The Grand Illusion. 6

It was late in the afternoon when Igoro Baba called a halt to their trek through the forest. He ordered four of his warriors to keep a constant watch on Astan. He was to remain gagged with his hands tied behind his back and only freed to feed or to relieve himself. Igoro had left strict orders that Astan was to be watched constantly and carefully. He warned his warriors of Astan's magic and to always call him when Astan was to bed  fed allowed to relieve himself. Igoro was taking no chances with the Prince of Tigaress when it came to escape. Astan was to important to his plans for the future.
From the hidden hut, Igoro, his warriors and his captive traveled west all morning. By late in the afternoon they had reached Mirror lake where they stopped for the first short break. Everyone was fed and watered with Astan fed last by Igoro himself. He untied Astan and gave him a water skin and a dish of fruit to eat while Igoro watched his every move for any sign of him casting a spell. When he was finished, Igoro re tied his hands and put his gag back in place then pulled him to his feet and ordered them all up and back on the trail.
Astan tried his best to remember the trail, but after a few hours, it all looked the same. Even a seasoned forester would have trouble following a trail through this dense jungle. Igoro must have had some magical help to lead him to his destination.
By  early evening, Astan was exhausted and so were many of Igoro's warriors, but something had changed. All the warriors seemed at ease. Like they knew they were close to the end of the trek. Then Astan saw torch light from out in the distance and he could smell the heavy scent and musk of a large number of Gorillas. They had reached they're destination. With his head held high, Astan walked the the trail to the gates to Igoro's city. From a hill outside the city, Igoro bellowed out his announcement of his arrival. Hoots and howls could be heard coming out of the excited city as Igoro approached. Astan looked out to see  the walls lined with excited Gorillas throwing flowers down to line the walkway into the city in tribute to their returning leader. Some might even think he was some kind of hero to them. Then Astan saw them standing there looking grim and resentful. Three Gorillas, two males and a female and they weren't cheering at all. As Astan watched, the taller male turn to the other male at his side and whispered something. He nodded and ran off. Astan smiled as he wonder who they were. Whoever they were, he could tell they didn't seem to like Igoro or want to welcome him home. he had to find out who they were. They could be his one chance at escape before Igoro could put him into the hands of Mulu and his Hyenans.
As they entered the gate, the warriors there snapped to attention to salute. Igoro waved them off as he pushed his way through the crowd of brightly dressed gorillas. With a loud bark the crowd separated giving him a clear path into the city of Domina.
Domina was a fair sizeed city filled mostly with one and two story buildings except for those in the areas around the palace. These were the homes of Igoro and his circle of chief advisers and the Generals of his small but powerful army. Domina existed on hunting and the profits of its diamond mines and the slave trade. Yes, not many in Aspana knew it, but Igoro and Domina traded and sold slaves. His city had the largest slave market in Aspana. Every year during the summer and fall seasons, Domina's warrior's would go out in their ships and raid small villages up and down the eastern coast of Aspana and the islands of Shapelendor and down to the horn of Melvor. There they would capture slaves of all races and species and bring them back to Domina where they would be broken and put on the slave blocks for sale. Human, Elephant, Taurus, Apen, Rhinon and the occasional Tigaress and Pantheren, all trained to serve whoever the buyer might be.
With his head held high, Igoro led his band down the avenue to a modest three story building made of marble where the three grim Gorilla's waited along with four gray furred older Gorilla's. Igoro walked up the stairs as they all bowed to him in greeting.
"Myumbo Igoro." Said an elder in red robes. "I see your mission was almost a success. I see the Tigaress, but I don't see a Pantheren. You promised Mulu you would bring him both princes. He will not like this turn of events."
"I will deal with the Hyenan in my way." Igoro waved him out of his way and stepped pass him to face one of the grim younger Gorilla's. Dressed in the same green and gold that Igoro wore, Goren Baba nodded a greeting to his father.
"Myumbo Father." Looked down on his shorter father. "Still out making war I see."
"I don't make war." Igoro said sternly as he pushed pass. "I win them. Just as I will turn this war into something we can profit from."
"More blood and slaves on our hands." Goren yelled after him. "How much more will we be responsible for? When does it stop? How many more have to have their lives destroyed for you or Mulu's damned ambition? Wasn't Mara and Hodari enough?"
Igoro stopped and turned back to his son. His eyes blazed red with anger. He stomped his way back to face Goren with his staff glowing with power.
"Hodari's death wasn't my fault." He shouted. "Neither was Mara's. They died because they weren't strong enough to overcome their enemies. None of that was my fault!!"
"You are the one that put them in that battle Father." Goren shouted at his father. "That war and battle was all you. They didn't have to be out there fighting, you put them there to die. You killed your own children with your war mongering and you never quit!!"
Igoro was so furious he raised his staff and started a spell that would strike Goren down. Goren stood his ground growling and daring his father to strike. Next to him, Shauri jumped between them and screamed.
"STOP," She forced them apart. "Both of you!!!"
"This isn't over Father." Goren said as Shauri pulled him away. "You will pay for what you've done. There's to much blood on your hands, karma will come back for you."
"I am karma!!" Igoro shouted after them. "I control my destiny and the destiny of all of Domina. I am the future of the Apen nation, and I don't care what you or the elders think!"
At the bottom of the stairs, Astan smiled as a warrior pulled his chain and dragged him up and into the building after Igoro. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Goren hated his father. If Astan could find a way to talk with Goren, he could probably talk him into helping him get away from Domina. Maybe there was even a chance he could help Goren get Domina out of the war and the slavery trade.
By Rimnar, he wished so hard that Sakura was there with him. He missed his strength and wisdom so much.
[I'm coming.]
Astan jumped when he heard the voice in his head. He knew that voice, the feeling of love that suddenly flared all through his body. It was Sakura. His Lion king.
[Sakura?]
[I'm here my love.] He said. [I'm heading to Tinpa to help your father. We're coming for you as soon as Tinpa is safe.]
[Hurry love.] Astan pleaded. [This is a slave market and Igoro Baba is its master. You must be careful. He has me, and he plans to capture you and sell us to Mulu Amin.]
[Hold on little tiger. I will be there soon to save you.]
As their connection broke, Astan looked up to see Goren and his two grim faced companions standing on the side watching him. When they passed, Goren stared at him strangely. He watched as Astan was led through the building and down to a holding cell where he would wait until Igoro was ready to question him. He had heard bits and pieces of Astan and Sakura's private conversation and he knew what his father had planned for both princes. Astan was right. Igoro did plan to sell the two princes to Mulu once he had them both. But if the Tigaren could somehow communicate with the Pantheren, there was still a chance for them to escape. He had to get down to the dungeon and see the Tigaren in private.
"Follow me." Goren said to Shauri and Beno, his mate and his cousin. They walked out of the council building and down through Domina pass the slave market where lines of Chimps were chained to the auction block being auctioned off. Goren looked away as his stomach turned. He hated this place and usually did what he could to avoid it.
Domina was once a peaceful place existing on trade with the other races of Aspana until his father took control and changed everything. His first move had been to have Sefu Jata the current chief labeled a coward and a disgrace by framing him for doing unspeakable things to a group of the village children. Igoro's spell had been so powerful that Sefu confessed. He believing himself so guilty he went quietly to the stake to be burned. But Goren knew the truth that even the innocent victim didn't know. This was another reason he despised his father. Those poor children and the horrible memories his father had planted in their heads. Two of them had even killed themselves not wanting to live with such memories in their heads
Then, being the most powerful member of the city, it was easy for him to bully the elder's into make him the new chief. Once he was in power, Igoro ordered a large area cleared and a huge set of barn like buildings constructed and fenced off right outside of Domina's market place. It wasn't until construction was almost done and the chains and cuffs were installed that Goren and the rest of the citizens of Domina realized what Igoro had been building. A slave market. Many of the warriors and citizens of Domina objected fiercely, that was when things changed and Gorillas started to disappear. Anyone with any power that fought against Igoro's plans, disappeared in the night to never be seen again. After the first five or six went missing, no one except Goren dared to question Igoro. But Goren didn't fear his father. Yes indeed, Igoro Baba was a very powerful Gorilla and mage with abilities that almost rivaled Mulu Amin. But long ago Goren had learned the secret to his father's power and that made him completely immune to his magics. He alone still talked and fought against his father and his evil ambitions. But he had to be careful. If he pushed Igoro to far, there were others in Domina that Igoro could hurt to punish his son, and Goren knew it.
From the slave market, Goren, Shauri and Beno turned left and made their way onto a short lane and went into a small building in the west corner of the city. It was a bare little house with no decorations except the possessions needed by a warrior. In the corner there was a rack that held an assortment of spears long and short. Next to that there was a table with a warriors armor laid out and ready to be put on. Only this armor would never be worn again. This was the house of Goren's late younger brother Hodari.
As they gathered at the table, Goren first lit a candle and said a greeting to his dead brother and sister, then he turned to Shauri and Beno.
"Well, he's finally home and you saw who he had with him in chains."
"Yes." Beno said. "It's a Tigaren. He caught another cat. So what's that mean?"
"That is not just another cat." Goren said. "The cat my father brought back in chains is Astan Kinyo, crown prince of Tigaress and my father means to sell him and the prince of Panthera to Mulu Amin, do you know what that means?"
"It means we're about to do something that could get us all killed." Shauri frowned. "Again"
"No." Goren shook his head. "Not if you don't want to. We could just go on with our lives and let Igoro do whatever he wants. I'm sure eventually he'll settle down and get tired of trying to be the master of the world. He'll close the slave markets and send all the slaves home, everything will be fine. He won't invade anymore villages and the ships he's building, it's a fishing fleet not an invasion armada. Aspana will have peace for years to come."
"That is not funny." Beno slammed his fist down on the table. "I know what he did to my father. He sent him to the slave pen with orders for them to hang him in the town square and beat him to death. His body laid there for three days before he let us bury him. I know how cruel your father can be."
"Then help me to stop him." Goren pleaded. "Help me stop him and Mulu from turning Aspana into a warzone."
"We'll help." Shauri said. "We'll do whatever we have too."
"Then we have to find a way to get to the Tigaren." Goren told them. "He may be the key to our freedom. Shauri, you can get into the dungeon area without raising an alarm. Find a way to get me in to talk with the Tigaren. Beno, I need you to have one of the others watch the guards. If I'm right, a Pantheren will be coming here. I have to get to him before my father does."
"What will you be doing?" Beno asked.
"For now." Goren stood up and went to the door. "I have to distract my father. You both know how to call me when you're ready. Be careful."

The sun had just slipped down beyond the mountains as Akani and Msia made their way through the thick jungle north of Domina. It had be a hard and dangerous trek from the Pumen village of Basolos north through the Elephant lands and down through the Peresis desert to the Apen rain forest. All the while fighting off stray bands of Hyenan and Jackal warriors.
Tired, they stopped at a small oasis so Msia could get his bearings and Akani could build a fire and go find them something to eat. He sat down and folded his legs and cast out with his probe to search the desert and rain forest off in the distance. The desert was barren, there was nothing there except nomadic Camels traveling the trade routes from Calaphor in the south to Torunda the capital city of Panthera in the north west. Msia had known Astan and his captor had passed that way, but he wasn't sure which way they had gone. With his recent probe, he know they didn't go down into the desert. If they had, he would have found them by now. That meant they had turned south and gone into the rain forest. Turning his probe south, Msia moved down into the thick rain forest. He spotted a few small Pygmy villages and many different colonies of Monkeys. Chimps, Spider monkeys, Howlers and Tamarins all fighting each other for their place in the trees. He found Vampire bats hiding high in the trees, a few small Tigarens and Jaguars hunting for their daily meals. All small colonies or clans hidden in secret places in the forest. Msia didn't understand why they were all hiding. These were all strong hunters and warriors able to hunt, defend and live in large communities yet they hid like scared hunted prey. He wondered, could there be something here dangerous enough to scare the Jags or the Chimps?
Widening his search, Msia moved on deeper into the forest. It wasn't long until he spotted a young Gorilla hurrying through the jungle. He looked as if he was being chased, but Msia couldn't find anything threatening behind him. Then he noticed the carrier bag around his chest. He must be a message runner for one of the Gorilla clans that lived in this forest. Msia decided to probe further ahead to see if he could locate the Gorilla's destination. He pushed ahead, climbing high over the trees past the multiple colored birds, snakes and tree frogs and spotted what looked like a city buried amongst the tallest trees. Centering his probe, Msia zoomed his attention down and found a great city with marble walls lined with tall statues of Gorilla warriors and scholars.
As Msia watched, the runner came out of the forest and run up to the city gate. He took a deep breath, beat his chest and howled announcing his presence. At the top of the wall, a Gorilla in leather armor called down for the runner to identify himself.
"I have a message for Igoro Baba from Baja Mora of Endiz." He held up the messenger bag. "My master has a bid Igoro will be very interested in."
"I hope the bid is very generous." The wall guard called. Then he turned to the gate keeper. "Open the gate."
As the messenger went in, Msia's probe hovered just over the guard as he watched the messenger enter. Once he was in, he signaled the gate keeper to close the gate and he turned to the guard next to him.
"Send word that the messenger should be watched. Baja Mora is a crafty one, he might be looking to steal the Tigaren captive. The prince is worth a lot to Igoro."
With those words echoing through his mind, Msia snapped his probe back and opened his eyes. The guard had mentioned a Tigarn prince. That meant Astan Kinya is here in the Gorilla city and it had been Igoro Baba that kidnapped him. Msia had no idea who this Gorilla was, but if he had taken the young prince, it could only have been for one reason. Igoro must have either bade a deal with Mulu, or he had plans to. Somehow, they were going to have to find some way to sneak into the city and find Astan, then get him out and back to Tinpa and safety. But how?
As Msia stood up and stretched his legs, Akani came back into the camp carrying a brace rabbits. He dropped them by the fire, then went and got himself a drink of fresh water from the little spring. As he turned back, he saw Msia staring at him with a strange look in his eyes.
"Is something wrong my lord?"
"No." Msia said. "Tell me what you know about Gorillas."

The moon was high and glowing with a strange red glare as Quynn and Sky dropped down out of the clouds over Tinpa. From out over the mountains, Tinpa looked different then the last time they had been there. It was no longer a quiet and sleepy tropical city, right now it was alive with activity. Fires flared all through the city and lightning blazed from its walls. From where Sakura sat on Quynn's back, he could see the city was in chaos as Canin warriors came down out of the hills to attack. As he looked down he saw hundreds of dog warriors charging. They were everywhere like locust swarming in bashing at the gates and climbing the walls. Tinpa's warriors fought with arrows and swords to take down their enemy only to see them back up seconds later. On the wall, King Yonas fought with a sword in each hand slashing and stabbing at his enemies. At his side fought his Pantheren shaman  Zakia Manzi, his hands were glowing as lightning and fire blasted out at the Canin's climbing over the wall. All hell had broken loose around the Tigaren city and from where they sat, it looked like the Tigarens were losing.
"Can you get me to the gate?" Sakura asked as he pulled Oblivion from his back.
"Are you mad?" Dar'yl yelled. "Their are hundreds of Canin's down there. You can't fight them all!"
"Not by myself I can't." Sakura placed his hand on Dar'yl shoulder. "I'll need a strong hand at my side watching my back. Are you up for the challenge my friend?"
"I would face the dogs of hell at your side." Dar'yl gave him a sly eager smile. "I would be honored."
"Let's hope these dogs aren't quite that bad. Quynn, Sky, you can help King Yonas at the wall. Dar'yl and I will tend to the gate."
[I'll clear a spot so you can drop them off then head east.] Sky sent. [I'll go west and we'll help the king.]
With his wings spread, Sky dived down heading for the gate. He dropped down until he was about twenty feet above it, then let out a blast of cold that covered the gate and sent the Canin's running. Behind him, Quynn set down just long enough for Sakura and Dar'yl to jump off then he leaped back up into the sky. With Dar'yl at his side and Oblivion ready for battle, Sakura roared out his challenge.
"Face me Dog warriors!" He raised his glowing sword over his head. "You have invaded our homes and raped our lands. People hide in fear from the bark of your warriors but I say no more! You will not enter this city or any other Tigaren or Pantheran cities. Tonight we put you Dogs in your place!"
Howling like mad, the Canin's charged in to attack. They were armed with hammers, and knives and anything else they could pick up and fight with. Sakura and Dar'yl's weapons flashed and cut them down one by one. Oblivion blazed with power as Sakura sliced and cut at his enemies. With a swipe of power, Oblivion struck down a line of Mastiff's burning their legs right out from under them. As three Hyenans rushed in at Sakura, Dar'yl swung out slicing through one, then stabbed another in its throat just as the third slammed a spear down at his head. Spinning to his left, Dar'yl leaped up and kicked out then with two hands sliced down splitting the Canin's skull.
Stepping back to stand beside Sakura, Dar'yl kicked the dead Hyenan away from them. When he looked up, they were surrounded by Jackals and Hyenans ready to charge. Raising Oblivion, Sakura summoned another charge of power and sent it out. The Canin's screamed as they fell crushed and broken to the ground. Then slowly they started to get back up on their feet. Sakura and Dar'yl dived in and started hacking at them to keep them down.

On a hill to the east, Mulu stood with his staff raised as he continually chanted his spell. He was getting tired and his magic was weakening. If his warriors didn't get into the city in the next ten minutes, he would have to abandon the attack and flee before they found him. With a last burst of power, Mulu cast out sending strength to his Canin warriors then he fell exhausted to the ground.
This was their last chance at Tinpa. If this didn't work, his only chance would be the Prince and the Star of Hekima.

As the gates open and Tigaren warriors rushed out to help Sakura and Dar'yl, Quynn and Sky circled the city sending fire and ice down at the Canin's. Together they dropped down to land beside King Yonas and Zakia Manzi to defend the wall. With the king and his shaman between them, Quynn and Sky fought on. Fire, ice and lightning blazed anything that breached the walls, King Yonas leaped from one spot to the next cutting down Canin's as they climbed over the wall. At one point, it looked like the fight was turning in their favor. Then suddenly the Canin's seemed to have a sudden burst of strength and they were again back up and coming on stronger than ever. Sakura and Dar'yl doubled their efforts once the Tigaren's joined them, but it wasn't looking good. Tigaren's were dying and the Canin's were coming on strong when suddenly they heard the sound of a horn blaring from the north. As everyone turned to look, Aggar, Deja and Dain Gwedi came running over the hills with their Lycaon army. Roaring out their battle cry, the Lycaon's joined the battle and the siege on Tinpa was broken

As Mulu cursed the Tigaren’s and their allies, he swore this was not the end. There was still the Star and Prince Astan, and one of them could be the answer he was looking for. He raised his bone staff and cast a spell that took him back to Mancoro. As he appeared at the gates to his city, the guard on duty leaned over the wall and ordered him to identify himself. Mulu looked up at him and sneered then reached up with his power and grabbed him by his throat and pulled him down to face him.
"I am Mulu Amin." He screamed in his face. "Master of this city you fool!"
Then his smashed him into the wall and dropped him and walked over his dead body.
"Open the gate now!" He shouted up to the other guards on the wall. In seconds the gate opened and Mulu stormed in passed the cowering guards.
As they saw him coming, everyone moved out of his way. No one dared to interrupt him as he made his way to his house. As he approach his house, there was someone there waiting with his house guards. It was a Gorilla.
As Mulu walked up the path to his house. the gorilla stepped out to intercept him. The guards raised their spears and forced him back to let Mulu pass.
"Mulu Amin." The Gorilla called. "I have come a long way with an important message from my master, Igoro Baba."
"I am very busy." Mulu said as he passed. "I do not care what your master wants, and you can tell him that."
"We have a prisoner you might be interested in."
Mulu stopped and slowly turned around. He looked at the Gorilla with his sly yellow eyes sending a creepy feeling through the simian's body and walked back to him. Mulu knew Igoro Baba was a master wizard and a slave trading hunter. He had agents all over Aspana from his Gorillas to his Chimpanzees and slick monkeys. He had more eyes than Mulu.
"Come with me."
Mulu turned and headed to his house. At the door, a Hyenan guard bowed and opened the door for them. The Gorilla followed him through his small house into his audience room where took his place on his throne.
"Tell me." He said. "Who is the prisoner?"
"Beg your pardon." The Gorilla said. "But my master did not share that information with me. He only said that you would be extremely interested in this one and for the right price, it can be yours."
Mulu sat back and thought about the arrangement they had before him. This could be his opening. With Astan or Msia in his hands, Aspana would be his to rule.
"I will meet with your master." Mulu said as he leaned forward to face the Gorilla. "But I am warning you. Do not think to try and fool me, or cheat me. . If your prisoner is of use to me, I will deal with your master very handsomely. But If this is a waste of my time, you will all pay!"