Bannor soared through the air, cutting clouds in half as he flew through them..hints of cloud matter swirled away Bannor was...a dragon very much in love.

When he left her…he also felt the pain of his Master Lord Mhoram….He raced against time, his wings strong and mighty that carried him far. He glided as the northern winds carried him into the southern reaches. It is here that he felt torn…torn for the love of his Master and torn for Mina.

{Bannor…where have you been? I needed you and fought the evil forces…I feared I had loss you to this evil winged demon.} { I understand …I feel it too…Go to her Bannor. You have fallen in love with whom? Lord Mhoram smiled when he found out who’s dragon it was . Eriks dragon…Mina.. Ahhh…Bannor…good choice…May you and Mina have many dragon babies. Bannor spoke to Lord Mhoram…he didn’t know how it happened but… I know my friend…me too. I don’t know how..but Miranda came to me on horseback and saved me from the lizordians. I know you must leave me to be with Mina. Dear friend, Bannor..GO TO HER..I will be fine.}

***************************************************************
Lord Mhoram weak from losing so much blood..his mind still active , his eyes rolled inside his heavily fatigued body. Miranda…my love…he softly spoke. How did you know where to find me…shaking his head…involuntarily, he softly spoke with his mind…his thoughts mixed with hers.

Lord Mhoram I…I do not know…but I felt it too…and knew you were in trouble…I knew where to find you. I just knew….said Miranda


******************************************************************

Bannor flew back to the North…his mighty wings flapped and he picked up speed…he was about to mate with Mina. To be by her side…to feed their young and protect his dragon kin if need to.

Bannor once more picked up her scent and flew through the mountain valleys. He spotted her below him and dove downward….a silhouette dragon shadow he became as he passed the sun…leaving images of hisself. Mina melded with Bannor and spun off to the right and flew upwards. The love chase was on again, except this time as the two soared upwards together as one. Mina allowed Bannor to catch her and as they mingled rubbing snouts and nipping each other.. she swung her hind legs inward and his downward, twisting and spinning in mid air, their ancient mating ritual in full swing…

Miranda looked up at Mhoram sitting in the saddle of one of his guard's horses, her confusion clear in her green eyes which were now going back to normal. She was more than a little afraid at what had happened with her for she knew that it was her and whatever words she'd said that had caused the Lizonian to burst into flame. And, how did she know that Mhoram was in trouble? What was happening to her? She didn't know and that's what scared her the most. Looking around, she saw Kryton observing her intently.

Hiding her own fresh wound from Mhoram, seeing that his own wounds had him occupied anyway, she instructed his guards to get him back to the keep and his healers. He was too weak to argue about it, which she was glad for. She needed time to try and figure out what was happening to her.

"I think it's time you spoke to Lord Jardony, Miranda. Don't you? Something tells me that he may have the answers you seek. Now, get yourself back to the castle as well so that the healers can see to your leg before it festers. That's an order."

Miranda glared at him, her own stubborness coming to the forefront, but Kryton would not back down in this, proving that he was just as stubborn. Sighing, she remounted her horse and with a painful grimace rode back to the castle.

Mhoram was already in his room, the healers tending to him when she entered the keep.

"M'lady!! You are injured! Lord Mhoram would not want that to go untreated."

Waving off the maid, Elise, Miranda went straight to her room, telling her that she could send one and only one healer to her. Once in her own room at the castle, she began to pack what little she had there. It was time for answers. Something was happening to her that she did not know how to control or handle. Thinking about leaving Mhoram caused her chest to ache and this too had her confused. She'd only known the man a short time, so why would it bother her so much to have to leave him and return to the Varden? Shaking her head, she heard the healer enter her room.

She removed her leggings as instructed and lay down on the bed so that the elderly healer could tend the deep wound in her thigh. She clenched her teeth together, enduring the pain after refusing the numbing balm. She wanted her mind open and ready to anything. Once he was finished stitching up the deep wound, he wrapped clean cloth around the muscled thigh and gave her instructions for the care of it. She nodded her head to him, "I've had worse than this, healer but I thank you just the same."

She had to get to Jardony and find out what was happening to her. As she passed Mhoram's room, she heard him speaking to one of his guards but couldn't make out what he was saying. His voice sounded weak and this worried her enough that she peeked in. A guard spotted her and opened the door, bidding her entry. She walked over to the bed, her bag slung over her shoulder.

"I must return, M'lord. To the Varden and Lord Jardony. Things are happening to me which I do not understand and I as well as Kryton feel that Jardony may have the answers. If you so wish it, Kryton can take you to the compound when you are able to travel. I will know when you arrive. Thank you for your care of me and my friends."

She bent down then, to whisper in his ear. "I do not know how I knew you were in trouble, but I did. Never have I felt such fear and I do not wish to feel it again."

Upon this, she turned and left his room and the castle, heading back to the Varden stronghold and hopefully the answers she seeked.

Kryton enters Mhoram's room, having heard what was going on with Miranda. He approached his bedside, the healers now finished.

"Dacia and I will keep an eye on her, m'lord and then return to escort you to the compound if it is what you wish. She is a prideful woman but still young. Something is happening to her and it terrifies her. This is something that is hard for her to admit. She has had a hard life but her heart is as if made of gold. You would do well to gain her trust for once given you have her loyalty to the very end. I also suspect that you would have more than just her loyalty, m'lord. I have a feeling that she cares for you. Now, if you will excuse me I must keep an eye on your willful lady and make sure that she returns safely to the Varden compound."

Kryton left the room of the king and mentally called for Dacia. She met him out in the bailey, landing softly so as not to scare the people running about too much. Climbing into the special dragon saddle, she lifted off the ground, heading to fly over the willful and confused redhead.

Warmark...

Yes Lord Mhoram...Warmark Rasan kneels before Lord Mhoram bedside.

I want you to lead two brigades North and East of this position.





Lord Tiste...

Yes Lord Mhoram...Lord Tiste bows to Lord Mhoram


Lord Tiste...Take 2 brigades and go East protect the villages from attack from the Lizarians.





I will lead two brigades to the compound by horseback...

Sound the chapel bells and alert the our southern kingdom to draw their dragon riders to aid our fight against this new enemy.

Gentlemen...keep me informed of your advancements and trouble.

Miranda rode hard, stopping only to rest her horse and herself. She ate in the saddle and drank in the saddle. Her horse, luckily was a sturdy breed, one of the best and didn't much in the way of rest, although he would definately need it once they returned to the Varden and he would certainly get it. She saw the shadow pass over her and looked up to see Kryton and Dacia flying above her. This made her feel somewhat better about her ride back.


The Varden were hidden in the mountain range that lay in the middle of three provinces and only a few knew how to find the entrance. She being one of them. Danar lay to the north, Anvil Lands lay to the west, and Aurea lay to southeast with the mountain range that hid the Varden in the middle. But, the ride itself would take at least 2 full days and she didn't relish sleeping out here where she could be attacked at any time, but having Kryton and Dacia with her made her less uneasy. She was more concerned with finding out what was going on with herself.

***The day before Miranda left Mhoram's*******************

Back at the compound, Shiloh was having the time of her life watching Erik have to struggle with not having Mina for the time being. She tried not to laugh at his expense, but it was very difficult. They'd spent a full day of him just getting used to being in the saddle again and learning how to maneuver again. It came back to him fairly quickly although he had made the comment that she was going to have to rub his backside that evening.

The next day, Erik deemed himself ready to patrol with Shiloh, refusing to allow her to go alone. They were going to be the eyes on the ground for the rider Jaycen and her dragon Ne-ala. Jaycen was one of the very few female riders and had fought to prove herself in a mainly man's area, but she'd earned the respect of every single rider around when she'd taken on a whole squad of Lizonians the previous year and saved a whole village.

They were 5 miles from the compound when Shiloh and Erik saw evidence that Lizonians had been around, possibly scouting out the compound. They both knew that Serena, Gnash and Chang were still out there and while Serena and Gnash wanted Miranda, Chang wanted Shiloh and both knew that the lizonian was nowhere near done with Erik's woman.

Upon seeing the signs that Lizonians had been here just a few days prior to them riding in the area had Shiloh struggling to hold it together. RainStorm picked up on his mistresses distress and acted accordingly as did Sampson.

"FaNac...take two soldiers and send this message to Lord Mhoram..."

Lord Mhoram,

Have crossed the plains and mountains of Anvil Lands on the search n rescue mission east.
Two days from the castle to De Las Uperior intact.
Third day to Buroo village intact.
Fifth day to Visera village intact.
Seventh-day to Narguesett intact.
Eighth-day ride to Maroona village near the Great Swamp, has been burnt to the ground. Evidence of a great fight and resistance by the villagers. Many males were destroyed, the women are missing. Only a dozen Lizonians found dead.

Have left troops in each village to defend

Moving East with 1 brigade towards the last village in Anvil Lands, Buttonwillow. If village is destroyed will wait for your orders on entering the Land of Aurea...seeking out the Lizonians.

Very Respectful
Lord Tiste

*************************************

<<<Two days Earlier... Warmark Hashan meets the enemy at the Great Swamp>>>

Warmark Rashan and Lord Mhoram crossed the northern plains of the Anvil Lands in confidence and in good spirits. No danger or report of danger appeared anywhere along their way.The first three nights they led an enormous army of 18,000 soldiers, ranyhyns, cords, elvens and giants.




On the fourth day, Lord Mhoram, shook hands with his War Mark Rashan "Good hunting, he said to him and Farewell my brothers." He sat back in the saddle of the horse he rode and watched as eight thousand foot soldiers walked by in cadence to a single drum. The Warmark turned Northeast heading for the Great Swamp.

Lord Mhoram turned toward Quaan, Warhaft of the third Eoman of the Warward. " Take them North...I will catch up to you in a few hours...Lord Mhoram stood watch as his great Army moved toward Commander Krytons northern compound.

Serena was restless. She needed her niece sooner rather than later. She knew that Miranda's abilities would begin to develop anytime now if that hadn't started already. She needed to get to her niece and have her in chains for the turn of the full moon in 2 weeks time for the ceremony that would strip her of her abilities and transport them into Serena, making her a true sorceress instead of just a witch. She hadn't killed her sister for nothing, although it hadn't broken her heart any to do so. Their parents had always loved the good little witch best, thinking that Serena was pure evil to the core. She chuckled, ~And oh how right they were~, she thought to herself.

"Gnash, it is time to gather our forces. Send your best men to the far reached of our realm and tell them their mistress has need of them as well as the power to make it so that they can do battle in the chill of the evening, not needing the sun to warm their blood. Go quickly. Tell Chang that he is to go with the demon prince and attack villages. Anything to give the prince something to occupy him until I have need of him. He is growing restless as well, but for him to do so is dangerous to us all. Now, go!"

Serena paced her great hall, thinking and plotting. She knew from the scouts she had watching the compound that Shiloh and Erik had returned and Chang was now anxious to make Erik pay for the death of his mate. But, it all had to be planned just right or she would lose her quarry yet again and she wasn't willing to lose Miranda a second time.

Turning swiftly, her red cloak swirled about her, as if alive and she walked down to the dungeons and her own private room where she put together potions and spells. Already, Roxy was proving an apt pupil as she was already there practicing what Serena had been teaching her. She stopped and seeing the look upon Serena's face took a step back so as not to be in her way.

Serena had already made it possible for Chang, Gnash and Tsar to be able to withstand cooler temperatures, their blood no longer cold now. She'd made it so that they could regulate their body temperature easier, which was why the tops of their heads were now red instead of green. She needed another spell to do the same only to a larger number of lizonians.

"Roxy, come here.....I have need of you, girl." Once Roxy had come to her side, Serena began barking orders to the girl, having her grab various vials and jars. She had placed a large cauldron over the fire pit, having used her powers to start a fire and began adding ingredients: Melted fat from a stillborn babe, blood of a red dragon, powdered scales of a desert sand snake and a warming stone. Then she took a sharp blade and cut her hand, dripping her blood into the now smoking cauldron and uttered these words. "Warmth of a dragon, poison of a snake, fat to hold all together and stone to make it strong. Cold blooded minions of mine, drink and be strong....drink and be warm.....drink and be strong." At the end of the spell, a flash of pure red fire spurted from the small cauldron and shot to the ceiling of the dungeon room. When all was done, which took her well over an hour to finish, she opened a large cabinet that held over a 500 small vials that were only an inch tall and a half an inch in diameter. Again, using her powers, she called to the vials to come to the cauldron and be filled only to float back to the cabinet and gently return to the shelves. Her spell complete, she all but collapsed to the floor, but Roxy caught her.

"It is done. When the other lizonians arrive, the first ones to arrive will drink of this and no longer be slow and sluggish when the evening grows chilled. They will also be stronger, harder to defeat. Now, help me to my chamber, where I can rest."

Miranda made it to the Varden stronghold deep within the mountain, waving a farewell to Kryton and Dacia. Her and Kryton had spoken the two nights they'd camped together under the watchful eye of Dacia and she'd found out that her suspicions were true.....Kryton was Shiloh's daughter only Shiloh didn't know it yet. She felt for the man, but it was his burden to carry and his to contend with when the truth came out.

She sought out Lord Jardony after cleaning up a bit, finding him in the dining room of the caverns. He smiled to her then grew somber at the look upon her face. He noticed that her green eyes glittered more than usual in the light and a look of understanding crosses his face. It was happening.....her abilities were awakening. He motioned to the chair next to his and waited until she'd sat down and asked her question. She told him first what had happened then she asked him, "Do you know what is happening to me, m'lord?"

"Miranda, there is much to tell you and not much time, so I will give you the short version. You come from a long line of witches....your mother having been one of the most powerful white witches of our time. But, her sister...your Aunt Serena was just as powerful...and the total opposite. Where your mother was good, Serena was just as evil. Knowing her sister the way she did, your mother bound your magick until you came of age....which you are. As the moon cycle passes, your magick will continue to awaken. It will be totally awakened in a two month time. Two moons will pass before you are ready to learn how to use and control these magicks."

Miranda sat there, taking in the news. It wasn't easy but it explained a lot. "Why did she bind me, m'lord?"

"Your mother knew that you were born a strong witch. The third daughter of the third daughter and so on. Yes, you had two other sisters whom Serena killed at birth. But you....you were spared upon seeing your eyes, Serena knew that you and you alone could make her all powerful. She has until your magicks are fully awake to take them from you in a very painful ceremony that will leave you dead. She will consume your magicks and become almost impossible to destroy as will the Lizonians who follow her. You must use all caution until your ascending is complete."

Miranda sat there, staring at Jardony...her mind struggling to take in everything she'd just learned about herself.


************************************

Kryton and Dacia arrived back at the large compound, ready to begin to get prepared for Lord Mhoram's arrival with his large army. The compound was large, huge by any standards, but Mhoram had more men than the compound could hold and preparations needed to be made for any soldiers who would have to stay outside the gates so that they would be as safe as possible. He turned Dacia over to the Dragon aides....younglings who cared for the riders' dragons when they themselves couldn't. Each dragon had one assigned to her....one who was as comfortable with her as she was with him or her. He hurried to his office, hollering at his top riders and aides, Erik and Shiloh among them.

FaNac finds Lord Mhoram and delivers the message from Lord Tiste.
Have crossed the plains and mountains of Anvil Lands...
...eighth-day ride to Maroona village near the Great Swamp, has been burnt to the ground. Evidence of a great fight and resistance by the villagers. Many males were destroyed, the women are missing. Only a dozen Lizonians found dead.


Lord Mhoram reads the message and drops back in thought. FaNac and the 2 soldiers stand still and wait.

"Walk with me for awhile, FaNac." FaNac walked with the Lord as the other 2 soldiers took up postions 20 yards in front and back of them. "So did you see Lord Hashan at all or just the aftermath of Maroona strewn dead?"

"Mi L'rd, the villiage was destroyed, only white ash and human remains. Many body parts were missing and a few soldiers were turned into stone."

"Go back with this message to Lord Tiste,"
Warmark Hashan...presumed dead including his Army
Do not advance into the Land of Aurea
Reinforce the perimeters, North and East of the Land of Anvil with scouts
Move both villages of Buttonwillow and Narguesett to Visera
Reinforce the perimeter at Buroo village

Lord Mhoram

Lord Mhoram sat alone and ate bread crumbs , then sipped water from a wooden reed. Bannor had been gone for nearly 8 months and no one had heard or seen the Lord for many months since speaking with FaNac. Just the day afterwards, sending fanac and his soldiers back to the castle. The lizards attacked his position. He fought and fought, yet noone came to his aid this time and his strength depleted quickly. He beat off the lot but after the last battle with the lizards. The urvile one struck and put his world spinning out of control. These many months he drifted from hut to hut, scavenging for food like a poor man. Slightlly overwhelmed he sat quietly eatting the crumbs and wondered if calling to his dragon...if Bannor would respond.