Daru High Lord of the Savonti. 31

Deep in the manse of Daru, Trela waited. She had made it absolutely clear to Daru that her assistance in his bid for High Lord would come with a price. He could have as many playthings as he wanted but she and she alone would be his sole queen. All the rest would be hers to do as she wished and he would not interfear with any of her plans. He agreed as long as she kept him advised of all her dreams concerning the future. Now she had control of the house of Daru second only to Daru himself. She had her own personal guards and with them she rounded up all the former queens and took them from their lavish sands pits and sent the to slave quarters to await her decision on how she would dispose of them. From her balcony she watch as they were all led out of the manse and put in the cold caves where all the Savonti slave were kept. She could hear their cries of protest and anguish as her guards ripped away their young ones and took them to a place Trela had made for Daru's offspring from his ex queens. From now on only her children would have any standing in Darul or any chance to be lord of their own house.

Queen Trela smiled at what she had done and left the balcony. She was tired and needed to rest. She went to her apartment and made herself comfortable. Soon she was asleep and dreaming of things that had happened recently and would soon come about in the future. That night she dreamed of two of Daru's closest enemies. Lesu and Resu and their futures.
She saw a lone Savonti guard paroling Resul on a cold night and how he would be the key to capturing the strong one. Next she saw Lesu and his son Mar and she dreamed of betrayal. Betrayal in both Resul and Lesul. It seemed they were in for a few very exciting nights to come.

On a dark cold night in the land of Resul, Nav sat on a ridge over looking the thick forest wrapped in his cloak on the back of his tracker beast bored. He had rode the borders between Darul and Resul all night looking for any thing suspicious as his lord had commanded. Resu had returned home from Daru's meeting in an evil mood. He had listened to all Daru had said about the White and Grey and thought the Mind lord was up to something. He didn't believe one word Daru had said about his queens predictions but he knew Daru. They had been fighting with each other for years and his request for all Savonti lords to combine there strength against some unknown human enemy they had never heard of seemed absurd to him. But Resu was no fool. He would put more of his men out on guard just to be careful. Now he sat cold and tired on watch for what he thought was nothing but phantoms. Ghost of a powerful but erratic mind.
As Nav sat his tracker began to fidget nervously. Nav putted it's neck to sooth it's mind. He looked and out of the corner of his eye he thought he saw something. A light flickering in the dark. He stared out and waited think he had just seen moonlight reflecting off a pool in the forest or something mundane. Then he saw it again. There was a light. Someone was out there that shouldn't be. Then he saw another and another flick into existence. Nav kicked his tracker into action. He had to go investigate and see what or who was on his lords land. It might be the humans Daru spoke of at the meeting but Nav didn't think so. His tracker would have made an alert if it was humans out there. If not humans then there was only on other choice left. A Savonti invasion. Nav urged his tracker into a faster run. He had to know now what they were up against. His lord Resu was the strongest of all the lords in the physical sense and he had no doubt would prevail in any battle, but he needed warning. Surprise was one of his biggest enemies. That's way he always had his borders patrolled and kept a careful watch over his lands.
Suddenly to his left behind him off the trail Nav heard a noise. It was the sound of pursuit coming after him. He still didn't see anyone but there was no longer any doubt, this was an invasion by one of Resu's enemies. But which one? Nav didn't have time to think about it. Now he had to get back and warn them of the coming attack.
[I don't think so.]
Suddenly Nav's tracker reared up and howled in pain. It bolted up from under him running into the forest. Nav fell from his saddle and crashed into the ground. He sat up and reached for his sword then remembered it had been clipped to his saddle. He was unarmed with no way to defend himself. Quickly he jumped to his feet and started to run. He knew who it was that was attacking. It was Daru the Mind lord. He'd know the feeling if his mind speak anywhere.
[I'm touched you remember me.] He heard in his mind as he ran. [Resu must think highly of his neighbor.]
"Yes." Nav called. "High enough to keep his borders guarded against you. You won't defeat my lord in battle weak one."
[You seem to forget that you still have to warn him of my coming. You won't make it back to his manse to do that. I'm closer then you think. And Resu's house is far off.]
Nav knew he didn't have to make it all the way back to the house to warn Resu. All he had to do was make it the the hidden tunnels just over the next hill. There he could pass on his his warning.
[Just over the next hill you say.] Daru's laughter rang in Nav's mind as he came to a sudden stop. [Now you have betrayed Resu with your thoughts and I thank you for the knowledge of the secret entrance. I won't be needing you any longer.
"I'LL KILL YOU FOR THAT DARU!!!" Nav screamed his anger as three of his warriors stepped out of the forest in front of him. Again Nav reached to his side for his sword. But all he found was his dagger on his belt. He pulled it and faced the three.
"Here to kill me?" He asked. "Well I won't die so easy."
"Yes you well." Daru stepped out to stand in front of his warriors. He was dressed in the armor of a Savonti lord, all black, his house colors. "But I'll give you a chance. Swear your allegiance to me and I'll let you live. I'll make you a part of my guards. Such a brave warrior need not die here in the mud."
"You think I would betray my lord and stand with you his enemy." Nav took a fighting stance snarling ready to attack Daru. " Hail Lord Resu! I'll die protecting him and his house."
"Yes you will." Daru smiled then turned to walk away. Nav had reached his limit. His hate for Daru made him leap at Daru's back to stab him to death. But he didn't move. As hard as he tried he could move a single muscle. Daru had total control of his body. Fear filled his brave soul as he realized what was about to happen to him. Daru turned back to smile at Nav.
"Good bye brave one." He said. "Know that you were the most important part of your lords downfall. I couldn't have entered his house without your help. You may stop breathing now."
With that command Nav's lungs stopped working and his eyes began to bulge as he suffocated. Nav fell to the ground as Daru left to find the hidden tunnel. There he died with Resu's name on tongue and an apology for his accidental betrayal.

As Mar sat in his corner of the cell he shared with the humans he thought about what he expected to happen to him. Would his father forgive him and release him? Or would he end up slaving in the mines for the rest of his life. He knew there was a third choice his father could mark. He could execute him. After all he had committed the most heinousness of sins a Savonti could commit. Heresy. Siding with the humans against his fellow Savonti was considered the ultimate of sins punishable by death. By would his father be cold? Mar knew he had eight more brothers and any one of them could take his place as heir to his fathers house so he wasn't that important. But Mar had spoken his mind and he would stand by it, even if it meant his death. If he was to die, he would do it proudly.
Mar looked out at the humans in the cell with him. He was sorry he couldn't help them. He liked young Juelz and wished there was a way to save him from what he knew his life would be. Death in the mines or in one of the kitchens. But from here there was nothing he could do.
"Mar."
Surprised to hear his name Mar looked up to find Xan standing there looking at him.
"What do you want?" He asked. "Are you here to gloat? Did father send you?"
"Is it true?" Xan asked. "Did you really say those things to father?"
"Yes I did." Mar answered. "And I meant every word."
"Fathers going to have you beheaded in two turns."
"Then you will be the next lord." Mar looked down. "Congratulations brother Xanu."
"Do not call me that!" Xan said annoyed. "Besides, we both know it takes more the lineage to make a lord, it takes power which I do not have. What if I do not want to be the next lord?"
"What?"
"What if I agree with you?" He said. " What if I told you there was a human I was in love with?"
Mar stood and walked to the cell door. "Is this a jest? You do not mean what you are saying."
"What if I did?" He said in a whisper. "Would you take me and my woman with you if I could get you away from here?"
"You know father would hunt us forever. He would never stop. We would have to run and move fast if there was a chance to get away."
"Mar." Xan looked to make sure none of the guards were near. "I know a way out of here. I have been working on a plan to get away and I can have trackers ready to take us away. But I can not get the key without someone knowing I took it. How do we get you out of here?"
"I think I can get the door open." Mar told him. "But I will not be alone. I am getting therm out of here to."
Xan looked at his brother as if he had lost his mind. "There are five humans in there with you. I can not get enough trackers for them all."
"How many can you get?"
"Maybe three or four." Xan said. "Not enough for eight to ride."
"That will have to do." Mar looked in at the sleeping humans. He would do his best for them. That was all he could do. " Xan, after they feed us the guards go eat. Then they do not come back to check on us until the next work shift. Can you get you woman and the trackers to somewhere you can hide them then come back and meet me? I will have them ready. You will have to lead us out to the trackers."
"Yes I can." Xan reached in and took his brothers hand. " Where will we go?"
"North away from Lesul." He said. "We will keep moving until we find lands where we can be safe. We can go to the colder lands and find a deep cavern. Father once told me about some heated caves of an old enemy of the Savonti called the Nevac. Their caves are still there I am sure. We can find something better then here."
"Tonight then." Xan said turning to leave.
"Xan." Mar called him back. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Yes." He nodded. "I am. Be ready."
After Xan left Mar went back to his corner. He couldn't believe what had just. His younger brother chief lieutenant in his fathers guard would side with him. He had love for a human. If Lesu knew an of this he would have Xan killed and burned in disgrace. Now they both had to get out of Lesul or die. He hoped Xan could get all the things they need for the escape. Food and warm clothing. if the were going north they would need them both.
Mar looked over to where the humans slept and noticed Juelz was awake. The boy stood and came over and sat with him.
"Who was that?" He asked.
"Xan my brother."
"He came to make fun of you?" Juelz looked sadly at Mar then handed him a piece of fruit he had saved. He knew Mar hadn't eaten and wanted to do something to cheer him. Mar it and bit into it.
"He came to save all our lives. We are leaving Lesul."

Nothing moved in the night as Daru and his warriors approached the hill where the hidden tunnel was located. Daru stood as one of his warriors. took a look around to see if he could find a hidden entrance or door.
"I see nothing my lord." He stood up and stepped back.
"Fool!" Daru pushed him out of the way. "It is right here. Can you not see it?"
Daru walked to the other side of the hill and pulled the shrubs aside to reveal a hidden door. A warrior reached down to open the door and Daru stopped him.
"There are warriors down there." Daru grabbed the warriors arm stopping him. "If you open it they will know we are here you fool."
Releasing his arm the Mind lord moved in front of the door and closed his eyes putting a hand to his temple. Concentrating deeply he sent out a single thought to Resu's warriors below.
[SLEEP.]
Below three warriors sat in a game of Bones. One at a time they tossed human finger bones at a wall making bets on who's would come closest to the wall. They laughed as they played trading coins as one or the other won. Suddenly something strange overcame them. They're eyes began to droop as sleep closed in on them. Staggering back they dropped the bones and fell to the ground unconscious. Up top Daru smiled and ordered his warriors to open the door and step back and allow him to enter first. Confident in his mind powers Daru walked in and looked at the sleeping warriors.
"Kill them." He said. Pulling their weapons they quickly stabbed the three to death and followed Daru into the tunnels.
While Daru and twenty of his men warriors made their way through the tunnels, the rest of his army quietly slipped closer to Resu's manse to wait for Daru to open the gates and let them in. There they hide and watched for a chance to overcome the gate guards and replace them with warriors of there own dressed in Resu's house colors.
As Daru reached the end of the tunnel the time came for them to enter the house of Resu without resistance.
"All of you be quiet and do not move." He warned them. "I have to take control of the gate guards and those right outside this tunnel to gain entrance."
Daru sat down and made himself comfortable the closed his eyes and sent out his mind probes. In the courtyard of house Resu five warriors patrolled. One by one he touched their minds and took control of there bodies. One he had open the gates for him and the other four he sent to the gate to kill the five stationed there. With the gates open Daru's warriors quietly entered and killed the five Daru had under his control.
"From here." Daru ordered. "We move quietly taking the house level by level. Once the alarm is out there will be heavy opposition. Right now we have the surprise. Remember, Resu is mine. No one touch him. Move out."
The house of Resu went six levels down. It was like a city down there like all other Savonti houses. There was smiths and kitchens, stables and stores for all the farming food stuff. Housing for the thousands of lower Savonti that were loyal to Resu. And on the lowest, Resu's private level which would be the most heavily guarded. But Daru had brought a whole army with him that out numbered Resu's and with his mind abilities he was confident they had the upper hand. The night was young and the war was on and at the end it would turn out to be Daru's mind powers against Resu's enormous strength. Winner take all.

Down on the lowest level Resu lay sleeping in his sand pit. He had had a long ride back from Darul the night before and had gone straight to his mines to inspect the new vein of Pentathium they had found while he was gone. His smith had promised it was the purest and strongest pentathium they had ever seen. He would soon have weapons that would be ten times stronger than any other on Pentathin. Resu was pleased. He immediately ordered new weapons made. Swords that could beat down any others they came against. Staffs that would hold a charge and shot much stronger blasts than ever before. Now
Finally he had the chance to rest and get some sleep. He didn’t even want the pleasure of one of his queens or a slave tonight. Just some rest in his steaming hot sands.
Suddenly Tab his chief aide rushed in to his sleeping chamber and woke him.
“My lord!” He yelled urgently. "We are under attack!!"
"What!!" Resu jumped from his and grabbed a  bronze colored robe and slipped in to it. "My club! Who attacks me?"
Standing in the corner of the room stood Resu's club. A great bludgeon weighing more then a grown Savonti warrior. Resu walked over and picked it up like it was a nothing and turned to Tab.
"Well? Who attacks us?"
"Daru my lord." Tab told him following him out of the apartment. "He came in through the tunnels and dispatched the gate guards and let his warriors in. So far they have taken the top three levels and they are moving down towards us."
"They have not reached the quarters of my personal guards yet. Summon as many warriors as you can find and have them meet me up on the next level. We must stop them before they reach the mines and any of the new ore. Daru can not escape with my Pentathium. Hurry!!"
Like a giant Resu walked through the three level he still held bellowing orders to everyone to grab weapons and meet at the ramp up to the next level. Once there he looked out at the few hundred warriors gathered there.
"We have been invaded." Resu thundered. "Lord Daru thinks us weak and that he can come in and take what is mine. Be we are here to tell him different. This is our lands and our home and we will fight to the death to keep it. Grab your swords and staffs and let us take back our house! DEATH TO LORD DARU!!!"
"DEATH TO DARU!!!" The battle cry went as Lord Resu led his warriors up into battle. The fighting was fierce all through the house of Resu. Warriors battled back and forth with sword and anything they found they could fight with. In the kitchen human were slaughtered to cut of Resu's food supply. His wells were poisoned and on every lever Daru's warriors took they destroyed everything they could find.
Like a juggernaut Lord Resu waded into the battle. His club was painted with the blood of his enemies as he ripped it to them. No sword or staff could hurt the Lord of strength as he fought is way higher in his own house toward Lord Daru and his warriors. Finally four levels up the two lords met. All fighting stopped as they stared, facing each other.
"So this is how you treat your allies Daru." Resu stood fuming holding his bloody club. "With treachery?"
"This is how I treat those I think are bellow me you buffoon." Daru laughed at him. "You are the first of the lords I will take and make my slave."
"I will never be you slave you monster! You think any of the other lords will back you once they find out what you have done here. Your wrong!!"
"Doesn't matter." Daru shrugged. "I will be the High Lord of Pentathin and there is nothing that any other lord can do to stop me. Not you, not Lesu or Magu. You will all bow to me!!"
"NEVER!!" Resu raised his club and ran at Daru ready to smash him into the ground. Daru folded his arms and smiled that evil smile of his. As Resu came withing ten feet his raised his hand and sent out his mental command.
[STOP!]
The command hit Resu like a blast to his mind. It dropped him to his knees screaming as all of his people watched in horror. Blood ran from his eyes and ears as he knelt there looking up at Daru with hate.
"You may be the strongest savonti on Pentathin." Daru said as he walked around Resu. "But your strength is nothing compared to my powers. From this day on the house of Resu is no more. These lands are mine and so are all of you. You saw how easily I take care of your lord. I can do the same with all of you. All of you bow before me now!"
Slowly one by one all the warriors left to Resu dropped their weapons and bowed. Resu fought against Daru's hold on him, but it was to strong. There was nothing he could do to fright for himself. Daru snapped his fingers and an aide walked over and handed something to him. It was one of his power collars. Daru walked to Resu and snapped it around his neck. Now he had complete control over Resu.
"Stand up."
Resu stood and dropped his club to the ground. Resu looked at his new master with such loathing and contempt. Daru smiled at him pleased with himself.
"You have me Daru." Resu spit at him. "But I will be free one day. I will overcome your power somehow and when I do I will kill you. That I swear!!"
"I care nothing for your idle threats." Daru waved as he turned away. "Lead your warriors out of here while we put your house to the torch."
Defeated Resu walked out level by level with his proud head held high with all his people following him.
That was the end of the house of Resu. Once Resu was led out, Daru killed all of his children and queens. His humans were all sent back to Daru's pens and his Mines were now under Daru's control. As Daru said Resu was the first to fall but he wouldn't be the last. No other Savonti lord would have anything to say for none of them really cared about each other and none of them had seen what had happen. Except for one blind woman and she saw it all in a dream.

"You want us to come with you?" Jerel said. "Why? So we can be food for your trip?"
Mar knew it was a mistake to make that threat earlier. He just wasn't thinking. But now he had to somehow gain the trust of these people if he wanted to get them out of here.
"I do not eat people." Mar told them. "I have not in ten ages since one of your people saved my life. Yes I owe my life to a human and you know what my father did to that man? He tried to have him killed. I have hated my father since that day. Thank the gods I was able to get Petar Gekko out of Lesul."
"Well it doesn't matter." Jerel shrugged."We won't follow our enemy."
"Then let me get you out of here." Mar said looking at each of them. "Then you can go wherever you wish."
"I'm going with you Mar." Juelz stepped forward to stand next to him. Mar looked down and put his hand on the boys shoulder.
"No your not!" Jerel reached for the boy to pull him away from Mar. "Your coming with us!"
"Take your hand off the boy now."
Jerel opened his mouth to refuse and stopped when he saw the look in Mar's eyes.
"I go where I want." Juelz said stubbornly.
"Your better off staying with your family." Mar bent down to talk with him. "We will be moving fast."
"My families dead." The boy told him. "Are saying you don't want me to come with you?"
Mar looked at the boy staring up at him then at the others. Since they refused to come with them, there was a good chance they would be recaptured while he knew he could keep the boy safe.
"Well?" Jerel said sternly.
"He comes with me if he wants to."
Jerel threw his hands up into the air. "Fine. What do I care. Well never get pass that door anyway."
"Gather all you things." Mar told them. "Take all my food to. You will need it. We'll be leaving as soon as Xan returns for us."
"If he returns." Jerel said sulking over again by himself. "If we can get out of here."
"He will come." Mar sat back down and stared at the cell door. "He has to come."

Night had fallen and in the house of Lesu things were winding down. All the slaves had been returned from their work in the mines and the fields and their meager rations were being passed out. In the stables while everyone was at dinner Xan had managed to sneak three trackers out and hide them in the forest outside of one of the drainage tunnels that swept the waste down and out of Lesu's manse. Now all he had to do was go back and and bring Mar and his humans out. Drella hadn't be to difficult. Slaves were always seen being led around the manse in chains so no way should pay them any attention. But Mar was different. Having once been heir to Lesul everyone knew who he was and all about his crimes. Xan would either have to disguise his brother or find a path with the least amount of savonti to see them moving through the level. Xan had no idea how he would be able to get them all out. He hoped Mar had some plan in mind that he hadn't mentioned.
With his sword at his side Xan walked proudly down into the slave cells where Mar was being held. At the door a guard sat and snapped to attention when Lesu's chief lieutenant came in.
"Nazun." Xan greeted him. "I would see your prisoner."
"I will escort you lata goth." The guard saluted and opened the door as Xan approached him nodding his approval. "The staz is this way. I look forward to tomorrow and his execution."
"Do you?" Xan did his best to keep his temper and not throttle him. "His day will come, you can be sure of that."
The section where Mar was being kept was pretty full with every cell in there section loaded with families all tired from the days work. Xan and the guard walked down the hall until the came to Mar's cell. Mar was standing there clutching the bars on the door looking out. The guard slammed his staff into the bars threatening Mar.
"Open the door." Xan ordered. " I want to speak to him."
"Stand back from the door!" He snarled.
Mar let go of the bars held his hands up and stepped back. Handing his staff to Xan the put the key in the door and unlocked it. The door swung open and he stepped in. Mar stood there and smiled at him.
"You find something amusing?"
"Yes." Mar said. "Quite stunning actually."
Xan reached out with the staff and pressed the stunner end into the guards back and sent its full charge into him. For a second he stood there shaking as the energy ran through his body then he fall unconscious to the floor.
"Bring him over and tie and gag him."
Xan grabbed him by his belt and lifted him up and carried him over as everyone watched.
Throwing him down on the mat where Mar slept he took the guards belt and tied him up.Jerel brought over some rag they stuffed in his mouth and gagged him.
"I guess it will not be Mar's execution tomorrow everyone enjoys tomorrow." Xan smiled covering him up.
"Xan check the hall." Xan nodded the give Mar the staff and left. "Ready to go?"
"We'll all follow you out." Jerel grabbed the bag of food and heaved it over his shoulder. Mar frowned at him and took the bag and gave it to Abel for him and his family. Jerel looked at him but didn't say anything "Juelz, stay close to me."
"It is clear." Xan waved them on. "We should leave now."
The house of Lesu was always busy this time of night. The slaves had just been fed and at was eating time for the rest of the Savonti. Weak slaves that could no longer work had met their end in each of the kitchens on each level. With key in hand Xan and Mar went from cell to cell opening doors and freeing anyone they could find until they all met at the guard room exist. With one final turn of a key Xan opened the door at let everyone out. Like a stampede they flowed out running in every direction grabbing anything they could find to use as weapons to protect themselves on the way out. Xan led Mar and the humans from his cell. The tunnel they would use was on the other side of the same level they were on. The hope was that the Savonti would be so busy with the escape no one would notice him gone. Armed with his sword, Mar with a staff they fought their was through the house until they found the refuge room and the drainage tunnel.
“There it is.” Xan pointed to the grate on the floor. “We get in there and we follow it out. I have Drella waiting at the end with trackers saddled and ready.
“We should move.” Mar urged them on. All together they ran out for the grate. Chaos reigned all around them as Savonti fought the humans trying to get free. Mar grabbed Juelz and pulled him close to keep any guards from grabbing him.
At the grate Mar and Xan being stronger then the humans reached down and took hold of the grate to get it open. Just then a Savonti warrior came running around the corner and saw them.
“Stop!” He yelled. Pulling his sword the warrior rushed into the room filled with piles of garbage waiting to be shoveled into the lifted grate to flow out of the house. They all looked up. “Xan? What is the meaning of this?"
"I am leaving with my brother." Xan called lifting the grate. "Quickly! Everyone get in!"
Turning back in the hall the warrior called out for help to other warriors fighting their way through the halls. Mar reached to Xan's side and pulled his sword from the scabbard then stepped out.
"Take everyone out. I will meet you after I am done here."
"No!" Juelz pulled free. "I'm staying with you."
"We do not have time to argue." Mar looked to Jerel and Abel. "Take him and get them out."
Jerel put his hand on Mar's shoulder. "I know you don't trust me but let me do this. You have to stay with them. If they catch you you'll be executed."
As they argued another warrior came to help. Now two Savonti warrior were coming at them.
"No Jerel." Mar grabbed Juelz and picked him up screaming and dropped down the hole. "Xan and I will deal with them. Take everyone and head out. I do trust Jerel. Now go!"
With a quick shove he sent the last man down through the hole and Xan dropped the grate.
"One for me and one for you." Xan took back his sword. "Together brother."
"Yes together."

Deep in there cave Lilia Kordova woke screaming. Her night had been filled with dreams of betrayal, strange new people and the death of a Savonti lord and two Savonti son's escape from their powerful father.
She sat up as Shayn and Ono ran in to see why she was screaming.
"Lilia what is it?" Shayn bent down beside her as she reached out. Ono took a skin of water a brought over and gave it to his mate for the sweat drenched seer.
"Here drink this." He put the skin to her mouth and carefully tipped it for her to drink. "Now what scared you so bad you were screaming?"
"It's began." She wiped the water from her mouth. "Many things happened in the last two turns and Pentanthin will never be the same. Savonti fight Savonti and humans are fighting back. Lord Fedru is dead. Killed by the son of his oldest enemy. Lord Daru is on the move. He's taken Lord Resu's house and lands."
"What do we do?" Ono sat cross legged next to where she lay.
"Shayn?" She turned to him. "What do we do?"
"We move." He said. "We leave as soon as it's dark. I can make myself bigger so I can carry both of you. There are people out there that will need our help."
"Yes." Lilia smiled. "And you won't believe who we have to help first."

Back at the Academy Azeal made his way through the halls. He had been thinking all day about what had happened in Fedru's lair. What would happen now? The Savonti would know something strange had happened. And once the warriors that had made it into the forest reached the other lords they would tell them of the strange things that had helped Gabor.
[Azeal.] A familiar voice rang out in his mind
[Yes Cutter?]
[Bring Tanis and meet me in the office please. We need to talk.]
[Yes sir.]
Quickening his pace, Azeal knew exactly where he would find Tanis. He would be in the medical ward visiting Gabor. Gabor was still recovering from his battle with Fedru. As he walked onto the floor he saw all the people injured they had brought here after the battle. Azeal looked around for Macan. He wanted to know how these people were doing. He turned toward the windows and saw him talking to a nurse. Macan saw him and waved him over.
"Looking for me?"
"Yeah." Azeal said still looking at all the people there. There were at least thirty beds in the ward all occupied. "I had no idea so many were hurt."
"It was a brutal fight." Macan put a hand on Azeals shoulder and turned him to walk with him. "These are just the sick and wounded. There are many more with no where to go."
"How's Gabor?" Azeal asked.
"He'll be fine in a day or to." They stopped at Gabor's door."He's here with his brother's and Tanis."
Azeal reached to open the door when Macan stopped him.
"Wait a second Azeal there's something we need to talk about."
"What is it?"
"What are we going to do with all these people?" He asked pulling Azeal away Gabor's door. "They can't stay here we don't have the food to feed them."
"Macan many of them are hunter's. Food shouldn't be a problem."
"It's not just food Azeal." The healer said. "We won't be staying here. Eventually we're going home I hope. Then what? We can't take them with us."
"I don't have the answers right now." He explained returning to Gabor's door. "This is a matter Gabor has to deal with. We can help him but these people are now his clan with him as their leader. Give us a few days, we'll figure something out."
"I hope the Savonti give us those few days." Macan walked off.
Azeal stood there watching as the healer checked his next patient. He was right. The Savonti would come after them. He just hoped it wouldn't be today.
Opening the door Azeal stepped in to find Gabor in bed laughing with his two brothers Bela and Nica. By his side Tanis looked over smiling.
"Aiya!" Azeal stepped in smiling. "How is everyone today?"
"Much better." Gabor waved him in. "Bela was just telling Tanis stories of when my father was trying to teach him to ride a tracker. He had bruises in places you wouldn't imagine."
"I can imagine." Azeal laughed looking at Tanis. "Remember learning to shift? For me it was pure torture."
Azeal and Tanis both laughed loudly as Gabor and his brothers looked at them oddly.
"I'll explain later." Tanis said." What brings you here, Azeal?"
"Cutter wants to see us. He said it's urgent."
"Then we better hurry." Tanis stood and took Gabor's. " We'll be back soon."
Bela and Nica said their good byes and Azeal and Tanis started out the door.
"Azeal." Gabor called after him. Azeal turned back. "Thank you. Without you none of this could have happened. My brothers might be dead and my people lost. We owe all of you a life long debt. We'll stand with you where you go on Pentanthin."
"Your all welcome Gabor." Azeal bowed to the three brothers. "We'll be back to talk."

A few minutes later, Azeal and Tanis made their way into Professor Insa's office. Cutter sat behind his desk going over school reports that had been made since they had arrived on Pentanthin. Everyone had agreed while they were on Pentanthin, Cutter would be headmaster. He looked up and greeted them.
"Have a seat."
Azeal and Tanis took a seat in the two chairs in front of his desk wondering what it was he wanted. Cutter put down the papers he had been going over and looked up at them.
"Somethings come up and I will be leaving for a while." Cutter pushed his white hair back from his face As the two vampires stared at him in shock.
"Why?" Tanis asked. "Where are you going?"
"There's something out there that feels familiar." Cutter stood and walked around and sat on the edge of the desk. "I've been feeling it ever since we arrived here and I can't get it out of my head. I have to see what it is. I'm leaving Blink in control here. What I want from the two of you is, I want you to help Gabor. He has to figure out where he plans to take his new clan."
"What if he wants to stay here?" Tanis asked. He looked over to Azeal hoping he might approve of the idea. Azeal just looked at him with no expression. as if he didn't really care. Though he did care, very much. "We do still need his help if we want to do any good here."
"Your right." Cutter told them. "If that's what he wants, we'll talk about when I return."
"We'll try." Azeal and Tanis stood and walked to the door to leave. "Cutter."
The fear dragon looked up to see what they wanted.
"Quel marth." Azeal nodded.
Cutter smiled and answered. "Diola lle."

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.