Chapter 38

There was a long, uncomfortable silence. Finally Ganz cleared his throat. "But we still have the problem of how we're getting home."

Darc looked at Ganz. "Where's that thing that controls the airship?"

Ganz frowned. "I have it, but it's broken."

"Then see if you can fix it." Darc looked at Miko. "Where's the nearest port town?"

"Two weeks south of us." Miko pointed in the proper direction. "But we can't just stroll into town. We'll be in chains before we get ten steps."

Darc nodded. "Which is why we aren't going to stroll into town. They are." He points at Tatjana and Ganz. "But only if Ganz can't fix the control."

Tatjana smirked. "I see, we're Human so no one will bother us."

"Exactly," Darc said.

Delma frowned. "But what about the Pyron?"

Darc shook his head. "Won't work, there's no way all of us could fit, assuming that you're coming." He glanced at Alisha.

Alisha looked torn and upset. "But to just give up and let them chase us from our homes...I can't just give up."

Lilia touched Alisha's shoulder. "There's no shame in leaving to save your own kind. I know it's not fair, but sometimes that's how it is."

Alisha looked like she was going to burst into tears at any moment. She looked at Darc then Kharg. Finally she nodded.

Kharg turned to Darc. "If Ganz can fix the device and call the airship we'll be able to take a lot of Deimos out, but we might need the Pyron as well. Can you summon it?"

Darc shrugged. "I tried before, but nothing happened. I think I was being blocked."

Kharg frowned. "Blocked? By who?"

Darc snarled. "The damned dragon spirit, who else?" He folded his arms. "For all I know it's still doing it."

Kharg shook his head. "Let's hope not or we're in deep trouble."

Darc laughed. "Where have you been? We've been in deep trouble since we've been here."

Kharg couldn't help grinning at his twin. "Come on, you love trouble."

Darc shook his head. "This is a little more than I like."

Delma nodded. "Besides we have other business to tend, right Darc?"

"Yeah, sure," Darc muttered and walked away.

Delma put her fists on her hips. "Well, what the hell is his problem?" She didn't seem to expect an answer.

Lilia watched Darc walk away from the group with concern while the others settled down to wait for Ganz to figure out if he could fix the control for the Big Owl or not.

Lilia waited until everyone was distracted then went after Darc. She finally found him in a small clearing. "Darc? Are you alright?"

Darc looked over his shoulder at her. "Do you always have to follow me around like a lost puppy?"

As always Lilia ignored his rude remark and came up beside him. "You don't have to worry, we'll be able to go home soon. I know you want to get back to Orcoth."

"I'm not going back to Orcoth," Darc muttered.

Lilia heard him. She gave him a startled look. "But Orcoth is your home."

Darc flushed. He hadn't meant for her to hear him. "Is it? I'm not sure I even have one anymore."

Lilia didn't like this sudden change in attitude. He sounded discouraged, defeated. That wasn't like the confident Drakyr at all.

Lilia tenatively laid her hand on his arm. She was even more concerned when he didn't pull away. He had never allowed her to do this before. "What do you mean, Darc?"

Darc frowned at her with annoyance. She was butting in as usual. "Nothing, let it go, Lilia." He was furious at himself for opening his mouth, especially in front of her.

Lilia refused to give up. "The Orcon will need you to come back. You are their leader."

Darc laughed bitterly. "Sure they do." He snorted. "Give me a break, Lilia. The Orcon don't give a damn about me."

Lilia shook her head. "Oh, Darc, that's not true. They respect you..."

Darc didn't let her finish. "Like hell they do, they're afraid of me and they damn well should be." He snorted. "Gorma leads them under my authority and that's fine with me."

Lilia sighed. "You are strong, Darc, and I'm not talking about physically. The Orcon need you to guide..."

"Well, maybe I don't want to be the one to guide them," Darc snapped and stormed off.

Lilia started to follow then changed her mind. Turning, she headed back to the group. Perhaps he'd talk to Kharg. When she reached the group she had changed her mind. She decided it would be better to leave the Deimos alone for awhile.

Darc walked slowly, lost in thought. A lot of things had changed and he needed time and space to think.

"You can't do it alone, son of Windolf," a familiar voice said from behind him.

Darc jumped a little and whirled to see the ghostly image of the dragon spirit behind him. "What the hell are you doing here, you traitor?"

The spirit smirked. "I can be wherever you or your twin are. I am a spirit after all."

Darc snorted in disgust. "You're a damned nuisance is what you are."

The dragon laughed. "To bad you can never truly get away from me. I brought you both here to teach you that you can not carry everything on your shoulders without help." The spirit sounded and looked annoyingly smug. "I see you have finally learned that lesson, very good."

Darc cursed the spirit with the sort of language that would make the most hardened sailor blanch.

The spirit laughed, not seeming the least bit bothered or intimidated by Darc's show of temper. "You have your father's strong spirit and will. That will help you in the many trials you will face in the future. Lean on your twin and your friends."

Darc sighed. "Fine, whatever. While you're in such a helpful mood how about telling us how to get home."

The dragon spirit began to fade. "Sail to the east, always east." The spirit disappeared.

Muttering, Darc retraced his steps back to the group to find them waiting for him and looking very serious. "What the hell is wrong with you all?"

Ganz sighed. "I can't fix the control. One of the circuits is fried, without it this thing is useless and Alisha says there is no shop that sells these sort of things."

Darc looked at Alisha. "You can double check when you go into town, just in case."

Alisha frowned. "Are you saying I'm a liar?"

Darc didn't bother to answer. "Probably should wait until morning. It's late now."

Alisha refused to be ignored. "You didn't answer me!"

Darc didn't look at her. "Not going to either. I'm tired. I'm sure you can figure out the order of the night watch. I'm going to sleep." Spreading out his bedroll, Darc laid down with his back to the party.

It was then Alisha made a mistake. "You bastard!" She lashed out, kicking Darc in the back with all her might.

Darc came to his feet, snarling and whirled. He lunged right for Alisha, claws and teeth ready.

Sorry for long wait and a cliffhanger at that. R/R if anyone is still with me!