#### 631Please respect copyright.PENANAfhOMbTGX2w
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The towering mass of vines was a domed juggernaut over 100 feet tall. Pulsing purple runes covered its domed surface.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAC1OjxqfnBT
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.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAL1S7Nt4SRE
####
631Please respect copyright.PENANAiz42H7yxZg
Try
631Please respect copyright.PENANARPZcgfoueD
The way is clear.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAs5SFUqky8w
Can't you hear it?
631Please respect copyright.PENANA5pJZe8lmOl
Your spirit, she sings;
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Upon a bird's wing;
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Out of the darkness,
631Please respect copyright.PENANABjSvkrj1qR
The heavy heart lightens.
631Please respect copyright.PENANA4zfxR9ZfOd
####
631Please respect copyright.PENANAdidic8Ciy9
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?
631Please respect copyright.PENANAyT6Rme7dXc
Movement again.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAYLfGDGmk9A
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?
631Please respect copyright.PENANA0aMUYMiWOl
The creature moved forward. She reached behind, whipping her hand over the grass. Just twigs and grass. Slipping into her boots. They're gone!
631Please respect copyright.PENANAz0XBHTpOGZ
The creature sat on its haunches. Its eyes softened and mouth moved. Growling and mewing. Was—it talking?
631Please respect copyright.PENANAQuNBtWzx7Q
It coughed, clearing its throat. "I'm Leo." He touched his chest.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAwNTk2mc0GR
She blinked.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAWvTxI5fYig
"Merryn."
631Please respect copyright.PENANAsyaOTNty5c
The crea—Leo smiled, a very pointy one, but none the less a smile. She chuckled. Is this a sick dream?
631Please respect copyright.PENANAVh3mjtzTLp
He rubbed his chin saying nothing, studying her.
631Please respect copyright.PENANA8eYrWiR49v
"How? Why?" She relaxed some and crossed her legs. The grass was wet and cold from the morning dew.
631Please respect copyright.PENANATdlxkzQXkZ
"I was little, you saved me. Remember?" He spaced his paws appart closing the distance between.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAS48nwBCQH9
Saved him? ... She rubbed her neck.
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Leo mewed and sighed.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAUZSMdEEx9t
"Do that again." A memory tugged at the corners just out of reach.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAtlGePaV9Je
His fuzzy ears twitched. "Mewww."
631Please respect copyright.PENANArXntqLD06D
"You were that pup?"
631Please respect copyright.PENANAuGvMvfTFSr
"Yes! I was too afraid to talk back then."
631Please respect copyright.PENANAux7P4uz7iX
She moved closer. "So, why?"
631Please respect copyright.PENANA7PDg1eRutP
He moved slow and even to the firepit between them.
631Please respect copyright.PENANA5fHy4MivwY
"You're all I had back then. It's silly, I guess."
631Please respect copyright.PENANAzc9lsMUAma
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.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAf86YugSWiS
A large bird feathered of orange and yellow landed behind Leo, it stretched its neck; peering, then turned to Leo.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAmEz3sQuOfp
"A force is coming this way. You both need to go."
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"Who is this?" said Merryn.
631Please respect copyright.PENANA9TNZjw7aM9
"Call me Blaze. Little time. Go!"
631Please respect copyright.PENANANSovXDXn3m
She turned back around and hugged Leo with her wings, then took off into the sky. Sparks jumped between the trees that she passed.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAtl4uKjhOWX
Behind a sight that wouldn't sink in at first. Maxwell was walking toward her with Jason and a young man following.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAu7YmFYABAT
She held a breath. Will he ever quit?
631Please respect copyright.PENANASma9ZioyhW
"Don't bother running. I'll find you again. Come back before its too late," Maxwell said.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAhM8cfpk8Wf
Turning, she ran, with Leo following. Too weak right now to fight. She stumbled, retaining balance before face met with the ground.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAWkoLzH5cRQ
Blaze circled overhead diving, her beak wide open. A light within brightening her maw.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAJ148jY4iem
Leo pulled her again. "Have to go faster it's going to get hot."
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Blaze breathed down a tourch of flame at Maxwell and troupe.
631Please respect copyright.PENANA4skCrLIhKZ
The trees instantly set ablaze, waves of heat singed her body.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAzddnlDq8Pk
"Run!"
631Please respect copyright.PENANANNht72Ub2h
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.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAWbzrKer52G
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.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAW7kBkXFOmU
Her heart tightened. She pushed on going faster, pulling Leo with.
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Leo gestured straight ahead.
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Nodding, she weaved between the trees, leggs and arms burning. The prayer spell is wearing off, have to get away now!
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Leo pointed down.
631Please respect copyright.PENANA6wIX4UBZGa
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.
631Please respect copyright.PENANA4FrNA4AH8v
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.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAYDIxFJ8Wj0
Past Maxwell the half grown chicks huddled together shivering. Maxwell's lighting bolts hit only a hands spread away.
631Please respect copyright.PENANA3emQLHPa8y
"My babies! Die!"
631Please respect copyright.PENANANjalusvwVw
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.
631Please respect copyright.PENANA9aak9SebL9
A bright bolt of lightning snaked up from the forest it hit Blaze's chest. Her yelp of pain ecoed throughout the forest.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAg4UVdLnXv2
Leo stood there mute, shaking. His furied face contorted one of pure rage. Fat tears rolled down his face leaving wet tracks.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAAApWSN0P4k
Blaze lurched mid flight flapping franticly as she spun falling at an angle toward Maxwell.
631Please respect copyright.PENANACsb2cTzWr1
"We have to go. I'm sorry." She pulled on Leo's arm.
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"They will be," he said. His tone harsh and cold.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAWOJZScz5Bb
They both ran for the rest of that night; stopping only to catch their breath.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAGRGaw2EA4W
An earth cracking squawk filled the forest near dusk, then a thump.
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His ears perked up, swiveling behind.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAsXjZ97loC1
"She's tough."
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His face relaxed some and smiled a little.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAKEPBZlQPY0
"Yes."
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####
631Please respect copyright.PENANAQIwjflvsXR
On a grassy hillside south of the forest a thudding vibration jolted through the soles of her boots.
631Please respect copyright.PENANASxv8fRidIg
I need you to get on a ship; now that it's impossible to go back, thanks to that pizz of a bird!
631Please respect copyright.PENANAjs8XBwTTda
She startled, Unnameds thoughts loud.
631Please respect copyright.PENANA6KCYgxF8qA
What are you talking about?
631Please respect copyright.PENANAgIgPyHQ35w
A port town is ahead at the bottom of the hill, go to it.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAA1VvsGdZ9D
No.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAoGnuVzs9Sf
Then I'll make you.
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The prayer for the haste spell tumbled out. She ran off ahead, leaving Leo behind.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAQ5t70bZUqs
"Hey! Wait!"
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Her mouth clamped shut before she could speek.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAZYDte4yh6n
We will go further Southwest the port isn't far.
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She ran down the grassy hill.
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"Merryn?" Leo yelled her name repeatedly.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAN3GWrht3J0
A few minutes later and his shouts faded.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAAb3Jtcx4n7
####
631Please respect copyright.PENANAvktrjAG1Kj
A day later exhausted, Unnamed still pushed her to speed walk, her legs burned and her feet hurt. Sweat drenched her back.
631Please respect copyright.PENANA8eRwkTjXwZ
Just let me rest.
631Please respect copyright.PENANA2Xm5COo0qr
After, keep going. Unnamed's thoughts were faint.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAYTKJI7St3W
Guess it wore him out too, good.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAcK55iI4mBY
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.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAfmRt8SXqYe
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.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAD0Ef6QgjS1
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.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAu5swYMBhDW
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.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAljnGL5tN2Q
Unnamed had her wisper to Kage, the shadows flowed over.
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Too sunny out, it's going to break in a few seconds.
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More then enough time.
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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.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAQyUG1H3xhj
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.
631Please respect copyright.PENANA67zTxOLxYO
Now you wait.
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Do I even want to know?
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Yelling and screaming from down the docks and footfalls nearby.
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Leo walked up.
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"Get up! Come on!"
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Reaching out with a paw he tapped her shoulder.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAjfaok3ExYD
"Our master is growing week, don't muck this up."
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Leo snapped around and turned back, crouching down. He started to speak, but fell over his fur smoking.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAKHnOUZqFBe
Poor Leo, should have kept going.
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"Toss it into the brig, it may have uses later."
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"Now, how to get you to behave?"
631Please respect copyright.PENANAy2RyEmnrBd
Swinging his staff in an angle. She closed her eyes and tried to bear down before it hit. Seconds passed buy, she peeked.
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Kar walked up the plank, and stood beside Maxwell.
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"Interesting, why don't you move?" said Maxwell.
631Please respect copyright.PENANALgIgH2eSyh
Kar went to Leo pushing him onto his side.
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"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.
631Please respect copyright.PENANA9ljphNbZwJ
"You didn't have to kill it Max."
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"Its not dead."
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He snapped his fingers and and several Acolytes scampered up onto the ship beside him.
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"Go, and inform Nukpana that we are here, and to finish with her preparations."
631Please respect copyright.PENANAEiWUFDKvTX
"It will be done." They scurried off the ship.
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He blocked two of them from leaving with an outstretched arm.
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"Drag the bugbear to the brig like I said."
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"Yes Sir!"
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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.
631Please respect copyright.PENANATdOyJinL76
Maxwell bent down touching her shoulder. She couldn't even flinch as Unnamed still held her ridged.
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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.
631Please respect copyright.PENANA33VBZuGvwO
"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."
631Please respect copyright.PENANAn1NvXZi5gW
He touched her nose with his pointer finger. "Savvy?"
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"Yes."
631Please respect copyright.PENANABwNXP2xArx
She stood rubbing her stiff neck. How to get out of here? Why did Unnamed do this? Leo ...
631Please respect copyright.PENANA1HCNM0Gdfo
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.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAcilpmysUb0
Maxwell went to the middle of the deck.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAAfHfqnNrHN
"Hoist the sails! And watch that boom!"
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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.
631Please respect copyright.PENANAXVcAH2CNti
"Hey!"
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"Move."
631Please respect copyright.PENANAChoFpYuCOR
"Do I look like a rag doll to you? I'm going–"
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He pushed her to the captains quarters, closed the door and locked it.
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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?