The Enemy, of my Enemy is my Friend. 17

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."

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!!]

Dragons Rise. 15

As Mulu stepped into the chamber and saw all the eggs spread all through the cave, he threw back his head and sent out a bone chilling rack of laughter. He howled and jumped around celebrating his success.
"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.

A New Awaking. 14

It was dark in the deep jungles of Starspeak Mountain, Palas had taken to the air to scout the path in front of Astan, Beno, Goren and his warriors. Everything seemed calm to Palas, there didn't seem to be any threat he could find. But he knew that somewhere up ahead, they would probably run into either Igoro or possibly Mulu Amin himself. Either way, they should be prepared for a battle and Palas wanted to be sure they could pick the site and not be ambushed.
He had searched more then ten miles ahead and found what he thought could be the perfect spot. There was a clearing that be easy to defend. There would be room for him to sweep down and attack from the air while Astan and Goren attacked from below.
It was hard for Palas to get the memories of what he had last seen of his home off his mind. The bodies of all his people spread out all around their Aerie. The young and the old, male and female. None had been spared from Igoro's wrath. Even Palas's family. His mate the their two hatchlings had been killed. Astan and Goren had helped him bury their bodies. But only revenge could heal his soul Now, all he could think of was his anger and his wish put an end to his sorrow. Igoro would pay for what he had done. This he swore to Alee, the god of the sun.
As Goren  followed behind Beno his thoughts were on Shauri. He wasn't sure if leaving her behind had been the right thing. He knew how dangerous his father was and how quick to tempered his mate was. She had no fear of Igoro and was quick to speak out against him. Maybe he should have brought her with him. But things had happened so fast he didn't really have time to to speak with her. He prayed she would be smart and keep her distance for Igoro. Because if she didn't, if she had a confrontation with the high lord of the Hominids, he would kill her.
It had been a hot afternoon in the Starspeak jungle, and they had traveled almost ten miles when Goren stopped and screamed out in pain and fell to his knees. Astan dropped the pack he had been carrying and hurried back to Goren to see if he had somehow injured himself. As he knelt down to check him for any injuries, Goren looked up at Astan and Beno with tears in his eyes.
"She's dead." He said. "Shauri is dead. My father had her killed."
"What?" Beno said confused. "It's not possible. He wouldn't kill his own sons wife."
"My father had his own son and daughter killed. What makes you think any of us matter  to him? We're nothing but pawns to be used in his vicious game of conquest. I know she's dead because.."
"Because she's your mate."Astan said finished for Goren. "Its a joining mates have that goes beyond everyday feelings. I have the same thing with Sakura. That's why I know he's coming to find me. We just have to hold on until he can get here. I'm sorry Goren. I grieve with you, and I will help you avenge her death."
From there, they walked in silence.  Every few miles, Palas would come down to steer them in the right direction. Astan felt terrible. So much death had happened around him. He kinda felt responsible for Sharuri and the deaths of Palas's brood even though it hadn't been him that caused their death. But it was his escape that triggered both of the events. He had to do something to make it right. But what could he do? He know his magic was strong, but was it strong enough to beat Igoro?
Astan wasn't sure but there was one thing he knew. One day soon he would have to confront both Igoro Baba and Mulu Amin.

It was dark and quiet when Nereus opened his eyes. Without moving he looked around the cave. Something had disturbed his sleep. What could it be? It wasn't his brothers or sisters, the were still right there all around him sleeping. What could it have been? Nereus got up on his four  paws and shook the sleep from his weary bones. He stretched out his wings and shook the dust free, then took a step to get the blood flowing again through his body. It had been a long time since he or any of the others had been out in the world. He wondered now much had changed. Were the Elves still the dominant species? Or had then been wiped out in that tired old war with the Dwarves? Were the the Airion's still pompous and overbearing? He was sure much had changed over the years and it was up to him to decide if the rest of the clan should be awakened.
After stretching, Nereus made his way to the cave entrance. He took a deep breath of the fresh air and roared his awakening to the world. There would be much to do if his Griffin clan was to go out and reclaim the outside world and it would all start here in Assassa. With a mighty leap Nereus took off into the skies. With his wings spread, he rode the thermals up into the clouds. He loved the feeling of the wind beneath his wings, it always made him feel free. He circled the island looking down to see there wasn't much here to conquer. Assassa would be easy to take from whatever was living in the spotted settlements he saw below him. The battles would be grand and bloody as him and his clan ripped their way across the island. Maybe it was time he woke up his clan to spread their influences all over the world. Nereus dived and did a twisting turn, he rolled and then rose higher into the clouds and swooped down over the bay on the eastern shore. There were Sealen's diving in and out of the bay fishing for their day's meal. As he flew, something caught his attention. It was a familiar sense. Something he hadn't felt in over two hundred years. There was a Dragon somewhere on the island.
Nereus dived down to shore to land, Once down he took a good whiff of the morning breeze. He could smell the dragon and something else. He wasn't alone. There was something with him. It was a strange wild smell, something he'd never smelled before. Whatever it was, it was coming from the north side of the island. Shifting to man form, Nereus started into the jungle. He wanted to kill the dragon on his own. He knew it couldn't possibly be Terra out there. But it didn't matter. He and his kind hated all Dragons. As Nereus walked, he thought about his last encounter with a dragon.
It was late in the evening, and the war with the Dragons was going into it's twenty fifth year. The casualty's on both sides was heavy. In the last year over fifty Griffins had fallen to the Dragons. The casualty's on the Dragon side had been just as bad with the fall of several clans. Nereus and ten of his brothers had flown to the northern continent where several Dragon clans kept watch on the world. They started in the lower lands of the dark elves and made their way north killing anything that got in their way. The Dark elves sent troops out against them. They met in the kingdom of Connak. King Edwyrd in his fineness armor called together his knights and marched out after the Griffin menace that had invaded his kingdom. They met on a hill over the capital city Edrym. The king and his troop of 200 armed warriors rode down to intercept the Griffin before they could drop down on the city. At first it seemed like the knights had the upper hand. Two of the ten invading Griffins fell and were immediately hacked to pieces. The knights all cheered as they regrouped to attack. The Griffins were set on the field right out of the walls of the city. Nereus stood in the lead of the group and roared out his challenge. The knights being high on the energy of their victory charged into the attack. As they came down the hill, Nereus roared sending a trio a Cockatrice in to fight. Like the birds of war that they are, the cockatrice attacked with a vengeance. Its bird like head screamed a challenge as the talons grabbed onto the knights. With their swords the hacked and stabbed at the beast only to find its deep green chest scales impervious to their weapons. Far behind the line of battle King Edwyrd watched as his men were torn to pieces. As a last course of action, he put his whistle to his lips and blow out a long high pitched note. The Cockatrice all stopped lifting their heads as they screamed in pain. King Edwyrd grabbed his lance and called out what was lift of his men for a desperate last attack. As they charged in, a dark shadow dropped down and covered the field of battle. As King Edwyrd looked up, he saw a line of Dragons flying in from the other side of the hill. Now King Edwyrd of Connak and his warriors had never had much contact with the Dragons of Taggitia. They had no idea if these monsters were coming to attack them. Imagine their surprise when Terra the lead Dragon dropped down and blasted the Cockatrice with a belch of hot lava. They screamed as they burned. Lava soon swallowed the war birds as they thrashed around trying to escape the hellish Dragon fire. With the Cockatrice dead, Terra and his Dragon brothers and sisters all dropped down between the Griffins and the King and his warriors. Terra shifted to his man form and walked out to meet his Griffin opponent. Nereus in man form stood six feet tall dressed in black and golden leather  with feathers around his collar. As he met Terra on the field of battle, Nereus smiled.
[Why are you here Griffen?] Terra sent. [Go back to your island and leave these humans alone. They have done nothing to deserve this attack.]
[They live.] Nereus sent. [They are a threat to both your people and mine. Move out of the way and let us destroy them.]
[No.] Terra said. [We have taken the oath to protect and that is what we will do. You will have to come threw us to get to them.]
[We planned to attack you.] Nereus sent. [If we have to kill you to get to them, so be it.]
As Terra and Nereus talked, a young blue Dragon shifted to human and hurried over to King Edwyrd.
"I am Force." He said. "I have been sent here to protect you while my brothers and sisters try to convince the Griffins not to attack."
"I am King Edwyrd of Connak." Edwyrd said as he bowed to Thunder. "We are not in need of protection. We can take care of ourselves."
"You are brave." Force said. "I'm sure you can when the fight is against men. But these are not humans that stand here before you. They are Griffins, they are not easy to kill and you do not have weapons that can even hurt them. We Dragons are sworn to protect the people of Keanna. Please, go back to your city and let us deal with this."
King Edwyrd wasn't sure if he should trust these Dragons. He had heard of Dragons in the past be had never heard of anyone living after a meeting with a Dragon. But he had to admit, these Griffins were far beyond their ability to kill. He would have to put his trust in their hands.
"We will go." King Edwyrd said. "But we will be watching. We will be watching very closely."
As King Edwyrd and him warriors rode off, the Griffins attacked. Back in his Griffin form, Nereus leaped out at Terra hoping to catch him in his human form unprotected. But Terra had shifted and was ready for the attack. Up on his hind legs, Terra swung around and used his tail to bat the Griffin away. Slightly daze but still ready to fight, Nereus rolled across the ground then jumped back up on his feet.
Growing he leaped again at Terra, but this time he leap high to go up over his head. As he passed over the Dragon, he swung his tail down and tried to sting him with the sharp barb on the end of his scorpion like tail. Ducking down, Terra reached up and grabbed Nereus by his tail catching him off guard. Terra stood again and swung Nereus around over his head then bashed him into the ground. Nereus howled in pain as he slammed again and again into the ground. With a mighty yank, he pulled himself free and dived at Terra. His front talons struck Terra with a heavy blow. Terra stepped back for a second as he trid to catch his breath. This was Nereus chance to catch the Dragon off guard. Diving back in his face, Nereus slash at Terra ripping into his hide sending his poison to surge through the Dragon. Unknown to the Griffin, Dragon's being there most deadly enemy, Terra over the years had grown a natural immunity to Griffin poison. Instead of killing him, the poison only slowed his reflexes down a bit. Feeling a bit clumsy, Terra slipped down into the ground. There he could let the poison pass through him and into the soil then come back restored. Up on the field, Nereus bellowed out a roar of triumph. He thought he had beaten Terra and sent him running from battle. As he turned to find his next opponent, Terra slipped out of the ground and back on the field of battle.
[Have you grown tired of out little dance?]
Nereus turned back to find Terra standing there and looking stronger than ever. He smiled and took a few steps back toward the Dragon.
[You have surprised me Terra.] He sent. [I did not think you had it in you to show such deception. But it doesn't matter. You will die today and I will celebrate the death of an enemy.]
[Then come Griffin. Come and claim your victory. If you can.]
With a terrible roar, Nereus attacked. He launched himself at Terra like the ball shot from a cannon. Terra braced himself to meet his charge. Like two forces of nature they slammed into each creating a monstrous explosion of sound that echoed out to be heard as far away as Torcin in the frozen north. While Nereus and Terra fought, behind them Dragon met Griffin for a battle of supremacy. Force the air Dragon engaged a dark feathered Griffin with the head of a crow while Snowflake a female dragon traded blows with a white feathered Griffin with the head of a bearded vulture. From the city walls, King Edwyrd watched as the Dragons did everything they could to keep the Griffins away from his city. His doubts had all fallen away as he watched the Griffins begin to drop and turn tail and run from the heroic Dragons.
With a moment of silence, Nereus looked around to find he was the only Griffin left in the battle. He stepped back away from Terra with a ferocious look on his golden eagle face.
[This is not over Terra.] He called as he lifted off to escape. [Your day will come. I will return and when I  do, I will kill you and all your clan.]
[We will be here waiting.] Terra sent. [There will always be a dragon here to protect Tagittia, you can count on that.]
That was more that 300 years ago. Now the Griffins were up again and for a certain dragon, there would be hell to pay.

As Akani, Aggar and Msia made their way through the quiet jungle, Msia told them some of the history of the land once called Assassa.
"Once this vibrant island was the home of a clan of Griffins called the Grimclaws. They were an ancient clan with member that had existed for hundreds of years. They were also the dragons oldest and most fierce enemies. From sometime long ago they were lead by Coeus a great Griffin with a strong sleek lion body with the head of a great bald eagle.. They terrorized villages and homesteads all up and down the coast of Taggitia and down as far as Aspana. In a great battle Coeus was beaten by Blizzard, a Dragon from a clan way up north. That was when Kronos took lead of the clan. Kronos reign went on for two hundred years until the great war were he was replaced by Nereus. Nereus lead them through the war until we lost all knowledge of the Griffins. It was thought that they were all destroyed by battles amongst there own clan. After that, no one knows what happened to them. So say they flew out looking for something and were lost in the waves of time."
"That." Aggar said is a very intriguing store."You got all this from Inferno?"
"Yes." Msia nodded. "He says that Terra fought Nereus many times over the years. Nereus was very full of hate for Dragons."
"All Griffins didn't hate Dragons." Aggar said. "I know a collector who had two Griffins that fought at his side."
"This collector friend of yours must have raised the Griffins himself right after they hatched." Msia said. "It proves that nurturing can overcome natural instincts. Maybe there is hope for the Hyenens."
"There is if we can do something about Mulu." Akani said. "Because he won't stop until he rules all of Aspana, or he dies."
"Well." Msia said. "Lets get on with the search."
"Which way?" Akani asked.
"We go south, then east." Msia said. "I can feel them out there ready to hatch."
"OK." Aggar said with a gesture to the south, "You lead and we'll follow,"
For hours they walked south. They stopped at a waterfall and had their fill of fresh water, then moved on. All the while, Msia could heard the eggs calling out to him.
As they walked, Akani felt a strange sensation tingling way in the back of his mind. At started as just a feeling, but at soon began to grow. It got louder and louder until it be came a real voice.
[Akani.]
Akani reached up and rubbed his ears. He thought he was hearing things.
[Akani.]
He looked around from Msia in the front to Aggar behind him.
"Do you hear something?" He asked Aggar.
"No." He said. "Just the sound of the jungle."
[AKANI.]
"WHAT?"
 Msia turned around to see what Akani was yelling about. Msia smiled. He knew what it was that he was hearing. He was being called to an egg.
"Relax Akani. Don't be afraid. It's your future calling out to you. We will be there soon."

As Brimstone landed in Gosia, he looked around for Mulu Amin. He was hoping that the demon had lost him somewhere during the flight south. But just as Brimstone was about to move, there was a flash and Mulu Amin was there at his side.
"You thought you had lost me didn't you dragon?" Mulu smiled. "It will take more power then you possess to get rid of me. Move on. Show me what you were talking about."
"Yes Master."
Brimstone turned and started into the jungle with Mulu right behind him. They walked for hours sometimes stopping to check a cave or deep crevice. Mulu was getting anxious. Brimstone had said he knew where they were, but it seemed more like they were searching instead finding. As Mulu walked further and further in, his anger grew higher and higher in its intensity. He didn't like to be disobeyed, especially by an underling. He needed Brimstone right now, bur soon he would he have all of Aspana in his hands, then he would remember how a certain dragon had failed him. Then he would pay, maybe with his life.
Suddenly as he walked, Brimstone's jackal ears pricked up. He had caught a scent. They where getting close. Brimstone jumped into a run and went straight up into the jungle barking like a mad dog. After a few minutes they were right in front of a set of six caves scattered through a grotto next to three waterfalls. As Brimstone approached the lagoon he stared up at the three waterfalls. Lightning flashed as a bolt came down and struck a coconut tree high over the falls.
"This is it." Brimstone said. "They are here."
"How do you know?" Mulu asked. This spot looked just like every cave they had seen today. There was nothing special here.
"This is a place of Dragons." He said with a gravely voice. "Enter and you will see."
Mulu turned on Brimstone with murder in his eyes. How dare he give him and order. Who was the Master here? Him or Mulu Amin?
"I know what it is that you want Master." Brimstone said with mischievous grin on his face. "But I cannot go into this cave, or touch what it is you want. Punish me if you want. Kill me if you want, but if you want what's in there. You will have to get it yourself."
Mulu was so angry sparks popped from his eyes. He pushed Brimstone out of his way and summoned a small globe of energy to light his way as he started into the first cave. It was dark in the cave and it smelled of mold. With his eyes tuned for night vision, Mulu made his way in. Bats flew over head while rats scampered through the cave trying to avoid being stepped on. All he could hear was the sound of the water as it pounded the rocks at the base of the cliffs. Though the globe flew along trying to cast light into the cave, Mulu saw many shadows darting in and out all around him. With a quick spell, he sent a blast out at one of the shadows. As it hit one, he heard a sharp squeal. That meant whatever it was, it was real and it could be hurt. Mulu took an defensive position. That was when the first shadow attacked. It came screaming out of a dark corner and grabbed him by the arm. Mulu shouted out a spell. The globe exploded in a flash of light that sent the shadows running for a place to hide. With a few quick twist of his hand, Mulu brightened the globes intensity and for a few minutes, the shadows hid. But as he walked, he saw them peeking out at him. With his globe blazing overhead, Mulu continued on with his search. He went from cave to cave chasing away any shadow that dared to try and menace him. By the fourth cave, Mulu had found nothing but a few shells that gleamed like precious jewels. They were scattered leaving a trail all through the cave. This had to be it Mulu thought. Here he would finally get what he came here for. Power over the Dragons and everyone else in Aspana.
With a quick burst of energy sent into the globe, Mulu hurried on. The tunnel did two more twists then he ran up a hill and came of into a final chamber that was filled with millions of different cantaloupe sized jewels. Dragon eggs.

Igoro the all powerful. 13

It was dawn when Akani shook Aggar to wake him up. Aggar looked around and saw the morning sun rising. He looked over and saw Msia there and ready to go. He stood up and went to relieve himself.
"You will have to have your morning meal as we go." Akani said as he handed Aggar his pack. "The master wants to get moving."
"Have you slept?" Aggar asked him.
"I was on watch all night." Akani said with a yawn. He looked at Aggar with red eyes. "I had to be wake while his majesty was resting."
"Stop." Msia said as he turned to them. "Akani, You are not my servant. That's not what I had from you right now. For now you should be my comrade. We all have to work together if there's any chance for us to be victorious. That means I need you rested and ready. Is that clear?"
"Yes your highness." He said bowing.
"Please, call me Msia." The king put a hand to his shoulder. "Now, you get some rest while Aggar and I have a talk. I'll wake you in an hour."
Shouldering his pack, Aggar led Msia to a place by the fire pit where they sat down and got comfortable. Msia took the water skin filled with the Basolos red wine Aggar and Deja brought back and took a deep drink. Once he had his fill, he passed it over to Aggar, who shook his head no.
"I have a few questions about Dragons." Msia said as he sat down. "How long did you know Terra?"
"I met Terra just a few days ago." Aggar explained. "He knew his time was running out so he sent out a probe to draw someone in to take care of the egg until the right one came to join with it."
"Did he tell you who it was for?"
"No." Aggar shook his head. "But I think he knew who it was for. I think he knew I would be bringing it to either you or Akani."
"Akani?" He tilted his head  in wonder. "Are you sure about that?"
"I think you both have it in you to host a dragonet. From what I have learned from Jandar and Rage, it takes a very special person to host a dragon. You need a strong and honorable mind to join with a dragon. A joining by the wrong host can be disastrous. Inferno will fill you in on Aspana's dragon history."
"It's funny." Msia smiled. "I always thought dragons were monsters, now I'm learning about things that scared me as a cub. And there's something else."
"What's that?"
"Inferno is telling me that there are more eggs." Msia said. "He tells me there is a clutch hidden two hundred years ago under a volcano beyond the southern tip of Gosia. Terra kept me with him but hid the others during the last great war in Aspana."
"Your saying there are more eggs out there somewhere?" Aggar sat up, very interested in what Msia was saying. "Does Mulu know anything about this. He has to know by now that you have the star."
"I'm not sure." Msia said. "It's possible. He does have a way of knowing things he shouldn't."
"Then that should be where he'll head next." Aggar stood up and took some water and threw it on the fire. "Do you have any idea where the clutch is?"
"Yes." Msia said. "Terra hid it in a volcano in Basmasia. It's a long journey from here. We will have to fly."
"Can you carry us?"
"Of course." Msia smiled. "Right now, Akani needs rest. He was up all night on watch. We can be on our way as on as he wakes up."

After tending to Beno and taking a short rest, Goren had them back on the trail with Palas in the lead. As they made their way through the jungle, Goren told Astan about how his father had rose to power. Twenty years ago, Domina was prosperous and stable under the leadership of my grand sire Anon Baba. We had  trade with some of the other lands and that included Tigaress and Panthera. Back then I remember sitting at my gran sires knee while he talked and debated policy with the heads of the many other kingdoms. We had peace then and everyone seemed happy, at least that's what I thought. There was one person that wasn't very happy. He wasn't content to trade out metals, livestock and our harvest with the others. He thought there was a better way. He thought we should invade the other lands and take what we want by force. That was my father Igoro Baba. For years he argued with grand sire. He said we have the forces to be the rulers of Aspana. It was our duty to crush the weak and force them all to live under our rein as the masters of Aspana. Grand sire disagreed saying peace was the only way to keep our people safe. Violence and bloodshed would only lead to war in Aspana and no matter how strong we might be, strength does not always guarantee victory. Father would argue on but it was Grand sire who had to make the final decision on what we would do, and his mind was set on a peaceful lifestyle.
Late at night, I remember father slipping in and out of our palace home to attend secret meetings that he organized with some of the others that agreed with him. One night I remember seeing a stranger in dark robes with a harsh laugh sulking around the grounds. When I asked father about him, he grew anger and grabbed me and beat me telling me not to interfere in things that were not my concern. He made me swear to never speak of the stranger again. With tearful eyes I made that promise. But that was my first mistake. My father knew no matter what happened, I would never brake my promise. I would never tell anyone about what I had seen no matter how badly I wanted to. Gran sire would never hear from me that my father was plotting against him.
After that, I kept a close watch on my fathers movements. I followed him out into the jungle to strange meetings with that stranger and to his private dwelling. I could hear his chanting from where I was hidden. He was up to something dark, I knew this but I had no way to stop him. My mystical training was no where near equal too his. I would have to wait to see what he was going to do.
It didn't take long. Within a week my father made his move. He organized his own men to go out on raids on some of the surrounding kingdoms. From the top of the city walls Grand sire and I watched as father marched back in to Domina with his newly captured slaves. Grand sire watched with a grim look on his face. As he turned around he slammed his staff down causing a loud thunderous noise and called down to my father.
"Igoro." He shouted. "I will see you immediately in the palace audience room."
With a nod and a evil grin, father continued on into the city gates and ordered his men to have his captives sent to our dungeons.
"He has gone to far Goren." Grand sire said to me. "He has disobeyed me for the last time."
"What will you do Grand sire?"
"I must right the wrongs your father has committed against the people of Aspana. He must be punished for his crimes."

The audience room was dimly lit as Igoro with his head held high made his way in toward the throne of his father the High chief of the Hominids. When he stopped he looked up at his sire without the respectful bow he was entitled to. Anon Baba stood up letting the robes he was wearing fall off to reveal his strong muscled physique. He slammed his staff down again rattling the room with the force of his anger and silencing the observing crowd.
"Igoro." Thundered the room. "What is the meaning of this? I made my positition clear to you and you have disobeyed me and invaded the lands out beyond our jungle. Explain yourself."
"I should think my motive are just as clear as your orders were Father." He said with a smile on his simian face. "I have taken the first step in declaring the Hominids the master race of Aspana. Something you should have done lone ago."
"Have a care my son." Anon said. "It takes more then strength and determination to win a war. You forget one of the most basic lessons I have tried for years to teach you. Its not about what you want or whats good for you. A wise chief puts the need of his people before his own needs. I know you want to rule all of Aspana. But have you even thought about how many will die trying to make you the master of your world? Do you even care?"
"No." He said. "I don't care. They are small and insignificant. I will be the master and their lives are nothing compared to mine."
Anon shook his head in disappointment at his sons attitude. He turned to the audience that stood back listening.
"Is this really what you want?" He asked. "Are you all willing to give yourselves over to this madman?"
Igoro stepped up in between his father and the others.
"Don't ask them. I am the one you are talking to." Igoro pushed his robes off to get ready to battle. "You have served here as chief for to long. Your time is done. Father, I challenge you to the right of ascension."
"Who stands with you Igoro?"
Igoro turned to look at me to stand with him. I turned away from him to stand with my Grand sire.
"You won't stand with me, Goren? So be it."
As father turned to the crowd, several members of the his crowd stepped out to stand with him.
"We stand with Igoro."
"The challenge has been made." An elder said. "Anon, do you accept?
"Yes." He said as he slammed his staff down again. "I accept."
As Anon stepped out, he and Igoro moved into position in the center of the chamber to start their duel.
"Challenge is accepted." The elder said as he moved back and out of their way. "This is a challenge for the leadership of the Hominids. It is to the death. The challenge begins now!"
With a twist of his wrist, Igoro sent out his first spell. A blast of mystical blue energy shot out from his hand. Anon raised his shield in plenty of time to avoid the blast and send it back at Igoro. With a wave of his hand Igoro dismissed the blast then shook his fist and slammed it down causing a force of energy to appear over his fathers head. As he slammed down, the force came down trying to crush Anon. With a quick sweep of his staff, Anon parted the energy field and again through it back at Igoro.
"You will have to do better then that to defeat me Igoro." Anon said. "You won't beat me with spells I taught you."
"Then I'll have to get more inventive, won't I"
With a swing of his staff, Igoro conjured a lightning storm and sent stray bolts at Anon. With quick reflexes, Anon raised his staff and batted away each bolt. As he worked to avoid the lightning, Anon left an opening in his defenses. With an evil smile, Igoro conjured a series of silver daggers and sent them at his father right through the hole. As the daggers streaked in, Anon turned and caught them coming out of the corner of his eyes. Spinning around, Anon directed his shield to expand blocking all but one of the daggers. As the dagger sank into Anon's side, Goren yelled causing his father to turn his way. With that momentary distraction, Anon reached out with a telekinetic hand and grabbed Igoro. He raised him up over their heads then slammed him back.
"Keep your eyes on the battle, udanganyifu."
"Your right father." Igoro said as he stared at Goren with a venomous look. "Never again will I let sentiments cloud my mind. I don't need family or friends, they will only hold be back from reaching my goal. I will be the lord of all I see. I will be the master of Aspana, then I will take all of Keanna. And it will all start here."
As Igoro continued with his rant, Anon looked down to Goren.
[He speaks of great ambition.] He sent. [Goren, he will win this battle, but it is not over. He is wrong. friends and family are important. They are worth fighting for. Your father will do a lot of damage and many will die before he is stopped. We will lose both friends and family to his ambition, but the day will come when you will have to face him. Be strong little one, the battle is not lost. We may still win the day.]
Goren tried to ask his Grand sire to explain, but it was to late. The battle had begun again. With his hands held up, Igoro called down a rapid series of bolts and sent them at Anon. As they hit his shield, Goren saw cracks appear. Anon felt a series of shots that ran through his body.
"Beware my son." He said. "Do not allow your ambition to be your worst enemy."
"All my enemies will fall father, just like you."
With his hand held up, Igoro channeled the last of his hate into one final blast. Like a small sun the blast appeared and streaked straight at Anon. With his shields weakened, he didn't even try to avoid it. Instead he raised his hands and stopped it just before it hit him.
"You have won Igoro." He said calmly. "You are now the chief of the Hominids. But heavy is the crown on one that does not deserve the tittle. You may find out one day that being the chief is not as pleasing as you think. With my last ounce of power I pass on my knowledge to the one that deserves it most. Myumbo Igoro, may you one day learn the true meaning of honor."
As the blast hit Anon there was a great flash that blinded everyone. When there eyes cleared, Anon was gone. Only his staff remained. With a loud row of laughter, Igoro stepped forward to collect his prize.
"It last it is mine!!" Igoro reached down to grab the staff. As he touched it there was a sudden burst of energy. Igoro jumped back covering his eyes. When he reopened them, the staff was in Goren's hands.
"Give me that!!" He shouted. "Its mine!!"
As Goren held it out to his father, the staff disappeared.
"You have won the challenge." The elder said. "The Hominid tribe is yours to rule, but your father's staff is not yours nor will it ever be. It is Goren's now and it will always protect him."
Denied his prize, Igoro made his way over to stand before his son. Goren could see the anger in his fathers eyes, but he dare not raise a hand to his son. He know the staff would protect him. Instead he just turned and walked away, then called back to Goren.
"Anon is no more." He said. "I am chief now. Your day will come, and when it does, I will destroy you. Staff or not, you will die."

After an hour, Akani woke from his short nap refreshed and ready to go. Aggar explained where they would be going next as Msia shifted to his dragon form and moved to a better position for them to climb up onto his back. With Aggar and Akani set on his back, Inferno shook out his wings and launched himself into the sky. From the mountain cave they flew west to avoid Mancoro then turned south and headed for the Gosia. Gosia is a rocky land on the southern tip of Aspana. Not much lived there, just a few fishing villages and a few Sealen communities. From Goswia, They headed south over the Stygian sea and in to Basmasia. Basmasia was a violently volcanic island with very few inhabitants. The eastern side of the island was totally covered in volcanic ash and mud while the other three sides flourished with exotic plant life. Tropical fruit and vegetables grew wild all over the island. It had once been the home of a large Griffin community until the last Dragon war where it is said they were all wiped out. What better place to hide Dragon eggs than in the home of what was once they're most hated enemies.
As they flew over the coast of Basmasia, Akani held tightly to Inferno. Aggar knew he had his eyes closed. This was probably one of the most frightening things he had even done. But if he was going to be Msia's second, he had better get use to flying.
"Akani." Aggar squeezed his side. "Open your eyes. There's nothing to be afraid of. Inferno won't drop us."
[No my friend, I won't. Please trust me, I won't let you down.]
Slowly Akani opened his eyes to look at the beautiful scenery below them. It almost looked like paradise. There were fields of wheat growing wild and he could see grape vines from where he sat. There were pineapple plants and coconut and mango trees which suddenly made him realize how hungry he was. As they flew lower, they saw huts dotting curtain parts of the island. The island was differently inhabited. Akani nudged Aggar and pointed down at the huts.
"Yes." He said. "We should be careful. We know nothing about what may live here."
[I'm going to land there in that opening.] Inferno sent. [ Hold on tight.]
Beating back with his wings, Inferno dropped softly down for a landing. Once down, he stretched out his leg so Aggar and Akani could climb down from his neck. As Aggar and Akani stepped down off his leg, Inferno shifted back to his Msia form, and they were ready to start the search.
"Inferno says we should start searching there," Msia pointed to the volcano off in the distance.
"There must be hundreds of caves all around that thing." Aggar said. "How are going find it? It would take all day to search them all."
"When we get close to where they are hidden, I will sense them."
"Then we better get moving." Aggar said. "Mulu could already be here."