As an evening wind blew through Mancoro, Ranjer stepped out of his hut, pulled his cloak closed and looked up toward the main house. Hyenen and Demondog warriors ran around like ants preparing for the oncoming battle. Rhinon and Elephant hulks stomped their way around the outer gate as the perimeter guard. Perched every fifty feet around the city wall, a tall menacing red-eyed Ravens sat staring out into the jungle. Everything was set and ready. Hyenen against the Felines. All they were waiting for was the word from their master and they would be on their way to the final battle.
Ranjer walked out and up toward the main house. He had to find a way to stop this before it was too late.
"I would see your master." He said to the guard at the front door. "We have matters to discuss."
"Come this way." The Demon smiled and waved Ranjer in. "The Master is waiting for you."
As Ranjer followed him, he thought about what he would say. Should he try and talk Mulu out of his mad plan, or should he pretend to go along with him?
From the front alcove, the Demon led him back to the dark house and into Mulu's study. The room had two rows of glass tubs with noxious fumes and two cauldrons. Ranjer held his nose as he passed a cauldron with a skeletal leg hand from its edge.
"Have you made up your mind?" Mulu sat forward on his throne and stared down at Ranjer with glowing eyes and jagged teeth showing. "Are you with me or not?"
On his right, Ranjer saw the leg in the pot moved, on the left six Demon's stood guard. Ranjer really wasn't given a choice. It was either join him or die.
"I will be with you," Ranjer said with a bow. "At your service. What will you have me do?"
"You can get my prisoners ready for the altar," Mulu said as he grabbed a small furry animal from a cage as his side and popped it in his mouth. "Tonight they will die as my sacrifice to Xuthulu. I will get enough power to rule Aspana and all the lands beyond!!! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!!"
As Ranjer turned to leave, he could hear Mulu's mad laughter ringing all through the house. He couldn't help but of how insane he had to be. There was no way he could allow him to get control of Aspana. If he did, he'd be knocking at our door next.
As Ranjer left Mulu's hall, he couldn't stop thinking about Quynn. He knew he was out there somewhere but where? He could be anywhere. Aspana was huge covering a length of ground from north to south and east and west. There had to be some way to find them. At home, it would be as easy as a simple call. All he would have to do is call out to them.
[Quynn!!] He sent out. [Cousin where are you!!!]
As minutes slipped by, Ranjer headed for the back pits of Mancora and Mulu's doomed sacrifices. Suddenly a familiar feeling came to him. It was a feeling he knew very well for many years.
[Ranjer?] Came a sudden answer. [Is that you?]
[Quynn? Where are you? Is Sky with you? Are you hurt?]
[No.] Quynn answered. [We're both OK. We've been taken captive by a crazy Hyenen.]
[MULU??]
There were a few minutes of silence and confusion. Quynn didn't understand how Ranjer could know about Mulu. He was far away back home in Taggitia with no knowledge of anything here in Aspana. Unless!
[Cousin, where are you?] Quynn sent nervously.
[I'm here.] He said. [Just outside of Mulu's house. Your father's sent me here to find you and bring you both back home.]
[We're somewhere in Mancora. Imprisoned in deep pits. Our magic's been stripped away. We can't use it. Can you get us out?]
[ I'm not sure.] Ranjer sent. [Right now I have Mulu's ear, but that could change. I know there are spies watching every move I make. so help won't be easy,]
[Then what can we do?] Sky asked.
[Mulu plans to sacrifice you to his crazy god. He'll have to send guards to take to his altar. We wait until they come for you.] Ranjer told them. [Then we'll make our move. Stay calm and be ready.]
[What about the other pits,[ Sky sent, [Can we free them?]
[If we have time. yes,] Ranjer said as he looked around to see two guards coming his way. Standing, he shouted down at the prisoners.
"Such disgusting beast. You should be glad to be Mulu's sacrifice. Only the best are privileged enough to be sent to his alter to die!"
"If it's such a privilege, why don't you agree to become a and take our place."
"Sorry," Ranjer smiled as he turned to walk away. "That's your destiny, I have other things to do."
As Ranjer walked pass the guards, he gave them a nod
"It will be good to see these melca die underneath Mulu' blade. Ha ha ha ha ha!!!"
Walking quickly, Ranjer wanted to look back, but he didn't dare. He couldn't take the risk that they would report his action back to the Demon Lord. From the first pit, Ranjer moved on to the next pit. There he found a grey-haired Lion man. Something told him this land was ruled, Animal men.
"Who are you?" Came from the green-eyed lion in the pit.
[I am Ranjer Zlenka.] He bowed carefully. [Friend to Quynn and Sky. We are here to find a way to get you free.]
[I don't know anyone by either name, but I appreciate the help.] Msia sent. [What should I do?]
[Just wait and prepare your self. I'm sure we'll be fighting our way out of here.]
As Ranjer turned away from the pit, he looked to the next one and wondered who could be in there.
In a few steps, he was standing on the rim of the pit. He looked down thinking he would find an animal king or prince. Instead, he found.....
[Deja?] Ranjer looked down on the young werewolf in shock. [What are you doing here?]
[Ranjer?] She stood up and hurried to the edge of the pit. [Get me out of here!]
[Cousin you'll have to wait. I'll be back for you I promise. Just hold on.]
As Ranjer turned away, he could still hear Deja crying. He knew he had to get her out of that pit.
Werewolves don't do well in closed in space. From the pits, Ranjer walked quickly. He wasn't sure
if any of the guards had seen or heard what he said to Msia or Deja. If they had, he would be walking into the monster's jaws. As he walked he kept an eye on the Hyenen and the Demondogs. They all watched him with suspicion like he might attach at any minute. Then out of nowhere, something grabbed him and pulled him between two huts. Ranjer pulled his hand away and summoning a fireball when a voice said.
"Me sorry, me need help."
When Ranjer looked at the person that grabbed him he found himself staring into the dark eyes of a Hyenen warrior.
"What do you want?" Ranjer said quietly as he looked the warrior up and down. He was dressed like most of Mulu's warriors, ragged pants with rusted armor. What was different was the look in his eyes. They were dark but there was a hint of sadness there too.
"Me not want to fight." He said with pleading eyes. "Me want to go home. Me not like Mulu. Help please."
Ranjer looked at the Hyenen. He looked tired and weak, not like the rest of Mulu's troops. If he was going to help this Hyenen, he would have to work a spell over him.
"My name is Ranjer. What do they call you?"
"Me Ferel." He said with a weak smile. "You help Ferel? Ferel help you."
"I think I can help you." Ranjer smiled He took a deep breath and started his spell.
FROM DARK TO LIGHT.
FROM WRONG TO RIGHT.
FROM THE WEAK TO THE STRONG.
PLEASE HEAR MY SONG.
GIVE AGILITY AND STRENGTH
AND SPEED AND WISDOM.
BLESS MY FRIEND.
AND GIVE HIM THESE GIFTS
GIVE HIM PEACE AND COURAGE.
MAKE HIM HONORABLE AND TRUE
TO SEE THE TROUBLE THROUGH.
As the magic spun around Ferel, he lifted his arms and put his hands up to cover his face. For a minute fear overwhelmed him until the spell took hold and his true courage came out. His fur went from a shaggy mottled coat to fine brown neat coat, His scars faded and his muscles bulged as his eyes began to clear. When the magic faded, Ferel stepped forward a new Hyenen.
"What happened?" He asked. "What did you do?"
"I gave you what you needed to survive this war," Ranjer told him. "Now do you still want my help?"
"You made me smart?"
"Yes," Ranjer said. "And fast, and strong. Do you still want my help?"
"Yes." He nodded. "I need your help to destroy Mulu Amin. He stole me and all the young ones from our village. He beat us and said he would kill our parents if we didn't join him. He lied. He killed our parents shortly after he sent us to his training place."
"Then we have to get the captives in the pits free." Ranjer looked back around the corner of the hut to where the pits were. Now there were four guards standing watch. One at each pit. To free the captives, they would have to find a way to either replace the guards on watch or take the place of the guards that come to take them to the altar. Lucky thing Mulu had put Ranjer in charge of taking care of the captives. It would be his job to deliver them to their final destination. "Follow me my friend."
From the dreaded pits, Ranjer and Ferel walked west through the city and out of the western gate to the monument that Mulu built in Xuthulu's honor. With Ferel in tow, Ranjer made his way out of the gate and down the long road that leads to Xuthulu's temple. Out in front, four warriors stood guard, each armed with a spear and dressed in rust-covered iron armor.
"How do we get in?" Ferel asked.
"We don't." Ranjer smiled. "Just follow me and keep your eyes open."
Straightening his cloak, Ranjer started in toward the temple with Ferel right behind. When he reached the gate, he stopped.
"What do you want Human?" A guard asked.
"I'm here to see Mulu."
"Wait here." The guard said as he turned and walked into the temple Minutes passed as they waited. The guards kept pointing at Ranjer and gibbering and laughing.
"What are they saying?" Ranjer asked Ferel.
"The big one thinks you look delicious," Ferel said. "He wants to take you out back and kill you."
"I don't think he'll like the way I taste." Ranjer smiled. As they laughed, the warrior returned.
"Mulu wants you to bring his captives here to the temple."
With a nod, Ranjer and Ferel turned and left the temple. From behind a curtain at the side of the altar, a voice spoke to a Demon.
"Follow them." It said. "Make sure they follow instructions."
The road had been long and the battles were many as King Yonas Kinya road back through the gates of Tinpa. He was tired and his body ached, all he wanted was to soak in a hot bath and let Aryonna rub his tired muscles until he purred. but that's not going to happen. He knew that the minute he stepped back into the palace, he would be deluged with things he had to attend to that can't wait. Being king wasn't all ways easy. There were good times when being king was great but this wasn't going to be one of those days. Astan was still missing and there had been no word from Sakura. The war was on. Yonas and his warriors had met Mulu's forces in the south at the borders of Zabti, the Zebran plain and Obleau River. They fought until the Elephant warriors had come in and broken the stalemate that sent Yonas and his forces int a brief retreat. Pulling back to the eastern side of the river, Yonas had to wait for the Rhinon forces to join him before they could double back and rejoin the battle.
With the Hyenen attacking from the south and the Demondogs coming in from the west, Yonas had to send the Rhinons and the newly joined Chimps to the west while he pushed down into the southern land leaving the east in the hands of G'ania Gazini and his Pantheren forces. Though the Rhinons are mighty warriors, they had a hard time battling the Elephants. With the Hyenen's holding on to the south, the Tigarens had a tough job keeping them from taking any land north of Domina, the Goren's city
Worn out, Yonas walked into his private suite dropping pieces of armor as he walked. When he reached his sleep furs, he spread his arms and fell right into a comfortable spot. Moaning with delight, Yonas closed his eyes and smiled.
"Don't you dare fall asleep," Aryonna said smugly. "I've been dealing with Merchants, Senator, Generals and the city tax collectors ever since you left. The Pantherans are waiting for you and so is the city builders. There's no time for sleep."
"Alright, alright," He moaned as he pushed himself up. "Can't I just get an hours sleep?"
""You know there's no rest for the crown." Aryonna ran her hand along the curve of his back down to his backside. "You deal with the crowd and I'll give you a little gift when you get back."
"You promise?" Yonas smiled then kissed her hand. "I'll hurry."
"Yes my lord." She said as she dropped her silks and stepped out of them. Her perfume was almost intoxicating. "Did you find Astan?"
"No," Yonas said. "Sakura is still searching for him. Why don't you get dressed and we can do this together."
"Ok," She smiled. She walked to her closet and picked through her gowns and wraps until she found a blue-green gown. With the gown in hand, Aryonna took it to her dressing table and slipped into it. Dressed, Aryonna sat down and looked at her reflection in the mirror, then fixed her makeup and rubbed a deep red lip gloss over her lips. Smiling at the results, she stood up and turned to King Yonas. He gazed at her, then walked over and took her in his arms and kissed his Queen.
"Is that a promise of things to come?" She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed their bodies together. She could feel the heat coming from his body and it felt good after the weeks she spent while he was away.
"Yes my love," His eyes burned with there love. "Tonight we will celebrate our union with passion."
"Then you should hurry." She kissed his lips and smacked his bottom. "The representatives from Panthera are waiting for you in your office. G'ania must think there is trouble we can't handle to have sent so many warriors."
"Yes," Aryonna walked to her dressing table and picked up a bottle of perfume and sprayed it on herself. Like small fairies, the fragrant vapors spread out and filled the room. With a single scent, Yonas was again ready to make love. As Yonas came up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her and gave her a passionate kiss.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Aryonna smiled as she reached into the front of his kilt.
"Yes," Yonas said breathing heavy. With a sweet smile, his Queen turned to face him.
"Answer the door."
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.
"You witch woman." Yonas smacked her bottom then turned and went to answer the door. As the door opened, Yonas looked out and saw Kapor, his younger brother bowing to him.
"Myumbo brother, It's good to have you home. How goes the war?"
"Not quite to my liking brother," Yonas said as Kapor made his way into the royal sleeping chamber.
Kapor and his brother were identical twins from the stripes on their backs to the birthmark on their shoulder. Though Yonas was the older, Kapor never held any resentment towards his brother. He was happy in his station. Being king was a bit too much attention for him. "The Hyenen have taken most of the south lands leaving only Basolo free from Mulu's grip. The gorillas have joined the fighting under our banner with Goren Baba as their leader. The bring bad news of the Avian demise by there former chief. I'm hoping there is another Nesting land somewhere in the north. What's been happening here?"
"Where do I start." Kapor flopped down in a cushioned "We have Seals that attack by sea and Forest Elephants by land. Believe it or not, this is the only break we've had since the war started We're having a hard time keeping our gates close."
"Are the Royal guards still in place?" Yonas asked.
"Yes, but they are tired," Kapor said. "Actually I should say exhausted. Oh, and Zakia Manzi wants to speak with you."s
"Show him into my private study."
Getting to his feet, Kapor turned and made his way out of the king's private rooms to let the royal mage in. With a bow at the door, the mage followed Kapor into the study.
"Myumbo my king," Zakia said with a bow.
"Greets my old friend. What can I do for you today?"
"I am sorry your majesty," Zakia Manzi said with a troubled.look on his face. "But something is wrong here."
"What is it?" Kapor asked.
"I don't know." The Mage said. "I feel danger whenever I think of any of the royal family. Something is going to happen here. I don't know when or to who, but if we don't act soon, one of us will die."
As Kapor arranged extra guards for the king, six Pantheren warriors were stopped at the city's main gate. The leader, a dark-furred older warrior slid his hand into his saddlebag and pulled out a rolled up piece of parchment. Getting down from his horse, the warrior stepped forward to present his orders to the gatekeeper.
"Myumbo." He called up to the gatekeeper. "I am Assos Drern, general in the house of Duma. We have been sent here to protect your king."
"I haven't been informed of any change in the king's guard." The gatekeeper shouted back."You will have to wait until I can confirm this order."
"Will this help?" Assos said as he passed his written orders through an opening in the gate."They come straight from my regant G'annia Gazini."
"That may be." The gatekeeper said as two more Tigarens came out of the gatehouse to join them "But I don't take orders from your regent. I answer to my king and no one else."
"Take this to the palace." The gatekeeper said handing the parchment to a young Tigaren. "We will be here waiting for an answer."
Tired, Zakia made his way through the palace, something in his mind screamed danger. It got loader and loader until he felt like his head was about to explode, There had to be some way he could learn what the danger was. He had walked the length of the palace trying to get some kind of clue as to what the problem was. So far all he knew was that it involved the royal family. Whether it was Yonas or Kapor, Zakia wasn't sure. All he knew was that the danger was real and it might take one of their life.
While Zakia made his way to the front entrance of Kinya palace, a young Tigaren warrior bowed to him as they passed each other. Just as Zakia came face to face with the young Kyan, his mind exploded with intense pain. Zakia fell to the ground and screamed the Tigaren warrior ran off down the hall. As Zakia rubbed his head and climbed back on his feet, he turned to look down the. Whatever was causing the pain in his head, it had something to with that young warrior. Zakia closed his eyes and cupped his hands. He whispered a small spell into his hands. As he opened them, a small speck of light drifted up and flew after the boy. As it went after the boy, Zakia saw the hall with its line of past kings of Kinya. There was Asam the Brave and Wilm his father. Gar, Tiga, and Nortm Then Yonas and his father Kerr the Avenger who almost wiped out the trade of slaves all by his self. As the boy stopped at Kerr's portrait, he looked into Kerr's eyes thinking how brave he had to be to save all those people armed with only a sword and his ragtag armor.
"What are you looking for, boy?" asked a heavy set Tigaren.
"I have a message for the king," Kyan said.
"Well, what are you waiting for!" The fat Tigaren stuck out his hand to take the rolled up parchment. "Give it here, I'll see that the king gets it."
Kyan took two steps back not sure of what he was supposed to do. The older Tigaren advanced thinking to snatch it out if the boy's hand.
"No!" Kyan said as he pulled his sword and held it to defend himself. "This message is for the king and I will give to only him, not you."
The older Tigaren thought for a minute of trying to take it from Kyan but then he looked at how Kyan held his sword. It was steady and in a practiced grip. Kyan looked ready to fight.
"Go on boy," the older Tigaren waved him off. "Be on your way."
Kyan nodded and went on to the pair of guards that stood at the entrance to the king's study.
"I have a message for the king," Kyan said.
With a nod, the guard turned and walked down the hall and entered a room guarded by two more silver garbed guards. He wasn't gone for long. When he came out of the room, an elf dressed in deep blue pantaloons and matching top came out. The guard pointed Kyan and together they walked down to the stairs.
"Myumbo," Kapor said. "I am Kapor Kinya, brother to the king. I hear you have a message for us."
"Yes my lord," Kyan said with a nod. "But I have sworn to give it to the king."
"Then, follow me," Kapor said as he turned and started down the hall.
As they reached the king's study, Kapor turned and ushered them in. Kyan bowed as he made it to Yonas's desk.
"Myumbo," Yonas said as he stood up to greet Kyan. "What can I do for you, my friend?"
Before he opened his mouth, there was a flash of light and Zakia Manzi appeared.
"Zakia! What is the meaning of this?"
"He is," Zakia said. "I think young Kyan here holds the answer to our problem."
