Tanis had their commitment ceremony.
As the sun sank over the western mountains, Ranjer found himself flying over the Dark Elf territory. Dark elf territory meant he had to keep an extra close watch on his surrounds. Though Talsara Darkshade was dead, there were still many enemies out there among the Dark Elves. In fact the Dark Elves could be the reason Jandar had called him. From Gaylia in the south, Ranjer turned north and headed into Aspara Baugh, He had many friends here being is was so close to Tir Na.
As he flew over Tir Na, Ranjer saw the bright lights of home. He wanted to stop to say Aiya to Tof and Mother. He especially wanted to look in on his sister Sharone seeing as the new was that she had just given birth to her first cub. From mother's last message, the cub looked just like Ono when he was born. Ranjer was very anxious to stop and give baby Ransan his blessing. But since Jandar had said it was urgent, Ranjer kept on course for Settlement.
As he passed over Winterhaven and Vasagi, Ranger saw the high towers of Settlement right in front of him. Spiraling down, he headed straight for the gates an roared to announce his entrance into the city. Dropping down, Ranjer heard Blaze roar back a greeting and permission to land and enter the city.
Minutes later, Ranjer stepped down into the city gate to be greeted by Blink who was on gate watch for the night.
"Aiya!!" Blink said as he wrapped his arms around Ranjer in an affectionate thug. "What brings you home? I thought you were deep in study at the academy.
"A call from Jandar." He said as he grasped Blink's arm. "Do you have any idea what he wants? I'm not in trouble, am I?"
"Not that I've been told." Blink said as they walked down from the city's wall. "But think about it. Your brother hasn't seen you in two years. Could it be that he misses you?"
"You're right." Ranjer said as his mind began to relax. "Its probably nothing. I guess I'll know in a few minutes."
With a wave good bye, Ranjer was off to the Manor to see what he had been summoned for. Suddenly a thought hit him. Something was different about the feel of the city. Settlement usually felt like a second home. But today it was different. Something was missing. What could it bde? The maonr looked the same. Gird and the Snow dogs were sitting out side of the Dragon cave while Dreik hover over had making a change the peak on top. That hadn't changed that much. There were plenty of children running and playing in the school yard while Rose and Tara stood out front watching with Mozig the Ogre. Mozig smiled as Ranjer passes and waved hello.
As Ranjer made it to thde front gate of the Manor, a pretty woman in a long green gown stood in the garden waving her hands as if she were leading an orchestra in a beautiful ballad. Roses moved and swayed to her movements as blue bells and irises danced in the background. As Ranjer started up the stairs to the manors front door, Ranjer bowed to Blaze who stood there teaching a young dragon the alphabet.
"Good evening Ranjer." Blaze smiled. "His majesties are waiting for you in their main study."
"Am I in trouble?"
"Heavens no." Blaze said as the young dragon blew out a circle of flames that drifted off into the sky, "Jandar has something important he wants you to do. Hurry upstairs and they will explain it all themselves."
Taken the stairs two at a time, Ranjer hurried on up heading for the top two floors which were the private rooms of the kings and their closest family. As Ranjer climbed, he thought about days in the past when he was younger. He always loved his visit playing here. Jandar and Rage always made time for him taking him flying and out on runs. Sometimes they even took him out to meet kings and queens of far off lands. He loved their trips to Aquilona, Dree. Swimming with the Mer people and the Sea elves.Eventide, Darkshade and Cridia, hunting an mining. His youth had been a happy one. He wished Quynn had been there to share it with him.
As Ranjer climbed the stairs, a thought hit him like a blow to the gut. Whenever he flew in for a visit to Settlement, the first one to greet him was always his nephew Quynn. He and Quynn had a familiar bond that always let them knew when they were anywhere close to each other. Now for some reason, he didn't feel Quynn or his mate Sky anywhere near Settlement.
[That is why I've asked you to come.] Jandar in his head. [Quynn and Sky are not here.]
"Find your son." Mulu said is he turned to walk away. "Find them both and have them chained in the dungeon. I will return once the Tigarens and the Rhinons get here."
With that said, Mulu swept his arm around him and disappeared.
"I will find them Dog master." Igoro smiled. "And I will be waiting for you with a surprised of my own."
As Igoro disappeared transporting back to Domina, Xuthulu's laughter could be heard ringing through the dark jungle.
[These mortals. What fools they can be over a little thing like power. Once I have what I need, it will be so easy to crush them all.]
As Msia led Akani and Aggar from the cave, he felt a strange tingling running down his spine. He never had it before, but he knew instinctively what it was. It was a feeling of danger. He held up his hand and put a finger to his lips to quiet them.
[What is it?] Aggar asked as he pulled his knives from there place across the front of his chest.
[There is danger out there ahead of us.] He said as a low growl started low in his chest. [Both of you keep quiet as we leave.]
[I feel the vibrations.] Akani said. [There are three of them, and they are heading right for us.]
Like preying cats, they got down and moved away from the cave. Msia could smell something that was like the Hyenens but different. There was something strong and repugnant about the smell. Moving slowly, Msia walked out through the tall guess then jumped to his left. As he watched, a strange group of Hyenens went pass him. These Hyenens had long saber like teeth with mottled fur and red blazing eyes. They were much taller then average the Hyenen and much wider. They look stronger and more fierce then any Hyenen that Msia had seen before.
As he watched, he pulled his sword free from its scabbard. One passed followed by another. The third stopped and looked around sniffing the air for a scent he knew was here somewhere. As it looked around, it caught the scent it was looking for. Barking out it's challenge, the Demondog leaped it to the grass at Msia. Diving to the side, Msia rolled through the grass and leaped at the Demondog. Their swords clashed with a loud clang. The Demondog swung high going for a head slice at Msia. Msia leaned back and let the strike safely go over his head With a kick kidney, followed by three jabs Msia sent his opponent down to the grass. As the Demondog fell, Msia readied him self to deliver a final strike; He raised his sword and sent plunging down into the grass and mud. The Demondog and quickly rolled to the side then jumped up to try and wrestle Msia to the ground.
To the left of him, Akani had shifted to Pitch. Roared in anger, Pitch sent a volley of sonic blasts at his opponent. As they hit the Demondog, it fell to the ground and rolled to the side. As it jumped up to its feet, the Demondog dived at Pitch with its claws bared. It slashed at at Pitch's chest looked for a weak spot in the Dragons armor, but he didn't have one. his armor was reinforced by a layer of sound they covered him entirely. With a swing of his tail, Picth sent the Demondog flying. Pitched roared then dived at his opponent sending a ear piercing thin razor sharp beam of sound right at the Demons chest. It screamed as the beam cut into it sending blood out to splash over Pitch. Looking around, Pitch saw Aggar deep in battle with another Demondog. He was just about to leap in to push the Demondog off of Aggar when he heard a warning to stay out of the fight ring through his head.
[This is my fight.] Aggar said. [I am no use to you if I can't handle it on my own.]
In his Man wolf form, Aggar leaped high slashing down at the Demondog. As he came down to land, he grabbed his knives and leaped back into the fight. Aggar moved so fast there wasn't much the Demon could do to defend itself. As it roared out a stream of hell fire, Aggar slid down beneath it raising his knives to split the Demon open from its throat all the way to its crotch. As the Demondog fell, Aggar stood up and looked out to Msia to see how he fared in his battle. He saw Pitch standing over a dead a Demondog, but Msia was not there.
"Where is Msia?" Aggar asked is he went over to join Akani.
"I don't know." Akani looked at him with fear in his eyes. "He was here in battle with one of these Demon things. I got busy with my battle and lost sight of him."
As they looked around, they both knew what had happened. A second, third and fourth must have joined in on Msia's fight. He had been overwhelmed and they took him away.
"You know what this mean?" Akani said. "He is back in Mulu's hands."
"Then we have to go get him."
"Yes." Aggar agreed as he kicked the corpse of one of the dead Demomdogs. As they watched, the Demon began to shrivel and return to its former Hyenen form.
"There is something strange here." Akani said as he knelt at the side of the reformed Hyenen..
"Mulu is powerful and very formidable. But he does not control Demons. That is beyond his powers . There is a new enemy out there that we know nothing about.
"Then we will have to be careful." Aggar said. "But first, we have to find him and get him free.""
"I know the way to Mancoro." Akani said as he shifted to Pitch. [Climb on and I will fly us there.]
It was early in the evening when Ranjer stepped from the Academy showers to find Bly Sharpwing sitting on a bench waiting for him.
"Aiya." She said as she took flight and zipped up to hover in front of him. "I have a message for you from Jandar and Rage."
"Hmmm!" Ranjer frowned. "I wonder what they want."
"I don't know, but Jandar said it was urgent."
Landing on Ranjer's shoulder. Bly took a small piece of from one of her pockets and dropped it in Ranjer's hand. As she launched herself back into the air, the parchment grew in size to something he could read.
Ranjer.
Something has come up that we need your help with. Can you please come to Settlement so we can explain.
Jandar Tyr.
After reading the message twice, Ranjer folded it up and stuck in it his breast pocket. From the shower room, Ranjer heading up to the main floor of the Academy. There he met Dack Rainer giving six new cadets a tour of the school.
"Where are you heading?" Dack asked.
"My brother Jandar sent a request for me to come see him in Settlement. I thought I might get a quick bite before I left."
"Have you been practicing all evening?" Dack looked at him with a surprised look on his face. "You missed dinner. The commissary is closed. You might get bread and some meat and cheese, but that's it. Your bettor off waiting until you get to Settlement."
"I guess that will have to do." Ranjer smiled at the cadets who stood there staring at him like they knew who he was. He ruffled a blond kids head and asked him how his visit to the Academy was going.
"Sir." He said "Its been OK, but my father doesn't have the money for me to come here for school. We're from a poor village on the western edge of Tir Na. I might not even have the time to come here for school, It's almost harvest season back and and I'll be needed to pick my share before the grapes wither die."
"Don't worry about that." Ranjer smiled. "If your here on this tour, then everything has been arranged.
Tir Na sends five of it's best students here every years. And there's no charge. Everything will be paid for by the crown, You can thank King Tof when you see him after orientation."
The boy's smile lit up his face as he thanked Ranjer. With a wave, Ranjer went on his way. As he walked away, he heard another boy ask if he knew who he had just been talking to?
"That was Prince Ranjer." He said. "He lives at the palace. One day I want to be just like him."
High praise Ranjer thought. He hoped one day he could live up to it.
From the main hall, Ranjer hurried out into the Academy's foyer when he stopped for a minute to tell Jovan where he was going.
"Be careful." Jovan said from the the Academy front door. "There's been a lot of talk about strange Dog men out raiding the last few nights. Keep your eyes open."
As Ranjer waved he started to shift to his wolf form and headed out on his way. From the gates of the Academy, Ranjer ran west then north following the road Dreik fashioned around the perimeter of the island. From the Savonti camp, he stopped to pay a small tribute to Yaru and Xanu the two Savonti lords that had choose to come to Keanna, From the Savonti camp, Ranjer made the shift to his eagle form and headed out to sea.
Ranjer always loved his time spent watched the sun set back on the beach in Tir Na. From here, Danyet Island it was even more beautiful. The way the sun went from gold to amber and the dark blue always calmed his mind and helped him to relax.
As Ranjer left the Island, he had a strange feeling that someone was watching him. He looked around searching the sky's but for any threats but the horizon was clear, there was nothing dangerous anywhere near him. Still he thought he should be careful, There were many ways to spy on someone. visuals was just the easiest.
From the island, Ranjer beat his wing and and gained some altitude taking him high up over the clouds. Settlement was to the west about a three hour flight. He thought if he had time,, he might stop in Vasagi to see how his father and brother was doing. He hadn't them since Azeal and Tanis had their commitment ceremony.
As the sun sank over the western mountains, Ranjer found himself flying over the Dark Elf territory. Dark elf territory meant he had to keep an extra close watch on his surrounds. Though Talsara Darkshade was dead, there were still many enemies out there among the Dark Elves. In fact the Dark Elves could be the reason Jandar had called him. From Gaylia in the south, Ranjer turned north and headed into Aspara Baugh, He had many friends here being is was so close to Tir Na.
As he flew over Tir Na, Ranjer saw the bright lights of home. He wanted to stop to say Aiya to Tof and Mother. He especially wanted to look in on his sister Sharone seeing as the new was that she had just given birth to her first cub. From mother's last message, the cub looked just like Ono when he was born. Ranjer was very anxious to stop and give baby Ransan his blessing. But since Jandar had said it was urgent, Ranjer kept on course for Settlement.
As he passed over Winterhaven and Vasagi, Ranger saw the high towers of Settlement right in front of him. Spiraling down, he headed straight for the gates an roared to announce his entrance into the city. Dropping down, Ranjer heard Blaze roar back a greeting and permission to land and enter the city.
Minutes later, Ranjer stepped down into the city gate to be greeted by Blink who was on gate watch for the night.
"Aiya!!" Blink said as he wrapped his arms around Ranjer in an affectionate thug. "What brings you home? I thought you were deep in study at the academy.
"A call from Jandar." He said as he grasped Blink's arm. "Do you have any idea what he wants? I'm not in trouble, am I?"
"Not that I've been told." Blink said as they walked down from the city's wall. "But think about it. Your brother hasn't seen you in two years. Could it be that he misses you?"
"You're right." Ranjer said as his mind began to relax. "Its probably nothing. I guess I'll know in a few minutes."
With a wave good bye, Ranjer was off to the Manor to see what he had been summoned for. Suddenly a thought hit him. Something was different about the feel of the city. Settlement usually felt like a second home. But today it was different. Something was missing. What could it bde? The maonr looked the same. Gird and the Snow dogs were sitting out side of the Dragon cave while Dreik hover over had making a change the peak on top. That hadn't changed that much. There were plenty of children running and playing in the school yard while Rose and Tara stood out front watching with Mozig the Ogre. Mozig smiled as Ranjer passes and waved hello.
As Ranjer made it to thde front gate of the Manor, a pretty woman in a long green gown stood in the garden waving her hands as if she were leading an orchestra in a beautiful ballad. Roses moved and swayed to her movements as blue bells and irises danced in the background. As Ranjer started up the stairs to the manors front door, Ranjer bowed to Blaze who stood there teaching a young dragon the alphabet.
"Good evening Ranjer." Blaze smiled. "His majesties are waiting for you in their main study."
"Am I in trouble?"
"Heavens no." Blaze said as the young dragon blew out a circle of flames that drifted off into the sky, "Jandar has something important he wants you to do. Hurry upstairs and they will explain it all themselves."
Taken the stairs two at a time, Ranjer hurried on up heading for the top two floors which were the private rooms of the kings and their closest family. As Ranjer climbed, he thought about days in the past when he was younger. He always loved his visit playing here. Jandar and Rage always made time for him taking him flying and out on runs. Sometimes they even took him out to meet kings and queens of far off lands. He loved their trips to Aquilona, Dree. Swimming with the Mer people and the Sea elves.Eventide, Darkshade and Cridia, hunting an mining. His youth had been a happy one. He wished Quynn had been there to share it with him.
As Ranjer climbed the stairs, a thought hit him like a blow to the gut. Whenever he flew in for a visit to Settlement, the first one to greet him was always his nephew Quynn. He and Quynn had a familiar bond that always let them knew when they were anywhere close to each other. Now for some reason, he didn't feel Quynn or his mate Sky anywhere near Settlement.
[That is why I've asked you to come.] Jandar in his head. [Quynn and Sky are not here.]
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