The Fall of the Savonti. 81

After all the fighting was done in the Academy and Andu and his warriors had swore to follow the laws provided by Lesu, Maru, Gabor, and Shayn relaxed for a moment. The Academy had survived a Savonti attack with only minimal casualties. Yaru and his healers were caring for any and all Savonti wounded and Macan was dealing with the human wounded. Shayn's healing abilities cared for anyone who's wounds were beyond the powers of Macan to care for.
With a minute to rest, Shayn stopped in the dining hall for a drink when a sudden thought hit him. He hadn't seen Ono all night. Suddenly his stomach turned and a icy cold feeling ran all through his body. He put down his glass and closed his eyes and called out to his love. No answer. That was when panic slipped in. Shayn pushed away the table in front of him and ran out of the dining hall to the office where Lilia sat talking quietly with Cutter.
"Where is he?" He asked them. "Where's Ono?"
"Shayn." Cutter looked at him projecting calm emotions to the young dragon to calm him down. "Stay calm. We have something to tell you."
"I ASKED WHERE IS ONO!!"
Lilia reached out for Cutters hand to help her to her feet. She pushed away the veil from her face to speak directly to Shayn.
"Ono took Gabor out and they were the one's to defeat Lord Memu."
"And something happen?" Shayn was now frantic with worry. He had been trying to reach Ono through the bond they shared, but he didn't feel anything. That scared him to death. "Lilia, where is my husband? Tell me what happened."
"Please sit down." Cutter pulled out a chair for him.
"I don't want to sit down!" Shayn kicked the chair across the room. "Tell me, is he dead?"
"NO!" Lilia took his hand in hers. "He's not dead, but he needs our help. Sit down so we can tell you what happened."
Still scared, Shayn picked up the chair and sat down. He listened calmly as Lilia and Cutter told him what happened outside of the walls when Ono and Gabor battled Lord Memu.
"Why didn't anyone tell me while all this was going on?"
"What would you have done?" Cutter asked. "Go with him?"
"Yes I would have gone with him." Shayn yelled at them. "And I would have brought him back!"
"You know this isn't Gabor's fault." Lilia said. "He did what he was there to do. He killed Memu. And if Ono wanted you with him, he would have told you what he had planned."
Shayn knew she was right. He would have wanted him here protecting the academy not out fighting the Savonti. He walked to the window where he watched as Andu and his warriors left the academy grounds. Shayn wanted to shift and tear the office apart, but that wouldn't do them any good, but there was something he could do.
"Your sure he's not dead?"
"Yes." Lilia shook her head. " I am sure."
"Do you know where he is?"
"Yes." She smiled. "I sure do. I can have someone bring him to meet us. Someone we trust."
"Are you sure he'll be alright?"
"Magu will not hurt him." She promised. "He is to important to Daru. He can be saved if we move fast."
"Gather everyone in the courtyard." He ordered. "And send to Maru and Lesu these orders. Tell them it's time to end this. We march on Daru. Tonight the prophesy will either come true, or be damned!"

From Daru's lair to Fedrul was no more then a two day's march, But Daru's course wasn't to be a straight one. After all the humans were not his only enemy. There were other lords who's lands he had his eye on. First north of Fedrul, Daru hit the land of lord Cofu. Though a powerful lord, he was no match for the army Daru was leading and Cofu gave in and swore his allegiance to the new Overlord. After Cofu came his neighbor Petu. Like Cofu, Petu was totally overwhelmed by the numbers he was against. He put up a short fight but in the end, Petu found himself in a collar and chained to march behind one of Daru's slave wagons.
With the two new lords in his power there was one more thing in Petu's land that Daru had come for. Living and running wild in Petul there was the great beast the Savonti called Chadaka. Chadaka are huge reptilian beast bipedal with four to six arms. They're carnivorous hunts that lived on the plains hunting dera and anything big enough to satisfy they're constant hungry. They are fast and strong but not very intelligent. The Savonti usually avoided them but Daru with his mind powers could control almost anything that walked.
Earlier that day while his warriors were stripping and gutting the house of Petu, Daru went out alone and stood on the edge of the forest and the plains. With his hand to his forehead, Daru sent up a call for the great reptiles. After a few minutes, her heard the bellow of the beast as they came charging in at him. From the size of the massive heads and the muscular shoulders, Daru knew he had attracted two adult males. To any other lord or human, the sight of the two raging beast coming towards them would cause instant panic. Their red flaring eyes, massive jaws filled with sword length teeth were the things of nightmares. But not to Daru. Standing his ground as they came thundering at him, Daru closed his eyes and sent out his command to their tiny little brains. Opening his eyes, Daru watched as the two beast stumbled and fell as they tried to fight of his control. Screaming in pain, the Chadaka fought savagely shaking and rolling in the grass trying to rid themselves of the intruder in their heads. But their minds were to weak and Daru was to strong. Soon the two beast were standing in front of him like lap dogs under his command. Now he was ready for the strange beast that fought for the Humans. Tonight the blood moon would mark the end of the Human resistance.

As Ono sat up and opened his eyes, pain lanced through his head. He reached up ah felt the tender spot on his head and wondered what had happened. The last thing he remembered him and Gabor were in a heated battle with Lord Memu in the jungle outside of the Academy. Getting to his feet, Ono looked around. It was dark and the blood moon was still high over head, but that didn't help tell anything about where he was.
From the looks and smell, he was in a musty dungeon, some kind of cell. The walls were of stone. It didn't look very sturdy to him. One went and touched the wall, it was moist. What lord would live here under these conditions? There was a door made of bars and a window but there wasn't very much moonlight getting in. Whoever lived here was a very more house keeper. This was weak even for a dungeon.
Stepping over to the door, Ono reached out and gave it a shake. It rattled but he couldn't get it open. No luck there he thought. He looked out the cell door and saw a light, then something moved making a shadow. He wasn't alone, there was someone out there.
Since there was no clue in here as to where he was, his only chance was to find out who held him. Then maybe he could find a way out.
Grabbing the doors, Ono started to shake and rattle them to attract his captors attention. It wasn't long before the shadow started moving down his way.
"I see the mighty grey beast is awake." The shadow said as it came closer. "Good, you should be awake for what comes next."
"Where am I Savonti?" He asked. "And who are you? Some lieutenant trying to gain favor from his lord?"
"Don't you recognize where you are?" The voice asked. "You did this. It was you and the white one that tore down my stack. But now I have you and there is no one coming to free you this time."
"Lord Magu I presume." Ono now know just where he was. This must be what was left of his stack after Magda and Ozmun helped him free Shayn and the slaves tore it down. So that's why he became one of Daru's lackeys. This was good news. If Gabor recognized Magu, then someone should by now be on there way here to find him. Shayn was going to be mad. He would deal with that when the time came, now he had Magu to deal with. "I wondered when I might get a chance to repay your kindness when you had my mate as your captive."
"Mate?" Magu's said surprised. "The white one was your mate?"
"Is my mate." Ono smiled. "You will be getting another chance to meet him soon. I'm sure he's on his way. You should be ready for his arrival."
"I think not." Magu laughed. "Soon Daru will have your little hovel surrounded, then he will take all the humans captive, your mate included."
"I'm surprised at you Magu." Ono walked to the front of the barred door. "After all that has happen, you still think us nothing but weak beast that you and your kind can round up and treat like animals. How many lords do we have to kill before you figure out the Savonti no longer rule Pentanthin? How many houses do we have to destroy? Fedru and Seru are dead and I know Maru now sits on the throne of Redu. I hear a human, a young boy killed Ketu. Oh, did I forget Memu?
You lords don't seem to be doing so well these days. Who's next? You or Daru?"
[Ono.] A voice rang in his head. [It is I, Valor. I am almost there. I will be there in just a few units.]
[You might want to hurry.] Ono told him. [I might need help here,]
[I will hurry. Just hold on.]
"You dare to threaten me Human!!" Magu's anger flared. He grabbed at the bars screaming in Ono's face. "Do you know who I am? Do you know what I can do?"
"You can fly." Ono laughed. "So what! I know many who fly. You're nothing compared to what we can do?"
"NOTHING!!" Magu's eyes flared and he slammed his fist into the doors smashing them in. [Daru will have to settle for your mate! You are mine to kill!!"
As Magu charged in, Ono shifted and met his charge with his claws extended. Wrapping his wings around Ono, Magu forced all the air from inside him and became a massive glob of metamorphic flesh. Inside Ono ripped and tore at min but it was no use. It was like trying to cut into a blanket of thick malleable mud. The more he fought the angrier he became. He could barely breathe but he fought on. As he fought and became lite headed. All he could think of was Shayn and how much he loved him. He couldn't stand the thought of him here without his protection and what the Savonti would do to him. Suddenly his anger flared he felt his blood begin to burn.
[NO!] He screamed in his mind as some strange power started flowing out from his heart.
[NO, NO,NOOOOOO!!!!!!]
Suddenly Ono felt his body starting to shift again. It wasn't like when he shifted from man to wolf, but it was much more intense. Like flames running through his entire body. He felt himself grow as his arms and legs stretched and his body became a scaly grey. He roared out his rage as his tail grew long and spiky and wings ripped out of his back. As he tore through the elastic flesh that Magu had become, his face stretched out into a snapping maw.
[You wanted a fight.] He sent out. [Then Battle will gladly oblige your wishes!!]
With great sharp claws, he grabbed Magu the threw him through the wall of the cell. Forming himself into a blob, Magu oozed out and attacked. He formed arms and tried to pull Battle back into himself to suffocate him. Taking a deep breath, he blew his steamy hot breathe at Magu scorching him. As Magu howled in pain and tried to ooze away, Battle spread his wings and dived on him. With hammer like fist he pounded and smashed down on him the started ripping him into pieces and throwing them everywhere.
Huffing and puffing with exhaustion, Battle sat there in the middle of puddle after puddle of steamy grey metamorphic flesh. He roared in triumph and beat his chest and looked up to see Valor coming in to land.
When Valor saw the grey Dragon outside of the torn down stack, he was completely confused. He knew all the Dragons from the Academy and he had never seen this one before. Infusing his fist with energy to be ready to fight, Valor faced the new Dragon.
"Who are you?" He asked. "Where is the grey wolf?"
[It's me Xan.] He sent. [Ono.]
"Ono? Look out!!"
Quickly Battle turned as Magu surged at him in a wave of grey matter. With quick reflexes, Valor shot a blast of energy at the blob blasting it into a flaming mound of putrid flesh. Turning back to Valor, Battle took one step then collapsed and shifted back to Ono. Shifting to his normal form, Xan went to Ono and picked him up.
"Well done my friend." He said. "Well done. Now I say we go and see about a prophesy."

It had been a harrowing day for the Human race on Pentanthin, the Savonti had been hunting all day. Many traveling clans had been hunted down and captured and a few had even been killed. The slave pens in many Savonti houses were full tonight with men and weeping women and children. Unknown to them, this was to be their last night of bondage.
In Lesul and Marul, Warriors Human and Savonti were on the march. There destination was Fedrul and freedom. In the mountains of Lesul and the land once held by Memu they marched. From all parts of Pentanthin the word was being passed from clan to clan that tonight the blood moon and the White and Grey would bring all Humans their freedom. But it wouldn't come easy. To be free, they had to fight. Many would not live through the night but if they all fought together, the morning would bring a new day to Pentanthin. So from clan to clan and father to son, from mother to daughter and warrior alike the prophesy was told and hearts and voices were lifted in hopes for the night when freedom would rein on Pentanthin.
"Protect the white and grey. For they will cause the end of a thousand years of tyranny and enslavement. Their power and courage will doom the high ones and bring freedom to all that suffer and fight with them. The mark of the wolf and dragon will be the sign. Protect the white and grey."

Collared and chained Ozmun, Redu and the ex-lords followed Vak and his warriors. Every now and then one would stumble on the march and a staff would be pressed to their back sending a currant a pain running through their body. The lord would scream in pain but quickly get back on his feet marching, As Tibu stumbled, Redu quickly reached down a pulled him up before the guard could shock him. Unfortunately that guard just so happened to be as sadistic as the lord whose house he belonged to. Instead of shocking Tibu, he used his staff on Redu for helping the ex-lord. as the staff pressed into his back sending its jolt into him, Redu gritted his teeth and took the pain then glared up at the warrior who laughed at him and rode on ahead.
"I do not know how much more of this I will take." Redu whispered. "With one hand I could crush that fool."
"Patients Redu." Ozmun said. "We have to get to Daru first. Surprise is out best weapon."
"Yes." He smiled. "I would see Daru's face when I tear off the collar and grab throw him from his tracker. He must see my revenge coming. But Tibu is not as strong as I am. He might not have such a long march in him."
"Then we will have to do something about that."
Ozmun knew Redu was right. Some of the lord weren't use to such exercise. If something wasn't done, they wouldn't make it to Fedrul.
"Ho Warrior." Ozmun called to the closest guard. "I would speak with Vak."
"Quiet Human!"
"Get Vak back here!"
The warrior turned. You could see the anger on his face. He pulled his staff and started toward Ozmun. Ozmun stared back at him fearlessly ready to take his punishment. The warrior raised his staff about to slam it down on Ozmun's chest.
"Stop!" Someone called from behind them. Another warrior rode up and grabbed the staff. "What are you doing?"
"Teaching this juinti some obedience. He needs to learn respect."
"Are you a balur?" Asked the warrior on tracker back. "Do you know what Daru will do to you if any of them are harmed?"
A fearful look appeared on the guards face as he lowered his staff.
"I did not think, I was so angry."
"No." The rider said. "You did not think. what did he do to cause such anger?"
"He would not shut up. He kept asking to see Vak."
"Then do you not think you should go and get Vak?" He leaned down to look in the guards eyes. "I will watch them."
"Right away." The guard turned and hurried on to find Vak. The rider looked down at the tired ex-lords. "Be careful around that one. He is not very smart."
"Our thanks Warrior." Redu nodded. He looked closely at the warrior as if he looked familiar. "Do I know you warrior?"
"Yes my lord." He answered bowing his head. "I am Bok, formerly of the house of Redu. There are a few of your warriors here ready to stand at your side. We thought you had died in Daru's raid. I offer our apologies Lord Redu.".
"It seemed I was not forgotten." Redu looked down at Ozmun and smiled. "So you were taken in the raid a forced to serve Daru."
"Yes Lord Redu. With you dead we did not stand a chance fighting the Mind lord. If we knew you lived, we would have died trying to free you."
"You did well Bok. You served me well just by living. But now our time is growing near for our revenge."
"How can I help?" Bok asked.
"Gather our warriors and stay close to me. There will be a time when I will make my move. You must be ready to support me."
"Yes my lord." Bok bowed his head.
"One more thing." Redu stopped him before he rode off. "Human's are no longer our enemy. My only enemy is Daru and those that fight on his side. Now go, Vak is coming."
Urging his tracker on, Bok rode off into a crowd of mounted riders where he passed on Redu's orders and kept watch on his lord. Seconds later the guard returned with Vak at his side.
"You wanted to see me?"
"We are tired of this long march and need to rest." Redu said. "We need water and a place to rest our aching feet."
"Is this a lords order?" Vak asked. "Why should I grant your wish?"
"Because." Ozmun answered. "We will be of no use to Daru if we are to weak to even stand let alone fight. What will he say if we fall dead on the march and all you bring to him is our corpses?"
Vak thought for a minute then called for a wagon for them to ride in. He had water brought to them and something to eat. A large platter of meat and bread. Redu took one whiff of the meat and tossed the meat platter aside.
"I will not eat that ever again." He said glaring at Vak.
"Fine, enjoy your bread." With that, Vak rode off back to the head of the line. Like ravenous dogs the ex-lords tore into bread and water. It was better then nothing and they would need their strength for the fight to come.
"I thank you again Ozmun." Redu passed him a piece of bread. "You are very wise."
"You mean for a Human?"
"I mean for a Lord." Redu sat down and relaxed. "You got us food, water and rest. You take care of your allies. That is the action of a wise lord."
"I just hope this works." Ozmun took a deep drink of water letting it cool his throat.
"Have faith my friend. We will not fail you."

As Daru and his warriors marched through the dark forest of Fedrul, he reached out with his mind searching ahead of him. He had found the house of Memu earlier and learned that the lord of the house was not there. That would make his lair an easy conquest. Once Daru had it in his hands, this would be the perfect place to from which he could launch his attack on the Humans.
Once it was in sight he reached out and touched the minds of the guards on the walls and put them to sleep except one. In that one warriors mind he planted his order to open the gate. As he forced made their way across the small moat, the gates were opened and Daru lead his forces quietly into the house of lord Memu.
The take over was quick and easy without very much of a fight. It seems Lord Memu didn't leave very many warriors behind to guard his home. After questioning, Daru learned where Memu had gone. He was after the same Humans as Daru. Humans that once held this was house as their own.
As Daru did his inspecting of his new holding, word came to him, a warning about warriors returning from the attack. Closing his eyes, Daru gazed out with his mind to see who it was that would enter his captured grounds.
Coming out of the jungle, Andu and his warriors slowly made their way to the walls of Refuge. With a wave a warrior signaled the guard at the gate to lower the ramp and let them in. As the ramp came down, Andu urged his tracker on and in though the gate.
"Make way for the lord of the house." Called a warrior behind Andu. "Hail Lord Andu!"
As Andu and his warriors trotted slowly in, Daru stepped out and stood in their path stopping them.
"Nazun Lord Andu. I assume since you now lead these warriors, Memu is dead. Would that be correct?"
"Yes." Andu said.  He looked around and saw Daru's warriors coming out to back their lord. When Andu's warriors realized the house had been invaded, they reached for their weapons. "Stop, There will be no fighting here. If Daru wants this house, he may have it. Our fight is over."
" I think not." Daru walked over and stood in front of Andu. "You are Savonti. You are a lord. It is your responsibility to fight to keep Pentanthin under the rule of the Savonti."
"You mean under your rule." Andu sat back and stared down at Daru. "I am not juinti to you, and my father was never one of your allies. I have no obligations to you and your war is not mine. I will have no part of it."
"Then I guess I will have to make you." Daru's eyes flashed with power.
"HA HA HA HA HA!!" Andu laughed as he turned his tracker back to the gate. "You have no power over me. Your mind powers will not work on a mind you can not touch and you can not hurt my warriors if I do not want you too. Gistaa with your war."
Laughing, Andu ordered his warriors on. With a little concentration he made his warriors ghost right out through the gate and they were off into the jungle.
"THIS IS NOT OVER ANDU! YOU AND YOURS WILL BE MINE! I WILL FIND YOU NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO! YOU CAN NOT HIDE FROM ME!"
As Daru watched Andu leave, his mind boiled with anger. How dare he not accept his role as Overlord of the Savonti.
Stepping out through the gate, Daru cast his mind out in an attack on Andu. Reaching out he tried to grab his mind and pull it under his control. But it was like trying to hold on to water. He could feel Andu's thoughts but there was nothing there for him to latch on to.
[As I warned you.] Andu sent to him. [You can not control me, but I can hurt you. Go fight your humans and never bother me again or I promise you will feel my ghostly touch.]
Drawing back, Daru realized this was an enemy for another time. Right now he had more important things to do.
As his mind drifted back, he felt something in the jungle that should not be there. He could hear thoughts. The thoughts of a Human. With a little concentration, Daru located the source of the errant thoughts. There were three humans out in the jungle watching the lair. Coming in closer, he reached in to probe the two minds. They were warriors of the Gekko clan, long time enemies of both Fedru and Lesu. Digging a little deeper he learned that it was Gabor and Bella the two leaders of the Gekko's. And there was something else. Allies of the White and Grey? These three could lead him to the enemy he wanted most. With a touch of over confidence, for a second Daru's concentration slipped and the boy Gabor felt him in his mind. Daru felt his sudden panic as he warned the others. they jumped from the trees and dashed away into the jungle. But Daru knew running wouldn't help them. He had touched their minds and could now follow them with ease.
With a look of devious triumph on his face, Daru went back in through the gates of Refuge.
"Gather the warriors." He called. "We march in two units."

Fear burned through Gabor's mind as he and Bella hurried through the dark jungle. They jumped and dodged fallen trees and over huge boulders making their way back to their trackers. Once mounted, the brothers slapped the trackers side sending them into a race away from the dark lair.
"We have to hurry." Gabor yelled. "We have to get the warning to them that Daru is coming!"
From behind them, they could hear the hissing and croaking of the trackers following after them.
"We should split up." Bella said. "Maybe i could draw them away and give you enough time to get back."
"No! I will not leave you here to fight alone. I will not let the Savonti take anymore of my family. They can not kill anymore Gekko's ever again."
"Then ride brother!" Bella yelled. "Ride like you have never done before!!"
As Gabor and Bella rode, bolts of staff blasts ripped through the trees all around them. They ducked and dodged avoiding blasts and low hanging branches racing frantically to get away. Minutes felt like hours to them as the Savonti came closer and closer. With sight of a clearing ahead, Gabor felt there was finally hope. They were going to make it.
Suddenly a bolt came from behind them and hit Bella's tracker. It fell tossing him into the air like a rag doll. As Gabor stopped and waved his brother on, Bella ran and grabbed his arm and was pulled onto Gabors tracker behind him. of caves in front of them.
"We are almost there! Hold on!!"
Frothing at the mouth with thirst, Gabor's tracker broke through the last bit of jungle and headed across the grassy plain for towards a high cliff off in the distance. Holding onto Gabor tightly, Bella looked back at the jungle just as Daru and his horde of warriors came out. With the blood moon glowing brightly in the night sky, Daru charged on after the two humans.
"Now we have them!" Daru ordered them on. "I want the two Gekko's brought to me. And anyone they my lead you too!"
Riding hard the last few yards at the cliffs, the two brothers made their way into the biggest human encampment Daru had ever seen. The whole caves system was crawling with humans.This had to be where the White and Grey were hiding he thought. Victory was finally in his grasp.
As Gabor and Bella came riding in with the Savonti hot on their tails, alarms rang out through the camp. Men came running from caves and down by the river. Staffs, swords, spears and picks were passed out as the clansmen made a line of defense in front of the caves.
Jumping down off their mounts, Gabor and Bella grabbed staffs and went to join the men in the front of the line. As the two Gekko brothers took a stand they watched as waves of Savonti came riding from the jungle. There were hundreds out there, maybe a thousand Bella thought. How could they ever hope to win against so many?
With the Savonti charging down hard on them, Gabor ran and grabbed a flag and waved it high over his head.
"NOW!"
From behind him, men came scrambling out of hidden pits that had been dig in the field in front of the caves. Each man was armed with a crossbow. Bolts were loaded and when Gabor gave the signal launched at the oncoming warriors.  Hundreds of barbed iron arrows like glinting silver stars flew out at the Savonti. Like a blanket of death it spread out and fell on the charging warriors. As Daru watched, with a thought he sent out an order to Cofu who rode next to him. Cofu raised his hand and sent out a wave of vibrations that knocked the arrows off course making a large hole right over Daru and the warriors around him. As the rest of the arrows fell, some warriors were able to cover themselves with shields and a few were protected by their armor, but many were hit. As the arrows rained down, both warrior and trackers fell to be trampled on by those behind them.
After the first wave of arrows fell, Gabor ordered his men to re load and fired again. Grabbing their staffs, Daru's warrior opened fire on the archers sending them scattering for cover. Laid out on the ground in front of Gabor, the clansman had arranged a row of Pentanthium shields. As the staff for started, the shields were raised for their own protection.
As his staff bolts hit, Daru smiled and raised his hand to halt his warriors advance. He read Bella's thoughts. He could feel the fear and anger running off the humans. His warriors would eat well from now on. Climbing down from his tracker, Daru walked out to stand where he could be seen the mass of human.
"I am Daru, Overlord of the Savonti and master to all of Pantanthin and you all now belong to me."
From all across the mass of clansmen, groans of objection began to rise. Men raised their weapons in defiance of the Savonti lords claim. Gabor held up his hand to quiet his people. "I can feel your fear. I command you all to lay down your weapons and surrender and bring the White and Grey out to face me!"
From the line of clansmen two men in hooded cloaks stepped out to join Gabor. As they threw back their hood to revealed themselves, Daru saw a tall brown haired man standing side by side with another with hair the color of sand. Neither looked very strong. Daru smiled thinking he had already won and the war was over. All he had to do was kill or collar these to and the humans would be his.
"No more running." Ono yelled to Daru. "We're here to end this."
"You are here to die!"
With a wave, Daru sent four warriors out at the two humans. Throwing off his cloak, Ono stepped out to meet his challengers. With his staff raised like a spear, the first warrior charged at him. Aiming the head at Ono's chest, the warrior thrust forward trying to run him threw. With amazing speed Ono grabbed the staff and easily lifted the warrior up and slammed him back into the ground. As the warrior tried to get up, Gabor stepped out and kicked him in the jaw knocking him out.
As the next three warriors came at him, Ono met them like a charging bull. His six foot frame hit them so hard he knocked him back to land flat at Daru's feet.
Daru couldn't believe four of his strongest warriors had just been defeated so easy by a mere human. But he had more warriors and power enough to destroy whatever enemy that came before him. From his saddle, Daru raised his staff and gave the order.
"ATTACK! KILL THEM ALL!!"
Like a wave of insects, Savonti warriors charged down on the clansmen. Staffs were powered up and blast were fired into the crowd. As the Savonti charged, the clansmen grabbed for shields to block the staff blast. It only took seconds before the Savonti were on them and the fighting was hand to hand.
As Daru watched the battle, he heard the sound of trackers charging coming from behind him. He turned just as Vak and his warriors came out of the jungle and charged down onto the field. Daru quickly gave orders for Vak to bring his prisoners out and send them into battle.  From his little hill, Daru watched as two caged wagons were driven out onto the battle field. In front, one warrior drove the single tracker pulling each wagon while another fired his staff at any clansmen that came near them. In the back of the first one were the ex lords Guku, Tibu and Zeru from the western lands. With a sigle thought, Daru ordered the warriors to release the prisoners. When the cage door openen, Daru reached out and took hold of their minds. It didn't matter how much they struggled, the collar gave Daru total control of their actions. With a kick, Tibu forced the door open and jumped down out of the wagon. In front of him there was a wave of clansmen coming in to attack. With a wave of his hand he sent blast of cold at them. As temperatures in and around them suddenly reached zero, frost grew all over them. Their blood froze in their veins and the fell dead. As Zeru advanced, he reached down and picked up a fallen sword. Bellowing his rage he waded into the crowd of clansman sending his paralyzing field out all around him. As men came in to attack him, a strange numbing feeling overwhelmed their body's and they lost all conrtol of themselves. Like rag dolls they fell giving Zeru and the warriors the chance to cut them down. Guku's attack was different. He could blast them with eye beams or render them powerless. His wasn't physical, but mental. Like death itself Guku sent waves of hate out at the clansmen which tore their mind down with rage. They attack and thing around them friend or enemy as their minds snapped and they fell dead.
In the second wagon rode Redu, Weru, Buku and Ozmun. As they were released, Daru reached out and tried taking control but it didn't work. Something was wrong. He couldn't enter their minds at all. Redu stepped down from the wagon and grabbed the nearest tree and pulled it up out of the ground. He turned to Daru.
"HEAR ME MIND LORD! I AM COMING FOR YOU AND NOTHING WILL STOP ME!"
Beside him Buku reached out with him mind and started throwing warrior into the air.  Weru used his powers to siphon physical energy and shot it back as fast as he could. With a sword in one hand, he shot stun bolts as attacked Daru's forces.
From the hill Daru screamed as his warriors battled the Clansmen. The battle went back and forth with neither side gaining the upper hand.
"This can not be." Daru said. "The Savonti must triumph."
[You can't win Daru.] Shayn sent. [The Savonti's days as masters of Pemtanthin are over. The only answer is to live a peaceful co-existence. Most of the Lords have given in and learn that lesson, What will it take for you to see how useless this is?]
[I see no Savonti standing with you Human!] Rage filled Daru's mind filling him with power. [I will never bow to any Human or to any lord who serves at the side of your kind.]
[In that.] Came a familiar voice in his mind. [You are wrong Daru. We stand with the humans now and we are many!]
As Daru watched, Lesu, Paru and Pulu rode out of the jungle and attacked. Cheers went up among the Clansmen as the Savonti joined on their side. But still Daru's army was greater. It would take much more to tip the balance in their favor.
[You think even combined you can defeat me? I will never accept defeat! I will break you all and crush you under my feet Human!]
[Then let's end this now.] Ono sent. [Feel the true might of your enemy. See what you face from this day on!]
As Ono raised his hand into the night sky, something in the blood moon gave off a great flash that covered the face of the entire planet. Suddenly men dropped their weapons and fell to the ground. Pain lanced through their bodies as the blood moon began Pentanthin's first global change. Fur sprouted as claw formed and fangs sharpened, From man to werewolf every human on the planet changed growing in strength and agility.
"Rise Were of Pentanthin." Ono shouted. "Rise and face your enemy!!"
With renewed energy and great strength, the Were men of Pentanthin attacked. There were now werewolves and were panthers, lion men and tiger men all there to battle for Pentanthin. The Savonti stopped for a second in shock of what had just happened. No longer were they fighting weak fleshy humans. Now they faced savage creatures with strength equal or stronger then their own. And the fighting went on.
When Daru saw his enemies sudden change he called out with his mind to his last weapon hiding in the jungle. A weapon he knew would win the war for him and make him Pentanthins master.
From the top of the cliff, Valor, Shine and Blink with the academy cadets watched the battle hoping Ono's plan would be enough to win the day. But even with the changes, the Clansmen were still out numbered by the overwhelming numbers behind Daru. Suddenly a great thundering sound rang out from the jungle. The sound of trees cracking and crashing to the ground.
"What now?" Captain Testa said as he raised his spyglass to look out. He saw trees falling as something made its way crashing toward the battle ground.
"Whatever it is." Shine said. "It's big and there's more than one."
"Someone better warn Shayn there's trouble coming."
As the ground shook, Lesu and Paru rode down to where Shayn and Ono were fighting. They jumped down from their trackers and took down warrior warriors between them and the White and Grey.
"Lords Shayn and Ono!" Lesu called. "Get behind us. Something comes from the jungle!"
As Ono looked up, something huge came crashing out of the jungle. Ono took a step back as it roared a monstrous cry shaking the ground around them.
"What is that?" Shayn asked.
Dragon like standing at least twenty five feet tall, a six armed reptilian beast came lumbering out of the jungle. It had a great wide head a gaping maw full of what looked to be razor sharp teeth. Its tail had to be fifteen feet long and each arm ended with a four clawed hand. Right behind it came three more of a smaller size. As the thundering beast stomped their way onto the field, Daru walked out to meet them. Reaching down, the lead Chadaka opened its hand and Daru stepped on and let the beast lift him to eye level where Daru did something that shocked and amazed everyone watching.  With his hand on the beast head, Daru faded away to merge with the Chadaka
"That is impossible." Lesu stared at the monster in shock.
"Lesu!" Ono grabbed his arm. "What is that?"
"That is a Chadaka," He said. "The fiercest of all creatures on Pentanthin and it seems Daru has somehow merged with it and now he has it under his control."
"It's a dragon." Ono smiled.
"No." Paru said. "It has no intelligence. It is pure instinct and rage. Many of our people have died trying to kill them. Daru is the only one to ever gain control over them and he now controls four of the beast."
"Well we may not control the Chadaka." Ono said as he took of his jacket. "But we have our own ways to deal with such beast. Valor, Blink, Shine, let's finish this a go home!"
Shifting forms, Valor Blink and Shine dropped down off the cliff and flew down and circled the battle ground.
"When we go in." Ono turned to Shay. "It'll be up to you to finish here. Promise me you'll get everyone home safe."
"I'm not going home without you." Shayn grabbed him and pulled him into a kiss. "You will be back, I'm not worried."
"I love you." Ono dropped his hand and ran out onto the field and shifted to Battle.
"And I love you." Shayn turned and with Lesu and Paru at his side, they ran off to a clearing on the edge of the plains. "We have one more card to play. There's one more enemy of the Savonti left to enter this fight. Are you sure all our Savonti warriors wear your colors?"
"Yes." Lesu nodded. "Yaru and all the other wear only red, the color of my house."
"Then I'll call for a new friend to come and help."
Closing his eyes and trusting Lesu and Paru to keep him safe, Shay called out to Lilia at send word to Avar. But before she could send out her thoughts, Avar was there to answer.
[I AM HERE THALIA"S FRIEND. IS EVERYTHING READY?]
[All is ready.] Shayn told him. [We are prepared to swear the oath.]
[SWEAR IT.]
Shayn looked at Lesu and gave him a nod urging him on.
Pulling their swords, both Lesu and Paru placed them down on the ground in front of them and went down on one knee.
"I swear on the honor of my house and my life that never again will a of our house hurt or harm a member of the Nevac people. We will protect your kind and work for peace from this dray on with the Nevac and the people of Pentanthin. It will be our duty to punish and Savonti that break this pact we swear forever more. So swears Lesu, Paru and Maru."
[WE ACCEPT YOUR PACT.] Avar shifted into visibility. [MY PEOPLE WILL COME.]
With Avar's call, a buzzing hum could be heard coming from the cliff walls and out of the caves. Then from the caves, the Nevac swarmed down into the battle.
"Let's go win a war."

Death by a Bloody Moon. 80

As the first of the two full moons reached an apex in the night sky, Lord Memu and his warriors sighted the walls of the Academy. The walls were an amazing shade of white and twice the size of any wall that surrounded any Savonti house. They looked very formidable to but if there's one thing he had learned in his time as a Lord, it's that no walls could keep a house safe. There were ways around and through any wall no matter how high or thick it was. The real defense of any house really depended on the strength of the lord defending it. Fedrul had strong walls but humans were able to bring them down and kill the master of that house with ease. But deep down Memu knew these walls were different and these were not just average savage humans here. These humans had power. Very strong power, more power than maybe even Daru knew about. If he wanted to defeat these humans, he would have to think and be careful. After all, this was the domain of the White and Grey.
Dressed in grey leather, Ono Tyr walk out along the long dimly lite wall. He greeted and clasped hands with clansmen who stood side by side with Savonti partners. Seeing them together sharing the responsibility for the protection of the Academy gave him hope. It was proof that Humans and Savonti could live and work together. Savonti eyes watched the dark forest ready to give an alert the second they saw anyone move out of the dark forest while clansmen were ready to pounce when given the word.
As a cool wind blew across the top of the wall, Ono felt a strange chill as he turned a corner on the walkway and saw Blink standing looking over the rail. His dark hair blew wild in the breeze and there was a puzzled look on his face.
"Where is Cas?"
"Here." Cas said as he walked out to meet them. "I was busy getting my warriors to deal with eating Dera."
"How did they like it?"
"They enjoyed it. Dera are much harder to hunt. They look forward to many years of exciting hunts."
"We're ready Brother." Ono looked up at the moon high over head. "It's almost time. Gabor and the clansmen have assembled. More and more clans join us every day. They come out of the mountains, the plains, the cold north and the hot south."
"Unfortunately, so does the Savonti." Blink explained. "More lords are joining the fighting. Luckly, they seem to be joining both sides. I talked with Maru and he told me of three lords that he convinced to join us from the south. He also told me of the houses Daru invaded and the lords he took."
"I know all about the missing lords. Lilia assures me that situation is under our control. But I still feel the new lords we don't know about may be a problem."
"The unknown is our enemy." Blink said. "But it can also be our friend."
"Right now we have enough known enemies to deal with." Ono waved Blink on to follow him. "Right now I need you and Cutter. I want you in the shadows. I need you to find out where the Savonti are, when they're going to attack."
"And Cutter?"
"We'll be needing his fear abilities." Ono said. "Send him here. Lilia will give him his instruction. But you should hurry. I don't think there's much time."
"Where will you be?"
"I have something important I have to do." Ono started to turn away then stopped and turned back. "Cas, I need a favor."
"What can I do for you?"
"If anything goes wrong." He paused for a second to think. "If something happens to me, I need to know that Shayn will get back home safe to New Keanna. I want you to promise me that you will get him and the Academy home to Jandar and Rage."
"What are you saying Ono?" Blink looked at him with suspicion and worry in his eyes. "What are you planing to do?"
"I'm going to free the people here. That's all."
"Ono, that's what we all want." As Blink spoke, the sunburst around his right eye flared revealing how worried he was. He knew Ono was about to do something dangerous that could get him killed. He also knew how devastated Jandar and Rage would be if he came home without him. But, like Jandar, Ono had his own mind and once he made a decision, even Shayn probably couldn't talk him out if it. He would have to find another way to protect the young werewolf. "I can't make that promise to you but I can tell you this"
"What's that?" Ono asked with a sigh.
"We're not going home without you." The sunburst flashed. "So whatever your planning, you be careful."
"I have things to do." Ono turned and walled off down the walk way. "And so do you. Aiya Brother."
As Blink watched him go he sent out a call in his mind.
[Shine!]
[What is it Blink?]
[Ono has something dangerous in mind.  Can you follow him and keep an eye on him?]
[I'm on my way.]

It was deathly quiet as Ono stepped out of the back entrance to the Academy hall. Shifting his vision to night mode, Ono made his way through the gardens and practice fields pass Lilia's cottage to a secret place in the wall that very few knew about. As Ono approached, he saw a torch come from out behind the trees. Shifting to a more wolfen, Ono flexed his claws and slipped out to see who it was in the back garden. He hoped it was the person he had arranged to be there. As Ono got closer, he caught a scent and relaxed as Gabor Gekko stepped out holding the torch.
"Are you ready?" Ono asked.
"Yes." Gabor said. "Though I'm not sure what it is we are doing. We are about to be attacked, what are we doing back here?"
As Ono looked up and saw the second moon creeping higher into the sky, he stepped up to the walk and placed his hand on a raised stone that stuck out from the rest. With a hushed whisper, a section of the wall opened and slid away. Gabor stuck his head out and saw the jungle beyond.
"Follow me." Ono stepped out through the gate. He stopped and looked back at Gabor. Unsure where they were going, Gabor stepped out and started into the dense foilage. Ono grabbed his shoulder from behind to stop him.
"Put out the torch and leave it." He said. "We won't need it."
"How will we find the Savonti?"
Ono tapped his nose. "With this. Breathe deep. Can't you smell them?"
Gabor took a deep breath. He could smell many different scents from the forest. Dung from different animals, many different types of plants that he suddenly could easily identify. And a metallic scent he had smelled many times before and knew could only be the Savonti. But how was it that he could smell them? He didn't know how, but it was like he suddenly had the sense of smell of a tracker.
"The Savonti are that way." Gabor pointed. "To the west."
"Move slow and carefully." Ono warned Gabor. "We have someone to hunt."
"Who?"
"We hunt a Savonti lord tonight." Fur started to grow all over Ono's body as he shifted form. From man to grey wolf, Ono trotted out into the jungle. [We hunt Memu. Follow me.]
Moving slowly, Ono slipped deeper into the forest. With his nose to the wind, he went west making sure Gabor stayed right behind him. As they moved, Gabor was amazed at how strong he felt. His whole body was tingling with strength and excitement. His hearing felt so sharp tonight and he realized that the forest didn't seem as dark as it did a little while ago. He thought it must be the excitement of the hunt. But he had been hunting in this jungle all his life and he never felt like this before.
Looking up, Gabor saw the red moons high and full in the night sky. It was almost right over his head As Gabor stared at the moon, he felt something deep inside of him begin to burn. He started to sweat profusely as they snaked their way through the trees. There was something different about tonight. It was more than the anticipation of the coming battle. Gabor wasn't sure what it was, but he liked the feel of power and hoped it wouldn't go away.
As they made their way through the jungle, the smell of the Savonti was all around them. Peeking through a hedge, Ono and Gabor watches as warriors worked to set up a make shift camp. A corral was set up to hold the trackers and kiln on wheels was brought in to heat up sand for the warriors to sleep. A place for a kitchen and holding pens with cages was cleared then set up. When Gabor saw that, his lips curled back and Ono heard a growl starting to form deep inside of him.
[Calm down Gabor.] Ono sent with a soft whimper. [We're to close to let emotion trip us up. Our target is Memu, without him to lead them, these warriors will fall into chaos.]
[But those cages.] Gabor sent angrily. Ono could still hear that growl deep in his minds voice. [You know what that means.]
[Yes I do. But those cages are empty. Keep your head, don't let it distract you.]
[I am trying.] Gabor sent. [But I feel so strange. My head is burning up.]
[It won't last much longer.] Ono assured him. [It'll all feel natural soon. Look over there. Memu.]
Over to the left climbing down from a great tracker in his sky blue armor, Memu yelled orders to his warriors. Jumping to attention at his word, the warriors all hurried to get in position for the attack. Forming in three units, his warriors advanced from the left, right and the center with Memu on the hill issuing him commands.
Realizing that the Savonti lord was alone, Ono knew this was there chance. Carefully they crept up behind Memu and wait for him to order the attack to begin.

From the top of the walls of the Academy, Lowell stood and watched the silent dark jungle. There was no night breezes and the jungle animals made no sound tonight for a good reason. Though he couldn't see them, Captain Lowell Testa  knew the Academy was being watched. There were hundreds of eyes out there right now trained on the walls looking for a way in.  As he walked alone the walkway, he found Kalin Ka, Texta and Cas standing at the rail looking out.
"We've done all that we can." Kalin said without looking at Lowell. "The walls are protected though I don't know for how long."
"It's ok." Lowell stood next to him. "We have enough magic he to out last the Savonti."
"Don't be so sure my friend. We Savonti lords are not to be under estimated. There are still ways they can get in."
"Then we'll just have to make sure they don't won't we."
As Kalin smiled and nodded his agreement, a shrill scream broke the silence of the night and Savonti warriors came pouring out of the jungle. Staff weapons in hand they started blasting at the walls and the front gate. Calling out to all the armed Savonti and clansmen, Captain Lowell ordered them to return fire. Like lightning, streaks of energy flew back and forth at the wall and into the attacking Savonti force. Men and Savonti fell back when hit. Though more on the Savonti side since Kalin and the other councilors wall shield spell seemed to be working very well.
As the battle raged, every now and then a warrior would run out and start to climb the wall. From the top if he had been seen, someone would aim a weapon down and shoot him off the wall. If not, then he would make the top of the wall where he would be met by hand to hand resistance. As Lowell watched he breathed a sigh of relief, his wall forces so far had everything under control. But this was just the first wave. Memu would have something else in mind. Something that should be sprung on them at any moment.
From his perch on the hill Memu watched as his first wave of warrior attacked. Energy bolts ripped through the sky like hot arrows of molten metal. If it continued like this, his warriors would never make it up the walls. It was time for the second wave to move in.
"Andu,"
From behind Memu, a small warrior dressed in a lite shade of blue like Memu stepped up beside him. He gave his lord the fist to chest salute then bowed.
"How can I help you Father?"
"Get my warriors through that wall." Memu didn't even look down at the smaller version of himself"
"As you wish."
Walking slowly as if he was in no danger, Andu made his way down the hill and onto the field of battle. From the top of the wall weapons were aimed at him and fired. Bolts of energy flashed out striking the ground around him sending bursts of dirt into the air. As he got close to the wall the shots became more accurate but instead of hitting him, they passed right through him like he was nothing but some kind of shadow. As Andu stepped close, he raised his hands and pointed at the wall. Suddenly a shimmer like aura surrounded him and the wall became ghost like and intangible.
With a great bellow of laughter, Memu ordered his warriors forward and through the opening in the wall.
As Ono saw the warriors charge in through the wall, he shifted to wolf man form and stood up.
[This is it.] He sent to Gabor. [We attack now!]
With a howl, Ono charged at Memu with Gabor right on his heels. Diving at the Savonti lord. Ono smashed his fist into the back of his head. As Memu turned, Ono kicked out at him. Raising his arm to block the kick, Memu swept his other hand around to push Ono off with his force field. As his hand came up, Gabor swung his staff down in an arch and smashed it down on Memu's arm breaking it. As Memu howled out in pain, he stepped back and used his force field to pushed Gabor away.
"Stupid humans." Memu yelled. "You think a broken arm can stop a Savonti lord! I do not need hands to kill you!"
Reaching out with his force field, Memu grabbed Gabor and raised him high in the air. Thrusting about, Gabor struggled to free himself. As he looked up trying to break Memu's hold on him. Something in the moon flared and suddenly Gabors blood began to boil. He screamed out in pain as a rage filled his mind and he started to change for the first time. Brown fur grew thick all over his body as the wolf took hold of him. His snout grew out and fingers reformed into claws. As his teeth grew out into fangs, Gabor howled at the bloody moon.
"What madness is this?"
Surprised, Memu lessened his hold on Gabor and he tore himself free from the force field and fell snarling to the ground. As Gabor howled, Ono joined him and together they attacked Memu.

From high in the night sky, Magu watched as Memu fought the two strange beast. As the battle grew fierce, Magu circled waiting to see who would win. Gabor wasn't the brown beast he was interested in. It was the grey one. This Magu knew had to be one of the White and Grey. If he could catch it, Daru would take the upper hand on the Humans. Now all he had to do was make sure Memu lost this battle.

As the two Werewolves stood in front of him, Memu lashed out forming his field into a huge fist and smashed it down at Gabor. Diving with lightning reflexes, Gabor jumped at Memu and slashed at his armor. Huge gouges from his claws were carved in the chest piece. Leaping in while Gabor had distracted Memu, Ono sent a series of punches at Memu's head then leaped away before Memu could react. On and on the battle rage with Ono and Gabor using each other to distract Memu while the other attacked. As Memu started to weaken, he realized he was losing the battle. The two strange beast were just too fast and too strong and he was fighting with one arm. He had lost his staff, but as long as he had his force shields, he didn't need another weapon. All he needed was enough time to kill one before the other could attack.
As Ono dived at him, Memu grabbed him and slammed him to the ground knocking him out. With an anxious grin, Memu started forming the smallest force bubble he had ever made. His plan was to place it in the grey beast head and make it expand until its head exploded.
As Memu tried to place it, the brown beast attacked. Raising his uninjured arm, Memu pushed it back away form and turned back to the grey beast. As he began to concentrate, a blast of power came from somewhere above and blasted him to the ground.
Seeing Memu down, Gabor snarled and leaped at him. Landing on his chest, Gabor began to beat at his head and rip away Memu's armor. With a savage howl, Gabor stabbed his claws into Memu's chest and tore it open exposing his beating reptilian heart. As Gabor's heart pumped furiously, Gabor slammed his fist down on it crushing it. Throwing back his head, Gabor howled his triumph at the blood red moon. Lord Memu master of Memul and the forced death grip was dead.
Exhausted and covered in Savonti blood, Gabor stood up and turned to where Ono had been laying.
As Gabor turned, a huge shadow passed over his head and he heard a deep throated Savonti laugh. Gabor looked up just in time to see Magu fly off carrying Ono.
[Oh Shit!!] Gabor watched as Magu winged away. "Now what do I do?"
[I can help.]
From out of the trees a bright glowing streak came flying down like a lightning bolt. As it hit the ground, it exploded in a flash. Gabor covered his eyes from the brightness. When he opened them, Eheren was standing over Memu's dead body.
"We have to move fast." He said. "Warriors have entered the Academy. This should stop them."
[I can not carry him like this.] Gabor held out his clawed hands to Eheren. [What happened to me?]
"Gabor. I'll explain it later. Right now we have to get this back to stop the attack. If you want to change back, just concentrate and you'll shift back to your normal form."
It took a few minutes but finally Gabor shifted back to his normal self. Eheren shifted to his dragon form and then loaded Memu's body on his back and they were off.

At the Academy the battle raged in full steam. Andu had made an opening in the wall and a large group of warriors had made it in before he was to busy fighting to hold it open. Captain Lowell and the clansmen were fighting sword to sword against Memu's warriors while Kalin and the councilors kept power flowing to the wall. Inside the Academy, the cadets watched holding back ready for Memu's next attack.
Shortly after entering the Academy walls, as Andu stood holding the walls open, a bolt of energy came blasting down at his feet. Andu looked up to see a man dressed in white standing at the Academy doors facing him.
"Stop your attack!" Shayn ordered. "Take your warriors and leave us in peace. This is your only warning. Humans will never again be subjugated by the Savonti!"
With a grim smirk on his face, Andu walked out to meet the brightly dressed human in the center of the courtyard.
"You lead these Humans?"
"Yes." Shayn said. "I do."
"They you are the one my father, Lord Memu wants dead." Andu twirled his staff around so the blunt end was in the ground. "I am not as callous as my father is. I will show you mercy. Have all your people come out and give themselves to me and I not kill them. So swears Lord Andu, son of Memu."
"How generous of you." Shayn smiled. "But I think I will have to decline your oh so gracious offer and I'll make you one."
"What could you possibly offer me?'" Andu leaned forward on his staff. Shayn knew he could swing that staff up and blast at him in a second, but he didn't care. "How about your life. Leave and swear to never touch another Human, and I will let you live."
"Bold words for a Human." Laughed Andu."
"I never said I was Human"
"Then what are you?" Andu wasn't smiling any more.
"I'm the one giving you a chance to live." Shayn's eyes flashed with a golden glow. "I'm one of the men who did this to your father."
As Shayn finished the sentence, Memu's body dropped out of the sky and landed at Andu's feet. Andu stepped back in shock seeing his fathers corpse on the ground in front of him. Spreading his arms, Shayn shifted to his dragon form and roared sending a plume of flame into the sky. In answer to his roar, Shine, Blink and Cutter in dragon form dropped down howling to surround Andu. Looking from one snarling dragon to the next, Andu leveled his staff at Shayn but did not fire.
Climbing down from Shine's back, Gabor stepped out to speak with Andu.
"Put down your weapon." Andu lowered his staff and then dropped it. "We will run and hide no more.We are not the weak beast you think we are. We have the power and the friends to protect ourselves from now on. So I give you the choice again. Promise to never hunt or harm another human or die here and now. The choice is yours."

The Swamp. 79

It was hot and sticky as Zarin and his friends made their way through the swamps of Serul. Azeal was in the lead, moving quietly through the stagnant water like a ghost. Behind him came Zarin and Craven followed by Zark, Trela and Reno in the rear. No one spoke, they just walked on until they came to a familiar clearing and Azeal stopped them.
"This is it." He pointed to a great mound that rose up out of the swamp.
"That?" Zarin asked.
"Yes." Trela smiled. "Look closer."
Out beyond the water they saw a great mound that rose up out of the swamp. It was the only dry land for miles around. As they moved closer, they saw a ramp that ran down into the mound. Bones of dead warriors and Humans were scattered all around the mound. Zarin felt a cold shiver run through him as they stepped out of the water onto dry land. He wasn't sure how he knew but Trela was right. Tabor was here. Zarin could feel his presence here all around him. He must be somewhere down below in the lair of the dead lady.
"Now what?" Reno asked.
"We go in and finish this." He said. "But first we deal with her and her trap. Where is he?"
"Who?" Trela asked.
"The lord you brought us here to kill us."
As Trela laughed, Locu and his warrior came riding out of the mound to surround them.
"You are not very smart Human." Trela stepped out and went and stood with Locu. "You came here with these small children knowing this to be a trap all along. And you have with you just want I am looking for."
"You mean this?" Zarin reached in his pocket and took out the Ring of Endrin. "Is this what you want? What Tabor wants?"
"Yes Human." Locu stepped out in his purple armor. "That belongs to another. Give it to me."
"If you want it you scaly bastard. Come and get it."
"GIVE IT TO ME NOW!" Locu thundered his voice echoing through the tree's. Zarin felt a compulsion to walk out and hand it to the Savonti lord but he shook it off knowing the feel of Tabors magic. He took two steps toward Locu then started laughing.
"Did your new master teach you that?" He laughed. "I'm sorry but that won't work on us. You will have to do a lot better."
"Then how about this." Locu sneered. "ATTACK! GET THE RING!"
Charging forward, Locu's warriors attacked them. Trela ran behind Locu into the lair as Locu pulled his sword and went for Zarin. Ready for the attack, Zarin stuffed the ring in his pocket and raised his sword to block the advancing lord. A loud clang rang out as the two swords met. Pulling a second hand weapon Locu reached in to press it to Zarin's chest and send a charge start into his heart.  With a single word, Zarin uttered a spell to repel the charge and send it back through Locu's arm. As Locu dropped the weapon he pressed in on the sword attack on Zarin. From the side of the mound, Craven sent bolt after both and the warriors firing on him. Beside him Zark with his twin blades fought anything that came up from behind them. Reno in his half wolf form, ripped and torn at the enemy while Azeal pulled Justice which had shifted into a staff started firing at the warriors.
"Azeal." Craven shouted, "Keep firing and force them back and watch Reno. "
"What about Zarin?" Azeal asked as he shot down another warrior.
"He's on his own for now." craven said.  "This is his plan."
Below, Zarin and Locu dueled back and forth in the entrance to the lair. With a sudden kick, Zarin knocked the blade from Locu's hand and forced him back down into the muddy swamp.
"Now tell me where he is." Zarin held his sword to Locu's throat.
Just as Locu was about to answer, a strange song call riding out from the lair. Zarin looked up to find Trela standing there dressed in only her silks as she sang and hummed a tune. Suddenly Zarin felt all his will drop out of him. His sword fell as Locu stood up and pushed him down.
"Get the ring." Trela said still dancing and humming.
As Locu looked around, he realized all the Humans were in some kind of trance. He grabbed Zarin and reached in his pocket and found the ring. It was a simple band of gold with gleaming small gems and an intricate design. Locu wonder what it was that made this thing so important to the Humans. Maybe he should keep it until he found out what powers might be locked inside.
As Locu stared at the ring in his hand, Trela knew just what was on his mind. This ring and the Human boy was the key to her power on Pentanthin. The Human could give her what she wanted, he had already proved that. Locu must give Tabor his ring.
"Take the ring below." She said. "I will take care of the Humans here."
With a nodded Locu turned and went down into the underground burrow. Still humming and moving seductively, Trela danced down and told the warrior to back away.
"Pretty little Human." Trela reached out a caressed Zarin's face running her fingers down his neck. She flexed her hand and poisonous talons emerged from her fingertips. "It is too bad you must die now."
As Trela reached for Zarin's neck, something grabbed her hand and pulled her away from the mesmerised young mage. When she turned, in front of her stood a dark haired young girl with a deadly glow in her eyes.
"Get away from them you bitch!!"
With her free hand, Thalia sent out a pulse of power that threw Trela back into the mud of the swamp.Falling back into the muddy water, Trela sat up and screamed to the warriors.
"Kill them, now!"
Thalia didn't have much time to even think. The Savonti were coming in to attack and Zarin and the others were still under Trela's hypnotic spell. She had to find a way to wake them and she wouldn't get a second chance. Whatever Trela had done, she didn't do it with her touch. It had to be something visual or aromatic that didn't have any effect on her. She didn't have time to go to each of them shake them awake. The only thing she could think to do was try her mind speak and hope she could get through.
[ZARIN, CRAVEN, AZEAL!!] She screamed out at them with her mind. [WAKE UP!!]
With no response, Thalia tried one last thing in desperation. Focusing all her might, Thalia sent out a burst of energy that rippled out and sent waves of pain through their bodies. Suddenly all at once, the four friends screamed out in pain.
[Watch out.] She sent. [We're under attack!]
With amazing reflexes, Reno woke from the trance just as a warrior with his staff aimed at his chest charged at him. Before Reno could move, Zark stabbed out with his sword and cut the warrior down. Zarin's eyes cleared and he looked around quickly confused. At one second he had his sword at Locu's throat, now somehow Thalia was here and Locu was gone. What had happened?
"There's no time to explain." Thalia jumped in front of Zarin and blasted an attacking warrior. "Locu took the ring. He went down into the lair to give it to Tabor. You have to get him before he reaches Tabor."
With a nod Zarin was off running deep down into the lair after the Savonti lord Locu while Reno, Azeal Craven and Zark fought the warriors. Thalia stepped out to face Trela who stood waiting with her claws posed and ready to fight.

Magu flew quietly through the chilly Pentanthin morning out of Darul and into Gukul where he had been ordered to retrieve the ex-lords for the battle against the Humans. He was anxious for the fight. He knew once it was done he would have his pick of the new lands Daru had acquired and so many new slaves. Savonti and Human slaves and perhaps a few of the Nevac if any lived through the battle. Magu had decided to keep the Nevac around in his new house. He missed the taste of their flesh and they would make for great hunting once they were trained properly. But today was not the day for those thoughts. Today his mind had to be on a more serious task. Lord Daru had finally decided it was time to strike down the humans and their allies. Magu was to go to Gukul and bring the ex-lords to Fedrul for the attack. Daru would send them in first to weaken the Humans defenses then Magu and Daru's warriors would come in and gather the survivors and cage them.
He had special interest for the two that started all this rebellion. The White and Grey. Daru wanted them in a collar and chains so he could show them off. He wanted to prove he was more powerful then some ancient prophesy.
As Magu flew over the once proud house of Guku, he angled his wings and started his decent. From up here he could see Daru's orders to have the house ready for war had been carried out. Vak had built towers for climbing high walls. There were penthanium cannons arranged just outside of the walls harnessed to trackers ready to be taken wherever Daru ordered. There were also hundreds of cages on wagons for the slaves they would be taking. Daru would be pleased with the preparations made here. And Magu knew the same would have been done in all the other lands they had captured. The Humans would not stand a chance against what would be coming for them tonight.
As Magu dropped down on the wall and folded his wings to his back, Vak stepped out and give him the fist salute.
"Nazun Lord Magu." He said bowing his head. "I have followed my lord's orders to the letter. His wagons are almost done and the cannons have been prepared. You may inspect our work if you like."
"Everything looks to be in order." Magu started down the steps into the house compound. "I expect the warriors you have are ready for the attack."
"Yes Lord Magu."
"And what of your guest?" Magu asked. "Have they given you any trouble?"
"No." Vak told him. "They have been as docile as a dera. They hardly even eat."
"Send in a few slaves. They will eat."
"There is a Human already in there with them?"
Magu stopped and looked at Vak. "I gave you no orders to allow them contact with Humans."
"No you didn't, Lord Magu." Vak said nervously. "But Redu returned with a Human he said he was ordered to capture. I kept him for you."
"Did he now?" Magu looked to the cave where the lords where being kept. "Did you collar it?
"Yes my lord. Of course I did. I would not take a chance with such a prize."
"Did Redu say who this Human is?"
"Just that he is one of the Humans Daru has been searching for."
"Curious." Magu scratched his chin. "I will see this Human."
"This way Lord Magu." Vak started to escort Magu to the cave of the ex-lords.
Annoyed at the impudence of the lieutenant, Magu followed behind the warrior ready to strike him down but holding on to his anger.
As they reached the cave. Magu stopped Vak from entering with a snarl.
"Wait here lieutenant."
"As you wish." He bowed. Vak stepped up and unlocked the door and stepped aside to let Magu pass him.
As the cell door opened, Redu and got to their feet and stepped forward. Magu looked at Ozmun with a spark or recognition. He remembered him.
"You." He pointed to Ozmun. "I remember you. You fought in Daru's games. You were his best human fighter. I heard you escaped."
"I guess not far enough." Ozmun stood proudly in front of the Savonti lord. "But it does not matter. The days of Savonti control is over. We will rise over you if we must."
"Will you?" Magu laughed. "And who will stand with you against us? Them?"
"Yes." Weru stepped out from the other lord. "Yes we will. I fought the idea of Humans being equal to us, but no more. I will fight at your side if you will have me."
"So will I." Tibu came out to stand with Weru.
"And I." Buku raised his hand stepping out. "We all will."
"Not while you still wear that collar." Magu huffed at them. "Not while we still hold you in our power!  I am here to take you out to fight for Lord Daru, and while you wear his collar, that is what you will do. We march in ten units and you will be in the front line killing Humans whether you like it or not! Now, outside, all of you!"
Like Docile slaves, Ozmun and the four ex lords walked out of the cave following Magu's direction. He walked them out to the front of Vak's assembly of warriors and ordered the march for Fedrul to begin.
Ozum marched side by side with Redu and Weru anxious to get back to the Academy and the rest of his friends. They watched as Magu took off from the walls of Gukul. They knew they would be seeing him again. And maybe, just maybe, Weru would get his wish.

It was late in the afternoon and everything at the Academy was in full swing. The walls had men posted constantly watching the jungle for any attack. Gabor had all the clan women and children moved to Marul where they would be safe. Shayn had wanted some of the younger cadets moved to but they all refused. None of them would leave insisting that this fight to important and they would need all the magic they could get. Dack and Trip had joined with the guards men to protect the wall and Rese was with the Dragons.
As Shayn and Ono came one to inspect the defenses, they ordered Lila to be taken inside where she could scan the forest and alert them of any approaching Savonti forces. Now everything was ready. There was nothing left to do but wait.
"It will be tonight." Ono said looking up at the bright full moon. "Win or lose, this ends tonight."
"Are we doing the right thing?" Shayn asked. "Do we have the right to put our curse in these people?"
"It's not a curse anymore." Ono moved behind Shayn and wrapped him in his arms. "They won't be any blood lust. Everything is in control."
"Are you sure? We don't really know what effect our magic will have on these people. This could go all wrong."
"Do you trust me, love?" Ono asked as he kissed his neck.
"I trust you with my life. You know that."
"Then as Insa would say." Ono turned Shayn to face him. "Trust the magic, it won't fail us."
Shayn nodded, squeezed Ono's hand and turned to look out at the jungle. No matter what Ono had said, he still was still worried. So many people's lives in their hands. This could all go wrong in a second and then they would all be lost to the hands of Daru and the rest of his man eating brethren.
As Shayn and Ono watched the jungle, Blink and Cutter came up the stairway and joined them on the wall.
"Is it good news or bad?" Shayn asked.
"Good." Cutter smiled. "Look here. See all the people down there. Because of you, they're all here ready to fight for their freedom. Win or lose none of them blame you. In truth, they want to thank you. This is the first time in Pentanthin history that men can travel in certain places without being hunted. That's because of you. Think about it. We have changed the Savonti. They will never be the same again. You should be proud of that."
"You're right." Shayn said feeling some relief. "I just hope it's enough."
"It had better be." Blink said staring into the dark jungle. "Because they are here. The Savonti are coming through my shadow wall. Get ready. They will be here a few minutes."
The lights were dim in the office of the head master. Sitting on pillows a midst the gentile fumes of incense, Lila watched the forest as Memu and his warriors entered. His lines of warriors stretched far beyond the edges of dark Fedrul. With her mind she reached out to Tanis, Kalin, Bandit and Texta who waited for word in the shadow.
[Tanis.] She sent. [They are near. Are you ready?]
[As ready as we can be.] He answered.
Tanis st down and bowed his head. He would need a few minutes to gather as much mist as he could to slow Memu and his warriors down. As the mist started to condensed, the air all around them began to grow colder. Kalin pulled his cloak closer around his shoulders and signaled Texta to begin her spell.
"How's this going to work?" Bandit asked. He stood with Kalin as Tanis and Texta worked on they're magic's. Kalin had been staring into the forest with a cloudy look in his eyes. He's eyes cleared as he turned to Bandit to answer.
"The spell we are weaving will cloud the minds of the enemy." He said. "The Savonti will see things that will have them chasing shadows through the forest. It will distract them enough to give us a chance to be better prepared."
"But there are so many." He said. "Look."
As Kalin looked down from the ridge where they were hiding, he saw three lines of warriors marching in through the forest. There had to be more then two hundred warriors down there.
"By Rimnar!" Bandit said surprised. He knew Memu would have an army with him, but he wasn't expecting so many. "How many warriors does he have?"
"Gabor said there would probably be much more than this. This is one lord and one house. When Daru attacks there will be a lot more than this."
"What do we do?" Bandit asked.
"Slow them down." Kalin explained. "For now, that's all we can do."
As Tanis's cold mist began to rise Kalin's spell started to take effect. Mysterious howling began to ring out of the forest. Shadows slipped in and out of nowhere causing the Savonti to jump to the attack. They slashed and stabbed at clansmen as they appeared suddenly out of the mist and disappeared again. Staff weapons blasted out at shadows and warriors gave chase after the Humans they thought were attacking.
Memu screamed out orders at his confused warriors trying his best to get them back under his control. He reached out with his power and grabbed at the attackers trying to crush them with his force fields. But there was nothing there.
"Stay in line!" He ordered. "You fight nothing but shadows and darkness. Keep marching.!"
[Now!] Kalin sent to the others.
Slipping into the mist, Bandit and Tanis crept into the night and started taking warriors down. One by one the Vampire and the beast used tooth, fang and claw to take down as many warriors they could. When that wasn't enough, Kalin conjured creeping vines to rise up and grab at the warriors. Like tentacles the vines grabbed and pulled down warriors tearing them limb from limb. The forest had suddenly turned into a nightmare for the Savonti but they fought on. With Memu leading them, the Savonti hacked and stabbed at the night until Tanis, Bandit, Kalin and Texta had used up every ounce of strength up.
[That's it.] Kalin sent to his friends. [We have done all we can. Lila said for us to come home. We can finish the fighting there.]
Shifting to his raven form, Tanis flew off as Bandit launched himself into the trees and started swinging his way home.
"This is just the beginning." Kalin said as he took Texta's hand and they transported back to the Academy. Looking up into the night sky, Memu stared grimly as the first of the two full moons made its way over the horizon. He felt a cold chill run through his body as it climbed higher. It was a blood red moon. The Savonti called it the night of the beast. They had no idea how true that name would be from now on.

On a lower level of the lair of Seru, Tabor sat alone on her throne of bones. He knew what was going on above. He knew Trela had lured Zarin and the others here to Serul. He wanted to be done with them and he expected Locu and Trela to finish the job for him. He was eager to get the ring and get back home where he hoped to steal everything His father had won.
By now, Tayor should have taken all the upper lands of Taggitia. That means Winterhaven, Yadessa, Tir Na and New Keanna should be his and he have made his move on Talsara to put her where she belonged. With the ring in his hand, Tabor knew his father would stand no chance against him. He would be able to go home defeat his father and have control over every single man women and child whether it be vampire, werewolf of elf.
The thought of him ruling all of Keanna brought a devious smile to his face. At last he would have everything that was coming to him. He wondered what had happened to Elan and Aron after he left. Had Elan done as his mother had ordered? If he had, he and Emrel should be married by now and Aron would be dead. He hoped his father hadn't killed Elan when he invaded Darkshade. There might still be some way Tabor could still use that elven fool. He would need someone to control the Elves and Faeries and Elan would be the perfect lackey.
From his seat on Seru's throne, Tabor heard the sound of someone moving in the hall outside of the throne room. This was it. At last they were here with the ring. He could feel its power as it came closer to him. With a wave of his hand, Tabor opened the throne room doors expecting Trela to be on the other side waiting with the ring. As the doors swung open, Locu in his purple armor came running down the hall and into the room.
"I was expecting Trela." Tabor said as he leaned back on the throne. "But you will do. Did you succeed in your mission? Do you have the ring?"
"Yes." Locu said as he came in looking back behind him. He reached in his pocket and pulled out the Ring of Endrin. "Is this what you seek?"
As Locu opened his hand, a bright flash of power filled the room. Tabor stood with a look of greed of his face. His eyes were bright with anticipation.
"Give it to me!!"
"Not so fast." Locu smiled. "If this ring is as important as you say, perhaps I should keep it and use it myself."
"Don't be a fool Savonti." Tabor stepped down from the throne. "Whatever power the ring has you can't access. None of you Savonti can use the ring. Only a mage from my world can use its magic."
"And why should I believe you?" Locu closed the ring in his fist and put it back in his pocket. "I think you lie Human. I think with enough study, the power in this ring can be mine."
"You can think whatever you want Snake." Tabor was becoming angry. "I gave you the power you wanted. I gave you control of all the Savonti. Now give me what is mine!"
"Now all the Savonti." Locu shouted. "My power does not work of my brother. And I do not think it will have any effect on Lord Daru, the mind lord, so your promise is empty."
"You want power?" Tabor's eyes flared with a strange glow. The room grew hot as his power began to build. "I'll show you what real power is!"
As Locu grabbed for the weapon at his side, Tabor lifted his hands and made a gesture it the air. Before Locu could aim and press the trigger, Tabor sent a stream of mystic energy at the Savonti lord.  It struck him and held him in place as he screamed in agony.
"I gave you enough power to make yourself master of your own lands, but that wasn't enough was it." Tabor's voice echoed all around the walls of the throne room. "Very well. You want power? Here's all the power you will ever need. I hope you enjoy it!"
With a twisting of his wrist and a thrust of his hands, Tabor sent a blast of energy straight at Locu. At took a hold of his body and started burning him from the inside out. Locu's screaming became almost ear splitting as his body withered and burned. It took only seconds for him to become a steaming pile of burned flesh wrapped in the purple armor of a Savonti lord.
With a grin on his face, Tabor stepped forward and kicked at the armor until the Ring of Endrin came tumbling out. Pleased, Tabor reached down to grab his prize.
"TABOR!"
Without  standing, Tabor looked up to find Zarin walking toward him holding a staff weapon with  fury in his eyes. With a wave of his hand, Zarin sent the ring sailing away from him. Tabor stood up looking irritated at Zarin.
"I hoped they had killed you." He said. "But I should have known better."
"Yes." Zarin said. "You should know not even the Savonti will keep me from getting to you. You killed my mother. MY MOTHER TABOR!!"
"She was in my way." He shrugged. "I would've killed them both if I had the chance."
"Well here's your chance." Zarin threw down the staff weapon he was holding. "Just me and you. No weapons. My magic against yours."
Tabor looked at him with such hate. Zarin had seen that look in Tabor's eyes for years. He had seen it every day at school. He wondered for a second if that was what Tabor saw in his eyes. He knew it was a dangerous edge he was standing on. Hate led to dark magic and if Zarin fought him with such hate in his heart, he would be on his way to being just like him.
With a deep breath Zarin calmed himself and pushed the hate away. He cleared his mind of emotion like Insa had taught him and was ready for battle.
As they circled each other with hands up and ready to cast, Zarin waited for Tabor's attack. With a flick of his hand and turn of his fingers, Tabor cast out with his first bolt of energy. A green blast of magic streaked at Zarin. Moving his hands in a circular motion, Zarin created a shield in front of him to intercept the blast. As it hit the shield, Zarin cast out and sent his own bolt at Tabor. Magical blue sparks erupted from the air around Tabor and showered down on him. As the burning sparks hit Tabor he hissed in pain and swung his hand over his head to stop the sparkling burning rain. Gritting his teeth, Tabor threw sharp flicks of light at Zarin. Zarin ducked and batted away the light daggers. One, two and three hit his shield but four and five broke through and stabbed into his shoulder. Zarin staggered back reeling from the pain. As Tabor saw the opening, he fashioned a bolt of lightning and sent it flying at Zarin's chest. With magical reflexes, Zarin dived to the side and sent his own bolt at Tabor. Standing his ground, Tabor took the bolt on his shield. With a loud crack it sent an electrifying shock through Tabor's arm. As Tabor screamed out in pain, he fell back and rolled across the floor to land at the foot of the throne.
As Tabor struggled to get to his feet, Thalia, Azeal, Craven, Zark and Reno came running down into the room. They looked from Zarin to Tabor to see where they could help Zarin in the fight.
"No!" Zarin yelled. "Stay out of this!"
On his hands and knees, Tabor went to get up and back into the fight. As he moved his hand, he felt something brush his fingers. Looking down Tabor saw the Ring of Endrin right there at his fingertips. With a motivated smile, Tabor snatched up the ring and sent a sudden bolt at Reno and Thalia.
"No!!" Zarin screamed. He jumped out and dived at his friends knocking them back out of the way with a force wave.
"I don't have to kill you bastards." Tabor took the ring and put it on his finger. "Now that I have what I wanted, I think trapping you here in the hands of the Savonti will be enough. Aiya Zarin. I hope you enjoy the belly of the Savonti."
As Zarin got to his feet and rushed for him, Tabor opened a portal, dived in and slammed it shut behind him. In a great flash of magic, Tabor was gone.
"It's not over." Zarin said to his friends. "Come on. We have to get back. Shayn and Ono might need our help."

As Rese sat with the Dragons and listened to their plans, his mind started to wander. He saw Zarin and the others pushing their way through the swamp. Somehow it felt to him as if he was right there with them. Like he could reach out and touch them. He could smell the rotten scent of the decaying swamp around him. How was this possible? With his right hand, Rese reached out for Reno. As he touched him, his fingers went right through him. Reno jumped pulling his sword and scanned the swamp around him.
"What's wrong?"  Craven asked.
"I felt something." He said. Feeling uneasy, Reno placed his swords back in their scabbard. "I must be this creepy swamp playing tricks on me."
Rese looked down at his hands. They looked solid to him, but somehow they couldn't see him. It must be some part of his Dragon magic he didn't know about.
Getting in line, Rese followed them. It wasn't long before they were standing on the outskirts of Seru's lair. As they approached the lair, Zarin asked Trela when the trap she had planned would be sprung. As she laughed, Locu and his warriors emerged from out of the lair and the fighting began.
Rese watched helpless as his brave friends fought off the Savonti warriors. He saw Trela cast her spell and somehow hypnotize Zarin and the others. He screamed a warning to them but none of them heard him. Suddenly a dark shadow streaked down out of the trees at Trela. It was Thalia. She had followed them. It took her a minute but she figured out a way to break Trela's spell and woke her friends up. Rese breathed a sigh of relief as Zarin ran down into the lair and the fighting in the swamp began anew.
Running down after Zarin, Rese followed him through the twists and turns of the swamp lair until the came to the throne room of Seru. As Zarin burst through the chamber doors, a wave of power hit Rese and he closed his eyes and fell back.
"ZARIN!!"
Rese opened his eyes and found himself back in the room with the Dragons. He jumped to his feet.
"By all the gods of Fortis!" Ono ran to help the young boy up. "Are you alright?"
"Zarin's in trouble." He said as sweat rolled of his brow. He ran for the door "I have to go!"
"Wait!" Shayn jumped up. "What's going on?"
"Let him go." Cutter said. "I saw everything. More then he did. This is up to them."
As Rese ran from the room, Shayn sent him a last message.
[Vanya sulie tan. Good luck brother.]
As Rese ran through the Academy halls, he called out to Dack and Trip.
[Dack, Trip. Meet me in the courtyard. Zarin's in trouble.]
[I knew it!] Came Dack's reply. [We'll be there in a minute.]
As Dack and Trip came running out of the Academy doors, Tempus was waiting for them in full Dragon form. He roared and sent a blast of sonics into the sky.
[Climb on and hold tight.] He said. "This is going to be a bumpy ride.]
[What happened?] Trip asked as they climbed up Tempus's leg and settled themselves into a secure place.
[I think Tabor has the Ring.] Rese explained. [Zarin's in trouble.]
[Get us there as fast as you can.]
[Keep your heads down and your hands close to my body.] Rese opened his wings and started to lift off. Once off the ground he circled the Academy twice and in a blur of speed, he was gone.