But humans as Daru learned were not as weak as he thought and they also weren't alone. They were being aided by the last people Daru would ever expect to give them help. His own people, the Savonti. Somehow certain enemies of his had decided to completely go against all Savonti tradition and side with the humans. Lord Maru the armaurk son of Lesu had defeated Redu in combat and taken his land. The mad lord Ketu had tried to kill Lesu and failed. A human had killed him and his son Yaru was now lord in his place. Then there was Lesu and Paru, two of his oldest enemies. Somehow the humans had convinced them to turn on their on race. They said that the Humans deserve something called rights, that there should be laws. The only law Daru knew was the law of power. He who wields it, rules. That's the only law he followed. He was the most powerful, he should rule over them all.
Now it seems that big fool Pulu had betrayed him and become an ally of Lesu. He never should have let Pulu loose on his own. He was to dimwitted to be trusted even with simple tasks. Now his warriors would side with Lesu making him that much stronger. And on top of all that, he had learned the Nevac still live. They where somewhere deep down in the caves now preparing with the humans to strike. Another enemy to face.
But none of that mattered. There was something here on Pentanthin that would make him master of the whole planet and all he had to do was catch a few humans to get it. Loc and Trela were the answer. Daru just had to keep them blind of his movements and let them think they can succeed and he would get what he wanted.
It was hot and dark in the dungeon level of the Academy like the lair of a Savonti lord. Torches lit the way down the spiral staircase as Zarin and Dack in the form of flies made their way down level by level. It was quiet down there. There was only one prisoner in the entire dungeon and that was Trela, Daru's queen. It wasn't hard to find her, she was on the only level that was fully lit. As Zarin and Dack made their way down, they could hear her the guard talking.
"Get away from the cell." Someone ordered. "You have no idea what she could do to you with just her stare."
"She doesn't scare me." A younger voice said. "None of these lizards scare me."
"Then your a fool." the older voice said. "After all these months here on Pentanthin, you haven't learned to respect our enemy. The Savonti here have just as much power as Polan Dressak or any other major warlock at home and are just as deadly. We are few. We have allies but there are a lot more of them then us so you better learn a little fear. It could save your life."
As Zarin and Dack flew around the corner, they found the two guards. One was just a cadet. Young, maybe third year. The other was an older boy in his low twenties maybe, blond hair and his back turned to them. Zarin and Dack flew on to land on a cell door across from Trela's cell. As they watched, the younger boy grabbed a bucket of water and threw it into Trela's cell missing her by inches. He laughed as she jumped out of the way.
"See." He pointed. "It's nothing but a lizard. There's nothing to be scared of."
With a quick step the older boy grabbed him by his neck and threw him to the floor.
"Get out of here!" He shouted. "Your relieved."
"We'll see about that." The boy jumped to his feet and raised his hands to cast a spell.
"Cast your spell and see what happens." He laughed. "Or have you forgotten that these walls are spell proof. They will bounce your spell right back at you."
"Captain Testa will have you on garbage detail after I tell him what you did." The boy ran out heading up the stair.
"Captain Testa has more to worry about right now then an offended cadet. Isn't that right Zarin?"
The guard turned and Zarin realized it was Jovan they had sent to guard Trela.
"You can shift back to normal now." He went and sat down and took a drink from a canteen. Shocked at what he had just heard, Zarin and Dack flew off the wall to land in front of the desk.
"How did you know we were there?"
"I didn't." Jovan answered. "Shayn did. He warned me you would be coming."
"They you know why I'm here?"
"You came for Trela. You play with fire, you know. She's not some innocent princess to be rescued. She's a fully powered Savonti queen. A man eater. You know this is a trap don't you?"
"We know she can lead us to Tabor." Dack said. "She's our only chance to find him."
"Zarin, I know what he's done." Jovan stood and led the two away from the cells. "We talked to your class mates who told us the history between you and Tabor. You can't let your hate for him lead you into disaster. Trela is disaster. She might lead you right to him but he's not all that's going to be waiting. I can guarantee you there's a Savonti lord out there waiting with him. Are you ready to face that kind of power?"
"We're not stupid." Zarin said calmly. "We know Tabor his help out there, but he's the reason we're here. This is our destiny, why the spell brought us to Pantanthin. Either we face Tabor and defeat him, or we all stay here. This is a part of the way home. We have to do this. The question is, are you going to stop us?"
Jovan sat back and stared off at the ceiling for a second. He was obviously talking with someone. Then his eyes cleared and he looked at Zarin and Dack.
"Ono ordered me to let you take her." Jovan stood up and walked to the cell door with the keys in his hand.
Zarin breathed a sigh of relief and followed. He had no idea why, but Shayn must have changed his mind.
"No." Jovan stopped turning back to them. "Shayn still thinks this is a big mistake. But he would rather support and trust you then fight you. You're all one of us. You, Dack, Reno and all your friends. We don't want to lose any of you so you are to find, Tabor and if he is with the Savonti, you call us. Don't try and fight him alone."
"I understand." Zarin smiled and tried to walk past Jovan. Jovan stopped him with a hand on his chest.
"Swear it." He looked them both in the eyes. "Promise me you'll call us."
"If he won't." Dack promised. "I will. Trust me. I have no intentions of ending up on a Savonti plate. None of us do."
"Good." Jovan reached out with the key. "Be careful and don't trust her."
Zarin nodded and took the key. Grabbing his sword from the desk, Jovan left the guard room.
You sure you want to do this?"
"I don't see we have a choice." Zarin tossed the key to Dack. "We have to end this. Not just for me but for all of us. For Elan and Aron back home. For what he will become if we don't."
Dack nodded but wasn't sure what Zarin had planned. Had his hate and thirst for revenge so filled his heart that he would punish Tabor for crimes he had not even committed yet? He would have to watch his friend and stop him if he had to from becoming exactly what they were fighting against.
As they entered the outer cell, Zarin looked in to find Trela with her cloak thrown off lounging in the heat that radiated from under the Academy grounds. She looked up at them with her piercing yellow eyes as they came to the cell door.
"I knew you would come for me." She lay down and stretched sensually. "You Humans, you always let your emotions control you. Just like the beast in the forest. That is why the Savonti rule Pentanthin and always will."
"That may be true." Zarin said. "But as I see it, must of you Savonti are to bold and boastful. You would rather take things then earn them. Here you're hoping I will help get you free of this dungeon, but still you insult me. That's not want I would call smart."
"Smart or not." She stood and came move to the cell door. "You will free me and I will take you to the Human you seek."
"And then?" Dack asked. "What then?"
"You can have what you call revenge." Trela smiled. "You wish the Human dead, is that not right? Well. I can help you. All you have to do is set me free."
Zarin lifted the key to the cell door and pushed it in. Suddenly Dack grabbed him and pulled him back.
"Wait a minute. Are you sure about this? Shayn could be right, this could be a trap."
"A trap for what?" Zarin asked. "What could they want with us? It's not like we're Dragons or masters. We're not that important."
"Maybe not to you we're not." Dack looked at Zarin with huge eyes. He was scared. Zarin could see it.
"Dack." Zarin took him aside. "We went over this already. How long do we have to be scared of Tabor? We've been fighting him ever seen we started school as kids. He killed my mother, almost killed your parents and Craven's. Do you want to wait until he finds a way to kill us all? Because you know he will try one day. I don't want to give him that chance. Let's finish this here on Pentanthin and now before he becomes something we can't deal with."
Dack stared intently at his old friend. He had never doubted Zarin before but he was scared of what he might have in mind for Tabor. But what choice did he have. He had to trust him, Zarin might just be the only one that could defeat their old enemy.
"I'll follow you." Dack put a hand on Zarin's shoulder. "Wherever you go, I'll be right beside you."
"Then let's get her out of here and on our way."
All across the face of Pentanthin, the Savonti attacked. In the south wearing a collar and under Daru's control, Redu fought his way through the hills and clans of the dessert. His mighty strength tore through fighters and everything they sent at him. It didn't matter how tired he was, his body was not his to control so he fought on.
To his left and right, Magu's warriors fought on land and in the air striking down sending bolts of power from their staff weapons. As Redu fought, strange thoughts tore through the part of his mind that he still had control over. For the first time in all the agens he had been a lord, he knew what he was doing was wrong. These humans were not his enemy.They fought proud and bravely for their lives. None of them turned and ran even when they stood facing his mighty strength. Knowing he was unbeatable, they fought on. Why had he not seen this before in the Humans? They fought just as bravely as any Savonti warrior defending his lord and house. They were not beast, not simple things to be eaten or used for pleasure and muscle. They could work together, fight together, help each other when needed. They were intelligent. Able to trick and trap Magu's warriors and bring them down. For the first time in his life, Redu, ex lord of the Savonti, admired the Humans. He wished there was some way he could regain control of himself and fight Daru at their side.
[If you really mean that.] Redu heard from nowhere. [I may be able to help you.]
"Who speak?"
[Maybe your salvation.] The voice said. [I am Lilia Kordiova, a human. And if you really mean what you have been thinking, we can help you.]
"How would you know what I am thinking?"
[Daru is not the only one who can hear others thoughts.] She sent. [I can also do this.]
Suddenly pain shot threw Redu's mind blinding him for a second. He dropped down to his knees clutching his head. When he opened his eyes he looked at his hands then realized he was back in control of his body.
"By the first egg!" He stood up. "I am free!!"
[I have blocked the effects of Daru's collar for a few units.] She said in his head. [But I can render the collars useless if you will help us.]
"Does that mean I can kill Daru with my own hands?" Redu's eyes blazed with Savonti revenge. "For that, Redu swears his alliance. What do you have in mind?"
[I am sending you help.] She sent. [Look to the skies, a son of the Savonti will arrive to help you. Please remember, Human's are no longer the enemy. Help them to survive this night.]
Grabbing his club, Redu looking to his side and saw one of Magu's warriors swooping down with his staff pointed at a group of men fighting three warriors. With a great leap he jumped to the warriors side. Seeing him join them, the warrior stood ready to run out to cut down the Humans. With a single swing of his club, Redu crushed the warriors and ran on batting any Savonti that came near him. Once Redu began fighting the Savonti, the Humans charged out of the forest. Great crossbows were wheeled out and flying warriors were targeted. As Redu fought, bolts three feet long were loaded and fired at the air borne warriors. Many fell to die in the hot sand, but Magu's warriors were not helpless. Staff weapon were aimed from up high and soon the crossbows were a flame and men were again fighting with sword and staffs.
Staff blasts beat at Redu's chest like a hammer but still he fought. His club swung left and right smashing into warriors breaking bones and crushing bodies. He deflected staff hits and sword strikes while roaring his anger out at his enemies. Like fleas on a dog warriors attacked Redu. His iron skin resisted hit after hit. Blow after blow until he could take no more and fell to his knees.
Suddenly from high in the sky, something flashed and threw all the warriors off Redu. Opening his eyes, Redu looked up to see a huge winged beast come streaking down to him. With a might blast of its breath, fire struck out burning a group of warriors to ash.
[GET ON YOUR FEET AND FIGHT LORD REDU!]
Reaching beside him, Redu grabbed his club and swung out at two warriors standing over him. Like straw dolls they fell their broken bodies crumbed to the ground. Kicking out, Redu kicked another warrior flying away from him. As he got to his feet, Redu wiped blood from his mouth, raised his club and dived back into the fighting.
Like one of the great flying snakes of Pentanthins ancient history, Valor streak down out of the sky raining fire down on the Savonti below. On his back, Lord Maru sat firing his staff at warriors below them. As they neared the ground, Maru leaped off Valors back and call his warriors out of the forest. Like a cavalry charge, the warriors of Maru rode in to attack Daru's forces.
In less then a Pentanthin frame, Valor had rid the skies of all of Magu's warriors. On the ground Redu with the help of Maru and his warriors, finished the last of the invading forces and gathered them into caged wagons. With the battle over, Redu sat and looked out at the Humans that walked around giving aid to the wounded and feeding the hungry. Maru and Xan came over to talk with Redu.
"You fought well Lord Redu." Xan nodded.
"As did they." He pointed to the men on the field. "Tell me Maru. Are these Humans really fit to be our equals?"
"In more ways then you might image Redu." Maru took a cup and filled it with water from a barrow. "You may not understand this but they stand as one against their enemies.They fight together to the end with one helping the other. They care not who is more powerful. With them, the strong carrys the weak. and we the Savonti need to learn from them or we are doomed to fall."
"They understand love and compassion." Xan added. "While we live with fear and hate. And that fear and hate will kill us if we do not end it here and now. The prophesy is upon us Redu. We have to choose to live or die. I choose life. What will you choose?"
"I choose life." Redu stood and placed his club to the side of the water barrel. "I choose to take back my home, grind my enemy's bones into the sand and feast upon his flesh. For the help of the Humans, I swear from this day on I will never dine or use them as juinti. Today they have earned my respect and my assistance. I will keep my oath, that I swear."
"Good." Maru passed the water to Redu. "My father would welcome you in his land to fight at his side. Xan will fly you to meet the White and Grey. Then on to Lesul where you will join with our father, Lord Lesu."
"Then the White and Grey are real? I thought them nothing more then a old myth."
"I assure you they are as real as you or I." Xan smiled. "And anxious to meet with you."
"I am afraid they will have to wait." Redu dumped what was left in his cup on the ground. "Daru is on the move and far to dangerous. Something must be done about him now and I have an idea."
Maru looked at Xan wondering if he should even trust Redu. Xan shrugged. They had saved Redu but neither know what was on his mind.
"There is no time for doubt." Redu said. "Either you trust me, or you do not. I have sworn my allegiance. Do I have yours?"
Maru looked off into the distance then mumbled something. His eyes cleared and he turned to Redu. "What do you need us to do?"
"Is it possible to make this collar look as if it still work?"
"Yes." Maru said with a curious look. "Lilia said she can reconnect it but make it so you can resist Daru's commands. But why would you want that thing on you for another si?"
"Because Daru has other lords in his power. If I go back, I might be able to free them and fight Daru from within his own walls."
"Other lords?" Maru stopped and looked to Redu anxiously. "Not long ago I rode into Werul and found his house burned, the people gone and his queen and his children dead. Weru was an ally of mine. I did not find his body in the ruins. I had hoped he had made his way out to safety, but he would never have left without his queen and his sons. He must be in the hands of Daru."
"Aye." Redu nodded. "He wears a collar now. He is one of the lords I would return to free if the collar can be repaired."
"That will not work." Xan shook his head. "The si Lilia broke the collar, Daru felt the connection break. He will never allow you to return. Not alone without Magu's warriors."
"He might if he came back with something Daru wanted bad enough." Maru's eyes blazed with an idea. "I think I know just what would do it. We need Ozmun Natan."
Madness reigned all over Pentanthin as Savonti battled against clansmen. From the high lands and in the mountains, through the forest, down to the seas where the Savonti kept their ships for sea travel. Though Lord Cusu and a few others ruled the waves, Humans to had built and stolen ship in hopes of finding somewhere safe away from the Savonti. Armed with blast weapons and armor plating, the Savonti would attack all up and down the coast gathering slaves and raiding each others lands. Daru having collared two sea lords had many ships in his force, all now intent on his orders to crush the Humans once and for all.
As Ono and Shayn stood on the cliff and watched the Savonti load slaves onto their ships, Ono growled deep in his throat. They had been fighting all day against overwhelming odd to fight the Savonti back but things were not looking good.
"We have to stop them." Shayn said ready to leap down in Dragon form. "We can't just let them take them away."
"How?" Ono asked as he pulled him back. "The only way we have to stop something that size is one of you Dragons. If any of you attacks, the ships will be sunk. All the people in them will drown."
"What about Blink?"
"He can't get that many people through shadow." Ono shook his head. "And even if he could get on the ship, half of them would panic and get lost in shadow then Blink would go crazy with grief. We can't risk all those lives."
"Then what do we do?" Shayn asked. "Every one's counting on us to save them. We have to do something."
"We do something the Savonti will have no chance against. We give the people the power to fight back."
"How?" Shayn looked at him nervously.
"Like this."
Ono took a step out and gazed up at the three moons that glowed brightly in the night sky for their power. Ono knew he was the only one who could possibly cast this particular spell and he wasn't sure if it would even work, but he had to try. He bowed his head and reached in deep to gather as much magic as he could. This was going to be his first spell, he prayed he would get it right. He cleared his throat and began to cast.
"BLOOD TO BLOOD, MAN TO BEAST.
CLAN TO CLAN, TO KEEP THE PEACE.
WITH CLAW AND FANG, YOU WILL PROTECT.
HUMAN TO WERE, YOU NOW ACCEPT.
A SAVAGE HEART, IS TAMED BY ALL.
FOR ALL PENTANTHIN, TO STOP THE FALL.
SO HEAR ME NOW, AND MAKE YOUR STAND.
FROM COAST TO COAST, OF WOLF AND MAN."
As Ono spoke the last words of the spell, a brilliant silver light flashed out from the moons and bathed the entire surface of Pentanthin in its light. Shayn hid his eyes from the flash while Ono let the light fill his being with its power. Uncovering his eyes, Shayn stepped out to stand beside his mate.
"Ono, what have you done?"
"I've given the people a fair chance against these monster." His eyes stared up at the moons with a look of satisfaction. "In twenty four hours everything on Pentanthin will be different. They will have the power to fight back. We will have a chance to beat the scaly bastards. We can go home."
"I hope you're right." Shayn reached out and took his hand. "I pray we don't regret this."
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