Lions, Tigars and Dragons, Oh my. 31

As the morning sun peaked over the mountains behind New Keanna, Jandar tossed and turned in the fit if a nightmare.
"No!," He moaned over and over until Rage woke up and pulled him into a warm embrace. "No, get away from my son!"
"Wake up Love," Rage ran his hand across his hairless sweat covered chest then touched him between his eyes to wake him up. "It's only a dream."
With a jolt, Jandar opened his eyes and looked up into Rage's eyes. Rage smiled and hugged him close kissing his ear, sliding his tongue over the lobe.
"The boys will be OK," He said with a squeeze. "Don't worry so much."
"Don't be so sure of that," Jandar sat up in bed. "If my dreams are right, Aspana could be in a lot of trouble."
"Aspana?"
"That's where they are." Jandar pulled away from the covers and sat on the side of the bed and grabbed his robe.
"Where are you going?" Rage asked.
"I need to talk to Athene." He slid his feet into his slippers. "Her dreams are more accurate than mine.
"You really are worried?" Rage pushed away from the covers and hurried around to Jandar's side of the bed. "Wait for a second and I'll get dressed."
As Rage pulled on underwear, Jandar tossed him his robe and they left their suite. They ran down two floors and down the hallway and made a left to find Adam and Athene's apartment. As they approached, Adam opened the door. He was dressed in bed clothing. He was just about to get some rest. He had been on duty at the gate last night.
"Come in," He stepped to the side to let them in. As the kings of New Keanna entered the apartment, Athene was standing there dressed in green and blue silks looking lovely as the midnight stars.
"I know why your here," she said.
"Then you can answer my question?" Jandar looked at her with worried eyes. "Are they OK?"
"Right now there is a lot of danger." Athene offered them seats so she could explain. "There is a war going on in Aspana, and this Mulu Amin is very very dangerous. I......"
Suddenly the door burst open and Tara Rudd and Rose Avenda ran in with tears in her eyes. Athene went to her and took the crying woman in her arms.
"Tara," she said. "What's wrong?"
"Our children are gone!!" Rose cried.
"What?" Jandar said
"We can't find them," She cried."They weren't in bed when we went to wake them up this morning."
"Could they be spending the night with someone?" Rage asked. "Maybe Graym or Dancyia?"
"They would have told me before going," Tara said. "They're welcome to do overnights as long as I get an OK from the parent they are staying with. They know that."
"Calm down Tara, we'll find them." Athene led her to a couch and sat her down. "I'm sure of that. Can I get you something hot to drink?"
"How do you know?" Rose cried. "They could be hurt or in trouble out there somewhere. I wish Tomar was here, he'd know what to do."
"We'll find them, Rose." Rage said patting her on the shoulder. "Call the Shadoe's and Cheshire. We'll start searching in an hour. They can't have gone that far."
"Adam and I will help," Athene said. "Just let us get dressed and we'll meet you downstairs."
"OK." Rage said."I'll call the others and get Ariel to stay with Tara. We'll see you downstairs in ten minutes."
As Jandar and Rage left Athere's rooms, Rage still had Quynn and Sky on his mind,
"Aren't we forgetting something?"
"No," Jandar said. "I'm not forgetting our son. He's always on my mind."
"You mean like you forgot to tell me they were going to Aspana? We need to talk later" Rage said. " Then what are we going to do?
"We are responsible for all the people of New Keanna," Jandar said sadly. "That's what being kings mean. Our subjects come first. We'll have to hold off on looking for them until Tara's children are found."
I know you're right," Rage said as lite puffs of smoke rose from his breath. "But my mind will be on him while we search."
"I know Love," Jandar said patting Rage's bottom. "I'm worried too, but we are kings and they are our princes. They have to take care of themselves and we must trust them to take care of their own problems."
With smoke rising from his head and shoulders, Rage hurried down to there suite with Jandar right behind him. Dressing in their leathers, they called out for Graym, Jayce, and Pelic to meet them down in the courtyard. As they reached the first floor, they made their way to the main entrance. Once outside Jandar put two fingers to his lips and sent out a loud whistle. Moments later a loud pair of howls came back to answer his call.
From the front stairs of the manor, Jandar and Rage walk down and around to the side and into the rose garden. Red, pink, blue, green, and yellow roses bloomed along with many different cross species of the flower of all colors filled the garden thanks to Dreik. As they made their way to the center, Graym and Pelic came drifting over the flower wall to land beside them.
"Has there been any word?" Jandar asked.
"No," Graym answered. "I should have been watching them closely. Rose will never forgive me."
"It's not your fault," Pelic said, his voice was gentile coming from beneath his gray hood. "They are children and they will get themselves into things no matter what you do."
Just then there was a bright flash of light and Jayce dropped down to join them.
"Aiya your majesties." He bowed to Rage and Jandar. "What can I do for you today?"
Jandar gave him stern look then turned as the others joined them from town.
"I'm sorry to pull you all from your busy day, but we have a problem. Four of our children are missing and they must be found immediately. They disappeared last night between 9 M.A. and 6 S.A.  Graym, and Jayce, fly out south. Search Winterhaven and the Darkforest. Call out to me if you find anything.
With a nod. Graym and Jayce took off.
"That leaves west and north. Rage, Dreik, and Blink will take west over the Kolvir. Search the trails, the forest, and the Durmista caves. I will take Cheshire and the Snowdogs and go north. Does anyone have any questions?
"What about the east?" Sara asked.
As he turned to Sara, the wind blew his dark hair over his face. Jandar wasn't sure where the kids had gone, but he was doubtful that they had gone out to sea. How could he tell that to Sara? She had been left out of so many missions, he knew she wanted to do her part. It wouldn't hurt to let her try.
"Your right Sara," Jandar gave her a smile with his twinkling eyes. "Message down and have Caldar Dylani send someone to join you as a guide, Anything else?"
No one spoke out.
"Then let's get going,"

From Deneg in the north to Torbid in the south, war raged all across Aspana. Lines of displaced refugees hid by day from Mulu's bands of Dog raiders who struck out at anything that moved. Mulu's slave pens grew larger every day as his warriors dragged wounded and scared refugees back to be put in chains. The sounds of their screams could be heard for miles all around. In Torbid, the Sealen city had a rich trade center and its seaport was second to none. Their fleet counted over forty and was usually spread all across the southern hemisphere of Keanna shipping exotic fruit and animals. The Sealen people were master tradesmen with customers from Aquilona under the western sea to Liamiport in the exotic east.
The Sealen had fought bravely against the Hyenens. The battle was going in their favor until the Demondogs arrived and joined the fray. As the battle raged, the first Demondog charged in blasting the line of Sealen scattering the warriors across the battlefield. Bravely the Sealen climbed back on their feet ran back at the Demondog. With his spear raised the first Sealen stabbed up into the Demons back and shoved the barbed head in. As the Demon screamed in pain, the Sealen pulled his sword and chopped down into it's back. Weakened by the attack the Demondog fell convulsing to the ground. As the Sealen took that chance to attack, the Demondog was up with an evil grin slashing at his enemies.  Seeing their comrades fall, the Sealen rallied themselves for a new offensive. With some of Aspana's finest wizards on the city wall sending out their strongest spells, the Sealen attacked Mulu's ships. They hacked and tore out the bottoms of the invading ships sending them to the bottom of the bay. Hyenen warriors dived out of the ships thinking to swim for their lives. Unfortunately, Hyenen weren't too much for swimming. Most of them sank right to the bottom. Only the Demondogs were able to make it to land without drowning.
With their weapons drawn and their determination set, the Sealen charged into battle. Swords flashed in brave comradely as Demondogs fell under the assault. Jackals rushed in to take up the place of the fallen Demons. As the two enemies clashed, the Sealen's courage rose to a high point. They had finally overcome Mulu and his Demon's, now it was time to launch their final attack and drive the dogs away from their city.
Like their brothers the Dolphins, Sealen warriors leaped from the water armed and ready to decimate their enemy. The Hyenen pulled back with fear in their eyes until they had all made it to cover. As the Hyenen's cowered in fear the Sealen charged in to reap their glorious win. All of a sudden a cry came from beyond the battlefield and Nereus and his Griffin brothers dropped down out of the sky to attack the Sealen. Sealen warriors screamed as Griffin's hot claws ripped into their bodies. Soon, countless Sealen had fallen under the Griffin assault. The Sealen commanders screamed for their warriors to retreat. As the brave Sealen turned away from the battle, they cursed the laughing Griffin's as they limped away carrying their wounded comrades. Today they lost the battle because of Mulu's pact with his dark god, but there would be a day when the Sealen and the rest of Aspana would triumph and put Mulu and his god down.
As Nereus made his way to Mulu's tent, he watched as Mulu turned his dark magic on his own warriors. As they begged for mercy, Mulu cursed each one causing flames to break out all around them.
"Who are you stranger and why have you come to help me?"
"I am Nereus." Nereus bowed to Mulu never taking his eyes off the Warlock. "I am here to help you take control of Aspana and make it yours."
"I hope you can do a better job then they did." Mulu motioned to the burning piles to their side. "I don't take well to failure."
"I never fail," Nereus said insulted.
"That's what they said." Mulu laughed. "What makes you so sure you can help me?"
"I can bring you Dragons."
"Come." Mulu waved him over. "Let's talk."

Zakia Manzi was in a very dark mood. The Tigaren capital palace had been raided and their royal family was taken captive. Zakia had no idea where. But there was one clue. The palace reeked of dark magic. Zakia could feel it all around him. That was Mulu's mistake. With a smile, Zakia raised his hands and weaved a spell that would trace the spell used on the palace. As he sat down and spun his tracer spell, red and blue lights flashed, then the room settled with a green haze as the spell took effect. Zakia's eyes glazed over and a grim look settled on his face.
As Zakia got to his feet, two Hyenen warriors rushed into the room. With a quick turn, Zakia cast out a simple force spell that grabbed the warriors and slammed them into the palace wall. As the warriors fell, Zakia turned and calmly made his way to the room's exit. He went from the throne room to the hall and down two flights of stairs to an audience room where he stopped at a stone wall and placed his hand on the wall. Bright blue lights flashed as the wall accepted him as a member of the royals.
As Zakia stepped in a bright light flashed as he stepped through a force wall set up by the enemy Warlock. Through the force barrier, Zakia looked up to find a familiar enemy standing at the Tigaren wall near a vault where the family jewels and weapons could be found. Jaffa Uda, a sly and aggressive wharf Rat with one golden eye and a broken tail from a battle he had won against an Elf back in his early days.
Dressed in a gray hooded robe with stars that danced all over him, and his amulet of Ragamon glowing around his neck, Jaffa stopped his spells and looked toward Zakia.
"Myumbo Jaffa Uda," Zakia said as he entered the room. "It has been a long time since we last met."
"Yes, Zakia." Jaffa walled out from the wall where he had been tried to break a spell. "I see you are still faithful to Yonas and the Tigaren kingdom. Tis a shame I will have to kill you. There's so much we could learn from each other."
"Like loyalty and honor?" Zakia through back his head laughing. "Master Stevn always said that would be your downfall. Gold could never be a master to standby. an incentive to learn or be faithful."
"And you think the Tigaren's better?"
"Oh yes." Zakia smiled as his staff started to glow. "Tigar is where my heart will always belong. They are my friends and my family. I will die before I let anyone kill my king or my nephew.."
"Then today is the day you will die, old friend." As Jaffa stepped forward, a bolt of green power shot out from his hands. Spreading his hands, Zakia formed a pulse shield that sent the bolt back at Jaffa. Leaning out, Jaffa caught the bolt and took it in his hands and spun more power into it, then he sent it streaking at Zakia. As the bolt came at its target, Zakia lifted his staff and swung batting the bolt high over their heads into the jungle.
With his staff over his shoulder, Zakia stepped closer to Jaffa. The Warlocks amulet glowed brightly from their battle.
"You didn't think Mulu would send an apprentice, did you?" Smoke rose steadily from Jaffa's hooded robe.
"Your experience doesn't matter," Zakia said. "You fight for gold and that's just a thing with no honor or meaning. I could give you all the gold you want with a snap of my fingers."
Turning around, Zakia snapped his fingers and conjured a pile of gold that was stacked to the ceiling.
In a few steps, Zakia had a hand full and he tossed it to Jaffa.
"This doesn't mean anything to me." With another snap, The gold was gone, all Jaffa had was what Zakia had tossed to him. "You risk your life for that? That's nothing to lose your life over. You have no honor."
"Maybe I don't," Jaffa said as he stuffed his pockets. "But it will be your downfall."
"I doubt it." Zakia leaned forward with his arms at his side wrapped around his staff. "You may attack first.
Laughing at Zakia's confidence, Jaffa raised his hand and spoke a few soft words that sent a storm of gray static at Zakia. Bubbling and boiling the gray clouds of static came at Zakia, he took his staff and started to spin it around and around. In less than a second he stopped and pushed the static up into the air. Like dark specks of rain, it fell down on Jaffa burning its way into his robe. Jaffa screamed and fell to his knees shooting the specks away from him leaving his robe torn in spots.
Lifting his head, Jaffa stared back at Zakia with glowing menacing eyes. Getting to his feet, he shot a beam of concentrated power at Zakia. Holding his hands in a fist before him, the beam came in and struck. Zakia screamed holding his glowing fist over his head. The pain ran through him frying nerves and searing muscled all through his body. As his blood started to boil in his veins, he gasped some kind of healing spell that reached out to heal his body. Zakia fell limp to the ground. Staggering forward, Jaffa looked over his downed enemy. There were no life signs, Zakia looked as if he wasn't breathing but that could be a trick. As Jaffa moved forward, a spark of life slipped into Zakia and his eyes slowly opened, Confident of his success, Jaffa reached down and grabbed Jaffa by his throat. Blood ran from his mouth and his eyes had no life shine.
"It's over." Jaffa lifted Zakia in triumph. "I win and you can take your honor with you to the underworld!!"
"I think not!"
Suddenly Zakia opened his eyes and lifted his staff. A bolt of lightning erupted all around Zakia throwing Jaffa to the ground as Zakia rose high over him.
"This is far from over." Zakia settled to the ground.
Hurrying to his feet, Jaffa threw a wave of dust and dirt at Zakia then followed with a powerful blast. With his power shield still up, Zakia let the blast hit the shield then countered with a swift hammer blast pile driver blow that sent Jaffa flying off his feet. As he shook his head to focus his power, Jaffa threw his hands up casting a wide field of dark energy at Zakia. As he shook out his dreadlocks, Zakia raised his hands and watched the darkness descend upon him. As far as he knew, there was no way to counter the darkness that was coming toward him. Darkness was the ultimate of evil spells and Master Stevn had never taught the dark craft or how to counter it. The only thing Zakia could think of was to rely on his faith and his honor to drive the darkness back. As the darkness crept toward him, Zakia calmed his mind and set himself down folding his legs beneath him. This would be his last chance. He hoped they would all be with him tonight. With his staff held out, he called out for help.

"I CALL UPON ALL THE MASTERS OF
 TIGAREN PEOPLE.
STEVN AND WHAYU.
LAMU AND FARAJI.
KHALFINI AND MBITI.
BAYANA AND MSHINDI.
THE DARKNESS THREATENS
OUR PEOPLE AND IT IS
ONLY WITH YOUR HELP
WILL WE PREVAIL? WE NEED
 YOUR RIGHT TO FIGHT
THE DARKNESS."

As Jaffa's darkness spread through the room, Zakia was pulled up off the ground to hover four feet in the air surrounded by a savage light. Lightning flashed in colors unknown to the normal sight as the darkness fought the light for supremacy. To Zakia it looked as if the light and darkness had become vicious beings fighting for their own place in the world. Back and forth the battle raged as the war of light and darkness went on with each blow vibrating with blinding flashes of pain. As the war went on, Zakia could feel his strength grow with each blow. The light struck harder and harder making sparks explode in the air. Soon Zakia could see Jaffa convulse as each blow absorbed more and more of his strength. The light grew stronger and stronger until soon it was so bright that there was an explosion that threw the two combatants apart.
When Zakia got to his feet, he could feel the raw strength running through his body. The bone staff that he carried now was made of pure silver and light. There was something different about him. He could feel the change that ran through his body. As he looked out he saw Jaffa laying broken against the wall and Yonas and Kapor were sitting up staring at him with a bewildered look on their face.

"What's going on?" Yonas said. "We're in the treasure room. What are we doing here? The last thing I remember was we were under attack? What happened?"
"Many things happened," Zakia said. " "We're still being attacked. Follow me and I'll explain."

And Death to you all. 30

As Ranjer looked up, there on the hill sitting on the backs of dog beasts sat a line of short furred, long-eared Dog men in neat gold and silver band like armor. Each one was armed with a spear, a long sword, a short sword and either a bow or a club for short range fighting.
"Move away from the Master's pits Human." Snarled the lead warrior. Ranjer looked at the others, then stood up to face them.
"Who are you?" Ranjer called out with his hand on his hilt. "My orders were to bring them in to be judged by the Master. He never said anything about an escort."
"That's because he never gave you those orders," He yelled as he climbed down off his mount. "I am General Clav Do' gon. I am in charge of all of Mancora's armies and troops. Mulu took a chance on you thinking you might be some help with destroying the Tigaren's and Pantheren's but that doesn't seem to be the case. You will stand forward and allow my warriors to take you into our custody, or we will take you by force. What will it be?"
[Listen everyone.] Ranjer sent out. [This isn't going as easy as I thought it would. Deja, you free out friends trapped in the pits while Kifedi, Ferel and I hold these troop back. Move as fast as you can, I get the feeling we might need a little help. I don't think General Do' gon is going to take my bullshit for very long.]
[Be fast my love,] Kifedi kissed Deja. [Do'gon is known for his cruelty. I will not allow him to take us. I will kill to prevent that.]
As Ranjer looked up and down at the troop Do'gon had brought with him, he had to admit to himself that these warriors looked ready and able to do some real damage on him and the others. Ranjer couldn't let that happen. He also couldn't allow Quynn, Sky and the others to spend one more night in the hands of that Aspanan dictator. Mulu had destroyed many communities all across Aspana and they had no idea what he would do next. But there is one thing they all knew. He had to be stopped before his army was so big that he was a treat to the reason of Keanna.
Turning his charm up, Ranjer walked out to stand mere feet away from the Hyenen General. His aura of manliness and sexuality flowed out to overwhelm the general's senses. To Do'gon, Ranjer suddenly seemed taller and more muscular. He was more than handsome with a sparkle in his eyes and smile that had the General's heart pumping like mad.
"There must be some mistake," Ranjer said with an innocent look. "I'm not the dangerous one here. It wasn't me that attacked Starspeak and burned the Aerie to ash. I didn't order Goren's wife beaten and beheaded. I didn't order you and your troops to butcher innocent towns and villages. Mulu did this. He's the one that betrayed you, but here you are now ready to attack me."
General Do' gon stared at Ranjer unsure of what to say or how to react. He felt a sudden surge of adrenaline and the rise of his penis in his armor. He was turned on by the Human. There was no doubt about that, but what should he do about it? He had to find a way to get him alone, then he could make his advance toward him.
With his hand up, he signaled his lieutenant to stand at ease, then he started forward toward Ranjer and his rebels.
"General?" Lieutenant Osten called. "What are you doing?"
"Take the others." Do'gon ordered. "Leave him to me."
"NOW!"
Spreading his arms, Ranjer blasted the warrior line taking down five Dog warriors then leaped into the air shifting to his Eagle form. Behind him, Ferel pulled his sword and dived in slicing left then right, a stab to the center as he flipped and cut down his fourth victim. Kifedi howled and took his Demondog form. With extended arms, he grabbed two warriors and threw them at the line where they crashed down into the crowd knocking out another two warriors. From high above, Ranjer streaked then dived down slashing at a warrior as he pulled his sword to defend himself. He slashed high over his head trying to cut the eagle down. Shifting again, Ranjer fell hard stabbing down with his sword. The warrior gasped as blood bubbled out from his dying lips.
Standing at the lip of the pit, Deja searched the rim for a way to break the spell holding the prisoner in. She couldn't tell who was in the pit. But she knew whoever it was, they were an enemy of Mulu. That made them a possible friend to her. Breaking them free might give them a reason to join with them against the Hyenen. Scattered all around the top of the pit, Deja saw bones scattered like small rocks. Embedded into the ground in four even places, there were yellow crystals that glowed with power. That had to be it. Reaching out she grabbed a stone and slammed it down into a crystal and scattered it. With a flash of light, the spell broke freeing its prisoner. Stepping closer to the rim, Deja gazed down to see who the prisoner in the pit was. Suddenly there was a roar and something leaped out over Deja's head. Turning around, Deja found herself standing face to face with a five-foot tan lion.
"Sakura? Is that you?"
[Yes.] He sent as he leaped into battle. [Get the others out. We'll take care of these Mutts.]
Snarling with anger, Sakura smacked a warrior dragging his claws across his chest. As he spun around, a warrior raised his sword aiming to drive it through Sakura's back. With a mighty thrust, the sword fell and snapped into three pieces and fell clattering to the floor. Confused, the warrior stood there opened mouthed. Then Ranjer was on him, appearing out of the mist where he had deflected the blow on Sakura's back.
[My thanks. friend.] Sakura sent as he shifted back to his normal form and grabbed a warrior and punched him twice in the face and then in his gut, as it fell, Sakura reached down and grabbed its sword. Armed and ready, Sakura jumped to Ferel's side and helped him keep the warriors from interrupting the battle being fought by the two leaders.
Armed with the Punisher, a weapon forged and created in Settlement by Jandar and Dreik. Ranjer and General Do'gon faced off.
"Your spell has worn off Human," Do' gon said as they walked in a circle. "I know who you are now."
"You know nothing General." Ranjer laughed as his eyes started to glow. "I am not what you think I am. I am much more than a Human. I am Ranjer Davelo Zlenka Tyr, prince of Vasagi and Tir Na. I will give you this chance to turn and leave and it will be as if we never met. But if you raise your sword to me, your life will end here. Is Mulu really worth all that? Decide now."
Without any further conversation, Do' gon charged in with his sword raised and ready to fight. His sword swung down slamming into Punisher then he spun slamming twice at Ranger's side. Punisher followed Do'gon's swing with an effortless style then swung around to deliver and blow to Do'gon's side slicing through his chainmail. With a groan, Do' gon stabbed in then kicked out into Ranjer's knee. For a second his knee buckled but as Do' gon tried to take advantage, Punisher was there to counter his blow.
As Mulu's troops fell and Quynn, Sky, and Astan made their way out of the pits, Do'gon backed away from Ranjer. He had lost and Mancoro was now in the enemies hands. Mulu's outrage could be heard echoing through the hills and the streets and home of what was once his home.
[YOU HAVE FAILED ME DO'GON AND LOST MY HOME!!]
"I'm sorry Master!" He screamed. "I tried but they were more powerful than my troops and I."
[YOU WANT POWER?]
"Yes." He yelled. "To defeat your enemies, give me the power!!!"
[Very well.] Mulu said. [I will give you what you want. I will give you more than you can handle.]
As Do' gon backed away laughing, his body started to give off a strange glow. Ready to continue their battle, Ranjer stepped up and started spinning his hands as he launched his next spell. Blue bolts of power shot from his hands. They hit like hammers rocking Do'gon as he absorbed the energy. Curious, Astan sent two shots at Do'gon and watched as they were taken into him.
"No more!" Kifedi grabbed Ranjer. "Get away! Mulu is filling him with some kind of deadly energy. We must run and get away from here!"
Looking around, Sakura notices there was still one pit that hadn't been opened and his father wasn't there with them. Taking off in a run, he screamed to Astan.
"Love, there's one more pit there! It must be my father! We have to get him out!"
Together Sakura and Astan dived to the ground at the rim of the pit. This one was different than the one they had been in. There was no crystal generating power to keep its prisoner in. This one was being held by a complex spell that only Astan could see. Turning quickly, Astan grabbed Sakura.
"You must take the others and go." He gave him a quick kiss. "I will stay to break the spell."
"No!" Sakura cried. "We can do it together. I won't leave you!"
"You have to Love." Astan weaved a spell and cast it at Sakura. "I will need all my concentration to unweave the spell. I won’t have the power to protect us both. I love you Sakura. Now go!"
As Sakura disappeared, Astan reached out and took the strings of power in separated the reds from the green.
Out on the field, Do'gon had grown to ten feet as he reached for Kifedi who was last away right behind Deja. As Do'gon's hand wrapped around Kifedi, he lifted him then squeezed his hand close. Turning back, Deja screamed as she watched her love disappear in the hands of the monster. Seeing Deja scream, Quynn grabbed her and pulled her away while she yelled to let her go back for him.
"I WILL BRING DEATH TO YOU ALL!!!!!!"
Now Do'gon stood close to twenty feet tall and he was glowing so bright that he scared the people of Mancoro out of the village and into the jungle. With thunder like steps, Do' gon turned and saw Astan busy unraveling the strand of Msia's prison. In two steps he was there towering over the Tigaren who never stopped. With a maniacal burst of laughter, Do'gon slammed his foot down on the pit. Just then, Do' gon blew up, the explosion blasted an area of fifty feet around the pit devastating the village and all the jungle around it.
As Sakura sat up and brushed away the debris, he looked into the into where his mate had been working to free his father. There was nothing there except the burned remains of the Hyenen village.
"ASTAN!!!!!"
Getting to their feet, Sakura, Quynn, Sky, Ferel, and Deja ran hoping over debris and around potholes that covered the ground.
"Where is he?" Sakura said frantically digging and throwing debris as he searched for his love. Deja stood to the side crying, mourning the loss of her Hyenen mate. As Quynn and Sky joined the search, a shadow dropped down from above.
"I'm here Love," Astan called out. "So is Kifedi. We're safe."
As Inferno came down to land, Astan and Kifedi jumped down off his back. With tears in their eyes, Deja and Sakura ran to their mates and grabbed then in a tight hug and held on tight.
"I thought I lost you," Sakura said in his ear. "Please don't scare me like that again."
"But it’s Ok for you to go jumping into every battle you can find." Astan pushed away from Sakura. "I love you but I'm not an innocent child."
"Astan." Sakura frowned. "I'm the prince of Panthera and I have to protect both you and my country."
"Right, and I'm the Prince of Tigar and I have the same duties. I'm not a child, I'm a fully powered warlock and I can protect myself. I trust you to be a warrior, why can't you trust me?"
"I'm sorry Love." Sakura pulled him into his arms and kissed him. "I'll try and do better from now on."
"You better." Astan smiled.
"As Quynn and Sky watched, Sky turned to Quynn with an accusing look.
"I know," Quynn said. "I'll do better too."
After a hug and a kiss, Quynn went over to where Ranjer stood with Ferel.
"What are you doing here?"
"Looking for you," Ranjer frowned. "What did you expect your parents would do? You lucky it’s not Dreik, Denner and Tomar."
"So. What are we doing now?" Ferel asked.
"We go and finish this war," Msia said. "We go home, I'm sure that's where Mulu is."
After a search of what was left of Mulu's house, they started on their way north to Tigaress and Panthera. In a blasted tree outside the gate of Mancoro, something dark watched then left to report back to its Master. Now the hard part will begin.

On a hill over the border of Jameri, Aggar studied the maps of the region. There were Hyenens to the right and Jackals to the left. The only way to go was straight up the middle but there could be Jackals and Hyenens already there waiting for them. As he looked out at the horizon, Pretoni Janks, the chief of a Jaguar clan came up to stand at his side.
"What troubles you, my friend?"
"This." Aggar pointed at the map. "We're trapped here. The Hyenens are here and here while the Jackel’s are here blocking our way."
"Well, can't we go here straight up the middle?" Pretoni traced a line straight through the Elephant grazing land.
"Yeah, we could." Aggar nodded with a frown. "But we don't know what's in there. It could be a trap. Perfect place for it, don't you agree?"
"Yes." Pretoni agreed. "They could be stationed right behind that ridge. What do you suggest?"
"I have a friend who might be able to help."  Turning away from Pretoni, Aggar told him to wait here, then he started up to his white tent. There, he found Akani staring blindly into space. Aggar knew that look wasn't good, he had seen it before."
"What is it?"
"We haven't made any headway into finding a new place for a Dragon. Dread not happy."
"Right now Akani," Aggar said, "I'm not sure we can find five people we can trust. Granting someone with Dragon status is not easy, we have to find the right one. Explain that to Dread. Tell him we are searching."
As Akani turned and looked to the west, his eyes glazed over as he lost contact with Aggar. He mumbled something then nodded and his eyes cleared.
"Dread understands and he says he'll give us more time. But he won't wait forever. He wants us to find two candidates within the next month. I think we can do it."
"So do I." Aggar shook his hand. "If we can end the war. Right now I need your help. We have to get back to Msia and my daughter Deja. To do that, we'll have to get our warriors through and back on the road to Tigaress."
"It won't be easy." Akani said. "As a matter of fact, it could be impossible."
"Have faith, my friend. Aspana still has heroes to protect it. Mulu hasn't won yet."
"Then let’s get on with it." Akani stood up and shook Aggar's hand. "We have a war to win."
After explaining their plan to Pretoni, Aggar and Akani headed out onto the savanna to open the way for their warriors to advance.

As the noon sun shined down on Tigaress, Palas dropped down from the sky at the city's main gate. He was surprised to find it open and unguarded. Hyenen's could walk in and take the city with very little effort. Something was wrong here and he was going to find out what it was. With his talons out and ready to fight, Palas entered the gate. The city was quiet, there was no one out and moving around the usually busy streets. As he looked to his left, Palas saw three Tigaren warriors laid out outside of the gatehouse. Hurrying over, he checked for a pulse. It was strong and steady. They were alive, unconscious, and not dead.
Moving on. Palas headed into the market place. There were Tigarens everywhere. It looked as if they had been going on with their normal day, and suddenly they dropped right where they were, bags and packages right at their sides. From the marketplace, Palas moved into the suburbs and the outer homes of Tinpa. It was clean and properly kept with fountains and parks and more of its citizens lying about asleep in the grass.
As Palas searched the city, an ominous feeling came over him. He knew Mulu and his troops were on their way to Tinpa. This might not be his work, but it had to be the work of one of his minions and for sure he would be coming to take advantage of it.
Spreading his wings, Palas shifted to his hawk form and took off for the palace. He flew high over the noble section of Tinpa heading straight for Yonas castle. Outside of the castle, Palas saw five tall heavily armed warriors working to fortify the palace against attack. From high over the palace, he couldn't tell if they were Tigaren or invading Hyenen. As he dropped down to circle the towers, he saw the warriors pointing then run into the palace. Diving down, Palas searched the windows looking for an easy egress into the palace. He saw the royal bedrooms, outer chambers, and several studies. In each room, he saw warriors and palace staff laid out among broken tables, dishes, and cutlery. Tipping his wings, Palas flew lower and found the windows of the throne room. With a quick flutter, he set down in the window and peered down into the throne room. In the Tigaren throne room, Palas saw four Tigarens passed out on the floor and four Pantheren standing there watching them.
"Thror." A Pantheren warrior called. "Take the king and his brother out and lock them in the dungeon."
"Why Deisis?" Thror asked in a demanding voice. "They won't be putting up much of a fight. Let them stay there."
"You do as you're told boy!" Deisis grabbed him and shook him. "The spell works now but it may not work tomorrow. We have to be ready for all courses."
Thror grumbled then called the other two warriors over to help him. As they lifted Yonas and Kapor over their shoulders, Thror nudged Zakia Manzi.
"What about them?"
"The old one is no threat to us." Deisis took his cloak off the throne and started out. "Leave them. Meet me down in the king’s office when you're done."
"Yes, Sir."
As they left the throne room, Palas hopped in and dropped down to land on the king's throne. Pantheren warriors, what are they doing here? Nyo had said there was going to be an invasion but by the Pantherens? They are our allies. This makes no sense. As he hopped down, Palas shifted to his normal form. The old one and the boy lay there with a look of fear and confusion on their faces. Palas wasn't sure what he should do or how he could bring them out of their coma state, but he knew it was Tinpa's only chance. As he kneeled down next to Zakia Manzi, he felt a surge of power run through his him. Surprised, he fell back. It felt like a bolt of electricity burning through his body. Crawling forward, Palas reached his hand out to touch the warlock. Suddenly his fingers began to tingle. Balling his hand into a fist, Palas pulled back then kneeled in to look Zakia Manzi in his eyes. A burst of blue energy glowed deeply in his eyes. Tilting his head, Palas thought about what his next move should be. He knew the warlock was there trapped deep in his mind, somehow he had to get him out. Looking up, Palas said a prayer.
"Tyree, Nurisha. Aspana is in deep peril. The Hyenen's are on the march and they mean to make slaves of all our people. I am alone, all my people are gone, but there are others who fight at my side. Help us. Help us to overcome our enemy. Help us to free Aspana. I beg of thee."
As Palas finished his prayer, a soft glow spread out all over Zakia Manzi and Kyan. With shaking hands, Palas reached out and grabbed the Warlock. Power fulled Palas as he threw back his head in a silent scream. As they're bodies shook, Zakia Manzi shot up and was held high by the staff he was holding. Lightning struck down through the window striking Kyan and the warlock. In a flash of lightning, Zakia, Kyan, and Palas were thrown to the ground. Dizzy from his impact with the wall, Palas sat up and shook off the effects of the lightning. As he looked around the throne room, he saw Zakia Manzi climb up and go to where the Tigaren boy sat.
"You alright boy?" Zakia asked.
"Yes, Sir." He got up on his feet. "What happened?"
"I'm not sure," Zakia said as he turned to face Palas. "Who are you and why are you here?"
"My name is Palas Astraeus," Palas bowed his head in respect. "I came here to warn the king about a stranger my friends and I came upon in the Domina jungle."
"Domina?" Zakia looked at him confused. "What's Gorillas have to do with us?"
"You know of Igoro Baba?"
"Yes," Zakia's face turned cold as if he was dreading what Palas was about to say.
"The Gorilla warlock made a pact with a stranger outside of the gates of Domina. The stranger’s part was to kill Yonas Kinya."
"And what of Igoro?" Zakia asked. "What was his part?"
"His part was to kill Astan and Sakura. I was sent here to stop the assassin's plot. To keep Tigaress from losing its king. I pray I'm not to late.
As Zakia heard the facts from Palas, he folded his arms behind started to pace the floor in front of the throne. This news was unexpected. With Yonas and Astan dead, Kapor would inherit the throne. He can’t be behind this, can he? Only one way to find out.
"Kyan." Zakia turned to the boy. "Are you fit to fight?"
"Yes, Sir!" Kyan crossed his arms and made fists of his hands to salute the warlock.
"Now, if we only knew where they took the king, we would know where to start."
"Your king is in the dungeon." Palas told them, "I heard them talking as I came in."
"Good," Zakia said. "You take our friend Palas here to the dungeon. Free the king and Kapor, but watch Kapor. He might be the one behind this."
"Where are you going?" Kyan asked.
"I am going after their warlock," Zakia said slapping his staff against his hand causing it to glow with power. "To wake our people. He must be dealt with.

War. 29

 It was late in the evening as Ouzo Ounasi led a troop of twenty hunters back through the gates of Yamansa, the second of his two tribal clan holdings. They dropped their catch of three large elk beast and four Yak like herd animals at the cooking fires and went back to their dugouts for a short rest before heading back out for the next hunt. As Ouzo dropped his armor and under clothing, he stepped down into the mud pits and relaxed. He groaned as gas bubbles seeped out tickling the hairs on his strong Were human body.

As the fumes of the near narcotic Sagetalon plant burned relaxing Ouzo, the door burst and young Milnar ran in shouting something that for the moment escaped his Master.
"Master, Master!!" He shouted. "Our border has been attacked!"
"What?" Ouzo said as he jumped from the mud pits and shook off the mud staring at the youngster.
"Yansa!" Milnar repeated in his high pitched voice. "It's been attacked!"
 "Who dares to attack me?"
"I don't know Master," Milnar said. "Someone from Ona came in with burns all over his body. He fell at the gate crying about the attack. All he could say was Hyena."
"Then Mulu Amin is the culprit," He stepped from the pit and walked into his den. "Call my Warthogs out. Have them sharpen their tusks, we hurt wild dogs tonight."
As three of his bitch maids came in and strapped on his spiked caps across his chest and back then fitted his hands and feet with metal gauntlets. Steel tips were capped on his tusk and leather shorts were provided for his bottom. Dressed, Ouzo shifted to his Warthog form and charged out busting down the door and into the center courtyard. There he squealed out his call to war to his warriors.
In minutes, Warthogs dressed for battles came running out to join him. After a squeal of thanks, Ouzo shifted form to address his two hundred warriors.
"Hear me, my warriors," Ouzo called to the assembled mass of loyal fighters. "Today, Mulu Amin raided our land and attacked our people. Young and old, males, female, children and the old ones died. butchered at the hands of him and his dog warriors. Now we go out to return the battle to him. Join me now as we go to battle. Let's run my Warrior Hogs!!"
With a squeal, Ouzo shifted and ran off out of the gate with his two hundred battle hogs right behind him. The war for Aspana has begun. For good or for evil all the lives of the jungles would now battles for their right to be free and Sakura, Astan, Quynn, and Sky would be right there in the middle of it.

Tired from a day of conquest, Mulu walked to the center of Yansa and pushed open the drapes to Ouzo's main house. It was a two-story manse with six rooms on the first floor and five upstairs. From the front door, Mulu walked in and threw off his cloak as two Warthog warriors charged in to attack. as the first one sped at Mulu, he reached out and slammed a bolt down breaking the Warthogs neck as it smashed down into the ground. Turning to the next one, he sent one a slow-motion spell that slowed the Warthog down to a snail's pace. Laughing with madness, Mulu watched as the Warthog crawled slowly toward him. With one punch, he drove his fist in through his snout and pulled his brain out like the seed from an overripe avocado. Kicking the dead body aside, Mulu made his way in through the house from the front hall into the dining room where he pushed the long table into the wall where it smashed into splinters. Turning to the left, he started for the master's study as three Warthogs came barreling into the room. As he spun around, Mulu thrust out his hands and sent a blast of electrical energy into a Warthog. The blast sent it into convulsions. The momentum of the hog sent it crashing into the wall where it lay motionless and dead. Huffing with anger, the last two Warthogs charged thrusting their tusks out at Mulu's stomach. Slamming his hands together, Mulu vanished in a burst of smoke and lightning leaving the Warthogs no target but the brick fireplace where they crashed splitting their skulls open and spilling their brains all over the dining room.
With the fighting over, Mulu dusted himself off and headed into the study where he took his place on Ouzo's throne of silver, gold and precious gems. Placing his hand on his temple, he sent a call out to his chief lieutenant, Kifedi Waya to come and attend to his master's wishes.
Trotting in with his tail between his legs. Kifedi was a huge Demondog with red eyes and a slimy forked tongue. He stopped in front of Mulu and went down with his nose to the ground as he scratched desperately with his claws
"Well?"
[Yes, Master?] Kifedi sent looking nervous as he shook in fear.
Anger. Mulu slammed his fist down onto the throne sending pain into Kifedi's maw. Kifedi yelped falling to the side whimpering.
"Shift forms and face me, you useless bag of flesh!!" Mulu yelled as the Hyenen shifted forms. "Is the battle over? Are the Pigs all dead?"
"Yes, Master," Kifedi chuckled nervously. "They are all in the cooking fires. They  will be good eats."
"Yes, they will be," Mulu said. "But there are more coming. The old Master of this city in on the way to take his revenge. Have our warriors ready."
"Yes, Master." Kifedi stuttered as he backed out of the room. "Yes, We will be ready."
As Kifedi ran out to get everything ready. Mulu got up from the throne and walked to a mirror that lay shattered near one of the walls broken in his battle with the Warthog. He picked a large shard and placed it on a table near the throne. With a whispered spell and a wave of his hand, the glass grew opac, then smoky as the picture started to appear.
As the smoke faded, the savanna appeared. From the Jamuni Trees, Mulu knew it couldn't be no more than ten miles from Yansa. Then the Warthogs appeared with Ouzo Ounasi in the lead. Red spikes shined from the tip of his hose to the end of his tail while sparks flew high from the sharp electric iron fitted on his hooves. His eyes burned with power and his tusks shined needle sharp. Onzo was three times the size of any of his warriors making him a giant among his peers.
Smiling grimly, Mulu stepped down from the throne and shifted to his Demon form as he started on his way out to meet the War Pig. As he stepped out of what was once Ounasi manse, the smell of grilled Swine and Grog filled the air. Demondogs and Hyenen ran all through the holding carrying bones, bits and pieces of dead Warthogs while they finished their grubby meal. Mulu barked orders for them to get ready for the coming attack. Clubs and short swords were readied as they shook off the wild fever from their savage meal. Howling with madness, Demondogs took their place at the wall as the Hyenen's moved to the front gate where they would take the brunt of the attack.
Ready for battle, Kifedi took his full Demon form and stood ready with the Hyenens as Ouzo came crashing through city gates. With vengeance on their minds and the smell of canine in the air, Warthogs came charging in like mad bulls. The Hyenen front guard was trampled under foot like they were nothing. As they squealed with murderous intent, the Warthogs were on the Demondogs. They thrashed and ripped into them like chainsaws. Body pieces flew like autumn leaves from oak, maple and acorn trees. Teeth gnashed and hooves kicked and stomped while Demondogs fought back with extending sharp claws that torn limbs and hacked deeply into the Warthogs. Blood spilled leaving pools of bloody mud everywhere. Using magic granted to them by Mulu, the Demondogs took deep breaths and let loose streams of flame.Warthogs all over the yard dived for cover. All except Ouzo who stood there and took the full blast and shrugged it off then cast shields in front of his warriors to protect them. With Ouzo's shield protecting him, a Warthog puffed himself up and sent several of his spikes shooting toward a line of Demondogs blasting holes all through his chest. As it screamed, green blood shot out. It twitched and fell rolling in its own gore as it died. Seeing the Demondog die, spikes shot from several Warthogs wounding and killing them all over the yard. Encouraged by the tactic, Warthogs charged thrusting their tusks out slicing through the Demondogs defense.
As he watched his forces die, Mulu walked out through the battlefield swatting Warthogs as they attacked. Quietly and without much effort, he made his way to where Ouzo was fighting. His Demondogs were falling and that had to stop now. With a shrill cackle, Mulu called out a challenge to the Warthog chieftain.
"HEAR ME OUZO OUNASI! FACE THE LORD OF THE HYENEN AND DIE WITH HONOR!"
"It will not be me who dies Dog lord!" Ouzo shouted as he grabbed a Demondog by its throat and tossed it aside. "Your days of conquest are over. Aspana will not be bowing to you anytime soon."
"We'll see about that Pig." Mulu raised his glowing hand sent a power bolt it Ouzo. Shifting to Human, Ouzo threw both his hands up raising a shield deflecting the bolt. Thrusting out his hand, a blast of paralyzing energy shot out at Mulu and bounced off his chest. Stepping back, Mulu flipped his wrist, turning circles and sent a ring of golden bands at Ouzo. Like horseshoes, they spun around circling Ouzo sending shockwaves through his body. Ouzo shook and shivered spinning in place as he sent the electric energy into the ground.
"You must think I'm new at this." Ouzo said with a sly grin. "I am Ouzo Ounasi and this is not my first magical battle."
"It may not be your first," Mulu raised his hands. "But it will be your last!"
Spinning his hands in front of him, Mulu sent a series of energy balls at Ouzo.  Slapping his hands together, Ouzo conjured a bat like energy rod and hit the balls back at Mulu. With a wave, the balls were dispatched and absorbed by the Demon Lord. As Mulu twirled his hands over his head, he conjured an invisible power siphon and pushed it at Ouzo. Unaware of the danger, Ouzo balled his hands into fist and summoned more power to give himself an extra power left to battle Mulu.
Smiling, Mulu felt the power surge shoot at him from Ouzo's spell. Now he was ready to put an end to the Warthogs.
Power shot from Mulu like lightning bolts. It shot out striking each Warthog and burning them like bolts of lava. They all screamed as they burned down to puddles of sizzling flesh. Completely in shock, Ouzo screamed. All his warriors were dead. There was no one left to stand with him. He was now alone.
"You can give in to me now or we can go on until you are dead. Decide now. Either way, this is over and you lose."
Alone, Ouzo knew there wasn't anything left for him to do except to die. Feeling bold, he reached down and picked up one of his warrior's spiked belt. It was covered with blood, one of his clan members blood. Mulu was right, he had lost. But he would never give up. He would go down trying to kill that damned Dog.
"DIE YOU FUCKING MONGREL!!"
Ouzo charged at Mulu with the spikes raised to kill. Mulu threw a bolt at him that burned his screaming body to ash. So finished the Ounasi Warthogs. They fought bravely but in the end, Mulu was the stronger fighter.
"Who's next?"

Lost and alone, Fidon Ellon stumbled through the jungle looking for the way to Tigaress. His head was pounding from the beating he took at the hands of Kifedi Waya. He hated all those damned Hyenen. They killed his family and his entire congregation and left him alone. He thought back to  the morning when it all began,
Sunrise and Fidon and his brother were out into the swamp for their morning hunt. Fidon and Gernal shifted and set out to hunt. Fidon and Gernal were big like their father and the rest of the males in their line. In his crocodile form, Fidon is sixteen feet long weighing over three hundred pounds. His is a dark olive shade of green with a deep yellow underbelly. His four-foot long V-shaped snout was perfect for catching cattle, buffalo or anything that came in to try and get a drink from his hunting place. His tail was close to six feet long, able to swing and swat enemies with amazingly powerful force. In Human form, Fidon was very handsome with a dark complexion with black and brown sensory spots along the edges of his face, down his chest to the tip of his tail.
Gernal looked a lot like his older brother except he was two feet shorter and not quite as heavy. They were both bald like all the Crocodile folk, but elder males could grow facial hair in long braids.
The day's hunt was good. Both Fidon and Gernal brought down a gazelle and filled their bellies with good meat. Full, they swam and took Sun for the rest of the day. Gernal kept to Fidon's side nipping at his tail as they swam. Ready for a rest, they found a beach with both sun and shade so they wouldn't overheat themselves.
As they lay there listening to the singing of the birds, Fidon felt a sudden stab of pain in his chest as a scream gripped his brain and rang out all through his head. His hand reached up and grabbed his chest as he recognized his mothers scream. At that moment, he knew the pain was hers. Their congregation was under attack. Fidon knew he had to get back home fast.
[Gernal!] Fidon jumped as he shifted to his Human form. "Something's happened. Our swamp is under attack! We have to get home!"
[NO!] His father screamed in his head. [We are done. Your mother and sister is dead. All our people are dead. We were attacked by a Hyenen named Mulu Amin. He came in the morning after the nightly hunt while we were all full and ready to sleep. We didn't have a chance to defend ourselves. He was more powerful and deadly then we were able to fight. Take your brother and go see the king of Tigaress. He will help you to avenge us. Myumbo my son. Do not forget us. We love you.]
[FATHER!!!!]
There was no answer. Father was dead and we were alone. Our only chance was to do as he said and go to Tigaress. I swear that is just what we will do. If anyone tries to stop us, they will learn just how dangerous a pissed off Crocodile can be.

As the sun set in Mancora, Deja felt something hit her on her shoulder and woke her up. She rolled over and looked up over the rim of the pit and saw Kifedi Waya sitting there staring down at her. The sight of the Demondog scared her for a second, then he realized what it was. It was her chance at freedom if she played her cards right.
"Myumbo." She called up to Kifedi with a tearful voice. "Is anyone there? Can you help me please, I'm scared and I don't like it down here."
Sitting in the center of the pit, Deja cried and whimpered looking beautiful, desperate and sad. Kifedi sat up and looked down at her. He had never had a female look at him like that before. He wasn't sure what he should do.
"Please." She stood up trembling. "I want to go home. It's dark here. I'm scared."
"I'm sorry moja nzuri, this your new home," He said softly trying not to scare her. "You will be very comfortable here once the master rules Aspana. He will make you his Queen."
"I don't want to be queen," She cried. "I will miss my mother and my sister. What about Dori, my pet Galago, and my music? What will happen to them?"
"You can get new pets," Kifedi said trying to sound happy and excited. "And new music, we can sing and play sitar all night. And in the morning, the pájaros y ranas will sing us to sleep. I can make us happy here if you will just try. Please."
Kifedi shifted back to his Hyenen form and smoothed back his matted fur. He tried to hide the scars from all the beatings Mulu gave him and his fights and battles. He tried to make himself as presentable as he could so he could please his lady. But nothing could fix his mottled fur or the places where fur had been ripped out. The claw marks that ran down his maw. Suddenly he felt so ugly and he knew there was no chance that she would ever see the noble and lonely heart that beat in his chest.
He stepped back into the darkness trying to hide knowing how scared she would be if she got a close look at him.
"Samahani" Kifedi looked away with tears in his eyes. "Nisamehe."
As Deja listened, suddenly she wasn't scared of him anymore. Her mind reached up and saw what Aspana and the Hyenen had done to him. She saw every nick in his ears and his scars. The claw marks and the stripes on his back from Mulu's lash. The discolored fur and his missing toes. None of that mattered anymore, there was a handsome glow shining out from him showing her what his heart really looked like and she felt love grip at her heart.
"Please don't go," Deja moved closer to the edge of the pit. Her heart beat like jungle drums. "I'm not scared anymore. Can I get a closer look at you?"
"No," Kifedi moaned. "I am horrible. I look like a monster."
"That can't be true." She said. "I can feel your heart. It shines like a prince. Please, let me see you."
With a mighty leap, Kifedi jumped down into the pit and stood in the shadows on the other side trying to hide from her."
"Are you sure?" He said as he covered his face with his hands. "My face is grotesque. My body is scarred from years of abuse. I don't want you hurt by the way I look. I want you to always be happy when you think of me.
"What is your name?"
"Kifedi," He said. "Kifedi Waya."
"I am Deja Fen." She reached up and took his hands and pulled them gently down and smiled at him. "I think you are handsome my Prince. I think you are as handsome as a summer sunrise. As a matter of fact, I think I have found something I have been searching since I became of age."
With a tearful smile, Kifedi took Deja's hand and his heart melted and became hers. As he looked her in the eyes, he knew her words were coming straight from her heart and he knew she would be his princess. Mulu could go to hell for all he cared. He  wouldn't follow him for another second. He had to get her out of here and away from Mancora. He knew Mulu had put spells on the pit that  would keep Deja here, but those spells would not stop him. Taking her in his arms, Kifedi kissed her deeply sliding his tougue gently into her mouth as his hands roamed over her lithely sensitive back. With a groan of pleasure, Deja held his tight as she gave in to his passionate touch.
"We can't do this now," He said as their forehead touched. "We have to go now before Mulu comes back."
"Can you get my knives and my things?"
"I will have to go to the main house to get them," He told her. "Let me check and make sure there isn't anyone up top that will stop our escape. I will be right back."
After another kiss, Kifedi braced himself and jumped up and over the rim of the pit.
As a burst of joy filled Kifedi's heart, Atol the god of love smiled down on them. He had been watching and again, he was amazed at what love could do and he was proud of Deja. She had done something great and totally without any help from him.
[I see great things in store for you two.] He whispered. [And I will always be watching.]

After talking with a few of Mancoro's citizens, Ranjer and Ferel headed from south to the part of the town that Mulu kept for himself. Here he kept his prison pits, a study and a private place where he mixed his potion and did his conjuring. It was here Mulu stole the power of his Demon familiar and condemned it to its private hell. This is also where Msia spent his twenty five years imprisonment. As he passed the gate into Mulu's hell, Ferel smelled something that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. It was something he'd seen before and hoped never to see again. It stool tall on four legs with claws that could rip through granite. It had black and grey fur and yellow piercing eyes that brought fear on anyone that looked into then. It was called Garn, a beast from hell if there ever was one. When Ferel stopped, Ranjer felt Garn's probe touch his mind. It had a familiar feel to Ranjer, like a lost brother that had been gone so long its memory was nothing but mixed emotions.
Hurrying away from the Garn, Ranjer ran around a building and found himself back to Mulu's pits, but there was something different here now. A great golden frame with a huge mirror cast in it. As Ranjer and Ferel looked into to it, they saw what looked like a beautiful woman with red hair dressed in dark black and blue silks. as Ranjer stared at her, his stomach dropped and went cold.
"No!" He said stepping back. "It can't be! Its not possible!!"
"Oh but it is." She said as her glowing eyes looked up at him with a evil smile. "Aiya my son. Are you ready to join me in hell?"
"VELUSIA!!!"
"Yes, my love," She stood up as smoke started pouring off her body. "Mother is back you've been a naughty boy."
"Mother?" Ferel looked at Ranjer with tilted eyebrows. "Really?"
"Yes." Ranjer said. "Watch out for her acid cloud. It can kill."
Summoning a lightning bolt, Ranjer threw it at her while Ferel shifted to his Hyenen form and dived at her to attack. Velusia rose up off the  ground and disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Her laughter could be heard echoing through the cloud. as Ferel came down to land, Velusia dropped down to envelope his in her gaseous body. Reaching out, Ranjer grabbed Ferel  in a telekinetic hold and pulled him back away from his poisonous mother. Though Velusia was and almost impossible enemy to defeat, Ranjer had learned  his lesson in fighting her. Though her gasrous form was impossible to touch, there was a way to defeat her. The trick was to control the winds. In her gas form, Velusia was vulnerable to changes in the wind. Create a strong enough breeze and it was possible to scatter her gases all through the air making it impossible for her to hold herself together.
Calling on spells he had  learned from Jandar, Ranjer thrust out his hand and made them spin faster and faster. As the vacuum formed, Velusia screamed as she was sucked in and pulled apart.. As she died a  second time, the mirror reappeared and smashed to pieces. That's when he realized she was never there. It was all in the mirror looking into Ranjer and sending his fear out to battle him.
With the mirror smashed, they moved over to the pits to rescue their friends. Just as Ranjer stepped up to the first pit, a Demondog came flying out carrying a pretty girl. As he raised his hand to cast a spell, he recognized the girl. It was his cousin Deja Fen in the arms of one of Mulu's Demondogs.
As his bolt glowed with power, Ranjer stepped out in front of the Demon and raised his hand to incinerate him.
"Either you put her down right now," His eyes burned with outrage. "Or I will burn you until there is nothing left of you but a memory."
"No you won't!" Deja said sternly as Kifedi set her down. "You will treat my mate with respect or I will tell your father."
"MATE?" Ranjer stuttered dropping the bolt at his feet. "Did you say mate?"
"Yes I did." She took Kifedi's hand and walked him out to meet her cousin. "Ranjer, this is Kifedi Waya. He's my mate."
"Myumbo." Kifedi smiled as he reached for his extended hand.
"We can do this later." Ranjer said. "Right now we should get everyone free and get out of here."
As Ranjer bent over to disable the spells on the first pit, a knife flew down to land in the dirt right next to his hand.
"Too late."

When the Storm Begins. 28

As the morning sun beamed down on the Sadunese rain forest, Aoules woke up shaking from a horrid nightmare. He dreamed he was free, but how can that be true? Queen Ladia would never grant him his freedom. Aoules sat up and looked around. He was in a field of what looked like purples and yellow bluebells, and his wrist was free. No chains, no cuffs, nothing. He was free. How can that be? Exactly what had happened? Still, a bit dazed, Aoules got on his feet and shook out the cobwebs that lay scattered in his memory. The last thing he remembered was the usual beating. It had hurt, but he was used to it after all his years of bondage. He was beaten two times a day, every day, rain or shine. But last night was different. He was beaten, but it was like Ladia had something she had to do and the beating was getting in the way. Questions, questions. Too many questions and not enough answers. But then that was his life. Wasn't it?
Sitting cross-legged, Aoules thought back a few hours trying to make sense of this page of his life. It really wasn't much to think about. Like his father before him, Aoules was born a slave. As a matter of fact, all Griffins for the last three hundred years were born into slavery. No one knew why, but that's the way it was in Aspana. Tote that bundle, plow that field, trade or be traded. If one was lucky enough to stay with a master, and his service was worth it, you might be granted your freedom. But that hardly ever happens. But I'm getting off track. Where was I? Oh yeah.
Aoules had been in service to the Harpys. It was unbearable. but he used to it. Aoules was in the service of Queen Ladia, one of the meanest bitches in all of Aspana. No matter what he did, it was wrong. As far as she was concerned, he couldn't even wipe his ass right. He was one of her private slaves meant to come and go at her commands. He made her food, cleaned her suite, and he was there for her sexual pleasure. It's not that bad if you could stand the smell which Aoules couldn't. Oh and there's one more thing I forget to mention. Though she looked female, she had one of the biggest cocks he had ever seen. Yes, there is no male and females in the Harpy species. Harpy's only need a mate of their own species to reproduce. Anyone one will do for pleasure.
Once Aoules was done cleaning and feeding Ladia, she took him to bed and had her way with him. Drained and exhausted, Aoules left her bedroom staggering and went back to his nitch for a few hours sleep. But he was forgetting his nightly beating. As the first strike of Ladia's whip hit Aoules, he screamed and jumped out of his bedstraws. With a row of laughter, Ladia ordered Aoules, held down while she beat him. Again and again, the whip came down stripping lines of flesh from his back. Though it hurt, Aoules didn't make another sound after his wake up scream. He just grit his teeth and took the beating. Once it was over, he made the shift to his Griffin form and crawled to his sleeping nitch where he passed out.

As the mourning sun crept over the horizon, Stormcrest stood over the sleeping form of Queen Ladia. She was beautiful he thought. With her vibrant red and blue feathers and her golden crest. One would think she was magnificent until they spent time with her and learned how cruel and horrible she really was. With a frown, he looked to the left and picked up a knife from her dinner tray. He took a step closer to her and looked down at her as she snored the night away. He didn't have to be there. He should've been miles away with Nereus on the way away from the Dragons. Instead, he found himself here in the crags and caves of Drachena where the dark things call home.You might ask how Beno found himself here amongst slaves and Harpys. It is a relevant question, he should be back somewhere in the east hunting Dragons with Nereus and the rest of the clan. Well, it seems he heard a desperate cry for help while he slept. He wasn't sure who it was from, but he knew someone was in real pain and they really needed help, so he opened his mind to the call and let the feelings flow through him.
It was from someone named Aoules. He was a dark-haired young man, a slave in the service of Queen Ladia, a Harpy who ruled her perch in the faraway land of Drachena. A dark and desperate place where Harpys ruled over lonely cliffs filled with sad and brutalized slaves desperate to be free.

As Stormcrest woke up from his night of dream revelations, he looked all around for Nereus, the leader of his clan. When he couldn't find him, he felt it was a chance for him to fly east and see if he could find some way to get Aoules out of his dilemma.
From the Griffins cave, Stormcrest flew east pass Tinpa and the capital city of the Pantheren nation. At the coast, he turned south-east and he started his ascent to the high mountains of Drachena.
Though Drachena was in the eastern sea of Aspana, it really was a cold barren place with very little vegetation and no safe beach to land a ship. It was surrounded by high cliffs and dangerous currents that made it impossible for shipping. Though rich in minerals, Drachena wasn't much by way of a center of trade. They usually ate whatever they caught and that included the slaves at times. Being carnivores, the Harpys did their own nightly hunting while the slaves were responsible for their own food. They kept small farms with potatoes, carrots, radishes, and onions with whatever their queens left as meat. As to other supplies, there were things that came to the Harpys by way of raids on ships and travelers that managed to get to close to the east coast of Sudan.
From the coast of Sudan, Stormcrest made the shift to Beno and started his way into the jungle. Sudan had a lot of wildlife which included many different types of insects, small monkeys, and a few Human Settlements. Beno avoided the Humans, he didn't need any trouble from them. With his mind deeply connected to Aoules, Beno followed his pain through the jungle. Pass the Hippogriffs and the dog like Grinda's. Around the swamp where the deadly Aligors swam and through the valley of the dry moisture sucking Breo. Beno stopped out beyond the walls of Trevan, the Human colony and watched as they set out new traps through the jungle to keep the monsters away.
From Trevan, Beno started on his way up into the mountains. He kept hidden because he didn't want the Harpys to know he was coming. Halfway up he doubled over screaming as Aoules as was being beaten by Queen Ladia and her warriors. He knew he had to hurry before they killed him.
Groaning to himself, Beno shifted forms and Stormcrest took off running up into the mountain. This wasn't how he expected his day to go. All he wanted was to get back to Domina where the rest of his family was. He never thought he would be here carrying out the wishes of two ancient gods.

Last night as he slept in the Griffin cave, he had what he thought was a dream. Tyree and Nurisha appeared before him and called him out of his dream.
"Beno," Nurisha called as she knelt down to face him, "Wake up my Son."
"Where am I?" He said rubbing his eyes.
"You are here with us," Tyree said. "We have something we want you to do."
As Beno looked up at the great gods Tyree and Nurisha, he blinked and rubbed his eyes. He jumped up and took a step back.
"Am I dreaming?"
"Yes, you are," Nurisha smiled. "But this is real. We are here talking to you."
"W, What do you want?" Beno bowed down keeping his head down.
"We have a task for you," Tyree said. "Get up off the ground and face us."
As Beno climbed up on his feet, the two gods shrank themselves down to seven feet and approached him.
"Now isn't this better?" Nurisha reached out and touched Beno on his cheek. "There's someone we need you to free. He's a Griffin just like you."
"Me?" Beno said surprised. "Why me?"
"Just find him," Tyree said as they started to fade away. "He's in the land of the Harpys. A place called Sudan, then find Sakura. He will need you."
As they disappeared, Beno woke up. He sat up and looked around. He was still in the Griffin cave.
"Was that a dream?" He said to himself.
[No, it wasn't,] Tyree whispered into his head. [Now go!]

As the fourteenth hour rang, Ranjer stood beside Ferel as they watched Mulu pay homage to Xuthulu at his altar. It was a bloody mess as one by one each sacrifice was lead to Xuthulu's altar where their life was given to the hungry god. Watching the slaughter wasn't easy for Ranjer. As a vampire the smell of blood was enticing. But it was also sicking. He couldn't even for a second dream of living that way. He knew about his parents and what they had done, and he knew he could never live like that. Watching Mulu take lives one after another, he knew he had to do something to stop him.
Slowly Ranjer inched his way away from the carnage. As he reached the side door, he took a last look at the crowd of Demondogs and Hyenen and disappeared. He ran as fast as he could through the temple and out into the back part of Mancora.
Though most of Mancora's citizen were in the temple, there was still a  number of Demondogs and Hyenens on the streets. Guards, warriors, slaves and masters, Though Mulu was master of Mancora, there was still some that opposed his rule. From the temple, Ranjer led Ferel back into poor part of Mancora. Males and females ran and ducked into hiding when the saw them. Not many would take a chance hiding the fugitives when they knew what Mulu would do if they were caught.
As they made their way through the shabby huts, a lone Hyenen came out from one of the huts and approached them.
"Who are you stranger? You are not like Mulu and his warriors. Why are you here?"
"I am here to find my friends," Ranjer said being honest. "They were captured by Mulu. Can you help us free them?"
"Mulu holds all power here in Mancora. There isn't much we can do except follow his commands or be punished."
"Mancora was not always like this," Ferel explained. "We were once hunters and artist. We kept cattle to feed our people, crops to trade. My father had a blacksmith forge, he made tools for all of our neighbors. Life was so peaceful, until the Amins took control and made us into killers.".
"Then we have to do something to stop him."
"Like what?" The villagers asked. "We have no weapons. No magic that can compare with Mulu. What are we to do?"
Ranjer stopped and stared out at the warriors on the city gate. He could shift forms and be out of here in the snap of his fingers, but that would leave Quynn and Sky stuck here in Mulu's hands. He just couldn't do that. Jandar and Rage would never forgive him. He would have to find a way to get them free.

As the sun started to make its way over the horizon, Palas pushed himself for another burst of energy. Tigaress was just over the next mountain range and down in the valley. He was almost there. He had been flying all night with only one rest stop for water and some wild fruit. As he sat there eating the pineapples and bananas he gathered, something moved just outside of his visual range. He stopped eating and put down the pineapple to get a closer look. It could just be his mind playing tricks on him. He was exhausted and he needed sleep, but that would have to wait. This was an important mission, Astan would be counting on him.
Climbing up on his feet, Palas walked on into the jungle. He could hear monkeys and wild birds chirping and squawking. From the sounds of the chirping, Palas knew they were wild unintelligent creatures, nothing like his people, but there was one thing he understood. They were scared. There was something out there they were afraid of.
Flexing his talons, Palas slowly made his way into the jungle. His eyes were sharp and use to the darkness of the night. As he walked, he caught a scent. It was heavy and musky. Palas didn't recognize it at first, but it was familiar, like something out of his nightmares. Suddenly there was an ear-piercing screech. Palas jumped, then spread his wings and flew up into the trees. As he clung to the tree, he searched the jungle and the trees around him. Everything was quiet. No more monkeys or birds. He couldn't even hear the sound of wind in the trees. Then something black jumped at him from the trees. Palas pulled himself back out of the way just as a black hand with long sharp claws scratched deep lines in the tree Palas had been perched in. As he took off into the air, he looked back and saw a huge black winged monster coming after him. But that can't be. He must be seeing things. Making a sharp left, he took another look behind him. There it was, coming up on him fast. But this time he recognized it. It wasn't a monster, it was a full-sized Vampire Bat with twelve to fifteen feet of wings and deadly claws and fangs.
Palas and his clan had come up against them in the past and lost friends that were deeply missed. That had been a horrible time for the Avians and their peaceful life. The first turn of what would be the end of a magnificent species.
With a flip in the air, Palas took off to the east. He held his wings in tight and dived down toward the jungle with the bat hot on his tail. With a sudden opening of his wings, he braked and slashed out with his talons slicing deep cuts in the Bats wings. With a screech, the Bat turned slapping down sending Palas rolling off to the side head over heels. Shaking his head, Palas pulled himself out of the roll and turned east again. As he streaked his way east, two more dark shadows came out of the sun flying straight at him. With three great Bats on his tail, Palas for a minute felt fear break its way through his heat.
"This will not do." He said to himself. "I have faced Gorillas, Warlocks and all the things in Domina's dark jungle. These Bats will not bring me down!!"
With another flip, Palas turned and with a loud squawk, dived at the center Bat. As his talons came out, Palas was on the Bat ripping at its wings until it couldn't stay in the air. With a scream, the Bat fall and Palas was on the next Bat with a rage in his heart.
"Your kind killed my brothers," He shouted as he ripped into the Bat tearing it apart. "I will not let you harm anyone ever again!!"
With a jump out of the way, Palas turned to face the last Bat.
As he faced it, he realized this Bat was much bigger than the other two. It had a wingspan of close to twenty feet. No burst of rage was going to take it down.
"Are you ready to die little one?"
"It will take a lot more then you have to kill me," Palas yelled as the rage again started to build inside his chest. "I will kill you and ever Bat on this jungle if I have too."
As Palas dived at the Bat. he let out the loudest, strongest scream.
As he dived at the Bat, a sonic burst of energy ripped its way out of his mouth and went straight for the Bat. Like a twenty foot sledgehammer, it hit the Bat in the face crushing its skull. As it fell, Palas watched surprised at what he had just done. With a grim shrug, he took off heading back on his way to Tinpa and the Tigaress royal family.

Chaos reigned all throughout Ladia’s aerie, Beno made his way out through Ladia’s private exit. With the elder queen dead, all her young daughters fought over the right to take over while the slaves took that as a chance to escape. From the queen's gate, Beno headed into the jungle. He knew Aoules was in here, he would use his pain to lead him right to his exact position. With his senses open, Beno followed the pain trail right to a clearing near the cliffs where he found Aoules just about to take to the morning skies.
Shifting quickly, Stormcrest called out to Aoules to stop him.
[Myumbo my friend. I am Stormcrest. It’s good to see you free.”
Aoules turned to look at Stormcrest. Who was this new Griffin? Could he have something to do with this situation?
[You did this?] He asked. [You got me out of there?]
[Yes.] Stormcrest bowed to him. [Ladia is dead and all her slaves are free.]
[Why?] He asked him confused. [Why would you do that? I don’t even know you.]
[Does that matter?] Stormcrest made the shift back to Beno. “Someone very important wants you to help me. Besides, you and the others deserve to be free, I’m glad I could help.”
[What if I don’t want to help?] Aoules looked at Beno with a frown. [What happens then?]
“You go on your way, and I go on without you.” Beno stepped up closer to Aoules. “I’m not here to force you into anything. I need your help. If you don’t want to help, you’re free to go anywhere you want.”
Aoules made the shift to his Human form and moved over to the edge of the cliff. Helping the Gorilla could get him killed, but he knew he should have died long ago from Ladia’s torture and crazy bed games. Besides, this one had done him a service he could never pay back for freeing him. The least he could do was serve him loyally.
“Alright,” He said. “I owe you my life. I will help you. Where are we going?”
“Mancora.”

Death, Dishonor and Courage. 27

As an evening wind blew through Mancoro, Ranjer stepped out of his hut, pulled his cloak closed and looked up toward the main house. Hyenen and Demondog warriors ran around like ants preparing for the oncoming battle. Rhinon and Elephant hulks stomped their way around the outer gate as the perimeter guard. Perched every fifty feet around the city wall, a tall menacing red-eyed Ravens sat staring out into the jungle.  Everything was set and ready. Hyenen against the Felines. All they were waiting for was the word from their master and they would be on their way to the final battle.
Ranjer walked out and up toward the main house. He had to find a way to stop this before it was too late.
"I would see your master." He said to the guard at the front door. "We have matters to discuss."
"Come this way." The Demon smiled and waved Ranjer in. "The Master is waiting for you."
As Ranjer followed him, he thought about what he would say. Should he try and talk Mulu out of his mad plan, or should he pretend to go along with him?
From the front alcove, the Demon led him back to the dark house and into Mulu's study. The room had two rows of glass tubs with noxious fumes and two cauldrons. Ranjer held his nose as he passed a cauldron with a skeletal leg hand from its edge.
"Have you made up your mind?" Mulu sat forward on his throne and stared down at Ranjer with glowing eyes and jagged teeth showing. "Are you with  me or not?"
On his right, Ranjer saw the leg in the pot moved, on the left six Demon's stood guard. Ranjer really wasn't given a choice. It was either join him or die.
"I will be with you," Ranjer said with a bow. "At your service. What will you have me do?"
"You can get my prisoners ready for the altar," Mulu said as he grabbed a small furry animal from a cage as his side and popped it in his mouth. "Tonight they will die as my sacrifice to Xuthulu. I will get enough power to rule Aspana and all the lands beyond!!!  Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!!"
As Ranjer turned to leave, he could hear Mulu's mad laughter ringing all through the house. He couldn't help but of how insane he had to be. There was no way he could allow him to get control of Aspana. If he did, he'd be knocking at our door next.
As Ranjer left Mulu's hall, he couldn't stop thinking about Quynn. He knew he was out there somewhere but where? He could be anywhere. Aspana was huge covering a length of ground from north to south and east and west. There had to be some way to find them. At home, it would be as easy as a simple call. All he would have to do is call out to them.
[Quynn!!] He sent out. [Cousin where are you!!!]
As minutes slipped by, Ranjer headed for the back pits of Mancora and Mulu's doomed sacrifices. Suddenly a familiar feeling came to him. It was a feeling he knew very well for many years.
[Ranjer?] Came a sudden answer. [Is that you?]
[Quynn? Where are you? Is Sky with you? Are you hurt?]
[No.] Quynn answered. [We're both OK. We've been taken captive by a crazy Hyenen.]
[MULU??]
There were a few minutes of silence and confusion. Quynn didn't understand how Ranjer could know about Mulu. He was far away back home in Taggitia with no knowledge of anything here in Aspana. Unless!
[Cousin, where are you?] Quynn sent nervously.
[I'm here.] He said. [Just outside of Mulu's house. Your father's sent me here to find you and bring you both back home.]
[We're somewhere in Mancora. Imprisoned in deep pits. Our magic's been stripped away. We can't use it. Can you get us out?]
[ I'm not sure.] Ranjer sent. [Right now I have Mulu's ear, but that could change. I know there are spies watching every move I make. so help won't be easy,]
[Then what can we do?] Sky asked.
[Mulu plans to sacrifice you to his crazy god. He'll have to send guards to take to his altar. We wait until they come for you.] Ranjer told them. [Then we'll make our move. Stay calm and be ready.]
[What about the other pits,[ Sky sent, [Can we free them?]
[If we have time. yes,] Ranjer said as he looked around to see two guards coming his way. Standing, he shouted down at the prisoners.
"Such disgusting beast. You should be glad to be Mulu's sacrifice. Only the best are privileged enough to be sent to his alter to die!"
 "If it's such a privilege, why don't you agree to become a  and take our place."
"Sorry," Ranjer smiled as he turned to walk away. "That's your destiny, I have other things to do."
As Ranjer walked pass the guards, he gave them a nod
"It will be good to see these melca die underneath Mulu' blade. Ha ha ha ha ha!!!"
Walking quickly, Ranjer wanted to look back, but he didn't dare. He couldn't take the risk that they would report his action back to the Demon Lord. From the first pit, Ranjer moved on to the next pit. There he found a grey-haired Lion man. Something told him this land was ruled, Animal men.
"Who are you?" Came from the green-eyed lion in the pit.
[I am Ranjer Zlenka.]  He bowed carefully. [Friend to Quynn and Sky. We are here to find a way to get you free.]
[I don't know anyone by either name, but I appreciate the help.] Msia sent. [What should I do?]
[Just wait and prepare your self. I'm sure we'll be fighting our way out of here.]
As Ranjer turned away from the pit, he looked to the next one and wondered who could be in there.
In a few steps, he was standing on the rim of the pit. He looked down thinking he would find an animal king or prince. Instead, he found.....
[Deja?] Ranjer looked down on the young werewolf in shock. [What are you doing here?]
[Ranjer?] She stood up and hurried to the edge of the pit. [Get me out of here!]
[Cousin you'll have to wait. I'll be back for you I promise. Just hold on.]
As Ranjer turned away, he could still hear Deja crying. He knew he had to get her out of that pit.
Werewolves don't do well in closed in space. From the pits, Ranjer walked quickly. He wasn't sure
if any of the guards had seen or heard what he said to Msia or Deja. If they had, he would be walking into the monster's jaws. As he walked he kept an eye on the Hyenen and the Demondogs. They all watched him with suspicion like he might attach at any minute. Then out of nowhere, something grabbed him and pulled him between two huts. Ranjer pulled his hand away and summoning a fireball when a voice said.
"Me sorry, me need help."
When Ranjer looked at the person that grabbed him he found himself staring into the dark eyes of a Hyenen warrior.
"What do you want?" Ranjer said quietly as he looked the warrior up and down. He was dressed like most of Mulu's warriors, ragged pants with rusted armor. What was different was the look in his eyes. They were dark but there was a hint of sadness there too.
"Me not want to fight." He said with pleading eyes. "Me want to go home. Me not like Mulu. Help please."
Ranjer looked at the Hyenen. He looked tired and weak, not like the rest of Mulu's troops. If he was going to help this Hyenen, he would have to work a spell over him.
"My name is Ranjer. What do they call you?"
"Me Ferel." He said with a weak smile. "You help Ferel? Ferel help you."
"I think I can help you." Ranjer smiled He took a deep breath and started his spell.

FROM DARK TO LIGHT.
FROM WRONG TO RIGHT.
FROM THE WEAK TO THE STRONG.
PLEASE HEAR MY SONG.
GIVE AGILITY AND STRENGTH
AND SPEED AND WISDOM.
BLESS MY FRIEND.
AND GIVE HIM THESE GIFTS
GIVE HIM PEACE AND COURAGE.
MAKE HIM HONORABLE AND TRUE
TO SEE THE TROUBLE THROUGH.

As the magic spun around Ferel, he lifted his arms and put his hands up to cover his face. For a minute fear overwhelmed him until the spell took hold and his true courage came out. His fur went from a shaggy mottled coat to fine brown neat coat, His scars faded and his muscles bulged as his eyes began to clear. When the magic faded, Ferel stepped forward a new Hyenen.
"What happened?" He asked. "What did you do?"
"I gave you what you needed to survive this war," Ranjer told him. "Now do  you still want my help?"
"You made me smart?"
"Yes," Ranjer said. "And fast, and strong. Do you still want my help?"
"Yes." He nodded. "I need your help to destroy Mulu Amin. He stole me and all the young ones from our village. He beat us and said he would kill our parents if we didn't join him. He lied. He killed our parents shortly after he sent us to his training place."
"Then we have to get the captives in the pits free." Ranjer looked back around the corner of the hut to where the pits were. Now there were four guards standing watch. One at each pit. To free the captives, they would have to find a way to either replace the guards on watch or take the place of the guards that come to take them to the altar. Lucky thing Mulu had put Ranjer in charge of taking care of the captives. It would be his job to deliver them to their final destination. "Follow me my friend."
From the dreaded pits, Ranjer and Ferel walked west through the city and out of the western gate to the monument that Mulu built in Xuthulu's honor. With Ferel in tow, Ranjer made his way out of the gate and down the long road that leads to Xuthulu's temple. Out in front, four warriors stood guard, each armed with a spear and dressed in rust-covered iron armor.
"How do we get in?" Ferel asked.
"We don't." Ranjer smiled. "Just follow me and keep your eyes open."
Straightening his cloak, Ranjer started in toward the temple with Ferel right behind. When he reached the gate, he stopped.
"What do you want Human?" A guard asked.
"I'm here to see Mulu."
"Wait here." The guard said as he turned and walked into the temple Minutes passed as they waited. The guards kept pointing at Ranjer and gibbering and laughing.
"What are they saying?" Ranjer asked Ferel.
"The big one thinks you look delicious," Ferel said. "He wants to take you out back and kill you."
"I don't think he'll like the way I taste." Ranjer smiled. As they laughed, the warrior returned.
"Mulu wants you to bring his captives here to the temple."
With a nod, Ranjer and Ferel turned and left the temple. From behind a curtain at the side of the altar, a voice spoke to a Demon.
"Follow them." It said. "Make sure they follow instructions."

The road had been long and the battles were many as King Yonas Kinya road back through the gates of Tinpa. He was tired and his body ached, all he wanted was to soak in a hot bath and let Aryonna rub his tired muscles until he purred. but that's not going to happen. He knew that the minute he stepped back into the palace, he would be deluged with things he had to attend to that can't wait. Being king wasn't all ways easy. There were good times when being king was great but this wasn't going to be one of those days. Astan was still missing and there had been no word from Sakura. The war was on. Yonas and his warriors had met Mulu's forces in the south at the borders of Zabti, the Zebran plain and Obleau River. They fought until the Elephant warriors had come in and broken the stalemate that sent Yonas and his forces int a brief retreat. Pulling back to the eastern side of the river, Yonas had to wait for the Rhinon forces to join him before they could double back and rejoin the battle.
With the Hyenen attacking from the south and the Demondogs coming in from the west, Yonas had to send the Rhinons and the newly joined Chimps to the west while he pushed down into the southern land leaving the east in the hands of G'ania Gazini and his Pantheren forces. Though the Rhinons are mighty warriors, they had a hard time battling the Elephants. With the Hyenen's holding on to the south, the Tigarens had a tough job keeping them from taking any land north of Domina, the Goren's city
Worn out, Yonas walked into his private suite dropping pieces of armor as he walked. When he reached his sleep furs, he spread his arms and fell right into a comfortable spot. Moaning with delight, Yonas closed his eyes and smiled.
"Don't you dare fall asleep," Aryonna said smugly. "I've been dealing with Merchants, Senator, Generals and the city tax collectors ever since you left. The Pantherans are waiting for you and so is the city builders. There's no time for sleep."
"Alright, alright," He moaned as he pushed himself up. "Can't I just get an hours sleep?"
""You know there's no rest for the crown." Aryonna ran her hand along the curve of his back down to his backside. "You deal with the crowd and I'll give you a little gift when you get back."
"You promise?" Yonas smiled then kissed her hand. "I'll hurry."
"Yes my lord." She said as she dropped her silks and stepped out of them. Her perfume was almost intoxicating. "Did you find Astan?"
"No," Yonas said. "Sakura is still searching for him. Why don't you get dressed and we can do this together."
"Ok," She smiled. She walked to her closet and picked through her gowns and wraps until she found a blue-green gown. With the gown in hand, Aryonna took it to her dressing table and slipped into it. Dressed, Aryonna sat down and looked at her reflection in the mirror, then fixed her makeup and rubbed a deep red lip gloss over her lips. Smiling at the results, she stood up and turned to King Yonas. He gazed at her, then walked over and took her in his arms and kissed his Queen.
"Is that a promise of things to come?" She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed their bodies together. She could feel the heat coming from his body and it felt good after the weeks she spent while he was away.
"Yes my love," His eyes burned with there love. "Tonight we will celebrate our union with passion."
"Then you should hurry." She kissed his lips and smacked his bottom. "The representatives from Panthera are waiting for you in your office. G'ania must think there is trouble we can't handle to have sent so many warriors."
"Yes," Aryonna walked to her dressing table and picked up a bottle of perfume and sprayed it on herself. Like small fairies, the fragrant vapors spread out and filled the room. With a single scent, Yonas was again ready to make love. As Yonas came up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her and gave her a passionate kiss.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Aryonna smiled as she reached into the front of his kilt.
"Yes," Yonas said breathing heavy. With a sweet smile, his Queen turned to face him.
"Answer the door."
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.
"You witch woman." Yonas smacked her bottom then turned and went to answer the door. As the door opened, Yonas looked out and saw Kapor, his younger brother bowing to him.
"Myumbo brother, It's good to have you home. How goes the war?"
"Not quite to my liking brother," Yonas said as Kapor made his way into the royal sleeping chamber.
Kapor and his brother were identical twins from the stripes on their backs to the birthmark on their shoulder. Though Yonas was the older, Kapor never held any resentment towards his brother. He was happy in his station. Being king was a bit too much attention for him. "The Hyenen have taken most of the south lands leaving only Basolo free from Mulu's grip. The gorillas have joined the fighting under our banner with Goren Baba as their leader. The bring bad news of the Avian demise by there former chief. I'm hoping there is another Nesting land somewhere in the north. What's been happening here?"
"Where do I start." Kapor flopped down in a cushioned "We have Seals that attack by sea and Forest Elephants by land. Believe it or not, this is the only break we've had since the war started We're having a hard time keeping our gates close."
"Are the Royal guards still in place?" Yonas asked.
"Yes, but they are tired," Kapor said. "Actually I should say exhausted. Oh, and Zakia Manzi wants to speak with you."s
"Show him into my private study."
Getting to his feet, Kapor turned and made his way out of the king's private rooms to let the royal mage in. With a bow at the door, the mage followed Kapor into the study.
"Myumbo my king," Zakia said with a bow.
"Greets my old friend. What can I do for you today?"
"I am sorry your majesty," Zakia Manzi said with a troubled.look on his face. "But something is wrong here."
"What is it?" Kapor asked.
"I don't know." The Mage said. "I feel danger whenever I think of any of the royal family. Something is going to happen here. I don't know when or to who, but if we don't act soon, one of us will die."

As Kapor arranged extra guards for the king, six Pantheren warriors were stopped at the city's main gate. The leader, a dark-furred older warrior slid his hand into his saddlebag and pulled out a rolled up piece of parchment. Getting down from his horse, the warrior stepped forward to present his orders to the gatekeeper.
"Myumbo." He called up to the gatekeeper. "I am Assos Drern, general in the house of Duma. We have been sent here to protect your king."
"I haven't been informed of any change in the king's guard." The gatekeeper shouted back."You will have to wait until I can confirm this order."
"Will this help?" Assos said as he passed his written orders through an opening in the gate."They come straight from my regant G'annia Gazini."
"That may be." The gatekeeper said as two more Tigarens came out of the gatehouse to join them "But I don't take orders from your regent. I answer to my king and no one else."
"Take this to the palace." The gatekeeper said handing the parchment to a young Tigaren. "We will be here waiting for an answer."

Tired, Zakia made his way through the palace, something in his mind screamed danger. It got loader and loader until he felt like his head was about to explode, There had to be some way he could learn what the danger was. He had walked the length of the palace trying to get some kind of clue as to what the problem was. So far all he knew was that it involved the royal family. Whether it was Yonas or Kapor, Zakia wasn't sure. All he knew was that the danger was real and it might take one of their life.
While Zakia made his way to the front entrance of Kinya palace, a young Tigaren warrior bowed to him as they passed each other. Just as Zakia came face to face with the young Kyan, his mind exploded with intense pain. Zakia fell to the ground and screamed the Tigaren warrior ran off down the hall. As Zakia rubbed his head and climbed back on his feet, he turned to look down the. Whatever was causing the pain in his head, it had something to with that young warrior. Zakia closed his eyes and cupped his hands. He whispered a small spell into his hands. As he opened them, a small speck of light drifted up and flew after the boy. As it went after the boy, Zakia saw the hall with its line of past kings of Kinya. There was Asam the Brave and Wilm his father. Gar, Tiga, and Nortm Then Yonas and his father Kerr the Avenger who almost wiped out the trade of slaves all by his self. As the boy stopped at Kerr's portrait, he looked into Kerr's eyes thinking how brave he had to be to save all those people armed with only a sword and his ragtag armor.
"What are you looking for, boy?" asked a heavy set Tigaren.
"I have a message for the king," Kyan said.
"Well, what are you waiting for!" The fat Tigaren stuck out his hand to take the rolled up parchment. "Give it here, I'll see that the king gets it."
Kyan took two steps back not sure of what he was supposed to do. The older Tigaren advanced thinking to snatch it out if the boy's hand.
"No!" Kyan said as he pulled his sword and held it to defend himself. "This message is for the king and I will give to only him, not you."
The older Tigaren thought for a minute of trying to take it from Kyan but then he looked at how Kyan held his sword. It was steady and in a practiced grip. Kyan looked ready to fight.
"Go on boy," the older Tigaren waved him off. "Be on your way."
Kyan nodded and went on to the pair of guards that stood at the entrance to the king's study.
"I have a message for the king," Kyan said.
With a nod, the guard turned and walked down the hall and entered a room guarded by two more silver garbed guards. He wasn't gone for long. When he came out of the room, an elf dressed in deep blue pantaloons and matching top came out. The guard pointed Kyan and together they walked down to the stairs.
"Myumbo," Kapor said. "I am Kapor Kinya, brother to the king. I hear you have a message for us."
"Yes my lord," Kyan said with a nod. "But I have sworn to give it to the king."
"Then, follow me," Kapor said as he turned and started down the hall.
As they reached the king's study, Kapor turned and ushered them in. Kyan bowed as he made it to Yonas's desk.
"Myumbo," Yonas said as he stood up to greet Kyan. "What can I do for you, my friend?"
Before he opened his mouth, there was a flash of light and Zakia Manzi appeared.
"Zakia! What is the meaning of this?"
"He is," Zakia said. "I think young Kyan here holds the answer to our problem."