He had searched more then ten miles ahead and found what he thought could be the perfect spot. There was a clearing that be easy to defend. There would be room for him to sweep down and attack from the air while Astan and Goren attacked from below.
It was hard for Palas to get the memories of what he had last seen of his home off his mind. The bodies of all his people spread out all around their Aerie. The young and the old, male and female. None had been spared from Igoro's wrath. Even Palas's family. His mate the their two hatchlings had been killed. Astan and Goren had helped him bury their bodies. But only revenge could heal his soul Now, all he could think of was his anger and his wish put an end to his sorrow. Igoro would pay for what he had done. This he swore to Alee, the god of the sun.
As Goren followed behind Beno his thoughts were on Shauri. He wasn't sure if leaving her behind had been the right thing. He knew how dangerous his father was and how quick to tempered his mate was. She had no fear of Igoro and was quick to speak out against him. Maybe he should have brought her with him. But things had happened so fast he didn't really have time to to speak with her. He prayed she would be smart and keep her distance for Igoro. Because if she didn't, if she had a confrontation with the high lord of the Hominids, he would kill her.
It had been a hot afternoon in the Starspeak jungle, and they had traveled almost ten miles when Goren stopped and screamed out in pain and fell to his knees. Astan dropped the pack he had been carrying and hurried back to Goren to see if he had somehow injured himself. As he knelt down to check him for any injuries, Goren looked up at Astan and Beno with tears in his eyes.
"She's dead." He said. "Shauri is dead. My father had her killed."
"What?" Beno said confused. "It's not possible. He wouldn't kill his own sons wife."
"My father had his own son and daughter killed. What makes you think any of us matter to him? We're nothing but pawns to be used in his vicious game of conquest. I know she's dead because.."
"Because she's your mate."Astan said finished for Goren. "Its a joining mates have that goes beyond everyday feelings. I have the same thing with Sakura. That's why I know he's coming to find me. We just have to hold on until he can get here. I'm sorry Goren. I grieve with you, and I will help you avenge her death."
From there, they walked in silence. Every few miles, Palas would come down to steer them in the right direction. Astan felt terrible. So much death had happened around him. He kinda felt responsible for Sharuri and the deaths of Palas's brood even though it hadn't been him that caused their death. But it was his escape that triggered both of the events. He had to do something to make it right. But what could he do? He know his magic was strong, but was it strong enough to beat Igoro?
Astan wasn't sure but there was one thing he knew. One day soon he would have to confront both Igoro Baba and Mulu Amin.
It was dark and quiet when Nereus opened his eyes. Without moving he looked around the cave. Something had disturbed his sleep. What could it be? It wasn't his brothers or sisters, the were still right there all around him sleeping. What could it have been? Nereus got up on his four paws and shook the sleep from his weary bones. He stretched out his wings and shook the dust free, then took a step to get the blood flowing again through his body. It had been a long time since he or any of the others had been out in the world. He wondered now much had changed. Were the Elves still the dominant species? Or had then been wiped out in that tired old war with the Dwarves? Were the the Airion's still pompous and overbearing? He was sure much had changed over the years and it was up to him to decide if the rest of the clan should be awakened.
After stretching, Nereus made his way to the cave entrance. He took a deep breath of the fresh air and roared his awakening to the world. There would be much to do if his Griffin clan was to go out and reclaim the outside world and it would all start here in Assassa. With a mighty leap Nereus took off into the skies. With his wings spread, he rode the thermals up into the clouds. He loved the feeling of the wind beneath his wings, it always made him feel free. He circled the island looking down to see there wasn't much here to conquer. Assassa would be easy to take from whatever was living in the spotted settlements he saw below him. The battles would be grand and bloody as him and his clan ripped their way across the island. Maybe it was time he woke up his clan to spread their influences all over the world. Nereus dived and did a twisting turn, he rolled and then rose higher into the clouds and swooped down over the bay on the eastern shore. There were Sealen's diving in and out of the bay fishing for their day's meal. As he flew, something caught his attention. It was a familiar sense. Something he hadn't felt in over two hundred years. There was a Dragon somewhere on the island.
Nereus dived down to shore to land, Once down he took a good whiff of the morning breeze. He could smell the dragon and something else. He wasn't alone. There was something with him. It was a strange wild smell, something he'd never smelled before. Whatever it was, it was coming from the north side of the island. Shifting to man form, Nereus started into the jungle. He wanted to kill the dragon on his own. He knew it couldn't possibly be Terra out there. But it didn't matter. He and his kind hated all Dragons. As Nereus walked, he thought about his last encounter with a dragon.
It was late in the evening, and the war with the Dragons was going into it's twenty fifth year. The casualty's on both sides was heavy. In the last year over fifty Griffins had fallen to the Dragons. The casualty's on the Dragon side had been just as bad with the fall of several clans. Nereus and ten of his brothers had flown to the northern continent where several Dragon clans kept watch on the world. They started in the lower lands of the dark elves and made their way north killing anything that got in their way. The Dark elves sent troops out against them. They met in the kingdom of Connak. King Edwyrd in his fineness armor called together his knights and marched out after the Griffin menace that had invaded his kingdom. They met on a hill over the capital city Edrym. The king and his troop of 200 armed warriors rode down to intercept the Griffin before they could drop down on the city. At first it seemed like the knights had the upper hand. Two of the ten invading Griffins fell and were immediately hacked to pieces. The knights all cheered as they regrouped to attack. The Griffins were set on the field right out of the walls of the city. Nereus stood in the lead of the group and roared out his challenge. The knights being high on the energy of their victory charged into the attack. As they came down the hill, Nereus roared sending a trio a Cockatrice in to fight. Like the birds of war that they are, the cockatrice attacked with a vengeance. Its bird like head screamed a challenge as the talons grabbed onto the knights. With their swords the hacked and stabbed at the beast only to find its deep green chest scales impervious to their weapons. Far behind the line of battle King Edwyrd watched as his men were torn to pieces. As a last course of action, he put his whistle to his lips and blow out a long high pitched note. The Cockatrice all stopped lifting their heads as they screamed in pain. King Edwyrd grabbed his lance and called out what was lift of his men for a desperate last attack. As they charged in, a dark shadow dropped down and covered the field of battle. As King Edwyrd looked up, he saw a line of Dragons flying in from the other side of the hill. Now King Edwyrd of Connak and his warriors had never had much contact with the Dragons of Taggitia. They had no idea if these monsters were coming to attack them. Imagine their surprise when Terra the lead Dragon dropped down and blasted the Cockatrice with a belch of hot lava. They screamed as they burned. Lava soon swallowed the war birds as they thrashed around trying to escape the hellish Dragon fire. With the Cockatrice dead, Terra and his Dragon brothers and sisters all dropped down between the Griffins and the King and his warriors. Terra shifted to his man form and walked out to meet his Griffin opponent. Nereus in man form stood six feet tall dressed in black and golden leather with feathers around his collar. As he met Terra on the field of battle, Nereus smiled.
[Why are you here Griffen?] Terra sent. [Go back to your island and leave these humans alone. They have done nothing to deserve this attack.]
[They live.] Nereus sent. [They are a threat to both your people and mine. Move out of the way and let us destroy them.]
[No.] Terra said. [We have taken the oath to protect and that is what we will do. You will have to come threw us to get to them.]
[We planned to attack you.] Nereus sent. [If we have to kill you to get to them, so be it.]
As Terra and Nereus talked, a young blue Dragon shifted to human and hurried over to King Edwyrd.
"I am Force." He said. "I have been sent here to protect you while my brothers and sisters try to convince the Griffins not to attack."
"I am King Edwyrd of Connak." Edwyrd said as he bowed to Thunder. "We are not in need of protection. We can take care of ourselves."
"You are brave." Force said. "I'm sure you can when the fight is against men. But these are not humans that stand here before you. They are Griffins, they are not easy to kill and you do not have weapons that can even hurt them. We Dragons are sworn to protect the people of Keanna. Please, go back to your city and let us deal with this."
King Edwyrd wasn't sure if he should trust these Dragons. He had heard of Dragons in the past be had never heard of anyone living after a meeting with a Dragon. But he had to admit, these Griffins were far beyond their ability to kill. He would have to put his trust in their hands.
"We will go." King Edwyrd said. "But we will be watching. We will be watching very closely."
As King Edwyrd and him warriors rode off, the Griffins attacked. Back in his Griffin form, Nereus leaped out at Terra hoping to catch him in his human form unprotected. But Terra had shifted and was ready for the attack. Up on his hind legs, Terra swung around and used his tail to bat the Griffin away. Slightly daze but still ready to fight, Nereus rolled across the ground then jumped back up on his feet.
Growing he leaped again at Terra, but this time he leap high to go up over his head. As he passed over the Dragon, he swung his tail down and tried to sting him with the sharp barb on the end of his scorpion like tail. Ducking down, Terra reached up and grabbed Nereus by his tail catching him off guard. Terra stood again and swung Nereus around over his head then bashed him into the ground. Nereus howled in pain as he slammed again and again into the ground. With a mighty yank, he pulled himself free and dived at Terra. His front talons struck Terra with a heavy blow. Terra stepped back for a second as he trid to catch his breath. This was Nereus chance to catch the Dragon off guard. Diving back in his face, Nereus slash at Terra ripping into his hide sending his poison to surge through the Dragon. Unknown to the Griffin, Dragon's being there most deadly enemy, Terra over the years had grown a natural immunity to Griffin poison. Instead of killing him, the poison only slowed his reflexes down a bit. Feeling a bit clumsy, Terra slipped down into the ground. There he could let the poison pass through him and into the soil then come back restored. Up on the field, Nereus bellowed out a roar of triumph. He thought he had beaten Terra and sent him running from battle. As he turned to find his next opponent, Terra slipped out of the ground and back on the field of battle.
[Have you grown tired of out little dance?]
Nereus turned back to find Terra standing there and looking stronger than ever. He smiled and took a few steps back toward the Dragon.
[You have surprised me Terra.] He sent. [I did not think you had it in you to show such deception. But it doesn't matter. You will die today and I will celebrate the death of an enemy.]
[Then come Griffin. Come and claim your victory. If you can.]
With a terrible roar, Nereus attacked. He launched himself at Terra like the ball shot from a cannon. Terra braced himself to meet his charge. Like two forces of nature they slammed into each creating a monstrous explosion of sound that echoed out to be heard as far away as Torcin in the frozen north. While Nereus and Terra fought, behind them Dragon met Griffin for a battle of supremacy. Force the air Dragon engaged a dark feathered Griffin with the head of a crow while Snowflake a female dragon traded blows with a white feathered Griffin with the head of a bearded vulture. From the city walls, King Edwyrd watched as the Dragons did everything they could to keep the Griffins away from his city. His doubts had all fallen away as he watched the Griffins begin to drop and turn tail and run from the heroic Dragons.
With a moment of silence, Nereus looked around to find he was the only Griffin left in the battle. He stepped back away from Terra with a ferocious look on his golden eagle face.
[This is not over Terra.] He called as he lifted off to escape. [Your day will come. I will return and when I do, I will kill you and all your clan.]
[We will be here waiting.] Terra sent. [There will always be a dragon here to protect Tagittia, you can count on that.]
That was more that 300 years ago. Now the Griffins were up again and for a certain dragon, there would be hell to pay.
As Akani, Aggar and Msia made their way through the quiet jungle, Msia told them some of the history of the land once called Assassa.
"Once this vibrant island was the home of a clan of Griffins called the Grimclaws. They were an ancient clan with member that had existed for hundreds of years. They were also the dragons oldest and most fierce enemies. From sometime long ago they were lead by Coeus a great Griffin with a strong sleek lion body with the head of a great bald eagle.. They terrorized villages and homesteads all up and down the coast of Taggitia and down as far as Aspana. In a great battle Coeus was beaten by Blizzard, a Dragon from a clan way up north. That was when Kronos took lead of the clan. Kronos reign went on for two hundred years until the great war were he was replaced by Nereus. Nereus lead them through the war until we lost all knowledge of the Griffins. It was thought that they were all destroyed by battles amongst there own clan. After that, no one knows what happened to them. So say they flew out looking for something and were lost in the waves of time."
"That." Aggar said is a very intriguing store."You got all this from Inferno?"
"Yes." Msia nodded. "He says that Terra fought Nereus many times over the years. Nereus was very full of hate for Dragons."
"All Griffins didn't hate Dragons." Aggar said. "I know a collector who had two Griffins that fought at his side."
"This collector friend of yours must have raised the Griffins himself right after they hatched." Msia said. "It proves that nurturing can overcome natural instincts. Maybe there is hope for the Hyenens."
"There is if we can do something about Mulu." Akani said. "Because he won't stop until he rules all of Aspana, or he dies."
"Well." Msia said. "Lets get on with the search."
"Which way?" Akani asked.
"We go south, then east." Msia said. "I can feel them out there ready to hatch."
"OK." Aggar said with a gesture to the south, "You lead and we'll follow,"
For hours they walked south. They stopped at a waterfall and had their fill of fresh water, then moved on. All the while, Msia could heard the eggs calling out to him.
As they walked, Akani felt a strange sensation tingling way in the back of his mind. At started as just a feeling, but at soon began to grow. It got louder and louder until it be came a real voice.
[Akani.]
Akani reached up and rubbed his ears. He thought he was hearing things.
[Akani.]
He looked around from Msia in the front to Aggar behind him.
"Do you hear something?" He asked Aggar.
"No." He said. "Just the sound of the jungle."
[AKANI.]
"WHAT?"
Msia turned around to see what Akani was yelling about. Msia smiled. He knew what it was that he was hearing. He was being called to an egg.
"Relax Akani. Don't be afraid. It's your future calling out to you. We will be there soon."
As Brimstone landed in Gosia, he looked around for Mulu Amin. He was hoping that the demon had lost him somewhere during the flight south. But just as Brimstone was about to move, there was a flash and Mulu Amin was there at his side.
"You thought you had lost me didn't you dragon?" Mulu smiled. "It will take more power then you possess to get rid of me. Move on. Show me what you were talking about."
"Yes Master."
Brimstone turned and started into the jungle with Mulu right behind him. They walked for hours sometimes stopping to check a cave or deep crevice. Mulu was getting anxious. Brimstone had said he knew where they were, but it seemed more like they were searching instead finding. As Mulu walked further and further in, his anger grew higher and higher in its intensity. He didn't like to be disobeyed, especially by an underling. He needed Brimstone right now, bur soon he would he have all of Aspana in his hands, then he would remember how a certain dragon had failed him. Then he would pay, maybe with his life.
Suddenly as he walked, Brimstone's jackal ears pricked up. He had caught a scent. They where getting close. Brimstone jumped into a run and went straight up into the jungle barking like a mad dog. After a few minutes they were right in front of a set of six caves scattered through a grotto next to three waterfalls. As Brimstone approached the lagoon he stared up at the three waterfalls. Lightning flashed as a bolt came down and struck a coconut tree high over the falls.
"This is it." Brimstone said. "They are here."
"How do you know?" Mulu asked. This spot looked just like every cave they had seen today. There was nothing special here.
"This is a place of Dragons." He said with a gravely voice. "Enter and you will see."
Mulu turned on Brimstone with murder in his eyes. How dare he give him and order. Who was the Master here? Him or Mulu Amin?
"I know what it is that you want Master." Brimstone said with mischievous grin on his face. "But I cannot go into this cave, or touch what it is you want. Punish me if you want. Kill me if you want, but if you want what's in there. You will have to get it yourself."
Mulu was so angry sparks popped from his eyes. He pushed Brimstone out of his way and summoned a small globe of energy to light his way as he started into the first cave. It was dark in the cave and it smelled of mold. With his eyes tuned for night vision, Mulu made his way in. Bats flew over head while rats scampered through the cave trying to avoid being stepped on. All he could hear was the sound of the water as it pounded the rocks at the base of the cliffs. Though the globe flew along trying to cast light into the cave, Mulu saw many shadows darting in and out all around him. With a quick spell, he sent a blast out at one of the shadows. As it hit one, he heard a sharp squeal. That meant whatever it was, it was real and it could be hurt. Mulu took an defensive position. That was when the first shadow attacked. It came screaming out of a dark corner and grabbed him by the arm. Mulu shouted out a spell. The globe exploded in a flash of light that sent the shadows running for a place to hide. With a few quick twist of his hand, Mulu brightened the globes intensity and for a few minutes, the shadows hid. But as he walked, he saw them peeking out at him. With his globe blazing overhead, Mulu continued on with his search. He went from cave to cave chasing away any shadow that dared to try and menace him. By the fourth cave, Mulu had found nothing but a few shells that gleamed like precious jewels. They were scattered leaving a trail all through the cave. This had to be it Mulu thought. Here he would finally get what he came here for. Power over the Dragons and everyone else in Aspana.
With a quick burst of energy sent into the globe, Mulu hurried on. The tunnel did two more twists then he ran up a hill and came of into a final chamber that was filled with millions of different cantaloupe sized jewels. Dragon eggs.
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