Fan Fiction ❯ Actions Decisions and Consiquenses ❯ Release, Capture, and Prophecy ( Chapter 3 )

Pt 1

 

Chapter 3 Release, Capture, and Prophecy

a.k.a.(The god's make their presence known)

 

During the time that Drakan had been asleep the umani where talking about him. They had noticed that something had been following them since three days ago when they had got the bird out of their trap. They had seen him that morning resting on the branch above their camp. The larger of the men brought up an idea that seemed beyond his ability of thought, "So are we gonna try an ketch da dragon creature or not?"

 

The other two looked at each other and then back to Biggie rather amazed that he had said that out. The one with the beard scratched his whiskered chin thinking of how much that dragon would go for, "The dragonmen in the pubs who make their living off the capturing, trianing, and trading of those creatures have said that they will bring a hefty price in the trade capital of Tirosa."

 

The smallest of the men looked over at Beard, "So how much did they say they go for?"

 

Pulling up his horse at a small jungle pool Beard allowed his precious war steed a chance to get a drink, "Oh I'd say he's atleast worth 60 sill if not more. I've heard of the kings paying thousands for sill for the white or really colorful ones. If it's just a hide they can fetch a price of around 30 sill depending on color and size."

 

Biggie shook his head while Tiny looked at Beard with a drop jawed-bug eyed-stuped look. "Fuckin God I didn't know they where worth that much,"

 

Beard nodded, "If they have color changing fur the price goes up drasticly. Those are the ones to sell to Kings. Only because a King is the only one who could afford them."

 

When Biggie and Tiny heard that they started planning how the hell they were going to capture the creature. The end plan was a net trap compleate with a bolas to take out the legs.

 

* * *

 

A few Yer away up in the tree tops Drakan was catching up to the men. The pulled muscle in his shoulder slowed him down some but not much. He was able to compensate for the pain by compleatly ignoring it that and grumbleing to himself blaming it on Rillith, "Stupid dumbassed technicolor paragryph. I'll get him one day."

 

Unknown to the rather ticked off jungle cat a small Bera came zooming through the forest. The Berra was a cousin of the gryphons and more closely related then the Paragryphs. They like the gryphons where canivorious but instead of the features of the hawks, eagles, and falcons these were owl like with the hindquarters being that of the small wildcats. Infact this Berra was an Hawk Owl with the hind quarters of a lynx.

 

Drakan stopped for a moment in a Kabasune fruit tree to grab a bite to eat when the small Bera slammed into the back of his head causing him to drop the large, blue green, star like fruit. Trying to reach out and save his food he over blanced and once again found the ground. The little berra scrambled down the trunk of the tree till it was beak to nose with the large Jungle Cat buck. "Don't tell me he sent you Trak." The owl faced berra nodded. "Damn! Can't that old fool belive that I will be alright for a few moments." The berra shook it's feathered head. "What ever." Drakan glanced around the surrounding forest looking for a familar sight. "Follow me and keep up. I don't want to wait for yah." Turning Drakan dashed off following a small cre path that led in the direction of the umanis. The little berra flying silently close behind.

 

A few moments later Drakan pulled up to a halt just inside of the wood line of a clearing. In the middle of the small clearing was a small jungle pool with it's colorful lillies floating on the water and the colorful fish and frogs within. Unseen to both Drakan and Trak a huge trap lay waiting to be sprang upon the hapless creatures, and men were hiding unseen in the bushes wearing cer skins.

 

Drakan gaized above the thick tangled underbrush that reached nearly to his head. The only reason the underbrush was this thick was that this was the only place that got enough light for the plants to grow so they compeated savagely for this valuable resource. He couldn't see any humans but he was still warry. About a yer back he had seen three cer who had been killed with bows and skined. These umani were smarter then normal he at least knew that. "Trak do you see any umani." The small berra landed on Drakan's head and chrred. "No? Hum I still don't like it. Fly across the clearing and land in that tree over there and warn me if any umani apear." Trak chrred again and took off trio was watching him closely for if the umani wanted to capture him they would also try to take Trak. The berra landed on the indicated tree on the branch above the pond. He got across fine but I am different. I know that they will want to take me.

 

Drakan edged out into the clearing. He could see that the ground had been scuffed by the men's horses around the water hole. Apparently they had stopped for a bit to let the animals rest though that didn't explain why the scuffing also contained signs of the umani being on foot and leading the horses out of the clearing. this was to strange. Flicking his ears Drakan listened for the slightest sound that was out of whack with the surounding jungle. So far nothing was abnormal. well that was if you counted the fact that the birds hadn't made a single noise and usually by this time of the day the birds were screaming. in fact he hadn't heard any animals for quite some time. it was as if they knew something was going to happen but what was going to happen.

 

Lowering his muzzel to the ground Drakan started analyzing the scents on the ground. the umani had been traping around here doing something he could tell because of the edge of greed and suspicion in there scents. Creeping further out into the clearing he noted that the scents became fresher the umani had been here just a few klicks ago. Drakan inched his way out belly to the ground prepaired to either run or take flight at the slightest hint that something was going to happen. He was now standing half in and half out of the large patch of light shining down on the center of the clearing.

 

the men who were hiding in the underbrush gaped at the medium sized dragon. If what Biggie was saying was correct then this dragon would make them richer beyond their wildest dreams. This dragons coat was of the color changing variaty and even patterened like the shilika beasts rarest coat.

 

Drakan paused for a moment glancing down at his foreleg he grinned as his iridecent stripes sheened and glittered against his black coat. Glancing up he looked at the berra who was quietly preening his primaries. Well so far so good. Standing up to his full height of 9 feet at the shoulder.glancing around Drakan finally felt that it was alright to relax somewhat though he was still analyzing the sounds of the jungle. walking forward he got a small sip out of the pool. lying down he looked up at Trak. "Hey do you ever wonder why the umani hate us so?" The berra paused his preening to stare at his charge. "Well I do. Rilith told me that the Jungle Cats didn't do anything when the first umani towns appeared on the outskirts of the jungles the first of the Jungle Cats crept out of the brush and greated the umani days later that jungle cat was found dead. They had ruthlessly killed him and skined him since them many of our people have been killed in this way and the umani have even started clearing the jungles to make room for their clans and farms. somehow i don't think they can live with the land like we do. They only know how to distroy the land. What do you think?" The berra cocked it's head and gave a loud churp.

 

Suddenly he felt rather odd as if a huge pressure was suddenly pushing down upon him. something was up. standing up drakan slowly turned in a circle watching the edge of the clearing. It was at this time he noticed that a rope had been tied to a tree and it disapeared up into the branches. Watching the edges of the clearing Drakan slowly edged forward all his musscles tensed ready to run or fly at the slightest hint of danger. Suddenly it happened Trak gave a screaching cry causing Drakan to spin around and back out into the middle of the clearing. The berra was now tangled in a net and very lucky that the net had snagged on a broken branch keeping him from falling into the shallow jungle pool. If he had fell in he would have drowned. suddenly a quick movement at the edge of the clearing caught his attention. the umani with a beard slashed his scimitar at the rope cutting it. suddenly a heavy weighted rope dropped on top of him then before he knew it something knocked his legs out from under him. his great heart hammered in his chest threating to burst out all together.

 

The three umani started walking out of the jungle. The bearded umani held his scimitar at ready, while the smaller one waded into the pool and untangle the net, that held Trak, from the branch. though what worried him was the big umani who came out swinging a large wooden cudgel. The big umani walked right up beside his head and said something in his own gulteral language to the others causing them to laugh. Raising the cudgel the big umani brought it crashing down over the back of his skull knocking him out cold. the last thing that Drakan's say before loosing concessness was a huge shadow with glowing grey eyes peering at him from the jungle on the other side of the pool.

 

* *

 

Drakan groaned as a shrill muffeld shreik greated his waking consense. Twitching his ears slightly he could hear the muffeled cries of Trak, the sounds of the umani's slowly beating hearts along with slow even bredths, and most importantly the sound of the jungles insect night life. Opening his eyes Drakan glanced at what was in the imediate area. The men were sleeping around the dying fire. their horses tied nearby. The waters of the pond were still. But the saddest sight to Drakan was seeing what the umani had done to Trak. They had forced his head into a flaconers hood that was too small, they had filed down his claws making them useless, jesses had been cobbled together quickly with a short chain attached to a stake driven into the ground, but what got him the most out of what they had done was that they had plucked the five primary feathers out of each of his wings rendering the Berra flightless.

 

Compared to Trak what the umani had done to him were meaningless. A strange wooden contraption surrounded his muzzel held in place by leather straps buckled around his head. A thick tough leather collar was in place around his neck with a chain attached the a heavy iron dee with the chain attached to the tree he was lying by. the only reason he knew about the iron dee on the collar was that he could feel both the texture of the roughly smithed iron and the weight of it. Well this is quite a predicamit i got my self into. Now how to get out of it?

Lifting his head slightly Drakan glaced at the tree. The cain was a strudy old steel loging chain that was only slightly rusted yet still in good condition. There was no way he could break either the chain or the dee. lowering his head back to the ground Drakan also relizied that he would never be able to get purchase with his teeth on the wooden muzzel. So if he did manage to break free he would end up starving to death in the jungle. As of now there was no hope. Even if he had managed to get free. he wouldn't leave Trak behind. curling up Drakan closed his eyes and drifed off to sleep. reasoning to himself that an idea would come in his sleep.

 

* * *

 

The fog was rolling acress the ground. A huge grey sketti came striding through the fog. lighting sparked off it's body and arched between it's ears and wings. It's eyes were a deep dark storm grey and in their depths a huge storm seemed to rage with lighting bursts and sheets of rain being drivin by the wind. the foot steps sounded like distant thunder. The creature paused and remained starring straight ahead. suddenly it opened it's mouth and spoke in a slightly feminine yet deply rumbleing voice as if it was made of distant thunder, "Drakan go with the umani. Observe them closely and learn from them. Do this and in time you will be free." The huge creature disapeared the fog rolled in where it once stood, and it's voice echoed in the distance, "For this is the decree of Zeffeldia."

 

* * *

 

Drakan shot awake. The dark morning jungle dawn provided excelent cover for any foriging cer and the thick mists rose to greet the new day. Something was happening and it had nothing to do with the slavers. Glancing over to the pool, which he could just barely see, he watched as ripples spread across the water that were simmilar to those that happened to when a creature walked along the bank of a creek. Trak was awake and alert trying to look around even though he couldn't see anything with the hood on. Suddenly Drakan felt a slight thrumming from the ground and a few moments after that he heard the distant crunching of folage. Adistant frightened bellow immeditly followed. Jumping up Drakan started screaming and bellowing. The chain rattled and clanged. Trak started raising a ruckus, and all this caused the war steeds to get nervous. Finally the three umani were roused.

 

Biggie glared at their captives, "Dem creatures are da ones who started it."

 

Little ran over to his precious bay steed and tried to calm the raiging stallion down. Compleatly ignoring both of them beard put his ear to the ground only to hear what sounded like a stampead. Suddenly he remembered what an old dragon man told him about a huge one horned monster that if it smelled something different it would stampead and usually in the same direction as your encampment. Beard scrambled up and started saddeling his huge grey warsteed. "Get saddled now. Walt you take the little gryphon. Will your gonna help me with the dragon. Now move.

 

While the umani were dashing around saddeling their steeds Drakan was busy trying to uproot the tree. if they didn't get out of here soon the Ried would trample them. glancing over at Trak Drakan noticed that the smaller umani untied trak and managed to climb up on his horse with the wriggeling berra under his arm.

 

Soon as the other two were saddled beard jumped on his steed and rode over to the tree while Biggie managed to unhook the chain. Wresteling Drakan over Biggie handed the chainover to beard. Soon as beard had a firm grip on the chain biggie let it go. Dashing back to his horse the umani managed to swing on quickly dispite his own weight. Beard looked into the jungle where the sound was comming from. "Let's go!" giging the horse in the ribs beard dashed through the shallow edge of the pool and into the forest. His horse somewhat dragging the frightened sketti along with the others close behind.

 

Calming down Drakan had allowed Biggie to get the chain from aorund the tree but once the chain was freed he once again tried to get away but Biggie managed to hand him over to Beard a few moments later he was suddenly drug along helter skelter after the huge warhorse. Giving up Drakan decided he should just follow these umani at least he would get away from the Ried.

 

* * *

 

Finally after about an hour Beard pulled up his steed and the others followed suit. Also comming to a stop Drakan glanced at the surrounding growth. He had never been this far from the Tigreas territory in his entire life. He felt somewhat sorry for the horses because they were standing their breathing hard with all the heavy tack that was deffinatly uncomfortable in the humid jungle climate while he had only the the strange contraption on his face with the havy leather and iron collar around his neck and was only slightly winded. The umani were now arguing about what they were going to do now that they left their supples behind. Drakan stood their watching them amusidly as the men puffed and bellowed. :Well well look what you got yourself into pup.:

 

Drakans head shot up and he looked around for the tell tale splash of color in the deep folage. :Rillith?:

 

:Yes?:

 

Drakan kept glancing around trying to see where the paragryph was, :Where are you?:

 

:Back at the cave with a very important person in my precense.:

 

Lowering his head he stopped trying to find Rilith in the surrounding foliage. The only thought that crossed his mind was who Rilith had in his lair. :Who is this person?:

 

:Some one you need not to consern yourself with.:

 

Drakan lifted his head slightly in hope, :Can you help me?:

 

:No! I have taught you as much as I know. Their is nothing more I can teach you that living cannot. Pup I now annouce you to all the gods to be vorthy of the title Jokit warrior to the jungle goddess Jodia. Welcome to the rest of your life Drakan Jokit!.:

 

The only think Drakan could think of to say was, :Wha?!?:

 

:Your as clueless as ever.:

 

Blinking a couple of times he gave a quick rehtort, :Am not!: Suddenly he felt wrong about saying that. here he was a mature male Jungle cat acting like a pup, I should appologise, :Sorry.:

 

:It's all right Drakan. Now their is another reason as well as to why I can't come help you.:

 

:And that would be...:

 

:Think back to your dream last night. What did the grey goddess tell you?:

 

Drakan sat there and thought hard until he felt a sharp tug at the collar. The umani were apparently ready to move out. Walking forward Drakan followed the bearded umani's steed out toward the trade road. :Well she said some thing about watching and learning.:

 

:What did she say?:

 

Racking his brain harder Drakan finally managed to bring it up. :Oh! She said, Drakan go with the umani. Observe them closely and learn from them. Do this and in time you will be free. For this is the decree from them. Do this and in time you will be free. For this is the decree of Zeffeldia.:

 

:Good, now follow what she told you because it has set you on your destiny and now you must carry it out and save your people. For help I will give you some limited knowledge on these umani. First of they don't call themselves umani they are called humans, second their name for you is a dragon, and third they are ridding horses. From this I expect you to learn their language and figure out what to do. Now go Drakan. She will tell you more later.:

 

:She who?: Rillith didn't answere instead their was just and emptyness where he had been in Drakan's mind. :Wait Rilith don't leave me. Rilith I'm lost, I don't know what to do? Rilith?: Drakan hung his head. Barely rembering his own parents she had thought of the aging paragryph as a father of sorts. *I am alone, all alone.* He felt a slight tingle at the back of his mind. Knowing that Trak had started to become shocky and had become quite reclusive, this small respose from the frightened Berra was enough to calm Drakan's fears. *Yes you are here bet they are strangers.*

 

For the rest of the day Drakan listened closely to the umani.