Temple of The Tiger

Part Two: A calling of Warriors

Chapter Three: All at sea

For the first five days the weather had been beautiful and the sea calm, now the black clouds gathered and the wind whipped the waves, the cage that he was in rocked back and forth with the motion of the ship, but he did not flinch he just lay there, waiting.
He had gained a friend these past few days, one who was risking a beating to bring him food and fresh water on a night when the watch was slackened, the better food and the water had made him regain much strength and he knew that very soon the time would be here that he would be free, and so he waited patiently as the storm gathered power and the ship rocked and groaned and pitched upon the angry sea.

Keelagh watched the blackening clouds stood at the helm of the ship as she had so much in the past few days, hopefully this storm would not blow them off course though the Captain of the ship had said that it would hasten their journey if the winds stayed as they were. It was a sturdy ship and he had boastfully told them how many of these storms she had ridden out, he quietly told them that he was a master at this and as they had the magic of a Dragon to boot then nothing would befall them but a swifter passage to their destination. Bryntich of course had gone all bashful and shy but was inwardly beaming at the fact that these people seemed to believe him to be something wonderful and magical
“Which you are,” Keelagh told him
“Even I have no mastery over storms Keelagh” He had replied smiling
“I hope the ship that Wraith is on is as sturdy as this one” she said gazing out at the churning sea.
“We will find him Keelagh” a voice had said beside her, Paidrech had joined them, silently as always, just suddenly there when she had thought him somewhere else, “He is bound to you and Bryn just as surely as that little one appears to be bound to Yailith and Gilbert” He had continued pointing to where Agradon was attempting to lay it’s large head on Yailith’s knee as he sat on a pile of ropes attempting to eat a fruit. The Dragon was but six months old and already a third of the size of Bryntich,
“I was surprised to find Agradon with Yailith, Paidrech, I thought that he was with Gilbert?” She had answered him
“Well apparently Gilbert and Kearth had a task to do for some maiden and it was across the sea, he didn’t want to test Agradon with the journey so Yailith was the second watcher and he stayed with him, waste of time really as we are now away over the sea and we have to take him with us anyway” he said laughingly
“A maidens task” she laughed “ I might have known, I take it then they are somewhere around where we are going?”
“They are and are awaiting our arrival, Eagles are handy things to have around” he said as she raised her eyebrows sceptically. She laughed she had forgotten that he had the Eagles passing messages for him.
“Hopefully we wont keep them waiting long” she said as she turned back to watch the storm.

As the light of day gave way to the Dark of night the storm gathered momentum, the ship pitched high and then dropped, each time it dropped the cage slid further towards the edge, he made no sound, they had lashed many of the boxes down that were on the deck, but the lashings had not held and some of the boxes had already disappeared into the angry sea. His Friend had not visited him as of yet, but there was much running about and shouting, these creatures had not yet learnt that the storm would have it’s own way no matter how much shouting or fist clenching they did.

The sky lit up as the lightning that had been on the horizon much of the day finally reached them, flashing above and around them, causing the activity to become even more frenzied. Water fell from the sky in a great deluge and the sea heaved over the side of the ship trying to wash away all that was on the deck. His cage kept him safe from the waters that fell from above but not from the sea that came in through the bars on the front, soon his fur was wet and he shivered from the cold, but still he lay quiet.

A huge wave washed over the ship filling his cage with salty water and making him cough, as it receded it took the cage with it to the edge of the opening in the side of the ship, the cage slid part over the edge, the front of the cage looked into the ship, some saw that the cage was hanging on the edge but they were too busy trying to save their own lives to worry about his. Then his friend was there, somehow he had got the key to the cage and he was desperately trying to unlock it before it fell into the churning water, he talked to him, in words he did not understand, but he understood the meaning, if caught he would be badly hurt but it mattered not anymore. As the door opened he sprang from the cage and turned straight to the man that risked his life to save him, in one movement he turned, leaped and they both went flying over the side of the ship into the water below. As they sailed through the air down into the waves two huge bolts of lightning hit the ship, breaking the main mast and causing shocks to travel from port to stern, the ship was awash with water and the combination of this and the lightning soon wiped the ship of most of its crew.

He had thought that the Huge Wolf had turned on him as he fell down towards the water, but he soon realised that he had saved his life not tried to take it, he had thrown him with his push towards boxes floating in the sea, and as he grabbed one and hung on for dear life he saw the ship light up as though it was on fire, which it now was minutes later, those that had survived the lightning bolts were throwing themselves into the sea to escape the flames. He could not see the Wolf, and all he could do was cling to the floating debris and hope that he had found a way to survive too.
Hours later when the storm had abated, there was no sign of the ship, or the men that had leapt from the embrace of the fire, and still no sign of the White Wolf or land, he hoped that the tide would carry him to the harbour safely for he had neither food nor water and he knew not how far it would be.

“The captain say’s we should see land by daylight” she said to Bryn as he landed on the bow of the ship, “This storm has made the crossing faster, is something wrong?” she finished looking at his face as he folded his huge wings.
“I can find no sign of another ship Keely” he said quietly “I have flown far and wide, and can find nothing” he lowered his head
“Tis dark Bryn, you may have missed it” She answered him, knowing that his dragon sight would not have missed it even in the dark, but hoping. “Or it may have already harboured”
“No Keely, it was only hours in front of us, not days, and we have seen no sign of an inlet where we could harbour so neither have they”
“Perhaps they have blown off course?”
Bryntich sighed “Perhaps, I will look again at daylight” he said not wanting to completely disillusion her.
“He is alive Bryn, I don’t know how I know I just do, if he were not I would feel it, here” she said touching her heart.
“Yes, you are right, you would know, as would I” he nodded his large head “ I will look again, we will find him,” he said gently.
“If we only knew why they had taken him,” she mused, “We may know better where to look”
“I don’t think they will keep hold of him Keely, he is a feisty one, he will escape the second there is an opportunity to do so”
“But will that be better or worse? “ She said looking out to sea, “At least on the ship he will get to land, what if he escapes and the only way to go is the Sea?”
“Keelagh, you know that the fates will decide, we know he is still alive somewhere, keep faith that what there is between the three of us will enable us to find him” He did not add in time, though he thought it, who knows what damage would be done to him before he escaped or was rescued. They had known him for such a short time and though he was in many ways not the average wolf he was still flesh and blood and flesh and blood could be hurt beyond measure.

He was fading, he knew he could not hold on much longer, his mouth was parched despite the sea, his lips were cracked and stinging with the salt, the sun had come up with a vengeance it seemed, and it burned his back and his arms, when the sea touched him as it seemed to be doing more and more as the debris he held on to sank a little lower, it stung where the sun had made his flesh tender. He knew not where the tide was taking him, he saw blurry outlines on the horizon, but then they were gone and he thought it was an illusion. He would close his eyes and open them to find the sun had moved, and that he had slipped and he would scramble back up the debris to find he was sinking a little further.
And then he was too tired to hold on anymore, his hands were numb his fingers refused to grip, and he began to slide, slowly his legs became submerged and his body began to feel heavier, he was resigned to his fate and as he began to let go to allow himself to fully slide from his wooden box he felt something touch him, push at his legs, he froze in terror believing that the sharp toothed monsters from the deep had seen him, he did not want to die that way! He felt his legs being lifted and he opened his eyes to look, he saw fur, very wet fur, but not a sharp toothed monster, it was the white one and he was pushing him back on to the crate, he scrambled finding a new strength and he gripped the edges, the crate began to move faster and he knew that he was being pushed towards what he had believed to be an illusion but which in fact was land and he thanked the fates for sending him the White one for now he was sure that he would make it to shore at least alive.

He circled in the sky, he had seen wreckage, boxes, planks, part of a mast, floating on the tide. He had scouted for a while but a mist had come down and even his Dragon eyes could not penetrate it, he knew that they were nearing land he could see the outline on the horizon. He flew above the mist and circled again, he felt something that he could not explain, a pulling, but the mist was too thick, he could fly in to it but Keelagh would be fretting if he stayed away too long, she had lost one guardian, for now and he did not want to put her through more pain. He sighed, turned and headed back to the ship, he could smell the spices of the land and knew it would only be a few more hours before they were safe in the harbour. Still there was that pulling and again he was tempted to enter the mist “getting fanciful in your old age, Bryn” he admonished himself and wheeled away towards the ship and Keelagh.

She waited on the bow of the ship for his return and he landed gracefully beside her, she looked at him expectantly, he shook his head.
“The ship is gone Keely” he said quietly “I found wreckage”
“It may not have been his ship,” she answered
“But we know it is, we also know that whatever happened he is still alive, somewhere” the Dragon replied
“But where Bryn? How could he survive out there alone tis hours to shore” she lowered her head, she knew he was alive or was it just wishful thinking that kept him so in her heart and her mind
“We will find him Keely” Bryn said quietly placing his huge head next to hers, trying to comfort her, she placed her arms round his neck and laid her head on him “I am so scared I am just keeping him alive in my mind through wishing, Bryn”
“No Keelagh, we would know, what we have to do now is concentrate on what lies ahead and place our faith in whatever the fates have planned for us, as we did before”
“You are right Bryn, land fast approaches and we have a call to answer”

The mist had descended swiftly, he didn’t mind, it was cooler than the sun that had been burning him, he clung to the wreckage with renewed strength, he could smell the shore, the White one had stopped at one point and had been looking up at the sky as though he could hear something and was looking for it in the sky. Then he had resumed pushing him and the wreckage towards the shore, he was tiring though and he knew that he would have to start helping him, he began to push against the water with his hands as though they were oars and he began to move a little faster. They would be there soon, he hoped, for the White one was coming to the end of his strength, twice he had sunk and then come back, spluttering, he had moved so he could come on the wreckage but he stayed in the water. He was pretty sure it would sink if the White one got on too, but it was a chance he was willing to take, but one the White one wasn’t. Just a little while longer and they would be there.

Then his movement slowed, he turned his head and the White one had gone, he shouted, nothing, he called and called, but there was no sign of him, tears flowed down his cheeks, he was exhausted, he was hungry and now he had lost the one that had saved him, not once but twice. He laid his head down on the wreckage and gave himself up to the fates.

Temple of the Tiger Part Two A calling of Warriors
Chapter Two. Friends apart

Keelagh had explained as best she could what had happened when she had lost Wraith in the streets, she had also explained that Magryth was also searching for him, Paidrech had instructed Bodin to stay and make sure the ship was readied for they had to sail on the evening tide.

That was hours ago, and despite the searching and the calling, despite having a Magical Unicorn also doing these things there was still no sign of the Wolf. The time was fast approaching for them to set sail and Keelagh realised for the first time that she may have to leave without her beloved Wolf, a prospect she did not want to face. She knew she could not ask them to go on without her, the pledge she had taken when she had agreed to the Quest meant that she had to see it through no matter what happened to anyone or anything else.

They searched streets and alleys, they asked questions, but the people of the Port of Pertune were not like the people in Duranbro and they were closed and suspicious of the strangers looking for a wild animal. Nothing bore fruit, no one apparently would admit to seeing the Wolf let alone knowing about his disappearance. Then as they approached the last of the streets, on their way back to the ship, they had come across Wraiths Golden collar, the one that he had been presented with after the Battle in which he had played the greatest part. It was broken and on it a bloody mark. They had then searched the Quayside, but there was no sign of him.

It was with a heavy heart that she finally boarded the ship, Bryntich was waiting out at sea beyond the City, and Magryth had decided to stay and continue the search for the Wolf, even he could not understand how he had not been able to pick up Wraiths trail and believed that there was something more behind this than a random capture of a wild creature, though he did not tell Keelagh for she was upset enough. As the ship slipped out from the Quayside Keelagh stood, eyes shining from unshed tears, looking back at the city that had taken her dear friend from her, she vowed that no matter what happened she would find him and those that had taken him would pay dearly. She knew he still lived, she felt that, she just hoped that he was not suffering, for that would make them pay even more dearly.

He laid, quiet, eyes closed, but not sleeping, he listened, he waited. They thought they had subdued him with their sticks and lashes, they hadn’t, he could not be subdued. He was not what they thought he was, or maybe they didn’t know and the orders that they acted under had not been specific about what they were dealing with. He had injured one, when they had tried to hold him by the collar, he would not use that hand for fighting again. He had little room to move in the box they had placed him in, but he was a patient creature and his time would come, he felt motion, a rolling motion, similar to when they had crossed the lake but deeper more powerful. And as the motion continued he felt the pain from the one that was his deepest friend, he would find her, they would not be able to stop him, for now he waited patiently.

Bryntich had landed gently and gracefully on the ship once they were well out to sea, stating that when there was no slippy green stuff he could land anywhere. His heart ached for Keelagh, the lost and sad look in her eyes each time she looked to the side for Wraith and he was not there. He knew there was a reason that Wraith had been taken, Magryth had told him that whoever had done it had cloaked The Wolf so he could not be sensed by him. Cloaking a creature from the Magic of A Unicorn was no easy feat, which meant an enemy maybe as powerful as the one they had faced at Duranbro, and in a land that they did not know, with dangers that would be unseen without the power of the Wolf and the Unicorn there. He would wait to tell them of this, for he knew Keelagh and she would at once want to turn the ship around and go searching for whatever/whoever was responsible, her pledge would tear her apart.

“What sort of Man would want this for a life?” she jumped as he spoke to her, turning she smiled at him, Bryntich ever present, always knowing what went on in her head and heart, “No land for miles and miles and nothing but the sea to look at” he continued
“Well some must for there are many that travel the seas to new lands looking for spices and silks to bring home, and the fishermen of course” She answered him “I guess they like the solitude of the sea, the way that it speaks, the soft rolling of the waves that lulls them to sleep”
“Pah! The soft rolling of the waves that makes you green with sickness, you mean” And he looked towards the opposite rail where Yailith was looking a funny shade of Greeny/white and sweating and shivering in turn. Keelagh laughed, “He hasn’t found his sea legs yet to be sure, but we are only an hour or so out, he will get used to it, as I have”
“Nothing seems to throw you Keelagh” the Dragon mused softly “First time out to sea and you act like you have done it all your life”
“I feel like I have Bryn, just as I felt I had done a thousand adventures before the battle at Duranbro, and fought a thousand fights, tis strange to be sure, but holds me in good stead when I have need of a clear head”
“We will find him you know?” he said softly
“But what will he have suffered before we do Bryn? What are they doing to him? I felt his pain, here” And she touched her chest where the heart lay “Will he still be our Wraith when they are done with him? “ Her eyes clouded and she looked out to sea

“He will always be our Wraith, or more precisely your Wraith, you are bound together, as you and I are, as he and I are by the Magic of a Unicorn and the drop of a dragon tear, why else do you think he stayed? He is no longer a mere white Wolf, I don’t believe he ever was, from the beginning it was meant that he would be with us, that he is special. What we saw at Duranbro is only a part of what/who he is, I believe that Wraith was chosen by powers even I don’t comprehend”
“I believe you are right Bryn, he is special, not just because of what he did at Duranbro, but because he has this quietness, this strength about him, that makes those around him gather strength and courage, but also peace, I for one had never seen a Wolf his size with eyes of that colour, before”
“Then let it be, Keelagh, for you need to concentrate on the journey ahead and the land you are coming to needs to be learnt about” he said gently
Keelagh turned and looked at him for a long moment, then sighing, she nodded her head “Start teaching Bryn, I am listening”

Kal and his companions had reached the City that lay before the sea, it was not a large city, not like Duranbro or the Port of Pertune. It was however the first city that he had ever seen and to him it was enormous. The sea on his first sight of it had taken his breath away, huge and endless it seemed, with long flat yellow land at its beginning, Gilbert told him this was sand, and the flat parts were called Beaches, he didn’t understand the foreign words but the golden sand looked nice. All they had by the lake was pebbles and gritty grey stuff, though he had seen the same golden stuff in the bottom of the lake and the stream that ran through the village. Sand, he would be able to tell them all that when he got back, his euphoria suddenly waned as the thought unbidden arose ‘If he got home’

Gilbert and Kearth were seasoned travellers and the city didn’t phase them at all. “This is Port Bail” Gilbert informed him “It was not always called that, it used to be Port Zargon, but it was renamed after a mighty wizard that helped to save it some years back”
“I have heard of the legend of a Wizard that saved a city from destruction, I thought it was some far off land” Kal answered him
“This is far off to you, country boy” Kearth said laughing
Kal went a mighty shade of red, he didn’t seem able to please Kearth and he was always making fun of him. He didn’t think that Kearth liked him much, and was wary of what he said.
“Stop teasing the boy, Kearth” Gilbert admonished gently. Kearth looked at him with a glower, and then he smiled “Tis but fun Gilbert, he will face much worse when Paidrech gets here” and he chuckled “It will be fun to be together again though”
“Aye, that it will” Gilbert agreed, he turned towards Kal “We may have some time to wait before they get here, will be a long journey by sea, meantime, we are going to teach you about city life but whatever you do, you stay close by us, you hear?”
“I hear you Gilbert, I shall not wander off” Kal answered his eyes huge as they trotted through the city streets to look for a place to stay.
“I have the feeling he is going to get into more trouble than we two put together” Kearth said watching him
Gilbert laughed “Well that’s not something new to us now is it?”

Temple of The Tiger Part Two. A calling of Warriors
Chapter One. A reunion of sorts

They had travelled a long way, miles and miles and they were fast approaching the sea. They had still seen no sign of Paidrech and his band; they had passed through villages that they had passed through. Travelled through woods and forests that held remnants of camps, passed battle scenes and heard stories, but the warriors themselves eluded them.

Keelagh was feeling weary, unlike the first quest they had met no strange creatures trying to stop them, no bands of marauders trying to fleece them, no one to rescue and no fights to be fought. In fact the land was so quiet it was almost like the calm before a storm, everyone peaceful and happy, and boring. That’s what she realised as they approached the great city that stood before the seaways, she was bored, and that made her restless.

The sight of the Sea had been awesome to her, vast and seeming to extend beyond the horizon forever, they had smelt it long before it had come in to view, a crisp salty fresh smell, unlike the rivers and waterways that she knew and had sailed many times. As they approached the City Bryn and Magryth held back, they would have to stay beyond the city until the ship could be obtained, Bryn was not happy at her going into a strange city alone but he had no choice, this was not a city that had been built for Dragons to wander unlike Duranbro, its thoroughfares were narrower and its streets closer together, though he could have managed it, he would have been conspicuous and they obviously didn’t have a lot of Dragon visitors, attracting too much attention was not a good thing in a strange place.

Keelagh rode through the gates of the city on Spirit with Wraith at her side, Bryn and Magryth watched them go, they stood beyond the city on a small hill both cloaked in Magryth’s magic so they would not be seen. “I am not happy about this” Bryn said to the Unicorn for the hundredth time
“I know, and we both know that if anything happens I can be there in a heartbeat, you worry too much Bryn”
“She can be reckless, my Friend, she does not always think before she speaks, and she always says what is in her head before she has thought it through”
“You worry that there will be those that try to take advantage of her, but you forget who she is Bryn, she is not easily duped”
“That’s the problem, I would hate to see what would happen to those that tried!” and they both laughed.

Keelagh rode through the streets in what she hoped was the direction of the sea and the ships, the place was so crowded and the streets so complex she began to wonder if she would ever find them. She had been worried about losing Wraith, but the people moved out of his way, with fearful looks and signs of the Evil eye. If they only knew that Wraith was no mere Wolf, but then they may have been even more frightened no less. She had ridden through dozens of streets when she began to notice a change in the people, there were suddenly no women or children, and the streets had become emptier. Spirit began to edge and prance a little and Wraith began that low growling and his hackles had gone up. She felt danger, but could not see it, so many twists and turns; she unsheathed her sword but held it by her side.

They had gone three more turns when a net came flying out of nowhere and wrapped around Wraith, taking his feet out from under him as it was tightened by persons unseen, and then it was being dragged towards another bend and she tried to turn Spirit but suddenly was surrounded by people and could not turn, she tried to follow the net but could not move, she called to him, she heard him Yelp, and then nothing. The people moved and she sprang from Spirits back and ran towards the corner, but there was no sign, of Wraith or anyone else.

“Where are we going?” Kal asked for what had to be the twentieth time, he was worried as now Brock was following the other horses and he wasn’t sure if he was on the right trail anymore.
“To the Sea, you have asked me that question so many times Kal, let me explain, if you are on a quest to find the warriors to save your Temple”
“The Tiger not the Temple”
“Tiger, Temple whatever” Gilbert said sighing “ Then the ones you are looking for will be coming that way, as we did”
“So you are definitely not the ones?”
“Not on our own, no! ”
“For goodness sakes” Kearth grumbled “Why don’t you just be quiet for a little while and listen to what is being said, the Warriors are probably on their way now, while we are wasting time with you!”
“But how can you be sure?”
“We can’t, no more than you knew which way to ride, we just know, if they are coming that is the way,” Gilbert said patiently
“And if we know, whoever is responsible for the disappearance of your Tiger will know” Kearth said quietly.
Gilbert looked at him, “Ah fun and games to be had Kearth?” he questioned, Kearth looked up at the darkening sky before answering “Maybe not so much fun as we would like, but it is certain there will be someone waiting Gilbert, or something?” They rode on in silence.

Keelagh was still searching the streets, she could gain no help from the people, if she tried to talk to them they turned away, she was despairing when she heard a voice at the side of her.
“Go find a ship, Keelagh, I will search for Wraith”
“How could I be so stupid? Magryth, if anything happens to him”
“SSshh, fret not, you could not have known, I will find him, and I will come for you, go find a ship, have it ready, and be careful” She could not see him but she felt him leave.

She turned towards the streets that he had shown her led to the seafront, remounting Spirit she made her way down them, dejected without her faithful Wolf at her side, even the sight of the ships with the tall sails could raise no wonder in her.
All manner of people crammed the streets by the seafront, all colours and all sizes, had she now been so worried and so forlorn, the wonderful smells and colours and sounds would have held her entranced. She had come out on to a wide thoroughfare, which ended at the sea; Ships were tied up to huge poles set all along the side. She dismounted and began to walk holding Spirit loosely by the reigns her hand on the hilt of her sword, she had to think about how she was going to approach the matter of a ship, and who she was going to approach. She hadn’t seen anyone that seemed to be connected with the ships, but what would she know?

She had walked a little way further along when she saw a ship with what appeared to be a set of long planks all tied together leading down on to the seafront, men were walking up and down it carrying what seemed to be provisions, and rolling barrels up it on to the ship. She wandered closer towards a group of men that appeared to be counting what was going on and off. She had almost reached them when she was stopped in her tracks by a familiar voice
“Well you took your time getting here “
She turned and there stood Paidrech along with Yailith, as she struggled to speak Bodin appeared with Chitter who immediately jumped from his shoulder on to hers and smothered her in wet little kisses.
“I have been searching for you” Keelagh said when she finally managed to stop the little Chitter
“I thought we would be in need of a ship, and came ahead to secure us one” Paidrech replied pointing at the great ship being filled with supplies
“She looked down at the floor and then back at him “How do you always know?” She said and then “Wraiths been taken”
“Then we best find him, for we cannot have an adventure without our White Wolf” And all the others said Aye.

Temple of the Tiger… Part one…Journey to the Temple
Chapter Four...A learning of Lessons

He had wandered a long way it seemed, yet no way at all, he had lost track of days and nights as they blended into one long passage of time. He had passed through the Forest and come to mountains, somewhere in between there had been long plains of grass, none had seen him, for unless he desired it he was as of the air, there, but not.

At the foot of the mountains he had paused, something had pulled at him, and he gently turned his giant head back the way he had come, but only darkness met his gaze. He could see for miles, this great beast, he could see into the hearts and minds of Humans and all living things, but for now all he could see was darkness. He lowered his head and closed his eyes, just for a minute he allowed all things to wash over him, he knew there was something, a pinpoint of light, but he could not retrieve it. He raised his head once more and looked up at the great mountain, and resumed his journey.

Kal and Brock had travelled forever, at least that’s how Kal felt, weary and dusty and thirsty his spirits lifted for the first time in days when he came across a village nestling at the foot of hills at the far end of the plains. As he drew nearer he saw the people going about their daily business, he saw smoke from fires in the houses, heard people talking and laughing, shouting and whistling.
He remembered that he been admonished to be careful of what he said about The Great One, if he could not be found the land would soon enough know that he was gone.

As he entered what he presumed was the main thoroughfare of the village, people began to call good day to him, and he felt a smile on his dry lips and called back to them. A little further on and he came upon a well, around which villagers were drawing water and chatting gaily. He jumped down from Brock’s back and went towards the well, with his water flasks to fill.
“Good day young sir” A rather plump gentleman with a shiny head and shinier cheeks spoke to him as he approached.
“Good Day sir” Kal replied, “May I fill my flasks from your well? For they are dry as the plains and I have yet awhile to go”
“Water is free, my young friend, and there for villagers and travellers alike, though you will have to wait your turn as it is the wash day in the village and much water needs to be drawn on this day by the mistresses”
“I shall wait sir”
“A wise decision, for to try and push in amongst that gaggle of cackling mistresses would be likened to putting your head in a lions mouth” and with this he set off laughing heartily as though he had said the funniest thing ever.
Kal smiled and even managed a little laugh so as not to be seen as being rude.
The man stopped laughing and looked at Kal again, this time his gaze swept him from his head to his feet “ You seem to have travelled far, young one, perhaps you are in need of more than just water for drinking? A wash would not go amiss, tis hard to see the features beneath all that dust and grime. And perhaps a bite to eat?”
“Is there an inn in the village sir?” Kal asked him, thinking how nice a hot meal would be.
“Aye, and I just happen to be the master of it, come, bring your fine beast and we will see what we can find in the cookhouse” and with that he turned and set off down the road, Kal took hold of Brocks reigns and followed.

He had not climbed the mountain to the top, after only a little way there had been a large opening into a cave, he had entered through this and now he wandered inside the mountain, first going down so far he began to think he was in the very bowels of the earth. Then he started to ascend again, but only a little way, now he gazed out on a vista of trees and grass and flowers and a river, but how could this be inside a mountain? And then it disappeared, gone in the blink of an eye, and instead just the walls of the mountain surrounded him. The pinpoint of light had found him, for just a few minutes, and now it was gone again and the journey resumed.

Kal had washed, and he had eaten and drank a warm brew, he felt content and more than a little sluggish. The master of the inn had refused his payment and he walked out through the door into the bright sunshine feeling quite refreshed though drowsy, and then he stopped. Where was Brock? He turned back to the man that had followed him out “Have you stabled Brock?” he asked him
“Brock? Who is that?” asked the man
“My beast, sir the one I rode in on”
“You had no beast, you walked in “ the man replied
“No sir I rode into the village, on Brock”
“You are full of ale young sir, you imagine things, there was no beast and now you call me a liar!!” Said the man angrily and the people stood outside turned and looked
“Sir I am not calling you a liar, I am simply stating what is, I have travelled days upon my beast, and he was here” Kal was beginning to become scared as a group of men now circled him. They glowered at him as he tried to argue his cause.
“I think it is time you left our village young one, we do not like trouble causers in these parts” the man said and now the other men advanced on him.
“I think first you should return the beast, don’t you?” A voice said from beyond the circle of men
“This is none of your affair, Stranger” The Master of the inn growled at the tall young man stood leaning against the wall of the inn
“Injustice is always my affair” the man replied placing now his hand on the hilt of the sword he wore at his side.
“You think you can out fight a dozen strong men?” the Master of the inn said laughingly
“Maybe not on his own, but then he isn’t” Another voice chimed in, this time the men had to look for the owner of the voice, and there he was only half their size, but axe and sword in hand and a glare on his face he looked more formidable than a man three times his height and width.

The men backed off, a beast was not worth dying for, even one as grand as the one the Master of the Inn desired, Kal raised his fingers to his lips and whistled a long low whistle. They heard the whinnying and the sound of hooves kicking wood, then the door of the building next to the inn flew open and Brock trotted out, dragging some poor hapless youth grimly trying to hold his reigns.
The two gentlemen that had helped him backed off to their own beasts with hands still on swords, the men that had circled Kal had dropped back and let them reach their beasts tied up a short distance away. Kal mounted Brock, his sleepiness had deserted him fast, he had never been faced with anything like this and he was feeling shaky and scared.

The two men fell in one at each side of him and they rode out of the village at a fast trot. As they left the buildings behind the taller one spoke to Kal “ We will need to put some distance between us and them, so we need to ride faster for a while” and with that he set off at a gallop, as did his companion and without any urging Brock set off and soon they were all galloping towards the hills and up and over them.

After two hours of galloping and trotting the men slowed the beasts to a walk and then introduced themselves.
“I am Gilbert,” said the tall one “And he is Kearth” and Kearth bowed from the waist, which is no easy feat when you are riding a beast.
“I am Kal” he answered smiling “And it seems I owe you my life and that of Brocks”
“They wouldn’t have killed you, they are thieves not murderers, they would have thrown you out of the village that’s all”
“But they would have kept Brock” he replied
“Seems they may not have been able to keep him for long the way he answered your call” Gilbert laughed “ Never trust the master of an Inn, young one, they will steal the pillow from neath your head while you sleep”
“But he seemed so friendly” Kal sighed
“Oh great, not only have we landed ourselves with a greenhorn, but a naïve one to boot” Exclaimed Kearth
“Don’t be so hard Kearth, we were all greenhorns once, aye and Naïve too, but tis true young one, travelling alone and unknowing can be highly dangerous”
“I have a quest to….” Kal stopped, he had said too much and these were after all strangers, albeit ones that had saved him.
“Oh we know all about quests” Said Gilbert “Maybe we could help you in your quest, after all we have nothing better to do right now, is that not so Kearth?” The Dwarf made a pah sound, and shook his head
“Here we go again” He sighed

Temple Of The Tiger...Part One
Chapter Three...The Journey Begins

Bryntich flew in lazy circles high in the sky, he was not worried about being so far up for he could see the ground perfectly. He could make out every strand of grass; he could see the flick of Spirits tail as he trotted across the plains with Keelagh on his back and Wraith loping along at their side. Which is why he was circling, trying to sight the band of wanderers that had been together in the last battle, or maybe Magryth, but then he knew that if Magryth didn’t want to be found he wouldn’t be.
Little Eli was healed and he flew now far below the Dragon, swooping and swirling as he too looked for the Soldiers that had helped to save Duranbro.

Keelagh no longer worried that she could not fly on her gentle giants back, after all Spirit was fleet and there would be times when she would have needed to walk had she not had the horse, trotting at an even pace across the plains with Wraith at her side she felt free once again, and excited as she had felt when she set out on the last adventure.
The message they had received had been a plea to help to find The Sacred One, completely baffled Kenlyth had to explain to her about this strange land she was travelling to, she remembered his face as he animatedly told her about his journey to this distant place when he was young.
“ They have spices and fruit the like of which you have never tasted, and Materials the like of which you have never seen or touched, the finest silks we have cannot compare to those in the Land of the Tiger” He had said his face aglow “ They have a whole village that is dedicated to the care of The Great One, much as our Temples revere our ancient Lords, but theirs is, or was, Alive, their people travel miles for his wisdom and his blessing. Legend has it that should he die the whole land would die”
“ So how old is he?” Keelagh had asked him
“ Probably older than our Dragon Queen was when she met her end,” he had answered.
“Then is it not at all possible he has merely gone away to die? Don’t some animals do that?”
“He is not like normal animals Keelagh, he is supposedly, immortal, unlike our Dragons that have a new Queen born every so many hundred years, there is only one Tiger of the Temple! “ Kenlyth had answered, “ His disappearance is of grave concern for those people”
“Well if he can be found, we shall do we all we can to find him Kenlyth” Keelagh thought of those words now, if he can be found, what if they could not find him? She shook her head, first they had to find the others and she was looking forward to seeing Paidrech again, and the rest of them of course!

Kal had ridden for two days, he was lost, he had followed the trail the Elders had put him on, for many hours he had followed it. Then it had gone, no trail, no path, he kept going forward in the same direction but the forest seemed never ending.
When at last he had ridden out from beneath the trees he had not known which way he was to go, there were three trails leading from the forest, which one did he follow? He went to take the right hand trail, and the horse refused to move, he went to take the middle one and the horse refused to move, he had no option but to take the left hand trail, as it was the only one the horse would take. He had no idea if he was going the right way, but he had always trusted the animals before, though he had to admit he was totally lost as to where they were.
He had, like the others travelled to other villages, but there were no villages this way. In two days he had sighted no other people, no villages, no wanderers, nothing and right now he was afraid that he had gone the wrong way and was actually going away from his goal and not towards it.

He had slept the first night beneath the shade of a lone tree in the middle of a small valley, while he was afraid of the emptiness, he knew that the horse would smell danger if there was any. The second night, he had slept behind a long wall, this had been the only sign of people that he had seen, but there were no houses, no villages around, just the wall.
Now the morning of the third day had arrived, and Kal was more afraid than ever that he was going the wrong way, as all he could see before him was long plains of grass, with trees dotted here and there, but the horse would not turn so he had no choice but to continue. His spirits were getting lower as he thought of the consequences of going the wrong way, the people that would not be there if he ever got back.
With a heavy heart he mounted the horse to set off on this his third day, when he heard a voice speaking to him “ Follow Brock, he knows the way” he turned swiftly, but there was no one there, just him and plains of grass.
He waited, the voice didn’t speak again, “ Well Brock, seems I am losing my mind, but the voice says follow you, not that I have a choice less I wish to walk” he said to the horse.
Brock let out a slight snort and set off at a trot, Kal did not try to check him as he had been doing, the fates would now decide if the way was right or wrong.

Bryntich had landed and he and Keelagh walked across the long plain together, Spirit ran free ahead of them and Wraith walked at the side of Keelagh as he always did when she was not riding the horse.
The village they had passed through had talked of a band of warriors that had stopped by there some time ago, on their way to a battle it seems. This had to be Paidrech and the others by the description given of them. Though it had been some time since they were there, Keelagh was sure that they would find them soon, she hoped that they would, for time was ticking and the land of the Tiger was fast dying without its Sacred One.

“Are you sure that you will be able to fly when we reach the sea?” she asked the Gentle Dragon by her side
“ Tsk, what a question” he replied
“ But you have not flown long distances since the battle, Bryn”
“ I am as capable of flying to the Land of the Tiger as you are of sailing there, young woman,” he said haughtily, Keelagh laughed at his tone
“Still, we shall hire a large ship, just in case you desire a rest” she said with a laugh
“ Hiring a ship will not be easy Keelagh” Bryntich warned now serious “ Hiring sailors to man it will be harder”
“ I am sure that we will find some that are wanting adventure”
“Adventure gets you killed Keelagh, these are simple folk that we go to see, fishermen, not warriors” he let out a huge sneeze “ Damn Green stuff!” He said sneezing again, Keelagh laughed again “ Lets hope you land on a ship better than you land on the ground Bryn, else we shall all sink “
“Huh! I can land fine tis this Green stuff, so slippy, and slidey and not nice!” he exclaimed as he sneezed again
“Still crash landing I see Bryntich” a voice said at the side of him. Bryntich turned his huge head, and Keelagh turned too, she could see nothing, but Bryn was laughing.
As she watched the large Silver white form of Magryth came in to view.
“Magryth!” she exclaimed running to him and throwing her arms around the Unicorns neck.
“ I am pleased to see you too Keelagh” the Unicorn said laughing as she hugged him “ I would have come sooner but I was busy helping some Elvins with wedding plans”
“Elvins?” Keelagh queried
“Oh you haven’t met them yet Keelagh, but you may, eventually, so you are on your way to the Land of the Tiger, that’s quite a quest you are on Keelagh, you may have need of a Unicorn, might I join you?” He asked already knowing of course the answer.
“Would we do a quest without you Magryth?” Keelagh answered.
And they set off again across the plains, Keelagh, Bryn, Wraith and Magryth to find the rest of the band of warriors

Temple of the Tiger
Part one. …Journey To the Temple
Chapter Two…. Decisions made

He wandered through the forest, tall wondrous trees, small sweet scented bushes, flowers, and grasses. It was not that he hadn’t seen these things before, but somehow they were different, sharper, sweeter, and taller. But something, on the edge of his vision, and every so often a blurring of his sight where the forest disappeared and he saw something else, he knew it was calling him, he knew he should try to remember, but then the forest reappeared and the vision faded.

He shook his great head, and a wind blew through the forest, ruffling the leaves of the trees and stirring gently the tops of the tall trees, he waited until the wind had died down, then moved silently forward, turning his head slowly this way and that to capture every sight, every scent. A tiny bird flew down, and fluttered in front of his face, he lifted his face and it landed on his large snout chirruping away its song for him to hear. Other animals now came out from the forest and joined him in his walk, despite his large size none were scared. He felt peace all around him, and the mist that was threatening to engulf him ebbed away from his vision, the voices in his head became quiet.

Far away, a village died a little more.

The Elders had gathered once again around his bedside, he did not find the release of Death but lingered here, his body wracked with pain, fever befuddled his mind. On his clear spells he would ask questions. The Winged one had come, they had sent out the message,
“ What can we do now” they kept asking him
“ wait” he replied before closing his eyes once more.
The Elders were at a loss; the people were beseeching them to find the way to stop the fever that was plaguing their village, to stop the disease that had the fruit trees in its grasp, to stop the never ending rains that threatened to wash away the mountain and with it, them!
They could do nothing, except pray that the Winged one had delivered the message, and someone would answer their cry.

The Great Beast wandered, he knew not why he wandered, something pulled him, but he knew not where. As Darkness fell the little animals left his side and scurried away to sleep for the night, he needed no sleep. He saw as well in the Dark as he did in the light and so he kept wandering, soon he would reach the edge of the forest but he knew not where he would go then, just follow the call. He stopped and turned his head back where he had come from, he had travelled a great distance already, but he could not remember how far or where from? He knew, deep in the back of his mind that he should remember, that he was needed back there, that something bad would happen if he didn’t go back, he half turned, and then he stopped again and raised his head, the call, the pull was much stronger than the thoughts trying to battle with it. He shook his head, again a wind blew through the forest, and he stopped. He knew that with a shake of his body trees would bend and some would fall in the wind that would follow, if he roared the earth would shake and mountains would tumble, he turned and continued his wandering.

Diseased fruit fell from the trees in the village.

They had called a meeting of all the villagers, it had been decided that they would send out a the strongest among them to follow the way of the Winged one, that person would take the strongest and fleetest riding beast and would travel the long road as swiftly as possible, they were a peaceful people and did not raise warriors, for they had never had the need. For centuries He had protected them, and now they were lost. If word got out that He was lost, they would face the prospect of having to fight to maintain their beautiful lands beneath the mountain, if they were not completely washed away by the rains.
A young man stood in the centre of the circle, Kal, he was a tall strong young man, and for the last few years had been trying to persuade the Elders to allow him to go out in to the world and learn all he could, they had kept him there, after all the Great one knew everything what was there for him to learn?
Now Kal would get his chance, he bowed before the Elders, “ I shall do all that is within my power “ he said to them. Now they all followed him as he walked towards the Black and White beast he would ride.
He mounted the Horse and bowed once more, and then digging his heels into the flank of the Beast he set off on the long road to follow the Winged ones trail towards Duranbro.

Temple of the Tiger
Part One..Journey to the Temple
Chapter one..The Call

The men had come back looking defeated their heads hung low,their feet dragging. The Priests spirits sank.He had hoped that they would come back victorious. Saying how they had found Him wandering somewhere not too far away. He knew that now the spirits of the people would sink like his,the harvest would be barren,crops would fail,disease would come. His people would starve and wither away. And it would be his fault for it was he that had told Him that He should wander if that was His wont to do. He had believed that He would not go far,He didn`t normally,He was always somewhere near. Three days He had been gone and he feared the worst. But what could have taken Him from them? Could He have been captured? If so by What? Surely no Human could have done this? He feared now for his people if He did not return soon.

The past half a year had gone quickly. So much to do and learn but now she was bored and she missed the others. Bryntich had healed quite well but there had been little for them to do apart from the odd border patrol and a little bit of sightseeing. The others had all left with Paidrech except of course for Bailin and Lech. She smiled then,she had just eaten with Lech.Who would have believed this warrior could become a settled woman but settled she had. With the good Captain Kaliq and now they were to add to their family so they had informed her tonight,she they had said was the first to know. This had pleased her but at the same time reminded her how empty her own life was.
She sat now with Wraith at her side and gazed at the distant mountains. “ I don’t Know Wraith,I should be happy,I have good friends and a good life,but I miss the others and wonder so often what they are all doing and where they are” Wraith stuck his cold wet nose on her hand and sighed. She always talked aloud to Wraith,he never answered her of course,not in words anyway but she felt he understood the things she said and she also felt he was growing restless. He had been her constant companion for the past six months but she knew the wild called him,he needed to find a mate. She did not know if other Wolves like him existed but she supposed somewhere,where ever he came from there must be others She would be lost without this gentle creature. It was he that had saved Duranbro every bit as much as Paidrech had when he had released the arrow that slew the Queen. She had never found out how Paidrech had known what to do and when, she guessed that was why he had been there,all things are meant Bailin had said. She knew it was wrong but she so wished that something would happen to break the tedium of the days.

It had been weeks now. He lay on his bed so weak,hardly able to breath without pain. It was right that he should suffer it was after all his fault that the rains had come and ruined the crops. That the fevers had come,and were striking down his people. Even the fruit bearing trees were becoming diseased and soon there would be no food and the people would starve. Still they came to him every day and asked him what they had done wrong to make Him go away and desert them. He tried to assure them that He would not abandon them,that He had to have been captured or even worse killed,to prevent Him from returning to them. Finally as he lay there his body wracked with sweats and pain he called to him the elders. They gathered round his bed where very soon he may breath his last. He could not speak in more than a hoarse whisper so the oldest and wisest bent towards him. “ Sound the Horn” he said to the Elder “ Summon the winged one “ The Elder stood back and gazed at him with awe. Sound the horn? He had never heard the horn in his lifetime. “ Now!” Croaked the Priest.
The Elder turned and told the others. They all stood mouths agape,looking first to the Priest and then the Elder. Then they hurried from the room and chose the strongest of the people to make the climb up the mountain to sound the Horn.

He flew in circles ever widening,he had heard the call and now he searched the land below him for signs. The call had been weak,and he hoped that he would not be too late. He scanned the Ground and the mountain sides. A Dragons eyes were a thousand times stronger than a Humans and he could see even the smallest thing from up here. He knew he would have some explaining to do when he got back,Myriad had been wanting to go to the mountains today,but,he could not ignore the call. He scanned the side of the mountain as he was passing it and he saw him. The one who had called. He swooped down and there he was lying on a ledge an Arrow through his wing preventing him from flight. Argarth wondered how he had managed to get here to the ledge for surely this was too high for an Arrow to have reached him. And he realised that the brave little eagle had made sure that no one could take the message he carried by finding his way to this ledge where no Human could reach. He was still alive but barely,having used most of his strength to reach here and what little was left to send out his call. Very gently Argarth gathered the Brave little bird in his claws and set off for Duranbro.
They were on the roof of the Great Hall with Bryntich when he returned. He landed as gently as he could and laid his little friend on the ground. Myriad gave a cry and ran to the Eagle that was her friend too. “ You must get Bailin,quickly “ she called to Klenyth. The counsellor hurried from the roof to bring the wizard. She unstrapped the message from the Eagles leg and passed it to Zargrith,who opened and read it.
Bailin came hurrying on to the roof and on seeing the eagle took out a little pouch from his belt.opening it he took out a sprinkling of dust from the Horn of the Unicorn Magryth and began to sprinkle it as Myriad pulled the Arrow from Elis wing. He had more wounds than just his wing and as the dust hit them they began to heal. In a few moments the Eagle was stood,still too weak to fly,but no longer about to leave the Mortal kingdom. Myriad talked gently to him and he rubbed his head against her cheek.
“ What did the message say?” Keelagh asked Zargrith
“ It is from the Temple of the Tiger it seems they need a warrior” he said watching her face as he said it. Myriad stood and turned towards the daughter she had just gained back,she knew there was no way she was going to stop her going to find Paidrech and the others to answer the call for help. She said nothing.
“ Well” Bryntich said watching Keelaghs face become animated at the thought of adventure “ It would seem dear Keelagh that you have your wish”

Warrior of Duranbro
The Final Act

He opened his eyes, the light forced them open. In front of him stood himself? That couldn`t be, he blinked and looked again. No like himself but not. Blue eyes instead of his black ones,fair hair instead of his dark. But the face was the same almost,maybe a little brighter,serener than his.He stared at the face a stirring of memory,a little flash that this meant something to him. But the darkness had taken all his memories and he couldn`t grasp the fleeting visions long enough to make sense of them. He lifted his hand to touch the figure,then realised that he was not right in front of him at all,that a distance seperated them. Yet he could see him as though he were an arms length away. And then he lifted both arms and sent a bolt of black lightning towards the figure that prevented him from continuing his task. The bolt shot across the distance between them but the other had lifted his arms too and parried the bolt with one of his own silvery blue bolts. He called down a rain of bolts upon the figure,each met with the same resisitance. He continued to send them and he felt his strength returning and his bolts grew stronger. The other bolts seemed to be weakening his triumph would know no bounds when he defeated the usurper and he sent more and more as the other became weaker.And he moved forward to close the gap so the bolts might be stronger a smile upon his face as the other was forced back beneath the onslought of black lighening.

They stood three abreast in the mouth of the tunnel,the beasts were advancing slowly towards them and the soldiers they had forced from the chamber had rallied and they too advanced once again. She heard a voice she recognised and out from the other tunnel behind the beasts came Gilbert,Kearth,Leck and behind them the giant Bodin. “ Started the party without us Keelagh “ laughed Leck as she surveyed the beasts and the men “ Seems you like to play with large numbers good thing we brought some friends that want to play “ she winked and moved to the side as did the others. Padding quietly behind them their eyes fierce and sparkling were the Black Wolves. One look at the Wolves and panic struck the beasts. They began running about trying to find a way out. When they got close to Keelagh,Paidrech and Kaliq they were met with swords. They began to jump into the Lake as the Wolves attacked. The lake boiled and the Dragon that Kaliq had encountered began picking them off one by one,dragging them down to the murky depths beneath. The others made their way over to Keelagh. “ Maybe would be best if we went back into the Chamber Keelagh “ Paidrech shouted above the noise “ There is more room in there we can guard the entrance” She nodded her head and they all backed up the tunnel towards the mouth of the Chamber. The Beasts came after them not so much to attack but to escape the deadly fangs of the Black Wolves,the soldiers of the enemy were being attacked by both beast and Wolf and the sound of their screams was chilling and made their blood run cold. Not all the beasts ran,the larger ones stood their ground and fought,but they were by nature cowardly creatures attacking only weak or defenceless prey in packs. As they fought off the beasts,they heard the sounds of the battle in the skies and the earth beneath them shook when something hit the ground hard. She prayed fervently that it was not Bryn.
Paidrech looked around the Chamber he had noticed when they enetered before that there was an opening and he looked for it now he had a plan, he needed to get into the city and he was hoping that the way was through that opening. He spied it and seeing the others were occupied with the beasts and protecting the eggs he backed off towards it. Through the opening and he found some steps,up he went and when he reached the top he found that there were two ways to go,one led to more steps to his left and one to more steps to his right,he tried the ones to the right and they led to a heavily bolted door. He stopped, this door was bolted from the inside and from the noise he could hear through the door that was not the way into the city. He retraced his steps and took the left ones they led up and along and then up again. Half way up he came across the body of a man.Sword in his hand,Paidrech stepped over him sword ready for when he stepped through the open door before him. He took a deep breath and stepped through. Before him lay another man,this one though still breathed and was stirring. He knelt down beside him and took his sword from his hands as he did the mans eyes shot open. “ Be calm “ Paidrech said to him softly “ I am not the enemy, slowly “ he said as Anton tried to struggle up into a position that would allow him to stand. Paidrech took out the Ring that Zargrith had given him and showed it to the counsellor. Anton smiled “ What happened to Garth?” he asked “ Did you dipatch him? “ Paidrech laughed “ No apparently you did” he said “ He is down the steps “
“ Did he manage to open the outer door for the enemy? “ Anton asked him worried that they had got to the eggs “ No the door is still bolted but would have made no difference my Friend,the enemy cannot defeat the brave Keelagh and her little band “ He then helped Anton to stand up “ Keelagh is here?” he asked him “ She protects the eggs but you need to be showing me the highest building I am in need of a high roof”
“ Why that would be this one,The great Hall,Come I will show you the way up” And they set off along the corridors of the great hall. Paidrech hoped that he would be in time if he was needed and he hoped more that he wouldn’t be.

He was winning he could feel the other weakening,and soon he could go back to what he was doing before.And then he saw the other was joined by another. This man was tall and dark and he did not flinch at the bolts. He raised his hands this other and it was not bolts that escaped from them but light,balls of light,that flew across the expanse of space between them and burst above him,hurting his eyes,his ears,burning,searing. Yet he was not burnt,his flesh was still intact.He became angry and started to call down all the powers he held. He sent visions of Demons and bolts of lightning,he sent howling beasts and ghosts of tortured souls. He saw them recoil and then stand back and send more light and more bolts. He renewed his vigorous efforts and sent more. They were both weakening now trying to fend off the things whirling around them and attacking them. He laughed soon it would be over.

Bailin had watched him and he had waited just a few moments for the light that Yailith had sent to make him open his eyes and look. Yailith had stepped away and left him to deal with it as he promised he would. And when he had opened his eyes there had been what? A flicker of recognition? An awareness of who he was? If there had it had been fleeting,momentary. He knew that his brother was gone,replaced by this Darkness that he saw before him. And later he would mourn him again as he had when he first felt him go many years ago. The battle so far had been an impasse but then he had felt his strength draining and the other growing stronger as though he was feeding from him. Then Yailith had come and stood beside him and had sent his balls of light. Yailith was strong but not yet strong enough for an enemy such as this. And soon they were being beleagured by Demons and lost souls and it was not that they were hurting their bodies but the cries from the lost ones ripped through their minds and it was hard to concentrate and he feared the battle would be lost and he would have failed.

High into the Skies she went flying straight up for miles and they followed her Bryn and he. And suddenly she was swooping back down and she had caught Bryn and thrown him. He flew tumbling across the skies and began to fall his wings closed and he dared not look for fear he would see him hit the ground and not move. She was turning to him now and he shot up and over her catching her wing and spinning her round but she was fast,and soon she was above again and her claws ripped into his wing to try and do what she did to Bryn. He was prepared and he pulled away and up and over again being careful not to expose hhis chest to those massive ripping claws. She breathed fire at him and he dodged it flying beneath and catching her again and she spun and swooped and went for his neck this time and slashed. The claws opening his scales and reaching the flesh beneath. Then he felt her dragged from him and Bryn was there he had caught her neck as she had caught his and she roared with rage and threw the Dragon again and he spun away,then spread his wings and was back. This time she would take no more from the young Dragon and she ripped his wing and threw him crashing to the ground,for a second time, this time Bryn lay unmoving. Argarth roared with pain and grief and attacked once again she who he once would have given his life for. The battle was furious and he was weakening,he was hurt and bleeding and she sensed his weakness she spread her wings to their widest span and soared up for the last attack.

He had reached the roof and found what he needed,though he had to waste precious time setting it up and making sure that it was in the right position. He watched the Dragons fight,he watched the swooping and the soaring and he knew that there would be only one chance,only one,and if he missed.

The battle was his,he felt the power drain from the other two and he raised his hands to unleash the last bolts that would finish it. He opened his eyes to savour the moment of their defeat. He stopped his breath held. He remembered now that which he had forgot and there it stood before him. The dreams he had been having,the reason he had sent the beasts out to stop it. The White Wolf.It stood serenly gazing at him with its strange green eyes. There was no fear in its gaze. There was no fear in its stance. It stood between him and they and watched him. A deep cold fear enveloped him as he looked into those strange eyes. He shook himself mentally,it was only a wolf and he threw the great dark bolt at it.

She emerged onto the roof in time to see Bryn fall to the ground and lie still,she cried out in anguish and pain. She had to get to him and she turned to find the way down. But the battle in the sky held her as it did all those below on the plains. The fighting had stopped,only the battle with the wizards continued with flashes of light and dark. But it was the Dragons that held all their attention now.they swooped and swirled and fought and Dragon blood rained down from the wounds they inflicted on each other. They watched and all felt the gloom as they knew that Argarth was weakening,he fought bravely and furiously but she was the stronger and they feared she would be the victor. Argarth had been stunned and as he gathered himself they watched her open her wings wide for the last attack.
The lighning hit the Wolf. But instead of destroying him it spread out over him and as it spread it changed from dark and black through a myriad of colours into Gold and it grew and became brighter and suddenly it was coming back at him in a wave that he could not hope to escape. His last thought as it hit him and flashed a golden light out over the plains was that he had been wrong,it had not been only a Wolf.
The Golden light flashed out over Yailith and Bailin,out further over the soldiers and the Wolves and the beasts that had emerged from the cavern and were trying to escape back to the mountain,through the tunnels of the cavern and out over the city. Up into the sky where the Dragons fought. Momentarily it blinded the Queen and she poised in midflight wings spread. Paidrech watched and waited he had heard Keelagh cry out and he felt her pain but he turned not his head not moved his eyes or his mind from that which he must do. Just one chance and as the light flashed out he took it. He released the Giant Arrow from its sling and watched as it sailed through the golden light to its target. The Queen blinked and fought to free her sight and just as it became clear the arrow hit. Through the breastplate of scales it tunneled its way into her heart,touched by the golden light and made stronger it pierced the heart and the Queen once more poised in her splendour in the skies for a moment as the heart stopped its beating. Then the wings folded and she fell to the earth below.

Keelagh ran from the roof and down through the city,out through its gate she ran like the wind to get to Bryn. She minded noone and heard nothing. As she came to him she slowed and walked towards the large Dragon lay on the ground. Argarth swooped down and landed nearby and he too went towards his friend his heart heavy with grief. The little band with Paidrech at its head all gathered, Magryth and Wraith,Yailith and Bailin,Myriad and Zargrith. The young Dragon had fought bravely to free them from the Queens madness and they all stood now heads bowed. Wraith moved forward to his friend the one that had saved his life. He snuffled the Dragons face and whined.
“AAAAAtchoo, Damn this green stuff “ A voice said as he sneezed again and opened his eyes. Keelagh stood laughing and crying at the same time. “ Bryn …tis grass” she choked on the words so glad he was not gone. A great cheer went up from those surrounding him “ I really must practice that landing “ he mumbled as he shook his head. Argarth laughed along with Keelagh,” You look like you been tumbling in the hedges Bryntich,scales missing and rips in your wings, will be a little while before you fly far but I think you will be fine” and he winked at the Young Dragon.

They had gathered in the great Chamber beneath the City. The hatching time was here. They had cleared the plains of the Dead Queen and her consorts and all was at peace again. It had been two days since the death of the Queen and they had lost many eggs in the weeks before. They could only hope now that of the Dragons hatching one would be the new Queen. The eggs began to hatch and as each little Dragon head appeared they watched and waited. Mainly they were red and green Dragons and these each went and found themselves a watcher from the group stood waiting. There were three eggs left and they began to crack. The first to emerge was a miniture Bryntich,its flashing irridescant colours and cheeky face bringing laughter and shouts from the crowd. It ignored the group of watchers totally and wandered around and around untill it suddenly shot towards Leck and sat in front of her its tongue lolling and rolling its eyes,so comical was it that Leck dropped to her knees and wrapped her arms round its neck. “ Looks like I just became a mama” she said laughingly as the small Dragon licked her face. The next one was a miniture Argarth and he too ignored the watchers and made his way without hesitation to Gilbert. “ I know nothing about Dragons” laughed Gilbert
“ Well now is the time to learn “ Myriad said laughingly “ But what of when we go adventuring?” he asked her
“ Well then you will have a second watcher or they go with you “ She answered him.
The last egg was now Cracking and they held their breath. And a great cheer went up as the little Golden head emerged slowly,shyly. She looked round the cavern and withdrew her head back into the shell. Reluctant to come out into the strange world full of strange noise and strange creatures. She peeped over the shell again and looked around, stood a little way from the rest of the crowd Bailin watched as she hesitantly emerged. She stood looking round and her shy gaze kept coming back to him.Their eyes met and he smiled at the shyness of what would be the ruler of the Dragons. Without any more hesitation she crossed the cavern and sat before him,then she laid her head against him. Even though she was fresh hatched she was already half his height. “ Well Bailin who better to teach the new Queen than a wizard” Argarth said “ Looks like you and I will be spending much time together from this moment” Bailin didn`t know if he was pleased or not,he looked down into the Golden eyes gazing up at him. He knew that he would spend the rest of his life helping Argarth to teach the Queen of Dragons and building up his own powers. He knew also that this was what he had been meant to do and was why he had found Paidrech all those years ago. He smiled and knelt down to the Dragon and hugged her.
All was well in the Land of Duranbro once more. And the band of Travellers could rest. For now……

Part six...The Battle for Duranbro
Chapter four...Each to his own
Part two

Part two

He hurried to the steps,he had made his way through the city dodging the fire falling from the sky and now he had but to open the doors and the secret way to the cavern and his plan would be almost done. They hadn`t missed him when the battle had started and he had sneaked back through the ranks and back into the City. He no longer moved with the lighthearted sureness he had been displaying for weeks. Things had started to go wrong,first the Prince had appeared. He that should have been dead these last six years,the one he had believed dead. And he was sure that Kenlyth knew he was the one but that mattered not for there was nothing he could do now,he was out there protecting his beloved Queen and her consort. He reached the Hall and hurried through the corridors and down steps and more corridors,he had the feeling of time pressing an urgency he hadn`t felt before. He hadn`t known about the ditch of oil,they had been counting on the Wolves to do their damage but it mattered not for now the fire was gone and the battle in full swing and the Wolves would be sent forth again. He had reached the farthest door and as he went to open it he heard a step behind him. He turned and there stood Anton. Smiling arrogant Anton,Weak palsied Anton who had not been able to join the battle because he was a cripple. He felt the sneer on his face as he noticed the sword that Anton wore strapped round his middle. “ Why Anton,” He mused sneeringly “ You look as if you are prepared for battle,should you not be neath the great hall with all the other weak and crippled old men?” Anton just smiled that lazy smile. “ And were you not out with the strong able bodied ones protecting this fair city and its fairer Queen” He replied placing his head on one side and watching the counsellor “ Why be on the losing side?” he watched Antons face closely,no surprise,no shock or horror. Just that lazy smile that he always wore. “ You know Garth,that I will not allow you to open that door? “ Anton said slowly. Garth laughed,a short hard laugh “ You a cripple! Seek to stop me the best swordsman in the counsell?” he spat jeeringly. Anton continued his lazy smile. “ You know Garth the thing about having been born with one leg shorter than the other is that you adapt your body to the disadvantages and turn them to your advantage,I was not left in the city because I could not fight,but because I could” And the smile widened as his hand closed round the hilt of the sword.

All around him he saw only the Mists of darkness,he cared not it had been this way for many years now. He saw the battle not with his eyes but with his mind as he stood concentrating on keeping the Dragons and Wolves and Soldiers under his Will. Of late there had been something niggling in his mind,something he feared he had forgot,not accounted for.But,he would let nothing stop his endeavour to reach the Eggs. Even if he could not prevent the new Queen from being born she would be born into his power,his to command and he would make her dark like him,as he had been made so long ago. There was a humming in the air around him,like something was trying to break his concentration,but he was stronger than that and they could not reach him. Even those little flashes he had been getting of a life that he didn`t remember ever having could not stop him. Now the Wolves would go and wreak havoc and when all was done he would have his victory,and she would have hers.

They had been fighting for awhile and Zargrith knew the soldiers would be getting weary. The battle in the skies was being won to their advantage though and hopefully the Dragons would soon be free to come to the aid of the ground forces. He looked across the plains in a brief respite and saw the chilling sight of the Wolves once again speeding across the plain towards them. And behind them though still distant another wave of soldiers. They would be outnumbered and with the Wolves too he could see no way of winning this battle. He looked acrosss at Myriad. In this moment she looked as he remembered her years ago,hair flowing, face glowing from the battle, eyes flashing. He wanted to tell her to turn and ride back to Duranbro and stay within the city walls untill Paidrech and Keelagh arrived with what he hoped would be reinforcements. But he knew she would not.He only hoped that if the worst were to happen that he would be struck down first because he would not be able to bear seeing her taken from him this way. He felt a movement by him and realised he was surrounded by three Damn he had let his concentration waver and as he glanced back he saw Myriad was trapped too with one coming up behind..

The Swords clashed and clattered and the sound echoed through the hallway. Anton was good but not fast enough and he had managed to wound him slightly. He feigned now and went for the crippled leg,if you couldn`t win fairly then cheat was his motto. He hit the leg hard with the butt of his dagger and Anton began to go down,his bad leg giving way before the assault. Garth raised his sword high for the killing blow. A chilling howl reverberated through the corridors sending ice cold shivers down his spine and making him hesitate just long enough for Anton to swing his sword up and into his midriff,hot pain shot through him and he staggered forward but as he did he dealt Anton a viscious blow to the head with the hilt of his sword. He fell silently and did not move. Garth fell against the wall a red mist now in front of his eyes. The door he had to reach the door. And he staggered forward to the door and pulled it open. Staggering through he found the steps down to the passage way that led to the walls of the city and there would be troops waiting to enter the city.

The Darkness swirled and eddied around him he was serene and the Wolves were going forward now to do their job and he could see that the Queen and her Prince were about to be despatched and that would take the heart from the Duranbro soldiers. Then a long Chilling Howl swept across the plains and just for a moment the Darkness dissapeared and was filled instead with Golden light. He shook his head and concentrated once more on the Wolves and the soldiers and the Dragons,no he had lost the Dragons. It mattered not they were being defeated anyway. The Wolves were becoming harder to hold.

He opened his mouth to call to her to be careful watch out when the Howl went out across the plain and the soldiers stopped,suddenly looking confused and bewildered,he didn`t hesitate and cut all three down he turned to see that Myriad too had taken advantage of the strange behaviour and now they galloped towards each other waiting for the Wolves to come,but then a second Howl went out and the Wolves turned towards the far hill. He looked and there stood in splendour against the sky was the biggest white Wolf that he had ever seen. He hoped fervently that the Wolf was not an enemy. As he watched the huge creature shot down the hill howling again. The Black Wolves ran towards him and as he passed through them turned and followed. His heart was in his mouth untill he saw the Wolf lead them away from them and across to where the new wave of soldiers were now galloping towards them. He saw too the small but very welcome band of soldiers following the Wolf. And he knew that Paidrech had come at last.

The second Howl split his darkness into splinters and made his ears hurt. No stop it he wanted to shout but could not,he struggled with the will of the Wolves. There could be nothing stronger than he.He commanded,he would have to let go of the soldiers for a moment to win back the Wolves and as he did the third howl went out and the link was gone. His Darkness was fracturing around him,he was losing the soldiers,no he had to keep them,Where am I? The soldiers he still had them,he could still do this, Who am I? no go away!! He lifted his hands to his head and grasped it tight to make himself concentrate. And then another light began to force its way past his closed eyelids,forcing him to open them. And his last tenuous link with the battle dissapeared.

They had found the turn off and left the horses there in a place where they would be safe but also so they could escape if need be. They headed now towards the golden light at the end of the long tunnel they were in. They could hear nothing untill they had almost reached the entrance to the giant cavern,and then they could hear the sound of voices from within. Paidrech signalled her to move close against the wall and so it was they sneaked into the cavern rather than walked in and so were undetected by the ones in there. The sight they saw at first pleased and then chilled Keelagh and for a moment left her bewildered, Bryntich and Argarth both were there,and she wanted to call him so pleased was she to see him but when she heard the words that Argarth spoke her pleasure turned to dismay. Surely Bryn and he could not be the traitors, Her precious Bryn could not be the one that would be responsible for the downfall of Duranbro.She listened closer. And as they spoke she understood. In the middle of the lake was a burning ship,dead men lay strewn around the cavern as rag dolls tossed by an angry child.Goltech was on the other side her mighty head raised and looking in disdain first at one Dragon and then at the other.
“ You are both fools” she said to them in a cold angry voice. “ You cannot defeat me either singurlarly or together”
“ We will not allow you to do this Goltech” Argarth spoke calmly but with great strength in his voice. She gave him a cold look and turned to Bryntich “ Why do you follow this one to your doom?” she asked him hissingly. Bryntich raised his head and looked at her defiantly “ When the future of all you hold dear is in danger,you will try to amend it” he answered her “ I..AM…THE…FUTURE!!” she boomed out across the cavern . The whole mountain shook and rocks tumbled and splashed into the lake.Keelagh and Paidrech had to cover their ears and hope the rocks didn`t hit them. They looked at each other,now they understood what they had to do and without hesitating started to make their way round the cavern behind the rocks towards where Goltech stood in front of the entrance to the cavern where lay the eggs.
“ We will not allow you to do this” Argarth told her
“ YOU, will not allow, WHO are YOU that thinks they can stop ME ? This is MY world “ Argarth realised in that moment that the Queen had truly gone mad,there was no Dragon code left inside her mind only her power,her might and what she percieved as hers the rule of all Dragons and creatures of the World. “ Then we shall do what we must Goltech for we will not allow you to harm the Humans” Argarth said coldly. Goltech narrowed her eyes and looked from one to the other,as she did she caught a movement from the corner of her eye and turned her head towards it. Keelagh and Paidrech had made their way round and they had just the space between the last rock and the entrance to cross but it was open and as they tried to sneak along the wall the Great Dragon had caught their movements. Before the Great Dragon could release the fire that would reduce them to ashes Argarth released his at her. She turned and in one movement jumped up with such speed that the two Humans were left gaping after her. Up towards the roof of the cavern,but she did not stop, she broke through the rock and continued to climb straight up through the mountain, rocks tumbling and crashing in to the cavern below, Argarth and Bryntich without hesitation followed her. Paidrech pulled Keelagh into the mouth of the tunnel leading to the eggs just before a huge rock fell in the place she was standing. Rocks hit the burned out boat and sank it in the middle of the lake and they saw what looked like shells belonging to what had been Dragon eggs,Keelagh began to wonder if they were not already too late. As they watched the burning boat sink they saw the prow of another boat coming through the entrance to the tunnel that the lake flowed through,they came back out into the cavern and watched the boat emerge. As it came forward slowly,the few men left on the oars rowing tiredly she saw Kaliq stood with sword in hand. She noted the eggs on the boat and how there seemed to be many more than the boat could hold. Kaliq was dirty and bruised and