Get me out of here. 56

In the dark silent halls of Darkshade tower, Kel moved quietly from side to side checking every cell he passed. This was a special prison. Only used for the most influential of prisoners. People Talsara wanted hidden but she couldn't afford to kill. So far Kel had met no one in the tower. All the cells were empty and he hadn't seen any guards. Room after room he searched, cell after cell. He had found cells that he could tell had once been in use. Artifacts carved of stone on shelves, personal items prisoners kept to keep them occupied in their seclusion. In a few cells, he even found the bones of their now dead occupant. But still, he hadn't found who it was he was looking for.

Kel couldn't help but wonder who Aron Neveral was that Talsara hated him so much she had to hide him. Her own father who Kel know could trigger a revolt wasn't hidden, so who could it be? And how was he to find this person?
As Kel searched he thought about where he was. This was Darkshades own royal prison, where it's most dangerous prisoners were kept. Somewhere here there was someone he needed to get out. Talsara must be hiding whoever it was. There had to be hidden cells here somewhere. But how to find them? As he looked around his hand brushed his trouser pocket and he felt something there. Then he remembered King Rhys dice. The King had said if he needed answers they would be able to provide them. Was he just mad from his imprisonment or was it possible the dice could actually work. Kel reached in his pocket and took them out and held them up to look at them. They were three six sided bone dice with red, black and green elven symbols etched on each side. Kel looked closer at the dice flipping them to each side in his hand. On one die he saw the elven word for roll. Then he turned it and read the word for. With another turn he saw the word answers.
"Roll for answers."
Kel walked to the nearest open cell and moved to a wall near a window. He stooped down and shook the dice in his hand then sent them rolling to the wall. Tumbling over the four sided dice rolled then split into four, bounced off the wall and stopped. Kel leaned forward to read the symbols that came up on top. It read.
EAST WALL PUSH HARD.
Kel smiled amazed at the dice.
"Interesting."
He reached down and grabbed them. In his hand, the four became two again. He rattled the bones then dropped them back in his pocket and left the cell. From the window, in the cell, he had seen the sun and since the sun always rose in the east he turned to that directing and walked until he found the nearest eastern wall. He looked for some kind of lever or switch that might open a secret passage. There was nothing there. It was just a wall like any other. Maybe a pressure spot that triggered the opening. Kel felt around for a soft spot. Nothing. Kel stepped back and thought for a minute. No trigger, no lever. There doesn't look to be a seem he could pry open and no soft pressure spot. What could it be? Just then he heard what sounded like the rattle of armor. Someone was coming. He could hear voices approaching. Think quick. what could it be? Quickly he peeked around the corner and saw guards coming.
"Ed' i" ear ar elenea!"
Think think think! What did the dice say? PUSH!
Quickly Kel stepped close to the wall and place his hands on it and give a shove. With just a whisper the wall pushed in and he dived in, With his back against the wall he pushed it back into place just in time holding his breath. From the other side, he could hear the guards pass. They hadn't heard a thing. Kel wiped his brow with his sleeves thanking his ancestors for the luck.
Looking around Kel noticed he was in a round chamber with no light. Being a dark elf that, didn't bother him at all, He was perfectly comfortable in the dark. He looked around and saw the walls were lined with cells. Looking closer he noticed they weren't all empty. One had a prisoner in it.
As Kel slowly made his way across the chamber he slipped his blade from his cloak. This was probably the one he came for but there was no reason to take chances. This could be just some mad deranged elf who had been here for years. Kel couldn't afford to take the chance of getting trapped here.
As he got closer he looked in and saw a young elf in the cell. He was tall and muscular with the white blond hair and greenish eyes of the forest elves. He sat in a lotus position in the center of the cell. Though Kel knew he couldn't see in the dark, he knew this boy knew he was there. The boy was dressed in dirty clothing but they looked like the uniform of the Academy in Winterhaven. Could this be the one? What could he have done to anger Talsara?
"Aiya." Kel spoke quietly. "Lle quena i"lumbre tel' eldan?"
"Yes I do." The Elf stood up. "Who are you? One of Talsara's men sent to harass me, or is it my time to die?"
"I am of Darkshade." Kel answered. "But I will never follow the queen bitch. She's no queen of mine."
"Then why are you here?" The young elf walked to the cell door with his hands out to feel the way. His hand touched the bars and he stopped.
"I guess that depends on who you are and why your here." Kel put his knife away. There was no reason to fear this one.
"My name is Aron Neveral." He answered. "And I'm here because Talsara wants me and my mate dead."
"Talsara is a hateful creature," Kel Told him. "I'm not surprised. She's killed almost everyone I love and took all of the honor from Darkshade. My name is Kel Orama. I was once a member of the Darkshade military until she took over the throne. I'm here to get you out Aron Neveral, but we're going to have to help and trust each other. If you can do that, I swear by King Rhys I will get you out of here."
Aron thought for a minute. He had no reason to trust this voice in the dark but he didn't have much of a choice. It was either trust him or stay here until Talsara kills him.
"Get me out of here."
From a dark corner of the cell, Argus watched as Kel fit his key into the door of Aron's cell. He smiled as he watched Kel lead him out of the cell. But this was just the beginning. Getting out of Darkshade tower and away from Talsara wasn't going to be an easy task. Argus was sure they would need his help, so he would keep watching and be ready to help when he was needed. Especially if Aesis showed up to stop them.

By nightfall under a clear cold sky, in the hills over Darkshade, Ryel, Orek, Noelle, Denner, and Toric appeared. With a quick signal, Ryel sent Denner and Noelle out to check the area to be sure no one had seen their arrival. He ordered a cold camp set up. No fires to alert anyone of their presence. Once he was sure they were safe they all sat down to plan.
"Well, we're here," Orek said. He put down his ax opened up his pack and pulled out some dried meat to pass around. "Now what? How do we find Aron?"
"We need to get to the city to search." Toric took a piece of dried beef and nibbled since he wasn't hungry. "He has to be somewhere down there."
"He'll be in the palace dungeon," Ryel told them as he looked at each of them.
"How do you know that?" Denner asked. "I'm sure there's a prison somewhere in Darkshade where they keep prisoners. He could be there."
"No." He shook his head. "Aron's not just some prisoner. Talsara will want him where no one would be able to talk to him and close where she could get to him. He's in the palace, I'm sure of that."
"Then that's where we have to go." Toric pulled his cloak tighter against the cold. "How do we do that? None of us look like Dark Elves. We can't just walk down and head into the palace."
"I can get in," Denner said. "I can shift to a Dark elf and with some makeup or a spell, you, Ryel and Noelle should be able to pass too."
"And me," Orek asked. They all looked at the Dwarf.
"I can change your form, yes. But I don't think I can make you an elf. Dwarves and Elves are to different for that. Don't ask me why."
"Then what do I do?" The Dwarf asked. "I want to help and I'm not hiding out in the forest."
*1"First we have to see what Darkshade is like," Ryel explained. "If it's anything like Eventide, even as Dark elves the people will know we're strangers the minute we set foot in the city. Somehow we have to blend in. Noelle, you are with me and Orek. Toric, you and Denner scout from the air. Stay out of sight."
"Can you shift to a Shadow dragon?" Toric turned to Denner.
"Yeah." He answered. "I can't move through shadow like Blink but I can use shadow to cover us to keep us hidden."
"That should be enough." He turned back to Ryel. "Use the message stone if you need us."
"We'll meet back here in two hours. Tenna' telwan."
Ryel turned and looked over the hill into Darkshades dimly lit streets. Seemed quiet but lights flickered in many windows in the city including the palace far in the back of the city. It looked formidable, well protected from here. They would need luck to get Aron out of there, lots of it.

Midnight in Darkshade and two riders escorted a lavish dark coach through the roads and hills toward the city of Darkshade. In the coach rode Zaor Shadowfall, son and a noble of the Elven land called Shadowfall. With him was an ambassador and aid to king Saevel Shadowfall, Amra Calaudra. They were on there a way to Darkshade to sign a pact with Talsara and join her in her bid to take over Taggitia.
Disillusioned with the efforts of Lord Larin to hold certain vital areas like Prafa and the Vampire lands, Talsara moved on the lands of Shadowfall home of the Shadow Elves. Shadow elves were distant cousins of the Dark elves. Both worshipers of darker forces of nature, alike in there desire for war and conquest. By moving on Shadowfall, Talsara declared her wish to add them to her empire. War seemed inevitable between the two dark groups until Saevel made Talsara an offer she couldn't refuse. For his armies and magic, they would share Taggitia. She would rule the north and Saevel would rule in the south and eventually, they would rule the land together as one. All Dragons Vampires, Werewolves, Humans and any other race would be eradicated leaving the land for Elves only. That would mean she would control more then what Lord Larin promised. She would have all that Lord Larin now held, and once she had it, she would turn on Saevel and take the south from him making him and his Shadow elves her servants. Yes, things were working out just fine for Talsara with just a few problems. And those problems, she planned to end very soon.

Life in Darkshade had become unbearable for Artin Duskmere and his family. He and his two brothers had been drafted into the Darkshade army, his family business had been turned over to the queen. His mother had lost her pale on the Elder Council and his father lived in fear every day that his sons would be killed in a horrible war he didn't understand. For months as he and Mother complained about the conditions in Darkshade, Father had ignored it and looked the other ways out of his loyalty to the old crown and Queen Caline. He thought no daughter of Caline could ever hurt him, his family or anyone in Darkshade. Surely no Elven Queen could. But then things just got darker and darker and darker. Holone lost her place at the council table. So had all the Elders. No longer would Talsara listen to their advice or answer to anyone else. She no longer seemed to trust anyone at all. Not even King Wyn her husband. And where was Prince Elan? Why was he still absent from Darkshade while all this madness was going on? Artin just didn't understand what the Queen had in mind for Darkshade until last night.
Dressed in his clean new uniform Artin came home to find his sister Re'ven in front of their home on the terrace crying. The windows of the house were dark and no smoke rose up from the chimney. That was strange. There should be music coming from the house and Father and his footmen should be hard at work fixing dinner at this hour. Something wasn't right here.
As Re'ven looked up and saw him, she got up and ran into his arms crying, her tears leaving streaks on his tunic.
"What is it Re'ven?" He asked. ""What's wrong?"
Mother and Father are gone!!"
"What? Where?"
"They took them!" She cried sobbing hard.
"Who took them?" He asked. He pulled her from his chest and looked down into her tear filled eyes.
"Solider dressed like you!" She pulled away and walked to the door of there house and pointed. They put that on our door as they put locks on it. What does it mean?"
Artin walked to the door and found an official-looking document nailed to the door. He pulled it down and read it.

FOR THE CRIME OF SEDITION AGAINST THE CROWN OF DARKSHADE. THIS HOUSE AND ALL IN IT HAS BEEN CONFISCATED BY THE CROWN. HOLONE AND DROTH DUSKMERE ARE UNDER ARREST AND WILL FORFEIT ANY AND ALL PROPERTY. ANYONE CAUGHT BREAKING THE SEAL ON THIS PROPERTY BEFORE IT IS DISTRIBUTED BY THE CROWN WILL BE ARRESTED AND PLACED IN THE CITY DUNGEONS.

                                                               BARONESS HUBYRA ECHORN
                                                               MINISTER OF ELVEN AFFAIRS.

Artin just stared at the notice. He couldn't believe what it said. His parents were in prison accused of Treason? TREASON? How could this be? He folded the paper and placed it in his tunic pocket. This had to be a mistake. His parents were two of the most loyal of all the people in Darkshade. Mother only complained when her younger sons Belanor and Luvon had been taken away. She had made a few remarks but nothing she actually meant. And she had been upset when the council was dissolved but so had a few others from the council. And why would they take Father? He couldn't possibly have done anything other than to worry about his family. Somehow he had to get them out of prison and free. He had to get them away from Darkshade.
"Re'ven." He turned and went to her kneeling down to talk. "I'll find a way to get them out. I don't know how but I will. I want you to get out of Darkshade. It's not safe here anymore."
"Where would I go?" She asked him calmly. "Who would take me in?  The Darkmoons, the Gwaelons? Maybe I could hide away in Shrinshee. Oh, I can't, they've all been taken by Talsara. How about the Dwarves maybe they would help me hide. No they all hate us Dark elves. Don't you get it. Talsara has made us the most hated race on Keanna now. We are monsters now."
She stood and turned away from her brother.
"You and Mother were right." She turned back. "We should have listened and tried to stop her before she got too powerful. Now there's nothing we can do."
"Yes, there is." Artin stepped closer to Re'ven and spoke quietly. "I'll find a way somehow to get them out. But I can't do it and watch after you at the same time. We are not the only ones that are trying to escape Darkshade. There are many others. Go to the house of Thalana Vesryn, she can get you out of Darkshade and away from here. I will free mother and father and follow if I can.. Meet us in Fay Shrea, It's free of  Talsara. Wait no more than two days and we'll find you. But If I can't, you keep going. Get as far from Elven lands as you can and don't look back. Go find the Dragons, They will help you."
Re'ven looked at her brother as if he was mad, but she knew he had never been saner in his life. This was the only way to freedom. She had to take her chance now.
Re'ven grabbed her brother and hugged him tightly knowing this could be the last time she ever saw him.
"I will go." She told him kissing his cheek. "But please be careful. I'll wait in Fay Shrea for you. Vanya sulie tan."

As the sun fell down over the horizon, Artin slowly made his way through the busy city. Troops marched down wide boulevards on parade while the crowd hypnotized by fanfare cheered. If they only knew Artin thought. If they only knew what all this crazy business was going to cost them.
Not thinking he walked through the thick crowd gathered throughout the city. He watched as the young and old applauded the sharply dressed soldiers. Threw flowers and lei's from balconies to the men marching below. He watched as prisoners and slaves from all the lands Talsara's forces had taken were marched in chained and whipped through the streets. Men, women, and children on their way to pens where they would be sold into service for the rest of their lives. This was wrong he thought. By law, no Elf should ever have to live as a slave. That was the first written law in all elven kingdoms. It seemed Talsara had decided she didn't have to obey the old traditional laws. She could rewrite or ignore and suspend any laws she felt she wanted to. Fine. If she felt no loyalty to Elven kind, then Artin had no reason to honor any loyalty to her. Her days as the queen of Darkshade must come to an end.
[Is that how you really feel?]
Artin jumped from the sudden voice in his head. He looked around in the crowd to see who had spoken to him but no one paid him any attention. quickly he moved into an alley where he would be out of sight.
"Who calls?"
[Artin Duskmere.] The voice spoke again. [I am Hasmira Caldas, Prophetess of Queen Caline. Talsara Darkshade has destroyed all that Darkshade should stand for. Will you help restore our kingdoms honor?]
"I have heard of you Lady Hasmira." Artin had heard from his mother many times of the predictions of the prophet. "I don't think there is much I can do to help Darkshade. I just want to get my family safely away from here."
[I can help if you will help me. I can guide your sister to someplace she will be safe.]
"And my parents?" He asked
[It's to late I'm afraid. But there are still many here that need our help. Will you help me?]
"To help is to have my revenge on her wickedness." A single tear ran down from the young elf's eye. "I will help. What must I do?"
[I can grant you three hours of shade from the sight of anyone in Darkshade. Go to the palace and see what you can learn. Then you must get the knowledge to someone who can help us. They will be waiting in the forest beyond the walls of the city.]
"How will I know who I'm looking for?"
[Look for a Dragon. Go now and watch the hour. Time is fleeting for us all.]

Ruavia palace was busy day or night since Talsara had taken over. Men and women of many different races were always in and out of her private house. Goblin, Human, Lord Larin's Nightwalkers and Werewolves and even Demons and Orcs.
As Artin neared the gate to the palace, a group of Blood Goblins was leaving. Artin wondered what use she could have for those blood hunters. Probably a hunt for some enemy. He wished them well because Blood Goblins had a reputation for never giving up until a query was in their hands.
He quietly stood to the side to let them pass. A Goblin stopped and started sniffing around. It had caught a scent. Panic rose in Artin. It could be him they were smelling. He held his breath as the Goblin came closer to him.
"You." A guard called to the ugly green fanged beast. "Move on."
It snarled at him, looked Artin's way, then moved on to follow his companions. Artin relaxed letting out his breath to breathe again. So far Hasmira's spell was working. He had approached a few guards and waved in their faces and got no reaction. He hoped he spell would work just as well on the more magically inclined members of the house of Darkshade. Maybe even Talsara herself.
Once through the gate, Artin followed someone he recognized into the palace. General Keryth Rhone and two of his lieutenants. He must have been ordered to attend his Queen. This was his chance to hear from Talsara herself what she had planned..
Moving slow so no one would see his trail, Artin to a place behind the two lieutenants. At the lavish archway doors, General Rhone saluted the two guards and went in without a word to anyone.
Darkhade palace was a great noble house built centuries ago. Built by artisans with great detail and magic it rose more than ten stories high in some areas. With dining halls and ballrooms that could fit hundreds. Kitchens, apartments, and rooms for the royal family, servants, and guest. A throne room and offices for the Queen, a smaller one for the king and of course, it's own private prison and dungeon.
Today Artin guessed, Rhone would be heading for the Queen's private study. They made their way from the front entrance to rooms in the rear on the second floor. They passed many official looking elves hurrying about their business. Stationed here and there they passed with a nod from the General many of the queen's private house guards. Artin shivered at the thought of trying to escape here on his own. He was so glad he had Hasmira's cloaking spell on him.
As they turned down a hall, Artin saw a pretty elven maiden busy at a desk at the end with two guards standing ridgely on each side of a door. He could hear the sound of a woman yelling coming from the other side. As they stopped at the desk the maiden looked up with a distressed look on her face.
"She will be with you in a moment."
General Rhone made a grunting sound and stepped to the side to wait. Just then the door flew open and a man came sailing out to crash against the wall.
"GET OUT!!" Talsara screamed. "GET OUT BEFORE I BURN YOU TO DUST WHERE YOU STAND! IF YOU CAN"T FOLLOW THE ORDERS I SEND, THEN YOUR USELESS TO ME! YOU HAVE ONE MORE CHANCE, FAIL AND EVERY ELF IN YOUR MOUNTAINS WILL DIE. NOW GO!"
With worried looks, two brown faced elves hurried from the room as the door was slammed behind them. One a high ranking general from a mountain Elven land looked up at General Rhone. He shook his head and then grabbed his man from the floor and pushed him off down the hall.
"She'll see you now General Rhone." The maiden collected some papers from her desk and knocked then went into the Queen's study. Artin quickly followed her in.
"Wait here."
Queen Talsara's study furnished with darkly painted walls and furniture. There were suits of black armor against the wall and deadly looking weapons on the walls. There was a mural with the depiction of some battle with bodies and fighting. Paintings of dark figures, probably some of Darkshades more aggressive rulers. To Artin, the place looked gloomy. Dark elves loved the dark but this was just too depressing for a royal house. He had heard tales from his mother about Queen Caline and her love for nature and living things. It seemed Talsara didn't share her mothers taste for beauty.
As General Rhone walked in, Queen Talsara sat behind her dark desk in a high backed chair. She looked up from her papers as he bowed before her.
"Get up Sylvar." She placed her quill down and folded her arms. "Give me your report."
"I have done as you asked." He stood proudly. "All the guards in Darkshade from the palace to three days march have been doubled. The troops in the city are prepared and everyone on the list you gave me has been picked up, imprisoned or are now dead."
"Good." She smiled. "What about the special matter?"
"King Rhys is dead your majesty." He told her. "I buried his body myself in an unmarked grave in a peasant cemetery. No one will ever know what happened to him or your Mother."
Artin gasped in shock at the words. Everyone thought the old king had died years ago. They all thought he had been the first victim of the traitor that had killed Queen Caline. But they were all wrong. Talsara must have had them both killed herself. Rage filled Artin's heart. He wanted to step out grab a sword and run both of these dogs through the hearts.
"Very well." She seemed pleased. "With that out of the way, there is something else I want you to attend. The Prince of Shadowfall and one of his father's ambassadors is on his way here to sign a pact to add their forces to ours. You are to greet them at our gates and keep them amused until I call for them. I will have Shadowfall in less then a week if all goes well. But be careful. Saevel is powerful and his son Zaos is no fool. If they learn of my plans, it could get complicated. One more thing. There is a young elf in the tower I want you to get rid of. A forest elf that offends me. You will find him in the tower. I want him to suffer before he dies. As a matter of fact, call for Aesis. I want him to witness this one's death."
"As you wish my Queen." General Rhone bowed. "Is there anything else?"
"Not at the moment."
General Rhone turned to leave and bumped directly into Artin. He stepped back in surprise then reached out quickly and brushed him with his fingers. Artin jumped back and ran to the door and opened it.
"Mana na sina?" Talsara jumped from her chair and thrust out her hand as she casting a spell to probe the office. As the lights flickered a shape appeared for a second. Artin looked into Talsara's eye and realized he had been seen.
"DIE BITCH!!" Artin pulled his dagger and threw it as he turned and disappeared invisible out the door. Tumbling with great accuracy the dagger flew at Talsara. She tried to get out of the way but it was too late. It struck her in the shoulder and sank in. With a scream, she fell back in her chair as blood began to run from her wound.
"Go!" She screamed at General Rhone. "He heard everything. Find him and kill him. I want his head on my desk!!"
Knowing he didn't have much time, Artin ran from the room. General Rhone's men jumped up when they heard the queen scream but it was to late. Artin had passed them and he was heading for the stairs to the first floor. Artin's mind was sharp at that moment. He remembered exactly the path they had taken to the Queen's study. With two more turns another hall he was in the front foyer.  An alarm had been sounded and the great doors were being closed. Artin ran full speed and crashed into them knocking the surprised guards out of the way. Quickly he was up and into the courtyard. From a window, General Rhone called for the gates to be closed and locked. But again since no one could see Artin, it was to late. He was gone.
Not stopping, Artin kept on the move. He had no idea if he had been recognized. but with Talsara's magic, he was sure she would find a way to figure out who he was. Hasmira had said she wanted him to pass whatever he found on to someone else. Now all he had to do was find out who that was. She had said they would be outside of the city. Then it was time to leave Darkshade and he had to move fast before the spell wore of or Talsara could think up some counterspell that could expose him. He looked up at the moon and its placement in the sky. Artin thought he had been under Hasmira's spell for close to two hours. He had to hurry. It was forty minutes to the city gate then he had to figure out how to get through them. Time was wasting. He better run.

High in the prison tower of Darkshade, Kel and Aron had been searching through the day avoiding guards and soldiers trying to find a way out and down from the tower. There was a way to much traffic on the stairway Kel had used to get in and there was no way he could explain it if they caught his escorting a prisoner. Toross didn't have the have authority to move prisoners. If he called the guards to remove a dead body, they might look to close and they would be discovered.
Think Kel. What else could be done? There had to be away. The question is, how? Question? He reached to his side and felt the dice in his pocket. Ask a question. The dice might have an answer. Kel reached in and pulled them out. Beside him, Aron looked noticed Kel was looking at something in his hand.
"What do you have there?" He asked.
"Possibly the way out." He held them so Aron could see them. Aron looked and noticed a glow coming from what looked like dice in Kel's hand.  He reached over as Kel dropped them in his hand. They were warm to the touch, obviously imbued with Elven magic.
"Interesting." Aron concentrated on the dice and saw the magic that filled the dice. "What do they do?"
"Answer questions."
Kel took the dice and shook them in his had. He knelt down and asked his question.
"Is there a way out of the tower other than the stairs?"
He tossed them at the wall. They spun out of his hand and bounced off the wall. Where two dice was thrown, one die rolled to a stop. Kel looked down for the answer.
MAGIC.
Kel looked at Aron disappointed. He hoped there would be some hidden passage they could use to get out, but no such luck. But maybe Aron knew a spell.
"I know what your thinking." Aron sat back against the wall. "Yes, I know magic. I'm pretty good actually but teleportation that far is beyond my class. I can make short jumps but that's all."
"Enough to get us out of here?"
"I doubt it." Aron shrugged. "Teleportation takes a lot of power and concentration. I could pop us into a wall if I don't know where we're going."
"Bad idea." Kel rubbed his chin in thought. "So let me get this straight. Without absolute knowledge, line of sight is all you can do?"
"That's about it." A sudden noise caught Aron's attention. He stood and walked to the window and peered out. Lights and horns were going off in the main palace. From where he was watching, Aron could see soldiers scrambling all around the courtyard. Something must have happened down there. "Kel, look."
"Looks like they're searching for someone." Kel stood staring down at the palace grounds.
A cold feeling suddenly crept through Aron's heart. Searching for someone? Could Elan have finally made his way home looking for him? Fear gripped his heart. Not fear for himself, but fear for the one he loved the most. Now he had to get out of this tower. He had to know if Elan was in Darkshade.
"Kel." Aron gripped his shoulder turning him. "We have to get out of here now. I have to know what's going on down there."
"What's it matter." He asked. "As long as they're busy searching, no one will be watching the tower. They'll be fewer guards. Maybe we can fight our way out."
"It matters a great deal," Aron told his new friend. "But show me the stairway down from here. Maybe there is a way."

The search of the grounds of Darkshade palace had proven to be useless. Talsara after healing her wound had cast a spell that would reveal the intruder's identity and make him visible if he was still on the grounds of the palace. General Rhone had ordered every light and torch set to blaze and put everyone on the search for Artin Duskmere. Artin Duskmere a lone soldier whose home and family had recently been confiscated for treason. General Rhone didn't understand how a simple private in Darkshades army could have possibly gotten the magic to get in the palace and strike at the Queen. Someone else had to be helping him. And it had to be someone powerful. But who? Could be a number of people. Talsara Darkshade had many enemies in and outside of Darkshade.
Once the palace had been searched, General Rhone had his men move out into the city. They went street by street waking up everyone in every house as they searched. He ordered men to each of the city gates and had them all locked and barred while the search went on. But what General Rhone had forgotten, what he overlooked was places where no adult had really been in years. It was something in the back of his mind he knew all about but hadn't thought of since his childhood. The Gateway of O'lor. A place where the children of Darkshade would escape to, to hide and play outside of Darkshade. There Artin spoke the words that opened the gate and let him escape Darkshade.
Once outside of Darkshade, Artin took off the uniform of Darkshade and donned a pair of trousers and a plain tunic he had taken from the city. Never again would he wear the uniform of a Darkshade warrior. Now his only task was to help free Darkshade from the horror it called it's Queen.

In a dark mood, Talsara made her way through the palace. Although she had completely healed her wound, the pain still lanced through her with each step she took. The look on her face kept anyone from stopping her. Not a nod or a salute was made as she passed. She was in a foul mood. How dare that bastard to enter her own palace and strike against her. She would have his head and his death would last for years for this.
As she entered her private suite a maid came out to greet her mistress bearing her robe. With a wave of her hand, Talsara sent her flying through a window to crash dead on the cobblestones below in the courtyard. Without stopping Talsara opened the door to her chamber and slammed it shut. She untied the cloak from her shoulders and tossed it aside as she went and sat at her desk. Suddenly at the corner of her desk, a puff of smoke appeared as Aesis entered her suite.
"Is all well my queen?" He bowed then looked up at Talsara with his evil grin. Talsara stared down at the Imp her anger still burned deep.
"Have you found Elan yet?"
"He is in Winterhaven still," Aesis answered. "He fights against Lord Larin to free that city."
"Why haven't you brought him home?" She leaned in as he backed away in fear. "I want him here."
"I'm afraid Imp's have very little magic in Winterhaven. I can only bring him home if he leaves the city."
"Then make him leave the city." She shouted at the Imp. "Disguise yourself as his dirty little mate and lure him out then whisk him away and bring him to me."
"At once your highness." Aesis raised his hand to snap his fingers to leave.
"Wait." She held up her hand. "Go check on the boy in the tower. Much has happened tonight and I don't trust the guards. I have plans for that one."
"Right away." He snapped his fingers and was gone.

As Artin left the Gateway of O'lor he knew he was immediately in trouble. In less than a mile he had ran into a group of Goblins. Unlike the Goblins of Fay Shrea, Darkshades were more organized. Their leaders were just as bloodthirsty and ambitious but under Talsara's rule, there was no raiding of Darkshade and no harassing of the Dark elves. Talsara used them more as a private army she kept close for tracking and special missions against her enemies.
Once out of the gateway, Artin wrapped in a dark cloak had no idea where he was to find Hasmira's help. But he knew they were out there somewhere and he guessed they wouldn't be to close to the city. He would try the hills where the forest was thick. There they could find places above the city where the could hide and keep watch as the learned the ways of the Dark elves.
As he made his way quietly through the forest, he heard a snap. Artin stopped and scanned the forest around him. It was quiet. To quiet. Elves had a very good feel for the area around them. Usually, they could tell when someone was watching or stalking them. Artin had that feeling. The feeling that eyes were on him. He quickened his pace and pulled his short sword and a dagger to be ready just in case of attack. Watching the trees and forest, Artin stepped over a log and heard it again. The snapping of a twig. A footstep behind him. There was someone following him. With a quick dash, Artin took off into a run jumping and hopping anything in his way. From behind now, he could hear the hoots and hollers of pursuit.
In front of Artin, a Goblin appeared. It was dressed in the usually bone armor of the Skull Crusher clan in grey and bone white. With a grin, it pulled its long sword a ran at Artin. As they met Artin ducked under the swing and stabbed up sending his dagger into the Goblins heart. As it fell he ripped the dagger free and looked to see how many were behind him in pursuit. Six Goblins were racing after him.
Pushing his cloak back so he would have fighting room, Artin gripped his blades and took a stance ready to fight. The first to reach him came in with a battle club. He swung left as Artin jumped out of the way then right to crash into the ground Artin had just been standing on. Moving with elven speed, Artin leaped a jumped aside from each blow. With a swift kick to the knee and a slash at the Goblins throat, he dropped the attacker. Five more to go. As the next attack came in, the Goblin leaped at Artin his ax trying to take his head. Artin fell back flat on his back and raised his sword slicing right through the Goblins helmet as his ax sank int the ground above Artin's right shoulder. Four more and there was no way he was going to be about to take them They came at him as a group. Well, this was it then.
Artin jumped up and issued his battle call.
"Caela ie 'lle!!"
With two Goblins on each side of him, Artin fought like a caged animal. He hacked and stabbed and kicked at the Goblins until a lucky strike hit him in the head and he went down. For a few seconds, he saw starts then a piercing roar jolted him. Artin looked up as two Goblins were grabbed from the ground and tossed into the sky by a small black dragon. It roared again shaking its head as the last two Goblins attack. Quickly Artin got up and engaged his enemy. Beside him, a tall man stood with the Dragon. With a wave, the stranger sent a bolt of energy to a Goblin blasting it from the ground. Artin stabbed out quickly putting and end to the fighting then turned to stare at his rescuers. The mage smiled as the Dragon shifted to his human form.
"That was close." The changeling reached out his hand.
"I owe you, my life strangers." Artin stepped back unsure just what to do. This was obviously who he was looking for. A lone mage and a Dragon in Darkshade. "My name is Artin Duskmere. My thanks to you but we should get into the hills before more Skull Crushers find us."
"I'm Toric Kassar and this is Denner Rolson." Toric followed as Artin made for the hills. "Glad we could be of help. But tell us, why were the Goblins after you?"
"I'm not in favor of Darkshade at the moment." He explained. "I oppose Talsara and her war."
"War is a dirty business." Denner walking behind them. "Especially when you're the one making the war."
"I agree."
It didn't take them long to get into the dense forest. Once there, Artin stopped and put his hand on the hilt of his sword. Time for questions.
"Why are you in Darkshade." He asked.
Denner looked at Toric and smiled.
"Bold. I like him already."
"We're here to find someone," Toric answered.
"Who?" Artin asked. "Talsara? If your here to help get her off the throne, I'll help you. If your here to help her." Artin pulled his sword free.
"Then we start fighting now."
"Relax." Denner put his hand on Artin's. "The queen is our enemy too. She's holding a friend of ours. We're here to get him out and to bring her down if we can. But we need help getting into Darkshade."
"Just the two of you?" Artin had his doubts. Two men against the whole Darkshade military. They would have to be really good.
"We have friends to help." Denner had the look on his face that always scared Toric."Can you get us in or not?"
"You'll need more than help getting in." Artin re-sheathed his weapon. "You'll need a story that they will accept and I think I can help with that."

In a puff of harsh smoke, Aesis appeared outside of Aron's cell. With one look he knew Aron was gone and he was in trouble. Queen Talsara would not like hearing he had escaped. He had to find him before he got out of Darkshade and away. With a snap of his gnarled fingers, Aesis began his search of the tower. He popped in and out of cells and rooms looking for the forest elf. He had to be here somewhere.
As Aesis searched Argus felt his presence in the tower. It looked like the time for him to act had come. In a blink he found Aron and Kel heading for the stairway to the lower levels.
As he appeared in front of them, he pushed Aron behind him and draw his knife to protect him. Argus bowed before them
"Pardon sirs." He said. "I am Argus. my master wants me to help you."
"Your an Imp?" Aron stepped out from behind him.
"Yes, young sir. " He smiled. "And you are my Master's mate, And I have something for you."
With a snap of his fingers, a ring appeared in the air in front of Aron. Aron reached out and took it.
"This is Elan's ring. He sent you?" Aron almost passed out at the mention of his name. "He's here in Darkshade?"
"No." Argus shook his head. "But there isn't much time. Trouble comes."
"Troubles here."Aesis appeared and shot a bolt of energy at them. Kel grabbed Aron and threw him to the side just in time. Quickly Argus jumped in between them and shot his own bolt back at the ugly Imp. Spinning a shied of light, Argus caught the bolt and knocked it aside. His wings glowed with power as he flew up and sent a series of shots at Aesis.
"You won't be hurting this one or my master!" The shining Imp said as he fashioned a sword of magic fibers to fight with.
"I'll kill him for my queen!" Aesis created a dark sword and rushed at Argus. Like two tiny warriors one of light and one of darkness they battled. Swords clashed sending sparks of magic into the air as they fought for the upper hand. Argus wings moved like those of a hummingbird. With a flip in the air, he sent a flash of sparkling dust at Aesis. Aesis backed away as the dust began to burn into his skin. Wiping his face, Aesis blow out a cloud of fog and tried to streak in and stab Argus while he was choking of the foul stench. Quickly Argus parried the stab and kicked out into Aesis chest knocking him across the room to the floor. Growling, Aesis shot up back at the attack. Slashing left and right Aesis forced Argus back with his heavy blows against his shield. As Aesis raised his sword Argus pushed out with his shield then hit Aesis in his chin with his fist knocking him again into the wall. Down for the second time, Aesis screamed and charged at Argus.
Watching from the side, Aron knew he had to help Argus or they would never make it out of the tower alive. He knew Aesis would tell Talsara of his escape if he won or just kill them both. He had act now. Aron stepped out band cast his spell.

GLOBE OF LIGHT.
GLOBE OF POWER.
HOLD THIS IMP HERE FOR AN HOUR.
AN HOURS TIME TO GET AWAY.
AN HOURS TIME IS ALL I SAY.

In a flash of light, a force separated the two Imps. A globe of light appeared to enveloped Aesis. He bashed at it with his fist but it wouldn't break.  At a rage, he tried to blast his way out but his magic couldn't penetrate the globe.
Argus exhausted from the fight dropped down into Kel's hands. Kel held him gently and went over to Aron. In his globe, Aesis screamed to be released.
"Can you get us out of the tower? Aron asked.
"Yes," Argus answered. "But I don't have the power to go far."
"Just get us out of here," Kel told the Imp. "Your battle had to have alerted the guards. They'll be here soon."
"Take hands sirs."
 Kel and Aron took hold of each others hand holding Argus in. between them. Argus opened his wings and shook off some of his dust and in a flash, they disappeared out of the tower.

In the forest outside of Darkshade, Ryel watched as the coach made its way down the road toward Darkshade. With a wave, he signaled Orek to drop into the driver's seat as Toric and Denner moved to eliminate the two riders that rode at the front. Orek dropped from the trees and with a single swing of the butt of his ax, he knocked out the elven driven and took the reins to slow the coach to a stop. Once the coach was stopped, Ryel and Noelle approached the door and swung it open to find two tall gray-hued dark haired elves inside.
Dressed in colors of dark blue and grey with the obsidian jewel that was mined in Shadowfall, Zaos Shadowfall looked out at the band that had stopped his coach. He knew they couldn't be here representing Talsara Darkshade since only one of them was a Dark elf. There were three humans, a forest elf, a dark elf and a dwarf looking up at him.
"And who are you?" He asked bored.
The opposition." Ryel stepped back so the two could step down out of the coach. "I'm afraid I can't allow the Shadowfall's to join in the war today."
"I know you." Zaos stepped down peering at Ryel. "Eventide if I'm not mistaken. What a pity your home is no more."
"Oh, my home survives." Ryel knew the Shadow elf was just trying to get him upset and he didn't care. But he needed the Shadow elf to leave and stay out of the war. "You know me, but I know you too Zaos Shadowfall. I know your people and their love for war. I know your family was a big part of the war that killed my father and brothers. I know your history and I'm willing to let that pass for another day. But I can't let you come and join Darkshade. What's happening between Darkshade and Eventide is not your business. Go back to Shadowfall and stay out of it."
"Little Eventide." Zaos laughed. "You know nothing. My father wasn't just a part of that war. My fathers were the hand that put an end to Tanyl Eventide's life. And mine will be the one to end yours!"
From his side, Zaos pulled his sword and charged at Ryel. With his staff raised Ryel met the attack. Holding his staff in the center like a quarterstaff, Ryel caught the sword and turned it's head to smash into Zaos chest. They began to circle each other looking for a chance to strike.
"And you lady?" Noelle stepped out to face Amra Calaudra. "Will you join in or let this stay private between the two warriors?"
"A real lady never dirty are her hands with a sword when she has better weapons." Amra pushed back her hood and opened her cloak to reveal a large gem on a chain around her neck. Noelle reached for her swords as Amra began to chant. Her eyes began to glow as Ryel and Zaos clashed again sword to sword. Hearing Amra's chant, Toric called out to Denner.
"Grab Ryel! That's a collector spell she's using. Noelle, Get down!"
As Denner ran for Ryel he made the shift to a griffin and leaped and grabbed Ryel taking him high in the sky. Toric stepped out and opened his arms and formed a reflective barrier in front of him. As the spell reached out to take him, it hit his barrier and bounced back to enveloped the two Shadowfalls.  Amra and Zaos began to scream in shock, their bodies grew smaller and smaller until they were sucked into Amra's gem leaving their clothing and her gem which fell glowing to the ground.
"What in the name of Rimnar just happened?" Artin climbed to his feet and looked at the burnt patch of ground where Zaos and Amra once stood.  They all walked out to the spot. Noelle picked up the robes and looked to Toric for an answer.
"She made a big mistake. She tried to use a Collector spell on a Collector." He picked up the gem. "That's one of my father's old tricks. Easy to send back at the trapper using it."
"Are they dead?" Ryel and Denner came back to join the others.
"No just trapped in the gem. They aren't hurt at all. We can keep them in there until we figure out what to do with them."
"Perfect." Ryel grabbed Zaos clothing and thrust them at Toric. "I think these should fit you pretty good. Greetings Prince Zaos Shadowfall."

Jandar's Travels. 55

 The skies were beautifully warm and blue over Bravosa. It was springtime and everything on the island was just beginning to bloom again after the cold winter. Plows were out and being repaired and seeds were bagged and ready for planting. In town, everyone was out at the market shopping or stocking their shops for a busy day. Children sat and listened to today's lesson while teachers talked of math and history of the island and Taggitia to the west.

In the field behind the tower, Jona sat in calm remembrance of his master Chuy. After a lifetime of protecting Bravosa and teaching Jona everything he knew, Chuy died peacefully in his sleep and moved on to his final rest. Now once a week Jona would come out to talk with his master telling him all about what had been going on in the world. Of these last few months, he talked about the trouble to the west. With his magic, he had been watching all that had been going on. He saw Lord Larin's take over of Winterhaven and his move on all the lands around. He watched as Talsara Darkshade invaded the Elven lands and put her corruption in Eventide. When New Keanna was put to sleep, he really knew the world was in trouble. For without the Dragon's, there would be no stopping the evils of Keanna.
"There is one thing I'm thankful for." Jona said as he threw seeds on Chuy's grave and cast the spell to speed their growth. "Clea has left Bravosa alone."
[Is that what you think my precious husband?]
Jona leaped to his feet and spun around as fear rolled over him in a wave. That voice. He knew that sweet icy voice.
[I'm touched that you have not forgotten me.]
"Clea?"
[Yes dear Jona.] Came the answer.
"Where are you?"
[Close. I'm almost home.]
Jona looked up walking up the hill to the tower. From there he scanned the skies out over the Saprein ocean and noticed the storm clouds gathering to the west. Terrible lightning flashed in the clouds as he watched.
"Why Clea?" He didn't want to have to go through all that again. "Why are you doing this? Leave Bravosa in peace please."
[Peace?] Her cold laughter rang out in his mind. [There's no peace on Keanna. Why should Bravosa be any different?]
"Because this was once the home you loved." He pleaded with her. He didn't want to have to fight her again.
[You have no choice my sweet. I will have you, Bravosa and my revenge. I will have all your warmth. Everyone's warmth will be mine!]
"I will fight you." Tears ran down his face as he thought about what she would do if she returned to Bravosa. He had to stop her somehow. He walked back to the tower and spoke the words to conjure the door to enter. "If you want me so bad, you'll have to find me. But I won't let you hurt Bravosa again."
[As you wish my love. I will find you and make you my king, then Bravosa will follow and become our private ice kingdom.]
 Once inside the tower, Jona slowly made his way up the stairs to the study on the second floor. He opened the door and went and sat at Chuy's old desk. With a wave of his hand he conjured a window and let the spring air in to fill the room. He knew he couldn't defeat her on his own. It had taken him, a Dragon and three Snowdogs to scare her off last time. Now he just hoped he could find some way to stop her or everything he loved was doomed. With his mind he sent out a call to someone he knew hated her enough to help.
{VIGGO I NEED YOU BROTHER!}

In the cool shade of the forest of the Wolves Den, two great Snowdogs slept soundly after a dinner of deer meat and icy milk. With a sudden whimper, Viggo's ears perked and he woke with a start. Someone was calling. He listened carefully sniffing to make sure he and his mate Mia were safe.
{VIGGO I NEED YOU BROTHER!}
He heard it again. It was his man-friend Jona calling. He shook his head then answered
{FRIEND JONA?}
{Yes Viggo. I need you help. Get Jandar. Bring him to me.}
{I BRING FAST.}
Climbing to his feet he trotted over to Mia and looked down at her. Where he was going she couldn't follow, but he would miss her. With his nose to the wind he searched for Jandar's familiar scent. Once he had it, he was off to do as his friend Jona asked.

In New Keanna, Rage stood on the city gates and stared out at the quiet town beneath him. The streets and lanes were all empty. As he walked up the stairs of the wall, Jax saw Rage there staring out into the sky. He could see his obvious worry written on his face.
"Those are some deep worry lines in your face Brother."

"I've got a lot on my mind." Rage smiled at him leaning on the wall. "Keanna is in real trouble Jax, and I don't know how I can help. My clan is asleep or spread all across Taggitia. Things are so out of control right now."
"Things are always out of control Rage." Jax tried to comfort the king of the Dragons, "Even for us gods. But that's what makes life a challenge isn't it?"
"I know." Rage put his head down. "But people are dying. My friends are dying and I feel helpless to stop it. We Dragons are supposed to protect Keanna, We're not doing a very good job right now."
"Rage I don't have all the answers for you But this I do know. You Dragons are doing the best you can and I'm sure when this is all over, you will have overcome those against you."
"You really think so?" Rage looked up into Jax's deep blue eyes for reassurance.
"You are the appointed protection of Keanna." He put his hand on his shoulder. "You will triumph."
"Then I have a few questions I need to ask you." Rage stepped away from the wall and the two started down and back towards the manor gardens. " I know you've been forbidden to get in the fighting in this war. How much can you actually, do for us?"

"What do you mean?"

"I just need your advice and some answers on a few things.
"You'll always have my advise." Jax told him. "This is my home too you know."
"Yes I know but I also know that if New Keanna is attacked, Rimnar could forbid you to help defend us."
Jax stopped and stared at Rage surprised and a bit confused. He was right. As much as he hated it. Rimnar could forbid him to fight and he would have to obey him. Or would he?
"He could do that, your right." Jax was about to get himself in trouble again. He knew it. "But as I said. this is my home too and if I have to pick a sword and fight hand to hand without my powers I will. Let's just hope it doesn't come down to that."
"But If it does. It'll be just you and me." They stopped and sat in the garden. "You and me against whoever and whatever Lord Larin and Queen Talsara can throw at us. Overwhelming odds don't you think?"
"What are you getting at Rage?"

"What I'm getting at is this." Rage sat back in his chair. "There are six other Dragons here that could help protect New Keanna. Without their help, we are doomed. An attack will come, of that, you can be sure. Lord Larin probably right now has some plan on how to raid us and kill everyone in our town. We have to do something about that. We can't expect Tir Na or Vasagi to come to our aid. The Fairies don't have the forces to help and the Elves and Dwarves have their hands full. Let's face it, Jax, New Keanna has never been so exposed since we built the town. Either we find help or we find a way to wake the others."
"I suppose you have an idea?"
"I know Rimnar wouldn't allow the others to be awakened."  He turned his chair to face Jax. "But I'm wondering if there's a talisman or something that would allow us to wake them to defend New Keanna. Is there something somewhere we can use?"
"Hmmm!!" Jax thought about the idea. As far as he knew there was no such item ever made like that. But that didn't mean it wasn't possible to make one. But it would take very powerful magic to make something like that. And no mortal was that powerful, Not Jandar or Kalin Ka and his book of spells. It would take the power of a god to make something like that. "Rage, Let me see what I can do. I may know someone that can help us."
"Who?"

"My Mother." He stood and moved off a few feet. "I'll be back as soon as I can. I need to talk to my parents and argue our case.
With a clap of his hands, he was gone leaving Rage alone in New Keanna with a stranger that watched his every move.

On a hill overlooking the city of Vasagi in Yadessa, Jandar watched as Lord Larin's dogs camped outside the city. The city was aglow with power as it still had its defenses up. From what he had been told by his grand ancestor Baron Azeal, Count Orsa, and Raf Thorn, they had lost many men trying to get through the city gates. The spells and defenses he and Kalin had set on the city were holding them back. Good Jandar thought. But for how long? Until Lord Larin, himself came in and tried to break the spells? Well, then he had better be one damn powerful mage if he wanted to break those spells. It had taken them more than three months to set up those spells. He only wished New Keanna was as protected as Vasagi was.
But now his mind had to turn to Prafa and getting there to free Valkar. He looked north towards that city hoping the battle there wouldn't take to long. He was anxious to get back home to Rage and the others. He hated leaving Rage at home with no one there awake but Jax. He knew Jax would do whatever he had to do to protect Rage and New Keanna, But he still felt his place was forever at his mate's side.
With a last look at Vasagi, Jandar got up and walked off towards the north and Prafa. Once in the forest he shifted to wolf form and started on his way. He had to be very careful not to alert or run into and of the Werewolves from Remus or they would be out searching the forest for him. That would make his mission that much harder.

To the south, running at full speed, Viggo dashed and darted through the forest. He was following Jandar's every step until a different scent caught his attention. He stopped and scented the air around him. There to the west. It was the scent of a Dragon, but not Jandar or any of the Dragon's he had met before. As his powerful nose took in the scent he recognized something else. Magic! There had been a powerful battle out here somewhere. Quickly Viggo turned west and took off into the forest to find the Dragon. He might be in trouble and need his help.
After a few hours of running, Viggo's nose told him he was close. He slowed to a trot as he made his way out of the dense forest and into a clearing. The smell of magic made the hair on his neck stiff. Slowly he crept forward his eyes sharp for any movement. Scenting as he walked, he located the scent of a human and with his head low he went on. There in the grass lay the body of a woman. From her scent, Viggo could tell at had been her using most of the magic in the battle. But he was still a scent of Dragon fire in the air. Viggo lifted his head to look around and there in the clearing in the sun lay someone else. In a few steps, he was there standing over a sleeping body. It was a Dragon. He could smell the scent of Jandar and the others all about him. With a nudge and a whimper, Viggo pushed at him to wake him. It took a few tries but finally, the man moaned and opened his eyes. With a groan, he set up holding his head then looked around.
{DRAGON FRIEND?}
Gird looked up into the eyes of a Snowdog. His eyes were a bit blurry but soon they focused and he recognized what it was.
"Where am I?" 
{IN FOREST. U FIGHT FEMALE.}
Gird turned and saw Rina laying back in the forest. Then he remembered what had happened. He also remembered what she had said about the Dragons all being dead. Carefully he got up on his feet.
"Snowdog right?"
{VIGGO. LOOK FOR JANDAR FRIEND.}
"Out here?" Gird shook out his wings then stretched them to get the circulation flowing. He took a few shaky steps then turned back to Viggo. "Can you find Jandar?"

{YES. VIGGO FIND FRIEND JANDAR. COME.}

Back on the gate wall of New Keanna, Rage paced back and forth. He was having a very uneasy feeling like someone was watching him. He had been having the feeling all day like a cold chill on his back. Rage searched the city after Jax had left from room to room, house to house. Anyone he found that the spell had dropped, he put in bed and made comfortable while they slept. Gronk the giant took the most effort. There really wasn't anywhere he could put him so Rage just put a layer of hey under his head and left him to sleep.
In the rookery he found Syren, Dreik and Icicle asleep where Insa had been. They were safe there. No reason to move them.  But where was Gird? The rookery was where he spent most of his time keeping watch over the eggs. Where could he be?
As Rage came out of the underground cave, he felt it again. Eyes on his back. He didn't know where or how, but someone was watching. That meant he didn't have much time. They would be coming soon.

At daylight in Winterhaven,, the time for the changing of the guards at the north and main gate was at hand. From a hiding place outside the barracks, Elan and Morganz watched as ten men left the building yawning heading for their post at the north gate. With a whistle, Morganz warned his men waiting to be ready then ducked down behind a wagon as they passed them.
Four men walked in the lead, then three, two, and the last lone man adjusting his cloak not watching where he was going. From behind the wagon Elan and Morganz watched quietly. As the last man passed, Elan stepped out and grabbed him, covering his mouth and pulled him back behind the wagon ,and knocked him out. Nodding, Elan quickly switched armor as Morganz left to grab the next two. Once he had donned Lord Larin's armor, Morganz was dragging his two guards in and dropping them at Elan's feet.
"Three down." He smiled adding their weapons to his and tying their hands and feet. "Seven to go. Come on, Cass and Orin are waiting for us to take the first four. We have to hurry and get in front of them."
Hurrying around through the side streets, Elan and Morganz met up with Cass and Orin. With hand signals Morganz sent them out staggering like two drunks coming home from a night in the tavern.
"What have we here?" One of the four guards stepped in front of Cass and Orin who bumped into him blurry eyed. "Too much wine last night? That means you two were out after curfew. Your not suppose to do that you know."
"Huh?" Cass looked up at him blinking as he swayed on his feet. "Yeah I had wine. So what! I got money to pay for it. We got plenty of money."
"Do you?" Another guard stepped up and reached for Cass's money pouch at his side. Cass pulled away from him pushing him back.
"Hey that's mine!!"
"Not anymore it's not!"
The four guards rushed the two men grabbing at the full pouches. Pushing away they stumbled into the alley they had come from with the guards giving chase.
"Grab them!"
Together the four guards cornered Cass and Orin pulling their weapons to kill and rob them. Still acting drunk, the two men trembled in fear as the men advanced on them. Suddenly two fist came from nowhere knocking two of the men off their feet. The other two spun around surprised at the interruption and found two armed Elves there throwing punches. Quickly Cass and Orin were on the first two men to quiet them and end the fight.
"Three left." Morganz started stripping them of their uniforms. "Quickly, Get dressed before the last three catch up. Marcus should by now have stripped the men we left at the wagon. He'll meet us at the gate. Once there we can deal with the guards getting off. This should be easy."
"I hope your right." Elan said as he collected armor. Once stripped, Elan cast a simple sleep spell on the guards the they hid them in a shed and were off.
After meeting up with Marcus Dante and handing over the last of the armor, all was ready. If they hurried they could catch up with the last three guards before they reached the north gate.
Dressed and ready they made their way through the quiet city. Elan looked around at the sad sight of the people. This use to be such a joyous city. Sparkling and shining. Full of happy magically people going about their day laughing and celebrating their great peaceful city. Now all that had changed. People walked around like it was going to be the last day of their lives. No children practiced magic anymore. The cadets of the Academy were no longer there showing off what they had been learning. The market place was all but empty now. Few had the money to pay for the items that were sold because of Lord Larin's outrageous taxes. They could barely afford food anymore. Stealing had become common in Winterhaven. And healing, well that had become something only the rich could afford. Winterhaven was dying under Lord Larin's rule and everyone knew it, but they were all to afraid to do anything. But today things were going to start to change. That was just what Morganz, Elan and Sword master Dante had planned if all went right.
At the gate, the guards snapped to attention when Morganz and Marcus marched up with the relief guards. Dressed in armor with the ranks of Captain and his Sergent's. Morganz, Marcus and Elan saluted the men at the gate. This once busy gate was now closed to strangers entering and that meant no one could leave either. You needed special permission to enter now or leave.
"Anything to report?" Morganz asked the young man on guard.
"Nothing Sir." He looked at Morganz oddly. "We haven't had any contact with south gate all night. I was about to send someone to check on them."
"Let me worry about that." Morganz stepped away heading into the gate house. "I would like to talk with you and your men before you leave. Inside."
"Yes Sir."
Stationing two of his men at the gate, Morganz followed the three guards into the gate house. Entering the room, Morganz looked around. It had been a weeks since he had last been on duty as a Captain in Winterhavens guard force. He had spent many hours here in the guard house, doing rounds in the city and living in the barrack. As he scanned the guards here he was glad there was no one here he had known until he heard a voice coming from a back room rather loudly.
"Who wants to have a word?" The voice yelled. "With me? Why? I take no orders from any guards no matter how high they rank. Only Youron or Lord Larin gives me orders!"
Elan looked at Morganz with raised eye brows. That sounds like trouble. Morganz eyes narrowed as he recognized the voice coming out of the back room. It was Vyler Kurr, one of Lord Larin's minor mage lackeys used to keep his guards in line.
"I do!" Morganz called out. "An old friend come to pay his respect."
Everyone in the room stood as Vyler came into the room. Dressed in the garb of a noble man, Vyler walked in looking unsure of who it was waiting for him. When he saw Morganz he stopped. With surprise on his face he recognized an old enemy.
"Morganz Shyr." He turned to the man next to Morganz. "And master Marcus. We've been looking for you since your escape and here you are walking right into my hands. Youron will be pleased."
"We aim to please." Marcus bowed. "I see your still Youron's little errand boy Vyler. Can't quite get the job done can you."
"I do my job just find." Vyler smiled as he stepped in front Lord Larin's men. "They do as I command. They jump at my orders as they should."
"Is that what all of you are now?" Elan asked the guards. "Tayor Larin and Youron's slaves. What happened to freedom in Winterhaven? Peace and cooperation? Is this really what Winterhaven is suppose to be? What about your children? Do you want them to live like this?"
"Silence Dog!!!" Vyler raised his hand and the sound of thunder cracked through the room. "You have no business questioning how Winterhaven is ruled. This is not your home. I know who you are. Your mother is searching for you. She wants you home back in Darkshade."
"To hell with my Mother and Darkshade." Elan took a step forward towards Vyler his eyes burning for a fight. "And the same to you and your power mad lord! We're tired of you treating everyone like your slaves. We are not slaves. Winterhaven is free!"
"Winterhaven is what we say it is." Vyler laughed. "If we want slaves then that's what you will be. Every man woman and child is ours to do is we please and there's nothing you can do!"
"That's where your wrong." A guard stepped out of the crowd. "My children will not be Lord Larin's slaves or anyone else's."
"Nor mine!" Another man yelled.
"Or mine!"
One by one the guards all removed the helmets they wore then ripped off the capes with Lord Larin's seal and threw them at Vyler's feet. Vyler backed up raising his hands readying a spell.
"Get back! All of you!!"
His eyes went left then right to the room he had used as a office. In that room there was an hidden exit Morganz had known about. As the guards rushed, he sent his blast into the crowd burning two men rushing him, then turned to run for the office. With a wave of his hand, Elan slammed the door shut cutting him off. Turning back to face the rushing crowd, Vyler tried to blast his way through the men but it was to late. They grabbed him and forced him down beating him to death. Morganz and Marcus tried to stop them but there was no stopping the crowd.
Once done they looked up at Morganz, Elan and Marcus with a wild look in their eyes. Unsnapping their weapons, Morganz and the others backed up ready to fight.
"Morganz Shyr?" One of them asked. " Captain of the Winterhaven guards is that right?"
"Yes."
"What do we do now?" he asked.
"Take our city back." Marcus told them. "It's not to late."
"But Lord Larin is so powerful." A worried guard called out. "When he comes home he'll kill us all."
"Tayor Larin is going to get you and this whole city torn down into rubble if something isn't done." Marcus addressed all of the guards. "He doesn't care about the safety of your families or Winterhaven. He'll gladly destroy it himself if he has to. Your only chance is to ban together and fight back. With the help of those against him we can beat him but its up to you. Help turn Winterhaven back to it's shining glory or help him make it into a grave for you and everyone you love. You decide."
Looking around Elan watched as the men whispered and talked to each other. He could tell they all were scared for their families and the future. This was going to be the turning point in Winterhaven. The only question was, which way would it turn.
Suddenly the room became quiet. A guard stepped up to Morganz and reached out his hand.
"I don't know how all this is going to end." He said taking Morganz hand. "But for my family, I'll fight with you. Who's with me?"
"AYE!!! "The crowd called out raising their swords. "We all are!!"
"Then the Barracks and the Manor are next." Morganz said. "And I'll need Pelic and all your help. This is going to take magic to break some of the spells Tayor has on some of the powerful people of Winterhaven. Get ready, this is not going to be easy."

In the night sky burned the most beautiful blue star. That star was called Fortis and it was once the home of the gods of Keanna. Now only two gods still resided there. Rimnar and Saila the highest of all gods. In a flash a young red haired son of Fortis came home on a most urgent of mission. Jax the god of Justice was here to seek an audience with his parents.
At the shining marble palace Jax stepped up on the front stairs and stood before the blazing pyre that burned with a beautiful white fire.
"Father, Mother." He bowed. "I would speak with you on something important."
(Speak my son. I will listen.)
"Mother there is a lot of trouble below." He sat down on the stairs and made himself comfortable. "Evil rages on many fronts. They are dying down there and they need our help."
(We have been watching my son. We see the evil, but we also see the good down there,)
"But our champions are being bound Mother. There are so few of them right now to fight."
(They are strong Jax. I know they are,)
"Yes Mother they are strong and they are few and very young." He looked up at the white fire. "We have children doing battle. Children that should be in school learning the ways of peace."
(They are learning Jax and I am very proud of them all.)
"I too am proud Mother. But I am worried for them. The evil is strong. it threatens all of Taggitia and is ready to move on to lands over the seas. There's not enough of them right now to face it."
(Then let there be more. New Dragons can be born.)
"Mother, we need help." Jax stood up, "There is a favor we need to ask."
ASK YOUR FAVOR.
"Father." Jax bowed again. "Can you wake the other Dragons?"
NO.
"Then I will fight with them." Jax said boldly.
YOU WOULD DISOBEY MY WISHES?
"Never Father." Jax stood strong and proud. "But I will fight at the side of the justice that you have appointed me to serve. And I will fight with my Dragon brothers just as I would and have fought for you and my godly brothers and sisters. Forgive me but I don't ask your permission but I do have to tell you of my decision."
EVEN IF I ORDER YOU NOT TO?
"Yes Father,"
THEN YOU WILL BE PUNISHED.
(NO HE WILL NOT!)
SAILA!
(You have our permission to fight along side the Dragons. We will not interfere and we will not help. That is all the favor we can grant. Now go.)
Jax stood and walked down the steps and turned back to the Temple.
"We will make you proud Father." With that he disappeared.
I ALREADY AM PROUD MY SON.

In a dark tent, Lord Tayor Larin sat in grim silence. From his chair he had been watching all the lands he had conquered. In most regions his power was still holding supreme. The people of Cygnia and Derilys now called him king as did Pangina, the Brewelins States, Lentoria and most all of the far laying regions of Taggitia. Now his navy's were building up to move over the seas and strike at lands to the east and south. He knew from scrying that there were many rich lands out there to be take and with his armies and navy, he had the power to take them.
For the last few day he had been overseeing the building of ships in his harbor towns in the south. For weeks lumber had been cut and prepared. Sails were sewn as ships were built and readied for the voyage. Lord Larin had himself visited the Dwarves to have his own flagship prepared. Only the best was used for the galleons that would be his private squadron. Hulls were spelled for toughness. Wind spells were cast on sails for propulsion. And there were the weapons he had made. Lightning and fire spells cast on cannons built in Dwarven forges. This was to be the mightiest fleet of ships ever built by anyone on Keanna and Tayor Larin was to be the master and high general of it all.
But there were still thorns in his side that could thwart his plans. The Dragons and their allies. Even though Queen Talsara had a strong hold on the Elven kingdoms, the Dwarves and most everything fairy. Fay Shrea somehow had escaped her control. Queen Nuala though opposed to the war had sworn to give aid when the time was needed. King Orym Dree though in exile from Dree was still a threat and allied to the Dragon's and Tir Na who was still free and a strong opponent to Lord Larin and queen Talsara. And now Valkar Zlenka was free to rally the Vampires.
Getting up from his jeweled throne. Lord Larin walked out and picked up a small hammer off a table filled with food for his lordships delight. With a quick swing he rang for an aide to come attend him.
"Yes my lord?" The aide entered bowing keeping his eyes down of Lord Larin. Back on this throne he wave the man forward.
"It's time to get rid of those pests in New Keanna." Lord Larin sat back and stroke his short beard. "There's something I need you to bring me from my personal wagons. There's a blue jar in a wooden chest I need. Be careful. Don't drop it."
"Right away my Lord." He said backing his way out of the tent.
"Death surrounds you Tayor." A cold wind blew through the tent as Avirx materialized and drifted down to float in front of Lord Larin on his throne.
"What of it?" He grinned as the Draugr moved closer. The smell of the undead began to fill the room. "Death is just a word to me. A sentence I pass out at will."
"Careful."  Her eyes glowed a sickly yellow from under her hood. "Death is not the cruel goddess of old and you have made an enemy of her. She watches you."
"Bahh!" Lord Larin dismissed her warning. "No god or goddess holds power over me. Neither life or death scare me. I am the one they should fear. Soon all of Keanna will be mine to rule, gods be damned!!"
With that the lamps in the tent flared and then went out. The wind picked up and a dark cloud billowed in through the open tent flaps. It rolled in growing bigger and bigger until it almost filled the room. Then bright light flashed through the cloud and the face of the white haired Angela hover in front of Lord Larin.
"Death means nothing to you?" She thundered. "We should fear you!!"
Lord Larin stood up grabbing his glowing staff and stepped down from his throne holding it up ready to go to battle with the beautiful goddess..
"I know who you are." He slammed his cane into the floor causing a clap of thunder to ring out. "Vampire goddess of death. I have delivered thousands to you and I will send many more across. I give you power so begone from here and bother me no more!"
"You give me nothing Human!" Angela laughed at Lord Larin's boldness as her image expanded and grew even larger. "Know this. You have made an enemy of death today. You threatened my daughter and the people I once called my own and you have shown disrespect. You have been warned. I can't touch you now but I AM ETERNAL AND YOUR DAY WILL COME!!"
Then a light as bright as the sun flashed filling the space of the tent with brightness. Lord Larin covered his eyes to shield them from being blinded. When he looked up, she was gone and the tent was back to the way it was before her visit. Avirx still floated in her ragged black robe staring at Lord Larin. She began to laugh and float up towards the high ceiling of the tent.
"Protect your soul Tayor." She began to fade away and move though the tent ceiling. "And pray you live forever."
"I WILL LIVE FOREVER. YOU WILL ALL BOW TO ME AND BE MY SLAVES!!"
[No one lives forever arrogant one.]

As he threw open the flaps of his tent, Lord Larin stared out at the bustling camp around him. No one else had seen the visitation of the death goddess but him and Avirx. Now the situation had changed. He had a lot more at stake if he lost this war. He had to find a way to neutralize his enemies before they could act against him.
Walking out from his tent, men bowed as he passed. No one wanted to get in his way because of the sour look on his face. As he made his way through the camp, Hagar his aide came ou from the wagon area carrying the jar he had been ordered to retrieve. Lord Larin stopped as Hagar caught up with him sweating from his effort.
"Is this it, Lord Larin?
"Yes." He raised his hand levitating the the jar from his hands. He slowly spun it in the air to examine it to make sure there were no cracks in the ceramics. "Just what I need."
"Hagar." He started out towards the camp entrance with the jar following floating behind him.. "You are in charge until I return. Once all is done here I will meet you in Lands End aboard my ship the Wretched Thorn. You are to start the preparations for the eastern invasion."
"Where will you be my Lord?"
"Killing pest."

Camped around Vasagi, General Seith watched the glowing city. In the days since he had taken it, he had sent many men in to try and breach the walls, only to fail. They had tried the gates, going over the walls. They had tried flying over the city. He had many different level mages use ever spell they could think of, but so far, none had made it into the city. Vasagi, the Vampire city seemed to have better defenses then even Winterhaven the city of Magic. But then Vasagi was over a thousand years old with a magical history that was filled with spells of protection and defense.
So how was he to get in? How was he suppose to get pass the gates and make use of the power of the city?
Seith had no idea. He would just have to keep thinking and try different ideas. Perhaps a tunnel or a ghost.
As General Seith walked the perimeter of the gate, a streak of lightning crashed to the ground out of a clear sky announcing Lord Larin's familiar mode of transport. General Seith bowed down on one knee as he appeared.
"Welcome to Yadessa Lord Larin."
Lord Larin stepped from the smoldering spot he had appeared on and gazed up at the glowing city. He pushed his cloak back then turned to face General Seith.
"On your feet." Seith stood before his lord and master. "What have you done to get me into Vasagi?"
"I have sacrificed many men to get into the city." General Seith looked down in failure. "None have survived. My mages work night and day to break the spells but so far, It is useless."
Anger filled Lord Larin's eyes at the failure. He knew there was magic in Vasagi that could help him defeat his enemies. Then a thought occurred to him.
"There is one way to get in." Lord Larin smiled at his devious idea.
"How my Lord?"
"Only a member of the royal house of Zlenka can enter the city." He explained. "We have to find one. But right now, we have others to deal with. Come, we have a city to destroy."

In the forest of the dead city of Jorania, Jandar in his wolf form stopped. From all around him he could feel a presence closing in on him. He made the shift back to human form and summoned his staff for battle. With a hand out he sent out a probe through the trees to see what was about to attack. In his mind he saw something unusual coming out of the edge of the forest. It looked like a werewolf, but not like any he'd ever seen before. It stood tall like a man and was covered with fur but it wasn't wolf like at all. No snout or pointed ears on top of its head. Beast like, yes but definitely not wolf.
As it came closer he could hear its low moan coming from deep in its throat. Getting ready for battle, Jandar readied a spell and took a stance for the attack. Howling the beast came running at Jandar with its arms reaching out to grab him. Just as he was about to cast his spell, a voice called out,.
"STOP!!"
Grinding to a halt, it looked back into the forest as Athene and Valkar stepped out through the trees. From behind them Jandar saw Arturus, Baron Valkar, Sting and many others of Prafa following. With a smile, Athene ran out into the clearing to greet her old friend.
"Jandar!!" She grabbed him wrapping her arms around him as he picked her up in a hug. "I'm so glad to see you. What are you doing here?"
"I came to help free Prafa." He smiled as he released her. "And rescue him. I see I'm to late."
"Better late then never I guess." Valkar smiled and hugs his friend. "Glad to see you. Athene and my Grandfather have told me what's been going on. Any news on Vasagi?"
"It's safe for how." He told them. "They haven't been able to breach the gates."
"And Azeal?" Valkars voice trembled with worry for his son. "Where is he?"
"Azeal and Tanis were defending the Academy when it disappeared. " Jandar put his arm around his friends shoulder to reassure him as he lead them back to the others. "I can't be sure but I think they're with Ono and Shayn wherever they are. I sent my father and a few friends after them. They will be fine. Trust them. We taught them well."
"I hope so."
Once they were all together, it was time decide where to go from there.
"I should be getting back to Vasagi." Valkar told them as they sat by the fire. "My people need me."
"Everyone's in Tir Na safe. Don't worry about them right now. I don't think you can make it to Tir Na right now either. Lord Larin's troops are thick between here and The Wolves Lair."
"Then where?" Athene asked looking at each of them.
"There is a place close by where you would be safe." Baron Valkar spoke up. He turned to face Jandar. "The city of Dragons is not far to the south correct?"
"Yes it is." The handsome Werewolf nodded surprised he didn't think of it. "You would be welcome in our home. Rage could use the company as a matter of fact and it's close to Winterhaven and less then a days ride away from Yadessa."
"That sounds like you won't be joining us."
Jandar could see the glare of the fire in Athene's eyes as she spoke. She was always so perceptive. She could always read what he had on his mind.
"No I'm not coming." He smiled at her. "I know Rage wants me home but there's something out here I have to do."
"What?"Adam asked.
"I don't know." He shrugged. "I just have this feeling that someone needs my help."
"On the road again?" Athene asked. Her voice had that worried tone in it. "This time alone?"
"I'll go with you." Adam said. "Athene and the Zlenka's can get everyone to the city safely."
"No." Jandar shook his head. "I go alone. You should all stay together. Who knows what's going to come crawling out of the forest between here and New Keanna."
"Then we should all get some rest." Valkar stood and dusted off his pants and stretched. "We have a long journey in the morning and we're all tired."
"No." The Baron cut him off. "We can't stay here. Valkar we're to close to Prafa. They're going to be looking for us, we have to keep moving. The further away we get the better off everyone will be."
You could hear the groans of protest coming from all the people in the crowd. They were tired and still afraid. Prafa had been a place of horror since Tomaz Acros and Sarella had taken over. Men and women missing, turned to Nightwalkers or just vanished all together. No one knew what was happening to those that had disappeared. They could have been sent to serve in Lord Larin's army or something worst. Namely Sarella and Gorak's ravenous appetite. But whatever it was, these people had to get somewhere safe fast and New Keanna was the safest place for them.
"Everyone on your feet!" Arturus shouted to the crowd. "We move out in five minutes."
With moans and groans the crowd stood and gathered themselves together. Arturus gathered five men to go out and hunt up food and water for the crowd. As the crowd got ready to move, Athene and Valkar went to talk with Jandar.
"You sure you don't want to come with us?" She asked. Jandar kissed her cheek and hugged Valkar.
"Tell Rage I will be home soon and I love him." He turned to leave. "And not to worry."
"Be careful Brother." Valkar waved as Jandar shifted to ran off into the forest.
[I"ll be watching in my sleep.] Athene whispered as she waved goodbye.

High in the skies near Prafa, Viggo rode the night winds. He was following the familiar scent of Jandar as it rose up into the air. From behind him, Gird watched the city below him. He had heard what had happened in Prafa and that Valkar had been last seen there. That had to be the reason why Jandar was here. To rescue the Vampire king. Since meeting Viggo, Gird had been calling out to Jandar and getting no response. Now that they were here, he was determined to find his kings consort.
Spiraling down, Gird and Viggo dropped down to land on the roofs of a nearby building. The town was quiet. There were men on the streets patrolling like hungry animals. A sudden thought hit Gird. This was Yadessa, Vampire country. But they didn't look or act like the normal Vampires of Yadessa. Gird could smell the blood in the air. These were Nightwalkers. Bloodsuckers.
[Careful Viggo.] Gird sent. [I think we're in trouble.]
Just as Gird was about to spread his wings and take off, Something came barreling across the roof and knocked Gird over the edge. He spread his wings and batted at the air to slow his fall as he pulled his feet under him to land. Like a cat he hit feet first with his claws up and ready to fight. Eyes sharp he scanned the area around him. Red eyes Nightwalkers circled around him ready for the attack. Like an arrow from the sky, a white furred Snowdog shot down to grab the nearest Nightwalker and snap his jaws shut around its torso then toss it away. Gird roared his challenge. Smoke seeping from his nostrils as he faced the enemy. Like the blood crazed beast they attacked. Claws flashed as the snapped and grabbed for Gird and Viggo. Gird blow his flame out burning anything that came near him and grabbing them to rip then apart. Viggo used his sonic bark to send them flying or pounced in to attack teeth gashing and biting into them. With a howl, Viggo sent out a wave of sound that shattered windows and knocked the Nighwalkers off there feet.
Side by side Gird and Viggo battled blasting and tearing into the bloodsucking monsters. Gird looked up as another wave came running in from the gate.
Suddenly there was a ear piercing howl that stopped the Nightwalkers. They all turned toward the gate as something dark leaped from the top of the wall and landed in the middle of the crowd. As he fought, Gird saw flashes of silver then a great blue pulse that flashed out throwing Vampires everywhere. When Gird looked back, he saw Jandar walking towards him surrounded by a blue glow.
"What on Keanna are you doing here?" With a wave of his silver staff he sent three attackers flying.
"We came looking for you. "  Gird told him. Viggo's great tail wagged like a puppy's. Jandar reached out and ran his hand through his thick white fur. From the balcony of the manor someone screamed orders to the Nightwalkers
"GRAB THEM! DON'T LET THEM ESCAPE!"
"We're out of here!" Jandar hopped on Viggo's back. "GO VIGGO!!"
Spreading his wings Viggo leaped into the air with Gird right behind him. Shifting to bat forms the Nightwalkers swarmed after them. In minutes there were thirty or forty bats streaking up after them. Turning around, Gird sent a stream of his icy breath at them, freezing many and sending them crashing back to the ground. With another wave of his staff, again the blue pulse went out paralyzing all the rest.
With clear sky's in front of them, Viggo and Gird zoomed higher leaving Tomaz Acros swearing he'd find them and bring them back to be slaves for his lord.
[Now what are you two doing out here?] Jandar asked. [Is something wrong at home? Is Rage OK?]
{FRIEND JONA WANT HELP. HE WANT YOU.}
[Jona? Jona Metrika from Bravosa?] Jandar asked. Maybe this was it. [Take me to Jona. We'll see what's bothering him.]