The scorpion's slow breaths buzzed inside their anxious chests. They were shocked by its enormous head resting on its pincers. Azrak pointed to the other side of the sleeping scorpion, toward three rooms. He signaled Ralti to search the one closest to him. Ralti stepped backward toward the wall. He tried to move around the pincers but stumbled on the loose ground.
Pebbles tumbled as he threw his paws out to catch himself. The beast stirred. Azrak and the others froze in their tracks. It shifted slightly, coming within inches of Azrak and Tog. Azrak's heart pounded against his rib cage and he held his breath. Tog sucked in his breath, threw his arms behind him and braced himself. Ralti regained his footing and made it to the entrance of the room.
Tog stayed at the entrance but peered into the room. His eyes widened, overcome by treasure. His heart beat faster as the excitement raced through his body. Azrak felt the energy shift but it was too late. Tog's eyes glazed over with greed. A deep growl rumbled from Azrak's throat warning him to back off.
Tog heard the warning and turned. He was already consumed with greed. Azrak's eyes shifted furiously around the room. He stepped inside and searched for the vessel. He didn't see anything and thought it might be in one of the other rooms. He shot Tog a glare of death as he walked by. Tog cowered, lowering his eyes and squatting onto his haunches. Ralti came out of the room and shrugged. In the center of the middle room sat the orb.
It was resting on a stone altar. Azrak walked toward it but stopped a few feet away. He wondered why there was an altar in the middle of a room like this. He bent over, searched for signs of any traps, but he couldn't find anything.
"We're going to have to move fast in case this thing is rigged," he said.
Ralti agreed and signaled the others. He reached for the gold orb. The shiny metal was cold on his paws and for an instant he hesitated.
"Go on, let's get out of here," Ralti said.
Azrak gripped it tightly and darted toward the door. Ralti darted as Azrak neared him. They veered to one side and rounded a large pillar. Stopping in mid-stride, his chin rose, until his eyes met the black eyes of the scorpion. She looked when they came barreling toward her.
Ralti whipped his sword from its sheath. He swung his blade, striking her square in the face. She reared and screeched. Blood dripped onto the floor. Azrak and Nasr flinched under the noise but kept moving. Nasr slashed through the soft joint of one of the scorpion's legs. The scorpion squealed and spun.
"Over here you scathing creature of sin," Ralti shouted.
She spun back toward Ralti. She reached for him with her massive pincer. He jumped out of the way, letting it slam into a column behind him. The force sent a piece of the ceiling onto his head. Azrak darted around him along the wall.
The scorpion tried to stop Azrak, but he leapt over her pincer and rolled behind a pillar, which was lying on the ground. Tog slipped past while she was distracted. He had several purses of jewels hanging around his neck, along with several silver and gold necklaces.
"Tog. What are you doing?" Ralti yelled.
Tog had an unrested grin that Ralti had never seen before. He reached the edge of the floor and jumped into the air and disappeared.
"That sorry –" Ralti started.
The scorpion attacked again. He leapt out of the way and rolled into a crouch behind the pillar. Azrak and Nasr were half way back to the ledge when Ralti leapt over the pillar and steadied himself. He ran and slipped under the beast. He swung his blade in an upward arc, slicing through the soft joint behind the armored claw. The pincher fell to the ground with a thud.
"Get out of here," Ralti yelled.
Azrak, however, wasn't about to leave him behind. He dodged the ruble on the ground and ran straight at her mid-section. His blade sank deep into her side, sending her into a writhing fit of spasms. Ralti ran up onto one of her legs and onto her body. He threw one leg over her back. With both paws, he thrust his blade into her neck. The resistance through the joint and sinew as he cut her spine made him quiver. The scorpion's legs fell out from under her and she sank to the ground. Ralti yanked his sword out and slid off her back.
"Well done," Azrak said. "Now let's get out of here."
"What about Tog?" Ralti asked sheathing his sword.
"He'll get his," Azrak said.
They made their way back toward the ledge but stopped just short. In the distance they heard cries of scorpions and the clank of metal.
"Sounds like he just did," Ralti said.
"We can't go back the way we came. They're coming back in," Azrak said.
"You don't suppose we go that way?" Nasr asked pointing to the pool of water.
"What? You don't like water?" Azrak asked.
"No, not particularly," he said, wincing under the thought of it.
"Behind the falls, is that a path?" Ralti asked.
"Yes, I spotted it earlier. I think it will lead us out of here," Azrak said.
Azrack leapt into the crashing water, followed by Ralti. Nasr took in a deep breath and then jumped into the chest deep pool. The path opened up into a cavern. They struggled against the current as they made their way to the other side. They found that there was no way out.
"We have to turn around and go back," Ralti said.
"No, the water goes out somewhere. We have to follow it," Azrak said.
Ralti and Nasr knew it would be useless to argue. Mustering all the courage they could, they followed Azrak under the water. The water drained into a tunnel. They used the current to propel them through the tight space. Even though their lion side hated water, they were good swimmers. They used their strong hind legs to shove off from the edges. The tunnel rounded a corner and passed through another water fall.
They gasped for air as they popped up through the water. They swam to the rocky shoreline and shook their wings free of the water.
"We need to tell Helios we have the orb and get out of here," Azrak said.
Their eyes followed the shear face of the mountain.
"Looks like we're at the bottom of the cliffs," Ralti said.
"Looks like we're climbing. Unless you want to wait for your wings to dry," Azrak said.
"No way. I personally do not want to see another one of those scorpions," Nasr said.
They climbed over uneven rocks and dead scorpions along the shore toward the rock face. Azrak took off a chest belt and wrapped it around the orb. Hooked it to another belt and strapped it around his chest. They started up the side of the mountain, digging their claws into the earth one at a time. As they climbed, they held their wings out just enough to let the winds dry them.
Half way up Azrak fluttered his wings. He extended them to full stretch and lifted off the wall. Did a backward swan dive and then shot high into the air. Ralti and Nasr followed into the deep blue sky. At the top of the cliffs, they saw the armada hovering over the battle field. Azrak watched the scorpions consume themselves as he met up with Brigdon and Helios.
"Seems that your calculations were correct, Helios," Azrak said.
Helios started a calculated re-enactment of the effects of the hallucinogen. He explained they could tell when the queen died, because all the scorpions fell out of the sky. Brigdon slapped him on the back with a grin and followed Azrak and the others back toward home. Helios smiled.
The Competition
Azrack stopped outside the King's tent.
"Ah, Azrak you have returned," the King said, and shifted his body to prop himself against the edge of his bed.
"Sire," Azrak said bowing.
"Please, come. Have you the vessel?" King Ruadan asked as he fixed the sheets.
"Yes, Sire."
The temporary quarters had been eloquently decorated for a battlefield barracks. Azrak much preferred his modest house, high in the cliffs back home. A gold pot with burning essences sat on a small end table. A myriad of gold jars, bowls, vases and trinkets of every kind surround the king. Brightly colored jewels and stones filled them to overflowing.
"You did well. Let your men rest." the King said, holding out his paw so that Azrak could kiss it.
Azrak did and said, "May we have temporary retreat?"
The King’s feathers ruffled gently. He rested on the padded headboard. "I must attend to some business, I will know in a few days."
“Soon we will have the needed strength to over throw the Kronos and Ebonhoards.”
“How sire? With this?” Azrak gestured to the vessel.
“Yes, legend says it holds great powers.”
“We are not a magical race, You’re Grace, how can we use magic?”
“It can be done, I have seen it in a dream. Now, set the orb on the table and let an old gryphton rest."
Azrak bowed obediently and set the orb on the table. When he reached the door he opened his mouth to say something, but closed it instead. The brisk morning air stung his nose as he struggled with his emotions.
How is magic going to help us?
He thought, shaking his head.
Azrak skirted a soldier carrying a large pot of boiling water and crossed the way into the isles of tents. His shoulders sank the more he thought about his impending future.
"So, you have returned glorious once more." Groargoth said.
Azrak turned his shoulders toward Groargoth but didn't give him the respect of his full body at attention.
"What do you want?" Azrak asked, one brow rose with a slight eye roll.
"You mean, what
can
I do for you, Sire," Groargoth said.
"No, what do you want?" Azrak said.
Azrak rose to his full height, which was a few inches taller than Groargoth, and ruffled his feathers and puffed out his chest. Groargoth stretched to his full height and ruffled his feathers.
"You will obey me. I will be the new king," Groargoth said.
"That may be true, but I will never serve you Groargoth," Azrak said. His piercing pupils sent a shiver of fear through Groargoth, "I can sense your fear. You are no leader. You're a pathetic cub throwing a tantrum. Do not mistake anger as bravery."
"You will regret this. That much I do promise," Groargoth said as Azrak disappeared behind a tent.
Azrak tossed open the doorway and was about to slip inside for some much wanted sleep when the talon of another gryphton tapped him on the shoulder.
"Sir," Lahonti said bowing. Azrak pulled his helmet off and tucked it under his arm. "Sir, there is a very pressing matter. I must talk to you."
Azrak spun on his heel. "Is there a problem?" he asked.
"Yes, Groargoth is plot –" Lahonti caught himself.
"Go on," Azrak said.
"Lahonti, the King requires your assistance now," A soldier interrupted.
"Yes, sir," Lahonti said. "We will talk again."
Lahonti left quickly, leaving Azrak looking out at his army. He stood tapping his talon on his helmet. The heat of the sun beat down on his bruised body. His eyes darted around the camp, taking in the soldiers who had just returned and those who had stayed. A tear in his heart opened as he knew what would soon be.
Several moments later he turned on his paw and walked back toward his tent and fell asleep at last.
"Sir, I must talk with you" Lahonti said peeking in through the flap of Azrak's tent.
"Can't it wait?"
"No, it may already be too late."
"Very well."
Azrak crept out of his nest and ruffled his wings and crawled out of his tent.
"What is it?" Azrak asked through a stifled yawn.
Lahonti whispered in Azrak's ear. Azrak's eyes popped open as he rose onto his hind legs. He searched for the king's tent and could only see the mist of evening camp fires.
"Where is Ralti?"
"With the others, sir."
"Send them to the falls. Now. I will meet them there."
"Yes, sir."
***********************
The old king rested.
"I have only wanted the best for you, but in my old age I fear I have made a grave error. You have not learned what I have desired for you. I am not convinced you have are qualified to lead this kingdom. You are stricken with greed and lack compassion."
"What are you saying, father?"
The king looked into his son's eyes and said, "I will not be leaving the kingdom to you. I will hold a completion to elect the next successor."
Groargoth peered into his father’s eyes trying to decipher what he had heard. He couldn't wrap his brain around the words and sat silent in his anguish.
"Father, I don't know what to say. What have I done to displease you? All I have ever wanted was to please you. I have done everything you have ever asked of me."
"True, yet you only seek for your own desires and fulfillment."
"I love you, son. That will not change. I can't make you someone you are not, but who you are is not a ruler of my nation."
"Then I will seek for its destruction."
Groargoth felt the hot anger rise in his chest and settle in his heart.
"Help me situate," King Ruadan said.
Groargoth pulled his dagger and stabbed his father in the kidney. The king gasped and struggled under the pressure of Groargoth's weight. He kicked his legs and flailed his arms. Groargoth began to sweat. His nerves felt hot and tingly as the adrenaline rushed through his body. The strength and power he felt consumed him and he pushed even harder.
Groargoth glared at his father’s dying body through darkening eyes, but his mind felt alive and invigorated.
***********************
Azrak strode quickly through the soldiers toward the kings tent. As he rounded the last tent he heard a commotion coming from within and raced the last several yards. Groargoth threw open the flap and staggered out. The two gryphton's Groargoth had been talking to were standing guard.
"My father is dead," Groargoth feigned mock sorrow.
Azrak's heart sunk to his stomach a second before his blood surged through his body.
"You –"
"It’s your fault, I had to rid him of your poison. You tried to get him to give you the kingdom instead of me!" Groargoth growled. "Take him."
The two soldiers moved toward Azrak who stepped back.
"No, it was you. He never wanted you to be king," Azrak growled back.
Azrak however knew that no one would believe him anyway. It was their custom that the heirs inherited the throne, unless a competition was ordered. Azrak thought carefully and knew he had but a moment to make his choice. Without proof there was nothing he could do, and would be put to death. The soldiers drew closer as Azrak backed toward a tent. Azrak shot to the sky and rolled several times through the air.
"Get him!" Groargoth yelled.
The soldiers shot into the sky and chased him into the fading evening sun. Once out of sight the soldiers, not really wanting to pursue their beloved general, backed off. Azrak dipped behind some trees and darted back the other way. He stayed low and carved around the outer edge of the camp and made his way to the falls.
"What happened?" Ralti snapped as he landed on the soft dirt just inside the cave behind the falls. He shook the water from his body.
"Groargoth killed the king and took control of the kingdom. He told me he wanted me, but I convinced him to hold a competition."
Azrak paced back and forth, his paws behind his back.
Helios slipped through the water's edge, avoiding the full onslaught of the crashing water. "What are you going to do?" he asked.
"I don't know," Azrak admitted.
Brigdon and Jaxton crawled through a small tunnel on the side of the cave.
"We have to get you out of here," Ralti said, "until we can clear this up."
"But where will he hide, Groargoth won't stop until he finds him," Jaxton said.
"You can hide at the academy. He won't look for you there," Helios said.
"We can take that lowlife Groargoth," Brigdon said.
"Yeah," they agreed.
Azrak grimaced but softened his face.
"No, I won’t put you in the middle."
"But –" Helios began.
"I mean it, that's an order. Dismissed."
His commanding officers nodded reluctantly but had to follow orders. They knew he was right.