No More Fear. 41

It was getting dark by the time Zarin and the others reached the Nevac cave they had found earlier. Outside they met Dack and Reno carrying the water and food they had hunted. Rese led Luke, Tored and his sisters to the entrance while Zarin led the rest.

"Are you sure this cave is safe?" Zarin asked watching the dark hole in the mountain suspiciously. "There's nothing in there dangerous?"
"Not to us." Thalia said walking pass him. "But it's dark in there. Some of us don't have night vision, we better get wood for a fire and torches.
"Let Tored and I do that." Luke said. "We know what wood to use that won't attract any notice and bring the Savonti here."
"Fine." Zarin nodded as Luke and his brother started off. He looked out at all his friends looking to him for leadership. "The rest of you stay close. Craven you and Zark are on watch, take Reno and Dack with you. Rese watch the girls while Thalia and I got in and check the cave."
"Let me go with Thalia." Eheren said as he saw the look of fear on Thalia's face. "As she said, I see better in the dark then you. You stay with Rese and the girls, they're still scared."
"Fine." He said. "Trip, we need to talk about the Savonti you saw."
As Thalia and Eheren walked into the cave Thalia turned to Eheren and smiled.
"Thank you." She said. "That could have been awkward."
"Not if you tell Zarin what he needs to know." Eheren told her. "He needs this information. This Sacar could be important."
"I know." Thalia said. "I'll tell them all, I promise. After we get done."
"Good."
Together the two walked in deeper into the cave. It took the a few minutes but soon they had made it down into The Nevac city and Eheren saw all the elaborate designs and beauty of the buildings. The high roofs and tall buildings that surrounded them. It wasn't like anything he had ever seen on Keanna. I wasn't like the gleaming elven cities or Winterhaven or on enchanted cities of the faire. This was different. The buildings were all designed in a earthy way. More like they were craved right out of the cave sides. The caves here must be honeycombed with tunnels and pathways that only a Nevac would knew. He could see windows in the high walls and walkways alone walls. The ground wasn't paved but Eheren could see this was more then just a cave floor. It was to smooth to be natural. With his night vision he could see the array of colors all around him. Shades of green and brown with some reds and violets.
"Beautiful isn't it?"
"Indeed." Eheren answered. "These Nevac must have been very artistic."
[WE WERE.]
Eheren jumped and looked around for the source of the message but seeing nothing but the vacant city. Through his magic senses he could feel something all around him but he couldn't quite pin point where it was coming from.
[HAVE NO FEAR OF ME FRIEND.] Eheren heard in his head. [I WILL NOT HARM YOU OR ANY OF YOUR FRIENDS.]
"You would be Sacar." Eheren called out his voice echoing through the tunnel. " Aiya."
[NAZUN THALIA. I SEE YOU HAVE RETURNED WITH YOUR FRIENDS.]
"Yes." She called out. "We have need of somewhere safe to stay for now. The Savonti are everywhere."
[YOU ARE WELCOME HERE UNDER ONE CONDITION.]
Thalia's heart sank when she heard Sacar's words. She had a feeling she knew what condition would be. She looked over to Cutter and frowned.
"What would that be my friend?" Eheren asked the voice on the winds.
[I AM A SECRET.] He said. [NO ONE OTHER THEN THE TWO OF YOU SHOULD KNOW OF MY EXISTENCE. IT WOULD BE DANGEROUS FOR ALL OF YOU IF YOU DO.]
Cutter didn't understand Sacar's request at all. Surely they would be a great help to him in his quest for revenge against his enemy the Savonti. Why must he be so secretive?
[MY PEOPLE STILL LIVE IN THESE TUNNELS.] He told them. [AND MANY AROUND PENTANTHIN. I HAVE SEEN YOUR MIND DRAGON. IT IS VERY POWERFUL AND I FEEL YOUR STRENGTH. BUT THE OTHERS WITH YOU ARE NOT SO STRONG. IF ANY OF THEM ARE CAPTURED THEY'RE MINDS COULD BE PROBED AND THE HUNTS FOR MY PEOPLE WILL BEGIN AGAIN. WE ARE A DYING RACE. WE ARE FEW. THE SAVONTI MUST NOT KNOW WE STILL LIVE. I MUST HAVE BOTH OF YOUR PROMISES THAT NO ONE WILL KNOW I AM HERE.]
"I understand Sacar." Eheren walked out into the darkness hoping he might get a sense of where Sacar might be, but none of his senses told him anything. The Nevac hid themselves well. "We dragon's were once a great race that filled the skies, land and waters of our planet. But wars, time and fear have diminished our numbers. Ours is one of the last clans on Keanna as far as we know so I understand your wish to remain hidden. But you can't hide forever."
[I KNOW THIS FRIEND.] Sacar's voice echoed from wall to wall sending vibrations through both Eheren and Thalia. For the first time since they arrived on Pentanthin, Thalia felt fear. She wasn't sure what she was scared of. Maybe it was Eheren picking up a sense of those that once lived in this underground city.
"Then help the humans end their suffering." Thalia told her new friend. Eheren reached over and took her hand with an approving smile. "You both have the same enemy, why not combine your strengths."
"Yes." Eheren agreed. "The humans have numbers and you can give them weapons and advice. You've studied the Savonti for years, century's even. You know they're weaknesses, ways to get around each of the lords powers. With your help Pentanthin could be free."
Silence filled the chamber as Eheren and Thalia waited for Sacar's answer. Then there was a rumbling to their left. Eheren quickly turned to see something streak by just out of his sight. He wonder if it could have been Sacar he had seen. Then his voice rang out again in his mind.
[THERE IS SOMETHING I WILL DO FOR YOU.]
"What?" Thalia asked.
[YOU WILL SEE VERY SOON. FOR NOW,BRING YOUR FRIENDS IN. MY HOME IS SAFE. USE IT AS LONG AS YOU WANT. I WILL BE AWAY FOR A WHILE. NAZUN FRIENDS.]
Suddenly the feeling Eheren had of Sacar's presence was gone. The cave almost had an empty abandoned feeling to it. Thalia sighed missing her new friends presence. Eheren
put a hand on her shoulder.
"I guess you were right." He said. "Keeping Sacar's presence to yourself was the right thing to do."
"Yes." She nodded. "We'll try and keep everyone out of the Nevac city and stay in the front chambers. That will honor his request."
"I agree." Together they turned back to make their way out of the ancient city."Let's bring the other in, they could all use some rest."

Deep in the bowels of Pentanthin, Sacar moved like a ghost through the tunnels and passage ways of the dead cities. He could feel others of his kind there but they were all to afraid to come out and talk with him. Frustrated he stopped in the center of one of their largest cities and sat down to rest. Sacar thought about what it would have been like to see the city busy and full of life without the hate and fear that had bought it to such ruin. If only they had been more bold, more courageous not so timid a people. If only they had saw what was to be the future of the Nevac. Maybe they would have fought for their way of life. But it wasn't to late. The Nevac knew now what hate was and that it had to be fought like a disease. Sacar was ready now to fight, he only hoped the rest his people were to. He stood and looked around feeling the hidden eyes on him.
[I KNOW YOUR THERE.] He sent out. [I CAN FEEL YOU WATCHING. WELL LISTEN TO THIS. THE GREY AND WHITE HAVE COME. THE PROPHESY IS AT HAND. NOW WE ARE AN ALMOST DEAD RACE KILLED BY OUR GREAT ENEMY. BUT WE THE NEVAC STILL HAVE CHOICES. WE CAN STAY IN HIDING AND WATCH THE SAVONTI DO WITH THE HUMANS WHAT THEY DID TO US OR WE CAN HELP THE HUMANS AND FIGHT BACK. ME, I'M SICK OF THE HIDING AND HATING IN OUR TUNNELS AND I WILL FIGHT THEM. BUT WHAT OF YOU? WILL YOU HELP THE ENEMY BY STAYING IN YOUR HOLES OR WILL YOU JOIN ME AND GET REVENGE FOR ALL THE GHOST THAT SCREAM FOR VENGEANCE AND RETRIBUTION? THE NEVAC FUTURE IS UP TO YOU. THROW OFF YOU FEAR AND FIGHT WITH ME. IT IS OUR TIME NOW.]
All round him Sacar heard the sound of movement in the dark tunnels but still no one stepped out to join him. Fine, they had made their choice. It was up to him now and him alone. He would take the fight to the Savonti for the Nevac himself. He would help the humans anyway he could and finding Thalia's friends would be his first task. That and finding out what the accursed enemy planned to do next. With a deep breath Sacar took off for the surface armed with a weapon he had forged himself to fight with. The time for the Nevac's revenge had come. Sacar turned to leave when suddenly a voice rang out in him mind,
[WHAT EXACTLY WOULD YOU HAVE US DO?]
Sacar stopped glad to have finally gotten a reply. It seemed another Nevac felt just as he did at last.
[I WOULD HAVE YOU AT MY SIDE IN THIS FIGHT.] He answered. [THERE IS MUCH TO DO.]
[YOU WISH ME TO FIGHT?] Sacar could feel the fear in the mindspeak. Whoever it was still felt the fear of the Savonti.
[YES BROTHER.] Sacar sent. [I WOULD HAVE YOU FIGHT WITH ME. FIGHT FOR ALL OF OUR DEAD. THEY DESERVE IT DON'T YOU THINK?]
[THAT WAS LONG AGO.] The voice said. [I SHOULD DIE FOR THOSE THAT WENT LONG BEFORE ME?]
Sacar couldn't believe what he was hearing. He was afraid to but this was more then fear. This sounded more like cowardice. Is that what the Nevac had become? A race of cowards? Well no more, not him. he would do this alone if he had to.
[IS THAT HOW YOU WISH TO HONOR YOUR GRANDFATHERS AND COUSINS MEMORY?] Sacar raged out. [WITH COWARDICE? I TO FEAR THE SAVONTI BUT I WILL NOT LET THAT FEAR RULE MY LIFE FOR ONE MORE MOMENT. OUR PEOPLE WERE PACIFICE THEY DIED WITH INNOCENCE AND HONOR AND SOME FEAR BUT NEVER COWARDICE. IS THIS HOW YOU WILL LIVE OUT YOUR DAYS? HIDING IN THESE TUNNELS UNTIL THEY RETURN AND HUNT THE LAST OF US DOWN? I SAY NEVER!!! NO MORE WILL I HIDE, NO MORE FEAR. NEVER AGAIN WILL I LET THEM HUNT US. I WILL HUNT THEM!!]
Silence filled the chamber as Sacar's words sank in and the other thought about what Sacar had said. He remembered the stories he had been told of the glory of the Nevac. The wonderful life his people once had. A life all the people of Pentanthin was being denied because of the Savonti. Bravery had never been a trait of the Nevac, but neither was fear until the hunting began. Then everything changed. Maybe it was time again for a change. Maybe the Nevac could learn from these humans and stop the fear forever.
[YOU SPEAK STRONG WORDS COUSIN AND I HEAR THEM. YOU ARE RIGHT, FEAR HAS BECOME OUR ENEMY TO. I WILL FIGHT WITH YOU. WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE ME DO?]
[I WANT YOU TO FIND SOME STRANGER.] Sacar sent images and the sense of power he had felt from Eheren for him to recognize. He was relieved he had found a way to reach his cousin. [THEY ARE OUR ALLIES. I NEED YOU TO FIND THEM AND HELP THEM. OUR FUTURE DEPENDS ON THESE HUMANS AND THE STRANGERS WITH THEM.]
[STRANGER?]
[YES.] Sacar sent. [YOU KNOW OF THE OLD PROPHESY. THE WHITE AND GREY. THEY HAVE FINALLY COME BUT THEY NEED OUR HELP IF THEY ARE TO SUCCEED.]
[WHAT OF YOU?]
[I WILL FIND THE ENEMY AND SEE WHAT THEY ARE PLANNING.] Sacar answered.
[YOU WALK A DANGEROUS PATH COUSIN. BUT CAREFUL AND SAFE.]
[I AM CALLED SACAR. WHAT ARE YOU CALLED?] Sacar asked with curiosity. [I WOULD KNOW MY COUSINS NAME.]
[I AM MADRI.] He sent back to Sacar. [AND I AM NOT ALONE. HAVE NO FEAR. WE WILL FIND THESE STRANGERS YOU SEEK AND DO ALL WE CAN TO HELP THEM. NAZUN FOR NOW COUSIN SACAR.]
[NAZUN MADRI. TAKE CAREFUL STEPS AND THE WHITE AND GREY, THEY ARE OUR LAST HOPE.]
Relieved Sacar turned and like the wind he was gone. He had kept for himself the most dangerous of the two tasks he had planned. He had to find the Savonti and infiltrate their lair without being caught and spy on them. His was probably a suicide mission but he was determined and he would succeed. He prayed to his ancestors for all the help he could get. With luck they would answer his prayers and he would live to see the end of the great enemy.

In the dark of night Madri and the others with him spread out over the land quickly and quietly going from one land to the next in search of anyone that fit the description Sacar had passed on to them. They found many humans hiding in various places from the Savonti. Madri looked at them and couldn't help but see their fear. Is this what we were like hiding away he wondered. To afraid to move from our caves in case the enemy saw us? Then he moved on and saw many different clans armed in fortified camps ready to fight back against the Savonti. They looked fierce and so brave. He stopped and watched as they practiced with their blades and staffs. So this is how they fought. As he watched his fear began to diminish. Why hadn't the Nevac done that from the beginning? If they had there would still be cities filled with his people and not just empty buildings. Anger began to fill his soul for what had been done to them and for all those years of fear and hiding. These humans were a brave lot. They would fight for their right to live in peace, and from now on, so would Madri.
Dragons he thought. He would find them and learn all he could and fight the enemy. Death to any that tried to stop them from now on.
From Resul to Lesul they searched with no success. They slipped into Magul and found Magu's stack torn down and in rubble on the plains. A great battle had taken place there they knew. Some thought it had to have been between two warring lord. None of them would have ever guessed that it was the prophesy that had brought the stack down. They stopped and listened invisibly at clan campfires and heard tales of clans fighting back. They heard of the fall of Fedru and all about his death at the hands of Gabor Gekko. A human had raided and slain a Savonti lord. That had to be one brave man. Then they heard of the fate of Lords Resu and Yoru and a few others that had disappeared at the hand of Lord Daru. It seemed Daru was on a quest to conquer all of Pentanthin and make himself master of all. A few lords had givin in to his demands and become his ally, that is until he decided he didn't needs them and then they would go the same way of Resu.
But the brave human that killed Fedru seemed to be the most interesting talk of all. There was talk of two strange beast like none that had ever seen before on Pentanthin that draw Madri's attention. They would have to be the dragons Sacar had spoke of. But where could they be now? Madri thought about that and pondered their whereabouts until it hit him. They had to still be somewhere in Fedrul in some hidden place. The Savonti would be looking for them, they would be gathering strength getting ready for a big battle.
Madri called all his cousins together and told them to search Fedrul and all the lands in between. The ones they searched for had to be there somewhere. Maybe even the White and Grey. Sacar was right, the prophesy was at hand.

Not far from the Gekkol in Serul Gekkol's neighbor, tired and cold Ono walked across the small island he shared with Shayn and Magda as they waited for Gabor to return from scouting Seru's lair. She had built her manse in a hidden underground cave underneath her swamp, so hidden that without Lilia, they never would have found it. Gabor wanted to be sure she didn't get away from them during the raid he planned. He had his men spread all across the swamp cutting off all her escape routes while Lilia probed her lair to make sure she was there. Deep in her caves Lilia found her in her slave pens at work divulging in any sin her warped mind could conceive of. Unlike most Savonti lords, Seru kept no women slaves. There were only men in her pens. Men she kept strong to work in her mines and use in her lustful ways. Seru it seemed had a way of charming human males to an almost irresistible level. No slave of Seru ever escaped from her spell, but a few had been traded and passed on to other lords then escaped. That was how Gabor learned of the whereabouts of her lair.
From out of the steamy mist Ozmun walked leading Lilia. Her job done, Lilia had found the mistress of hate and gave Gabor her advice. She was being sent to a safe place where she could monitor the attack as it progressed. Guiding her carefully, she was sat her down with Shayn and Magda.
"You found her?" Magda asked passing her a water skin.
"Yes." Lilia answered after a sip. "She was doing unspeakable things to her slaves. Things I would rather forget."
"Well." Shayn hugged the blind woman. "She's been found. Your job here is done. Let us finish this, you just rest."
"My job will never be done until Pentanthin is free." Lilia told them. "I still have to stay with you all in my mind as they go below to make sure things go as planned."
"What could go wrong?" Magda asked arrogantly. "This Seru will be no match for us."
Everyone turned to stared at Magda. None of them could believe what she had just said. Lilia shook her head in disbelief.
"Careful Magda." Shayn warned her. "We are powerful, but over confidence could be the end to us all."
"Those are just the words my brother would use." Ono agreed. "Even the weakest of enemies can bring you down if your not careful. Always respect you enemy cause you never know what could happen."
Magda shrugged off their warnings not worried at all about the Savonti queen. "Where is Gabor?" She asked. "I want to get this over with."
"I'm here." They heard from behind them. They all turned as Gabor and Tanis came walking out of the thick night mist with one of his men. "Is everyone ready?"
Nods from all around assured him they were.
"Good." He said. "Alek here will stay and keep Lilia safe. The rest of you, we have a lord to bring down. Let's go."
"Wait!" Lilia stopped them. "Do any of you know what it is that makes Seru so dangerous to humans?"
"She's a Savonti lord." Gabor shrugged. "Is that not enough?"
"Is that what the great Petar Gekko taught you Gabor?" They all could hear the disappointment in her voice. "Or did he always tell you to know your enemy and what they can bring into battle?"
"What are you trying to tell us Lady Kordova?" Shayn asked.
"Knowledge." She told them. "Without knowledge your doomed to fail."
"What am I missing?" Gabor sat down next to Lilia. She reached up and brushed the hair back from his handsome face. He so looked like the Petar Gekko she remembered from the old days when she could still see.
"Do you know what's down there?" She asked. "In her lair? Have you any idea?"
"Yes I do." Gabor stood up anger at the delay. He wanted to get in bring Seru out and give her what she deserved for all the people she had killed in her reign of horror. "She sits down there with her warriors and feast on us! That's what's down there. I say we go and end it now!"
"Seru only has five other Savonti down there with her, young Gekko!"
Gabor stopped and turned to stare at Lilia not understanding what she was saying. Magda, Shayn and Ono looked confused at both of them.
"Then what?"
"Her army is human Gabor." Lilia stood and walked to Gabor to face him. "Humans. And they will defend her with their lives at all cost. Don't you understand, she can control men and get them to do whatever she wants them to do. That's her power, her secret."
No one said a word. They were all speechless trying to digest what she had just told them. A Savonti lord with a human army that she used and fed off of. How could they fight that? Gabor looked around at everyone around him hoping someone had and idea, an answer to their dilemma.
"Thoughts anyone?" He asked. They all had blank faces and nothing to say. Gabor sat down feeling defeated for the moment. What was he to do?
"I have an idea." Azeal's voice came out of the thick fog. Gabor turned and watched as Azeal and Tanis with glowing eyes came walking over to join them. "Send us in. Me and Tanis, Shayn and Ono. We're not human and we have this to protect us."
Azeal pulled open his shirt to show him the Salvation stone blazing at his neck a bright blue.
"Of course!" Shayn smiled at them. "This will work!"
"Are you sure?" Lilia asked Shayn worried. "We can't sacrifice either of you. Your to important to Pentanthin to risk."
"Is there any other way?" Shayn asked everyone gather on the island. No one spoke up. They had their answer. The strangers to Pentanthin would go down and bring the Savonti queen out. With luck their magic stone would be all they needed to protect them. But there was another answer, and it was listening to them in the mist.

Deep in the bowels of her lair Seru sat and watched as five slaves fought to the death for her amusement. She had trained them to fight in her own sadistic games which she held to amuse herself and other visiting lords. With folded arms she watched bright eyed eager for the kill as they fought with staffs and swords. One man swung his blade high as his opponent came in fast with his staff and sent it's full charge directly into his side. The man screamed and looked with adoring eyes at Seru pleading as a sword came down and hacked into his neck. Blood splashed all over the battle pit as the man died and his opponent moved on to find his next target.
Seru sat back on her throne pleased and reached for a tasty tidbit off a plate held by another of her naked slaves. He bowed and held out his plate of sweet breads as she popped one after the other into her mouth. In the pit in front of her the fighting continued. Blood was splattered all over the walls from previous fights making the stench over powering. But to Seru, it was the scent of power for the smell represented how far her slaves would go for her attention. She watched as the fighting grew intense. Another man had fallen and now there were three. Three large muscular men with weapons and no armor beat at each other until another man tripped and the two standing leaped on him and beat him to death. Squaring off the last two faced each other holding their weapons ready as they circled. One charged bring his staff around quickly trying to beat his foe back against the wall. Armed with a sword and a dagger the man jumped to the side avoiding the staff and swung out with his sword. Razor sharp the blade sliced in to the mans arm making him drop the staff as he howled in pain. With a triumphant grin the swordsman came in for the kill. He leaped in sword ready to decapitate the unarmed and ran straight into his fist striking him in the jaw. Stunned he fall to the side blood and broken teeth flying from his mouth. Seru sat up eagerly anticipating the last kill. Grabbing for his staff, the last man with a wild look in his eyes beat his opponent again and again smashing his head in, then howled out his victory. Seru stood clapping and congratulated the gore cover slave.
"Congratulation." She smiled. "You have earned the right to be my dinner tonight."
"Thank you my queen." He bowed pleased with himself.
"Take him to the kitchen." She told two savonti waiting at the door as she got up and walked down from her throne. "Tonight we can make his greatest wish come true. Clean up in here. I'll be in my study, send a slave to attend me there."
"Mistress?" Seru stopped and looked back annoyed.
"What is it Gru?"
"Your pardon mistress." He bowed low. "But Lord Daru sent a message. He says it's urgent."
"For the Mind lord everything seems to be urgent." Seru waved her hand dismissing him. "He worry's to much for a Savonti lord. He needs to relax and enjoy being a lord and not think so much. Call me when my dinner is ready."
"Yes my queen."
With that done, Seru left her fighting arena and walked through her lair inspecting her slaves. She moves from one cell block to the next sending her mesmerizing scent burning through the minds of all her slaves. Caged and behind bars they all sat prostate dreaming of the day each out of them would get their chance to please the master. Seru chuckled at their simple minds. They were all so ready to give there lives for whatever she wanted, ever to be her dinner.
Once back in her study she sat down behind her desk to go over the reports of the weeks mining and slave scouting reports. The scouts had found a few clans she could raid with a lot of able bodied men. She smiled and folded her arms. This could turn out to be a very prosperous pass.
[It could.] she heard in her mind feeling the slimy touch of Daru's mind. [But maybe not for you.]
Her hate flared at his intrusion into her thoughts, almost strong enough to cast him out. Daru fought hard to keep his anchor in her mind dismissing as much of the pain as he could caused by her hate.
[Your hates become stronger Seru.]
[Not strong enough to bar your disgusting touch.] She spit the horrid taste from her mouth wishing it was that easy to be rid of him.
[Careful fool.] He sent. [I'm here to warn you of danger.]
[What could threaten me?] She laughed. [I rule supreme here.]
[Supreme you say?] Daru's mad laughter echoed through her mind. [We shall see about that supreme one. You should know there are humans at your door about to invade your lair.]
[Impossible!] The Savonti queen shouted in shock and disbelief. [My slaves would have warned me. You lie Mind thief! Besides, no human male can deny me what I want.]
[Your slaves are so bent on pleasing you, they can't see their nose in front of their face. If you doubt my words, send one of your warriors out into your swamps. Or ignore me and see what happens. I don't care. But if you would live another day, heed my words and prepare your house for attack.]
[We shall see Lord Daru.] Seru stood and pushed back her chair knocking it over. "Gru! I have a task for you!"

Outside in the mist, four shadowy figures listened as Gabor and the others argued and planned their next move. From where they stood they reached out with their Nevac senses and probed each of the humans and found something strange and alien about some of them. Some were not exactly human, they were very special with very strong power emanations. Four in particular seemed to be just what Madri had said they should search for. They weren't of Pentanthin. They could tell from the feel of their essence. No one on Pentanthin had such an alien feel to their mind. Theses had to be the strangers they searched for. Madri had said the strangers should be protected at all cost.
[WHAT SHOULD WE DO?] Oathes asked his companions. [THESE STRANGERS WILL ALL FALL UNDER SERU'S CHARMS IF THEY GO BELOW.]
[YES.] Avres nodded. [BUT HER CHARMS HAVE NO AFFECT ON US.]
The two Nevac looked at Avres unsure of what he had in mind and a little scared.
[YOU BOTH HEARD WHAT MADRI ASKED OF US.] Avres continued. [THESE HUMANS ARE TO BE PROTECTED. THEY ARE IMPORTANT TO THE NEVAC FUTURE AND ALL OF PENTANTHIN. WE CAN NOT ALLOW THEM TO FACE SERU. WE GO DOWN FIRST AND RID PENTANTHIN OF ANOTHER SAVONTI LORD WHILE THE HUMANS ARGUE. IT IS THE ONLY WAY.]
[ARE YOU SURE THIS IS RIGHT FOR US COUSIN?] One of his companions asked nervously.
[YES.] Avres nodded, [IT IS TIME WE STOP HIDING AND FIGHT BACK. SACAR AND MADRI ARE RIGHT. THE NEVAC HAVE SUFFERED ENOUGH. IT IS TIME OUR YOUNG AGAIN WALK FREE AND THE HUMANS ARE THE ANSWER. WE FIGHT WITH THEM AND FOR OURSELVES. THE SAVONTI'S TIME IS OVER. NO MORE FEAR FOR ANY OF US. IT IS TIME THE NEVAC RISE AND FIGHT!]
Avres watched his cousins as they contemplated his words. They knew he was right and he knew they would agree, but they would have to hurry or the humans would move before they could stop them. As he waited he saw their heads nodding in agreement.
[WE WILL FOLLOW AND FIGHT.] Heca said. [WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?]
[THE HUMANS CAN NOT GO DOWN TO FACE SERU.] Avres told them. [ONE OF US WILL STAY HERE AND SING THEM TO SLEEP. WATCH OVER THEM UNTIL WE RETURN. SHE MAY SEND WARRIORS OR SLAVES OUT TO LOOK FOR THEM. BOKUS, YOU STAY HERE. BE CAREFUL. THE REST QUICKLY, WE MUST HURRY.]

Back in the camp, Gabor and the others made themselves ready for the assault. They sharpened their blades and readied the staff weapons they had taken from Fedru's arsenal. Shayn, Ono, Azeal and Tanis discussed how they would make their entrance into a Savonti lair without raising any alarm. They knew this would be a difficult raid and there was a chance some of them might not make it back alive. Azeal looked over at Tanis sitting by the fire. The glow of the flames making his handsome features shine in the light, burning feeling in his heart. Azeal knew he had to tell him how he felt. He couldn't let the end come without letting Tanis know how much he loved him.
Gathering his courage Azeal walked over to the fire and sat next to Tanis. The heat of the fire warming his cold form.
"Tanis." He said. "Can we talk a moment?"
"Of course." He smiled as he looked into Azeals eyes. "Your worried about the raid?"
"No, it's not that." Azeal cleared his throat suddenly unsure of what to say. "I'm not really worried about the fight. Lilia says there should only be a hand full of Savonti down there. It's the humans I worry about. They're innocent. They're under her spell and can't help what they do for her. But that's not what I wanted to say."
"Then what is it?"
Azeal looked into Tanis's brown eyes his love almost overwhelming him. Suddenly the sounds of the night grew loud and filled his ears. Azeal opened his mouth to confess his love when out of the corner of his eye he saw one of Gabor's men collapse and fall to the ground.
"What?"
Tanis stood as men began to fall all around them, he reached to his side for his weapon. They were under attack. Seru must have somehow caught on and found them. Quickly Tanis looked down at Azeal to warn him. His eyes were drooping close, then he fell over asleep. He gripped his shoulders and shook him trying to wake him. But it was no use, he was deep in some kind of sleeping spell. He knew he had to get someone that could counter the spell. That meant either Lilia or Shayn. Quickly he looked over to where Lilia was being guarded and saw her and her guard passed out. She would be no help. Tanis took two steps toward where Shayn and Ono lay next to each other. If anyone could help, Tanis thought at would be Shayn. He had to get to him and wake him. Step by step he trudged toward them as the sounds grew louder and echoed through the camp. Tanis felt his eyes getting heavier. He tried as hard as he could to reach Shayn but his steps became harder and harder with each moment until he couldn't move anymore and he fell at Shayn's feet. Tanis was the last one to fall. Once he was sleep, Bokus stopped his song and walked into the camp. He looked down at the noble humans sleeping his part done. Now his was just a job of protection.
[SLEEP WELL FRIENDS. WHEN YOU WAKE, ONE MORE THREAT TO PENTANTHIN WILL BE GONE.]

Generations of Hate. 40

As the sun rose and began it's trip across the Pentanthin sky, eleven trackers rode out of the forest from the south in what use to be Magul. Dressed in his most fearsome blood red armor Lord Lesu led his small band of warriors himself. Today was a day he had been looking forward to. The day he brought his two renegade sons Mar and Xan home for punishment. He smiled at the ideas for torture he had planned for those two. As he rode over a hill he saw smoke in the skies ahead of him. At that moment Lesu knew something was wrong. The smoke was coming from exactly were Magu's stack should but there was far to much smoke and it was to dark to be cooking fires from the stack. He urged his tracker on into a faster run. As he made the top of the next hill he knew he was to late for there in the distance he saw his destination. But instead of seeing Magu's tall fang of a stack rising into the sky, he saw only smoking rubble littered all over the distant plains. Magu's stack was no more.

"Afar Vadokanuk!" Lesu slammed his fist into his saddle. "Who is responsible for this?"
[I warned you this would happen.] Lesu turned around to see Lord Daru and ten of his warriors riding up. Daru still in his dark armor halted his tracker across from Lesu and faced him glaring. "This is the work of the two Trela predicted. The grey and white."
"Bah!" Lesu spit at Daru. "You keep talking of this deadly enemy of the Savonti, but there's no proof. I think this is your work Daru. You did this! Where are my son’s nagut! I want them back now!"
"I don't have them you fool!" Daru said. "I just arrived and found the stack this why. I know nothing of your two treacherous sons."
"LIAR!!
Anger flared as warriors on both sides pulled their weapons ready to fight. Lesu removed his gauntlets to be ready to use his death touch. Suddenly a shadow passed over the two groups and Lord Magu dropped down out of the sky.
"STOP THIS FIGHTING!!" Magu bellowed as he folded his wings and dropped in a crouch between the two lords. "Daru had nothing to do with the fall of my stack."
"Then who?" Lesu asked. He still didn't trust the mind lord and eyed him suspiciously.
"Who else would dare attack one of us?"
Daru looked to Magu for an explanation. He too wanted answers, not to mention the captive Magu was holding for him.
"Daru was right." Magu told the two lords. "I had the white beast he spoke of in my cells. His people attacked along with your sons. Together they brought down my stack."
"Impossible!" Lesu couldn't believe anyone but a lord on Pentanthin had that much power. "No human has that kind of power."
"I never said they were human." Magu waved the two lords off to talk privately. Lesu and Daru climbed down of their trackers and walked with Magu off to the side. "Humans didn't do this. They were something else."
"And from somewhere else." Daru told them. "Trela couldn't tell me where they came from. Only that they were strangers to Pentanthin here to put an end to our rule. This is something all the Savonti lords have to come together to defeat."
"With you as our leader I suspect." That was something Lesu would never allow. He knew how treacherous Daru was and that once in power he would never give it up.
"Why not?" Daru asked. "I am the most qualified to deal with them. I should lead."
"I will never give you power over me or my house." Lesu told him. "I'll be dead first and neither will any of the other lords, so think again. But I will help and join and fight together if I have to. I'm going home. I have two rouge sons to find. Message me if I'm needed."
Together Daru and Magu watched Lesu mount up on his tracker and turn his warriors and ride back south toward his him.
"Fool!" Magu shouted angrily. "We'll need him and his armies to fight these things. I've talked to the katala. I know their power."
"Don't worry." Daru smiled. "We shall have both him and his armies soon enough. Whether he likes it or not. For now, have your warriors fly to my manse. They'll be welcome there. We'll reclaim your lands and rebuild your stack. And many humans will die to do it. Come, we have plans to make and enemies to catch."

High in the night skies of Gekkol, Cutter led Shayn and Ozmun back to their new home and headquarters of the human revolution on Pentanthin. Shayn looked down on the familiar buildings he once attended and thought he would never see again with pride. He couldn't believe it was here when Cutter had told him what had happened, but he was so happy to see his old school. With the Academy here he felt they had a much better chance at getting Pentanthin free. All the magic and professors there could be s great help in what they would have to do.
[This changes things Cutter. We have a base to fight from.] Shayn sent him pleased.
[Yes.] Cutter sent. [A base full of children that have no idea what we're putting them in the middle of and I guarantee you this is going to be dangerous for all of us.]
[I know the student here.] Shayn wanted to ease Cutters mind. [I was once one of them. If I know you, you already advised the whole school of what's going on and they will be behind you.]
[That's right.] Ono sent from Shayn's back looking exhausted from the fighting and the night’s flight. [These are Keanna children. They know what you stand for. Have faith. I think they'll surprise you.]
[How many does your school hold?] Lilia asked from Ozmun's back. Lilia and Magda rode high on Ozmun's back holding on to spikes that grew there.
[There are less than one hundred now.] He told them. [Many of the younger cadets were evacuated before we cast the spell that sent us here, thank Rimnar.]
[You lair looks strange friends.] Mar commented. [It's above ground and the blades that reach so high like more like Magu's stack to be. How do you heat the lair? There can't be lava vents for heating]
[They're called towers Mar. And we use magic and your suns for heat.] Cutter chuckled in his mind. [We'll show you many new strange things once we land. Be I have to tell you about the Gekko clan before we arrive.]
[Gekko?] Xan sent. [Petar Gekko?]
[You know of him?]
[Petar Gekko was a great enemy of Lord Fedru and my father.] Mar told them. [He once saved my life. He was the only human I trusted for a long time. My friend. I have admired him and his courage for many ages. I would be pleased to see him again.]
[I'm sorry to say you won't be getting that chance. Fedru killed him and his wife and daughter. But his son's still live and they will be here.]
[That saddens me.] Mar sent. [He was the Savonti's greatest enemy. Fedru cursed and chased him for years.]
[Cutter?] Xan had a few questions. [These are Fedru's lands. How is it you can hide here without him detecting you?]
[Lord Fedru is dead.] Cutter told them sending scenes of the battle into their minds. [He was killed by Gabor Gekko to avenge his father and free his people. This is no longer Savonti lands.]
[I can't wait to meet this Gabor.] Mar smiled. [He must be his father's pride.]
[I think Gabor will have to be the first one we meet.] Cutter sent. [Or there will be trouble when we walk into the Academy with you. I'll have someone bring him out to meet us. We land in the back practice area. You know where that is am I right?]
[Yes I remember.] Shayn started his decent toward the back of the academy with Cutter in the lead then Shayn followed by Ozmun. Shayn and Ono hoped that Gabor would be ready for the help of someone he had spent his life hating.

[Azeal.] Cutter sent out, [I have returned.]
[Cutter we're glad your back.] Azeal sent to the Academy head. [How was your trip? Did you find what you were looking for?"
[Yes I did.] He answered. [There's something I need you to do for me right now.]
[What is it?]
[I want you and Tanis to bring Gabor to the back practice courts. Make sure he's unarmed.] Cutter ordered his young friend. [We'll be waiting there for you.]
[What’s this about?]
[You trust me?] The fear dragon asked him.
[With my life.] Azeal assured him.
[Then just bring him and let me worry about everything.]
[We're on our way.]
It didn't take Azeal long to find Gabor or Tanis. Just as he thought they were together. This was really beginning to bother the young vampire. He was beginning to think he was losing his best friend. Or was it more than that? Lately Tanis and Gabor was all he could think of. Was the crown prince of Yadessa feeling something more for his friend? Was Azeal falling in love with Tanis Gaelich? He wasn't sure if it was love but he did have a burning in his chest every single time he thought of his handsome chestnut haired companion. But what was he to do? If Tanis decided he would rather spend his time with Gabor, or even stay here on Pentanthin when their time was up, Azeal would have no choice but to accept his decision.
But right now that didn't matter. His only job was to get them back to Cutter. Azeal had no idea what the mystery would be tonight in the tent on the practice field that waited for Gabor, but He knew it had to be important.

"Where are we going?" Gabor asked as he, Tanis and Azeal made their way through the gardens into the rear of the Academy grounds. Darkness covered the grounds with the only light coming from Pentanthin's single moon. No light could be seen from any windows of the Academy since they had all been covered to keep any Savonti from noticing them. The practice field ahead was dark but the tent was lit by a single torch which they were almost on.
"To welcome Cutter home." Azeal told them. "He asked to see us three."
"Why us?" Tanis asked curious. "Is something wrong?"
"Tanis I don't know. He just said for us three to meet him in the practice fields. Your guess is as good as mine. But there Cutter is so I guess we'll soon know."
With hugs and handshakes they greeted the fear dragon happily. As they stepped on to the field they heard voices coming from inside the tent. Cutter had said he found who he had gone out to search for. Azeal wondered who was in there with Cutter.
"This place is wonderful." They heard. "But there are many place where warriors could slip in at night and capture all here."
"We have defenses the Savonti won't expect." Cutter said. "There are guards watching at all times. Our protection is very strong here. Don't worry."
Azeal reached out and pushed the tent flap aside and entered with Tanis and Gabor following him.
"Welcome all of you." He smiled as he walked to the group of people standing by the torch. "Who are your friends here?"
"Thank you." Cutter ushered them into the tent. "This is Ozmun Natan. He was once a slave to Daru. With him is Lady Lilia Kordova, Drella and our young friend Juelz."
"Aiya to you all." Azeal smiled as they all shook hands. "We're glad you could join us. But what’s the big mystery that we had to meet here? Is this who you went looking for?"
"No." Said a voice in the shadows. "He came to find us. Hello Azeal, Tanis."
Out of the shadows walked Shayn Whitlock, the white dragon and his mate Ono Tyr.
"Shayn? Ono?" Azeal and Tanis ran forward and threw his arms around both their necks. "By Rimnar I can't believe it’s you!!"
"Everyone at home has been so worried about the two of you." Tanis hugged them relieved to see his friends. "No wonder we couldn't find you. Rage has been searching all over Keanna for you. It's good to see you both safe."
"We're glad to see you both to." Ono laughed. "I'm just sorry it’s here and not back at home. Is this Gabor Gekko? We've heard so much about you."
"Nazun." Gabor greeted them shaking their hands in the way Tanis had taught him. "I am pleased to meet friends of Tanis and Azeal."
"There's someone else you have to meet Gabor. Come with me." Cutter took an unlit torch from a basket and lit it. Then he put his arm around his shoulders and guided him toward the back of the tent and it's exit. There they found tables and benches cadets use to rest on. Gabor looked around to find whoever Cutter had been talking about.
"Have a seat." Cutter pulled two chairs out for them to sit on and held one out for Gabor. Gabor looked at him confused then took the chair and sat down.
"What's this about?" He asked.
"It's about your father and his past." Cutter said. "And your future. It's about telling allies from enemies."
"I don't understand." Gabor frowned. "What does my father have to do with anything?"
"Your father knew who his enemies were and most importantly who his friends were. I brought an old friend of you fathers here for you to meet. Someone that owes him his life. But you have to be calm and listen to what he has to say. Can you do that?"
Things were getting strange and more confusing by the minute. Old friends? Who could he be talking about?
"I'll be calm." He said. "Now who are you talking about?"
"He speaks of me."
Gabor turn and there in the entrance of the tent was two Savonti warriors. Gabor leaped to his feet and charged at the two warriors. With the speed of a dragon, Cutter stepped between them and grabbed Gabor and held him. Mar and Xan stood looking at Gabor struggle in Cutters hold unable to get free.
"Calm down Gabor!!" Cutter shouted. "There's no enemy here. Let them speak."
"Them?" He spit in fury. "What could they say that could possibly stop me from wanting to kill them both?"
"You won't know if you won't hear them." Cutter said as Gabor struggled against Cutters hold.
"Calm down for a minute and hear what they have to say. Trust me Gabor!!"
"FINE!!" Cutter let Gabor go. He looked at the two warriors with hate in his eyes and dropped down into his chairs. "Say whatever you have to. For now, I'm listening."
Cutter sat down as Mar and Xan stepped in to talk to Gabor. From the look in Gabor's eyes neither warrior expected him to even listen but they had to at least try. There was more at stake than just their futures. The fates of human life on Pentanthin were at stake.
"I know you hate the Savonti." Mar took a chair and sat in front of Gabor. "I could tell you the story of a young Savonti whose life was saved by a human slave of his fathers. How he made a friend of the young man and from then on never again could live the life of his people. I became a vegetarian and learned to respect others and do away with my father’s teachings of cruelty. I lost all respect in my father’s house for my views. But from that human I learned so much about respect. He changed my life and for all this my father tried to kill the human. To save his life I had to get him out of Lesul. It took me turns of riding all night to get him to somewhere we thought might be safe. And that place was here. The land of Fedrul. That human was called Petar Gekko, your father. You can believe my words or not. But you should know I will protect you and your brothers and fight for you and your clan. I owe your father that. You have my word."
"And why should I believe you?" Gabor asked. "No Savonti has ever done a thing for me before except hunt me or torture me. Tell me why."
"Because he speaks the truth." Lilia told him as she and the others walked over. "I may not have known Mar for long but I know the truth when I hear it. And he speaks the truth from his heart."
"As do I." Cutter told him. "And you can't lie to a fear dragon. Human or Savonti, you both know fear and I can read it."
Gabor looked around the room at his friends and the new people Cutter had brought back. It was hard for him to trust a savonti. He didn't know if it was even possible, or if he should try.
"I trust Cutter." Tanis sat down beside him. "That's enough for me."
"What about my clan?" He asked.
"They trust you." Tanis shrugged. "They know you. You'll do what’s right for them. And besides, Mar may be a great help against the other lords. There are things he may know that could help. Like Savonti weaknesses. Think about it."
"I don't trust easily." He told the two warriors. "But if my friends here will accept you, I will to. But be warned. We will be watching."
Mar stood and reached out his hand. "Just give us a chance to try talking to other Savonti we capture. There are others that think as we do."
"We'll see." Gabor shook his arm. "We'll see."
"Alright." Shayn clapped his hands together smiling. "Things are coming together. I feel like I'm almost home. Let's celebrate."

Of all the emotions one can feel, the most deadly of all is hate. Hate can make one sick, crazy or drive you to do the strangest things. One of the deadliest hates is racial hate. To hate someone just because of their race. And if your race happens to be the Savonti then your enemies do have a great reason to hate you.
Long ago on Pentanthin there was another race of intelligent beings other than humans and the Savonti. There was the Nevac, and today there was less the twenty of them alive. All because of the Savonti’s hatred, their hunger for power and their hunts. Once the Nevac had great underground cities teaming with life and art and music. They were a peaceful race that didn't even know the meaning of hate until they met the Savonti who taught them all about treachery, betrayal and what it meant to hate. It all started when the first Savonti found his way into the Nevac underground and saw the riches and the pentanthium. The metal they would one day be use as the chief source of their weapons. Pentanthium is the strongest metal known on Pentanthin. Once forged into a weapon it was almost impossible to dull and it was also a great source of energy. The Nevac used it to get power to their cities. But the Savonti found other uses for it. Not only was pentanthium strong, but its energy could also be released in short burst that could stun or kill their enemies. That meant the Savonti had to have its secrets. And they also had to be the only ones with that secret. The Nevac had to die. So began the great hunts.
City by city the Savonti went killing and burning everything and every Nevac they could find. Not one Nevac underground city was missed. From high in the mountains to deep is the blazing south the hunt went on. It was a slaughter since the Nevac had no weapons and fighting was so alien to them. Their homes and city streets littered with the dead. The only choice for a few was to run. So they ran and hid in the deepest caverns they could find. And that's where most of the died. Today only a hand full lives. Sacar being one.
After meeting Thalia, Sacar sat in his dark cave and thought about the humans he had sensed with her. He could feel the power in them. Power like he hadn't felt in a long time. He remembers the old prophesy one of his people had made agens ago about the white and grey. Could this be the time of revenge? If so he, knew he had to join with them and help. The souls of all the dead Nevac that haunt their ancient cities screamed for it. Just then a thought came to Sacar. His ancestors. Maybe they could be the ones that could give him the answers he needed.
In every Nevac city there was a place every Nevac went after he died. It was called the Chamber of Souls. There the body would be comforted by their ancestors. When the time was right and the soul was at peace with those it left behind, it would be taken to join with the rest in a place called Dekuzoe, the final resting place of all the Nevac. Sacar knew it was possible to speak with some of the spirits of the cities long dead inhabitants if they found him worthy.
For hours Sacar made his way deeper down into the tunnels. It was lonely down there. Ages ago he would've passed hundreds of his people on his trek using the tunnels that connected the cities, but now, it had been ages since he'd since another Nevac, family or otherwise. But he knew he wasn't the last of his kind. He could still feel their presence down here somewhere. Sacar hoped they would be for him when he needed them.
On through the twisting tunnels he moved. He passed down what were once busy streets and market areas. He saw the old places where the elders once sat for hours to teach the young. Sacar had never seen any of this but his family had been passing down memories for agens preparing for the reckoning. The time when the Savonti's end would come.
Entering a large cavern Sacar stood looking around. Though it was dark he could see everything clearly. The long empty hall with room for hundreds to attend. There were no benches or places to sit. With respect everyone would sit quietly on mats and meditate while the body would commune with the spirits to prepare to pass on. Sacar could from the presence of his ancestors all around him whispering to each other. He walk forward to the dais on the front of the chamber and stopped. There on a raised platform was a podium where the elder or whoever sought council would speak. Sacar stepped up to the podium and rested his hands on its edge. There on the stand he found a glowing orb. It had a beautiful blue glow spreading out swirling around through it. Sacar reached down and touched it. It was warm to the touch. He wondered if this was what was used to summon the spirits from Dekuzoe. Placing both his hands on the orb Sacar closed his eyes and concentrated on the memories of his youth as the orb grew brighter. Sacar cleared his throat and began the old summoning recitation he had been taught.

FATHERS AND UNCLES.
BROTHERS AND GRANDS.
FROM LONG AGO.
FROM MY HOME LANDS.
I CALL TO YOU WITH ALL A DO.
I CALL TO YOU TO SEE ME THROUGH.

From over head a blue light snapped into existence and shined down on him as the howling grew louder. Like wisps of clouds or something of a dream the spirits of the Nevac flowed into the room streaking about and disappearing into the light. Soon the chamber was full of the smoke like spirits and the chamber grew cooler as the spirits drew closer. Sacar bowed his head in respect and reverence.
"HOW CAN WE HELP YOU YOUNG SON?"
"I NEED YOUR WISDOM, OLD FATHERS." Sacar called out. "PENTANTHIN CHANGES SO MUCH AND OUR ENEMY GROWS STRONGER EVERYDAY."
"WE SEE WHAT HAPPENS. PENTANTHIN IS STILL OUR HOME." Another called out. "OUR WISDOM IS YOURS FOR THE ASKING."
"IS THIS THE TIME OF THE PROPHESY?" Sacar asked. "THE WHITE AND GREY. IS ALL THAT WAS PROPHESIED TRUE?"
"THE WORDS OF OLD ARE TRUE." Echoed through the chamber. "THE WHITE AND GREY WALK PENTANTHIN."
"THEN THE TIME OF OUR REVENGE GROWS NEAR." Sacar looked up into the bright glow feeling the encouragement of his ancestors. "WHAT MUST I DO?"
"HELP THE HUMANS." The light began to dim as one by one the spirits of the Nevac drifted back to the gateway to the beyond. "THE GREAT ENEMIES TIME HAS COME. BUT WE KNOW NOT HOW THIS WILL END. WITH YOUR HELP OUR REVENGE COULD BE COMPLETE. ALLY YOURSELF WITH THESE BRAVE ONES, FOR THEY MAY BE THE FUTURE. BE STRONG MY SON."
As the darkness took the room, Sacar stepped down from the dais. He had his answers now and he knew what he had to do. It was time for the Savonti to feel the Nevac's hate. And with his help, he would make the humans hate as powerful as he could. It was time he found the grey and white and Thalia and her friends could be just what he needed to revenge his people's death.

Sitting high in his saddle a lone Savonti warrior gazed out at the plains of what was once Magul. He had been there for a few days on the hunt and he had seen many things. He had seen the strange things that flew at night and attacked Magu's stack. He had seen the fighting in the skies as all of Magu's warriors were beaten and sent crashing to the ground. He had also seen the two Savonti warriors fly off on the backs of one of the katala's heading out of Magul to the east. That meant that were heading toward Darul, Fedrul or Pulul. Loc smiled and reached into his saddle bag and pulled out a wrapped package of provisions. Loc had been hired over the years by many lords. so he knew what lay to the east. They wouldn't be heading for Darul or Pulul, that would be to dangerous. That left only Fedrul, a distant land ruled by the lord of pain Fedru. No one had seen Fedru since Daru's meeting and Loc knew Lord Lesu was suspicious of Daru being being his absence. Through his spies in other land Loc knew what had happened to the strong one Resu, and that he was now slave to Daru. For all Loc knew, Fedru could be in the same position, locked away in Daru's cells waiting to be used by the mind lord in his race for control of Pentanthin. But that was Lesu and the rest of the lords problem. Right now Loc had only one task at hand. That was finding Mar and bring him back for Lesu's judgement.
As Loc pondered his options one of his warriors rode up and stopped beside him.
"There's no sign of our quarry here." He said. " Nor any of Magu's people. The stack is destroyed. Where to next?"
"We head east." Loc said urging his tracker on. "We're going to Fedrul. That's where we'll find the renegade's. Gather the warriors, we can be there by nightfall."
With a fist slammed to his chest in salute the warrior turned to go follow Loc's order.
"One more thing." Loc called. "Send someone out to find my brother Lord Memu. I have need of his help."
Nodding the warrior left. Loc looked at the rubble scattered across the plain grimly. He had known Xan and Mar for years and knew them both to be formidable warriors, but neither of them had the power to this this kind of damage. Not unless there was something about one of the brothers he didn't know. Was it possible that one of them truly had the power of a real Savonti lord? Or could they have had help. Could those strange things he saw in the air be in league with Lesu's armok sons. Whichever it was, he would soon find out. For he would catch them. There was no where they could hide. He would find them, and soon.

Deep in her sleep Trela dreamed of a human woman. An older woman blind wearing a thick scarf over her eyes. With her rode the prized beast Daru had lost earlier, a woman and the two she knew to be Daru's enemies the white and grey. The elder woman seemed to have powers stronger then hers. She had seen her many times in her dreams directing the humans in there fight against the Savonti. As she watched Trela looked around at their surroundings. She saw a small army of humans on trackers riding slowly through a deary swamp like area. Tress rising out of stagnant water, insects buzzing about biting at everyone. Trela could see how uncomfortable they all were but still they moved quietly on. From the area they moved through she guessed they were in Sarul, home of Saru, the only land on Pentanthin ruled by a female savonti. She was called lady of hate. Her rage was legendary and second to none. She was one of the most feared of all of the Savonti. Saru was fast in a fight and deadly with her poisonous claws and charms. Trela wondered how they would deal with the savage queen. Next to them, Trela saw someone that looked familiar. He was a young man dressed in trula skin pants and vest with a lined serious face. Trela knew he was to be trouble the moment she looked in his eyes. For all she saw there was hate. Behind him rode two pale skinned riders. One all in black, the other in brown. More strangers to Pentanthin she guessed. The rest were clansmen she guessed of the serious one, and they all looked ready for war. Well if war was what they wanted, then Trela and Daru would give them exactly that.
As she watched them push their way through the swamp, she saw the blind woman's head turn in her direction and her head tilt. Could it be possible? could the she sense her watching?
[Yes,] Trela heard in her dream. [I know your there Savonti queen and you will invade my thoughts no more. Go warn your master that his end is near. Tell him the Savonti's rule will end soon. NOW GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!]
Trela jumped up in her sands wake with pain and the memory of the human still in her head. For her to have sensed her meant she must be very powerful. Almost as powerful as her lord Daru himself. He must be warned. The witch must die. Her death could stop the white and grey prophesy from coming to pass. She would warn him the moment he made contact with her and that had better be soon for time was running out. And if things kept going in the direction she was seeing, the Savonti didn't have much time.