With a smile on his face, Sky slipped into one of his comfortable naps and started to dream. He dreamed he was lost in a jungle far away from New Keanna. It was hot and uncomfortable and he could hear the sounds of wild animals all around him. Sky wasn't sure why he was there but he knew there was a reason. Somewhere out there, either someone needed his help or there was something he was supposed to do. With a wave of his hand, he parted the foliage and started walking. It didn't matter what direction he moved in, he had to trust that his dream would take him where he needed to go.
His dream took him no more than a quarter of a mile when he stepped out into a clearing and found himself staring down a hill at two armies in battle. There were hundreds of warriors engaged in battle. Catapults launched boulders and flaming pots of oil at the walls of the city while warriors charged the gates with a ramming pole.
As Sky watched the battle, a armored warrior came riding towards him. It stopped a few feet from Sky and the warrior climbed down from his horse and walked up to face Sky.
"Aiya." Sky said and bowed in greeting. "My name is Sky Petrus of New Keanna."
"I am Regent G'ania Gazini of Panthera." He removed his helmet to reveal his face. The regent was a lion man. He had a full regal white mane with blazing green eyes and whiskers. Under his armor he had white fur covering his body. G'ania wore black chain mail with a red cape and a bronze chest plate with the emblem of a lion on it. He had a tasset around his waist and cuisse and greaves on his legs. His tail was encased in a long sheath of metal with a sharp stinger. At his side he wore two swords, a short and a long sword. He looked very formidable.
"What you see here is what will happen if Prince Sakura and Prince Astan are not found and returned to their homes." G'ania said. "Panthera and Tigaress will go to war with the Hyenans and both our people will suffer and thousands will die. You are my only hope to stop this before it's to late."
"Then none of this has happened yet?" Sky looked down at the battle. "I don't understand any of this. Why are your two countries fighting?"
"Find them." G'ania said as the dream started to fade. "All will be clear when you find them. Come to Aspana and help us. Someone will be waiting to guide you on your search."
As Sky opened his eyes and woke up, a picture of Prince Sakura and Prince Astan formed in his mind. Prince Sakura was almost as tall as G'ania but much younger. He had tan fur with white around his mouth and nose area and his mane was much wilder. He had handsome feline green eyes which gave him a proud and noble look. He was dressed in all natural brown knee length pants and a tan colored shirt that covered half his chest diagonally leaving one shoulder exposed showing his muscled form. Sakura wore the golden lion emblem of his royal house on a chain around his neck and bronze gauntlets on each of his wrist. On his back hung a very handsome sword. As the crown prince of his realm, Sakura had obviously been trained in warfare.
Prince Astan Kinya was very handsome, he had a slim figure and looked very striking. He had long hair that was striped orange, black and white and tied in a tail that went down his back. He had strong tiger features with deep emerald green feline eyes. He was shorter the Sakura and not as well built for a Tigaren. He had more of the look of a scholar than a warrior. Astan was dressed in a simple brown pants and tunic with a cloak and other then gold in one ear, he didn't wear any other jewelry.
As Sky sat up, he could still feel a little of what G'ania was feeling about the young princes. He was very worried that either one or both of them were in the hands of enemies that might want to force Panthera and Tigaress into a war that neither country wanted. But with the two royal princes missing, both sides blamed each other for the disappearances. Their only chance to stop the war might be if as third party stepped in to intervene and investigate the disappearances.
Getting to his feet, Sky walked out, then took off in a run and shifted into his Phoenix form. He circled the clearing, then turned north and headed back home to Quynn in New Keanna. While he was flying, Sky thought about what he was going to tell Quynn and his parents. Jandar and Rage might not trust or believe in Sky's dreams. So far they had no proof that Sky's dreams were anything more then his imagination gone wild. Quynn had to them about the dream, but Sky had no idea how much experience the Dragon's might have had with dreams and prophesies.
From the clearing, Sky flew north until he was over the city of New Keanna. Cheshire and Viggo roared a welcome to their new friend as he crossed over and into the city.
When he reached the Manor, he dropped down to shift and land on the private balcony outside the suite the Quynn and Sky made their own. As he walked into the living room, Sky took off his coat and hung it by the sliding doors and called out to tell Quynn he was home.
[I'm home Dragonfly.]
[I know Little Bird.] Quynn answered warmly. [Blaze messaged me when he saw you flying in. I'm down in the library with my father. Come join us.]
[I'll be right down.] Sky took off his belt that held the short sword and slingshot that Dreik had made for him then left the apartment.
The Manor library was two flights down from the family living quarters where Quynn and Sky's apartment was. As he made his way down the stairs, he ran into Ariel and Toric and the new baby heading for dinner.
"Aiya Sky." Ariel bent down and kissed his cheek. "Thank you for the snow globe you made for Arlayna. She loves it so much."
"You're very welcome." Sky smiled as Arlayna played with Sky's finger and giggled. "It was my pleasure to make it."
"Where are you heading?" Toric asked.
"To meet Quynn and either Jandar or Rage in the library. I'm not sure which."
"Jandar would be my guess." Toric said. "Rage flew off to the Academy to see Insa. I think he's making arrangements for the new Dragon clan in Slovonia. Brawn has to be trained as the leader and people have to be chosen to merge with the new Dragons."
"I guess he'll be gone for a while." Sky said. "Seems like a lot to do."
"Yes." Ariel said as they reached the library floor. "But he'll choose well. Kiss Quynn for us."
"I will."
The walk through the enchanted halls of the Manor didn't take long. He passed Cutter and Denner's office then found himself standing at the open door to the library. Sky was always fascinated by the volumes of magical books and artifacts kept here in the library. Quynn and Jandar had once taken him on a tour and told him how some of them had been acquired. He saw something different every time he visited the library/ museum.
As Sky wondered are looking at the different books and things, Quynn spotted him and called out his name. With a smile, Sky walked over and hugged and kissed Quynn. Jandar and Quynn were at a table going over something in a heavy tomb. There were open books scattered all over the table.
"I thought I was going to get lost in here, again." He said with a smile.
"I'd come to the rescue." Quynn pinched his butt. "Again."
Jandar laughed as his son pulled his mate into another long deep kiss.
"You two are worse then Shayn and Ono." He joked. "Just keep it in your pants for now please.
"Look who's talking." Quynn nudged his father. "I've heard a few stories about you and father that could curl my tail."
"Let's not get into that." Jandar smiled embarrassed. "Sky doesn't want to hear all that silly gossip."
"Sure he does." Quynn laughed.
"Maybe another time." He looked over Quynn's shoulder. "What are you reading?"
"Just doing some research for Father." Quynn said. "He asked us to check a few things while he was away. The work of a king doesn't end even when he's away."
"Can I asked you a question Master Jandar?"
Jandar turned and looked at Sky with a curious frown. Quynn rolled his eyes at his father then looked back at Sky.
"I'm not your master." Jandar said. "Call me Jandar, we're family now. You can ask me anything you want, and that goes for Rage too."
"I'll try and remember that." Sky said.
"What's your question?"
"How much do you know about Aspana?" Sky walked around and sat opposite of Jandar on the other side of the table.
"Not much." He said. "We've never been that far south but I do know it's a huge continent with all kinds of Were folk, it's pretty fascinating really. We've actually been meaning to go down there and do a little exploring. We just haven't had the time with all the trouble we've had in Taggitia. Why do you ask?"
"I had a dream." Sky started to say.
"Oh no!" Quynn stopped him. "You had a dream? What kind of dream?"
"I don't understand." Jandar looked from Quynn to Sky. "We dream all the time. Was it a bad dream? A nightmare?"
"No Father." Quynn stopped him. "Sky has dreams like Shayn, only worse. He can communicate with his dreams. He sees the future and he gets messages with his dreams."
"Wait Quynn." Jandar calmed his son. "Let him tell me about this dream. Go on Sky."
As Jandar sat back to listen, Sky told him about his dream and his meeting with Regent G'ania Gazini. He told him about the two missing princes and the pending war and how the Regent had asked for his help.
"And your sure this wasn't just a dream?" Jandar asked.
"No sir." Sky said. "I know when my dreams are just fancies on my mind. This was different."
"What do you think?" Jandar asked his son. Quynn went and stood behind Sky and put his hands on his shoulders.
"Father, I've felt his dreams myself. That's how I found him. If he says it's real, I believe him."
"Hold on." Jandar stood up and made a gesture with his hand towards the racks and racks of books. A book slipped out off one of the shelves and sailed over to Jandar. He opened it and placed it on the table in front of him.
"You said Panthera, right?"
"Yes sir." Sky nodded.
Jandar went through the book and found a passage that had been written hundreds of years ago by a Mage that talked about a land called Panthera where he thought he had seen great cats that walked like men. It said the Mage had tried for a year to contact them, but he never had any success. Though he returned home, he was absolutely convinced they did exist.
"So I guess you want to go south to find the two princes?"
"Yes sir." Sky nodded. "I do."
"And you plan to go with him?" Jandar asked Quynn.
"He's not going anywhere without me." Quynn said proudly. "I'll follow him wherever he goes."
"Aspana is a long journey from here." Jandar told them. "And this mission sounds like it could be dangerous."
"I think we can handle it." Quynn said. "All we have to do is find two people and bring them home, how hard can that be?"
Jandar looked at him as if he had just said something insane. Ryel's search for his brother Aron came to mind and ha remembered how hard that turned out to be. But then again, Shayn and Ono had gone to a totally different planet and they made it home safely. He knew he couldn't hold on to Quynn and Sky forever, they were growing up, it was time to trust them and let them go. Rage is going to kill me when he hears about this.
"You will keep in touch with me." Jandar said sternly. "I want to hear daily reports, you understand? And no stupid chances, think before you act."
"I will Father."
"I'm talking to you Sky." Jandar said. "You watch him and don't let him rush into anything crazy. I know my son, he's a little head strong. You have to be the brains here."
"FATHER!!!!"
"When are you leaving?" Jandar asked as he got up out of his seat and hugged both of them.
"In the morning sir." Sky said. "I want a good nights sleep so encase there's more to come in my dreams."
"OK." Jandar said as Quynn and Sky headed for the library door. "Get some rest and come and see me before you leave."
"We will." Quynn said. "And thank you Father."
Jandar watched as they left the library.
"Just come home safe." He said. "Now how am I going to explain this to Rage."
That night after Sky and Quynn returned to their apartment, they sat and talked about the mission they would start in the morning. Quynn wanted to know exactly what he knew about the two prince's they would be searching for.
"Well." Sky had undressed and got into bed next to Quynn. "I know Prince Sakura is a warrior and Astan is more the student type. I'll bet he's studying magic."
"How do you know that?" Quynn asked. "He could be a historian or something."
"He could." Sky agreed. "But that's not the sense I got from G'ania."
"And what kind of sense did you get from me in your dreams?" Quynn leaned over and took Sky in his arms and kissed him. "Was I the mighty Dragon of your dreams?"
"You're my hero." Sky smiled as he gave in to Quynn's embrace. "And you always will be."
After an hour of making love, Sky and Quynn slipped into a deep sleep and Sky began to dream. He dreamed of Prince Sakura running through the forest. He was being chased by something, Sky couldn't see what it was but it scared Sakura. As he ran, he went down on all fours and shifted to a lion form and dashed off into the jungle. Sky could hear a weird bark and giggling sound coming from behind Sakura. He watched as Sakura sped through the jungle until he passed through a big hedge and came to a cliff and dived off.
"Nooooo!!!" Sky leaped up in bed sweat pouring off his brow. Quynn sat up and took him in his arms to comfort him.
"I saw it." Quynn said. "I saw him jump. Come on. Get dressed, its time to go."
By sunrise, Quynn and Sky were up and down in Jandar's study. Jandar went on and on for twenty minutes telling them about the different dangers and perils of being off on far away mission until Quynn stopped him and told him they had to go. Reluctantly, Jandar hugged them both again and made reminded them of their promise to message daily. He took a message stone from a box on his desk and told Quynn it was encase of an emergency then walked them out to the front courtyard of the Manor.
"Keep your eyes open." He told them. "And if you need help, call me, I'll be there as fast as I can."
"I love you both so much." He grabbed both of them in another hug. "Now go before I think of some reason to go with you."
""We love you too Father." Sky smiled and waved as they headed for the gate to leave.
Once outside of the gate, they walked in silence down the road away from New Keanna's walls to the cliff of Kolvar where they stopped and looked back at the towers of home.
"Are you ready Little Bird?" Quynn asked Sky.
"Yes Dragonfly."
"Then let's go." Quynn roared a good bye and shifted to his Dragon form while Sky took his Snow Phoenix form and they launched themselves off the cliff and into the morning sky. They flew up and circled New Keanna then turns south and started to rise and gain altitude. They were on their way south to Aspana and adventure.
It was cold as Sakura Duma crawled his way out of the Yafet river. He coughed up the water he had swallowed then collapsed exhausted in the weeds. He needed time to rest. He had escaped Mulu Amin and his pack of Hyenans for now, but he knew it wouldn't be for long. Soon they would realize he had jumped from the cliff, then they would be down searching for his scent. He would have to either find a way to cover his scent, or stay in the river.
Sakura rolled over and sat up. He reached back to make sure the Lion's Claw was still in its sheath on his back. Feeling the hilt sticking out over his shoulder, he sighed in relief. He checked the small pack on his side and pulled out the tiger head ring Astan had given him. He was glad he hadn't lost that. Now all he had to do was go out into the savanna and find its owner.
Sakura smiled when he thought about the handsome Tigaren and how much he love him. He remembered the first time he had seen him, Sakura had been with G'ania Gazini visiting the Tigaren city of Tinpa. King Yonas Kinya had given the Pantheren's permission to tour a few of their cities while they discussed arrangement for peace between their two people. They had decided that peace between them was the only way to keep the Hyenans from over running there borders and raiding the villages in both countries.
Sakura had spent the day visiting the marketplace, farms, the royal palace and a few of the schools around the city. He had been impressed by a lot of what he saw. They had farming and irrigation systems that work benefit Panthera and help with their their crops. Hungry, Sakura had asked his tour guide to take him to somewhere to get something to eat. The guide took him to a small cafe not to far away from the palace that he said would be quiet and had excellent food.
It was a short ride from the farms and Sakura stepped out of the coach and was greeted by the owner of the cafe. He escorted him through the dining room to a private area out in the back gardens reserved for the king and the royal family. The cafe was a very handsome place with towering walls covered in flowering vines, graceful arcades, carved stone columns, a tranquil water fountains and seductive palm lined pools that created a serene oasis for comfort and dining.
Abal the owner took Sakura to a large fancy table set with white linen a and clapped his hands for an attendant. A Tigaren waiter dressed in white ran out and set the table for Sakura with silver, plates and wine glasses for his dining pleasure. As quick as the table was set, three more waiters came running out with trays of food and place it all around Sakura, then bowed and ran off. There was roasted pig and pheasant, beef and lamb with different sauces and vegetable dishes.
As Sakura placed his napkin in his lap and picked up his knife and fork, A young Tigaren walked in and caught his attention. As he watched him walk across the restaurant floor, all sound stopped and the Tigaren was all Sakura could see. He had long hair tied in a single braid down his back. He wore the clothes of a noble and was the most handsome guy he ever saw in his life. Sakura's mouth went dry and he dropped his fork. As the Tigaren walked to a table, he turned and looked at Sakura and smiled. Sakura's heart began to beat faster as he stared into those fiery green eyes. He had never felt this way before about anyone, male or female. He had trained for years in battle plans and tactics, but this was different. He could face an enemy in battle and fight to the death, but Sakura had no idea how he was supposed to face this, whatever it is.
Sakura reached out and picked up his glass of wine then looked back over to the Tigaren. He was reading the menu. He peeked over the top at Sakura, then back at his menu. Sakura's mind spun in confusion and indecision. He took a sip of wine and spilled it all the front of his tunic. The Tigaren laughed as he picked up his napkin and stood up and walked over to Sakura.
"Feeling a bit clumsy today?" He took the napkin and wiped wine off Sakura's chin and chest. "My name is Astan, can I join you for lunch?"
And that was how it all started. After that lunch, Sakura and Astan saw each other as often as they could sneak away and meet. Sakura showed Astan in private how to use a sword, which wasn't easy.
Astan demonstrated spells and how magic worked and showed Sakura books and told him of Tigaren history. They spent nights together hiding in a secret place where no one would find them and they could make passionate love.
One night as they lay in bed, Sakura ran his fingers through Astan's fur then tilted his face up for a kiss. Astan moaned as Sakura's tongue slid between his lips. He pulled him in and they rolled across the mat as they snuggled close.
"I have something for you." Astan reached over and picked something out of his pack. "I want you to keep this.
He handed his a ring made of gold with a emeralds set in the center of the tigers eye. Sakura took it and looked at it.
"I can't take this." He said. "It looks important, like a heirloom."
"It is." He smiled. "My father gave it to me, now I'm giving it to you."
"I don't have anything I can give you." Sakura said. "Not right now."
"It's ok." Astan kissed his chest. "Your love is enough."
"Are you sure the king won't mind you giving this to me?"
"The king?" Astan sat back and looked at him confused. "Why would he care?"
"He is your father, isn't he?"
"So you know who I am." Astan said looking away. "I was going to tell you, I was just waiting for the right moment."
"Astan, I don't care who your father is, but you are the most important person in my life. I'm the crown prince of Panthrea and here I am in bed with one of my peoples worst enemies and I don't care about any of that. All I care is if you love me."
"I do." Astan said as he wrapped his arms around him. "I do forever."
"Then come away with me." Sakura said. "We can go somewhere where none of this will matter and we can be together. No lions or tigers or realms to rule and no more wars, just us and freedom. All you have to do is meet me in Naraya in three days. I'll have everything ready for us to disappear."
Astan kept a hold on Sakura, he couldn't bare to think about what his life would be like without him.
Being king of Tigaress didn't matter at all anymore if he could love Sakura. He looked up into his eyes and knew what his answer was.
"I'll be there." He said. "I love you and if that's what it take for us to be together, I'll do it."
With promises made, they made love all night then packed their things and and headed home to get ready for their great escapes. Unknown to Sakura and Astan, someone had been hiding right outside their hut and heard all their plans. He knew his master would be interested to hear what the Princes of Tigaress and Panthera had planned. With a loud cackle, the Hyena dashed off to find its master and report what it had heard.
As Sakura stood up and stepped out of the river, he shook the water from his mane and stretched. He had missed Astan in Naraya but he was out there somewhere looking for him. It was time he went and found his love. Sakura heard the barking of the Hyenans off in the distance but he wasn't scared anymore.
"Come laughing dogs." He said. "Come if you want me, but let it be known. If you get in my way, you will feel the kiss the Lion's Claw, and my fangs and claws. So beware Dogs, I have a prince to find and I will find him!"
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