Earlier that evening in the Golden Desert, everyone was disturbed by this. Flamesong and Moonsoul both distraught about losing their child Sandwisher gathered whatever warriors are able. Lacy wanted to come to but Echowing told her to stay behind. "Awww! But I want to help too!" She whined.

"It's too risky." Echowing told her. "The Chimeras and no doubt the others from the Hollow Realm are going to pull something dangerous to rip us all apart. For now, just stand aside."

Lacy growled. She sat nearby the largest tent in the oasis with a huff. Her ears strained, but they began to hurt after all the non-stop screaming and shouting. Plans jumped until nothing could make sense anymore. Finally, she gave up and began walking around. The markets were closed but she could make out smells of dates and roasted meat. Even Desert Honey was being made. The mere smell of it made her heart ache. "I wish Pooh and Honey Maple were able to see this." She had been with the bear and his friends for quite some time, but she was already worried for them. Filled with such sadness, she let out a howl.

Suddenly, she saw something move. Her violet eyes turned to a bird-like shape that vanished into a fancy tent. Curious, Lacy followed closely. The smell of spices began to hurt her nose as she moved closer. She nosed the fold of the tent and entered. The tent was filled with sparkling jewels and tapestries. Weapons were hung against one side of the wall. Incense burned in one corner with a nearby water jug. Then, she noticed a tapestry that hung over a cotton woven bed. An image of the Chimera General Hurricane. Lacy growled at the image.

The young wolf pup heard a rustling noise. She followed it closely. Her body low to the ground to avoid any noise making. When she turned the corner, she couldn't believe what she was seeing. The source of the noise was Tobias. The hawk kept turning pages over and over. He seemed to be entranced by reading some sort of book. Lacy moved a little closer, but accidentally knocked over an urn that rolled in Tobias' direction.

"Lacy! What are you doing here?!" Tobias squawked. His wings fluttered furiously. Papers rising around him.

Lacy walked over. Her ears forward. Her hackles slightly raised. "I should be asking the same thing!" A thought suddenly struck her. She liked Tobias. Everyone liked the quiet hawk. Maybe a bit too quiet. "Were you the one who poisoned Queen Flamesong?!" Her teeth bared. A growl erupted.

"What? NO!" Tobias' mottled brown feathers raised in shock. "Like I told the King, I was spying on the Chimeras when it happened!" He picked up the book he dropped. "When they switched generals, I had to get details on Hurricane. I thought about looking up information through Queen Sandwisher's items."

Lacy tilted her head. "I know I'm not all-knowing with spying, but wouldn't it be better to…I don't know ASK HER! She's the Queen of the Desert. We'll be in big trouble if we get caught."

"She's the only one to have encountered Hurricane more than once. But she gets very secretive about it. I wondered why." He handed her a book.

Lacy tilted her head. "What's this?" She narrowed her eyes. As the words started to dance together in the form of a sentence. "Queen Sandwisher's Diary?!"

"Just read."

Lacy read the words out loud. "Hurricane was at the dunes again. The moonlight dancing of his body in a perfect silhouette. My blade sparks perfectly with his claws. Today he complimented my form despite my bulbous hump. How he uses such fancy words. He shows more intelligence and war art than most…" Lacy blinked. Her mind kept turning and turning and turning. Until it finally sinks in. "Nooooo! She's in LOVE with him?!"

"In love with who?"

Tobias and Lucy jump and turn around to see Gypsy standing in front of them. "What's going on you two? I was looking for you guys because King Moonsoul requested an audience for you two specifically, but it seems you're invading the privacy of a royal."

"We're only trying to find out what's going on!" Lacy protested. "I want to help Pooh and the others, but the only way to do that is with a teleportation spell! And a dark one at that."

Without warning, a black mist appeared. If formed a ring around the trio. Black vines jumped and wrapped around them. Cries of pain muffled. Darkness grew around them. Then, the candles in the tent went out. The room became completely empty. Not even a mere feather was found.

—-

To be continued….