A Changling Revealed. 28

Traveling by day was a completely impossible task for Luke,Tored and his sisters. Lesu had eyes and ears everywhere, even the rocks and trees were said to be under his control. By day they would find some cave or deep spot in the forest to hide in. Lesu had his people out always looking for people to hunt. Last night they came upon a deserted camp. From the tracks around Tored could tell it hadn't been abandoned to long ago. The tracks were fresh and smoke still rose from the cooking fire they had tried to use. By the smoke, they could tell the wrong fuel had been used. Someone had used fresh wood. A stupid choice. Everyone knew fresh wood caused a scent to rise that tracker beast could follow. Only dry older wood was good for scentless campfires. Surrounding the site Luke had found tracker beast tracks. From there they knew what had happened. The Savonti had caught them in the middle of a meal and trapped them then hauled them away. Luke had kept his sisters out of the camp while Tored collected what he could find left there. A few pans and some clothing the girls might be able to use. Because the Savonti had already been there Luke thought the site would be safe for the night. So they set themselves to start a cold dinner. The girls collected edible roots and vegetables under Tored's watchful eyes while Luke went for water. It had been a tiring night of walking and hiding from Lord Lesu's hunting parties. There had been a few times their ability had saved them from capture. Now it was time to rest.
Luke sat at the edge of the river after filling their water skins and stared into the water. He had done as his grandfather had asked and gotten them away from the hunters. But where would they go? How would they survive? Luke knew he couldn't run from the Savonti forever, sooner or later their luck would run out and one of them would get caught. What then? He couldn't battle all the Savonti all by himself, that would be impossible. What was he going to do?
" We can get help." A young voice called from behind him. Luke turned to find his sister Nysa standing behind him, her apron full of fresh vegetable. " We're not the only ones running Luke, there are others. We can join them."
" Of course we can." Luke smiled at her to reassure her. " We'll see what we can do."
" No you won't." Nysa frowned. " You want to find somewhere where there are no Savonti and hide us. I know what your thinking. I can hear you. Well let me tell you something. They are everywhere. There's no place for us to hide. No safe caves or forest to run too. The only way we'll be safe is if we fight them. Grandfather knew that, he'd been doing it all his life. Now it's our turn to fight!"
" Nysa we're to young to be fighting Savonti." He said to her getting to his feet. In his mind he was thinking that he had to keep his sisters safe. They were to young to be battling these savages.
" You mean Mera and I are to young don't you!" He could tell she was becoming angry. But he knew he was right. He had to talk her out of this fighting notion of hers for her own safety.
" Nysa, I.."
" You can't talk me out of nothing Luke." She yelled at him turning her back and stomping off. " You never could!!"
Luke stood there staring at her dumb folded. Could she actually hear him? That was impossible.
She stopped and turned back to him glaring. " NO, IT'S NOT IMPOSSIBLE!!"

The sun burned high in the sky as Ozmun followed Paesh and Oda out of the cave. He looked around and their clan members all around him working on various tasks. Some getting ready for a hunt, a few women carrying baskets with foodstuff their children at their sides. He saw teens busy working on making weapons for defense and the hunt. This so reminded him of days long ago with his own clan before Lord Daru raided his people took him away. He remember watching from his cage as all his people were gathered to be taken away to Daru's mines and farms. Ozmun spent years in Daru's mines working carrying and digging out the ore used in the Savonti stun lances and as one of his personnel weapons. Over the years he watched as his people were all worn out and sent to the kitchens. His hatred for his captors growing until the day he found his magic. He remembered that day so well.
Ozmun had worked long that day carrying ore out of the mine. His feet ached and so did his back from the burn marks the guards had given him with their stunners. He could never move fast enough to please them, nor could Sorin the boy that was always chained next to him. Sorin was a few years younger then Ozmun and not as strong. Ozmun did what he could to keep him moving but everyday the boy became weaker and weaker. Being the last of his clan Ozmun he promised to protect him and for a few years he had done just that. But the boys weak condition was making him a more and more noticeable to the guards. Ozmun had seen them whispering and pointing at them many time in the last few weeks. He know what was coming, what they would do. So Ozmum began giving Sorin more of his food to strengthen him. But it was to late.

Sweat ran down his back as Ozmun carried his load of ore through the mine. It was dark there and the ground was littered with debris loosed from the digging. Beside Ozmun chained at their ankles was the younger Sorin struggling dragging his basket behind him. Ozmun stopped and put his load down and went to his younger friend.
" Sorin, you have to get up." He wrapped his arms around him and helped him to his feet.
" I can't do this anymore." Sorin moaned. " I'm just so tired. I can hardly walk."
" Shh!!!" Ozmun quieted him. He looked to his left and saw the guards whispering and nodding. " A few more hours and you can rest."
" I can't." He cried leaning on Ozmun. " I just can't do it."
" You have too!" Ozmun reached into the band of his trousers and pulled out a piece of bread he had hidden there. He gave it to Sorin. " Eat this. It'll give you strength."
" Just leave me." Sorin pushed it away.
" I can't."
Ozmun took the bread and stuffed it in the boys mouth and worked his jaw to help him chew. " We're chained. You go were I go. Now come on."
Ozmun picked up Sorin's smaller basket and dumped as much as he could in with his load then pushed it to him.
" Take it." Ozmun reached down and picked up his load then turned to leave. He didn't make two steps before two guards stopped them. Ozmun boldly looked up at them as they stared down on the two smaller men.
" Why are you just standing here?" One asked. He reached for Sorin's basket. " This is empty. You carry an empty basket?"
He lashed out striking Sorin in the face knocking him down. Ozmun jumped to cover Sorin and protect him but he was pulled back by the second guard and pushed against the mine wall. Sneering at Sorin the guard pushed Ozmun's basket at him.
" Pick it up."
Sorin looked at Ozmun for help. But there was nothing he could do to help this time, he was on his own. He had to either pick up the basket and work like the others, or be taken away. And that would mean his death. Sorin stood and reached over and pulled the basket toward him. The two guards watched, one still holding Ozmun to the wall. He took the basket and heaved it up. His arms shaking with effort as he got it off the ground and waist high. Ozmun could see the sweat pouring off of Sorin's face. He knew he couldn't hold the ore for very long.
" Let me help him." Ozmun pleaded with them. " Please!"
" He works or he's useless to us." The guard breathed his foul breath in Ozmun's face. Then he turned to Sorin. " Move it now!"
Sorin swallowed and took a step. The basket was much more then he could carry. He struggled to walk carrying the load. He made five more steps towards the mine exit before the lance struck his back and he screamed and fell dropping his load. The guards laughed as Sorin lay there bleeding from the wound in his back. The guards called to others stationed outside and pointed to Sorin
" Take him to the kitchens."
" Noooooooooooooooo!!!!!" Ozmun screamed throwing the guard off him. He was filled with rage as he started feeling something strange inside. He suddenly felt powerful. Ozmun reached down and grabbed his chains. With all the extra strength, he ripped himself loose from Sorin and dived at the guards roaring out. Power filled his body as he felt a burning run through him again. Suddenly where an enraged slave flew threw the air at the guards, a savage Tark landed in front of them and began to rip into them. The guards couldn't believe the huge brown six legged cat with a mouth full of sharp teeth slashing at them while they tried to back away as fast as possible. Blazing golden eyes flashed at them as Ozmun roared showing his needle sharp teeth and fangs. All around slaves and Savonti ran to get away from the beast. Ozmun took a mighty leap and landed over Sorin who cringed on the ground beneath him in fright. Two dead Savonti lay torn apart against the mine wall as more rushed in with their lances raised and ready to strike. Ozmun batted one lance away then grabbed another Savonti that came in to close. He screamed as Ozmun tore into it's chest with his claws then picked him up by the neck and tossed him aside. Rearing up on his hind legs in the manner of an attacking Tark, Ozmun roared out his rage. He bent down and grabbed Sorin like a cub and leaped for the mine exit and bolted out. Many Savonti had gathered out in the mine yard. Lord Daru had been called and told what was going on. Though the call had been unnecessary. He was on his way.

Deep in the lower hot volcanic sand pits of Darul Manse, Lord Daru sat going over production reports of the mines and listening to his men report on happenings along his borders. He was told of the latest movements of the cattle and where they were heading. Suddenly pain lanced through his mind as he felt a burst of magic nearby by. Someone nearby was using strong magic close to him. He held up his hand to quiet his men as he concentrated on the source of the magic. He could tell it wasn't Savonti magic. That meant it was the magic of one of the cattle. Daru probed deeper to locate the source of the magic. With a start he realized it was right here outside in his mines. He jumped to his feet calling out to one of his men.
" Get me a power collar!" He grabbed a cloak from the hook next to his bed of sand and fastened it on. " Get more men to the mines. Have them keep the beast there no matter what. Tell them I will deal with it."
Daru strode out of his chamber taking the collar offered to him. He had found a powerful new one. He smiled thinking of how much he would enjoy using this beast to his advantage.
That was the first time Ozmun used his power. That night Daru was able to use his mind to overcome Ozmun's rage and subdue him after a fierce fight with his men. Ozmun killed fifteen Savonti that day trying to save Sorin. But it didn't help. Ozmun became one of Daru's weapons that day. The collar weakened Ozmun so he couldn't fight. He could hardly concentrate while wearing it. From then on he was only able to use his new ability under Daru's command to fight or kill as his master ordered. Sorin died and went to the kitchens that night to feed the guards that survived Ozmun's first shift. But those days are in the past. Never again would he fight for Lord Daru. Instead he would fight tooth and nail to end the reign of the Savonti. And that was what bought him here searching for another human with power like him.

Wearing his hooded cloak, Ozmun stepped out among the people of this plains clan to staring eyes. He knew they all wondered who this strange man walking threw their camp was. People stood and stared at him. Ozmun lowered his hood to reveal his face, he knew if he wanted to gain there trust hiding was the wrong way to do it.
He would have to be careful here. Most people don't trust strangers on Pentanthin. As he walked people gathered around him and began to follow. He had no idea where he might find this Magda he was looking for, but she seemed to be leader here so anyone of these people could take him to her. He stepped up to a group of men watching as they armed themselves.
" Good hunt to you all!" He said smiling and holding out his empty hands. " I am Ozmun Natan. I'm here to see Magda Petrof."
" And what business have you with Magda?" Paesh asked stepping out in front of the crowd narrowing his eyes with suspicion. " You know her?"
" No." Ozmun said. " We've never met. It's a private personal matter which has nothing to do with you."
" She is my intended." Paesh said pulling his knife from it's sheath." You will tell me what you want or you won't be leaving here in one piece."
" Don't threaten me little man." Ozmun laughed at him. " You might get hurt. I don't want to have to hurt you."
" Paesh!" Oda grabbed his arm trying to pull him back from the stranger.
" Get out of my way!" With a quick swing, Paesh pushed Oda away knocking him back over a rack made for curing meat in the sun. Jumping to his feet, Oda dusted himself off and looked at his friend. then he turned and ran off into the camp.
A hush went over the crowd as Paesh readied himself to fight the stranger. Ozmun folded his arms smugly. He wasn't scared of the big man. He'd fought men like him many times before. He could tell the man was just a brawler, he had no real fighting skills. This would be quick and he wouldn't even need a weapon for this fight.
" You made a fatal mistake coming here to try and steal my woman." Paesh circled Ozmun glaring at him. Ozmun smiled his eyes never leaving his opponent.
" I have not come to fight." He said. " I came to make allies. We should not be enemies. The Savonti are the enemies. Don't we have enough to do fighting them, we can't afford to be fighting each other."
" Your not welcome here!" Paesh yelled. " Now fight!"
Paesh lunged at Ozmun stabbing forward aiming for a quick kill. Ozmun turned his body as he rushed by then turned to face him.
" Don't make me hurt you Friend." Ozmun raised his hands palms up. Paesh turned back and ready for his next attack.
" I am not your friend!!" He kicked out sending dirt up into the air trying to blind Ozmun. Moving as fast as he could he slashed out again and again trying to slice into Ozmun's defenses. Ozmun dropped down and thrust out his leg and tripped the big man. Like a sack he fell to the ground and Ozmun was on him. Grabbing his knife hand he smashed it down until Paesh dropped the knife then took him in a submission hold smashing his face into the ground.
" STOP THIS NOW!!!"
Ozmun looked up to see a beautiful girl about twenty years old with dark hair standing next to Paesh's friend Oda in dark leathers. He could see her anger lining her face. Everyone stepped back to let her pass into the fighting circle.
" Let him up now." Magda Petrof said hands on her hips. Ozmun released Paesh and climbed to his feet nodding to the clan leader. Rage filled Paesh as he got up. He looked at Magda then kicked out connecting to Ozmun's leg. He fell and Paesh dived at him fist clenched for the attack.
" I SAID STOP THIS NOW!!"
With a sweep of her hand she sent a force blast at Paesh sending him flying across the ground crashing him into the wagons outside the cave entrance.
" There will be no more fighting!!" Magda yelled to them all. " Do I make myself clear?"
Paesh climbed to his feet wiping his face and spitting out dirt. He took a step toward Magda into her eyes. He knew her power and what she could do to him if he tried to threaten her.
" How dare you use your magic on me!" Paesh wiped the blood from is lip that had split as he hit the wagon. " You forget your place. I am the lead warrior in this clan. Your arranged mate. I will not be treated like this!"
" You are a bully and a coward, Paesh." The crowd opened as Magda stepped in to confront Paesh. " There are children here I trust more then you and I will never mate with you. No matter what arrangements were made in the past."
Laughs and jeers went up in the crowd as she spoke. Paesh was not a very popular figure in the clan, just someone that pushed his fellow clansmen around to get what he wanted. Paesh took a step toward Magda with fire in his eyes. He started to raise his fist when all around them men stepped forward to protect Magda.
" No." She waved. " Step back. I can handle him if he wants a fight."
" You have made a big mistake today Magda." Paesh lowered his hands and turned to walk off. " I will be the death of you all. This I swear."
" It's a mistake I can live with." She whispered then turned to the crowd. " Lets get back to preparing for the hunt. Moel, round up your men and get them ready to move out."
Ozmun stood and waited while all the people went on with there daily chores. For a minute Magda talked to Moel, her lead hunter then she turned the Ozmun.
" Welcome Stranger." Magda smiled. " What brings you in to our camp?"
" My name is Ozmun Natan." Ozmun bowed to the clan leader. " I'm here for you."

After the fight Oda stood and watched Magda and the stranger talk. He wanted so much to tell Magda Paesh's plans for her, but fear filled his soul. He thought her response would be to exile him along with the big man and living alone in the forest scavenging for food with Paesh was not his idea of a very stable future. But he had to tell her. He would just have to wait until he could get her along and tell her all about Paesh's plan to turn her over to the Savonti.
It was mid day and not being a hunter or a warrior, Oda's job as a scout gave him the opportunity to come and go from camp as he pleaded. He thought his best bet would be to lie low and wait until he had the chance to speak to Magda. Keeping his eyes open for anyone following him, Oda returned to his cave to gather a few things he might need. Carefully he searched the area outside the cave for any evidence that anyone had been in his cave. Finding none he made his way quietly in. He needed something warm for the night and weapons. He would grab some foodstuff on his way out of camp. With his bag full. Oda left the cave looking around first to be sure he wasn't followed. He grabbed a few loafs of flat bread and some dried meat and headed out into the forest. So far he hadn't run into anyone as he made his way from camp. Oda listened carefully to the sounds of the forest. He knew just what to listen for. The snapping of a twig, the sound of feet shuffling across the ground behind him, even animals being scared into running. He could identify all these sounds easily. He knew just where he could hide. There was an old nest built by a rather large river mammal he had found long ago back when he hid from his fathers cruelty. He had widen it and made it stronger and never shown it to anyone. It was the perfect place to hid from Paesh's inevitable wrath, so Oda made his way to the river and carried his things in. Unfortunately for him, he didn't see the large man that had followed him and found his hiding place. From behind a massive tree, Paesh smiled.

As Mar rode up to the entrance to the deep cavern that housed the house of Lesu he relaxed. He was home now and the hunt for the missing human children had turned up nothing. The cave they had been hiding in where their grandfather had been caught was now empty. They had found nothing there but the bodies of the two dead guards His father had left behind. Mar was glad they had gotten away. He hoped they would never find them and they could make it to somewhere safe. But that was almost impossible. Even if they could make it out of Lesul, they would just enter Pulu's lands and he would be hunting them. He hated the way Humans were treated by Savonti. These poor people deserved to live a peaceful life without being hunted for food or as some Savonti lords slave. If only he could be granted lands and find more Savonti that thought as he did. Then he could protect them, or at least try. Being the oldest son of Lesu he knew he was the first in line for his father’s lands when the time came, but his father was getting suspicious of him. Mar wouldn't eat Human meat anymore and never in his life had he visited his father’s pleasure rooms or used humans like the others did. Lesu lately had began to notice these things. He had Mar watched at all times now. Mar knew he didn't have very much time left. He would have to move soon and either kill his father which wouldn't help much, because none of his father’s warriors would follow him. Or run and find his own lands and build a manse of his own. But how would he manage that on his own? He needed help. He needed other Savonti that would support him. He knew he couldn't be the only one that felt this way, but the danger of exposing his ideals was absolute treason to the Savonti. They were supposed to be the undisputed lords of Pentathin and masters of the world. His only other choice was to have human allies. But what human would ever trust him? The son of Lesu the touch of death. His father’s death and touch of pain made him one of the most powerful Lords of all of the Savonti. And what were Mar’s powers? As far as anyone knew, he had no powers. But he did. His was a very usual ability. He had the power to change probability sometimes at will but usually things just happened. If an arrow was shot at Mar, somehow it would end up deflected back to hit whoever had fired it. Mar was very carefully to hide his magic. He would rather other Savonti thought him powerless then to know what he could do. Things were getting complicated for him. He didn't know how long he could stay safe in Lesul. But he vowed one day he would free all of his father’s humans somehow.
As Mar and his warriors rode up to the ramp that led down into house Lesu, he saw that his brother Xan was standing at the gates. Xan was one of his fathers chief lieutenants. At this time of day Xan should have other important duties to attend to so why was he here? Mar stopped his tracker as they approached and greeted Xan.
"What brings my busy brother Xan out here on this hot dray?" He nodded a greeting to him.
"You Mar." He said. "Father wishes to see you as soon as you return. I see you don't have the humans with you."
"No I do not."Mar answered. "They had a three dray head start on us. But they will be found. They can not hide for long."
As they stood there a line of humans were being taken into the slave quarters from the mornings work. They looked exhausted and some of them were carrying some of the old and the young. Mar and Xan watched as they moved slowly passed them. Xan smiled and slide his tongue out his mouth to catch their scent.
"There will be a large dinner tonight." He looked to Mar for approval. Mar just nodded sicked by the thought of what he intended.
"I will see father as soon as I get in." He urged his mount on. As he looked back his mount kicked mud and rocks up that stuck Xan in his face. Probability Mar smiled riding on.

The stable where his personal tracker was kept was two levels down. He feed and made sure it had fresh water then left for his own apartment. There he changed his clothes and went on to see his father.
On the lowest level Lesu kept his private apartments. Only his guards, his queens and certain sons were allowed to ever come down there. Outside of his private study stood two guards. They never moved as he passed. His father had taught them well how to be at their post. Unless called they wouldn't move. Not an inch. He passed them and found his father at his desk working. Before him was parchments and other work he had to attend to.
"Xan says you came back without the humans I sent you after. Why?"
"You sent me out to hunt prey that had been running for three drays." Mar said sitting on a bench before Lesu. "Three drays they have been on the run. They will not be anywhere near that cave. We followed the trail as far as we could. I will find them father."
"And bring them to?" Lesu put down his work and stared at his son. "Do you think I am stupid Mar?"
"I do not understand your question." He said. "I did as you asked. The humans will be found."
"Will they?" Lesu stood and walked to the front of his desk. "By you? Friend to the humans."
This was an argument Mar knew had to come sooner or later. He relaxed ready to have his say at last.
"Father. I will bring them back to you so you can work them to death then serve them up on a plate for everyone to enjoy. Happy? Is that what you want to hear?"
"I want you to be a proper Savonti and eat what Savonti eat." Lesu was getting angry. "You are to be the next lord either here or in your own lands. Who is going to respect a lord that treats humans as if they matter?"
"They do father!" Mar stood pushing back the bench. "They think like we do. They sleep and do everything an intelligent being should. They are not cattle to be butchered and worked to death!"
"They are mine Mar, to do with as I please!" Lesu advanced on his son his eyes red with anger. "If you ever want your own house you will stop all this craziness about humans and get it through your head that they are nothing but meat for the table!"
"I will never accept that!" Mar turned from his father and went for the door. Lesu grabbed at him. In a flash the bench was suddenly between them flying at Lesu hitting him in the chest. Lesu stepped back in shock.
"HOW DARE YOU!!" He screamed. "GUARDS!!"
In a second the two door guards rushed in with their staffs out. Lesu pointed to his son.
"Take him! Lock him up with the humans he loves so much!"
The two guards reached to grab him and drag him out when Lesu stopped them.
"Do not touch him." He said. "He is my son. Lock him in with the humans and let everyone know he is to be shunned from here on but they are not to abuse him in any way. I will deal with him in my own time."
"Do as you wish with me father." Mar turned to walk out with the two guards."But know this. They will be free and nothing any of the Savonti can do will stop it. Even if it means our death!"
"LOCK HIM AWAY NOW!!!"

Asleep in his hiding nest Oda heard something that snapped him awake. He opened his eyes and knew something was wrong, he wasn't alone and he was in danger. Slowly he moved his hand to find his pack to retrieve his knife. Oda felt around in the dark but found nothing. He lifted his head to look for it and a bright light suddenly flared into existence.
" Looking for this." Oda focused his eyes to find Paesh sitting in the entrance holding his pack smiling at him. " I was wondering where my friend had disappeared to when I left, and here you are hiding. Why are you hiding Oda?"
Scuttling back Oda sat up and looked around for a place to run. Paesh was sitting right in front of the only way in or out. There was no escape.
" We have something to talk about my friend." Paesh tossed the pack aside.
" I didn't tell her anything." Oda cried. " Please don't do this."
" I know you didn't." Paesh stood pulling his own knife. " But the Savonti have promised me Magda and the clan if I do what they want. You know to much so you know what I have to do. Nazun Oda."
" Nooooooooooooo!!!!!!!"

Gabor Gekko. 27

I am Gabor Emil Gekko, Eldest son of Petar and Tereza Gekko. I was born in a camp hidden in the forest lands of Lord Fedru of the Savonti. I have two brothers, Bela and Nica and one sister Irina. We grew up moving from place to place growing food in hidden caches and living in caves and tunnels we built to hide in. They're hidden all over our forest so the Savonti can't find them. My father Petar was leader of our clan. He was by far the greatest hunter warrior I have ever known. He feared nothing. Not the Savonti or any clan that might try raiding us. And there were many raids on us. As clans go, we were doing pretty good. We had plenty of food hidden away. Enough to last the winter which was more then many could say. My father was a master at the sword and spear and could bring down game from fifty yards easy. As the eldest son, I was taught from birth to fight and take care of my family and my clan. I had lessons in sword, spear and the ways of the forest from the day I took my first step. We were taught what was edible in the forest and what could be used as poisons. How to identify the tracks of every animal out there and most important, how and when to hide. My brothers and I spent many nights alone in the forest with just a knife for protection. We were good I must say. My parents were great teachers. They knew our lives would depend on our skills.
Life in the forest wasn't easy. The Savonti always kept us on guard and on the move with there raids. But we were always ahead of them. Always gone before they could catch us. In all my days I can only remember losing less then ten to there damned cages and cook fires. Until three days ago. That was the day my world died.
I woke early that morning and dressed in hide pants and a cotton tunic. I slipped on my boots and my belt with my knives. My brother Bela, two years younger was just getting back from a lone hunt. He had just turned fourteen and passed his hunting test by bringing down a trula. That's a large mammal we hunt for it meat and hides. With only a spear and knife, Bela and a friend had killed it and butchered the beast and brought it home. Tonight would be a celebration of their passing to hunters. We were very proud of Bela. Mother and Irina were up at the fire fixing breakfast for the rest of the men about to head out to hunt. It was my job to stay this time. Father would lead the hunt. As I got a quick meal mother asked me to take Nica and get some water from the river. Nica complained, he wanted to go hunting with father. But he was to young. Nica was ten, he couldn't keep up with them as the ran after there prey. He pouted mad and turned his back to us.
" Nica." I said. " How about you and me go hunting later. I'll get some things and we can be out for a few hour."
" Really?" He turned and looked at me wide eyes. " Can we mother? Please can we?"
" As long as your back before dark." Mother turned from her cooking pot as Irina handed her some roots for the concoction they were preparing. " And you both get your chores done before you go. We'll be busy curing meat, we don't have time to get water and you still have to do your rounds around the camp and check the traps. There's a lot to do before we move on Gabor."
Nica looked at me sadly thinking I would never get done in time.
" You get cleaned up and take care of your dera's." I patted Nica's back. " I'll hurry and be done by mid day."
He smiled nodded and ran out of the cave to get to work. Irina laughed at him as he ran out.
" You check and make sure those dera are milked and fed." She said finishing peeling and scraping the ingredients. " And make sure they're ready to go by night fall."
" Yes Rina." I kissed mother and Iina and headed out of the cave. All around the caves there was activity. The men heading out to hunt were readying their spears and gathering their things. The men not going on the hunt were setting out to their post to keep watch for the Savonti or raids from other clans. The young were busy with lessons or chores that had to be done. Everyone knew this was to be the last night at this site. In the morning they would be moving so everything had to be packed or hidden tonight. Gabor went from campsite to campsite making sure they would be ready in the morning. He talked to each family in the clan. The site had to be just as clean as when they had arrived and they couldn't leave any trail showing which direction they went. Petar was completely meticulous about that. No scent to follow and no trail. Each family would be giving a potion called quero to sprinkle behind them as they left. Years ago an ancestor of the Gekko family had made an important discovery. A certain combination of herbs and roots made a formula that made tracker beast useless. One sniff of this potion and they couldn't even smell each other. For decades the Gekko clan had held the secret of this formula and used it successfully to escape there reptilian enemy.
After his rounds, Gabor and Bela went out and collected all the traps set about the camp. Trapped wildlife was passed out as provisions for the move and warning traps were dismantled and hidden away. Once done, Gabor was ready to take his little brother on their hunting trip. He quickly checked Nica's chores to be sure he had done them then went to get a snack for their short trip. Mother had set aside some bread and fruit for them to take along before packing the rest of their stores away. Nica was so excited about the hunting trip. He hurried Gabor along begging to get going.
" Calm down Nica." He laughed. " We're going. You have your knife?"
" Yep!" He held up the knife father had given him earlier this year. " I have a jar of quero to take with us too."
" Good your prepared." I put my bow over one shoulder and clipped our food to my belt. My knives were in my belt and I was ready to go. " Let's get going."
Nica smiled that big grin of his and we started out into the forest.
Together we had a great day running around and chasing small game. He wanted to go after something bigger, but I said no. He wasn't ready for that kind of chase. After catching five plump mugits we sat down to eat our lunch under a tree. In the distants we saw a trula herd run. Father and the others were probably near by chasing them. Nica wanted to go down after them, but I held him back. Trula were dangerous animals. When enraged they turned and charged after anyone near them. These trula were on the run. If we came near them they would defiantly charge us in a stampede, and there was no way we could out run the herd. Holding Nica back we watched them from the shade of our tree. That's when I saw them. Baebots. A whole flock of them came out of the forest and swooped down around the trula. Fear ran through my blood like ice. I knew what baebot's were and what they meant. The Savonti had found us. From the field where the trula were running I saw father and the rest of the men go running towards our camp. I grabbed Nica quickly.
" Come on Nica. We have to hurry!"
From the east Trackers came running out of the brush with there Savonti rider with their lances aimed to run down the running men. Father turned and saw them coming. He reached to his side and pulled his sword and stood his ground. On they came. A Savonti rider rode down on him aiming to lance him through his chest and knock him out. Father raised his sword and met the lance thrust with force. The sound of the clash rang out clearly as they met. Father reached up and grabbed the Savonti pulling him from his mount and stabbed him ramming the sword through him. He looked up at me watching him.
" Gabor!!" He yelled. " Get back to your mother and get them all to safety!!
" No father. Let me help you!" In started toward him pulling my bow from my back." I can fight!!"
" Get Nica out of here now!!!" He pulled his sword free and called out to his men around him. More Savonti came riding at them ready to fight.
" GO NOW!!"
" Nica hold on to my belt." I told my little brother. " We have to get back to camp."
He nodded as we took off running. With one hand I pulled arrows from my quiver sending them flying at both Savonti and tracker beast in my way. Bravely Nica held on and ran with me. From all sides the Savonti came. As we neared the campsite we saw our people running for there lives into the forest. But unorganized we didn't have a chance. One by one Nica and I saw our friends grabbed and thrown into cages. Some fought back and we saw them die. Finally Nica and I made it back to our cave. There we saw Bela and his friend Iosef fighting a group of Savonti in the entrance. I pulled a handful of arrows and let them fly at our enemy. Like lightning they struck killing three Savonti and giving Bela more of a fighting chance.
" Nica I know your scared but we have to get to Bela." He looked up at me then pulled his knife from his belt and nodded. " Stay close to me."
I pulled my sword from my belt and took off into the fight with Nica at my side. I met the first Savonti with a stab through his back. With a mighty kick I sent him flying into the feet of his companions. Nica launched himself at the fallen Savonti stabbing at them with his knife. Bela and Iosef fought like mad men protecting the entrance. There were dead Savonti piled at there feet as they fought. But more came. I grabbed Nica by his belt and threw him into the cave then went back to hacking at the Savonti. A tall Savonti turned on me to engage me. He rushed at me swinging his lance blade end up to rip into my stomach. I jumped high as the lance missed bringing my blade in for a slash. He countered with the stunner end and tried to send and energy discharge at me. It went astray into the crowd and hit one of his companions knocking him to the ground. With a quick strike Bela finished the downed Savonti off. Howling madly the Savonti rushed at me meaning to batter me into submission. When out of nowhere a small body came flying to land on his back. Nica stabbed at him again and again until he fell dead to the ground. That was the last of the Savonti facing us at the cave. I pulled Nica to his feet.
"Are you alright?" I checked Nica head to toe. Other then a few scrapes he was covered with Savonti blood and alright.
" Yea Gabor." He answered getting to his feet." I'm alright."
" What of father?" Bela asked. " Did you see him?"
" He and the hunters were fighting in the field." I told him. " He sent me back to get everyone away from here. Wheres Mother and Irina?"
" I don't know." Bella had a fearful look on his face. " They weren't here when we arrived."
Gabor looked out at the stone ridge that housed the cave system. The fighting was still going on. Savonti were still loading people into cages to be hauled away. They could hear screams coming from below them.
" Nica, get me more arrows from my niche," I ordered him. " Bela and Iosef this is far from done. We have to stop those wagons from leaving. Mother has to be in one of them."
" So are my sisters." Iosef growled. " But look how many of them there are. We are three. Shouldn't we wait for your father and the rest to get back?""
" Four." Nica said coming back carrying my extra full quiver and fathers. " I'm gonna help too."
" We can't wait." I told them. " As far as we know there already dead. We have two choices. Go hide in the forest or try and stop them. Choose now. But whatever you choose, you better hurry. We don't have much time."

Up on the ridge sitting high on his tracker, Lord Fedru watched his men load the people of the forest into cages. This was a great moment. He had been after this particular thorn in his side for years. A thorn named Gekko. He and his people had been raiding his camps and freeing his cattle for generations. And always away in hiding before he could get anywhere near them. These damn Gekko's were a devious clan. This Petar and his father before him, with no magic they had done what no other in over two hundred years could. Now he had them. Fedru smiled down on the line of captives in front of him being led away and called to one of his men.
" Bring him to me."
" Yes my lord." The guard pounded his chest in salute then went off to follow his lords orders. Fedru looked out at the cage wagons being filled around him. It looked like his men had done well. Most of the clan were here being loaded. There were full cages all over the hill with screaming crying cattle. Petar had been caught off guard out hunting for the move. He had caught them just in time before they were gone again. Fedru had lost many men today killed by these beast. But he had won the day. And now the beast was his. He would be on his table tonight.
Chained and beaten, Petar Gekko was dragged out of his cage and thrown on the ground.
" My lord wishes to see you beast." Said a Savonti guard.
" Nagut!!" Petar spit at the guard. " I wish to see your lord as well. Dead in a waste spit where all you Savonti belong!"
" We shall see who ends up in a waste pit." The guard laughed kicking Petar in his back. " Get moving beast!"
Petar climbed to his feet surrounded by Savonti armed with lances. They poked at him to get him moving out through their camp. Petar walked with his head up through his caged people. He could hear them calling out to him and the cry's of others. As he walked he could feel their lanes poking his back. He turned and kicked dirt in there faces in defiance. A lance came down hard into the back of his head knocking him to the ground.
" PETAR!!"
He looked up to see his wife and daughter staring down at him from a caged wagon.
" Tereza!" He climbed to his feet and stumbled to her cage. He reached in and took her hand " I'm sorry Reza. This is all my fault. I should have been more careful."
" No Petar." Tears ran down her cheeks. " You kept us safe. There was nothing you could have done."
" MOVE!!" A stun lance struck Petar in his back sending its charge through his body. He screamed and fell to the ground. " Get up and move now."
Petar looked up at the Savonti guards with such hate in his eyes. He climbed to his feet and braced himself to attack them.
" Attack, and they die now." A guard stuck his lance into the cage into Tereza's face. Petar could see the fear in his wife and daughters eyes.
" I love you." He said. Then he turned and walked on calmly away from them. Ahead he could see Lord Fedru waiting with that evil sneer the Savonti always wore. He had climbed down from his tracker and handed the reins to one of his men.
" Ah here comes the proud Petar Gekko." Lord Fedru said. " My most hated enemy mine at last."
" Down on your knees!" A lance struck him in his back knocking him to his knees at Lord Fedru's feet.
" So you've won at last Fedru." Petar said proudly. " You have me. But you and your people will never win here. We will one day destroy you all. This I swear."
" That may be." Fedru said as he walked up and placed his hand on Petar's shoulder. Petar screamed as agonizing pain rip through his body. Fedru laughed. " But you will never live to see that day."
Petar fell forward on his face. Lord Fedru's agony touch had sent so much pain into Petar, all his senses were overloaded and he passed out.
" Take him back to his cage." Fedru said. " Have everyone start moving out. I want to be back in my sands by nightfall."
" Yes my lord!!" Together the two guards took Petar by his arms and dragged him back and locked him in his cage. Then the signal was blown and they started moving out, back to Fedru's lair.

Night fell as Gabor led the remnants of his clan through the dark forest. They had gathered together everyone that had escaped capture and took the wounded men, women and children to a safe site. Then Gabor took the able men and set off into the forest to intercept Lord Fedru's forces. They hoped to catch them before they made it home and release as many people as they could. Gabor knew this mission had to be done carefully. This was about rescue not revenge. Freeing his mother and as many as possible and getting them away quietly would not be easy. Fedru would have sentries out on watch. They would have to find them and dispatch them quickly and sneak into camp to free the others.
It didn't take them long to find Fedru's trail. They were moving with many trackers and wagons so they left a very good trail to follow. One of the Savonti's main weaknesses was there arrogance. They felt that the cattle feared them so much that they would never come after them. And with most of the Gekko clan in cages, they were right. But fortunately, not all Gekko's had been caught. And tonight they would fight back.
No care was taken in the placement of the caged captives except to keep them away from where the Savonti slept. Fedru had set four guards out to watch the camp. Two were to walk the perimeter of the camp and another two would watch the captives. From the forest Gabor and his men watched and timed how long at took the guards to make the rounds around the camp. It seemed they would start at the northern end and go in separate directions and meet up at the southern end then continue circling. Gabor sent two teams of two men to meet them as they reached eastern and western points of they're rounds. There they would quietly subdue the guards and hide their bodies in the forest. Gabor would wait for there signal then move into the camp to free everyone. Keeping everyone down they waited listening to every sound in the forest. The forest was alive with noise. Mostly predators out for there nightly hunt.
Suddenly a call rang out. One only one of his people would recognize. The call might the guards were down. Time to move. Waving his hand, Gabor stood and crept forward keeping low so none of the Savonti would spot him. In front of him was a ring of wagons with all his caged people. He could hear them sobbing in despair at their captivity as he creeped by. He wanted to stop and open their cages, but the noise would alert the Savonti, and he couldn't afford that. So he moved on.
Leaning against a wagon covered stood the first guard. Gabor knew the cooler temperature of the night we make the reptilian man a bit less aware. He hoped he would be drowsy enough that he wouldn't hear there approach at all. Moving with all the stealth he could, Gabor pulled his knife and stepped up behind the Savonti guard and grabbed him and slid his blade across his throat. Holding his mouth to keep him silent he lowered the guard the the ground dead. One down, one more to go. Gabor waited quietly as he watched another of his men repeat his action. Luck was on there side he thought as the guard fell and he was given the signal to move on.
With a wave of his hand he motioned his men to move forward to the cages and start freeing the captives. One by one he searched the cages freeing his people and looking for his mother and sister. Suddenly the quiet of the night was broken. He heard a whisper, his name. He looked to the left and saw Iosef sisters calling from their cage. Quickly he ran to the cage and began working the locks.
" Thank the spirits." Maya Dodos whispering clutching his hand as she and her sister Delia stepped down and hugged him. " We were so scared. Where's Iosef? Is he with you?"
" Iosef is safe." He told them. " He's just beyond the bank of hedges leading people out. Have you seen my mother?"
" Yes. Delia nodded. " Last we saw she and Irina were in a cage over yonder."
" Go help Iosef get everyone away." Gabor said turning to move off after his family.
" Gabor." Delia said grabbing his arm stopping him. " They have your father. We saw him being beaten by Fedru."
" Damn!" Fear suddenly ran through his body at these words. He knew Fedru would prize him as a trophy keeping him close. Freeing him meant finding Lord Fedru's private camp. His mission just became one hundred times harder, but he had to try.
" Go!" He said pushing the woman off. " I'll find them. Keep my brothers away from here."
Gabor watched the Dodos sisters hurry off, then headed of to find his family.
All around him people were running into the woods being led by men of his party. Quietly Gabor slipped on into the darkness, ahead of him he saw another ring of cages. Fortunately they weren't being guarded and there were no Savonti as far as he could see. He moved to a tree and listened. Silence. None of his men had made it this far into the Savonti camp yet. He was the first. He peeked out for a look. The camp was very litely lit. There were only a few torches lit casting shadows all around the camp. Staying low, Gabor moved in watching carefully for any guards. He reached the first cage and looked in. It was empty, but the were clothing scattered on the floor. His stomach jumped to his throat cause he knew what that meant. Whoever had been in that cage had been taken. They were dead now. Food on the table for these damned reptiles. His fear rose for a second, then he looked closer at the clothing and didn't recognize them. This wasn't his mother and sisters cage, but it was some other member of his clan. Gabor shook it off. He didn't have time for thoughts like this. He would grieve later. Suddenly he heard something behind him. He pulled his sword and turned ready to fight.
" It's me." Bella whispered creeping to his brothers side. " You'll need my help."
" Get out of here." He said quietly. " I can do this alone."
" No you can't." Bella said sternly. " You can't open all those cages alone. Together we can."
" You can what?" Came a voice loudly from behind them. Gabor and Bella turned in surprised to find Lord Fedru and ten of his guards surrounding them. Gabor leaped up sword aimed at Fedru for the kill and was batted down to the ground.
" You think I didn't know your little herd was stalking us?" Fedru growled grabbing Gabor by his tunic and pulling him up to face him. " I am a Lord of the Savonti with powers far beyond any thing you know. You and yours are nothing but food to be served on our tables."
He threw Gabor down, Bella grabbed Gabor and pulled him up to protect his older brother.
" Your people have gotten away from me for now, but have no fear. I will find them and bring them back. But I do have you and them." Fedru smiled and evil grin at him and pointed to three his guards dragged in and threw down next to them. It was Nica and two others from their raiding party. " And you will be served up soon. Just like your father and the two females were tonight."
" Noooooooooooooooo!!!!!" Gabor screamed. Bella sobbed next to him pulling Nica's unconscious body to him.
" Cage them." Fedru ordered. " We move tonight."

" And that is my story." Gabor said Cutter Azeal and Tanis listening. " Now you know how I came to be in the cage you found me in. My mother, father and sister are dead. My brothers are in a cage captured back in Fedru's miserable manse. Now I have a question for you all. Will you help me free my people, or do I try again this time on my own? But I'll tell you this. I will fight the Savonti as long as I can raise my fist or hold a sword and someday we will end their rein over us. That I swear."
Cutter, Azeal and Tanis looked to each other for each others thoughts. Azeal had tears in his eyes and Cutter could see the anger in Tanis. He was almost shaking with fury. But there were others he had to consult before making this decision. He had the Academy and all the teachers and students to think of too. Their safety was his primary concern after all.
" We hear you and grieve your lost." Cutter said. " Give us a little time to talk this over and I will give you our answer in an hour. Will that be sufficient?"
" Yes." Gabor nodded. " Just remember. The long you take, more of my people be killed and served. So please hurry."
" We will." Cutter turned and ushered Azeal and Tanis to the door. He opened it and turned back to Gabor looking out of the window into the courtyard." In the meanwhile, clothing will be provided for you and you are free to see our school. Go meet our people."
" Thank you." Gabor smiled bowing. Together the three left the room and closed the door behind them and started back for the offices to talk it over.
" Wait." Tanis stopped. " You know what I think Cutter I'm sure. I want to help him. After what my uncle did back home, How can I not. You go talk with the others. I'll stay and show Gabor around. Azeal can call me when you've made your decision. But you know mine. I'm going to help him with or without your help."
" We understand Tanis." Cutter gripped his shoulder. " It won't be long, I promise you."