7 AS

“And so the blessings of the Empire will flow into your village, the bounty of our farms filling your cellars. You will enjoy the protection of our Guard against the monsters of the forest.”

Speaker Brightheart smiled broadly, hands clasped before him such that his ruby ring of office caught the light and lent a subtle rose tint to his robes. A quick concentration of will caused the golden sunburst on his chest to shimmer with its hidden spell.

The village spokesperson narrowed his eyes at the Speaker. “What you say sounds good, ‘cept we already got those things. We trade with Terrace several times a year and with several of the other settlements that have already joined your Empire. We’ve also heard you made those settlements change their ways in exchange for joining. So just the same, we like our lives just fine how they are.” The man leaned heavily on his staff, a heavy wooden thing with a large knot at the top.

Brightheart continued to smile. “My good man, I understand wanting to maintain your way of life. And what you say is true, that you enjoy many of the benefits of the Empire.” He sighed. “For now.”

Those eyes seemed to narrow even further. “Now what is that supposed to mean?”

“I’m afraid that the Empire will be making a new decree soon. That no member of the Empire may trade with those outside the Empire, except by formal treaty. Which will be much less generous than before.”

The man’s eyes grew wide as he stared at the Speaker. For a moment it was as if he couldn’t speak, his jaw working but no sound escaping. Brightheart tilted his ring slightly, watching as the red tint finally appeared in the man’s eyes.

Sighing, the village spokesman said, “Even if we wanted to agree, the Treefolk would never allow it. They let us harvest only what grows in the forest, but they won’t let us touch the trees.”

Reaching up, Brightheart clasped the man on the upper arm, opposite the staff. “You needn’t fear the monsters of the forest, my good man. My men will rid you of them and then the Empire will continue to protect the village.” He gave the man’s arm a squeeze, before gently turning the man towards where the party from the Empire waited.

“Come. See the power of the Empire at work.”

***

“Captain, there hasn’t been violence from the Treefolk in centuries. Why are we attacking them?” Palcon looked at the Captain, having completed his battle preparations.

Captain Travis paused his own prep work, frowning. “Listen, younin. You’re sharp with a blade but leave it to your betters to tell you where to wield it. These Trek have been a thorn in the side of humanity and it’s past time we pulled it out. THey’ve denied us access to the best trees to make the best lumber. Once they’re out of the way, you’ll see a boom in construction throughout the Empire.” The Captain’s eyes seemed to shimmer with excitement.

Resisting the urge to sight, Palcon turned away, trying to remember what his instructors had said about the Treefolk, or Trelk as many had insisted on calling them.

Most Treefolk were huge, lumbering and slow, and powerful. Any blow they landed could easily crush a man. Movement was key. The mages would deal with them using fire magic. The Guard would have to be on the lookout for the Woodlings.

Woodlings were wooden constructs disguised as women, according to the instructors. Where the Treefolk were slow, they were nimble, clever, and carried weapons. They would try to reach the mages to stop the spells.

A shout from the Captain broke him from his thoughts. “Alright men! Remember, these trees are dangerous. They may look like women, but they’re just a plant. Don’t go soft or they’ll carve you up and eat you! Now let’s go drive them from the forest!”

***

Peach Blossom paused his long strides, turning to gaze to the north, the blaze painting the clouds above the forest the burnt amber of autumn, A deep sigh restled through his leaves, and some of the Kin resting on his branches shifted to keep their positions. So much violence, where before only peace had been known for many springs.

Turning away, he lengthened his step. Never let it be said that he could not move swiftly when the People needed him. Not that all too many of the People had survived this sudden conflagration. Far too many of the Kin had given their lives to screen the retreat as well. Those who remained were draped on the branches of the People.

His thoughts cast back to some of the whispers that had been carried on the winds. Humans were looking to take over the world, forcing out all the other races. Such an outrageous thought had needed mulling over. There would be no rush. Peace had been the norm for centuries.

It was still difficult to understand the hasty lives of the humans. Even after creating the Kin to interact with the other races of the world, the People still found all those short lives incomprehensible. Many of the People chose to embed themselves rather than be part of the world.

What would happen to the People now that the peace had been broken? Some of the Kin had been sent to warn others and urge them to move, to travel through the valley and settle in the far east. The valley was the only way through the Silverspine Mountains. Ironbark had been guarding the valley for over a thousand springs. He had never allowed a hostile force through in that entire time, honoring the duty given him by the Majestix.

Shaking away those thoughts, Peach Blossom focused on moving through the forests and nourishing those Kin that still relied on him.

Tomorrow would be time enough for more thoughts.

***

Palcon slowly cleaned the sap from his sword, trying to ignore the cheering guardsmen and the mages putting out the last of the fires from the battle. More like a massacre. All those Treefolk and Woodlings had tried to do was flee from the fire. Even the Woodlings who had fought back had seemed to do so only to delay the attackers.

He signed softly as he examined the blade before replacing it in its sheath. This wasn’t why he’d joined the Guard. The family tradition was protecting Terrace and yet here he was, far from home, attacking a people who had never been a threat.

Glancing around the celebration, he tried to find those who might feel as he did. Those who sat quietly rather than boasting of battle. Perhaps there were some he could talk to. What he would do about things was still a mystery, but something needed to be done. Maybe find a way to be moved to monster patrols rather than escort the Speaker.

***

Ethaniel tumbled aside, shadows cushioning him against the cobblestone courtyard. He barely caught sight of Vincent tumbling the other way around the pillar of stone that had arisen where they’d been standing a moment before. Concentrating, he tried to draw the shadows around him for concealment, only to have to dodge again as the pillar spat a fist sized stone at his head.

Turning the dodge into a rolling start, he darted around the pillar, sending a burst of shadows that enveloped the pillar. A sharp crack rang out and shadows faded, revealing crumbling stone.

Allowing himself a brief smile, Ethaniel glanced quickly around, spotting Vinvent wrapping shadows into a cloak that flowed and shifted, hiding his true location. Choosing a different tactic, Ethaniel gathered shadows that dimmed his form, then split off a clone of himself to confuse their attacker.

Controlling the shadow clone was always difficult while moving. It was like splitting one’s mind in two directions at once. Most importantly, it generally frustrated his opponents.

A yelp from Vincent caught Ethaniel’s attention for a moment. Looking over, he saw his friend surrounded by smaller pillars that were launching coin sized stones at a speed that was sure to be painful, as the thuds and further yelp proved out.

Sending the shadow clone over to help out, he moved himself along the edge of the courtyard. This was about survival and tactics. All he needed to do was remain free to win.

The stone fist slamming into his side drove the air from his lungs and the concentration from his mind, as well as sending him crumbling to the ground. Across the courtyard, his shadow clone came to a complete stop, long enough for several stones to strike it, disrupting the matrix holding it together. It vanished in a dark shower of shadows.

Ethaniel had just enough attention to watch the pillars surrounding his friend enlarge then tumble over to bury Vincent in rubble. Half a moment later he felt a stone snake wrap around his arms and torso, trapping him with a grunt.

“Well boys, I’m impressed. You managed to last longer than the other shadow mages. Even the instructors I invited for our little exercise.”

Ethaniel struggled to look around, finally finding Typhonus standing over him with a grin. “You know this isn’t a fair assessment. We aren’t combat specialists. We’re stealth operatives.” After another moment struggling to free himself, he added, “That and most of our combat techniques are either lethal or meant to augment armed combat.”

Getting a chuckle for a response, he chose to keep his next comment under his breath. Then, having gotten himself under control, he asked, “How bout getting her to let us go?” There was an echoing request from beneath the pile of cobblestone rubble.

Typhonus seemed to watch him for a moment. Ethaniel wasn’t sure he liked the look in the old man’s eyes.

“You know, I should have her leave you both there for an afternoon. That would give me at least a day without the two of you getting into trouble.”

Panic must have shown in Ethaniel’s eyes because the old man sighed then called out. Moments later the stone snake fell away, the pile of rubble turned to dust, and the courtyard rippled like a pond before settling down as nicely as it started.

The devil girl bouncing into sight with a bright smile, her braid just as perky. At least someone seemed to have enjoyed themselves.

“You didn’t have to hit me so hard!” He glare at the girl, who continued to grin.

“Learn to dodge better!”

Vincent hobbled his way over, dark bruises over almost every exposed surface. “You try having to dodge in every direction at once.”

The girl rolled her eyes. “You aren’t fooling anyone with the shadow bruises. Besides, I do practice dodging. Marcus can do energy burst anywhere with no warning building, not to mention teleporting all over the place.”

Vincent grinned, the ‘bruises’ fading as he pretended to remove dust from his clothes. Ethaniel shook his head at his friend. Turning away from the girl, he faced the old man. “If you want to do a proper combat test, take us on a monster hunt. We’ll be able to use all our abilities. Especially the more dangerous ones.”

Typhonus seemed to think it over, his lips pursed. “Now that you mention it, I have been hearing some reports we could look into. I’ll talk to some people… and no Hanna, you won’t be coming. Marcus has a project for the elementalists. That means you’ll be busy.”

Ethaniel chuckled at the girl’s pout. Such a combat junky.

Typhonus clapped his hands. “Alright you three, get out of here. I’ve got things to do.”

***

Typhonus watched the boys fade into the shadows while Hanna scampered off. He really shouldn’t think of the boys like that. THey were young men, powerful mages in their own right. It was just hard, having seen them grow up in the Academy, especially Ethaniel, who’d been there since childhood.

He shook off the thought as he felt Marcus teleport into the courtyard. The stranger who showed up startled him for a moment before the disguise faded away from his friend. “Couldn’t you change back before showing up?”

Marcus grinned at him. “And miss the look on your face? Never.”

Shaking his head at his friend’s amusement, Typhonus focused, erecting a privacy bubble around them. “So, were we right?”

Marcus nodded. “Feron lost control of one of his projects and they rampaged their way free of their compound. Some guards were lost and the creatures were last seen heading towards populated areas.”

Typhonus sighed. “The man is just as monstrous as his creations. I thought he’d stopped with the hybrid projects?”

“Turns out after the Majestix censured him he found other ways of getting funding and moved the projects outside the Academy. I’m still looking into things but I’m guessing he wasn’t shut down for more than a couple years.” Marcus frowned. “This isn’t really my area of expertise. Maybe when you take those Shadow Dancers of yours to chase down the creatures, talk to them about looking into things. They’re better than most of their instructors.”

“You’ve got a point. They’ve been yearning for more involvement.” Typhonus smiled. “That and it’ll keep them out of Hanna’s way before she does something permanent to them during their sparring sessions.”

The two friends laughed together as they made their way into the Academy.

***

“I have lost too many people to these creatures. The Empire promised to protect us when we joined. THat promise has been broken and there will be consequences.”

Typhonus watched the local Baron arguing with Feron, the nominal leader of this expedition. Feron’s expression was a mixture of condescension and frustration. Before they’d left, the Mage Council instructed the mage to cooperate with the locals, something Feron was notoriously reluctant to do.

Turning away from the discussion, Typhonus surveyed the two groups. Baron Becosea was accompanied by over a dozen armed men, along with a crossbow wielding young man he’d introduced as his son, Nic. The Mage Expedition consisted primarily of Feron’s hand picked mages, with Typhonus, Ethaniel, and Vincent rounding out the mix.

For a normal monster hunting expedition, that many mages would have been overkill. From what Feron had deigned to explain, his creatures were smarter and more powerful than usual. A tap on his shoulder broke Typhonus from his thoughts. He turned to se Ethaniel.

“Vincent’s located the creatures. They’re holed up in a barn nearby.”

Typhonus clapped the Shadow Mage on the shoulder, then made his way over to the discussion, breaking in to share the news. Feron immediately left, leading the mages. The Baron offered Typhonus a short bow then turned to mount his horse before following behind Feron.

Typhonus turned to follow Ethaniel, trying to keep everyone else in sight as well. A few moments later they were all gathered around the barn, the Baron and his son at a safe distance with only a pair of guards.

Feron barked out orders and one of the mages started approaching the building. The sound of splintered wood filled the air as something smashed its way out of the side of the barn. Typhonus caught a glimpse of fur, claws, and spikes before it among the men.

Typhonus tried to keep watch on the fight, teleporting out the injured while also watching the barn for the rest of the creatures. The change of sword and claw mixed with the cries of the injured. Bursts of magic struck against the beast, occasionally smashing it from the fight or keeping it from escaping.

A loud thwang heralded the joining of young Nic Becosae to the fray. The crossbow bolt was a red blur before impacting the side of the beast, engulfing it in flame. Screams rent the air as the creature rolled on the ground. “Leave me be! Haven’t I suffered enough?” Reaching down, it grabbed a huge chunk of soil and hurled it at the Baron and his son. Only a quick teleport save father and son, though the guards were sent flying.

Shadows ripped across the ground, tearing into the beast. Blood was finally drawn, along with more screams. Spells flashed through the air, slamming the creature down. Rings of magic swirled into place below the beast. The buildup of energy hummed in the air. The spells attacking the creature grew more furious, bent on keeping it in place.

Moments later the spell finally snapped into being, bands of shadowy energy wrapping around the beast. It grunted and struggled, snapping at the air and snarling.

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Feron walked over to the captive. “You have cost me a great deal of trouble. My research has been set back months due to your escape. Tracking down the rest of you will cause even more delay.”

Golden eyes glared from within a bone lined face. “You are a monster and what you’ve done is an abomination.”

Typhonus watched the conversation with wide eyes. So that screaming earlier hadn’t just been mimicry. The creature was intelligent! Muttering from the Baron’s men said they were beginning to grasp the same.

Feron tsked. “Yours is not to understand the purpose of your existence. You live because of my will and your continued existence is by my will. We will be returning to the compound to continue the project. When I recover the rest of the specimens, you can watch their evolution first. That will be your punishment.”

A chuckle rumbled from the creature. “You will never recover my brothers.”

“Truly? We shall see. We caught you, the leader of the escape.”

The creature struggled to stand, tearing rents into the soil, yet unable to escape its current magical bonds. “Caught me you may have, but my brothers have gone before me. I am the last, meant to draw you away.”

Feron scowled. “What have you done?”

Another chuckle rumbled free. “They have freed themselves from torment, their blood on the ground and fire in their views. By now, nothing but ash remains.”

For a moment there was silence, even the muttering men looking aghast.

A myriad of emotions seemed to scuttle across Feron’s face. Finally it settled on a frown. “So be it. You shall join them.”

Feron stretched out his hand. Rings of magic burst around him, growing more elaborate with each revolution. Golden eyes remained locked with the mage’s as the spell built.

“Be gone.”

The beast dissolved. Flesh and fluid splashed down, mixed with the churned earth and bits of bone to form a slurry.

Several of the guards were noisily sick. Typhonus fought down his own nausea, glancing at the shadow mages and seeing them do the same. Such disregard for life. Feron had already turned away from the sight and was deep in a conversation with the Baron about reparations from the Empire. Feron kept trying to deflect to the Speakers for negotiations.

Typhonus stepped away from the group, motioning the boys to join him. A quick concentration of will and the privacy circle sprang to life. “Feron is obviously up to something else at that compound of his. I want you two to find out what it is. Discovery only. Do not get yourselves involved until we can talk about whatever is going on.”

The two nodded, immediately wrapping themselves in shadows and fading away.

Typhonus waited until Feron stormed away before approaching the Baron. “Not all mages are like him, good sir. I hope you do not judge us all by this one example.”

Baron Becosea looked levelly at him for a moment before nodding. “I judge each man for himself.” He paused, lips pursed. “Though I admit, that man does embody the stories I have heard about mages.”

Typhonus sighed. “Sadly true. And I’ll admit, all too many of my fellows share his attitudes, though thankfully not his practices.”

“Father, perhaps this mage could give us the connection to the Capital that we have been seeking.”

Turning to regard the crossbow wielding young man, Typhonus felt a slight echo of magic. So it was the boy, not the crossbow, with the power. Slowly, he nodded to the boy. “I’m always open to making new friends.”

The Baron nodded at his son then focused on the mage. “There are certain disturbing rumors…”

***

“The magicite that used to be mined here supplied all of Ryode and much of the other continent. Unfortunately, they were lost in The Sundering.”

Marcus had to practically shout to be heard over the sound of the angry ocean, waves aggravated by the submerged Leyline hissing against the short cliff. He looked at the gathered elementalists, trying to determine if they’d heard him. Satisfied with their attention, he continued.

“We have a theory that the mines themselves survived The Sundering and are near the surface. Our goal for this expedition is to see how intact the mines are. If the mines are salvageable, there is a project underway on how to drag those mines back to the surface.

“Our water workers will investigate the depths, searching for the entrances to the mines, as well as any new entrances that might have formed by The Sundering. Once those are accounted for, they will hand things off to the earth users and our single iron worker.” He paused to nod his head to an older lady mage, her scarlet robes adorned with all manner of iron trinkets.

“Now, any questions? Good. Remember to coordinate with each other and follow your overseers.”

Excited chatter broke out among the gathered mages. Marcus smiled as he made his way through the groups. Several of the elementalists had already manifested a familiar, an assortment of liquid and solid creatures that helped the mages interact with their elements. One young man was surrounded by a trio of water sprites that shifted through various geometric shapes. A thinker, that one.

Stepping around one group of mages, Marcus caught sight of Hanna standing at the edge of the cliff, gazing down at the waters below. Random stones around her would jump into the water, then splash back to her side.

“Not exactly something your armor is built to fight.”

Hanna turned to grin at him, her braid swinging energetically. “Nope! Can’t fist fight the ocean. Can’t really bring the caves to me either. Avalanches are easy. Maybe a volcano?” She tilted her head to the side as if in thought. “But we didn’t bring any fire elementalists.”

Marcus chuckled. “It was considered, actually, but it’s feared that it would only seal the mines. Crighton had been working on this project since The Sundering, apparently. He was in charge of the mines before that and wants his old job back. You just worry about making sure the mines are intact.”

Hanna offered him a cheeky salute then turned back to her pile of stones, shooking them back into the water like ducklings.

Marcus shook his head in amusement as he moved to confer with the various overseers. These were the types of projects he enjoyed working on, especially compared to the things Feron or Dierdra got up to. Maybe they’d be able to recover the original teleportation crystal and could get it hooked into the new matrix.

All in all, he looked forward to a successful project with no lives on the line.

***

“So, human, your fellows died so you could get into that fancy armor. Let’s see if it makes you a worthwhile prey.”

Khan Kubla crouched low, claws extended in front of him, tail lashing behind. Blood already adorned his leather armor and streaked his mane. He’d yet to draw his blades, content with his natural weapons.

The human slammed its sword into its shield. Covered head to toe in armor, it looked more like one of the giant beetles sometimes found in the jungles. It was even decorated in silver scrollwork, no doubt inspirational or historical in nature. Beckoning with its sword, it shouted, “Come on then, Abomination. You shall pay for what you’ve done. You and your whole flea infested race!”

Kubla sprang forward, batting the blade aside with one claw, while the human managed to deflect the other with its shield in an ear flattening shriek. Spinning past the human, Kubla turned to find only the paint stripped from the shield. Metal should have torn. Even the hardened woods of the Groka would have been gouged.

The sword flicked out, forcing Kubla back a step before he stepped back in, slashing towards an armored neck. More sparks and squeals but no screams.

A two clawed push sent the human stumbling, creating some space. Kubla looked down at his claws. Was one chipped? A snarl ripped from his throat as he reached for his blades.

“Seems you are worth prey, after all. I look forward to peeling you from your armor.” Kubla pointed one of his hunting knives at the human. “And then your hide.”

“And I’ll have your head for a trophy and your skin for a rug!” The human leaped forward, slashing upwards with its sword.

Kubla swayed aside, slashing at the arm as it passed. He was rewarded with more sparks, his snarl deeping to a ripping volume that managed to block out the squeal of tortured metal. A spinning backhand caught the human on the shield, sending it flying.

Stabbing its sword into the floor, the human managed to stop its tumble. Ripping the sword free sent wood flying and the human fell on Kubla with a flurry of blows.

The Lyonin easily deflected the attacks, reaching in with an occasional stab, only to curse as his own attacks were continuously defeated by the armor. With a roar Kubla unleashed another rouble clawed blow to the human’s shield, once again sending it flying.

There was no effort to correct its tumble this time and it was much slower returning to its feet.

“You tire, human. And I tire of you.” Kubla resheathed his blades and stepped up to the human. Reaching past the swinging sword, he took hold of the human’s arm. Easily lifting the human into the air by its sword arm, he held it there for a moment, ignoring the shield slamming into him.

Swinging the human by the arm, Kubla smashed it into the floor. He was disappointed it didn’t split apart like the bug it resembled, but the cry of pain was just as satisfying. Picking up the human again, he slammed it once more into the floor.

A few repetitions and the human stopped screaming. Stopped struggling.

Movement at the door caught his attention. Dropping the human, he turned to see his bodyguards approaching, one carrying a set of armor much like the one crumbled beneath him, this one devoid of the silver decorations.

“This was all we found, my Khan. Everything else seemed to be of no worth. The humans fought hard to keep this from us.”

Kubla looked from one suit of armor to the other, golden eyes gleaming as he considered what they had found here. Armor that could not be cut. These humans were fiendishly inventive. All the more reason to control them, as the Majestix had done since the founding of the Accords.

“Bring the armors. We’ll figure out how to get the meat out of this one later.” He kicked the armored corpse at his feet. “And burn this place down. Start the fires in the forges. The stupid humans will think they died by accident.”

Everything was going according to plan. Evidence of human treachery was at hand. Or could at least be made to look thus.

***

“Speaker, what brings you here?”

Speaker Brightheart looked around the compound, smiling broadly as he turned to the mage. “My dear Feron. Dierdra suggested a visit so I could better understand the importance of your work.”

The scarlet robed mage scowled. “That busybody is always sticking her nose in other people’s business. I don’t have the time to waste showing you around. I’ve already lost an entire production batch, and the goat hybrids have proven especially intractable.”

Brightheart gently shook his head. “Never fear, my good man. I would never dream of interfering with your work. I am not some feeble elder who needs his hand held. I can make my own way through. Perhaps we just meet for dinner before I leave?”

The scowl didn’t lessen, though Feron nodded. “Very well. I’ll see you then.” Turning away in a swirl of robes, he strode purposefully away.

Shaking his head again, this time in amusement, Brightheart began to stroll through the compound, pausing to talk with the various guards and mages about their work. He toured the barracks, the research labs, and the pens holding the previously mentioned goat hybrids.

There was a feeling of hidden malice among the hybrids. Their stubborn stances, crossed arms, heads held high, definitely supported the intractable theory. They definitely looked formidable, with their horns and hooves and brawny stature, though If they couldn’t be put to work, what reasons was there for keeping them? Questions to ask at dinner.

While he had free reign to tour most of the compound, there were some areas that the guards kept him out of. Feron’s personal tower while the mage wasn’t accepting visitors. The labs with active projects. Finally, the pens where they kept the live stock for materials.

Brightheart actually put some effort into that last one. He was curious what conditions the supplies were kept in and where they happened to come from. Some had been from his own resources, unwanted or abandoned people from Terrace. His men made sure that these undesirables did not clutter up the city and ruin the image the Emperor wanted people to see.

All in all, the compound looked to be well supplied, well cared for, and well managed. The guards and mages all seemed dedicated to their work.

Dierdra had been right. This was an inspirational sight. No resource going to waste. Sighing contentedly, he made his way back to Feron’s tower. He was looking forward to dinner.

***

“Would you look at that? Mr. Brightness himself showing up to admire the Unmaker’s work!”

Ethaniel smacked his friend on the shoulder. “That is no way to speak about the Speaker.” He paused for a moment, then shook his head. “Never mind. I think we’ve got what we came for. Typhonus only wanted us to find this place. Spotting Brightheart is just a bonus. Let’s get out of here.”

Vincent grinned back at Ethaniel, waggling his eyebrows. “You sure I’m not allowed to sneak in and snatch some of the records? Wouldn’t take but a moment.”

Ethaniel shook his head. “They’d notice something like that. The focus here was observation. Maybe later we’ll come back for hard proof.”

“Fine, fine. I never get to have fun.”

Ethaniel stared at his friend, even as they slowly crept away from the compound. “Seriously? You break into the instructors’ rooms for fun. Switch people’s rooms around for fun!”

“Bah, that’s just to keep in practice. I mean some real fun!” Vincent’s eyes seemed to sparkle in excitement.

Ethaniel reached up to wipe a hand over his face. “I know I’m going to regret this… but what did you have in mind?”

“Okay! You know how Hanna gets around Marcus? Well, I was thinking…”

***

“Do you think we should follow those two?” Bageera looked over at Theron, ears cocked forward, where they crouched on the branches of a tree, out of sight of the compound.

Theron shook his head, one ear swiveling to follow the two human shadow mages, while the other focused on the compound.

Bageera sighed, then nodded. “Aye, you’re right. They aren’t the humans we were to watch. Though I think we have more than enough information on this Brightheart fellow. And he did lead us to this rather interesting place.”

Theron nodded, then faded into the shadows of the tree, no doubt making his way to the ground.

Grinning at the spot where his friend had been, Bageera chuckled, quietly. It was finally time to go home. They had much to tell their Khan.