Zephyr. 67

High in the frozen peaks of Vanco island, a cloud of ice crystals drifted down through the crags and crevices. Through the slopes and valleys pass Snowmen with long ice beards and Kensi riding Snowdog to a plateau before the great ice palace of Kearn the Frigid. There it stopped and gazed out at a replica of the place of its frozen rebirth. Clea knew this wasn't the same ice palace that Kearn had built in Bravosa, she had seen that one blown to pieces herself as she was taking her leave of her frozen over former home. This one was the same exact design. It seemed Kearn wasn't one for much creativity.
Slowly drifting closer, she passed Snowdogs who lifted their heads and growled at her intrusion. She blow a cold thought of comfort into their minds to quiet them before their Kensi riders could notice anything was wrong and stayed on her course to the ice palace.
Moving on over a low hill, Clea felt a sudden source of mystical heat near her. As she cast her ice crystals out like a thin mist, she felt someone she recognized just to the left under a ice cliff waiting for her.
"Aiya Ice Queen." Came the voice of Taren the dark elf sitting atop Terror his demon horse. "I told you we would meet again."
[Then it was your queen that freed Kearn from his prison.] Clea pulled her cloud together and materialized in her icy maiden form. Her eyes glowed a bright powerful icy blue. "All this because I wouldn't be her puppet?"
"All this and more." Taren shrugged. "I warned you to keep your promise. Now many will suffer including those you once loved."
"You and your evil queen know nothing of me or what it is to love." Clea stepped forward as her freezing winds began to pick up and blow all around Taren and Terror. "But you will learn what can be done in the name of love."
"Will we?" Taren urged Terror back towards the ice palace. "We'll see won't we. Kearn waits for you with a guest in his throne room. We'll see who learns what lesson Ice queen!"
With that, Terror opened his wings and leaped into the sky above Clea and streaked away leaving a blazing trail behind him.
"We will see." Clea said as she raised her hand and summoned a huge chuck of ice to her. She climbed  on broad and sent it sailing to the entrance of Kearns ice palace.
The palace was like one great cold mirror with images reflecting from wall to wall. Clea stood tall as she sailed into the ice cavern keeping her eyes open for an attack coming from any direction. She could hear the sound of Kearns cold laughter as she moved deeper into the palace. The halls made many twists and turns going in all directions.
"Come my sweet queen!" She heard echoing through the halls. "Come and greet your master, you god. The one who made you what you are today!"
"Am I suppose to thank you for what you did to me?" She screamed out. "You took everything I loved from me and replaced it with ice. With nothing!!"
"It was a gift I wanted to share with you and your husband." Kearn laughed. "I'm glad you've enjoyed it."
"I haven't enjoyed anything since you put your blasted curse on me!"
 Speeding up, Clea burst into the cavern where Kearn waited. The room she had entered was a huge chamber with furniture carved of ice. There was everything a regal king would be expected to have in his throne room including his loyal subjects. Snowmen and Kensi lined the walls waiting on orders from there god Kearn. As Clea looked about, she saw the master of her hate. Her rage flared like a torch and she streaked at the king of the ice palace.
"Now I'll give you your reward for your fucking gift!"
Standing over ten feet tall, Kearn laughed as Clea's iceberg came sailing straight at his head. Suddenly a blast of ice and wind came from nowhere and something hit Clea in the face knocking her off the ice to fall on the floor of the cavern. With a wave of his hand, Kearn sent the ice chunk veering off to crash into a wall.
As Clea hit the ground, she rolled and sent a round of ice spikes at Kearn. Climbed to her feet she looked up just in time to see a man dressed in ice armor throw up a shield that blocked the spikes. Like ice drills they buried themselves five feet deep into the shield, cracking it and tearing it down.
Looking on in icy anger, Clea stared into the face of Kearns defender. He was tall with long icy hair wearing diamond like ice armor. Clea's mouth dropped open as she recognized her opponent. It was Jona, all blue and infected with Kearn's ice curse.
Stepping back she knew she was in trouble. She was prepared to go to war against Kearn, but how was she suppose to fight against the man she loved. There was only one thing to do. Fight and hold them off until Jandar and the others could come to help.
Standing there facing Kearn and Jona, Clea gathered all her concentration and called out to the one she knew would hear her call.
{JANDAR!!}
With Jona staring blankly at her, Clea shook off the loose ice that had adhered itself to her dress and stepped out to confront Kearn.
"Haven't you done enough harm to these warm lands?" She called to him. "Didn't you learn anything from your venture as Muerte's slave? Talsara? You are now doing the bidding of a mortal?"
"Indeed I did." He laughed. "You think me a slave to the elven queen? Nothing could be further from the truth. She freed me yes, but Kearn is beholding to no one and never a mortal no matter how powerful she may be."
"Then why? Why have you come here? Why capture my husband? He's done nothing to you?"
"I did it for you my queen." Kearn stood up and stepped down from his throne and walked out to her. As he walked, he shrank until he stood at the height of six feet, a foot taller then Clea. He had a devious look on his face, smug as if he had already won their battle. "Muerte wanted to turn Keanna into a word of the dead. Talsara wants to rule it under the banner of the Dark elves. While I think Keanna should freeze and be buried under ice and snow. Everyone will worship me as their one and only true god. How magnificent would that be?"
"Your out of your frozen mind!" Clea began to shake with anger. "And I won't let you do this and neither will Rimnar or Saila!"
"Rimnar and Saila?" Kearn laughed. "Weak and useless. They hide in their sky palace not caring one bit about the weak fools down here on Keanna. If they're so powerful, they wouldn't have allowed Muerte to get so out of control. They should have known exactly what she would do."
"It's not for us to question the high gods!" Clea said as Kensi and Snowmen began to close in and surround her. "Rimnar's greatest gift to us is our freedom to live and do as we please. But you like Muerte have gone to far. You can't rule the lives of us mortals. You can't force us to worship you no matter what you do or how you threaten us. We will be free!"
With that, Clea dived forward blasting enemies as they came in to grab her. A Snowman came at her from the front and was encased instantly in a block of Clea's ice. Two more Kensi armed with spears raised their arms to throw and skewer her. In a flash Clea put up a shield between them then blasted them back against the wall. As Clea turned to face Kearn, three Snowmen hurried in and put themselves in between Kearn and her. Slowly Clea raised her hands and started generated her cold. Her hands started to glow blue as ice crystals swirled around them. Just as she was ready to cast, Zephyr stepped in and swept the Snowmen aside to face her himself. A strange look appeared on Clea's face as Zephyr raised his blade to point at her. Clea stepped back not sure what she should do and suddenly something struck her in the head and everything went black.

Riding high on the back of a Snowdog, Zephyr streaked through the snowy mountain paths of what was now called Kearn's Cap. His mind was full of cold confused images from the past. He remembered his days in Bravosa, but his memories had been twisted into nightmarish false images. Days of hiding in a cold tower with an old man that looked like Kearn as his master. He remembered Clea his wife torn from him by Alee and the Dragons and taken away as their prisoner. Cold whispers of hate filling his every night with dreams of her torture death.
Zephyr remembered waking up in Kearn's palace feeling cold and alone. His head swirled with painful  images, memories he couldn't quite grab a hold to. He sat up and looked around trying to remember where  he was. He was in a great bed in a frozen ice palace covered with a blanket of snow.Zephyr threw his leg over the side of the bed and gazed around. A tall man draped in frost came into the room carrying a tray with a mug on it with something steaming. He stopped and placed it on the bed side stand .
"Good morning Zephyr." He stood there looking down at him. "I trust you slept well and your ready to get to work."
Zephyr had no idea what he meant or who he was, but there was something familiar about him. Something from his dreams. He remember that face and the tower, and something else. But every time he tried to concentrate, pain would stab into his mind. Zephyr rubbed his temples and stood on wobbling legs.
"Work?" He asked. Zephyr stared into his deep icy eyes. Suddenly he remembered fighting near the tall icy man. He must be my teacher, my master. "I know you.
"Yes." Kearn smiled. "You know me very well. I am your master, your teacher. I taught you all you know about magic."
"Y,yes." He stammered confused by the faces that kept flashing through his mind. First, a kindly elder man then the frost covered mans face would push its way through his memories. "I remember you."
"Remember Bravosa and its chilly hills, how we loved bring our cold to its shores."
"Yes." Zephyrs mind began to really as images of his frozen homeland drifted through his memories. "So cold."
"Remember the woman you loved." Kearn reached out and touched Zephys temple sending a pulse of cold through him mind to addle his memories even more. "Remember her death at the hands of the Dragons and the sun god Alee. We shall have our revenge. We will destroy all they hold dear and turn the world into our own Arctic land of ice and snow!"
"Yes Master." Deep in Zephys mind, Jona screamed out and shook the icy bars the held him trapped in his own mind. Kearn laughed as Zephyr rose and donned the ice armor Kearn had made for him. Jona was for now gone and Zephyr was all that remained.

At home in the ice and snow, Maxius tore through the frozen jungle like a mad beast in a city center. He ripped trees out by the roots and tossed them aside like they were nothing. He dived into deep snow banks and merged with the water molecules and swam as if he was in the ocean. His roar could be heard from mile around bringing Snowmen and Kensi out to do battle. They came by the hundreds riding Snowdogs armed with spears and clubs to beat the mighty dragon into submission. With great flips and swings he bashed and crushed them. Chomped and ground them into the snow. Maxius roared and fought on spewing steam and torrents of boiling water at his enemy. Beside him fought Braddoc and Mortimer high in the sky with bow and spear gun. They sent wave after wave of sonic attacks at the enemy. Snowcrows fell by the thousands until there were none to be found then Braddoc dropped down to moved on to Kearn's ground forces.
With a Centaurs aim Braddoc took aim and bowled over rows of Snowmen coming in for the attack. Mortimer hopped off his back and drew his sword and dived into the ranks of Kensi warriors. With his spear gun in one hand and a sword in the other, he ripped into the on coming wave of warriors. Dodging and countering thrust, stabbing and slashing through skin, hair and bone, Mortimer fought  on until the bodies were piled knee deep around him and Braddoc.
On a hill overlooking the battle, Taren watched with disbelief. Kearn's warriors were actually being beaten by this singular small force. He watched as hundreds of warriors fell to a force of three. One dragon, a winged centaur and a mer man. Queen Talsara would be furious if he returned to report they had lost. There had to be another way he could turn this disaster into something he could profit from.  But what is it the the Dark queen really wanted? She wanted Clea dead for betraying her and ignoring her orders. But what if there was something here she would want even more then the ice maiden? There were many of Talsara's enemies here, what if he brought her someone she hated even more. Like a Dragon. Like the dragon that's fighting down there right now. All he would have to do is swoop down behind it's back and deliver a blow that end it's life.
"Our target is there." Taren reached down and put his hand on the hilt of his sword. "We are after the Dragon."
[YESS!!] Terror sent eagerly as he stomped the ground sending sparks raining all around them. Grabbing the reins, Taren put a foot into the stirrup and pulled himself up into the saddle. There would come a time when the Dragon was most distracted. Then they could strike and put an end to its life. That should please the Dark queen and weaken the rest of the Dragons. All he had to do was wait until the time was right.

At the entrance to the ice palace, a tall sandy haired man appeared from a flash of light, he spoke a short spell to shield himself from the frigid winds that swept around him then  said a short prayer to Rimnar. He stopped and listened for the sounds of any movement from inside. It was pretty quiet. He could hear the sound of Kearns laughter, but he didn't hear any sounds of movement from inside. Gathering much needed magic around him, he started the walk in. The tunnel was tall and wide with high ceilings and snow for carpeting. The walls were decorated with portraits of magical scenes of ice fields where Snowmen and Kensi hunted from the backs of Snowdogs. He watched as men and women were preyed on and slaughtered by Kearns followers. What kind of god would condone such horrors? A cruel and vindictive monster he thought.
From there, he moved on into the hall where three tunnels branched off. One left, right and straight forward moving ahead. As he headed for the center tunnel, two Snowmen came charging from the right tunnel. Calmly raising his hand he sent a bolt of energy at the first Snowman burning a hole though its chest. It stumbled and fell tripping the second Snowman. Moving with amazing speed, he reached out and ripped an stalagmite from the wall and stabbed it into chest of the fallen Snowman shooting heat through it's body melting it down then walked on.
As he moved on into the next chamber, a group of Kensi warriors came rushing out to attack swinging clubs and howling their challenge at him. The stranger stopped and stood perfectly still as something flew in from behind him and attack the Kensi. Like a Manticore, Viggo dived in  tearing and biting the Kensi. His claws were like knives tearing at the enemy as the stranger walked on letting Viggo finish his carnage.
Entering into Kearn's throne, he looked on as Kearn stood up from his throne to welcome in his guest.
"Who would you be little man?" He asked. "And what brings you into my cold embrace?"
"I'm an inquiring mind." He rose a foot off the icy floor and floated in to confront the winter god. "And you are holding friends of mine. I'm here to see you set them free."
"And why should I do that?" Kearn stepped down from his throne and walked out to meet his new opponent. "Are you a god?"
"Maybe" He smiled his blue eyes twinkling. "Maybe not. Maybe I'm actually here to help you."
Kearn's bellowing laughter rang out through the palace sending its vibrations out to rattle the walls causing ice and snow to rain over everything.
"You?" He laughed. "Help me? And why would you want to do that? This is my domain, I am master here."
"That you are wintery one." The blond haired man bowed to Kearn. "But is that enough for you, really? Is there not more than ice and hate inside of you? Isn't there room for more?"
"What more is there?" He asked. "I am master of all that I see. I rule with an icy frigid hold on everything I command. All will call me master!"
"But you will still be alone for eternity no matter how many call you god."
Kearn stopped and stared back at the handsome light skinned stranger who dared to think himself Kearn's equal. But something in his words rang true. He was alone. That was why he had created Clea in hopes of finding someone as cold as he was to spent eternity with. But it didn't work. Jona was still frozen deep in her heart and even his cold couldn't break that hold.
"HOW DARE YOU ASSUME THAT I WOULD NEED THE COMPANY OR THE AID OF ANYONE!!" Kearn screamed at the stranger. He turned and spread his arms starting a storms of snow and slush to shower over the entire chamber. Like a child Kearn banged around his throne room tossing tables and kicking chair out of his way. Standing calmly, the stranger cast a shield around himself for protect and waited quietly for the storm to end and his rage to calm down with no fear of attack.
"I should kill you for such insolence!" Kearn pointed at the stranger ready to send a bolt of freezing magic at him.
"Would that cure the problem?" The stranger asked him. His voice was so soft and calm it relaxed Kearn more by the minute. "Would my death make you happy? Would anybodies death really make you happy? I don't think power and praise is what you really want, is it?"
"Then what is?" Kearn yelled back. He didn't really like what was going on. He wasn't use to answering such questions from mortals. He wasn't even sure way he was answering, but there was something about this one that made him trust him? Could that be it? Kearn had never had trust in anyone else ever before. This was something new for him.
"Tell me something Kearn." The stranger sat down and hovered before the god. "Why do you hate so much? Does it make you happy at all?"
Kearn stopped and thought about the question. Then something occurred to him. He had no answer. It was just how it had been for so long he was use to it.
"I, I don't know."
"Many great things happen during the winter." The stranger said warmly. "It's a time of year for rest and even some fun. Snowball fights,sleigh rides and the winter solstice. Surely you have seen the people enjoying themselves on one of your snow covered hills?"
"I haven't look." Kearn said quietly. "Not in a long time. But it doesn't matter what mortals want. What matters is what I want."
"Then what is it you really want Kearn?" He asked as Kearn looked him deep in the eyes. There was something about those eyes. "What is it that could melt your frozen heart?"
"I don't know if anything could help my heart. "And that was the first time in centuries that fear and sadness crept into his heart. Like a man defeated, Kearn went back to his throne and sat down. Something had changed in him. The stranger had finally reached him deep in his soul. Now it was time to see if his heart could change for the better.
"Do you know who I am?"
"No." Kearn answered sadly. Should I care?"
"Maybe you should."
With a flash of light the stranger changed. Now instead of a mortal mage dressed in a heavy cloak, a golden god hovered in front of Kearm radiating his godly warmth. Dressed in a golden tunic, the handsome god introduced himself.
"I am Atol, god of love and I'm here to give you a second chance to be worthy of joining us on Fortis."
From his throne, Kearn gazed out at Atol as he reformed into his godly image. The cold began to creep back into his heart thinking this could be some kind of Fortis attack on him. He stood to be ready for action.
"Be at ease." Atol held out his hands. "I'm not here to fight if we don't have to"
"Then why are you here Fortisian?" Kearn leaned forward on his throne. "Were you sent by the hot one to put me back in my prison? If so I will fight you."
"No." Atol answered. "I have a better why to solve this problem."
"I will not be fooled by any of your godly tricks Cruel one."
"No tricks." Atol smiled holding up his hands. "Just simple logic and truths."
"I will listen for now." Kearn settled back on his throne to hear what Atol had to say. "But my time is short and I have things to do, so if you don't mind, get on with it."
"Things to do?" Atol asked as he settled himself for his talk with the winter god. "Like Talsara's bidding? Haven't you learned by now what comes from dealing with someone like Talsara? She has nothing to offer someone like you but more pain and misery."
"She did free me from my volcanic prison." He said. "I owe her for that."
"You owe her nothing." Atol said. "You could have freed yourself without any help at all. All you had to do was ask. It was your hate and revenge filled heart that kept you prisoner. It still holds you now in a prison of your own making."
"You speak in riddles Atol." Anger and confusion filled Kearn's blue eyes. He didn't understand what Atol was saying to him. "How was I to free myself when molten lava kept me from moving beyond the walls Alee made for me?"
"You were never alone Kearn." Atol confessed. "There was always someone there watching you, hoping you would call out for help. Did you not feel her presence all around you?"
"Again!" He shouted. "More riddles. There was no one there with me. I was alone in my fiery prison. Every day and night alone with no hope."
"Oh but you are so wrong." Atol smiled. "Hope was always there. Never far from your side even though you couldn't see her. Let me show you."
With a wave of his hand an image appeared on the wall of Kearn sitting on his throne in his ice house in the volcano. Beside him stood the most beautiful woman in a silver shimmering gown. Her hair was down and streaked with silver and her eyes twinkled with sparks of moonlight. She had rosy cheeks and sweet lovely lips. Kearn was in absolute awe the moment he saw her. Who was this vision of beauty? And why didn't he feel her presence at all?
"This is my youngest sister the goddess of hope." Atol said. "Her name is.."
"Gabreilla!!" Kearn whispered.
"Yes." Atol told him. "The goddess of hope and dreams."
Rising from his throne, Kearn stepped down and went to stare into the image Atol was showing him. He reached out to touch the heavenly face of the goddess in view and the image blurred. It began to fade for a second then became clearer. In the image, she always stayed close to him, never letting him get to far away. On her face there was a look of worry? Worry for what he wondered? Worry for him? How could that be?
"No!" He turned away and grabbed an ice goblet and threw it at the image projected on the ice wall. It shattered sending fragments everywhere. "This isn't possible! If she had been there, I would have felt her. I would have seen her in some way! She wasn't there!!"
"She was there." Atol insisted. "And I know why you couldn't see her. Your hearts so filled with hate and revenge, there's no room for hope. Have you ever stopped to look at what it is your doing? Go outside. Look around, then maybe you'll see. Change my friend before it's to late."
As Atol said his last words, he stepped back and began to fade into a ball of light and flew off out of the cavern.

As the battle raged on, Zephyr stood on a cliff overlooking the snow covered battle field below. Maxius the water dragon tore through the ranks of hundreds of Snowmen crushing, batting and chomping them to bits, Streams of steam shot from his mouth melting and burning enemies away. Over to the other side, Braddoc with his great Centaur sword sliced his way through hairy Kensi by the dozens with Mortimor battling right there at his side. From where Zephys stood, he could tell they were losing the battle and that would not please the master at all. It was time he made his entrance and turned the battle into their favor.
With his arms raised, Zephyr called on his cold winds to lift him and carry him into battle. Up he flew into the skies high over the gorge and down into the valley where battle raged on. From there he could strike out at any enemy, but which should he choose? Should it be the Centaur and Mer man  who were getting closer to their Dragon companion or, should he attack the Dragon himself before he could start his way up into the mountain after his master?
As he dropped down behind the fighting, Zephys raising his hand to form an ice spear from the water crystals in the air, He decided the Dragon to be more of a threat and the better target. Bringing his arm back, Zephyr threw sending the spear on a straight and true path towards the Dragons back. As he watched, suddenly from somewhere overhead a blast streaked out and blew the ice spear into a thousand pieces. Zephyr turned to look up to see where it had come from.
Behind him standing high on a hill with the wind billowing through his cloak, stood a dark haired man in brown and black leather holding a glowing staff high over his head. Zephyrs stared as he stepped down and started toward him. He looked familiar to Zephyr, like someone out of a dream. Maybe one of his nightly dark dreams he thought. As the man came closer he stopped and a strange look almost of recognition appeared on his face.
"Jona?" He called. "Is that you?"
Zephyr stared back at him with his hands down but his magic collecting for and attack. A smile appeared on the strangers face as he reached out for Zephyrs.
"It is you! We were so worried!"
In that split second, Zephyr sent his blast straight at the strangers head. With his hands up somehow the stranger was able to block the blast and deflect it off into a snow bank.
"Jona!" He screamed as he dived into a snow drift, "What are you doing? It's me, Jandar!"
"I don't know you!" He raised his hand getting ready for his next blast. "But I have seen your face before. In my nightmares!"
"But you do know me!" Jandar shouted. "We saved you and Bravosa. We helped you bury your old teacher Chuy. Remember?"
"I remember fighting you and those dragons." Zephys sent icicle missiles at Jandar. "I remember you all killing my love while she was trying to get away from you and my master Kearn, not someone named Chuy and he is not dead!!"
What in the world was he talking about? Clea wasn't dead and since when has Kearn been his master?. Looking closer Jandar notice the ice armor he was wearing. He know he had been out here in the cold for some time, but was Jona actually blue? Something was wrong with his friend. He had changed.
Jandar summoned his shields around him then stood and ran for a stand of trees a little ahead of him. As he reached their safety, another blast of freezing cold hit one of the trees and snapped it at the center. He dived out of the way just as it crashed down beside him. Jandar didn't want to fight Jona, but it didn't some like he had much choice. With a wave of his staff, Jandar sent a series of power balls at Jona. One by one they crashed into the ground making Zephyr jump out of the way. Returning fire, Zephyr sent glowing balls of  ice at Jandar. Using his staff like a bat, Jandar swung connecting with each ball smashing it and absorbing the power into his staff. This was not the same Jona he had know since Muerte's war. He was different. He wasn't using his usually magic, he was fight with ice magic. This had to be Kearn's doing. Kearn had used the same spell he used on Clea to make Jona over into another ice mage. And somehow he had altered his memories making him think his friends were enemies and his enemy his only friend.
Maybe Jandar thought, maybe he could fix this. Maybe if he could get him to see though the lies, Jona might be able to remember the truth.
Stepping out into the open, Jandar held out his staff and sent it back to its place of concealment. With a spell ready just in case Jona insisted on fighting, he held his hands down trying to show no aggression.
I know who you are." Jandar said. "Jona Metrika high mage of the island continent of Bravosa. Your mate is Clea, once a beautiful human woman, now an ice maiden transformed I suspect just as you were. It wasn't me or the Dragons that did this to you. Kearn did this. I can help you with your lost memories if you like, but you would have to trust me."
"Your wrong!" Zephyr thundered. "I know who I am. I'm Zephyr, master of the freezing winds and snow and  second only to my mater Kearn god of winter. And you, you are our enemy and you will die today!!"
With his hands held high, Zephyr called out and summoned his most turbulent winds and ice to swirled down from the clouds and blast at Jandar's shields pushing him back into the tree stand where they began to bury him.

As she opened her eyes and woke up, Clea sat up and looked around. For a second she had no idea where she was. Then memories of the last few hours slipped back into the surface of her mind. She was still in Kearns ice palace. She had come here to try and get her husband Jona free from the evil gods clutches.
She stood and got to her feet and took a deep breath to settled the pain in her head. Looking around she noticed she was alone. Kearn and Jona were not there anymore. She knew she had to go find them. Jona had to be in great danger.
[Go.] She heard in her head. [Find Jona. Help him remember.]
Hurrying to the palace entrance, Clea form an ice cloud and took off into the sky to search for her lost husband.

As Kearn made his way down through the icy snow covered mountains of Vanco island, his thoughts were still on his talk with Atol. The god of love had told him to come out and see the world around him. All Kearn saw was this beautiful wintery scenes all around him. Deep mounds of snow, frozen lakes and streams. When he reached the bottom he saw palm trees covered with snow and ice. Above his head a snow storm still spilled snow out in heavy sheets to cover the jungle all around him. To Kearn this was beautiful, the perfect place for him to have made his home. But then he stopped. Something wasn't right here. He looked out at the frozen jungle before him the realized what it was. This was a jungle he was standing in. It wasn't suppose to be covered with ice and snow. He had done this. In his blind hate he had turn another land of tropic beauty into a frozen wasteland. This is what Atol wanted him to see. This is what he meant when he said Kearn had been blind to the world around him, stealing the hope from the land. This is why he couldn't see Gabreilla.
"No!" He shouted out. "No more. Let it end!"
Spreading his arms. Kearn hovered up high into the storm clouds and ordered the storm to end. The winds slowly began to settle down and snow stopped falling as the cloud cover began to clear and allow the sun to again shine on Vanco island.
From high in the sky, Kearn looked down on the snow covered island. For the first time in century's he understood. The problem wasn't how the world treated Kearn, It was how he treated the world. All that ice cold hate he held deep down inside him had kept him blind to what it was that he really wanted. To not be alone any more. Well here was his chance to change. He could try and fix the wrong that he had done at least to Vanco island and maybe more.
As he gazed down, he saw the fighting still going on. Snowmen and Kensi were still down there fighting. And so was Zephys.
"By Rimnar!" He gasped. "What have I done?"
From there he watched as Jona and Jandar fired bolt after bolt, magic missiles after blasts of energy at each other. Jona was very powerful with the added ice powers of Kearn, but eventually Jandar would find an opening and that would probably destroy Jona and it was all Kearn's fault. He had to stop them before it was to late.
Gliding on a strong wind, Kearn dived down to try and get in between the two adversaries. The battle between the two was growing fierce. All around them magic gathered and grew making each glow with power. Jandar a shining golden glow and Jona more of a silver hue.
Pulling power from deep inside of him, Kearn sailed out and over the two powerful mages, Kearn spread his arms, then slammed them together causing a great thunder crack in the sky that rattled the ground beneath him. Both Jandar and Zephyr fell backin the snow shocked by the sudden interruption.
"I COMMAND YOU BOTH TO STOP THIS BATTLE RIGHT NOW!!"
Jumping to his feet, Jandar called his staff and readied himself to fight both Jona and Kearn. Zephyr stood and looked up into the sky where Kearn hovered then back down to Jandar. He summoned magic to him ready to fire again on Jandar.
"Both of you stop!" Kearn pushed them further apart with a wave and a icy flash of wind. "The war is over. Zephyr, stand down I command it!!"
"I obey." Lowering his hand, Zephyr let the magic around him settle but kept back just enough in case it was needed. Jandar lowered his staff ready to listen and see what Kearn had to say. Behind them, the Snowmen and Kensi stepped back away from Braddoc and Mortimor while Maxius made the shift back to his human form. Burning hate could be seen in Zephyrs eyes. He wanted to destroy his enemies and be done with it.
Still waiting on the cliff, Taren and Terror watched amazed at what they were seeing. Kearn had arrived, but instead of joining the battle he had put a halt to it all together. Taren knew Talsara wasn't going to like what was going on and that she was watching. If Kearn didn't handle this right, Taren had better be able to take command and follow her orders and finish off her enemies.
While he watched and waited, Taren started a spell he thought would help him gain control of the situation.
As Kearn came down to land, he stepped out into the center of the fighting were he would be heard by all.
"This war comes to an end right here and now." Kearn looked from Jandar to Zephyr to make sure they both heard and understood. "It's time summer returns and winter moves on to a place where it belongs."
"But why master?" Zephyr pleaded. "They are the enemy we have fought for long and sacrifices so much, my wife included. Why should we just lay down to them?"
"Because there has been no sacrifice." Kearn spoke directly to Zephyr. With a sigh, Kearn walked over to Zephyr and placed his cold hand on his shoulder. "I have done you a great wrong. In my blind hate I took hold of you and twisted your mind and changed you. Your memories and the way you think are wrong. Before a few days ago you were friends to this one and I was the enemy."
"But I remember fighting them." He stammered confused. "I remember Dragons and doing battle. I remember her dying in a great blast of a dragons breath. I remember all of it. How could it be wrong?"
[I'm not dead my love.]
Spinning around, Zephyr turned to see Clea draped in a snowy mist floating down to where they all where standing. Softly her feet touched ground and she went to stand in front of him.
"I'm here Jona." she smiled. "I'll always be here right next to you."
Images swirls in Jona's head. Images of Bravosa and Vanco. He saw Chuy turn back and forth into Kearn and images of him fighting both Clea and Snowmen. He shook his head and screamed as the pain in his head intensified.
"Who am I?" He fell to his knees. "Zephyr or Jona? What's the truth? I must know!"
"It doesn't matter." Came a voice from behind them. "Because your all going to die right here!!"
Suddenly bolts of magic and flames came raining down from the sky. Kearn was struck again and again blasting him back to the ground on his back. As Jandar looked up, Kensi warriors were attacking and Taren and Terror swooped down shooting magical bolts at them.
"Clea!" Jandar cast his shield high to protect them. "Protect Jona and Kearn. I'll deal with him!"
Putting his finger to his mouth, Jandar blew a silent whistle few there could hear. Like a bolt of lightning, Viggo streaked down form the sky to answer the call. Leaping on his back with his staff in hand, Viggo spread his wings and took off into the air and into battle. Running as fast as they could, Mortimor, Maxius and Braddoc fought their way to Clea's side.
"Quickly." Braddoc grabbed Kearn. "Get them on Maxius back. He can get them to someplace safe for now!"
Grabbing Kearn's legs, Mortimor heaved him up to lay across the dragons back. Gird grabbed Jona and he put him on right behind Clea. With a great roar, Maxius dived into a snow bank and swam his way deep down into the snow where the ice man and woman would be safe as the cold revived them.
Grabbing their swords, Braddoc and Mortimor stood side by side and met the on coming rush of Kensi warriors while Gird took to the air to try and help Jandar.
[Help Braddoc.] Jandar sent. [The elf is mine!]
Climbing high over the snow field and onto a cliff to face Taren and Terror, Viggo roared his challenge at the dark elf and his demon mare.
"I thought you were dead and in the underworld Taren." Jandar called. "What dark magic brought you back?"
"Queen Talsara is much more powerful then any of you think." He answered sneering back. "I have to remember to thank her for this second chance to kill you."
"Yes." Jandar smiled. "But this will be your last chance, because I promise you, this time, neither you or that damned horse will be coming back again to threaten us ever again."
"We shall see Jandar." Taren raised his arm and summoned a glowing ball of energy then threw it at them. With a wave of his staff, Jandar created his shield to deflect the power ball. It crashed into his shield and dissipated with a powerful pulse. Not giving Jandar a chance to react, Taren spoke a deadly spell that sent a stream of energy in the form of a dragon at Jandar. It roared, blow fire then charged at him crashing head first into his shield.
Pushing out with the force of his magic, yellow blocks of energy flew at Taren. Quickly he raised his hands with his fore finger and pinkie out drawing a circle in the air before him. Blue power shields snapped to life to intercept Jandar's energy block spell. Again and again the bashed at Taren's shield driving Terror to take a step back as Taren pushed more power into the shields to hold them in place. Cracks appeared as Taren strained to hold his shields up.
With a great shove, Taren broke Jandar's power blocks. Her wiped the sweat from his brow and slammed his hands together causing waves of vibration to go rippling out at Jandar. Waving his staff in a circle over his head, Jandar surrounded him and Viggo in a globe of power that held them steady and let the vibrations pass all around them.
"You have learned a lot of magic since last we met." Jandar said to Taren. "But your still new at this. I give you the chance to withdrew and go on your way. Your free of the underworld, you can go on and live your life in peace somewhere away from all this fighting. Take Terror and go. I promise no one will come after you looking for revenge."
"Revenge will be mine Dog!"
Kicking Terror into action, Taren and the demon horse jumped into the air. From beneath his cloak he pulled a sword and came diving at them. Urging Viggo on, Jandar held his staff ready to meet Taren in battle. As they came together, Taren swung his sword in a arch aiming for Jandar's head, Thrusting the staff out, Jandar met the charge staff to sword. A loud clang rang out as the two weapons met. Drawing back his sword, Taren stabbed at Jandar trying to drive his weapon through his defenses and into his heart. With a quick sweep, Jandar knocked the sword back then came around and pushed out with his magic and knocked Taren out of his saddle. As Terror reared up on his hind legs and kicked out, Jandar dived off Viggo's back, rolled across the ground and came up with his staff ready to block Taren off.
As the two circled each other, Viggo leaped out at Terror with his claws bared batting the demon back. Terror leaned out snapping at Viggo's paws then kicked snow up to try and blind the Snowdog. As the snow rained down in Viggo's face, he huffed, snarled then barked. Strong vibrations rippled out from his bark scattering the ground under Terrors hooves. Hopping from place to place, Terror launched himself off the cliff as it started breaking up. He galloped up into the air then turned back and charged Viggo spewing flames at the Snowdog. With a mighty leap, Viggo dodged Terror's flames. Growling his defiance, the Snowdog narrowed his wings and rammed Terror in the side. As he howling in pain, Terror fell. He tried to right himself in the air but didn't have enough time. Like a blazing comet he hit the ground and exploded sending smoke and flames into the air. Hovering above Terror's crash site, Viggo howling in triumph.
"Your demon is done!" Jandar shouted. "You have lost again!"
"Not yet!" Taren sneered. "Did you think Terror my only weapon? My Queen has control of magic you will never understand. Behold her real power!"
As Taren knelt down in the snow he crossed his arms in front of him, his head lifted to the sky and he screamed out simethin Jandar couldn't understand.
"ESTA U'RHA ZAWOKA!!"
As Jandar watched, Taren suddenly exploded into a gigantic gout of flame. A rock from the explosion flew out and struck Jandar in his temple knocking him out. Mortimor and Braddoc backed away from the jet of flame as it began to re form itself into a giant sized man made of fire. Mortimor could feel its terrible heat from where he was standing. A petrifying laugh echoed its way through the mountains and a fire elemental stepped from the crater where Taren the dark elf had stood just minutes ago.
"NOW THE WORLD WILL BURN!!" It shouted as it pounded its chest. Quickly Mortimor jumped on Braddoc's back and he leaped into the sky.
"What is that thing?" Gird shouted.
"I have no idea." Braddoc said. "Something Talsara conjured I guess."
"What do we do?" Mortimor asked nervously. "That thing is huge!"
"We get Jandar out of there before it's to late."
"How?" Mortimor asked. "It's to hot to get to close."
Before either of them could do anything, Viggo flew down and grabbed Jandar. Holding him by the back of his jacket, he dashed off to a clearing where he laid the mage down and stood over him to guard him.
"What about that thing?" Mortimor asked. "We can't fight it, it's to powerful for us."
[YOU WON"T HAVE TO!]
Suddenly from the snow covered hillside, Maxius with Kearn,Clea and Jona came bursting out of the snow. He swam quickly through the snow to the clearing where Kearn climbed off his back then helped Clea lower the unconscious Jona. As Braddoc dropped down to land, Mortimor ran to check and make sure Jandar was OK.
"He's unconscious." Mortimor looked up at the others. "What now?"
"Now you watch Jandar and Jona while Clea and I go finish this madness." Kearn started walking out to confront the new threat. "That's a fire elemental. There's nothing the two of you can do to help. Stay here and protect your friends."
"I can help." Gird said. "I can take the heat."
"No." Clea walked out to join Kearn. "The Kensi may get over their fear and come back. They may need you here."
"Come Ice Queen." Kearn walked on with the wild blowing through his grey hair. "Let us put an end to this."
With each step Kearn took, he began to grow.He summoned his winds to swirl all around him as his power filled the air. Calling forth a frosty cloud, Clea stepped on it and rose into the air until she rode at the same height as Kearn's head. Fire balls began to rain around them as the laughing fire elemental stomped his way towards them. With her hands held out, Clea deflected each fire ball away from them to crash into the ocean. Kearn shot bolts of ice at the elemental that struck at its chest sending steam billowing into the air. Behind them, Mount Vanco began to erupt sending smoke, ash and blobs of lava flying everywhere.
"FIRE DEFEATS ICE WINTER GOD."
"Yes it does." Kearn said. "But water defeats fire every time."
Swirling his arms around, Kearn called on all the snow that covered Vanco. Like a river in the sky it gathered in the air blocking out the sun casting shadows all across the island. Then with a sweep of his hands Kearn sent the wave of snow flying at the elemental. As waves of ice and water flew at the elemental, it sent bolt after bolt of lava at Kearn and Clea. With unerring aim. Clea deflected each bolt away to crash safely into the muddy ground. They could see the stain on the elemental's face as it battle against the water that kept slamming into it. Steam and ash filled the sky as the beast began to weaken. With a last wave of his hand, Kearn ordered the rest of Vanco's snow into the air to drop down and drown the elemental.
On the ground, Maxius stood out in front of his group and diverted the steaming water to run around them and flow back into the ocean.
Now a steaming man shaped giant mound, the elemental howl out his rage. It's last attempt had failed and it was now melting down into mud. Driving his icy fist into the head again and again, Kearn finished off the last remnants of what was once the dark elf Taren Ender. Now there was nothing left but a huge puddle of mud which Kearn froze in place.
"It's done!"
The fight for Vanco island was over, but unfortunately, the island had suffered way to much damage. From a tropical paradise to a frozen ice land and now, nothing more then a muddy mess, Vanco would take years to recuperate.
Shrinking back to his normal size, Kearn looked at the mess he had turned Vanco into. He was sad. There was nothing he could do to fix this. His power over ice and cold couldn't help here at all. Together him and Clea walked back to the others. Jandar was awake now. He stood with Braddoc, Mortimor, Gird and Viggo and watched them approach. He had many questions he wanted to ask Kearn, but now really wasn't the right time. Clea and Jona were safe and back together. She would have to help him to recover his lost memories. There was still the dark queen and the lord of Winterhaven to deal with and Rage would expect him home soon. Answers would have to wait. Right now, Aquilona should be next on their minds.
"Thank you for your help Kearn." Jandar bowed to the cold god. "But this war is far from over. Talsara and Tayor Larin still threatens the rest of Keanna."
"I'm sorry. " He said. "I've done far to much harm already. I have to go ask for forgiveness and take whatever punishment Rimnar plans to heap upon me. I deserve it for what I have done."
"Then can we ask one more favor of you?" Jandar stepped up to Kearn. "Can we have your crown? We need it's magic to power Aquilona's city shield."
Reaching up, Kearn took off his crown and handed it to Jandar.
"Take it." He said as he began to fade away. "Farewell. May there be hope in all your hearts as its beginning to grow in mine."

The Taming of a Frozen God. 66

It was late in the evening as Jax appeared at the gates of New Keanna. He was glad to be back, he had been so worried about Rage and the sleeping dragons. With him gone, Rage was alone. If Tayor or any of their enemies had attacked, he would never have forgiven himself. But the trip back to Fortis was necessary. He had to speak with his parents before the war came to New Keanna. His father had forbidden any of them to take any side in the war and Jax, well New Keanna was his home. He could never just stand by while it was attacked. Even if it meant defying the high god himself. It was good that Mother had stood up for him and their champions. At least they would have her on their side.
As Jax stepped to the gate, a shrill alarm went off. Jax jumped surprised at the high pitched sound as it echoed along through the air. He stepped back looking around when suddenly a blast of flame burst out from the walls to hit the ground at his side. Jax leaped to the side as Rage in his Dragon form came flying over the wall with smoke billowing from his snout. His eyes blazed red as he came diving down to attack whatever came to invade their home.
[BROTHER!] Jax sent holding up his hands. [IT'S ME!!]
As Rage realized who had made his way to the gate, he veered off and angled his wings to catch a thermal so he could get a little altitude.  Flying back up over the wall he hovered over the gate and looked down to where Jax was standing.
[Aiya Jax, I'm glad your back!]  Rage dropped down to land on the wall. He shifted back to his human form. "Come on in. I'll cut off that alarm for now."
Jax waved as he went to the city gate. As he approached it, the gate swung open and Rage stepped out,
"What was that noise?"
"Something I learned a long time ago." He smiled. "I had forgotten the spell but its very useful when you want to keep something guarded. How did your visit go?"
"Very well." Jax and Rage stepped through the gate closing it behind them.
"How did your visit go?" Rage asked. "Can we count on any help from up on high?"
"Unfortunately, no." Jax answered. "Father gives his permission for me to help defend our city but that is as far as he will go. The others are still forbidden to help in any way."
"And what of the rest of the Dragons? Will he help us to wake them?"
"He didn't say." Jax shrugged. "As far as I know, its up to us. We fight with only the help we can find here on Keanna."
"That isn't much with this war going on." Rage walked to stand at the fence at the top of the wall. "What Dragons I do have awake are all out on missions. Ariel is in Eventide, Cutter and Blink are off who knows where with Shayn and Ono and Insa is in Tir Na with the Werewolves. I can't even find the Shadows. As far as I know Pelic is in Winterhaven and I have no idea where Jayce and Graym are. We are alone."
"There is one person you can always call." Jax stepped up Rage. He had a bright look on his face. "Maybe two."
"Who?"
"The Barons Zlenka and Tyr." Jax suggested. "Even if my uncle Nestor can't help, he may look the other way while the Barons come and join us."
"That my friend is a great idea." Rage said surprised he hadn't thought of it. "I just hope the lord of the underworld is in an agreeable mood."
[Lord Nestor wishes you all well and wishes he could be here to help himself.]
Rage jumped as the voice rang out in his head. He didn't have to ask who it was. It could only be.
[Baron Tyr!]
[At your service as always.]
[I don't understand.] Rage sent. [What are you doing here?]
[Do you think for a moment that either Valkar or I would stand idly by while our homes were being invaded?"]
[Baron Valkar is here to?] Rage was in shock. The two spirits had been thereto help all along.
[No.] Azeal explained. [I went to Yadessa to help defend Vasagi while Baron Valkar went to Prafa to help free his grandson. After the battle was over at Vasagi's gates, I came here to keep watch on the city.]
[And where's Baron Valkar?] Jax asked.
[On his way here with Valkar and the others from Prafa. After all you Dragons have done for us, did you really think we would leave your city undefended in its time of need?]
Rage was overwhelmed with relief to know he and Jax wouldn't be alone for much longer. The people of Keanna were on their way to defend their own defenders. He felt so much pride in the world they had sworn so long ago to protect, and now here it was coming to protect protecting them. His only question was, how was the rest on Keanna doing? Only time would tell.
"Thank you Baron." Rage called out. "And you too Jax. I don't know what we would do without friends like you."
"Right now." Jax put his arm around Rages shoulder. "Why don't we see what we can do about. It improving the city's defenses while we still can. I'm sure Lord Larin has something in mind for us and he could be here very soon."

The sky was warm and clear as Jandar, Gird and Viggo flew out of the clouds over the Saprein ocean  near the shores of Bravosa. Everything looked calm to them, small boats were out in the bay doing the daily fishing. They could see men woman and children in small coastal villages going about there daily routines, but there was something in the air. Not many could feel it, but Jandar and Viggo could feel it. It was a cold feeling of danger that hung in the air just out of reach where no one could touch it. It was like a cold feeling that ran along Viggo's spine, a nervousness that Jandar could almost taste in the magic all around him. From Viggo's back, Jandar waved Gird in closer for protection expecting some kind of attack to come at them at any second.
"Bravosa is beautiful!" Gird called out. "I could lay out and really be comfortable here."
"Yes." Jandar said as he scanned the land below them for trouble. "I wonder where Jona is? I should be feeling him by now."
{FRIEND JONA NOT HERE.}
"I know Viggo." Jandar rubbed the Snowdogs neck. "We'll try further inland at Chuy's tower. Maybe he's waiting for us there."
{NO.} Viggo sent. {FRIEND NOT HERE. NOT. HIM NOT ANYWHERE HERE.}
"What's he mean?" Gird asked.
"He means he can't find Jona anywhere in Bravosa. And that means he's in trouble."
"Then what do we do?" Gird asked. "How do we find him?"
"Magic." Jandar reached out summoning his silverstaff to him. With it in his hand he raised it up and mumbled a short incantation. A small globe of light appeared in front of Jandar. It  danced about then flew into the palm of his hand. He whispered something to it then sent it off on it's way.
"This will show us the last place Jona was in Bravosa." He said. "Lets hope there's a clue there as to where he might have went next."
Following the probe they made their way deeper into Bravosa. They passed many small villages and a few of its larger cities. Nothing seemed out of place. It looked like the war hadn't made it to the shores of Bravosa. That was something to be thankful for.
Soon they found themselves flying over the town of Orton, Jona's home. Smoke still seeped from the small volcano out on the edge of town. People stared and pointed up at them as they passed. Some waved, a few ran not sure of what it was flying overhead.
From that height, Jandar could see Chuy's tower. That was obviously where the probe was going to take them. Pointing out their destination, Jandar snapped his finger canceling the probe and told Viggo where he should land.
Once on the ground, the three walked on to the gate to Chuy's tower. It was absolutely beautiful here. The land around the tower was cover with the most beautiful flowers. There were roses and tulips of all colors. Sunflower that almost shined like the sun. Bluebell that you could hear twinkle and many flowers Jandar couldn't even identify. As they walked through the yard, the perfumed aroma was so intoxicating, they could feel a dreamy sleep slipping over them. Gird yawned as his eyes began to close. Jandar giggled and waved off the spell.
"You have to be careful when entering another mages home. You never know what he has for protecting his home. Wait here Viggo. We won't be long."
As they stepped up to the tower, Gird looked on in surprise. It was a single brick building that didn't look like it could have more then a broom closet inside. It stood straight up looking more like a light beacon then the home of a great mage. There were no windows and no door. It was like a stone pillar standing in the center of this magnificent garden.
Looking up towards the top, Gird spread his wings and hopped into the air.
"Where are you going?" Jandar asked.
"To the top." he answered. "I guess the opening is up there. I don't see any doors or windows."
"You enter right here." Jandar laughed as he patted the side of the tower. "That tower is made so that only the magical can enter. You've never been to Winterhaven have you?"
Gird shook his head no a little embarrassed as dropped down to stand beside Jandar.
"Watch."
With a wave of his hand and two knocks on the wall, Gird watched as the bricks began to shuffle around until they formed into a doorway. Jandar smiled at Gird, then stepped through the opening. The first room they entered was just a coat room with hooks for light jackets and other outerwear. From there they went on into a large entryway. The floor was covered by a beautiful vibrant red and gold carpet. Gird stared down at it amazed at the intricate moving design that seemed to capture the mind into following the moving sparks. He reached down and touched the carpet marveling at its softness.
In the center of the room, there was a table with a set of lit candles on it.The walls were decorated with portraits of the past masters of Bravosa's magical tower. Placed around the room were four high backed chairs. On the left side, spiraling up to the top out of sight, there was a staircase. Jandar assumed the living quarters, kitchen and dining areas would be upstairs though his study, office and libratry should be down here somewhere.
Across from the entryway, there were two closed doors. These would have to be the entrances to the study they were looking for.
"Follow me."
With staff in hand, Jandar walked to the door on the right. He reached open and turned the door nob and stepped into the room. He had been right. This was the towers study and main magical laboratory. Here was the store room of hundreds of years of magic learned by Bravosa's masters. Every spell and incantation and the history of the continents struggles as it grew older. One day Jandar thought, he would have to spend some time in here learning of Bravosa's past.
besides a desk and chair and all the other lab instrunents there were two more things in the room. A huge mirror that stood over twenty feet tall and a beautiful woman with white hair and a sparkling white dress staring into the mirror. Jandar wondered who this could be.
"Aiya." Jandar called out. " I'm looking for Jona Metrka master of this tower. Would you know where I can find him?"
"I'm trying to find him too." The woman said as she turned around. Gird had to stop and catch his breath he was so taken by her beauty. Her eyes were of the deepest ice blue but they could see such warmth in them. Her lips were a pale shade of blue but so soft and kissable.
She took a step out away from the mirror her dress reflecting light that sparkled dazzling their eyes.
"Can you help me?" She asked them. "I have to find him. He needs my help."
"We can try." Jandar walked over and took her hand and led her to a chair to sit down. "I'm Jandar Tyr of New Keanna. This is Gird. Jona sent out a message to us asking for help. It seems someone from his past had returned looking for a little.revenge. We've come to stop her if we can."
"You speak of his wife Clea the ice queen?"
"Yes." Jandar said with a curious look. "I think she's probably the reason we can't find him. I hope she hasn't hurt him."
"Clea would never hurt Jona. She loves him far to much for that."
"You know them?"  Gird asked.
"I've known them both all their lives." She smiled. "Clea went through some very bad times. Her heart was cursed making her so cold and frigid, but It never changed her love for him deep inside."
"You do know them don't you?" Recognition sparked in Jandar's eyes. He had a feeling he know who this woman was but he would play her game. It could only last until they left the tower, then Viggo would know her if it was who he thought it was.
"So what's you name?" Jandar folded his arms and smiled at her.
"Call me Morea."
"Ok Morea." Jandar moved over to the mirror to examine it. He could feel it still throbbed with magic from recent use. "This is the last place on Bravosa that Jona stood. I'm guessing from the emanations of the mirror this is how he left."
"Can you tell where he may have gone?" She asked as she joined him at the mirror.
"Lets  see if I can raise the destination." Jandar raised his staff and spoke a short spell. The mirror grew cloudy with white, blue and gray streams of billowing clouds blowing around like smoke. When it cleared, it showed a scene over a volcanic island with black smoke rising from the cone, but all the rest of the island was like a glacier. Totally covered with snow.
"This looks like someplace up near Kensor." Jandar turned to Morea. "Why would he go that far north?"
"He wouldn't." Morea took a stepped closer to the mirror. "And he didn't. That island is no more then a few hours away by air. And it wasn't  covered with snow this morning. It was just as tropical as Bravosa. I know that island."
"Are you saying what I think you are?" A glum look had grown on Jandar's face. He had seen this all happen before.
"What is it ?" Gird asked. He looked from Jandar to Morea for an explanation.
"Kearn's free again."

As Maxius glided swiftly through the waves, Braddoc held on for dear life. He was so sea sick from the rocking of the waves. He complained this was no way for any descent Centaur to travel. He should be on land not riding the back a Dragon. Mortimor laughed. He was loving the ride. Maxius could swim so much faster then he could and Mortimor knew he would never last as long or be as accurate as the Dragon could. Maxius knew to the inch where they were at all times and how much further they would need to go.
[We're not from from Bravosa]
"Thank Rimnar!" Braddoc said as he heaved again. "I can't wait to be on dry land again. Have you made contact with Jandar yet?"
[No.] Maxius sent. [But I'm not surprised. Insa told us communication might not work very well from long distances. I'll try again when we hit land. We should be close enough then."
"Whatever." Braddoc moaned. "Just get me on solid ground please."
As Maxius swam, Mortimor kept a watch on the seas around them. He had thought  he had spotted something strange hours ago. A series of fins like nothing he had ever seen before kept appearing then vanishing behind them. The were much to large to be shark fins and whales didn't have fins like these. Besides, if they were whales, they would have surfaced and he would have seen them. But whatever this was, It kept itself hidden deep beneath the surface. Maybe Maxius knew what it was.
[Maxius, I think we're being followed.]
[I know.] The Dragon sent back. [Better pray it doesn't attack. I can't fight with you and Braddoc on my back. Right now all I can do is run.]
[I can fight.] From his belt, Mortimor unhooked his speargun. It was a short one handed weapon that shot a five inch barbed trident like projectile. All the Merman of Aquilona were armed with them.
[Not with that you won't.] Maxius warned him. [Those aren't Mermen chasing us. It's a Kracken, one of the deadliest creatures of the deep. It won't even feel the barb from your speargun. For now our best chance is to out run it. So grab Braddoc and hold on!]
Braddoc could tell something wasn't right. He to had seen the fins that followed them. He didn't know what it was, but he knew it was trouble.
"What's going on?"
"We're in trouble. " Mortimor grabbed Braddoc's pack and fished around in it until he found some rope and pulled it out. "Grab onto Maxius spinal fin and hold on."
Quickly Mortimor wrapped the rope around Braddocs body then tied him down.
"There's an island ahead. We should get on land now." He said. "We're about to pour on some speed! Go Max!!
With a mighty sweep of his tail and four flippers Maxius increased his speed. He cut through the water at double the speed of the Kracken behind him. Not trusting the rope, Mortimor held tight to Braddoc keeping him as flat as he could against Maxius body. In his hand he held a small knife ready to cut loose the rope as soon as possible.
Looking forward, Braddoc watched as the beach came closer and closer. As Mortimer watched the Kracken falling further behind them, he felt something shoot pass them in the water. It was barbs, sharp spikes that grew from the fins of the Kracken. Like his spear gun, the Kracken could shoot them at passing prey to wound it and slow it down to be caught.
[Hold your breath Braddoc! ] Maxius warned. [We're going under!]
As the others took a quick deep breath, Maxius plunged them deep into a dive. Like the biggest sailfish he went down only to come back up sailing out of the ocean to land on a frozen beach. There he roar a challenge at the Kracken sending out a message.
[I have not the time to fight you now, but your time will come in the very near future. Be ready monster!]
With his head stuck out of the ocean the Kracken replied answering the challenge.
[Soon Dragon, very soon we shall meet again.]
Standing in two feet of snow, Braddoc turned to Maxius and Mortimor.
"Where are we? I don't think this is Bravosa."
[No your right.] Maxius said as he made the shift to his human form. "Bravosa is forty miles east, but we're not going to make it there with the Kracken out there waiting for us. Just give me a few hours rest and I'll take care of our friend out there."
"Doesn't anyone find it strange that we're standing on a snow covered beach in the middle of the tropics?"
Maxius and Mortimor stopped and looked around. Sure enough, Braddoc was right. The beach was cover with snow. Every tree and all vegetation was snow covered.  Braddoc guessed the snow drifts they were walking through had to be at least four feet tall. Then Mortimer looked up and noticed the storm clouds over head.
"Look." He pointed up. "This storms not over."
"Wait, this isn't possible." Braddoc just couldn't get what he was seeing all around him to be right in his head. "We are way to far south for snow. We're miles from the Equator, how is this possible?"
"Magic." Maxius told him. "And I'd say some pretty strong magic too."
"Maybe we should check this island out since we're not going anywhere." Mortimor suggested. "Figure out where all this snow came from."
"Agreed."
As they made their way off the snow covered beach, some very special eyes watched there every step. The Master would want to know he had guest on his island. He would want to see to their comfort himself.

As Flinar steered his craft through the shadows under the Shyr ocean, he saw Talsara's Eel men preparing for the attack on Aquilona. They had captive whales and huge sharks to use in the coming battle. Hammerheads for battering at the shield and octopus for tearing down the walls of the city's buildings. Huge harpoons were set up as cannons would be used on land to rain great bolts down on the people and batter at the shield. Flinar knew how weak Aquilona's shields were, he doubted they would last very long once the hammering started.
He drove his craft down into a small cave were he hid it,then took off his brightly colored uniform and put on something darker that would help him blend in with the shadows. He strapped two foot long Dree blades to his back and added a pistol sized spear gun in a holster at his side. Flinar left the crafts cabin and went into the airlock a started the pumps that would fill it with ocean water slowly. Taking a last deep breath  of air, he triggered the shift and switched to his coral elf form. His nose flattened as the gills on the side of his neck opened. His fingers grew longer and webbed and his feet formed into flippers. Once the cabin was filled, Flinar let out his last breath in took into water through his gills. The oxygen from the water rushed to his head for a second making him dizzy. It had been a while since the last time he used his gills. It felt good to be back in deep water again.
With all the air out of the cabin. Flinar was ready to go. He triggered the air lock and the hatch popped open with releasing a single air bubble to give away his position..With a powerful kick, Flinar was out and on his way. Knowing there were Munos everywhere, he stayed in the shadows of the deep coral trying to avoid   any Munos patrol that might pass close to him. With his eyes accustomed to the dark water, Flinar slipped from reef to reef watching the movements of the Eel man army as they readied themselves for the attack. Weapons had been set up on racks waiting to be used and the caged sea life waited nervously to be chained and driven at the city. Flinar knew he had to find a way to slow the attack down. But how? What could he do that would slow this army? He was only one man with a limited use of magic.
Idea after idea went through Flinars mind. He couldn't do any kind of physical attack, as he said before. Here it was one against hundreds. Magic probably wouldn't work, he was good at it, but it would take a master to move against this amount of enemies. It would have to be something sly and elusive. Maybe use what he could find right here in the enemies camp, like the caged animals. Flinar smiled as an idea began to form.
Cloaking himself in darkness, Flinar swam out to the rows and rows of cages. The sharks were being kept in a huge corral where they could always keep moving. Giant squid and octopus had been gathered, captured and right now were trying their very best to rip loose the bars of their cages and get away. Swordfish swam nervous circles in their cages. Flinar could feel the tension and fear of the animals in their captivity. As he walked the animal compound, a Munos warrior came in. He carried with him a long copper rod. His task was to keep the animals agitated and ready for the attack. He would walk up to each cage and thrust the rod in at whatever was in there and send a series of electrical shocks sending the animals into a maddening rage.
Having seen enough, Flinar stepped out and pulled his blades. He dropped his dark cloak and slammed the edge of his blade into the back of the Munos warriors head. Falling flat on the ground, the warrior lay still unconscious. As Flinar stared into the cages, he felt sorry for the in the cages screaming out for their freedom. Caldar and Orym had always taught the people that cruelty was not the way to treat anyone. Not their neighbors, an enemy of the forest of sea life. Every living thing had feelings and deserved respect. Obviously the Dark elves and the Munos did not feel the same way. Well lets see how the animals felt about it.
Concentrating Flinar sent his thoughts out to the Sharks and Squid in the tanks. With their help maybe there
was something to be done here.
[Brothers of the sea. Our homes have been invaded by these Eel men. They kill our children and put us in cages to fight and die for them. I say no! I would rather die for our mates and children. What say you Brothers?]
{FREE US!] Came the answer. {WE FIGHT EEL MEN. WE MAKE THEM GO!}
[It shall be done.] Flinar sent to them. [Here is what we will do.]

Inside the desperate walls of Aquilona, Dylani warriors sat armed waiting for the attack of the gathering Munos outside of their gates. They manned the walls with spear guns and coral spike cannons built long ago to defend the city. Mer wizards stood ready with every spell they know keep the enemy out when and if the city's shield finally gave out.
High in a tower of the city, Caldar Dylani watched as one of his mages replaced the crystal that powered the citys shield. The mage took the hot black crystal from the crystal generator and handed at back to Caldar. It steamed in the kings hand as he turned it from side to side examining it. This stone was relatively small compared to some of the stone that had been used in the past. Being the size of a fist, it had only last for two years. The stone the mage had put in its place was much smaller. Only the size of a marble and unfortunately, it was the last one.  Caldar had people for years trying to find a new source for the stones. The problem was, no one had any real idea what the stone really was. when in good condition the stones were clear as glass but as cold as ice. some thought they were some sort of diamond but they had tried diamonds of all kinds and sizes and nothing seemed to work. During a visit not long ago, Jandar Tyr, prince of New Keanna had examined them and thought they looked familiar. He had told them the stones were of a strong magic, a  magic that he could feel but couldn't trace. He had tried a few different spells and had a little success. It was Jandar that had created the last stone and this marble they had just installed into the generator. Now they were down to the last piece and with the battle about to begin, Caldar had no idea how long this stone would last. Maybe weeks, maybe days or only hours.
There only chance was to find Jandar and have him either create a new set of stones or find them the original source.
[How long?]  Caldar asked as he gave the stone back to Tarell his court mage.
[There's no way to tell Sire.]  Tarell shrugged. [Could be a week, Could be an hour.]
[Lets hope for that week.] Caldar reached down to help the mage up on his feet. [With the Munos at our gates we'll be needing the protection of the shield. It may be our only hope.]
[You'll think of something  my lord. You always do.]
[Thank you for your confidence, but time is growing short  for Aquilona.] Caldar led Tarell back to the stairwell down from the tower. He had a look of defeat on his face, like the attack was already lost. Tarell stopped him as they made their way down. This was not how the king of Aquilona should be. Accepting defeat before the battle.
[A wise man once told me that even when defeat is eminent, never give up. Battles can turn with just the act of on brave man. We have many brave men fighting for Aquilona, And we're not beaten yet.]
[You sure he was a wise man?] Caldar smiled clapping Tarell on the back. [Sounds like a fool to me.]
[He'll never be a fool. No matter what happens. He'll always be my king.]
[Thank you my friend and your right. We haven't lost yet.] Caldar looked a little more confident, but still worried. [But we have a lot to do if we want to beat this.]
After sending Tarell out to watch on the walls with a warnibg to be ready in case some how the stones were found, Caldar swam on through the palace to his war room. As he approached, two guards saluted and opened the door. Inside Aquilona's generals stood at maps on the tables and walls discussing different strategies on how the Munos could be beaten. As Caldar entered a tall Mer man in rich red and green robes, bald except for the single pony tail tied off at the top of his head walked casually up to Caldar.
[Aiya Brother.] He smiled. [I see the sky still shimmers. The shield still has power.]
[Yes.] Caldar told his brother Kenner. [The shield works just fine.]
[For how long my I ask?]
[Until I can get it fixed Kenner.] Caldar was tired of this same argument. He wasn't going to change his mind. [Caldar, this war is unnecessary. I can get us out of this with just a few concessions. All we have to do is look the other way while..]
[WHAT?] Caldar shouted. [While Talsara invades our neighbor? While she tears the Elven lands and the rest of Keanna to pieces? And what happens when looking the other ways isn't enough? What happens when she decides Aquilona and the Dylani are no longer needed or in her way, what do we do then?]
[That can't happen.] Kenner insisted. [She can't breathe underwater, she only wants to use Aquilona not rule it.]
[And you feel it's ok to be used?] Caldar was getting angry. He couldn't understand why his. brother couldn't see what he was talking about. [These are people we are talking about. Real living people with families and lives. We as rulers are meant to protect and guide them. To make their lives as easy and rich as we can, not to use them as pawns and toss them aside when we're done with them! Talsara sees everyone as objects, even her family. She knows nothing of love and compassion, but you do. If you every get the chance to rule do it wisely or don't do it at all!!]
Kenner stood staring at Caldar as he turned away from him. He wanted so much to grab the sword from his side and stab again and again into his brothers body until he lay dead at his feet. Kenner didn't give a damn what Caldar had to say. He knew he was right. Aquilona would only be going to war because of his brothers damned compassion for all those peasants that meant nothing to him. Kenner knew he could better rule Aquilona. He could make this kingdom a power in the world and if it took his brothers death to do it, then so be it.
With a look across the room, Kenner caught Generals Tang and Raban's eye as they stood together going over some plan Caldar had. With a nod he sent them a signal. His plan was on. Caldar had rejected Kenner's plan. It was time to get him out of the way and get Prince Kenner in control. The next twelve hours would see a complete change in the monarchy of the Dylani.

With a flash of light the entrance to Chuy tower appeared and Jandar, Gird and Morea stepped out. Lounging in the front garden Viggo stood to welcome his friends back. Within two steps the mighty Snowdog began fiercely growling at them. The hair on the back of his next rose and he took on an attack stance. The once calm fateful Viggo now looked at them as if they were hated enemies.
"Whats wrong with him?" Gird stepped back closer to the tower."Easy boy."
"It's not us Gird." Jandar walked over to stand beside Viggo. "It's her. She's the one he growls at. Isn't that right Clea?"
"I'm afraid so."
"It's time for some truth." Jandar reached out a summoned his staff. It appeared in his hand and flared to life pulsing with arcane energy. "Why the lies and what have you done with Jona?"
Looking sadly from Jandar to Gird then down at Viggo,  Clea for the first time in many years began to cry. Jandar wasn't sure what to make of this. He had heard all that had happened back during the Winter Blight. Icicle assured him that Clea was now nothing but a vessel of ice cold hate. The emotions love, regret and apathy were no longer a part of her. But here she was crying and from what Jandar could see, this was all real.
"There were no lies." She said as she calmed down a bit. "I am Clea Mertrka, Kearn's own Ice Queen. But I'm not that same icy witch that his spell turned me into. Whether you believe it or not, I've changed and I'm going to find my husband and bring him home safe and sound so I can beg his forgiveness."
"Why should we trust you after the things you've done?" Jandar lowered his staff. "How do we know you speak the truth?"
"It doesn't matter what you believe." Clea looked directly into Viggio's eyes. "If you feel hate or fear in me, if you feel mistrust, then tear my heart out. But I'm going to get my husband and I hope you'll come and help me. I don't think I can beat Kearn alone. But make up your mind now, There isn't much time."
Growling with his teeth barred and ready to snap, Viggo advanced on Clea. Tears streaked her faces as she knelt down in front of the angry Snowdog. Chunks of ice flew from his mouth as he barked and snapped at the air in front of him. This was the enemy that had killed his younger brother. She had taken his heat and turned him into a pile of ice crystals . Here was his chance for revenge for one of his own.
{I'm sorry for what I did to your brother.} Clea sent her mind speak directly to Viggo's mind. {Kearn's ice in my heart turned me into a heartless thing with no conscious at all and he fell victim to my cold. But my curse is gone and all I can do is give you my life for his. Take my life if you must but promise me you will free my Jona from the Winter gods cold hands.}
Clea closed her eyes and give herself over to Viggo for his judgement. Reaching out with his mind, Viggio dived into her soul expecting to find the icy cold heart of his enemy the ice maiden, but what he found instead was the warm loving heart of the wife of his friend Jona. Suddenly all his angry was gone. He couldn't kill her. Instead the Snowdog pushed his head into her chest and whimpered then licked her face. Crying Clea through her arms around the Snowdog and hugged him tight.
"I guess Viggo's made our decision for us." Jandar raised his staff and sent back into the pocket dimension he always kept it in. If this is settled, we should get moving on the search for Jona. You say you know where that island was?"
"Yes."  Clea released her hold on Viggo. "Vanco island is just west of here. We should hurry. Kearn can be very vindictive. Who knows what he might do to Jona."
As Jandar climbed on Viggo's back, Gird spread his wings and launched himself into the sky. Clea said a quick little spell that phased her into a dense cloud of ice crystals. At Viggo's side she took off into the sky heading west toward the island where her love was being held.

The skies over Vanco were cold, dark and very windy. Snow swirled all over the island building it into drifts of unbelievable heights. Where once tigers and harpy would hunt in the jungle, now wild Kensi and Snow men stalked their prey. The islanders that once inhibited the tropical island fled in their hollowed out canoes when the snows started. Those that couldn't make it now hid in the deepest caves and holes they could find from the horrors that their homes had become.
In the ocean the Kracken swam destroying boats and anything that swan near the island. Kensi warriors walked the beach while Snow men tread the paths and fields of the forest. The once beautiful warm tropical haven of Vanco was now the frozen lair of Kearn the winter god.
On a peak opposite the volcano where Kearn had been held, sat the new ice palace home of Kearn.
Its peaks and towers sparkled in the dim light of the cloud covered sun. Inside Kearn sat on his throne impatiently waiting. Waiting, something he dearly hated. He had spent years alone in that lava cave where Alee had trapped him waiting for a chance, any chance to get himself free. Now here was, almost free. All he had to do was kill Clea, his own creation and he would have his freedom to go back to the sweet freeze in the north or maybe even turn the whole of Keanna into his own ice kingdom. And why not? Kearn had spent years trapped in the north hiding from other more powerful gods afraid to make his bid to rule over Keanna. Now that they were all gone, except for the gods of Fortis, why shouldn't he take control? Kearn knew Rimnar had forbidden the others to interfere. But Rimnar had no control over him. Maybe this was his time to reign.
From his throne, Kearn looked out into the world of the mortals. He watched as the three made land on Vanco's beach, A Dragon, a Centaur and a Mer man. they were nothing compared to his Kensi and Snowmen. Perhaps he should add a few Snowdogs just in case his forces needed a little more strength.
Then he turned to look east and smiled. There it was. Just what he had been waiting for.
"SHE COMES." Kearn called to the prince of cold that stood at the steps before his throne waiting. "ZEPHYR. THE TIME HAS COME FOR YOU TO PROVE YOURSELF TO YOUR GOD. KILL THE OTHERS AND BRING THE ICE QUEEN TO ME. THEN WE WILL MAKE THIS WORLD OURS. GO!"
"Yes my lord."
Dressed in cold ice armor, Zephyr turned and streaked off on a cold wind to assemble his forces to battle the intruders and his lords enemies.

High over Vanco island, Gird looked down at the wasteland that Vanco had become. It was a deary place frozen and looking lifeless. He couldn't image how it was possible that this was the same island Jandar had shown him earlier. But it was. He could tell by the shape of the island itself.
[This is it.] He sent. [Vanco island. It looks dead from up here.]
[It's not dead at all.] Jandar sent. [I can feel them down there.]
[Yes.] Clea said. [He knows we're coming.]
[So much for surprise. What do we do?]
[There.] Clea pointed to the second of to peaks on the island. The first smoked with volcanic fury while the second housed a frozen peak. [That's where we'll find Kearn. Jona will be there too.]
[Then that's where we go. Gird, stay close to me. Kearn is very dangerous.]
{Look, danger!}Viggo called.
From Viggo's back Jandar looked up in the skies out over the snowy peak. The sky was full of clouds and very windy. It looked as if the storm was about to dump another three or four feet of snow over the island. As Jandar watch, he noticed something strange. Sparks. It looked like something in the sky was sparkling. Jandar blinked then wiped his eyes to be sure he was seeing this clearly. Looking closer he realized it wasn't something in his vision, there was something out there reflecting light. Thousands of tiny dots flying through the clouds.
[What is that?] Gird asked.
[I don't know.] Jandar said. [Could it be snow?]
[Snow falls down to the ground.] Clea sent to them. [Whatever that is, it's not falling. It's coming right at us!]
Before another thought could be sent, ice began to rain down on them. Then like a dart out of nowhere, something struck at Jandar. It came flying out of the clouds and dived at all of them.
[It's an attack!] Gird sent as he swung his arm out and smashed what looked to him like a bird made purely of ice. With a blast of his flame breath, Gird melted three more of the ice birds that attacked him. Beside him, Jandar called for his staff and sent a wave of heat billowing out all around him.
One after the next the Snowcrows swept in to attack. They dived in like arrows striking at them. In her cloud form the Snowcrows had no effect on Clea, but the same couldn't be said about her. Icicles and hail the size of melons flew from Clea's cloud crashing into the crows knocking them from the air,
As Jandar swept the skies with his heat blast he realized there were just to many for them to defeat. If they stayed in the skies, sooner or later they would be overwhelmed and covered with ice. They had to land and make their way to Kearn's mountain on foot.
[Everyone down!] He sent. [We're an easy target in the skies. Kearn won't find us as easy to beat on land. Head for the clearing below!]
Diving down, Gird followed Viggo staying right on his tail. Viggo dashed left then right zig zagging through the air trying to throw the Snowcrows off but, nothing they did could hide them from heat seeking frost birds. Opening his wings, Viggo flapped with all his might to gain altitude. He rose higher and higher with the crows right behind him searching for somewhere to go.
[Here!] Clea sent. [Fly right into the center of my cloud, they won't be able to find you in my cold.]
Banking right, Viggo batted out with his wings knocking a score of the birds out of the air then dived right into Clea's cloud. Like bats hunting with sound the Snowcrows scanned all around them for the heat off the enemy. The sky was empty. There was nothing there. The closest heat they could find was coming from the volcano rumbling far ahead of them.
[Can you take us all the way to Kearn's mountain like this?] Gird asked shivering from her cold.
[No.] She told them. [It's to far. Your heat will show through in a minute. We have to get down to the ground where all the snow and ice can hide us. Drop down to land and I'll try and hold my form around to keep us hidden.]
With both Jandar and gird on his back, Viggo spread his wings and sailed down in a spiral pattern. As he dropped down, Gird blow of a frosty mist to help strength Clea to keep the heat from revealing their location. Once on the ground, after shifting, Jandar waved them into the trees and the cover of the cold forest.
"Which way?" Gird asked. He wrapped his wings around himself to keep the warmth in.
Trotting out, Viggo sniffed around taking in the scents of the island. He could smell the Snow men just to the south of them. He knew they were to close and that they should get moving.  To the west he smelled something familiar. Was it possible? It smelled like dragon to him. It might be some kind of help sent by Insa or Rage.
{West.} Viggo walked out then looked back at them. {Follow.}

They hadn't made it far from the beach before Maxius, Mortimer and Braddoc were first attacked. Wild white hair Kensi came out of the forest armed with clubs and attacked. Keeping it quiet, the trio made short work of it this time but they knew once the fight was over, they were being followed so they moved quickly.
Off the beach and into the forest they went hiding and ducking around groups of both Kensi and Snow men. A pack of Snowcrows flew down and attacked. Maxius sent a stream of boiling water at them melting the frosty birds out of the sky showering them in ice crystals. Moving on deeper into the forest, Mortimor next encountered a pretty pale skinned girl who begged him for his help. Just as she reached for his hand, a bolt from Braddoc's bow sank deep into her head and she crumbled into ice fragments. Braddoc and Maxius stepped out from behind a bank of trees to join him.
"Watch yourself here." Maxius warned him. "Only one that I know of could do something like this. Kearn the northern god of winter."
"Kearn?" Braddoc stopped. "But Alee imprisoned him deep in a volcano so I was told."
"Look up there." Maxius pointed to a smoking peak. "My guess is he's gotten free. Probably Talsara's magic again."

Together never leaving each others sight, they moved  slowly in towards the frozen tipped mountain Kearn had made his home. Suddenly they heard a deep throated bark echo through the forest. Braddoc jumped pulling his sword from the scabbard or his back. No understanding what the threat was, but confident in Braddoc's danger sense, Mortimor unclasped the clip holding his spear gun in its holster and stood ready to fight.
"What was that?" he looked around the snow covered trees seeing nothing.
"Snowdog." Braddoc told them. "I'd know that howl anywhere. I should have expected this. Kearn's called all his minions from the north, I wasn't expecting Snowdogs because they have a tendency of allying themselves with the strongest mind available."
"And what does that mean for us?" Mortimor asked nerviously. "Are they dangerous?"
"Snowdogs are the size of a small Griffen with teeth and claws able to rip and tear its prey to pieces in minutes." Braddoc explained. "They can run at unbelievable speeds and carry great loads."
"Any magic?"
"Plenty." Maxius answered. "But right now that's not what worry's me."
"Snowdogs are the best trackers on Keanna." Braddoc finished. "Better then me."
Mortimor groaned his displeasure at their predicament.Things just kept getting worse by the minute in this frozen hell.
"We keep moving." Braddoc said. "We go find Kearn and see what we can do about getting out of here."
"You want to fight a god?" Mortimor asked. "Are you crazy?"
"You got a better idea ? You know another way off this island?"
Mortimor closed his mouth and kept moving. He didn't have much choice but to follow Maxius and Braddoc's plan and hope they could find a way out of this mess.
Hurrying on through the bright white forest, Braddoc listened for every sound around them. Every twig that snapped under the weight on snow, every noise made by blowing wind. He identified the crunch of footsteps being made in the snow from the sound made by falling winter debris. His years of hunting in the snow covered Silverom mountain had taught him the difference between the forest sounds and those of any kind of pursuit. But now out of the quiet came the sound of padded footsteps. They were incredibly soft, almost undetectable to anyone except a natural hunter like Braddoc, chief of the Durmista Centaurs.
Slowing down, Braddoc stopped for a second holding his hand to to tell the others not to move. Then he heard the sound of something brushing past a snow laden tree dumping its heavy burden to the ground.
"Run!
Grabbing Mortimor, Braddoc tossed him on him back and took off into the forest dodging trees and jumping any obstacle in his way. Maxius pumping his legs with dragon strength crashed through the forest right next to him looking for a place big enough for him to shift to dragon to defend them. Just before a clearing ahead, something howled behind them caught Braddoc by surprise and he stopped recognizing the sound of the howl. To his keen ears that howl would be as recognizable as the sound of Braddoc's own mate or children. He turned and Mortimor leaped from his back pulling his spear gun aiming into forest at the coming noises that followed them.
"NO!!" Braddoc pushed Mortimor down as a huge grey wolf came bounding out of the forest followed by an even larger great Snowdog.
"JANDAR!!"
[I knew that scent we were following was familiar, but I never would have expected any of you were here.] Jandar shifted to greet his old friends. "What are you doing here?"
"Looking for you." Mortimor said his eyes never leaving Viggo as he told them all about what was going on in Aquilona and their trip out to find him. The great white winged shaggy dog never leaving Jandar's side. Jandar noticed the look in Motrtimors eyes. He saw fear there.
"Viggo won't hurt a friend Mortimor." He reached out and took the Mer mans hand and held it out for Viggo. The Snowdog sniffed it taking in his scent. He coughed the sat back on his hind legs.
{Fish?}
"Not exactly." Jandar laughed. "But close I guess."
"We're here for Aquilona." Mortimor explained. "Our city is under attack."
"By Talsara and the Dark elves I'll bet." Jandar interrupted him. "Caldar needs the stones to power the Shield?"
"Desperately." Mortimor said. "Can you help us?"
"I can try. But first we have to do something about this." He indicated the frozen island.
"You mean Kearn?" Maxius asked. "It is Kearn and Talsara right? That's who's behind this."
"I'm afraid it is." Jandar led them all over to a row knocked down trees. He brushed off the snow, sat down and pointed to an old pile of wood. Gird spit out a wad of flaming plagm and ignited a fire to warm them. As they all came close to get a little warmth, Jandar finished his explanation.
"We're here looking for a friend. It seems Kearn grabbed our friend Jona and he's holding him hostage as revenge for imprisoning him in the volcano.
 "But why?" Maxius asked Jandar confused. "Dragon's aren't responsible for his imprisonment. Alee did that himself."
"He can't strike against Alee so he strikes at us. We are their agents on Keanna after all. And then there's Clea. For some reason, she has something to do with this."
"Clea?" Jandar could see the shock in Maxius eyes. He knew just what his next question would be. "The Ice Queen? She's here? And you fell for her pitiful lies?"
"Maxius, wait." He held up his hand to silence the elder dragon. "Trust me, she's not the same. Something has changed her. She's here to help save Jona not get revenge or hurt anyone. Viggo trust her and that's good enough for me."
"Then where is she?"
Jandar looked around the clearing. He was right, she wasn't there with them. She must have slipped away while they were talking.
{She go find Jona.} Viggo sent to Jandar with a moan of despair. In Viggo's mindspeak, Jandar felt the fear he felt for both Clea and Jona. This was just one more reason why Jandar was convinced of Clea's newly acquired compassion.
"She's gone on to face Kearn and save Jona alone." Jandar stood and went and stood with Viggo and Gird. "Maxius, I don't care right now if you trust Clea or not because I do. I'm asking you as the mate to the Dragon king to trust me and help us. Will you do it?"
Maxius didn't need any time at all to think about that question. Rage's mate or not he would help and trust Jandar anytime after all they had do for him and his brothers and sister in the past. If not for Jandar and Rage, Muerte would have tortured and used the first clan for her own dark deeds during her war until they were all dead.
"How can I help you?" Maxius asked proudly ready to stand with Jandar to his death.
"We have to get to Kearn's mountain fast." Jandar explained. "I know Kearn will have opposition out there to stand in our way. Can you three hold off the Kensi and Snowmen?"
"It won't be easy." Maxius said as he turned strategies over in his head. "The three of us are grounded. We have no air support that would make the fight much easier."
"What if Braddoc could fly? Would that help?"
"Me?" Braddoc choked. "Fly? I don't know."
"You won't have to ridge dragon back again." Jandar smiled.
Remembering his sea sickness, Braddoc agreed hoping he wouldn't be exchanging seasickness for air sickness.
"There's one more thing I'll do for you." Jandar held out his hand and summoned his staff from its hidden pocket dimension and started gathering magic to him. He stepped out and asked Mortimor and Bradocc to place their weapons on the ground in front of them.
Laying his bow and quiver down besides Mortimor's spear gun, Braddoc stepped back to watch the magic. Jandar motioned for Mortimor to move away from Braddoc then closed his eyes and started his spell.

TO WALK TO RUN.
TO TROT TO FLY.
FROM HERE TO THERE.
HIGH IN THE SKY.
I GIVE YOU WINGS.
TO TAKE YOU WHERE.
THE NEED IS GREAT.
AND DANGER FLARES.

A golden glow surrounded Braddoc as the magic to hold of his body. He reared high on his hind legs as a bright white light broke out from his sides. Like the wings of a eagle, great feathered wings erupted out of the light and spread out to at least twice his body length. Braddoc stared back at his wings and marveled at how good they made him feel. As he began to flap them, he felt lite as a feather. pushing harder he rose to a height where he could see all of the island. Snowcrows circled the peak to the north where Kearn had built his home. Braddoc took note in which direction that was and settled himself back down to the ground.
"This is amazing?" He said. "I feel so lite but strong, like I could fly forever."
"The wings make you and whoever is on your back almost weightless." Jandar told him. "But just like Jayce, you'll have to eat a lot more to keep up the energy for long distance flying. Now for your weapons."
With a wave of his staff, the bow, quiver and spear gun rose up off the ground. In a flash all the arrows in the quiver disappeared and were replaced by what looked to Braddoc like thin bolts of light.
"What are they?" Mortimor asked as his spear gun dropped into his hand. He turned it over inspecting his new weapon wondering how he was suppose to load it and where he would be getting the ammunition from.
"They both fire echo ammunition now." Jandar explained. "Bolts of sound that will fire both on land and under water. And as long as one of you two hold the weapon, it will never be empty. That should give a you an edge in the coming fight."
"Thank you." Mortimor put the gun in its holster and went to admire Braddoc's new wings.
"We better get moving." Gird said. "There's no telling what Kearn may be up to by now."
"Agreed." Jandar climbed back on Viggo's back. "Which way is Kearn's palace?"
"To the north." Braddoc told them. "He knows we're here but I guess he doesn't think we are much to worry about. His Snowcrows circle his palace giving away his position. Not very smart."
Jandar smirked a sly smile. He gathered his friends close and told them exactly what he wanted each one to do, then hugged and shook each of their hands and he, Gird and Viggo took off to find the god of ice and snow.