The Funeral. 51

In the gardens of the Academy, Jovan walked with his head down low. Lisette Testa had just been killed and he had the terrible duty of delivering the news to her husband Lowell. Lowell Testa was the one man he felt closest to since  Jovan had joined the academy staff.. He had no magic and was a real fighter after his own heart. Seeing her there on the floor dead had been a horrible sight. One he was sure not to forget soon. Cutter had asked Jovan to bring him to his office to break the news, but Jovan just couldn't hide the pain he was feeling and Lowell knew something bad had happen the minute he saw him. Jovan tried keeping silent and doing as he had been told, but the look in Lowell's eyes and his many questions forced him to speak. He felt he had to tell his friend, so he did. Lowell of course was devastated. Without a word he ran off to Cutter's office hoping Jovan was wrong. But unfortunately, he wasn't. Needing a little time to clear his head, Jovan took to wandering the peacefulness and beauty of the Academy garden. The smells of the different flowers and aromatic plants eased his mind a bit and calmed him. The beautiful exotic flora with brightly colored orchid like plants reminded him of home and how much he missed it.

Jovan sat down to think of all the things that had happened since he had left home. How he and his friends had been taken into Lord Tayor's service and forced to fight for him. He remembered the battles with the elves and the mission that had brought him to the Academy. He had been sent here with the order to kill the leaders here and stop them from moving the Academy out of Lord Larin's reach. He had failed at that task but come to realize that he was on the wrong side. To make up for it, Jovan took on a mission that only he could under take. He had to find the spy in the academy. The one cadet Lord Larin had sent in before him to bring the Academy down in flames. Unfortunately no matter how hard he had searched, he couldn't find the spy. Jovan had gone from dormitory to dormitory and class to class but had no luck in his search. It was almost like he had a spell that was hiding him or something.
He had told Azeal and Cutter all about the spy and describe him and how Jovan had thought he had to be of noble birth. The boys arrogance was obvious.
But now with Lisette dead, Jovan knew there could only have been one person that could have done this murder. It had to be Larin's spy. And that spy could only be one person Azeal had told them. It had to be Tayor Larin's son Tabor. The only problem was that Tabor or whoever it was, had very powerful magic and so far none of them had been able to pierce his disguise and catch him. Now with this murder, he had gone to far. Anger filled Jovan as he thought of Lowell's pain. The whole Academy would be in morning now and in this deadly place, they couldn't afford to allow their concentration and determination slip one bit. It could be just what the Savonti needed to give them the edge they needed to destroy the human resistance.
With his mind a little calmer, Jovan stood up from his bench and took a deep breath of the relaxing fragrant air. It was time to go back in and see if he could be of any help to Lowell or Cutter and Azeal. Jovan turned to head back when he heard something. He heard voices and they were coming from over the hedges to his right. Quietly Jovan moved closer and looked through to see who it was. There were two cadets out there and they were heading off toward the back wall of the Academy. Jovan looked closer but he didn't recognize either of the cadets. What were they doing out here? Cutter had said he had planned to gather them all together so lady Kordova could probe and see if she could find the murderer. Could these two be the culprits?
Jovan moved down the row of green keeping low so he would not be seen or heard and followed the two. At the end of the row he got a better look at the two. They were dressed in Academy uniforms definitely. As he looked closer Jovan noticed the stains on them. They were blood stains. These were the two they where looking for. If only he could stop them and bring them in himself. But being students in a magical school, they were both more powerful then he was. All he could do right now was to follow them and see just what they were up to. They hope he would have the chance to get Cutter or Azeal to bring them in. But for now he had to stay close and keep for being caught watching.

Dust and dirty floated up in a cloud all around Mera as she lay still in the hidden bottom of the wagon she rode in. She was scared. She hadn't thought about where she was when she had hide here. All she had worried about was being caught by one of those bad Savonti things. Yes, she knew who they were. She had listen to all of Grampa's scary stories so she knew what would happen if they found her hiding there.
She looked out from her perch and could see the warriors that walked along with the wagon. Their clawed feet marching along. Mera pulled herself further back into the back to keep from being seen. She wished her brothers would come save her. Or that she still had Mif with her to keep her company. Then she might not be as scared. Tears ran from her eyes as she sobbed. In her mind she screamed for Nysa to hear her. But there was no answer. No one could hear her.

At the door to Cutter's office Lowell Testa stopped. He held his hand out to reach for the knob and go in but couldn't bring himself to do it. It couldn't be true. Lisette couldn't be dead. He had just saw her earlier talking with Xan and Drella. What could have happened? He didn't want to believe it but Jovan would never lie to him.
Lowell pulled back his hand. He wanted to turn and run. He would stay here and battle Savonti until they killed him or he killed them all. He didn't want to know anymore.
Just as he turned the door opened and Tanis was standing there looking at him.
"Captain Testa." He stood back from the door and motioned him in. "Please come in."
Lowell swallowed and walked in. Seated in chairs all around the room was Shayn and Ono. Azeal and Cutter were at the desk. everyone stood and looked at him somberly as he came in. At that moment he knew it was true. She was dead.
"Lowell." Cutter walked out from behind the desk. "Have a seat please."
"No." Lowell shook his head. "Just tell me."
"We grieve with you my friend." Cutter put his hand on his shoulder and sent peaceful feelings out to him.
"No" Shayn stood and took Cutters hand from his shoulder. "We can't ease his pain through magic. Lisette deserves better. She's gone Lowell. We're all sorry."
"How?" he asked as he fell into a chair his eyes filled with tears. "How did at happen?"
"She was murdered." Azeal told him. "By the spy Lord Larin has hidden somewhere in here with us. We think somehow she must have learned who it is and was killed to keep her quiet."
"Did anyone see anything?" He asked. "Do you have any idea who did this?"
"I'm sorry no. But with all the mental abilities we have at hand, We will find the one that did this. That we all promise you."
Lowell looked at the men gathered around him. He knew they meant to keep their promise. The killer would be found somehow and he would have his chance for revenge. It was just a matter of time.
"Where is she?" Lowell asked. He stood looking grim and morose. "I would see her."
"In the chapel." Ono said. "I'll take you there to see her."
Lowell nodded and moved to the door. Once there he stopped and turned back. "Tayor Larin is responsible for my wife's death. I will make him pay for what he's done here and at home. He will be taken down. I want you all to promise me that."
"You have our promise." Shayn stepped over and gripped his hand. Everyone there gave their promise.
"Fine." Lowell said angrily. "Now I'll make you a promise. Who ever did this will die by the hands of a Testa. Be it me or my son. One of us will repay him for what he's done. That is my promise."
With that he walked out the door with Ono following close behind him.
"We should watch him." Tanis said as he stepped to the door to leave. "He's in a rage right now and not thinking clearly. He could get hurt."
"I'll have Jovan stay with him." Azeal assured them all. "Meanwhile, lets find the spy. Whoever it is they will be desperate now. they know we're looking for them."
"I'll have Lilia do her scan of the cadets to see what she can find out." Cutter sat back behind his desk. "But I want you all to be very careful now. It could be anyone of the children or staff so watch yourself."
"Agreed." They all nodded and left Cutter to his thoughts and his planned scan of the school for fear.

As Zarin and his friends rode into Gekkol, a sudden deep pain lanced through his body. He grabbed at his head, screamed and fell from the Tracker he had been riding on. Behind him, Dack his pulled his Tracker to a stop and leaped down and rushed to his friends side. He knelt and lifted Zarin to a sitting position. Zarin had such a pained look on his face, Dack was afraid he had been wounded somehow. His eyes were closed and sweat ran from his brow in heavy drops.
"Zarin!" Dack shook him. "Are you hurt?"
Zarin opened his eyes slowly and stared up at Zarin. He still had that horrible look on his face.
"What's wrong? Are you hurt?
"Something really bad has happened." Tears ran down his face. Dack helped him to his feet.
"What?"
"I don't know." He said. "But we should hurry."
Luke had ridden out and caught Zarin's Tracker and brought it back. He handed him the reins. Zarin took them and thanked him.
"How much further?" Zarin brushed off the dirt from his clothes then looked to Luke, Nysa, Craven and Zark.
"Not far." Luke told them. "We're in Fedrul. From here on we should be very careful. There will be Savonti out hunting in this forest.
"Then we walk from here." He took the roped and blanket he used for a saddle off the Tracker then smacked it into a run. "Which way?"
"We keep going east." Luke pointed down the trail, "This is as far as I know about directions. All Grampa said was that the Gekko's lived hidden in the eastern parts of Fedrul."
"How about you Zark?" Zarin turned to the huge Orc. "Think you can find them?"
"I think so." He nodded. "All I need are tracks then I should have no trouble. But they have to be the right tracks. Like the tracks of the beast you rode."
"What do you mean?" Craven asked.
"I have seen tracks many tracks already." He knelt and showed them the tracks from there own Trackers. Then walked a few yard and cleared away some debris from the trail "But these are different. They are from a much bigger type of Tracker. I would guess Savonti Trackers. They are bigger to carry a much heavier rider. Those we should avoid."
"Then you lead Zark." Zark nodded then pulled his sword out from its scabbard. he searched the ground then saw something that interest him, "This way."
With Zark in the front, Zarin and the others slowly made their way through the forest. Baebots screamed jumping for tree to tree. Naguts scurried along to hide from the swooping bats. In the distance a Tark could be heard calling out its mating call. The air smelled of danger as they moved. Right behind Zark, Craven followed his protector. With a spell ready, Craven had the Orcs back in case something decided to attack. And attack something did.
As the walked, a strange sound came fluttering down out of the trees. At first it was a soft noise, but the further they walked, the louder it became until it was a whomp whomp whomp coming loudly from over there head.
"What is that?" Dack asks looking up into the trees. But nothing was there but fast moving shadows that appeared then disappeared. Luke grabbed Nysa's hand to keep her close. Zark pulled his second sword to be ready for an attack.
Suddenly there was a crashing noise behind them. something had fallen and hit the ground hard.
"Move!!" Zarin pushed Dack ahead of him into a run. With Zark in the lead slashing at foliage, the group ran on. Then to there left something came flying out of the trees and bowled into Zark. He went down and rolled quickly getting to his feet ready to fight. Zarin looked back to four winged Savonti fly out of the trees and land. Closing their wings close to their bodies they charged at them.
"Luke, get Nysa somewhere safe and stay there." Zarin raised his hands and sent a blast at the attacking Savonti. "Dack, Craven, watch your backs. Eheren, attack from the sky!!"
With no time to come up with a spell,and not enough for a complete shift, Dack took on a were panther form and leaped slashing at the nearest Savonti. He roar as his claws slashed into his opponent. The Savonti tried to raise his staff for a blast, but was to slow. He was knocked back as Dack tore into him then turn for the next enemy.
Craven and Zarin sent blast after blast at the attacking Lizardmen. While in his pint sized form, Eheren flew into the trees and sent bolts of electricity at them. First there was four, then there was eight coming at them. Zark spun and swung his swords fighting like a demon. He chopped into one then stabbed at the next. From above another Savonti came swooping into the attack. Like black lightning, Dack vaulted into the air and sank his fangs into it's neck and ripped it out. Then fell to the ground with Dack on top snarling ready for the next one.
The ground was littered with the bodies of dead winged Savonti warriors but still they came on.
As Zarin looked up another wave of attackers dropped out of the sky. He backed up and gathered Zark, Craven and Dack to him for what he thought might be their final attack.
"This is it." He said as his hands glowed with power. "Fight like Dragons!!"
Then something strange happened. A loud buzzing noise came out of everywhere. The Savonti looked around to find where it was coming from. Turning they started sending stun blasts into the trees blindly. Then out of the forest, a horde of creatures that looked like huge insects crashed down and attacked the Savonti. The Savonti fought wildly sending blast at them, but they were useless. The blast had no effect on the creatures. Overwhelmed, the Savonti died leaving the ground covered with their bodies.
Once the Savonti were all dead, the creatures looked at Zarin and his friends. Just as Zarin was about to start blasting, Eheren dropped down onto his shoulder and screeched.
[Wait!]
One of the creatures folded his wings close on his back and stepped forward and held up his hand.
"FRIEND OF THALIA. I AM SACAR. WE ARE THE NEVAC. WE COME TO HELP."
Zarin turned to look into Eheren's sparkling eyes. "I'm gonna kill her."

Alone in his sand pit, Daru sat and watched what was happening in the lands all around him. To him these were frustrating days but interesting. He had taken over the lands of Redu and Seru since her demise. Magu's lands were also under his control since he was now acting as his chief lieutenant. Daru had promised to return control once the White and Grey threat was over but he would deal with that simple fool when the time came.
Guku had been an easy defeat. Daru had walked in all by his lonesome with no warriors to protect him and simply burrowed into his mind and took control of his will. That made four of the ten local lords either dead or now under his control. This made him the strongest of the lords around but he wanted more. He wanted control of all ten lands on the continent. Then it would be time for him move on and take over the rest of Pentanthin.
The next step in his plan was the lords that opposed him. Lords Lesu, Pulu and Resu, all great thorns in his side. Resu was a total mystery to him. He had probed his lands for years without ever finding a clue about anything about him. All Daru knew was that Resu lived in darkness. Well what was darkness to one that saw with mind. Once Daru knew where Resu could be found, all hope for him would be lost. He to would wear Daru's collar and be his slave.
Then there was the great lords Pulu and Paru, Lesu's over grown friend and the hot one. Pulu's was one of strangest talent of all the lords. He could grow to over three times his normal size. A freak just like his comrade Lesu with his death stare. And Paru the burning one with the hot temper. These were dangous lords he would have to contend with soon. Daru smiled at himself thinking the large one would not be hard to defeat as long as he could be caught without that damn Lesu at his side. Once these two fell under his power, he would be unstoppable by humans or the Savonti.
As he sat in his hot sands he sent out his mind. it traveled all over to the border where Fedrul started and again slammed into the barrier that protected the cursed place. For months now Daru couldn't get a look into Fedrul or into the minds of anyone in there and that he thought was strange. Yes Fedru was a powerful lord with his burning touch, but Daru never felt a bit of mind abilities out of him. This barrier felt more like Menu's work then Fedrul. Could it be possible they have joined against him? No, not possible. That paranoid fool would never dream of defying him, but that over confident brother of his just might. It was time Daru learn just what was going on in the land of Fedrul.
"Guard!"
A large Savonti who served as one of his personal guards hurried over from his post at the door answered his call.
"Yes my lord?" He bowed keeping his eyes low to the ground. "How can I serve you?"
"Find Magu and have him brought to my audience chamber." Daru stood and took from a hook his black robe. "I would have words with him."
"Yes my lord." The guard pounded his chest in salute and hurried off to follow the order.
Daru shook the sands off his body and put on his robe. Chained to a wall on the other side of the room, a slave trembled as the mind lord came over. Daru reached out and caressed the woman's face as she tried to pull away from him.
"Have no fear sweet one." He said as he removed her chains. "You just might enjoy the pain, and as a prize, I will have you for dinner. Aren't you lucky."
His laughter and her scream echoed through the halls as he dragged her over to his warm stone platform and threw her down with a mind command to lay still.

Once done with the blood body, Daru sent for his kitchen slaves and had the woman taken away. Satisfied for the moment he made his way to his audience chamber where he found lord Magu waiting. Magu bowed as Daru took his seat on his throne.
"How goes the search?"
"Slow." Magu answered. "We have rounded up many humans. Tonight the slave pens are well over stocked."
"And the enemy I seek?" He asked calmly. "Have you found them yet?"
"No Daru." Magu looked at him fearful. "They are no where in any of the lands you hold."
"Then it is time we looked elsewhere." A slave stepped up to Daru with a serving platter of raw human meat. Daru selected a piece and popped it into his mouth. "What of Fedrul? Has any of our spies reported back anything?"
"None have returned." Magu walked over and reached for a tidbit off the try then stopped. A look in Daru's eyes told him that it was not a good idea. Magu nodded and moved back to where he had stood facing the Mind lord. "Many of my man and yours have gone into Fedrul in the last few passes. No one has come back out. Fedrul seems to have caught them all. Perhaps He has a spy here that somehow reports our ever move to him."
"There are no spies in my house." Daru scoffed at him. "But something is amiss. I have seen into Memul and it seems the lord of that land is on the march. He heads toward Fedrul with conquest on his mind. Something goes on in the land Fedrul. It's time we find out what it is. Prepare Trackers, we ride tonight."
"As you wish." Magu bowed then turned backing orders to nearby Savonti who hurried off.
Daru sat back on his throne and decided to take one more look around. He needed to know just what his other enemies were up to. Most of all Lesu. He had agreed to join and help but the red eyed fool couldn't be trusted. It was just like him to be preparing a trap for him in a place Daru couldn't see. He would have to be very very carefully.

As the twin suns of Penthanthin reached the midday mark in the sky, Xan rode into the desolate land of Ketul. Ketul was ruled by the old mad lord Ketu. It was a sun burned dessert land where almost no one lived.Most Humans had abandoned Ketul long ago because of it's mad lord and the fear of catching Ketu's disease. Though he still ruled there, Ketu's peope lived with  his madness sickness. He had with very lieutenants and his few children and lss then a hundred to rule over. Xan hated this place and didn't understand why they thought they needed these people. All he had been told was that it was important that he come here and help them. Another of the crazy prophesy's he guessed, but even though they were crazy, there was always a bit of truth to them.
Earlier that day, Capt Testa had come to him and told him that Shayn and Ono wanted him to go see the blind woman Lady Kordova. Xan had found her in her room in a small building on the grounds of the Academy. Just as he was about to knock at her door he hear her call out.
"The door is open Xan. You my come in."
Xan pushed the door open and stepped into the sparsely furnished hut. Xan looked around to inspect the room. There wasn't much there. A cot, a chair and a table with a single candle burning and a fireplace for cooking where a small fire blazed. Lilia Kordova sat on the floor on a short stack of skins and furs tending the fire and preparing food.
"Nazun my Savonti friend." She waved him in. "Have a seat, I wish to talk to you."
Xan moved to a chair and sat down. Lady Kordova smiled up at him.
"I don't understand why I'm here Lady."
"Well." She said taking a teapot carefully off a hook by the fire. She poured two cups and passed one over to Xan. He took it and sniffed at it's contents. "Try it. It's very good."
Xan took a small sip and was surprised and it's flavor. Lilia laugh at his reaction. "It's made from a root I found long ago." She added a bit of sweetener and stirred. "It's very soothing. How do you like being here Xan, amongst us humans?"
"My brother and I enjoys being here very much. It's the only place where we don't have to fear for our lives at every turn. I am happy to be with Drella, I'm very happy."
"And you don't miss the company of other Savonti?"
"No!!" He shook his head and placed his teacup down. "Back in our fathers house we lived very carefully. We had to hide how we felt and the fact that we wouldn't eat anything but vegetables. If anyone found out, it would shame our father."
"Was there any trust amongst the Savonti? She asked. "They seem so cruel and without honor. Are they all like that?"
"No." Xan shook his head. "My people are very honorable. They just have been taught for so many agens that humans and others are lower creatures and they don't see what Mar and I see in humanity."
"But still you lived that way. Always hiding, always scared for Drella and yourselves. It must have been difficult."
"Yes," He continued. "Mar had no idea about Drella. I learned how he felt about humans the day he fought with our father. That's when I knew I could trust my brother."
"And now you live with humans." Lilia smiled up at him. "Humans that trust you, a Savonti with there lives. Xan, what I have to ask you is not easy for us. It will mean danger for you and possibly your death but it is necessary. I can see some of the future but this is unclear. Are you willing to fight for our freedom?"
"If it means Drella Mar and Juelz will be safe, the answer is yes. That I will die for."
"Tell me this Xan."" She tried to get up. Xan stood and reached out to help her. "Thank you sir. Do you think the Savonti can change?"
Xan thought for a minute as they stepped out into the open air of the back garden of the Academy. This was an important question. One he'd asked himself many times before. His people were cruel and ruled by hate it seemed. But not all of them felt that way. He'd seen some in his fathers house show pity and sympathy to humans though then tried to hide it. Some even worked side by side with humans.
"Yes then can change." He said sure of his answer. "But it will not be an easy thing. The lord of the house must be the one to make the change. They have to see humans as equals, strong and equal or nothing will ever change."
"What do you mean?" Ono asked him.
"My people think humans are weak and good for thing but food. They have to learn that you can think. Win in battles against them. They have to see how strong I know you are. You have to stop running and stand up to them or they will hunt you all down."
"Then there's something we want you to do." She looked up at him with her hazy white eyes. "Come walk with me. Shayn and Ono will explain the rest if you agree to go on this mission."

That was many frames ago. Now here he was alone in the middle of this bleak desert with no idea where he was suppose to go. Lady Kordova didn't give him a mission. He wasn't sent here to kill Ketu or to try to get him on their side. He wasn't suppose to raid his land or try turning his warriors against him. His mission was an almost impossible one.
Xan shivered at the thought of being in the mad one's control. He had heard stories about the days when he had a house filled with other Savonti. The stories of torture and mad sexual play. Ketu was said to be interested in how the body worked, human and Savonti. It was said he did experiments on his slaves, his warriors, and his wives. His madness spread so far and wide no warrior would serve his house anymore. Soon the halls of house Ketu were empty. Only the products of his experiments would go near him. These retched things had no choice. Any other lord would simply have them put to death. Ketul was the only place they could survive, so here they stayed and served their mad father and lord.
The burning sun beat down on Xan as he rode through the dunes of Ketul. So far he hadn't seen a single living thing here. Nothing flew through the skies and nothing but an occasional insect whisked across the sands. His Tracker having been bred for hot places had no problems here. Thought soon he would need water. He stopped atop a huge mountainous dune and scanned the horizon for any sign of life. Nothing, he didn't even see any clouds in the sky.
What on Pentanthin was he doing here? How in the world could his being here help anyone. He didn't understand this at all. Lady Kordova had been so vague about how he was to accomplish his task. Was he here to sacrifice himself?
He reached to the side of his saddle and took a bag a water skin and had a drink. Just as he was closing the cap something moved on his left and pain erupted in his head. Then all he saw was darkness.

It was a sad day in the Academy as everyone gathered in the garden to say their farewells to Lisette Testa. Tears roll from every eye in attendance. Lisette lay in a glass coffin fashioned by the men of clan Gekko. Gabor had had the woman of the clan make her the most beautiful white gown. She looked like an angel laying there sleeping. As the new leaders of the Academy, Shayn had been selected to give her eulogy. His words had been beautiful and touching. He had spoke of the days when he had been a cadet here and young Zarin had been new to the Academy. Lisette had spent a lot of time there then volunteering services with the young children. This had been when he first had met her. Next Macan spoke. He told them all of how she cared for her patience with some much compassion and anyone else that had needed her help.
Her knowledge of magical herbs and remedies were so good, Isa has asked her to stay on in a more permanent position which she had been glad to accept. Once Macan finished, Lowell tearfully stepped up to say good bye.
"I'm so sorry Lisi." He placed a hand on the coffin. "How do I go on without you? How do I tell Zarin?"
Tanis and Azeal stepped up next to him to give him their support. Lowell looked into their sad eyes the turned back to the coffin. He placed a beautiful yellow flower on the glass cover then kissed his wedding ring.
"We will find the one that did this and we will get everyone back home. You won't ever be forgotten my beautiful Lisi."
Then he stepped back as one by one everyone filed by and left a flower of their own. When all was done, Lowell stayed as she was magically lowered and buried. As everyone left Cutter promised to have a memorial placed over her grave when the got back home. Lowell nodded and walked off back toward the Academy.
Shayn and Ono stepped up to Cutter and watched Lowell walk off.
"I'm worried about him." Shayn said. "I can feel his pain."
"As am I." Cutter replied. A gentle breeze blowing his white hair back. "Jovan will stay close to him. Speaking of Jovan, have you seen him?"
"No." Ono looked at then surprised. A worried look appeared on his face "And I can't believe he would miss the funeral. Something must be wrong."
"Have the grounds searched." Shayn said in a commanding voice. "Have everyone on it now. He might be hurt somewhere."
"I'll get Gabor and some of his men to search the forest." Ono told them. "Cutter, you organize the cadets and search the grounds. Blink, Azeal and Tanis. Take the air carefully. Hurry!!"
With that they separated and ran off to begin searching. Trouble had found the Academy and it was only going to get worst.

"Luke where are we?" Nysa shouted as her brother dragged her running through the forest. "Where are we going?"
"To find help for Zarin." He said as he pushed his way threw the thick brush. "I remember where we are now. When we were younger we were part of the Gekko's before Grandpa took us off into hiding. Tored and I use to play in the caves right over there."
Nysa looked to her left and sure enough there was a cliff there studded with cave openings. A stream ran along side the cliff which must have provided those that hid there with water. But it looked abandoned. There were campfire pits and used cookery lying about. If anyone had lived there, right now there was no one around.
"Stop Luke!" She pulled away. "There's no one here. Look at the campfires, they're old. No one's used them in sometime. We should go back and help."
Luke walked to the cave opening and looked around. She was right. The place was abandoned. He could see animal tracks and insect nests on the ground and in crevices in the walls. no one's been here in a while. But they where here somewhere, they just had to find them. Luke thought for a minute. There where a few different places close he remembered they the clan used when in hidden from the Savonti. Perhaps they should check them before going back for the others. Zarin would want them to go on and find the clan to help find his friends. Only they could help them to rescue Mera before it was to later.
"We go on." He told his sister. "Zarin would want us to. He told us to go find safety. Nysa, I lost Mera. I have to find somewhere safe for you so I can go find her and Tored."
"What about Zarin and the other?" Tears were in her eyes. "We can't just leave them."
[We're fine.] They heard in there heads. [Go on. We'll catch up with you soon.]
"Zarin?" Luke looked around for where the voice had come from and found no one. "How?"
[It's Eheren.] Came the answer. [I'm speaking directly to your minds. It's one of the abilities of dragons. Don't be afraid. I can keep track of you and find you in a hurry if I have to. We'll be just a little behind you.]
"We're heading north to old sites where the clan use to hide." Luke took his sisters hand. "We'll scout ahead."
[Use your illusions to stay hidden. Remember this is still Savonti land. Hunters will be out. Be careful.]
"We will." Luke smiled at Nysa. "You ready?"
She smiled weakly still scared. Off they went to try and find the rest of there old clan.

"Nevac." Zarin looked at Sacar. "Your from the cave we stayed in right?"
[YES WE ARE.] Sacar bowed to Zarin and the others. Eheren shifted the his human form and stepped up to explain. But before he could, Zarin held up a hand to stop him.
"I knew something was going on at the cave," He said looking Sacar in his many faceted eyes. "Thalia's not a very good liar. I've knew her way to long for that. But you tell me, what was the point of the secrecy? Why didn't you want the rest of us to know about you?"
[FEAR.] Sacar answered. He turned and waved at the Nevac behind him. One by one the shimmered and vanished. Dack and Craven rubbed there eyes surprised at what they had just seen. [FEAR OF OUR OLDEST ENEMY THE SAVONTI. WE THE NEVAC ARE NEW TO THIS HATE, WAR AND FIGHTING. IT WAS NEVER OUR WAY. WE WERE A PEACEFUL PEOPLE LIVING IN HARMONY. THERE ONCE WERE THOUSANDS OF US IN OUR CITIES UNDERGROUND LIVING CONTENT AND ALONE. THEN CAME THE SAVONTI WITH THEIR LIES AND THEIR LUST FOR CONQUEST. THEY WANTED THE PENTANTIUM THAT WE MINED. THEY HAD FOUND A WAY TO USE IT AS A POWERFUL WEAPON. WE WELCOMED THEM AND TAUGHT THEM IT'S SECRETS AND TO REPAY US FOR OUR KINDNESS, THEY BEGAN THE GREAT HUNT. OUR CITIES WE TORN APART AND DESTROYED, MY PEOPLE WERE SLAUGHTERED. NOW ONLY A FEW OF US SURVIVE AND IT IS THE HUMAN'S TURN. WE WILL NOT ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN AGAIN. WE WILL FIGHT WITH YOU BUT WE MOST STAY HIDDEN. WE CAN NOT ALLOW THEM TO KNOW WE STILL LIVE. THALIA KEPT OUR SECRET SO THAT IF ANY OF YOU WERE CAPTURED, THEY COULD NOT TEAR INTO YOUR MINDS AND LEARN OF US. DO NOT BE ANGRY WITH HER, SHE ONLY DID AS WE ASKED.]
Zarin looked at his new comrades. They were true insects with long chitinous armor and antenna. Green and brown in color with wings on there backs. Though Sacar said they were not a warrior race, those saw like ridges on their arms and legs looked like they would make a pretty strong weapon. From what Zarin saw they wore no clothing at all and carried no weapons. For pacifist, they looked pretty dangerous.
"So what do you have in mind?" Zarin asked curious. "How can you help?"
[IN MANY WAYS.] Light flashed in Sacars eyes. [ I AM HERE TO WARN YOU. LORD DARU WILL SOON ATTACK THE LAND OF FEDRUL. WE KNOW THAT IS WHERE YOUR PEOPLE GATHER. YOU MUST WARN THEM.]
"How do you know this?" Zarin asked. He wasn"t sure he could trust these Nevac.
[WE ARE VERY GOOD LISTENERS. WE ARE SECRET BUT ONE OF US ALL ALWAYS BE WATCHING.] Sacar flexed and opened his wings. They began to vibrate and Sacar rose off the ground to hover. [WE WILL BE IN THE SHADOWS. ALL YOU NEED DO IS CALL AND WE WILL BE THERE AT YOUR SIDE. THANK THALIA FOR US AND TELL HER SHE WILL BE WATCHED.
When he finished talking, Sacar's wings beat faster and he faded away leaving Zarin and the others in awe.
"By Rimnar!!" Dack stepped up next to Zarin still looking at the spot where Sacar had disappeared. Craven and Zark walked over to join them. Zarin looked over to Eheren and raised his eye brow. Eheren shrugged with a smile.
"From now on, I want to know everything. Is that clear with all of you?"
All around they nodded their acceptance.
"Good." He said. "Now let's go find Luke before he gets in trouble."

Though the suns of Pentanthin shines high and bright, it was dark and hot in the forest. High in the plum and amethyst shades of foliage, strange three tailed bipedal primates swung and fought over the fruit in they gathered. Carnivorous four winged avian creatures dipped and dived at naguts and mugits hiding on the ground. It was life and death here in the forest and for humans, it was no different. The land now called Gekkol was patrolled by day by men of the Gekko and by night, a different race watched Gekkol.
Today two boys raced through Gekkol on the run. One scared and the other, well he wasn't scared at all. As a matter of fact, he had revenge on his mind. But they weren't the only one's on the run in the forest. Two others were on the move. A young boy and his sister.
Holding hands, Luke led as Nysa followed quickly. They were in search of the Gekko clan. Luke remembered a number of different location were the clan use to hide out from the Savonti. In the last hour they had found two of those locations abandoned and hidden away. It looked as if no one had been there in passes, each locations entrance had been covered and hidden to keep the enemy from finding it.
Now Luke led his sister to a cave entrance hidden deep in a grove of Citra trees, one of the last places one would expect a Savonti warrior to go. Why? Because usually Citra was toxic to Savonti. Not deadly but it would cause one very bad rash which would dry their scaled skin causing agony.
Everything seemed quiet to Luke as they approached the grove of citra trees. This haven looked just like the others, abandoned. But he had to check. Even were the clan here, he wouldn't know until he passed the edge of the trees and was into the grove. They would see him of course but unless he was recognized, no one would come out to meet him in fear of a Savonti trap.
"Nysa." Luke stopped her. "Stay here out of sight. I'm going in to see if there's anyone here. It's the last site I remember."
"I don't think you should go." Nysa had a scared look on her face. "I have a bad feeling about this."
Luke looked to the entrance then back at her. It was quiet here, that was strange. But that could mean nothing, or the Savonti are here. What to do, what to do? Luke knew he was down to his last site. This had to be where they were. He had to check it out.
"Stay here," Luke held up his hand to her then turned and slowly walked toward the entrance. Complete silence filled the thick air of the forest. Sweat ran from his brow. He turned and looked back at Nysa standing in the bushes tears in her eyes. She was worried and waved at him to come back. Luke looked again at the citra grove. Something felt wrong. The hair on his neck stood up as if something was screaming for him to turn back. Luke stopped. Something inside told him this time he should trust his sister. Then a light breeze came out of the grove with a metallic smell. Luke knew that smell. Savonti! Fast as he could Luke turned and dashed back to Nysa and grabbed her hand and ran as a Tracker burst from the Citra trees and came straight at them.
"RUN!!" Luke screamed.
Horrified Nysa ran as fast as she could right behind he brother. Fear filled Luke's heart as they crashed through the forest. Not only was he about to get caught, it would be his fault Nysa was caught to. As they ran he began to grow angry at himself.
Branches whipped streaks into them as the ran. Luke knew there was no way he could out distance the Tracker behind him. He stopped and turned back to the charging Savonti and with all his might he screamed out and projected his strongest illusion.
Suddenly out of the forest roaring a challenge. With red eyes, a black and blue striped Tark leaped out to stand in front of them. Rearing up on it's hind legs the beast swung a clawed paw and swatted the Tracker off it's feet knocking it to the ground breaking it's neck. Falling and rolling the Savonti warrior came up and thrust his staff at the chest of the beast. It roared out in pain swinging it's head back and forth.
Seeing the Tark between him and the warrior, Luke grabbed Nysa and took off into the forest. From behind him he could hear the roaring of the Tark he had created. Luke pulled Nysa on into a faster run knowing the Tark would soon fade and disappear. Seeing through it's eyes, he made it advance slowly on the warrior then stop. The warrior jabbed at it as it roared its defiance swinging it's heavy claw st him. The warrior backed up so he could take a blast at the beast facing him. Rearing up, it advanced keeping him to close for a blast. Luke knew he was getting to far away from his Tark to keep it solid, so in his mind he had the beast leap away into the forest growling with its eyes still glowing, hoping to keep the warriors attention while they escaped. With the beast finally far enough away, the warrior started blasting into the forest hoping to frighten it away.
With the Savonti behind them, Luke slowed down but kept on the move. He wanted to call out to Eheren for help but dared not to. The warrior might hear and then be back on their trail. They headed for the hills of Fedrul, hoping they would find help hiding in the mountain caves.

Loud was the forest of Gekkol. The sounds on birds chattering and lizards and mad gray monkey like creatures filled the air. Jovan kept down and quiet as he tracked Paolo and Rush through the forest. He had no idea where they were heading and what they had planned or for that fact, how he was suppose to get the information back to the Academy. But he knew he couldn't lose them now. Armed with just a sword and a dagger he crept after them trying to keeping them close enough so he could hear what they had to say.
Jovan looked out to where the two had been walking and saw they had gone beyond the tree line. He stood to run to catch up when something dropped out of the trees. Before Jovan stood something he had never seen before. It was huge like the apes of the jungles at home only this thing had no hair. It's body shined with the red and gold ripple effect of scales. This was some sort of reptile. It had huge muscular long arms and bent legs. Jovan reached to his side for his sword as it turned to face him. His blood ran cold as he saw its face. Gold piercing eyes with two slits where the nose should have been. It's mouth was lined with rows of needle like teeth with two canine teeth that extended almost to it's chin in a hiss. By Rimnar what was this thing? In a smooth move leaped at him its teeth snapping as it tried to bite him. Jovan jumped to his side and rolled coming up this time armed with both the dagger and his short sword. As it reached for him, Jovan stabbed it in its arm. Blue blood flowed from the would. The creature croaked a strange noise it's tongue flickering and leaped again at him. With its long arms it wrapped itself around his legs. Jovan hacked at it as it tried to sink its teeth into his chest. venom dripped from the creatures fangs. Jovan took his sword and shoved it in the things mouth to keep it from biting. It's head thrashed from side ti side and blood and gore ran from it's mouth. Tighter and tighter it squeezed him, the pain was excruciating. With both hands gripping the sword, Jovan held it back. Suddenly blood splattered all over him as the beast head burst open. Jovan pushed the thing to the side, the arms fell limp from around him freeing his from it'd crushing hold. He looked up to find a young boy standing over him with a bloody club in his hands. Happy to be alive, Jovan thanked the boy then on his hands and knees crawled away from the dead carcass and fell exhausted to the ground.
"Are you alright?" A pretty young girl ran over and asked. She knelt next to Jovan then looked at the dead thing twitching on the ground. "Did it bite you"
"No." Jovan shook his head. "What was that thing?"
"It's a Razaco of course." The boy thrrew down his club and knelt. "She asked if it bite you. Did it?"
"No." Jovan sat up. He looked at the two in front of him. "Thanks for your help, but who are you?" What are you doing out here in the forest?"
"I'm Luke." Luke stood and held up his hand to help Jovan up. "This is my sister Nysa. We're looking for our clansmen. The Gekko's."
"Gabor Gekko?" Jovan brushed dirt from his tunic. "I know him. He's at the Academy."
"Academy?" Nysa's said wide eyes. She stepped up to Jovan eagerly. "Andrake Academy?"
"Yeah." Jovan looked at them curiously. "How'd you know about the Academy?"
"Luke, we found Zarin's friends."
"Zarin?" Jovan's stomach felt like there was a stone in it. He knew that name. It was Lowell and Lisette's son's name. But how could two kids from Pentanthin know of Zarin? "What's going on here?"
"We should talk." Luke gripped his arm and shook it. "But not here. Take us to the Academy. It's very important."

"Where are we going Paolo?" Rush huffed and pushed through the dense bush. The big boy was having trouble keeping up with the thinner boy.
"To find allies." Paolo stopped looking around. "These Savonti hunter the people here. If I can come to some agreement with them, I can get them to do away with the dragons and the rest of them."
"But what if they attack us?" Rush stuttered.
"I think I can take care of these lizard things." Paolo smiled, his eyes flashed a glow. "All we have to do is find them."
"How will we do that?"
Paolo turned and looked back at Rush. The boy was becoming annoying. He asked to many questions. Maybe it was time to either strengthen the spell or get rid of him. He wasn't of any use anymore anyway. But not now. There just might be some other way he could still use the boy.
"Just be quiet and let me concentrate." Paolo closed his eyes and started to mumble a spell. In his mind everything grew bright. He could see every animal in their vicinity. He could also see the tracks of things that moved through the forest.
Off to the left he saw something strange. He knew it wasn't human, but it was bipedal and large. This must be the Savonti they all talked about. He knew if he just walked out to meet it, he would be attacked. But he was not just another local clansmen. He was Tabor Larin, son of Lord Tayor Larin king of Winterhaven.
Paolo opened his eyes and started his spell.

FROZEN IN PLACE, STILL AND UNMOVING.
HELPLESS TO FIGHT, WEAK BUT STILL BREATHING.
THE GEAS I PLACE WILL KEEP YOU FROM FIGHTING.
NOW FACE YOU I WILL YOU WILL NOT BE ATTACKING.

"Is it safe?" Rush asked. Paolo looked at him with such contempt that Rush cowered away. Boldly Paolo walked out through the forest. The Savonti warrior was just ahead. Behind him Rush kept back out of the way.
As Paolo stepped up to him, the warrior looked back with an icy stare.
"You have me Human." He spat. "I don't know how you have me trapped, but my Lord Daru will see you served on a plate for this."
"Your Lord Daru is it?" Paolo walked around him seeing a Savonti for the first time. They look as fierce as Orcs he thought. He wonder if they were just as stupid. "How will you lord know what I do? is he here?"
"My lord see's all on Pentanthin." The warrior's eyes never left Paolo. He was expecting to die at any second.
"Then why is he not here now to save you?" Paolo stopped facing him. "Surely if he knows what's happening then he'll be here in a minute to free you."
"I know not this thing you call a minute. But Daru is busy. He doesn't have time for anything as worthless as a human."
"Worthless?" Paolo smiled. "You think I'm worthless do you?"
"All humans are." He snarled. "All your worth is a good meal to us."
"I have you." Paolo got in his face. "And you'll do as I say or we shall see who ends up on a plate."
Anger and frustration blazed on the warriors face. Somehow this human had power, Maybe as strong as his Lord Daru. But all was not lost, Daru would know how to deal with this young upstart. All he had to do was deliver him to his lord and Daru would reward him for his loyalty.
"What is it you want human?"
"I think your lord and I can be a great help to each other." Paolo strutted around in front of the warrior proudly. "All you have to do is take me to him."
"You wish to meet the High Lord Daru?" The warrior was shocked. This human obviously didn't know the Savonti at all. This was a fatal mistake which he could use to his advantage. "I can take you to Darul. All you have to do is free me."
"Not without your pledge to deliver me to your lord safely." Paolo stared into his eyes menacing. His eyes burned with power. "Swear it."
"I swear." The warrior looked down keeping from looking directly into Paolo's eyes. He had been taught well how to be obedient to a master. But a pledge to a human by a Savonti meant nothing. It was like a promise to a slave. Meaningless.
"Your free." Paolo waved at him and turned away. Blood began to pulse and run through the warriors veins. He took a step toward Paolo and started raising his staff to beat the young human from behind. Suddenly he froze in place unable to move.
"You thought I was stupid?" Paolo laughed turning back. "Did you really think I would trust you? You will be under my spell until I decide to completely release you. Your life is still mine to do with as I please. Now, take me to lord Daru unless you wish to be in the bottom of the lake."
The warrior nodded his agreement. This human was not as trusting as he thought. With no Tracker to ride, the only way to Darul was on foot. Maybe there would be some chance along the way for him to rid himself of these mad humans before they entered Darul.
"This way human." He pointed west then started out to lead the way. Looking smug, the human grabbed his companion and followed.
They walked for less then a frame when they heard movement in the forest to their left. The warrior raised his weapon thinking that there was another Tark about to attack. Rush quickly ran behind Paolo for protection. Paolo readied a spell for a fight. Then something walked into the clearing that Paolo never expected to see. An Orc followed by three humans. Paolo's jaw dropped open when he recognizes the three humans.
"YOU!!" Zarin shouted. Rage filled his eyes as he stood and looked at his long time enemy. Even in disguise Zarin knew Tabor immediately. "TABOR!!"
"ZARIN!!"
With the reflexes of a dragon, Zarin pulled his sword and charged forward at the three. He had never been so anger in his life. So anger he couldn't even think to use a spell.
"This is all your fault!" He raised his sword to strike then brought it down ready to kill. But Tabor, his friend and the Savonti warrior were gone. Tabor had spelled them away.
"I'll find you, you bastard. Run if you want but I swear I'll find you!!"

Interception. 50

High in the night sky, Thalia flew out to the edge of the camp. She had noticed that Memu hadn't left that many warriors there to protect his camp. How bold of him she thought. He obviously didn't think there was anyone that would be a threat to his belongings. As she circled she watched the wagons being packed. Tents slowly came down and slaves were caged. Soon they would be ready to move.

With a tilting of her wings, Thalia turned and headed out towards the rear of the camp. Below her she spotted Rese and Tored but Reno was no where to be found. With a caw she headed down to land and shift back to her human form.
"Thalia!" Tored came out of his hiding place. He looked around to be sure they weren't being watched and waved Rese out. "Where is Mera? Have you found her?"
"No not yet." She answered looking around. "Trip is looking for her now. Where's Reno? We need to talk."
"He heard a call from the forest a went to investigate." Rese told her. "He thinks there's something familiar out there."
"Familiar?" Thalia looked at him raiding an eye brow. "We're on an alien world and he thinks there's someone out there he knows?"
"I heard the call too." Rese shrugged. "It did sound like a werewolf."
"That's not possible." Tored said. "We don't have anything like that here on Pentanthin. Tarks, trackers, corjo's and a whole lot of other nasty things but nothing like Werewolves. Whatever he heard maybe it didn't come from your world."
"Probably not but I guess right now it's not important." Thalia motioned them closer to the mud wall that made up the rear of Memu's camp. The three stooped down and peered in. "Reno will catch up with us when he's ready. Right now we have other things to do. Look in here. Those are the wagons being loaded to move the camp. Trip and I overheard them talking. Somehow Mera managed to free herself and she's in there somewhere hiding."
Tored had a look of absolute horror on his face as they looked on. Rese reached over to steady his friend so he wouldn't fall over. he started to say something but Thalia stopped him.
"Don't worry." She said. "We're going in after her. But I need you with me Tored"
Tored looked in nodding and saw three warriors patrolling the camp. All three we're armed with staff and a sword at their side. Not that it mattered to Tored. He had planned to sneak in if he had to leaving Rese waiting if Thalia hadn't shown up when she did. Still the thought of going into a camp of Savonti was frightening.
"What can I do to help?" He asked bravely.
"Well we can't just walk in." Thalia explained. "I need you to hide us while we search."
"How?"
"Can you disguise us as Savonti?" Rese asked. His eyes bright and eager. "Only a Savonti would be safe walking around in there."
"I think I can." He nodded. "But I don't know for how long."
"Then just you and Thalia go." Rese suggested. "I'll wait here for Reno."
"Stay out of sight Rese." Thalia looked at Tored. "Ready?"
"Yes." He gulped and closed his eyes to concentrate. As Rese watched, the image of the two blurred then faded and in it's place two Savonti warriors appeared. Rese stepped backed for a second not use to seeing a Savonti so close. Tored and Thalia had become over six feet tall and covered with deep green shiny scales. On his feet he wore sandals made of some sort of leather type material. He was dressed in a slated kilt made of the same material. He had a harness which held a small dagger and a short length of what looked like a braided rope. At his side hung a silver sword in a scabbard. Looking up, Rese got his first look at a Savonti. He thought they looked almost like they could be related to dragons. The fin on their back stood out about two or three inches and ran to the top of their head, They had dragon like eyes and a mouth full of what looked like sharp jagged teeth. These were the teeth of a carnivore he thought, made for ripping meat apart. They looked strong with heavily muscled arms and clawed hands. They were truly fearsome looking he thought.
"Don't worry Rese." Thalia tried to smile but Savonti smiles looked even more menacing. "Try contacting Reno with mindspeak, tell him where we're going. We'll call if we need you."
Rese nodded and watched as they walked out and into the camp.
[Good luck.]

Lines of Savonti rode slowly down the trail out of Memul followed by wagon after wagon filled with supplies and weaponry. At the end of the line came the slave wagons. They were surprised to see how man cages were empty. there had to be enough to carry one hundred people there. From behind a row of heavy brush Drake, Erlik and Bandit watched them move. Where were they heading? At the head of the column rode sitting with his head held high sat the lord of the land, Memu dressed in his dark blue colored armor. Drake asked Erlik quietly where they could be heading.
"It could be one of two things." Erlik answered. "Either he's going on a raid or to war against another lord."
"My guess is a raid." Drake told them. "That's why he has so many empty cages."
"But where would he find enough people to fill that many wagons?" Bandit asked. "Are there any clans in hiding around here?"
"There are clans in Memul." Erlik answered. "But it would take weeks to round up enough to fill that many cages. But there's something I find strange. They're heading the wrong way, the people of Memul would be hiding in the mountains to the west not the east. So where are they going?"
"What's east of here?"
Erlik looked over to Bandit as he thought about the question. They had just come from the east. Home was east. Suddenly a thought occurred to him. Gekkol was east of here. Just then something moved in the forest back down the trail Memu and his warriors had just come from. Drake and Bandit turned and caught a scent on the wind. It was a curiously familiar scent. Erlik reached to pull his sword from his scabbard to be ready for a fight. Again something rattled in the brush. Lifting the sword, Erlik went to leap to the attack. He had no idea what was there but with the Savonti having just passed, he was sure this was an attack.
"No!!" Bandit reached out and grabbed Erlik's coat and pulled him back. "It's not an attack. It's a friend."
From the forest a tall dark haired young man stepped out. He looked at them in surprise.
"RENO!!" Bandit rushed out and took him in a great hug. "By Rimnar, what are you doing here?"
"Bandit!!" He laughed as his feet were lifted and he was spun around in his friends great bear like hug. "Looking for you I guess."
Bandit put him down and shook his hand in greeting. "Looking for me? Why?"
"I suppose he means the Academy." Drake Tyr stepped over smiling and gripped the boys hand. "Good to see you."
"As it is you your majesty." Reno bowed his head.
"I'm king no more." He said. "I'm here just like you in search of my son Ono and his mate Shayn. I found these two here running from the Savonti and thought I'd lend a claw."
"Then you saw Lord Memu and his warriors pass here?" they all walked out of the forest onto the trail Memu had taken. The smell of Trackers still lingered in the air.
"Yes we did." Drake nodded. "I just have no idea where he's going with that army of his."
"I do." Erlik spoke up. Drake, Reno and Bandit turned to hear what he meant.
"They're heading back to Gekkol." He told them. Bandit mouth dropped open in shock and surprise. Reno and Drake had no idea what he meant.
"The Academy." Erlik shouted at them. "It's in Gekkol!!"
"I don't understand." Drake said trying to figure out exactly what was happening. "Why would he be going there? How could he know where the academy is?"
"He's probably not after the Academy." Bandit guessed. He turned to Erlik. "He wants something else."
"He wants my clan."
"What?" Reno like Drake was confused. what was going on here?
"Don't you see?" Erlik said excited and scared. "The Gekko's are the largest clan in these parts. We've taken over all the lands of the dead Lord Fedru and made it our home. We're not hiding anymore. If Lord Memu or any other lord can manage to slip in and surprise Gabor, he'll have taken down one of the Savonti's biggest enemies and caught hundreds on slaves."
"And he'll find the Academy." Bandit told them looking each of them in their eyes. "It won't be hard."
"Then we have to do something." Reno looked worried. "We have to warn them. And Zarin. He's on his way there. We have to stop them."
"How far away is this Gekkol?" Drake asked.
"Two turns by Tracker." Erlik estimated. "Three on foot."
"We can run it in less." Reno said anxiously.
"I'm guessing a turn is what we call a day, right?"
"Yes." Bandit told them.
"We can't run for two days straight without rest Reno." Drake wanted to try but he knew it was a waste of time and impossible. "There has to be another way."
"We could fly." Reno's eyes lit up with an idea.
"Fly? How? I don't have a bird form, do you?"
"I have something even better. A dragon. We should get back to Memu's camp to find the other. We'll need Rese for this. He can make the flight in a few hours."
"Who?" Drake asked.
"Just follow me. We should hurry."

Disguised in rags and dirty and bruised, Trip shuffled his way through the camp. His chains rattled but being of his own magic, they had no weight so they didn't slow him down. In front of him ran Mif, Mera's little doll. He followed it from place to place everywhere she had been until he found himself at the front gates of the camp where the doll stopped. This could mean only one thing. Mera wasn't here in the camp anymore. She must have been recaptured and put with the slaves that had left with Memu. Trip's heart sank at that thought. The only real reason Memu had taken them was to feed his warriors. That meant they had to go after them and somehow free Mera.
"You!" A gravelly voice called out behind Trip. He turned and found a huge Savonti warrior staring down at him. Trip stepped back in fear. "What are you doing out here?"
The warrior grabbed him and threw him back into the camp. Trip fell and rolled in the dirt.
"Trying to escape were you!" With a swift kick the warrior kicked Trip in his back. He screamed in pain and tried to roll away.
"Get over here meat!" The warrior reached down and grabbed Trip and dragged him back toward the cages. Trip shook his head to clear it. His back was hurting bad from the kick. But the pain had done something else to Trip. It took away his fear. Now he was mad. He clutched his fist as the rage inside him began to build. Turning the corner to the cages, the warrior tossed him like a doll to the wheels of the wagon. Trip lay there covered in mud and looked up at the warrior. His face was a mask of pure anger.
"Get in the cage meat." the warrior stood there with his fist on his hips. "Now!!"
His thoughts went back to Keanna when Craven had captured him. His imprisonment in the cell of the dilapidated manor he and Rese had been held in. He remembered the Orcs crashing in and blasting them into unconsciousness. The fear and pain he was subjected to. Now he he was on Pantanthin being confronted by something much worst then Orcs. He had had enough. The Savonti had to be stopped and today Trip would make a stand.
"No!!" Trip climbed up onto his feet and shook off the mud from his hands and face. His eyes took on a fantastic glare and he raised a glowing hand and took two steps toward the warrior. " Never ever ever again!!!"
Once the Warrior saw the power emanating from the slave in front of him, he knew he was in trouble. Quickly he grabbed for his sword. This was no normal human slave. It was one of the strangely powered beast his lord had scoffed it. It was no crazed idea of Daru's. It was real, here and about to attack.
Fast as he could he pulled his blade and rushed in raising the sword for a quick kill. But he would never make that kill.
With his rage on and his power focused Trip sent a blast directly at the warrior which burned him where he stood. Flames flared up as the warrior roasted from the heat of Trips blast, In seconds he was nothing more then a pile of ash that sank into the mud.
Once the warrior was dead, Trip kicked and ground the ash into nothing then moved to the side of the cages and looked to see if anyone had saw his short battle. He had to find the others. He was done with these mad beastly Savonti. It was time they freed the slaves here and got back with their friends and got out of the terrible place. He wanted to go home.

Dressed in Tored's strongest illusion, Thalia and Tored stomped their way through the camp. They noticed that almost all of the wagons had been picked. Forges, tents, cooking ware and everything Memu had left behind was ready to move. All that was left was to finish caging the rest of Memu's stable of slaves. That was where Thalia planned for them to search. It was the obvious place for Mera to be held if she still lived. Be torch light they made their way to the ring were the slaves were being loaded. There were perhaps thirty or forty cages here. most of them already loaded. Thalia and Tored watched as the poor people were beaten and whipped into the cages. With every strike Thalia winched with pain. Tored wanted to look away but if he did, he might miss his sister. So he watched in horror. As the watched a raven landed on a wagon and cawed.
[She's not here.] Trip called out to them from his perch.
[Are you sure?}
[Yes I'm sure.] He answered. [My magic would have found her if she was here. She must have been taken with the slaves Memu took with him.]
Thalia looked up at Trip with a sick feeling in her stomach.
[But that means she was taken for...]
[Yes.] Trip sent back. [For food.]
[We have to go now!] Thalia reached out for Tored's arm. She didn't want to waste a second here.
[What about them?] He meant the caged slaves. [We can't leave them. They'll be killed.]
[We don't have a choice.] Thalia sent back to him sternly. [The three of us can't fight all these Savonti.]
[Four.] Rese sent. [Don't forget I'm here.]
[So will we.] Reno's voice broke into the conversation surprising both Thalia and Rese. [Trip's right. We can't leave them to be eaten by these monsters. I couldn't live with myself if I did.]
[Then you better think of something quick.] Thalia sent him. [Because they're done loading and ready to go.]
[Get Trackers and ride with them.] A strangely familiar voice order. [We'll take them on the rode. Young dragon, meet us at the gate after they leave. We'll join you and follow them. Thalia, stay in the rear of the column, try not to let any of them get to close.]

The line of wagons heading down the trail through Memul wasn't long as Pentanthin's twin suns rose up over the horizon. There were no more then ten wagons in the group with five caged wagons at the end. Placed at each of the cages there was a driver and a warrior for protection with young or elder Savonti walking along the column. At the end of the line Thalia and Tored rode the tail end watching everyone carefully. Tored was very nervous. It was taking a lot of his concentration to keep them hidden. He was glad there were so far in the rear with no one else close because when his attention slipped, his illusion would blink exposing their real appearance. Thalia just wanted this raid over, she wanted to be off after Memu and Mera before it was to late.
[Reno what are we waiting for?]
[His majesty and Rese are in the canyon ahead.] The young werewolf sent. [Rese will block the trail. That's where the attack will be. You and Tored have to cut off so they will be trapped.]
[His majesty?] Thalia knew he had to be talking about the mystery voice she had heard earlier. She wanted to know who it was with Reno. [Reno, who's there with you?]
[You'll see soon enough. Be careful.]
With that Reno was gone from her mind. She tried calling out to him but he didn't answer. Thalia looked over at Tored who looked tired and confused.
"What now?" Tored whispered. His Savonti face had a strange look like he was straining himself.
"See the canyon up ahead?" She pointed. Up ahead the trail began to slope down. High cliffs rose up all around at that point. The column was heading right down into a narrow canyon. The once two rowed column now became single file as it moved along. Above, the call of chekki the scavenger birds of Pantanthin could be heard as the circled in search of carrion to feed on. "That's where we put an end to Memu's camp.
"How?" He asked.
"We attack. We are to attend to the rear and keeping them from escaping." Thalia pulled her Tracker closer to Tored. "When I give you the signal, drop our disguise and be ready. I'm not sure what Reno has planned so stay close and be careful."
Tored swallowed and nodded wiping the sweat from his brow. This was it. It was time for him to take a little of the revenge his family deserved for so many years.

At the head of the band of wagons, dressed in his kilt, Mah sat on his Tracker and watched over the migration. As Memu's second he had been put in control and ordered to get them to the next hidden camp location. Anxious, he sat calling out orders to the lesser warriors he had been left to lord over. He was very angry, Memu had left him with nothing but young and old warriors. They were armed but he knew this wasn't enough to protect the train let alone to guard the stock of pentanthium that filled the three middle wagons. His only hope was to make a quick and quiet move.
Mah had set sentries all along the route they were to take and runners to report anything odd ahead. The march was to be a short one. Memu's new camp was to be on a hidden plateau just in the eastern mountains of Memul. One turns travel and they would be there safe. Mah gripped his staff and hoped nothing would get in there way to stop them.

Deep in the canyon, two elder Savonti warriors rode slowly watching the ridges to the left and right. Nothing moved but baebots and wild chekki on the hunt for game in the crags of the cliffs. Lazy, the two old ones moved while chewing on rations they had packed for the scouting trip.
"My bones ache." The darker of the two complained stretching. "This is not the job for one of our age."
"Would you rather be with Memu on his raid?" The other asked. "Either we do this or we could work the mines. How would your bones like that?"
"I would rather be fighting." He moaned. "But at my age Memu would never trust me in battle. A shame for when I was young, none could best me with my staff."
"Ahhhhh!!" His companion nodded. "The days of Menu, father of Memu. I remember them well. Hunting the man beast in the hills, wars with Tedu former lord of Redul. Proud times to remember to be sure."
"Yes." The dark one moaned. "Now here we are with nothing but sentry and scouting in our future. Sad days."
"Better then slaving in the mines. But enough of that, let us find our way out of this place so I can rest my weary bones in a hot sand pit."
Spurring their Trackers on, the warriors pushed on faster down the trail in a hurry to get to someplace more comfortable. Unknown to the two elder Savonti, things for them were about to become completely devastating.
Like thunder a great rumbling sound suddenly vibrated through the hills. The ground all around the two warriors began to shake as rocks and debris fall all around leaving them in a cloud of dust. The two Trackers bucked trying to throw their rides and bolt off back the way they had come. With end of their staffs the warriors beat at their mounts to bring them back under their control. Once the dust cleared the two warriors stared at the trail in complete shock. The trail was gone. Now it was totally blocked by a wall of rock that was almost as high as the cliffs.
"What madness is this?" The two warriors looked at each other in shock. "What lord attacks?"
"NO SAVONTI ATTACKS HERE MONSTER." A voice boomed through the walls echoing all around them, "TURN BACK OR DIE!!"
"Face us!" They shouted back. "Face the Savonti and see who rules here!"
"AS YOU WISH!"
With the speed of lightning a black and red flash streak out from behind the wall. The two warriors looked up in the sky and couldn't believe what they saw. A huge black and red creature glowing with power hovered above them. It looked like nothing either of them had ever seen before. More then the length of five Trackers with a wingspan almost the same length. It had an elongated head with a maw filled with sharp teeth. It's eyes glowed like embers of the brightest gold. It had a jet black head with glowing areas all along the underside of it'd neck and chest. It's body was all of red and black and muscled. The thing had clawed forearms and legs and a mighty tail which whipped back and forth. It was a fearsome beast but the Savonti feared nothing.
Raising their staffs, the two warriors took aim at the thing in the sky. But before they could trigger a blast, it was gone in a flash. A loud roar echoed through the canyon as they watched it speed over their heads.
"He's not the one you need worry about."
The two warriors turned to find a young human dressed in leather pants and a vest.He had brown hair and a sneer on his face.
"A human?" The two looked at each other puzzled. Laughter rang out from the two. They had thought they were in for an attack from some powerful lord only to fine this lowly human facing them. "Kill him so we can get back to the others to report the thing in the sky."
"Come then." Reno smiled with his hands on his hips and a savage tint in his eyes. "Kill me if you can."

Mah rode at the head of the train with four of the only seasoned warriors Memu had left him. Stored close to his side in reach sat his staff with he hoped he would have no need of. Ahead the trail seemed clear. So far there had been no opposition, no attacks and none of the scouts had sent back any warning of and trouble from ahead or behind. He breath a sigh of relief. They didn't have that far left to go. The new site for the camp Memu had picked was just beyond the canyon in the mountain hills. It was one of the old mine sites that Memu knew still knew rich amounts of pentanthium. There were also humans to hunt somewhere in the hills assuring them a very good food source.
As Mah relaxed seeing the end of their journey, a rumbling began to run through the ground and canyon sides. He halted the train with a raised claw and listened as a roar echoed through the canyon. Suddenly the sound of staff fire was heard in the distance. Mah waved two warriors to him.
"Someone attacks." He sneered at his warriors. "Go find out how many we are to face. Arm yourselves all of you. Protect the pentanthium and the females. Enemies are close."
As the warriors urged their Trackers into a run, Mah climbed down from his Tracker. He took his staff from it's holder and watched as the two warriors rode off around the bend. Seconds later shots again rang out, but these were closer. Mah called out to rally his warriors as a strange figure stepped out into view from where his warriors had disappeared. He was a tall human dressed in a long black coat. He had black hair with silver steaks and a confidence in his walk.
"Savonti." He called out. "The way forward is blocked and you can't turn back. I have blocked that to. I will let you all go without any hostilities if you free all your slaves. Otherwise you we all die here today. What do you say?"
Laughter rang out through the train from all the warriors. They had all climbed down from their driving seats and were weapons ready. Mah stood facing the human with staff in hand. There was no humor in his eyes.
"You threaten us Man beast!" Mah fumed at the human. "We rule this planet and all you humans bow to us as masters. We will never bend to your useless wishes. They mean nothing to us. You mean nothing to us!!"
"That is your decision?" Drake asked calmly. "You choose death? Is that really such an easy decision? Does life means so little to the Savonti that you would throw it all away just for pride."
"We are proud, yes." Mah shouted. "But we have a right to be. No human can rival us in power or strength. You are but a lone man, maybe you have allies out there to fight with you, but it would be you throwing away you lives not us. We are armed with weapons you can't possibly fight. We have nothing to fear from your kind. We never have."
"We are not as weak as you may think Monster." Drake stood where all could see him. "Behold!!"
[Now!!] Drake sent out to the others.

Up on the cliff Trip hide and watched. The moment Drake gave the word, he cast his spell. Trip crossed his arms in front of him and held them over his had as his old mentor Shaitan taught him. Then he began his spell.

SHAKE HIGH AND LOW AND ALL AROUND.
LET IT TREMBLE AND QUAKE ALL THROUGH THE GROUND.
AS MINUTES PASS BY, I'M IN COMMAND.
I CALL TO MY POWER TO FULLFILL MY EVERY DEMAND.

As the magic took hold, Trip rose a foot into the air, Then the quake began. The sides of the canyon shook, rocks fell all around. Mah's Trackers rear scared by the quake. His wagons began to shake and tip over spilling their contents all around. The slaves in the caged wagons grabbed onto each other for safety As the ground beneath them began to move.Mah called out orders to his warriors to secure the wagons. He looked at the strange dark man who stood quietly and watched even though the ground beneath him shook. He didn't seem to be fazed at all by the quake. What kind of human was this?
Mah raised his staff and sent a blast at the man. He raised his hand and it stopped before it reached him.
"One last chance Savonti." Drake called over the rumbling of the quake. "Free the slaves!!"
"Never!!" Mah shouted. "Attack!! Kill him!!"
Stumbling and falling the Savonti warriors tried to run at Drake to attack. They sent shot after shot at him but not one hit it's mark though Drake didn't move an inch. Closer and closer they came until they were but a few feet away, then from behind him something came streaking out of the sky to land behind him. It was a great black and red beast with wings. The roar sending them all falling off their feet. Scared they all dropped their weapons and scrambled to get away. Mah screamed out his rage.
"GET UP!! He screamed. "FIGHT YOU CURSED NAGUTS!! OR I WILL KILL ALL OF YOU!!"
He charged at Drake with the spear end of his staff raised and ready to strike. Drake looked at him and snarled. Then he shifted to his regal man wolf form, flexed his claws and pounced on the Savonti charging him. Surprise filled Mah at the sight of the unknown beast that attacked him. He didn't have time to react before Drake was on him slashing into his chest ripping him apart. Then he stood and howled as the ground stopped shaking. Covered in Savonti blood he stepped away from Mah's dead body and looked at the cowering warriors before him.
"Is death to be your choice to?" He asked.
"N no." Stammered the closest warrior, an elderly Savonti. "We will free the humans."
"You will free them and you will go out and tell every Savonti lord that the humans will no longer be their prey. For from this day on they will fight back, and me and my kind will be at their sides to help them. Now take your wagons and be off with you."

An hour later the slaves were all free and gathered around the caged wagons. The Savonti had all gone taking what they could except the weapons and the caged wagons and Trackers that pulled them. The people looked up at Drake and the others around him amazed at their courage. Amazed but still scared.
"Where do we go?" a woman asked. "You may have scared them away but there are many more out there that still hunt us."
"You join with other clans for protection." Erlik said stepping out. "We stop letting the Savonti treat us like cattle. You now have weapons to protect yourselves. You live and build homes and fight to keep them, that's what you do."
"That's easy for you to say." Some from the crowd called. "You have powerful friends. What have we got?"
"You have friends to." Tored said from beside Thalia. "We're all in this together. Your not alone in this fight."
"Indeed your not." Erlik looked over the crowd. "I see men and woman here from many different clans. Make your way home or go to Fedrul. Clan Gekko rules that land now."
A look of shock came over the faces of those in the crowd. Fedrul was a Savonti held land. How can this be?
"Fedru was killed by Gabor Gekko with the help of friends." Whispers of surprise ran quickly though the ex slaves. "Gabor needs all the weapons and fighters he can find. I know he'd welcome you all into his clan. Or you can go back into hiding. It's your choice."
The men and women started talking amongst themselves loudly. Some were afraid but more were tired of this fear and hiding and wanted it to end. A mam in rags stepped out from the crowd to face Erlik and his group.
"I have heard of the Gekko clan. My father was friend to Petar Gekko and talked of him often. I know him to be a brave and resourceful fighter. I will join them. Anyone else what to come with me?"
A cheer went up as the crowd agreed. Erlik smiled at Bandit and Drake proud of himself. Now all he had to do was to direct them to Gekkol.
"Now that the slaves are free we should be going." Thalia said taking Reno and Drake aside. "We still have to get Mera back and warn the others of the coming attack. We should hurry and get moving."
"I agree." Drake nodded looking at Reno and Thalia. "How far away is your friend Zarin?"
"They should be in Fedrul by now." Tored answered. "Luke and Nysa will be taking them to find the Gekko clan, that means your friends."
"How long by Tracker?"
"Three turns."
"Then we have to get ahead of Memu to warn the academy of what's on the way." Drake told them. "How fast can u cover that distance Rese?"
"Not long. A few hours maybe." He shrugged. "Depends on how much I'm carrying. And I can't carry all of you."
"Here's what I think we should do." Drake sat them all down to decide want to do next. "Rese can take me and Erlik ahead. The rest of you can go after Memu. Try and slow them down but don't take and crazy chances. If you can find Mera, By all means free her but do not get caught. None of you, understand?"
"Yes majesty." Reno nodded. Thalia looked at Drake open mouthed in shock. She finally knew why he looked familiar.
"Your Drake Tyr." She stood. "King of the Werewolves. That's why you look familiar."
"Former Were king. " He smiled. "Now I'm here Lady Samanis, looking for my son and his mate. Are we all in agreement?
"Yes." They all called out together.
"Good." They all climbed to their feet and dusted themselves off. "Let's get a move on. We have a lot ahead of us."