Twelve Lords

by Max Jager

  Making of a Lord Chapter 20

  Transforming as she landed in the middle of the court yard, Shinra didn't stop as she stormed into and through the palace. She couldn't believe that Horani could have been so stupid! Not only did he let it be known where he was, told them all about his plan and why. Including about what his role in the murder of Kento and Miyu was! She didn't know how much he said, but it was clear by the guard that came for Kurosai he said enough. But if he said enough about them Kurosai would be able to wage war against them using all four lands armies Everything was ruined cause of that bastard!

  And to top it all off, that pup lived through it all. He took out his mate but not the pup which was supposed to be the main target! And with as strong as the pup was at that young age. That was going to for sure spell trouble for them in the future. Throwing the doors open she glared with a growl when Kenji looked up at her from where he sat on his throne. "First Kurosai is stronger than you think, I could hardly handle him. And second that damn bastard screwed everything up! If not for the fact that we can regenerate our limbs I would have been minus half a foot!"

  Arching his eyebrows as she went to the window next to him, Kenji was at a loss for words. "What are you talking about Shinra?"

  Slamming her still healing foot up on the window she pointed at them. "See! That was because Kurosai ripped off part of my tail in his dog form as I tried to get out of there with my life."

  Still confused as he crossed his arms, Kenji growled. "So what does that have to do with Horani?"

  Crossing her arms she leaned against the wall and glared hard at the floor. "He blabbed to the men with him about what his plan was. To kill everyone but Kurosai. One of them grew a conscious and showed up with Chirio. Then Kurosai changed everything."

  His eyes cross now, Kenji turned to his sister. "What do you mean he changed it all?"

  Nodding as she looked up at her brother Shinra held up one finger. "First thing he did that was different was that he was letting Koraen and Kintare around the brat from the second they got there. I could smell them all in a room together. He didn't do that with Torakus but it was only a couple days later that Chirio got there. Soon as he did he gave the official presentation to Chirio and Torakus in his room. I was shown outside for the presentation for me."

  "Damnit. Horani?" Kenji was seeing red. If that damned dog didn't kill him, then he was going to hunt him down and kill him himself.

  "That was when Kurosai took off part of my legs. I was being pushed. When he heard his mate scream I took that as my chance to transform and leave. But he did the same thing and grabbed my tail and it was tug of war with it. Not long after that a guard came to him. Saying that Umarus knew who helped in killing Kento and Miyu."

  His eyes raging, Kenji gasped as he snarled. "He was the only one there that had anything to do with it!"

  "Yep." With a sigh as she closed her eyes Shinra dropped her head. "He did try to take out the kid, but instead his mate. His mate and mongrel were with Umarus. I am guessing that he bragged to him about it since the guard said the message was from Umarus."

  Turning and pacing as he ran his fingers through his green hair, Kenji snarled as his eyes narrowed to slits. "Damn him! If he told them that he was helping me to take them out, it won't be hard for him to get the other Lords to hunt us down. Including Chirio. Your friendship with Yori would have no standing in that."

  "I know." Looking back up at her brother Kenji stood straight tnow. "I don't know what he said to him. But whatever it was seemed to have pissed that Umarus off. And we really don't have any way of knowing what he did and didn't say to him. I am sure that between the two he is dead and gone by now."

  Chewing on one of his nails, Kenji stopped and looked out the window. "That is exactly why we can't risk staying here."

  Her eyes going wide, Shinra gasped. "You mean we are going into hiding again?"

  Nodding Kenji was breathing deeply. "The dragons that are not loyal to Chirio are few and far between. The rest follow me and do as they are told to keep an eye on Tikae I know that. So as long as we have him under out thumb I got them. But even with them, we don't have the strength to face a war with all four lands." Turning and heading for the door he growled. "Start getting everyone ready. We will go to the mountains where we went right before we took out Mother and Father."

  "Yes brother."

  X

  Walking past the throne room, Tikae had his sky blue eyes open wide when he heard what was going on. They were going into hiding. And he knew what that was going to mean for him. He was going to be used as a work horse again. Now that he was 90 years old and almost grown and has had it once and for all with his brother's rule of tyranny and his sister's cruel ways. When he heard Kenji head for the other door he started to walk again. 'Now it is about time for me to do it. Get Sidhae, Sakon, and Hideo and anyone else who hears that hates Kenji can flee from him with me. And when the time is right I will make things right and take them out and restore the rule my father had.'

  He followed his nose to where he found Sidhae not far away from the throne room. "Sidhae….."

  Turning concerned violet eyes to his young Lord, Sidhae sighed. "What happened My Lord?"

  With a smile, Tikae walked over to him and talked low. "Well she didn't get to kill the pup."

  With a sigh of relief Sidhae closed his eyes as he relaxed. "That is good news."

  Nodding as he turned and headed back for the door, Tikae nodded. He wasn't going to talk there. "Come on I need to find Sakon and Hideo." However just as soon as they left the room his sister's voice echoed through the hall.

  "There you are Tikae."

  Turning face her, Tikae had his eyes closed for a moment till he got his glare under control. "What is it sister?"

  Closing her eyes as she waved her hand at him like he was a tiny and annoying thing Shinra smiled. "You and your little things need to get busy. We are all moving to the mountains for a spell and there are men in the outer fields that we need to get back here and help. What do you think chick do you think you can hack that? It is such a big task for such a weakling after all."

  Seeing this as his chance he rolled his eyes as he walked on with Sidhae. "I can handle it."

  "Then go."

  Once they rounded the corner, Tikae couldn't help but smile. By the time that they noticed what was going on, he would be long gone and no one at the outer field would know anything. This was his excuse he needed to get out of there without raising suspicion and having Kenji barrel down on them. By the time they did figure out that he fled from them, he should be to the North with Chirio who he knew would welcome him openly.

  Noticing the smile on his young Lord's face, Sidhae blinked at the rise in confidence just from this morning about him. He swore to his father when they found him and his mate near death that he would protect him and keep him safe from everyone, Kenji included. Though he did get to him a few times, it never seemed to get his spirts down. And he reminded him more and more of his father the more he grew. 'My Lord?"

  "I will explain better on the way. Let's just get Sakon and Hideo and do what she said." Tikae was taking no chances. He wanted to make it look like he was doing the bidding of his sister. If he played it right, he wouldn't have to be scared of what they may or may not do ever again.

  "Yes My Lord."

  Together Sidhae and Tikae quickly found Sakon and Hideo and they all went to the stables to get their mounts. Hideo and Sakon had your typical dragon mounts that were black with white eyes. Sidhae a bird. Tikae however had a very special mount. He had his father's personal mount that he used all the time. Once the battle was gone and his father was dead, Kenji tried to claim him, but he wouldn't let Kenji touch him. He would stay right with Tikae on his shoulders. He wasn't sure what his brother didn't just kill him, but was glad when he let him live and let him have it as his own mount. Jing was named after his mother Ling not long after they met when he first got home.

  Jing was a Chinese dragon
that was tan in color with large cat like iced blue eyes and he had three different sizes. Small enough to sit on his shoulder, about the size of a horse. And then another size the same size as Kenji when he would transform. "Come on Jing." Tikae then watched as the dragon landed on the ground in front of him in his second form. Jumping on his back, the four of them took off headed for the outer fields.

  Once the palace was out of sight, Tikae turned them and headed for the Northern palace. "My brother is going into hiding because the assassination attempt on Lord Kurosai's son was a failure. Horani screwed it up and as such, Shinra was not able to touch him let along kill him."

  "But that is a good thing right My Lord?"

  Looking over his shoulder at Sakon Tikae nodded with a smile. "Indeed. And that has also given us this chance. We aren't going to the outer fields or to the mountains with them. Hideo I know you know many that have waited for this day and would turn on him in an instant if I was no long with them. Spread it through as soon as I see Chirio that I am not there. I am hoping that soon I will be strong enough to over throw them at some point and restore the benevolent rule of my father before me."

  "Yes My Lord." Hideo then looked down with a smile. They were all just over a hundred when Tikae was born. All swore to Eiji and Ling that they would look after Tikae and protect him on their death beds. And now after years of verbal and some physical abuse, to see that Tikae still is just like his father would be enough to make anyone proud. He knew he was, along with Sidhae and Sakon. "My Lord. Your parents would be proud of you right now."

  Turning wide and startled eyes around to him Tikae gasped. His sky blue hair blowing in the wind around his face. "They would?"

  Drawing his attention this time, it was Sidhae who spoke with a smile and pride. "Indeed they would My Lord. We were all new to the Dragon Army but had already proved our worth to your father and mother that when you were born they trusted us as your guard. You were not that old, just barely a few weeks old. When your brother attacked, you were our only concern. When we found your parents we promised them then that we would always look after you and protect you. From your brother especially. And right now, the wayou are acting is just like your father would have. I know that he and your mother would be very proud of you right now My Lord."

  Turning back around Tikae nodded with a bright smile. "Thank you. That means a lot."

  Clearing his throat, Sakon was the one who spoke this time. With a question as to their destination. "My Lord why are we going to the Northern Palace?"

  His eyes narrowed, Tikae glared ahead of him. "I have heard everyone talk, the three of you. Even Kenji and Shinra about the good relationship that my father and Lord Chirio had with each other. I am hoping that they will not see this as a trap and grant us to stay there a while. At least the next ten years. By then Kenji should be well deep into the mountains and I will be able to set out and train so I can take what he never earned."

  "I see."

  Nodding as he turned and smiled at the rest of them, Tikae laughed. "I will be counting on the three of you to step up my training too. I will not do what Kenji does and dictate from the sidelines. I will fight for what should have been rightfully mine. Kenji was unfit to rule then and he is unfit now. As the last member of the family it is up to me to end his tyranny and restore peace."

  Looking at each other and then smiling, Sakon, Sidhae and Hideo all gave a sharp nod as they spoke perfectly together. "Yes My Lord." They were all thrilled that Tikae never lost sight of who he was and what he wanted growing up with the threat of Kenji over his head. And now that he has finally decided to do something about his brother, they couldn't be more proud of him. All three of them would like nothing more than to see Shinra and keij's head roll for what they did to Lord Eiji and his mate Lady Ling. And they would do anything to help Tikae and his cause. To see the one who was fit to rule the dragons sitting at the top. And peace restored to their ranks. It was his destiny and they would see it done.

  Making of a Lord Chapter 21

  A week has passed and once again, Kurosai has found himself carrying his mate to their room with their son in her arms. Crying hysterically after a late night visit to see her mother's grave under her favorite flowers. She didn't seem to be getting any better no matter what he did or said to help her. She was hardly eating, hardly sleeping at all. He could feel her starting to grow weak because of it and that was terrifying him. He didn't want to lose her and have to raise their son on his own. She had to snap out of it and try to help herself. "Sorae I know it is hard but you have to stop doing this to yourself."

  "I can't. You know what it is like."

  With a sigh Kurosai entered their room. "You are right I do know what it is like. But I also know that your mother would be scolding you for this right now if she could. I understand you need to grieve. But you can't do this to yourself Sorae. You have to eat. Sleep. I need you to get stronger. Kiyoshi needs his mother. I can't do it on my own and right now I am terrified that I will lose you if you don't stop."

  As she felt him sit her and her son on the bed, Sorae looked down into his worried iced blue eyes as he kept them locked on her. Even more tears gushing from her eyes. "I know Kurosai. It is just that….I…..I….I…..I don't know what to do with her not here with me."

  Bending his head to lean against her, Kurosai let out another small sigh. "I know that love. She will always be with you in your heart. Just like both of my parents are. And you can relive things with her through memories."

  Nodding as she turned a little more, Sorae held onto him with one hand, her son in the other arm. Sobs once again shaking her body as she buried her face into his shoulder. 'Mama.'

  Going on in his room he sat her down and moved his son from her arms to his bed. Moving back on the bed with her, he sighed as he lay down and pulled her down with him. Curling her up against him. She was holding back her tears but he could still smell as even more fresh tears that were streaming from her eyes wetting his shoulder. He knew personally that he could plead all he could but there was really nothing he could say or do except hope that she starts to come around and be her rock to lean on. But he had to think of something! 'Damnit!'

  Her eyes with a look of longing as she looked straight at the wall. All she could think about was her mother. She couldn't get the picture of her body going limp out of her head. She was so excited to have a grandchild. And she knew that even though she didn't say anything, that she wished for a granddaughter in a way. But was just as happy and proud with her grandson.

  Sitting up she turned in bed and looked down into her mate's concerned eyes with serious, yet crying eyes of her own. Her head reeling back to that first night and what she asked of him. "You promise right?"

  Leaning up on his elbow, Kurosai gave her an odd look. "Promise you what Sorae?"

  Her eyes not wavering as a pleading leapt into them she didn't move. She needed to hear him say that he promised her! "That we won't stop. We won't never give up until we have a daughter. Even if we have ten more sons. We won't stop."

  Smiling as he sat up fully he wiped the tears away from her beautiful face. "I told you already that we wouldn't. Even if it is twenty more boys and two thousand years. We will have a daughter. I promise."

  Dropping her head as she forced herself not to shake, Sorae half smiled. "Thank you. It is just that. Mama got so excited when I said I would name Kiyoshi Yukani if he had been a girl. Once we do and she has that name. I can feel like I have even more of Mama with me."

  Reaching out and pulling her back down with him, Kurosai held her close as he closed his eyes. "Let me put it this way. I swear that if that is what you want to do. Then we will never stop trying until we have our princess."

  Nodding, Sorae took a few deep breaths as she clung to him. "Thank you. Kurosai thank you for everything you have done this week. I don't know where I would be without you right now. I would have gone insane."

  Rubbing her back, Kurosai smiled. "Just so long as I can see you sm
ile. That is all the thanks I will ever need love. You don't have to ever say that to me. Just let me see that enchanting smile of yours."

  Before either could say anything, the slight whimper next to the bed drew their attention to their son. Sorae watched with a smile as Kurosai reached over and lifted him and handed him to her. "My son. Mama has been neglecting you haven't I my precious boy? I am sorry. I promise I won't do that anymore." Slipping her robe off one shoulder so that she could nurse her son she let out a sigh. Even when she was a mess of sobs, holding her son kept her calmer than she would be without him in her arms. Between him and his father keeping her grounded, that was the only reason why she hasn't done anything stupid.

  And whenever he would look up at her and giggle, she could always feel her mother's spirit most. Rocking him back and forth Sorae smiled as a few tears dropped to land on her breast. "My boy. Your grandmother loved you very much. I hope you never forget the love that she gave you."