The stranger waited a few moments, being sure that the Temple was clear, before releasing Lorna from his grasp. He drew himself up to full height.
And he was quite tall. His form was also shadowy, but it was different. Lorna knew that he was a friend.
"They were scared of you. You could have stopped them."
"If I had, they would have certainly killed your friend." His voice was stern and harsh, but at the same time, Lorna knew that he spoke the truth. "Besides, if I had intervened, hey would know where you were hiding and killed you as well."
"But who were they?" She asked, sounding ever-so-slightly distressed. He stooped and ran his fingers over the floor where some of the dark liquid-armour had formed a small pool.
"Space pirates. I've been tracking them for days. They're under a new leader. Ridley got kicked out and a new guy came along." He held up his hand, where the armour had formed a glove over his hand. "With this."
"And who are you?"
He looked at her. "It's probably better that you didn't know that."
"And why are you following them?"
"You just don't stop asking questions do you?" He sounded exasperated. "Well... Let's just say "Personal reasons". To be precise, they nicked my ship."
"And you're out to get the entire army just for that?"
"No. They're trying to conquer the universe. But I want my ship back anyway."
"Oh." She sat down on the floor, trying to take in all this new information.
"They managed to give away enough information for me to know where they're going. I have to leave now before I lose their trail." He made for the door.
"Can I come with you?" Lorna blurted out.
He stared at her in astonishment. "Why?"
"Because Hal is my friend. I won't just sit here and know that the Space pirates are doing terrible things to him."
"I like your attitude. What's your name, kid?"
"You won't tell me yours, so why should I tell you mine?"
He laughed. "Fair enough."
He walked out of the arched doorway and the moonlight hit him. He was no longer wrapped in shadows. His true form was revealed. A wolf. He had blueish grey fur, but had a white mane. Lorna could assume that he came from the south of Fichina. His eyes were piercing and grey. He wore a black stealth-suit with a pair of swords strapped to his back, and a pair of pistols in holsters on his legs. He just stood there. Staring at the moon for some time.
But then, he threw back his head and howled. It was a long, piercing howl that rung in her ears for a few minutes afterwards.
"I bet you didn't expect that."
Lorna shook her head. "I would never expect that." And she started laughing.
It was nearing sunrise, and Lorna was exhausted. The stranger cut through the dense jungle around the Saurian equator. Eventually, they stopped beneath a huge shadow. She gazed up in awe. It was a frigate. It gleamed in the early light, there were about thirty cannon turrets on either side. The bow was covered in what looked like a helmet. There were four wings. But they weren't like the wings of a normal craft; they looked bat-like, almost organic. It was almost completely black, but there was red writing in a language that Lorna couldn't read running down the side.
"Are you coming or not?" Called the wolf, who was standing in a gaping doorway in the front of this monster of a ship.
She nodded, and ran to the ramp leading up to the frigate. "I thought you said that the Space pirates nicked your ship."
"I said a Space pirate nicked my ship. And yes, but I... acquired this one from someone."
They didn't speak for a while as the acoustics in the hallways were terrible. Their boots clattered on the metal floor. It took them almost as long to get to the bridge as it did to find the ship in the dense jungle. It looked as though this one was meant for an army.
How do you steal something this big without its former possessor noticing? Thought Lorna.
The wolf flicked a few switches on the control panel as she slumped in a chair. There was a slight judder as the ship lifted off.
"Thank you." Lorna breathed.
"For what?" He was studying a map of the galaxy.
"Bringing me along. I'll probably be nothing but a hindrance, but I want to help."
"I need all the help I can get." He laughed. "You're probably tired. Come on. I've got a few bedrooms ready. Just in case I have visitors." He helped her up from her chair.
