The night was quiet as Ranjer winged his way across the ocean towards Aspana. His was a mission of mercy. He was supposed to be here looking for his cousin Quynn. The son of his brother Jandar and the Dragon Rage. They were here at the request of some dream Sky had. Sky's dreams. Ranjer and Quynn had learned long ago to trust Sky's dreams. Sky's dreaming ability had gotten them out of many dark situations in the past. As a matter of fact, it had been Sky's dreams that had brought them together in the first place.
With very little to go on except for Sky's dream, Jandar had sent the two off to save the southern lands. His only real hope had been that somewhere down on the southern continent there were Dragons that Quyyn might find to aid him in his battles. But for now, all he would have is Ranjer and Sky and the lessons his fathers had drilled into all of them.
From the northern ocean, Ranjer banked south looking for the lights of any Elven, Fairy, Human or Were settlement. Though the jungle seemed thick, there had to be settlers here somewhere. At least Sky thought there were. That is what brought them here, A war, but who was out here fighting who? And is this something they should even get involved in? With all the wars and battles the Dragons had been in, Ranjer wasn't sure it even made sense for them to even get involved down here. But the Dragons had sworn to protect Keanna, If there was the conflict here, and innocence was in danger, of course, they would get involved.
As Ranjer made his way south, he saw many small battles all across the savannah and through the jungle. There were a few cities under siege, but Ranjer kept moving south. As of now, the war wasn't his business, finding Quyyn and Sky main objective.
As Ranjer flew south, he felt a strange buzzing in his ear. At first, it was just an annoyance until it started getting stronger and more powerful. What the hell was it? He had never felt anything like it before. Then out of nowhere, he felt a sudden tug down and a voice calling out to him.
Like an arrow, Ranjer started down heading straight for the lights. As he got closer he realized it wasn't the lights of a settlement that he saw. It was the lights of war.
[Help us.] he heard. [Stop the Tigaren's!]
Amazed at what he saw, Ranjer dived in shouting a spell he had learned over the past year. Suddenly the skies grew gray and the winds began to rage. Streaks of lightning flew from the clouds right into the charging Tigaren army. One by one the Tigaren's where thrown about like toy dolls. Some were strong and shook it off, but many lay where they landed and never got up again. As Ranjer flew overhead a Tigaren in bright armor thrust out his weapon and called forth a blast of heat that just missed the young Vampire. Feeling the blast singe his side, Ranjer pulled up and did a turn that had him crash into the jungle just beyond where all the fighting was going on. As he tumbled through the jungle Ranjer did a quick shift and came charging out to attack the Tigaren's in the form of a small man-sized Dragon With a bellow of overheated smoke, Ranjer attacked. The first Tigaren was surrounded by smoke and fell overcome by the fumes. The next three were slashed and torn to pieces as Ranjer did a mid-air flip and dived at a group charging in at a bunch of Hyenen's backs. With his wings spread, Ranjer moved through the Tigaren's like a piranha. He snapped and ripped into the enemy with a ferocity that only a Vampire or Werewolf could.
With the sound of a bellowing roar, Ranjer looked out to see the Tigaren army retreat. As he looked up at the top of the hill, he saw the Tigaren chief putting his sword back into its scabbard.
[We will meet again Mnyama.] The Tigaren said with a strong mind blast. [When we do, one of us will surely die. Until then, Watch where you go. We Tigaren's have many allies that will be looking for you, so beware.]
As the Tigaren's ran off into the jungle, Ranjer slowly made his way down to the Hyenen camp. There was something about these Dog men that Ranjer didn't trust. They all had a sly look about them. Valkar had once warned him about anyone with that look. He said never trust them. It might be wise to listen closely to his father's advise in this strange new land.
As Ranjer started out for the Hyenen camp, a tall Hyenen dressed in bone armor walked out to meet him. On his head, he wore the skull of some horn-headed animal with bone plates covering his chest. On his lower parts, he wore a black and green kilt. One would think his armor weak, but Ranjer had a feeling it was stronger than Dwarven enchanted gold.
"Myumbo." The Hyenen said walling out to greet him.
"Friend I hope," Ranjer answered with a smile. "But only time will tell."
"Then I will greet you as a friend and hope we continue as such." Mulu Amin bowed his head never taking his eyes off of Ranger. "I am Mulu Amin, Demon chief of all of Aspana. I bid you welcome to my lands and I hope you will join in to take Aspana as my own."
At that moment alarms went off in Ranjer's head. He had made a huge mistake. Somehow he had dropped into Aspana and fell into the wrong side of the war. His father had been right. The Hyenen were the invading army. He should have been fighting on the side of the Tigaren's but now here he wf as sharing a camp with what might turn out to be his worst foe. Where the hell was Quyyn when he needed him.
It was cool and dark as Astan woke up from the horrible nightmare. He had dreamed that Mulu had captured him, Sakura and Msia and trapped them all in a dark cave that sucked away every spell they tried to use to escape. Msia tried a power bolt that bounced back and slammed him into the cave wall. Then Astan tried using flames to propel himself up and out of the cave pit. But instead of propelling him, it lit him on fire and Astan woke up as the green flames began to engulf him. Breathing heavy, Astan sat and looked around the camp. The dream had scared him right down to his core, but he knew somewhere out in the darkness, Mulu was waiting for him.
Looking out into the dark jungle, Astan looked across the camp to where Nyo sat snoring in his sleeping covers by the fire. An alarm blared out in Astin's head. Something was wrong. Nyo shouldn't be asleep. He was supposed to be on watch protecting the camp from intruders.
With his staff at his side, Astan pushed away from the covers and got to his feet. His senses were alert ready to warn him of the slightest movement anywhere around him. He could hear the sound of Owls hooting in the night as crickets dances all around. The roar of a night hunter rang out as he made his way through the darkness The fresh smells of the jungle filled his lungs as something else caught his attention. Feeling an attack about fall on him, Astan turned back towards the camp as something heavy fell hitting him in the back of his head. Astan fell into the arms of the Demondog as he dropped his club at his feet. With an evil smile, the Demondog turned and headed home to bring his prize to his master Mulu Amin.
"There is one more thing you need before we head to Mancoro." Aggar said as they moved through the thick jungle.
"What?" Akani asked.
"You'll find it here,"
"In there?" He pointed into the dark cave. He could hear strange sounds coming of the darkness. He wonders what could possibly be in there.
"I might be our salvation." Aggar smiled. "You should hurry. Mulu's getting more dangerous by the minute.
After a deep swallow, Akani started on his way in. After a few feet, he turned and looked back at Aggar. He stood and shoed him on. Moving on, Akani looked to his left, then right for any sign of danger. Hi stared ahead trying to see through the darkness, but could barely make out anything three feet in front of him. Strange, Akani thought. Jackals had excellent night vision. he should be able to see clearly in here, but he couldn't see anything.
[You will see only what I want you to see.]
Akani stopped. Did he really hear that? It must be his imagination.
[I am not a part of your imagination. I am your future.]
Akani started to shake. Whatever was in here didn't fear him. He had to push his fear back and continue on. Whatever was in here was important. Aggar wouldn't have sent him in if it wasn't
Ten more feet. Twenty, Thirty feet, then forty. It was getting cold in here. Akani pulled his vest tighter to himself.
[You don't fear me.] The voice said.[That is good. We will do many good things together.]
What could it be talking about? It talked as if Akani was going to join with it. That wasn't possible.
[It is more than possible. We are the future.]
Puzzled, Akani moved on. He went straight ahead then made a right turn.
[STOP!] The voice said as lights flared out revealing a small chamber in the cave.
[I am here.] Came from his left. [Pick me up.]
Looking down, Akani saw a clutch of broken eggs. Beneath the shattered shells, something was pushing its way out. He knelt and brushed the shells aside and found an unbroken egg laying there pulsing with life. Akani thought it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
[I am Flicker. Are you not for me?]
As Aggar sat outside waiting, he wondered exactly what would be coming out of the cave. He had heard the voice calling out to Akani, though he wasn't sure if Akani heard it. Now he understood that his job was to help the subjects get to, and get used to being a Dragon. It couldn't be easy sharing one's body with a Dragon. He had heard some went mad unable to get used to sharing their body.
Just then, Aggar heard a noise coming from the cave. He got to his feet and took a few steps toward the cave and looked into the cave. Suddenly there was a loud screech and something came flying out of the cave. Aggar dived to the side just in time to get under the wing as it took a swipe at him.
Getting back to his feet, Aggar reached behind him for his knives to be ready for the beast next charge. As Aggar waited, something else came flying out if the cave.
[Be still Aggar.] Pitch said. [I won't let it hurt you.]
As the bat thing squeaked, it did a turn then came flying at Aggar with its claws ready to rip into him.
Landing in front of Aggar, Pitch rose up on his hind legs and let out loud roar. A field of cold appeared in front of the bat. It tried to change directions but it was too late. It slammed into the freezing field and froze solid then crashed to the ground and shattered into a million pieces.
[We should go Aggar.] Akani said as he shifted forms. [There is a lot to do if we are to free Msia.]
It was late as Deja sat eating her dinner. She had Rabbit stew made from vegetables she had picked as she walked and her night's catch. She had been ducking battles all day trying to stay ahead of the Hyenens and the Demondogs. She was bone tired and not sure if it was safe to sleep and she missed her father very much. Last time she had seen him was back in the Canin village where they had split up. She had gone out to help the Canin's while Aggar went on to the Pumen village. The Canin had fought bravely and she didn't worry about them being invaded anymore. They knew how to fight now and they could always call out to her for assistance and she would come running.
As she finished off the last of her stew, she thought about Tof back at home. Had the talks with their Human neighbors gone well, or were they now at war at home again? From here she couldn't get much of a read on Tof. He was too far away. But usually, she could pick up his thoughts from ten miles away. She guessed it had something to do with her emotions. She never dared to call it love, since he was married to Lady Keya Thorn and that might bring scandal on the family name. But she had hopes and dreams and it couldn't hurt to have her private dreams. At least that's what her mother always told her. At that thought, Deja wondered if her mother knew her secret. Could she have seen the way Deja looked whenever Tof was around? Or maybe she had caught one of Deja's dreams. Mother was always the better at reading Deja then father or any of the rest of the family except Jandar and Ono.
As Deja wrapped herself for sleep, she heard footsteps from the jungle coming in her direction. In two swift moves she had her weapons out and water on the fire. Shifting to half wolf half woman she slipped off into the jungle to hunt whatever was hunting her.
In the dark of the night, Gurresh slipped from tree to tree keeping an eye on his query. The master had ordered she be taken to Mancoro tonight for an audience. An audience, Gurresh laughed. That wasn't what it really would be. It will be more of an interrogation. Mulu would ask the questions and if she wanted to live, she would answer quickly and truthfully. The master would know a lie if she told one. Honestly, Gurresh expected her to lie. But that would be it. One lie and that would be it. After she felt the punishment, she would not try it again. Not many would. Gurresh had seen what Mulu called punish. It was horrible. Mulu would use his magic to hold her high up over a pit of lake Vipers, then with each question, he would slice off a strip of her skin. He would start in the back, then move on to her front. By then the questions wouldn't be important. He would be doing it more for his own enjoyment. Most people don't last very long.
Looking closer, Gurresh couldn't help but notice how lovely she was. She had beautiful auburn hair braided and lashed together to sit in a bun on the back of her head. Her ears were dainty and pointed with no earrings. Her eyes were lovely with a sparkle that he could see from high up in the trees. Her mouth looked red naturally, He knew she wasn't wearing any kind of rouge. Rouge would not be a smart thing to wear in a foreign land. The makeup would give her a scent that would be easy to follow. She was dressed in some kind of leather that hugged her body showing her perfect form. Though her hair was strange color, Gurresh thought she was quite beautiful and would make someone a fine mate if she managed to live long enough to take a mate.
As Gurresh watched, he heard a snap come from out in the jungle. It was probably one of the others in the raiding party. As he looked down, he saw her jump up and douse the fire. Then she was gone into the jungle. Carefully, Gurresh made his way down out of the trees. He would have to hurry and catch up with the other. The woman looked dangerous. Though there were five warriors out there hunting her. She was alert to their presence. They would need his help to catch her.
Taking his Hyena form, Gurresh started into the jungle. His night vision was clear and had been enhanced by the master. He followed her scent which was different than the Hyenen and the rest of the jungle animals. To him, her scent was sweet like a like jasmine in full bloom. She was heading straight in towards the Hyenens who was lurking just beyond the clearing just ahead. Suddenly her scent change. It seemed more dangerous. She must have shifted to a more deadly form. From her scent, Gurresh could tell she was ready for battle. But if he could smell her, so could the others. and though they had been ordered to bring her safely back, those idiots might make a mistake and kill her.
As Gurresh ran, he could hear the sound of battle just ahead of him. Doubling his efforts he bore down and made the last hundred feet and dived through the trees to find the woman on the ground with five Hyenens standing over her about to deliver the killing blow.
"STOP!" He growled showing his teeth. "This one is under the protection of our master. He wants her alive. Hurt her and you will pay for your disobedience!"
"Look what she did!" Mwani lifted his head showing the cut on his neck. "She did this! She almost ripped my neck open! I will kill her!"
"No, you won't! You will obey Mulu Amin's orders and you will bring her to him and you will do it now!"
Mwani took a step forward with his fist raised. Gurresh knew he planned to attack them both if he had too. He raised his hand and looked Mwani straight into his eyes.
"Do what you have to." Gurresh said. "But revenge won't make you feel better. It will only make you more like Mulu. Is that what you want?"
Mwani thought about what Gurresh had said. He was right. He was sick of being a bully, one of Mulu's henchmen. It was time he moved on started to live his own life in peace.
"Take her." He said defeated. "Do whatever you have to. I'm not going back. There's a whole world out there and I'm going to find my place. Myumbo."
Mwani turned and started to walk away then stopped.
"Gurresh." He said. "Do yourself a favor. Walk away. Don't go back to Mancoro. There's nothing for you there but misery. Take her and find yourself somewhere away from Mulu and his war. It's not worth it."
As Mwani and the others started away, Gurresh reached down and helped Deja up to her feet.
"Thank you." She said. "I must be moving. My father is somewhere out there looking for me. I have to find him."
She turned to walk away and Gurresh grabbed her arm and pulled her back to face him.
"You misunderstand me. You're not free to go. The master is waiting for you. I have to bring you to him and that's what I'm going to do."
It was early morning as Quynn and Sky opened their eyes to a brand new day. Dar'yl was sitting at the fire thinking about the past day's events. Quynn stretched then looked around the camp. He didn't see Sakura there anywhere. He turned and kissed Sky good morning.
"Morning Love." He smiled. "You sleep well?"
"Not really." Sky answered. "I kept dreaming about Sakura. He was lost and we couldn't find him."
With a glum look on his face, Quynn reached out to touch Sky.
"Are you sure it was a dream? He's not here in the camp.
Sky's face turned a sudden gray. At that moment he knew it wasn't a dream. It was Sakura reaching out to warn them of his abduction.And that's exactly what had happened. Sometime last night while they were sleeping, the Hyenen snuck into camp and took Sakura. How they did it was a total mystery. Dar'yl was on watch and there was no way he would have allowed his king to be taken away. Sky knew that as sure as he knew Quynn loved him. Now the question was, what do they do now?
"We go after him." Dar'yl said upset. "We can let him stay with Mulu. We have no idea what that bastard will do."
"Yes, we do." Sky said. "He'll kill him. That's why he's been after Sakura and Astan. He knows they are the only real threat to his reign as Aspana's master sorcerer."
"What about us?" Quynn asked. "We are not children. We are strong too."
"Yes, we are." Sky said. "But we are not native to Aspana, that might make the difference."
"I don't understand." Quynn said scratching his head.
"He means only a true king of Aspana will be able to destroy Mulu Amin." Dar'yl said as he looked into their eyes. He knew he would have to explain it to them plainly so they would understand. "The last time I was in Timpa, Zaki Manzi took me to the side and warned me about a possible future event. He said for me to take good care of Prince Sakura and to find Prince Astan. With Msia gone, only they can defeat Mulu Amin. He knew this might happen and he was preparing me. We must find Sakura even if we have to storm the gates of Mancoro."
"It might take some drastic action and I don't know if we all will survive." Quynn smiled. "But I have an idea. We should hurry to Mancoro."
