by C A Ardron
Come on, Fox spoke in his mind. We can’t lose him.
Lynx nodded again and bounded forwards, the agility of the Feline medallion making him faster than he ever thought possible.
He wondered if with it he could actually keep up with Falcon in the training hall. Lynx shook his head – not the time to be thinking about that.
Komodo Dragon turned, his jaws wide as he roared with anger. Lynx felt a stab of guilt, he could clearly feel its fear, its lack of comprehension. There must be some way to help it.
Lynx gasped as it charged for him. Instinct taking over, his arms rose, the fire igniting from deep inside.
The beast was enraged!
Fox leapt in front of him, his blade still burning. He swiped at the lizard, but it wasn’t backing down anymore.
Lynx stumbled back a few steps as Komodo Dragon’s sharp claws swung into Fox, hurling him several metres.
Lynx gaped as the Dakkonin warrior smashed into the side of a deserted bus that had been left in the middle of the street.
‘No,’ he whispered.
The creature turned to him, his gaping maw roaring for blood. Lynx shook his head as he backed from it. He was on his own, Fox was unconscious and who knew where the other Predgarians were.
He glanced down at his gauntlet where his Feline claw rested. Falcon’s words from earlier drifted to him.
You have a claw?
Well, you do. It’s really cool.
It’s for killing people! You’ve got no business using that! Lynx let the long blades emerge. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said out loud to the giant reptile. ‘I don’t want to hurt you – but I can’t let you kill everybody in Central Sector.’
He fuelled every ounce of power he could muster – trying so hard his chest began to hurt.
Lynx gritted his teeth. He could do this, he had to. He let out a scream, the power surging down his arm. The claw ignited with flame and he rushed forwards, every sense heightened with so much power coursing through him.
He ducked beneath Komodo Dragon’s claws and his teeth, plunging his steel claw into the beast’s chest.
It wasn’t enough, his fire wasn’t intense enough to finish the job. Lynx tried to make it hotter, get more from somewhere, anywhere.
He gasped, the air around him exploding, a torrent of swirling fire whipping around both him and Komodo Dragon.
The fire was his though, it was a part of him, and didn’t affect him any more than a breeze would’ve. For the first time he felt the flames inside not as a tool or something he had to control – it was a friend.
He could feel the great lizard rather than hear it. Lynx felt its agony as its skin was scorched, being burnt alive. He wept for it, it wasn’t fair. This shouldn’t be happening.
Finally, the beast fell to the ground and Lynx was able to release his hold on the Power. He slid his claw from its flesh and stumbled away from the blackened corpse.
His eyes came to rest on Fox, now sat up against the side of the bus. His helmet off, the man was considering him with serious eyes.
Lynx shook. ‘I’m sorry…I had no choice.’
Fox nodded, and his face slid into a crooked smile. ‘You’re one hell of a warrior, Red Lynx. The world better keep its eye on you.’
* * *
There were so many Sarpiens, Predgarians and Dakkonin at each other’s throats, Hawk didn’t have a chance of finding Falcon.
Still, he tried. He remembered how tired she was. She hadn’t even made it to her room when Dove had told her to take a nap after they’d beaten back Tigermoth’s attack.
It was still clear in his memory, how she’d collapsed, too tired to even manage the stairs. Falcon shouldn’t have come with them but Dove thought she’d be needed.
Hawk growled under his breath as he flew over the battle below. Whether she was or not, Falcon shouldn’t have come.
He breathed in, flapping his wings to halt his momentum as Harrier swooped up to him from below.
It was the wrong silver, but Hawk couldn’t ignore the Sarpien. He let himself drop like a stone as Harrier lunged towards him, claw extended.
You should get yourself a claw, Harrier’s voice popped in his head. Then maybe you’d match up to Falcon and me.
Hawk tried to stop how every vein bubbled. Swooping back up to meet the Sarpien, he spread his wings wide as they met in the air. Drawing a dagger, Hawk deflected the sharp steel prongs of Harrier’s claw, lashing out with an Avian Strike. The punch connected firmly with Harrier’s chin.
He tried to draw away as Harrier spun in mid-air, slashing across his armour. Hawk managed to avoid getting raked in the wing, but Harrier was coming around for a second attack.
The Sarpien was blasted back by a deep blue-tinged aura sphere, followed by a furious Avian Body-Slam.
The Predgarian, Blue Kestrel, his elegant, azure wings spreading wide, swooped past Harrier and slowed, joining Hawk.
Harrier regained his balance and after a moment decided to back off, zooming down amongst the buildings.
Hawk nodded to Kestrel and now the threat of Harrier was passed, he turned his attention back to the town below, seeking his partner.
* * *
Lion swung his blade, forcing the wave of Sarpiens back. His giant sword sheared through the armour of the closest and sent the second hurtling backwards down the street.
His eyes travelled past them, still no sign of Coyote, or of anyone he recognised. Where was Falcon? Was she alright?
Lion’s throat tightened as more Sarpiens charged at him. Was it over? Tomorrow would he wake up to the knowledge that Falcon was back with Jackal?
He roared, cutting the nearest Sarpiens down. Lion turned as a heavy-armoured grey – Iguana – Lion remembered, rushed him from the side.
Lion skewered the man on the tip of his sword, the shining blade penetrating the plate and into his chest.
He kicked Iguana back, letting the dying man get it over with in peace and strode over towards the next group.
Lion whirled the blade, Iguana’s blood spattering through the air as he met the Sarpiens.
A small voice told him to stop, told him he was going too far, but he paid no heed to it. Falcon had deserved better, he should’ve been better.
The line broke, fleeing before Lion’s fury. He finally stopped, a gold warrior stepping into his path, arms raised.
‘Lion, stop,’ Baboon said. ‘It’s over, the Sarpiens are running.’
Lion drew breath and glanced at the sky before looking around. Baboon was right, the place was flooding with Dakkonin, the Sarpiens were retreating.
Grey Owl flew down to him. ‘What’s got into you?’ he asked.
‘Falcon,’ Lion whispered.
Baboon frowned beneath his mask. ‘You’ve had no word from her?’
Lion shook his head. ‘Hawk says her radio was broken. Her message to us might have cost her life.’
‘We won’t give up that easily,’ the deep rumble of Silver Bison spoke as the hulking Predgarian closed the distance between them.
He took out his radio. ‘Buzzard, Kestrel, I need you in the air. Ascertain the current status of the Silver Falcon.’
‘Yes, Sir,’ they both replied.
Lion nodded and decided to do the same. ‘Hawk, any word on Falcon?’
‘Not yet,’ came the reply. ‘Dove’s doing an aura sweep.’
Baboon nodded. ‘White Dove will find her if she still breathes.’
Lion nodded back. ‘I know, I just hope Jackal hasn’t taken her.’ He paused, seeing Grey Owl and Golden Baboon share a glance. ‘What is it?’
Owl shifted, clearly uncomfortable. ‘Well, it isn’t any of our business, Lion, but…’
Lion frowned. It wasn’t like Owl to hold back; the captain had been a good friend ever since he’d been assigned to Steiron.
‘There’s been some rumours flying around,’ Baboon added, ‘and well, it just seems like…’ Baboon tailed off.
‘Oh, will you boys grow a spine?’ Go
lden Caracal spoke as she strode to them.
‘Caracal, you made it!’ Baboon said with a grin.
‘Of course I did. No matter what was happing in East Sector, you didn’t think I wasn’t going to show up for a raid in Central, did you?’ The short blonde Feline turned to Lion. ‘What everyone’s edging around, Captain Golden Lion, is why you haven’t reprimanded Silver Falcon yet.’
‘Caracal,’ Baboon groaned. ‘We don’t even know if she’s alive.’
She snorted, ‘the Avian’s been riling up the Sarpiens for months. If she hasn’t died yet, then she won’t die today.’
‘Reprimand her for what?’ Lion asked. ‘She hasn’t done anything.’
‘Are you serious?’ Caracal exclaimed. ‘Ever since she joined your unit she’s been attacking Sarpiens all over the place. Predgarians keep away from Sarpiens unless it’s absolutely necessary.’
Lion stared. ‘What? No, she hasn’t. Where are you getting this from?’
For the first time Caracal hesitated. She glanced at the other captains, they looked just as startled.
Owl groaned. ‘We heard it from…’
‘Oh Light,’ Baboon sighed.
‘Perhaps you should tell us where we’ve gone wrong, Lion,’ Bison suggested. ‘She has in fact had encounters with Sarpiens?’
Lion sighed. ‘Yes, but it’s not her fault. Ever since she joined us Jackal’s had his eye on her. He keeps sending Sarpiens out to attack her. It’s rarely members of his Elite, and she deals with them fairly well. I think Jackal’s trying to wear her down.’
Bison nodded, ‘so she makes a mistake.’
‘Sorry, Lion,’ Caracal murmured. ‘I thought you were letting her get away with it because she’s a silver.’
Lion shook his head. ‘I would never do that, Caracal.’
Bison grunted as his radio beeped. ‘Yes.’
‘We’ve found Falcon,’ Buzzard informed him. ‘Want us to bring her in?’
‘Yes,’ Bison replied right away. ‘I’d like to meet her.’
Chapter Thirty-Six
Falcon could barely stand straight when Lion rushed to her. For a moment she thought he was going to sweep her up in his arms and hug her, but he seemed to change his mind at the last instant.
‘Glad to see you’re still with us,’ he said at length. ‘Try to keep your radio intact next time.’
Falcon gave him a tight grin, ‘noted.’
‘You look beat up,’ Lion mentioned.
Stood just behind her with Blue Kestrel, Buzzard raised his hand. ‘That’s what I said.’
‘What happened?’ Lion asked.
Falcon ran one hand over her neck, wincing at the dozens of small cuts. ‘I…uh…got thrown through a window.’
Caracal chuckled, ‘yeah, that’ll do it.’ She stepped up to her and extended her hand. ‘Captain Caracal of East Sector.’
Falcon took it, ‘Silver Falcon, West Sector Predgarian.’
Caracal grinned up at her. ‘Yes, I know.’ The captain grew serious, ‘sorry.’
‘For what?’
Caracal drew her hand back, her face becoming evasive, ‘just things.’ She waved to the other captains and left.
Falcon watched her leave, wondering what she might’ve meant. ‘Odd,’ she murmured. She looked about, ‘have you seen Lynx?’
‘Who?’ Lion asked.
Falcon winced, ‘oh. Um…well, while you were away, we had a bit of a situation in West and-’
‘Falcon.’
She cut off at Dove’s interruption. The healer stepped into the small gathering of warriors.
‘I’ll take it from here.’
Falcon frowned at her. She knew Lion was most likely going to be angry, Dove didn’t need to take the brunt of it by herself.
‘I insist,’ Dove pushed.
Falcon glanced over Lion and the three warriors behind them, noting there was a silver in huge armour and sporting a horned helmet. Falcon glanced at the medallion – some sort of bull? She nodded at Dove nonetheless.
‘Lion,’ Dove said, turning to him. ‘As Falcon was saying, a situation arose in your absence we had no choice but to deal with. I’m afraid I had to overstep my boundaries as councillor however. I would like to inform you of current events.’
‘All right,’ Lion replied. ‘Let’s go off a little way.’
Falcon watched them walk down the street. She was pretty sure Lion wouldn’t be speaking so calmly in a few minutes.
Her attention was diverted as the large, silver warrior stepped up to her. Falcon turned to him.
‘Captain Silver Bison,’ he greeted.
Falcon bowed her head to him, showing respect. She didn’t think she had to introduce herself a second time.
‘I have heard much of you,’ he added.
Falcon smiled, that could mean anything.
‘Thank you for your warning. It seems you were correct. Once we left the temple the Sarpiens showed little interest in attacking the town. If I may, how did you know that would be the case?’
Falcon swore in her mind. There was always at least one person too smart for their own good.
‘I noticed they were attacking people but leaving the shops untouched. Sarpiens usually take the opportunity to loot items they’re interested in – or just cause vandalism for the fun of it. The fact they were only going for kills indicated they were trying to ensure the Predgarians in Central left the temple grounds in quick order. It’s a tactic which they’ve used in the past.’
‘And how would a Predgarian know that?’
The deep, powerful voice made every muscle in Falcon’s back and shoulders stiffen. She half-turned, staring at the tall man a few paces away.
‘General Red Dragon,’ Silver Bison greeted. ‘You’re not often in Steiron.’
‘I was passing,’ the Dakkonin replied. ‘Well, Silver Falcon?’
Falcon met his fierce, orange eyes. Such an odd hue, it rang a bell with her, as if the colour should tell her something, but she just couldn’t remember what.
‘I’ve spent a lot of time around Joinstohm,’ she lied. ‘You learn a lot by watching the battles and skirmishes go down in that city.’
Falcon was relieved when Lion stepped towards her, Dove close by him.
‘Falcon,’ Lion spoke after nodding respectfully to the general. ‘I want you to find Lynx.’
‘Of course,’ she replied, glad for the reason to get away from Dragon.
She began to flap her wings and just for a moment her eyes landed on a short, lean warrior at the back of the small gathering.
Falcon frowned a little. In emerald plates, his armour was light, his mask identifying him as a Reptile warrior. He seemed young and his skin bore the yellow tint of the Unician.
There was nothing about him that stood out – apart that despite his obvious youth he was already a green. Still, as Falcon took to the air, she couldn’t shake her uneasiness. It wasn’t danger or hostility, more like a strange sense of foreboding.
Falcon forced the feeling away, she was being silly. She obviously just needed rest. Falcon took to the air, the sooner she was back in West Sector, the better.
* * *
Jenna watched wide-eyed the scene before her as if unfolded - two valiant red warriors battling an enraged rogue.
The Canine was powerful and experienced, deflecting the half-beast’s swipes with ease. The Feline was not as confident but still strong, his use of the Power sure and practised.
‘Wow,’ Tiger breathed as the Feline combusted, flames dancing and swirling around him. ‘That’s some firepower he’s got, I wonder who he is.’
Jenna shook her head ever so slightly. She didn’t know his name, what medallion it might be – but she knew him.
She could feel him, the kindness, the courage, the determination to finish what he started.
‘What Order are they?’ Jenna asked Tiger.
‘The Canine is Red Fox,’ the Predgarian supplied. He’s Dakkonin, I don’t recognise the Feline. An
other Dakkonin probably, if he’s with Fox.’
Jenna frowned. Why would Jay have helped her at the market if he was Dakkonin? Plus Commander Gyrfalcon hadn’t known him. She gave a small, sad sigh. Perhaps the Dakkonin had caught up to him after and persuaded him to join them.
It was for the best surely, if the Sarpiens were after him…but she wished he hadn’t had to.
Jenna watched as the fires died down and the Feline went to Red Fox. She tried to etch his every detail into her mind, so she wouldn’t forget. She didn’t know his name, or how long it would take for her to earn a medallion but one day…one day she’d stand by his side.
‘I’ll find you,’ she muttered under her breath.
* * *
Lion had hoped to avoid the Dakkonin general, but the intimidating man now made for him directly.
‘Captain Golden Lion,’ he greeted in a friendly manner.
‘General Red Dragon,’ Lion replied, giving a brief nod of the head. Did he know it had been him he’d met when coming off his ship? Gyrfalcon must’ve told him.
‘An outstanding performance,’ the general drawled. ‘One of these days I might have to give you an offer you can’t refuse. Just remember, the man continued, converting to telepathy. You play games with me – you’ll always lose.
Lion couldn’t help the way his shoulders bunched and hoped his armour hid the reaction.
Dragon smiled at him, ‘watch and learn, Captain.’
The general turned from him, striding towards the marble arch leading into the Predgarian temple grounds. The danger passed, the Unicians were coming out.
Lion grunted. They probably wanted to see if their healing skills were needed. High Ambassador Crystal Unicorn was at the head of them, leaning on his ornate staff as he went.
The moment Crystal Unicorn saw the general with his glowing wings he dipped in an elegant bow.
‘The esteemed Red Dragon of Draconia,’ he greeted. ‘It is always such a privilege to find myself in your presence.’
‘You honour me too much, High Ambassador,’ Dragon responded. ‘I, like all warriors of the Light, live to serve Courin and its people. I have come to Steiron at this time to lead an investigation.