Chapter 36
With those that could be spared, Lion-O led the group into the nearby forest. One of General Bartov's men by the name of Bahrain took charge of the ground forces while some of his Monkian cohorts took to the trees.
"What do you think could have happened here?" Lion-O asked, keeping his tone low, as he followed closely to the jackal.
"These woods are used for training. The men at the fort would have known this area much better than Mongul and his troops. As the sun sinks lower, I will be able to continue the trail but I'm afraid our aerial assault will be no good. Looking down from the treetops and into the dark has never been a Monkian strong suit." Bahrain explained.
"There seem to be signs of a battle all around us, broken tree limbs, laser scorches, earth upheavals, and tramped down bushes. Yet there are no bodies. One should think they were all better shots," Panthro didn't like it.
"Another reason to train in this forest is because of the pigmies." The jackal said.
"Pigmies?" Tyler asked, swallowing a lump in his throat.
"Just keep your weapons ready and don't light any torches." Bahrain told them. Glad to have a blaster, Tyler nodded and followed the group, sticking as close to Panthro as possible. The group fell into an uneasy silence as darkness enveloped the forest. Crickets began to chirp signaling the end of daylight. Bahrain kept his eyes and ears open until he heard a noise coming through the brush. Quickly he signaled for everyone to find cover.
A large animal clomped through the trees and came to a stop not far from where Lion-O had sought cover. Now would not have been a good time for the Sword to growl and he silently thanked Jaga when a familiar voice called out softly.
"Bahrain?"
"Nahil! You gave me a heart attack." The jackal came out of hiding and met one of the Monkians who had taken to the trees.
"I told the others to head back to the fort. They'll be of no assistance to us now and perhaps Lord Tygra could use the help." Nahil said as his dismounted the animal he'd been riding. The nocturnal horse-like animal was large enough to hold at least ten men on its back and seemed to be a fairly docile creature.
"Good. Where did you get one of those?" Bahrain asked.
"I jumped onto it from the tree I was in. Good thing huh?" The Monkian smiled.
"Very good thing. The pigmies hate the kuaka. They hear this and we'll be able to waltz right through here. Lord Lion-O I must insist you and your Thunderian comrades ride atop the kuaka. You'll be safer up there." The jackal said.
"If you insist. Can we get everyone aboard?" Lion-O asked.
"There will only be a few of us on the ground. Not to worry though. If we stick close by, the pigmies will stay back. Now let us move quickly." Bahrain urged. Within a minute they had all those that could fit onto the back of the animal.
"Forward." The jackal ordered and Nahil quickly got the animal moving again. They weren't that far along before the order to halt was called.
"I've got something." One of the men picked up what appeared to be a tree limb. Unfortunately the discovery wasn't a tree limb but upon closer examination turned out to be the arm of a vulture.
"They were caught here. Perhaps this is good news for us. The pigmies won't be hungry." Bahrain nodded. Tyler pretended he didn't hear that and swallowed hard again.
"Everyone aboard the kuaka. We must pick up our pace." Bahrain ordered. The five remaining men climbed aboard and the kuaka grunted and then called out.
"Won't this hurt the poor creature?" Lion-O asked.
"We won't be on here long. That arm was severed about ten to fifteen minutes ago. The fingers still moved." Bahrain had no trouble with what he just said and it would have made most Thunderians lose their lunches.
"Our escort has arrived." Nahil smiled as another kuaka came through the underbrush.
"Excellent. All right seven of you with me. The rest stay with Lord Lion-O." Bahrain jumped to the second kuaka and some of his men followed.
"Charge ahead if we are to reach the remainder of our comrades we need to find them before dawn." The jackal ordered.
"Why before dawn?" Panthro asked Nahil.
"Because whatever the pigmies haven't eaten by then they'll kill and salt for tomorrow night." The Monkian explained.
To Be Continued…