Chapter 23
MIGHTY WINGS
They slept in Torik’s room that night. He had gone out to one of the other personal quarters throughout the maze of the temple and brought back a pile of leather and clothing with which he made beds for him and Bomani on the floor. He gave Farra his own.
He was a valiant host. Before sunrise, he went out into the bone yard to get food. He caught a vulture searching the yard for small pieces of meat that had been over-looked by those before him. He got as close as he could to it.
The vulture walked along the bones, pecking and pulling at any tiny bits that he thought were savory enough to eat. Torik picked up a bone that lay right next to his feet and slowly walked toward his prey. With a strong flick of the wrist, he whipped the bone through the air, hitting the vulture on his first try.
He ran quickly to the injured animal and before it could recover, grabbed it, and snapped its neck. This will be a fine breakfast for them, he thought to himself. This meat will be good energy for those kids.
He brought his catch back into the temple. Walking through the dark hallway, he wondered if he would see the shadowlight along the way. Was it really gone?
He managed to get the meat cooking before the children awoke. The aroma woke Pupa. He trotted down from the bed Farra and he slept on and anxiously wagged his tail, begging for a piece.
“Here you go,” Torik tossed a small piece to him. Pupa caught it before it hit the floor.
Then the pain started for Torik. His body was shifting again. He tightened his body to prepare for the pain and yelled loudly as usual when the shifting began. When it was done, he opened his eyes and saw Bomani and Farra staring up at him.
This time the top half of his body was a large eagle. His arms were suddenly wings and he was covered in large brown feathers. “Morning.” he said, and then he began to laugh.
Bomani was startled and confused, and he tried to follow with a dry chuckle. “Heh Heh, what’s so funny?”
“I got up early,” Torik said. …To make you some breakfast. There is some hearty meat in this soup, cooking.” Then he started laughing again.
“Uh, I’m not sure that I get it,” Bomani said.
“It’s a good thing I finished in time, ha ha ha.” Then Torik stretched his huge wings as far as the room would allow. “I’m not much use for cooking with these wings. Ha ha ha. Squawk!”
Bomani and Farra joined in on his laughter. “Don’t worry,” said Bomani. “We’ll finish up! Ha ha ha.”
After they ate, Torik lead the way through the tunnels. This time Farra channeled some energy through her staff to give them some light. “Do you think it has really gone?” Farra asked.
“I don’t know,” Torik replied. “That is one of the reasons why I cannot go with you. I must find out. I must be sure.”
“Just doesn’t seem right,” she added, “that you have to stay here all by yourself.”
“Yeah,” Bomani said. “We could use someone with your strength.”
They were now rounding the last corner. They could see the rays of the brilliant morning light entering the temple.
“Half a shape shifter won’t do you any good,” Torik said. “Besides, there is no place for me out there. I am considered a traitor to my people. Everyone else will fear me for being an ogre, and I must know for sure whether or not the shadowlight is gone for good. No, I will stay here and wait for the one that can break this curse.”
They exited the temple, shielding their eyes from the sunlight. Torik was still in his half eagle form. “If you find him, he will come.”
Farra reached out and hugged the beast, burying her face in feathers on his chest. He wrapped his huge wings around her. “You’re not smart for an ogre,” she said. “You’re smart for any man.”
“And you, Farra, are no doubt a unique anomaly amongst your people.”
“We will see you again,” Bomani said, nodding his head and giving Torik a look of admiration. “I’m sure of it.”
As they walked away, Bomani looked back and Torik stood in front of the temple, stretching his wings out as far as they could go. Was he boasting, showing off his grand wings beside the temple? Or was he just feeling the breeze as it rushed across his feathers? Farra was not sure, but she enjoyed the sight.
The compass rune pointed the way for them. Farra couldn’t help but think about her father as they walked across the bone yard. Part of her wondered which one he was. She knew part of him was out there and if she only took the time to look, she might find him, but she didn’t. She didn’t mention it to Bomani, but wondered if he was thinking the same thing.
Chapter 24
GOLDEN WINGS
air
The ogres would have to answer to Hatari and face his wrath if they returned empty handed. They refused to give up their search. On the night when the moon was full, the ogres split up in several small groups to search the Forbidden Expanse. One group discovered a peculiar light off in the distance, shooting into the sky, and they followed it. They marched toward the area where the light was seen –The Temple of Wanyama. Finally, they had a bearing. They spent the next day searching, tracking and sniffing until by nightfall they happened upon the children’s footprints.
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The Ancient Lands: Warrior Quest, Search for the Ifa Scepter Page 31