Night Hunters. 68

These were dark days in the forest, jungles and plains of Pentanthin. The shortly inhibited home of the Gekko clan was again ruled by a Savonti lord. Memu had come in with his warriors after a long trek and surprised the Human's before they could organize and defend Fedru's old house. The cages and slave quarters of Memu were now bursting to overflow and the warriors were eating well this night. Slaves both men and women suffered long hours of abuse in dark pleasure tents while the new lord of the land stood on the outer walls and watched the forest for hours wondering where his renegade brother Loc was and who it would be that would strike next against him.
Memu knew his newly acquired land was very close to those of Daru, the mind lord. He also knew from his last meeting with him that Daru was searching for the old human threat that long ago had been prophesied. Like Daru, Memu thought the prophesy to be very possible. In his raid on Ferdul, he had seen many things that proved the possibility that Human's were not just weak defenseless animals. He had seen the strange creatures that fought for the Humans during the battle. The three creatures in the night sky that none of his warriors were able to bring down with even their strongest weapons. One fought with the lightning from the sky while another moved so fast his sound was explosive. Such wondrous beast Memu thought. He could rule over all of Pentanthin with the power of just one such animal and the Humans had at least three on their side. But there were ways to convince or force powerful beings into doing what the Savonti wanted them to do. All he had to do was find them and use one of Daru's slave collars and there power would be his.
As Memu looked out into the jungle, something screamed sending a shrill sound echoing through the trees. It didn't sound like any animal Memu had ever heard before, but it had come from the jungle where many of the cattle had escaped to. Staring into the darkness a thought occurred to Memu. Where had the Humans gone? He had sent hunters and trackers out to find them and they had come back empty handed. The closest hills outside of Fedru would be in Darul where Magu and his sky warriors did constant patrols. Memu had heard nothing from his spies saying they had been caught there, so where had they gone? Could there be hills or caves out there somewhere that Memu didn't know about? That was possible but the trackers would have found their trails and found something, a small one lost in the jungles, an old one that couldn't keep up. Something should have been found unless somehow, they were still here in Fedru deep in the darkness somewhere under some unknown protection.
Casting out with his force shield, Memu created a small platform and took a step out from the wall and walked down a set of invisible stairs. As he reached the ground he called out to a warrior stationed at the gate.
"I want four teams of ten ready to search the jungle in one frame." Memu ordered as he turned to head to his new quarters.
"My lord." The warrior called. "What are we searching for?"
"Humans." He climbed onto his tracker. "And something called magic."

Everything in the Academy right now was in chaos. The wounded were laid out all through the halls on each floor with many cadets serving as healers assistants. Bandages were being made and salves applied as Macan and his staff worked feverishly. Broke bones were set and the most highly trained of all the healers were in something called surgery on the most desperately wounds. Shayn went from bed to bed healing magically as many as he could, but he like the rest of the magical healers was exhausted and could only help so many. Many had died today fighting the Savonti and everyone one was in mourning.
As Reno, Tored and Thaila finished helping out with the wounded they made there way to the dining hall where they took sometime to get something to eat. As they entered, They found Nysa and Luke there with Craven and Zark in a corner in hushed conversation.
"What trouble are we getting into now?" Reno asked as he set his tray down and sat down to eat. "Can it wait? I haven't eaten all day."
"We're waiting for Zarin and Dack." Craven told them. "They're in a meeting with Ono and Cutter."
"Talking about Tabor no doubt." Thalia sat down sipping her glass of blood. "Yeah we heard all and what happened. To bad you couldn't catch him. Where's Trip?"
"With Zarin discussing what we should do with the ring." Cravan told them. "I hope he just gives it over to Cutter so we're done with it. It creeps me out knowing how powerful it is."
"I don't know." Thalia said. "I don't think they can keep it any safer then we can. Besides, maybe we could use it here. It might help."
"I don't understand your magic." Luke cut in. "And I'm not sure how it would work against the Savonti. It might make things worst. I think it's better to just destroy it if you can."
"He's right." Reno pushed his finished plate away. "We hid it to keep it from Tabor and his father, if we destroy it we won't have to worry about it ever again. I say blast it to the underworld and be done with it."
"Underworld?" Tored looked confused. "What's that?"
"Hell." Thalia laughed. "He means blast it to death."
"Oh! You can do that?"
Everyone at the table began to laugh at Tored's words. As they all laughed, Kel Rainer and Rue Tasco walked into the dining hall. Suddenly the table became quiet. Cravan nudged Reno and whispered something in his ear. He looked at the two men and growled as he started to get up. Thalia grabbed him and pulled him back into his seat giving him a stern look. Beside them, the Serban's watched unsure of what was going on.
As the came closer, Nysa stared strangely at them, confused by what she was feeling. Together Rue and Kel looked at them with the weirdest look. They took a table on the other side of the room but close enough to keep watch on them.
[There's something wrong with those two men.] Nysa sent to Thalia. [I can hear their minds. There's someone else in there whispering to them.]
[You can hear it too?] Craven looked at her in surprise.
[Yes.] She nodded. [Very clearly. The voice gives me a really bad feeling, like they want to hurt someone.]
[Us no doubt.] Thalia said. [That's Dack and Craven's fathers. They're watching us waiting for Trip and the ring.]
[Ohhh!!] Nysa shivered. [I don't like this. Can I make it stop?]
Everyone turned to look at Nysa wide eyed. She had a look like there was a bad taste in her mouth. But it wasn't her mouth, it was her mind.
[What do you mean make it stop?] Craven asked. [Can you break the spell?]
[I think so.] She smiled. [Yes I can. All I have to do is go in and shake them up. It'll be easy. Should I do it?]
[No, wait.] Reno said. [Let's see what Zarin wants to do. This might be our only way to find Tabor. Thalia, call Zarin and let him know what's going on.]

In the main library of the Academy, amidst the the shelves and stacks of books of magic lore, Zarin, Dack and Trip stood before Ono, Shayn, Cutter and Eheren. In Trips hand was one of the most powerful magical devices ever created. The Ring of Endrin. They were there trying to come up with some kind of plan on what to do with it and how to deal with the one that was after it.
"But I don't understand." Zarin said. "All of you are much more powerful in magic then any of us. You have the power to better deal with it then us, why can't you just take it?"
"Because that ring in my hands could do things to me that would make me just as bad as Muerte." Eheren explained. "It would not only boost my power to unbelievable heights but it would corrupt my mind completely. I shudder to think of what I could become."
"But what about us?" Zarin asked. "How will it affect Trip, or me?"
Eheren stepped out from the long table and looked at the ring in Trips hand. It was even now radiating waves of power out at them. Eheren could feel its compulsion digging into his mind to reach out and grab the ring and put it on. He shook it off as he held his hand over Trip then Zarin.
"Curious." He pulled his hand back and rubbed his chin. "Cutter, can you feel its power?"
"Yes." He said as sweat poured from his brow. "I can feel its evil drawing me it. If it wasn't for my Salvation stone I think I would probably have grabbed for it by now,"
"We feel it to." Shayn said. "Please put it away."
As Trip slid it into his pocket he still was very afraid of the ring. If these powerful men could be so affected by it, what might it do to them?
"There has to be a way." Dack said. Zarin put a hand on his shoulder. "No, That thing is going to make us as bad as Tabor. He's a murderer! Is that going to happen to us too?"
"Tabor didn't need the influence of the ring to bring him to murder." Cutter tried to soothe Dack's fears. "He's heart was already black. Your a lot stronger then he ever will be. Together your band of friends can overcome almost anything."
"Almost." Zarin frowned as he looked down sadly. "That's what scares me most."
Just then, Ono felt a familiar probe touch his mind. Another strong minded member had been listening and wanted to add something. Ono held up his hand to quiet everyone.
[There may be a way.] Lilia sent from her little cottage. [Bring it to me. Perhaps I can find a way to make it less dangerous for you to handle.]
"Lady Kordova thinks she can help." He said. "Trip, take the ring to her and see want she thinks."
"And what about Tabor?" Shayn asked. "Have you any idea where to find him?"
"We have a clue." Zarin told them. "Thalia just told me Nysa may have a way to find him. While Trip talks to Lady Kordova, Dack and I will go see what they found."
As the meeting broke up and Zarin, Dack and Trip headed for the door. Eheren stopped them.
"I know you want to find Tabor." He said. "But be careful. He's not out there by himself anymore. He has a lord of the Savonti at his side. We don't know which one though I suspect he went straight to Daru, and if he did, just know that Daru's mind is very powerful. Do not underestimate him. He is the most dangerous of the Savonti lords."
"I'll be careful."
"I'll be watching." Eheren said as the three boys left. "Rimnar be with you."

Dressed in stolen robes, Tabor sat on a hill that over looked the academy and listened to his slaves minds.They were sitting across from Reno, Thalia, Craven and three other kids. from the looks of what they wore, they were Pentanthian clan children. Tabor guessed two brothers and a young sister. As Rue and Kel watched them, the girl looked Rue dead in his eyes. Tabor got the strangest feeling she could see him right through their eyes. But that wasn't possible was it? She was nothing, A small nothing little girl but as she stared at him, chills ran diown his back. Shaking it off, Tabor dismissed her from his mind and told his slaves to move on and go find Trip. He would be the one with what Tabor was looking for.
With a blank look on their faces, Kel and Rue left the dining hall and split up. Rue went to check the offices of the administration and Kel went out to check the practise fields and stables out in the back gardens. From across the room, Reno watched as the two left their table. He knew someone should keep watch on them in case Zarin decided to have the spell on them broke.
"Thalia." He stood. "You follow Kel. Stay hidden. I want to know where he's going and what he's doing."
With a nod she got up and followed Kel out of the room.
"What do you want us to do?" Tored asked. Luke and Nysa looked anxious. After all the cadets had done for them, they wanted to help if they could.
"I know you don't know your way around here yet." Reno said. "But do you think you can keep watch on Rue? You two can blend in better then Craven, Zark and I."
"What about Nysa?"
"She can stay with us." Reno told them. "We should stay and wait for the others to return."
"I know how the transit stones work." Luke pulled his brother to his feet. "We'll call Nysa if anything happens."
Smiling eagerly Luke and Tored stood and hurried out after Rue Tasco. Once in the hall, Luke cast an illusion on them to disguise them as cadets. They both now wore the gold tunic and brown trousers like the other cadets.
From the dining hall they followed Rue down the hall then turn left at the end. Following close behind, Luke and Tored watched as Rue stepped up onto the sun symbol on the floor and was gone.
"Come on." Luke said. after a quick change of disguise into two young female cadets, they stopped on the sun and was suddenly on the first floor.
"Whoa!!" Tored blinked with amazement..
"Yeah I know." Luke smiled. "The magic here is fun. Come on. There he is."
Further down the hall, Rue moved from room to room peeking in to see who was in each room. Luke and Tored wasn't sure but they guessed he could only be looking for Trip and the ring. The two brothers were totally confused by the ring business. Zarin had explained that it had some sort of mystical powers but neither boy really understood what that meant. Could it turn people into cheese, or cast illusions like they could? What is it that made that ring so powerful? They didn't know, but if Zarin was right, maybe they should find a volcano somewhere and drop it in.
From there, Rue went to the healer hall then finally the administration offices where the headmaster and the captain of the guards office was located.Trip was no where here to be found. That meant he had to be somewhere outside. Luke hoped Thalia was having better luck then they were.
[I am.] She sent. [Trip's out here heading towards the back of the garden.]
[Why?] Reno asked. [There's nothing back there but a few old cabins the old groundskeepers use to use. What could Trip want back there?]
[He's going to see Lady Kordova!] Zarin sent. [She asked to see the ring. We're hoping she might know a way to keep the ring from having an affect on us while we have it. Keep watching him, Tabor could make a move.]
[No!!] Dack interupted. [Is my father armed?]
[Yes.] Thalia answered. [His crossbow is at his side, Why do you ask?]
[Stop him before he gets in range!] Dack shouted terrified. [My father is the best shot in Winterhaven. If he gets close enough, he'll put a bolt in Trip's back and take the ring to Tabor!! You have to stop him now!!]
[How?] Reno asked.
[Have Nysa break the spell, now!]
Reno turned to Nysa who had been listening to the conversation. "Can you do it?"
"I'll try." Nysa closed her eyes and reached out with her mind. The spell that held the Tasco's and the Rainer's was like a tight violin string. She could see it vibrating with power. Tabor must be give them orders now. As she felt for the string, Kel pulled his crossbow up and put a bolt in. As he took aim, Nysa grabbed the string and ripped it from their backs. Like smoke it dissolved into nothing right in her hands. Kel dropped the bow, fell to his knees and screamed out in pain.
From up in the hills, Tabor felt his connection to the two couples break just as Kel Rainer was about to fire on Trip. In a flash of pain, he suddenly was thrown out of their minds to wake up with blood dripping slowly from his nose.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!" Tabor screamed out his rage. Thwarted again, Tabor grumbled.
[I'll get that ring Zarin! You can fight me all you want but sooner or later, I will have that ring!!]
[If you want it, just come and get it Tabor! It'll be right here in my pocket. Just you and me!]
[Soon Zarin.] Tabor sent as he disappeared. [We will be meeting real soon.]

As Gabor sat high in a tree watching the gates of Refuge, his anger simmered. The Gekko's had finally had a home, a place they could call their own and now it was gone. It had been retaken by Lord Memu and his warriors. Many of his clan had been caught and killed defending the walls while the rest had made their escape. Now they were all crammed into the academy in hiding. Gabor was tired of hiding. He wanted to be done with this war and being hunted all the time. There had to be a way even if it meant death to all the Savonti.
Looking to his left, Gabor looked into the deep green eyes of Lord Yaru who sat coiled around a branch in the tree next to him staring at the watch guards that stood a top the walls of Refuge.
"How many warriors do you think Memu still has?" He asked Gabor.
"To many." Gabor told him. "More warriors then either you or I have right now. I'm hoping reinforcements come before Memu decides to make's his next move."
"Do not forget Daru." Yaru warned. "His warriors out number Memu's. We must think of someway to watch his border. We do not want any surprises from him."
"Shayn and Ono will think of something. Right now Memu is our problem. He won't stay in Refuge for long. He'll want to know where we ran off too."
"Is that why we are here in this tree?" Yaru slithered higher in his tree where he could see the gate more clearly.
"Yes." Gabor told him. "Azeal and Tanis with Drake and Ozmun wait to the north. We are to warn them when he starts to move."
Just then the sound of metal grinding on stone caught Yaru's attention. The gates were going up and warriors on trackers were filing out.
"Memu moves." Yaru whispered. "Be ready my friend."
As Gabor and Yaru watched, fifteen riders came out and lined up right over the bridge that led to the gate. Following them came Memu on his huge tracker. He rode out in front to give his orders to his scouts.
"These walls are still fouled by the smell of the Humans that once lived here. To make this place my own, the Humans must be found. We must find them and teach them what it means to defy the Savonti once and for all. You will ride out in groups of four and find the Humans. Find where they hide so we can crush them, cage them and end their little revolt. Now go!!"
Mounting up, each group split into a different direction and they were off on the hunt for the Gekko clan once again.
[Azeal!] Gabor sent out. [The hunt is on. Yaru and I will go back to the academy. If they get anywhere near, we will divert them or destroy them. Send the others out to do the same. Make sure none of these hunters return to hunt us again!]

In the darkness of the jungle four Savonti warriors made their ways slowly east deeper into the jungle. They were following a scent the trackers had found only a frame ago. It was a strange scent unlike any human scent they had ever smelled before. To the Savonti's keen sense of smell, it almost had a smell of death to it. Could they be following a old trail? No, that wasn't possble. Their was evidence that the trail was made within the last frame.
With stun staffs at the ready, the four warriors moved on. The jungle was quiet, they could hear the crunch of ever step, ever leaf that was push aside as the Humans they chased moved by. As they listened they could hear there was at least two of them out there and they had split up to avoid being caught. They were close.
"Tie the trackers." The lead warrior whispered. "From here we go on foot."
After lashing the trackers together to a tree, Dra in the lead signaled his companions to split into two separate teams. He ordered two to head north and move around and block the Humans from going any further while he came up from behind and trapped them in the middle.
As the first two warriors crept slowly in, a thick curtain of mist began to settle down on the jungle. Suddenly every animal sound in the jungle went quiet and a cold chill dropped down to run through the fog.
Not liking the cold chill, the warriors switched their vision so they could see heat through the cold that had settled around them. There was a faint bit of warmth still rising from the ground, but otherwise the rest of the jungle was as cold as the night.
"Beware." A warrior hissed to his companion. "They are just ahead."
"No." Azeal whispered in his ear. "I'm right here."
Azeal reached out and grabbed the warrior wrapping his hand around his mouth and pulled him down into the fog. With a single blow, he slammed his fist into the warrior throat cutting off his air supply and strangling him.
"Tic?' The second warrior called out into the fog. "Where are you?"
"Dead." Tanis said his voice whispered in the night air. "As you will soon be."
Firing his staff wildly into the foggy night, it flashed again and again all around him hitting nothing.
The warrior took a step forward, his hand on the trigger looking nervously for a target. Hearing a sound behind him, the warrior spun raising his staff to fire. As he turned, Tanis was standing there face to face with him. Tanis hissed showing his fangs, grabbed the staff and stabbed the warrior in his chest. With a look of pure shock on his face, the warrior fell dead at Tanis's feet.
[Two down.] Azeal sent. [Two to go.]
[Together then?]
[Together.] Azeal smiled as they joined hands disappeared into the fog.
Moving quietly. Dra stalked deeper into the fog. He thought his prey to be just ahead. He could hear breathing and smell what he thought to be fear from ahead. Suddenly the fog began to clear and they could see all around them. Sitting behind a tree cloaked in the remnants of the fog, Dra saw a head. He caught his companions attention and pointed him out. With his fist he signaled for them to close it and crush the Human. At a count of three, the two warriors pounced on the tree with staffs ready to blast it to bits. But as they came around the tree, they realized it wasn't a Human sitting there trying to hide. It was Tic and Nog dead.
"By Memu's wrath!!' Dra dropped his arms to the side. "How??"
"Just like this!"
At that moment, Azeal and Tanis fell on the two warriors and finished the first hunting party.
[Hunters 1 are done.] Azeal sent to Gabor. [We're heading back to the Academy. Call us if you have any trouble.]

On the edge of Gekkol, beside the Killian mountain flowed the Rychi river. Near that river lived the Illya Bancu and the rest of the Bancu clan. For them lately the days had been pretty calm. Fedru the nearest Savonti lord had been killed by the Gekko's and peace had finally come to his valley. They had settled in the caves at the base of the Killian mountains the hunting lately had been pretty good and life seemed easy.
Illya Bancu had two sons. The oldest was Herad. Herad was tall and brave. He was one of the best hunter fighters Illya had ever trained. His second son was the younger Asam. Asam was young, playful and always obedient to his parents and clan elders. But today, none of that mattered. Today the Savonti would find the Bancu.
The two moons were still high over the azure skies of Pentanthin as four Savonti warriors stepped out of the jungle. They were tired. They had been hunting for hours without any luck. The sound of running caught their attention. The lead warrior stepped out heading for the river where he saw someone was already there. A young human boy. Ducking back down, the warrior looked out through the bushes. It seems their luck had changed. From his hiding place, the warrior looked the boy over. He was young , maybe ten or twelve surrounded by six water jugs. He wore plain brown pants and a tannish colored tunic with soft leather boots. The warrior couldn't recognize any clan marking at all. He could be one of the escaped humans, but he might be of a totally different clan. Didn't really matter, he was Human and that was what they were hunting. With quiet signals, the warrior sent his companions up and down river to see if there were anymore of them out here, then made himself comfortable to watch until it was time to attack.
With jug in hand. Asam dunked it into a deep pool, filling the water container. Carrying water home was a heavy job. His job now that he had grown tall and strong enough to do it, but wasn't always his. Once it was Herad's job. Asam had helped Herad lug the jugs for water whenever the clan had stopped for water. He would help carry the empties then Herad would have to carry the full ones back. Herad hated water duty and was glad to have Asam take over for him. He would much rather be out hunting with the other clan boys as far away from Asam as he could get. It seemed lately, Herad really didn't like his little brother very much and that, Asam really didn't understand why.
Last age, was different. Herad and Asam spent many frames together. They fetched water, fished and scouted new hiding places together. But now since father had taken over as leader of the Bancu clan, everything had changed. Herad had become so distant to him. It was almost as if he hated being anywhere near his younger brother and Asam really miss him.
Earlier in the day, Asam had asked Herad for his help in bringing in the days supply of water. First Herad just ignored him, then he turned on him and told him he was to busy for any of his childish work. He had grown up things to do. With that he grabbed his fishing kit and stormed out the door. Sadly Asam collected the rod and water jugs and with his head down, he went on to the river.
With his line baited, Herad heaved and tossed it out to the center of the lake. His mind still steamed after yelling at Asam. He was sick of having the little nuisance around all the time. Herad couldn't go anywhere without him trying to trail behind and it was all fathers fault. Since he had taken over as clan leader, Illya had put all of Asam's teachings on Herad, insisting he was to busy to teach him the ways of the jungle and clan life. Herad was young. He resented his father pushing Asam's learning on him. He didn't want the responsibility or the bother of training his brother while all his friends were out hunting or fighting Savonti. What Herad wanted was to go join the Gekko's. He had begged his father but was told he was needed here instead. He wished he could just run away from all this. Live the life of a warrior in the Gekko clan in Refuge. Well, maybe one day. But for now, just do a little fishing and relax. Tomorrow's another day.
From high over Komor Falls, a lone jazzuk buzzed his way through the thick mist coming from the falling water. It flexed its arms sending more power into its six wings as it descended down towards the jungles edge. Ozmun in jazzuk form had been following his Savonti hunting party all day. With luck so far they hadn't found anything. But Ozmun knew the Bancu were here and sooner or later the Savonti trackers were going to come across the trail of a Bancu hunting party and he didn't want to see any of them in the hands of those monsters.
As Ozmun flew down over the jungles edge, he looked out into the river and there he saw two boys at different parts of the river. One older and another maybe somewhere between ten and twelve with brown hair with a dark patch in it. The older was fishing while the younger boy was busy filling water containers to bring back home. Over on the shore not far in the jungle, Oxmun spotted trouble. A Savonti warrior hiding in the bushes hungrily licking his lips. But where were the others? Ozmun knew somewhere out here there were three more warrior. They must be getting in place to set a trap for the two boys and that, Ozmun could not allow to happen.
Flying down to the older boy, Ozmun did a quick circle around him to access his abilities as a warrior. He looked strong, he carried a sword at his waist and his reflexes when he threw out the line were very good. He should be useful in a fight. The only question left was did the boy have the courage to stand with him against the Savonti in a fight. As Ozmun looked back, he saw another warrior had joined the first one. Time for the two boy was running out, the hungry reptile men would attack soon.
Fly up to the boys shoulder, Ozmun set himself down and preyed his mind speak would work.
[Nazun young one.] He sent trying to be as calm as possible. [I want you to listen carefully to me. There is danger near. The Savonti are here ready to attack. Do you understand?]
"Who speaks?" Herad took a step back looking from side to side finding no one near him. "Show yourself koresh!"
[I am no koresh.] Ozmun told him. [But I am here to help you and the younger one down river but you have to trust me and do as I say.]
"Young one?" Herad dropped his fishing line. Asam was suppose to be here at the river getting water for mother. Is that who he means? "Is the young one you speak of filling water jugs? Does he wear brown like me with a dark streak in his hair?"
[Yes.] Ozmun answered. [He bares a heavy load on his shoulders. Do you know him?]
"He's my brother Asam!" Herad turned and looked down river. He couldn't see anything. Asam must be much further down out of sight. Fear filled the heart of the young Bancu warrior. His one and only brother was in trouble and it was be all his fault. He had to get to him to help. "I do not care what happens to me, but we have to save Asam."
[I will do all that I can.] Ozmun assured him. [The Savonti are now getting in position to trap you and Asam. I can get one then go help Asam but that will leave one here. Can you take care of him?]
"Yes." Herad patted the sword at his side. "You save my brother and do not worry about me. Get him home to our father, that's all I ask."
[Fight well and you will both see your father by the rising of the suns.] As Ozmun set his wings to buzzing he lifted off Herad's shoulder and flew in front of Herad where he could see him. Herad grasped in shock when he saw the jazzuk he had been talking to.
"A Jazzuk?"
[I am much more then a simple Jazzuk.] Ozmun assured him. [When I tell you, run down river and be ready for an attack.]
Herad nodded as Ozmun flew out and into the jungle. Sweat began to run down his face as he unsnapped the clasp on his sword belt. Then suddenly he heard that voice again in his mind.
[NOW!]
Pulling his sword free from it's scabbard, Herad took off at a full run splashing through the thigh deep water. From behind and in front, a Savonti warrior charged out to intercept him armed with a sword and a net. In a flash, a huge Tark came screaming out of the jungle and grabbed the front warrior by his chest and shook him in his teeth. Savonti blood splashed Herad and dripped from the jaws of the Tark as it tossed its dead body aside then headed down river.
[Beware, behind you!]
As Herad turned he brought his sword up and caught the Savonti sword as is came down at him. With his left, he thrust his line of fish out and smacked the warrior in it's face with the dead fish. Shocked, the warrior blinked and wiped fishy water from his face. He snarled and swung his net high to cover Herad. Ducking the net, Herad reached behind him pulling out his knife and was ready to fight.
Down river, the Tark charged in on his six legs. At the shore the two Savonti warriors had just wrapped the screaming Asam in their nets and were dragging him towards the jungle. With a roar, Ozmun leaped in and knocked a warrior back and to the ground landing with it's claws dug deeply into it chest. The warrior screamed and fought trying to keep the Tarks claws from sinking into it's throat but it wasn't the claws he should worry about. It was the Tarks teeth. With a great snap, Ozmun ripped the Savonti warriors head off just as the second warrior opened fire with his staff blasting him off the body. Falling back after being blasted in his side, Ozmun fall stunned to the ground. With the sadistic grin of the Savonti, the warrior pulled his sword and stepped up raising it to deliver a death blow to the Tark. Adrenalin and the power of the salvation stone Shayn had placed on Ozmun's chest filled his body. With a thought in a flash, Ozmun shifted back to his human form. He grabbed the first Savonti's sword and drove it deep into the chest of the warrior standing over him, then kicked him back away from the boy struggling in the net.
As Asam finally found the opening, he climbed out and stepped away from Ozmun who lay exhausted in the sand.
"Who are you?"
"Just a friend." Ozmun sat up and looked down the beach. Herad and the warrior were still fight. "It's not over. There's still one more left."
Asam looked down the beach and saw his brother battling a Savonti warrior.
"HERAD!!"
Ozmun quickly got to his feet and started running As he ran, he shifted to wolf form and hurried to get there to help the young clansmen.
As Herad fought, out of the corner of his eye, he saw the last Savonti go down. He made a quick spin and stabbed out only to be parred as the warrior kicked out at him. As his foot hit Herad's leg, the boy went down. Just like his dead partner the warrior was over confident. With a final grunt, he dived sword first at Herad stabbing him right in his chest. As he fell on the young boy, he stabbed up with his knife and pushed it right through the Savonti's throat. Gasping for air the warrior rolled away and tried to get up, but it was to late. He had taken his last breath and he fell dead on the ground.
"NOOOOOOOOO!!!!"
Seconds later, Ozmun arrived and knelt down beside the dying boy. Herad smiled up at him choking on blood that filled his throat.
"I did it." He smiled through bloody lips.
"Yes.' Ozmun nodded. "You did."
Just then, Asam ran up crying.
"No Herad!" He cried. "Please, you can't die. I'll do whatever you want. I'll go away and never bother you again, just please don't go."
"I'm sorry Asam." He coughed spraying blood. "Your the Bancu  heir now. You have to be strong and protect the clan now."
Herad reached for his knife in the dead warriors throat. He couldn't get it. Ozmun pulled it loose and put it in his hand.
"Take this. It's yours now. I'll be watching." As he closed his eyes he said his last words. "I love you little brother."
This was not how Ozmun Natan wanted this to end. He looked down at the crying boy feeling like he had failed them.
[That is not true,] Lady Kordova said in his head. [You did all you could for them. You are not to blame for this, the Savonti are, Take him home so his father can mourn him with respect and maybe he will help us finish this. I will tell Shayn and Ono the second Hunter party is finished. Hurry home Ozmun.]
"Come Asam." Ozmun put a hand on the boys shoulder. "Let's take your brother home to rest."

In the swamp lair of the former Lady Seru, Loc paced the floor of the master apartment. His plans were all coming together. Memu now held Fedrul, he had Daru's weapons master in his hands and the Mind lord knew nothing of his plans. He had slipped in and out of Darul without anyone being any wiser. The only hitch in his plan would be his partner. None of this would have a chance to work with out his queen at his side and Trela was not answering his call. Only she couild blind Daru to their plans and he had no idea where she was. His spies in Darul reported that she was no where to be found in all of Darul. The mind lord has been searching all the lands that border his but so far, no one has seen her at all. Loc didn't like this. Information was his thing. He had the best spy system in all of Pentanthin. He didn't like the idea that there was something important he needed to know and couldn't get the information.
From the entryway to the lair, Loc stared out into the darkness of the swamp. Trela was there. He didn't know where, but he had to find her cause she was his best protection and he would need her protection and soon.
"Perhaps I can help."
With his weapon drawn, Loc spun around to confront the mysterious voice that had just spoken. standing right in front of him there was a young human boy with straw colored hair smiling with his hands held out in front of him.
"Nazun warrior." He nodded. "I would speak with the lord of this house."
"I am lord here Human."  Loc eyed the boy with suspicion. "Who are you and where did you come from?"
"Who I am?" Tabor shrugged putting his arms down. "That doesn't matter does it? What I can do for you does."
"And exactly what can a useless Human do for me?"
"I am far from useless." Tabor smiled. "As a matter of fact, I may be the only one that can give you the power you need to be a lord."
"And how can you do this Human?" Loc eyed the human with doubt and mistrust. He speaks with the confidence of a true lord Loc thought, but where was his power? He would have to prove his words before Loc agreed to anything. "How will you give me power?"
"Magic." Tabor smiled as he stepped back and held up his glowing hands. "I will give you the power to command all that you see. All that hear your voice will be under your command. Will that suffice?"
"And what do you want for these power?" Loc asked interested. "What will it cost me?"
"Just a ring." Tabor said. "All you have to do is get a simple gold ring and bring it to me. That should be easy enough right?"
"How will I find this ring?"
"I'll tell you where it is." Tabor walked over to Loc and looked into his eyes. "Do we have a bargain?"
"I will do as you ask and get what you want." Loc agreed. "Give me what I want and you will get your ring."
"Then step out into the open and receive my gift."
Setting his staff in its place on his back, Loc stepped out to stand in the stagnant water of the swamp. Tabor tossed back the cloak from around his shoulders and cleared his throat to speak his spell.

THE STRONG WILL RISE AND THE WEAK WILL FALL
AS ALL WILL HAVE TO ANSWER YOU CALL.
FROM WORD OF MOUTH TO LINE OF SIGHT.
THE WEAK WILL ALWAYS BOW TO YOUR MIGHT.
TO FOLLOW YOUR ORDERS AND OBEY YOUR DEMANDS.
THIS POWER I LEAVE IN YOUR COMMAND.

As Tabor cast his spell, Loc rose high into the air and a glow began to spread around his body. He shook as his eyes became bright as stars but his body darkened to almost an absolute black shadow. Loc screamed at the spell entered him and filled his body then just as he thought he couldn't take anymore, the pain stopped and he fell back into the swampy waters.
"Rise Lord Locu." Tabor bid him. "Stand up and command your warriors!!"
Feeling weak, Locu stood struggling to his feet. He felt strange, invigorated and powerful. He looked at Tabor and wondered if he had really done what he promised. There was only one way to find out.
"BOW TO ME HUMAN!!"
Tabor's face suddenly changed. He looked as if he was in some kind of trance. He stepped out then burst into laughter.
"You must think me a fool!" He said. "Did you think I would give you powers that would work against me? Powers I give, I can take away so honor your agreement and bring me the ring or you will be sorry."
"Where can I find the ring?"  Locu bowed.
"There is a stronghold not far from here in the land that was once Fedrul." Tabor pulled his cloak back around him for warmth. "Follow these directions and you should find it easily. Kill everyone if you have to but bring me the ring. It's in the hands of a boy named Zarin."
"Do you want him dead?"
"No." Tabor smiled. "He is mine to kill. Just get the ring."

It was quiet in the garden as Shayn walked out through the rows of fragrant buds and blooms. His mind was in deep turmoil. Many things had happened since he and Ono had arrived on Pentanthin and now the lives of every human was in his hands. The Savonti were no longer taken slaves, now they were killing people on site. It seemed the age old prophesy of the White and Gray was all about the two Keannian lovers and they had received reports of humans all over the land rising to fight the Savonti.
Everyday he had to remind himself he wasn't just acting on his sense to protect as a Dragon, he was doing what was right for all the people of Pentanthin. They had a right to live free of being hunted everyday. They had the right to build homes and not worry about being dragged off and use as sex objects, slaves and food. They were intelligent beings with the right to live, and that was what he was fighting for.
As he made his way through the front courtyard and saw all the tents of the sleeping Gekko clan, he wondered if what he and Ono planned was the right thing to do? Could these people handle what would come next? He hoped so because they couldn't see another way to combat the millions of Savonti all over Pentanthin. Without Dragons on the planet, they woulds have to be able to protect themselves once they returned home to Keanna.
"Shayn?"
He turned around when he heard his name called. Lilia Kordova stepped out of a tent and walked towards him with her hand out.
"I can feel the pain in your heart." He could see her smiling through the veil that covered her blind eyes. "Come. Sit and talk with me." Shayn walked out and met her. She wrapped and arm about his and let him lead her back to her cottage. "What  troubles you?"
"All this bothers me." He said. "Ono and I are responsible for so many lives. Lilia I'm eighteen years old. To young to be making these life and death decisions."
"I think so far you've done fine." She patted his hand. "There are many here who owe you their lives and that includes Savonti. You and Ono have helped many see the truth."
"What truth?" He asked. "Our truth? The Dragon truth?"
"Shayn." She smiled. "The truth for one is the truth for all. Freedom is the truth and people need that. Without it, we are cattle and we might as well just give up and surrender to Daru. Don't you think Daru knows how wrong the way they treat us is? Don't you see why they treat us the way they do?
"Superiority?"
"There are more Savonti with power then humans." She said. "That's true, but that's not it. They're afraid of us. Afraid that one day we all control Pentanthin and they may have to bow to us.  And they're right. We are destined to rule this planet but I'm hoping it will be together as partners not enemies. That's where you come in. The white and gray will help this happen one way or the other. Either we rise, or fall, or we make it together. We have no other choice."
Lilia's words were wise and spoke straight to his heart. He knew she was right be still having all that on his head wasn't easy. But he knew what he had to do now. He just hoped Ono could live with his decision.
As the thought ran through his mind, Lilia stopped. She hadn't meant to read his thoughts but she had and this was not the right decision for Shayn, Ono or Pentanthin.
"You still don't understand do you?"
"What?" He asked.
"This is not your home." She dropped his arm. "We are free people and you lead us but you and the Academy must go back where you belong once this is over. Your story goes on, but at home, not here on Pentanthin. Your family needs you both at home."
"I know." Shayn sighed. "Pentanthin is just becoming so familiar, it's almost home to us. We'll find it hard to leave."
"But you must or Quynn will never exist."
"Who?" Shayn stopped and stared at Lilia. "Who will hever exist?"
"I've said to much." Lilia cast her senses out to probe her way back to her house. "Promise me you and Ono will leave when the time is right."
"Lilia." Shayn started. "I.."
"NO!!" She shouted. "The Dragon's need you home. End this and GO HOME!!"
As Shayn watched, Lilia hurried on through the garden to her cottage and slammed the door behind her. Shayn had a feeling he had just learned something important about his future. But he had no idea what. Now he knew he had to get back home and soon.

Zephyr. 67

High in the frozen peaks of Vanco island, a cloud of ice crystals drifted down through the crags and crevices. Through the slopes and valleys pass Snowmen with long ice beards and Kensi riding Snowdog to a plateau before the great ice palace of Kearn the Frigid. There it stopped and gazed out at a replica of the place of its frozen rebirth. Clea knew this wasn't the same ice palace that Kearn had built in Bravosa, she had seen that one blown to pieces herself as she was taking her leave of her frozen over former home. This one was the same exact design. It seemed Kearn wasn't one for much creativity.
Slowly drifting closer, she passed Snowdogs who lifted their heads and growled at her intrusion. She blow a cold thought of comfort into their minds to quiet them before their Kensi riders could notice anything was wrong and stayed on her course to the ice palace.
Moving on over a low hill, Clea felt a sudden source of mystical heat near her. As she cast her ice crystals out like a thin mist, she felt someone she recognized just to the left under a ice cliff waiting for her.
"Aiya Ice Queen." Came the voice of Taren the dark elf sitting atop Terror his demon horse. "I told you we would meet again."
[Then it was your queen that freed Kearn from his prison.] Clea pulled her cloud together and materialized in her icy maiden form. Her eyes glowed a bright powerful icy blue. "All this because I wouldn't be her puppet?"
"All this and more." Taren shrugged. "I warned you to keep your promise. Now many will suffer including those you once loved."
"You and your evil queen know nothing of me or what it is to love." Clea stepped forward as her freezing winds began to pick up and blow all around Taren and Terror. "But you will learn what can be done in the name of love."
"Will we?" Taren urged Terror back towards the ice palace. "We'll see won't we. Kearn waits for you with a guest in his throne room. We'll see who learns what lesson Ice queen!"
With that, Terror opened his wings and leaped into the sky above Clea and streaked away leaving a blazing trail behind him.
"We will see." Clea said as she raised her hand and summoned a huge chuck of ice to her. She climbed  on broad and sent it sailing to the entrance of Kearns ice palace.
The palace was like one great cold mirror with images reflecting from wall to wall. Clea stood tall as she sailed into the ice cavern keeping her eyes open for an attack coming from any direction. She could hear the sound of Kearns cold laughter as she moved deeper into the palace. The halls made many twists and turns going in all directions.
"Come my sweet queen!" She heard echoing through the halls. "Come and greet your master, you god. The one who made you what you are today!"
"Am I suppose to thank you for what you did to me?" She screamed out. "You took everything I loved from me and replaced it with ice. With nothing!!"
"It was a gift I wanted to share with you and your husband." Kearn laughed. "I'm glad you've enjoyed it."
"I haven't enjoyed anything since you put your blasted curse on me!"
 Speeding up, Clea burst into the cavern where Kearn waited. The room she had entered was a huge chamber with furniture carved of ice. There was everything a regal king would be expected to have in his throne room including his loyal subjects. Snowmen and Kensi lined the walls waiting on orders from there god Kearn. As Clea looked about, she saw the master of her hate. Her rage flared like a torch and she streaked at the king of the ice palace.
"Now I'll give you your reward for your fucking gift!"
Standing over ten feet tall, Kearn laughed as Clea's iceberg came sailing straight at his head. Suddenly a blast of ice and wind came from nowhere and something hit Clea in the face knocking her off the ice to fall on the floor of the cavern. With a wave of his hand, Kearn sent the ice chunk veering off to crash into a wall.
As Clea hit the ground, she rolled and sent a round of ice spikes at Kearn. Climbed to her feet she looked up just in time to see a man dressed in ice armor throw up a shield that blocked the spikes. Like ice drills they buried themselves five feet deep into the shield, cracking it and tearing it down.
Looking on in icy anger, Clea stared into the face of Kearns defender. He was tall with long icy hair wearing diamond like ice armor. Clea's mouth dropped open as she recognized her opponent. It was Jona, all blue and infected with Kearn's ice curse.
Stepping back she knew she was in trouble. She was prepared to go to war against Kearn, but how was she suppose to fight against the man she loved. There was only one thing to do. Fight and hold them off until Jandar and the others could come to help.
Standing there facing Kearn and Jona, Clea gathered all her concentration and called out to the one she knew would hear her call.
{JANDAR!!}
With Jona staring blankly at her, Clea shook off the loose ice that had adhered itself to her dress and stepped out to confront Kearn.
"Haven't you done enough harm to these warm lands?" She called to him. "Didn't you learn anything from your venture as Muerte's slave? Talsara? You are now doing the bidding of a mortal?"
"Indeed I did." He laughed. "You think me a slave to the elven queen? Nothing could be further from the truth. She freed me yes, but Kearn is beholding to no one and never a mortal no matter how powerful she may be."
"Then why? Why have you come here? Why capture my husband? He's done nothing to you?"
"I did it for you my queen." Kearn stood up and stepped down from his throne and walked out to her. As he walked, he shrank until he stood at the height of six feet, a foot taller then Clea. He had a devious look on his face, smug as if he had already won their battle. "Muerte wanted to turn Keanna into a word of the dead. Talsara wants to rule it under the banner of the Dark elves. While I think Keanna should freeze and be buried under ice and snow. Everyone will worship me as their one and only true god. How magnificent would that be?"
"Your out of your frozen mind!" Clea began to shake with anger. "And I won't let you do this and neither will Rimnar or Saila!"
"Rimnar and Saila?" Kearn laughed. "Weak and useless. They hide in their sky palace not caring one bit about the weak fools down here on Keanna. If they're so powerful, they wouldn't have allowed Muerte to get so out of control. They should have known exactly what she would do."
"It's not for us to question the high gods!" Clea said as Kensi and Snowmen began to close in and surround her. "Rimnar's greatest gift to us is our freedom to live and do as we please. But you like Muerte have gone to far. You can't rule the lives of us mortals. You can't force us to worship you no matter what you do or how you threaten us. We will be free!"
With that, Clea dived forward blasting enemies as they came in to grab her. A Snowman came at her from the front and was encased instantly in a block of Clea's ice. Two more Kensi armed with spears raised their arms to throw and skewer her. In a flash Clea put up a shield between them then blasted them back against the wall. As Clea turned to face Kearn, three Snowmen hurried in and put themselves in between Kearn and her. Slowly Clea raised her hands and started generated her cold. Her hands started to glow blue as ice crystals swirled around them. Just as she was ready to cast, Zephyr stepped in and swept the Snowmen aside to face her himself. A strange look appeared on Clea's face as Zephyr raised his blade to point at her. Clea stepped back not sure what she should do and suddenly something struck her in the head and everything went black.

Riding high on the back of a Snowdog, Zephyr streaked through the snowy mountain paths of what was now called Kearn's Cap. His mind was full of cold confused images from the past. He remembered his days in Bravosa, but his memories had been twisted into nightmarish false images. Days of hiding in a cold tower with an old man that looked like Kearn as his master. He remembered Clea his wife torn from him by Alee and the Dragons and taken away as their prisoner. Cold whispers of hate filling his every night with dreams of her torture death.
Zephyr remembered waking up in Kearn's palace feeling cold and alone. His head swirled with painful  images, memories he couldn't quite grab a hold to. He sat up and looked around trying to remember where  he was. He was in a great bed in a frozen ice palace covered with a blanket of snow.Zephyr threw his leg over the side of the bed and gazed around. A tall man draped in frost came into the room carrying a tray with a mug on it with something steaming. He stopped and placed it on the bed side stand .
"Good morning Zephyr." He stood there looking down at him. "I trust you slept well and your ready to get to work."
Zephyr had no idea what he meant or who he was, but there was something familiar about him. Something from his dreams. He remember that face and the tower, and something else. But every time he tried to concentrate, pain would stab into his mind. Zephyr rubbed his temples and stood on wobbling legs.
"Work?" He asked. Zephyr stared into his deep icy eyes. Suddenly he remembered fighting near the tall icy man. He must be my teacher, my master. "I know you.
"Yes." Kearn smiled. "You know me very well. I am your master, your teacher. I taught you all you know about magic."
"Y,yes." He stammered confused by the faces that kept flashing through his mind. First, a kindly elder man then the frost covered mans face would push its way through his memories. "I remember you."
"Remember Bravosa and its chilly hills, how we loved bring our cold to its shores."
"Yes." Zephyrs mind began to really as images of his frozen homeland drifted through his memories. "So cold."
"Remember the woman you loved." Kearn reached out and touched Zephys temple sending a pulse of cold through him mind to addle his memories even more. "Remember her death at the hands of the Dragons and the sun god Alee. We shall have our revenge. We will destroy all they hold dear and turn the world into our own Arctic land of ice and snow!"
"Yes Master." Deep in Zephys mind, Jona screamed out and shook the icy bars the held him trapped in his own mind. Kearn laughed as Zephyr rose and donned the ice armor Kearn had made for him. Jona was for now gone and Zephyr was all that remained.

At home in the ice and snow, Maxius tore through the frozen jungle like a mad beast in a city center. He ripped trees out by the roots and tossed them aside like they were nothing. He dived into deep snow banks and merged with the water molecules and swam as if he was in the ocean. His roar could be heard from mile around bringing Snowmen and Kensi out to do battle. They came by the hundreds riding Snowdogs armed with spears and clubs to beat the mighty dragon into submission. With great flips and swings he bashed and crushed them. Chomped and ground them into the snow. Maxius roared and fought on spewing steam and torrents of boiling water at his enemy. Beside him fought Braddoc and Mortimer high in the sky with bow and spear gun. They sent wave after wave of sonic attacks at the enemy. Snowcrows fell by the thousands until there were none to be found then Braddoc dropped down to moved on to Kearn's ground forces.
With a Centaurs aim Braddoc took aim and bowled over rows of Snowmen coming in for the attack. Mortimer hopped off his back and drew his sword and dived into the ranks of Kensi warriors. With his spear gun in one hand and a sword in the other, he ripped into the on coming wave of warriors. Dodging and countering thrust, stabbing and slashing through skin, hair and bone, Mortimer fought  on until the bodies were piled knee deep around him and Braddoc.
On a hill overlooking the battle, Taren watched with disbelief. Kearn's warriors were actually being beaten by this singular small force. He watched as hundreds of warriors fell to a force of three. One dragon, a winged centaur and a mer man. Queen Talsara would be furious if he returned to report they had lost. There had to be another way he could turn this disaster into something he could profit from.  But what is it the the Dark queen really wanted? She wanted Clea dead for betraying her and ignoring her orders. But what if there was something here she would want even more then the ice maiden? There were many of Talsara's enemies here, what if he brought her someone she hated even more. Like a Dragon. Like the dragon that's fighting down there right now. All he would have to do is swoop down behind it's back and deliver a blow that end it's life.
"Our target is there." Taren reached down and put his hand on the hilt of his sword. "We are after the Dragon."
[YESS!!] Terror sent eagerly as he stomped the ground sending sparks raining all around them. Grabbing the reins, Taren put a foot into the stirrup and pulled himself up into the saddle. There would come a time when the Dragon was most distracted. Then they could strike and put an end to its life. That should please the Dark queen and weaken the rest of the Dragons. All he had to do was wait until the time was right.

At the entrance to the ice palace, a tall sandy haired man appeared from a flash of light, he spoke a short spell to shield himself from the frigid winds that swept around him then  said a short prayer to Rimnar. He stopped and listened for the sounds of any movement from inside. It was pretty quiet. He could hear the sound of Kearns laughter, but he didn't hear any sounds of movement from inside. Gathering much needed magic around him, he started the walk in. The tunnel was tall and wide with high ceilings and snow for carpeting. The walls were decorated with portraits of magical scenes of ice fields where Snowmen and Kensi hunted from the backs of Snowdogs. He watched as men and women were preyed on and slaughtered by Kearns followers. What kind of god would condone such horrors? A cruel and vindictive monster he thought.
From there, he moved on into the hall where three tunnels branched off. One left, right and straight forward moving ahead. As he headed for the center tunnel, two Snowmen came charging from the right tunnel. Calmly raising his hand he sent a bolt of energy at the first Snowman burning a hole though its chest. It stumbled and fell tripping the second Snowman. Moving with amazing speed, he reached out and ripped an stalagmite from the wall and stabbed it into chest of the fallen Snowman shooting heat through it's body melting it down then walked on.
As he moved on into the next chamber, a group of Kensi warriors came rushing out to attack swinging clubs and howling their challenge at him. The stranger stopped and stood perfectly still as something flew in from behind him and attack the Kensi. Like a Manticore, Viggo dived in  tearing and biting the Kensi. His claws were like knives tearing at the enemy as the stranger walked on letting Viggo finish his carnage.
Entering into Kearn's throne, he looked on as Kearn stood up from his throne to welcome in his guest.
"Who would you be little man?" He asked. "And what brings you into my cold embrace?"
"I'm an inquiring mind." He rose a foot off the icy floor and floated in to confront the winter god. "And you are holding friends of mine. I'm here to see you set them free."
"And why should I do that?" Kearn stepped down from his throne and walked out to meet his new opponent. "Are you a god?"
"Maybe" He smiled his blue eyes twinkling. "Maybe not. Maybe I'm actually here to help you."
Kearn's bellowing laughter rang out through the palace sending its vibrations out to rattle the walls causing ice and snow to rain over everything.
"You?" He laughed. "Help me? And why would you want to do that? This is my domain, I am master here."
"That you are wintery one." The blond haired man bowed to Kearn. "But is that enough for you, really? Is there not more than ice and hate inside of you? Isn't there room for more?"
"What more is there?" He asked. "I am master of all that I see. I rule with an icy frigid hold on everything I command. All will call me master!"
"But you will still be alone for eternity no matter how many call you god."
Kearn stopped and stared back at the handsome light skinned stranger who dared to think himself Kearn's equal. But something in his words rang true. He was alone. That was why he had created Clea in hopes of finding someone as cold as he was to spent eternity with. But it didn't work. Jona was still frozen deep in her heart and even his cold couldn't break that hold.
"HOW DARE YOU ASSUME THAT I WOULD NEED THE COMPANY OR THE AID OF ANYONE!!" Kearn screamed at the stranger. He turned and spread his arms starting a storms of snow and slush to shower over the entire chamber. Like a child Kearn banged around his throne room tossing tables and kicking chair out of his way. Standing calmly, the stranger cast a shield around himself for protect and waited quietly for the storm to end and his rage to calm down with no fear of attack.
"I should kill you for such insolence!" Kearn pointed at the stranger ready to send a bolt of freezing magic at him.
"Would that cure the problem?" The stranger asked him. His voice was so soft and calm it relaxed Kearn more by the minute. "Would my death make you happy? Would anybodies death really make you happy? I don't think power and praise is what you really want, is it?"
"Then what is?" Kearn yelled back. He didn't really like what was going on. He wasn't use to answering such questions from mortals. He wasn't even sure way he was answering, but there was something about this one that made him trust him? Could that be it? Kearn had never had trust in anyone else ever before. This was something new for him.
"Tell me something Kearn." The stranger sat down and hovered before the god. "Why do you hate so much? Does it make you happy at all?"
Kearn stopped and thought about the question. Then something occurred to him. He had no answer. It was just how it had been for so long he was use to it.
"I, I don't know."
"Many great things happen during the winter." The stranger said warmly. "It's a time of year for rest and even some fun. Snowball fights,sleigh rides and the winter solstice. Surely you have seen the people enjoying themselves on one of your snow covered hills?"
"I haven't look." Kearn said quietly. "Not in a long time. But it doesn't matter what mortals want. What matters is what I want."
"Then what is it you really want Kearn?" He asked as Kearn looked him deep in the eyes. There was something about those eyes. "What is it that could melt your frozen heart?"
"I don't know if anything could help my heart. "And that was the first time in centuries that fear and sadness crept into his heart. Like a man defeated, Kearn went back to his throne and sat down. Something had changed in him. The stranger had finally reached him deep in his soul. Now it was time to see if his heart could change for the better.
"Do you know who I am?"
"No." Kearn answered sadly. Should I care?"
"Maybe you should."
With a flash of light the stranger changed. Now instead of a mortal mage dressed in a heavy cloak, a golden god hovered in front of Kearm radiating his godly warmth. Dressed in a golden tunic, the handsome god introduced himself.
"I am Atol, god of love and I'm here to give you a second chance to be worthy of joining us on Fortis."
From his throne, Kearn gazed out at Atol as he reformed into his godly image. The cold began to creep back into his heart thinking this could be some kind of Fortis attack on him. He stood to be ready for action.
"Be at ease." Atol held out his hands. "I'm not here to fight if we don't have to"
"Then why are you here Fortisian?" Kearn leaned forward on his throne. "Were you sent by the hot one to put me back in my prison? If so I will fight you."
"No." Atol answered. "I have a better why to solve this problem."
"I will not be fooled by any of your godly tricks Cruel one."
"No tricks." Atol smiled holding up his hands. "Just simple logic and truths."
"I will listen for now." Kearn settled back on his throne to hear what Atol had to say. "But my time is short and I have things to do, so if you don't mind, get on with it."
"Things to do?" Atol asked as he settled himself for his talk with the winter god. "Like Talsara's bidding? Haven't you learned by now what comes from dealing with someone like Talsara? She has nothing to offer someone like you but more pain and misery."
"She did free me from my volcanic prison." He said. "I owe her for that."
"You owe her nothing." Atol said. "You could have freed yourself without any help at all. All you had to do was ask. It was your hate and revenge filled heart that kept you prisoner. It still holds you now in a prison of your own making."
"You speak in riddles Atol." Anger and confusion filled Kearn's blue eyes. He didn't understand what Atol was saying to him. "How was I to free myself when molten lava kept me from moving beyond the walls Alee made for me?"
"You were never alone Kearn." Atol confessed. "There was always someone there watching you, hoping you would call out for help. Did you not feel her presence all around you?"
"Again!" He shouted. "More riddles. There was no one there with me. I was alone in my fiery prison. Every day and night alone with no hope."
"Oh but you are so wrong." Atol smiled. "Hope was always there. Never far from your side even though you couldn't see her. Let me show you."
With a wave of his hand an image appeared on the wall of Kearn sitting on his throne in his ice house in the volcano. Beside him stood the most beautiful woman in a silver shimmering gown. Her hair was down and streaked with silver and her eyes twinkled with sparks of moonlight. She had rosy cheeks and sweet lovely lips. Kearn was in absolute awe the moment he saw her. Who was this vision of beauty? And why didn't he feel her presence at all?
"This is my youngest sister the goddess of hope." Atol said. "Her name is.."
"Gabreilla!!" Kearn whispered.
"Yes." Atol told him. "The goddess of hope and dreams."
Rising from his throne, Kearn stepped down and went to stare into the image Atol was showing him. He reached out to touch the heavenly face of the goddess in view and the image blurred. It began to fade for a second then became clearer. In the image, she always stayed close to him, never letting him get to far away. On her face there was a look of worry? Worry for what he wondered? Worry for him? How could that be?
"No!" He turned away and grabbed an ice goblet and threw it at the image projected on the ice wall. It shattered sending fragments everywhere. "This isn't possible! If she had been there, I would have felt her. I would have seen her in some way! She wasn't there!!"
"She was there." Atol insisted. "And I know why you couldn't see her. Your hearts so filled with hate and revenge, there's no room for hope. Have you ever stopped to look at what it is your doing? Go outside. Look around, then maybe you'll see. Change my friend before it's to late."
As Atol said his last words, he stepped back and began to fade into a ball of light and flew off out of the cavern.

As the battle raged on, Zephyr stood on a cliff overlooking the snow covered battle field below. Maxius the water dragon tore through the ranks of hundreds of Snowmen crushing, batting and chomping them to bits, Streams of steam shot from his mouth melting and burning enemies away. Over to the other side, Braddoc with his great Centaur sword sliced his way through hairy Kensi by the dozens with Mortimor battling right there at his side. From where Zephys stood, he could tell they were losing the battle and that would not please the master at all. It was time he made his entrance and turned the battle into their favor.
With his arms raised, Zephyr called on his cold winds to lift him and carry him into battle. Up he flew into the skies high over the gorge and down into the valley where battle raged on. From there he could strike out at any enemy, but which should he choose? Should it be the Centaur and Mer man  who were getting closer to their Dragon companion or, should he attack the Dragon himself before he could start his way up into the mountain after his master?
As he dropped down behind the fighting, Zephys raising his hand to form an ice spear from the water crystals in the air, He decided the Dragon to be more of a threat and the better target. Bringing his arm back, Zephyr threw sending the spear on a straight and true path towards the Dragons back. As he watched, suddenly from somewhere overhead a blast streaked out and blew the ice spear into a thousand pieces. Zephyr turned to look up to see where it had come from.
Behind him standing high on a hill with the wind billowing through his cloak, stood a dark haired man in brown and black leather holding a glowing staff high over his head. Zephyrs stared as he stepped down and started toward him. He looked familiar to Zephyr, like someone out of a dream. Maybe one of his nightly dark dreams he thought. As the man came closer he stopped and a strange look almost of recognition appeared on his face.
"Jona?" He called. "Is that you?"
Zephyr stared back at him with his hands down but his magic collecting for and attack. A smile appeared on the strangers face as he reached out for Zephyrs.
"It is you! We were so worried!"
In that split second, Zephyr sent his blast straight at the strangers head. With his hands up somehow the stranger was able to block the blast and deflect it off into a snow bank.
"Jona!" He screamed as he dived into a snow drift, "What are you doing? It's me, Jandar!"
"I don't know you!" He raised his hand getting ready for his next blast. "But I have seen your face before. In my nightmares!"
"But you do know me!" Jandar shouted. "We saved you and Bravosa. We helped you bury your old teacher Chuy. Remember?"
"I remember fighting you and those dragons." Zephys sent icicle missiles at Jandar. "I remember you all killing my love while she was trying to get away from you and my master Kearn, not someone named Chuy and he is not dead!!"
What in the world was he talking about? Clea wasn't dead and since when has Kearn been his master?. Looking closer Jandar notice the ice armor he was wearing. He know he had been out here in the cold for some time, but was Jona actually blue? Something was wrong with his friend. He had changed.
Jandar summoned his shields around him then stood and ran for a stand of trees a little ahead of him. As he reached their safety, another blast of freezing cold hit one of the trees and snapped it at the center. He dived out of the way just as it crashed down beside him. Jandar didn't want to fight Jona, but it didn't some like he had much choice. With a wave of his staff, Jandar sent a series of power balls at Jona. One by one they crashed into the ground making Zephyr jump out of the way. Returning fire, Zephyr sent glowing balls of  ice at Jandar. Using his staff like a bat, Jandar swung connecting with each ball smashing it and absorbing the power into his staff. This was not the same Jona he had know since Muerte's war. He was different. He wasn't using his usually magic, he was fight with ice magic. This had to be Kearn's doing. Kearn had used the same spell he used on Clea to make Jona over into another ice mage. And somehow he had altered his memories making him think his friends were enemies and his enemy his only friend.
Maybe Jandar thought, maybe he could fix this. Maybe if he could get him to see though the lies, Jona might be able to remember the truth.
Stepping out into the open, Jandar held out his staff and sent it back to its place of concealment. With a spell ready just in case Jona insisted on fighting, he held his hands down trying to show no aggression.
I know who you are." Jandar said. "Jona Metrika high mage of the island continent of Bravosa. Your mate is Clea, once a beautiful human woman, now an ice maiden transformed I suspect just as you were. It wasn't me or the Dragons that did this to you. Kearn did this. I can help you with your lost memories if you like, but you would have to trust me."
"Your wrong!" Zephyr thundered. "I know who I am. I'm Zephyr, master of the freezing winds and snow and  second only to my mater Kearn god of winter. And you, you are our enemy and you will die today!!"
With his hands held high, Zephyr called out and summoned his most turbulent winds and ice to swirled down from the clouds and blast at Jandar's shields pushing him back into the tree stand where they began to bury him.

As she opened her eyes and woke up, Clea sat up and looked around. For a second she had no idea where she was. Then memories of the last few hours slipped back into the surface of her mind. She was still in Kearns ice palace. She had come here to try and get her husband Jona free from the evil gods clutches.
She stood and got to her feet and took a deep breath to settled the pain in her head. Looking around she noticed she was alone. Kearn and Jona were not there anymore. She knew she had to go find them. Jona had to be in great danger.
[Go.] She heard in her head. [Find Jona. Help him remember.]
Hurrying to the palace entrance, Clea form an ice cloud and took off into the sky to search for her lost husband.

As Kearn made his way down through the icy snow covered mountains of Vanco island, his thoughts were still on his talk with Atol. The god of love had told him to come out and see the world around him. All Kearn saw was this beautiful wintery scenes all around him. Deep mounds of snow, frozen lakes and streams. When he reached the bottom he saw palm trees covered with snow and ice. Above his head a snow storm still spilled snow out in heavy sheets to cover the jungle all around him. To Kearn this was beautiful, the perfect place for him to have made his home. But then he stopped. Something wasn't right here. He looked out at the frozen jungle before him the realized what it was. This was a jungle he was standing in. It wasn't suppose to be covered with ice and snow. He had done this. In his blind hate he had turn another land of tropic beauty into a frozen wasteland. This is what Atol wanted him to see. This is what he meant when he said Kearn had been blind to the world around him, stealing the hope from the land. This is why he couldn't see Gabreilla.
"No!" He shouted out. "No more. Let it end!"
Spreading his arms. Kearn hovered up high into the storm clouds and ordered the storm to end. The winds slowly began to settle down and snow stopped falling as the cloud cover began to clear and allow the sun to again shine on Vanco island.
From high in the sky, Kearn looked down on the snow covered island. For the first time in century's he understood. The problem wasn't how the world treated Kearn, It was how he treated the world. All that ice cold hate he held deep down inside him had kept him blind to what it was that he really wanted. To not be alone any more. Well here was his chance to change. He could try and fix the wrong that he had done at least to Vanco island and maybe more.
As he gazed down, he saw the fighting still going on. Snowmen and Kensi were still down there fighting. And so was Zephys.
"By Rimnar!" He gasped. "What have I done?"
From there he watched as Jona and Jandar fired bolt after bolt, magic missiles after blasts of energy at each other. Jona was very powerful with the added ice powers of Kearn, but eventually Jandar would find an opening and that would probably destroy Jona and it was all Kearn's fault. He had to stop them before it was to late.
Gliding on a strong wind, Kearn dived down to try and get in between the two adversaries. The battle between the two was growing fierce. All around them magic gathered and grew making each glow with power. Jandar a shining golden glow and Jona more of a silver hue.
Pulling power from deep inside of him, Kearn sailed out and over the two powerful mages, Kearn spread his arms, then slammed them together causing a great thunder crack in the sky that rattled the ground beneath him. Both Jandar and Zephyr fell backin the snow shocked by the sudden interruption.
"I COMMAND YOU BOTH TO STOP THIS BATTLE RIGHT NOW!!"
Jumping to his feet, Jandar called his staff and readied himself to fight both Jona and Kearn. Zephyr stood and looked up into the sky where Kearn hovered then back down to Jandar. He summoned magic to him ready to fire again on Jandar.
"Both of you stop!" Kearn pushed them further apart with a wave and a icy flash of wind. "The war is over. Zephyr, stand down I command it!!"
"I obey." Lowering his hand, Zephyr let the magic around him settle but kept back just enough in case it was needed. Jandar lowered his staff ready to listen and see what Kearn had to say. Behind them, the Snowmen and Kensi stepped back away from Braddoc and Mortimor while Maxius made the shift back to his human form. Burning hate could be seen in Zephyrs eyes. He wanted to destroy his enemies and be done with it.
Still waiting on the cliff, Taren and Terror watched amazed at what they were seeing. Kearn had arrived, but instead of joining the battle he had put a halt to it all together. Taren knew Talsara wasn't going to like what was going on and that she was watching. If Kearn didn't handle this right, Taren had better be able to take command and follow her orders and finish off her enemies.
While he watched and waited, Taren started a spell he thought would help him gain control of the situation.
As Kearn came down to land, he stepped out into the center of the fighting were he would be heard by all.
"This war comes to an end right here and now." Kearn looked from Jandar to Zephyr to make sure they both heard and understood. "It's time summer returns and winter moves on to a place where it belongs."
"But why master?" Zephyr pleaded. "They are the enemy we have fought for long and sacrifices so much, my wife included. Why should we just lay down to them?"
"Because there has been no sacrifice." Kearn spoke directly to Zephyr. With a sigh, Kearn walked over to Zephyr and placed his cold hand on his shoulder. "I have done you a great wrong. In my blind hate I took hold of you and twisted your mind and changed you. Your memories and the way you think are wrong. Before a few days ago you were friends to this one and I was the enemy."
"But I remember fighting them." He stammered confused. "I remember Dragons and doing battle. I remember her dying in a great blast of a dragons breath. I remember all of it. How could it be wrong?"
[I'm not dead my love.]
Spinning around, Zephyr turned to see Clea draped in a snowy mist floating down to where they all where standing. Softly her feet touched ground and she went to stand in front of him.
"I'm here Jona." she smiled. "I'll always be here right next to you."
Images swirls in Jona's head. Images of Bravosa and Vanco. He saw Chuy turn back and forth into Kearn and images of him fighting both Clea and Snowmen. He shook his head and screamed as the pain in his head intensified.
"Who am I?" He fell to his knees. "Zephyr or Jona? What's the truth? I must know!"
"It doesn't matter." Came a voice from behind them. "Because your all going to die right here!!"
Suddenly bolts of magic and flames came raining down from the sky. Kearn was struck again and again blasting him back to the ground on his back. As Jandar looked up, Kensi warriors were attacking and Taren and Terror swooped down shooting magical bolts at them.
"Clea!" Jandar cast his shield high to protect them. "Protect Jona and Kearn. I'll deal with him!"
Putting his finger to his mouth, Jandar blew a silent whistle few there could hear. Like a bolt of lightning, Viggo streaked down form the sky to answer the call. Leaping on his back with his staff in hand, Viggo spread his wings and took off into the air and into battle. Running as fast as they could, Mortimor, Maxius and Braddoc fought their way to Clea's side.
"Quickly." Braddoc grabbed Kearn. "Get them on Maxius back. He can get them to someplace safe for now!"
Grabbing Kearn's legs, Mortimor heaved him up to lay across the dragons back. Gird grabbed Jona and he put him on right behind Clea. With a great roar, Maxius dived into a snow bank and swam his way deep down into the snow where the ice man and woman would be safe as the cold revived them.
Grabbing their swords, Braddoc and Mortimor stood side by side and met the on coming rush of Kensi warriors while Gird took to the air to try and help Jandar.
[Help Braddoc.] Jandar sent. [The elf is mine!]
Climbing high over the snow field and onto a cliff to face Taren and Terror, Viggo roared his challenge at the dark elf and his demon mare.
"I thought you were dead and in the underworld Taren." Jandar called. "What dark magic brought you back?"
"Queen Talsara is much more powerful then any of you think." He answered sneering back. "I have to remember to thank her for this second chance to kill you."
"Yes." Jandar smiled. "But this will be your last chance, because I promise you, this time, neither you or that damned horse will be coming back again to threaten us ever again."
"We shall see Jandar." Taren raised his arm and summoned a glowing ball of energy then threw it at them. With a wave of his staff, Jandar created his shield to deflect the power ball. It crashed into his shield and dissipated with a powerful pulse. Not giving Jandar a chance to react, Taren spoke a deadly spell that sent a stream of energy in the form of a dragon at Jandar. It roared, blow fire then charged at him crashing head first into his shield.
Pushing out with the force of his magic, yellow blocks of energy flew at Taren. Quickly he raised his hands with his fore finger and pinkie out drawing a circle in the air before him. Blue power shields snapped to life to intercept Jandar's energy block spell. Again and again the bashed at Taren's shield driving Terror to take a step back as Taren pushed more power into the shields to hold them in place. Cracks appeared as Taren strained to hold his shields up.
With a great shove, Taren broke Jandar's power blocks. Her wiped the sweat from his brow and slammed his hands together causing waves of vibration to go rippling out at Jandar. Waving his staff in a circle over his head, Jandar surrounded him and Viggo in a globe of power that held them steady and let the vibrations pass all around them.
"You have learned a lot of magic since last we met." Jandar said to Taren. "But your still new at this. I give you the chance to withdrew and go on your way. Your free of the underworld, you can go on and live your life in peace somewhere away from all this fighting. Take Terror and go. I promise no one will come after you looking for revenge."
"Revenge will be mine Dog!"
Kicking Terror into action, Taren and the demon horse jumped into the air. From beneath his cloak he pulled a sword and came diving at them. Urging Viggo on, Jandar held his staff ready to meet Taren in battle. As they came together, Taren swung his sword in a arch aiming for Jandar's head, Thrusting the staff out, Jandar met the charge staff to sword. A loud clang rang out as the two weapons met. Drawing back his sword, Taren stabbed at Jandar trying to drive his weapon through his defenses and into his heart. With a quick sweep, Jandar knocked the sword back then came around and pushed out with his magic and knocked Taren out of his saddle. As Terror reared up on his hind legs and kicked out, Jandar dived off Viggo's back, rolled across the ground and came up with his staff ready to block Taren off.
As the two circled each other, Viggo leaped out at Terror with his claws bared batting the demon back. Terror leaned out snapping at Viggo's paws then kicked snow up to try and blind the Snowdog. As the snow rained down in Viggo's face, he huffed, snarled then barked. Strong vibrations rippled out from his bark scattering the ground under Terrors hooves. Hopping from place to place, Terror launched himself off the cliff as it started breaking up. He galloped up into the air then turned back and charged Viggo spewing flames at the Snowdog. With a mighty leap, Viggo dodged Terror's flames. Growling his defiance, the Snowdog narrowed his wings and rammed Terror in the side. As he howling in pain, Terror fell. He tried to right himself in the air but didn't have enough time. Like a blazing comet he hit the ground and exploded sending smoke and flames into the air. Hovering above Terror's crash site, Viggo howling in triumph.
"Your demon is done!" Jandar shouted. "You have lost again!"
"Not yet!" Taren sneered. "Did you think Terror my only weapon? My Queen has control of magic you will never understand. Behold her real power!"
As Taren knelt down in the snow he crossed his arms in front of him, his head lifted to the sky and he screamed out simethin Jandar couldn't understand.
"ESTA U'RHA ZAWOKA!!"
As Jandar watched, Taren suddenly exploded into a gigantic gout of flame. A rock from the explosion flew out and struck Jandar in his temple knocking him out. Mortimor and Braddoc backed away from the jet of flame as it began to re form itself into a giant sized man made of fire. Mortimor could feel its terrible heat from where he was standing. A petrifying laugh echoed its way through the mountains and a fire elemental stepped from the crater where Taren the dark elf had stood just minutes ago.
"NOW THE WORLD WILL BURN!!" It shouted as it pounded its chest. Quickly Mortimor jumped on Braddoc's back and he leaped into the sky.
"What is that thing?" Gird shouted.
"I have no idea." Braddoc said. "Something Talsara conjured I guess."
"What do we do?" Mortimor asked nervously. "That thing is huge!"
"We get Jandar out of there before it's to late."
"How?" Mortimor asked. "It's to hot to get to close."
Before either of them could do anything, Viggo flew down and grabbed Jandar. Holding him by the back of his jacket, he dashed off to a clearing where he laid the mage down and stood over him to guard him.
"What about that thing?" Mortimor asked. "We can't fight it, it's to powerful for us."
[YOU WON"T HAVE TO!]
Suddenly from the snow covered hillside, Maxius with Kearn,Clea and Jona came bursting out of the snow. He swam quickly through the snow to the clearing where Kearn climbed off his back then helped Clea lower the unconscious Jona. As Braddoc dropped down to land, Mortimor ran to check and make sure Jandar was OK.
"He's unconscious." Mortimor looked up at the others. "What now?"
"Now you watch Jandar and Jona while Clea and I go finish this madness." Kearn started walking out to confront the new threat. "That's a fire elemental. There's nothing the two of you can do to help. Stay here and protect your friends."
"I can help." Gird said. "I can take the heat."
"No." Clea walked out to join Kearn. "The Kensi may get over their fear and come back. They may need you here."
"Come Ice Queen." Kearn walked on with the wild blowing through his grey hair. "Let us put an end to this."
With each step Kearn took, he began to grow.He summoned his winds to swirl all around him as his power filled the air. Calling forth a frosty cloud, Clea stepped on it and rose into the air until she rode at the same height as Kearn's head. Fire balls began to rain around them as the laughing fire elemental stomped his way towards them. With her hands held out, Clea deflected each fire ball away from them to crash into the ocean. Kearn shot bolts of ice at the elemental that struck at its chest sending steam billowing into the air. Behind them, Mount Vanco began to erupt sending smoke, ash and blobs of lava flying everywhere.
"FIRE DEFEATS ICE WINTER GOD."
"Yes it does." Kearn said. "But water defeats fire every time."
Swirling his arms around, Kearn called on all the snow that covered Vanco. Like a river in the sky it gathered in the air blocking out the sun casting shadows all across the island. Then with a sweep of his hands Kearn sent the wave of snow flying at the elemental. As waves of ice and water flew at the elemental, it sent bolt after bolt of lava at Kearn and Clea. With unerring aim. Clea deflected each bolt away to crash safely into the muddy ground. They could see the stain on the elemental's face as it battle against the water that kept slamming into it. Steam and ash filled the sky as the beast began to weaken. With a last wave of his hand, Kearn ordered the rest of Vanco's snow into the air to drop down and drown the elemental.
On the ground, Maxius stood out in front of his group and diverted the steaming water to run around them and flow back into the ocean.
Now a steaming man shaped giant mound, the elemental howl out his rage. It's last attempt had failed and it was now melting down into mud. Driving his icy fist into the head again and again, Kearn finished off the last remnants of what was once the dark elf Taren Ender. Now there was nothing left but a huge puddle of mud which Kearn froze in place.
"It's done!"
The fight for Vanco island was over, but unfortunately, the island had suffered way to much damage. From a tropical paradise to a frozen ice land and now, nothing more then a muddy mess, Vanco would take years to recuperate.
Shrinking back to his normal size, Kearn looked at the mess he had turned Vanco into. He was sad. There was nothing he could do to fix this. His power over ice and cold couldn't help here at all. Together him and Clea walked back to the others. Jandar was awake now. He stood with Braddoc, Mortimor, Gird and Viggo and watched them approach. He had many questions he wanted to ask Kearn, but now really wasn't the right time. Clea and Jona were safe and back together. She would have to help him to recover his lost memories. There was still the dark queen and the lord of Winterhaven to deal with and Rage would expect him home soon. Answers would have to wait. Right now, Aquilona should be next on their minds.
"Thank you for your help Kearn." Jandar bowed to the cold god. "But this war is far from over. Talsara and Tayor Larin still threatens the rest of Keanna."
"I'm sorry. " He said. "I've done far to much harm already. I have to go ask for forgiveness and take whatever punishment Rimnar plans to heap upon me. I deserve it for what I have done."
"Then can we ask one more favor of you?" Jandar stepped up to Kearn. "Can we have your crown? We need it's magic to power Aquilona's city shield."
Reaching up, Kearn took off his crown and handed it to Jandar.
"Take it." He said as he began to fade away. "Farewell. May there be hope in all your hearts as its beginning to grow in mine."