"A talking raven? Who are you and what do you want with me?"

Brother Raven says "Yes, I am a raven and I can talk. I came looking for you because I was asked to deliver a message to you."

"Who is the message from?"

Brother Raven says "It is from Great Mother Wolf, the ruler of the northern forest."

"I've never met her, how does she even know of me?"

Brother Raven says "Word of you has spread farther than you might think."

"Alright, so what does she want from me?"

Brother Raven says "She wants you to save her daughter."

"Her daughter? Why me?"

Brother Raven says "Because you are the goddesses champion and because you are an advanced beast like us."

"So this Great Mother Wolf is an advanced beast?"

Brother Raven says "Yes, she is a sacred beast and master of the northern forest."

"Well, I'd be willing to talk to her but it will take me weeks to get there."

Brother Raven says "Arrangements have already been made, if you agree we can be there in two days."

"Hm, alright, I'll admit I am curious. I can afford a week or so delay before going to Illium. Just let me tell the others where I'm going. I assume the arrangements are for me only?"

Brother Raven says "That is correct. I will come for you at dawn."

With that the raven launches from my shoulder and flies off into the forest. At least now I know why it felt like I was being watched for the past couple of days. Guess I need to let everyone know I'm going off on a side adventure for a few days.

'Drog, I'm leaving for a week or so, do you want to come with me or stay here?'

Drog 'I'll stay here with Isabella, I've agreed to help train up her summons.'

'Alright, damn pervert.'

Out of everyone Myria is the most disappointed that she can't go with me, but that isn't too surprising. Next I need to tell the rebels since I will be leaving my people with them while I am gone. The odds of the king making another move soon are very low, it will take time to recover from the recent losses.

In fact since the rebels suffered so few losses now is a good time for them to go on the offensive. My people helping them will allow them to get some more experience which will benefit me in the long run. Besides, I'm fairly sure they won't be able to go into the temples with me so they should get used to fighting separately from me anyway.

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Mercy says "Are you sure about this?"

"Not completely, but I can't resist my curiosity."

Mercy says "Hehe, just like a cat!"

"Sigh, yes I know the saying, but don't worry I won't die."

Mercy says "We will be using the forest as our base of operations for a while so when you return look for us here. Zamart has already sent word to Illium and they are prepared to receive you whenever."

"Alright, many thanks, princess."

Mercy says "I really wish you would remember to call me Mercy!"

"Sorry, sorry. I will try to remember."

After seeing Mercy I head for my tent to get some sleep, dawn comes early. When I wake up just before dawn I end up having to carefully work my way out of the pile of girls. When I head outside I immediately spot brother raven sitting on a branch on the edge of the forest.

Brother Raven says "Ready to go?"

"Sure, so how are we traveling?"

Just then the trees behind brother raven move, I can't believe my eyes as a huge tiger suddenly appears. He is easily twice the size of a horse, and his coloration is what allowed me to miss something that big. Instead of the coloring I'd expect on a tiger he is green with brown stripes.

Brother Raven says "This is the lord of this forest, he has agreed to carry you."

The huge tiger steps closer and lowers his head to sniff at me, his head is as big as my chest. An eye almost as big as my head stares at me from about a foot away, I am really glad to see intelligence in that eye. This creature is something I never want to fight, my instincts are telling me to submit.

Great Tree Tiger says "What an interesting little mortal!"

Brother Raven says "I told you he was! He would have great potential if his fate wasn't already sealed."

Great Tree Tiger says "Come little mortal, climb up on my back. We have a vast distance to cover."

I will admit to being quite nervous as I climb up on the tigers back, as soon as I touch him I get a measure of his power. If I am not wrong he is at least rank ten, just what are these sacred beasts? How can something this powerful live in this forest and no one knows about it?

Then again he was a few feet from me and I couldn't see or sense him, and if he simply eats anyone who sees him no news would spread. I immediately regret thinking of that. I just have to trust that whatever deal was reached will be kept.

Great Tree Tiger says "Hold on tight little mortal, we will be going very fast."

Obediently I grab two fistfuls of fur in a death grip and crouch as low along his back as I can. As soon as he starts moving my strength is tested to the limit just to keep holding on. The only comparison I can make to his speed would be that of a fighter jet.

No wonder brother raven said it would take us less than two days to cross half the kingdom. Yet he is flying alongside easily, he only flaps his wings here and there, just seeming to glide along without a care. I can't help but wonder if I will be this powerful if I reach the same rank.

Soon my hands and arms are aching from holding on, yet the tiger doesn't even seem to be exerting himself. The scenery is so blurred by speed that I can't even tell when we leave the forest, it is like going down a tunnel of green. I was expecting we would stop once night fell but apparently we are not stopping till we get there.

My arms have long since gone numb and I am not sure I will be able to let go of the tiger's fur when we finally stop. Neither the tiger or raven bother to say anything the entire trip so I am left to my own thoughts. I can't help wondering what my curiosity has gotten me into this time.

I am not sure if I dozed off or if my mind just went numb but the next thing I know we are stopping. We are in a different forest clearing in front of a large cave. It takes me several minutes to force my hands to release the death grip on the tiger's fur.

When I finally manage to let go I fall straight to the ground and end up sitting because my legs won't hold me. Without a word the tiger turns and runs off back the way we came, he doesn't even seem winded after running for two days straight. Brother raven has landed on a tree branch and is just watching me with a glint of amusement in his eyes.

After a few minutes of flexing my arms and legs the numbness is replaced by pins and needles. When that fades I finally get to my feet and have a look around. As soon as I look towards the cave I realize there is a big wolf laying just inside watching me.