Something Evil this Way Comes. 70

As Trip left Kordova's cottage, he stopped at the fountain and stared at the ring in his hand. The damned ring of Endrin. How sorry he was that it had ever come into their lives. The whole war at home might not even be happening if it wasn't for this piece of strange magic. He wished he could just take it to the river and toss it in. Leave it here on Pentanthin, but Kordova told him, everything that came to Pentanthin with the Academy, had to leave. She said there was no telling how much trouble this thing might be here in the hands of a Savonti lord if he could get it to work.

Just by touching it, she read some of its horrible past. All the lives and wars that had been fought in the past because someone wanted to control the ring. Because some would be king or mage thought the world should be his to control. The more Trip thought about it, the angrier he became. How many had died so far in Winterhaven because of the ring? How many had Tayor Larin destroyed? Were the Dragons still fighting? And what about Emral and Adanar? Or Aron and Elan? Had they found each other yet?
Trip had no answers to any of these questions, all he knew was that Tabor was here. He had killed Zarin's mother for the ring and he would kill everyone else if that was what he had to do to get it. Trip knew he couldn't let that happen. His friends were his only family and he would protect them with his life. His only chance was to get Tabor himself before the others could stop him. That meant he had to do this all by himself.
[You won't be alone Trip.] Rese sent to him. [No matter where you go, I will always be there to help just like you helped me when we we're prisoners of the Orcs.]
[No.] Trip sent sternly. [I can't let you do that. You might get hurt.]
[How do you plan to stop me?]  Rese asked. [I feel you in my mind. You can shift your form but it doesn't hide you from me. Either I come with you, or I follow you, but I won't let you go alone and a Dragon might be handy.]
Trip knew the young dragon was right. He could feel in his mind exactly where Rese was and their connection. He would follow him if he tried to leave without him. He might as will bring him along, that way he could be sure he was safe.
[You can come.] Trip sent. [But no one else. Don't tell Reno or Thalia, they'll want to come.]
[And Zarin? Don't you think he deserves to know what we're doing?]
[Zarin has enough pain to deal with right now.] Trip slid the ring back into his pocket and started in to the Academy. [If we can take care of Tabor ourselves, we can keep him from doing something we really don't want him to do.]
As Trip entered the common room of the upper class men. Zarin, Dack, Reno, Thalia and Zark stood there waiting for him with an angry look on their faces. Trip stopped when he saw them, then smiled as he joined the group.
"Going somewhere?" Reno asked. He looked so mad there was almost a red glow in his eyes.
"Just to meet Rese for dinner." Trip tried to walk around them without looking up into any ones eyes.
"Cut it Trip." Zarin stepped in front of him. "Your right, we are your family and we heard everything."
"Did you really think I wouldn't know what was in your head?" Reno looked Trip dead in his eyes. "After all these years, home and my parents. Did you really think I wouldn't know what you were thinking?"
"Reno,  Zarin." Trip started. "I wasn't trying to.."
"To what?" Dack asked. "To fight Tabor just you and Rese? After all he's done to us you should know better.! I can't believe you would let Rese anywhere near him. Especially with the ring there in your pocket. He could spell you both and have a Dragon in his pocket and the ring. What were you thinking?"
"I was thinking of killing him and getting us all home!!" He screamed as he burst into tears. "I was thinking of making Winterhaven safe for the Academy to go home too! I was thinking of all of you!! That's what I was thinking! That's all I want! To go home!!"
"We are going home Trip." Thalia wrapped her arms around him to quiet him. "We promise you that. But we have to work together to do that, all of us. That's the only way we're going to get home."
"She's right." Zarin put a hand on Trip's shoulder to comfort him. "We fight together like we always did. None of us on our own. Is that OK with you?"
"Yeah." Trip smiled. "I get it."
 "Then how about we figure out someway to catch that bastard so we can go home."  Zarin smiled as he pulled Trip along as the headed into the outer doors of the dining hall. "Now who's hungry?"

It was mid afternoon and refugees from Refuge were still slowly making there way in through the gates of the Academy. Capt Testa and Jovan stood watching at the gate as Bella welcomed the new arrivals. Men, women and children came in carrying the few meager items they had grabbed before they could escape the walls of Refuge. Some pulled small goat like animals they had found wandering in the forest while a few actually came in riding trackers. Any and all livestock found now would be useful both for fighting and to feed the hungry clan while they were at the Academy.
As Bella watched, a beautiful woman dressed in a plain dress with clan markings he didn't recognise came towards him. Bella looked closer at the pattern on the sleeves of her dress. It looked like the markings from a mountain clan. There were peak symbols they usually used but Bella had never seen markings like this before. Maybe she was from a clan he hadn't seen before. But if so, then where were the others from her clan? Could she be the only one that had survived? Bella wasn't sure, but there was one way to find out.
As she came closer, she turned to Bella and smiled an awkward smile. Bella gave her a quick nod as she moved on. Then a young hunter from Refuge came in from behind her. His name was Loren Drenna. Bella had last seen him fighting on the walls of Refuge.
"Nazun Loren." He reached out and grasped his forearm. "I'm glad you made it here."
"Aye." He said scratching his head. "It was tough for a while. The Savonti gave chase but we lost them in the forest. They were to busy enjoying there fucking catch. Stazs!"
"That they are." Bella agreed. "Are you sure none followed."
"Yes. Me and my warriors stayed two miles in the rear. No one followed us."
"What about her?" Bella pointed to the handsome maiden. "Do you know here?"
"No." Loren shook his head. "She was a part of the crowd we kept pushing in front of us."
"Was she from Refuge?"
"I don't know." He looked at Bells strangely. "Is something wrong?"
"I'm not sure.

After heading north from the last house he had raided. Magu stopped his troops in an old Nevac cave and locked his prisoners down. He had one more stop to make before he return to Darul. Rumor had it that somewhere near the lake outside, a Savonti house could be found. That meant he had the chance to take one more lord. After locking away his prisoners, he gathered his warriors and went out to search the shores and banks of the lake.
Meanwhile in the cave, the prisoners sat and waited for their captor to return. In the cave, three ex Savonti lords sat and stared at each other.
Getting to his feet, one went and checked that door the held them prisoner. He shook and rattled the door then kicked at it.
"It is no use." A lord sitting on the other side said. "That door has been blocked. With our powers sapped, we are to weak.""
"I could if it was not for this thing around my neck!" He kicked again at the door then stared at it straining to use his power. "Nothing!"
"Calm yourself." The seated warrior said. "Do not waste your time. The power will not work. Not for any of us."
"Who are you?" The standing lord asked.
"I am Weru." He said. "I hail from far to the west of here. You?"
"I am Buku." He snarled. "My land is no more. They came during the night out of the sky. A horde of winged warriors dove on my house with no warning at all. They surprised my night guards and slipped in while we slept. When I woke, there was a warrior over me with a sword at my throat and the collar in his hand. They executed all of my warriors damn them."
"The same for me." Came from a lord by the far wall. A Savonti with bluish scales."I am Tibu, my land is now being ruled by one of our captors. I must escape these walls. Do you know who it was that attacked us? I would have my revenge."
"I know who attack." Weru said. "We head for the slave pens of Darul."
"The Mind lord is behind this treachery?" Buku kicked again at the door. "I should have guessed. His desire to be Overlord of Pentanthin will be the ruin of us all."
"Overlord?" Buku looked at Weru. "What is this word?"
"Daru wants to be lord over all of Pentantin." Weru explained. "No lord in each land. He wishes us all to be his lieutenants. Underlings with him as the one lord, one Pentanthin."
"And others have agreed to this?" Tibu was shocked. He couldn't believe any other lord would accept this.
"They agree or they wear a collar and become slave like us." Weru stood to speak face to face with the other lords.
"You knew of this plan?"  Tibu asked.
"I had heard rumblings." He said. "Talk of lords that had suddenly disappeared after a meeting Daru held not long ago. Lords that didn't agree with him."
"Why were we not told?" Tibu asked. "If I had known, I would have had much stronger watches. I would have had better protection in place."
"Against a lord that reads minds and can make you think whatever he wants you to think? I do not think it would have made much difference."
"Have a care Weru." Buku stormed. "Without this collar, my mind may be just as strong as his."
"Then perhaps we need to find a way to get that collar off. You may be our way to freedom."
Just then they heard the sound of something heavy being moved outside the door. Tibu and Buku hurried to the door. The plan was to force open the door and attack the warriors on the other side. If they could get their weapons, there would be a fighting chance at getting their freedom.
With Tibu on one side and Buku on the other, the door was slowly pulled open. Just as they were about to spring into action, Magu stepped in through the door.
"DO NOT MOVE."
No matter how hard Tibu and Buku tried, no matter how much they strained. None of the three lords could move a muscle. It was as if a great hand had reached out and was holding them in place. They were paralyzed.
Magu stepped in and stood laughing at the three powerless Savonti lords as they struggled to get free.
"Fight all you want." Magu said. "All you do is provide more power for the collar to use against you. Now get back against the wall and on your knees."
Moving one foot after the other, the three lurched their way to the cave wall then got down on their knees facing Magu.
"Enjoy this moment underling." A warning launched out from Weru. "Your lord has us in his power for now, but that will not last forever. I swear to you we will be free and when we are, I will personally rip the wings from your back and beat you to death with them."
"You can make all the threats you want Wer." Magu used his pre lord name to show disrespect. "But you should know, it only takes a order from Daru or me and the collar you wear will kill you. Remember that weak one. Now, welcome a new member to your ranks. This is the once proud Lexu, ex lord of Lexul. Make him feel at home."
Like a used rag, Lexu was tossed in to the dirty ground where he struggled to rise and look at the others in the cave chamber.
"We will be moving out within the frame." Magu turned to leave. "Be ready."
As Magu left and the door slammed close, Lexu got to his feet. Lexu was short for a Savonti. He had bruises all over his body and toad like face. All along his arms and back, sharp quills stuck out making him look even more dangerous.
"Where am I?" He asked. "My home has been destroyed. Who is responsible for this outrage!!"
"We have much to explain to you Lexu." Weru waved him towards a place where he could sit down." Rest and I will tell you all you need to know. Have any of you ever heard of Lord Maru?"

As Trela moved closer to the gates of the Academy, three humans stepped out from inside the gate. Two men and what looked to Trela like a elderly woman with a heavy veil over her face. As she came closer she watched as they greeted each person that passed by them. Trela wasn't worried. She thought there was no way they could see threw the illusion her mind was broadcasting out.
Pulling her cloak tighter around her she walked on. One more person to go. She looked up at the two men. they were both strange looking humans. One was taller. He had long white hair hair and strange looking pointed ears. He was dressed all in a tanish leather pants and tunic. The other was almost the complete opposite. He had pale skin but dark hair and eyes. His lips were redder then the taller man and there was a scar on his face. These humans were a strange lot. She wondered were they had come from.
As Trela stepped up to the taller man he smiled in greeting. She did a quick nod and moved on to the veiled woman.
"Nazun Queen Trela." She said. "What could brings Lord Daru's queen here to our home?"
Trela jumped when her name was spoken. It wasn't possible. How could this blind thing see though her disguise?
"Blind though I am, I can see many thing." She smiled. "Cutter, Azeal, May I present to you the queen of Darul. Lady Trela."
"A Savonti queen?" Cutter bowed to her. "I see a hazy about you. I wasn't sure what it was. We are honored Lady."
As Trela opened her mouth to speak, clan warriors came running from all over the courtyard. Bella was the first to arrive. With sword in hand he stepped up beside Lady Kordova to confront Queen Trela.
"What do you want here?" Bella's eyes blazed with anger as he spoke.
Trela had to think fast. She hoped the blind woman couldn't pry into her mind for answers. If she could, all would be lost.
"I only wish a place of safety." Trela pushed back her hood and let go of her illusion revealing her true face and the yellow crest on her neck to everyone there. "I have escaped from the madness of Lord Daru and his insane war. I only wish peace.'
"Then why were you disguised?" Azeal asked.
"For my own safety." She said. "I have traveled a long way with humans that would have killed me if they knew who I was. I had no guard, no weapons. My illusion was my only shield and protection.'
"You are Savonti." Someone called from the crowd. "You shouldn't be here!'"
As Bella looked around, the crowd began to grow. People were coming out of tents, and a few of the outer academy buildings. Suddenly they were everywhere. He noticed most of them were armed. They had to find someway to calm the crowd before they did something rash. They were beginning to shout threats at the queen.
"Cutter." Bella nudged the elf. "This could get out of hand. Do something!"
"I hear you."  Cutter stepped out and raising his hand to calm the crowd. Using his fear powers he began broadcasting a calming feeling to everyone. "Everyone be calm. Every thing's going to be OK. Just go on with your day. We'll take care of this."
As Cutter talked, the tension in the crowd began to lessen and all the shouting stopped. Trela looked at the crowd amazed at how they had gone from the level of a crazed mob to such calmness. It had to be the white haired one that had calmed them. What power these humans had. No wonder Daru feared them so much. But that didn't impress Trela. She had seen strong lords fall never to rise again. All she needed was to be in the right place at the right time and she could come out on top of this. She could be even higher then any lord had ever been. But for now, she had to find the ring Locu had sent her for. And one of these humans had it.
"Come with us." The pale boy held out his hand. "Someone needs to see you right away."
Trela nodded and smiled that devious Savonti smile and let them lead her off towards the great house. Stepping in behind them, Cutter took Lilia by the hand and led her back in to the academy building. As they touched, Lilia sent out to him.
[Cutter, can you feel her mind?]
[I feel her fear.] He sent. [I don't quite understand it. The Savonti mind is so strange to me.]
[Can you reads why she is here?]
[I can't tell truth from lies with the Savonti.] He told her. [Her mind is different then Xan and Mar's. There's no honor in her. I don't think we can trust anything she says.]
[My thoughts exactly.] Lilia squeezed Cutter's hand. [For now we will let Shayn and Ono question her and see what happens. But I do know one thing.]
[What's that?]
[She lies.]

It was late and the last sun had just sank over the mountains when Lord Memu arrived back at the gates of his new home. He had been out all day searching the forest and lowlands for the humans that had escaped when he attacked and took back Lord Fedru's old house. His trip had been tiresome and without any luck. His tracker had somehow lost the human scent less then a mile away. He had been checking old camps and caves all day. Now he was back home, hungry and angry.
As he stopped at the entrance he signaled for the gate to be opened and ponder exactly what had gone wrong during the attack on Fedrul. Where had all the humans gone and how had they gotten out of the walls. His warriors had the house surrounded and had just broken through the walls, there should have been a short battle then a easy round up of new slaves, but that's not what happened. Instead, strange flying beast attacked with men on their backs. Beast that blast lightning and explosive blast just like a lord would in an attack. As Memu thought about it, he guessed it must have been the humans responsible for the blast. Beast couldn't possibly have such power or intelligence. He was surprised humans had such power but he had heard stories about powerful humans in the past. It was possible. But that didn't explain how in one unit they were fighting to keep  the Savonti out, and in the next, they were gone leaving only a few dead bodies behind. There was more to these simple humans then Loc and Daru were telling him.
As the gate opened, Memu kicked his tracker into a slow walk saluting his warriors at the gate as he passed. Repairs on the walls they had knocked down had been started and soon the house would be completely secure again. At the entrance to his new house, Memu climbed down from his tracker and handed the reins to a warrior who would take it to be fed and watered. His lieutenant Rev stood at the entrance and gave him the usual chest slam salute.
"Report." Memu said as Rev stepped in line to follow him into the house. "The search parties I sent out. They found the humans, correct?"
"No my lord." Rev  stuttered. "None of them have come back."
"WHAT?" Memu turned to face Rev red eyed. "Are all my warriors incompetent fool! Can any of you follow simple orders!"
"My apologies Lord Memu." Rev bowed and looked away scared Memu would crush him with his mind. "Perhaps they will return within the frame."
Just as Memu opened his mouth to scold the warrior, a call came from the gate. There was a visitor waiting outside to see Lord Memu.
With a frown and a nod to Rev which broke his neck, Memu turned back and headed for the gate. Climbing the stairs, Memu pushed a warrior out of his way and peered out to see his brother Loc standing there dressed in the purple fitted armor of a lord. With him stood two warriors dressed in the same in same color only warrior style.
"You have returned brother.' He shouted. "And dressed as a lord. By what right do you claim that armor?"
"By the rights of my lordly powers I claim the right." He called. His voice was bold, different then it had been. It vibrated with power. "I have news for you Brother."
"Lordly powers?" Memu leaned of the railing of the gate doubting him."You will prove these powers you speak of or I will take your armor and fed your body to my tracker for dinner."
"Very well." Locu smiled. "If you insist."
Locu stared at the gate guards then cleared his throat. "OPEN THE GATE NOW!"
Suddenly as if they were in some strange trance, the guards jumped up and hurried to open the gate. Memu watched in shock as Locu rode his tracker in then dismounted and looked up at his surprised  brother.
"You want more proof?" He turned to the warrior standing a top the gate. "JUMP!"
"Yes my lord." The warrior dropped his staff and dived off the wall and crashed to his death at Locu's feet.
"Nazun Lord Locu." Memu slowly walked down the stairs to where his brother stood. "I am impressed. I see your dreams have come true,"
"Yes brother." Locu climbed down off his tracker and gave the reins over to one of his warriors. "Pentanthin will soon be ours as I always promised you."
"Do not think me a fool brother. I know you will never share anything with me. You never could, even as hatching's. I allow you back in my house now but you will not be staying. Say what it is you have come to say."
"Very well." Locu shrugged. "Your warriors are dead. Killed by Daru and the Humans. I do know where they are if you will permit me to lead you to them. Then we can crush them together."
"An alliance?"
"A brotherhood." He said. "Your warriors, my knowledge and powers. We will be invincible. Neither Daru or the humans will stand before us."
"I will agree for now." Memu rubbed his chin and narrowed his eyes at Locu. "When shall we attack?"
"At the first frame of the next night." Locu climbed back on his tracker. 'Be ready for my call."
Urging his tracker on, Locu rode out of Memu's compound. As the gates closed, Memu turned back to head into his house to rest.
"I will be ready Brother." He said. "I will be ready for the staff you plan to stab into my back."

It was cold and dark as Sacar sat clinging to the roof of Daru's main audience hall. Magu was back with his prisoners and Daru sat on his high throne as Magu and his warriors led the four ex lord in to be reviewed. Dressed in dirty black ragged robes and chains around their necks, Buku, Weru and Tibu were led in with Lexu being dragged behind. Weru with his head held high stopped in front of Daru.
"You will dread this day Daru." He shouted. With a yank of his chain, Magu dragged Weru to the floor.
"That is no why to address your master!' Magu swung out and smacked Weru across his face. Weru fell back to the floor. He looked up at Magu straining with all his might to blast the flying lord where he stood.
From the throne, Daru smiled slyly
"Your blast will not work." Daru stood and stepped down from the throne. "None of your powers will work unless I order it. You are all my juinti now. Slaves to fight under my command and die if that is my wish. Bring in the others!"
With a nod, a warrior on the other side of the chamber opened the door and two more Savonti in collars were led in. With a gasp,Weru recognised the long missing Lords Resu and Guku. So this is what happened to the powerful lords. Weru wondered if Seru, Redu and Dicu were somewhere here in Daru's collar.
As Resu walked over and stood looking down at Weru, Daru strolled over and walked around them inspecting his group of lordly warriors.
"Soon you all will be out fighting against my enemies." Daru said. "I have begun by destroying and taking your houses from you. I will continue by going against all the other lords until I alone am the High Lord of all of Pentanthin. But first, the humans. They have become to organized and to powerful. It is time I put an end to that old prophesy about the White and Grey. It is time the humans are all finally gathered and put in collars to be the juinti they were born to be."
"Your ambition is going to be your greatest enemy." Weru wiped blood from his mouth as he climbed to his feet. "We will never accept you as our lord. You should kill me now for I will get my freedom and when I do, you will pay."
Magu grabbed him and slammed his fist into his face. Weru spit blood at Magu.
"Beat us all you want." Resu spoke up. "Beat me to death, but it will not change anything. WE WILL BE FREE!!"
Magu grabbed Resu and tossed him to the floor beside Weru and kicked him. The other lords tried to fight back, but they were powerless against the collar they all wore.
Wiping the blood from his hands, Magu went to Daru's throne.
"How do you plan to do that?" Magu asked. "We still have no idea where they hide."
"I know where to find them." Daru said as he returned to his throne. "My armaurk queen has found them."
"Trela?"
"Yes." He nodded. "She thinks she and Loc the hunter have found a way to destroy me. They think I can not see treachery they plan with the human. Foolish! They lead me right to where I want go. And I will lead them to pens with a collar on their neck."
"When do we attack?" Magu was anxious to get even with the humans that tore down his house. "I have a score to settle with the humans.
"Take them to their cells." Daru ordered. "We leave tomorrow for Fedrul to kill the White and Grey."
Magu rapped his staff hard on the floor making a thunderous sound that rang through the entire chamber.With a harsh bark, Magu ordered the lords to turn and head through the door and down to Daru's slave pens in the lower levers of the house. As the echo bounced from wall to wall, something moved high up on the ceiling. Daru jumped to his feet and ordered everyone to stop, be quiet and not to move.
As Magu stood with the slaves wondering what was going on, Daru stepped down and looked up to the ceiling. He focused his mind and scanned the roof moving slowly inch by inch.
"What is it my lord?" Magu asked.
"I SAID QUIET!!"
Even though Magu wore no collar, Daru's order struck him and silenced him. It  paralyzed his vocal cord to the point where he could barely breathe.
Returning to his scan, Daru focused hard on the ceiling. Foot by foot, inch by inch Daru searched. He found baebots and small bat like rodents and many different types of insects. Then out of the cornor of his minds range, something moved. Daru quickly grabbed a staff from one of his warriors and fired. There was a sudden screech and something materialized out of the shadows looking down at the Savonti below.
"NEVAC!!"
Daru raised the staff and fired a quick series of shots as the Nevac tried to scramble away. But now that Daru had seen it, he know it was there and could feel exactly where it was.
Having been discovered, Sacar sent out to Avar who was hiding on a northern wall a quick order.
[GO!] He sent. [FIND THALIA AND ZARIN AND WARN THEM THAT DARU IS COMING.]
[NO!.] Avar sent as he tried to reach Sacar. [WE CAN FIGHT HIM.]
[DO AS I SAY AND GO BEFORE HE FINDS YOU.] Sacar scurried back to the center of the ceiling away from Avar. [GO NOW!]
As Avar hurried down the wall to the exit, he turned back to see how Sacar fared. From below, all the Savonti were now firing at Sacar. He jumped from spot to the next while at the same time, he rubbed his wings together sending bursts of solid pulses of sound down at the Savonti. He hit three warriors before Daru had him corner and hit him with one of his own mind blasts. As Avar watched, he fell fluttering to the floor. Sacar looked and found Avar still there on the wall.
[GO NOW!!] Sacar sent as he waved Avar away.
Swinging his staff around, Daru hit Sacar in his chest plate knocking him back to the floor. Spinning it around, he aimed it straight at Sacar's multi faceted eyes.
"So the Nevac still live." Daru grinned licking his lips. "I find that pleases me. Your people always were the better miner for the Pentanthium then the humans, and I find I still have a taste for Nevac flesh. Tell me, how many survived our hunt?"
[MILLIONS!] Sacar sent calmly. [ YOU THINK YOUR IDIOTIC HUNT HURT US? YOU JUST DROVE US DEEPER DOWN UNDER GROUND WHERE WE LEARNED TO FIGHT AND HATE THE SAVONTI. WE GATHERED OUR PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER PENTANTHIN. WE MADE WEAPONS AND ALLIES. WE KNOW ALL ABOUT THE PROPHESY AND WE REVEL IN IT. WE ARE HERE TO HELP THEM. THE WHITE AND GREY WILL BE THE END OF YOU.]
"I see." Daru waved a trio of warriors over. He pulled back his staff and indicated to Sacar to get up on his feet."Nazun Xiz!."
"Keep your arms and legs held out." He said. "Or I will kill you."
Sacar slowly pushed himself up on to his feet. As he got up, his wings twitched. Daru knew what those wings could do. With a warrior still aiming his staff at Sacar, he walked behind him and grabbed a hold of his wings and ripped them free from his body.
Sacar's scream was heard by every Nevac and telepath for many miles away, that included under and above ground. At the entrance of house Daru, Avar felt the pain as it ripped through Sacar's body. He fell from the wall into a small group of warriors guarding the entrance. As Avar climb to his feet and shook of the pain, he became visible. Shocked the three warriors grabbed for their weapons to attack the Nevac.
After all the pain and Nevac deaths. After seeing his brothers and sister, cousins and hatch mates hunted down almost into extinction, something in the docile Avar snapped. A scream like nothing ever heard from the voiceless Nevac came out of Avar as he attacked the warriors with his slashing set of upper fore claws. Avar stabbed and slashed, ripped and tore into the three warrior like the avenging warrior he now was.
As death claimed the three warrior, two more came running from the manse firing their staffs with great accuracy. Rage burned through Avar as he batted away the blasts with his arms and wings. Pulling swords, the  two Savonti dived into the attack. Razor sharp were edges of the Nevac claws  and stronger then the Pentanthium they lived in. Avar blocked and stabbed at the warriors like he had been a warrior all his life. His  upper two arms were more then a deadly match for the warriors that attacked and in seconds, two more bodies lay at his feet.
As his rage quelled, Avar remembered Sacar and his last orders. Avar wasn't sure if Sacar still lived or not. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't feel his mind at all and that made his order important. Avar wanted to go back in and help but he wouldn't stand a chance against an entire house of Savonti let alone a lord like Daru. His only chance was to do as Sacar said and go and warn the others of what would be soon coming. He spread his wings and launched himself into the sky swearing to return and bring Sacar home or get the revenge he deserved.

It had been a long day for Zarin and all his friends. Trip had found and recovered the Ring of Endrin, Lady Kordova with her Pentanthin magic had somehow made it safe to carry. They no longer had to worry about the strange effects it had on them. Nysa, the sister of Tored and Luke found the spell Tabor had placed on them and severed it's connection. He could no longer control them or spy on what happened in the Academy. Tabor after trying his spell on Zarins mother had murdered her breaking both Zarin and his fathers heart. After escaping the academy, Tabor had run into Zarin deep in the forest and been recognized as the son of Lord Larin, conqueror of Winterhaven.
Now with his friends at his side, Zarin had the task of finding Tabor wherever it was he had gone on Pentanthin. His only chance would be with magic. Tabor was a talented warlock, but Zarin was one of the top students ever to study under Professor Insa. He was smart, inventive and best of all, among friends who would fight at his side. But where was Tabor Larin hiding?
It was late in the afternoon and Zarin and his friends were gathered at their table in the dining hall. Craven and Zark were sharping there weapons while Reno sat with Thalia devouring his dinner. Trip sat with Rese quietly watching the others glad they had talked him out of venturing out by himself while Dack studied a book he had taken earlier from Insa's library.
"So how are we going to find him?" Zarin asked everyone looking from one to the next. "We know he's here somewhere?"
"Yeah." Dack said. "He's here, just not in the academy."
"Well, where could he go?" Tored asked as him and his brother joined the group. "He doesn't know anyone and he can't mix with another clan, they would spot him in a si. He would have to be on his own wherever he is."
"There are a lot of caves out there in the hills where he could hide." Luke added. "All he would have to do is avoid the Savonti which means staying away from Daru's border and anywhere near Refuge. Lord Memu would have watchers watching those old caves."
"What if he's with a Savonti lord?" Reno asked.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at Reno. He looked up at the surprised no one had thought of it before
"Well, there really is no where else he could go." Reno wiped the crumbs from his mouth. "Question is, which one?"
"We only know lord Lesu, Maru and Yaru." Thalia said. "He wouldn't go to any of them, they wouldn't help him."
"Neither would Daru, Memu or any lords we know of." Tored said. Everyone seemed down with no idea who it could be that might help Tabor.
"So no ideas?" Zarin looked at his friends. "Anybody?"
"Excuse me. Maybe I can help." Azeal,Tanis and Gabor came over from the table where they had been talking. "I don't know who might be hiding Tabor, but I have an idea where."
"Go on. Zarin sat down to listen.
"You may not know this but there are several lords who's houses have fallen recently." He explained. "That would be a good place to hide wouldn't it?"
"An abandoned Savonti house?" Tored frowned. "Which one?"
"Well." Azeal sat down with the group. "Redu was raided by Daru. But I think Daru took over his house. Fedru became Refuge then Memul. Shayn and Ono tore down Magu's stack."
"What about Seru?" Gabor reminded them. "It's deep in the swamp cut off from most of the other lords and as far as I know, it's still empty."
"Sounds perfect." Zarin smiled. "Either of you know how to find it?"
"I can guide you there." Azeal stood and pushed his chair in. "But first I think we should fill Shayn in on what you plan just in case. He and Ono will want to know."
"Then let's get moving. Times a wasting."

"So what brings the queen of Darul to our school?" Ono asked as he and Shayn faced Trela who sat with Cutter on one side and Blink on the other.
"I grow sick of all these silly wars." She smiled her tongue flickering out. "Daru attacks Lesu who attacks Nebu and on and on. All I want is somewhere to be safe from all the fighting."
"And you think we can help you find this safety?" Shayn leaned forward to look her in her eyes hoping to see some truth. "Why should we believe you?"
"Why would I lie? "
"To hide why your really here." Bella said as he came into the room. "Daru's manse is the safest place on Pentanthin. I could attack with milloins of clansmen and search for ages and never find where you hide. I know Daru's is the biggest of all Savonti houses. So why are you here? Tell us?"
"Beware the white and grey." She recited. " For they will cause the end of agens of tyranny and enslavement. Their power and courage will doom the high ones and bring freedom to all that suffer and fight with them. The mark of the wolf and dragon will be the sign. Beware the white and grey. Do you think humans are the only one's to have heard the prophesy? These words have been told to me by my hatch and my queen mother since I was first hatched. I know who you are. I have seen it with my own power. My only hope is with you."
After hearing her what she had to say, Bella stepped around the desk to talk to Shayn and Ono privately. Trela watched as they talked and occasionally glanced at her. Would they believe her? She hadn't lied, and she didn't tell them any useful information either. But she would if she had to. She knew all about Daru's plans to gather slave lords as a force to send against his enemies and she and Locu had plans of their own to take that force. But first things first. She had to find a way to get that ring.
The human had told Locu the ring would be in the hands of a young one named Zarin. He would be of medium size with dark hair and grey eyes. He would probably be with a small yellow haired boy and maybe a tall one in brown. He had given Locu a small stone which he said might glow and give off heat when near the ring. She would see if she was allowed out among the people she thought as she clutched the stone in her hand.
As Trela waited, there was a knock at the door. The one called Shayn called out to the person knocking to enter. The door opened and three young humans came in. One she knew was of the Gekko clan. He wore the distinctive design of a sword and an axe, Petar Gekko's sign on his sleeve. Trela assumed since these two had the same features, they were the sons of the old enemy. The next was the pale dark haired one she had seen when she arrived. When he saw her, he smiled exposing his fangs. He had a deadly look about him. Trela nodded and flicked her tongue, something that usually filled most humans with fear but not this one. He simply turned away back to the the others. Last of the three was a tall human with dark hair. His eyes were a shade of grey almost like the tall pointed eared one. He completely ignored her and walked straight to the desk. As they entered, a warm feeling began to radiate from Trela's pocket. With her hand still in there, she stroked the stone feeling its warmth. The Ring was near.
"Zarin, Azeal." Ono sat back with his hands folded in front of him. "We're a little busy here. What is it?"
Zarin! This is the one she was looking for and he has the ring. Now she had to think of some way to get them both away this cursed place.
"We think we know where we can find Tabor."
Ono narrowed his eyes and looked to Shayn and Cutter. Finding Tabor had been left in Zarin's hands since he and his friends had so much experience with the young warlock.
"Are you sure?" Shayn asked. "You know exactly where he is?"
"We have a good idea where he could be." Zarin explained. "The only way to know for sure is to go out and find him. That's why we're here."
"Zarin." Ono stopped him. "We're sorry for what happened to your mother. We loved her very much and feel responsible for what happened. When I look in your fathers eyes I see his pain."
"I feel it everyday." Cutter added nodding
"But that's not.." Zarin started to say.
"Yes it is." Shayn stood. "We want him to pay for all he's done to.Your mother, Dack and Craven's parent, There's a cadet missing that I know Tabor had something to do with. But we can't let you and your friends go running all over after Tabor."
"Why not?" Zarin asked. He could feel himself getting mad. "We can find him."
"Because of them." Ono pointed to Trela. "It's no mistake she's here. The Savonti have found us. We can't let you go chasing after Tabor. It's to dangerous."
"Is this Tabor you speak of a young golden haired human?"
Everyone turned to stare at Trela after her question. Bella moved to stand beside her.
"Why do you ask?"
"I believe I know the one you speak of." She smiled that sly Savonti smile. "I might even know where he is."
"Where?" Zarin jumped from his chair. "Where is he?"
"I could show you."
"Get her out of here!!" Ono demanded. "Put her in the dungeon!!"
As Trela laughed. Blink took her by the arm and pulled her from the room. "Come find me when you are ready to find your enemy. Maybe I can help."
"Ono, No!" Zarin pleaded. "She can help find him!"
"And you would trust her?" Gabor said. "Trela is a queen. Just as evil as any lord. She would lead you right to your death, that is where she would take you!"
"Absolutely not!" Shayn pounded the desk. "I never thought I would sound like my father but I forbid it!! It's to dangerous! The Savonti may soon crash through our gates and you want to go out and march straight into their hands? NOT A CHANCE!!"
"Shayn, Ono." Zarin tried to calm their worries. "Haven't we proved that we can take care of ourselves? We came here all on own own to find you. We've fought Savonti on our own. You have to trust us to do this."
"No." Shayn stood and walked to stand with Zarin. "I'm sorry but I have to get you home safe. Whether you came on your own or not, your our responsibility now. All of you. now, go out and find your father and give him whatever help you and your friends can."
"Yes sir." Zarin turned and went to the door and left the room.
"What do you think?" Ono asked.
"I think we better watch him."

Getting out of the academy wasn't as easy as they thought it would be. Zarin choose Dack and Craven to come with and that didn't sit well with the other. Reno and Thalia screamed at him for an hour. What was on his mind going into the deadly swamp with them at his side? Reno was livid. None of the people Zarin had choose except Craven was really a warrior. He would need muscle at his side when he faces the Savonti. But Zarin insisted they would all be needed here. When they came back, they would need the Academy there and thye school needed all the fighter it could get. Then there was Zark. Zark had sworn his sword to always be at Craven's side. If something happened to Craven, Zark would have failed and he would have to end his own life. But after an hour of talking, Craven had convinced Zark that he would be safe and that his friends would need the Orc's protection.
With Trela in chains, Zarin set out with Azeal in the lewad and Craven and Dack right behind him. The trip through the forest was unevent full. They didn't run into any pf Memu or Daru's warriors

Valor Rising. 69

As the first sun made its way over the horizon of the mountains of Lesul, Xan stood up and went to look out the window. From his cell window he could see the great pit of the Gradyea. It had been cleaned and salted meat had been dumped into the pit to make the worm hungry. Xan could feel the vibrations coming off the walls as the beast thrashed about in pain. Things were moving forward, but Xan wasn't sure how effective he  had been. Was Lesu even hearing what he was saying? His father had always been very proud, savage to his enemies and sadistic, but headstrong. He saw the now like most Savonti but not the future. The question was, could he see what was really happening on Pentanthin? The Savonti were in trouble. Their war like ways, killing and taking over each others land was taking a toll on each house. Queens were not producing powerful lords as often as in the past and young lords were way to eager to have their own lands before they were ready. They were fighting and killing each other in their stupid quarrels. Then there was the Humans. Xan knew they weren't the weak powerless cattle that most Savonti thought they were. They were good proud people with intelligence and the ability to fight back. And they were more organized now then they ever were. Xan had no doubt that if the Savonti didn't change their ways, the prophesy would come true and the Savonti's days on Pentanthin would be numbered.
Xan knew he would have one more chance to talk some sense in to his father. But what could he say? What words could he use that he and his brother hadn't already used to try and convince the powerful lord? Lesu was not stupid. It was his anger that was making him blind to the reason of Xan's words. Well maybe his death would be what Lesu needed to convince him. Or maybe he would have to fight Lesu and get control of Lesul  to start the changes that were needed. But that would mean him getting free, and the only ones that could free him were slaves and a warrior that just might see the light in Xan's words.
[I AM HERE FOR YOU XAN.]
Xan stepped back as the words vibrated through his mind. He looked around his cell seeing no one there. Then he walked to the door of his cell and looked out. All he saw in the hall was the warrior on guard who sneered at him. He shook his head, Was he going mad and hearing things.
[NOT MAD.] The voice said. [I AM HERE FOR YOU AND I WILL SAVE YOU.]
'Who are you?" Xan asked. "Daru? Lady Kordova?"
[I AM FOR YOU.] It said. [WE WILL BE TOGETHER.]
"You can't fool me Mind lord." Xan went back to the center of his cell and sat down cross legged. "Stay out of my mind. I will not help you conquer Lesul, so be gone!"
[WE WILL BE TOGETHER.]

As a lone warrior in the robes of Lesu walked his tracker into a thick stand of trees, he stopped and tied his beast in place. Walking to a small lake, the warrior stopped for a drink. Suddenly the sound of movement caught his attention. He stood and placed a hand to his sword at his side.
"Come out Ketu."
Snickering like an old fool, Ketu slithered his way out to the warrior. "I seem to be losing my touch."
"No."The warrior said. "It was not you I heard, thought I knew you were there. It was your smell. Ketul has many volcanoes, they give off a familiar scent. But worry not, it takes a practiced nose to find it."
"I will have to do something about that."  Ketu moved out to the water a took a drink. "Cool, fresh. Have you made your a decision? Are you ready to take your place as Lord of Gosul?"
"Yes." Gos through back the hood that hid his face. "I am ready. With Xan and Mar outcast, I am the only son of Lesu with the power to be lord once Xan is dead, I will kill the rest of my brothers while you and your warriors dispose of my father as we agreed."
"Does he suspect anything?"
"As usual." Gos folded his arms cross his chest. "Father is blind to all except his hate. Thinks of nothing but Xan and Mar though he says they mean nothing to him. Xan's death will trouble him very much. Now is the time to strike. I will make sure the east gate is unguarded. Have your warriors there and ready. The rest is up to you."
"Indeed it is." Ketu laughed as Gos went back to get his tracker. He climbed on and rode home where today he would his lord and father and put Lesul in the hands of the enemy.

As the stands at the pit filled with Savonti warriors and their females and young, almost every human in the house had been locked in the slave dormitories. Castor had been left in his cell with a young Tark chained at the door to keep him in. Once all the guards had left for the event, Castor took from under his straw a small hunch of meat he had been saving from last night for Rax the Tark that stood guard at his door.
"Here Rax." Castor waved the meat at the Tark as it wagged its tail and padded over. With a quick flip, Castor tossed the meat to the Tark who caught it and laid down to eat. Castor slowly pushed open the door and walked out and knelt beside the little Tark and rubbed its furry neck. "Good boy."
Quietly Castor went to the door and looked  out. The halls were empty, there wasn't a Savonti in sight. Checking his pocket, Castor made sure the key he had made was still there. Then slowly he stepped out the door and was headed up to Gos's chamber where he would find Alin waiting locked in.
Moving slowly and carefully, Castor made his way to the next floor up to the quarters of the sons of Lesu. So far he hadn't run into any Savonti. Being that Xan was a son of Lesu, Castor knew the whole house would attend leaving all the halls and chambers unguarded. The weapons locker out by the front gate would be their target. If Castor and Alin could get enough weapons, they might be able to help get Xan free. But they would have to move fast. They would have to attack before Xan was thrown into the pit.
Entering Gos apartment, Castor made a left and ran to the cage in the corner of the room.
"Alin?" He called. "You ready?"
Yeah, get me out of here."
Pulling the bone key from his pocket, Castor slid it into the keyhole. He had to be very careful as he turn not to snap the bone in the lock. Turning carefully, the lock clicked. The door was open, Castor pulled the lock from the latch. With a sigh, Castor pulled open the door and let his cousin out.
"Where to" Alin asked as if he didn't know.
""Nothings changed." Castor said. "We have to get Xan free."
"You know we won't make it, right?"
"He's our only chance." Castor nodded. "I really believe he will get us out of here."
"And if your wrong? What then?"
"Then I'm sorry I got you into this. Go back to your cage if you want. I'm going on."
Castor turned and headed for the door.
"Wait for me."
It took them less then thirty units to make it to the east gate and they didn't run into any Savonti on the way. Castor expected most of the house to be at the execution, but he wasn't expecting the gates to be unguarded. There should still be guards here watching for an attack. Something wasn't right here. Further up the corridor they found the weapons chamber and it was unlocked already. Castor looked at Alin with a worried look. He signaled him to stay there and ducked around the corner into the chamber. There on the floor he found two dead warriors. They had strange burn marks in there chest with smoke rising from the wounds. These were not marks made by staff weapons. Something else did this. Just then he heard movement coming from the next chamber. Quickly he ducked behind a rack of weapons and waved Alin away to hide himself. As Castor hid, six Ketul warriors came slithering out of the chamber all of them armed.
In the lead clad in gold, Ketu slid his way out of the chamber.
"All goes well." He said. "By now, Gos should have killed his brothers and be making his way down to bring the Armauk one out for execution. Lesu will be in his box waiting. That is where we strike. Once Lesu is dead, we kill Gos and Lesul is ours. Follow me."
Once Ketu was gone, Alin ran in.
"Did you hear that?" Lesu is being invaded. We should go now!"
"No!" Castor ran and grabbed an arm full of weapon and pushed them into Alin's hands.
"Take this." He put the key into Alin pocket. "Free and arm as many as you can and get them out of the house."
"What are you going to do?" Now Alin was really scared.
"I still have to get to Xan." He explain. "You go. Get our families out before the Savonti have time to notice."
[XAN WILL BE SAFE WITH ME.]
Again Castor heard the voice from that thing he dropped at the pit. He hoped it was right because it looked like Castor wasn't going to get down to the pit. He had something else to do. Something that might be more important then Xan.
"But Castor!"
"Go! Now Alin!"
Nodding tearfully, Alin carried the bundle of weapons and ran off back the way they had come.
With a staff in his hand, Castor steadied himself and headed after the Ketul warriors. He couldn't believe what he was about to do.

With a grim look in his eyes, Gos rode his tracker into the pens of house Lesu. He led it to its stall, put out feed, then left waving to the stable master. His was going to be a busy day. With the help of Lord Ketu, today he would be lord of this house finally. His task now was to get rid of any opposition that could stand in his way. That meant his brothers Por and Ler would have to die before the time came when they're power would develop and they became rivals.
House Lesu was quiet today. Many warriors had been coming in from hunting and any other duties Lord Lesu had assigned them to just to see the execution. Even a few from neighboring lands were in attendance. But no lords. Lesu would abide no one, not even lords he considered allies to be there to see his son put to death. It was pride Gos supposed. Pride in his house and family. Fine, Gos thought. Then let his pride be the end of him.
From the stable, Gos walked the halls of the house greeting warriors and reminding them to be at the pits as his father had command. Xan's punishment was for all of Lesul to see and witness. He moved from floor to floor and chamber to chamber until he came to the apartments of his younger brothers.
Pushing through the doors, Gos entered and found his two brothers Por and Ler lounging in sand pits cavorting with slaves they had chained down. Human men and women who were pale , frightened and broken by the use of the two cruel brothers.
"Nazun brother." Gos greeted them. "Finish with your games. The time has come for the sons of Lesu to get their due."
"You mean Xan, brother?" Por stood kicking out at a body in his way. "Today he pays for his betrayal."
"Indeed." Ler chucked. "To bad Mar is not standing at his side. I would enjoy seeing both armauk's die together."
"I mean all of Lesu's sons." Gos's eyes began to glow a bright red as he cast out the pain stare into his brothers bodies. Por and Ler fell down into the sand screaming in pain as Gos pulled his sword and advanced on them. Pulling at the chains, the two Humans left alive tried in vain to rip away the chain that held them there, but they were to strong. All they could do was watch as their death approached. With two quick swings, the humans died screaming. Then Gos turned to his brothers.
"Why Gos?" Por tried to get to his feet but he was to weak from Gos's pain stare. "What have we done?  Why must we die?"
"Because there is only room for one in Lesu." Gos stabbed down sending his sword into Por's head. "And that lord will be me and no one else!"
Sliding the sword out of Por's skull, Gos slashed out at Ler slamming his blade into his chest, splitting it open exposing his still beating heart. As he lay there in the bloody sands, Gos stomped down on the heart, grinding it into pulp.
"Today will be the first day of Gosu!" He raised his sword over his head. "Lord of Pain!!"

It had taken Pac all night and many bribes but at last he had done it. He had found warriors that had fought for ages at Mar's side and convinced them that he hadn't betrayed them. He and Xan had been working all long on a way to finally bring peace to the Savonti. It wouldn't be easy and there would have to be many sacrifices, but with help from many different areas around Pentanthin, it could be done. The Savonti can live and thrive beyond the old prophesy. Of course there were doubts. Fears that the White and Gray couldn't be trusted. But both Mar and Xan could be trusted and neither one of the were fools. If they believed, then Pac could believe too.
After arming themselves, Pac and four other warriors made their way to Lesul's high prison cells were Xan would be kept. After a short fight, they had subdued the guards and were at Xan's door ready to release him. They never expected what would come next.
"Xan!" Pac put the key into his door and swung it open. "It is time for you to be out of Lesu. Come quickly, we'll have you away before Lesu even knows your gone."
Surprised at his fortune, Xan stood and went and gripped Pac's arm in respect. But escape wasn't in his plans.
"I thank you Pac and all who stand at my side." He said. "But escape will not help us free the rest of our brothers. I must stay and fight."
"You are mad!" Pac threw his hands up in desperation. "We have ten warriors, no more. There is no way we can stand against the forces of Lord Lesu. They will slaughter us!!"
"Maybe." Xan smiled. "But my father must hear what must be said. Then if there is to be a fight, it will be between me and him."
"If that is your final word." Pac placed a hand on Xan's shoulder. "We will stand with you. What do you want us to do?"
"Take me to the pit, just as it should be."
"And then?" Pac wasn't sure he liked this idea at all.
"Then Pentanthin will take care of the rest." Xan opened the door and stepped out. "Trust Pentanthin. It will save us."

Every member of the house of Lesu had crammed themselves into the stands around the Gradyea pit. So far four other warriors had been sent in to fight with the loser been devoured by the hungry worm. With each meal the worms enjoyed, the sands shook from its raging hunger. It would take many more victims to relieve it's salt caused appetite.
In the hall to the pit's, Xan waited as Pac unlocked his chains from behind. Pulling a small knife sized stun weapon from inside his tunic, Pac quiet passed it to Xan to hide for his protection.
"Are you certain this is the way it must be?"
"I am sure." Xan nodded. "Honor dictates we give father a chance. If he refuses, we do what we have to."
"Very well."
As the crowd cheered another warriors victory, his wounded opponent was kicked over the edge to side down screaming into the gaping jaws below. Then the order was called for the main event. The call was made for Xan to enter and face his death.
"Loyal warriors of Lesul!" A familiar voice called quieting the cheering crowd. "I bring to you for judgement and punishment the Armaurk son of our Lord Lesu. Once he was a favorite of Lesu, but for his treachery and disobedience against our lord and his house, he will die in the belly of the Gradyea with no chance at battle to save himself, I give you the traitor Xan!! Bring out the Gradyeas last meal!!"
With staffs at their sides, Pac and his four warriors marched Xan out onto the sand to stand at the edger and face Lord Lesu who watched from his private box. Standing at his side, Gos sneered down at his helpless brother.
"Xan my brother." He shouted. "You have been found unworthy to be a warrior and the son of Lesu. death is the sentence!"
"I would speak to my father one last time." Xan called out.
Gos started to deny Xan's request when Lesu stopped him.
"Let him speak,"
"Father." Xan bowed his head. "These are difficult times we live in. War rages from land to land. From house to house. The enemy is ever at our gates ready to attack. My brother and I are proud to call you father and never meant to disobey you, but in the name of peace and continuation of the Savonti people, we have. Our ways must change if we are to survive much longer on Pentanthin. Only by accepting all intelligent beings here can we hope to go on. I give you one last chance to be the great lord I always thought you to be. Bring peace to Lesul. Help us bring peace to Pentanthin. It is our only hope."
"The Savonti have ruled Pentanthin for hundreds of agens." Lesu stood and stepped forward to the raid. "Nothing will ever change that. No human or prophesy can change that. Not now, not ever!!"
"Then you leave me no choice." Bringing his hands up in front of him, Xan pulled at the chains and snapped them in two. From inside his tunic, he pulled out his weapon and sent the first blast into the stands where Lesu sat knocking one of his guards back to the floor. "FOR FREEDOM!!"
At that moment Pac and his warriors started firing on the guards all around them. Warriors rushed out from each side to defend their lord and the battle began.
With a blaster in one hand and a sword in the other and Pac at his side, Xan fought on against unbeatable odds. Slashing left then right, blasting one after the other he trying to get to the stands where he could then battle Lesu himself.
Out of no where a kick hit him in the knees and he went down, As he tried to get up, another kick hit him in the jaw and he felt himself being pushed over the edge of the Gradyea pit. Xan reaching out to grab something and pull himself up. he felt a smooth round object roll into his arms as he fell.
[NOW WE ARE TOGETHER.]
"What?" Xan muttered as he rolled closer to the mouth of the sand pit holding the warm orb. "Who speaks?"
[I AM VALOR. I AM HERE TO BECOME ONE WITH YOU AND HELP SAVE PENTANTHIN. BUT ONLY IF YOU ACCEPT ME. DO YOU ACCEPT ME?]
"If it can help Pentanthin, yes I accept!"
At that moment. Xan and the orb fell into the pit of the Gradyea.

Getting up from his throne, Lesu watched as his son fell into the pit. He smiled as he turned to leave the viewing box.
"Now so fast!"
Suddenly a bolt came from behind the curtains and struck him in his chest. Lesu fell back in pain and scramble to get to his feet. Standing by the door, Gos looked down on his father and laughed
"It is your turn now father!"
Just then, Ketu stepped from behind the curtain and aimed his staff at Lesu. With a hiss and a tongue that slid out and flickered in the air, Ketu put a finger to the trigger.
"Greetings my enemy."
"What is the meaning of this!" Lesu screamed. "Gos, you?"
"Yes me father!" He laughed. "Mar and Xan were never armaurk! I was! I betrayed you, not them. And now I will be the lord of the house!"
"I am afraid not." Ketu turned his staff on Gos. "Never trust an enemy. Not even for a si."
"But you agreed!" Gos stepped back holding his hands out. "I will rule Gosu!"
"This will be Ketul now." He laughed. "I thank you for your help."
As Gos's eyes began to turn red, Ketu fired his staff and sent a blast straight at his head. Gos head explode and he fell back over the rail and on to the sandy floor of the arena. With Gos dead, Ketu turned back to Lesu.
"Navun Lord Lesu!"
Just then, three quick staff blast hit Ketu in his back. He spun around to see a young human standing there aiming his staff at him. As he tried to reach for the boy, Castor fired one more time blowing a hole through Ketu's chest. Ketu fell dead to the floor.
"You!" Lesu stared at Castor in shock. "You saved me?"
"I did."  Castor threw the staff down at Lesu's feet. "Your slave saved you. Now I hope I never see you again."
Castor turned to walked out of the stand.
"Stop Human!" Castor stopped and turned to look at the Savonti lord. "Do not move. I would speak with you to understand what you have done. Stay right there."
As Lesu bent over and picked up the staff, the ground  began to shake. Dirt, dust and parts of the body of a dead Gradyea flew up from the mouth of the sand pit. Then suddenly a great roar came bellowing out from the pit as a huge winged creature came fly out with flames blasting from it's mouth.
[VALOR IS BORN!!!]
As Valor rose, staff weapons were fired as him. Again and again he was hit only to adsorb the energy and send it right back at the warrior. Wave after wave of warrior came at him. With swing of his tail, he batted them back.
Landing in the sand pit, Valor stood staring down at Pac and his warriors. As Pac raised his weapon, Valor sent out to him.
[Hold warrior. It is I, Xan.]
"Xan?" Pac blinked and rubbed his eyes. "How? what?"
[I told you Pentanthin would save us.]
As he turned back to the viewing stand, Xan shifted back to his Savonti form, but now instead of the harness and tunic, he wore gold leather armor and sandals that strapped up his legs. As he walked out to the viewing box, Lesu stared at him unsure of what to do. He looked at the staff in his hand and dropped it to the floor.
"Xan? Is that you?"
"Yes father." He called to him. "You must listen to me now. Things must change, or else."
"I will hear what you have to say." He looked back at Castor who stood waiting as he had been told. "Many things have happened today that I do not understand. It is time I listen for a change."
"If you will listen." Xan said proudly. "Then maybe there is a chance for us."

As Daru sat staring into a dark pool in his quarters he watched as Xan was led out to stand before his father at the worm pit. He heard Xan plead with his father for a change in the way he ruled his house, the saw Xan and his warriors attack Lesu. He watched with interest as the battle raged and Xan fell into the pit. Daru with the power of his mind watched as Gos betrayed his father and was killed as his reward by the treachery of the hooded Lord Ketu who died at the hands of one of Lesu's slaves. Then with amazement that creature came flying out from the pit and somehow became the fallen son Xan. Such power the beast possessed. Xan now definitely had the power to be a great lord. If Daru could get abilities like this, thing on Pentanthin would be able to stand in his way. It was to bad the fool's mind was twisted by the Humans to their side. He could make a powerful ally or slave if Daru could get a collar on him.
But now with Xan and Lesu against him, Daru would have to move carefully if he hoped to defeat them. He would need more power on his side. He would have to call on Lords from far off lands and rally them to his side. And then there was the young Human that had come to him promising help. He seemed to have power and knowledge Daru could use.
Getting up from his throne, Daru made his way through his house to a balcony on the top floor, He stood at the rail and cast his thoughts out searching for the Sky Lord Magu and the legion he had sent out with him.
[Hear me Sky Lord. How goes your hunt?]
[My Lord.] Came in answer. [We have invaded and conquered for you the lands of three lords. Buku who has the power to move things with his mind. Weru who commands energy through his hands and Tibu a cold lord with power over ice. We bring them back now collared and in chains.]
[And what of their house?] Daru asked. [Who rules there?]
[You do my lord.] Magu sent. [All their sons have been put to death and one of your lieutenants sits on the throne in their halls. I have ordered that each house get ready to move on a moments notice. All we wait for is for you to sent the command to march.]
[You have done well Magu.] Daru now had all the power he needed to put an end to the humans. [All that remains is for us to locate the stronghold of the Humans so we can crush them under our feet. Tell me, did you find any of the Gekko's while you were out there?]
[I am afraid not. I sent out two parties but none of them have returned. I will send another if that is my lords wish.]
[No.] The Mind lord sent. [There is another that can provide the information. Bring my slaves to me, we have an attack to plan.]
[Yes my lord.]
It was time to find the armaurk human Tabor and either give him what he wants, or put a collar on him so he bends to the Mind lords will.

Night Hunters. 68

These were dark days in the forest, jungles and plains of Pentanthin. The shortly inhibited home of the Gekko clan was again ruled by a Savonti lord. Memu had come in with his warriors after a long trek and surprised the Human's before they could organize and defend Fedru's old house. The cages and slave quarters of Memu were now bursting to overflow and the warriors were eating well this night. Slaves both men and women suffered long hours of abuse in dark pleasure tents while the new lord of the land stood on the outer walls and watched the forest for hours wondering where his renegade brother Loc was and who it would be that would strike next against him.
Memu knew his newly acquired land was very close to those of Daru, the mind lord. He also knew from his last meeting with him that Daru was searching for the old human threat that long ago had been prophesied. Like Daru, Memu thought the prophesy to be very possible. In his raid on Ferdul, he had seen many things that proved the possibility that Human's were not just weak defenseless animals. He had seen the strange creatures that fought for the Humans during the battle. The three creatures in the night sky that none of his warriors were able to bring down with even their strongest weapons. One fought with the lightning from the sky while another moved so fast his sound was explosive. Such wondrous beast Memu thought. He could rule over all of Pentanthin with the power of just one such animal and the Humans had at least three on their side. But there were ways to convince or force powerful beings into doing what the Savonti wanted them to do. All he had to do was find them and use one of Daru's slave collars and there power would be his.
As Memu looked out into the jungle, something screamed sending a shrill sound echoing through the trees. It didn't sound like any animal Memu had ever heard before, but it had come from the jungle where many of the cattle had escaped to. Staring into the darkness a thought occurred to Memu. Where had the Humans gone? He had sent hunters and trackers out to find them and they had come back empty handed. The closest hills outside of Fedru would be in Darul where Magu and his sky warriors did constant patrols. Memu had heard nothing from his spies saying they had been caught there, so where had they gone? Could there be hills or caves out there somewhere that Memu didn't know about? That was possible but the trackers would have found their trails and found something, a small one lost in the jungles, an old one that couldn't keep up. Something should have been found unless somehow, they were still here in Fedru deep in the darkness somewhere under some unknown protection.
Casting out with his force shield, Memu created a small platform and took a step out from the wall and walked down a set of invisible stairs. As he reached the ground he called out to a warrior stationed at the gate.
"I want four teams of ten ready to search the jungle in one frame." Memu ordered as he turned to head to his new quarters.
"My lord." The warrior called. "What are we searching for?"
"Humans." He climbed onto his tracker. "And something called magic."

Everything in the Academy right now was in chaos. The wounded were laid out all through the halls on each floor with many cadets serving as healers assistants. Bandages were being made and salves applied as Macan and his staff worked feverishly. Broke bones were set and the most highly trained of all the healers were in something called surgery on the most desperately wounds. Shayn went from bed to bed healing magically as many as he could, but he like the rest of the magical healers was exhausted and could only help so many. Many had died today fighting the Savonti and everyone one was in mourning.
As Reno, Tored and Thaila finished helping out with the wounded they made there way to the dining hall where they took sometime to get something to eat. As they entered, They found Nysa and Luke there with Craven and Zark in a corner in hushed conversation.
"What trouble are we getting into now?" Reno asked as he set his tray down and sat down to eat. "Can it wait? I haven't eaten all day."
"We're waiting for Zarin and Dack." Craven told them. "They're in a meeting with Ono and Cutter."
"Talking about Tabor no doubt." Thalia sat down sipping her glass of blood. "Yeah we heard all and what happened. To bad you couldn't catch him. Where's Trip?"
"With Zarin discussing what we should do with the ring." Cravan told them. "I hope he just gives it over to Cutter so we're done with it. It creeps me out knowing how powerful it is."
"I don't know." Thalia said. "I don't think they can keep it any safer then we can. Besides, maybe we could use it here. It might help."
"I don't understand your magic." Luke cut in. "And I'm not sure how it would work against the Savonti. It might make things worst. I think it's better to just destroy it if you can."
"He's right." Reno pushed his finished plate away. "We hid it to keep it from Tabor and his father, if we destroy it we won't have to worry about it ever again. I say blast it to the underworld and be done with it."
"Underworld?" Tored looked confused. "What's that?"
"Hell." Thalia laughed. "He means blast it to death."
"Oh! You can do that?"
Everyone at the table began to laugh at Tored's words. As they all laughed, Kel Rainer and Rue Tasco walked into the dining hall. Suddenly the table became quiet. Cravan nudged Reno and whispered something in his ear. He looked at the two men and growled as he started to get up. Thalia grabbed him and pulled him back into his seat giving him a stern look. Beside them, the Serban's watched unsure of what was going on.
As the came closer, Nysa stared strangely at them, confused by what she was feeling. Together Rue and Kel looked at them with the weirdest look. They took a table on the other side of the room but close enough to keep watch on them.
[There's something wrong with those two men.] Nysa sent to Thalia. [I can hear their minds. There's someone else in there whispering to them.]
[You can hear it too?] Craven looked at her in surprise.
[Yes.] She nodded. [Very clearly. The voice gives me a really bad feeling, like they want to hurt someone.]
[Us no doubt.] Thalia said. [That's Dack and Craven's fathers. They're watching us waiting for Trip and the ring.]
[Ohhh!!] Nysa shivered. [I don't like this. Can I make it stop?]
Everyone turned to look at Nysa wide eyed. She had a look like there was a bad taste in her mouth. But it wasn't her mouth, it was her mind.
[What do you mean make it stop?] Craven asked. [Can you break the spell?]
[I think so.] She smiled. [Yes I can. All I have to do is go in and shake them up. It'll be easy. Should I do it?]
[No, wait.] Reno said. [Let's see what Zarin wants to do. This might be our only way to find Tabor. Thalia, call Zarin and let him know what's going on.]

In the main library of the Academy, amidst the the shelves and stacks of books of magic lore, Zarin, Dack and Trip stood before Ono, Shayn, Cutter and Eheren. In Trips hand was one of the most powerful magical devices ever created. The Ring of Endrin. They were there trying to come up with some kind of plan on what to do with it and how to deal with the one that was after it.
"But I don't understand." Zarin said. "All of you are much more powerful in magic then any of us. You have the power to better deal with it then us, why can't you just take it?"
"Because that ring in my hands could do things to me that would make me just as bad as Muerte." Eheren explained. "It would not only boost my power to unbelievable heights but it would corrupt my mind completely. I shudder to think of what I could become."
"But what about us?" Zarin asked. "How will it affect Trip, or me?"
Eheren stepped out from the long table and looked at the ring in Trips hand. It was even now radiating waves of power out at them. Eheren could feel its compulsion digging into his mind to reach out and grab the ring and put it on. He shook it off as he held his hand over Trip then Zarin.
"Curious." He pulled his hand back and rubbed his chin. "Cutter, can you feel its power?"
"Yes." He said as sweat poured from his brow. "I can feel its evil drawing me it. If it wasn't for my Salvation stone I think I would probably have grabbed for it by now,"
"We feel it to." Shayn said. "Please put it away."
As Trip slid it into his pocket he still was very afraid of the ring. If these powerful men could be so affected by it, what might it do to them?
"There has to be a way." Dack said. Zarin put a hand on his shoulder. "No, That thing is going to make us as bad as Tabor. He's a murderer! Is that going to happen to us too?"
"Tabor didn't need the influence of the ring to bring him to murder." Cutter tried to soothe Dack's fears. "He's heart was already black. Your a lot stronger then he ever will be. Together your band of friends can overcome almost anything."
"Almost." Zarin frowned as he looked down sadly. "That's what scares me most."
Just then, Ono felt a familiar probe touch his mind. Another strong minded member had been listening and wanted to add something. Ono held up his hand to quiet everyone.
[There may be a way.] Lilia sent from her little cottage. [Bring it to me. Perhaps I can find a way to make it less dangerous for you to handle.]
"Lady Kordova thinks she can help." He said. "Trip, take the ring to her and see want she thinks."
"And what about Tabor?" Shayn asked. "Have you any idea where to find him?"
"We have a clue." Zarin told them. "Thalia just told me Nysa may have a way to find him. While Trip talks to Lady Kordova, Dack and I will go see what they found."
As the meeting broke up and Zarin, Dack and Trip headed for the door. Eheren stopped them.
"I know you want to find Tabor." He said. "But be careful. He's not out there by himself anymore. He has a lord of the Savonti at his side. We don't know which one though I suspect he went straight to Daru, and if he did, just know that Daru's mind is very powerful. Do not underestimate him. He is the most dangerous of the Savonti lords."
"I'll be careful."
"I'll be watching." Eheren said as the three boys left. "Rimnar be with you."

Dressed in stolen robes, Tabor sat on a hill that over looked the academy and listened to his slaves minds.They were sitting across from Reno, Thalia, Craven and three other kids. from the looks of what they wore, they were Pentanthian clan children. Tabor guessed two brothers and a young sister. As Rue and Kel watched them, the girl looked Rue dead in his eyes. Tabor got the strangest feeling she could see him right through their eyes. But that wasn't possible was it? She was nothing, A small nothing little girl but as she stared at him, chills ran diown his back. Shaking it off, Tabor dismissed her from his mind and told his slaves to move on and go find Trip. He would be the one with what Tabor was looking for.
With a blank look on their faces, Kel and Rue left the dining hall and split up. Rue went to check the offices of the administration and Kel went out to check the practise fields and stables out in the back gardens. From across the room, Reno watched as the two left their table. He knew someone should keep watch on them in case Zarin decided to have the spell on them broke.
"Thalia." He stood. "You follow Kel. Stay hidden. I want to know where he's going and what he's doing."
With a nod she got up and followed Kel out of the room.
"What do you want us to do?" Tored asked. Luke and Nysa looked anxious. After all the cadets had done for them, they wanted to help if they could.
"I know you don't know your way around here yet." Reno said. "But do you think you can keep watch on Rue? You two can blend in better then Craven, Zark and I."
"What about Nysa?"
"She can stay with us." Reno told them. "We should stay and wait for the others to return."
"I know how the transit stones work." Luke pulled his brother to his feet. "We'll call Nysa if anything happens."
Smiling eagerly Luke and Tored stood and hurried out after Rue Tasco. Once in the hall, Luke cast an illusion on them to disguise them as cadets. They both now wore the gold tunic and brown trousers like the other cadets.
From the dining hall they followed Rue down the hall then turn left at the end. Following close behind, Luke and Tored watched as Rue stepped up onto the sun symbol on the floor and was gone.
"Come on." Luke said. after a quick change of disguise into two young female cadets, they stopped on the sun and was suddenly on the first floor.
"Whoa!!" Tored blinked with amazement..
"Yeah I know." Luke smiled. "The magic here is fun. Come on. There he is."
Further down the hall, Rue moved from room to room peeking in to see who was in each room. Luke and Tored wasn't sure but they guessed he could only be looking for Trip and the ring. The two brothers were totally confused by the ring business. Zarin had explained that it had some sort of mystical powers but neither boy really understood what that meant. Could it turn people into cheese, or cast illusions like they could? What is it that made that ring so powerful? They didn't know, but if Zarin was right, maybe they should find a volcano somewhere and drop it in.
From there, Rue went to the healer hall then finally the administration offices where the headmaster and the captain of the guards office was located.Trip was no where here to be found. That meant he had to be somewhere outside. Luke hoped Thalia was having better luck then they were.
[I am.] She sent. [Trip's out here heading towards the back of the garden.]
[Why?] Reno asked. [There's nothing back there but a few old cabins the old groundskeepers use to use. What could Trip want back there?]
[He's going to see Lady Kordova!] Zarin sent. [She asked to see the ring. We're hoping she might know a way to keep the ring from having an affect on us while we have it. Keep watching him, Tabor could make a move.]
[No!!] Dack interupted. [Is my father armed?]
[Yes.] Thalia answered. [His crossbow is at his side, Why do you ask?]
[Stop him before he gets in range!] Dack shouted terrified. [My father is the best shot in Winterhaven. If he gets close enough, he'll put a bolt in Trip's back and take the ring to Tabor!! You have to stop him now!!]
[How?] Reno asked.
[Have Nysa break the spell, now!]
Reno turned to Nysa who had been listening to the conversation. "Can you do it?"
"I'll try." Nysa closed her eyes and reached out with her mind. The spell that held the Tasco's and the Rainer's was like a tight violin string. She could see it vibrating with power. Tabor must be give them orders now. As she felt for the string, Kel pulled his crossbow up and put a bolt in. As he took aim, Nysa grabbed the string and ripped it from their backs. Like smoke it dissolved into nothing right in her hands. Kel dropped the bow, fell to his knees and screamed out in pain.
From up in the hills, Tabor felt his connection to the two couples break just as Kel Rainer was about to fire on Trip. In a flash of pain, he suddenly was thrown out of their minds to wake up with blood dripping slowly from his nose.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!" Tabor screamed out his rage. Thwarted again, Tabor grumbled.
[I'll get that ring Zarin! You can fight me all you want but sooner or later, I will have that ring!!]
[If you want it, just come and get it Tabor! It'll be right here in my pocket. Just you and me!]
[Soon Zarin.] Tabor sent as he disappeared. [We will be meeting real soon.]

As Gabor sat high in a tree watching the gates of Refuge, his anger simmered. The Gekko's had finally had a home, a place they could call their own and now it was gone. It had been retaken by Lord Memu and his warriors. Many of his clan had been caught and killed defending the walls while the rest had made their escape. Now they were all crammed into the academy in hiding. Gabor was tired of hiding. He wanted to be done with this war and being hunted all the time. There had to be a way even if it meant death to all the Savonti.
Looking to his left, Gabor looked into the deep green eyes of Lord Yaru who sat coiled around a branch in the tree next to him staring at the watch guards that stood a top the walls of Refuge.
"How many warriors do you think Memu still has?" He asked Gabor.
"To many." Gabor told him. "More warriors then either you or I have right now. I'm hoping reinforcements come before Memu decides to make's his next move."
"Do not forget Daru." Yaru warned. "His warriors out number Memu's. We must think of someway to watch his border. We do not want any surprises from him."
"Shayn and Ono will think of something. Right now Memu is our problem. He won't stay in Refuge for long. He'll want to know where we ran off too."
"Is that why we are here in this tree?" Yaru slithered higher in his tree where he could see the gate more clearly.
"Yes." Gabor told him. "Azeal and Tanis with Drake and Ozmun wait to the north. We are to warn them when he starts to move."
Just then the sound of metal grinding on stone caught Yaru's attention. The gates were going up and warriors on trackers were filing out.
"Memu moves." Yaru whispered. "Be ready my friend."
As Gabor and Yaru watched, fifteen riders came out and lined up right over the bridge that led to the gate. Following them came Memu on his huge tracker. He rode out in front to give his orders to his scouts.
"These walls are still fouled by the smell of the Humans that once lived here. To make this place my own, the Humans must be found. We must find them and teach them what it means to defy the Savonti once and for all. You will ride out in groups of four and find the Humans. Find where they hide so we can crush them, cage them and end their little revolt. Now go!!"
Mounting up, each group split into a different direction and they were off on the hunt for the Gekko clan once again.
[Azeal!] Gabor sent out. [The hunt is on. Yaru and I will go back to the academy. If they get anywhere near, we will divert them or destroy them. Send the others out to do the same. Make sure none of these hunters return to hunt us again!]

In the darkness of the jungle four Savonti warriors made their ways slowly east deeper into the jungle. They were following a scent the trackers had found only a frame ago. It was a strange scent unlike any human scent they had ever smelled before. To the Savonti's keen sense of smell, it almost had a smell of death to it. Could they be following a old trail? No, that wasn't possble. Their was evidence that the trail was made within the last frame.
With stun staffs at the ready, the four warriors moved on. The jungle was quiet, they could hear the crunch of ever step, ever leaf that was push aside as the Humans they chased moved by. As they listened they could hear there was at least two of them out there and they had split up to avoid being caught. They were close.
"Tie the trackers." The lead warrior whispered. "From here we go on foot."
After lashing the trackers together to a tree, Dra in the lead signaled his companions to split into two separate teams. He ordered two to head north and move around and block the Humans from going any further while he came up from behind and trapped them in the middle.
As the first two warriors crept slowly in, a thick curtain of mist began to settle down on the jungle. Suddenly every animal sound in the jungle went quiet and a cold chill dropped down to run through the fog.
Not liking the cold chill, the warriors switched their vision so they could see heat through the cold that had settled around them. There was a faint bit of warmth still rising from the ground, but otherwise the rest of the jungle was as cold as the night.
"Beware." A warrior hissed to his companion. "They are just ahead."
"No." Azeal whispered in his ear. "I'm right here."
Azeal reached out and grabbed the warrior wrapping his hand around his mouth and pulled him down into the fog. With a single blow, he slammed his fist into the warrior throat cutting off his air supply and strangling him.
"Tic?' The second warrior called out into the fog. "Where are you?"
"Dead." Tanis said his voice whispered in the night air. "As you will soon be."
Firing his staff wildly into the foggy night, it flashed again and again all around him hitting nothing.
The warrior took a step forward, his hand on the trigger looking nervously for a target. Hearing a sound behind him, the warrior spun raising his staff to fire. As he turned, Tanis was standing there face to face with him. Tanis hissed showing his fangs, grabbed the staff and stabbed the warrior in his chest. With a look of pure shock on his face, the warrior fell dead at Tanis's feet.
[Two down.] Azeal sent. [Two to go.]
[Together then?]
[Together.] Azeal smiled as they joined hands disappeared into the fog.
Moving quietly. Dra stalked deeper into the fog. He thought his prey to be just ahead. He could hear breathing and smell what he thought to be fear from ahead. Suddenly the fog began to clear and they could see all around them. Sitting behind a tree cloaked in the remnants of the fog, Dra saw a head. He caught his companions attention and pointed him out. With his fist he signaled for them to close it and crush the Human. At a count of three, the two warriors pounced on the tree with staffs ready to blast it to bits. But as they came around the tree, they realized it wasn't a Human sitting there trying to hide. It was Tic and Nog dead.
"By Memu's wrath!!' Dra dropped his arms to the side. "How??"
"Just like this!"
At that moment, Azeal and Tanis fell on the two warriors and finished the first hunting party.
[Hunters 1 are done.] Azeal sent to Gabor. [We're heading back to the Academy. Call us if you have any trouble.]

On the edge of Gekkol, beside the Killian mountain flowed the Rychi river. Near that river lived the Illya Bancu and the rest of the Bancu clan. For them lately the days had been pretty calm. Fedru the nearest Savonti lord had been killed by the Gekko's and peace had finally come to his valley. They had settled in the caves at the base of the Killian mountains the hunting lately had been pretty good and life seemed easy.
Illya Bancu had two sons. The oldest was Herad. Herad was tall and brave. He was one of the best hunter fighters Illya had ever trained. His second son was the younger Asam. Asam was young, playful and always obedient to his parents and clan elders. But today, none of that mattered. Today the Savonti would find the Bancu.
The two moons were still high over the azure skies of Pentanthin as four Savonti warriors stepped out of the jungle. They were tired. They had been hunting for hours without any luck. The sound of running caught their attention. The lead warrior stepped out heading for the river where he saw someone was already there. A young human boy. Ducking back down, the warrior looked out through the bushes. It seems their luck had changed. From his hiding place, the warrior looked the boy over. He was young , maybe ten or twelve surrounded by six water jugs. He wore plain brown pants and a tannish colored tunic with soft leather boots. The warrior couldn't recognize any clan marking at all. He could be one of the escaped humans, but he might be of a totally different clan. Didn't really matter, he was Human and that was what they were hunting. With quiet signals, the warrior sent his companions up and down river to see if there were anymore of them out here, then made himself comfortable to watch until it was time to attack.
With jug in hand. Asam dunked it into a deep pool, filling the water container. Carrying water home was a heavy job. His job now that he had grown tall and strong enough to do it, but wasn't always his. Once it was Herad's job. Asam had helped Herad lug the jugs for water whenever the clan had stopped for water. He would help carry the empties then Herad would have to carry the full ones back. Herad hated water duty and was glad to have Asam take over for him. He would much rather be out hunting with the other clan boys as far away from Asam as he could get. It seemed lately, Herad really didn't like his little brother very much and that, Asam really didn't understand why.
Last age, was different. Herad and Asam spent many frames together. They fetched water, fished and scouted new hiding places together. But now since father had taken over as leader of the Bancu clan, everything had changed. Herad had become so distant to him. It was almost as if he hated being anywhere near his younger brother and Asam really miss him.
Earlier in the day, Asam had asked Herad for his help in bringing in the days supply of water. First Herad just ignored him, then he turned on him and told him he was to busy for any of his childish work. He had grown up things to do. With that he grabbed his fishing kit and stormed out the door. Sadly Asam collected the rod and water jugs and with his head down, he went on to the river.
With his line baited, Herad heaved and tossed it out to the center of the lake. His mind still steamed after yelling at Asam. He was sick of having the little nuisance around all the time. Herad couldn't go anywhere without him trying to trail behind and it was all fathers fault. Since he had taken over as clan leader, Illya had put all of Asam's teachings on Herad, insisting he was to busy to teach him the ways of the jungle and clan life. Herad was young. He resented his father pushing Asam's learning on him. He didn't want the responsibility or the bother of training his brother while all his friends were out hunting or fighting Savonti. What Herad wanted was to go join the Gekko's. He had begged his father but was told he was needed here instead. He wished he could just run away from all this. Live the life of a warrior in the Gekko clan in Refuge. Well, maybe one day. But for now, just do a little fishing and relax. Tomorrow's another day.
From high over Komor Falls, a lone jazzuk buzzed his way through the thick mist coming from the falling water. It flexed its arms sending more power into its six wings as it descended down towards the jungles edge. Ozmun in jazzuk form had been following his Savonti hunting party all day. With luck so far they hadn't found anything. But Ozmun knew the Bancu were here and sooner or later the Savonti trackers were going to come across the trail of a Bancu hunting party and he didn't want to see any of them in the hands of those monsters.
As Ozmun flew down over the jungles edge, he looked out into the river and there he saw two boys at different parts of the river. One older and another maybe somewhere between ten and twelve with brown hair with a dark patch in it. The older was fishing while the younger boy was busy filling water containers to bring back home. Over on the shore not far in the jungle, Oxmun spotted trouble. A Savonti warrior hiding in the bushes hungrily licking his lips. But where were the others? Ozmun knew somewhere out here there were three more warrior. They must be getting in place to set a trap for the two boys and that, Ozmun could not allow to happen.
Flying down to the older boy, Ozmun did a quick circle around him to access his abilities as a warrior. He looked strong, he carried a sword at his waist and his reflexes when he threw out the line were very good. He should be useful in a fight. The only question left was did the boy have the courage to stand with him against the Savonti in a fight. As Ozmun looked back, he saw another warrior had joined the first one. Time for the two boy was running out, the hungry reptile men would attack soon.
Fly up to the boys shoulder, Ozmun set himself down and preyed his mind speak would work.
[Nazun young one.] He sent trying to be as calm as possible. [I want you to listen carefully to me. There is danger near. The Savonti are here ready to attack. Do you understand?]
"Who speaks?" Herad took a step back looking from side to side finding no one near him. "Show yourself koresh!"
[I am no koresh.] Ozmun told him. [But I am here to help you and the younger one down river but you have to trust me and do as I say.]
"Young one?" Herad dropped his fishing line. Asam was suppose to be here at the river getting water for mother. Is that who he means? "Is the young one you speak of filling water jugs? Does he wear brown like me with a dark streak in his hair?"
[Yes.] Ozmun answered. [He bares a heavy load on his shoulders. Do you know him?]
"He's my brother Asam!" Herad turned and looked down river. He couldn't see anything. Asam must be much further down out of sight. Fear filled the heart of the young Bancu warrior. His one and only brother was in trouble and it was be all his fault. He had to get to him to help. "I do not care what happens to me, but we have to save Asam."
[I will do all that I can.] Ozmun assured him. [The Savonti are now getting in position to trap you and Asam. I can get one then go help Asam but that will leave one here. Can you take care of him?]
"Yes." Herad patted the sword at his side. "You save my brother and do not worry about me. Get him home to our father, that's all I ask."
[Fight well and you will both see your father by the rising of the suns.] As Ozmun set his wings to buzzing he lifted off Herad's shoulder and flew in front of Herad where he could see him. Herad grasped in shock when he saw the jazzuk he had been talking to.
"A Jazzuk?"
[I am much more then a simple Jazzuk.] Ozmun assured him. [When I tell you, run down river and be ready for an attack.]
Herad nodded as Ozmun flew out and into the jungle. Sweat began to run down his face as he unsnapped the clasp on his sword belt. Then suddenly he heard that voice again in his mind.
[NOW!]
Pulling his sword free from it's scabbard, Herad took off at a full run splashing through the thigh deep water. From behind and in front, a Savonti warrior charged out to intercept him armed with a sword and a net. In a flash, a huge Tark came screaming out of the jungle and grabbed the front warrior by his chest and shook him in his teeth. Savonti blood splashed Herad and dripped from the jaws of the Tark as it tossed its dead body aside then headed down river.
[Beware, behind you!]
As Herad turned he brought his sword up and caught the Savonti sword as is came down at him. With his left, he thrust his line of fish out and smacked the warrior in it's face with the dead fish. Shocked, the warrior blinked and wiped fishy water from his face. He snarled and swung his net high to cover Herad. Ducking the net, Herad reached behind him pulling out his knife and was ready to fight.
Down river, the Tark charged in on his six legs. At the shore the two Savonti warriors had just wrapped the screaming Asam in their nets and were dragging him towards the jungle. With a roar, Ozmun leaped in and knocked a warrior back and to the ground landing with it's claws dug deeply into it chest. The warrior screamed and fought trying to keep the Tarks claws from sinking into it's throat but it wasn't the claws he should worry about. It was the Tarks teeth. With a great snap, Ozmun ripped the Savonti warriors head off just as the second warrior opened fire with his staff blasting him off the body. Falling back after being blasted in his side, Ozmun fall stunned to the ground. With the sadistic grin of the Savonti, the warrior pulled his sword and stepped up raising it to deliver a death blow to the Tark. Adrenalin and the power of the salvation stone Shayn had placed on Ozmun's chest filled his body. With a thought in a flash, Ozmun shifted back to his human form. He grabbed the first Savonti's sword and drove it deep into the chest of the warrior standing over him, then kicked him back away from the boy struggling in the net.
As Asam finally found the opening, he climbed out and stepped away from Ozmun who lay exhausted in the sand.
"Who are you?"
"Just a friend." Ozmun sat up and looked down the beach. Herad and the warrior were still fight. "It's not over. There's still one more left."
Asam looked down the beach and saw his brother battling a Savonti warrior.
"HERAD!!"
Ozmun quickly got to his feet and started running As he ran, he shifted to wolf form and hurried to get there to help the young clansmen.
As Herad fought, out of the corner of his eye, he saw the last Savonti go down. He made a quick spin and stabbed out only to be parred as the warrior kicked out at him. As his foot hit Herad's leg, the boy went down. Just like his dead partner the warrior was over confident. With a final grunt, he dived sword first at Herad stabbing him right in his chest. As he fell on the young boy, he stabbed up with his knife and pushed it right through the Savonti's throat. Gasping for air the warrior rolled away and tried to get up, but it was to late. He had taken his last breath and he fell dead on the ground.
"NOOOOOOOOO!!!!"
Seconds later, Ozmun arrived and knelt down beside the dying boy. Herad smiled up at him choking on blood that filled his throat.
"I did it." He smiled through bloody lips.
"Yes.' Ozmun nodded. "You did."
Just then, Asam ran up crying.
"No Herad!" He cried. "Please, you can't die. I'll do whatever you want. I'll go away and never bother you again, just please don't go."
"I'm sorry Asam." He coughed spraying blood. "Your the Bancu  heir now. You have to be strong and protect the clan now."
Herad reached for his knife in the dead warriors throat. He couldn't get it. Ozmun pulled it loose and put it in his hand.
"Take this. It's yours now. I'll be watching." As he closed his eyes he said his last words. "I love you little brother."
This was not how Ozmun Natan wanted this to end. He looked down at the crying boy feeling like he had failed them.
[That is not true,] Lady Kordova said in his head. [You did all you could for them. You are not to blame for this, the Savonti are, Take him home so his father can mourn him with respect and maybe he will help us finish this. I will tell Shayn and Ono the second Hunter party is finished. Hurry home Ozmun.]
"Come Asam." Ozmun put a hand on the boys shoulder. "Let's take your brother home to rest."

In the swamp lair of the former Lady Seru, Loc paced the floor of the master apartment. His plans were all coming together. Memu now held Fedrul, he had Daru's weapons master in his hands and the Mind lord knew nothing of his plans. He had slipped in and out of Darul without anyone being any wiser. The only hitch in his plan would be his partner. None of this would have a chance to work with out his queen at his side and Trela was not answering his call. Only she couild blind Daru to their plans and he had no idea where she was. His spies in Darul reported that she was no where to be found in all of Darul. The mind lord has been searching all the lands that border his but so far, no one has seen her at all. Loc didn't like this. Information was his thing. He had the best spy system in all of Pentanthin. He didn't like the idea that there was something important he needed to know and couldn't get the information.
From the entryway to the lair, Loc stared out into the darkness of the swamp. Trela was there. He didn't know where, but he had to find her cause she was his best protection and he would need her protection and soon.
"Perhaps I can help."
With his weapon drawn, Loc spun around to confront the mysterious voice that had just spoken. standing right in front of him there was a young human boy with straw colored hair smiling with his hands held out in front of him.
"Nazun warrior." He nodded. "I would speak with the lord of this house."
"I am lord here Human."  Loc eyed the boy with suspicion. "Who are you and where did you come from?"
"Who I am?" Tabor shrugged putting his arms down. "That doesn't matter does it? What I can do for you does."
"And exactly what can a useless Human do for me?"
"I am far from useless." Tabor smiled. "As a matter of fact, I may be the only one that can give you the power you need to be a lord."
"And how can you do this Human?" Loc eyed the human with doubt and mistrust. He speaks with the confidence of a true lord Loc thought, but where was his power? He would have to prove his words before Loc agreed to anything. "How will you give me power?"
"Magic." Tabor smiled as he stepped back and held up his glowing hands. "I will give you the power to command all that you see. All that hear your voice will be under your command. Will that suffice?"
"And what do you want for these power?" Loc asked interested. "What will it cost me?"
"Just a ring." Tabor said. "All you have to do is get a simple gold ring and bring it to me. That should be easy enough right?"
"How will I find this ring?"
"I'll tell you where it is." Tabor walked over to Loc and looked into his eyes. "Do we have a bargain?"
"I will do as you ask and get what you want." Loc agreed. "Give me what I want and you will get your ring."
"Then step out into the open and receive my gift."
Setting his staff in its place on his back, Loc stepped out to stand in the stagnant water of the swamp. Tabor tossed back the cloak from around his shoulders and cleared his throat to speak his spell.

THE STRONG WILL RISE AND THE WEAK WILL FALL
AS ALL WILL HAVE TO ANSWER YOU CALL.
FROM WORD OF MOUTH TO LINE OF SIGHT.
THE WEAK WILL ALWAYS BOW TO YOUR MIGHT.
TO FOLLOW YOUR ORDERS AND OBEY YOUR DEMANDS.
THIS POWER I LEAVE IN YOUR COMMAND.

As Tabor cast his spell, Loc rose high into the air and a glow began to spread around his body. He shook as his eyes became bright as stars but his body darkened to almost an absolute black shadow. Loc screamed at the spell entered him and filled his body then just as he thought he couldn't take anymore, the pain stopped and he fell back into the swampy waters.
"Rise Lord Locu." Tabor bid him. "Stand up and command your warriors!!"
Feeling weak, Locu stood struggling to his feet. He felt strange, invigorated and powerful. He looked at Tabor and wondered if he had really done what he promised. There was only one way to find out.
"BOW TO ME HUMAN!!"
Tabor's face suddenly changed. He looked as if he was in some kind of trance. He stepped out then burst into laughter.
"You must think me a fool!" He said. "Did you think I would give you powers that would work against me? Powers I give, I can take away so honor your agreement and bring me the ring or you will be sorry."
"Where can I find the ring?"  Locu bowed.
"There is a stronghold not far from here in the land that was once Fedrul." Tabor pulled his cloak back around him for warmth. "Follow these directions and you should find it easily. Kill everyone if you have to but bring me the ring. It's in the hands of a boy named Zarin."
"Do you want him dead?"
"No." Tabor smiled. "He is mine to kill. Just get the ring."

It was quiet in the garden as Shayn walked out through the rows of fragrant buds and blooms. His mind was in deep turmoil. Many things had happened since he and Ono had arrived on Pentanthin and now the lives of every human was in his hands. The Savonti were no longer taken slaves, now they were killing people on site. It seemed the age old prophesy of the White and Gray was all about the two Keannian lovers and they had received reports of humans all over the land rising to fight the Savonti.
Everyday he had to remind himself he wasn't just acting on his sense to protect as a Dragon, he was doing what was right for all the people of Pentanthin. They had a right to live free of being hunted everyday. They had the right to build homes and not worry about being dragged off and use as sex objects, slaves and food. They were intelligent beings with the right to live, and that was what he was fighting for.
As he made his way through the front courtyard and saw all the tents of the sleeping Gekko clan, he wondered if what he and Ono planned was the right thing to do? Could these people handle what would come next? He hoped so because they couldn't see another way to combat the millions of Savonti all over Pentanthin. Without Dragons on the planet, they woulds have to be able to protect themselves once they returned home to Keanna.
"Shayn?"
He turned around when he heard his name called. Lilia Kordova stepped out of a tent and walked towards him with her hand out.
"I can feel the pain in your heart." He could see her smiling through the veil that covered her blind eyes. "Come. Sit and talk with me." Shayn walked out and met her. She wrapped and arm about his and let him lead her back to her cottage. "What  troubles you?"
"All this bothers me." He said. "Ono and I are responsible for so many lives. Lilia I'm eighteen years old. To young to be making these life and death decisions."
"I think so far you've done fine." She patted his hand. "There are many here who owe you their lives and that includes Savonti. You and Ono have helped many see the truth."
"What truth?" He asked. "Our truth? The Dragon truth?"
"Shayn." She smiled. "The truth for one is the truth for all. Freedom is the truth and people need that. Without it, we are cattle and we might as well just give up and surrender to Daru. Don't you think Daru knows how wrong the way they treat us is? Don't you see why they treat us the way they do?
"Superiority?"
"There are more Savonti with power then humans." She said. "That's true, but that's not it. They're afraid of us. Afraid that one day we all control Pentanthin and they may have to bow to us.  And they're right. We are destined to rule this planet but I'm hoping it will be together as partners not enemies. That's where you come in. The white and gray will help this happen one way or the other. Either we rise, or fall, or we make it together. We have no other choice."
Lilia's words were wise and spoke straight to his heart. He knew she was right be still having all that on his head wasn't easy. But he knew what he had to do now. He just hoped Ono could live with his decision.
As the thought ran through his mind, Lilia stopped. She hadn't meant to read his thoughts but she had and this was not the right decision for Shayn, Ono or Pentanthin.
"You still don't understand do you?"
"What?" He asked.
"This is not your home." She dropped his arm. "We are free people and you lead us but you and the Academy must go back where you belong once this is over. Your story goes on, but at home, not here on Pentanthin. Your family needs you both at home."
"I know." Shayn sighed. "Pentanthin is just becoming so familiar, it's almost home to us. We'll find it hard to leave."
"But you must or Quynn will never exist."
"Who?" Shayn stopped and stared at Lilia. "Who will hever exist?"
"I've said to much." Lilia cast her senses out to probe her way back to her house. "Promise me you and Ono will leave when the time is right."
"Lilia." Shayn started. "I.."
"NO!!" She shouted. "The Dragon's need you home. End this and GO HOME!!"
As Shayn watched, Lilia hurried on through the garden to her cottage and slammed the door behind her. Shayn had a feeling he had just learned something important about his future. But he had no idea what. Now he knew he had to get back home and soon.