Braum sat alone, barely perceptable, at a table in the half light of a corner facing the door to the dinning hall, on the table was a plate of roasted lamb, a few vegetables and a large tankered of ale. Along with a stack of parcments and a map spread out. When the doors opened, he glanced up to see Erik and Shilo walk in. A barely perceptable smile crossed his face, as he remembered how Erik had progressed in his training, although he still had much to learm. He was impressed by his insight as to how the lizonians could very well be hiding in plain sight. The lad was indeed intuitive although not yet conviencing enough or confident in his convictions. Shilo's regression into herself was troubling although something she alone could master. He concentraion had improved, yet something was still troubling under the surface.

Braum had watched as the aide known as Roxy had belittled her, a jibe that reaked of jealousy and envy. This Braum knew he would have to deal with soon. Roxy was weak and had much more to learn than the other aides. A lesson began to form in Braums mind. But not today.....He needed to get them prepared for a long and dangerous journey, one in which all their skills would be tested.

Braum went back to stuydying his charts and assighnment lists. Picking up the aide roster and studing it as he watched Shilo and Erick find a place to sit.

Shiloh was deliciously sore in places she didn't know could be sore. Laying in bed, her head resting on Erik's chest, listening to his strong heart beating, she turned red remembering some of the things he'd done to her and the things he'd taught her. Things she'd wantonly learned and practiced over and over again on him. She felt as if she were glowing and didn't care if she was. She'd never been happier and couldn't wait for them to retire for the night after dinner. She wondered what else Erik could teach her and she had a few ideas of her own.

As they rose, she wrapped herself in the sheet, still somewhat modest. She heard Erik chuckle at her, but he didn't chastise her. When she turned to head into her room to gather some clean clothes, she saw the red stain on the sheet and blushed a deep red that went clear to the top of her chest. She turned, headed to her room and dressed. When she returned, Erik was dressed and ready to head out, love shining in his eyes as she was sure it was in hers.

When they walked into the tavern, arm in arm, Shiloh saw Braum but didn't let on that she did. Her and Erik sat down at a corner table that would afford them some privacy and ordered their food. They were like two new lovers sitting there, all smiles and looks. Nothing that would be embarrassing to either one, but one would know that they were in love by looking at them. Shiloh all but glowed and Erik constantly smiled at her.

"I think you need a bigger bed, Erik. Something we should look into, maybe, once we are to the new compound. What do you think?"

Shiloh looked up into Erik's blue eyes, her own gray ones stormy, but stormy from passion and love, not anger.



Miranda walked into the tavern and upon seeing Braum, headed for his table and sat down. She smiled at him when he gave her his normal scowl, even though it didn't reach his eyes this time. Her long red hair was gleaming and her green eyes were filled with a seriousness that covered her mischivous nature.

"Braum, we need to talk. I ran into Serena on my return from the Varden and I have a strong feeling that there will be trouble on our journey to the new compound. Have you spoken with Kryton yet and what are your plans? Also, Serena's right hand, Gnash, worries me. Something is going on with him, I can feel it."

Miranda was more than just concerned. She was actually frightened, but that was something she didn't show to anyone, even though something told her that there wasn't much that got past Braum. She could also feel something stirring deep within her...something she didn't understand. It was as if something was charging within her....sometimes she felt as if it would explode from the inside out, then it would die down and be calm once more. Here lately, it was becoming more frequent and stronger. The feelings she had about things happening were becoming stronger as well.

"I will be with the aides on the ground, mainly Shiloh. I also have a feeling that we need to keep a close eye on Roxy. I don't like that girl."

As Erik and Shiloh walked into the tavern Erik’s eyes instantly landed on Braum. There was new found respect for the man Erik felt. Even if he did yell at Erik more than talk to him but Erik learned that was just the way Braum was. Beneath the gruff, hard exterior, Erik knew the man had a good heart.

Leading Shiloh to a table a few spots down from Braum, he listened to what Shiloh said about a bigger bed and gave the woman a strange look.

”What? And give you a chance to get away from me? Nope. Not gonna happen. I have trouble grabbing a hold of you now. If I get a bigger bed, that just gives you more space to get away from me.”

Erik couldn’t help but laugh at the look Shiloh gave him. He loved the way her cheeks colored and what was better was that he knew she wasn’t so much embarrassed as remembering the things he did to her when she was well within reach of his hands.

He saw Miranda come in then and sit down with Braum. He couldn’t hear what she was saying, but from the look on her face and in her eyes, he knew the feisty red head was troubled about something. Of course they all were. It was no secret they were getting ready to make one hell of a journey to meet with other riders and aides to fight a growing enemy.

Growing in both size and strength. Something even Mina had remarked about.

Yes, Shiloh's cheeks were rosy from what she remembered Erik doing to her with his hands, but her smile was huge and her eyes shined with a light that wasn't there before. She was happy....happier than she'd ever been and it was all because of the man sitting next to her. But, like him, she was worried about their journey for it would take at least 5 days to get to the new compound and she had a bad feeling. From the looks of Miranda, so did she.

Sighing, she finished her meal before holding Erik's hand in hers. She smiled looking at how his large hand engulfed her much smaller one. She blushed again, remembering how gentle he was earlier, worried that his large, muscular frame would hurt her. At least he was gentle, until she glared at him and told him to quit treating her as if she were made of glass. That was when she found true, mind blowing pleasure and from the looks that crossed his face at that time, so did he.

Clearing her throat and trying to get her thoughts back to the journey, she looked over at Erik and smiled again.

"Erik, I need to know that you won't be distracted with worry over me as we make our way to the compound. I need to know that your mind will be focused on staying alive and not on me."


Roxy headed to bed, having found nothing out just yet from hanging around discreetely outside of Kryton's office. But, her hatred and jealousy towards Shiloh had grown by leaps and bounds watching her and Erik stroll arm in arm to the tavern. By the look on Shiloh's face, it was clear what they'd been doing and it made her sick.

Reaching her room at the aides' dorm, she didn't ever say hi to the head mistress as she reached her room and prepared to lay down. As she drifted off to sleep, her thoughts were of Shiloh and the hatred she felt for her.

************************
Serena had stayed partially connected to Roxy through the black gazing ball and knew when the chit had fallen to sleep and had begun to dream. She motioned for Gnash to bring her the tincture she needed to drink in order to enter Roxy's dreams while she slept and influence her to do her bidding. The mixture was made of a pinch of nightshade, one petal from the black lotus flower, a toad's eye, and the heart of a small bat. She drank the tincture without a second thought as Gnash readied her bed. Walking his mistress over to the straw filled mattress in one of the rooms of the caverns, he stood vigil over her as she drifted off to sleep and entered Roxy's dream.

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

[i]It was a dark place, Roxy's dream. But Serena found her easily enough. Roxy was beating something laying on the ground, her face filled with a demonic joy. When Serena reached her, she peered over the girl's shoulder and saw the aide, Shiloh, laying on the ground bloodied and bruised. She heard a muffled snarl and saw the rider Erik chained to his dragon which was chained to the cave wall. She was really beginning to like this girl, Roxy. Tapping her on the shoulder, Serena got her attention. As Roxy turned, Serena smiled at her.

"Ah, my sweet child. I think you and I are going to be good friends. Now, before you turn on me, listen to what I have to say. I can help you achieve your goals...." she looked down at Shiloh then back up again...."and you can help me achieve my goals in defeating Braum and Kryton. All you have to do is begin tormenting Miranda. Tear down her defenses...make her doubt herself. I will come to you again, my child and let you know more."

Erik let his gaze focus in on Shiloh then and the look he gave her was nothing short of ‘have you lost your mind’. What was worse was that he knew she was being dead serious. Blinking, he cleared the look from his face and tried to answer her. Several times he opened his mouth to say something, thought better of it and closed his mouth. Finally, after much searching, he realized there was no gentle way to put it.

”Shi…that’s like telling the wind not to blow. But I tell you what. I’ll focus my concentration on keeping you safe from the air if you concentrate on keeping me safe from the ground. A scouting patrol will be sent out prior to our departure and information will be relayed from one dragon to another thus allowing their riders know what is up ahead. All the riders have to take turns scouting the area all around us so when my time comes to leave you, make sure you stay close to your fellow aids. There’s safety in numbers, Shi. That’s not a myth. I’ll come back to you as soon as I can. Promise.”

Shiloh lowered her gaze, knowing that Erik was speaking the truth and it was the only way that either one of them were going to feel any type of peace while seperated during the journey.

"You're right, Erik, and I promise that I will stay close to the other aides and protect you from the ground. I will stay safe and I promise you that I will not be stubborn as I was in the recent past. I will remain safe to the best of my ability for you."

She leaned over and uncaring of who saw, kissed him fully on the lips.

"I love you Erik and I want a long life as your aide, among other things, with you."

Erik responded in kind with a kiss of his own and when Shi told him she loved him and she wanted a long life among other things with him, he gave her a salacious wink. Leaning even closer, Erik lowered his voice and spoke to Shiloh.

”Just for the record, I am really looking forward to more of that ‘and other things with you’ part of your last statement.”

With another kiss to her lips, Erik waved down the passing bar wench and placed their orders. Giving Shi’s hand a gentle squeeze, his calloused hand caressed her softer one as they sat there and talked while taking in the sights of the tavern.

Kryton walked into the tavern and looked around. First he saw Braum and Miranda, Miranda looking serious for once instead of her mischivous little self. Braum looked his normal self, surly, bored, grumpy....but Kryton noticed that something Miranda had said had caught his attention. As he started for his normal table, he saw his daughter and Erik sitting in a corner. Shiloh was smiling....but it was the type of smile that was on Erik's face that had him furrowing his brows. When Shiloh kissed Erik and it was clearly a full kiss, Kryton tried to keep a blank look on his face, but it was difficult. By the look on their faces and the way they were holding hands, sitting closely next to each other, love shining in their eyes, it was clear to him what had transpired. She was his daughter for the Gods' sake!! He knew that Erik loved her and she him, but knowing that he had slept with his daughter did not sit well with him.

When Erik looked up, he did his best to smile at the young man, but failed. His eyes said it all, even though he knew he had no right to feel the way he did. Shiloh wouldn't understand as she didn't even know he was her father and he had told Erik to make Shiloh see how much Erik loved her. Apparantly, he had succeeded. He was finally able to give Erik a stiff smile and that was when Shiloh looked up and saw him. She began to smile at him as well, but then stopped at the look in his eyes. She leaned over and whispered something to Erik before kissing his cheek. Turning, Kryton headed for his table once more and sat down. When the serving wench came over, he all but barked his order at her.

While waiting for his meal and mead to arrive, he rose and headed for Braum and Miranda's table.

"Braum, you and I need to discuss the best to get our troops and people to the new compound safely. I want to leave in 2 days. Miranda, I think you should be in charge of the aides, Braum the riders, and I will take the others. But, we still need to discuss the best path."

When Erik looked up and saw the look his commanding officer was giving him the smile he’d been giving Shiloh vanished as quickly as he could make it disappear. Any thoughts occupying his mind that had a bedroom and Shiloh naked in them were just as quickly pushed to the back of his mind. He knew the secret Kryton carried but it wasn’t his place to divulge it to Shiloh. That was Kryton’s responsibility. And it seemed as though the man wasn’t up to spilling the beans to his biological daughter.

That still didn’t stop Erik from swallowing hard as he saw the man begin to walk in his direction with a strained look on his face. It didn’t help when Shiloh leaned close, whispered something then kissed his cheek. His first reaction was to push her away but Erik knew how devastating that would be for her. No. He loved Shi and he wasn’t afraid to show that love for her. Kryton would just have to get used to the fact his daughter was now a full fledged woman.

When Kryton walked to another table and sat down, Erik let out a sigh of relief. It was short lived, though. When the man barked at the serving wench, causing the pretty young thing to go scampering off to get his order in a hurry, Erik felt his own bro furrow. Kryton’s foul mood need not be lashed out at innocent bystanders.

As the man stood and walked over to Braum and Miranda’s able, Erik’s left brow rose. It was obvious he found the activity at the crotchety old riders table of interest but until he was invited to join in the conversation, he would merely sit and observe from afar.

Braum motioned for Kyton to sit, then looked around the room to the gathered ryders and their aides. Gazing around the hall he instantly noticed that the aide Roxy was not present. "That was strange." Braum thought but said nothing. The hall was filled with the clatter of plates, conversation and clinking glasses. Braum stood and shouted "SIIILLLLAAANNNNNCCEEE!" as he pounded his fist of the table. The room instantly grew errily silent.

"Today we depart for the new encampment. Miranda, will be in charge of the aides, I the riders, and Kyton will take the others. The Dragons will be led by Tamerie, there are straw dummies that shall ride the dragons. The riders shall follow me on horseback. We shall leave 2 hours apart. The dragons first, then the Aides , then Kyton and the reserves and finally the riders and me. The Dragons will travel their normal patrol routes, the circle northwest towards the coast. The aides east for three hours then turn northwest back towards the coast Kyton will go southeast two hours then turn back north towards the coast. The riders and I will west for an hour then turn north. Take with you only your weapons and what you need, straw dummies have been placed on the rampart. We leave begin to leave at first starlight." Braum's hard gaze fell about the hall, then he sat down ........ slid a map to Miranda and Kyton and spoke softly to Miranda and Kryton...... "The rendezvous location is marked on your maps, travel by night, you should be at the rendezvous in two days time. The dragons will join us there and then we move to the new encampment. Once we are there Miranda and I shall contact The Varden." Braum then fell silent and began to eat, his mood obviously solem and deep in thought.

Shiloh was stunned. She looked at Erik to see if he was just as shocked she was that they were leaving that night instead of in a couple of days. She didn't mind leaving, she no longer had any reason to stay here except for Erik and he was leaving as well. With her parents gone along with her village, she was actually looking forward to a new beginning.

"Erik, we should finish eating and get back to our room to make sure that we have what we need for the move. I also need to prepare RainStorm and Sampson."

Their food had arrived and she began to eat, wondering what the new compound would be like and where she and Erik would be living.


Kryton looked at Braum and agreed with his statement except for one thing. The Dragon Riders.

"Braum, I respect your opinions, your advice, and your knowledge. I agree with your words, but I want a few guards with the aides. At least 15 to escort them. I will not have them unprotected no matter how well they can protect themselves."

Kryton took the map Braum had given him back to his table and studied it while he ate. He kept glancing over at Erik and Shiloh, trying to come to terms with the fact that his daughter was clearly a woman now, if the glow about her said anything. The thought of a man bedding his daughter did not sit well, but he was grateful that it was Erik and someone else. He knew that Erik loved Shiloh with all of his heart and was thankful for that, but the fact still remained that he would have to deal with the fact that his little girl had grown up....completely. He just wished he could tell her that he was her father without the reprocussions he knew would follow if he did. How he hated this secret he carried within his heart. When he'd seen Shiloh cradling the man she knew as her father in her arms all those weeks ago, seeing her anguish ripped his heart out. And when she'd withdrawn so deeply within herself recently, he wanted to shake her, yell at her...anything to snap her out of it. He'd promised Eleanor that Shiloh would never know, but he didn't know if he could keep that promise. It was more for Jason's sake than their own, but upon Jason's death, hearing what the dying man had said to Shiloh, Kryton now knew that he'd known all along that Shiloh was not his daughter. How he knew, he didn't know.

Finishing his meal, he stood up, glanced at Shiloh and Erik again and headed back to his office to choose what guards would accompany the aides.


Miranda looked at Braum, wondering what his plan was, having them leave so soon with nothing more than what they needed. Shaking her head, she figured with what she'd said about Serena must have made his decision for they needed to travel quickly and light, just in case.

"Braum, I will go and get ready. I'm not sure what your plan is, but I'm not sure it's a good idea to split up like this. I see the benefits to it, but the aides are beneficial to the riders, espcially any aide of the DragonStarr lineage for their riders are chosen for them by the fates and are connected on a level we don't understand. But, for once, I will not argue with you.....this time."

With those final words, she gave Braum a saucy smile as she grabbed her map and left to go gather her weapons and ready her horse. She would meet up with Shiloh on the trail and speak with her then.



Roxy had woken, feeling somehow refreshed and invigorated. Her blue eyes had an eerie look about them as she rose and dressed, leaving her dorm room.

Running into one of the other aides, the aide told Roxy about gathering only what they needed and prepare to depart by first starlight. Roxy nodded her head and wasted no time cleaning up, packing an extra set of clothing in her small pack as well as her small daggers, strapped on her shortsword and headed for the stables to check on her mount. She remembered her dream vividly and knew that she'd found someone like her in the red headed witch. She could still torment Shiloh and now she could also find ways to tear Miranda down as well. If she couldn't find what she wanted here with the riders and other aides, then maybe she could find what she was looking for with the witch. It would all start once they left and something told her that Serena would know when they, the aides, would leave.

By nightfall, the compound was ready to begin their move. The Dragons had already left with the straw dummies upon their backs, going about normal nighttime patrols. Then Miranda, Shiloh and the rest of the aides left 2 hours later. Shiloh and Erik not saying good-bye, but simply bidding each other be careful then a longing kiss between the two of them before they left, 15 chosen guards as their escorts. The aides headed east, as Braum had told them to. Then Kryton and the reserves, again 2 hours later, heading southeast and finally, Braum, Erik, and the riders left. The old compound was now empty and barren. Traveling light, it would only take them traveling through the night, camping for the day then another night and they would reach the coastal base near the Varden stronghold.

Up in the caves, a days ride from the old base sat Serena, Gnash and about 100 lizonians, 45 of which were Red Lizonians. Serena had been watching Roxy through her sfora ball, knowing by listening to Roxy what was happening and where the aides and her niece were at. Luckily, Gnash and 25 of the other Red Lizonians had all partook of her elixir she'd made for them to keep their blood flowing easily during the chill of the night so that they could attack the aides with ease. The rest were to wait until morning and then attack Kryton and the reserves. Luckily, Serena had fallen for the deception of the straw dummies on the dragons and didn't know about the riders being the last to leave on horseback.

Roxy was waiting for the right time to begin her verbal and mental assault on Miranda and in the meantime worked the other aides, turning them against Shiloh and the red-head. The guards kept watch as Kryton had been adamant about keeping the aides safe and protected. They did not want to risk his wrath if they failed.

The time was coming to where the groups would be meeting up when the attack came down upon the aides with a vengeance. Miranda fought valiantly as did Shiloh, RainStorm and Sampson along with the other aides. Roxy was fighting as well, but Miranda noticed that the Lizonians she fought against truly weren't engaging her, it looked more like mock fighting than an actual battle. That was when Miranda was pulled off of her mount by Gnash and his clawed hand ripping through the staps holding her armor on. Tossing it to the side, he slashed at her, cutting deep grooves across the top of her chest as she jabbed with her sword. Shiloh, RainStorm and Sampson were there in an instant, Sampson lunging for Gnash, his teeth sinking deep into the Lizonian's thigh. Gnash slashed with his claws, knocking Sampson off of him, the dog landing in a bloody heap after slamming into a tree with a thickening 'crack!' Shiloh screamed as RainStorm reared up, catching Gnash with his front hooves, throwing the lizard man back by 15 feet. Shiloh was off RainStorm before the horse had gotten back down to all fours running for the dog. Miranda joined her, calling for the aides to rally together only to find that most had been beaten down, blood on the ground from deep wounds, the guards having been ripped apart or taken down. Gnash was back up and closing in on her when she heard her aunt's voice.

"I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE OTHERS, GNASH!!!! JUST GRAB MIRANDA!!! THE REST OF YOU DO AS YOU WISH!!!"

Roxy found herself being led to Serena's side, Serena smiling at her. Roxy smiled back and as Shiloh looked up from Sampson's body, she saw Roxy standing next to the witch and saw red. She ordered RainStorm to stay with the dying dog as she drew her crossbow and aimed for Roxy's chest. Her shot went wide when another Red Lizonian tackled her, knocking the wind from her. She almost wretched when his forked tongue slid up her cheek, leaving a poisonous, slimy trail that burned into her skin. Suddenly he was gone as Miranda threw him off of her, grabbing her hand and pulling her up.

"Grab your sword, Shi and stand back to back with me!"

The two women stood there, ready to fend the remainder of the attacking Lizonians, which were still 17 strong. Some were injured, but not enough to where they couldn't fight. Gnash advanced on the two women who were standing together, kicking one of the aides who was laying on the ground, bleeding and moaning.

"You are mine, Miranda. For killing my brother. I will ssssssilenccce your tongue sssssso that all you will be able to do isssss sssssscream. And you, SSSSHHHHHHiloh, will keep me warm at night when the air issssss chilled."

Miranda was losing blood from the four deep gashes in the top of her chest and Shiloh's cheek was burning from the acidic saliva as well as a paralyzing agent seeping into her bloodstream. But both stood their ground when they heard Kryton and the reserves coming in with a battle cry. Gnash smiled toothily at the women as he and the others began to prepare to engage the oncoming soldiers. The sun was beginning to rise and the remaining Lizonians back in the caverns were stirring and slowly filtering out of the caverns to join their comrades in the battle. They would make it about the same time that Kryton and the reserves would and the battle would begin anew.

Without warning from the sky and the rising sun, came a colophony of roars and battle cries as Braum astride Temeraire led, Kryton and Dacia , Erik , the other riders on their Dragons in an onslaught against the Lizonian's from the sky and the reserves and aides from the ground and the surrounding tress. The ambush had succeeded. Un beknownest to Serena, the Lizonians and Roxy, Braum had led the Riders to a secret rendezvous with the riders and had been shadowing the aides. Braum know knew positively what he had suspected, Roxy was a traitor. The dragons breathed showers of fire upon the Lizonians as he ahd the riders slashed and hewned them with thier swords. Erik swept towards the Lizonia known as Gnash as Braum and Temeraire dove towards Serena.

As the remaining Lizonians started from their caves a shower of arrows filled the sky and began falling on the cavern entrace. A force , led by Ajihad of the Varden had taken position the previous night and now began to engage the rest of the gathered Lizonians.

Serena screamed in rage when she saw the riders, led by Braum, attack Gnash and the others. Grabby Roxy's arm, she pulled her sacred athame from it's sheath and looked deep into the girl's eyes, bidding her too stay still as she sliced deep within Roxy's palm, blood coating the blade. Looking out at Gnash, she spoke words of old as she then cut open her own palm, mixing her blood with Roxy's upon the blade. Pointing the blade towards Gnash, she finished the spell and watched as the drops of blood, now blackened by the spell, flowed towards him.

Gnash felt the air stir around him and turned to see his mistress pointing the blade towards him. Knowing what spell Serena had cast, he opened his mouth and instructed the 3 Red Lizonians closest to him to do the same while the others fought against the reserve soldiers and sought cover from the dragons and their riders. The blackened blood flowed into Gnash's mouth, as well as Strife's, Chang's, and Tzar's mouths. They instantly felt the change as their red heads became streaked with black stripes, their eyes turning black. They felt the energy flowing through them from Roxy's and Serena's blood as well as the spell. Moving faster than normal, Gnash grabbed Miranda as Strife grabbed Shiloh. With Chang and Tzar clearing the way to Serena and Roxy, they headed for their mistress and Roxy. Serena looked up to see Braum and his dragon coming in fast and hard towards her and her new pupil. Serena grabbed Roxy by her bleeding hand, saying more words of old as the two vanished admist black smoke. Gnash already knew where Serena wanted him to go with her niece and quicly disappeared into the trees with a screaming and fighting Miranda. Clubbing her aside the head, he finally silenced her as she went limp, hung over his massive shoulder. Shiloh was feeling the effects of the paralyzing agent, her movements sluggish. She was able to get a hold of Strife's dagger and pulling it free, stabbed it into his upper thigh. The Lizonian yowled in pain, throwing Shiloh up against a tree, knocking her senseless. Pulling the dagger free, he turned, looking at death in the eyes when he saw Kryton advancing upon him.


Kryton took one look at his daughter laying in a heap at the bottom of the tree and saw the long, acid like burn on her right cheek from the lizonian's tongue. Her eyes were wide, but she was now unable to move. As Kryton advance on Strife like a madman, parrying and thrusting along with Strife, he drew blood more than once. Strife swung with his own blade, also trying to spit venom in the commander's eyes, missing every time having to keep from being skewered. Seeing a movement out of the corner of his eye, the lizonian faltered and Kryton swung with his sword, severing Strife's head from his body. As he turned towards where Shiloh was laying, Chang grabbed her, smiling at the commander just when Erik and Mina landed not far away. He held a dagger to Shiloh's throat, laughing maniacally.

"Ahhhhhh, Erik.........do you remember me boy? You should.....you and your worthless dragon. I am the only left of my lair that you led the attack on, remember? It was not long ago.....and you are the one who.....killed......my......MATE!!!!"

Chang took a deep breath, one of his claws tracing the long burn along Shiloh's cheek. Shiloh's eyes showed her fear and anger as they darted to Erik, then Kryton, and finally to Chang. When she looked at Chang, her eyes were filled with anger and loathing. All he did was chuckle, as he picked her up, throwing her over his shoulder as if she were a limp doll. When he looked at Erik, it was with a venomous hatred.

"You took my mate, Rider Erik....I now take yours. She will keep my blood warm when the night is chilled. She will replace my mate....but not as a mate but as my slave! As Miranda will be for Gnash, only he has plans to cut her tongue from her so that she cannot cut him with her acidic tongue."

As Chang backed up into the trees, Kryton cried out, "NOOOOOO!!! NOT MY DAUGHTER!!!!!" Then, Chang was gone with Shiloh as well as Gnash was gone with Miranda. They were headed to the underground caverns that led to the caverns under the shores of the sea.

Kryton fell to his knees, bellowing in rage as Dacia landed next to him. Dacia knew that Shiloh was his daughter and felt his loss as if it were her own.

Lord Jardony and his warriors made their way to the battle, having stopped the onslaught of the large group of lizonians coming from the caverns. They had sent the ones that were left running back inside to hover and shiver. Jardony walked up to Braum and gave him a curt nod before looking to Kryton.

"GET UP COMMANDER!! WE MUST PREPARE TO GO AFTER THEM AND BRING THEM BACK....ALIVE AND IN ONE PIECE!! THE BASTARDS HAVE MY DAUGHTER, CHANDRA, AS WELL!!!"

Lord Jardony knew that Miranda was a fighter but he'd also seen the wounds on her chest and knew the severity of them. He knew little of Shiloh except that she was of the DragonStarr clan and Erik's chosen aide by a vision. His daughter as well, was a fighter, but he had seen the slaves they'd rescued from time to time, men and women alike, and they were never the same, but they were usually not warriors either, so hopefully that would be in the women's favor.

"The two women are fighters as well as my own daughter. They will survive and fight until we reach them. They have to."

Jardony had finished getting ready to move while he spoke, instructing his own commander, Lord Kanton, to lead the others to the new compound while he went with Braum, Erik, and Kryton to recover Shiloh, Miranda, and Chandra. Lord Jardony, leading the way into the trees, heading for the caves he knew of that would lead them to the underground caverns near the coastline. It was a different path from the one that the Lizonians were taking and hopefully they would not be far behind the vile creatures. Serena would be difficult as she had a habit of disappearing in a wisp of smoke when things went awry for her. But, his concern right now, as with Erik, Braum, and Kryton were getting their women warriors back safely.

The trail was not hard to follow and Jardony let the others know what he suspected about the underground caverns near the coastline.