My worst nightmare came true. Crile has officially proposed to Zarri.

  I wanted to scream and cry so bad, but I had to fake the brightest and joyous smile even if it killed me... For days the air I breathed felt like a thousand needles puncturing my lungs. I spent days throwing up in the middle of the night... I was disgusted with myself. I should be happy for them, and yet... For the first time ever – I seriously considered breaking away from her... I thought that if seeing her happy makes me suffer so much then I have no business being by her side anymore...

  Yet at the same time, I had no idea why I was feeling this way. Perhaps the thought of them tying the knot officially meant that eventually there would be no more room left for me... She is Noxanda’s Heir and He is the Successor of Second in Command... If they marry – they will have to lead Noxanda and that means she won’t have time left for me... Besides...

  Even if they don’t do anything about it now – that doesn’t mean I will be around long enough to witness her wedding... They have all of the time in the world! I – have an expiration date...

  Maybe that’s what scares me... That I won’t be here to see it...

  It happened. The worst possible scenario. The Poachers attacked the Royal Docks just as the Ore Shipment from the Mines happened. The three of us rush out on our Dragons, with Emerald flying through the ground.

  We leave Max to hold down the fort at the City and join us, once they are certain the City is in no danger. And only then. Reinforcements are called for from the Tamers – if possible, to spare, just in case. Can’t be sure they won’t hit us there too.

  The Promised Emergency Team has yet to assemble and react, which something tells me will never happen, thanks to the Council being as vague as humanly possible. Leaving us no choice, but to act on our own. Hence why the seven of us are surrounded right now.

  We have three Dragons and a Saber. They have nine Dragons and about twenty of Riders and Poachers. Emerald makes up for a couple of men. Crile and I can handle five at a time flat. Still leaves a handful wide open and free... Our Dragons can’t get near them – too much of a risk getting injured. If they down us – we're dead. However – that same threat applies to Emerald as well. I know she can handle a fight, but I can’t be sure they won’t try to kill her, even if she’s more valuable alive...

  Upside is – our Dragons are better trained and organized – they can handle some of their Dragons. If we knock out the Riders – their Dragons will scatter and run amuck. Not an option. People at the docks will get hurt. Can’t exactly evacuate either. The City Guards are not allowed to engage without orders, so all they are good for so far is “protecting” the people if anyone charges in directly. But since they can’t charge in to help us to subdue the Riders’ - they are rendered completely useless as far as I’m concerned. Not their job – my foot. Apparently “protect” here means “do nothing.” Despicable.

  Either way – we are on our own and have to work fast. I struggle with one of the Rider’s when my feet suddenly dangle in the air. I kick the Rider off and look up. A Druid!

  “Say goodbye pussycat!” He sinks his talons into my shoulder and lets go. I fall, but not for long. I shift and float. The wing hurts, but I endure and shoot up.

  “Well now. Looks like you and I have something in common after all!” He smiles.

  “Why are you doing this? Why kill the Dragons? Why attack the City? The Docks? Now?”

  “Why not! If the goods are right in front of you!” He charges in. I cancel my shift and dive down. I shift back full form and chase after him. He goes full form too. An eagle. That puts me in an instant disadvantage. My hawk is smaller. But faster. We glide through and around the buildings. I claw a few walls and find a shortcut to cut him off. I catch up and land on his back in my human form.

  “What do you gain by killing!” I yell through the rushing wind, holding on in a choke hold only and barely.

  The Druid shifts back and we plummet to the ground. “Who said anything about gaining anything, sugar!” We struggle to get a grip on each other.

  “Then why!” I wrap my legs around his neck, stretching out his arm, trying to break it, but with no footing under me – it quickly proves to be a pointless move.

  “BECAUSE I CAN!” The Druid yells, spreading his free arm to the side under me. One of us will have to shift before we splatter on the ground like fireworks. Clearly, he’s not from Noxanda. Somehow that puts me at ease and I let go. My wings catch air and I hover. But not for long. His talons hook up with mine and he pulls me down. I beat my wings to try and counter his pull by pulling back, but the size and strength difference is too much. He pulls me under, around him and trashes me into a wall...

  We struggle to fend off the Riders and the Dragons on the ground, while Zarri battles another Druid midair. Emerald and Sky do a fine job protecting me – but even so, I try to maim as many of the Riders as I can by getting close enough to cast my Water. I look up and fail to locate Zarri.

  “DO YOU SEE HER!” I scream out.

  “NO!” Crile answers from somewhere nearby... “THERE!” I look back up and notice two birds. I smile with relief and horror takes over in a heartbeat when I realize...

  “THAT’S NOT HER!!!” I shriek as the larger birds drops the smaller one into the ocean!

  “CRILE!!! THAT’S NOT HER!!! SKY HELP!” I drop my casting and push Sky to move. He won’t budge. “HER! GET HER! GET BREEZE!” I point to the sky, but my Dragon won’t move.

  “WHY NOT! HELP HER!” Sky seems lost, he just looks at me again and surrounds me with his wings instead. Emerald has dashed off, but what can she do!

  “CRILE DO SOMETHING!”

  “LIKE WHAT! I CAN’T FLY! METEOR WON’T BUDGE! STORM!”

  “STORM!” I look around. She’s pinned down! The Dragons won’t leave our sides because we are in immediate danger here. But!

  “Sky! Storm!” I point to the other side. He looks back and sees his sister in trouble. That’s all he needs. Sky charges the two Dragons. Meteor quickly follows suit and the two males get the other Dragons off the screaming Storm. She flies by me in a flash, like a scaled arrow. The gust of wind knocks me on my side. I look up – Zarri is nowhere to be seen anymore!

  “NO!” I scramble on all fours a few good steps before I manage to get a running start. Storm dives down the cliff and vanishes from my sight as well.

  “PLEASE NO!” Shrieks behind me intensify. I tumble again and Sky’s wings engulf me.

  “Come on!” Crile crawls under and picks me up, dragging me onto Meteor. We take off.

  “WHERE IS SHE!”

  “OVER THERE! THAT’S STORM! AFTER THEM!” Meteor dives down and Crile holds me down to the saddle. I pry an eye open. The horror has me breathless. I’m afraid to look... The last thing I see are white wings spiraling down into the black water...

  “NO!” Crile cries out. Dragons can’t swim... I grip the saddle tighter and shudder at the thought... Sky and Meteor dive after them. The wind’s too strong. It slams both Dragons and we can’t get anywhere near the cliff or the water.

  “THERE! WHERE EMERALD IS!” Crile calls out again. I peak over. A dark shadow sprints out of the clearing through the sand, roaring. White wings resurface over and over again too, shrieking below us. Storm’s fighting the waves... Wait.

  “GET ME CLOSER!” I grab Crile’s arm. “I CAN CHANT!”

  “IT’S TOO MUCH! YOU WON’T MAKE IT!”

  “JUST ENOUGH TO GIVE STORM FOOTING TO FLY OFF! I CAN DO IT!”

  “FINE! METEOR! DOWN! NOW!” Crile tightens the reins and forces the Dragon into another dive. I begin my chant with a handful of dust. If I let go now – they will scatter pointlessly. I need to get closer. SCREW IT! I jump.

  “STAR!” Crile’s voice reaches me as I go under. I release the Herbs and a single word CRASSANA! I let go of my Mana and let the Magic flow. I chant the radius further. Blood streams upwards. Nosebleed. I’m at my limit. Not yet. I push on. Sinking deeper down. I look up and see four white claws shove off an invisible surface and break the water above. I stop the cast and sink.

  “IDIOT!” A voice echoes inside my mind... Something pulls on me... Water seeps into my mouth... Something smashes against my body... I gasp.

  “FLY!” I hear something. I feel something... My body trembles.

  “I CAN ONLY DEAL WITH ONE SUICIDAL MANIAC AT A TIME!” I know that voice... Whose is it again? Something wet and grainy touches my face.

  “AMANA!” Something shakes me... I feel something between my lips... My throat chokes and I cough. I spit up whatever that was and drop to my side. Something helps me up.

  “Good girl. Least you’re alive. You good? Don’t scare me like that.” I finally realize what that something is. Crile. I suddenly remember!

  “ZARRI!” I look around.

  “Over there.” I trace where Crile points. I finish wheezing and we walk over to a half washed-out Storm on the piece of sand between the cliffs. Emerald is next to her too. Sky nudges me, concerned. Meteor checks on Crile too.

  “How is she? Where is she?” I stare, mortified. Zarri is nowhere to be seen. Storm only.

  “Storm. Please.” Crile kneels next to the Dragon. Storm hisses back instead.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “She’s protecting her. She won’t let us near her.” Crile tries again. “Please. Let us help.” No reaction. Storm refuses to move.

  “Emerald?” Crile looks to the Saber for help. Emerald arches her back and thunders down right into the Dragon’s face. Storm tries to roar back, but the Saber’s thundering is unmatched. The Dragon is forced into submission. Storm lowers her head back down and slowly lifts her soaked wings up. In her claws lays Zarri’s body...

  “She’s alive.”

  “HOW DO YOU KNOW!”

  “BECAUSE BOTH STORM AND EMERALD ARE STILL HERE! You think the two of them would argue here like that if Breeze was dead!” Crile crawls over and slips Zarri out...

  “What’s wrong?” I stare at the frozen Noxian.

  “Her legs...”

  “Oh Gods no! Don’t tell me!” I grovel over closer and gasp. Zarri’s legs are gone...

  A head splitting pain wakes me up.

  “Ow...” I let a breath out...

  “ZARRI! DEAR LORD FINALLY!” Something heavy rushes over me.

  “Do you have any idea what we went through just now?” A vaguely familiar sound speaks to me.

  “Congratulations, Child, you managed to make me worry.”

  “Eme...rald...”

  “She’s right here.” A hand takes mine and sets it down somewhere soft and warm. I blink twice, slowly.

  “Where?”

  “Still at the Docks.” A cuddle. Hm? I turn my head.

  “Hello.” I stare at Crile next to me.

  “Don’t give me that look – doctors orders.” He nods to the other side. I turn my head again.

  “Star...” I smile.

  “We had to keep you warm! That’s the only use this lug has!” She wipes her tears away.

  “What?” I choke up.

  “You got knocked out and thrown off a cliff.”

  “Oh... yeah... wait.”

  “Max sent out reinforcements from the nearest base – they just took a bit to get here.”

  “Those useless trash made it here just after you almost died! I could just!” Star foams up a bit and I giggle, painfully.

  “I gave you a look over – I think there’s no long-term damage from the blow or the fall. You simply were switching between your half and full forms too fast and was low on Mana at the point of impact. That’s the only reason I can come up with why you got knocked out. Your heads intact. Well, I mean it’s not cracked in two...” Starlight tells me.

  “Thanks.”

  “Sure, but you’ll need to stay put a bit longer before you can move and shift again. I’ll... run... another... check... later...” She mumbles, dozing off with her head on her hands on whatever the surface I was laid upon.

  “She was incredible. You should have seen her.” Crile whispers to me and a scaled nose nudges me from above.

  “Storm.” I reach for her but my hand sinks back. Crile picks it up for me and places it on Storm’s nose.

  “She and Star saved you.”

  “Where are we now?”

  “Fisherman’s shack. Max got here just recently. You were right. They did attack us in two places at once. But it wasn’t the Base.” Crile talks to me through the Stone.

  “Relax, the City’s fine. They managed. Old Man issued an order against the Council’s better wishes and the city Guards were put to good use. No casualties, just a few civilian injuries. Sadly, the Guards here got the order too late. They still haven’t established a direct link to Araneum.” Crile tells me and I roll my eyes quietly.

  “What happened? With...”

  “With you or the Riders?”

  “Me.”

  “You fell. Star was the one to realize it.” Crile tells me everything that happened. I look back at Star.

  “Give her to me.” I ask him.

  “I’ll get jealous you know.”

  “You’ll live.” I reach for a kiss and Crile connects. He gets up, gathers up Ammi from the floor and lays her down next to me, covering us with a blanket. I turn to my side and watch my sleeping Starlight.

  “There’s one more thing.” Crile says, crouching down, by the bench. “Well. Two.”

  “Ok?”

  “We caught one Rider. When our Dragons tackled theirs to free Storm, one of them stepped onto a Rider, breaking his leg. The Handlers picked him up trying to limb away. Unfortunately, their Dragons scattered.”

  “We have a lead!”

  “Looks like it. They are grilling him now. Easy. Rest.” Crile pushes me back down.

  “Fine. And the other thing?”

  “That’s the problem... It’s you.” Crile’s eyes change. “Do you remember anything?”

  I shake my head lightly.

  Crile sighs. “You shifted.”

  “And? I fail to see how that should scare you or surprise you.”

  “No. I mean. You shifted in water. You have a Water Form.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous!” I raise my voice and Star grunts in her sleep. I quickly shut up.

  “You had a tail instead of legs when Storm brought you out. And that was only because the both of you were half way in the water.”

  “That...”

  “Can’t be? Well it was. Star and Emerald saw it too.”

  “The Assassin Boy is right, Child.”

  “But I!”

  “Never shifted before. Yes, we’re well aware. Here’s my theory. Remember our mission on the Lake back Home?”

  “Yes. That was...”

  “That was also our first time.” Crile says and for some reason I blush. He smiles at me with that mischievous spark in his eyes.

  “But I didn’t...”

  “You think you didn’t. But remember – if the Trance is too short – Druids don’t have any recollection of it once they come back. I think you did connect that time with something, you just thought that you didn’t. That’s why you never actively shifted. Right now – your life was in danger and the shift happened on instinct. That’s why you didn’t drown even passed out while Storm struggled to get out of the water.”

  “But I don’t even know what my water form looks like! How am I supposed to shift into it!”

  “I think I know... Remember when I said that something rammed that baby whale when it tried to drag me away for lunch? That something looked like a snake... Your Water Form very well can be a Serpent. The tail we saw was not a fish’s one for sure and you didn’t have legs...”

  “That... could work...”

  “Either way – you both need to rest up and she needs to clear you for shifts before you can try anything.”

  “Right. Wait. How did you pull yourself and Star out of the water?”

  “I cut the reins off one side and used them as rope and the saddle as an anchor to grab on.”

  “I owe you a new saddle?”

  “Technically – she does, but I won’t complain if you saddle me later instead.” Crile winks at me.

  “Deal.” I wink back.

  I set the issue of my newly discovered Water Form aside and focus on the Rider in front of me.

  “What’d ya get out of ‘im?” Crile asks the Pups.

  “Ah, well...”

  “What? Not even his favorite color?” I mock them. Lie detectors – maybe. Interrogators – sadly.

  “Watch and learn.” Star tells them and we step inside the dark and moldy room.

  “Here’s how this works. Option one – I skin you alive.” Crile pulls a knife out to play with.

  “Option two – I drown you alive.” Star casts her Sphere of Death.

  “Option three – You tells us what we want to know and maybe you get to keep parts of you intact.” I finish.

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  “HA! You’re bluffing! You won’t do anything like that to me! Ever!”

  “Is it just me or does he sound confident about it?” Crile looks back at us and kicks the chair over. The Rider lands on his back with a thud and an ouch.

  “You’re the good guys! You’re Royal Hounds! You don’t have the right! I’ll be out of here in no time! You’ll see!”

  “Of course, you will.” I crouch down to his, now ground level, eye level. “Question is – in what condition. We can beat you, rip you, cut you, skin you, tear you limb from limb while keeping you completely alive, conscious and sane and then we can let you go.” I pause to let the asshole ponder it over a moment.

  “Or. We can let you go in top shape with a pouch of shiny gold coins clanging on your hip. Now, what do you think that will tell whoever is in charge of you...” The wheels turn. The smile slowly dies down.

  “I’m pretty sure it will clearly say that you sold them out.”

  “I WON’T TALK! YOU CAN’T MAKE ME!”

  “We won’t have to.” Crile takes over. “All we need is to make you look like you did. Your, ahem, teammates will do the rest for us...”

  “You won’t get anywhere far either way.” Star pitches in for good measure.

  “But if you talk, you can get locked up in the Dungeon instead.”

  “Two meals a day and plenty of people to talk to with your private pile of straw to sleep on too!” Crile mocks the Rider. It takes a bit out of me not to laugh.

  “Sounds better than crawling out of here in pieces? Don’t you think?” I nudge the Balli.

  “You... You don’t know who you’re dealing with! You can’t fight these people! They’re insane!”

  “People?”

  “More than one leader.” Crile gives me a quick glance.

  “Enlighten us.” I smile.

  The Rider shakes his head.

  “What do you have to lose?”

  “I have nothing to gain by helping you people either!”

  “Technically he has a point.”

  “Shut it.”

  “How about you get to live. All we need is the location.”

  Starlight brings me the map and a pencil.

  “They will kill me! They will use me as practice!”

  “I will kill you first.” I snap my fangs in front of his nose. “I am not a patient person.” I growl.

  “Tell us where your Base is and we’ll protect you.” Starlight attempts again.

  “There is no place they cannot reach...” The Balli mumbles.

  “He keeps insisting on that.” Star.

  “Clearly they have Power.” Crile.

  “Or are in Power...” I look them over.

  “Fine. If that’s what you believe then tell me. What would you rather have: us kill you nice and fast – or go back and deal with them.” Crile crouches down next to the leveled chair. There. The look changes.

  “If it’s not money or freedom, or protection you want than a painless death is the best we can offer in return.” Starlight stands behind us too.

  “You’re right. We don’t have a single clue who we are dealing with. But you do.” I stand up and Crile follows. “Think it over. We’ll be back in an hour.” I walk to the door.

  “Wait!” We stop. Crile stares at me. “Do you promise? A Painless Death?”

  “I’m a Healer. I can kill you without you feeling anything. I’ll numb all of you and simply stop your heart. It will be like falling asleep.” Star says. Yes. In theory she can do that, but that will make her a murderer and I won’t have it. Crile’s gaze intensifies on me, filled with horror. I give him a quick shake of the head.

  “Fine. I’ll tell you... Show me the map.”

  Crile takes the map over to him, crouches down and sticks the pencil into his fist, still tied to the chair. They struggle a bit and...

  “You’re kidding.” Crile says. The man shakes his head. “If this is a joke I’ll...”

  “It’s not.”

  “What is it?” I snap and come over. Crile hands me the map. But that’s... I look at Crile as he stands up.

  “My Death, please.” The Balli asks. Star chants her water. I grab her arm.

  “Numb all of him only. Crile will do the rest.” I whisper. She nods.

  “I will chant this water into you. It will take a few minutes for the spell to kick in. Open wide.” Starlight stands over the Balli. He hesitates at the last moment, but does as told. Star molds the water into a single stream and slowly feeds it to the man. He closes his eyes and waits. Being a medic that Starlight is, she crouches down and pricks the Balli with her needle. She pricks him a few times all over his face. No reaction. Crile takes out his knife again and crouches over the Balli as well.

  “Now then. Any last words.” Starlight places her hand on the Balli’s chest.

  “Go to Hell.” The man spits out with a handful of anger and Crile slowly pushes the dagger into the body. The Balli’s eyes pop open at the last second and a single breath leaves his body. Star closes his eyes once again and stands up, staggering. I catch her and walk her out, back into the open air. Crile follows out, barking to the Pups to clean up.

  “I’m sorry I had to put you through that.” I apologize to Starlight, petting her back, as she throws up. Crile opens his water pouch and hands it to me. I hold it to Star, but she only shakes her head and pukes more. We sit Star down and wait for her to catch her breath while she rinses out her mouth. Crile offers her some hard liquor, but she vigorously declines.

  “What’s on the map?” Star finally asks after brushing her teeth.

  “We were way off course. That’s what.” I answer.

  “Their Base is just a step away into the Rebellion’s territory.” Crile adds.

  “You’re telling me that all this time we’ve been having trouble with complete brats?” Star hisses.

  “No. We probably have our hands full with someone higher up the food chain. We was certain they would find him in the Dungeon too. That – worries me...” I tell her.

  “This could be bigger than we anticipated.” Crile makes a point.

  “It already is.” I give him my blank stare.

  “Ok. So what now then?” Crile asks and nods behind me. Max walks over to us.

  “Well?”

  “We got it.”

  “FINALLY! Oh sorry. I mean.” He clears his throat. “And?”

  “And we need to get ready to attack as soon as possible. We need to get this over with now. This Failed Ore Theft won’t slide by the Council.” I tell him.

  “What do you need?” Max asks me.

  “As many Tamers and Dragons as you can convince.” I take out my own map and mark the location.

  “This is...”

  “Rebellion border. That’s why we didn’t have any luck locating them.” Crile answers. The West Side of Existara curves more going North-West as it nears the Site of Rebirth. But down South - the Rebellion is actually a lot closer than some realize...

  “We thought they were set up closer to the North, or at least deeper into our side of Existara. This explains why there were long breaks between their attacks.” I tell him.

  “They needed to move the Dragons one by one...” Max catches on.

  “A flock would have been too easy to spot – they would have given themselves away.” Crile finishes.

  “Explains why they would kill of the adults too. Hatchlings are easier to conceal if they need to travel this far back...”

  “That too.” Crile agrees.

  “Well. Time’s a wastin. I’ll get on it.” Max takes the map and leaves us.

  “HAVE YOU COMPLETELY LOST IT!” Star yells at me. “WE HAVE NO CLUE HOW MANY RIDERS OR DRAGONS THEY HAVE!” She stares at me for a moment and continues.

  “Just because we have the location doesn’t mean we can take them on! We need to scout them out!”

  “We have no time for that.” I tell her calmly.

  “What if luring the entire Base to them has been their major plan all along! What if this is a trap!”

  “Even if! We can’t risk doing nothing! Especially if they have people in high places!”

  “But we don’t know that! He could have been bluffing!” Star persists.

  “No body bluffs like that with that much fear in their eyes and voice.” Crile cuts in.

  “BUT!”

  “Arguing aside!” Crile jumps in again. “We need to figure out what the hell they need the ores for.”

  “Something the Rider said has been bothering me... He said that they will use him as practice...” Crile and I steer away from Starlight’s anger.

  “Yeah, that sounded weird to me too.” Crile snaps his finger.

  “Practice for what? Target practice? Can’t say their Dragons are well trained – if they spit fire, they only do it out of reflex for self-defense.”

  “See, that right there – if they wanted to do actual damage – they could have flattened Araneum in less than a day with their Dragons at full power.”

  “Exactly – their lack of handlers just doesn’t make sense. They can fly them out here, but that’s it.” I look up at the sky.

  “Yes. Because they drive them here by the reins.” Star says finally, cooled off a bit. I hope. “Once a Dragon is freed from his Rider – it usually takes off.”

  “So what gives?” Crile leans back into the tree, next to Star. I stare into the sky. I don’t see it...

  “Wait. What if the Dragons are the material?” Star says.

  “Explain.” I look at her.

  “Ores, the metal – certain metal can react to magic – what if we got this all wrong. What if the true objective is to harvest Dragon Magic?”

  “I’m listening.” Crile steps in.

  “What if they have no clue what they are looking for? What if they are trying to figure out what makes up the Magic inside the Dragon? What if they needed the different ores because they have no clue which ones would get a reaction? Here’s the thing. Dragons can adopt. They keep some adult Dragons that they’ve had already for longer, but kill of the rest to keep the balance in their favor. They take the Hatchlings, bring them back and let their adults raise them. What if they use the Hatchlings as... I’ll be sick just to say it...” Star chokes up.

  “As?” I pressure her.

  “As frogs for dissection.” Crile hammers it in sooner than it hits me.

  “That.” Star points to him disgusted.

  “And you are certain of this how?” Crile glance over at Starlight.

  “Oh you have no idea what it is like to study under a Primerian Fanatic who has found his favorite toy to play with. Whether I wanted to or not – Max hammered in any and all information into me as much as I could stand listening to his rants.” I notice Crile’s expression and so does Star, so she quickly adds at the last second. “Don’t even try!” Crile swallows whatever puns he was about to say, making me forget and then suddenly remember again the main horror here.

  “Let me get this straight. Are you saying they are running Primerian Level experiments on live Dragons?” I glare and my body trembles.

  “It’s possible. I wouldn’t be surprised even if Repperi was behind this too.” Star nods.

  “Impossible. Repperri has a pact with Existara and the Old Country – they are forbidden to run their sick experiments outside of their own Borders.” Crile answers.

  “Doesn’t mean someone didn’t break it.” Star argues with Crile. “Otherwise – the hell they need the ores for?”

  “Armor? For Dragons?” Crile asks.

  “Possible.” Star admits. “But then why kill? Taming and raising entire families is better.”

  “Right. If they did that – they'd be like a knock off Tamer Base – if they did it right – we'd have serious competition and even more serious trouble on our hands.” Crile makes a good point.

  “That’s why I think it’s not that. I can’t explain it.” Star looks at me.

  “Say you’re right.” I tell her. “We need to move fast.”

  “Agreed. Problem is – the Council will never go for it.” Crile tells me.

  “Not unless they won’t know about it.” I answer him flat out.

  “You’re kidding.” He tells me with a psychotic grin of his own? Am I imagining this?

  “It’s better to deal with the consequences than fight for approval.” I hold his gaze and his eyes light up. I’ve never seen him like this...

  Max and I coordinate the Raid on the Dragon Poachers without telling a single word about it to the Council or the Old Man. I know this won’t look good on him, but I have no choice. We need to make a power play here and capturing the Poacher’s will make it worth it.

  To my surprise it only takes us a week to get ready. Apparently, the Tamers up North have been raring to go for some time. So, luckily for us – we didn’t have to convince them at all.

  The three of us, decide to take our Dragons and Emerald as well. Although I would prefer to leave her behind, but she did not budge on the issue.

  Problem is - we need to move in groups and by ground, otherwise the Poachers will see us coming from miles away. We used the Incident at the Docks as a cover up to set up a Fake Base there and moved several of our Dragons there. The rest were dispatched from the Base in portions and only allowed to fly half-way.

  We decided to use the bordering woods as cover, while we all gather and make our move at night and only we and a handful of Tamers will attack first. The rest will have to use the Dragons to capture, subdue or fend off any of their Dragons. If possible – without killing them. Hopefully.

  It takes us another week to gather our forces fully. The damned Plains of the West make it difficult for us to conceal ourselves. I wanted to use as many Druids as I could for their night vision, but without the Council – I was the only one... That’s why I had Emerald lead the rest in a single file. Least that way we can charge in full speed and try and close the distance as much as possible before they spot us.

  Being unable to use Light – that's the best we can manage. It’s not the best plan, but it will have to do... Our only saving grace is the change of landscape right before the Base. It goes just a little bit suddenly downhill, before the ground flattens itself out again.

  Assuming they have sentinels stationed at the hilltop as lookouts – we will be like sitting ducks in that open space. Considering what little information, we managed to get from that captured Raider – they aren’t as stupid as to not have anyone keep an eye out for anything.

  That’s why Crile and I are the Step One. We need to take out their lookouts as quietly as possible before the rest of the Base can be alerted. We have no clue how many are there – neither the Dragons nor the Poachers. We need to try and handle this as contained as possible.

  Our only other upside are our Dragons. They can cross that distance at full power in a matter of minutes. Let’s hope that will be enough to save us in case...

  Emerald and I charge head in, leading the rest of our formation, with Crile and Starlight riding on Emerald once more. I can’t decide if the cloudy night is to our advantage or not. On one hand – it provides cover, but then again – the darkness renders Crile powerless to use the shadows... I dash off in front first. Worst case – I can handle Step One alone. A blink of light illuminates me from above. The Moons seep through the heavy clouds. Not sure if rain is something that we need... A sentinel sees me and gasps for air. Too slow. I launch myself with my hand straight out shifting from full cat to half-form and land with the woman’s head into the ground beneath me. I make sure to protect her with my Mana right before the impact just enough for the blow to knock her out but not kill.

  A quick scream to my side tells me that Crile has arrived on the scene too. The moonlight disappears again and we split up.

  “How many?” Crile reaches for me.

  “Not a lot. Two near you, you’re closing in. The guards end half way. They don’t circle further away.”

  “Of course not. That’s the Rebellion side. Only we are a threat.”

  “Makes sense.” I answer and choke another one out. A few more and we clear Step One without a hitch. I rush back to meet up with the others and look around... Another flash of light from the night and Crile beats me back to Emerald and Star.

  To our surprise – the Poacher Base is rather small... My biggest worry are the giant barns... We spread out slightly flattened on the ground. No cover – what so ever... Luckily for us their light towers don’t reach far enough.

  “Now what?” Someone asks. The Animal part of me takes over and I zone out...

  “Now what?” Someone asks.

  “Well...” Crile starts.

  “We need to push them inward more.” I blur it out.

  “Say what?”

  “We need to contain them as much as possible. To do that we need to put the herd into a choke hold.” I push my poor imitation of Zarri’s claws together. “We’ll have a better chance of rounding them up. This way they will have less of a chance to escape and we can capture as many of them as we can manage. It’s a hunting tactic.”

  “Don’t you usually scatter the herd when hunting it?”

  “Yes. To increase your chance of capturing at least one. The slower, smaller and sicker ones can’t keep up when startled. Scattering the herd makes it easier to get your prey and avoid getting caught in a stampede. That’s not what we want.”

  “And what do we want?” Crile asks.

  “We want to make sure they are an easy target. Herding them together is the easiest and fastest way to make that happen.”

  “And how are we supposed to do that?” Someone hisses at me again.

  “We have bows and arrows with us, don’t we?”

  “Not enough to make an impact.” Crile answers.

  “No need. We can achieve the same result with positioned stealthy maneuvers.”

  “But if we start shooting at random, won’t they try to go straight at us?”

  “They will. To prevent that we need to launch coordinated attacks to drive them away from the edges. Three to five arrows from about six to eight vantage points at the same time should do to the trick. Twice at least. With the distance of about ten yards apart each give or take? We can’t surround them to achieve the full effect, but it should work. The first wave will draw them out and the second will herd them. After that we need to scale down and fight them up close with the shooters providing as much back up as they can in the mess of things, trying their best not to clip one of our own.” I explain.

  “Do we have at least ten hunts with us?” I look at Crile. “What? What’s with the stupid grin?”

  “I don’t know what just happened but that’s hot as hell. Who are you!” Crile stares at me.

  “A hunter.” I tell him and look the other way. “Well?”

  “Yes, we have a handful of long-range weapons...”

  “Any casters?”

  “Some.”

  “Then tell them to pair up and spread out. A few Magic Moves mixed in should get them frightened enough. Once they get disorganized – we'll move in with the rest and that should be about the time to release the Dragons.”

  “Ours or their?”

  “Both.” I answer. “From there – it's every man for himself. But try not to get killed. Is everyone clear on that?” I don’t wait for a response. “Then let’s move. Nice and careful.”

  “Oh yeah. Try telling her that.” Someone else points down.

  “Huh?” I look down and oh no. Crile turns around and swears too.

  “When did she!” I hiss at him.

  “Just now, I guess.”

  “I need a bow now!” I hiss again and somebody scrambles over. I take the bow and the quiver and dump the arrows out on the ground. I grapple at the arrows in the dark.

  “The hell is this? Where are the long-range ones!”

  “The what?” Someone asks.

  “Long thin arrows fly further. Long thick ones fly far and pack a punch.” I take an arrow, stand up and aim.

  “So what, the plan’s off?”

  “The hell it is.” I answer. “Do as told.” I take a breath. Aim... Hold... Shoot... I land an arrow right next to where Zarri and Emerald are sneaking around to let them know we are ready. Zarri’s eyes shine at me in the dark and I hear her through the Lector Stone with a Star carved in it that Crile got for us three.

  “Nice aim.”

  “We have a plan ready. Stay put.”

  “Roger that.”

  “The hell you sitting here for! Move!” I bark at the rest of them and they scramble around in the dark. I notice someone walking towards where Zarri is hiding behind one of the enormous barns. I take a breath in again. Aim... Hold... Shoot... I lunch the arrow. Direct hit. The man falls to his knees and Zarri quickly drags him behind the barn.

  “We need time to set up. Stay down.”

  “And wait for the signal?”

  “Oh, you’ll know.”

  I take another arrow and ready myself again.

  “Where did you learn to shoot like that?” Crile whispers next to me.

  “My father. Every Cornutese hunts. He made sure to drive that philosophy in me. Firing a bow is in our blood, apparently.”

  “Just not apparently around these parts.” Crile adds.

  “Apparently.” I hold the arrow out, aimed at the same spot where Zarri is hiding.

  “Isn’t it rough to stay like that? It will be a wait...” Crile asks again.

  “It is. But that’s how I was trained. Once in position – do not move until the prey moves first.”

  “Don’t you wear yourself out like that?”

  “Usually yes. But this allows for the shot to be more impactful. One shot is all it takes. Besides. This is not a speed contest. I can handle a few hours of standing like this.”

  “HOURS!” Crile’s jaw drops.

  “Secrets of the Ancient Arts of War that my people developed on their own with no Magic.”

  “Damn. Mad respect. Remind me not to piss you off.”

  “As if that is humanly possible for you.” I hiss at him while maintaining my drawn posture.

  “We did what we could.” A voice whispers in the dark after what seems a forever later.

  “Launch.” I give the order and redirect my aim upwards and release. A slight delay and a wave of arrows and magic roll down from both sides. A commotion instantly picks up and Dragon roars shriek behind us in the far distance. Gotta thank Max for the Lector Stones once we get back. Otherwise, this whole circus would be in hella lot trouble. I watch as men and women run out and around where the couple of light towers shine across the Base, marking its boundaries.

  “Come on, let’s go!” Crile grabs me by the hand and pulls down, sliding downhill. He turns around to face me, pulls on my hand once more, grabs me and dives under with the first flash of light. I close my eyes and when I open them again – we stand next to Zarri and Emerald.

  “Good work.” She tells us and I clock her in the ribs, hurting my hand.

  “THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU! HOW COULD YOU JUST DASH OFF ON YOUR OWN LIKE THAT!”

  “Instinct... Sorry.” She smiles at me. “Stay here. You know the drill.”

  “The hell with you!”

  “Star no. You need to stay unharmed and alive. We are dead without you.” Zarri puts her hand on my shoulder. “Wait for Sky and the rest. Only then can you join in. Got it?”

  I bite my lip. “FINE!”

  “Guard her.” Zarri nods to Emerald and I watch the two of them dive into the fray...

  Thanks to Star’s tactics all hell broke loose just as we wanted. Crile and I charge in first, with the rest of the Tamer’s following along as soon as the second wave of arrows ends. There’s a lot of the Poachers, but since it’s night and they definitely weren’t expecting this – we got them running around like headless chickens. Of course, it doesn’t take long for the Poachers to pick up on what’s going on and regroup. Well, least the ones that follow out the first few that get taken out... The sight before me reminds me of when Emerald and I... Never mind.

  Some of them have already set their Dragons loose. I heard the echoing shrieks roaring behind us too. Ours will be here soon as well. In the meantime – we need to knock out as many as we can – without losing any of our own.

  The Dragons clash above us and the Tamers fight around us. Storm and Meteor find us and Sky carries Star over to us, with Emerald right behind them. We reunite and enter one of the barns where I saw a few Robes run into it, rather than away from it. Noise reaches us from inside. Mumbling and breaking and shrieking. Hatchlings in cages...

  “Emerald.” I give the word and she dashes off. A couple of swipes of her claws and the metal cages break apart one by one. Our Dragons quickly guide the young ones out to the Tamers outside and they take care of the rest.

  “I will not let this stop me! I will finish what I started! This is nothing! I will rebuild! This is! This is nothing but a minor setback!” One of the Robes spouts about while the rest struggle to pack up. There's about four of them as far as I can see...

  “Is it now?” I call out. The Robes notice us. The light from the towers and the Dragons shines through the doors enough for them to see us clearly. The Screamer drops all that he had collected in his arms.

  “YOU! YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS! AREN’T YOU!”

  “What gave us away?” Crile jokes.

  “YOU FOOLS! YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU’VE DONE! YEARS OF RESEARCH! WASTED!”

  “Star called it.” Crile tells us and the lunatic rages on.

  “WE WILL HAVE YOUR HEADS FOR THIS!”

  “YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHO WE ARE!”

  “YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW VALUABE OUR WORK IS!”

  “IT COULD HAVE!”

  “SHUT IT!” I roar. “I don’t give a rat’s ass about you or your damned work. You can come quietly or we can take you in by force. One way or another – you are finished here. Decide.”

  “YOU CAN’T TOUCH US! YOU ARE NOTHING BUT MERE HOUNDS!”

  A blast of Dragon Flame outside lights up the inside of the barn. All it takes is a second. I hold my breath and my stomach in. Dragon. Parts. Everywhere... On the table. On the pillars. Hanged. Piled. Diced. Dried and even sealed in jars... Star covers her mouth and Crile clenches his fists. We knew this was a possibility. But I wished it wasn’t true...

  Our Dragons return, positioning themselves between us three, with Storm and Emerald right behind me. I pay no attention to the raving bastard. I simply inhale and...

  “Fry them.” All three of us say it at once.

  Our Dragons fire their flames right at the Robes. They scream, but not for long.

  Star turns away from it all first. Crile and I stare into the flames a moment longer...

  The Dragons let their flames roar in every direction setting everything in sight ablaze. The stench becomes unbearable and we walk out. Our Dragons follow. The Animal in me speaks a single word out.

  “Hunt.”

  Storm takes off and the Males follow. Our Dragons scatter. Screams pick up quickly. I grab the first Tamer I see.

  “Tell your men to back off. Take all the Hatchlings with you and get lost! NOW! We’ll finish it.” I shove him off and watch as Tamers rush to clear out. Some of the Poacher Dragons pick up on what our Trio is doing and are more than happy to join in, instead of fighting back. More screams and the stench of burning flesh fill the air. Blood pools beneath my feet...