The Nevac. 30

High in a dark tower of the house of Darul sat its master, Lord Daru of the Savonti. He had just witnesses in his mind the fall of Fedru's manse. He had warned him this would happen, but that damned Fedru wouldn't listen. He was more interested in invasion and trying to make a move on Daru or one of his neighbors then in protecting the lands he held. Now the fool was dead. And at the hands of one of his own enemies. Serves him right. Any lord stupid enough to not take warnings when they are given, deserves just what he gets. Daru had watched as the humans crept in and hid until Fedru walk right into their hands. He saw the human boy drive his sword through him ending the life of the great lord despite his almost invulnerable hide and burning touch. But who were these beast? These humans. They were not the ones Trela had warned him about. Daru knew the boy that killed Fedru was of a nearby clan, but what of the two dark strangers? He could feel they were powerful, but where had they come from? They were nothing like any humans he had ever seen before. So who were they? And the two beast that wreaked havoc above. Great winged beast with amazing strength. Fedru's forces stood no chance against these things whatever they were. And where did they come from? One minute all was at peace with Fedru's warriors in control, and the next it was total chaos. Tracker beast running wild and humans armed and in revolt tearing his warriors apart. Daru was confused as he stood up and began to pace in his study. Something had changed on Pentanthin. Weird humans and creatures appearing suddenly. He thought of the two that had been found in his own lands. The white and grey. Where were they now? Could they be with the escaped one? He hadn't felt his presence in days now. Not since the two foolish hunters had failed to return him. Daru had had the forest searched, but all they found was an abandoned hut burned down and his ex-slaves collar among the debris. There was no trail for the trackers to follow anywhere in the area. But the human could be anywhere.

"It doesn't matter." Daru said to himself. "He can't hide forever. He would make himself known soon enough."

Until then Daru would have much to do. Hunt down every human he could find. Especially those with the spark of power. He had seen a few of them scattered across the lands. He didn't care whose land he found them in. If he had to invade another lords land to capture them, then so be it. He would not suffer the same fate as Fedru. he would not under estimate these humans and what they could do.

Mar sat exhausted on the dirt covered floor of his cell picking at the rotten roots and vegetables he had been even to eat. He looked to his left at the humans watching him. They were starving as they were rarely feed. Since he had arrived the humans had kept away from him. They didn't know what to make of a Savonti slaving right beside them. But hunger was making them bolder. A young boy crept closer as Mar ate and snatched a root he had dropped and ran into a corner to eat. Mar watched as a big man came and smacked the boy and took the root pushing him away. The boy backed off looking tearful as the man sat and ate his prize. Looking back toward Mar, the boy hoped he might find some other scrap. He didn't care if it was rotten or not. Mar looked around and realized this wasn't the only child here. There were three others and they were just as hunger as the boy. He picked a huge green melon from his basket and rolled it to the boy and pointed to it. As the boy reached for it the man roared and jumped to his feet and screaming at the boy.

"THAT"S MINE!!" He said. "DON'T TOUCH IT!!"

The boy retreated scared as the big man bent over to retrieve the melon. Mar kicked out at the man knocking him away from the melon. Anger the man got up and leaped at Mar with his hands stretched out ready to fight. With a quick swing of his tail, Mar swatted the man away knocking him back into his corner.

"You have the root." Mar said standing over the man. "You’re going to let them eat what I give them. Understand?"

"You’re a slave here just like us." The man spit. "I'll take what I want. What are you gonna do?"

"Eat you." Mar smiled showing his pointed Savonti teeth and licking his lips. Fear filled the man as he backed away to his corner and sat and chewed on his root. Mar picked up the basket and walked over to the five other humans cowering on their side and pushed the basket to them.

"Eat." He said backing away. Scared they looked at him. Why would a Savonti want to give them food? The two adults grabbed their children pulling them into the corner scared of Mar. The young boy looked at him with hunger in his eyes. He needed to eat and his hunger was overwhelming his fear.

"Can I eat?" He asked."

"Yes." Mar said. "It's for you."

"No!!" A woman grabbed the boy. "He just wants to get you fat so he can eat you. You heard what he said to Jerel. He's one of them!"

"This is more than I could eat." Mar told them turning back to his mat in the corner. "It's yours if you want it. And I won't eat you. None of you. Not even him."

The boy smiled and grabbed a deep purple piece of fruit and tore into it. As he ate the others joined him passing the food around.

"What of me?" Jerel asked pleading "I'm hunger to."

"You may eat too." Mar waved him on. "Just let the children eat first or you answer to me."

Stuffed with fruits and vegetables with his face covered with purple fruit juice the boy walked closer to Mar. The woman called him back but he ignored her and stared at him.

"Not afraid anymore?" Mar asked.

"No." He said.  "I never was scared. But why are you here?"

"I don't know." Mar shrugged. "They don't like me."

"But your one of them. Don't they have to like you?"

"I'm not like them." Mar explained. "Nothing like them at all."

"I'm Juelz." The boy said as he sat down across from Mar. "I never met one of you before that wasn't mean."

"Nazun* Juelz." Mar nodded. "I am Mar."

"Nazun Mar." Juelz smiled at him. "I've never had to thank one of your kind before. We've always run from you. But thank you,"

"How long have you been here Juelz?" Mar asked him looking the thin boy dressed in rags over. "How did you come to be here?"

"The same way we all got here." The boy told him. Juelz came closer and sat down. "I was taken in a raid with the rest of my family while our clan was moving. We fell behind because of a broken wagon wheel and somehow got lost trying to catch up. Next thing we knew we were surrounded by the Savonti and put in cages."

"I am sorry." Mar put his head down. He knew how the humans suffered here and hated it. He found it hard to look the boy in his eyes.

Juelz looked at him amazed at what he saw. It seemed impossible or some Savonti joke. But the Savonti didn't know humor so that wasn't it. This Mar was different. He was right. He was nothing like any Savonti Juelz had ever heard of before and he liked him. But could he really trust him? He didn't know. He would just have to wait and see.

"So where do we go?" Thalia asked Zarin as they walked through the forest of crimson plum and shades of lilac. They were all amazed at the beauty here. Dack reached down and picked a flower from a bush. It looked like a rose but it had no thorns and the smell was sweet like nothing he'd ever smelled before.

"I don't know." Zarin shrugged. "The Academy is somewhere here. Unless Eheren's spell was off. We keep looking until we find it or someone that can tell us where we are."

"I can tell you one thing." Reno said from behind them looking up at the two suns. "This isn't Keanna,"

"Well there must by people here somewhere." Craven called. "Right?"

"I'm sure there are." Eheren stop them in a small clearing of dew covered grass and put his pack down. "So how do we find them?"

"Well we could walk around out here for hours with no idea where we're going.” Zarin said. "Or some of us can shift and fly out and take a look from higher up."

"I'll go." Eheren said. "As Shine I can stay small and be inconspicuous."

Dack and Reno looked at him confused by his choice of words. Eheren smiled. He was glad to be out here with young people again. It had been so long since Magnes had felt young. He was enjoying their company.

"That means unnoticeable." He patted Dack's shoulder.

"I got it." Dack look to the others. "What about us?"

"Thalia can go north and you south. Trip, you fly west." Zarin suggested. "Look for the Academy of course, but find people too. Maybe someone here knows where we can find it. Be careful, this is a strange place and we have no idea what might be out there. The rest of you, we need to find water. That's our most important need right now. Reno, you should be able to sniff some out. Take Dack with you. You think you can control your panther side?"

"Yeah." Dack said joining Reno. "I think so."

"Good, you be careful to." Zarin turned to Craven and Zark. "Think you can hunt us up something to eat?"

"If that is your wish young master." Zark pulled his bow and a quiver of arrows from his pack and the two started off into the forest.

"Don't be gone too long." Zarin called after them all as the left.  “None of you."

"What should I do?" Rese the youngest of their group asked. The blond boy had the look of someone that had been forgotten or left out on his face.

"You." Zarin smiled. "Are my partner for today. We are going to practice our magic and see what we can do. How’s that?"

"Really?"

"You bet!" Zarin ruffled his hair. "I'll teach you just like Professor Insa taught me. But it's not going to be easy. It'll take a lot of practice and concentration. Can you do it?"

"I'll try my best." He smiled at his new teacher eager to begin learning all there was to know of magic and how to use it.

"Eheren will also help." Zarin told him. "He'll teach you things a young dragon needs to know. Craven and Trip I'm sure will have pointers for you too. Reno and Zark will be teaching you how to defend yourself and to hunt."

"What about Dack and Thalia?" He asked as they went and sat down in the clearing to talk.

"Thalia is one of the smartest people I know." Zarin said. "You can trust her with anything. For a girl, she's very wise  gives great advice. Dack is my best friend. I've known him all my life and we've gotten ourselves in and out of a lot together. If there's one thing Dack knows it how to be a good friend and how to have fun. And believe me when I say having fun is important. You'll see what I mean when the time is right. Now for your first lesson."

[Isn't it beautiful here?] Thalia sent as she and Shine flew over the tress heading out on their search. [I've never seen anything like this. So many different birds and animals.]

[Thalia you watch yourself.] Shine warned. [This is an alien world and we have no idea what could be out here. Even the most innocent looking creature could be most deadly.]

[I know.] She answered back. [But just look at it! what could be bad in a place like.,....]

And Thalia's message stopped before she could finish her sentence.

[Thalia?] Shine called. There was no answer. [THALIA!!!]

[SHINE!!] Was all he heard back. With a quick flip in the air, Shine turned and took off heading south in the direction he knew she had been flying. He tried a few more times be didn't get any answer from her. Worried he called out.

[Reno! Somethings wrong with Thalia. I need you to come quick!]

Down below Reno and Dack were drinking from the river they had found when they heard Shines call. Both of there heads went up with alert at his message.

[We're coming!!] Reno sent as they turned and with all their speed streaked south cutting through the thick forest to find Thalia and see what had happened to her.

It didn't take Shine long to find the spot Thalia had sent her last message from. He could sense the vampire's' presence all around him low in the trees. She had stopped right here in this tree to gaze at the wonders around her. He walked down along the branch carefully looking for and sign of her. Something had been here other then the girl. He could feel her sudden surprise as she was grabbed but he couldn't tell in which direction she had been taken. He hoped she was alright. As he looked around he heard something come crashing through the forest below coming in his direction. In a moment Reno's brown wolf form came rushing out of the forest followed but Dacks panther.

[Where is she?] Reno sent to Shine.

[I don't know. Can you find her scent?]

Reno and Dack begin sniffing around the ground down there looking for any sign she had been there. Suddenly Dack growled deep in his chest.

[Here.] He sent to them sniffing the truck of a tree. [I smell her here. She's not alone. Smell that Reno? It's pretty strong.]

[Yes.] He sniffed all around the trees base. [We go this way!]

Howling a warning Reno took off deeper into the forest with Shine high in the trees and Dack right behind him. He followed a strong scent. Reno wasn't sure who or what had made the scent, but it was getting easier to follow the further they ran. Soon they found themselves in a deep canyon with high walls to each side. The walls were riddled with caves. This was the perfect place for an ambush Reno thought and the smell of whatever had taken Thalia was thick in the air. Then stopped before entering the canyon and shifted forms.

"Can you still follow the scent?" Eheren asked Reno quietly

"Yea." he answered. "We both can. The scents pretty strong here. The problem is more of finding the exact right scent. Whatever took her has a scent like nothing I've smelled before."

"What do you mean?" Eheren asked confused.

"He means there's something strange out there." Dack told him his eyes still green and panther like.

"It's not easy." Reno sniffed the air walking around. "The scents so strong here. I've lost Thalia's scent."

"I haven't." Dack said pointing down into the crevasse. "It goes right in through there."

"Then let's go." Reno and Dack started forward into the canyon scanning above for an ambush. Reno and Dack pulling their swords to be ready for a fight weary of this new world they were in and its dangers.

"Wait." Eheren called to them. "We better call the others. Zarin will want to know what we're doing. He'll probably want to help."

"Call and tell him." Reno said. "But I'm not waiting for them. Thalia may need us now. We don't have time for them to get here."

"I agree." Dack nodded." We have to do this now."

Frustrated Shine called out and told Zarin all that had happened. Of course Zarin had tried to get them to wait until they could all catch up with them, but Reno refused to wait. And Zarin understood why. Reno, Trip and Thalia had grown up and come along way together. There was no way he would wait while she could be in trouble. So Zarin promised he'd wait until Eheren let him know what they found before he and the others came rushing in to help

Thalia opened her eyes to complete darkness. She sat up and looked around her lost as to where she was. The last thing she remember was gazing at the lush crimson forest she had been flying over. She had dropped down on a tree branch and was telling Shine how beautiful it was when something happened. She stood up and brush the dirt from her pants and wondered where she was. With her vampire sight she could tell she was in some kind of cavern. The sound of water dripping down from stalactites echoed thought the cavern as she took her first steps. There was a strange smell here she thought she had smelled for a second before she had passed out. Then out of the corner of her eye she thought she saw something move. It was quick, just a flash in the dark.

"Hello?"

She took a few more steps scanning all around her. Nothing else moved as her clear vampire vision showed her the whole cavern. It was like a large shadowed hall that had been hollowed out ages ago. In front of her was what looked like some kind of dais with a stand right in the middle where a speaker would stand and maybe give a speech. At her side were rows and rows of mounds. They looked to her like they were actually benches for some great town or something. Thalia walked up to the front where she stepped up on the dais. Suddenly a voice rang out echoing through the cavern.

"WHO ARE YOU?"

Thalia looked around to find the source of the voice in the dark. But nothing moved. She couldn't find anyone there.

"I am Thalia Samanis." She called out. "Who are you?"

"I AM THE ONE THAT BROUGHT YOU HERE."

"Why?" She asked.

"YOU ARE NOT FROM HERE. WHY HAVE YOU COME HERE?"

"I'm looking for friends." The feeling that someone was standing in front of her overcame her. Thalia reached out carefully, her fingers grasping empty air looking to see if there was someone there.

"FRIENDS? WHO ARE YOUR FRIENDS? THE SAVONTI?"

"No." She answered. "I'm looking for people from my home lost here. I don't know who the Savonti are."

"YOU HAVE THE TOUCH IN YOU." Thundered the voice even bolder tearing through Thalia's mind. "ONLY THE SAVONTI AND MY PEOPLE HAVE THE TOUCH. I DON'T BELIEVE YOU. THE ENEMY SENT YOU HERE BECAUSE WE ARE WEAK NOW! BUT I AM NOT WEAK! I WILL NEVER STOP FIGHTING THE SAVONTI!! "

Thalia fell to her knees clutching her ears to keep the sound out. Pain ripped through every fiber of her being. She wanted to run to get away, but the sound was so over powering she couldn't move.

"I don't know this enemy of yours!" She screamed. "I only want to find my friends and go home. But I know I can't prove what I'm saying, so I'm in your hands. Kill me if you wish, or face me and learn if I'm telling the truth. It's your choice. Kill a stranger, or make a friend! "

Suddenly the sound stopped and the pain faded away from Thalia's mind. She feebly stumbled to her feet confused, not sure why it had stopped.

"YOU WOULD HAVE ME AS YOUR FRIEND?"

"Yes we would." She called out.

"WE?"

"There are others with me searching." Thalia stepped down from the dais almost falling back to her knees. "They're probably looking for me now. Who are you?"

"I AM SACAR." The voice said. "ONE OF THE LAST OF THE NEVAC. WE ARE AN ANCIENT RACE LIKE THE SAVONTI. BUT OUR TOUCH WAS STRONGER, SO THEY DECIDED ONLY THEY WOULD RULE PENTANTHIN AND WE MUST DIE. MY PEOPLE WE'RE PACIFICE AND GREAT THINKERS. WE KNEW NOTHING OF FIGHTING AND OUR ELDERS WERE RESISTANT TO THE THOUGHT OF CHANGE UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE. THE SAVONTI HUNTED US OVER THE AGENS AND WORE OUR NUMBERS DOWN. WE LEARNED TO FIGHT TOO LATE. WE LET THIS HAPPEN TO US."

"I don't understand." Thalia said as she sat down on one of the mounds. "Your people allowed this to happen to you? Why? And who are the Savonti?"

For a few minute there was no response as Thalia waited. Sacar had stopped talking. She what was wrong.

"YOU DON'T KNOW THE SAVONTI?" He asked. "HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?"

"We haven't been here long." She explained. "You are the first one we have met here. We know nothing of this place you call Pentanthin."

"THEN LISTEN WELL THALIA SAMANTIS." She heard. "I WILL TELL YOU OF THE WE PENTANTHINS CALL THE SAVONTI. ONCE I AM DONE, I WILL ALLOW YOU TO JOIN YOUR FRIENDS WHO ARE OUTSIDE NOW TRYING TO FIND YOU. THEN YOU MAY DECIDE IF YOU WISH TO BE FRIENDS WITH THE NEVAC."

And for the next hour, Sacar told her all about the horrors of the reptilian men called the Savonti. She shuddered hearing all the atrocities and horrors the people of Pentanthin suffered through the ages. The butchering and the hunting of Humans and Nevac until there was not enough Nevac for the race to continue. Tears ran from her eyes as she listened to the sad story he told.

"What can we do to help?" She asked him.

"FOR MY PEOPLE THERE IS NOTHING LEFT BUT TO AVENGE US." He said. "WE ARE DONE. WE LIVE ONLY TO HIDE IN THE CAVES NOW."

"Then join us Sacar." Thalia stood pleading with him. "There's nothing for you here. Help us find our friends and we will help destroy your enemy. Your people deserve their revenge and yours should be the hand to deliver it for them. Come fight with us."

"THALIA." Sacar called out. "FROM THIS TURN ON I WILL BE WITH YOU WATCHING AND HELPING WHEN I CAN. BUT THIS IS OUR SECRET. YOU CAN NOT TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT ME. THIS IS IMPORTANT. THE SAVONTI ARE POWERFUL AND MAY GET INTO YOUR THOUGHTS. I CAN SHIELD YOURS, BUT NOT YOU’RE FRIENDS. "

"What do I tell them?" She asked. "They will want to know what happened to me, why they couldn't enter these caves."

"TELL THEM YOU THOUGHT YOU SAW SOMEONE ENTER HERE AND FOLLOWED THEM IN. MAKE THEM BELIEVE YOU. THIS I PROMISE. WHEN THE TURN COMES THAT YOU HAVE THE ENEMY AT THEIR KNEES OR THE TIME IS RIGHT, YOU WILL SEE ME. UNTIL THEN, SAFE JOURNEY FRIEND THALIA. YOU ARE FREE TO GO WITH THE BLESSING OF THE NEVAC."

As the voice faded the cavern lit up and Thalia could see all the beauty of the Nevac. Wall paintings of ancient marvelous cities and landscapes that once were. She walked all along the cavern overcome by the magnificent scenes and colors. But in none of the paintings did she see a living being.

"FEAR NOT. THE TURN MAY COME WHEN YOU WILL SEE A NEVAC."

"I'll do as you wish." Thalia said as she made her way to the cave exit. "Farewell Sacar, until we meet again."

"We've been searching this canyon for over an hour." Eheren threw up his hands. "Where could she be? Do either of you still have her scent?"

"I lost it." Dack said wiping sweat for his brow. He put his sword back into the scabbard at his side and walked over to Reno as he searched along the canyon walls. "There's nothing there."

"She's here somewhere." Reno said. He was beginning to become frantic from worry. He would never forgive himself if anything happened to Thalia. "Don't you have a spell or something that could locate her?"

"Let me think a minute and I'll come up with something." Eheren put down his pack and joined his two friends in their search.

"Can I help?" Thalia said from behind them. "What are we looking for?"

"THALIA!!!!" Dack turned and ran to her and through his arms around her lifting her off her feet. Where have you been?"

"I got lost in the canyon." She laughed as Dack put her down. "I thought I saw someone and followed them in here and got lost. I've been wandering around in here for the last hour looking for the way out. Thank the gods I found you."

"You were lost in here?" Reno stepped out to confront her with an odd look. "You had us scared to death. Why didn't you answer our calls?"

"I didn't hear you calling." She looked at each of them a little stunned. "You were worried about me? Reno, I can take care of myself. I'm not some maiden you have to watch over every minute of the day. And that goes for all of you."

"But..!" Reno wanted answers.

"But nothing!" Thalia finished. "Either you trust me or you don't. Which is it?"

"We trust you Thalia." Eheren stepped in between them. He could see Reno still wasn't satisfied with her answers. "But we're all in this together and we will worry when we think somethings wrong. Trust or no trust."

"I understand." She smiled at her Reno and took his hand then kissed his cheek. "Thank you my knight. Now can we get back to what we're supposed to be doing? I'm heading south. I'll meet you all back at camp."

Eheren, Dack and Reno watched as Thalia shifted and took off heading to the north. Next Eheren became Shine and flew off heading south. Dack looked at Reno. He had that suspicious look in his eyes again.

"You didn't believe that lost in the canyon story did you?"

"No." He said. "She could have shifted and flew right out of here. There's something she's not telling us."

"What?"

"I don't know." Reno said. "But I trust her. Let's go."

Reno and Dack shifted and ran off out of the canyon while a hidden pair of eyes watched.

[YOU HAVE POWERFUL FRIENDS THALIA. I THINK WE WILL SURELY MEET AGAIN.]

[When?] She asked.

[THIS CAN BE A SAFE PLACE FOR YOU AND YOU’RE FRIENDS. COME BACK IF YOU NEED TO. YOU'LL BE SAFE HERE.]

Fedru's Lair. 29

Gathered around Professor Insa's desk in his study sat Cutter, Blink, Azeal, Tanis, Kalin Ka along with Councilors Den, Gaunt and Terryn. The were there to discuss their next move. Cutter had explained to them all he had learned from Gabor. Blink had told them all they had leaned about the Savonti and then Tanis told them what Gabor had said about his family and clan
" These people are in much worst conditions then any race on Keanna has ever been." Tanis said standing up. "Sure as vampires my ancestor fed on blood. But we never used people as food like the Savonti. Can you imagine seeing people cooked or even eaten alive? And having to watch knowing you'll be next? We have to help these people. Help Gabor."
" I agree. " Cutter nodded. " And I think that's why we're here. As I'm told it's the nature of the spell that brought us here."
" Yes it is." Kalin said. " To move us the spell took us to a place where we were most needed."
" And what of the dangers to the students?" Councilor Gaunt asked. " Can we risk it?"
" I don't really see a choice." Blink answered. " If we want to get home, we have to help these people."
" Besides, isn't this what we've been teaching here for centuries?" Councilor Terryn spoke up looking to the two dragons." It's what Insa has always taught. Freedom and to help people in trouble."
" Yes, Insa would make this his calling if he were here." Councilor Gaunt said staring at each one of his colleges around the desk. " But we have an obligation to the kids to get them home safely. To do this will put them in absolute danger. Do we dare?"
" It's either help them and find a way home or we stay here and go into hiding like the people of Pentathin." Cutter said. " I'm a dragon. My course is to fight and protect. Here or on Keanna, that's what I will do. Even if I have to leave here to do it."
" I'm with Cutter!" Tanis jumped to his feet with Azeal beside him agreeing.
" As am I." Blink said his tattoo around his eye glowing.
" Well?" Azeal asked the others. " You know where we stand. What do you say?"
All around the table mumbling began. Cutter could tell the Councilors were worried about the students safety but this was the only way home. As Blink had said. They didn't have a choice at all.
" Cutter." Councilor Gaunt stood up to speak. " We understand this is our way home. But we want a promise from all of you that the Academy will be made as safe as possible. As safe as your city New Keanna."
" We have more magic here then in New Keanna." Cutter answered. " But all any of us can do is swear our lives to protect. And that we've already done."
" Then we're all in." Councilor Gaunt said. " Rimnar help us all."
" Tanis." Cutter turned to the young vampire." Bring Gabor in please."
Tanis stood and walked to the door and went out. Out in the outer hall Gabor walked back and forth pacing impatiently. He turned when Tanis stepped out and looked to him for an answer
" Well?" He asked. " What's their answer?"
" Come in and see." Tanis held the door open for his new friend. Gabor looked at him nervously for some clue as to what to expect then walked into the room and stood before the group of new worlders.
" Gabor." Cutter looked at him calmly. " We have talked it over and come to a decision. You asked for our help in freeing your people and ending the reign of terror and slavery the Savonti hold over Pentathin. That's a pretty big task you ask of us. We will be putting ourselves and all the children you've seen here in danger if we do this."
" Yes." Gabor nodded looking around at them. " I know I asked a lot of you as new people here on my planet, but they will find you to. Then the danger will be here to at your door. But if your answer is no, just lend me a blade and I will do it myself."
" Relax Gabor." Blink smiled. " We'll help. What do you need to start?"
" Lord Fedru is first." Gabor let out his held breath in relief." We have to get my people free. Every minute we wait, they are in danger. Tonight we go in."
" I go first." Blink said. " I can get in in the dark and take you and Cutter. We can cause enough confusion that the others can get in and free your people."
" I want to go after lord Fedru." Gabor told them. " I have a score to settle with him."
" We'll be going in with you." Tanis walked over to stand with Gabor. " Azeal and I we fight with you."
" We'll be needing a small force to free your clan." Cutter said. " I think Capt Lowell and a few of his men will want to come. Blink or I and shield them while they work. The rest of you stay and watch the academy. Agreed?"
" I think one of us should go." Councilor Den added. " Our magic my be needed."
" I'll go." Councilor Terryn said." I have a number of spells that my be useful."
" Then it's settled." Cutter got up from behind the desk. " I want you all to get something to eat and some rest, tonight we fly."
As the meeting broke up Gabor stopped Tanis and Azeal out in the hall and took them aside.
" I want to thank you for what you've done." He smiled. " Without your help, I don't think they would have agreed to help."
" Nonsense." Tanis said disagreeing. " You don't know the people of Keanna well. We were in a fight back home when we left. I think this way the Councilors here feel there actually still doing there part to help win. Strange huh?"
Azeal and Tanis laughed. Gabor looked at them strangely. He didn't understand, but he would be getting the help he needed and that was all that mattered.
" Lets get some rest." Azeal put an arm around his two friends shoulders. "Tonight's going to be very busy."

Strange dreams of a red and black beast walking through the forest with a group of young people woke Kordova from a deep sleep. This was a strange dream of people she didn't but had a feel they might be important in some way. She wondered if this beast might be like the dragon Shayn became. It was much bigger and more fierce looking but similar in some ways. Could this be a dragon to? And the young ones with the beast. Could they be from the same place as Shayn and Ono? Or was this just a wishful dream? Maybe her two new friends might know this creature. Kordova sat up in her bed and reached for her veil and her walking staff and left her hut. She could smell the scent of food cooking at her fire as she walked to meet her companions.
" Sleep well Lady Kordova?" Shayn asked as she got close to the fire. Ono jumped from his seat to help her to her chair.
" Thank you." She said taking Ono's hand and sitting. " Please, call me Lilia or just Kordova. No, I had strange dreams. Dreams of a red and black beast like you only bigger. Might this be a dragon like you?"
" We know of two red dragons and a black dragon." Shayn looked at Ono who shrugged. " But red and black? Know one we know."
" There were others with the beast." She said. " Strange young ones, like you. Could they have come from your world?"
" I don't see how." Ono answered. " We came by an accident of magic. But I guess others will be looking for us. I know Jandar and Rage will be searching for us."
" I could call out and see if anyone answers?" Shayn said.
" NO!!" Lilia stopped him nerviosly. " Daru might hear you. We're to close to his manse and he has a very powerful mind for things like that."
" But I'm wearing the Salvation stone." Shayn said." He won't be able to find us here."
" But he might find them." She pointed up. " Do you want to put any of your people in Daru's hands?"
" I didn't think of that." Shayn looked to Ono for an answer. " This could be bad. We have to find whoever it is."
" Shayn, It could have been just a dream." Ono tried to comfort his mate then turned to Lady Kordova. " Can you located them?"
" Not right now." She answered. " All I have is the dream. I don't know if they're real or not."
" Then what do we do?" Shayn asked.
" We go on as if she never had the dream until we get more information." Ono stood and dumped his breakfast then came back. " Have you heard from Ozmun yet?"
" No, nothing." She told them. " I know he found who he was looking for but that's it. He still has to convince her to join us."
" Lady I don't think this is the place for us to gather these people of power." Ono sat back down to talk. " Your right we are to close to Daru. I think he'll start to feel us even with the Salvation stones if we gather to many people near him. We should find someplace safer out of his influence."
"And where would you suggest?"
" I don't know." Ono shrugged. " This is your planet. You would have a better idea then we would. You know this place better. Is there any where you think we can hide and attack them from?"
" No, but I think your right." She held out her hand for help to her feet. Shayn took her hand and stood helping her up. " We are to close to Daru. I think we should keep moving until we find a safe place. I'll got pack the few things I'll need and be ready to go in a few turns.
" Where are we going?" Shayn asked.
" There are some children we need to find." Lady Kordova walked back to her hut. " They're in Lesul and in danger. Ozmun can catch up with us there."
It didn't take Kordova long to pack. All she took was a few changes of clothes and some cookware. She knew they would be moving fast and hard. Once done Ono carried her bag out and put it on Shayn's back and helped Kordova up to sit behind him. Shayn spread his great white wings and took off into the air.
" Lesul is to the west." Kordova pointed. Ono give Shayn the direction and off they flew into the west in search of the next one to join their band of rebels.

The night was cool as Blink flew over Fedru's compound carrying Cutter and Gabor. They were surrounded by a shroud of darkness as they peered down to see all the cages lining the walls. Even from up high they could hear the cries of the people locked away in fear waiting for Fedru's judgement. Some would be put to work as slave. The rest would be sent to the pens to wait until they would be called into the kitchens. Blink found a corner in shadow where he could land unseen and shifted back to human. His great dragon size would be needed later, right now he and Cutter could be of better use in the shadows.
" Look at all these people, Blink." Cutter pointed at the cages. " They're terrified. And I see they lit fires all around the cages to brighten it up. We can't slip them out in shadow."
" I would be to if I were in their position." The dark man stared out at the captives knowing what would happen to all of them if they failed. " These Savonti, I just don't understand how they could do this to an entire race."
" We eat meat. Isn't it the same?" Cutter had a disturbed look on his face.
" No its not." Blink said. " I don't eat intelligent life. That's the difference. These aren't animals in these cages. Men aren't meant to be someones food."
" I understand." Cutter said, " I've just always been a vegetarian until I got my egg. Then things changed and I'm still not quite use to it. I've always had a way with animals. Almost like my youngest Brother Ryel."
[ Can we discuss this later.] Blink held up his hand as two Savonti guards walked close to where they hid. { Can you get them to come in the shadows?]
Cutter smiled at Blink the stepped out in the open where they could see him the rushed back.
[ How's that?]
Startled by the sight of a human free, the guards ran in to the dark corner thinking to recapture the human. Blink reached out and grabbed the first guard and slashed him across his throat. His poison strong and deadly filled the guard paralyzing him before he could scream out a warning as he fell dead. The second guard saw nothing as he entered Blinks darkness. But he felt the cold of the shadow and fear. Cutter reached out with his power and took his fear higher. Higher it grew until his heart beat so fast and hard it exploded in his chest and he dropped to the ground. Opening the shadows Blink and Cutter threw them in and took the lances the had dropped.
" Now we became them until Gabor is ready." Cutter cast an illusion on each of them giving them the exact appearance of the two dead guards. " Come on. We have to get to the gate so Capt Lowell can get in."
" Then it's on." Blink smiled.

Flying circles around the top of Fedru's compound two ravens and a lone baebat dropped low to find a place to rest. They were looking for a way in and didn't have very much time to find it. With a caw one raven spotted and opening. It took off with the others following to land on a beam in the ceiling.
[ We better hurry.] Azeal sent to Tanis. [ Councilor Den's said if Gabor stays in that form long, he may not be able to remember who he really is.]
[ Gabor? You there?]
The baebat hanging upside down nodded and dropped opening its wings and sailed away through the building. They went from room to room looking for somewhere safe until they came into a dry hot room. Over in the corner there was a large stove and brick oven. Azeal dropped down to the floor and shifted back to his normal shape. he look around for Gabor and found him hanging from the ceiling cleaning its wings. Tanis shifted and went and grabbed the baebat.
[ Gabor!!] He sent at him forcibly. [ We're in. Break the spell. You have to concentrate. Remember who you are. Why your here. Remember your brothers.]
Suddenly the baebot began to struggle in his Tanis hand. With a quick swipe it scratched his hand and Tanis dropped it. It crawled across the floor then wrapped its wings around itself as it began to grow. Gabor was breaking the spell. In a flash of light he shifted back to himself. Tanis rushed to help him to his feet.
" Are you alright?"
" I think so." Gabor stood and wiped the sweat from his brow. He tried to take a step and stumbled grabbing Tanis's arm. " You do this often? That was intense!"
" We've been shifting for years." Azeal whispered. " It's a part of who we are."
" Gabor." Tanis nudged him. " Look where we are!"
Gabor turned and looked around. He saw the huge bloody table with the cleaver where people were butchered. A great black cauldron sitting over the fire boiling. The room smelled of something strange and nauseating. They were in one of Fedru's kitchens. Gabor gasped his horror. He stood with his fist clenched and stepped toward the butcher table his almost out of control. Gabor thought of all the people that had come to there end here and raised his hands ready to tear the room apart.
" No." Tanis step up and pulled Gabor back to face him." If you do this, all Savonti here will hear and be alert to our presence. We'll be stopped from freeing anyone. We may get away, but none of your people will. This is the only chance we will have to free them. Don't waste it with anger. Let's do what we came here for. Revenge your parents,free your people."
Gabor looked from Tanis to Azeal as his anger began to fade. He knew they were right. He would have to hold his rage for the one that really deserved it. Lord Fedru.
" I'm calm." Gabor told them. " Let's find Fedru and get out of here."
Azeal pulled Salvation and went to the door and looked out. There was one guard patrolling the halls heading in there direction. Azeal put his finger to his mouth to quiet his companions then slowly let the door open. As he passed the guard heard the creak and turned to check it out. He walked to the door and stepped in. Suddenly a hand grabbed him from behind covering his mouth and a blade was slid into his back. A hushed noise escaped as his last breath was exhaled and Azeal lowered him to the floor. He looked out again to see an empty corridor.
" It's clear." He told them closing the door. " Where do we find Fedru?"
" He'll have his own private apartment." Gabor explained. " It'll be separate from everyone else. It should be in the deepest hottest part of the manse."
" How do we find him?" Azeal asked.
" We need a guide." Gabor said. " Someone that knows there way around."
Tanis sniffed the air. He thought he smelled something familiar down here. It smelled like humans.
" Tell me something." He said. " Are there human slaves down here?"
" I guess so." Gabor looked at him puzzled. " Why?"
" Won't they know there way around?"
" Yes they will." Gabor smiled at the idea. " A human slave here would probably know every corridor and room here. Even where his master sleeps. But how do we find one?"
" I can smell them." Tanis said." Humans smell nothing like Savonti. Let me see if I can find one and convince him to help."
" Let me go." Gabor insisted. " They'll trust me."
" What are you going to do?" Azeal asked obnoxiously. " Just walk out and go search? One of us can go as a raven and find one."
" I guess that would work." Gabor thought about it. " But your going to have to bring them back here. We don't have to many talking birds on Pentathin."
" I'll think of something." Tanis shifted back to his raven form. [ Just stay here and be ready.]
Tanis hopped up onto Azeal's shoulder as he walked to the door to let him out. Azeal worried about his friend when he was on his own. He had promised Athene back home to always keep an eye on him.
[ Azeal.] He sent. [ I'm a big boy now. You can't always protect me you know.]
[ I can try.] Azeal slid the door open. [ You sure you want to do this alone?]
[ I can do it.] He squawked softly. [ Just watch Gabor and I'll be right back.]
With that Tanis took off into the hall on his search leaving a nervous Azeal to watch him fly off.

Tanis stayed high in the ceiling as he went from room to room. On the top floor where he had left Azeal and Tanis, he did didn't find anyone alone he could try talking to so he went on to lower floors. This place was hot and full of Savonti. He watched as they went about there daily business. The lower ranked worked as the overseers watching the slaves work. Tanis also saw actual Savonti slaves there being worked to. These were used mostly as refuse workers to clean the waste left by all the Savonti housed in Fedru's lair. But most of the household chores were done by humans. All the cleaning of there private apartments, the working of the mines. To his horror, Tanis found one more chore the human did. Not really a chore, more like one more use the Savonti found for humans.
He had been moving along when he reached a room and found men and women lashed to platforms. Tanis thought he had found a torture chamber until a Savonti came in and started removing his garment. He watched as the lizard man climbed on a platform of a screaming woman and started raping her. When he was done he moved on to his next victim. A young man laying on his stomach struggling against his bonds. Tanis flew out of the room as the boy began to scream. He had to fly up into the rafter to collect himself he was so upset. What else could they possibly do to these people. Slavery,rape,torture, and slaughter. The Savonti had to be stopped.
Taking a breathe, Tanis looked to make sure no one was watching and took off. Floor to floor he searched,room to room. He saw young men and women fighting to work on the chores they were being driven to do. Shovel and digging out hew rooms and apartments. Fashioning pens and stables for Fedru's slaves and tracker beast. Exhausted Tanis stopped in one of the lowest halls to rest when he suddenly heard something. A whimper. Some one was crying. He cocked his ears and listened closer to find a direction. That's when the scent caught him. He knew that smell well. It was the coppery smell of blood. Tanis hopped into the air and followed the scent down the dark tunnel to a series of room decorated in dark blue and green silks. High drapes covered the wall with some kind of plush carpeting on the floors. The room was furnished in stone heated chairs and lounges. This Tanis thought must be the rooms of one of the higher ranking Savonti. Maybe Fedru himself. From his perch high in the ceiling Tanis watched a young man scrubbing the the chairs and crying. The young man was covered in dirt and bruises and wearing only a raggedy pair of torn shorts. The smell of blood filled the room as Tanis hopped from beam to beam to get a closer look at the boy. From his perch Tanis could see the boys scarred back and the blood running from his deep cuts. He must have been beaten recently.
" Are you not finished in here yet?" A voice screamed into the room. The boy jumped in fright and turned as a large Savonti thundered in and kicked him across the room. This was one of Fedru's top lieutenants. " Lord Fedru all be home soon and I want his rooms and sands cleaned when he gets here!"
" No master." He cried. " I just got here. It won't take long."
" See that it doesn't or back to the pleasure rooms you go." The tongue licked out around his mouth as he started out the door and turned back. " And you will rake Lord Fedru's sand when your done. Make sure to remove any bones you find and be done before he returns."
The guard left and Tanis watched as the boy worked hard to clean the body oils of the Savonti from the chairs. Tanis looked down feeling sorry for the boy, but he knew if will went right he would be free by by morning. But he would need his help if they were to succeed with their plans and they better hurry, Capt Lowell would be at the gates soon. The only problem Tanis had was how to talk to this boy. He could do it in his raven form and there was no way he could think of to get the boy to follow him. He would have to take the chance and fly down and shift to talk to him.
Tanis opened his wings and hopped down on to the chair a squawked at the boy. He looked up at him surprised.
" What are you doing here?" He smiled at Tanis. " You better not get caught here. They won't like it."
In a flash Tanis shifted and sat there looking at the startled boy. He looked around towards the door to make sure the guard wasn't there.
" Who are you?" He asked. " Are you crazy? They'll kill us both if they see you here. You should get out of here now!"
"That doesn't matter." Tanis said. " Listen, my name is Tanis Gaelich and I'm here with Gabor Gekko."
" Gabor?" The boy perked up." His father leads my clan. Is Petar here to save us? Thank the gods."
" We don't have very much time." Tanis ran to the door and listened for anyone coming there way." One of them could be back in here soon. What's your name? How long have you been here?"
" My names Erlik Marcos." The boy said. " I was caught three cycles back while I was on my lone hunt. Where is Petar Gekko? Is he leading the rescue?"
" We can talk about that later." Tanis came back over to Erlik. " Listen, I'm going to shift back to my bird form. But I can still talk to you in your mind."
" How?" He asked.
[ Like this.] Tanis sent. [ Can you hear me?]
Erlik's eyes grew bright in amazement. He had heard what Tanis sent to him.
" Yes I hear you." He was totally confused and wanted to know how this was happening.
" Erlik." Tanis said. " We don't have time. You have to trust me now. Follow me back to Gabor. We'll tell you what we have planned. Understand?"
" Yes." he said. " I will follow."
" Good." Tanis spread his arms and shifted back to his raven form. [ Follow me.]

Back in the kitchen Gabor paced back and forth wondering what was taking Tanis so long. He had told Azeal many times he wanted to go find him but Azeal wouldn't let him leave.
" Maybe he's in trouble." He complained. " He could've been caught."
" Relax. Tanis would've called me if he had." Azeal tried to quiet him. " He'll be here soon. Until then you have to calm down."
" I can't." He said. " We don't have much time left. The attack begins in less then fifteen units. I have to get to Fedru. He has to die for what he's done."
Suddenly there was a tapping at the door and Azeal heard the call in his mind. it was Tanis at the down. Azeal jumped up and pulled it open a crack and saw Erlik standing there with Tanis on his shoulder. He yanked the door open and let them in.
" Gabor!!" Erlik rushed in and hugged his clan mate.
" Erlik? " Gabor pull away then held him tight. " We thought you dead!"
" No." He cried. " They caught me and I've been here for cycles. You have no idea how hard its been. Where's your father?"
" He's dead Erlik." Gabor looked him in his eyes as they parted. " Fedru killed him my mother and my sister. I'm here to kill him and get you all out of here."
" I hate this place and the Savonti." Erlik said. " I'll help you however you want."
" Good." Azeal smiled." We don't have time. We need to get to Fedru without interference. Can you get us there?"
Erlik thought for a minute. He was to clean Fedru's sands. He could get one of them there, but not all of them. And not with weapons.
" Gabor." Erlik dropped his cleaning bucket. and reached for his jacket. " Get out of your clothes."
" What?" He stepped back pushed the boys hands away from him.
" I can get you down there." He said. " But your going to have to look like one of us. A slave. We can smear you with dirt and dress you in rags. That's the only way you'll pass if any of them see you."
" And us?" Tanis asked.
" Can both of you change into the flying things?
" Yes." Azeal told him nodding.
" Good, then you stay high and follow us." He said helping Gabor to undress. " I hope you can carry his sword to, cause we can't bring it with us."
Once Gabor had undressed, Erlik grabbed a handful of dirt and rubbed it all over his body. Then they took his shirt and fashioned it into a loincloth to cover his bottom. Lastly he grabbed more dirt and rubbed it into his hair and on his face.
" How's that?" Gabor asked turning around for them to inspect.
" Well." Tanis said. " There's no whip marks, but it'll have to do."
" This will do." Erlik gather his stuff and moved to the door. " Fedru is out now so we'll have to wait once we get there. Don't look any of the Savonti in the eyes and if they talk to you, just cower. And please Gabor, don't fight them. If you do we'll never make it to Fedru's lair."
Tanis took all of Gabor's things and tied them around himself. He strapped his sword to his wait and they were ready to go. As Erlik opened the door the two vampires shifted and took off into hall staying out of sight.
Holding his bucket and slouching low the two moved quietly there the dark passages going to there final destination. Fedru's lair. They passed a few Savonti as they went and Gabor did as he was told cowering and acting as meek as possible. Once they hit the lowest level Erlik moved faster. He knew there would be fewer guards down there to worry about. At the door to his private rooms Erlik stepped up bowing low.
" We're here to clean Lord Fedru's sands."
The guards waved them in and turned to watch them enter. That's when Tanis and Azeal shifted and struck. With sword in hand they quickly killed them before they even realize they were under attack. Together the four grabbed the bodies and dragged them in Fedru's and hid them in one of the back room. Once done they gathered in Fedru's study and went through the maps of his lair. There they found the location of all of his mines and where the pens were located.
" Erlik." Gabor said. " You got us here. How I have another job for you. I need you to get to as many people as you can and tell them what's about to happen. There isn't a lot of time so they have to be ready and prepared to fight with us once it starts."
" I can do that." Erlik promised. " How long do we have?"
" We can't hold it off for no more then a frame." Gabor said." But if Fedru comes back here, that will be it. The fight will start."
" Then I better get moving." Erlik hugged Gabor and went and shook both Azeal and Tanis hand. " Fight strong."
Erlik took off out of the hot room to spread the news.
" Azeal, warn Cutter so he can make sure your Capt Lowell doesn't start his attack yet. Tanis, give me my sword, then both of you hide. When Fedru gets here, he probably won't be alone" Gabor took his sword from Tanis and shook there hands. " Fight strong brothers."

Tossing and turning in her sleep dreaming of an attack. Strange creatures tearing Savonti apart and the walls of a compound coming down. She looked deeper in the dream and saw a Savonti lord she knew battling a human for his life. As he died she woke up screaming. Her slave ran into her room to check on her
" Mistress?" The girl rushed to her sandpit. " Are you well?"
" Yes." Trela said shivering from her dream. This was no ordinary dream she knew. Someone would be raided soon and a lord would die this night. Daru would want to know. " Get my robe. And send someone to tell Daru I need to see him immediately."
" Yes mistress!!" The girl rush out to do Trela's bidding.
She stood and brushed sand from her shoulder and walked to where a slave held for robe for her. Lord Fedru would die to night, she had seen it. Daru could stop this if he wished. She smiled thinking how Daru would hold Fedru's life in his hand. Trela wondered what Daru would do.

Fedru rode hard. He wanted to be home by day break. This cursed cold of the night was chilling his bones and he wanted to be back in his warm sands with one of his wives or a slave pleasuring him. This trip had been a mistake. Daru must be going mad he thought. Cattle rising to threaten them. Talk of some unknown grey and white threat. With all his power how could Daru believe any of it. Fedru had sat all night with the others listening to Daru try to explain some mad prophesy one of his useless wives had foretold. Total lunacy he thought. Fedru couldn't imagine himself listening to any thing a female said and he would never take it serious. Females were for pleasure and to give him sons, and that's all. He had told them of the capture and death of his long time enemy Petar Gekko. That was a thorn out of his. His whole clan had been taken alas. Now he was free of that pest and his raids to free Fedru's cattle. Fedru had talked with Lords Lesu, Resu and Pulu. None of them had believed him either. They thought this was just Daru trying to find a way to get closer to them to invade and take their lands. But Lords Magu, Povu and Memu had thought he could be right. Being the lazy one's, Lord Katu and Dicu were undecided as usual. He had made them all promise to be on the watch for any thing strange in there land and any powerful humans. Missing from the meeting were a few lords including Daru's closes neighbor Lord Guku who's lands were just south of his and Lady Seru who never let any other lord near her or her lands. Then there was the mysterious Lord Redu. like Seru he stayed hidden from the others. But Daru swore he would contact him and get his aid in the hunt for their new enemies.
" Powerful humans. Bah!" Fedru thought. He had really ever seen any humans with magic like theirs. He had seen a few in his life, but that was what the collars were for, and few really had power that could threaten any of them. The best part of the whole trip was that Fedru had gotten a chance to see Daru's defenses at last. Now he could make plans to raid his lands and be rid of the fool.
[ Is that why you came?]
Fedru jumped in his saddle looking around to see who had spoke. He stopped his men.
" Who spoke?" He yelled at them. They all looked at him bewildered.
[ It is I you fool.] He heard in his mind. [ Daru. You believe what you wish. But you will die tonight if you do not heed my warning and I will take whats left of your lands and slaves. But remember my mind is more powerful then any of you and I can hear your thoughts. Scream out to me and say farewell at the end.]
Enraged Fedru huffed and kicked his mount on. He had known Daru's mind was powerful, but he had no idea he was that strong. He would have to watch and shield him mind from now on. After will, his mind was strong to. Maybe equal to Daru's.
[ I doubt it.] He heard. Then laughter. [ Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!]

It had been a long night so far for Cutter and Blink knew it was far from over. Azeal had called them and told them it was time to start drawing the Savonti out of the lair. If Gabor would have any chance, there had to be less to fight below once Fedru was dead and they were on there way out. There would have to be some kind of diversion to draw the Savonti out. But not so serious as to bring Fedru.
" Any ideas?" Blink asked.
" Not a one right now." Cutter answered. " But we'll think of something and we better do it fast."
Again Cutter cast his illusion around them to give them the look of Savonti guards. Together the walked to the cages where the people cowered in fear. Cutter felt their fear. In fact it filled him with an amazing amount of power. He knew he could create illusion that would be as real and solid as the ground they walked on.
Suddenly a sound came from the gates by the wall. Cutter looked and saw the gates were being opened. Lord Fedru was home. He rode in with his for guards around him to keep him safe. Standing by the door to the manse Cutter and Blink snapped to attention like the rest of Fedru's guards. The lord climbed down off his tracker with a scowl and bellowed for someone to take his tracker. An older man in rags hurried to take his reigns and led the tracker off as Fedru strode to the steps of his house and stopped and looked around. It was still dark and all seemed quiet.
" I want more guards out in the yard." He told a Savonti dressed in black that had come running out when he rode through the gate. " Lord Daru seems to think we'll have trouble. Put more men at the gates and double the guards on the cattle. I will be in my apartments if anything needs my attention. But it better be important."
" Yes my lord." He saluted and turned and followed Lord Fedru down into the building. Cutter and Blink watched from beside the entrance then sent word to Azeal that he was on his way in.
[ Then you should start drawing Savonti out of here.] Azeal sent. [ Nothing major. Fedru has to make it down here or this is all a waste.]
" Now what?" Blink asked quietly.
" For once." Cutter whispered. " I have no idea. How about you?"
Blink looked around at everything in the compound. The cages, the fires pit smoking, the upper entrance to mines with it's line of slaves going in and out with there loads. He needed a disaster of some kind and it had to look natural rather then some kind of attack. On the other side of the entrance to the mines was Fedru's tracker beast stables. Maybe that was it.
" Cutter, what if a tree crashed through the wall by the stables?" Blink asked him. " They would have to go out to round them all up wouldn't they."
" Yes." Cutter answered. " There would be an opening in the wall for Lowell to go through to."
" I can slip through shadow and weaken the wall." Blink said. " Then knock a tree into it so it doesn't look suspicious. The noise of the crashing should send the tracker beast running, if not I can scare them into movement or one of your illusion can."
" It's the best we've got." Cutter said. " You go into that patch of shadow where we dumped the two Savonti. I'll cover you so no one follows you."
Blink turned to move off as Cutter bent all the light around him making him nothing more then a blur to anyone watching.
[ Good Luck Brother.]
Blink walked slowly to the corner by the cages where the fires were blocked and dark shadow covered the area. He slipped into the shadow and emerged out beyond the wall in the back of the compound. From out there he could hear the hissing of the trackers and knew they were on the other side. Taking a deep breath he blow his dragon fire all over the wall and watched as it aged and began to crumble. All it would take now would be a single tap to knock it down. He turned to a large deep purple tree with a thick truck and reached down and scratched at the roots filling them with his venom. They began to whither and get weak. Blink walked behind the tree and gave it a push. Its roots began to snap and break bringing the tree crashing down into the wall. A great hole appeared as the trackers began to jump around getting agitated. Blink shifted and quickly slipped into the shadows around him. From there he stuck his head out among the trackers and snapped at on scaring them all into a stampede out through the hole howling and screaming.
[ That's it!] Cutter sent. [ They're call for others to come up and help round them up. Slip back into camp and I'll meet you by the cages.]
[ Azeal!] Cutter called. { They're coming out. We'll keep them busy out here. The attack begins in two minutes. Be strong brother!]

Keeping low and out of sight, Erlik moved through the manse as fast as he could carrying his message. Freedom. He went through the house slave quarters whispering to everyone he could find to grab what they could and be ready. To find weapons to fight with. he found strong men and took them to the pleasure rooms and quietly killed any Savonti they found there and freed those chained down. This was the day they would all in the future call Gabor's day. The day he killed a Lord of the Savonti.

Tired from his trip to Darul, Fedru entered his apartment with two of his lieutenants. He took off his light blue colored cloak and threw it into a pile of his clothing on the floor. He stopped for a moment looking at the pile. A slave should have picked them up and took them to be cleaned while he was away. He would deal with his cleaning slave later. He would be sent to the kitchen since it seemed he no longer could do his chores. Fedru walked to his throne and sat in the heat emanating from the hot sand pit to his left.
" My lord." One of his lieutenants stepped up. " Will there be anything else?"
" No." Fedru answered. " Take your station outside the door. I would sleep now. Let no one disturb me."
" Yes Lord Fedru!"
They saluted and turned and left shutting the door behind them. Fedru removed the rest of his apparel and took off his sword belt and laid it on the table. He thought about all the crazy things Daru had said.
" Madness!" He said. " No human could ever defeat me in my own lair!"
" I don't know." Gabor said stepping out from behind the curtains pulling his sword. " I think this human has a very good chance of killing you tonight."
" YOU!!" Fedru jumped up from his seat. " Your the son of Gekko! Your suppose to be dead!
" Yes." Gabor said walking forward to meet his enemy. " I am Gabor Gekko, son of Petar Gekko and I am not dead. But you soon will be!"
Gabor leaped forward swinging his sword down to strike. Fedru raised his arm to block as the blade struck. Like hitting stone the vibrations ran up Gabor's arm stunning him.
" Did you think it was so easy to kill a Lord of the Savonti? You should know all Savonti lords are different with different abilities. Me, I have this burning touch and strong skin." He shouted. With the speed of a viper Fedru reached out and brushed Gabor's shoulder. Pain exploded running all through his body as he threw himself back out of Fedru's reach. " Like my touch? Exquisite is it not?"
Fedru lunged at Gabor as he swung at the savonti trying to beat him back. Quickly with the hilt of his sword Gabor punched at his face striking him hard between the eyes. Fedru staggered back dazed. Gabor tried to take advantage and rushed in only to be grabbed by the arm sending the burning pain raging all though him. Gabor screamed as Fedru laughed and threw him against the wall.
" I was warned you were coming." Fedru hissed at Gabor lying in a heap of hot sand. Fedru flexed his muscled arms causing his claws to extend as he walked toward Gabor. " I didn't believe it. I thought I was rid of the one pest in my lands. The one human that caused me so much trouble. But here you are. Now you will die just like he did and I will enjoy you as my dinner!"
" THAT WAS MY FATHER!!!" Gabor grabbed a handful of sand and threw it into Fedru's eyes. Fedru raised his arms to cover his face but he was to late, the hot sand filled his eyes blinding him. Gabor jumped to his feet and rammed into Fedru knocking him to the floor then jumped on him. Every nerve in his body burned from touching Fedru. But that didn't matter and Gabor ignored the pain.
" Never again will you hunt us!" Gabor stabbed down driving his sword through Fedru's chest. He stabbed down again and again and again.
" NEVER.NEVER,NEVER,NEVER!"
With a final stab Gabor sent his sword slicing into Fedru, lord of the Savonti as he screamed out his last breath to be heard all through out his manse.

Outside Fedru's rooms his lieutenants heard the noise of fighting inside and pulled there lances and reached for the door when Azeal and Tanis dropped from above. As he dropped Azeal pulled Justice and it lengthened to become a spear with a gleaming blue spearhead. Azeal thrust out with Justice crossing weapons with the savonti guard and slammed his fist into his jaw. The Savonti stumbled back and whipped around using his tail to smash at Azeal. Jumping up over the tail Azeal swung the butt of justice into his foes chest then landed and kicked out as he doubled over. The Savonti flew back dropping his lance and slammed into the wall. Azeal quickly looked over to see Tanis in his own battle with the other guard. He was smiling, enjoying the fight. Just as he looked back, the guard reached for his lance and leaped for Azeal. Justice like it had a mind of it's own thrust out low between his legs and tripped him sending him sprawling to the floor. Azeal quickly spun Justice in his hand and jammed it down stabbing into the guards back finishing him off. Pulling Justice free, Azeal turned to see Tanis deliver final blow to his opponent.
" We have to get to Gabor." Tanis said running to the great door. He pushed against it not moving it an inch. " Help me."
Azeal joined him and they threw the shoulders against the door and heaved. Still it wouldn't budge. This scared them both. Gabor was trapped along it there with a powerful lord of the Savonti with unknown powers. Neither one of them knew if Gabor had succeeded in his battle or if they would find him dead on the floor.
" Wait." Tanis grabbed Azeal's shoulder. " Lord Fedru could be waiting on the other side of the door."
" He could be." Azeal nodded. " And Gabor could be hurt. Let's just get in there and find out."
Just as they turned back to try again, they heard a creaking noise and the door began to open. Azeal reached to his side and pulled Justice in case a fight was at hand. Slowly the door pushed open and Gabor Gekko stumbled out and fell into Azeal's arms.
" Lord Fedru is dead!" Then his eyes closed and Gabor passed out.

A Changling Revealed. 28

Traveling by day was a completely impossible task for Luke,Tored and his sisters. Lesu had eyes and ears everywhere, even the rocks and trees were said to be under his control. By day they would find some cave or deep spot in the forest to hide in. Lesu had his people out always looking for people to hunt. Last night they came upon a deserted camp. From the tracks around Tored could tell it hadn't been abandoned to long ago. The tracks were fresh and smoke still rose from the cooking fire they had tried to use. By the smoke, they could tell the wrong fuel had been used. Someone had used fresh wood. A stupid choice. Everyone knew fresh wood caused a scent to rise that tracker beast could follow. Only dry older wood was good for scentless campfires. Surrounding the site Luke had found tracker beast tracks. From there they knew what had happened. The Savonti had caught them in the middle of a meal and trapped them then hauled them away. Luke had kept his sisters out of the camp while Tored collected what he could find left there. A few pans and some clothing the girls might be able to use. Because the Savonti had already been there Luke thought the site would be safe for the night. So they set themselves to start a cold dinner. The girls collected edible roots and vegetables under Tored's watchful eyes while Luke went for water. It had been a tiring night of walking and hiding from Lord Lesu's hunting parties. There had been a few times their ability had saved them from capture. Now it was time to rest.
Luke sat at the edge of the river after filling their water skins and stared into the water. He had done as his grandfather had asked and gotten them away from the hunters. But where would they go? How would they survive? Luke knew he couldn't run from the Savonti forever, sooner or later their luck would run out and one of them would get caught. What then? He couldn't battle all the Savonti all by himself, that would be impossible. What was he going to do?
" We can get help." A young voice called from behind him. Luke turned to find his sister Nysa standing behind him, her apron full of fresh vegetable. " We're not the only ones running Luke, there are others. We can join them."
" Of course we can." Luke smiled at her to reassure her. " We'll see what we can do."
" No you won't." Nysa frowned. " You want to find somewhere where there are no Savonti and hide us. I know what your thinking. I can hear you. Well let me tell you something. They are everywhere. There's no place for us to hide. No safe caves or forest to run too. The only way we'll be safe is if we fight them. Grandfather knew that, he'd been doing it all his life. Now it's our turn to fight!"
" Nysa we're to young to be fighting Savonti." He said to her getting to his feet. In his mind he was thinking that he had to keep his sisters safe. They were to young to be battling these savages.
" You mean Mera and I are to young don't you!" He could tell she was becoming angry. But he knew he was right. He had to talk her out of this fighting notion of hers for her own safety.
" Nysa, I.."
" You can't talk me out of nothing Luke." She yelled at him turning her back and stomping off. " You never could!!"
Luke stood there staring at her dumb folded. Could she actually hear him? That was impossible.
She stopped and turned back to him glaring. " NO, IT'S NOT IMPOSSIBLE!!"

The sun burned high in the sky as Ozmun followed Paesh and Oda out of the cave. He looked around and their clan members all around him working on various tasks. Some getting ready for a hunt, a few women carrying baskets with foodstuff their children at their sides. He saw teens busy working on making weapons for defense and the hunt. This so reminded him of days long ago with his own clan before Lord Daru raided his people took him away. He remember watching from his cage as all his people were gathered to be taken away to Daru's mines and farms. Ozmun spent years in Daru's mines working carrying and digging out the ore used in the Savonti stun lances and as one of his personnel weapons. Over the years he watched as his people were all worn out and sent to the kitchens. His hatred for his captors growing until the day he found his magic. He remembered that day so well.
Ozmun had worked long that day carrying ore out of the mine. His feet ached and so did his back from the burn marks the guards had given him with their stunners. He could never move fast enough to please them, nor could Sorin the boy that was always chained next to him. Sorin was a few years younger then Ozmun and not as strong. Ozmun did what he could to keep him moving but everyday the boy became weaker and weaker. Being the last of his clan Ozmun he promised to protect him and for a few years he had done just that. But the boys weak condition was making him a more and more noticeable to the guards. Ozmun had seen them whispering and pointing at them many time in the last few weeks. He know what was coming, what they would do. So Ozmum began giving Sorin more of his food to strengthen him. But it was to late.

Sweat ran down his back as Ozmun carried his load of ore through the mine. It was dark there and the ground was littered with debris loosed from the digging. Beside Ozmun chained at their ankles was the younger Sorin struggling dragging his basket behind him. Ozmun stopped and put his load down and went to his younger friend.
" Sorin, you have to get up." He wrapped his arms around him and helped him to his feet.
" I can't do this anymore." Sorin moaned. " I'm just so tired. I can hardly walk."
" Shh!!!" Ozmun quieted him. He looked to his left and saw the guards whispering and nodding. " A few more hours and you can rest."
" I can't." He cried leaning on Ozmun. " I just can't do it."
" You have too!" Ozmun reached into the band of his trousers and pulled out a piece of bread he had hidden there. He gave it to Sorin. " Eat this. It'll give you strength."
" Just leave me." Sorin pushed it away.
" I can't."
Ozmun took the bread and stuffed it in the boys mouth and worked his jaw to help him chew. " We're chained. You go were I go. Now come on."
Ozmun picked up Sorin's smaller basket and dumped as much as he could in with his load then pushed it to him.
" Take it." Ozmun reached down and picked up his load then turned to leave. He didn't make two steps before two guards stopped them. Ozmun boldly looked up at them as they stared down on the two smaller men.
" Why are you just standing here?" One asked. He reached for Sorin's basket. " This is empty. You carry an empty basket?"
He lashed out striking Sorin in the face knocking him down. Ozmun jumped to cover Sorin and protect him but he was pulled back by the second guard and pushed against the mine wall. Sneering at Sorin the guard pushed Ozmun's basket at him.
" Pick it up."
Sorin looked at Ozmun for help. But there was nothing he could do to help this time, he was on his own. He had to either pick up the basket and work like the others, or be taken away. And that would mean his death. Sorin stood and reached over and pulled the basket toward him. The two guards watched, one still holding Ozmun to the wall. He took the basket and heaved it up. His arms shaking with effort as he got it off the ground and waist high. Ozmun could see the sweat pouring off of Sorin's face. He knew he couldn't hold the ore for very long.
" Let me help him." Ozmun pleaded with them. " Please!"
" He works or he's useless to us." The guard breathed his foul breath in Ozmun's face. Then he turned to Sorin. " Move it now!"
Sorin swallowed and took a step. The basket was much more then he could carry. He struggled to walk carrying the load. He made five more steps towards the mine exit before the lance struck his back and he screamed and fell dropping his load. The guards laughed as Sorin lay there bleeding from the wound in his back. The guards called to others stationed outside and pointed to Sorin
" Take him to the kitchens."
" Noooooooooooooooo!!!!!" Ozmun screamed throwing the guard off him. He was filled with rage as he started feeling something strange inside. He suddenly felt powerful. Ozmun reached down and grabbed his chains. With all the extra strength, he ripped himself loose from Sorin and dived at the guards roaring out. Power filled his body as he felt a burning run through him again. Suddenly where an enraged slave flew threw the air at the guards, a savage Tark landed in front of them and began to rip into them. The guards couldn't believe the huge brown six legged cat with a mouth full of sharp teeth slashing at them while they tried to back away as fast as possible. Blazing golden eyes flashed at them as Ozmun roared showing his needle sharp teeth and fangs. All around slaves and Savonti ran to get away from the beast. Ozmun took a mighty leap and landed over Sorin who cringed on the ground beneath him in fright. Two dead Savonti lay torn apart against the mine wall as more rushed in with their lances raised and ready to strike. Ozmun batted one lance away then grabbed another Savonti that came in to close. He screamed as Ozmun tore into it's chest with his claws then picked him up by the neck and tossed him aside. Rearing up on his hind legs in the manner of an attacking Tark, Ozmun roared out his rage. He bent down and grabbed Sorin like a cub and leaped for the mine exit and bolted out. Many Savonti had gathered out in the mine yard. Lord Daru had been called and told what was going on. Though the call had been unnecessary. He was on his way.

Deep in the lower hot volcanic sand pits of Darul Manse, Lord Daru sat going over production reports of the mines and listening to his men report on happenings along his borders. He was told of the latest movements of the cattle and where they were heading. Suddenly pain lanced through his mind as he felt a burst of magic nearby by. Someone nearby was using strong magic close to him. He held up his hand to quiet his men as he concentrated on the source of the magic. He could tell it wasn't Savonti magic. That meant it was the magic of one of the cattle. Daru probed deeper to locate the source of the magic. With a start he realized it was right here outside in his mines. He jumped to his feet calling out to one of his men.
" Get me a power collar!" He grabbed a cloak from the hook next to his bed of sand and fastened it on. " Get more men to the mines. Have them keep the beast there no matter what. Tell them I will deal with it."
Daru strode out of his chamber taking the collar offered to him. He had found a powerful new one. He smiled thinking of how much he would enjoy using this beast to his advantage.
That was the first time Ozmun used his power. That night Daru was able to use his mind to overcome Ozmun's rage and subdue him after a fierce fight with his men. Ozmun killed fifteen Savonti that day trying to save Sorin. But it didn't help. Ozmun became one of Daru's weapons that day. The collar weakened Ozmun so he couldn't fight. He could hardly concentrate while wearing it. From then on he was only able to use his new ability under Daru's command to fight or kill as his master ordered. Sorin died and went to the kitchens that night to feed the guards that survived Ozmun's first shift. But those days are in the past. Never again would he fight for Lord Daru. Instead he would fight tooth and nail to end the reign of the Savonti. And that was what bought him here searching for another human with power like him.

Wearing his hooded cloak, Ozmun stepped out among the people of this plains clan to staring eyes. He knew they all wondered who this strange man walking threw their camp was. People stood and stared at him. Ozmun lowered his hood to reveal his face, he knew if he wanted to gain there trust hiding was the wrong way to do it.
He would have to be careful here. Most people don't trust strangers on Pentanthin. As he walked people gathered around him and began to follow. He had no idea where he might find this Magda he was looking for, but she seemed to be leader here so anyone of these people could take him to her. He stepped up to a group of men watching as they armed themselves.
" Good hunt to you all!" He said smiling and holding out his empty hands. " I am Ozmun Natan. I'm here to see Magda Petrof."
" And what business have you with Magda?" Paesh asked stepping out in front of the crowd narrowing his eyes with suspicion. " You know her?"
" No." Ozmun said. " We've never met. It's a private personal matter which has nothing to do with you."
" She is my intended." Paesh said pulling his knife from it's sheath." You will tell me what you want or you won't be leaving here in one piece."
" Don't threaten me little man." Ozmun laughed at him. " You might get hurt. I don't want to have to hurt you."
" Paesh!" Oda grabbed his arm trying to pull him back from the stranger.
" Get out of my way!" With a quick swing, Paesh pushed Oda away knocking him back over a rack made for curing meat in the sun. Jumping to his feet, Oda dusted himself off and looked at his friend. then he turned and ran off into the camp.
A hush went over the crowd as Paesh readied himself to fight the stranger. Ozmun folded his arms smugly. He wasn't scared of the big man. He'd fought men like him many times before. He could tell the man was just a brawler, he had no real fighting skills. This would be quick and he wouldn't even need a weapon for this fight.
" You made a fatal mistake coming here to try and steal my woman." Paesh circled Ozmun glaring at him. Ozmun smiled his eyes never leaving his opponent.
" I have not come to fight." He said. " I came to make allies. We should not be enemies. The Savonti are the enemies. Don't we have enough to do fighting them, we can't afford to be fighting each other."
" Your not welcome here!" Paesh yelled. " Now fight!"
Paesh lunged at Ozmun stabbing forward aiming for a quick kill. Ozmun turned his body as he rushed by then turned to face him.
" Don't make me hurt you Friend." Ozmun raised his hands palms up. Paesh turned back and ready for his next attack.
" I am not your friend!!" He kicked out sending dirt up into the air trying to blind Ozmun. Moving as fast as he could he slashed out again and again trying to slice into Ozmun's defenses. Ozmun dropped down and thrust out his leg and tripped the big man. Like a sack he fell to the ground and Ozmun was on him. Grabbing his knife hand he smashed it down until Paesh dropped the knife then took him in a submission hold smashing his face into the ground.
" STOP THIS NOW!!!"
Ozmun looked up to see a beautiful girl about twenty years old with dark hair standing next to Paesh's friend Oda in dark leathers. He could see her anger lining her face. Everyone stepped back to let her pass into the fighting circle.
" Let him up now." Magda Petrof said hands on her hips. Ozmun released Paesh and climbed to his feet nodding to the clan leader. Rage filled Paesh as he got up. He looked at Magda then kicked out connecting to Ozmun's leg. He fell and Paesh dived at him fist clenched for the attack.
" I SAID STOP THIS NOW!!"
With a sweep of her hand she sent a force blast at Paesh sending him flying across the ground crashing him into the wagons outside the cave entrance.
" There will be no more fighting!!" Magda yelled to them all. " Do I make myself clear?"
Paesh climbed to his feet wiping his face and spitting out dirt. He took a step toward Magda into her eyes. He knew her power and what she could do to him if he tried to threaten her.
" How dare you use your magic on me!" Paesh wiped the blood from is lip that had split as he hit the wagon. " You forget your place. I am the lead warrior in this clan. Your arranged mate. I will not be treated like this!"
" You are a bully and a coward, Paesh." The crowd opened as Magda stepped in to confront Paesh. " There are children here I trust more then you and I will never mate with you. No matter what arrangements were made in the past."
Laughs and jeers went up in the crowd as she spoke. Paesh was not a very popular figure in the clan, just someone that pushed his fellow clansmen around to get what he wanted. Paesh took a step toward Magda with fire in his eyes. He started to raise his fist when all around them men stepped forward to protect Magda.
" No." She waved. " Step back. I can handle him if he wants a fight."
" You have made a big mistake today Magda." Paesh lowered his hands and turned to walk off. " I will be the death of you all. This I swear."
" It's a mistake I can live with." She whispered then turned to the crowd. " Lets get back to preparing for the hunt. Moel, round up your men and get them ready to move out."
Ozmun stood and waited while all the people went on with there daily chores. For a minute Magda talked to Moel, her lead hunter then she turned the Ozmun.
" Welcome Stranger." Magda smiled. " What brings you in to our camp?"
" My name is Ozmun Natan." Ozmun bowed to the clan leader. " I'm here for you."

After the fight Oda stood and watched Magda and the stranger talk. He wanted so much to tell Magda Paesh's plans for her, but fear filled his soul. He thought her response would be to exile him along with the big man and living alone in the forest scavenging for food with Paesh was not his idea of a very stable future. But he had to tell her. He would just have to wait until he could get her along and tell her all about Paesh's plan to turn her over to the Savonti.
It was mid day and not being a hunter or a warrior, Oda's job as a scout gave him the opportunity to come and go from camp as he pleaded. He thought his best bet would be to lie low and wait until he had the chance to speak to Magda. Keeping his eyes open for anyone following him, Oda returned to his cave to gather a few things he might need. Carefully he searched the area outside the cave for any evidence that anyone had been in his cave. Finding none he made his way quietly in. He needed something warm for the night and weapons. He would grab some foodstuff on his way out of camp. With his bag full. Oda left the cave looking around first to be sure he wasn't followed. He grabbed a few loafs of flat bread and some dried meat and headed out into the forest. So far he hadn't run into anyone as he made his way from camp. Oda listened carefully to the sounds of the forest. He knew just what to listen for. The snapping of a twig, the sound of feet shuffling across the ground behind him, even animals being scared into running. He could identify all these sounds easily. He knew just where he could hide. There was an old nest built by a rather large river mammal he had found long ago back when he hid from his fathers cruelty. He had widen it and made it stronger and never shown it to anyone. It was the perfect place to hid from Paesh's inevitable wrath, so Oda made his way to the river and carried his things in. Unfortunately for him, he didn't see the large man that had followed him and found his hiding place. From behind a massive tree, Paesh smiled.

As Mar rode up to the entrance to the deep cavern that housed the house of Lesu he relaxed. He was home now and the hunt for the missing human children had turned up nothing. The cave they had been hiding in where their grandfather had been caught was now empty. They had found nothing there but the bodies of the two dead guards His father had left behind. Mar was glad they had gotten away. He hoped they would never find them and they could make it to somewhere safe. But that was almost impossible. Even if they could make it out of Lesul, they would just enter Pulu's lands and he would be hunting them. He hated the way Humans were treated by Savonti. These poor people deserved to live a peaceful life without being hunted for food or as some Savonti lords slave. If only he could be granted lands and find more Savonti that thought as he did. Then he could protect them, or at least try. Being the oldest son of Lesu he knew he was the first in line for his father’s lands when the time came, but his father was getting suspicious of him. Mar wouldn't eat Human meat anymore and never in his life had he visited his father’s pleasure rooms or used humans like the others did. Lesu lately had began to notice these things. He had Mar watched at all times now. Mar knew he didn't have very much time left. He would have to move soon and either kill his father which wouldn't help much, because none of his father’s warriors would follow him. Or run and find his own lands and build a manse of his own. But how would he manage that on his own? He needed help. He needed other Savonti that would support him. He knew he couldn't be the only one that felt this way, but the danger of exposing his ideals was absolute treason to the Savonti. They were supposed to be the undisputed lords of Pentathin and masters of the world. His only other choice was to have human allies. But what human would ever trust him? The son of Lesu the touch of death. His father’s death and touch of pain made him one of the most powerful Lords of all of the Savonti. And what were Mar’s powers? As far as anyone knew, he had no powers. But he did. His was a very usual ability. He had the power to change probability sometimes at will but usually things just happened. If an arrow was shot at Mar, somehow it would end up deflected back to hit whoever had fired it. Mar was very carefully to hide his magic. He would rather other Savonti thought him powerless then to know what he could do. Things were getting complicated for him. He didn't know how long he could stay safe in Lesul. But he vowed one day he would free all of his father’s humans somehow.
As Mar and his warriors rode up to the ramp that led down into house Lesu, he saw that his brother Xan was standing at the gates. Xan was one of his fathers chief lieutenants. At this time of day Xan should have other important duties to attend to so why was he here? Mar stopped his tracker as they approached and greeted Xan.
"What brings my busy brother Xan out here on this hot dray?" He nodded a greeting to him.
"You Mar." He said. "Father wishes to see you as soon as you return. I see you don't have the humans with you."
"No I do not."Mar answered. "They had a three dray head start on us. But they will be found. They can not hide for long."
As they stood there a line of humans were being taken into the slave quarters from the mornings work. They looked exhausted and some of them were carrying some of the old and the young. Mar and Xan watched as they moved slowly passed them. Xan smiled and slide his tongue out his mouth to catch their scent.
"There will be a large dinner tonight." He looked to Mar for approval. Mar just nodded sicked by the thought of what he intended.
"I will see father as soon as I get in." He urged his mount on. As he looked back his mount kicked mud and rocks up that stuck Xan in his face. Probability Mar smiled riding on.

The stable where his personal tracker was kept was two levels down. He feed and made sure it had fresh water then left for his own apartment. There he changed his clothes and went on to see his father.
On the lowest level Lesu kept his private apartments. Only his guards, his queens and certain sons were allowed to ever come down there. Outside of his private study stood two guards. They never moved as he passed. His father had taught them well how to be at their post. Unless called they wouldn't move. Not an inch. He passed them and found his father at his desk working. Before him was parchments and other work he had to attend to.
"Xan says you came back without the humans I sent you after. Why?"
"You sent me out to hunt prey that had been running for three drays." Mar said sitting on a bench before Lesu. "Three drays they have been on the run. They will not be anywhere near that cave. We followed the trail as far as we could. I will find them father."
"And bring them to?" Lesu put down his work and stared at his son. "Do you think I am stupid Mar?"
"I do not understand your question." He said. "I did as you asked. The humans will be found."
"Will they?" Lesu stood and walked to the front of his desk. "By you? Friend to the humans."
This was an argument Mar knew had to come sooner or later. He relaxed ready to have his say at last.
"Father. I will bring them back to you so you can work them to death then serve them up on a plate for everyone to enjoy. Happy? Is that what you want to hear?"
"I want you to be a proper Savonti and eat what Savonti eat." Lesu was getting angry. "You are to be the next lord either here or in your own lands. Who is going to respect a lord that treats humans as if they matter?"
"They do father!" Mar stood pushing back the bench. "They think like we do. They sleep and do everything an intelligent being should. They are not cattle to be butchered and worked to death!"
"They are mine Mar, to do with as I please!" Lesu advanced on his son his eyes red with anger. "If you ever want your own house you will stop all this craziness about humans and get it through your head that they are nothing but meat for the table!"
"I will never accept that!" Mar turned from his father and went for the door. Lesu grabbed at him. In a flash the bench was suddenly between them flying at Lesu hitting him in the chest. Lesu stepped back in shock.
"HOW DARE YOU!!" He screamed. "GUARDS!!"
In a second the two door guards rushed in with their staffs out. Lesu pointed to his son.
"Take him! Lock him up with the humans he loves so much!"
The two guards reached to grab him and drag him out when Lesu stopped them.
"Do not touch him." He said. "He is my son. Lock him in with the humans and let everyone know he is to be shunned from here on but they are not to abuse him in any way. I will deal with him in my own time."
"Do as you wish with me father." Mar turned to walk out with the two guards."But know this. They will be free and nothing any of the Savonti can do will stop it. Even if it means our death!"
"LOCK HIM AWAY NOW!!!"

Asleep in his hiding nest Oda heard something that snapped him awake. He opened his eyes and knew something was wrong, he wasn't alone and he was in danger. Slowly he moved his hand to find his pack to retrieve his knife. Oda felt around in the dark but found nothing. He lifted his head to look for it and a bright light suddenly flared into existence.
" Looking for this." Oda focused his eyes to find Paesh sitting in the entrance holding his pack smiling at him. " I was wondering where my friend had disappeared to when I left, and here you are hiding. Why are you hiding Oda?"
Scuttling back Oda sat up and looked around for a place to run. Paesh was sitting right in front of the only way in or out. There was no escape.
" We have something to talk about my friend." Paesh tossed the pack aside.
" I didn't tell her anything." Oda cried. " Please don't do this."
" I know you didn't." Paesh stood pulling his own knife. " But the Savonti have promised me Magda and the clan if I do what they want. You know to much so you know what I have to do. Nazun Oda."
" Nooooooooooooo!!!!!!!"

Gabor Gekko. 27

I am Gabor Emil Gekko, Eldest son of Petar and Tereza Gekko. I was born in a camp hidden in the forest lands of Lord Fedru of the Savonti. I have two brothers, Bela and Nica and one sister Irina. We grew up moving from place to place growing food in hidden caches and living in caves and tunnels we built to hide in. They're hidden all over our forest so the Savonti can't find them. My father Petar was leader of our clan. He was by far the greatest hunter warrior I have ever known. He feared nothing. Not the Savonti or any clan that might try raiding us. And there were many raids on us. As clans go, we were doing pretty good. We had plenty of food hidden away. Enough to last the winter which was more then many could say. My father was a master at the sword and spear and could bring down game from fifty yards easy. As the eldest son, I was taught from birth to fight and take care of my family and my clan. I had lessons in sword, spear and the ways of the forest from the day I took my first step. We were taught what was edible in the forest and what could be used as poisons. How to identify the tracks of every animal out there and most important, how and when to hide. My brothers and I spent many nights alone in the forest with just a knife for protection. We were good I must say. My parents were great teachers. They knew our lives would depend on our skills.
Life in the forest wasn't easy. The Savonti always kept us on guard and on the move with there raids. But we were always ahead of them. Always gone before they could catch us. In all my days I can only remember losing less then ten to there damned cages and cook fires. Until three days ago. That was the day my world died.
I woke early that morning and dressed in hide pants and a cotton tunic. I slipped on my boots and my belt with my knives. My brother Bela, two years younger was just getting back from a lone hunt. He had just turned fourteen and passed his hunting test by bringing down a trula. That's a large mammal we hunt for it meat and hides. With only a spear and knife, Bela and a friend had killed it and butchered the beast and brought it home. Tonight would be a celebration of their passing to hunters. We were very proud of Bela. Mother and Irina were up at the fire fixing breakfast for the rest of the men about to head out to hunt. It was my job to stay this time. Father would lead the hunt. As I got a quick meal mother asked me to take Nica and get some water from the river. Nica complained, he wanted to go hunting with father. But he was to young. Nica was ten, he couldn't keep up with them as the ran after there prey. He pouted mad and turned his back to us.
" Nica." I said. " How about you and me go hunting later. I'll get some things and we can be out for a few hour."
" Really?" He turned and looked at me wide eyes. " Can we mother? Please can we?"
" As long as your back before dark." Mother turned from her cooking pot as Irina handed her some roots for the concoction they were preparing. " And you both get your chores done before you go. We'll be busy curing meat, we don't have time to get water and you still have to do your rounds around the camp and check the traps. There's a lot to do before we move on Gabor."
Nica looked at me sadly thinking I would never get done in time.
" You get cleaned up and take care of your dera's." I patted Nica's back. " I'll hurry and be done by mid day."
He smiled nodded and ran out of the cave to get to work. Irina laughed at him as he ran out.
" You check and make sure those dera are milked and fed." She said finishing peeling and scraping the ingredients. " And make sure they're ready to go by night fall."
" Yes Rina." I kissed mother and Iina and headed out of the cave. All around the caves there was activity. The men heading out to hunt were readying their spears and gathering their things. The men not going on the hunt were setting out to their post to keep watch for the Savonti or raids from other clans. The young were busy with lessons or chores that had to be done. Everyone knew this was to be the last night at this site. In the morning they would be moving so everything had to be packed or hidden tonight. Gabor went from campsite to campsite making sure they would be ready in the morning. He talked to each family in the clan. The site had to be just as clean as when they had arrived and they couldn't leave any trail showing which direction they went. Petar was completely meticulous about that. No scent to follow and no trail. Each family would be giving a potion called quero to sprinkle behind them as they left. Years ago an ancestor of the Gekko family had made an important discovery. A certain combination of herbs and roots made a formula that made tracker beast useless. One sniff of this potion and they couldn't even smell each other. For decades the Gekko clan had held the secret of this formula and used it successfully to escape there reptilian enemy.
After his rounds, Gabor and Bela went out and collected all the traps set about the camp. Trapped wildlife was passed out as provisions for the move and warning traps were dismantled and hidden away. Once done, Gabor was ready to take his little brother on their hunting trip. He quickly checked Nica's chores to be sure he had done them then went to get a snack for their short trip. Mother had set aside some bread and fruit for them to take along before packing the rest of their stores away. Nica was so excited about the hunting trip. He hurried Gabor along begging to get going.
" Calm down Nica." He laughed. " We're going. You have your knife?"
" Yep!" He held up the knife father had given him earlier this year. " I have a jar of quero to take with us too."
" Good your prepared." I put my bow over one shoulder and clipped our food to my belt. My knives were in my belt and I was ready to go. " Let's get going."
Nica smiled that big grin of his and we started out into the forest.
Together we had a great day running around and chasing small game. He wanted to go after something bigger, but I said no. He wasn't ready for that kind of chase. After catching five plump mugits we sat down to eat our lunch under a tree. In the distants we saw a trula herd run. Father and the others were probably near by chasing them. Nica wanted to go down after them, but I held him back. Trula were dangerous animals. When enraged they turned and charged after anyone near them. These trula were on the run. If we came near them they would defiantly charge us in a stampede, and there was no way we could out run the herd. Holding Nica back we watched them from the shade of our tree. That's when I saw them. Baebots. A whole flock of them came out of the forest and swooped down around the trula. Fear ran through my blood like ice. I knew what baebot's were and what they meant. The Savonti had found us. From the field where the trula were running I saw father and the rest of the men go running towards our camp. I grabbed Nica quickly.
" Come on Nica. We have to hurry!"
From the east Trackers came running out of the brush with there Savonti rider with their lances aimed to run down the running men. Father turned and saw them coming. He reached to his side and pulled his sword and stood his ground. On they came. A Savonti rider rode down on him aiming to lance him through his chest and knock him out. Father raised his sword and met the lance thrust with force. The sound of the clash rang out clearly as they met. Father reached up and grabbed the Savonti pulling him from his mount and stabbed him ramming the sword through him. He looked up at me watching him.
" Gabor!!" He yelled. " Get back to your mother and get them all to safety!!
" No father. Let me help you!" In started toward him pulling my bow from my back." I can fight!!"
" Get Nica out of here now!!!" He pulled his sword free and called out to his men around him. More Savonti came riding at them ready to fight.
" GO NOW!!"
" Nica hold on to my belt." I told my little brother. " We have to get back to camp."
He nodded as we took off running. With one hand I pulled arrows from my quiver sending them flying at both Savonti and tracker beast in my way. Bravely Nica held on and ran with me. From all sides the Savonti came. As we neared the campsite we saw our people running for there lives into the forest. But unorganized we didn't have a chance. One by one Nica and I saw our friends grabbed and thrown into cages. Some fought back and we saw them die. Finally Nica and I made it back to our cave. There we saw Bela and his friend Iosef fighting a group of Savonti in the entrance. I pulled a handful of arrows and let them fly at our enemy. Like lightning they struck killing three Savonti and giving Bela more of a fighting chance.
" Nica I know your scared but we have to get to Bela." He looked up at me then pulled his knife from his belt and nodded. " Stay close to me."
I pulled my sword from my belt and took off into the fight with Nica at my side. I met the first Savonti with a stab through his back. With a mighty kick I sent him flying into the feet of his companions. Nica launched himself at the fallen Savonti stabbing at them with his knife. Bela and Iosef fought like mad men protecting the entrance. There were dead Savonti piled at there feet as they fought. But more came. I grabbed Nica by his belt and threw him into the cave then went back to hacking at the Savonti. A tall Savonti turned on me to engage me. He rushed at me swinging his lance blade end up to rip into my stomach. I jumped high as the lance missed bringing my blade in for a slash. He countered with the stunner end and tried to send and energy discharge at me. It went astray into the crowd and hit one of his companions knocking him to the ground. With a quick strike Bela finished the downed Savonti off. Howling madly the Savonti rushed at me meaning to batter me into submission. When out of nowhere a small body came flying to land on his back. Nica stabbed at him again and again until he fell dead to the ground. That was the last of the Savonti facing us at the cave. I pulled Nica to his feet.
"Are you alright?" I checked Nica head to toe. Other then a few scrapes he was covered with Savonti blood and alright.
" Yea Gabor." He answered getting to his feet." I'm alright."
" What of father?" Bela asked. " Did you see him?"
" He and the hunters were fighting in the field." I told him. " He sent me back to get everyone away from here. Wheres Mother and Irina?"
" I don't know." Bella had a fearful look on his face. " They weren't here when we arrived."
Gabor looked out at the stone ridge that housed the cave system. The fighting was still going on. Savonti were still loading people into cages to be hauled away. They could hear screams coming from below them.
" Nica, get me more arrows from my niche," I ordered him. " Bela and Iosef this is far from done. We have to stop those wagons from leaving. Mother has to be in one of them."
" So are my sisters." Iosef growled. " But look how many of them there are. We are three. Shouldn't we wait for your father and the rest to get back?""
" Four." Nica said coming back carrying my extra full quiver and fathers. " I'm gonna help too."
" We can't wait." I told them. " As far as we know there already dead. We have two choices. Go hide in the forest or try and stop them. Choose now. But whatever you choose, you better hurry. We don't have much time."

Up on the ridge sitting high on his tracker, Lord Fedru watched his men load the people of the forest into cages. This was a great moment. He had been after this particular thorn in his side for years. A thorn named Gekko. He and his people had been raiding his camps and freeing his cattle for generations. And always away in hiding before he could get anywhere near them. These damn Gekko's were a devious clan. This Petar and his father before him, with no magic they had done what no other in over two hundred years could. Now he had them. Fedru smiled down on the line of captives in front of him being led away and called to one of his men.
" Bring him to me."
" Yes my lord." The guard pounded his chest in salute then went off to follow his lords orders. Fedru looked out at the cage wagons being filled around him. It looked like his men had done well. Most of the clan were here being loaded. There were full cages all over the hill with screaming crying cattle. Petar had been caught off guard out hunting for the move. He had caught them just in time before they were gone again. Fedru had lost many men today killed by these beast. But he had won the day. And now the beast was his. He would be on his table tonight.
Chained and beaten, Petar Gekko was dragged out of his cage and thrown on the ground.
" My lord wishes to see you beast." Said a Savonti guard.
" Nagut!!" Petar spit at the guard. " I wish to see your lord as well. Dead in a waste spit where all you Savonti belong!"
" We shall see who ends up in a waste pit." The guard laughed kicking Petar in his back. " Get moving beast!"
Petar climbed to his feet surrounded by Savonti armed with lances. They poked at him to get him moving out through their camp. Petar walked with his head up through his caged people. He could hear them calling out to him and the cry's of others. As he walked he could feel their lanes poking his back. He turned and kicked dirt in there faces in defiance. A lance came down hard into the back of his head knocking him to the ground.
" PETAR!!"
He looked up to see his wife and daughter staring down at him from a caged wagon.
" Tereza!" He climbed to his feet and stumbled to her cage. He reached in and took her hand " I'm sorry Reza. This is all my fault. I should have been more careful."
" No Petar." Tears ran down her cheeks. " You kept us safe. There was nothing you could have done."
" MOVE!!" A stun lance struck Petar in his back sending its charge through his body. He screamed and fell to the ground. " Get up and move now."
Petar looked up at the Savonti guards with such hate in his eyes. He climbed to his feet and braced himself to attack them.
" Attack, and they die now." A guard stuck his lance into the cage into Tereza's face. Petar could see the fear in his wife and daughters eyes.
" I love you." He said. Then he turned and walked on calmly away from them. Ahead he could see Lord Fedru waiting with that evil sneer the Savonti always wore. He had climbed down from his tracker and handed the reins to one of his men.
" Ah here comes the proud Petar Gekko." Lord Fedru said. " My most hated enemy mine at last."
" Down on your knees!" A lance struck him in his back knocking him to his knees at Lord Fedru's feet.
" So you've won at last Fedru." Petar said proudly. " You have me. But you and your people will never win here. We will one day destroy you all. This I swear."
" That may be." Fedru said as he walked up and placed his hand on Petar's shoulder. Petar screamed as agonizing pain rip through his body. Fedru laughed. " But you will never live to see that day."
Petar fell forward on his face. Lord Fedru's agony touch had sent so much pain into Petar, all his senses were overloaded and he passed out.
" Take him back to his cage." Fedru said. " Have everyone start moving out. I want to be back in my sands by nightfall."
" Yes my lord!!" Together the two guards took Petar by his arms and dragged him back and locked him in his cage. Then the signal was blown and they started moving out, back to Fedru's lair.

Night fell as Gabor led the remnants of his clan through the dark forest. They had gathered together everyone that had escaped capture and took the wounded men, women and children to a safe site. Then Gabor took the able men and set off into the forest to intercept Lord Fedru's forces. They hoped to catch them before they made it home and release as many people as they could. Gabor knew this mission had to be done carefully. This was about rescue not revenge. Freeing his mother and as many as possible and getting them away quietly would not be easy. Fedru would have sentries out on watch. They would have to find them and dispatch them quickly and sneak into camp to free the others.
It didn't take them long to find Fedru's trail. They were moving with many trackers and wagons so they left a very good trail to follow. One of the Savonti's main weaknesses was there arrogance. They felt that the cattle feared them so much that they would never come after them. And with most of the Gekko clan in cages, they were right. But fortunately, not all Gekko's had been caught. And tonight they would fight back.
No care was taken in the placement of the caged captives except to keep them away from where the Savonti slept. Fedru had set four guards out to watch the camp. Two were to walk the perimeter of the camp and another two would watch the captives. From the forest Gabor and his men watched and timed how long at took the guards to make the rounds around the camp. It seemed they would start at the northern end and go in separate directions and meet up at the southern end then continue circling. Gabor sent two teams of two men to meet them as they reached eastern and western points of they're rounds. There they would quietly subdue the guards and hide their bodies in the forest. Gabor would wait for there signal then move into the camp to free everyone. Keeping everyone down they waited listening to every sound in the forest. The forest was alive with noise. Mostly predators out for there nightly hunt.
Suddenly a call rang out. One only one of his people would recognize. The call might the guards were down. Time to move. Waving his hand, Gabor stood and crept forward keeping low so none of the Savonti would spot him. In front of him was a ring of wagons with all his caged people. He could hear them sobbing in despair at their captivity as he creeped by. He wanted to stop and open their cages, but the noise would alert the Savonti, and he couldn't afford that. So he moved on.
Leaning against a wagon covered stood the first guard. Gabor knew the cooler temperature of the night we make the reptilian man a bit less aware. He hoped he would be drowsy enough that he wouldn't hear there approach at all. Moving with all the stealth he could, Gabor pulled his knife and stepped up behind the Savonti guard and grabbed him and slid his blade across his throat. Holding his mouth to keep him silent he lowered the guard the the ground dead. One down, one more to go. Gabor waited quietly as he watched another of his men repeat his action. Luck was on there side he thought as the guard fell and he was given the signal to move on.
With a wave of his hand he motioned his men to move forward to the cages and start freeing the captives. One by one he searched the cages freeing his people and looking for his mother and sister. Suddenly the quiet of the night was broken. He heard a whisper, his name. He looked to the left and saw Iosef sisters calling from their cage. Quickly he ran to the cage and began working the locks.
" Thank the spirits." Maya Dodos whispering clutching his hand as she and her sister Delia stepped down and hugged him. " We were so scared. Where's Iosef? Is he with you?"
" Iosef is safe." He told them. " He's just beyond the bank of hedges leading people out. Have you seen my mother?"
" Yes. Delia nodded. " Last we saw she and Irina were in a cage over yonder."
" Go help Iosef get everyone away." Gabor said turning to move off after his family.
" Gabor." Delia said grabbing his arm stopping him. " They have your father. We saw him being beaten by Fedru."
" Damn!" Fear suddenly ran through his body at these words. He knew Fedru would prize him as a trophy keeping him close. Freeing him meant finding Lord Fedru's private camp. His mission just became one hundred times harder, but he had to try.
" Go!" He said pushing the woman off. " I'll find them. Keep my brothers away from here."
Gabor watched the Dodos sisters hurry off, then headed of to find his family.
All around him people were running into the woods being led by men of his party. Quietly Gabor slipped on into the darkness, ahead of him he saw another ring of cages. Fortunately they weren't being guarded and there were no Savonti as far as he could see. He moved to a tree and listened. Silence. None of his men had made it this far into the Savonti camp yet. He was the first. He peeked out for a look. The camp was very litely lit. There were only a few torches lit casting shadows all around the camp. Staying low, Gabor moved in watching carefully for any guards. He reached the first cage and looked in. It was empty, but the were clothing scattered on the floor. His stomach jumped to his throat cause he knew what that meant. Whoever had been in that cage had been taken. They were dead now. Food on the table for these damned reptiles. His fear rose for a second, then he looked closer at the clothing and didn't recognize them. This wasn't his mother and sisters cage, but it was some other member of his clan. Gabor shook it off. He didn't have time for thoughts like this. He would grieve later. Suddenly he heard something behind him. He pulled his sword and turned ready to fight.
" It's me." Bella whispered creeping to his brothers side. " You'll need my help."
" Get out of here." He said quietly. " I can do this alone."
" No you can't." Bella said sternly. " You can't open all those cages alone. Together we can."
" You can what?" Came a voice loudly from behind them. Gabor and Bella turned in surprised to find Lord Fedru and ten of his guards surrounding them. Gabor leaped up sword aimed at Fedru for the kill and was batted down to the ground.
" You think I didn't know your little herd was stalking us?" Fedru growled grabbing Gabor by his tunic and pulling him up to face him. " I am a Lord of the Savonti with powers far beyond any thing you know. You and yours are nothing but food to be served on our tables."
He threw Gabor down, Bella grabbed Gabor and pulled him up to protect his older brother.
" Your people have gotten away from me for now, but have no fear. I will find them and bring them back. But I do have you and them." Fedru smiled and evil grin at him and pointed to three his guards dragged in and threw down next to them. It was Nica and two others from their raiding party. " And you will be served up soon. Just like your father and the two females were tonight."
" Noooooooooooooooo!!!!!" Gabor screamed. Bella sobbed next to him pulling Nica's unconscious body to him.
" Cage them." Fedru ordered. " We move tonight."

" And that is my story." Gabor said Cutter Azeal and Tanis listening. " Now you know how I came to be in the cage you found me in. My mother, father and sister are dead. My brothers are in a cage captured back in Fedru's miserable manse. Now I have a question for you all. Will you help me free my people, or do I try again this time on my own? But I'll tell you this. I will fight the Savonti as long as I can raise my fist or hold a sword and someday we will end their rein over us. That I swear."
Cutter, Azeal and Tanis looked to each other for each others thoughts. Azeal had tears in his eyes and Cutter could see the anger in Tanis. He was almost shaking with fury. But there were others he had to consult before making this decision. He had the Academy and all the teachers and students to think of too. Their safety was his primary concern after all.
" We hear you and grieve your lost." Cutter said. " Give us a little time to talk this over and I will give you our answer in an hour. Will that be sufficient?"
" Yes." Gabor nodded. " Just remember. The long you take, more of my people be killed and served. So please hurry."
" We will." Cutter turned and ushered Azeal and Tanis to the door. He opened it and turned back to Gabor looking out of the window into the courtyard." In the meanwhile, clothing will be provided for you and you are free to see our school. Go meet our people."
" Thank you." Gabor smiled bowing. Together the three left the room and closed the door behind them and started back for the offices to talk it over.
" Wait." Tanis stopped. " You know what I think Cutter I'm sure. I want to help him. After what my uncle did back home, How can I not. You go talk with the others. I'll stay and show Gabor around. Azeal can call me when you've made your decision. But you know mine. I'm going to help him with or without your help."
" We understand Tanis." Cutter gripped his shoulder. " It won't be long, I promise you."