A Time for Revenge

“I have an aunt!” Mach said out loud. His legs dangled off of the pier as he stared out at the setting suns. His oddest ally, a Lizard kin that he had come to refer to as Stalker, swam in the waters below him. Nearly a year ago he had met Stalker while he had been in Juiint, the last Mage village within the lands of the old Five Empires. Stalker had been kicked out from his tribe, punished for his ideals by his kind. In an attempt to flee from further punishment, Stalker had attempted to head north on the island to an area that would hopefully allow him to live out his life in peace.

The two had been lucky to find each other that day. Stalker had found the only Human who was willing to protect it enough to allow passage and in return, he had found a steadfast ally who was willing to also be a war steed. The two had been separated over the last several months of winter, but now as the days were growing hotter and the looming war was growing nearer, the two were reunited.

Stalker looked up at him, paddling his legs slowly to keep afloat. The lizard twisted his head in confusion. One of Mach’s inherited abilities was beast communication. It was not speech exactly, he was nowhere near as strong with the skill as his ancestors. But it served him well enough that he could communicate with his companion. He sent memories of his mother and father, of his life along with emotions that he hoped were related to them. Stalker hissed in a low tone, a sensation of understanding was sent back to him. He smiled at his companion. Though their reasons behind losing their families were vastly different, that was one of the many things that they had in common. They had lost the people they cared about. “I have an aunt, had one all this time.” He said again, this time sending an image of Panamy with the same feelings of family that he had sent with those of his mother and father.

Stalker nodded his scaly head and plunged himself under the water. Through the whole of this day he had avoided everyone. A lot had been revealed to him in a short time and though it was all information that he had been hoping to find, it was also overwhelming. He was not sure how he should handle it, except that he was overjoyed and confused at the same time.

He had found information on where Rubious may be located and as soon as one of the injured scouts woke from his injuries, he may be able to pinpoint the exact location. That in itself was information that he had been hoping to find for months now. In the last week he had found himself in possession of the two more of the Stones of Magic, after believing that there had only been one more that his group had needed to find. He had also found a weapon that was meant to control the Power of the Stones, making the battle against Rubious more likely a win once they found him. With eight Stones and a weapon of control on their side, their survival was looking more likely.

He looked down at his hands. Ever since his mother had died, ever since he had buried her with his own two hands, he had assumed that he had no one else in this world to call family. The men and women that fought beside him, those few individuals that were close enough to him that he could honestly call friend, those were his family now. Mendoll, Bastra, Miatsu, Sehto, so many people now that he called family. They were all the closest thing that he had, and like his mother and father, he cared for them deeply and would do anything to protect them. He would sacrifice his life if it ever came down to it and he knew that they would do the same for him. He looked up at the horizon, the last sun was setting now, its golden color casting a beautiful gold and crimson hue on the sky above as it sunk into the horizon.

But now he has found out that he is no longer alone, not in the sense of blood. All this time he had been trying to find out if he had any blood ties to the Mages of Juiint, to find out if he had any cousins or distant relatives among the people who had survived the Damnation. He had been unsuccessful with his attempts after they had left Juiint, more so where the library of tomes and books were not at his disposal. He had tried the same with the people of Islat recently, trying to find out if there was any blood ties among those sea fairing people. He had assumed that because of his mother’s hair, and his own, which were of the same golden blonde color as theirs, and no other race among the people among the Five Empires had anything near that coloration, that he and his mother may have family ties with those individuals who resided in Islat.

His attempts had been fruitless, most of the individuals who were around for him to question would not answer him honestly. He had thought that perhaps he had offended them, but now, after speaking with Panamy for the last two days he knew why.

“I have family!” He chuckled weakly as tears slipped from his eyes. His mother’s sister was one of his strongest supporters. He was not sure how he should handle all of the information that he had obtained since he had returned from Selane, after all there had been many things that had been hidden from him. But at the same time, the information that had been hidden had also been to protect others. And now that the time to face Rubious is drawing nearer, those secrets were told. And now I have the Stone that was stolen years ago and we know that it was in safe hands all along.

The echo of roars came from across the water. Somewhere on the mainland of Sedan, the Dragon scouts were finishing their hunt. Every few days they left and roamed out for miles, never hunting in the same area more than once. Their responsibility to the land and ecosystem was amazing and nothing compared to the tales that were often told about them. Of course, if the tales were true about them, then they were nothing but mindless beasts. And we all know how wrong that is. There is plenty that we can learn from them as a civilization and culture. I am just happy that they and the Hermans have been able to keep their peace while being so near each other.

For centuries the Hermans and the Dragons have been at war with each other. An uneasy peace had been bartered within the last few decades but that peace was as fragile as glass. The two races were powerful beyond what any of the other races would be able to handle and a war between the two would ravage entire country sides. But thanks to his ancestor, Nedmere, Mach had been able to gain a temporary peace with the Dragons and because of his own actions at averting a war between the two races, he had gained enough of an allegiance that they had agreed to work together until the end of the current crisis with Rubious was over. Whatever came after was anyone’s guess, but for now, the group of Dragons that had come to Gehnith and the Hermans who were here were working together as if they had planned it themselves.

Stalker resurfaced with a Gillfin twitching between his teeth. He smiled as his companion tossed the fish into the air and swallowed it whole. “You continue on, I need to do a few things before night fall. I will see you tomorrow.” Mach rose to his feet as Stalker dove under again. There was still a lot that needed to be done before they could make their move on Rubious. They still needed to pin point where he was and ready the ships with gear and provisions. If Rubious has made any kind of defenses such as walls or barricades, than they would need enough for a siege. He took one last look out across the open water toward Sedan. It had been out there that he had experienced his worst failures and his greatest victories.

Through it all, it had made him the man he was today. A year and a half ago he would never have thought that he would be where he was now, who he was now. All of his dreams as a kid had never been anything like what he had experienced so far. This journey had been so much better than he had ever dreamed possible and at times, the worst moments in his life. He had lost friends and family, been forced to kill and murder others. These were things that he had prayed that he would never have to experience, something that no one should have to. Yet, at the same time, he had also found an inner strength within himself that he felt finally completed him as a person. He had found friends and family, just recently family in the literal meaning of the word, in the people that he had met. He had met people from Kingdoms and other races, experienced wonders within the lands of the Five Empires that made him yearn to seek out more of the world’s treasures.

I swore to protect all those that needed my strength. And I will uphold that oath. Turning away from the piers, he marched into the city and toward the outer walls. Every day he made a trip to the Healer’s tents to check on the Dragon scout. As soon as that scout woke, he may he may have the information he wanted on where Rubious was at the time of his attack. With that and the information that they already had, zeroing in on Rubious would be easier.

Along the way he could see that the preparations for the upcoming battle were in the process of being complete. The last battle that occurred months back had driven the people of Gehnith to a new level. It had taken weeks of arguments between leaders of each Kingdom to decide on how and who would be allowed to fight. Children as young as twelve had begun showing up for training with the new recruits. That had been an event that no one had thought would happen. In the end, it had been decided that only those that had turned seventeen would be allowed to join the actual battle that would happen once they found Rubious. However, any who could wield a weapon would be allowed to learn how to use it properly in defense of the city. If all else failed, if an attack came while the main forces were away, at least the people would have some protection. As he passed a group of young men and women, all of whom were no older than fifteen, he could not help but marvel at them. Here were children, clad in armor with weapons on their sides, ready to defend their homes and the people who live near them.

When he had been fifteen, the only thing on his mind had been to sail the seas and have a good life. How different life could be within just a few years time. War can change entire nations and force children to grow old before their time.

A pain of hurt shot through him as he remembered those that had been lost during the battle against Rubious. Gehnith had lost a lot of good men that day, good men that had not been prepared to handle the might that Rubious had summoned to his command. Honestly, none of us are prepared for him. All we can do is pray that we have enough heart to hold it together.

His feet took him exactly where he wanted to be without his knowing it. “I just sent someone to fetch you, King Derune.” Healer Ivan Basch said as he arrived at the tent where the injured Dragon scout was being treated. “Kyrthu has awakened.”

“Is he up to reporting on what happened?” He asked, hoping that the answer would be yes.

“He is hungry, and therefore irritable.” Ivan answered with a wry grin on his face. “But he asked to speak with anyone who is in charge right away.”

Without waiting for another word to be spoken, Mach stepped around Ivan and entered the tent. Laying spread out, wings fully extended, was the Dragon scout. His head had snapped up when he entered. “I thought you may have been the one with my meal.”

Mach smiled at the scout as Kyrthu smiled sarcastically at him. “No, unfortunately I am not. I am here to ask you about what happened though. Do you remember where you were?”

Kyrthu dropped his head for a moment, only a moment. “I was with the Savior, we were searching north of Hell’s Fire when we came under attack.” Kyrthu raised his head and looked Mach straight in the eyes, his gold eyes staring into his grey. “The ship that struck at us, we noticed it on the horizon. It had been sailing southward, from what the captain could tell it had been coming straight south. As soon as it was noticed, I took to the air and began scouting flights. It was dark by the time the other ship was close enough to be a threat. The crew were preparing for battle as I attempted to dissuade the attack with intimidation. My third pass overhead I was struck in the side with a fire ball. It burned like nothing I had ever felt before. Not even our fire burns as hot as this stuff did. As soon as I was hit I made way for the coast. I could hear the attack behind me, I knew that there would be no survivors. I closed my eyes and flew as fast as I could, I didn’t stop until I passed out over Sirunre soil. Next thing I knew, I was here.”

He could hear the plea in Kyrthu’s voice. The scout was begging for forgiveness for abandoning the others. “I am glad that you were able to make it here. Given your wounds, I don’t see how you were able to fly as far as you did. I promise you, when we find out who did this, we will make them pay. If it was Rubious, that will be one more atrocity that I will get him for.” He reached out and placed a hand on Kyrthu’s head. “Rest for now, get your strength back. Perhaps you may have the chance to avenge our comrades yourself.” There was a look vicious glee within those gold eyes but more than that, there was a look of solemn thanks.

He turned around and left the scout, noticing that a wheelbarrow carrying the carcass of a goat was coming his way. They would all need their strength for what was to come. And now he had a better clue on where Rubious was. There was only one person that he could think of in this area that would be able to do that kind of damage to a Dragon. The attack was in the general area that he already suspected that Rubious was in, but if the information was accurate, if Kyrthu and his captain were right in their analysis of that enemy ship, then it may be possible to better locate Rubious’ stronghold.

He went straight to the center of information among the alliance. He needed to issue the orders and gather everyone together. Tomorrow, he would make a final attempt to find Rubious, but this time, with the Stone of Sight with him, he did not think he would fail. With the information that he had gathered so far, and his own gut instincts, he was confident that he would find the beast. It was time to begin the final preparations. The drums of war were beginning to sound and very soon they would beat their last as he ended Rubious life.

Thomas Luntra was at his post as always, looking over the documents that came in and out of the post. “Good day, Sire. What can I do for you today?”

“Messages.” He answered simply. Immediately the attendant pulled out a quill and paper. “I need this sent to every faction, every scouting group that we have. ‘Attention; All scouting parties are to return immediately to their designated posts. The time is drawing close. All factions must begin preparing what gear and provisions they can. Load all provisions by ship, ready fighters the same. Bulk of army will gather at Gehnith. If desired, protection groups may remain at strategic points until further notice. Enemy is travelling by sea, beware of any unknown vessels. Do not engage. Enemy has destroyed one alliance ship. Do not risk confrontation.’ I need that sent to everyone. Sedan, Eldour, Islat, the Dragons, even a dispatch to the Hermans and the Vladiutsh.”

“All of those groups?” Thomas asked hesitantly.

“Yes, Thomas. All of them.” He answered. “I am sure you remember what Rubious brought with him last time?” Thomas blanched at the thought. “I can promise that he will want vengeance for that defeat. Add to that the fact that he is now working to his own agenda, in other words he has nothing or no one else directing his actions. I am sure that he will build up his forces more than he had before. I do not want to risk the chance that he will outnumber us on the field. Those warriors he had were dangerous for what they were. And if there is any chance that we can out number him in such a way that we can take out his forces with absurd ease with little loss to our side, then I am more than willing to call in every able body that I can.”

Thomas looked dazedly through the front door as if he could imagine the horrors that had went on that day they had faced Rubious outside the walls of Gehnith and what Rubious could call forth now. “I will write this up and have them sent out immediately.”

“Good, than I will leave you to your work.” Mach turned away and took his steps toward the palace. He needed to finish out this day and get some rest. He would clear out any tasks for tomorrow so that he would be able to have it free for what he intended to do.

Unconsciously he reached into his pocket and touched the Stone of Sight. It tingled under his touch, waiting for him to use its Power. He could feel it yearning for him to call upon the Power that lay within it.

Tomorrow I will find out where you are, you son of a bitch. I am coming for you, very soon we will meet again and when we do, either you or I will not make through the day.