CHAPTER 5

When we arrived back in Tantar, Bo helped the hunting party distribute the meat to the villagers, and then took us back to the Chief's hut.

"So what is it you two so desperately needed to talk to me about?" he asked cheerfully.

Nina answered him. "The world is in danger. We need your help to fight the evil powers that are approaching this world."

Bo frowned. "I'd love to. I really would. But I'm not allowed to leave."

"What?" I asked.

"The Chief is not supposed to leave the village for a long time… such a thing could make our fate similar to Tuntar. I don't need to remind you of that, do I?"

Tuntar was the neighboring village of Tantar that had been destroyed by an evil General five years ago.

"No." I said, forcing a smile.

"But we need you! We need all the help we can get!" Nina insisted. "Please, can't you get someone else?"

The look in Bo's eyes told us that he really did want to help us, and he looked desperately around him.

"Terry," he said finally, "Do you think you could… you know… take over for a while?"

There was pure awe in Terry's voice. "You want me to be the Chief?"

"Just until I get back." Bo said. "I don't know how long that will be, however. Do a good job."

"Yes sir!" Terry said, giving a rather awkward salute.

"Well that takes care of that." Bo said, clapping his paws together. "Now then… are you planning on getting the entire 'posse' back together?"

"Yes." I told him. "We're heading for Bleak next."

"Well, let's not waste anymore time!"

With heartfelt good-byes to Terry and Amelia and lots of well-wishes from the townspeople, the three of us set off on our eastward trek to Bleak.

After a few minutes of silence, Bo said, "So you two finally hooked up, huh?"

I smiled. "Yup."

"Ya do any, uhhh…"

"Bo!" Nina chided. "That's not your business."

Bo laughed. "I'm sorry. I just missed you guys so much."

We walked for an hour or two, discussing all the things that had happened in our lives since we parted. Then, my stomach clearly informed me that it was time to eat.

"Yo Bo, how about killing us some meat, expert hunter?" I asked.

Bo smiled. "You got it."

We traveled through a small forest, and then we finally saw a large pig snuffing through the bushes. Nina paralyzed it, and Bo whipped out his bow and arrow and shot it dead.

"Great!" Nina exclaimed. "Now we just have to cook it."

I noticed they were all looking at me. I slapped my head. "You're gonna make me…?"

Nina nodded.

With a sigh, I transformed into the baby Fire Dragon and lit the pile of sticks Bo had set up, then transformed back.

After a delicious meal, we packed up our bags and continued on. I was amazed that there were almost no monsters to bother us.

"So how'd you become Chief, Chief?" I asked.

Bo laughed. "The old Chief died. That's all."

Nina stopped. "You mean YOU were the Chief's SON?"

Bo smiled. "You didn't know that? Terry and I are brothers!"

I shook my head. "I did not know that. So… wow, that's cool!"

"We're very proud of you." Nina said. "I'm sure Karn will be proud of you too."

"Well, I just hope he even remembers us." Bo said. "After all, he ran off in such a hurry when we took him back to Bleak that…"

We were interrupted by a loud screech from above us. And then an eagle swooped down from the sky and landed in front of us.

"Chief Bo!" It squawked. "You've been called away on urgent business!"

Bo frowned. "I really don't have the time, Fawkin. I'm on official business."

"This is official business too!" Fawkin said. "Maybe we should talk alone."

With a sigh, Bo turned to us. "Go on ahead. I'll catch up."

Nina and I continued walking.

"What do you think that was all about?" I asked.

"I don't know." Nina replied. "I hope nothing bad."

Finally, Bo came walking briskly back to us. "I can't stay with you."

"Why not?" Nina asked for the second time today.

"I can't tell you." Bo replied. "But just know that I don't have a choice. If I could stay with you I would, but I can't, so…" He put his hands on my shoulders, "…Good luck, Ryu." He slung his bow over his shoulder and ran off in the opposite direction.

Nina and I stood there for several seconds, aghast.

"I can't believe it." I said, shaking my head. "I just can't. What could be so important that he'd have to leave us just like that?"

"It must be some kind of trouble back in Tantar." Nina said. "It has to be. Why else would he have run off like that?"

With a sigh and a nod, I put my arm around Nina and we continued down the trail and into the valley that would lead us to Bleak.