Story (c) 2000 by Hikaru Katayamma/Keith Dickinson. All rights reserved. The character Sheila Vixen (c) Eric W Schwartz. Throckmorton P Ruddygore, Poqua, Lakash (c) Jack L Chalker. All other characters are (c) Hikaru Katayamma.  This story contains adult situations and language. By reading it the viewer agrees not to hold this or any other person responsible for any content they may find objectionable. If you don't like it, don't read it.

The eight dwarves and their mounts waited in the courtyard of Pasqual's Hacienda and Emporium of Bizarre Goods. The sun was just setting on the group of travelers as they were preparing for their journey. From within the building came a tall, darkly tanned man, two small horns protruding from under the curly mop of hair that covered his head. He greeted the group with a broad, toothy smile. "Ahhh, here you are, on time and ready to go. It's so pleasant to deal with people who know their business."

"Enough of the niceties," the gruff leader of the dwarves rumbled. "What's the charge?"

"No charge," the daemon replied pleasantly. "Just a service."

The dwarf frowned at the daemon. He didn't like the sound of that. "What kind of service?"

"A most simple one, considering the prey that you hunt," the daemon replied, pulling out an ornate dagger. "I want you to use this dagger to finish off the dragon."

The dwarf took the dagger and examined it. "And how the hell am I supposed to do that? It would take forever to kill a dragon with a toy like this."

"Quite the contrary," the daemon replied, clasping his hands behind his back. "Simply stab the dragon in the head or neck with that dagger and it will be slain instantly."

"Why?" the dwarf asked, squinting sideways at the daemon out of one eye.
The daemon shook a finger at the dwarf. "That question will cost you if you really want the answer. Is it all that important?"

"Nah," the dwarf replied, shaking his head. "As long as the damn thing dies, I don't care. Are you ready to transport us now?"

"Almost," the daemon replied, drawing a bag out of his jacket pocket. "These were sent by your patron. They're summoning spheres. Simply invoke one, then throw it at a person. Whoever it strikes will be transported back to your patron's enclave."

"All right," the dwarf acknowledged as he accepted the bag of spheres that resembled crystal marbles. "Now can we go?"

"Indeed. You know the drill. Either touch me or touch someone who is touching me and I'll transport you to Hypborea as promised." The daemon stood with his hands out. Two dwarves acted as conduits to their dragons which had refused to touch the daemon directly. Each dragon then stretched its wings out to touch an adjacent dragon, and in that way all the dragons linked themselves and their riders to the daemon. There was a brief flash of light that left the daemon standing alone in the courtyard. He smiled and whistled a lively tune as he walked back into the hacienda.

Over a thousand miles away, eight dragons and their riders appeared in an open field not far from the River of the Dancing Gods.

"All right, gang. Let's rest up for the night. Tomorrow we'll head south and try to find our target." The group quickly began setting up camp, eager for morning to come and the hunt it would bring.

Hecate enjoyed the feel of the cool evening air as she flew low over the surrounding forest, checking the perimeter. Below, she saw the network of strands that made up the warding spells Teyah had mentioned that morning. Her circuit of the land complete, she headed back to the barn where she hoped the dragon would be. He had been missing all day and she was more than just a little worried. She landed without a sound a few feet from the door and went in. Though there were no lights on, she had no difficulty seeing the interior of the building, and determining that it was empty. "Damn, where the hell can he be?" she muttered in a low, annoyed voice.

I'm right here

The hell-spawned Imir jumped almost a foot into the air at the sound of the dragons voice reverberating in her head. "Son of a BITCH!" she exclaimed, now seeing the huge, serpentine form that was coiled up in the barn, its wings occasionally brushing the walls as it breathed. "Where the hell did you come from?"

I've been right here all day, the dragon commented, returning its attention to the small, glowing band of silver that was suspended between its two true-hands.

"How did you do that?" Hecate asked, then took a couple of steps forward, studying the silver band. "And what are you doing to that bracelet?"

I have a rather nice camouflage spell that kept me hidden, the dragon replied. As for this bracelet, I'm enchanting it.

"No shit," the Imir commented. She moved in close to try to make sense of the magic that was being cast, but failed miserably. "What in hell's name are you doing to that bracelet? You've got enough mana in that thing to start a small war!"

The dragon continued to concentrate on his work. I'm quite aware of that fact, thank you.

Hecate frowned at the recalcitrant dragon and nibbled on her lip. "What aren't you telling me?"

The glow faded from the bracelet as Arden finished the final spell. What had been an ordinary looking silver bracelet now appeared as a stylized winged snake that was eating its own tail. There are a lot of things I'm not telling you, he replied, allowing the bracelet to slip down onto one of his claws. Ask me about this later and maybe I'll answer then.

Sheila interrupted Hecate's answer when she entered the barn. "When the hell did you get back?" she snarled at the dragon.

"The cheeky bastard's been in here all the time," Hecate replied. "Only he's had a camouflage spell up that hid him."

"Hiding, huh? That's something I guess you're good at," the vixen snapped at the dragon. "What were you hiding from?"

Your yapping voice, Arden replied angrily. The only way I can get a little peace and quiet is when you're not around.

Sheila gapped at the dragon slack jawed. "You fucking asshole! Where do you get off talking to me like that?" She glared at the wyrm lying in the middle of the barn as she gripped the handle of the Katana.

You know what? I think it's time you got your beauty sleep. God knows you need some, the dragon sarcastically replied while gesturing.

"Oh no you…" Sheila's protest was cut off in as she fell asleep under the spell that Arden had cast. Her sleeping form floated the few feet over to a pile of hay and settled gently onto it.

"How in the hell did you do that?" Hecate asked, a stunned expression on her face.

Arden gave her a confused look. What are you talking about? It was a simple sleep spell.

"That's not what I'm talking about," she said, shaking a finger at the dragon. "How did you get it past that outfit she's wearing? Ever time I try that, the damn thing blocked the spell."

Oh, the dragon replied, somewhat sheepishly, that armor was made for me. That's why it let my spell through. By default it will try to protect whoever's wearing it, but only I can really control it.

"Really?" Hecate replied, looking the armor over again. "I thought you said you were a guy."

I am, and was originally.

The Imir shook her head and smiled. "Then you had to have one hell of a chest for a guy from the looks of that outfit. That thing wasn't tailored for anyone packing a meat snake."

It wasn't. It was tailored for Sheila's body.

"Huh?" Hecate grunted in confusion. "But you just said it was made for you."

I did, the dragon replied with a smirk. Now if you'll excuse me, I must go and meet with Teyah. The dragon opened the large double doors and managed to extract himself from the cramped barn without knocking anything down. Behind him, the somewhat perplexed Imir shook her head at a though. "Nah," she grunted as she watched the retreating dragon.

Arden studied the circlet that sat on his claw. He had tried to think of every thing that could possibly happen and take it into account, but there were never any guarantee in situations like this. The brief thought about what he was doing worked its way forward, but he shoved it down hard. There were times when he could afford a conscience and this wasn't one of them. He put all of that out of his mind as Teyah came over the hill and waved.

Hello, Snack. Any problems getting away from your father?

"Nope, no problem at all," she replied smiling as she spread a blanket out on the grass then sat down on it.

Did you use your magic to distract him again? the dragon asked in a chiding voice.

Teyah gave the dragon a look of shock and outrage. "How could you possibly think I'd do something like that?"

Arden laughed. Are you kidding? I've seen the triggers you've got on him to keep him distracted.

The girl let out a lively laugh. "That obvious, eh? I guess I'll have to hide them better," she replied sprawling out on the blanket.

That comes with experience, the dragon replied. He then held out his true-hand with the circlet on the claw for the girl. Here. I've finished the enchantment. Put it on.

Teyah stood and removed the silver object. It was way to big to fit on her arm, and too small to wear on her head. She looked up at the dragon curiously. "What do I do with it?"

Put it over your wrist and say "Hello!" to it.

Teyah smiled, slipped the large hoop over her right wrist and said "Hello" to the object. The eyes on the snake opened, and it contracted so that it fit firmly on her arm. The sudden motion startled her, but she smiled as she felt it settle in on her arm. It had become warm, almost as if alive and the feel of it when she stroked the band was almost surreal. "Wow! What does it do?"

It has several functions, but most importantly its to protect you. Tell me, Teyah, have you ever heard the phrase, "Death before dishonor"?

Teyah looked thoughtful for a second then shook her head. "I've heard phrases like it, but not that one, why?"

It's something from my world. It's a motto that I have lived and died by. Teyah, would you consider death a better alternative then to spend the rest of your life and maybe eternity serving hell?

"I… I guess so," she replied, looking confused. "Why are you asking this stuff?"

The dragon sighed. I've given you something very powerful. I just wanted to make sure that you were the kind of person who would fight evil rather than serve it.

"Oh," Teyah said in a small voice. "I suppose I can understand that." She looked up at the dragon with large, serious eyes. "I'll try to do the best I can. I won't let you down."

Good. The dragon relaxed and spread out, covering a goodly portion of the open field. So, do you like the design?

"Oh, yes," the girl said with a broad smile. "It feels almost like it's alive."

It is, in a sense, the dragon replied, leaning his head on one hand. I've bound a guardian spirit to it. It will try to keep you safe.

"A guardian spirit?" she echoed, looking at the band in awe. "Wow! I've heard of enchanted items with spirits in them, but I've never heard of someone making one so quickly and without all kinds of special things to help them."

The dragon nodded slightly. Generally that's true, but that spirit isn't the normal kind you'd find here. It's a guardian dragon. As a rule you'd never be able to bind one to an object like that, but I have a special talent where they're involved.

"Wow!" the girl repeated, even more impressed before beaming another smile back up at the dragon. "How can I ever thank you?"

You don't have to. It was an honor to make that for you and you honor me by accepting it. The dragon looked off at the first stars that were beginning to show in the night sky. "I only hope you will some day forgive me for it," he thought.

The dwarves were sitting around their campfire eating stew when their leader suddenly winced and, reaching into his shirt, pulled out a crystal, which hung on a leather band around his neck. The crystal pulsed with a dark, red color.

"Your master calls," the dwarfish woman taunted as she consumed her meal.

"He's not my master," the leader snarled. "He's our employer, and I'd advise you to keep that in mind the next time you decide to buy some pretty bauble." Despite his protest, he did stop his meal and dig out a silver bowl from his pack. It was covered in runes and symbols. He took his water skin and dumped some into the bowl, then muttered something that caused the liquid to cloud. The face of the painted mage appeared in the bowl. "What do you want now?" the dwarf demanded.

"I have news of your prey," the mage replied. "However, if you're not interested, I suppose I can give it to someone else."

"No, no," the dwarf replied hastily, swallowing the bit of food in his mouth. "Where is it?"

"There's a farm approximately 100 leagues due south of you. I've detected signs that the dragon is there." The mage smiled. "That shouldn't take you too long to reach."

"No, it shouldn't at all," the dwarf replied with a broad smile. "We'll take off before dawn. That will put us over the target at first light. The wrym won't stand a chance."

"That's what I'm counting on," the mage replied before his image faded.

"Good news," the dwarf said to his small group. "He's located the target. We'll leave before dawn to get it."

"About damn time," one of the others commented. "I thought we'd never get around to killing anything."

"Don't worry," the female replied. "There will be enough action tomorrow. Even enough for you, Thumper."

Wendy woke up with a start and sat up. "Who's there?" she asked. The lamp next to her bed ignited, giving the room a soft glow. Startled by the light, she let out a small gasp, then another one at the sight of the man standing in the doorway.

"Wendy," he said with a serious tone, his voice almost hypnotic. "You must leave tonight, right now in fact. You must go to town and do not return. Find the Magus there and tell him you're Teyah's sister and that you need refuge. He will take you in."

"Wh..who are you?" the girl stuttered.

"I'm your guardian angel," the man said. He gestured towards a bag with the girl's belongings in it that sat at the foot of the bed. "Everything is packed that you will need. You must go now. Go, and be safe." With those words, he faded from view.

Wendy shivered then looked at the bag. A glance around the room showed that many of her possessions had been packed, as well as some clothes. She got up and quickly dressed. She'd ask Teyah about the odd man. On her way out, she grabbed the bag without thinking about it. As she left the house, she headed east towards town. Teyah would be at the Magus's house. That's where she would find her sister.

One the hill behind the house, the dragon looked at the form of the young girl that was quickly vanishing into the distance. With a sigh, he turned and slowly made his way back to the barn. Events were moving too rapidly. Much too rapidly.

The flight of dragons made its way due south, towards its intended target. The early morning sun was just peeking over the horizon, illuminating the beasts from below. Most of the landscape was still in the long shadows of the early morning dawn, semi-hidden from view by the flying octet. Off to the right, one of the dragons roared and veered slightly to the east, losing altitude. A moment later the rest of the flight fell into formation behind the dragon that had now taken over the lead. Within minutes they could see the wide opening in the forest, which marked a large farm. Its plowed fields and grazing cattle showed no signs of anything amiss. By the spread-out single story home stood a large barn, a barn big enough to hold a good sized dragon if the beast were of a mind to fit in such a confined place.

The lead dwarf signaled to two other dragons, which then pealed off and homed in on the barn while the rest of the group proceeded to circle the farm, watching for anything amiss from above or below. The first dragon skimmed at ground level at high speed, aiming directly for the barn. At the last moment it pulled up, though it dragged its tail, smashing through the wall and roof of the barn. The second dragon pulled up to a hover seconds behind the first dragon's attack and released a torrent of flame into the building, igniting the contents. A combination of furnace-like heat, expanding air and combustible dust igniting, caused the barn to literally explode. The second dragon made a hasty retreat as the others circled overhead, looking to see what might come out of the destruction, but nothing emerged. Soon it became apparent that the building had, in fact, been empty.

The lead dwarf let out a stream of curses that were lost to the wind, while sending hand signals to the other dragon riders. Four of them spread out to search for any people or faerie in the area that they could interrogate, while the other four landed by the house. A quick search of the house brought out the mother and father, while one of the four outriders herded Teyah back to the house with his mount.

Once all the other riders had signaled that the coast was clear, the leader dismounted and approached the family. "Where are they?" he demanded of the father.

"I don't know," the man replied nervously, shivering in the early morning's nippy air.

The dwarf backhanded the man and repeated his demand. "I asked you where they are; now answer me."

"I swear to God that I don't know," the man pleaded then quickly continued as the dwarf drew his hand back again. "It was in the barn last night. If it's not there now, then I don't know where it went. Please, we don't know anything. We had no choice in the matter. They would have killed us."

"Hmm" the dwarf rumbled as he considered the man's words. The female dwarf approached and whispered something in his ear. "There are two beds in the girl's room," he stated. "Where's the other one?"

Each of the three family members looked at each other, unsure what to say, then Teyah piped up with an answer. "If you must know, she died this last winter. A sickness took her that the apothecary couldn't cure."

The lead dwarf glanced at the female dwarf, who studied the girl for a moment, then shrugged. He frowned at the three as he considered what to do. The female dwarf again whispered something in his ear that caused an eyebrow to creep up on his forehead. "A virgin mage, you say?"

Thumper let out a laugh. "Virgin, eh? In that case I got first dibs on her."

"Shadup," the leader barked. "His baldness will pay handsomely for the likes of her, and he's going to have more of a chance at finding out what information she knows about the dragon. From what I've been told by the witch, she reeks of the thing's magic, though she can't spot it on the girl."

"Please, not my daughter," the father started but his objection was cut off as Thumper clobbered him from behind. The lead dwarf took out one of the crystal marbles and muttered something at it that caused it to begin glowing. He then threw the sphere at the terrified girl who vanished in a flash of light. The brightly glowing sphere then shot straight up into the air, made a hard turn and rocketed off over the horizon to the southeast.

The leader walked up to the now sobbing mother and grabbed her chin in his hand and yanked it up, forcing her to look at him. "Are you sure you don't know something about the dragon that I might be interested in?"

"P..Pl..Please," the woman sobbed, stuttering the words. "We don't know anything. I swear."

"Too bad," the dwarf replied, releasing her. He looked up at Thumper, who had an annoyed look on his face. "Kill them. Feed the livestock to the dragons. Then raze the farm to the ground before we leave. We'll blame it on our prey."

"That's more like it," Thumper said with manic glee. He grabbed man by the hair and dragged him vertical, pinning one arm behind his back. "Guess that means you and the missy get some of my personal attention." His laugh sent shivers down of both the humans' backs as well as a few of the dwarves'. The female dwarf and two others led the dragons towards the stockyards to feed them. Thumper was good at what he did, but that didn't mean the other dwarves had to like his hobbies.

Teyah screamed as the sphere hit her. She found herself inside the sphere, hurtling over the early morning landscape at a speed that was almost beyond imagine. "Mother! Father!" she cried out in despair, knowing they couldn't hear her. She cried and slammed her fists into the side of the sphere time and time again until she dropped from exhaustion.

Curled up in a ball on the floor of the sphere, the crying girl looked at the bracelet she wore. "And where the hell where you?" she demanded of it. "Why didn't you protect me?"

The eyes of the flying snake flashed with a ruby light and she found herself standing back in the field by her house. "You got me out!" she exclaimed to the bracelet, only it wasn't there.

"You're not free," a voice said behind her. Teyah spun to see a tall human with close-cropped hair wearing the same odd clothing that the wolf woman had worn. "This is an illusion."

Teyah stared at the man for a moment. The voice sounded familiar but she couldn't quite place it. "Who are you?"

The man smiled at her and stepped closer. "I'm Arden, or at least this is how I once looked," he replied.

"You!" she shouted angrily. "You abandoned us to those…those…MONSTERS!" Her rage beat at the illusion of Arden, almost striking him like a physical force. The image winced.

"Your parents would have died even if I had stayed," he replied quietly. "I'm sorry that I couldn't save them. I have done all I can for you and your sister."

"My sister?" she echoed, suddenly remembering the fact that she was missing. "Where is she? What did you do to her?" She tried to grab the illusion, but her hand passed through it.

"She's safe. I sent her to be with your mentor," he explained in a quiet, calming voice. "She should be there shortly after morning. I'm sorry that I couldn't save you too, but they wouldn't have believed that both of you were dead."

Teyah stared at him in shock. "Your spells made me say that? How did you know?"

Arden knelt, bringing his head down to just below her level. "The first night I met you I had a vision of things to come, and the possible outcomes from them. The best path that I saw was the one I chose. It saved your sister's life and might very well save your soul."

"Save my soul?" she echoed again, her mind still in shock with all that had happened.

"That's right, your soul," he replied, nodding seriously. "The people that you are being sent to serve the powers of hell. They will enslave you and sacrifice your soul to a daemon, removing any chance that you'd ever have for redemption."

She hugged herself, suddenly cold despite the warm environment of the illusion. "How can I possibly save myself? I'm no match for them."

Arden pursed his lips and sighed. "There are two ways, both involve the bracelet that you still wear in the real world. You can willingly offer it to them in trade for your freedom and guaranteed safe passage to anywhere. They'll honor the bargain since the secrets in that amulet are worth more than your soul would ever be."

"What's the other way?" she asked, dreading the answer.

"I asked once if you would die before serving the forces of hell." Arden paused as if to gather his thoughts. "That's exactly what you must do. The phrase I gave you, Death before Dishonor, is the key. Say that and you will surrender your life to the bracelet and in doing so, destroy the people who are ultimately responsible for destroying your family."

Teyah's face was a combat zone of conflicting emotions. Fear, anger, grief and shock all fought for control, with none of them being the clear winner. "---And killing your enemies at the same time. How noble of you," she spat venomously.

Arden nodded. "In one sense, yes, thought they are only tools in the service of hell. Hell is pulling their strings, and it's someone in hell who's convinced them to go after us. Your family is just a casualty of war." He scooted closer to the girl on his knee. "Every person has at least one chance to do something big, something important in their life. It's in the rules. This is your chance. You can give them the bracelet and let them win, or you can fight back and take your revenge."

"Right. A revenge that will send my soul to hell," she replied coldly. "Or haven't you forgotten that suicide is a sin?"

"Normally, yes," Arden replied. "However, sacrificing yourself to save others isn't. It's all in the intent. Besides, I've made arrangements that will insure that your soul doesn't go to hell, and at great expense, too."

Teyah thought about their conversation, weighing all the options. She was angry at him for doing this to her. He had known that she would never give the bracelet over to servants of hell, no matter what the reward. That only left her one way out. "How can I trust you when you say I won't go to hell? You've deceived me so far," she said quietly and in an oddly calm voice.

"I give my word of honor, Teyah," Arden replied. "I swear on my honor that your soul's ultimate destination won't be hell. I swear it." He looked away for a moment, then shook his head. "Our time is up. Do the right thing."

The next thing Teyah knew there was a shattering noise and she was lying on a cold stone floor. Hands grabbed her by the arms, hauling her to her feet. Though she struggled, she found that she was unable to resist them. They had cast a spell causing her to lose all control. Within seconds she had been stripped of all possessions and stood naked in the center of a summoning circle, unable to move or even look around. For some reason thought, they had missed the circlet. She could feel its strange warmth on her wrist and that was somehow comforting.

"Well, well, well," a voice said from off to her left. After a second a short, bald man with a complex tattoo pattern on his skull moved around in front of her. "I see that the dogs we sent out have fetched back quite a prize." He smiled at the girl, causing a small whimper to escape her lips. "Don't worry, my dear. Nobody's going to abuse you here. You're far too valuable for that. Now why don't you tell me about the dragon and his companions?"

Teyah found that she was able to move her head. A quick glance around showed at least four other people in the room wearing dark burgundy robes similar to the one the man in front of her wore, only theirs weren't as ornate. "Why don't you go piss up a rope," she replied with what bravado she had.

The man waved a hand causing her to fall painfully to her knees before him, leaving her looking slightly up at him. "That wasn't very nice. You can talk willingly or we can force the information from you. I don't think you'd enjoy the latter of the two options, my dear."

Teyah hung her head for a moment, blinking at the tears that suddenly made it hard to see. "This is it," she thought. "Do I make them the offer, or do I end it all." A small sob escaped her as she thought about her parents. "That damn dragon better have not lied to me or I'll hunt him down from the pits of hell. "She looked back up at the man and replied, "I have only one answer for that."

"Oh?" the mage replied, cupping his chin in one hand. "And what's that?"

"Death before dishonor," Teyah replied.

"Eh?" The mage looked startled. "What?"

A soft glow enveloped Teyah's body and her eyes changed. The hazel irises took on the aspect of a dragon's eye, glowing red in the dim light of the room. "Sudal ap Fadar, I have a message for you," she said.

The master of the painted mages gaped at the girl in front of him. "How had she known that name?" he thought in horror.

Teyah's voice shifted into a low, rumbling voice, similar to that heard when the dragon spoke. "Your son was an asshole and an idiot. If he was any indication of the quality of your blood line, then I'd say it's getting pretty damn thin. I just can't figure how come you haven't been replaced."

"Who are you?" Sudal asked, stumbling back from the glowing apparition before him. Glowing wasn't the word since she was getting brighter with each passing second.

"Haven't you figured it out? I'm the dragon, you brainless bastard. You've fucked with me and mine for the last time. Now feel the wrath of the dragon!" Her mouth opened in a scream that was beyond this world. Each second more and more voices joined the unholy chorus, bringing everyone in the room to their knees from the sound. One last voice, Teyah's own, true voice joined the cacophony for an instant before her body exploded in a shower of dust revealing a gaping hole in the middle of the air.

Sudal recovered first and recognized what had happened. "It's a gate!" he shouted to the acolytes, just now getting back to their feet. "Seal it, now!" Before anyone could act, a flood of flying serpent spirits, daemons by any other name, although these were not of hell, flooded from the gate. Magic flew as the mages worked to seal the gate and cut off the flow of otherworldly creatures emanating from it.

Sudal completed the invocation and closed the rift, stopping the flood of tiny creatures. It was then that he realized that he was the only human still alive in the room. A swarm of the creatures hovered outside the summoning circle that he now stood in. There was no barrier stopping them, they simply weren't attacking. Sudal brought up all the magical defenses that were embedded in the various items he wore. He took a quick look around at the hundred or so creatures that were trapped in the room with him and cursed the demon that had talked him into pursuing the bitch and her dragon.

Out in the courtyard of the enclave, heads turned as explosions decimated the upper levels of the master's tower, where the leader of their cult held court. Swarms of flying creatures could be seen wreaking havoc on the building, destroying the tower layer by layer. The stunned expressions on the acolytes and sorcerers turned into one of horror and panic as the swarm turned its attention to the rest of the enclave, starting with the courtyard.

Thirty leagues due east of what used to be a farm Arden's wings beat long strokes in the early morning air, driving them forward. Off in the distance could be seen the River of the Dancing Gods. The great dragon turned and began following the river north. By now the sun was well up in the sky, clearly showing the landscape below. There was a lone hill, almost a mountain that jutted up from the terrain near the river. It was completely incongruous with the surrounding terrain. He let himself slip into a glide and angled his path over the forest opposite the river from the mountain.

Hecate. Take Sheila and hide in the forest. Once everything's clear, head north to Tyrendel. Don't let anyone see you, and for God's sake, don't go out in the open for any reason! he directed to the Imir.

"What's going on?" Hecate shouted back.

In reply, Arden rolled over onto his back, forcing the Imir to grab the now hysterical vixen and glide down into the forest. Their combined weight was far more than Hecate could carry for any distance. He then turned and followed the river a bit in both directions, before turning toward the stone outcropping and landing in plain sight on top.

Hecate managed a relatively soft landing despite carrying someone that massed almost twice her weight. She steadied Sheila until the vixen wrenched herself from the Imir's grasp.

"What the fuck does he think he's doing?" she demanded. "First he wakes us up in the middle of the night now he just dumps us off without warning. And what the hell is he doing up on top of that rock in plain sight? What the HELL is going on here?"

The Imir winced at the amount of volume that the enraged vixen was managing to put out. Hecate hastily cast a spell that would dampen the sound around them and keep Sheila from letting the entire forest and anyone else in the area know exactly where they were. She then looked up at the dragon and shook her head. "I hope you know what you're doing," she thought with a mental sigh.

Alone on the peak, Arden spread his wings and soaked in the sun. He tried to relax a little, knowing that soon enough the eight would pick up his scent and follow. There was no way he'd be able to outrun them. He only hoped his plan would work the way he had foreseen; otherwise he was going to be screwed.