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Chapter 21 - To east we go

"Go Cynder and run... Since soon... Soon we have... opened the vault of ancestors and we take... take what you have taken from us..." Edgard whispered before his mind drifted beyond the borders of unconsciousness. Orcs around his unconscious body argued for a while before they decided to carry his badly injured and burned body back into his temporal quarters.

Spyro kept walking with haste and Cynder kept on his pace close behind him, carrying crossbow on her mouth as she did. Ranger's body having longer limps than dragons, tips of his boots kept dragging on the ground and if that wasn't enough his limbs had also more movability to sides than theirs' and therefore his body kept slipping off Spyro's back, giving hard time to him even with his wings to keep unconscious body on place. Luckily his body didn't weight much more then Cynder's or his, so getting exhausted wasn't' going to be a problem, for a least not for now.

"you know what Spyro, his foots makes an excellent trail where we are going." Sparx said rather ironically.

"You have better idea?" Spyro replied ignoring his tone.

"You could carry him like you did not too long ago. Back at the river remember?"

"Last time didn't end too well, remember?"

"What other choices you have purple boy? It's not like he would protest about it, and evil she-dragon over there has her pawns... err... mouth full so I'm quite certain--" Sparx cocky statement where cut off as Cynder snarled and shot daggers from her eyes at him.

"Heh... well lets see the options we have when we have got some distance shall we?"

"Y-yeah... whatever..." Sparx stuttered under the pressure of Cynder's stare.

"Cynder?" Spyro turned his head to see her.

"Mhmh?" Cynder snapped out of her evil stare on Sparx and turned towards him.

"You sure you're allright? You took quite a hit when Edgard slammed you on ground." Spyro in troubled voice. Cynder stopped, which made Spyro and Sparx to stop as well and she dropped ranger's weapon to be able to speak clearly.

"Well it hurt but really, it was nothing Spyro. You on another pawn took direct hit from him, You're ok?"

"His punch actually got air outa me and my chest is still a bit sore where he hit me, but I've been thought worse."

"You know Spyro, you got me worried for a moment when you got punched. If something had happened to you, I wouldn't know what to do!" Cynder spoke becoming more worried with every word she said even nothing bad have happened.

"Cynder, don't worry. I'm fine. I..." Spyro spoke up to cheer her but instead she came to him and began nuzzling him. Being first a bit confused from her fast mood change he answered and nuzzled back which made her calm down.

"Cyn--" Spyro opened his mouth to say they should be keep going but Cynder kissed him, making him quiet in a instant. Spyro's eyes where wide for a brief second but he answered to the kiss as well. Sparx cleared his throat overloudly hoping that would make them to stop. Cynder broke the kiss and nuzzled Spyro's cheek more.

"Cynder... we really should keep going. There is no telling what orcs might do next." Spyro said while enjoying from her touch. Cynder sighed.

"You're right. We should keep on going." Cynder said a bit down and turned back to grab the crossbow again into her mouth. Spyro let her walk next to him before he began to walk as well. Dragons walked side by side and Spyro carefully nuzzled her neck which was rewarded by Cynder's happy sigh.

"Oh boy, this is going to be one looooong walk." Sparx said his head down, holding his hand on it while slightly shaking his head.

Trio kept walking keeping up the good pace while one carrying the fourth and unconscious one on his back. -they followed the huge, few days old path created by the very same orcs who has came after them over the river. Knowing orcs left this side of the river wouldn't be much of a trouble any more since their leader, Edgard is not in condition of doing anything any time soon or how they believed; dead and orcs left behind where few, so two young dragons where occasionally lost into each other's eyes while third and glowing one, a dragonfly, kept picking them up for his own enjoyment or just not wanting to dragons to be too close. Early morning has slowly turned to midday and morning moisture have created a thin fog which where already to begun to disappear. Grass where short and soft. A bit cold too as sun hasn't been warmed it up yet. Grassy, smoothly shaped hills went pass them as small forests surrounding few of them as they kept wandering between them while many wild animals kept staring the odd travellers. Deers, horses, squirrels, rabbits and many, many others. Few white soft clouds silently floated across the deep blue sky and small birds sung while they danced in the sky. This place where it perfect harmony and would have given good if not the best home to anyone willing to settle down. Only thing breaking the harmony where that violently created path and it's makers, the orcs themselves.

Not realising the time passing by travellers where in no time again that blue long river which blue colour rivalled the blue of the sky itself. Small waves reflected the sun's light brilliantly, making it look that on the sapphire river's water there where small diamonds floating everywhere. Small golden dragonfly, Sparx came more exited as he knew that dragons have to carry their unconscious companion over the river which would make the dragons less lost in eachother, for at least long as they where on another side of the river, of course.

"Cynder, you're ready?" Spyro asked from Cynder after he has laid Markus on ground next to riverbank. Cynder nodded after she took hold of his right arm.

"Be sure to be more gentle this time doomgirl, you did leave some nasty marks last time." Sparx said with his cocky voice again

"Hmph." Cynder replied bluntly and with that Spyro and Cynder took off into sky carrying Markus while they did. Flying proved to be much easier than last time since there was no no need to hurry and they had some 'practice' from last time but that didn't remove the occasional collisions of their wings in mid-flight. It didn't actually hurt when they hit eachother but sure it wasn't quite enjoyable either, but both just endured the annoying feeling when that happened. Feeling the cold air running across their scales and wings felt indescribable, wonderful to say the least. They haven't felt the pure enjoyment from just flying around aimlessly as they have been always in hurry or otherwise unable to. First the long fights against Malefor and his mindless minions just after they freed themselves from crystal, the escape, recovery and hiding, and now the orcs. However their wide smile what had developed while being over the wide river waded and both sighed loudly simultaneously as opposite shore came closer. They slowed down and landed carefully on small beach covered with sand. Dragons laid ranger on his back and Spyro began to examine this creature, a human like Edgard has called him once. He really haven't paid too much attention how he really looked as there had been no time for such 'luxuries'. It was hard to tell his age just sight of him because he haven't seen anything like him, his beige skin where smooth, soft and no doubt very vulnerable to harsh environments or any type in injuries like his multiple wounds already told. His face missed a snout what where new for him, every intelligenced being, apart from dragonflies had one or beak at least. Spyro chuckled a bit when his thoughts trailed on Sparx having a intelligence, or more like lack of it This one hoverer did not have either muzzle or beak, making his face look at least to say flat. Only what stood out from his face was his rather small nose.

"Cynder, Edgard said Markus is a human?" Spyro said without losing his concentration on wounded companion.

"Yes he did. You know what human is?" Cynder slowly walked beside him

"Not a clue." Spyro finally said after giving a small thought.

"He has some resemble with orcs when you think at it" Sparx said over Spyro's head.

"Heh... when you started to think?" Cynder answered with a smirk. Sparx where about to say something before he registered what she meant.

"Very funny doomgirl." Sparx answered back sharply.

"Can we think this sometime later? we need small rest from all that fighting." Spyro cut in

"I couldn't agree with you more but have to move on. We don't know are the orcs this side of the river alerted from battle wrong side of the river or how many of them are still on this side."

"you're right... help me to pick him up on my back." Spyro said. Cynder dragged Ranger from his necksleeve onto Spyro's back but stopped on place when large flock of birds set off nearby hill. Trio stared where from birds fled knowing something have scared them off. After the second or two Cynder finished her job and dragged Markus all the way on Spyro's back..

"Ok lets go." Spyro whispered. After few mere steps they took shout echoed from the hills.

"Halt!" Orcish voice shouted. Dragons gazed where the noise came from and what they saw where not what they wanted to see. Dozens, if not hundred of orcs have appeared on the same hills where birds had fled earlier.

"Not good, this is not good." Sparx started to sweat out.

"You think we can get them?" Cynder whispered

"Yes, but it is Markus I'm worried about. If one of them get pass of us he--" Spyro didn't finish his phrase when he noticed one of the orcs approaching alone from the large group. This one walked closer determined and he had his sword sheathed, telling the dragons he was most likely to come to say something. The orc stopped few steps away from them when he saw Cynder front of him bared her teeths, clearly telling she prepared for fight. They stood there doing nothing, waiting to other break the silence.

"What you want?" Spyro finally asked. Orc turned his head to Spyro before he opened his mouth to speak.

"I am Karith, son of Gerg. I am second in command of the forces under Edgards command and leader of this group. What I want is that creature resting on your back but I can see that is not going to happen without a good fight." Karith spoke calm.

"You get that right! Come a bit closer and this black she-dragon of doom will bite you leg off!" Sparx shouted waving his fist. Karith rose his head to look glowing dragonfly who turned pale in a mere second and flew behind Spyro.

"Tell me Cynder, are you the reason why we lost contact with Edgard?" Karith asked from Cynder. She simply nodded for reply.

"Much like I thought. I am under the order to seize that creature at all cost if I where to see it this side of the river but I'm not fool. I am not going to sacrifice my orcs on meaningless fight against you what we cannot win." Spyro was surprised by this sentence and Cynder lost his expression of hostility but remained still.

"What you mean?" Spyro asked.

"I meant every word what I just said purple dragon. I cannot ones under my command die for nothing. Way of a coward yes." Karith said and from look of his face, it really hurt his bride to say this.

"I am letting you go and we act like you never was here. Edgard will not approve this or does anyone else in higher position."

"You mean we can go?" Sparx asked not really believing what he has just heard. Spyro and Cynder where at least stunned from this. Karith's personality fought against what they have learned from orcs this far.

"Yes... You can... You must leave quickly. By doing this I risk my and my group's life even by coming to talk to you like this, not alone not putting a fight. If someone apart of us sees this my orcs are banished, maybe even going to be killed from betrayal."

"Umm... thanks..." Spyro answered still a bit staring. Cynder picked up the crossbow and duo started to walk away slowly and picking up the pace eventually while third flew.

"What just happened?" Sparx asked confused.

"I really don't know what made him doing that but let's not waste the opportunity." Spyro answered

"Thanks! You will make a great leader!" Spyro shouted back.

"Just pick up the pace before I am forced to change my mind!" Karith shouted back before he begun to walk back to his group. Once he got close enough he spoke out.

"Listen, what I did was violation of direct command from Edgard or himself and the prize of it is banishment from last remaining clan, if not life itself and this prize is paid from every one of us." Orcs around begun to speak among eatchother and some even snarled back at their leader.

"But! But I did it because we had no choice, I could not sent you into fight what we would not survive. We will pull this off IF we agree that this never happened. We never saw the creature. We never saw dragons. Do you all agree to remain silent what have happened?" Karith finished. Seconds turned to minutes but nothing happened. No-one said anything.

"I will remain silent." One orc said and stepped forth.

"As will I!" Another stepped out and soon one after another stepped forth or just nodded in agreement.

Few moments afterwards when Dragons where sure they where far enough not to be seen or heard they stopped for a moment.

"Ok... that was unexpected." Sparx said

"You think they will follow us?" Cynder asked after she dropped Ranger's weapon.

"I don't know but I think Karith spoke truth about letting us go."

"You know we can't rely on it. We should keep going." Cynder said and turned to pick up the bow again but frowned upon it.

"You know what? I hate carrying that thing in my mouth. It taste like... like...." Cynder spoke out.

"Wood?" Sparx suggested Cynder shot darts out from her eye towards Sparx but she knew he was right.

"If you don't want to carry it I can." Spyro said but Cynder shook her head in disagreement.

"No, that would not be fair. Sparx?" Cynder turned her head towards dragonfly

"What? Oh no... There is no way I can carry that thing. Its too heavy!" Sparx protested

"You could have some exercise to get some muscle into your tiny arms." She teased Sparx

"I can't even lift it off the ground!" Sparx shouted

"wait, I have an idea..." Sparx continued and gave faint smile what made Cynder feel uneasy.

Meanwhile, behind the Great desert. On now peaceful land where Dragon temple rested Guardian of ice, Cyril heard someone knocking on the thick door separating the interior of the temple and the outside world.

"Open up! It's me!" Voice shouted and door where knocked again. Cyril approached the door and it opened up slowly once he got close enough. Small group of four cheetahs stood there and one of them fore the familiar red robe and large bow of his rested on his back.

"Nice to see you Hunter." Cyril greeted

"Greetings Ice guardian." Hunter greeted and made small bow and other tree bowed as well.

"Come inside." Cyril said and begun to walk deeper into the temple. Hunter as his companions stepped inside and when the door shut behind them one of them turned out quickly to meet possible foe what of course wasn't there.

"Looks like some of you are still a bit edgy." Cyril spoke while walking front of another door.

"Well war against the dark master's shadow spawns where hard and difficult and some of us haven't fully recovered from stress yet." Hunter answered.

"I can't blame you, the war was long and very difficult. Even us... never mind." Cyril stopped front of second door what opened up moment afterwards and they stepped inside to greet the huge dragon statue middle of the room. Volteer noticed the door to open and greet the visitors with smile.

"Ah guests! We where expecting you Hunter but if I knew there would be more of you I would have arranged something to eat!" Volteer spoke so fast some of the cheetahs had difficulties to keep up with him

"Thank you Guardian of electricity but we have just eaten." Hunter replied trying to be polite.

"Oh don't be silly. There is no need of formalities and it is a bit shame. I could have made delicious, scrumptious, luscious, ambrosial, delightful..." Volteer once again babbled with such speed, while walking to next room holding pool of visions, what made visitors to stare eachother.

"does he speak always like that?" one cheetah asked from another who only shrugged back.

"Unfortunately yes... Follow me." Cyril answered and walked after yellow dragon.

They finally reached the room with pool of visions and greeted the earth guardian, Terrador. Ignitus hoverer where not with them.

"I see you have come back Hunter." Terrador spoke with his natural deep voice.

"Yes we have and we have some news too. Vilu, the maps please." Hunter said and Vilu took his backpack and grapped several paperscrolls from inside and gave them to Hunter. He unhooded his head to see better and opened the scrolls on floor to reveal map of dragon realms and few other distant lands and islands..

"Scouts reports that Islands around the dragon temple is relatively safe to move. Only few groups of apes here and here. Who posses no danger to us. In mainland on other pawn there is intense powerstrugle going on between groups of apes. Koveras tell you more." Hunter stopped

"Me and other Cheetahs who have scouted the area have come to the conclusion that now when dark master has no influence to control either the apes or shadow creatures, the apes have formed small groups... clans on other words and begun to fight against each other to gain more power. Largest clans what he have seen consist around 600 apes and they are very sensitive about their territories and there is often some level of violations of the 'borders' of their area which usually leads to small but brutal fights. Apes favours the forests but small groups are sometimes seen on grasswields " Koveras finished and Vilu begun to continue the report.

"The shadow creatures on other pawn are become like animals. Mostly loners, while some gather some level of group and one of them act as alpha creature. Lacking the intelligence they does not form bigger groups than 15 or 20 since larger the group is, then more usually there is fight over the position of groupleader. Faced alone they poses minor threat but if you meet pack of them better run than fight unless you know what you're doing. Apes have forced some of the shadow creatures outside the forests while unclaimed areas still are infested by them. But their number is diminishing slowly"

"So what you're saying they fighting against eachother and leaving us outside of this?" Cyril asked.

"Shortly, yes. In fact, they have made no serious actions against us, Attlawa, Manweresmalls, or any other races as far we know." Hunter said

"And what about Spyro and Cynder? You know anything about them?" Came voice from doorway leading to balcony. Group turned their heads to see Guardian of fire, Ignitus who had faint smile of hope. Group remained silent for a moment.

"There is no news about Spyro... or Cynder... I'm sorry." Hunter said softly, trying to make the impact of news less hurtful. It didn't really work and Ignitus' mood sank.

"Don't worry Ignitus. I didn't get to know them too long but far as I know them they're fine and If they are out somewhere we will find them. I promise you that." Hunter continued quickly. Ignitus just nodded and headed back outside. Volteer stood up and walked after him and leaved other's do discuss the reports.

"Ignitus." Volteer walked beside him while he walked to the end of the balcony. Ignitus didn't reply.

"Ignitus, please. You should stop hurting your own feelings like this. Hunter have promised to search young and I'm sure he fulfils that promise. Spyro is resourceful and strong young dragon and Cynder is sagacious dragoness who has spirit of a warrior inside her. Trust me when I say. They're alive. They're fine. Trying to find their way back to home."

"How you can be so sure Volteer?" Ignitus said trying to hold up his tears.

"Even if I have electric tongue like Cyril over there keeps telling me I can think clearly and my mind says they are fine. Just don't give up the hope just yet."

"Well that is a start." Ignitus said

"What you mean?" Volteer asked puzzled.

"You just admitted you have electric tongue." Faint smile escaped from his face.

"I did? Now I feel self-conscious."

"Embarrassed?" Ignitus guessed.

"I just said that." Volteer replied. Ignitus begun to chuckle what into Volteer soon joined.

"Can you promise one thing Volteer?" Ignitus said after a moment

"Anything Ignitus!"

"don't ever change. You the best fellow guardian and a friend I could never wish for." Ignitus said and hugged Volteer. Yellow dragon was surprised by this but he hugged back in a mere second.

"I won't." Volteer replied and turned his gaze into sky .

"Oh my. What a unanticipated turn of events." Volteer said not believing what he was seeing. Ignitus broke the hug and turned his head where Volteer where staring at and his jaw dropped open what he saw. Dragons... Many of them flying towards them. Bigger and smaller alike.

Back at the far west beyond the endless sand and off charts, unusual group of four travelled towards west. Spyro who carried Unconscious body of Markus, Sparx who kept sniggering and finally Cynder who was embarrassed, unhappy and becoming very angry

"I never understand how you managed to speak me into this." Cynder shook her head trying to keep her anger in control."

"Hehe... I never thought that would make you feel that way but this is all the better!" Sparx laughed. Spyro looked behind and saw Cynder carrying the crossbow on her tail. Tail going trough the hole created by string and the 'bow' part of the weapon.

In order to her keep weapon intact she had to keep her tail up so it would not fall on her tailblade and cut of the string or being dragged along the ground. Raising her tail too high on the other hand made it easily to fall on her tailbase, which felt say the least, very unconformable and it where hard to shook it back on the middle. If that wasn't enough she couldn't wave her tail side to side to balance her walk like she normally would or she might toss the crossbow off her tail, probably cutting the string in the process. Therefore her walking looked very awkward in Spyro's eyes. She walked almost if she is drunk. Trying to keep from laughing he turned his head ahead again but Cynder already noticed Spyro.

"What you're laughing at?" Cynder asked sharply.

"Nothing..." Spyro couldn't but to chuckle.

"Not again!" Cynder shouted when crossbow once again fell onto her tailbase and with that both Spyro and Sparx burst into laugh.

"You two are unbelievable!"

"Haha! Sorry Cynder I... Hehe... I can't help it." Spyro tried to calm down but with little success. Cynder shook herself violently trying to get the bow off the base of her tail but it firmly stood in place.

"Come on!" She said angrily while she shook herself more. Sparx had hard time of keep on flying as he laughed hard enough to make it almost hurt.

"Don't just stand there, take it off!" Cynder shouted trying to do everything in her disposal to get crossbow off her tale undamaged but nothing helped.

"TAKE IT OFF ME!!" She shouted from bottom of her lungs.

"Ok ok I'll take if off." Spyro finally turned around and took it into his mouth and pulled it carefully off her tail completely Cynder sighed from relief before she turned her murdering glance on Sparx. To the very root of her troubles she had for last hour. Sparx gathered himself up soon enough to tee Cynder trying to leap on him. Sparx barely avoided her jump and begun to fly away from her while she did not want to do anything else but catch the yellow pester and give him well earned payback.

"Come here you glowing bug!" Cynder shouted while running after him.

"Not going to happen!"

"I'm not going to hurt you!"

"I don't believe you!"

"I won't hurt you bad!"

"I still don't believe you!" They kept running back and forth on the grassy plains where hills are becoming more and more less dominant of the landscape. Old but otherwise beautiful forest could be seen and recognised barely few miles away from East and North. Spyro followed the two runners on the field with his eyes smiling even if he knew she would turn on him once she was thought with Sparx. He suddenly felt movement on his back and realised ranger where finally waking up.