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#### 646Please respect copyright.PENANAUBB8eA6gwd
646Please respect copyright.PENANAATSCgcij1B
The towering mass of vines was a domed juggernaut over 100 feet tall. Pulsing purple runes covered its domed surface.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAn79f8r6DXR
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.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAn0KPSf4kFa
####
646Please respect copyright.PENANAKAZCBN1s5t
Try
646Please respect copyright.PENANAkzj52EXcmc
The way is clear.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAlk4FLPDBrs
Can't you hear it?
646Please respect copyright.PENANAsGQmSSe8us
Your spirit, she sings;
646Please respect copyright.PENANAByh9Xf5Qro
Upon a bird's wing;
646Please respect copyright.PENANA9YUKK3hizK
Out of the darkness,
646Please respect copyright.PENANAOnBiaRokRl
The heavy heart lightens.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAyhQW76j7Lr
####
646Please respect copyright.PENANAS29MphX7OE
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?
646Please respect copyright.PENANAP9rjmTV5X3
Movement again.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAyzJ1yddxxZ
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?
646Please respect copyright.PENANAtehCLMyOJ2
The creature moved forward. She reached behind, whipping her hand over the grass. Just twigs and grass. Slipping into her boots. They're gone!
646Please respect copyright.PENANAvatiXeQd3u
The creature sat on its haunches. Its eyes softened and mouth moved. Growling and mewing. Was—it talking?
646Please respect copyright.PENANA9TCy2YkXC2
It coughed, clearing its throat. "I'm Leo." He touched his chest.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAyHKvU8i25T
She blinked.
646Please respect copyright.PENANARhybNR1fBB
"Merryn."
646Please respect copyright.PENANAm699m7zcdu
The crea—Leo smiled, a very pointy one, but none the less a smile. She chuckled. Is this a sick dream?
646Please respect copyright.PENANAICmi58it4w
He rubbed his chin saying nothing, studying her.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAgpeV1nPrKE
"How? Why?" She relaxed some and crossed her legs. The grass was wet and cold from the morning dew.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAv9CiwjzV6Z
"I was little, you saved me. Remember?" He spaced his paws appart closing the distance between.
646Please respect copyright.PENANALOvsv2SeFm
Saved him? ... She rubbed her neck.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAFYMXlHwsNP
Leo mewed and sighed.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAKBVTMF2kdh
"Do that again." A memory tugged at the corners just out of reach.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAemUnV21k7y
His fuzzy ears twitched. "Mewww."
646Please respect copyright.PENANABAHkKdPKiQ
"You were that pup?"
646Please respect copyright.PENANA4JVhoGHqTS
"Yes! I was too afraid to talk back then."
646Please respect copyright.PENANAtGURWpXFii
She moved closer. "So, why?"
646Please respect copyright.PENANA07AAoR2HBo
He moved slow and even to the firepit between them.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAH4W5WsrzhW
"You're all I had back then. It's silly, I guess."
646Please respect copyright.PENANAPiCTEZb2Ac
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.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAIhrze9Z9De
A large bird feathered of orange and yellow landed behind Leo, it stretched its neck; peering, then turned to Leo.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAhdzpViwZqw
"A force is coming this way. You both need to go."
646Please respect copyright.PENANAIoEA82REv5
"Who is this?" said Merryn.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAc401A6L4hW
"Call me Blaze. Little time. Go!"
646Please respect copyright.PENANApDUtLDLBEo
She turned back around and hugged Leo with her wings, then took off into the sky. Sparks jumped between the trees that she passed.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAtbsaHK3JKW
Behind a sight that wouldn't sink in at first. Maxwell was walking toward her with Jason and a young man following.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAxxW2QkDh5b
She held a breath. Will he ever quit?
646Please respect copyright.PENANAbvqFnLS9ab
"Don't bother running. I'll find you again. Come back before its too late," Maxwell said.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAb6djs3qQq4
Turning, she ran, with Leo following. Too weak right now to fight. She stumbled, retaining balance before face met with the ground.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAaCEMNLZdaX
Blaze circled overhead diving, her beak wide open. A light within brightening her maw.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAh9h9V9802X
Leo pulled her again. "Have to go faster it's going to get hot."
646Please respect copyright.PENANAiY7RDOomk5
Blaze breathed down a tourch of flame at Maxwell and troupe.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAnQDjheVE9P
The trees instantly set ablaze, waves of heat singed her body.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAzQIajWvl0V
"Run!"
646Please respect copyright.PENANAebuClIlOzq
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.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAilnhF1uqPw
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.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAJ23oAZRa8d
Her heart tightened. She pushed on going faster, pulling Leo with.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAbcu5GhwoA5
Leo gestured straight ahead.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAQPhvERJeek
Nodding, she weaved between the trees, leggs and arms burning. The prayer spell is wearing off, have to get away now!
646Please respect copyright.PENANAYNrplVYxLd
Leo pointed down.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAKoroouAat9
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.
646Please respect copyright.PENANA5msFiU5qYQ
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.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAeK2i3keIC2
Past Maxwell the half grown chicks huddled together shivering. Maxwell's lighting bolts hit only a hands spread away.
646Please respect copyright.PENANA3WaVhN6qRF
"My babies! Die!"
646Please respect copyright.PENANAK6MLCnos7Q
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.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAPX33rdXdNU
A bright bolt of lightning snaked up from the forest it hit Blaze's chest. Her yelp of pain ecoed throughout the forest.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAIVlzrBp124
Leo stood there mute, shaking. His furied face contorted one of pure rage. Fat tears rolled down his face leaving wet tracks.
646Please respect copyright.PENANARlp8AAu0DB
Blaze lurched mid flight flapping franticly as she spun falling at an angle toward Maxwell.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAiyWTu1XRbI
"We have to go. I'm sorry." She pulled on Leo's arm.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAPY70uW4vM4
"They will be," he said. His tone harsh and cold.
646Please respect copyright.PENANA3EesfhYC0i
They both ran for the rest of that night; stopping only to catch their breath.
646Please respect copyright.PENANARELpf7DnTo
An earth cracking squawk filled the forest near dusk, then a thump.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAfALxZ9SkeV
His ears perked up, swiveling behind.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAmpoNmmEKYx
"She's tough."
646Please respect copyright.PENANA0BeKkEVu8Q
His face relaxed some and smiled a little.
646Please respect copyright.PENANA3EokzEw0U6
"Yes."
646Please respect copyright.PENANAyP8o7ynKCq
####
646Please respect copyright.PENANAlsJZ3bULBs
On a grassy hillside south of the forest a thudding vibration jolted through the soles of her boots.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAL5NTMLTnYi
I need you to get on a ship; now that it's impossible to go back, thanks to that pizz of a bird!
646Please respect copyright.PENANAxn4phifQNX
She startled, Unnameds thoughts loud.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAHBxvpg0qX5
What are you talking about?
646Please respect copyright.PENANAMuuMbmE9AP
A port town is ahead at the bottom of the hill, go to it.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAznWskH06Ws
No.
646Please respect copyright.PENANASy1D0M39Ua
Then I'll make you.
646Please respect copyright.PENANA2nJoFe4IFk
The prayer for the haste spell tumbled out. She ran off ahead, leaving Leo behind.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAVFyhDZQ3j0
"Hey! Wait!"
646Please respect copyright.PENANAqXXNIcWVUM
Her mouth clamped shut before she could speek.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAsstigGSUy8
We will go further Southwest the port isn't far.
646Please respect copyright.PENANA5Z3DOAc7kt
She ran down the grassy hill.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAakDCrRQDNw
"Merryn?" Leo yelled her name repeatedly.
646Please respect copyright.PENANA3ceTgtBJlz
A few minutes later and his shouts faded.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAxjiOc3e5rx
####
646Please respect copyright.PENANATERDfKPVX4
A day later exhausted, Unnamed still pushed her to speed walk, her legs burned and her feet hurt. Sweat drenched her back.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAVzL6drH2lq
Just let me rest.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAIU7tr6j9bn
After, keep going. Unnamed's thoughts were faint.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAw6tqIxHTiD
Guess it wore him out too, good.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAP1d4IBtnVE
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.
646Please respect copyright.PENANApZRigNCjMN
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.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAJfBQHcCZE5
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.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAuoc1zF9zDu
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.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAf27UsoASs5
Unnamed had her wisper to Kage, the shadows flowed over.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAdEfXhoQEc0
Too sunny out, it's going to break in a few seconds.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAhawtpmaAY8
More then enough time.
646Please respect copyright.PENANANOaD5eQQLK
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.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAxrTD9QFzXK
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.
646Please respect copyright.PENANADTBmf1TY5D
Now you wait.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAFQiJ6AxCDX
Do I even want to know?
646Please respect copyright.PENANAMivXaoZ4WJ
Yelling and screaming from down the docks and footfalls nearby.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAExsWykFqIO
Leo walked up.
646Please respect copyright.PENANALaaz2DVdTc
"Get up! Come on!"
646Please respect copyright.PENANAm6ny0uz4A0
Reaching out with a paw he tapped her shoulder.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAMlFraMq9ge
"Our master is growing week, don't muck this up."
646Please respect copyright.PENANA39tmJMlWbQ
Leo snapped around and turned back, crouching down. He started to speak, but fell over his fur smoking.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAnAJPfb54WA
Poor Leo, should have kept going.
646Please respect copyright.PENANABzTCyAOxxZ
"Toss it into the brig, it may have uses later."
646Please respect copyright.PENANAru6apRwOll
"Now, how to get you to behave?"
646Please respect copyright.PENANAskdDa3Ii3g
Swinging his staff in an angle. She closed her eyes and tried to bear down before it hit. Seconds passed buy, she peeked.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAuWWS5UNOmC
Kar walked up the plank, and stood beside Maxwell.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAzBTpisgD6T
"Interesting, why don't you move?" said Maxwell.
646Please respect copyright.PENANANTQojPtpXq
Kar went to Leo pushing him onto his side.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAWfXdq8kC88
"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.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAtr6iDE7PNu
"You didn't have to kill it Max."
646Please respect copyright.PENANAzVxucxGkQA
"Its not dead."
646Please respect copyright.PENANAfdaHnbfM1g
He snapped his fingers and and several Acolytes scampered up onto the ship beside him.
646Please respect copyright.PENANALVUD1UMrfT
"Go, and inform Nukpana that we are here, and to finish with her preparations."
646Please respect copyright.PENANAyb23Pk0YUa
"It will be done." They scurried off the ship.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAZholZapP4v
He blocked two of them from leaving with an outstretched arm.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAE0SSnw7z30
"Drag the bugbear to the brig like I said."
646Please respect copyright.PENANABIL0d3KLB8
"Yes Sir!"
646Please respect copyright.PENANAgX16pMVIaT
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.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAmRMNJE3Koo
Maxwell bent down touching her shoulder. She couldn't even flinch as Unnamed still held her ridged.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAp5A692TrjZ
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.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAXpF0iSCiZW
"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."
646Please respect copyright.PENANAsEYRokQwmn
He touched her nose with his pointer finger. "Savvy?"
646Please respect copyright.PENANA6ICVs4tZNT
"Yes."
646Please respect copyright.PENANAMyy2phhUE8
She stood rubbing her stiff neck. How to get out of here? Why did Unnamed do this? Leo ...
646Please respect copyright.PENANA6iW8qq5ohK
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.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAbc0FjY0AGJ
Maxwell went to the middle of the deck.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAaHyqOFlVv4
"Hoist the sails! And watch that boom!"
646Please respect copyright.PENANAUEJ01VuEkk
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.
646Please respect copyright.PENANAXLXvww5KQA
"Hey!"
646Please respect copyright.PENANAq02JTGh9b7
"Move."
646Please respect copyright.PENANAAFXrCCBXzM
"Do I look like a rag doll to you? I'm going–"
646Please respect copyright.PENANA4uEvwMdZL1
He pushed her to the captains quarters, closed the door and locked it.
646Please respect copyright.PENANARuDWAj94Kk
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?