Hello my dearies! Hopefully nobody wants to beat my head in for not updating in a lil while! As usual, I hope you enjoy this chapter and the story. Speak your mind and R&R, I will listen! I promise! Also, I'm still not Tamora Pierce, and I doubt that I ever will be. Enjoy the tale as it unfolds onward…

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The basilisk rubbed his pebbled chin thoughtfully as he gazed upwards towards the sky. He had traveled a fair distance in the Divine Realms, but still he had not found anyone to help him learn about killer unicorns. He was getting worried; this was taking longer than he expected. Too much time had elapsed.

Tkaa's hopes were raised when he saw the glinting of Stormwing metal in the distance. He had reached the flock only to discover it was a bad brood. The Stormwing's had cackled and circled him, only to dive at his head and grin with sharp pointed silver teeth. Tkaa had asked if they knew of the Stormwing Rikash, only to hear bitter laughter.

"Rikash Moonsword? That rusted piece of filth?" A sharp eyed brunette spat. "That one is worthless. He used to be a true Stormwing, before he got ideas," she said.

A male Stormwing hovered lightly, his stench blowing over Tkaa and making his sensitive nose hurt. "One day him and his pathetic flock will be shredded to pieces. That will be a good day," he said grinning sharply and flexing his claws.

"What do you want with him, basilisk?" a green eyed male scowled, a penetrating look on his greasy face. His black hair was in loose braids and dried blood was caked on his chest. A necklace of bones hung from his neck, jangling as his wings fanned the air.

Tkaa looked at the male thoughtfully. "I was told that flapper had information I needed. I am curious in the ways of killer unicorns, and I was told he knows about them. Do you know about the killers?" he asked with hope.

The green eyes looked back at him with scorn. "Why would I concern myself with those ponies? They are a pain for our kind," he said haughtily.

"They hate us," the brunette added. "As we hate them. Be gone basilisk. You bore me and my flock, and we have bodies to tend to," she said wickedly.

Tkaa bowed to them and left, wondering where Rikash Moonsword was. If he was in a rebel flock, where would they be? He was wondering this when a loud screech filled the air and a dark shape dropped from the sky. Tkaa ducked down, fearing an attack as a large being's shadow fell over him. He was ready to do the stone spell when the attacker landed beside him.

A stern golden eagle looked up at him and cocked his head. Tkaa was amazed to see how large the male eagle was. He was the size of a large dog.

"Your name Tkaa?" The eagle asked in a deep voice.

Tkaa stood and nodded politely to the eagle. "Yes, that is who I am. Who are you, and who sent you to find me?"

"The name's Skyclaw. I was sent by that idiot Weiryn to find you. I guess his mortal daughter is sick or some such and he wanted me to track you and bring you to him," the eagle said bluntly.

Tkaa's eyes opened wide at the eagle. "Weiryn is Daine's father? I did not realize that she was god-born. I came here to try and find more information to help her. She is very sick," he told Skyclaw.

"Well then," the eagle said. "Let's make all haste and get to Weiryn's lands. Hold my wing so I can transport us there," he grumbled while extending one feathery wing. Tkaa reached down and gently grasped it within his clawed hand. In a moment, time stood still and they were in a fog. As quickly as it happened it was over, and they stood in front of a wooden door to a small tidy cottage.

"Weiryn, you dolt, get out here," Skyclaw yelled cheerily. The door to the cottage opened and a large man with antlers walked out, followed by a pretty blond woman.

Skyclaw waved a wing. "Told you I'd get the basilisk here fast," he said smugly.

Weiryn shook his head and gazed at Tkaa, extending one hand. Tkaa took it, and realized the god's hands were strong and well calloused.

"Tkaa is it?" Weiryn asked. Tkaa nodded his pebbled grey head. "Well," Weiryn said, "we brought you here to see what is wrong with our daughter. In a vision, my wife saw what has been happening, but we do not know what or why. We thought you would have more information for us, and mayhap we can help you to help our daughter."

Tkaa nodded his agreement. "Daine was searching for new immortals, with her teacher Numair. They were attacked by those immortals, which were in fact killer unicorns. Numair got out unscathed, but Daine was injured in the fight. She was cut with the horn of the herd leader, and she hasn't been well since. She has been unconscious with a high fever, dehydration, and tremors. The healers and mages have tried different remedies, but to no avail. I was sent here to try and learn about killer unicorns, and to find out how to help her," Tkaa finished.

Weiryn looked down at the ground and Sarra wrung her hands in her apron. They both looked lost in their thoughts for a time. Weiryn had a calculating look upon his features while his wife looked worried. Her brows were snapped together and her mouth a grim straight line. Weiryn put his arm around her shoulders and she leaned upon his tall frame gratefully. Her blue eyes looked into Tkaa's grey ones.

"A killer unicorn," she said slowly. "We haven't seen many of those beasties. Only one that I can recall, and it was in the distance at that. Dear, do you know anything of them?" Sarra asked her husband.

"Only that they are killers," he replied with a scowl. "Killers, and cowards. They hide themselves with their magic and use illusion for the killing."

"We know that much from the details Numair revealed," Tkaa said. "I was told to find a Stormwing as well," he said slowly.

"A Stormwing?" Weiryn said incredulously. "What would one of those filthy creatures have to offer?"

"I was told that the Stormwing Rikash Moonsword could help me. He supposedly has knowledge about killer unicorns that we do not," Tkaa said.

Sarra looked up, startled. "Rikash? He's a good fellow. He comes here from time to time and sups with us."

Weiryn nodded his crowned head and sighed relief. "Good. We can use a sending to reach him and get him here. Hopefully he is still in the realms," he said scratching his head.

"You know Rikash?" Tkaa said with surprise.

Sarra smiled. "Yes. He has been a good friend to us, and helps keep us up to date on what is going on in both of the realms."

"If you'll excuse me," Weiryn said, walking into the house.

"He's off to make a sending," Sarra explained. "What a small world!" she said sitting on the front step. "Who would've thought the one Stormwing we actually talk to is the one we needed to find?" she mused as she plucked at a blade of grass.

Skyclaw perched on a nearby tree limb and stretched his wings out, digging his talons into the bark. "I don't like Stormwings," he said with a growl. "They are like a disease you can't cure. They are destructive, foul, and it is gods cursed hard to get rid of them," he said clacking his beak in annoyance.

"That's not fair," Sarra said looking up at Skyclaw. "Rikash and his band are different. They actually are a decent sort under the smell. The others now, they are a bad lot. You'll see Skyclaw," she said.

The eagle shook his golden feathered head. "Some things I have to see to believe. I suppose I'll find out soon enough."

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Daine and Kitten were still walking along the path through the forest of dreams. The fog was still lingering and swirling in between their legs. The only change was that the color was slowly fading from the scenery. The once bright greens, browns, and the occasional blue hint of sky were fading. The grass was a dull brownish green and the trees were turning gray. It was as though the color was seeping away. The only colors now were the bright dusty blue of Kitten's scales. Even Daine had lost some of the luster to her clothes, hair, and skin.

Daine sat down again, trying to slow their progress as much as she could. She was tiring though, and her muscles ached from the invisible strings that were pulling her deeper into the forest. She rubbed them ruefully, wondering how much longer she could try to fight the strong pulling sensation. Kitten pulled herself up onto Daine's lap and rubbed her head gently against Daine's stomach. Daine smiled at her charge and wrapped her arms around the small dragonet.

A silver bloom of fire erupted near them and Daine looked up in surprise. The badger was there and looked worse for wear. His fur was puffed out and matted and he looked tired. His eyes blazed when he saw Daine.

"What are you doing here?" he snarled, shifting from foot to foot and eyes darting back and forth in worry. "You are not supposed to be here!" he said worriedly.

"I didn't come here on purpose," Daine said, hands on hips. "I don't even know where I am!" she said crossly. Kitten sat up on Daine's lap and scowled at the tone in the badger's voice.

The badger kept looking around their surroundings and barked out in frustration. "This is not good, not good at all! Daine," he said looking at her with his brown eyes, "you have to trust me."

Daine's eyes opened wide. She had never seen the badger act this way before, and she was worried. She nodded her curly head slowly, awaiting what he would say. She gripped Kitten a little tighter and the tiny dragon wrapped her delicate claws around Daine's fingers.

"Daine," the badger said, "somehow you are in a crossing from the mortal realms to the Realms of the Dead. This is the road mortals travel when they are dead or about to die," he said softly.

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The suspense is still lingering! I promise Rikash will reveal his blond and bony head soon! As always, I would really appreciate it if you would read and review. I would like to thank Steelsong, Oirishgoddess, on top of cloud9, kagome88888, and to all you others who have left me comments! I cherish every one of them and it is great that you take a minute to jot down what you feel. Hopefully you have a wonderful day!

Yours as always,

Krystalglow!