Goblins,Satyrs and Dark Elves. 75

On her throne in a grim mood, Talsara Darkshade watched as her forces in Dree were rounded up and defeated. She clutched her fist and pounded the arm of the throne as Captain Eskowe broke her spell and bowed in front of Tof Tyr. To add to that, the Munos had failed her. Munoecus was dead, but it wasn't a total lose. He had taken a Dragon down with him, and it was an elder dragon, one of the first ever created. That was just what she needed to hear. If only it had been Jandar or the red one, Rage. Their death would being chaos and confusion to the rest of the clan and make it that much easier to defeat them all.
Having lost her hold on Dree and Aquilona, Talsara decided to tighten her grip on the rest of the lands she had taken in Fay Shrea. The other Elven lands she held, the Fairy, Goblin and Orc lands she held. They would be the base for her move on Tayor Larin and the lands he had conquered. With the help of Sarella, the time for their alliance would be at an end. And it was time she finally took care of Elan. That meant she had to find Aron to lure Elan back into her hands. But where were they? Where was Elan and Aron?

As the coach pulled up and stopped in front of the Darkshade palace, the driver stepped down and went to the door and opened it for its occupants. Zaos Shadowfall with his head held high in arrogance stepped down and held his hand out for the Lady Amra Calaudra. Taking his hand, Amra stepped down followed by the chief of Zaos guards, his cousin, Edyrm Shadowfall.
"Water the horses." Edyrm ordered. "We will send for you once our audience is done."
"Yes sir."  A Shadowfall guards saluted as he was led away to somewhere where he would be fed while they waited.
Edyrm stepped out beside his cousin as a elven maiden dressed in the house colors followed by one of Darkshades  warrior generals came down the stairs to greet them.
"Aiya." Edyrm bowed keeping his eyes on them. "Prince Zaos Shadowfall and Amra Calaudra of Shadowfall to see Queen Talsara."
"We greet you young Prince Zaos." Llyra smiled. "We are honored by your visit. My queen will see you in just a few minutes. Perhaps you would like to rest and clean up after such a long journey from Shadowfall. We have set a small lunch for you while you wait to see the queen,"
"We thank you." Zaos bowed his head. "My men and carriage will need to be taken care of. I'm sure the queen's hospitality will see to them."
"They will be taken care of." Llrya snapped her fingers. "Have the horses waters then escort them to the house we have had prepared from. Follow me please.
As Llyra turned, Zaos, Amra and Edyrm followed her up into the palace.
Darkshade place was a great and beautiful palace carved of a black marble quarried for the black mountains of a Dwarven land far away. It had taken thousands of slaves many years long ago to build the Palace. Silks satins and many other rich materials had been used in the furnishings of the lavish place. Oaks and mahogany, walnut and pines are types of woods polished and carved in beautiful and intricate designs filled the palace. There were gold and silver and diamonds and other precious gems used in its decoration.
Ryel and Toric had seen many other handsome palaces before in their lives, but Darkshade was different. As they had rode through the city they had seen how the people lived and beside here in the palace, most of Darkshade lived a much more simpler life. The houses were beautiful and well made, but not like here at the palace.
As they made their way through the halls, Llyra pointed out works of art and different works of magic. Ryel knew she had been ordered to show these things to impress them, but all it really did was she the greed of Talsara. Ryel saw many things that had been stolen from the lands she had conquered. Fountains stolen from Dree and statues of Satyrs from Silvermoon. He saw plants that could have only come from one place. Eventide and it's wonderful gardens. It angered Ryel to see the trees that once stood so proud now looking weak and drab in the center courtyard in Talsara's palace.
On the second floor of the palace, Llrya guided them to an apartment where a table had been laid out with food and beverages from many different cultures.
"You may rest here until my queen sends for you." She held the door open as they went in. As they turned to thank her, Llrya put a finger to her lips to quiet them. "Be warned. Stay here, do not wander the halls. There are eyes on you Ryel."
With those words, Llrya shut the door and was gone. Ryel, Toric and Noelle stood staring at the door in utter shock.
"How?..."
Ryel put his hand up to quiet them. Then he put his finger to his lips to shut them up and nodded to Toric.

WORDS AND THOUGHTS.
ECHOES AND SOUND.
QUIET THIS ROOM.
TO ALL AROUND.

As the magic took hold in the room, the lights dimmed and a stillness was felt all around.
"We can talk now." Toric told them. "But we can't keep the spell for long. Someone might get suspicious."
"How can she know who you are?" Noelle asked. "Can she see through our disguise?"
"I don't think so." Ryel sat down. "If they could, we would already be in the dungeon. There must be some other way."
"Should we be worried about her?" Noelle asked. "She is a Darkshade. If she knows, who knows who else may know."
"We don't have any choice any more." Toric paced the room. "We're here now and there's no turning back. We have to find Aron, he's here somewhere. We are his only chance."
"Agreed." Ryel folded his arms. "We have to learn all we can from Talsara and figure out a way to stop her before she becomes to powerful and we have to watch out for Elan. With all that's been going on, he has to be on his way here. He won't leave Aron in his mothers hands knowing how she feels about them."
"So how do we find Aron?" Noelle went over and looked at the food on the table. She picked up a sweet cake and started licking off the sugar topping. "We'll never get the chance to search the palace, and unless you're thinking of committing a crime here, we won't ever get in the dungeons. So what do you want to do?"
"I have a suggestion." Toric smiled. "You Noelle, you can search the entire palace without anyone noticing."
"I can?" She stopped and put down the cake. "How?"
'You can communicate we the insects right?"
"Ants!!!" Noelle smiled getting Toric's idea. "They're all over the palace. They can find him if he's here. Give me a minute and I'll have them searching all over the palace."
"Hurry, I'm dropping my spell. We talk as Zaos, Amra, and Edyrm from here on. Be careful what you say."
As Toric dropped his spell, Noelle walked over to the window and pushed it open. She leaned out and sent out her orders to the insect life in and around the palace. Just then, the door opened and a Elven warrior came in to escort them down to see the queen.

The morning sun blazed high and hot as Braddoc rode the winds across the clear blue sky. He loved the feeling of the wind under his winds flowing across his back. Braddoc had flown before on Dragon back and hated it, but here he was with his great pair of wings flying under his own power feeling the freedom of the sky. It was the most intense incredible feeling he had ever felt and he loved it. But now it was time to get his mind back on the things at hand. The war and how he could help to stop it.
Since leaving Jandar and the others on Vanco Island, Braddoc had flown straight north heading back to Tir Na to report what had happened on the island. Jandar and the Mer were on there way to Aquilona to help Caldar free Aquilona and Dree. Gird and Viggo were on their way back to New Keanna  to help protect that city, and Braddoc had decided it was time he go him to check on his own clan.
Braddoc and his clan were nomadic travelers moving north and south from the warm lands of Dawnhorn in the south to New Keanna in the cooler north. They were hunters and warriors that could always be counted on to stand at the side of the Dragons in any conflict and as forest rangers in times of need.
As Braddoc winged his way north, he watched the lands below him always looking for trouble. He was over Silvermoon, the home of his cousins the Satyrs. Something didn't seem right here. Usually there would be Satyrs and Fauns in separate groups frolicking and dancing in the sunshine. But through his entire flight, he hadn't seen a single one. No one down by the river, no one was tending the grape vines and strangest of all, there was no one anywhere near any of the temples of Tyree.
Flying down, Braddoc touched ground just outside one of the temples. Silvermoon was as quiet as a tomb. No birds sang and none of the wildlife came out to meet him. As he trotted in, he noticed the spilled fruit and wine laying everywhere. Strangest of all was the broken statues that lay all about. Braddoc remember the statuary of the temples. There should have been three statues in each of the temples. A large one of Tyree standing holding his scepter and eating grapes and two smaller faunas at his side. In the temple, the statue of Tyree and the fauns were still there, but where did the broken statues come from? As Braddoc wandered around, he saw the tracks on the ground all around him. They weren't satyr tracks or faun tracks. They were Goblin and Elven tracks, the smell of Goblins was everywhere There had been a fight here, some kind of battle and the Satyrs did not do well. In places all around there were smashed statues. As Braddoc inspected them he realized, they weren't statues. They were the Fauns and Satyrs of Silvermoon smashed to bits. Someone, Dark elves probably had cast a spell on them and turned them into statues, then took their clubs and smashed them. Braddoc was horrified. He asked himself why and could only come up with one answer. Queen Talsara Darkshade. This had to be her hate behind this particular madness. But as Braddoc looked around, he saw the wagon tracks and the hoof prints that led to them. The Satyrs and Fauns had been loaded into wagons and taken away. If that was true, then it would be up to him and his hunting skills to find them and some how, get them free. Looks like he was about to have another really hard day.

"This is crazy." Kel said beside Aron as they hid in the shadows of the wall and watched Darkshade palace. "If anyone can see you, it's all over. We'll be caught and dragged back to that tower."
"No we won't." Aron whispered. "You'll never see that tower again. They'll take us straight to Talsara and she'll have us executed on the spot."
"Oh that's a relief." Kel frowned. "And here I was missing my cell. Are you sure about what you saw?"
"I'd know my own magic anywhere Kel. Noelle was in that coach, and If she was there, so is Ryel and the others. We just have to figure out a way to get to them."
"Well this might be your chance," He said as he pointed in through the gates. "Here comes that coach,"
As they watched, the Shadowfall coach drove up to the gate and was allowed out. Sitting in the drivers seat, Aron saw a red haired dwarf that could only be Orek Grayfist, urging the horses on to follow their Dark elf escort. Sitting beside him there was another Dark Elf. Aron wondered what Orek was doing riding with dark elves then a thought hit him. It could be a disguise. That could be Adanar or Ryel in disguise.
As the coach moved on. Aron grabbed Kel and pulled him out and the ran to were Jassin was hiding with the wagon. Jumping on, Aron pointed to the coach.
"Follow them."
"What? You have to be kidding?"
"No." Aron grabbed the reins and got the horses moving. "I know the driver. I think it's one of my friends."
"And if your wrong?" Kel asked.
"Then I have two warriors to fight at my side. Don't worry, I won't go near them unless I'm absolutely sure, now don't get to close."
It wasn't a long ride through Darkshade. From the palace they rode on through the market area and went left  and down a gully, under a bridge and into the section of the city where nobles of Darkshade lived. Lavish estates dotted the lands. All fenced in with gates and beautifully tended lawns, each house was almost like a palace in itself. Aron had seen nobles before. He had seen the homes of the well to do in Winterhaven, Vasagi and a few of the human cities. But Darkshade was different. Ever house ruled by a powerful lady who stood in dominance over all in her presence.
Aron wonder how it was that the Elven societies could be so different from land to land. Some ruled by kings, some by queens and some were rules by a council of elder. Though then had shared so much of their history's and life, Elan had never told Aron much of his families history. He did know Talsara was nothing like her mother. Queen Caline was not the harpy Talsara was. She had ruled for years with fairness and honor. But all that had changed on the day of her death. The day Talsara took over the throne.
As Aron, Jassin and Kel watched, the coach pulled off the road and went in through a gate marked Duskmere. They traveled up the driveway and stopped at the courtyard where their Dark elf escort said a few words and turned and left. After the escort left, Aron and Kel walked out to the gate and looked in.
"Who's house is this?" Aron asked.
"It's theirs for now." Kel snatched a sheet of parchment that had been posted at the gate. "This house was confiscate by the queen for treason. By now it's owners would be dead."
"Indeed they are." Jassin said sadly as he came out from hiding the wagon. "This is the home of Holone Duskmere. She was a member of Queen Caline's council. One of her most trusted and closest friends. She and her husband were executed for treason."
"What did she do?" Aron asked.
"Holone was a cousin to Caline. That was her only crime."
"Your saying Talsara killed her because she was a rival for the throne?" Kel's anger showed in his eyes. There was once a day when he would have died for Talsara. But that was many many years ago.
"Holone and her daughter Rev'en were in line for the throne." He told them. "And Caline would have picked them before Talsara. Caline was no fool. She knew what her daughter was and how dangerous she was. Her only fault was she thought she could teach Talsara humility, how to rule with heart and mind instead anger and cruelty. She failed and it cost her, her life and her throne."
"What about Wyn?" Aron asked. He couldn't believe Elan's father was as cruel as his mother. He didn't think so but he had to know for sure if he could really be an ally.
"Other then you." Jassin looked deeply into Aron's eyes. "No man on Keanna could love the prince more. He is my cousin and both of us will die before we allow her to hurt either of you. That I swear."
"Diola lle." Aron felt relief at Jassin's answer. King Wyn had never given Aron any reason to doubt him, but Jassin's reassurance made him feel a lot better. "So Kel, take Argus and watch him while I go and check on the elves in the house. Keep out of sight, this road may not be as safe as we think it is."
As Aron reached in to check on the sleeping Imp, he felt nothing. He opened the bad and looked in. Argus wasn't there. The bag was empty.
"Where is he?"? Aron looked at Kel. "He's gone."
"The king must have called him." Jassin said. "Don't worry, he'll find you when he he is needed."
"Don't worry about the Imp." Kel said. "I'm going with you to keep you safe."
"No." Aron shook his head and took the dice and his pack and gave it to Kel. "Let me do this by myself. I can move faster alone and there would be less chance of someone spotting me. Stay here and hold on to these. I'll be fine."
After climbing over the wall, Aron went low and cast a shimmering effect around himself to blend in with the greenery in the gardens. He looked at the house to be sure no one was out in the courtyard, then started moving slowly towards the house. The driveway was lined with a series of trees and shrubs and many different colored flowers. As he walked, a breeze blow helping him blend with his shimmering cover. From the driveway, Aron slipped over to the carriage house and the stables where the horses were tied, fed and watered. From there he could see the house. Nothing was moving. The dwarven driver and the dark elf must be somewhere in the house.
As Aron stepped out to go to the house, someone tackled him and threw him wrestling to the ground. With a spell in mind, Aron had to fight hand to hand. On his back, Aron punched up at the Dark elf the held him hitting him in his face. Holding Aron down, the elf quickly sent his knee up into Aron's groin knocking the wind out of him. Standing up, the elf kicked at Aron and pulled his knife as he tried to roll to the side and get away. Without thinking, Aron rolled over and brought his hand up finally ready with a spell.
"ARTIN! NOOOO!!"
A hand reached out and grabbed Artin by his shoulder and pulled him away before he could stab the blade down and into Aron's chest. Looking up, Aron found Orek and Denner standing over him.
"Aron?" Orek looked at him as if he were a phantom  from a long lost memory. "Is it really you?"
"It's me alright." He smiled reaching out his hand for help up. "Battered and bruised but alive. Anyone want to help me up?"

From the double doors into Talsara's throne room, Toric and Noelle like the prince and princess of the realm walked with there heads held high. Behind them, Ryel followed. Like a knight escorting a great lady, Toric held Noelle's hand as they approached the throne. Before them lounging comfortably on her throne, Queen Talsara Darkshade watched as she casually sipped from a glass of sparkling wine.
"I bid you welcome to Darkshade Prince Zaos." Her voice was lite and sweet as she smiled and gave them a little. "I trust you will enjoy your time here with us. I have many plans for the Shadow and Dark elves together."
"As my Father promised." Toric bowed dropping his eyes top the floor to show his acceptance of her as his master. "I am at your command."
"And who is this you have with you?" Talsara asked eyeing his companion.
"This is Amra Calaudra. My future queen, here to stand at my side and follow any orders you have for Shadowfall."
"Welcome to Amra." Talsara stood and stepped down to stand over them. "I'm sure you will serve Shadowfall wisely. As a matter of fact, I have something I want you to do."
"Anything my queen." Toric bowed.
"There is someone here hiding somewhere in Darkshade that I want you to find. A pest I need to be rid of. My warriors seem to be having trouble finding him. Perhaps you will have more luck. I believe Shadowfall is renowned for it's skill at tracking."
"We are." Toric smiled a sly smile. "Who is it you want us to find?
"A forest elf by the name of Aron Neveral." Talsara had a sour look on her face. Toric just kept a straight face showing no recognition when he heard the name. "He's a foul beast and he has offended me and my family and spread his corruption to far. I will have his head. I will give you full access to search anywhere you need. Bring him to me alive."
"I will need something of his to track him with."
"There my be something you can use in his cell." Talsara walked down to a table filled with fruit and exotic dishes of food. She plucked a cherry from a bowl and popped it in her mouth. "One of my guards will show you the way to the dungeon. Keep me informed of your progress. I want him found as soon as possible."
Toric was going to ask why she wanted him so bad, but he didn't think that would be a very good idea. Instead he bowed and promised they would find him. As they turned to leave, Noelle sent him a message.
[He is not in the dungeon or anywhere in the palace.]
[I didn't think so.] Toric sent. [Still, the dungeon is a good place to start. Maybe we can find a clue as to where he may have gone.]
As Toric, Ryel and Noelle left the throne room, an elven guard stepped out from the side.
"This way to the dungeon."
Toric nodded and waved him on. As Toric and Noelle followed the guard off towards the dungeon entrance, a small pair of beady eyes watched from a hidden place near the ceiling. He wanted to watch the Shadowfall elves, he didn't trust them and it had been him who let Aron escape. It should be Aesis who brought him back before the queen. But Talsara had something else she wanted Aesis to do. He was to bring Elan home so his Mother could punish him for what she called his sins.

As Kranko stepped into the tent of Per Lhoris, the Dark elf stood at his staring down at the scepter of Tyree. It was about three long and gnarled like a limb from an ordinary tree but something about it was different. It wasn't just wood, it had been fashioned of fairy oak. Legends say it was made from the first and oldest oak to ever grow on Keanna in the center of Fay Shrea. Kranko looked at it, he could see streaks of silver and gold running all through the scepter. At its head there was a golden set of rams horns gleaming and sparkling in the light. Per stood there with his hand held over the scepter using his magic to try and unlock the secrets buried deep within. He didn't know much of magic. He had seen it used many times in his life, used on him and against him in battles. He had seen fairies magic and the magic of his hated enemies the leprechauns. He had seen witched and warlocks and even the magic of Dragons. But never in his life had he seen with his own eyes the magic of the gods. This scepter he knew was a god thing. Created for and by a god, Tyree.
Though a god of the wild, Tyree wasn't a god of the Goblins. The Goblins worshiped an old god, one of hate and vengeance. A mad god. They worshiped Cressca the black and unforgiving.  In the old days, Cressca's priest would hold services in his many temples spread all across Taggitia doing sacrifices and spreading Cressca's brand of hate all over the continent, until Jandar and the Dragons were able to put a stop to it and tear down the main temple. After that, Cressca tried to rise again as a weapon of Muerte, but again the Bat thing was taken down by the dragon force hopefully never to rise again.
Now here was Talsara and her dark magic trying to take control of another gods magic. Kranko wasn't sure he had the stomach for this. He had a deep feeling that this going to be very bad for him and the rest of his tribe. Vile Scabreath be damned, Kranko had no intentions on getting himself on the wrong side of Tyree or and other god. Queen Talsara would have to do her own bidding from now on. Kranko cared not what she said. He would take his warriors and start his own tribe.
"What do you want Goblin?" Per asked breaking Kranko's train of thought. "Can you not see that I am busy."
"I see many things Elf." Kranko continued in stopping at the table where Per was examining the scepter. "What I do not see is why we are here. Why does Talsara hate these goats so much? They can never do any harm to her. This land is of no use to her. What does she want here?"
"She wants to make an example of the Saurarea." Per looked at Kranko with such enthusiasm the Goblin didn't quite understand. He knew what Saurarea meant. Foul one's, but he wasn't sure what was meant by it. Satyrs and fauns were wild but so were the Goblins. Could Talsara turn on them next? She sure could. "They live a blasphemous life. Makes with males and females with females. Talsara means to put an end to their disgusting ways."
Kranko still wasn't sure what the hell he was talking about, but he didn't like these Dark elves. He didn't trust very many people and these Dark elves seem to talk in circles. The gleam in Pers eyes when he gazed at the scepter scared Kranko. If somehow he found the way to use the scepter, Kranko had a feeling sooner or later to would end up pointed at him. At that moment, Kranko made the decision that Talsara would never hold that scepter in her hands. He would have to steal it and find a way to get it to some where safe. And the only safe place he could think of was to get it back where it belonged. He would have to help these damned goats and the Dark elves would have to be defeated.

As the sun started its way down though the sky, Pacius searched every hollow and cave. He checked Faun villages and Satyr hold. Every fire circle and temple for anyone he thought could help fight the Dark elves and Goblins. He found the young of both the Satyrs and the Fauns with a few of the elders taking care of them, but it seems like all of the adults were either captured or under the dark spell and statues now. Satyr and Faun statues were everywhere stuck in all positions. They were frozen in dance, eating and in many cases, having sex.
Pacius went down and checked many of the lakes and watering holes for any of the different races that sometimes stopped there for shelter or just for a drink. As he knelt at the lake, he prayed to Tyree to send him help. Any  race, anyone strong enough to help them stand against the Dark elves and Goblins.
With a sigh, Pacius stood and turned to head back to find Elan. Suddenly he heard the sound of horses coming. Pacius ducked down into the tall grass to keep from being seen. As he looked up he heard a voice shout.
"Over there!"
Looking out, Pacius saw four Dark elves on horse back galloping at him. Panicking, Pacius jumped out and started running up the hill towards the trees. Once there they would have to dismount if the planned to chase him, but the tree line was pretty far off, and he wasn't sure if he could beat the horses.
Running as fast as he could, jumping logs and anything in his way, Pacius made for the safety of the forest. He could hear the sounds of the horses getting gaining on him from behind. Pouring on a burst of extra speed, Pacius leaped high over a boulder to come down running. As he looked back to see the riders almost on him, two more came out of the forest in front of him. Fear gripped Pacius stomach as he stopped and pulled his dagger with trembling hands and got ready for the two in front to close on him. Like a cornered tiger, Pacius screeched a terrifying scream and leaped at the first rider slashing and stabbing at the Dark elf's chest. Satyrs though usually peaceful and non aggressive were very strong. Gritting his teeth, Pacius fought for his life. He had seen his father and others killed by the Dark elves. If he was going to die, Pacius planned to die fighting for his home and people.
Pulling the elf down from his horse, Pacius slide his blade across his throat and dropped him to be ready for the attack he knew would be on him in just a second.
As Pacius looked up for the second Dark elf, a shadow dropped down from the sky and knocked the Dark elf from his horse to roll on the ground. Not waiting and thanking Tyree for the luck,Pacius jumped on the elf and sank his dagger into the elf's chest again and again. As he looked up he saw something he thought could only be sent by Tyree himself.
From the sky with sword in hand, a huge winged Centaur came down and attacked the dark elves. His first strike was like lightning. He came down and struck an elf cutting him right out of his saddle then dropped down to land between Pacius and the Dark elves.
"Kill them both!" A Dark elf yelled charging at the Centaur.
With a sly smile the Centaur folded his wings to his back and held his sword ready. As the two Dark elves charged, the Centaur dived right between them swinging his sword left the right with amazing speed and beheaded the two elves. without stopping their bodies fell as their horse ran off into the forest.
Sheathing his weapon, the Centaur turned and looked at the Satyr who stared back at him still in shock from what had just happened.
"Aiya friend. You looked like you could use a hand here."
"By the horns of Tyree." Pacius stuttered. "Did he send you here to answer my prayer?"
"Could be." The Centaur laughed. "Maybe he did at that. My name is Braddoc. I see you are having Dark elf troubles, can I be of any assistance?"
So much relief poured over Pacius, he almost passed out. Here he had just been praying for some kind of help against the Dark elves, and who comes flying out of the cloud? Only the strongest of all the followers of Tyree, the Centaurs. And this one looked as if he could take on an army.
"We are simple people here in Silvermoon." Pacius told Braddoc. "Followers of Tyree that live and follow his laws of nature. Now the Dark elves have come and Queen Talsara I'm told means to put and end to all of us and destroy our homes. We need your help brave Braddoc. Help me and my friend to return Tyree's scepter before it is to late and Silvermoon falls before the Dark queen."
"Queen Talsara's hand has been felt in many lands lately." Braddoc said. "From New Keanna all the way down to the warm waters of the Shyr. Taggitia suffers under her and Lord Larin's campaign of terror. My bow and sword are here for another follower of Tyree. How can I help you?"
"Come and meet my friend Elan. He to has promised to help Silvermoon."
"Elan?" Braddoc knew that name but it can't be him. Last he had heard, Elan was in Winterhaven fighting Lord Larin. How could he be all the way out here? "Take me to your friend Elan. We'll see what can be done to free Silvermoon."

It was dark and quiet in the tent of Pers Lhoris as he sat and used his magic to scan Tyree's scepter. His queen had ordered him to put it somewhere safe until she could get there to retrieve it, but this was no ordinary magical object. This was something made by and for a god. If Pers could unlock its secrets, he could become more powerful then Talsara herself. As he scanned the scepter he saw bands of magic in and around the scepter that was so far beyond him, he was almost afraid to touch it. There were bands of red and gold with shades of silver and what looked to him like bronze that glowed so intensely. With a gesture Pers touched the first band to unravel it and felt the power send a slight tingle all through his body. Feeling stronger, Pers was able to get the first band free and moved on to a silver string he thought looked like it would be safe to touch. This time a more burning sensation ran up his arms and into his chest. It burned but felt good, also intoxicating.
The next band under his fingers looked gray. Pers gazed at it wondering if he should attempt a try at it. Grey and black bands and strings were very dangerous to work if one wasn't sure how to work them. But Pers had been schooled in the dark arts by Talsara. He was confident in his knowledge and techniques in the working of dark powers.
Calling on his teachings, Pers slipped his finger in and ordered the grey strand to wrap itself around around his hand. The second Pers came in contact with the grey strand, he knew he had done something wrong. Intense pain ripped into his body stabbing straight into his mind. Pers tried to relax and order the strand off but it was to late. It had made contact and was already burrowing deep into his mind. Summoning more power, Pers tried with all his might to unravel himself from the god string that held him tight. As he poured his power in, the string sucked it up and grew thicker and thicker. In seconds Pers mind was screaming. He fell cringing grabbing his head as the scepter began to pulse with magic. Waves of black and grey strands flowed out from the scepter all through the night. looking for something to latch on to.
Outside Pers tent, a group of Dark elves jumped dropping their dinner as they heard Pers screaming. Leaping to their feet they grabbed weapons and ran to the tent entrance. As they approached, waves of magic emanated out and took a hold of each elf that came to answer Pers call. Grabbing at their heads, the Elves fell to the ground screaming and withering in pain. Excruciating pan and agony filled their minds as each elf rolled around on the ground. Reaching up, an elf watched in horror as course hair began to sprout all along his arms. His hands made a snapping crunch sound as his fingers merged and began to change. The Darkshade uniforms stretched and ripped away as his legs split and began to reform. His vision blurred and suddenly he saw with a completely different set of eyes. No longer did he see through two separate eyes, now he saw eight views through eight orbs that grew in his spider head. With one last scream, the chelicerae formed with two deadly fangs dropping with venom. Rising up on six newly formed legs, the Arachnid stood and looked down on the monster it had become.
Ripping his way free from the tent, Pers scurried out into the cool summer night. No longer did he think with the mind of a Dark elf. Queen Talsara's evil orders were no longer important in his spider mind. Now as the largest of the Arachnids, he had power her had never had before and it felt good. Talsara wanted the Satyrs dead, well so did Pers. But not for the same reason. He didn't care about how they lived or who they were anymore. Now, he wanted Silvermoon to be the home of a new Arachnid race. A place where he could start something that will be more powerful then any elf, human or dragon. With a series of clicks and snaps, Pers called out to his new brothers big and small to hunt. They were to find the Satyrs, Fauns and Goblins and bring them back to be wrapped and stored to feed the young once Pers choose a queen from the female Arachnids. As he watched then scutter out into the forest, Pers laughed deep inside. At last he thought he was an equal to his former queen and once she came to Silvermoon and he had her in his power, her magic would be his.

It had been a strange night for Kranko Fearfist. He had taken his Goblin warriors and left the camp of the Dark elves. Kranko had learned Talsara's plans and knew what she had in mind would anger at least on god. Tyree would not like what she had planned in Silvermoon and he wasn't sure how the goddess Angela would react to all the senseless death. He knew Cressca would be pleased if he still was in power, but Angela was not known to be so blood thirsty. Her views on death were totally different from the old death gods. He could only guess but getting away from the mad Elven queen seemed like the wise thing to do.
As Kranko led his band of Goblins away from the Dark elves, they stopped at one of Tyree's temple. This was Tyree's main temple, the one where the scepter had been stolen from. With the moon high overhead, Kranko stood in front of a statue of Tyree and thought over his options. He knew he wasn't far from the border and he could be back in Fay Shrea by sun up, but that would leave the Satyrs to the mercy of Pers and his Dark elves. That would surely mean their deaths. The death of the Satyrs shouldn't bother the Goblin, but something deep inside of him just didn't like what he knew was about to happen. He looked up at Tyree and did something strange for a Goblin. He prayed.
"You are not the god of my people." He said. "But many in Fay Shrea hold you in high esteem. So I, Kranko Fearfist ask for your advice. What is it you want of me? What should I do?"
As Kranko watched, the eyes on the statue began to glow. Life filled the statue and it took a deep breath then looked down on him.
[FIND MY SCEPTER AND BRING IT BACK TO ME.]
"What of the Dark elves?" Kranko asked kneeling with his eyes cast down. "Are we to battle them for the Satyrs?"
[NO] Came the answers. [OTHERS WILL BE MY WARRIORS. YOU JUST RETURN MY SCEPTER THAT YOU STOLE FROM MY HANDS.]
"And what do I get for bringing back your scepter?" Kranko asked think he and his clan might get the blessing of the wild god. "Maybe I should hold on to the scepter to keep it safe."
Suddenly the sky drew dark and thunder cracked as a bolt of lightning shot down from the sky to strike the ground next to Kranko.
[IF YOU VALUE YOUR LIFE AS THE CHIEFTAIN OF A GOBLIN CLAN, YOU WILL DO EXACTLY AS I COMMAND OR YOU WILL SUFFER THE SAME AS THE ELVES!]
Scared, Kranko jumped back and ran from the temple. As he met his twenty five warriors, another lightning bolt struck the ground and the Goblins screamed in fear and ran after him back towards the Elven camp.

Turnabout. 74

As the sun sent its first rays of light over Taggitia, Tof Tyr and Aggar Ren stood with Tovar Orsa at the gates of Dree. Behind them hiding in the forest a score of vampire and werewolf warriors waited for the next command. Raiding the buildings of the city, Darkshade and Melruth warriors celebrated their victory at taking the city. The seaport on the shore of the Shyr smoldered and burned as they watched the city.
"Has anyone heard a word from Orym since he left the fairies in Aspara Bough?" Tof turned to Aggar.
"Queen Nuala saw them into Lake Tarsis." Aggar said quietly. "They were suppose to be looking for Jandar but I think instead he went to Aquilona. He knew that would be Talsara's next target. That's where I think he is."
"Not much we can do about Aquilona." Tovar joined Tof and Aggar. "But Dree is a whole different story. I have our men in place around the city. Anyone that try's getting out will get as far as the forest then we'll take them. All we're waiting for is your signal to move in."
"We move in ten minutes." Tof stepped down adjusting his sword at his side. "Tovar, you stay with me, were heading for the palace. Aggar, the docks and whats left of the marketplace. You both have message stones in case we get separated. Find any Dree left in the city and get them to the palace. Get your men together and be ready to move out."
Since neither vampires nor werewolves usually ride horses, they all moved forward on foot. At Tof's signal, Tovar's men shifted to bird forms and flew into the city while the men of Tir Na took wolf forms and trotted in.
[NOW!]

As Munoecus roared, Jandar and Maxius looked up at the massive beast swimming toward the city.
[I don't believe it.] He sent. [It's not possible, It can't be!!]
[I can and it is.] Maxius eyes moldered with old memories. [That's Munoecus and he's mine!]
Kicking into the currant, Maxius launched himself out at the monster closing in on the city. As he picked up speed he shifted into his true dragon form and roared a challenge at Munoecus. Feeling the vibrations of the roar, Munoecus turned and spotted Maxius behind him. Lightning blazed from his eyes as the great eel readied himself for battle
[No!] Laor screamed. [The city. Attack the city!]
As Jandar watched Maxius swan out to meet Munoecus. To the right, he spotted Laor and Orym. With a quick twist of his wrist he summoned his staff from the hidden dimension where he kept it.
[Pyor, Flinar.] He dived out into the currant. [I'm going for Orym. Once I engage Laor, take Mortimer and Orym and get the crown into the city.]
[What about the Coral elves and the Munos?]
[I can hold them back for a little while.] Jandar sent. [But I'll need help with them as soon as you can. Have Caldar send out his troops.]
[I'm messaging Caldar now.] Mortimer called. [Help will be here soon. Quel marth Jandar.]
[Diola lle mellonamin.]
With his staff in his hand, Jandar summoned a globe of power around himself and streaked on towards Laor and Orym. Casting out, Jandar sent a bolt of power at Laor. It knocked Orym back into the warehouse while Laor had seen it coming and dived out of the way.
[Laor Blackhelm, you are a traitor!]
Jandar sailed down to confront Laor. Getting back on his feet, Laor reached out and shot a power ball at Jandar. It hit his globe in a colorful explosion without breaking through. Laor launched himself up to meet Jandar in battle.
[Pyor, Flinar. Get Orym out now!]
[So we finally meet in battle.] Laor floated high in the water across from Jandar. [Good, it's time we see which on of us is the more powerful. You or me.]
[It's power that matters Laor.] Jandar held out his glowing staff. [You should know that by now. The black arts will never stand against the light. Didn't your teachers teach you that lesson?]
[Most of my teachers are dead.] He sneered. [Dead by these very adapt hands.The same hands that will taking your staff and your magic as my own.]
[Good luck with that.] Jandar smiled. [Shall we?]
Without answering, Laor raised his hands and cast a series of blue flames at Jandar. Spinning his staff before him, Jandar swept the flames away and replaced them with golden spikes that shot at Laor. With glowing hands, Laor deflected each spike one by one as they came at him. Missing one, it streaked in to hit Laor in his shoulder. Howling in pain. Laor staggered back and fell to one knee. He looked up at Jandar with such hate in his eyes then conjured a psychic hand to grab hold of Jandar's force globe and squeeze. Jandar stained pouring more and more power into his shield forcing the hand open.He gritted his teeth as the strain pushed at his mind. He so wanted to rest and just lay down and sleep forever but if he did, he would never see Rage or any of his brothers ever again. So instead he forced himself to concentrate and force that hand up and away from his shield. Thinking quickly, Jandar fashioned his own hand in the water that grabbed Laor's hand in an arm wrestling battle.
Standing across from each other, their minds wrestled while Mer men poured out of Aquilona to battle the Munos and Laor's Coral elves. The battle for Aquilona was on. As Jandar and Laor fought, Pyor and Flinar both grabbed an arm and pulled Orym back into the warehouse. They hauled him in with Mortimer in the lead carrying Kearn's crown.
[This is our chance to get the crown into Aquilona before the shiels fall.] Mortimer hurried to a trapdoor hidden in the floor and worked it open.
[No.] Orym pushed himself free. [Jandar will need our help out there. He can't fight this battle all by himself.]
[He's no alone.] Pyor said. [Caldar sent his men out and Maxius is fighting the Eel thing. Besides, your to weak to be of any help . Jandar ordered us to get you to safety and that's what we're going to do.]
[Even if I have to knock you out again cousin.] Flinar helped drag him to the door.
[Now swim if you can. We don't have time to argue.]
[There is something I can do to help Jandar.] Mortimer told them. [He won't fight alone.]
Diving in, the four swam the long tunnel that ran from the warehouse into the city. As they reached the end. Mortimer pressed his hand to a crystal set in the door frame. Lights flared to life as something in the door began to hum and slowly it split in two and opened up. On the other side of the door, a tall Mer man with long dark green hair and regal eyes dressed in a gold harness and kilt stood there waiting for them. It was Caldar Dylani. He reached out and grabbed Orym and ushered them back to the carriage he had waiting.
[I'm glad to see your all here safe. I sent my warriors out every exit after your message. With them went a troop of Coral elves from Dree that had made it here to safety. They went to watch Jandar as he fights that bastard Laor. Is there anything else I can do?]
[Get this to the power station.] Mortimer showed him Kearn's crown. [This should be enough to power the dome for many centuries to come, but we should get it there fast.]
Caldar reached out and took the crown. It was heavy and cold as ice. It looked like it had been made of some strange blue ice with streaks of light that ran through it spinning and flickering on and off. Caldar could feel the power in the crown. It was cold but strangely warm at the same time.
[It's magnificent!] Lights sparkled in the Mer kings eyes from the glow. [This way.]
Caldar opened the carriage door and they climbed in. He gave an order to the driver and they were off speeding to the palace.

In Dree the fighting was going fierce. Aggar and his men had slipped in and battled their way through the city to the warehouse district. Dark elves fought savagely with sword and magic but the warriors of Tir Na and Vasagi were not novices but seasoned well armed fighters. With claw and fang, sword and spells they fought the Dark elves back until they reached the Tavern where the last of the Darkshade warriors had been celebrating the night before.
With what was left of the docks now in their hands, Aggar and his men slipped in and caught the warriors of Darkshade and Melruth completely off guard. Most of them were still sleeping off the night of wine and debauchery when Aggar kicked down the door. Local nymphs had been rounded up and used as please slaves. They screamed at Agger and his warriors entered.
"Do not move!" Aggar ordered as they jumped to their feet. With their hands up, Aggar ordered their weapons collected.
"By order of Orym Dree king of these lands, you are all under arrest."
A few tried to fight back but by now it was to late and a quick death was their prize.
Things went different in the palace. Thought they still had surprise, it wasn't complete. Tovar and his men dropped out of the sky and swarmed the guards at the gate who just had time to raise the alarm. Darkshade and Melruth warriors fought fiercely attacking from the palace trying to defend it but to no avail. This time. they were the ones out numbered and out matched in the fight. Captain Eskowe fought like a mad man slaying many warriors until a man stepped forward dressed in silver armor.
"And who would you be?" He asked.
"I would be Christof Anwar Tyr, king of Tir Na." Tof touched his sword to his forehead then held it out in a warriors salute. "Darkshade, by invading here and many other territories has broken the pact of Fanastra written and signed over three centuries ago by your own kings. By Elven law, Queen Taslsara Darkshade forfeits any rights to hold any lands in Fay Shrea. For this criminal act, she must abdicate her throne to her closest blood relative, that being the crown prince Elan Darkshade immediately. What say you?"
"I don't think my queen cares about a pact made by long dead ancestor." Captain Eskowe laughed. "Nor does she your stupid laws Elven or not. She wants this land and I plan to see that she gets it."
"How?" Tof asked. "Look around you. Your forces are beaten. Your men are either dead or in chains. You've lost Dree and no one's coming to help you. Your queens not even here to watch you surrender."
"They will come," Eskowe yelled. "And who says I'm going to surrender?"
With a flash of steel, Captain Eskowe leaped down to face Tof. He came in quick with his sword then stabbed out for Tof's chest with his dagger. Swinging his sword up, Tof blocked the sword strike then deflected the dagger off his arm gauntlet. Stepping back, Tof and Captain Eskowe started circling getting ready to fight. With the break, Tof thought maybe he could talk some sense into the Captain.
"Why Captain?" He asked never taking his eyes off off him. "Why would a seasoned warrior honored so many times for bravery agree to fight this war? Darkshade never in its long history was so blood thirsty as its  been since Talsara took the crown. Tell me why?"
"Because my queen demands it!"
"And if she demands you march your men into the Underworld or Fortis, will you do so blindly?"
"I obey the orders of my queen and the crown!" He sneered. "I am loyal to Darkshade."
"Is that what you think loyalty is?" Tof stopped and lowered his sword point to the ground. "Is that all you are, a mindless minion? What happened to the brave warriors that fought with us in the Vampire/Werewolf war? They fought for freedon not tyranny. They never ever would have stood for Talsara's actions. What's happening in Darkshade? Is everyone under her spell?"
"The queen rules supreme!" He yelled clutching his blades. "It's my duty to follow her commands!"
"It's your duty to protect your land from all threats from inside and outside. " Tof yelled back. "That includes the madness of your kings and queens! You're not supposed to run blindly head first into something that surely will bring Darkshade to its knees. How many must die before you see whats right before your eyes! Talsara will be the end of Darkshade and you know it. The question is, will you help her, or will you help your people? Here is where you must make the choice. Live or for freedom or die for nothing."
Captain Eskowe looked at Tof, his mind still full of rage but the words he had heard were true. Darkshade never in its long honored history had ever been the cause of such destruction before. There had been wars and Darkshade had conquered lands before, but never like this. They had never been the aggressor before and if they did attack, it was because they were threatened, Suddenly for the first time in months, Captain Ganatar Eskowe's mind snapped into clarity. His rage was gone and he dropped his weapons.
"By the gods of Fortis! " He dropped to his knees. "What madness is this? What did she make me do?"
"At ease warrior," Tof placed a hand on his shoulder as the confused Dark elf looked up at him. "The hard parts over. It's almost done."

As war waged on the floor of the Shyr, Mer men armed with tridents and spear guns attacked Munos warriors who fought back sending volts of electricity shooting through the water. One touch and Mer man or Coral elf dropped out for a few minutes. But that was long enough for the Munos to finish them off with their crude spears and clubs.To fight back, the Mer men had only one personal weapon. The ink they shot from veins in their wrist. Clouds of black ink would shoot out a blind and confuse their enemy. Not only could the ink cloud blind an opponent, but the noxious chemical could also render anyone that breathed it in paralyzed. The perfect weapon against the Munos electrical defenses.
The Coral elves on the other had no special defense at all other then there speed and agility in the water. Spread out and in a circle around the two fighting warlocks, Dree's Coral elves kept anyone from getting near Jandar and attacking from his blind side.
But there was one more side in this fight. The Sea life. As Coral elf fought for Aquilona, many sharks, whales and octopi came out of the deep to attack the Munos. Like pit bulls dolphins streaked throught the water head butting the Munos and the Melruth Coral elves, striking and fleeing before the enemy could react. The sharp teeth of bull sharks and great whites tore into the enemy as the long tentacles of giant squid and octopi squeezed their victims to death. The very sea had come in to help defend Aquilona just as it had promised.
As the two warlocks battled, bolts of magic were thrown in all directions causing great explosions on the oceans floor. Waves of power rippled out all around them. Unfortunately in places on the sea floor, there were great pockets of volcanic activity. Huge pools of heat, lava and pressure that sat just below the ocean floor. With all that power being used and the great pressuse of the deep, one of these pockets began to crack. Stream, heat and smoke began to bellow up from the crack as it grew wider and wider. The water was beginning to become unbearably hot. Many combatants were caught as the crack widened and roasted in the heat.

From inside the dome, Caldar ordered his men to back away return and to the city and defend its gate. They were to keep all enemies out while the Tarell and Pyor worked on the crown to install it's power into the dome. As Caldar watched them work, the sound of a cry in pain rang out from the bottom of the tower. Caldar turned and went to the railing and looked down. He saw a figure in a red cloak swimming up the circular pathway to the top.
[What is it Sire?] Pyor asked.
[Treachery.] Caldar frowned. [Flinar, Mortimer. No one enters this chamber until Orym and I return. Do you understand?]
[We understand.] Pulling his dart gun and his axe from his side, Flinar passed the dart gun to Mortimer and they went to stand at the chamber door.
[Are you ready?] Caldar asked Orym.
[What is it?]
[It's a coup.] They stepped out of the chamber. [My overly ambitious brother thinks this is the perfect time to make his bid for my crown. He's about to find out that won't be as easy as he thinks.]
Swimming down the stairway, Caldar and Orym made it down two levels before a group of Mer men led by his brother Kenner met them. They were all armed and looked ready to fight.
[Why are you here Kenner?] Caldar asked with one hand on the blade at his side. [Is this what I think it is?]
[Yes Brother.] Kenner looked at him sternly. [Aquilona has suffered from to long under your weak leadership. The time his come for someone with a more, shall we say a more vigorous ideal of leadership ship to rule.]
[And I guess you think that would be you?] Orym looked at him with doubt. [Your city has just been attacked and instead of defending it, you make it worst by doing this. Some king you will make.]
[Your opinion means nothing here Orym Dree.] Kenner yelled with contempt. [Dree is no more, finished by the Dark elves.]
[And how would you know that Kenner?] Caldar took a step forward. [Unless your in league with Darkshade and Melruth. You are aren't you? You would hand this city, the city your ancestors died building and protecting over to Talsara Darkshade, for what? To be her puppet?]
[Better a puppet leader then a dead man!!]
[We'll see about that.]
Launching himself out into the open area in the center of the spiral walkway, Caldar unclasped his cape and let it slowly drop down to the floor beneath them. With a waved he called his brother to the challenge.
As Kenner swam out to meet him, Orym turned to his Generals.
[This will be between the two Dylani brothers.] He flexed his shoulders. [You all know who I am. I am Orym Dree, King of Dree and in me I have the power to blast any one of you, maybe two into dust. Make a move to interfere and I will kill you, I promise you that.]
As Kenner rushed at his brother, he pulled his own sword and swept at him slicing at his chest. Caldar brought his sword up to block and then spun around and punched out with his free and. That punch hit Kenner in the jaw and dazed him for a second. Shaking his head, Kenner kicked out but missed Caldar. The force of that kick, brought Kenner into range for another series of punches from Caldar. One more to the jaw, another to his chest and one to his stomach. Doubling over, Kenner sneered at Caldar then grabbed a dagger from it's place on his belt. Now armed with two blades, Kenner attacked. He stabbed and sliced at Caldar in a frenzied attempt to would his brother. Caldar blocked and ducked again and again. He spun around and sliced out only to feel the vibrations as the two blades met. with a lucky thrust, Kenner stabbed Caldar in his arm slicing a cut down his bicep. Caldar pulled back but kept on the attack. As Kenner smiled at his small victory, Caldar brought his fist up with a upper cut then another as the hilt of his sword connected again with Kenners jaw. Kenner howled out in pain as he backed himself up away from Caldar.
From the landing where Orym and the Generals watched, Orym saw a flicker of movement. As he watched, a dagger went streaking out from the group of Generals heading straight for Caldar.
[CALDAR, WATCH OUT!!]
As Caldar heard the warning, he turned and lifted himself a few feet in the water. The dagger streaked in and sank into his thigh. Caldar made a grunt as it sank into his leg then reached down and pulled it out and dropped it as his blood from the would spilled into the water.
With a quick look at the Generals, Orym saw a slight smile creep across the face of a general dressed in dark scaly mail and an armored kilt.
[Did you think I was making joke?] Orym raised his hand cast a bolt at the General. Like insects they all dived out of the way leaving the General there alone to feel the burning searing pain of his death. Everyone stood and watched as the body of the General burned.
[The next one to move will get the rest of you a similar death.] Orym's hand still glowed with power. He only had enough power in him for one more bolt and it wouldn't kill but they didn't know that.
Oblivious to what had just happened on the landing, Kenner tried to take advantage of Caldars would. He came in low and kicked at his brothers leg hitting him in the knee. Caldar gritted his teeth and ignored the pain that ran through his leg. When Kenner charged in for his next attack, Caldar spun again and hit hit with a
closed fist that rocked him to the core. With Kenner dazed, Caldar dropped his sword and sent punch after punch into Kenners jaw. One, two, three, four, five times he him until Kenner fell limp. Caldar grabbed him by his red cape to keep him from falling all the way down to the ground.
[Now this is over.] Caldar pulled Kenner back towards the landing where everyone was waiting.
[For you it is.]
Kenner reached in behind his cape and pulled another knife. He pushed himself up to face his brother.
[Good bye Brother!]
Pulling his arm back, Kenner stabbed down at Caldar's heart. Surprised, Caldar grabbed his brothers wrist and with a quick twist, broke it. Kenner screamed out in pain and dropped the knife. Caldar caught it and put it to Kenner's throat.
[Surrender now!]
He made a little cut across his throat to show how serious he was. Kenner cried out his surrender. Caldar threw him down at the feet of his Generals.
[From this day on.] He eyed them all. [I will never see or hear of any of you being here in Aquilona. You are banished from my kingdom for now and evermore. You have twenty four hours, if your still in Aquilona, you will be jailed and put to death. Now get out of my sight!!]

As Jandar and Laor fought, Jandar could feel himself growing tired. After his battle on Vanco island, the trip here and keeping the spell that gave him air going, His was growing exhausted quickly. He didn't know how much longer he could keep this up before Laor found an opening and score a hit Jandar couldn't survive. In his mind, visions of Rage and Ono kept slipped in, distracting him. He could hear they were trying to tell him something but he couldn't hear it. Then the message came from Caldar that the Dome had been repaired. The city was safe. He could rest now. Suddenly a voice screamed out in his head.
[NO MY LOVE! YOU MUST NOT FALL!]
[But I'm so tried.] Jandar could feel the pounding on his shield in his head. All he wanted was for it to stop and to rest. Laor's laughter echoed through his mind and he sent bolt after bolt at Jandar's shield which grew dimmer and dimmer by the second.
[Jandar.] Rage's voice broke though all the pain and exhaustion. [I love you. Please don't leave me here alone. We need you, I need you. Don't leave me!]
[I don't have anything left Rage. I'm sorry.]
[Yes you do! Wake the Dragon. He will bring you home.]
[I don't know how.[ Jandar fell to the floor of his globe and passed out.
[Then I will.]
Rage reached deep into Jandar's mind pass his werewolf heritage. Pass the magic and the memories he held so dear and touched something Shayn had put in Jandar and Ono long ago. At Rage's touch, the magic in Jandar's heart reached out and triggered the dragon in Jandar and gave it life.
As Laor swam towards Jandar laughing with hysterical triumph, Jandar's eyes opened radiating the power of a dragon.
[You lose werewolf!" Laor yelled. [I warned you what would happen if you took on Laor Blackhelm. Know I have you and all your magic and power is mine!]
As Laor swam the last few feet to Jandar planning on bursting his shield and siphoning off his magic and lifeforce, Jandar got up on his knees, threw back his head and roared.
[It's not possible!] Laor stepped back as Jandar's body began to grow and change. Hands became claws, his body grew longer and the shield popped out of existence. He grew ash gray scales, a forked tail with twin spikes, wings and a long neck with a vicious looking dragon head with glowing gold eyes and mouth full of razor sharp teeth. As Laor stumbled back, Jandar turned to him and hissed.
[The Ghost is born!]
[Dragon, werewolf or whatever you are.] Laor screamed. [You die today!]
Summoning his magic, Laor attacked shooting massive amounts of magic at Jandar. Folding a wing out to block the attack, Jandar roared then shot Laor's magic right back at him with twice the force that Laor had put into it. Screaming in agony, Laor was blasted back against an huge coral bank where he fell crushed and bleeding.
[No.] Ghost sent bending down and staring at Laor. [You don't get to die so easy. You will pay for what you have done and so will Talsara.]
Ghost picked up Laor and spread his wings and leaped up to bring Laor to Caldar to Aquilona where he would be cared for until he could be tried for his crimes. As he swan to the city, Ghost looked out and saw Maxius and Munoecus fighting in the distance.
[Maxius, I will be right back to help you.]
[No brother. This one is mine. Take care of Keanna for me. Tell Valen, Jade and Arik I died with honor. Farewell brother!!].
[No brother. This doesn't have to be the end. We can beat him together.]
[The sea takes care of it's own. Farewell Jandar.]

Cutting through the water faster than a golden eagle through air, Maxius swam straight at Munoecus. With the power of a lightning strike, the two behemoths crashed together. Powerful vibrations rocked out as they fought. Coiling himself around Maxius, Munoecus squeezed and bit at Maxius trying to rip into his dragon hide. Howling, Maxius beat and raking at the great eel trying to get himself free.Munoecus hissed and stuck at Maxius like a snake. Again and again until Maxius grabbed him by the throat and pushed him back. With a closed fist, he beat at the eel's face breaking it's teeth. In pain, Munoecus sent a charge of electricity surging through Maxius body shocking him almost into unconsciousness. Shaking his head, Maxius took a deep breath and sent a blast of boiling hot water into Munoecus face. As it let go and drifted back from him howling, Maxius slipped around and charged in at the eel.
[Your no God.] He sent. [Ancient or not. But you are a menace to both Aquilona, Dree and the rest of the oceans if I let you escape.]
Beneath the two battling beast, the ocean floor had cracked open and tremendous heat blasted up and out of the fissure. Maxius glanced down and in that instant know what he had to do. Diving down, he pushed with all his strength forcing the eel down into the boiling hot lava. As Munoecus screamed, Maxius roared sending his final farewell out to all the Dragons around the world on Keanna. So died Maxius the elder water Dragon of Keanna. He gave his life to protect Aquilona and the oceans of Keanna.

Land and Sea. 73

The night sky was beautiful as Rage stood on the wall and gazed out. So many stars glowed up there.  He looked at the moon and wished Jandar, Shayn and Ono were there to watch with him. He missed them so much and wondered when he would see them again. Shayn and Ono and a few of his brothers were out there somewhere. Out among the stars with the Academy and they had no idea where. All they could find out was that they were following the destiny of the two young ones. Whether they would make it home or not was still unclear. Fortunately Jandar had been able to send them help. First, the cadet Zarin and his friends were sent out to find the Academy. Then, Jandar was able to send his father Drake, king of the Were out to find Ono. Rage prayed to Rimnar ever night for their safe return but so far nothing.
On top of that, there was this damned war raging all across Taggitia and the Dragons were helpless to interfear. Other then Ariel, Insa and himself, all the rest of his clan was trapped in some deep sleep unable to wake which left Keanna in a very vulnerable spot. Right now the city had very few defenders to protect it in case of attack and Rage was sure that not only did Lord Larin know about it, but it was him behind the mysterious sleep the clan was in.
As Rage watched, a falling star streaked across the sky. He felt a cold shiver run up along his spine. He could feel the danger in the air almost like a wet blanket wrapping itself around him.
"What is it?" Jax asked as he stepped up on the wall to stand beside him.
"I have this strange feeling that something is about to happen."
"It's just your nerves." Jax smile placing a hand on his shoulder. "The city is well protected. All of the spell we placed around New Keanna are working well. There's nothing to worry about at the moment."
"I'm not so sure." Rage turned to look at the god of justice. "Vasagi isn't far from here. It wouldn't take Lord Larin very long to get here. And we are so few with so many to protect."
"It's true that its just you and I." Jax said trying to reassure him. "But I have faith in what the two of us can do. You are the king of this land with the power to protect it in your hands. If help is needed, it will come."
"I don't know how you can be so trusting in fate. It's had many twists and turns in the past for us. Do you know something I don't know?"
"All I know." Jax said. "Is that I will protect my new home with all the power at my command as I know you will. But if it makes you feel better, why don't you take off and check the lands around the city, make sure no ones out there. I'll stay here and watch from the wall."
"That's a good idea." Rage turned and started out to a spot where he could shift and take off. "A little exercise might ease the tension on my mind. "I'll call if I see anything."
Climbing out onto one of the Dragon perches, Rage opened his arms and made the shift into the form of the great Red Dragon and leaped into the night sky to climb high and ride the winds over New Keanna.

Deep in the dark forest not many miles from the Dragon city of New Keanna, Valkar, lord and king of the Vampires led the refugees from the conquered city of Prafa.Everyone was tired and hungry having escaped from the spell that had held the all entranced. With Athene and Baron Gaelich in the rear helping the weak and elderly, Adam took point to keep watch and avoid and dangers they might encounter. His vampire sight aided by his muted senses of smell, taste and his feeling for vibrations made him highly superior as a scout.
Every breeze, every animal that scurried through the forest was detected with ease by Adam. As he slowly crept through the forest, vibrations from the ground caught his attention. With a raised hand he signaled Valkar to stop.
[What is it?] Valkar asked as he joined him.
"We're not alone out here. There are men ahead." Adam knelt down and put a hand to the ground. The vibrations of many feet walking tingled the hairs on his arm. "I think we're in trouble. It feels like an army on the march."
"Heading to Vasagi?" Valkar asked. He knew his city was close and under siege.
"No." Adam told him. He stood and pointed toward New Keanna. "Heading for the Dragon city."
"It has to be Tayor. Can we beat him there? Rage is practically alone Jandar said."
"No." Adam shook his head. "Not unless we slow him down."
Valkar thought for a minute. He had to get his people somewhere safe.They would never make it to Vasagi and couldn't get through the siege even if the made it to the city. The only choice was New Keanna. That meant he had to hurry them on and somehow slow the advance of Tayor's marching warriors on New Keanna.
"Keep watch." Valkar shouted as he turned to run back and rejoin the others. "I need to know exactly where they are at all times."
Back with the others, Valkar pulled Athene and the two Barons aside to explain what Adam had discovered.
"Majesty." Athere said. "How much further is New Keanna?"
"The Dragon city is only a few miles away." He said. "But there's a problem. Lord Larin and his war have finally caught up with the Dragons. At this moment he and a small number of warriors are marching on the city."
Athene gasped in surprise while Baron Valkar wasn't shocked at all.
"I've been expecting this." He said. "Baron Tyr and I thought this would happen and warned the Werewolves to pass that on to Jandar."
"I don't think he ever got that message." Arturus cut in. "If he did he would never have left the city no matter how important he thought it was."
"Yes he would." Valkar told them. "Jandar is a protector. If someone needs his help, he won't hesitate. Rage is there. And we will be there to. Arturus, I need you to gather the people and get them to the city as fast as you can. Athene, Adam, the Baron and I will slow Tayor's advance as best as we can. Take wing and fly swiftly my friend. For those that can't fly, have Abram lead them to the south gate. I will direct him by mind speak to a mine near there where they can hide until it's safe to get them in through the gate. Go now, there isn't much time."
With a nod, Arturus was gone to round up the citizens of Prafa and get moving on to New Keanna. As Valkar turned back to Athene and Baron Valkar, the Baron's image faded and disappeared. He looked up at Athene and she smiled.
"We know what to do."
Standing tall Athene raised her arms and dissipated into a cloud of mist and was gone. With the Baron and Athene gone, and Arturus leading the others to safety, it was time Valkar showed Tayor Larin why he was king of the Vampires.
[Where are they?] He asked Adam.
[Now far.] Came his answer. [I can show you where they are.]
[Show me.]

It was dark in the deep depths of the Shyr as Flinar rode on in his one man underwater craft. The craft was equipped with lights, but with the Munos on the move, Flinar couldn't use them and chance attracting their attention. Thank the sea god Sazar, Coral elves eyes could adapt to the darkness of the deep sea.
As Flinar dimmed the inside lights on the console, he steered his way deeper down and through the coral canyons all around him. The sea life here was very sparse. He saw only small fish, nothing bigger then a cod swam in the waters here. They all could sense the trouble and turbulence of the Munos and stayed as far away as they could.
On the surface, men though most sea life to be non intelligent, and mostly that was true. But what they didn't know was that the bigger the fish, the higher its level of intelligence was. Piper fish, box fish and angel fish lived only by instinct, wandering around eating, mating and hiding from bigger fish that ate them. But whales, shark, dolphins and sailfish were completely different. Larger brains, more intelligent. They could sense what went on in the deep seas. They could even communicate through thought to the Mer men and Coral elves what they had seen and were sensing. These were the fish Flinar was counting on to answer his call. If all went well, the sharks and whales he had freed would keep their promise.
Coming out of the coral canyon, Flinar spotted the domed city of Aquilona. Its lights were very dim, they must be low on power. As Flinar guided his craft closer, he saw the Munos all gathered outside of the city bashing at the unbreakable dome with hammers, axes, lightning bolts and cannon blasts. So far the dome still held but with the power so weak, it could collapse at any minute. Quickly he guided the craft into a small cave he had seen. He grabbed bag the reached for his sword and stopped. The sword would be useless down here in the water. He reached up and opens the weapons locker behind the pilot's chair. There he found a dart gun with a belt of ammo and a small axe. He belted on the dart gun and pushed the axe into the belt for close quarter's fighter. Now he was ready to go find a way into the city.
As water poured into the small cabin, Flinar's body began to change. His skin took in the water and scales grew all down his chest and lower half. Fins drew on his thighs and his feet and fingers became webbed. Soon the water level rose over his head and he took in his first breath of water through his gills, Quietly Flinar pushed open the hatch and swam out into the open waters and ducked behind a reef as three Munos warriors swam past. Behind them on a huge clam shell, two Eel men pulled a cannon. Another followed them with a bag of cannon balls harvested from the sea floor.
Looking all along the sea floor, Flinar was surprised at what he saw. Hundreds of Munos and Coral elves gathered across the sea floor around the city preparing to invade. At each port into the dome they waited as warriors tried everything they could to get in. They tried siege hammers and the great long mainmast of a sunken ship. They even tried slamming an anchor dangling from a pole like some strange wrecking ball to smash their way through the dome, but nothing worked.
As Flinar watched, he wondered how was he to get in if nothing the Munos did seemed to work. His only answer was he had to get a message in to let them know he was there. Then he remembered something. The message stone. Caldar would have one too. Maybe he didn't have to get in at all. Maybe a message would do.
Sliding back down into the cave, Flinar reached in his pocket and took out the message stone. Holding it in the palm of his hand, Flinar concentrated on Caldar Dylani, king of Aquilona. As the stone flared into life, Flinar opened his hand and the image of the Mer king appeared.
[Flinar! Thank Rimnar! How goes the fighting in Dree?]
[Sadly your majesty.] Flinar sent. [Dree was taken. The city burns as we speak.]
[How?] Caldar asked. [What happened?]
[When we were invaded, we fought as best we could,] He explained. [But Talsara's forces overwhelmed us. They outnumbered us twenty to one. We held out as long as we could but eventually the city fell. I had to use our fuel stocks to blow up the sea port to keep it out of their hands. Talsara won't be using Dree ships to invade anywhere or anyone.]
[And Orym?] Caldar asked worried about his friend.
[The royal family made it out before the invasion. I'm here outside your city in a cave watching the Munos as they try getting through the dome. How can I help?]
[We sent people out to find a new power source for the dome.] He explained. [Without it, It's not going to last very much longer. I need to find that power source and get it back here as quickly as possible. I also need to know who commands the Munos. Talsara we know is in ultimate control but we know she is not here. These mad Eel men are being controlled by someone under her control. Find out who, it could make a difference.]
[I will do my best your majesty.]
[Caldar, Flinar.] The king sent. [You're not one of my subjects, your my friend. Now hurry, we don't have much time. Find Mortimer and Jandar with that power source fast.]
With Caldar gone, Flinar stuffed the message stone back in his pocket. Finding Mortimer and the power source wasn't going to be easy so Flinar decided finding out who was in command of the Munos should be his first step. To do that he would have to find a way to safely go out among the Eel men, and he could think of only one way to do that. Magic. He would need the right spell. And for that, he would need something of the Munos.
Peeking out, Flinar watched as a group of Eel men swam by in precise formation. Over their shoulders, each one held a trident. Caldar was right. They didn't seem like wild primitive savages anymore. Somehow, someone was controlling them. Could Talsara's magic really be that powerful? If they could control a whole vampire city and a werewolf village, why should the Munos be a problem? As Flinar watched the Munos troops go about building there camp, he saw a lone Eel man heading his way toward the cave. In his hand he held a bag. He was collecting something off the sea floor. Flinar watched as he picked something up, ripped it open and ate from it. Lobsters, he was harvesting lobsters to eat. Turning around, Flinar searched the cave floor a found he was standing in front of a huge lobster den. The Eel man would be coming in here to feast and fill his bag.
Pulling the shadows of the cave around him, Flinar waited for the Eel man to enter the cave. Slowly it picked its way to the entrance filling the bag and its stomach as at walked. At the entrance it gazed in and spotted its prize. Like a child finding a new toy it hopped about when it saw the abundance of shellfish in the cave. Quickly it began filling the bag every now and then stopping to gorge itself of a particularly fat one. The Eel man was so busy filling the bag, it didn't notice the hand that reached out fron the shadow and clubbed it over its head.
As it lay there on the cave floor, Flinar had a chance to get a better look at the Munos. They were tall with sleek scaly bodies. They had long necks and a dorsal fin that ran from their heel to the top of their heads. Some kind of bio electricity powered their bodies. It was probably created from friction gathered while they swam.
They had gills in their necks and a long face with strong sharp teeth. They looked very vicious and primitive, a lethal mix. Now that Flinar had seen the enemy, all that was left was to imitate the enemy. Pulling a hair from the Munos chin, Flinar stepped back and cast his spell and took the form of his enemy. As he looked down it himself, he smiled. Another face to fool the enemy, he hoped this worked or the Munos would be dining on Coral elf tonight.

Covered in a heavy cloak made of fish skin with his bag of lobster over his shoulder, Flinar swam out and through the ranks on the Munos. There were hundreds of them there mulling about not doing anything other than waiting. Flinar had swam pass a few and saw them up close. They all had the faraway look in their eyes, like they were there but not in control. There was no spark of intelligence in their eyes, just a blank stare. Flinar guessed that had to be because of whatever spell that was controlling them. He would have to be careful no one noticed him.
As Flinar swam through the battle lines, he came to an area the Mer used as a corral for tuna other fish they farmed. There was a hatchery with netted spaces for many different types of fish. There, Munos with deeper blue colored dorsals gathered watching something going on in one of the netted spaces. As Flinar passed, an Eel man waved him over.
He said something to Flinar that he didn't understand. Gesturing to the bag he was carrying. Flinar handed him the bag bag and stepped aside as they tore it open and grabbed for the lobsters, Like piranha they chomped at the lobsters, in a frenzy of hunger an Eel man grabbed at one of his companions. He bashed him in his head then threw him down and they tore into him. Disgusted, Flinar turned away and hurried to the netted pen. He looked around searching for somewhere to hide when he noticed there were Munos in the pen. Not just Munos, there was someone else in there too. Five of the Eel men stood around and watched as a Coral elf beat on a Mer man. He had been staked out, tied down as the coral elf beat and kicked at him. From where Flinar stood, he could hear in his head the elf screaming at the Mer man.
[Tell me!] He kicked him in his side. [How do I get in to Aquilona? There has to be a way in. Tell me! Is there a secret tunnel, a trap door. How do I get into the dome?]
[You' can beat me all you want Laor Blackhelm!] The Mer sent. [I'm never going to tell a traitor like you anything! You're a murderer. You helped kill all the people in Dree, now your helping Talsara invade Aquilona. I'm not telling anything!]
[You will tell me what I want.] Laor sent with a snarl. He reached down and grabbed the Mer man by the chin. [Either I get the answer from you, or I get it from Orym Dree just before he dies. Either way, one of you will tell me what I want to know.]
Laor Blackhelm! Here in league with Talsara? So that's how the Dark elves got into Dree so easily. Laor just let them come right through Melruth. I fact his could be the very warriors that did the inithal attack in Dree. Now here he is and he has Orym in his power too. Flinar had to find a way to free his cousin and the Mer man if he could. Then find Jandar and get that power source into the city. It was just another day in Fay Shrea.

As Maxius swam with all speed, Jandar and Mortimer did their best to stay low on his back. It and just been a few hours since they had left Vanco island. Braddoc, Gird and Viggo were on there way back north to Rage and the city of the Dragons. Jandar had tried to contact Rage but still something was blocking his every try. It had to be something Lord Larin or Queen Talsara was doing to keep the enemy off balance. Cutting of communication was an important step in all stages of conquest. The first thing you do before you invade an enemy. Then you move in, capture the land and remove any leadership that could get in your way. Tayor and Talsara had done just that with each territory they had taken. In Prafa, Eventide, Dree and Remus that had been the exact course. All communications were cut off then the spell was introduced to get the city leaders under control. Next would come the troops and the city under a new rule.
Here in Aquilona things had gone slightly different. Being underwater, Talsara couldn't just stroll in and declare herself the new queen. She needed someone that breathed underwater to do her dirty work and the primitive Munos were perfect lackeys. All she needed was a symbol to represent the ancient sea god Munoecus and she would have a mindless sea force who's every move would be under her control.
The incompetence of Walin Hael for the loss of the sea port, and his transformation into Munoecus was Talsara's move on Aquilona.The betrayal of Laor Blackhelm as he led his Coral elves to lead the Munos was the next move. Now getting into Aquilona and to capture Caldar Dylani was all that was left. Once she had Aquilona, there would be no stopping her. Nothing but Lord Larin her allie who would be her next target.
From Maxius back, Mortimer guided them to a safe place where they could stop and observe Aquilona from a distance. Fear fluttered in Mortimers stomach as he watched all the Munos out in front of Aquilona. There were hundreds out there. He turned to Jandar and Maxius.
[This is impossible.] He sent. [How are we suppose to get through all of them?]
[Is there no other way into the city?] Maxius asked. [A way they don't know about?]
[Not that I know of.] Mortimer looked back out at the domed city as it's lights flickered. The power was fading. There wasn't much time.
[Think Mortimer.] Jandar sent. [A sewage pipe, some kind of garbage dump. There has to be something.]
[I don't know!!] Mortimer screamed in his head. [What about you? Can't you move us in with magic?]
[I can't go someplace I've never been. It would be teleporting blind. We could appear in the middle of something solid and that would kill us.]
[What about shadows?] Maxius asked. [Can you move through shadow?]
[No, I can't. Shadow magic takes a mage years to learn unless it comes to you naturally. I've never studied any of the dark arts, so I can't move in shadows. We'll have to think of something else.]
[Like what?] Mortimer asked scared. [We don't have much time.]
Stumped, they stared down at the Munos surrounding the city. Even invisible it would be almost impossible to move through all the Eel men without being noticed. The Eel men could sense sudden movement in the water. They wouldn't need their eyes to find them.
[I have an idea.] Maxius pulled them down. [It's a long shot but it could work. It would at least give you time to get down to Aquilona. How you get in will be up to you.]
Jandar looked at the water dragon in  human form. Jandar was using magic to breathe but Maxius being a water dragon could breathe in and out of water in either form. The way Maxius talked worried Jandar. He had a feeling the dragon planned something he might not be able to survive and that was out of the question.
Feeling Jandars doubt, Maxius sent him a private message.
[Brother, this is why we're here. This is the job we Dragons have taken on for centuries. You know as well as I do our lives are here to protect. It's what we do,what we're meant to do. You get the crown in and find a way to stop this war. Don't worry about me.]
[I worry about all my brother.] Jandar sent back. [Don't sacrifice yourself yet. We still have other options.]
[I'll wait for now, but time grows short.]

Cloaked in mist and keeping low to the ground, Baron Valkar Zlenka stalked out to see the enemy that he would be facing. Out beyond the hedge where he hid, two lines of armored men quietly marched. At the head of the line, dressed in robes of tan and green rode Lord Tayor Larin, self pronounced king of Winterhaven and all the lands around it including Yadessa and a few pieces of Tir Na. In his hand he held a staff of fairy oak with a crystal at its head. The Baron could see the power emanating from the staff. He could tell this was a powerful weapon. He had no idea what it could do used against his spirit form and had no intentions of finding out. As he watched, Athene slipped in beside him.
[How should we attack?]
[Carefully.] He sent. [You create a mist. It has to be subtle, I want it to seem natural not a vampire mist. Those are elves out there, they won't no the difference. Once it's in place, Valkar, Adam and I will slip in and start thinning out his ranks.]
[What about me?] She asked.
[Be patient. Your time will come.]
As the sun dipped down over the horizon, a cool breeze swept in from sea. A lite mist formed and slowly made its way across the land. Lord Larin felt the chill and pulled his cloak tighter against the cold. Up above in the sky, clouds slowly crept in and covered the moon blocking out most of the moon light. The only sound to be heard was the sound of the men and horses as the marched along.
Slowly as the minutes passed, the mist grew thicker. It went from a lite mist that covered there feet to a thicker fog that rose up pass their knees and in a few minutes more it was waist high, and bone chilling. That was when the men in the rear started to slip and not get up.
First one then another went down. With the helmets they wore obscuring their view, the next man in line barely could see to his side to notice the man next to him was gone. Soon a cry went out as someone was grabbed and and pulled away. In a panic, men turned and pulled their swords to defend themselves from the ghost in the mist. Then suddenly right in the center of the column of elves, something attacked growling and slicing men down. The warriors jabbed and stabbed at whatever was hiding in the mist but never making contact with anything.
As they fought the ghost, something else popped out of the mist and started beating and tearing at the warriors. It looked like some huge monster insect with claws and a stinger that stabbed out then disappeared back into the mist. On his horse, General Seith came riding down through the mob of men. He jumped down pulling his sword.
"What madness is this?"
"Get back General." A warrior warned. "Something moves in the fog!"
"Wild dogs?" He kicked something he couldn't see on the ground and almost fell. "Are my warriors afraid of wild dogs? Are you men or children?"
"Its not a dog." The warrior backed away with is eyes open wide in fear. "It's something else."
"What?" Seith yelled.
"Me!" Valkar Zlenka rose up forming himself from the mist. He grabbed Seith by his throat and held high over his head. "I believe you seek a way into Vasagi. Only a member of the royal family can get through the gates. Well here I am. Are you pleased to meet? No? I didn't think you would be."
Closing his fist, Valkar cut off Seith's air and crushed his throat. With no time to shift to his werewolf form, Seith died gurgling blood through his crushed throat.
As he tossed him aside, Baron Valkar and Sting appeared out of the mist and tore into the warriors gathered around them. Thirty men met their end right there before Lord Larin could turn his horse and go join the battle. By the time he arrived with re enforcements, the fog had cleared and there was nothing there but the bodies of his dead.
"Come if you wish Lord Larin. We await you in the Dragon city." Baron Valkar faded away into the last bits of the mist and was gone.
"Nooooooo!!!" Lord Larin screamed and lashed out sending a bolt of magic through his cane. The bolt like a great star burst reached out in his rage for each of his remaining men. Trapped in the web of his spell, twenty more men died screaming in agony as the flesh burned from their bones in seconds as Larin raged.
"This is not the end!" He screamed into the  night. "Keanna will be mine! I'll damn you all and send screamimg to your graves! You'll see!"

From high in the night, Rage caught sight of some strange movement in the forest many miles out from New Keanna. He dipped his wings and turned to spiral down to fly over the area to investigate. It only took him seconds and he was flying over a scene what looked to him like a battle field in the forest. Coming in to land, Rage shifted and made his way through the bodies of the dead warriors.
"By Rimnar what happened here?"
"We happened here."
Rage spun around with his hands up ready to send a blast of flame at whoever had just spoke. There walking out of the forest came Athene, Sting and Valkar with the Baron appearing over the trees and gliding down.
"Easy Rage." Valkar held out his hands smiling at his old friend. "Its just us your neighbors coming to help"
Relieved, Rage hurried over to greet his friends. After hand shakes and hugs he ask just what happened here.
"New Keanna had a visitor." Valkar told as he led them back to the city. "Lord Larin and a few of his troops were on their way to pay you a visit. Jandar told us you were here alone so we came to help."
"You've seen Jandar?" Rage stopped them. "Where, when? Is he alright?"
"He was fine when we saw him." Athene took Rage by his arm to calm him. "He was off looking for something. He said to tell you not to worry and that he loves you. He'll be home as soon as possible. He promised me that."
Rage smiled but he was still worried, With Shayn and Ono off who knows where and Jandar playing hero, he was definitely worried. There was also Ariel, Toric, Denner and the Shadows. His family was spread all over Keanna where he couldn't protect any of them. For a king, right now he felt so helpless. But he knew they would all do all they could to get home safely. He just hoped that would be enough.
"OK Rage." Valkar said next to him. "What are we going to do about Vasagi?"

Still in his Munos guise, Flinar swam out in search of Orym Dree. He knew there were caves all over the sea floor here and he could search each one for days and still not find his cousin. The best way he knew to find him would be to follow Laor Blackhelm. It was logical that after the Mer man denied him the answer as to how to get in the city, he would go to Orym with the same question.
First Laor went to the city dome to see if there was any progress in breaking in. Once he found there had been no success, he went back to his tent and give no orders to his own men. He went into his tent and sat quietly in front of a huge crystal set spinning at a strange altar. Flinar got a quiet peek in and guessed the crystal could only be used for one thing. Laor was in contact with Talsara. Fron the back of the tent he had only a second to listen to what Laor was saying. He heard a fewe mumbled unrecognizable words the something that sounded like Munoecus. at that moment, Munos warriors swan by and Flinar had to move to keep from being caught.
Munoecus? What could that mean? He knew Munoecus was the god the Munos worshipped but he was only a myth right? He couldn't actually exist, could he? Flinar wasn't sure, but he knew the Munos believed and where there is belief, there could also be some reality in there somewhere.
As Flinar swam out, Laor left the tent and started swimming out towards a mound out in the distance. Flinar watched as he went in. He started to follow then stopped. This was his best chance to free the Mer man. Laor would be here with Orym for a while. He wouldn't kill him, Talsara wants Orym to much for that. He might be the key to getting into Aquilona. But the Mer man was expendable. Flinar had to get him free now or his life might be over.
Turning back, Flinar hurried back to the corrals where the Mer man was being kept. Two Munos guards stood at the entrance. They both need that blank look in their eyes, but that could either the spell or just the way all Munos naturally were. Flinar wasn't sure if or how Munos communicated but he was about to find out.
Armed with nothing but a dagger and the magic at his command, Flinar swam to the entrance. He stopped in front of the two guards who neither looked at him or moved. When he tried to slip pass them, one of the guards reached out and touched his shoulder. A wave of electricity shot up through his shoulder sending Flinar reeling back. He shook his head to clear the effects of the shock and looked up just as the two Munos jumped at him to attack. Ducking the first one's arms, Flinar grabbed his dagger and did a quick sweep up slicing open the stomach of the Munos reaching for him. Kicking out, Flinar sent the bleeding body flying back as he utter a spell for a force bolt that knocked the second one off it's feet. Raising the dagger, Flinar dived on him slamming the blade into its chest.
With the two guards out of the way, Flinar slipped in to the corral and hurried to the Mer man.
[Get away from me you filthy Eel!]
Releasing his disguise spell, Flinar started cutting at the ropes that held the Mer man down
[My name's Flinar Dree.] He sent. [I'm a coral elf. I'm here to get you out. Can you swim?]
[I think so.] He said still in shock. Once his hands were free he rubbed his wrist to restore the circulation. [King Orym? Where is he? Have you freed him?]
[No.] Flinar said as he removed the bindings on his feet and helped him up. [But I know where he is. Laor is questioning him right now.]
[Then we should hurry.] He started for the exit. [That other elf will kill him if he doesn't tell him how to get inside the dome.]
"No he won't. Orym is to important. Talsara want him brought back with Caldar to her. Laor wouldn't dare kill him. Tell me, what's your name?]
[Pyor Arren.] He reached out and took Flinar's wrist. [We should get out of here before someone shows up.]
At the entrance, Flinar looked out. Moving around wouldn't be as easy now with his guise down and Pyor at his side. There were Munos and Coral elves everywhere. The Munos might not jump when they saw them, but the Coral elves would. They needed something to hide them or a distraction to keep them looking somewhere else while they make their move.
[Pyor.] Flinar sent. [Is there a way into the dome?]
[Yes.] He pointed over to them where Laor was keeping Oryn captive. [There's a tunnel into the city hidden in the store house over there. If we can make it in there, We can get into Aquilona.]
Fear filled Flinar's heart when it dawned on him that the store house was where Laor was right now.He could stumble on the tunnel at any second.
[There's something you should know before we do anything else.]

As Mortimer watched the domes power grow weaker, he thought of his family and the last time he had seen them. His father was helping his pregnant mother from their house, while his brother stood the holding a message stone and begged Mortimor to message him to let them know he was alright. Wait! a thought hit him. The message stone, he still had it! Quickly Mortimer dug in his pocket and found the stone.
[Look!] He held it out for the others to see. [I forgot I had it!]
[Message Caldar.] Jandar told him. [Maybe he can help get us into the city.]
Mortimer closed his hands over the stone and sent out his thoughts for the Sea king. Suddenly the stone grew warm and Motrimer opened his hand. There in the glow over the stone was the image of Pyor Arren.
[Pyor? I was trying to get the king. Can you get him for me? I'm with Jandar, we have the power source. We need to get in Aquilona fast.]
[I'm not in the city either.] Pyor told him. [Orym and I were captured trying to get in the city. Right now I'm here in the hatchery with Flinar Dree, cousin to the king of Dree. Orym is being held by Laor Blackhelm.]
[Laor Blackhelm of Melruth?]  Jandar asked. He knew the attack on Dree and Aquilona was suspicious, but once he heard that Laor Blackhelm was involverd he wasn't surprise. He was surprised Orym would trust a dark mage like Laor, but then maybe Orym didn't know his history.
[Yes our neighbor.] Flinar added. [He had us completely fooled. We thought he was a trusted friend. We were wrong and now we are paying for that mistake.]
[Friend or not.] Maxius cut in. [We talk to much. Look at the city, the power is just about done. That dome will be down in a matter of minutes. We have to move now or the Munos will be in the palace in a few minutes!]
[I agree.] Jandar nodded. [Its time we make a move.]

Pain seared its way through Orym brain as conciseness brought him back into the world. He opened his eyes then tried to reach up and rub his throbbing head only to realize he couldn't move. Something was holding him down. Orym looked down to find he had been tied to a chair. Where was he? The last thing he remembered was him and Pyor heading back to Aquilona, then there was nothing but pain. What had happened?
[Welcome back Orym.]
That voice, he knew that voice. Orym looked up as someone walked out to stand in front of him. He lifted his head and focused on the voice. There standing in front of his was what he thought was an old friend.
[Laor? Laor Blackhelm?] He pulled at the chains around his arms and legs. [What is this? Why am I tied up?]
[Why else?] Laor laughed. [Because Dree's time is done. Aquilona is done. You are now a prisoner of the Darkshades. Hail Talsara!]
[Are you mad?] Orym pulled and tugged at his bindings trying to get loose. [Darkshade invaded Melruth just like it did Dree. Why are you doing this?]
[Darkshade never invaded Melruth,] He laughed kneeling down to face Orym. [I invited them in. With Talsara's help, I invaded Dree, and now, I'm about to invade Aquilona.]
[Impossible.] Orym spit at Laor. [You will never get through the dome and I'll die before I tell you how to get in.]
[I don't need you to tell me anything.] Laor grabbed Orym's hair and pulled his head back. [With the domes power so weak, I have something that can crush the dome like an egg shell. Can you guess what that is? No? Why do you think the Munos are here? Because we control Munoecus and he is here. That's right. The Sea god is here and he can destroy that precious dome.]
Laor waved over four of his men to untie Orym.
[Bring him out so he can see.]
Leaving both his hands and his legs shackled giving Orym limited movement, the Melruth Coral elves dragged Orym out of the store house where he could see what was going on.
Out in the distance, Orym saw something big slithering through the water. From where he stood, the thing looked to be more the seventy feet long with a great maw and a twisting snake like body. A long fin run along the entire top of the body all the way back to the tail. its color was a strange blue iridescent color with sparks that jumped all along the body.
[By Rimnar!] Orym breathed as it swam over their heads. He turned to Laor. [Don't do this, please don't.]
[It's to late.] He said with a grim smile. [You all had a chance to surrender and hand the city over but you refused. Now Munoecus is here and he will take the city for us. Ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!