Saran and Eri sat in the quiet of the Java hut. "Eri remind me to thank the Queen for leaving us to baby-sit the 'boys'." Saran sighed.

Eri laughed softly. "Hey you did fine, but even I figured Tama would have waited a day of two before he and Nikolas got into mischief."

"Mischief!!! You call riding through the village painted in blue like the ancient Celts screaming war cries mischief? Labby dropped a bunch of scrolls and then spilled ink on one she had been working on for a week. Now, half the kids in Academy want to paint themselves; so Larc has had to hide all the ink."

"Saran I was leading a class in tree crossing when the two of them went swinging through the trees like Adicus, or Joxer, minus the pink nightie." Eri laughed. "Now I have to teach safe vine swinging."

Labby walked into the Java hut and sat down with Saran and Eri.

"The usual Labby???" Saran asked.

"Please." the very tired Amazon said. "Tama and Nikolas just left the library with a arm load of scrolls and books.

Saran put a steaming cup on the table and a small tray of treats.

Saran frowned, "On what??"

"Planes, flight, kites and oh a couple on gliders."

Eri and Saran looked at one another puzzled. What could Tama want with books and scrolls on flight?"

******

Cyan slid her sword back into its sheath and pulled the last man close up to her face. She whispered quietly, sneering only inches from his ear. "You and you're friends could have made this a little easier on all of us if you had just laid down your weapons when I asked." She shoved him roughly back up and into the alley wall behind him.

Loa was standing off to one side, a boot pressed deep into one of the other men's chest with her sword tip on the throat of a third. The Queen extended her arm around in a circular motion. "Take a look around you. Six men down and for what?"

"We were only watching you, just as I said. We thought you were from one of the other villages. We were told that they had forged an alliance and we thought you had been sent to spy on us."

Cyan let go of the man's collar and signaled subtly to Loa to release her captives. The rest of the men slowly made their way to their feet, while the other Amazon sheathed her sword as well.

"We are not here to spy for the other villages, and we're not here to start any trouble. We saw you circling our building and thought it best to press your plan."

The man rubbed his jaw and looked around. "Yah, so we've noticed."

"Look, I'm sorry for the misunderstanding but we're really just visitors here. Then again, if you don't mind me saying, whatever it is that’s going on between you and the other villages; you better settle it soon, its making you all a little bit too tense. Surely there's a way to work it out without any more weapons being drawn."

The man stared hard at the Queen and then over at Loa. "Like you said lady, you're just passing through; and if you want some good advice - keep right on going."

The man nodded his head and the attackers disappeared into the night. The last man walked past Loa slowly, making sure to knock her off balance as he went by. Loa turned quickly, but the Queen caught her by the arm.

"This isn't the fight we want Loa, let's go."

*****

Rae and Olympia had been riding for most of the night and they had finally spotted the lights of the larger village just as the night was beginning to lose its battle to the morning sun.

"They should be down by the end of town. We'll look for them there." Rae nodded and kicked her horse into a gallop. Both warriors were quite hungry and tired. With any luck they could get something to eat and a bit of sleep before the day really began.

******

Cyan materialized inside the room above the tavern. Loa sat up, a bit startled by the new sound in the room.

"Its just me."

"Any news from Falcon?" Loa asked somewhat sleepily.

"None." Cyan tossed her sword onto her bed and lay down. She placed both hands behind her head, thinking.

"What now?" Loa asked.

"Now? Now we wait for Rae and Olympia. If what the men told us last night is true, they're on their way here now." The Queen rolled onto her side and closed her eyes. "Try and get some sleep Loa. I have a funny feeling this could be the last we see of it in a while."

******

Corde opened her eyes and took in the strange room. The sun would be fully up soon and she had promised the cook she would help him make a few batches of bagels. Turning on her pallet she started to call for her companion. "Hey Falc..........." The Pallet was empty, the window open. "Now where in the..... ?" A noise and Falcon was climbing into the window, she was dressed in black, armed and sweating. "What in the....."

"It's alright," Falcon whispered. I was just checking things out and while I was at it I went for a run. There is a couple camped a few miles from here, I think it may be Nikolas's parents."

"Cool, ok I'm going down to start teaching how to make a decent bagel. What will you be doing?" Corde asked, as she splashed water on her face.

Falcon began to pull down the sleeping shift but stopped when she heard a gasp. Turning, she looked at Corde, who was holding her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide. "What's wrong?" Falcon asked.

"Falcon your back, the scars, what...." Corde was visibly shaken.

Falcon pulled the shift back in place, her face pained. "I'm sorry Corde , I don't think about it anymore. My sister and I were taken as children from our village, we were sold by the slaver to the people who trained us as hired killers. Let's just say I was not cooperative and they resorted to the lash a few times. Sometime the whip master was a little less then gentle." Falcon shrugged, "I just don't think about it anymore, I'm sorry."

Corde sat for a moment, something just the other side of a memory ticked at her. "How did you survive it?"

Falcon sat next to the shaken Corde. "I just was too stubborn not to, and later when I found my self pregnant I had a reason to obey; to live. After the last village I lived in was destroyed, my sister died before she could tell me where my daughter and the other children were taken. I then became all that I was trained to be, and the Dark Wolf was born. My whole life was one of death, except for that one small part that kept my family in my heart. Before I came to the island, my memory gone ......Corde it was there I found a new family and a home."

"You survived because you had to..." Corde's voice soft, shaken. "I know what that's like."

Falcon pulled Corde close and for a moment the two shared a healing hug; each reliving the pain of their past in safety.

"Well I guess it's time to make the Bagels." Corde sniffed and then laughed. Changing quickly she went down to the kitchen.

Later, Falcon came down dressed as the grieving mother and smelled a wonderful and familiar aroma. "Well my Queen, I hope you're breakfast is as wonderful as mine."

Falcon ordered some hot water and steeped the tea she had brought with her. She sat patiently waiting for the first of the fresh hot Java Bagels she had learned to enjoy on the Island.

"It just doesn't get any better." she said softly as the first of the bagels came out of the oven and Corde brought one over to her.

"You have no idea just how much a good bagel can get people talking." Corde sat with her own bagel and hot drink. "It seems that Nik's 'parents' have been spreading stories about how their son was kidnapped by the cursed Amazon's. Oh and get this, the kids are telling how a 'goddess' saved them, and had them returned home. Cyan is gonna love that one. By the way, the innkeeper says, don't worry he won't talk."

Falcon nodded. She had thought the innkeeper might have recognized her in the early light. Gold can buy silence, but it can just as easily loosen a tongue. She tried to decide if a sudden death would rouse suspicion. "Corde I think that couple will be here by noon. I'm going to send a message to the Island about all we know." Falcon paused and smiled. "Yes daughter, these are almost your best. I hope we find your brother soon; I'm sure your father is missing his morning bagels."

Corde nodded, sure that the comments were meant for the people who were gathering because of the kitchen smells. "Ok mom, I better get back there. I think cinnamon-raisin bagels are next."

Falcon smiled as she watched the master of the Java Hut hurry back into the kitchen with the sole purpose of gathering more information. "Corde: Bagel Spy..... Forget truth drugs, just tease 'em with a bagel and they'll tell you anything."

Falcon stood. "Now to send that message." she thought.

******

The Island was quiet. Saran was busy in the back of the Java hut reviewing the past few days in her mind.

"Saran, " Eri called from in front. "Come on out and join me for a while."

Saran smiled, gathered a few things and brought out a tray with drinks and such for Eri and herself. "It's a quiet morning." Saran said.

"Yes, too quiet." Eri frowned. "I can't help feeling that there's something…… just too quiet about it all."

Larc walked into the Java Hut and looked around. Seeing Saran and Eri she called over to them.

"Have you seen Nikolas? He's wasn't in classes this morning. I checked Tama's hut and neither of them are in there. The entire place is covered in wood shavings and blueprints of kites and gliders."

Saran and Eri looked at each other, their eyes widening.

"Kites? Gliders?" Saran stammered.

"Tama and Nikolas flying?" Eri shuddered.

"THE CLIFFS !!!!!!!!!!!!" They both said together, jumping up simultaneously.

"Larc, ring the bell." Saran said as she ran out the door.

Larc grabbed Eri as she ran past. "Eri what's going on?"

"Tama and Nik took books and scrolls out of the library yesterday on kites and gliders." Eri said a bit shaken. "Think about it."

Larc thought a moment and then her face paled. "If anything happens to Nikolas I don't want to be the one Falcon looks for."

"Or Cyan." Eri said grimacing slightly. "She made it very clear that she wanted Saran and I to watch out for the both of them."

Both Amazons ran out into the square. Larc began to ring the bell while Eri ran to her hut to gather a few things.

"How does she do it?" Eri asked herself. "I can't keep track of an 8 year old kid and she keeps track of a whole island."

******

"Strange." the Queen said.

"What?" Olympia replied. The Enforcer and Rae had gotten to the village in the wee hours of the morning. Cyan had decided they both looked like they could use some sleep before they started out again. The Queen had sent Loa off to the mineral mines to map out all the land definition and tunnels. She wasn't back yet, and Rae was still sleeping soundly. Cyan wasn't surprised to find the Enforcer already awake. If ever there was a mortal who could exist on the sleep of an immortal; it was her bodyguard.

"Well, I popped back to the Island quickly to see if there had been any word from Falcon."

"And?" Olympia asked flatly.

"And, I couldn't find anyone. Well at least not without busting into the Academy and disturbing Larc and her students."

The Enforcer sat up a bit more in her chair. "Do you think there's something wrong Cyan? Maybe we should go…"

"No, I'm sure things are under control or Vicky would have found me immediately. Either way, Falcon hasn't checked in yet, but I'm hoping she will soon." Cyan motioned over towards Rae. "Why don't you try and wake sleeping beauty there and I'll go down and purchase us all some breakfast."

"We do have those bagels from the Java Hut Saran sent with us." The Enforcer offered.

"True. I'll get some coffee then and be right back. Loa shouldn't be that much longer. She knows the miners routine so she'll be here shortly."

Cyan began her descent down into the tavern's kitchen. "Now I know why Falcon didn't put up a fight about getting to take Corde with her - I bet she's getting freshly baked bagels every morning." The Queen rolled her eyes and tried to remind herself that the Java Hut bagels were going to be just as good the second day as they were right out of the oven. It took about three seconds for Cyan to realize that her intended lie was all a waste of time. "Falcon….." she muttered, wishing the smell of freshly baked bagels would meet her at the stairs.

******

Loa dismounted and walked her horse into the stables. She shut the stall door and made her way back towards the tavern. She had carefully mapped out all the tunnels of each of the mineral mines, and made careful plottings of all the landscapes surrounding the area. The main load of minerals seemed to be dispersed over several acres of land and well beneath the surface of a natural river. The minerals themselves were stored in a series of caves all running uphill from each of the three villages. She could see why a battle had been inevitable. The land and river that the minerals were buried under was flat and desolate. None of the villages had bothered wasting any wealth on the purchase of the land. As such, each now felt they could lay claim to what was underneath.

None of the villages had truly broken through to the main caves yet, but it didn't take a genius to figure that the mineral deposits in the center of the digs would be worth the race. Loa shook her head. After seeing the largest of the three villages, she was sure that these mineral deposits were more than enough to make each of the three villages wealthier than any of them could believe. If it were not for the impending greed of perhaps only a few, the minerals could easily be divided between them and everyone live without want. But after talking with those men last night, Loa didn't think that was going to be an option.

"The Queen's not gonna like this." Loa mumbled as she began to ascend the stairs to her room. "We better come up with a plan soon, at the rate these guys are digging we only have a few days left."

"That's it huh?" came the Queen's voice, slightly startling Loa. She was carrying a tray of four cups and a freshly filled container of what smelled like coffee. Thank the gods Saran had not come; they'd all have to do without, and if there was one thing Loa was in need of, it was caffeine.

******

Falcon returned to the tavern after sending word to the Island that she expected to see Nikolas's parents today. "My Queen, parents are expected back in the village today. I will find out what I can. The Innkeeper recognized me, if he presents a problem I may have to eliminate him. Please advise." - Wolf

In the village, Falcon began to show a sketch of a boy around town asking 'If anyone had seen her son?' All she got was the same stories that Corde had already told her.

"And then the goddess just beat the guards up while the lady with her took us to a cave to hide from the bad men. " the little girl finished her statement with a wide grin.

"You were so scared Dee, you didn't even wanna go." Another boy snorted.

"I was not!" the girl howled and hit him. The brother and sister started fighting.

A woman holding a toddler soon spoke up. "There was a fight, and the woman warrior beat the men badly. Then the children all came running into the village. I was just so happy to have my babies back. I don't care what those people said, I think it was the Amazons who got our children back." Some of us think that the boy is with them; the one the innkeeper kept."

"All the better for him I say." Another woman muttered.

"Why is that?" Falcon asked politely.

The two women looked around to see if anyone was near, then finally answered Falcon's question..

"Not that I'm for takin' any child from a mother, but I overheard the two of them talkin'. The father kept sayin' if it weren't for the gold he'd let the worthless boy go and be glad of it." The other woman continued….

"She kept saying after they got the information and the gold they'd just get more for the boy, cause he was bigger and worth more. Now, I ask you, is a mother to talk in such a way?"

The husband of one of the women leaned in. "Ask me, I don't think he be the boy's father at all. He looked nothin' like 'em."

Falcon's hands clenched her knuckles white. 'My Queen, you had better come soon, or this Wolf is gonna start hunting soon'.

"I need to check on my daughter," Falcon said "Thank you for your help. Perhaps they may have seen my son, I'll wait to talk with them."

*****

The search parties were returning to the square. Tama and Nikolas had not been at the cliffs, nor in the caves. Princess Marissa confirmed that Golden Eyes the Dragonette nor his mother had seem then in the hidden valley; though he would have liked to see humans fly without dragon wings. The searchers were getting ready to go out in different directions.

Saran, Eri and Princess Vicky were looking over a map of the island. They had marked off the areas already searched.

"Ok, we've checked the cliffs, the lagoons, and every high place on the island." Saran pointed to the places on the map.

Vicky looked at the two worried Amazons. "I'm sure that they are ok. Tama is very good a building things, and I'm sure he would be very careful about Nikolas."

Eri was just about to say something when shouts from the square got their attention. The three hurried outside where the rest of the Amazons had assembled. All were looking up and pointing towards the sky.

"What in the name of........ LOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!" Eri pointed up.

Vicky and Saran looked in the direction she pointed in.

"WAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" came a shout from the sky. The crowd scattered and Tama and Nikolas came souring overhead in descending circles to land safely in the square.

"TAMA ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND TAKING A KID UP IN A TOOTHPICK, COFFEE STIRRER GLIDER.!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Eri shouted.

Saran circled the glider, a thoughtful look on her face. "Ya know Tama if you shorten it here and make this a little longer I bet you could tighten the circles you make and land in a smaller area." Saran said to a grinning Tama.

"SARAN!!!!!!!" Eri and Vicky shouted together.

******

"I tell you, the Amazon's stole my son." The woman's face was twisted in grief but her eyes were void of any tears noted Falcon.

"Watch your talk woman. It were those same Amazons that got my boy back." Said a man across the way. "They been nothin' but a help to us in the past. 'Twas their Healer that helped birth my boy when he would have been lost with the wife."

"It was the Queen of 'em that rousted those thugs." said another woman. All heads turned to look at her. She continued, more of an explanation of her comment than anything. "I was out the back getting for the tavern when I heard the fight. Quick as a bolt from Olympus itself, she had 'em all done over. Then I swear, it musta been Ares himself that showed up. Said plain as any that she was the Queen of the Amazons. Saw him put a dagger right through her arm, only to see her pull it right back out and toss it back at 'em. Not even a drop of blood I tell ya! Next thing I know, the children all came running." The woman looked down. "They all say the same thing. Was her that freed them, and took them safe. No doubt about it"

"Are you saying the Queen of these Amazons was here?" Falcon asked in the hopes of distracting the woman before someone else recognized her as the Dark Wolf.

"Woman you talk too much." The tavern keeper pulled his wife away and towards the back. He spoke quickly and the woman cast a fast glance at Falcon before she went into the back with her husband.

"Those Amazons have my son in their village." the man said. We just want him back. If anyone knows how to get there...."

"There are none that know the way stranger. Legend says not even the gods know." The tavern keeper placed a plate of hot food before a surprised Falcon. "And even if we did know, you won't find any help here mister. They given us a lot in the past; enough to earn anyone's silence."

Another patron continued. "They protect us. The best we can do by them is helping to keep their secrets and give them their privacy. Like I say, you ain't gonna find none here willing to talk." The tavern keeper placed her hand on Falcon's arm, tears in her eyes. "They were the cause of my daughter being returned."

Once again, the stranger spoke. "What of this one you said to have purchased our son from your husband?"

"Wolf is known to us; a paid killer, no more. We took the boy from some thugs, on account of their beating him so much. Boy said his parents were dead. Wolf took him off our hands, and yes she paid for him. But it was only a mother's eye that gazed at him when none was looking."

A serving girl spoke up. "If this Wolf has him, or even the Amazons, he's better off."

"I'm his mother! How can you say that?" the woman wailed.

"A grieving mother without so much as a tear for her child? I think not. You've paid for the room for two more days." The tavern keeper snarled, "Use it and then go. You'll get no more information about the Amazons or the boy from us."

The couple got up and left the tavern, soon to be followed by Falcon.

*****

The stable seemed empty and a safe place to talk; or so they thought.

"We don't have much time left." the woman said "He said he wanted the information soon."

"Woman, I know that." The man snarled. "It was me that he contacted about your sister's brat being taken by that bunch of 'warrior women'" The man's face twisted in disgust.

"You're the one that sold him off to the slavers." the woman muttered.

"And a good price we got. Look at the fortune it's brought us. We get gold for the information and we get the boy back. We can sell him again for even more this time. He'll be trained this time around. Those dumb Amazons just did us a huge favor." The man grinned.

Falcon trembled with rage in the loft above. Her dagger in her hand; body tense; eyes gone almost black. The Dark Wolf growled softly. Death was slowly preparing to descend.

"Not yet Wolf, we need to know more."

Falcon turned, a bit startled by the voice.

"My Queen, what are you doing here?" she whispered as she heard the door shut behind the two individuals that had caused her blood to boil hotter than it had in a very long time.

Cyan smiled, "Vicky said your message sounded a bit…….. tense." The Queen could see Falcon was still a bit confused by her presence and very visible enraged over whatever she had just heard. Vicky's 'tense' description had been somewhat under-exaggerated.

"Falc. You gotta relax. I know this is hard, but we still don't know whose looking for the Island or why. Until we do, you have got to keep a lid on that temper of yours."

The Healer relaxed a bit, noticeably softening her manner. "I know." She said softly.

The Queen continued. "Listen." She said quickly. "I need to get back to the others. I hate to admit it, but I didn't have the time to open a portal so I used that little god trick Saran taught me, to get me over here."

Falcon sat up a bit straighter, switching into her all business mode. "How's it going?"

The Queen shook her head. "We got all kinds of problems, and no kinds of time. One thing's for sure, it'll all be over by tomorrow - one way or another. Until I can get back here to help you out, I don't want you to do anything but keep getting information - you understand?"

Falcon nodded. "We've found out some, but not enough. Corde's doing a great job. Those bagels of her can get people talkin' about anything."

Cyan rolled her eyes. "I knew it." She said softly.

"What?" Falcon asked, somewhat concerned. "What's wrong my Queen?"

Cyan wrung her hands. "You get fresh bagels every day don't cha?" Falcon smiled, and eventually the Queen moved on. "We'll be here hopefully in two sunsets, three at the latest." The Queen stood and prepared to leave. "Remember what I said Assassin - not one move unless moved on - got it?"

Before Falcon could respond the Queen had disappeared.

*****

Cyan re-materialized inside the tavern room they had purchased for the night. Rae, Loa, Olympia and Princess Vicky were all kicked back and waiting patiently for the Queen to return. Vicky was the first to stand.

"Well?" she asked instantly, not even allowing Cyan a breath before beginning to look annoyed at the length of time it was taking to get her answer.

"Scheesh Vick! Relax a sec." Vicky stepped closer, and put her hands on her hips. "One." She said flatly and then started beckoning with her hand. "Okay, okay I waited - now what's the news."

Cyan shook her head and laughed. You couldn't help but love this lady. "She's fine, but you were right - she's 'tense'." Cyan said the last word quite sarcastically. "By the way, remind me to explain to you the difference between 'tense' and ready to commit murder." The Queen rolled her eyes and shook her head at the Princess. She walked around Vicky and sat down on the pallet.

"She's fine. She's only going to be drawing information until we get there - at least I hope that's all." Vicky turned and a portal opened inside the room. She walked towards it.

"Alright then. I gotta go. I'll see you…… when?" she asked Cyan.

"A week - tops." The Queen replied. She thought a moment, then continued. "Ah Vick, after carefully considering your recent 'definition deficit', let me ask you again; how's Saran?"

The Princess smiled. "She's fine Cyan……. I promise." With that, the Princess disappeared through the portal as the Amazons watched it close quietly behind her.

The Queen looked around. "So, what's the news with the villages?" she asked somewhat hopeful. The three downcast responses gave her the answer she already knew had been coming.

"Well," she finally said, drawing the warrior's attention back up. "If they're not going to share on their own; we'll just have to do it for them." The Queen smiled as she drew the other three warriors around a small table near the center of the room. Fresh cups of coffee were poured for all.

*****

Falcon sat up on the pallet, tears and sweat soaked her face.

"Falc it's okay. It was just a dream." Corde's voice pulled Falcon from the dream but the memory of the day she lost her home, her sister, and her daughter were still fresh in her heart. That had been the day 'Dark Wolf' had been born.

*****

The Queen had spent most of the morning explaining her plan to the other warriors. Rae and Loa had gone to a variety of local stores to get the different supplies they would need. Cyan had told them to spread out their purchases over several different stores so that they wouldn't raise suspicion. Olympia and the Queen had set out right after their morning planning session to go see a man in the nearby hills. The Queen had met him many moons ago and knew he could deliver the explosives they were in need of. Rakin wasn't the nicest of folk, but he could keep his mouth shut when he needed to.

Olympia drew up short behind the Queen's horse. "What is it?" she asked.

Cyan pointed to a well-hidden trail on the other side of a grassy knoll. "That trail will weave us through the hills and up to Rakin's place."

"What are we gonna do if he isn't there?" Olympia asked, nudging her horse into movement again. Cyan smiled and headed her horse up the trail.

"Trust me Olympia, when you meet Rakin, you'll understand why he doesn't get out much." The Queen winked and disappeared from sight.

*****

"I think we have everything we need for now." Rae said politely to the store's owner, handing over some dinars. She and Loa had carefully selected their items so as not to raise suspicion. It would take a lot longer to get what they needed this way, but if the Queen's plan worked it would be worth it.

Rae finished paying the man and she and Loa took the supplies outside and began to load them on their horses. Loa looked around casually, taking in the tone of the town.

"They're getting close Rae, I can sense it. If they don't break through by tomorrow, they will for sure the next day." She shook her head. "This is gonna be close."

Rae nodded her head in silent agreement. "Let's just hope the tunnels are as empty at night as they have been in the past. If not, someone's gonna get hurt."

They loaded the last of their supplies onto the horses and tied them off securely. Each warrior grabbed the reigns of their horse and slowly began to make their way towards the next shop.

****

"Cyan!" Came a booming voice from around the back of a small wooden shed.

"It's his house Olympia, not a shed. So be nice." The Queen gave a little wave to the enormous shadow that was emerging from the trees. "Hello Rakin."

Olympia was about to ask the Queen how she had been able to know what she was thinking, but the words froze in her mouth. Her eyes widened at the sight of the rapidly approaching figure. He loomed heads above the Queen and smiled with little more than three remaining teeth; all of which were yellowed far beyond his years. One half of his face was terribly scarred from the obvious flames of a fire that had gotten too close. His clothes were worn and dirty, covering a human frame so large Olympia had trouble believing he wasn't half-giant.

"I see you brought company Cyan." He smiled widely at the Enforcer causing her to shudder slightly. "I guess that means you're not here to take me up on the offer to become my 'little woman'?"

The Queen chuckled and clasped the man's extended arm firmly. "Sorry Rakin; just here to do a little shopping."

The man nodded, obviously content with the Queen's answer. "You in a rush?" the man asked pleasantly enough. "Want a slug of something good I've been working on?"

Olympia's natural reflexes jumped but not before Cyan elbowed her solidly in the side. "We're in a bit of a rush Rakin. I got some others waiting for me back in town." The enormous man looked a bit disappointed. The Queen explained briefly what they had come for and then finally relented with a smile, "And hey! I never could refuse you a quick toss back of your latest creation."

The man laughed loudly. It seemed to the Enforcer that even the trees began to shake with its echoing bellow. He led them to a small table around the left side of his house. Olympia was amazed by a slew of reeds and pouches all woven together into some kind of towering figure. She watched as Rakin unplugged one of the smaller reeds near the bottom of the structure and began to fill a glass with a semi-clear liquid. The Queen smiled as she watched her bodyguard with delight. "This should be interesting." She thought to herself.

Rakin handed Cyan the first cupful and had already began a second for the Queen's guest. Soon the three were all holding their cups in a form of a toast. The giant raised his cup and bellowed cheerfully. "Here's to the type of fire I shoulda stuck with!"

Cyan laughed as the three figures clinked their cups and drank simultaneously. Rakin finished his first gulp just as a wave of the same fluid flew from the Enforcer's mouth and down the front of his shirt.

Olympia grimaced, spitting at the ground repeatedly. "What in the name of all that is HADES, is that stuff??!?!?"

Rakin finished another gulp and set his cup down, laughing loudly at the Queen's friend. "Why don't you try and explain to this youngin' what we have here Cyan, and I'll go see about your things." Rakin turned and walked off into the woods.

"Where's he going?" Olympia asked the Queen.

"He'll be back. He stores his stuff somewhere dry and very well hidden."

"What happened to his face?"

"Let's just say that Rakin is a whole lot better at selling explosives than he is at using them." Cyan smiled. "He's not a bad guy, but he's never gonna win any popularity contests either. Before his accident he got paid a lot of money to make a lot of people's lives miserable. Then one day, something went wrong with one of his riggings and he nearly blew his head clean off. That's when I found him. Mobs of people lined up at every pass to string the guy up. I snuck him out through a set of nearby caves and then took to getting his wounds healed. And if you ask me, the burns really didn't hurt his looks much, trust me. It did change his attitude though, and he's been here ever since. I even helped him build that shed over there, the one you were admiring so much."

The Enforcer laughed. She never ceased to be amazed at how many lives the Amazons had already touched over the course of so many years. "He'll have the stuff we need then?"

"He'll have it." Cyan said flatly. "And he'll keep his mouth shut. The townsfolk let him alone as long as he keeps to himself, so he won't be looking for any part of this. Besides," Cyan said smiling at her friend, "in his own way Rakin feels indebted to me. He won't let us down."

The Queen took another healthy slug of Rakin's creation. She licked her lips and laughed. "Come on E! Ya gotta admit - this stuff's got kick!" The Enforcer shook her head and set her cup down on the table and stood patiently awaiting the giant's return.

*******

Corde’s bagels were a big hit. The Innkeeper and his wife were pleased with the amount of people who were coming in to taste the rings of ambrosia. Word had passed quickly and in just one day people were coming from other villages to sample this new wonder. Falcon sat in the corner near the back of the room, just watching Nikolas’s 'Parents'. Every new stranger to the tavern was at some point questioned by either one or both members of the couple. Falcon, to keep up appearances, did the same.

An old merchant said to Nikolas’s uncle/father. "Well there is a cave 'bout half a days walk from here. Some say it's a doorway; if so, it's gotta lead someplace."

"Have you ever seen it?" Asked the Uncle, a greedy gleam in his eyes.

"Not myself, but seems I remember a man once talking about meeting some warrior women near there a time or two. Always seemed to get paid well for his services and his silence, though drinks does loosen a man's tongue as fast as gold they say."

"The doorway, where exactly is it? How do you open it?" Nikolas’s Uncle leaned even closer, needing as much information as the merchant could offer. He had a meeting that night and needed anything her could get. The person he was meeting with was not patient.

Falcon listened carefully, she hoped she could get the exact location of this doorway and send word to the Island. If this was a portal to the Island, than something far more serious was behind all this. As far as Falcon knew, there was only one way on and off that Island from the outside and that was through the waterfall. But, if this didn't lead to the Island, than why was that doorway there, and why was it so well hidden?

The Innkeeper heard some of the Merchant's talk and began to make his way over to silence him, but was stopped by the raise of Falcon's hand. He had told the couple they could stay a few more days, apologizing for his ‘temper’; all of this happening after a quick chat with Falcon of course.

"What ever you want Wolf." he had said. "I don’t know why you and your daughter are here, but, you seem in the Amazon’s hire. Besides, my cook and wife are learning a few new things in the kitchen," he laughed while patting his stomach. "and I've never eaten so well."

The merchant finished his meal and Nikolas’s uncle went back to his wife, a wide grin firmly in place.

"What did you learn?" she hissed, anxious for the news.

"I think I may have enough information to satisfy Him. Now we don’t have to worry about getting him angry." The man was obviously nervous about the buyer of his information.

The woman replied in a worried tone. "It’s not him that makes me as nervous, as it is her."

The husband just nodded.

"Her?????" Falcon mused.

"Tonight, outside of the village we'll meet with them by the old spring well." The man spoke softly, looking around to see if any had heard their conversation.

"Why we?" the woman said a whine in her voice.

"Cause they need to see us both. I’ve told you that before." He snarled, tired of the same old argument. He understood completely that it was the strange woman that caused his wife her case of nerves. He really couldn't blame her. Something about that woman made him more nervous than he had ever been in his life. Once they got their money, he didn’t care where they went, as long as it was far from the lands of this place.

Corde bustled out of the kitchen brushing flour off her skirt. "Hey mom." she said, grinning as she sat at the table with her ‘Mother’ "I’m set for the day. Got kicked outta the kitchen to enjoy lunch with you." Corde paused as she noticed the look of concentration on Falcon’s face. ‘What’s wrong?" she asked quietly.

Falcon blinked. "I will be going up to our room early tonight to rest. See to it I’m not disturbed okay? I’m not feeling well." The last words were spoken slowly and carefully. Corde nodded, it meant that Falcon needed to go out unobserved.

****

Nikolas’s false parents soon left the village in a cart and horse, it would give them more time to check for the cave and the ‘doorway’. Falcon followed on foot, using the trees when she could to remain hidden yet close enough to pick up any snatches of their conversation.

"What if they want us to come to their campsite?" The woman whined. "I tell you, that woman is evil."

"Her gold is as good as any other, but remember its him we deal with anyway."

"But it’s her gold and you know it. She just sits and watches, like some cat looking at mice, and husband, I feel like we are those mice."

A few candles marks later the road curved, Almost hidden entirely by growth, it was obviously a rarely traveled road and really no more than a path by its width.

"Are you sure this is the way?" the woman asked, more than slightly uncertain.

"Yes. It's just up a short ways. We'll get to a small marker and then climb the path." the merchant continued. "It was once a temple to some god or goddess, but he really didn't seem to care about that." The woman shook her head. The more she heard, the more she was sure they were going to regret ever meeting this man and his woman.

The cart and horse carrying the couple continued on up the road, with Falcon close behind.

Soon the cart came to a halt and sure enough there was a marker and a smaller path just as the man had said. The pseudo-parents started to climb the path as Falcon moved on ahead through the trees. She was enjoying the fact that the couple down below seemed to be struggling with their hike. She had already found the entrance to the cave and scouted around before the couple had even broke the tree line. Falcon grabbed what few torches she could find and went back into the trees to wait.

"We're going to a cave and you didn’t even think to bring torches?"

Falcon grinned.

Soon a muttering man and whining woman stumbled into the clearing and stood just in front of the cave. After looking around for several minutes the man cursed. "By the god's short hairs-- there's nothing to light the way! Well we found it at any rate. We can tell them that much, ought to be enough."

"We could come back in the morning with torches, ropes and such, to look further. Best we get back soon. Besides, I’m hungry and that girl’s cooking is the best I’ve had in years."

He stopped and an evil grin crossed his face. "Well get movin' woman! I’m hungry and I have information to sell; and who knows, perhaps a little more."

Falcon watched as the couple left. She dropped from her perch and lit one of the torches as she entered the cave. She too was gathering information. "My Queen, I hope I’m not wasting my time." Falcon chuckled to herself. "Besides, that clumsy fool and his woman could ride full out for the next hour and I bet I'd still make it back ahead of them." Falcon smiled, and was silently thankful for the days when she had been taught how to run through the trees. She stepped deeper into the cave and disappeared out of sight.

****

"We have everything we need my Queen." Loa and Rae had finished laying out the rest of the supplies and each had begun to wire the explosives with the black powder the Queen and her bodyguard had brought back from Rakin.

"Efweryfwing buff a stwong tooffpafte!" came Olympia's annoyed tone, followed by a hearty spit. She came out from the washing room and glared at the Queen. "I've brushed twenty times in the last 2 candlemarks Cyan and I still can't get the foul taste of that poison Rakin gave us out of my mouth!"

The Queen laughed, while the other two tried to contain their laughter to mild smirks. "Will you relax Olympia. Come on. We need to rig the rest of this power and get to the tunnels just after nightfall. I want to have the walls sealed and the water blown before anyone decides to get an early start on the day's digging."

The four warriors worked diligently rigging the necessary explosives and packing them away into their pouches. Within the hour, each had their weapons sheathed and their bags ready to go. They led their horses quietly out of the stables and outside the village. Each mounted up and the warriors took off toward the hills.

*****

Rae swiped at the sweat rolling down her cheek. They had been digging through the remaining dirt of the main tunnel from the larger village for almost three hours now. Loa had felt the earth shake a bit from the other side, and the best they could figure, they weren't more than four or five candlemarks from breaking through.

"Ya know Cyan," Rae said with a brilliant smile while leaning heavily on her shovel. "With all those flashy powers of yours - surely you must know at least one little "poof! All dirt gone' spell?"

Loa laughed loudly as she and Olympia stopped to watch Cyan's response. "Now, where's the fun in that Rae? Besides, we wouldn't be any better than the gods if we weren't willing to work at a "mortal" solution to all this." The Queen went back to digging, but finally started to laugh. "Although, I guess sometimes just the willingness to work at a mortal solution should be enough."

All four warriors laughed just as Loa's shovel broke through to the other side. "Save your spells - we're through!" Each of the warriors focused their digging efforts into widening the hole Loa had started.

****

The torchlight flickered off the stone walls of the cave. The ground itself was littered with the remains of people and animals who had at one time sought shelter within the walls of the hidden cave. A few steps further into the darkness, Falcon finally found what she had been searching for; a wall torch. She quickly lit it and continued to move deeper into the cave, feeling rapidly along the walls as she went. Someone had taken great care to line the cave with ample wall torches and soon she had most of them lit, leaving the entrance fully illuminated. Moving into the back, she found an altar that had not been used in who knows how long.

"Now, if a portal exists where is it?" she muttered. Falcon noticed the flame of her torch beginning to waver hesitantly away from the front of the cave. "An air current to the back." she muttered. Using the torch to gage the where the air was flowing from, she eventually found a crack in the cave wall. "OK, now if you’re a door, how do I open you?"

"Questions warrior?" A voice spoke from out of the darkness.

Falcon spun quickly, dagger and dart ready. "Come out and face me, if you dare." She snarled.

Out from the darkness stepped a gray-eyed woman. She stood with regal bearing, dressed in the ultimate style of a warrior; full armor, spear and shield. Falcon's eyes quickly took it all in, noting especially the owl perched silently on her shoulder.

"Athena ." Falcon said softly, returning her weapons to their hiding places while bowing her head in respect.

The goddess spoke into the darkness behind her. "Well sister, it seems your Amazon recognizes me after all."

"So it seems." Resplendent in a hunter's garb; bow and arrows hanging naturally by her side with a certain hawk on her wrist; Artemis stepped into the light.

"My goddess." Falcon whispered and went to her knees, head down. "I am in your service."

"As your mother was before you daughter." The goddess said.

Looking between the two goddesses, Falcon continued to kneel in wonder. "How?…..Why are you….. What are you???" Falcon stammered the beginnings of each question as they flooded into her mind.

"Well spoken." Athena chuckled.

Artemis glared at Athena. "This is the one I spoke of."

Athena looked down. "Well then Amazon, I have some questions for you, and if you don't know the answers, I expect you to get them for me."

"The answers 'we' expect sister; don't forget she is my Amazon."

"She is a warrior and as such, is subject to me as well Artemis." Athena looked back at Falcon. "I wish to send word to Cyan, your Queen."

Falcon rose and looked first to Artemis and then to Athena. "And the nature of this message?" she finally asked.

"Ahhh Wolf." Artemis laughed. "Ever so suspicious; ever so protective of your Queen."

Falcon stood straight, waiting to hear what exactly it was that was being asked of her.

Athena spoke quickly and directly; forever irritated by the necessity of chit-chat. "Listen to me carefully warrior; behind that rock stands a portal to another land; one of unknown gods and powers. It seems that at least one of them has come to Greece and is looking to stay. He or she is seeking the Island of your Queen. I need you to get word to Cyan and tell her," Athena paused for a moment and re-thought her words. "scratch that, 'ask' her to meet me within this place in just two days time. I also expect you to continue on finding out what you can about this intruder and return here with your Queen. Oh, and Amazon, make sure Cyan knows who sent you."

In a display of light, Athena disappeared.

"Quick and to the point, not unlike that Queen of yours." Artemis chuckled as she turned towards the stoic Amazon.

"Calm yourself warrior; she's always that way. The fact that Cyan is involved just tends to intensify her usual charming demeanor that much more. She becomes slightly 'edgy' and possessive when other gods set their sights on what she thinks is hers, especially a certain daughter of OutWorld. The fact is Falcon, none of the gods on Olympus would be very happy to know that other gods were entering Greece without our knowledge. I promise you, this message is very important and we need to speak with Cyan. So, Wolf or Falcon or………… whatever, will you do this for your goddess and Queen?"

Falcon nodded once in acceptance of her bidding. "Yes my goddess; for you and for my Queen."

Artemis smiled. "For this service, I will help you with your heart's desire. Go tell your Queen and then return with her in two days time with all that you learn. Artemis faded into the darkness leaving the warrior alone once again inside the cave.

Falcon looked to the stone. She knew the portal was there just as Athena had said. Now she would need to contact the Queen. "As you wish." she said softly, putting out the torches as she returned the cave to its previous darkness. She quickly took to the trees, heading towards a place she could open a portal and get word back to the Queen through the Island.

"My Queen, I have news of the greatest importance. We have been requested to meet with both Athena and Artemis in two days time. I am following the man and woman to a meeting after dark this very night; I hope to learn more. Corde is doing well and has become an expert in covering for me." - Wolf

*****

"Wolf…." Eponie mumbled aloud, looking at the note that had been left on the message board just outside the Island portals. "I'm still not used to hearing her called by that." Eponie grimaced slightly. She was never surprised anymore to hear that Athena wished to speak with Cyan; but the fact that Artemis had appeared as well did not seem right. Ever since Eponie had come to the Island she had known Cyan and Athena were quite close, but it had still surprised her to learn that Athena was actually the favorite of all the Queen's siblings. Eponie had been very reluctant to believe that any true love or trust could be had with the gods of Olympus, but over time Athena had proved her wrong on many occasions, at least when it came to Cyan. Athena had interfered on behalf of Cyan or any number of the Island's warriors on several occasions. She remembered back to all the instances that she herself had diligently searched for a motive behind the goddesses help and finally resolved herself to the fact that Athena just loved her sister; plain and simple. The more amazing thing was that Cyan actually loved and trusted Athena in return. Eponie sighed. If Athena had actually joined forces with Artemis and now was seeking a meeting with Cyan; there most certainly was trouble coming.

*****

The four Amazons finally laid the last of their explosives in place. They had worked for nearly three hours at laying the mortar and setting the walls of the other tunnels in place. The main cavern was indeed huge, with mineral deposits lining the walls and floors.

"There must be about a bazillion dinars worth of stuff in this cavern Cyan; are you sure we really want to turn this into one big swimming hole?" The Enforcer arched an eyebrow as she waited for the Queen to respond. She knew she wasn't going to change her plan, but it was a question that had surely been on everyone's mind as they were setting the charges.

"There's more than enough deposits in each of the three village tunnels to keep the dinars flowing for another thousand years. But if we don't end this thing now, there isn't gonna be anyone left to spend them."

The three warriors nodded and began to pack up the rest of their things. Cyan took one last look around and then they all stepped into the tunnel they'd come in through earlier. The Queen handed her bag to Olympia and looked at the group.

"Okay, you guys head out of this tunnel and get clear. Once you're out, I'll blow the charges and seal the cavern off for good. That mortar will hold the walls and there won't be anyone tunneling through there anytime soon; at least not without getting a little surprise." The four warriors nodded and began to smile. Despite all the dirt and sweat, each of them were pretty pleased at how much they had gotten accomplished.

****

It didn't take long for most of the town to show up after Cyan had set off the chain of explosions. She had already sent Rae and Loa out, each to one of the other two villages. They would be explaining the same thing to the leaders there that she and Olympia would be to those of the larger village.

Cyan and Olympia chatted idly as they waited for the townsfolk to begin racing up the hillside. By the time the first of the townsfolk began to arrive the Queen had taken to pitching pebbles to the Enforcer's sword.

The burly man in front stood motionless. He was obviously the leader and having a difficult time reconciling all that he saw. The billowing dust from the tunnel's entrance, the two womenfolk sitting contently off to one side and the growing crowds of people behind him were finally more than he could handle.

"WHAT IN THE NAME OF HADES IS GOING ON HERE?!?!"

Olympia and Cyan both sat up straight, looked at one another, and then shrugged mildly. Finally Cyan stood up and motioned for Olympia to do the same.

"It's simple." The Queen said matter of factly. "We're solving a problem for you folks."

The man stared in disbelief. Surely this women was whacked out on henbane; although she still looked fairly intimidating for a druggie.

"What problem are you talking about?!" he asked in a moderately more controlled voice. The Enforcer stepped forward quickly putting herself between both the Queen and the village leader. Cyan was about to intercede but stopped, chuckling softly while arching an eyebrow that told the man instantly, 'Hey! What can I say? She's a little protective.'

Olympia sheathed her sword and took several steps toward the man, backing him down a bit before she had even spoken a word. This should be interesting, Cyan thought to herself. She smiled even wider. Olympia always did excel when it came to diplomatic relations.

"It's like this." Olympia started off flatly. "you and your buddies here didn't come across real willing to share the deposits with any of the other villages; so we did the sharing for you."

"You what?!" the man screamed as he headed over to the tunnel. Olympia and Cyan returned to their pitching pebble game, patiently waiting for the leader and his chosen few to return from their inspection of the tunnel. It wasn't long before he once again stood standing in front of the Queen and her bodyguard, covered head to toe in dust.

"You sealed that tunnel up tighter than Zeus did the Titans himself! What were you thinking?!!? You don't even belong here?!?!"

The crowd began to get a little more aggressive at this point and both the Queen and Olympia silently communicated to one another the need to finish what they started. Both warriors stood and this time it was Cyan who approached him.

"Like she said, we solved a problem. Hate us all you want, but there is little you can do to fix the situation now. You will discover that we have not only sealed off your tunnel from the main cavern, but the other two tunnels as well. They are also learning of their 'new situation' as we speak."

The crowd quieted as the man just stared, unable to really form one thought. The Queen continued.

"There are plenty of deposits in each tunnel to keep all of your villages laced with more wealth than you rightly deserve at this point, but none the less, it is yours to do with as you see fit. I warn you though. That main cavern is not just sealed by dirt and mortar. When blowing the entrances closed we also released the water from the above river into the cavern, flooding it. If one day any of you should become a bit greedy for more than you have now, I assure you, you will lose even that. As you may know, each tunnel runs downhill and if that water is released, it will also wash away what you already have."

The Enforcer smiled. "Pretty good plan huh?" Olympia motioned a thumb in the Queen's direction. "She came up with that one all on her own." Cyan whistled subtly as the men began to move in around the two warriors. Cyan knew Olympia was itchin' for a fight, but that wasn't the plan; at least not for today.

Shatan raced out of the woods and over towards the Queen. She flipped effortlessly into her mount. As the horse continued by, she grabbed Olympia by the arm and yanked her up onto the horse behind her.

Cyan smiled. "Like I said. Go on and hate us all you want, but there's nothing you can do about it now." The Queen turned Shatan to head off towards the woods and their portal back to the Island. Olympia looked back, smiling widely. "And don't even think of bothering the tunnels in any of the other villages, or we'll seal off everything you've got."

*****

Rae and Loa had finished convincing the other two villages that what they had was enough. Okay, okay, it was more like telling them it would have to be enough and if they didn't agree they'd just have to lose it all. There was definitely something to be said for a little strong-arming if reasoning wasn't getting you anywhere.

They both ended up walking out of the portals at about the same time. They had barely grabbed the reigns of their horse when they heard the sounds of arguing. Olympia was saying something about 'not knowing that her horse was thirsty' when she and the Queen stepped into the room.

"Well, it's a good thing one of our horses was ready to leave or they probably would have just strapped our sorry little asses to our mounts and sent us on our merry little way."

The Enforcer glared at Cyan who suddenly broke into laughter. "Relax Olympia - I'm just teasin' ya. Come on, I'm starved." The Queen looked over at Rae and Loa. "How'd it go for you two?"

Loa and Rae both laughed, and Loa finally answered with a mischievous smile firmly in place. "About as well as it did for you from the sounds of it."

"Yah, only our horses were ready to leave when we were." Rae added casually.

Olympia was ready to really let her feelings rip when Eponie walked into the room. She handed Cyan the note from Falcon. It did not take Cyan's face long to reaffirm what Eponie had been thinking earlier. The Queen looked up and handed the note back to Eponie. She smacked Shatan on the side and grabbed his reigns.

"Well, I had at least thought I'd have time to grab some coffee first." The Queen sighed and mounted Shatan. "Rae. Loa. Go grab some well-earned sleep. Olympia, you're with me."

The Enforcer slowly mounted her horse and waited for Cyan to open the portal. The Queen looked at Eponie.

"How's the Island? Eri?"

"They're fine, but Eri is really beginning to get antsy with you not around."

Cyan smirked. "Figures." She said with mild amusement. She was missing her niece immensely; but then again, she did have her other one. She gave a quick glance in Olympia's direction and then looked back to Eponie. "How about Saran?"

Eponie shook her head slowly. "That one? That's a short question with a much longer and more complicated answer than you have time for. Suffice to say, she's still on the Island."

The Queen nodded. The portal opened and the two disappeared out of sight.

*****

The couple slipped out of the village to meet with the man who was paying them for the information they had. The walk was not long, the night dark but the moon shown just enough to see the road. "Are you sure we have enough information?" The woman whispered.

"Yes. We have the location of a doorway to what might be the way to that Amazon village." The man grinned, ‘and we may have more’, he thought.

Falcon whispered quietly. "Soon I will have the information my Queen and my goddess's needs." She paused looking at the couple. "And you, you piece of centaur dung, will have my dagger in your black heart."

The well was only a short distance from the village. The spring that fed it had long since slowed to a trickle and barely had enough water at any time to quench the thirst of man or animal. The man and woman sat as they waited, along with a certain unseen Wolf.

The scent of a stranger and the rustle of leaves alerted the dark figure in the trees to the arrival of the messenger long before he stepped into the clearing.

"You’re late." Snarled the man. "We’ve been here for a candle mark."

The messenger just stood for a moment and looked the couple over. How his brother could stand these two was beyond him, but he knew once his brother had the information the woman wanted they would both be rich. 'Rich and powerful' his brother had told him.

"Follow me, you‘re to be quests in the camp tonight." The messenger turned and started walking. He did not bother to look back, he knew they would follow.

The moon had passed to its highest point and soon would begin its journey to the earth. The camp was over a hill and well hidden in the trees. The main tent was in the center, large and well lit. A large man sat, a scowl on his face. Next to him sat a woman of unusual beauty. When she spoke there was a trace of an accent, yet not Greek in origin.

"Is that all you have? A cave outside the village that you didn’t even look into. What good is that to us?"

The woman placed her hand on the large man's arm and purred. "Dargo, calm yourself. It is indeed a start. Now, let us partake in this meal that your cook had prepared for our guests."

Dargo grasped a piece of bread. Taking a bite, he spit it to the floor in disgust. "That fool can’t even make a passable bread!"

"Try this." Nikolas’s uncle handed Dargo a piece of circular bread.

Dargo tasted it and his face lit with pleasure. "This is wonderful." He gave half to his woman companion.

The woman smiled. "Odin’s braid. Passage to Valhalla for the maker of these." she whispered. "Did you make these?" She stared hard at Nikolas’s aunt.

"Her? No." Laughed the man, but I can get you the one who does; for a price that is."

A small bag of coins struck the table. When Nikolas’s uncle poured them to the surface of the table his breath caught in his chest. The coins were gold. His eyes lit with greed and he looked at the fair woman.

"Another bag of the same, if you bring the person to me, alive and unharmed."

"For this I’d sell you my mother." He muttered.

"You did and for less." his wife replied; her own eyes lit with greed.

Outside the tent a wolf growled. The fair woman’s eyes narrowed. She rose and left the tent. Looking into the darkness and the trees she could feel something; someone.

"I can feel you." The woman said softly. "Come out."

A snap of a twig and the woman turned to watch the dark form slip from its hiding place and into the campfire light. His eyes glowed golden. Moving closer he just stood and looked at the stranger before him. Shaking her head the woman chuckled, then returned to the tent and her guests. The Dark wolf returned to the woods and rejoined his friend.

"Shadow I don’t know who sent you, but I’m glad they did. Now the sun will be up soon and so will Corde. I am expecting hot Java bagels and if I’m not mistaken a certain Queen. And, with any luck my friend, I think we may still have a couple hard stale bagels for you to chew on as well."

The two wolves slipped along the forest trail and back to the village and a rising sun.

*****