#### 632Please respect copyright.PENANA9P1TyuoKqA
632Please respect copyright.PENANAhORxDjZhGR
The towering mass of vines was a domed juggernaut over 100 feet tall. Pulsing purple runes covered its domed surface.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAoW9DjC5Ul0
The Acolytes numbered in the thousands chanting together as the slow moving dome reached the clearing in the Sinister Forest. With in the hour the dome was at the portal, and was sucked though it.
632Please respect copyright.PENANA4bjbFzQDCk
####
632Please respect copyright.PENANAf2G2di9B44
Try
632Please respect copyright.PENANArHwUuaaiZ7
The way is clear.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAhFJsKsjf4s
Can't you hear it?
632Please respect copyright.PENANAshaJhDZ6m6
Your spirit, she sings;
632Please respect copyright.PENANA8i6Gl68Ckn
Upon a bird's wing;
632Please respect copyright.PENANAe4ccycYIeW
Out of the darkness,
632Please respect copyright.PENANAJmORJbQEgL
The heavy heart lightens.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAInVTa35UWO
####
632Please respect copyright.PENANAZK8oitl7cF
Merryn awoke to a beast with yellow fangs close to her face. She shrieked, rolling away from it. Everything hurt. "Uhhgg." Where was everyone? She backed further. A hill? She frowned. Lighting and robes?
632Please respect copyright.PENANASOUx7vJuXZ
Movement again.
632Please respect copyright.PENANABbEHG85gnr
The creature spread it's clawed paws wide and murmured. A wind blew on the chimes that grew from the branches of the silver trees. Back here again? Can't wake up just once without anxiety inducing crap happening?
632Please respect copyright.PENANABTKUrDMNxw
The creature moved forward. She reached behind, whipping her hand over the grass. Just twigs and grass. Slipping into her boots. They're gone!
632Please respect copyright.PENANAFlBNb0Z80m
The creature sat on its haunches. Its eyes softened and mouth moved. Growling and mewing. Was—it talking?
632Please respect copyright.PENANA3IfPMEA63A
It coughed, clearing its throat. "I'm Leo." He touched his chest.
632Please respect copyright.PENANApKP7hMtAvb
She blinked.
632Please respect copyright.PENANA2Mf2GkSPbn
"Merryn."
632Please respect copyright.PENANA7cRJDfBGEN
The crea—Leo smiled, a very pointy one, but none the less a smile. She chuckled. Is this a sick dream?
632Please respect copyright.PENANAxZVjWW6dIB
He rubbed his chin saying nothing, studying her.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAthtHEGrHoZ
"How? Why?" She relaxed some and crossed her legs. The grass was wet and cold from the morning dew.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAQWYw814ITb
"I was little, you saved me. Remember?" He spaced his paws appart closing the distance between.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAcs0bmfWkBB
Saved him? ... She rubbed her neck.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAyGgTKho5Yv
Leo mewed and sighed.
632Please respect copyright.PENANANsKigvrQYg
"Do that again." A memory tugged at the corners just out of reach.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAWUmUIO7zps
His fuzzy ears twitched. "Mewww."
632Please respect copyright.PENANAIW7iGOXM1c
"You were that pup?"
632Please respect copyright.PENANAXhm8fev03I
"Yes! I was too afraid to talk back then."
632Please respect copyright.PENANADa2xX1DYV3
She moved closer. "So, why?"
632Please respect copyright.PENANAwJQnR9Bj2s
He moved slow and even to the firepit between them.
632Please respect copyright.PENANA8UytWi6vGS
"You're all I had back then. It's silly, I guess."
632Please respect copyright.PENANALTY878d6be
He placed a few logs on the fire, then touched each log with a fire stone. Nice. She held her hands out and rubbed them.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAqnY68S7PV7
A large bird feathered of orange and yellow landed behind Leo, it stretched its neck; peering, then turned to Leo.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAs1LI6SEuSq
"A force is coming this way. You both need to go."
632Please respect copyright.PENANAozpiBGAzwG
"Who is this?" said Merryn.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAk2hQYyk2O7
"Call me Blaze. Little time. Go!"
632Please respect copyright.PENANAjwRhUBSfIf
She turned back around and hugged Leo with her wings, then took off into the sky. Sparks jumped between the trees that she passed.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAiBX3201JTJ
Behind a sight that wouldn't sink in at first. Maxwell was walking toward her with Jason and a young man following.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAcicf2sfapH
She held a breath. Will he ever quit?
632Please respect copyright.PENANAgp9LrjL6Cr
"Don't bother running. I'll find you again. Come back before its too late," Maxwell said.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAPdHKpBNZxS
Turning, she ran, with Leo following. Too weak right now to fight. She stumbled, retaining balance before face met with the ground.
632Please respect copyright.PENANA7DZW84XMIZ
Blaze circled overhead diving, her beak wide open. A light within brightening her maw.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAhe7I9BGoLP
Leo pulled her again. "Have to go faster it's going to get hot."
632Please respect copyright.PENANAFGtkipErSD
Blaze breathed down a tourch of flame at Maxwell and troupe.
632Please respect copyright.PENANA3eGQHYA0BZ
The trees instantly set ablaze, waves of heat singed her body.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAjUdd9QHRJl
"Run!"
632Please respect copyright.PENANAMBh7risjzO
Taking his paw she shouted out a prayer for haste. Her body thrummed, a heat spreading through, this passed over to Leo. He tried to talk, but the loud wind whistled overriding his voice.
632Please respect copyright.PENANACMl0O5hDpN
The trees on the right sparked with lighting, the metal glowing and some melted down to a lump of slag. Maxwell now along side not more then twenty feet away turned. The sharp look ate across the distance.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAogffjWwFSq
Her heart tightened. She pushed on going faster, pulling Leo with.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAbFvc6Sz87r
Leo gestured straight ahead.
632Please respect copyright.PENANApwH5lumwmb
Nodding, she weaved between the trees, leggs and arms burning. The prayer spell is wearing off, have to get away now!
632Please respect copyright.PENANAbVScc5f6M6
Leo pointed down.
632Please respect copyright.PENANARWQIDg24T0
A short ledge with a lake below, jumping she pulled him with. Getting caught by him again, can't bear it. After emerging from the cover of the water the night lit up.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAHeL1eMZqB0
Blaze truly a creature of fire was set against the night sky with her wings spread out as a halo over her head. Her shrill edged cry, directed at Maxwell.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAY3JBH4N5nC
Past Maxwell the half grown chicks huddled together shivering. Maxwell's lighting bolts hit only a hands spread away.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAufLjUc1qeM
"My babies! Die!"
632Please respect copyright.PENANAcffqXXenKZ
She breathed in her throat glowing, then breathed out a swirling tourch that grew taking on the shape of a fanged dragon, this bolted at Maxwell.
632Please respect copyright.PENANARgnBmdsLpB
A bright bolt of lightning snaked up from the forest it hit Blaze's chest. Her yelp of pain ecoed throughout the forest.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAZy84TOjKM4
Leo stood there mute, shaking. His furied face contorted one of pure rage. Fat tears rolled down his face leaving wet tracks.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAOXjjJ7Fd5H
Blaze lurched mid flight flapping franticly as she spun falling at an angle toward Maxwell.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAd9qWTtrZRY
"We have to go. I'm sorry." She pulled on Leo's arm.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAGe7LStIgQl
"They will be," he said. His tone harsh and cold.
632Please respect copyright.PENANARLwZsR6O6N
They both ran for the rest of that night; stopping only to catch their breath.
632Please respect copyright.PENANA88c8iNWTfg
An earth cracking squawk filled the forest near dusk, then a thump.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAw1LVnHbMpE
His ears perked up, swiveling behind.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAvTxDtu4asF
"She's tough."
632Please respect copyright.PENANAyyNTE6NMp4
His face relaxed some and smiled a little.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAeI4r3wAxLc
"Yes."
632Please respect copyright.PENANAz5MagIdTzg
####
632Please respect copyright.PENANAii76XyxURR
On a grassy hillside south of the forest a thudding vibration jolted through the soles of her boots.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAVeT0zuof3X
I need you to get on a ship; now that it's impossible to go back, thanks to that pizz of a bird!
632Please respect copyright.PENANAazVKKYjlhD
She startled, Unnameds thoughts loud.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAmdcvTlTHyr
What are you talking about?
632Please respect copyright.PENANAxY96SlCm9G
A port town is ahead at the bottom of the hill, go to it.
632Please respect copyright.PENANArfolVXi1iu
No.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAhoaguDb9eu
Then I'll make you.
632Please respect copyright.PENANA0FE0xTgPzf
The prayer for the haste spell tumbled out. She ran off ahead, leaving Leo behind.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAfWsbhDeH5F
"Hey! Wait!"
632Please respect copyright.PENANAW5FPFW9XE2
Her mouth clamped shut before she could speek.
632Please respect copyright.PENANALiWh8djo30
We will go further Southwest the port isn't far.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAXC7hueDrGp
She ran down the grassy hill.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAYnChVqw0Gy
"Merryn?" Leo yelled her name repeatedly.
632Please respect copyright.PENANA4eXpjgHF9e
A few minutes later and his shouts faded.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAxHFzBuYVR4
####
632Please respect copyright.PENANASZKAZ5cbiI
A day later exhausted, Unnamed still pushed her to speed walk, her legs burned and her feet hurt. Sweat drenched her back.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAURq13BkPdL
Just let me rest.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAIA6j8RrrMR
After, keep going. Unnamed's thoughts were faint.
632Please respect copyright.PENANASGSCET3r1j
Guess it wore him out too, good.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAevqN9aaVwL
Screeching of Sealarks filled her ears, a warm breeze carried with it the briney salt of the ocean. The ocean sucked even more then usual. The sea was calm this day.
632Please respect copyright.PENANABgxHvxrNfG
Off ahead a long line of workers carried barrels of goods. Further down past was a bustling port harbor with several ships tied to the long docks.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAl1n5s96aWg
A bell clanged bong-dong, and the workers stopped what they were doing. They all went and stood in line at a booth, a skinny man handed them each a pouch, after they went into town.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAhvgGmtvwYS
Unnamed held her locked in a walk, until the last one left the docks. Legs pumping he pushed her into a sprint to the largest ship. On its side it read: cloudy sphere.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAVbx1V57a8N
Unnamed had her wisper to Kage, the shadows flowed over.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAZ2cPaBvUQz
Too sunny out, it's going to break in a few seconds.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAWNPn4D0iPa
More then enough time.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAHtpkj5W7D5
The shadows broke just as feet touched a slanted plank that went up to the ship. It looked empty. She checked from bow to stern; empty.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAke1o50QGeX
The entrance to the hold was next to the captains room under the helm. This was all at the back of the ship. Unnamed had her sit right on the deck.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAAoHlnF5YEB
Now you wait.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAN7BcejNqdC
Do I even want to know?
632Please respect copyright.PENANAb6oHc1f37a
Yelling and screaming from down the docks and footfalls nearby.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAg1alkXKQ9n
Leo walked up.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAcnFkITYU08
"Get up! Come on!"
632Please respect copyright.PENANATTMNY3FYww
Reaching out with a paw he tapped her shoulder.
632Please respect copyright.PENANApPJkzZa1Pg
"Our master is growing week, don't muck this up."
632Please respect copyright.PENANAbS1ArQwozh
Leo snapped around and turned back, crouching down. He started to speak, but fell over his fur smoking.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAos6HFS4klC
Poor Leo, should have kept going.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAGbqFORlihI
"Toss it into the brig, it may have uses later."
632Please respect copyright.PENANAMqM0aYgEqD
"Now, how to get you to behave?"
632Please respect copyright.PENANAZdlgyDAShC
Swinging his staff in an angle. She closed her eyes and tried to bear down before it hit. Seconds passed buy, she peeked.
632Please respect copyright.PENANATq0vtGCuAt
Kar walked up the plank, and stood beside Maxwell.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAftzF048sbB
"Interesting, why don't you move?" said Maxwell.
632Please respect copyright.PENANA5Zim2ylT4B
Kar went to Leo pushing him onto his side.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAauM1svtXOu
"Monster, why do you interfere?" He let out a heavy breath. I've had enough problems this week dealing with that infernal overgrown chicken." Kar shook his sholder. Leo's eyes rolled back in his head.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAdDFMDt7dSU
"You didn't have to kill it Max."
632Please respect copyright.PENANA6cJjg9wjHE
"Its not dead."
632Please respect copyright.PENANAs23ySLZZlj
He snapped his fingers and and several Acolytes scampered up onto the ship beside him.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAYhf8q6T0Rb
"Go, and inform Nukpana that we are here, and to finish with her preparations."
632Please respect copyright.PENANASFuefENn5e
"It will be done." They scurried off the ship.
632Please respect copyright.PENANA1rSGErYAEv
He blocked two of them from leaving with an outstretched arm.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAtzjIYekJzV
"Drag the bugbear to the brig like I said."
632Please respect copyright.PENANA1Qg8mJlUqM
"Yes Sir!"
632Please respect copyright.PENANAi7yU7WfkTK
There was much huffing and puffing as they dragged him to an open area leftside of the captain's room. His arms floped and it was dreadful how his head thumped as they dragged him down the stairs.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAJJ6dgBmH2n
Maxwell bent down touching her shoulder. She couldn't even flinch as Unnamed still held her ridged.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAmHz8yvdzUL
He took out a tiny purple paper lamp and lit it; he blew the smoke on her face, and then circled around her making several rings of smoke. These rings closed and then dispersed.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAwehRoRJkuU
"Unamed is asleep now, but it won't do so for long. Get up, don't do anything stupid or I'll execute the beast."
632Please respect copyright.PENANA3KKYV0iRDu
He touched her nose with his pointer finger. "Savvy?"
632Please respect copyright.PENANAxRbiOTSoak
"Yes."
632Please respect copyright.PENANAkgljhmUd6V
She stood rubbing her stiff neck. How to get out of here? Why did Unnamed do this? Leo ...
632Please respect copyright.PENANAKrdezp7oy0
Kar moved to the port side of the ship and looked out to the sparkling ocean. The others immediately tended to different jobs. Some checked the lines while others checked the Main sail. After they were done, they stood ready.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAZlJZIxFS4v
Maxwell went to the middle of the deck.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAQwdL0KZYpS
"Hoist the sails! And watch that boom!"
632Please respect copyright.PENANAMu3i17N1pq
He flashed her a look; it really was a flash that blinded. Her eyes watered and squeezed out the sides of her eyes. He clasped her arm and pulled her forward, then pushed from behind.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAfZBpPsgQFc
"Hey!"
632Please respect copyright.PENANA6AlqBgc7gi
"Move."
632Please respect copyright.PENANAnOivy628yH
"Do I look like a rag doll to you? I'm going–"
632Please respect copyright.PENANAuKqRlEJhwZ
He pushed her to the captains quarters, closed the door and locked it.
632Please respect copyright.PENANAawKiPEBvEm
The sway of the boat almost put her to sleep, she rolled up into a ball with her head tucked up to her knees. Is it over?