Lying in the dark hidden by the wild growth of the plain, Aggar and Akani watched the gates of Mancoro.
"Now what?" Aggar whispered. "How do we even know he's in there?"
"This is where Mulu took my master, that I'm sure of." Akani said. "He's in there back in the pit."
"Pit? What pit?"
"Mulu has my master trapped in a deep pit with a spell he can't break or climb out of. This is where he kept him the last time he held him."
"A pit should be easy for Msia to escape." Aggar said. "His Dragon can get him out once he's awake."
"That will depend on what magics Mulu is using to hold him." Akani said quietly. "I can not enter, they would know me instantly."
"Then I'll go in." Aggar said. "They won't recognize me."
"They may not recognize you." Akani pointed out. "But they will know a stranger when they see one."
"Maybe." Aggar smiled. "Maybe not. You forget my wolf form is not my only form and that I am trained in magic"
"I do not understand." Akani said puzzled.
Looking out at the city, Aggar made sure there was no one watching. Then he turned and stood up closing his eyes. As Akani watched, Aggar shifted forms. There where once the noble master of Tir Na's armed forces once stood, now stood a magnificent Raven.
"You are right." Akani smiled. "You are full of surprises. No one will recognize you now."
[How do we find Msia?]
"Mancoro was built in three sets of circles. The front two are for warriors and worker Hynen's, the circle in the back is for those who held enough to make themselves important in Mulu's eyes. Mulu's place was there in the back where it is protected by his Demons. We have to find someway in without getting captured. Find the pit where Msia is being held. Get him out and meet me here.
[You seem to know a lot about this place. Maybe you should go.]
"Me?" Akani stepped back surprised. "No, I'm nothing here. I'm his servant. It's not my place to stick my nose in there.]
[That's where you're wrong.] Aggar stepped up closer to him. [Your destiny is tied in with Msia. I'm not sure what it means but this is your beginning. I have it on good authority that you must keep Msia free or Aspana will be doomed.]
Akani looked at Aggar with suspicion. He had come to trust Aggar's advise, but this was different. Was he to believe that he could read the future? And if he could, why hadn't he done something to stop this war before it had started?
[No Akani. I can't read your mind or the future.] Aggar said as if he had peeked into his mind. "But I have friends that can sometimes peek in. Very powerful friends. You have to trust me on this. You have your Jackal form, now I will teach you how to control a new form. Something small, easy for you to control.]
Jumping into the air, Aggar settled on Akani's shoulder to think for a while.
[Maybe some kind of predator.] He said. [Something adapts to the night. Yes, an Owl would be very useful.]
Jumping off his shoulder, Aggar took his normal form and stepped out away from Akani.
"Clear your mind and relax." He said gentility. "A new form shouldn't be hard to achieve. But at first, it may be hard to control. Once you have the form you must take control and not let the animal in you rule the form."
"Ok." Akani said. "How do I get the form?"
"Form the Owl in your mind." Aggar told him. "Picture the Owl. Feel it's feathers. Left a wing and shake it out. Now left the other wing and shake it. Feel the air on your face? How does it feel?
"It feels comfortable." Akani smiled.
"Good." Aggar said. "Your getting into the form. Now take control and open your eye's and look at me."
Akani reached out with his mind and pulled the Owl in. It squawked, trying to fight for control, but Akani had a good hold and he was in control. Opening his eye's. Akani looked out to see through his new form.
[It feels good.] He said flapping his wings. [I can fly now?]
"Don't be so fast to take off." Aggar said. "The Owl is still fighting for control. You have to walk first before you fly."
Awkwardly Akani took his first step. He stumbled first than took control of himself and walked with more ease.
"That's it." Aggar said. "Relax and keep control. You're doing good. I know others that took a year getting the form."
With that done, Aggar taught him how to move then how to fly. Soon Akani was ready to be off on his mission to get his king free.
The night had been long with a lot of fighting. First Sakura had been surprised by a band of what looked like Elves, but they were different than the Elves back at home. They were faster and more deadly and organized. Which really surprised him. He had fought Dark Elves before. They were always smug and thought highly of themselves. But something was different. The Elves were more like dragons in human form. More confident, surer of themselves. Sakura could even feel the confidence radiating out from them even as he stood there facing them.
"If we're going to fight, we should get on with it." Quynn said from the side of his mouth.
"Indeed." Dar'yl said as he drew his sword from its sheath.
"Slow your roll boys. If we can get out of here without fighting, that works for me." Sky said as he picked his nails clean with one of his knives.
"I am Prince Cormac of house Ja'dam." One of the Elves said. "You have trespassed on our homelands. That must be answered with blood. What is your answer to our challenge?"
Quynn thought for a minute. From all his years with the Eventides, there must be a way out of this. The Ja'dam are very honor bound. There has to be something somewhere in his memory that would fit this situation. He searched back through his memories of Elven law and his knowledge of what he knew of the honor code, Honor battles are hard to break, but there was a way out of all battles. The elven law was set up that way. But he couldn't end it with marriage, and the battle seemed like the hard way out. Maybe a friendship pact. Quickly before Cormac could take the next step, Quynn reached out to Sakura.
"To get beyond this point, I need to know what you know of the Ja'dam family. Has your family ever encountered them before?"
"Yes." Sakura said. "My grandfather's brother knew them very well. He married a princess of the Ja'dam, then disappeared out of Panthera; Will that help?
"Yes." Quynn said slamming his sword back into its place. "It's perfect."
"What is your answer??"
"By right of marriage. We claim a family bond to the Ja'dam through Sakura Duma." Quynn shouted as he walked over and put his hand on Sakura's shoulder. "Princess Arrelia of the Ja'dam became the mate to Leonid of the Pantheran in the year of the toad. That makes you cousin to Sakura. Are we not welcome in the home of his uncle?"
Cormac stopped for a second then called to one of his family Priest.
"Is this true?
"Yes, Prince Cormac." The priest said while bowing. "Leonid lived out his life and fought many battles under the banner of Etis II. He is family."
"Then I welcome you as a friend." Cormac smiled then reached out and took his hand in friendship. That eased the minds of everyone in Sakura's party. Sky looked at Quynn and smiled.
"We thank you for your compassion," Sakura said. "How is my uncle doing today?"
"It is with deep sadness that I have to inform you that brave Leonid was killed in battle saving the king and queen from an attack by trespassers in our lands."
Cormac's eyes looked sad.
"But his mate and children do still live in Mayrill under our protection."
"That is an even sadder day." Quynn said. "We have come to tell you about a new threat to Aspana. There is a Hyenen with great ambition and power seeking to take control of Aspana. He is Mulu Amin and he is very dangerous."
I have heard of this Mulu Amin." Cormac said. "Word of his battles have reached us here in the western part of Aspana. We have allies from the north that just joined in the battles."
"And what of the Ja'dam? "Dar'yl said stepping up. "Are you to ignore the warnings or will you answer when your allies call for help?"
"The Ja'dam will always answer when a friend calls for help." Cormac said sternly. "But only the council can answer for the Ja'dam."
"Then let us be off to present your council with the news of the coming War." Quynn said. "Things are moving pretty fast now, The Hyenen or one of their allies could be here soon. I would not like them to catch you unaware."
It was quiet at the campfire as Deja cleaned up and did some work on her meager supplies. Dani and his people had turned out to make a very good fighting force. They were all fit and use to doing hard work. After the Canin won back there lands a force was picked to stay and keep their lands safe while the majority of them kept on the road moving to Tigaress to join in with King Yonas on the road to war.
As she cleaned away the dried blood and refuge of war, her mind drifted back to memories of home and her parents. Mother was always beautiful with her streaked black and silver hair set in two long braids down her back. Her eyes were gray like the rest of the family. There was a small scar up over her right eye. I once asked her how she had got it and she promised to tell when I was a little older. That meant it had something to do with sex. That was always the way the elders told the young of sexual things. Its like sometimes they thought we had no brain.
Mother had a lovely shape. Father always said all her curves were in the right places. She always smelled like a spring breeze with hints of lilac and foxglove. Ono once said her smell was enchanting. Not sure what that meant, but I guess it meant she was alluring, and that was good.
She was 5 feet 7 with what I thought to be the prettiest smiles. I have seen her turn men away from a battle with just a smile.
Then there was Grandfather and Grandmother, Drake and Tresandra Tyr. Sometimes I thought they had to have been born of the gods. They were both so regal and elegant. It was like they were born to be the king and queen of Tir Na. I've seen Grandfather perform miracles with his magic. He was that good, and Grandmother had the biggest heart in all of Tir Na. I remember her out once for a whole winter season searching for three of our cubs that had gotten lost in a snowstorm. Everyone else thought them lost, dead, but not Grandmother. She had sworn she would bring them back with the first days of spring, and she was right. When we opened the gates of Tir Na for the spring season, there she was. Carrying one while the other two played in a nearby field of snow. They amaze every time I see them.
That leaves Tof, Jandar, and Ono. All I can say is I've never been so proud to love someone and fight at their side. Tof who rules Tir Na with such ease and comfort. He holds the respect of all the Werewolves at home and probably here too. They all just hold themselves in ways that demand respect from Vampires and those around them. Tof in Tir Na and Jandar back at Settlement as the co-king of the Dragons. That leaves my one and only uncle Onasio Alexi Tyr. Brother to Jandar, Tof, and Sharona, Mate to Tanis Gaelich son of the and Balthazar Gaelich and Lady. Angela the new goddess of death.
There are more things I could say about uncle Jandar's heroism and loyalty to the Dragons and the people of Keanna. But I think I should get on with the story. As the Canin's took a rest and got something to eat, the leaders took this time to plan their next move. Deja listened quietly as they planned on storming three human villages that reports said were in Mulu's hands. She knew these were important villages with strategic roads that led north and west into both Tigaress and Panthera. Sure that the two main cities of the north would be getting help, Deja packed her things and said goodbye to Dani and the others and set out to find her father and her destiny.
The night was quiet and the Owls could be heard stalking their nightly prey. As Quynn and Sky led their party through the jungle, Cormac quietly gave orders to his staff for the coming feast to honor
their guest. Cormac had heard the old stories of Dragons before but never in his short life had he met one. Father would be very proud of him for his find and worried about their news of the coming war. Though the Ja'dam was wise in the ways of war, it had been many years since the last time they lifted their hands in battle.
"Wait!" Sakura said holding out his hand. "This is the wrong way."
"What do you mean?" Quynn asked.
"I said this is the wrong way." Sakura said as they all gathered around. "I know where Astan is. If we leave now and hurry we can find him in Mancora."
"The Hyenen hole?" Dar'yl said confused. "But we can't go there. Mulu is hunting for both of you. If
go there it will be like dropping you right in his hands."
"That is a possibility." Sakura said "But that won't happen if we take him by surprise.
"What's going on?" Sky asked as he scratched his wavy white locks. "Who are they talking about?
"Not really sure." Quynn told him. "Let's just watch and see."
"I'm sorry Ja'dam but we have a war to stop." Sakura said. "And though I do want to meet your father, there's something else we have to do first."
Ja'dam listened for a while then the fog cleared from his eyes. He took a breathe then stepped up to Sky and Quynn to talk.
"Father says it is important we stop in Ja'dam before you go on "He said "There have been many strange reports of trouble in my homeland. Father wants me to investigate. It seems your enemy may be our enemy."
"You are welcome to join us." Sakura said. "Have your men take the lead and show us the way, you know it better than us."
As they made their way through the strange land, Sakura couldn't help but let his thoughts slip free. His worry about Astan and his fear that Mulu might catch him before they could find him.
[Dar'yl.] Quynn sent. [Walk with Sakura. He is scared right now. Perhaps you can ease his mind for a while.]
[Sakura!]
Sakura stopped for a second to listen. He thought he had heard someone calling out to him. It was a named he hadn't heard in a long time.
[Yes my son.] The voice said weakly, [It has been a long time. I was under our enemy's control and kept weak. But if you can come, together we may be able to stand up and fight. With help, we can destroy him.]
[Father, we are coming.]
As Sakura, Dar'yl, Sky and Quynn entered Ja'dam, Cormac led the way. The House of Ja'dam wasn't to far from the border. As they walked, scouts came out to greet them and escort them. Sky was amazed. He hadn't seen how Dark Eves lived down in Aspana.
"Its not that different from Dark Elves at home," Quynn said. "We have underground hollows all through the Dark Elven land. I've been to Nevarath, Darkshade, Asmoroth and Duskmore. My fathers had me visit and study the differences in our societies."
"My parents allowed my to spend three years with the Sun Phoenix's," Sky whispered smiling. "It was hot there, I could hardly take it."
"We are almost there," Cormac said. "Just another two miles."
The jungle here was full of multi colored flowers and plants. There were banana trees and coconut palms spread all through the forest. There were even fruit trees they didn't recognize. Dar'yl explained all the plants he knew as a small monkeys darted about all around them. Sky laughed at the playful scoundrels as one jumped down to land on Quynn's shoulder. Reaching in his pack, Quynn took out a morsel and fed it to the monkey. Minutes later Cormac came over to them.
"This is very unusual." He said. "'They don't usually come down for stranger. Mother Nurisha must have touched you with her blessing."
Just then another came down to land on Sky. It wrapped its tail around his neck and hugged him.
Wide eyed, Cormac stared at them. He hardly knew what to say.
"Maybe its a sign of good things to come," Sky reached up to scratch the monkeys head.
"I hope so." Quynn agreed.
Before Cormac could say anything else, the escort led them through a hidden tunnel of bushes and hanging foliage into the entrance to Ja'dam. As they made their way down a long tunnel underground, Quynn reached over and pulled Sky closer to him. Sky whimpered in fear. Closed in places scared him. Phoenix's were free creatures use to flying though the wintery nights. The heat here and the absolute dark was not to his liking.
"Don't worry." Cormac said. "It will get better."
And it did. Soon they came to another dark tunnel. Cormac walked out to the entrance and said a few words that Sky and Quynn didn't understand. As Cormac turned back to them the tunnel lit up with a phosphorescent glow.irlift
"Impressive," Quynn sad as they started in.
The tunnel had many twists and turns. There were also a lot of branches that led off in another direction. Cormac explained that there was a large amount of traps and pitfalls down here to stop unwanted guest from entering Ja'dam. Quynn thought that there was something else, like maybe tunnels to other Dark Elf communities.Dark Elf it took more than an hour to reach the land. When they exited the tunnel Whey were in a dark cavern with a brightly glowing roof. The building here had a intricate design that they had never see. It wasn't like the Elves up north, there were elaborate bridges and walkways with flowered balcony's and twisted peaks and domed buildings with marvelous glowing orbs that were magically suspended to cast light through glass windows and walls.
"Your home is very beautiful." Sky said as he looked around. Quynn looked awestruck. This was nothing like Dree or Winterhaven. Its beauty was more elaborate and breathtaking.
"Diola ll," Cormac said as he led them through the city. Dar'yl walked quietly behind wondering if these elves could be a threat to Panthera or Tigara. There seemed to be a rather large community here with an army with deadly warriors.
[Don't worry Friend Dar'yl," He heard. [We have no interest in the upper world. As long as you and your people leave us in peace, we will do the same for you.]
With a confident nod, Dar'yl followed them into the first airlift of the palace of Ja'dam. The palace was expertly furnished in the families house colors of brown and gold. Intricately designed woodworking with gold trim ran through all the d said they halls, dining rooms and audience halls. From the front hall, Cormac took them up through the house to his fathers study where they were told to have a seat and wait while he asked his father for a few minutes of his time.
Taking a seat in a high backed chair with red and gold cushions, Quynn looked up at the five portraits that hung around the room. Cormac had said they were past rulers of Ja'dam. His uncles and grandfathers all famous in Ja'dam history. He said he hoped to follow in their footsteps if he could. It was then that Quynn noticed that Sky was fidgeting in his seat. He reached out and took his hand.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm not sure," He said. "But I have a feeling we're in deep trouble."
"From what?" Quynn asked. "Cormac assured us we are safe here. He gave his word as a Prince of Ja'dam."
"It's not him," Sky said as he stood up with trembling knees. "It's his father. He wants us dead."
