The Beginning of the End. 71

The time had come for a drastic change on Pentanthin and everyone knew it. As Daru stood on the balcony of his house over looking the forest of Darul, he sent out a message to all the Savonti. And by all I mean those under his control and those still free and able to fight.

[THE TIME HAS COME MY SAVONTI BROTHERS FOR US TO RID OURSELVES OF THE HUMAN THREAT. NO LONGER WILL THAT OLD MEANINGLESS PROPHESY HANG OVER OUR HEADS TO SCARE US IN OUR HOUSES. ON THIS NIGHT WE WILL RISE AND TAKE COMPLETE CONTROL AND PUT ALL HUMANS WHERE THEY BELONG, IN PENS TO BE USED AS WE SEE FIT.
AS HIGH LORD OF PENTANTHIN I COMMAND EVERY LORD IN EVERY HOUSE TO MARCH OUT AND HUNT DOWN EVERY HUMAN ON HIS LAND. FIND THEM, PEN THEM AND SHOW THEM THAT WE ARE THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF PENTANTHIN. WE ARE THE MASTERS OF PENTANTHIN.]
Turning from his window, Daru ordered his armor to be brought to him. It was time for him to be out to war.

As Kordova sat quietly in the office of the Academy headmasters office, her attention was split away from all the arguing going on in the room. She has cast her mind out in the forest and the hills all around them to see how the other clans spread out were doing. For the moment, all seemed quiet. But there was a strange tension in the air. It was like a cold feeling from deep inside that said something bad was about to happen. Lilia had felt this before. She felt it the night the Savonti hunt on the Nevac started, she felt it the night of the raid on Fedrul by the Gekko's. She had also felt it the night Shayn and Ono had appeared on Pentanthin. She wasn't sure what it meant. Could be trouble or just some turn of events in one way or the other. That was why she was keeping such a closer eye on things.
As Lilia's mind wander through the mountains she came across the clan of an old friend. Clan Petrof, Magda Petrof's former clan. She found them settled in an old cave on the lands along the traveling route they used while hunting. From what she saw, fires had been started and camp was all set out. The hunters had gone out and returned with a rich catch of Daur and Huick to feed the hungry clan. Sentries had been posted in the hills and it seemed they where settling in for the night.
But Lilia still couldn't shake that feeling of dread and that something was wrong here. She knew after the birth of Valor, Lesu had saw the light and talked out a truce with his Dragon son. There would be no more human hunting on Lesu's lands. No more slavery and no more feeding on the humans. Castor had promised to teach the Savonti the ways of hunting in the forest. They would learn there are other things to eat besides the humans and that there would be a stiff penalty, a law now against such behavior. That meant there shouldn't be any Savonti out there in the forest hunting. The clan should be safe.
Just to be sure, Lilia let her mind move through the dark forest. She went along the river to a set of caves that were empty. Then she moved on over the plains to the fields where Lesu had built his few farms. Still nothing. From there she made her way to the northern forest that bordered the lands of Lord Paru one of his closest and best allies. Paru had always been a brother and good friend of Lesu, watching and protecting his northern borders. He to had pledged his alliance with Valor and agreed to free his slaves.
As Lilia moved deeper into the forest, the feeling grew stronger and stronger. There was something here she thought, something dangerous.

In mighty leaps and bounds, Drake Tyr in wolf form crashed through the forest heading into the hills to find clan Petrof and warn them before it was to late. At his side Magda Petrof pushed her tracker hard trying to keep up. They had been returning from Lesul when a strange scent caught Drake's nose.
[Do you smell that?] He sent to Magda. [I know that smell.]
[Savonti?] She asked not catch the scent. [How close are they?]
[A few miles.] Drake answered. [It's Savonti, but it could be Lesu's hunters out replacing their food stocks. Or, it could be something else.]
[This is not good.] Magda dropped down from her saddle. [We should go see what it is.]
[Stay back in the trees and go north.] Drake sent as he trotted off. [Stay out of sight.]
Staying low, Drake took off through the trees moving carefully to keep out of sight. He dodged around and over fallen trees and over a brook until he found himself on the edge of the the forest. There he pushed his head through a dense bank of bushes to see what could be coming across the plains into the forest.
As he looked into the distance he saw a single fleck of light. But as he scanned the length of the horizon, he saw many more. They were torches. Torches being held in the hands of mounted Savonti warriors. Warriors wearing black armor. Lesu wore red armor and so did his warrior, so these were not warriors of Lesul. Black is Daru's color. Lesul was being invaded.
[It's an invasion!] Drake sent to Magda. [Get back in the forest!]
Turning, Drake dashed back into the forest. He knew Lesu probably wasn't prepared right now for an attack, and what stood between Lesu's house and these warriors was Clan Petrof. Both would have to be warned.
[Magda] Drake sent. [You remember where the Petrof''s are camping? Go warn them that trouble is on the way.]
[What about you?] She asked pulling her sword from it's scabbard to be ready to fight.
[I have to warn Lesu.] He sent. [He's the only one that can stop these warriors before they can attack the clan or Lesu's house. Hurry! Get the clan moving as fast as you can. I'll find you somehow later.]
[Good hunting Uncle.]
With that, Magda kicked her tracker into a run and was gone. Not wasting time, Drake lifted his nose and took in the wind coming from the north. An army on the march will create a strong smell. Garbage, sweat, blood and many different scents. From his years of forest fighting, Drake could pick up this scent with ease. This was the scent of the approaching invasion force. Being a werewolf, he could even hear the sound of their march from there. As the wind shifted coming from the west, he could detect a human scent mixed with that of the Savonti. This scent was much cleaner, with no hint of fatigue. A small hint of blood but not human or Savonti. This was the smell of a hunt, this had to be Lesu. Turning west, Drake took his bearings and headed off to intercept Lesu to warn him of the invasion.

For the first time in his life Lord Lesu was on the hunt for food to feed his people and he wasn't hunting humans. There was no screaming women and children. No men attacking out of trees, no traps dig in the ground to slow him down. There was only his warriors along with the humans tracking and guiding herds of duick and dera along to be penned and led home. He was surprised at how much easier it was to collect food. And now that he realized how intelligent the humans were, he wondered why had he been so blind for so long. Why had he thought the Savonti so superior to the humans? Pride? Or was it plain ignorance. For all  his life the humans had been right there thinking and acting with intelligence. Mar had seen it. Xan has seen it. Why hadn't he? It had taken a young boy to risk his life saving Lesu's life to see it. He still found it hard to believe that the boy hadn't aimed for him.
As he looked to his left, Castor rode hide on a tracker shouting instructions to Lesu's warrior on how to catch the duick they chasing. Lesu watched as Castor sent warriors after stragglers that had split off from the main body of the herd. As Castor saw Lesu watching, he waved and gave him a nod assuring him things were going very well.
"Nazun Lesu." Lord Paru rode up beside Lesu in his yellow crested armor. "Maru sends his greetings."
"You have seen my son?" Lesu said. "Then he explained our plans to you?"
"Yes he did." The fire lord nodded. "I must confess I had my doubts, but he and the human with him spoke with such enthusiasm and intelligence, such pride and passion. These humans, who would have thought they were so honorable. Even more then many lords I know. That is what convinced me to change."
"I owe them my life and my house." Lesu explained to his fellow lord. "They opened my eyes to the possibilities on Pentanthin. Humans and Savonti together, I think there is much we can do if we can stand together."
"I agree." Paru nodded. "I will stand with you on their side in the up coming struggle. Brothers should fight together. You have my word."
"Many thanks Brother." Lesu gripped Paru's shoulder in appreciation. "Father would not understand, but he would be proud of us."
"Agreed."
Lesu and Paru rode together as the herd of over one hundred was driven back toward the corrals they had built. With the help of Castor and his clan mates, the day was turning out very good. There were few fights between the two people for each side was too busy learning what the other had to teach.
As the two lords watched, Castor stood on the top of a hill looking at something off in the distance through a spy glass. After climbing the hill to join him, Lesu looked out and saw a small cloud of dust in the distance.
"What is it?" He asked.
"I'm not sure." Castor handed the glass over to Lesu. "It looks like someones was riding out to meet us, but they stopped. Maybe a tark attacked."
"There are no tarks in my land." Lesu looked through the glass. "This is not a tark attack."
"Then what is it?"
"The question is not what, but who." Lesu said. "Someone is under attack. Stay here Castor. Get our warriors ready to fight."
Grabbing the reins and urging their mounts on, the two sped out to investigate the battle being fought off in the distance. From where they were, they could see something big and hairy fighting five Savonti warriors dressed in black armor.
"DARU!!" Lesu shouted. "How dare he attack my home."
"Those are Daru's warriors." Paru  said. "But who are they fighting?"
[They fight one of us coming to warn you Lord Lesu.]
"Who speaks?" He asked.
[I am Lilia Kordova.] The answer rang through their heads. [I speak for the white and grey. So does our friend fighting before you. Help him.]
"That is good enough for me." Lesu charged in jumping from him tracker. "Paru, to the left!"
With a flash of red energy, Lesu killed the first attacker that came at him then stared down on another sending him screaming to his death. His sword flashed high as he was met by a third who made the same mistake of looking Lesu in his eyes and died as his brain fried. Wading in he kicked out hitting another in the knee then slashed down cutting the warriors head loose from his neck.
As Lesu and Paru attacked, Drake snarled and leaped at the closest warrior to him. Landing on the warriors back, Drake tore at the heavy armor trying to break through to his flesh. As he ripped away the final metal plate, something hit him knocking him off the warrior. Drake rolled but was caught by another who sent a kick at the werewolf's head. Dazed, Drake tried to get to his feet shaking his head to try and clear it. As he looked up for the death blow that he thought would come at any second, he saw a warrior raise his sword over his head, then burst into a ball of flames.
Climbing to his feet, Drake looked around to find five dead warriors and three more burning heaps simmering on the ground.
"My thanks for your assistance lords Lesu and Paru." Drake bowed his head to the two Savonti lords. "I am Drake Tyr and I bring you a warning of forces moving through the pass into your lands. You are being invaded by the mind lord."
"Yes we know." Lesu said as he kicked over thge body of a dead warrior. "These would be Daru's warriors."
"Not all of them." Drake as he went and turned the warrior that had almost killed him. He pushed away the broken armor to reveal the brown under cloth beneath.
"Pulu." Paru frowned. "That big idiot always did have a weak mind."
"And that's not all." Drake stepped over to another warrior and unstrapped his plate armor and pushed it of to show the lite blue under it. "Who's color is this?"
"No." Paru said. He got down on his knees and turned the warrior to face him. "This can not be."
"What?" Lesu asked. "Do you know this one?"
"Yes." Paru looked around then went to another dead warrior and removed his armor. Beneath he found a striped cloth. "This one in the striped cloth is of the house of Weru. He is the lord Weru's elder son."
"And the other is Tad of house Tibu." Lesu told them. "His father is an old enemy from the north. His daughter was to be Mar's queen when he assended to rule his own house. A proud warrior whom I have had trust in the past."
"But you said an enemy?" Drake asked.
"A minor squabble over land." Lesu waved the thought off. "But I know he would never ally himself with Daru. Not in a thousand agens."
"Nor would Weru." Paru removed the warriors helmet noticing the collar. "What is this?"
"That is one of Daru's weapons." Lesu explained. "He uses it on slaves and warriors to control their minds. That is how he got them to attack. I must warn Xan and Maru about this."
[I will pass your warning on to your sons.] Lilia promised. [But you must strop the invasion and save the humans in your mountain lands. They will be slaughtered without your help and then move on to your house.]
"Then the war had begun." Lesu climbed back on his tracker. "Master Tyr, you are welcome to help if that is your wish."
"I would be honored." Drake shifted to his wolf form and howled.
"Interesting these humans are." Paru said as he kicked his tracker into a run.

It was getting dark by the time Zarin left the head masters office and he had just one thing on his mind. Tabor. He had to find him and he thought he knew just how it could be done. From Insa's office he headed back up to Reno and Trips room. There everybody was waiting for him
"Well?" Reno asked. "What did they say? Can we go?"
"No." Zarin said. "Shayn said under no condition are we to leave the school for any reason."
"I guess that settles it." Craven flopped down on a chair. "We're stuck here."
"No." Zarin slammed his fist into the desk. "I don't care what they say. I'm going."
"But you can't." Thalia said surprized. "Shayn said no, we can't leave,"
"Not we."  Zarin looked at her. "Me, I'm going. Your all staying here."
"And how do you think your going to find Tabor all by yourself?" Dack asked. "You got a map or something?"
"Or something." He said. "Yeah."
"What does he mean?" Rese asked Trip. "What kinda map does he have?"
"It's not a map." Zarin explained. "When I was in the office there was this woman there being questioned by them. She said she knew where he was."
"Wait a second." Reno said walking over to Zarin. "Miss Lilia?"
"No it wasn't her. It was a Savonti lady."
Tored and Luke jumped from their chair. Luke fell to the floor. "A Savonti woman? You saw a Savonti woman?"
"Yes." Zarin looked at them puzzled. "What's the big deal? She said she knew where he was."
"And she talked to you?" Tored's eyes were wide open in shock. "You heard her talk?"
"Yes I heard her talk!!" Zarin was getting angry. "She spoke words! Why does it matter?"
"Because only Queens can talk!" Luke shouted. "You were speaking to one of the most dangerous people in Savonti society. Almost as dangerous as a lord!"
As the excitement in the room grew, everyone started talking at once. Dack refused to let Zarin go anywhere along while Thalia thought he was losing his mind. Reno still wasn't sure where he thought he could find Tabor and Rese still didn't understand what was going on.
"EVERYONE BY QUIET!!" Craven shouted over all the noise. "This Savonti woman."
Tored gave him a look starting to cut in
"I mean this queen. Are you sure she will help you?"
"She said she knew where he was." Zarin said. "And I believe her."
"You can not trust her." Luke went and sat by Zarin. "That is probably why Shayn said no. She will lead you right into a trap. Right to the lord she serves. This is a bad idea."
"It's all I've got." Zarin said sadly. "Luke, Tored. You don't know Tabor like we do. For years he's tortured us. He put a spell on most of us and our parents. His spelled had Craven so bad he almost killed Rese. He killed my mother! Am I suppose to just let him go? I can't do that."
"Then let us help you." Dack said. "Besides, you'll never get out of here by yourself. And how do you plan to get that queen out?"
Zarin opened his mouth to explain, then realized he had no idea how he would get her out of the dungeon.
"See." Dack smiled. "You do need us."

All across Penthanthin, Savonti warriors were out in mass going from one hide out to the next killing and collecting every human they could find. This was to be a day to remember. Every lords pens would be full and over flowing by the end of the night. Every cave was searched, every tree shaken to see what would fall out. Whole clans were found and rounded up while others who were lucky enough to find the right cave were shown places where the Savonti would never look. They were made safe by a mysterious voice that led into a dark safe place. There a young girl with a small doll in hand would find them and sing them all a secret song she had learned to calm frightened nerves. She promised soon they would all be safe. She couldn't say where or how, but she knew that within three drayns, there would be peace on Pentanthin.

As Pulu and his warriors slowly made their way through Petrof Forest in Lesul, a sentry came riding hard from the plains to meet them. Pulu put up a hand to stop his warriors advance and wait for the rider to catch up to them. Pulu was not exactly what Daru would call a very smart lord. His ability to grow made him one of the more powerful lords, but his wasn't the strongest of minds. He was easy for Daru to manipulate and that was why he wasn't wearing a collar in Daru's pens. His mind was easy to guide, pliable for Daru to mold and play with that didn't sit well with the lord Pulu.
For many ages, Pulu had fought Daru's fights and followed his orders. He tore down the walls of Daru's enemies and crushed those that stood against him. But not as an ally. Pulu could always feel Daru in him mind. Guiding him and pushing in directions that pleased the mind lord. He robbed Pulu of his slaves, warriors and his favored queen while laughing at the giant lord. Now here he was again doing battle for Daru. When will it end?
As the rider approached, Pulu sat grimly on his tracker waiting, his mind fumed with anger at himself. Riding up, the warrior jumped off and ran to Pulu. He slammed his fist into his chest as a salute.
"Well." Pulu looked down on him. "What is it?"
"Warriors approach." He said.
"Lesu?"
"No." He snook his head. "The color they wear is to dark for Lesu and the warriors are on foot, They ride no tracker."
"Tall, dark warriors?"
"Yes my lord." He said.
"Nebu." Pulu climbed down of his tracker and walked back out to the edge of the forest. He concentrated and grew himself to the height of the trees and looked out over the plains. Sure enough, Nebu and more then fifty of his warriors were running towards him. Shrinking down to normal size, Pulu went back to his warriors and ordered a large portion of his warriors into the forest to hide. Pulu had no idea why Nebu was coming at him, but he didn't trust him. He could be about to attack or he could have been sent by Daru to join him. Either way, Pulu didn't want Nebu to know the number of his forces.
"Stay hidden." He told them. "I will call you when I have a need for you."
After his warriors were gone, Nebu and warriors came up the hill that led into the forest. Growing until his head was above tree level, Pulu called out to stop them.
"HOLD THERE!" He bellowed. "I KNOW WHO YOU ARE LORD NEBU. I DO NOT KNOW WHY YOU ARE HERE. WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE HERE?"
"Daru sent me to aid you in the attack on Lesul." He said. "I have knowledge of this land you do not have."
Walking out to meet him, Pulu gradually shrink back down to his normal size. He looked at the strange lord knowing that sometime in the future, he would have to kill this one or be killed himself.
"What knowledge do you bring that I can not find for myself?"
"Did you know that Lesu's son Xan has rejoined with his father?" Nebu asked.
"What does that matter?" Pulu asked. "Xan never showed any power before, why should I fear him now?"
"Xan has changed since he last resided in Lesul." The gray lord said. "The humans did something to him and he has become more powerful then you can image."
"Bah!" Pulu waved him off. "I care not for the musings of a whelp of a lord no matter what power he possess."
"Have a care tall one." Nebu warned Pulu. "We speak of a son of Lesu, lord of death. Do not take that as a small thing. His sons could has power even Daru can not fathom. Do not dismiss them so easily."
"I am here to conquer this land." Pulu went back to his tracker and climbed into the saddle. "I will do that with or without your help. Now if you have knowledge that will help, I will listen. But if you get in my way, I will crush you. Do you understand"
"I do." Nebu bowed.
"Then let us get on with it." Pulu turned his tracker south and started away.
"We go west Lord Pulu." Nebu pointed out. "Lesul is to the west."
Grumbling, Pulu turned west and waved his warriors on. Nebu watched as Pulu rode off. He smiled knowing his would be the blade that put an end to the big fools life.

Since Magda had left, Moet Ceasaz had led the Petrof clan through many difficulties, raids and hunts. Lesu's hunts for his sons had brought warriors very close to where the clan had been hiding many times. A few times it had taken the sacrifice of others to keep the clan from being discovered. A few had been lost to keep the many from being caught. It had been Moet's decisions that had kept them safe so far.
Now with the hunts in Lesul over, Moet had been able to relax, but only for a brief moment. There were still many dangers in Lesul that they had to constantly watch out for. Rogue Savonti hunters and outlawed ex clansmen that came in the night to steal their supplies, woman and weapons. Life for a traveling clan was never easy, not even when the Savonti stayed away. Now things were about to get difficult for the Petroffs.
Running on foot after having lost her tracker to the vines of a xared plant, Magda hurried through twisted hidden paths made and marked by her clan long ago. Being a Petrof, she could tell the path had been used recently. And by the looks of it, there had been many moving one by one in a long single line. Through agens of practice the clans had learned to travel carefully, to never leave much of a trail to followed back to their camp. Magda and any other member of her clan would never have trouble finding the trail, but an outsider wouldn't even be able to see blade of grass out of place.
As Magda reached the base of the mountain, she located the path the clan had used. She saw the subtle clues left by their passing, then she saw something else. Tracks, human tracks. Someone was stalking the Petroff's. Someone that did not belong to the clan.
Hurrying on, Magda thought back on who could be after her clan. Not many clans would dare pull a raid at this time. But if they knew Lesu had stopped his hunts, someone could be tempted to try and take the advantage and fill their ranks with Petroff women and warriors. Could it be Boris Nemscu to the south? He always did envy the many caves the Petrofs had to hide in when traveling. Or Lazar Dimur, Magda never liked the way that old man stared at her. It reminded her of the way the Savonti stared with that hungry look in their eyes.
As the fear drove her faster up the mountain, she passed another clue. A piece of old cloth lying in the middle of the trail. Magda quickly snatched it up to look at. It was your basic cotton cloth used by most clans for tunics, pants and other clothing. But something about this was different. Magda examined it turning it over in her her. It had been dyed in shades of indigo and violet, perfect colors for hiding in the forest. Most of the clans had their own specific shades from the lands around them. This camouflage shade Magda had seen before while training at her fathers side. These were the colors of Lazar Dimur. The old mensch who had tried forcing her father to give him her hand in marriage. But Costa Petrof knew his daughter would never be happy at his side. He knew she could lead the clan on her own to a better life then Lazar ever could, so he refused. Lazar swore he would have Magda one day and all she held dear. So now with Lesu's mind on other Savonti related problems, Lazar had decided it was time to pull his own raid on the Petrof clan.
Stuffing the cloth into a side pockets, Magda took off climbing the the hill to the cliff that that stood cover over the Petrof camp. Once there she looked out and saw Lazar's team creeping in on the Petrof camp. They had the camp surrounded. There was no way she could make it down in time to stop them before they could strike. Her only chance was to warn them of the coming attack.
As Lazar's men made there way closer to the Petrof camp and its sentry's, Magda molded four small glowing balls of explosive force and with her mind placed them in between the sentry's and there attackers. With  a leap off the cliff, Magda snapped her fingers and detonated her bombs sending dirt and debris showering down over the forest. In shock, the Petrof guards stepped back looking out to see what was going on and saw Lazars men staring at them in surprise.
"We're under attack!" A man shouted pulling his sword. "Sound the alarm!!"
Reaching to their side, several guards grabbed a bone whistle they all used in case of emergency. They raised it to their lips and blew a shrill note out to sound the alarm. All  around the camp, men jumped at the sound coming from the edge of the camp. They grabbed weapons as they had been trained to all their lives and hurried out to see what had caused the alarm. Looking all around they saw the cloud of dust rising from the boundaries of the camp.
Moat came running from his tent. He screamed for everyone to be quiet and listened to the winds. He could hear the sound of battle coming from the camp edge.
"Stefan." Moat waved him over. "Take men and go to the north, east and south gates. I'm going west. Hurry there might not be much time."
Splitting into four groups, Moat led one group running to the west end of the camp. There he found the last of his guards defending the camp from darkly dressed warriors. Moat raised his sword and dived in fighting. Sword to sword, hatchets and knives struck in the night. Staff weapons were raised and fired at each other in the pitch of fierce battle. Two clans were now at war.
As Magda ran in a warrior ran to confront her. He swung high as she ducked low and sent a punch backed with a touch of power at the mans jaw laying him out. To the side she saw Moat fighting with two men. He kicked one in the chest, spun around and batted another away with a staff. He looked up to see Magda just as he was attacked from the side. With a quick push of her power, Magda knocked the warrior back and away from Moat.
"What on Pentanthin are you doing here?" Moat ran over and hugged her.
"No time." Magda said as she raised her hand and clapped then together creating a small explosion. "STOP THIS NOW!!"
As the force went out, it knocked all the fighters to the ground. Stunned they all looked up at Moat and Magda. One of Lazar's men reached for his sword.
"We don't have time for this." She yelled. "While you fight, we are about to be invaded. We have to be ready."
"Invaded?" Moat said stunned. "By Lesu? But we were told he had stopped his aggression against us."
"It's not Lesu." She explained. "He's being attacked too. It's Daru and his allies. They're almost here and we have to be ready."
"It's a trick." Sebu Dimur, Lazars son pushed his way to Magda and Moat. "She's just trying to buy time for those strange friends of hers to get here to save her. We should finish this now."
"I don't need help to stop you Sebu." With another snap she set off a little pop in Sebu's hand making him drop his sword. "I could blow you and all your men up with a snap of my fingers. But that would leave the Dimur clan without most of its warriors. Weak and helpless. Whether you believe me or not I need you. We all need you. The Savonti are getting ready to kill all of us. Kill us or put us in cages to wait for death. We won't be able to run or hide from Daru forever. He will hunt every single one of our people down if we don't put an end to this. That's what me and my friends are fighting for. We fight for you! But we need your help before it's to late. Help us please!!"
Sebu and his men stood staring at Magda. She could still be lying to them making all this up. But the Savonti from where they were from had also lately been attacking more and more. And word had gone out that Lord Buku had somehow disappeared. Strange Savonti warriors in blue had been seen in his manse which made Lazar very nervous. Could these be the invaders she was talking about?
As they talked, Magda got that feeling in her head she always had when someone from the Academy was trying to reach her.
[Magda.] It was Lilia Kordova. [Be warned. The Savonti are almost there. Be ready for an attack.]
[There's not enough of us here.] Magda sent back. [Can you send help?]
[We are much to far away.] Lilia answered. [Only Blink could make it there in time, but he has no idea where in Lesu's lands you are. The only help I can send is Lesu himself.]
As always when a Savonti lords name was mention, chills ran through Magda's body. But Valor had promise Lesu had given his word and though she knew him to have always been a ruthless lord, She had trust in Xan. If he said his father would fight on their side, she had a believe him.
[We'll do what we can until he arrives. But please tell him to hurry.]
[Have faith Lady Petrof.] And Lilia was gone.
"Hurry!" Magda grabbed Moat's arm. "Get the women, children and the elders away to the caves in the north hill. Troubles almost here."
Moat nodded and ran off back to the camp. She turned to Sebu and his men.
"Now it's up to you." She looked Sebu in his eyes. "In a little while the Savonti will be here on us. You can leave now or stay and fight, but I don't have time to argue. What will it be?"

The first ones over the hill were Nebu's strange Tark like scavenger warriors. They tore into the camp like blood thirsty beast ripping down tents and tearing into small huts looking for anything that breathed. All they found were small animals the children had used for pets. But in their blood lusty hunt, they ripped them to shreds without thinking. Then Nebu entered along with Pulu who kicked aside ragged tents angrily.
"Well?" He turned to Nebu. "Where are they? You said they would be here!"
"I do not understand. They were here. My spies said they were here! This camp was full of the beast!"
"Do you see any humans?" Pulu shouted at him. "I see nothing!!"
"Not now." Nebu waved one of his warriors over. "But all the human things are still here. They have to be close. Find them!!"
Spreading out with their nose to the ground, Nebu's warrior's started tracking scents. Human spores where everywhere going in circles all around the camp. There was no clear direction to go to follow the humans. It was like they were still there, but not. This frustrated Nebu. Daru was not a patient lord. He didn't forgive failure from anyone, not even a fellow lord. If Nebu failed, he would find a collar around his neck and no running or hiding could stop that.
Frantic, Nebu morphed himself into a huge beast with gray fur, a long snout with this great nose. He lowered his head to the ground and began tracking. Pulu watched as Nebu moved all across the camp back and forth following the scent. He stopped at one point then another and finally he went to a ledge and howled. As he howled, one of his warriors dived over the ledge growling. As it hit the ground it exploded blowing pieces of its body everywhere.
"ATTACK!!!"
With staffs and swords in hand, Petrof clansmen jumped out from their hiding places and attacked stabbing and slicing at the Savonti. Nebu snapped at the closest warrior ripping off his arm. From all around warriors clashed in battle while Pulu stood in the back and watched,
[How brave these humans are.] He thought. [Even doomed they fear nothing,]
[They fight for their lives and family.] A voice said back to him. [They fight with honor.]
[Who speaks?] Pulu asked.
[Someone who has been fighting Daru all my life just like you Pulu.] The voice said. [Someone who is tried of Daru's superior attitude. Someone he can not control unlike you.]
[Daru does not control me.] Pulu declared. [No one controls me.]
[Then why are you here giant one? You have nothing against the humans. Why have you joined with the Mind lord if he has no control over you? You know he will kill you or collar you once you are of no use to him. Why fight for him now?]
Pulu thought back on all Daru had done to him over the agens. All the orders and abuse he had suffered at his hands. Whoever this voice was, he was right. Daru would destroy him once he no longer needed him. Why was he helping him?
Growing to giant size, Pulu grabbed a branch off a tree and bashed it down on Nebu flattening him. As he tried to get up, He stomped him and grounded him into the ground. As he raised his foot, Nebu again slowly tried to reform himself. A pretty clan girl stepped out and thrust her hands out at Nebu. He exploded into a thousand pieces.
"HEAR ME!" Pulu shouted. "NEBU IS DEAD AND I WILL FOLLOW DARU NO MORE. YOU CAN STAND WITH ME AND LIVE OR FIGHT ON DARU'S SIDE AND DIE. MAKE YOUR CHOICE HERE AND NOW."
As the fighting stopped, Lesu and Paru along with their warriors rode into the clan camp dressed in full battle gear. They rode up to Pulu as he shrank down to his regular tall size ready for battle.
"Nazun Lords Lesu and Paru." He bowed. "Please accept my apology for trespassing on your land. My mind was confused. It is clear now who is the enemy. Will you accept my pledge of alliance?"
Lesu stared down at the remains of Nebu's dead body then at Paru and Drake. He wasn't sure of what had happened here but he had a feeling that Pulu had just saved him fron a battle, and any battle not fought is a victory.
"I will except your pledge if you will help these people here to re build there homes, swear never to attack again and join us for a meal."
"I accept." Pulu reached up and slammed his fist into his chest in the Savonti salute.
"What just happened here?" Drake asked Magda as his tracker came up beside her.
"I have no idea." She said confused. "He killed Nebu and switched to our side."
[Pulu is a honorable Savonti.] Lilia said in their minds. [He will make a fine allie.]