Hola! I'm back! Sorry it was slow but I had a Government exam….
Guess what?! I got a 89!!! whoot whoot
Kai: still a B
Me: Yes but a very high B.
Kai: Whatever and once again I point out that you get your interim this Friday and you've done horribly in your other classes.
Me: -growls- don't pop my bubble right now okay?
Kai: not my problem
Me: Oh yes it is –cracks knuckes- I write this story I control your fate…so in your future –pulls out a crystal ball- I see ten times more angst!
Kai: -gulp- I can handle it.
Me: -grins evilly holding a scythe- I hope so!
Kai: -walks away going into his room to pack- (he suddenly doesn't feel safe here any more)
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THE REVIEWS. KEEP THEM COMING: )
Games
Michael looked down at the map in front of him sighing. He'd arrived here late yesterday and it had taken Ian and Kane all of forty-five minutes to fill him in on everything they knew, it wasn't much.
According to Salima, the princes along with whoever else they were with (it was now presumed that a band of about five or six was with them) had taken shelter from the hurricane in a cave on the side of the mountain. It was from there they jumped down and confronted Brooklyn and the others before being defeated and drug off.
That was all fine and good but what Michael wanted to know was run off to where? That unfortunately was out of Salima's league. She was just a human after all, smart and intelligent but not so much as Jim. It was him that had figured out a grid that worked best with Ian's men. The whole point the small blonde had stated was to make it easier for the wolves to search the woods and trials for any scent of the missing.
Good plan but it still had it's faults. What if Brooklyn had taken them by air?
Michael shrugged off the feelings of frustration and settled down in a chair to drink. Man this was getting annoying and fast.
"I don't suppose staring into the map has given you any new ideas?" Kane walked into the tent to seek his counterpart.
Michael sighed. "No not really. To be honest I doubt we'll ever find them."
Kane shook his head, "A general who gives into defeat will fail before the battle really starts."
Michael grinned, "Who told you that?"
"My father."
"He a general too?" Michael asked. Kane nodded.
The blondish/orange male got up and studied the maps again. "Anything new?" He tired to sound optimistic but to be honest the idea of finding Max alive or at all seemed dim to none. Too bad, he liked the boy.
"Actually yes," Kane voiced. The other male looked up. "It seems that we've got a slight powder problem, it seems that they were poisoned to get rid of their elemental abilities."
"Great," Michael sighed again.
"That's not the worse," Kane voiced wearily feeling the whole thing start to buckle on him.
"Alright," the other General braved himself for the news. How could the situation get any worse?
"The elves aren't sending anyone to help us."
"What?!" Michael stood angry.
"The Elders of the Kingdom refuse to allow any military personal to leave with the threat from the outside. Rei and Mariah's abduction has made them tighten security around home instead of looking for them."
Michael growled and Kane noticed it was a lot like Ian's faintly smiling. Who knew the Marines' had such a tempered General?
"This is just wonderful," Michael walked around the tent throwing up his hands. "Whose going to shift through the ground now?!"
"Ian will be back by tonight," Kane tried to calm him down. "Hopefully he'll have news for us."
"He'd better," Michael muttered. "He's all we got left right now."Zeo ate slowly in the presence of the other royalty. Everyone at the table was silent with frustration and anger, the male couldn't help but love the scent. Ten days exactly since they'd received the letters from General Kane and already the news was out about Kai's reappearance.
It seemed someone inside the castle had over heard, already twenty-seven servents in the compound had to be put away and out of site. This simple fact made every one tense.
Zeo was patient by nature, unlike the others he waited and observed until the right moment. And that moment was soon he realized. A change was on the wind, he could feel it.
Just as the words crossed his mind the doors to the dinning hall swung open dramatically and two fair creatures entered the room.
The young male was barely aware of the others standing to attention as he too stood, but Zeo was in shock. The olive complexion, straight white suites, dark ebony hair, and white wings made his eyes water at their beauty. And he knew then that these were the messengers he'd been waiting for.
"What's the meaning of this?" Bruce asked standing in front of his wife blocking her view. He was the closest to the door and took great notice of the still bloody swords in the males hand.
"Excuse me my Lords," the female spoke in a light voice that immediately enchanted Zeo. "We are messengers sent by our master."
"And who would that be?" Victor spoke but reached for the weapon behind him.
Quicker than anyone saw a dagger landed on the table beside the wolf by a simple flick of the males wrists.
"Please," he voiced. "Our mission is not one of killing royal blood, yet."
An icy chill went through the room at the sound of the assassins voice. Zeo was immediately seduced by it just like he was the others. These were not Avians, no those were vile creatures, they were something more, the bringers of fate he decided. Stronger even then Robert.
"Who is your master?" Raymond demanded.
"Allow me to introduce myself," the male bowed. "I am King."
"And I am Queen."
Appropriate names for the writers of destiny, Zeo thought.
"Our master my Lord is King Brooklyn. He sends us with this letter with his regards."
"King!" Judy seethed. "He dare call himself a King?!"
"My master is a King," Queen interrupted her tirade. Using her power she moved the letter so it sat in front of the king of flesh.
Boris swallowed slightly lifting the letter. Brooklyn. The name of what he had lost control of left a sour taste in his mouth. He had come to the conclusion that Brooklyn had betrayed him nights ago and he had waited to see what the males' next movement would be; now he was scared.
Forcing himself to stay in control of his emotions he opened the letter and read the contents to himself.
"United Kingdom,
Your sons will remain in the council of my people as well as your daughters. This is the punishment you are all to receive for your inhuman crimes. The sons shall pay for the sins of the fathers no?
This is a declaration of war my Ladies and Lords, prepare your men for battle for mine have risen their swords. As you read this the hand of destiny turn, it is time to face your fate Boris. The end is coming and darkness shall be your blanket in the night.
Forever Mine,
King Brooklyn Kingston"
Boris was barely aware of his shaking hands as he looked up at the two avians. King smiled.
He bowed once more before walking to the window opening it as he and his sister flew away. There mission accomplished.
A small piece of parchment fell out of the envelope and Boris picked it up, handing the declaration of war to the other men at the table.
A poem, written by a man by the name of James Shirley in a dark brownish red titled The Glories of Blood and State.
It read:
The glories of our blood and state
Are shadows, not substantial things;
There is no armor against fate;
Death lays his icy hand on kings.
Scepter and crown
Must tumble down
And in the dust be equal made
With the poor crooked scythe and spade
Some men with swords may reap the field
And plant fresh laurels where they kill,
But their strong nerves at last must yield;
They tame but one another still.
Early or late
They stoop to fate
And must give up their murmuring breath,
When they, pale captives, creep to death.
The garlands wither on your brow,
Then boast no more your mighty deeds;
Upon death's purple altar now
See where the victor-victim bleeds.
Your heads must come
To the cold tomb;
Only the actions of the just
Smell sweet and blossom in their dust
(End poem)
Boris blinked back the fear but noticed the paper shook worse in his hands. At the bottom was a small seal with two wings intertwined. It was only then he realized the ink was blood.
The paper fell from his hands like hot coal as he reeled back. Bruce came to his side to hold him up but the threat made him cold. His past self was coming out of the grave to haunt him once again.
Boris looked up and glanced at something odd and unfamiliar. Unlike the rest of the room which was in an uproar of anger and dread a pair of smiling eyes looked at him.
His son smiled back at him gleefully showing off his white teeth. The look in his eyes were murderous and all at once Boris saw the demon behind the orbs resting in the soul and he collapsed.
Zeo smiled peacefully in bed. The word he had read in both notes left him feeling complete. Fate it seemed smiled down on him. He had known that King and Queen commanded his destiny and that this was all thanks to them and for that he loved them.
The letter had brought the change he was looking for. His father was ill, very ill and it seemed that the role of Kingship would soon be passed down where it belonged.
Yes, everything was just as it should be.
Wyatt woke up again in total darkness. He didn't' understand how long it had been but his body seemed stronger than it had, back to its normal health which he was thankful for. The dark room secluded him from everyone and anything but it also gave him time to think.
Brooklyn had no doubt collected them all as his hinch men had kindly put it. The question was now what? Ransom?
The brown haired male shook his head. Brooklyn wasn't one to flourish in gold and jewels. He was not a vain man, but one with simple material needs.
Than what? No one did anything without a chance for them to get something out of it in return. It was how society worked. What would Brooklyn gain? Revenge?
No, the male wasn't one for that either. Revenge just wasn't his thing. Besides he considered all the other avains to be beneath him so that wouldn't be it at all. He would get nothing out of helping those below him.
The man got up and started to pace, glad to stretch his legs. "What do you want?" he wondered. "Why go through all of this trouble?"
The door shifted and pulled back allowing a flood of light. The male who hadn't seen a bright light in nearly two weeks shielded himself with his arms until the large man came into view again.
Crusher, or so the others had called him, Wyatt recalled. What did he want? The male came in and roughly grabbed one of his hands, placing a metal cuff on the wrist.
"Don't struggle," he commanded roughly grabbing the other one cuffing it as well in front of him.
The man terrified Wyatt beyond a doubt. He had monstrous strength towering over him. His curiosity though reached past any fear the young prince had. After all in the end he was only a human.
"A human who has already chosen sides," his voice reminded as he gulped. But if he wanted to know anything he had to ask.
"Where are you taking me," his voice shook and he growled in anger mentally wishing it had come out strong and brave.
Crusher looked down and smirked at him. "Welcome to BeNile or in other words," his voice turned into a whisper, "hell for you my Prince."
Wyatt shuddered as the man laughed dragging him out the door and onto the deck. The others he saw were already there, Princes and the others standing lined up, cuffed, and grim. He almost pulled back in shock when he saw the last man in the line. He was in pathetic form leaning over like his back was on fire but the red wings left no mistake, the missing Avian Prince.
Unlike his father, Wyatt never viewed the Avains as murderous and killing, instead he saw them as gentle creatures of flight that were strong willed to fight and protect their way of life. His nanny was absolutely nothing like what the men like his father demanded they were. It was the discrimination against them was absolutely sickening and Wyatt left home in the middle of the night undercover to give money to those that lined the streets promising himself to change everything when he became king.
It always pained his heart when he saw these broken and beaten men and women get up every morning to perform their tasks and not until late going to bed. He thanked his luck to be born a Prince of Humans but he envied the avians and their strong will to survive and protect each other.
The humans had forgotten that as of lately.
And here he was in captivity, and all he could do was stare in wonder at the flawless face of his counterpart in every way. The Kai Hiwatari. The name itself made his body shake in anticipation and wonder, the family was prestigious and enlighten. The stories of their ancestry were locked deep in his head filled with their exploits. The one story that caught his attention the most was the story of the missing Prince. Nothing was of more wonder than a mother and fathers' primal instinct to save their only son betraying their proud lines for those of compassion and sacrifice. The boy to Wyatt represented love in abundance, strength of more than any man could dream, courage that out matched any humans and loyalty that brought tears to his eyes. Kai was the mythical being of his imagination that breathed life into his day, the reason he could move every morning.
And yet here he was.
"Move," Crusher growled and propelled the male to walk down the steps. It was then he actually realized the noise around him and the smell of burning coal and spices in the air. The boat they were held captive had docked in a harbor. But where?
Wyatt frowned slightly his thoughts coming in fast whispers as he allowed himself to be lined up beside Max. This place did not remind him of anywhere he had seen or read in his glorious books before. It was too warm to be one of the wolves harbors because the season had changed, it would have taken them a month to even reach the first Dragon harbor and he was sure he had not been out that long, the Elves were completely inland so it couldn't be them, and this was not a human harbor for sure.
Wyatt turned to Max, lowering his voice. "Where are we?"
Max didn't turn his head aware of the large male, Crusher watching silently. "I don't know," he whispered. "This isn't a marine harbor, the smells all wrong."
Wyatt didn't know what to make about the "smells" comment but he led it slide.
"Welcome," Mystel stood in front of them with a merry look on his face. "Welcome to BeNile, home of those who follow the dark wing."
Ming-Ming rolled her eyes coming up in front of him. "Honestly, this is just those that have left your tyrant's fathers land and follow Brooklyn instead." She seemed sweet and innocent like a child but than her mood changed and she seemed to become older and her demeanor nasty. "So don't worry about getting rescued. No one knows the way to these lands except us and that's why your daddies are going to be in so much trouble now that we've…"
"Enough," Garland voiced coming out with Brooklyn from the main cabin with Jame, the caption of the vessel. The elf sighed deeply, didn't the woman get it?! They weren't suppose to know about the declaration of war against the four kingdoms.
"Here I am King," Brooklyn walked in front of the line and didn't bother to show any sign of being glared at.
"Your nothing but trash," Tala growled. Brooklyn smirked but it was Garland who walked up to the slightly younger male.
The elf grinned. "You would know a lot about being trash wouldn't you?"
Tala snarled. "Get out of my face elf." His teeth pulled back showing the pink of his gums and he felt the hair on the back of his neck rise.
""Enough Garland," Brooklyn broke them up. "We have negotiating payments with the captain."
Garland backed away with a light smile still plaguing his face. "Negotiations, correct King Brooklyn," a sly look came into his eyes.
"What negotiations?" Rei voiced looking up. The elf was all too aware of the position they were in. Wither he liked it or not Brooklyn called the shoots and that was it.
"As payment for bringing all of you done into our wonderful lands," Mystel came forward, we promised him a couple of slaves to sell in our top market place here."
"Which means you all," Ming-Ming took over. "So tell me one by one your name, species, and power. If you lie I'll kill you were you stand."
The woman walked towards Wyatt and pointed at him. The boy blinked up at her.
"Um…Wyatt Mason, (A/N that's his last name so deal with it!) human."
"Max Tate," the boy looked at her with a weary look. Honestly they all knew who he was. "Marine, Water."
"Rei Kon, Elf, Earth."
"Mariah Yin (A/N once again I'll be making up a lot of last names but they really don't matter so don't kill me! --) Elf, Earth."
"Spencer, Marine, Water."
"You don't have a last name?" the woman cocked her hip to the side looking at him with a raised eye brow. The giant found himself smiling slightly.
"I'm a simple man, been a performer all my life. I'm sure I had a surname at one time but I've lost it now. Most of us have."
"Most of us?" She looked at the man but he said no more but looked above her head into the distance.
"Name?"
"Ilyanna Haruno," the woman looked at her. She rolled her eyes, "elf, and earth."
"Tyson Granger," the dragon growled. "You don't scare me."
"Sure reptile," Ming-Ming sighed. "Dragon wind right?"
The boy didn't respond but threw his head to the side like a temper tantrum.
"Next."
"Bryan," the male paused slightly wondering if sharing his last name would be appropriate. He looked at the orange haired male standing off in the side and decided against it tightening his already white knuckles.
"Avain, wind." He spat out into the womans face.
Ming-Ming flinched back from the vicious stare. "Change your look hun or no one's going to want to buy you."
"Give me your head and we have a deal," the avian muttered darkly.
She didn't hear. "A performer I assume?"
"Slave," he shot back just as angry.
"Fine. Now you."
Lex stared back at the woman but looked right through her at the city in front of them busy, it was odd to see so many people of different ethnic back grounds all in one palce.
"Answer," Ming-Ming shot.
Lex ignored her staring into the clear sky beyond.
"She can't," Bryan broke in. The others looked at him with raised eyebrows and Mystel put on a golden mask interested.
"What do you mean she can't speak?"
"She's dumb," Bryan voiced harshly but forced himself to remain uncaring as his sister gave him a look. Her eyes narrowed in confusion at the sound of his voice.
For days Bryan's mind turned in the dead of night while Kai slept across from them all healing slowly. He had realized the moment the whip hit the other male that they were really captured. Any chance for escape was almost non exhistant, the beating he had saw turned it into reality. For years he had protected his sister and stood by her side but in the end all he really wanted was to save her from the cruel fate that awaited them in slavery. That wouldn't happen here.
That is unless he did something off the wall. Brooklyn's father and his own had been two head generals in the avian family, if he knew who they were than their lives were in great danger. But if he thought they were just two avians with no connection then they had a better chance. There had to be no connection between the two though to make it happen. Now Lexandra had to be dead to him to insure her safety.
"Alright one with a condition," Ming-Ming voiced. "I know she's avian but what's her power?"
"Water," Bryan voiced. "Don't know her name, we all just call her Lex, she was bought by the head master a few months ago."
Ming-Ming nodded and turned to the next one, "Hilary Talibana, Dragon, Light."
"Mariah, Elf, Earth."
Evenescence," the wolf growled back snarling. "Wolf, Darkness."
Brooklyn didn't flinch.
"Hiro," the male didn't give her a last name but smiled politely. "Unlike the rest I'm just human." He grinned. "No special skills really, my lady."
Ming-Ming seemed taken back at his politeness as the others looked at him with raised eyebrows. Didn't he realize these people were going to take away his freedom? What was there to smile about?
"Alright," she faltered slightly. Turning to the red head she smirked. "Your name doggy?"
"Tala, wolf, ice," he muttered.
"You?"
Kai stared at the ground, his eyes a dark shadow, his body laded down.
"Answer me."
Kai didn't flinch.
"You have until the count of three."
"One…two…three."
The male didn't bother to move. The others watched him closely.
"Garland," Ming-Ming voiced. "Can you please handle this?"
The male looked up from his conversation with Mystel. "What? Oh sure give me a second." He walked up to the other male and stood in front of him. "Your not dumb or deaf so answer he question."
Kai didn't acknowledge him.
"Fine, have it your way." He pulled out a dagger and sliced the mans' shoulder.
Kai staggered back with a gasp of pain that seemed to wake him up. Looking up the avian allowed the other male to see his eyes infusing every bit of fire he could into them, every once of hatred. The burning was still felt on his forehead and the mark had yet to fade into a dull grey like the others. His wild hair hung onto his face and the paint on his cheeks were gone.
"Kai," his voice was full of malice. It was enough to make Garland take an quick step back sweating slightly. The elf had never seen a glare like that and was grateful the other male was bound.
"Kai Alexander Hiwatari, Avian, Fire."
"Did you get that?" Garland asked looking at Ming-Ming, he hoped she had because Kai seemed a little too edgy for his taste.
"Yes," she looked at him. "Got it." She turned on her heel and walked to Brooklyn who took the paper and studied it.
"So which ones are mine?" Jame looked at the list hungrily. Brooklyn ignored him.
"The Princes will all be put under special care," Brooklyn looked at him. "They aren't yours. All of them are mine."
Jame's face dropped a little.
Brooklyn walked over to the line, his hands hanging at his sides. He walked by them to be stopped by Tyson.
"I don' t belong to anyone! Nobody owns me!"
The orange haired male moved along the line. He only stopped when he came to Lex who stood straight as he approached making herself as tall as she could. She was proud.
Brooklyn looked deeply in her eyes and smirked slightly to himself. She might work. He was aware of the other males lack of attention but knew it was a rouse. In battle they had fought feriously side by side and if they weren't mates than there had to be something else. Either way they cared for one another no matter how much Bryan pretended not too. And that was something that might prove useful in the future.
"Open your wings," he commanded.
Lex narrowed her eyes. Oh, did he just think he could order her around? If the other male thought that was at all possible than she would be the first to let him know that he was mistaken. No way in hell was she taking any orders from him.
"Open your wings," Brooklyn commanded hiding his smile in glee. She was tough, that much was for sure. Amusing really, most people would recognize that he was faster, stronger, smarter, and overall better than they were and kneel before his wishes. He was perfect and they knew it. But every once in a while their were some who didn't know their place in the world. And he was happy to tell them in many, many ways.
Of course for the female avian in front of him he had other ideas. She could keep her willful nature, for now.
"Alright," he voiced. He was calm but was sure she saw the hint of furiousness in his eyes. "You don't have to do it unless you want to."
He turned towards Jame leaving her to stare mouth open at his back. Honestly if she was going to fit into his plans than she needed to act a little more sophisticated.
"Lex, Mariah, and Hilary will be reporting for work in the castle." He reached out and held out a bag of real gold handing it to the man. "This should cover their costs."
Jame took it greedily. "The others are mine right?"
"All except Spencer and Bryan," Brooklyn smirked at the male. "They will go with the other guests of royalty."
Jame's smile faded. With Spencer and Bryan gone that left him with just the elf Ilyana and the feisty she wolf Evenescence along with the human Hiro. It wasn't much, way less than what they had agreed upon before the trip began. But he wasn't going to complain. No one went against King Brooklyn.
"Yes sire," Jame looked at him. "May I inquire when ya will be a living my vessel and what your plans are for the princes and that marine?" His eyes glanced at Kai. The avain was so pathetic that he was hunched over almost to his knees. As much as he had wished that they would leave him in his care he was glad to watch him go. The man wouldn't last much longer.
"My carriage should be here shortly along with three others," Brooklyn looked at him. "As for the Princes, you can see them again along with the two at the Gladiator ring."
Hiro turned sharply towards the male. No he wounldn't…His eyes glanced at the princes.
They weren't built for fighting in a closed ring. "Tyson," he muttered. Closing his eyes he prayed that the men would sell him soon. The dragon wouldn't survive in the Gladiator ring and the only way he could help was if he founder her, or she found him.
Jame smirked. "What an excellent idea."
"What's the Gladiator ring?" Tala demanded.
Mystel laughed and smirked from beneath his mask. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
They stayed another two hours on deck before the carriages arrived and they got in. Lex watched as she and the others were piled in the other two making certain that she sat beside her brother. She didn't understand a lot about what was going on but she knew that they were about to split ways. Possibly forever.
As the cart rolled, Max and the other princes glanced at the performers. As far as they were concerned wherever they were going, they would go togther. But the others wouldn't be as lucky. They already had to watch Hiro, and the other two girls be taken below deck nearly crying at the thought of loosing their friends for good. They were lucky they realized to be facing a dark world together.
Bryan felt Lex's nearly crushing hand close over his own. What was he going to do? He'd promised never to leave her and had done good on it staying by her side for years but now he was going to be pulled apart. He glanced her way, she was an absolute mess. Her eyes were brimming with tears which she refused to allow to fall and her hair was thrown all in her face. And there was nothing he could do.
He realized that that was what hurt him the most. They'd lost.
Looking around he knew that the carriage was surrounded by Brooklyn's merry men and that pulling a surprise attack would do no good. They were malnourished and not prepared to do any such fighting. A part of him wanted to vow to return to her and save them both along with Hiro and the others, but what was the point of making such a fruitless vow.
"Can I ask why you kept the three girls?" Garland looked at Brooklyn. The ride was rather smooth and the other man held a glass of red wine to his lips.
"By now the other kingdoms will have received my declaration and will begin preparing themselves as King and Queen return." Brooklyn's voice echoed in the rather roomy carriage.
"Why not throw Mariah and Hilary to their fate along with the other avian, Lex?" Ming-Ming looked at him. Why keep them around, it made no sense.
Brooklyn took a sip to drink before looking at them. "In less than a week I will openly declare war with the people and hundreds of men will gather their weapons, leave their wives and join the battle. The women will ensure the home to the children and arrange themselves in medical units. The people will be in almost sure chaos ready to throw away their lives for their King."
"Of course," Mystel smirked. "They love their King and would willingly die for you Brooklyn."
"Yes," the male agreed. "But as much as they would fight for their King think of how ready they would fight for their Queen."
"Queen?" Garland looked at him. "You plan to marry?" Though the thought of the king having to get married to produce an heir seemed normal the elf couldn't picture the other male involved with anyone. He asked but Brooklyn was silent and refused to say another word on the subject as they reached the Gladiator ring.
Crusher, Wyatt was sure that was his name came to the last two carriages and rushed everyone out. The girls were put to the side and the men moved to the others. The human watched as the two avains held on for as long as they could to one another before moving away. Their eyes seemed to brim over with tears.
Brooklyn came into view and Mystel disappeared as they were forced to stand still in another line. A while later a door that had not been seen in the shadow appeared and Mystel came with an elderly man.
Rei felt the cold of the nights' air come upon them. How long had they rode? The night sky had already fallen when they had arrived, the moon full above them. It would have been a beautiful sight but what was happening kept him from enjoying it and he was sure it stopped the others as well.
Rei felt a shiver run through his spine as he watched Mariah lean closer to Hilary for warmth. This all seemed to surreal, like a dream. His vision was perfect as it had been in pure light but that didn't matter as his mind relied in a daze. What was happening?
"Ah my King Brooklyn," the old man bowed at his waste. "It is an honor to see you, please forgive my appearance but I was not aware of your visit."
Brooklyn smiled and waved away the older man's night attire. He seemed about ready for bed.
"Nonsense Dickenson I hope you can forgive me for showing up this late unannounced. But I have some very special cargo to give to you that couldn't be moved during the day. It was best if they came unannounced."
Dickenson knew the word for new fighters so he turned to look at the line. "I see, we are running low as of late. May I ask who they are?"
"The princes of their races," Brooklyn grinned. Dickenson seemed taken back in shock.
"My…King Broo..klyn, you have been busy I see." The man stuttered and made his way towards the group. Sure enough six looked like pampered brats. He looked down at the red wings in amusement.
"I see you found the missing Prince as well."
"Yes," Brooklyn came up to him with a smile across his face. "He and the others are yours to put into the act. Their titles as well as wealth has been stripped from them as of now."
Tala growled lowly.
"Yes," Dickenson smiled. Eight new Gladiators, six of them famous royals. This would bring new business. "How much for them?"
"Nothing at all," Brooklyn grasped the man's hand. "Use them well my friend. I bid thee good night."
Dickenson nodded and bowed again as Brooklyn made his way to the carriage. He watched in amusement as the avian male and her female counter part looked at each other longingly. She was almost ready to cry.
Good, he could and would use that to reinforce his plan. Soon all would be well with the world. Without a word the carriage sped off.
Spencer watched Bryan slightly as the man hunched over trying to hid his tearful eyes. She was gone.
"Now, Joseph!"
A young green haired male came rushing into the room.
"Yes sire?"
"Put on a pot of tea and send Dunga here please." The man shivered as the teen did as he was told. The night air was a little cold.
Dickenson looked at them huddled together. For sure, they had been poisoned so they were as good as humans now and thanks to the paper Ming-Ming had slipped him he knew their names and elements.
A large burly man entered the room. "Yes sir?"
"Take these men into their cells for tonight in the lower pit. We'll sort them out in the morning."
The man nodded and walked over to Tala at the end of the group putting a sword as his back. "Walk." Chained together, tired, and powerless there was nothing else to do.
Lex, Mariah, and Hilary were soaking in a tub of water as another maid walked by. Coming to the castle all they had seen were female servants who said nothing whisking them away to the tub were they were told to wash. Their old cloths burned behind them.
"I don't like this," Hilary looked at Mariah. Her and the other female talked back and forth but Lex ignored them as they dressed and were led to a room to sleep. She knew that sleep would never come as she stared out the window longing for Bryan. A deep pang in her heart forced tears to her eyes and when she was sure the other two in the same bed had fallen asleep she let herself cry.
Everything in her world was falling apart.
The night was long for Michael and the others as they searched for any trace of where the Princes had disappeared. Nothing to show. It was as if they had vanished.Kane had already sent another message to the main castle where their superiors waited but still no word. He wondered if something else had gone wrong and preyed against it.
"Killing them isn't his style," Ian voiced. The smaller male was smart, Kane had realized and good at seeing the things others had missed.
"Why not?"
"Not his style."
"And you know his style?" Michael looked at him laughingly. "The guys nuts. I've only met him once but I knew from the first second that he was crazy."
"He's smart," Ian challenged. "Doesn't mean he's crazy."
"Whatever," Kane rubbed his temple. "Our problem is that no one has seen a trace of them," he looked at the sky. "And they have stopped responding to my reports. Something's got to be brewing."
"All I know is that we have got to get it together," Michael sighed. "There is only one more square piece of land to check before we're shit out of luck."
"General Kane," Goki came into the tent. "An avian messenger was sent with this for you. It's urgent."
Kane took the envelope and undid it reading the message. His eyes widened before closing tightly in contempt. He laid the paper down knowing the others were watching him but to tired to care. Slowly he felt the rage grow in him before it became to much and he knocked off the map they'd been looking at.
"Damn it!" He stormed out of the tent.
"What was that about?" Michael asked as Ian picked up the paper. He read it allowed.
"General Kane,
As order of the United Kingdoms you are to call off your search and return back immediately. Brooklyn has already escaped the borders and is no longer capable of being perused at the moment.
We received a message from to of his avian runners stating a declaration of war. After reading the message King Boris took ill and is now in his room under extensive care. It is up most that the General of the Humans is at the front line as well as the others.
I am afraid for now are children must be considered lost and our lands first priority. We must begin immediately. As a friend I am sure you understand how this is for us to do but it is necessary. So come home, we can not afford to lose you too.
By order of: The United Kingdom"
OKAY IT ENDS HERE FOLKS.
Looking bad isn't it?
Kai: Well duh I have to come in and rescue everyone.
You think you're the hero huh?
Kai: Of course I am.
RIGHT I haven't decided who that is yet but you can say that if you want too.
Anyway READ AND REVIEW.