About Planes.

There are two separate planes in the world. One is the Mana plane the other is called the Gaia plane.

MANA PLANE

The Mana or magic plane is an area of volatile nature where ethereal creatures such as dragons, unicorns and others of this nature exist. It is also the home of the animals known as totems. Due to the nature of the plane it is impossible for a human to exist there for any length of time in their natural "human form". However Druids who have bonded with an animal totem may exist there indefinitely. This is due to the fact that when a druid enters the plane they take on the form of their first animal totem, this allows them to withstand the forces of the plane. It has been noted that exceptionally powerful druids can actually stay human for a time; however this requires a tremendous amount of willpower. Prolonged exposure to the plane in human form can be lethal.

Many druids use the plane as a form of "quick travel." This means that they can move from one place to another in the world almost within the blink of an eye by concentrating hard on the place they wish to move to. However this is a dangerous way of travel. Being on the plane means that dangerous creatures can and will attack the unwary.

In battle some druids may choose to use the plane as a form of defence flitting between the Gaia plane and the Mana plane. Unless they exist solely on one plane they cannot be hurt.

GAIA PLANE

Gaia is a name for the Earth and is the natural plane for humans. Totems cannot fully materialise here but can use "the calling" to contact their druid. Their elemental powers however can be used on the Gaia plane to devastating effect in some cases.

ABOUT TOTEMS

Animal totems exist on the Mana plane and it is these animals that can grant a druid with their powers. Each animal symbolises one of five elements. Earth, air, fire, water, or metal. Depending on which animal bonds first with a druid that person will be able to control that animal’s element. It is possible to have more than one totem and thus more than one element affinity however no element will be more powerful than the one the druid first gained.

For example should a druid bond with a Dolphin whose element is water and then bond with a wolf whose element is earth. Those druids’ elemental powers will be strongest when using the water element.

SHADOW TOTEMS

Are the results of contact with Aetus. They are shadowy corrupt forms of themselves and are typically used by Aetus druids. They can partially materialise on the Gaia plane but not for any great length of time. They are most dangerous when on the Mana plane.

2: Bonding with an Animal Totem

Bonding with a Totem Animal.

Extract from a translated runic scroll.

It is unclear why one is called to the druidic ways and there is no discernible way to tell one who will be called until it actually happens. Many have reported dreaming repeatedly about a certain location each differing depending on the animal doing the calling. Examples of this are recorded in other written works. One may surmise that the dream location has a direct link to the totem animal’s elemental affinity. I can report for instance, when my first totem called to me I dreamt of an underwater cave where my spirit guide appeared and led me to the druidic way; the dolphin Yarekaa. Others have reported much the same. One man related how he dreamt on many occasions of an area desolated by fire where he met his tiger totem. Questions as to why this is remain unanswered.

The calling is an animal spirits way of revealing itself to a person it senses an affinity with. To actually bond with the spirit itself one must simply lay a hand on the animal that has appeared. While some druids only have one spirit guide, there are others who have more; though many consider this dangerous.

Bonding with celestials has been done before; records of the first druid war tell us this. However I surmise that...

Note from AD David Winter: We regret unfortunately that parts of this scroll are missing....

3: The First Druid War

The First Druid War

Translated by David Winter.

In the beginning of the world, there existed five powerful druids as chaotic and powerful as the new planet around them. Each had an animal totem representing an element. Fire, air, water, earth and metal. To begin with each of the druids worked with one another to create a world in which beauty, harmony and peace could be found and for a time this worked well. However it couldent last... As each of the druids grew in power and knowledge they began to grow jealous of each other. For each had only one totem and thus only one elemental affinity. They began to fight...

Small quarrels at first yet they quickly became larger. Fights began to erupt and the earth itself became a battleground. Using their powers over the elements each druid sought to destroy the others, for in their minds they would then become master of their fallen foes totem.

This continued for many years, yet none of the five could defeat one of the others, and all the while the earth was suffering. Vast rainforests were reduced to desecrated wastelands by raging wildfires. Oceans dried up and became hostile deserts...The world was dying...

It was at this point that the celestial dragon Ourosius intervened. Yet despite his pleas for a cease of fighting the druids ignored him. Finally in desperation Ourosius moved between an attack from each of the five that would have split the earth in two. Though the devastated land was saved, the chaotic forces of all five elements combined ripped Ourosius into two halves.

These two new dragons: Aetus a shadowdrake and Aeon a light dragon represented the two halves of Ourosius's soul. One good the other evil.

The totems of the five druids angered at this desecration abandoned the humans, and using their combined powers sealed the two new dragons inside two trees until a time arouse for the wrongs of the five druids to be set right. This done the five totems of the druids became the five guiding celestials, true masters of their elements and free of the corruption the war had brought.

Aeons tree became known as the Tree of Life and a symbol to all those druids who wished to protect the earth. While Aetus's tree became known as the Tree of Death and those druids who sought destruction and power rallied to its call.

As for the first druids...Bereft of their totems and magic’s, they fell on one another in vicious anger. They would have wiped one another from the face of the earth had Fenrir the wolf celestial not intervened. Calling the earth to him he transformed the druids into five standing stones. Stubborn and unyielding rock he growled, as you were stubborn and unyielding humans.

These stones serve as a reminder of the past and they became the first of the monoliths that today forms the monument known as Stonehenge. The rocks that help to preserve and protect the Tree of Life...

4: Archdruid's Journal Extract

What follows is a journal extract from Archdruid David Winter.

We druids have been around for countless eons. Even we cannot remember the very first though there are stories...For obvious reasons there are no living survivors of times past, and there are scant written documents alluding to those ancient times. The ones that do exist are jealously guarded and are always ALWAYS written in runes. There are very few who can read them and those who do are reluctant to teach others in the art.

However those that can read them and have had the privilege of seeing such documents would be able to tell of a war. A war that nearly tore Mother Earth herself apart. It raged so fiercely that it took the divine power of a celestial to quell the fighting and that exacted a terrible toll.

The very first druids, history and surviving records of that time tell us that they were very powerful and chaotic. As the forces of the living earth were very powerful. I mean of course the five elements. Earth, air, water, fire, and metal. Each of the first druids commanded one of these. As we know of course, a druid can only tap into and control these volatile entities with the help of their spirit guide and animal totem. It is possible for a single druid to be able to tap into each element, yet such a person would need five totems each corresponding to a particular element.

A druid will usually become master of the element their first animal totem corresponds too. As and if more totems reveal themselves a druid may gain the power to manipulate other elements, though none will be as strongly bonded as the first.

Most druids I am happy to report use their totems and spiritual power for the good. Keeping the wild places of the world such as the rainforests flourishing and safe, guardians of flora and fauna alike. Yet though it pains me to say, there are others that seek only destruction. Those under the influence of Aetus. A dark dragon of incredible power who was sealed inside a tree known to many of us of the light as the "Tree of Death."

As Aetus is the guiding spirit to those who wander the darkness. Aeon is the spirit of light who resides in the tree of life, and provides us with her knowledge and wisdom. Incredible though it may seem, Aeon and Aetus were once one being. A casualty of the first druid war. They were known as Ourosius. Yet due to the fighting, the celestial was split into two halves, one light, and one dark. Good and bad...Just as there is light and darkness in every living soul.

Perhaps one day the wrongs of the past shall be righted and peace will reign...

Ahh I hear someone calling me. For now I will put down my pen. Hmm I see a red sun is rising, most interesting...An omen of things to come I wonder? As they say "red sky at night Sheppard’s delight, red sky in the morning Sheppard’s warning..."

David Winter

Archdruid of Aeon. 29/8/2011.

5: Chapter One

It was the same dream as before. There was the fallen tree lying on its side yet it was still alive, its deep green leaves giving off a pleasant and somehow comforting smell. Small wildflowers grew close to the trunk as though trying to embrace it, she didn't know their names but that didn't matter this after all was a dream. A little ways beyond the fallen tree was the stream, its musical burbling filling the air with its sweet sound. She knew that if she were to drink from the water she would find that it was as fresh and pure as newly fallen snow. All around her tall trees stood like sentinels guarding the little clearing. Tall conifers, ancient chestnuts and towering oaks; yet she didn't feel intimidated. Instead she felt a sense of belonging, like she was meant to be here.

Apart from a soft wind sighing through the canopy of branches around the clearing, and the tinkling of the stream no other sound could be heard. No birds, no insects chirping, no small animals rustling in the undergrowth. It was as though the little area was holding its breath waiting for something to happen.

Then from between two trees that crossed each other to form an archway of sorts stepped the wolf. It was the same one she knew; it always was. Its coat was silvery grey with touches of darker browns and blacks on its chest and tail. Its eyes however glowed golden. Not because the sun was reflecting them, there was no sun. No the animal's eyes literally glowed. They had no iris or pupils just the haunting gold and Ryane knew it was watching her.

She stood as she always did, her gaze locked on the majestic animal. It was bigger than a regular wolf, yet it wasn't scary. Ryane took a step towards it, drawn by some force she didn't understand. She wasn't afraid; the wolf just felt...Right... She took another step towards it and another, stretching out her hand to stroke the silvery fur. The wolf didn't move, nor did its gaze leave her own.

Maybe Ryane thought this time would be different. Maybe this time she would get to touch the animal she was so inexplicably drawn too.

"Ryane..."

A voice sounded in her mind. It was a warm sort of voice, comforting and yet at the same time full of strength and a sort of wildness.

"Soon Ryane."

Everything was turning hazy. The clearing, the tree's, even the streams music seemed dulled as though a thick fog had settled over everything. Ryane turned her head to look at the fallen tree. It was hard to make it out anymore, the edges were blurred and the colour seemed to be leaking out of it like a spoiled watercolour painting. Even as she watched it faded from view until nothing was left but a dense bank of greyish fog. Sadly she turned back towards the wolf only to find it too had vanished. She was enclosed in the fog now the clearing had vanished completely.

Suddenly she was falling. A black empty pit that stretched onwards forever into the darkness down, down and...

WHAM!

Rayne's eyes blinked open and she found herself lying on her back breathing hard, one hand clutching the carved wooden pendant around her neck. Wiping a hand over her brow she sat up and pushed her blankets from her. Always the same dream and always the same ending, huffing a sigh she stood and stretched.

"RYANE? THAT YOU?"

Her father’s voice echoed from somewhere down the hall.

"Yea Dad, it's me."

"You want to put some cushions on that floor, if you plan to fall out of bed every morning."

"Oh ha ha..." She retorted

Turning she surveyed her room, it was messy and cluttered but then she liked it that way. Books about plants, animals and birds lay piled in one corner, a dozen or so posters covered the walls, while on the shelves lay yet more books and an odd assortment of feathers, crystals and interestingly shaped rocks. A small glass blown wolf stood at the end of one shelf as though guarding the books that were stacked there.

Bending she threw her blankets back onto her bed and set about getting herself dressed.

Ten minutes later tousle haired and wearing some ripped jeans and an old faded t-shirt, she slumped down in a chair at the dining table pulling a slice of toast from a plate in the centre and munching on it in a distracted sort of way. She barely glanced up as her father entered the room nose stuck in a newspaper.

"Dad I'm going out to the park today."

"Mmkay don't get into any trouble." He sat down nose still buried in the paper. Reaching out for some toast and subsequently missing several times as he perused the tabloid.

Ryane rolled her eyes and finished off her own slice. Stifling a yawn she pushed her chair back grabbed the last piece her father still hadn't managed to find and left. Out in the hallway she slipped on her grubby trainers and picked up her messenger bag from where she'd dumped it the night before.

"Seeya later." She called out but received no answer.

Stepping outside she inhaled happily of the crisp autumn air, her trainers crunching on some fallen leaves. A weak sun filtered down through the clouds and a cold breeze ruffled her hair yet despite the chill she smiled and set off. Maybe she'd take a shortcut through the woodland. It was pretty near the park anyway and she'd be able to sketch the autumn trees.

With that in mind she started walking trying to identify various birds by their songs that echoed in the morning air. There was no traffic this early in the morning and even less people around. She spotted her next door neighbour on the other side of the road walking her dog and a boy about her age with sandy hair talking into his hand for some reason. As she got closer he looked up at her and smiled warmly. She nodded but didn't return the smile.

As she walked past, Ryane couldn't shake the feeling he was watching her and a few metres down the road she looked behind her, but the boy had vanished. Glancing around the street she shrugged and turned into a small alley that led up into the woodland that bordered the village.

The trees were a riot of gold's, yellows, oranges and browns. Autumn in full swing, it was beautiful. Figuring she had all day to visit the park, Ryane found a comfy stump to sit on and pulled a battered old sketchbook and a few coloured pencils from the bag swinging at her side. Settling on a stump she looked around at the riot of colour and began to draw.

Time ceased to have meaning as she drew and it was only the snapping of a twig nearby that brought her to her senses. Looking up sharply she thought she saw a shadow of something large near one of the trees. Frowning she tried to get a better look. It almost reminded her of a big cat... No...That couldn't be...There were no big cats around here were there?

Another branched snapped behind her and now she could hear a low sound almost like a deep growl from some large beast. Standing she thrust her drawing materials into her bag and whirled around trying to see what was stalking her. Yet another branch snapped somewhere close by. Trembling she took a step backwards her shoes scrunching in the carpet of leaves. Something moved in her peripheral version, something big and she ran.

Blind panic threatened to engulf her. The forest she found so calming usually now seemed unfriendly and dark. Panting slightly she chanced a glance behind, what she saw made her gasp in fear. An animal huge and dark was pursuing her. Some kind of cat it looked like and it wasn't the only one. To either side more dark shapes moved doggedly pursuing her. A cry of fear escaped her throat and then she was falling.

Not looking where she had been going her foot snagged on a protruding root from one of the nearby trees. She landed hard gasping for air feeling a stinging sensation along one cheek. Raising a hand she felt her face, a sticky wetness there told her she was bleeding but it didn't seem too bad.

That however didn't matter now. She could hear the strange animals growling and panting in excitement somewhere behind her. Somehow she knew they were after her, she didn't know why but she knew she didn't want them to catch her. Forcing herself back to her feet Ryane took off again dodging through the undergrowth and below gnarled trees. It was still morning and yet it seemed to be getting darker, the sky overhead growing cloudy and dismal. Even the plants and tree's seemed against her. They snagged and pulled at her clothes, slowing her down and holding her back towards the beasts.

Finally she hit a dead end, nowhere left to run and nowhere to hide. Thick trees grew all around and to either side. She was trapped Terrified, chest heaving as she tried to regain her breath, the light all around slowly becoming darkness. Ryane closed her eyes and shuddered waiting for the beasts to arrive.

She waited and waited...Then waited a little bit more. Nothing happened. Hardly daring to breathe she slowly opened an eye then both and blinked. It was light again and the trees all around her had parted. In front of her stood the sandy haired boy, he grinned at her and waved a hand in greeting.

"Hi."

Still breathing hard from her wild flight through the woods, it took Ryane several minutes to utter the question in her mind.

"Where!?"

The boy in front of her cocked his head to one side as though she had just posed a rather difficult question. He didn’t reply but regarded the girl thoughtfully, after a few minutes she swallowed and seemed to regain some measure of composure.

"W...What were those...Those things!?"

She seemed to be trying to look over his shoulder perhaps afraid more were going to materialize out of the trees.

"Shadowbeasts." He replied deadpan.

Ryane frowned at him. "If you’re not going to answer me properly just...just go away."

What she didn’t say was that his presence both calmed her and for some reason seemed vaguely familiar.

The boy smiled disarmingly. "It's understandable that you’re confused, most of them are. Though I wasn’t lying, those animals that were chasing you? Those were Shadowbeasts, corrupted animals and totems of dark druids. Actually I'm surprised they gave up so easily...normally they...what?"

Ryane was staring at him, like he'd suddenly sprouted an extra head or something. He'd seen that expression on people before. Disbelief and utter confusion, he didn’t blame her. If he'd been chased by Shadowbeasts before he knew who and what he was, he would probably be freaking out too. Though he had to admit he would probably freak out now if he were to be chased by them.

"I saw you earlier...You were talking into your hand."

The boy furrowed his brow. "My hand..? OH! Nope I was talking to Kora."

If he expected her to know what he was talking about he was sadly disappointed. Unperturbed however he grinned at her again.

"Kora's a faerie dragon by the way and I'm Milo Davis." He held out a grubby hand for her to shake.

Ryane didn’t take it. She seemed to be trying to decide whether to back away from him or hit him. Neither seemed very good choices to Milo.

"Sooo. Why didn’t your totem help?" He glanced at her curiously while she stared back at him a confused expression in her eyes.

"My what?"

"Your totem." He repeated looking at her expectantly.

"Look I don’t know what your talking about." Ryane spoke slowly as though trying to explain something difficult to an infant. Milo would have felt insulted had his need to convince her of the danger she was in not been so great.

Ryane watched as he tilted his head to the side again, as though he were listening to something she couldent hear. She was starting to feel uneasy around this strange boy. Suddenly he glanced up at her a strange expression on his face.

"You dream right?"

Ryane gave him her best 'well duh' look.

"I mean you dream about a certain area repeatedly?"

Her silence lasted a few seconds too long for her answer to be truth.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about."

Milo raised his hands soothingly. "It’s ok. I did too...Actually I still do, but its nothing to be scared of. It’s The Calling...What animal speaks to you?"

Ryane by now considerably confused backed away a few steps. She didn’t know how this kid knew about her dreams, but she knew she didn’t trust him despite her earlier feeling of familiarity. Fear turning to anger she adjusted her satchel and strode past him, determined not to look at or speak to him anymore.

The kid was obviously just some weirdo, who had nothing better to do that annoy her with his freaky talk about dark druids and Shadowbeasts. Finding the pathway she started along it in the direction of the park determinedly ignoring him as he called out to her.

Milo watched the girls retreating back. Great she was blanking him...This was going to complicate things somewhat. Sighing he addressed the empty air in front of him.

"I could have used your help to convince her y'know."

A silvery form appeared and rapidly coalesced into a small, scaly winged dragon that stuck a long forked tongue out at Milo.

"You know she wouldn’t have been able to see me. Anyway she's not a proper druid yet. She's hearing the calling but I don’t think she has bonded with the animal that’s reaching out to her."

Milo sighed "I know that Kora, but the Shadowbeasts were after her...That’s got to mean something right? You must have seen the medallion as well as I did."

The little dragon performed a flip in the air apparently unconcerned.

"We need to follow her." Milo prompted.

Kora fluttered over to his shoulder and landed digging in small but sharp claws. "Fine but I warn you we should report back to David...This isn’t going to end well..."

6: Chapter Two

As Ryane walked, some of the tension that had built up within her body dissipated leaving her feeling slightly tired. Though she’d denied that she was having the dreams Ryane wondered how on earth that boy Milo had known. She shivered slightly and cast a glance backwards; he didn’t seem to be following her and in her mind that was nothing but good. The last thing she wanted was for him to tag along after her and ask more of his weird questions. Still...

NO! Shaking her head as though trying to dislodge all thought of him and his...his strangeness Ryane glanced up. The trees were thinning and on either side of the path a rickety wooden fence rose up out of thick clumps of hollyhocks.

Ryane started suddenly as a sharp rustling reached her ears. Freezing to the spot she glanced around, frantically trying to find the source of the noise. Her entire body poised to flee; she couldent help but yelp as a form burst through one of the nearby bushes. She would have laughed at herself had she not been so afraid. Those shadowy things whatever they were would be enough to set anyone’s nerves on edge.

What sat on the path in front of her now was neither threatening nor dangerous, except perhaps to the acorn it held in its mouth.

The squirrel regarded her for perhaps a second before it took off nimbly scampering up one of the closer trees, and vanishing into the dense foliage overhead. Ryane watched the place where the small mammal had vanished for a few seconds longer, then with a slight shudder moved on.

Stop it! She mentally berated herself. Those things must have been part of her mind. The shifting tree branches, shafts of sunlight and the natural shadows of the woodland coupled with her over active imagination must have created them.

So why then could she not quite convince herself?

In front of her the woodland opened out onto a long field. Tall grass rose almost thigh high on either side, with poppies and other tall colourful flowers bordering the worn down pathway. On the far side a high fence marked the perimeter of the nature park and Rayne’s destination.

Normally the long grass wouldn’t have bothered Ryane...Now though...

"Stop it! You’re being stupid!"

Her voice seemed small and quiet to her, yet the announcement to the air seemed to bolster her resolve somewhat. Keeping her gaze on the fence ahead, Ryane stepped forwards.

Xxx

Something other than Ryane heard her bold statement about being silly. Fiery orange eyes seemed to glow softly as they watched the girl’s progress through the sea of grass. If only the boy hadent shown up...Another shadow sidled up to the one watching Rayne.

"We can take the girl in the park. My scouts have reported it virtually empty, and that boy seems to have left. Apparently he failed to convince her of anything."

The watcher sighed, the sound hissing through sharp teeth. Its form seemed to sharpen slightly, almost as though it were becoming more real. Then it faded again to almost nothing, a shadow of a shadow. Had anyone not known it was there, they would only have seen shifting patterns created by sunlight. The second shadow faded too and with barely a whisper of sound they vanished into the grass.

Xxx

Ryane sighed almost happily as she passed through the old wooden turnstile. People, that was good. On a normal day she might have avoided them as much as possible but now? After paying at the booth she adjusted her bag, and then set off following a small tour group towards her favourite place in the whole park.

The wolf enclosure was for the most part shaded by huge sycamore trees, yet certain areas were bathed in the autumn sunlight. A large wooden structure rose into the air with a log ramp leading to an upper platform. Ryane watched as the large female lying there yawned widely and placed her head on her big front paws.

From her position on a long stone bench outside the enclosure Ryane could see a few of the other pack members. Two or three roamed around one side of the paddocks fence, while a forth dozed in the grass occasionally blinking myopically.

Finishing her drawing of the big female, Ryane turned a page in her sketchbook and turned her attention to the dozing wolf in the grass. Just as she started to sketch it a muffled buzzing issued from her bag. Ryane ignored it for a moment and then when it didn’t stop she muttered something under her breath. Reaching for her bag she rummaged around and pulled out her cell phone. The display was cracked slightly, yet her father’s number was still visible. Sighing and already guessing what he was going to say she hit the accept call button and held the device to her ear.

"Ryane that you?"

No matter how many times he had called her, it always seemed to Ryane that her dad expected someone else to pick up.

"Yeeeees it’s me." She assured him, trying to pour as much sarcasm as she could into the sentence.

"Hun listen I wont be home till late tonight ok? You alright fixing yourself something to eat?"

She’d guess right then but even so she voiced the question.

"Speed dating again?"

If he was surprised at her correct guess he didn’t sound it."

"That’s right. You ok with that? Ryane? Ryane...you there?"

The cell phone hit the dirt, her fathers questioning going unheeded as Ryane stared at a large wolf that had just stepped seemingly from thin air.

As though in a dream Ryane stood and moved to the enclosure barrier, never once taking her eyes from the wolf. It was him...As impossible though it was...It was the wolf from her dreams, no mistaking it. She’d seen him enough times...

Rayne’s head felt muzzy, as though some inconsiderate person had stuffed it full of cotton wool. Mutely she stared at the animal and just like in her dream it stared back. Its gaze filled her vision, filling her world and it was all she could do not to blink. She felt like she was drowning in those golden eyes, it was piercing her soul...

She blinked.

Ryane opened her eyes. She was standing in the clearing.

"What!?" But I’m awake!" She protested.

"Yes you are.

Ryane swivelled to find the wolf standing as it always did beneath the arch made of trees.

"You spoke?" She stared at the big animal questioningly.

It gazed at her with its golden eyes.

"Yes."

"H...How!?" She stuttered. "Animals don’t talk..."

The wolf managed to look smug.

"All animals talk. Most humans just refuse to listen."

Ryane considered this for a moment. "Why do you keep appearing in my dreams?"

The wolf blinked and seemed to consider its answer for a moment. Surreptitiously Ryane tried pinching herself to see if she would wake up and find herself in bed.

"This is the calling and I am calling you...Ryane."

She frowned "What’s the calling?"

"The calling is a totems way of sending a message to a chosen druid. In some cases the humans that are being called think of them as recurring dreams and simply pay them no mind but you..."

"Hang on a moment" Ryane interrupted. "Why are you calling me? What’s so special about me?"

Rayne’s mind was in turmoil as she tried to understand. Questions rising to the fore and then fading away as yet more rose up.

"I sense a kindred spirit in you..." It paused and glanced around ears pricked as though listening to something.

"We don’t have much time, shadows are coming will you accept me?"

"I uh..." Ryane stammered.

"Ryane... There is no time... if you accept me raise your paw and lay it on my head."

Not knowing quite why she was obeying the animal Ryane stepped forwards and finally after all the times she had failed to do so laid a hand on the animals forehead. A warm sensation immediately flowed up her arm and seemed to fill her entire body like she’d just had a really hot drink. She didn’t move as the animal bared its teeth snarling, and was she imagining it? A soft glow seemed to emanate from where her hand touched the wolfs fur.

It suddenly lifted its head and howled and for reasons unknown to her Ryane wanted to howl too.

"It is done...We are bonded Ryane. My name is Skoll and I am your totem...We are one."

Ryane opened her mouth to ask something and then cried out in pain. Something was curled around her leg...Vines? They were tightening and with a savage jerk pulled the girl from her feet. Cracking her head hard against the ground Ryane blinked dazedly seeing stars.

The clearing had vanished, the familiar environs of the nature park reappeared in her vision as did a large slimy looking beast...

7: Chapter Three

I confess to be worried, though I cannot show it. Such actions would cause panic among the others and this is something I fervently wish to avoid. Though perhaps there is good reason to feel the worry I do and even dare I say it a little fear...

Our guardian the tree of life or more specifically Aeon the dragon that dwells within the tree seems to be ill. As far as I can recollect this has not happened before, and though I have been trawling through the scrolls. No easy task I assure you considering they are all written in the ancient runic script I have found no mention whatsoever of this issue anywhere.

David sighed and leant back in his chair, regarding his journal as though it might divulge the information he was seeking. Tapping his lip thoughtfully with his pen he stared at the half filled page. It seemed impossible yet the evidence he’d seen was more than enough to convince him. If Aeon was sick, the whole area was in danger. Surely the council had noticed?

To be perfectly honest he couldent see how they would fail to do so, yet it was amazing how people sometimes refused to see things even when they were practically under their noses. He wondered vaguely whether he should bring it up at the next council. Even as he had the thought he tried to see what good it would do. As Archdruid he had significant influence over the council of elders, but that counted for little when the others failed to see that something was wrong, or pretended not to see at any rate. Heaving a sigh he stood and stretched, perhaps talking to Aeon would help?

Of course the dragon could choose not to answer as she sometimes did. Although David had found that when he was troubled, she was always ready to grant an audience. Would she be forthcoming now he wondered? After all the problem was directly linked to her, and it was imperative that whatever the issue was that it be resolved as soon as possible. Until then the area and its inhabitants were in danger.

As he walked David felt a shudder run through him. Thanks to Aeon a barrier of sorts prevented entry to enemies via the Mana plane and the Vard patrolled the Gaia plane constantly always on the alert for any unusual activity. The whole area existed in a sort of bubble between the two planes, meaning it could not be discovered by those that did not follow the druidic way.

Yet if Aeons protection failed David knew the Shadows would waste no time in mounting an attack. The area was not without its defences but how long could they last? David stepped around a man who by his expression wanted to ask him something. He nodded at vaguely at him but didn’t stop.

There were so few of them now and by contrast so many more Shadows...

Absorbed as he was in his internal thoughts the Archdruid wasn’t really paying attention to his route, yet his feet seemingly of their own accord had taken him to the grassy slope that led up to the tree. Normally hundreds of small wildflowers blanketed the area and if one inhaled the air it would smell sweetly of apples.

Now the grass usually a verdant green was a sickly yellow. There were no flowers and a smell of what David could only describe as rot lingered.

Things it seemed had gotten worse. Hurrying upwards David’s breath caught in his throat as he caught sight of the tree. Its usually silver bark was blackened and even peeling in some places. A carpet of dead brown leaves lay around the trunks base as though someone had taken it into their head to give the tree a good shake.

How could things be progressing so quickly? Almost running to the sentinel the Archdruid placed his hands against the raddled bark and closed his eyes. Focusing hard on the dragon David stepped forwards onto the Mana plane. By sheer force of will he remained in human form. He could feel the arcane forces pulling at him and knew he wouldn’t have much time.

When a human stepped onto the Mana plane they usually assumed the form of their first totem. The plane was highly volatile and brimming with magic, since totems inhabited it they could exist there with no problems being creatures of Mana themselves. Humans on the other hand were creatures of the Gaia plane and prolonged exposure to the Mana plane could be lethal. It took an exceptionally powerful druid to remain human even for a little while, and though David was one such druid he could still feel the powerful forces tearing at his consciousness. However he resisted the almost overpowering urge to become an animal; he needed his full mind to speak to Aeon.

Though no harm came to druids once in totem form, the animal’s thoughts could override a humans with ease though never enough to subsume them completely. The human conscious tended to bob on the surface of the animals like a small boat on the surface of the ocean.

"Aeon?"

David spoke, though no sound issued from his throat. He was speaking from his heart and mind.

He felt her stir somewhere close by, and a faint whisper of a breeze washed over him.

"David?"

"Aeon, I need to know what ails you? On the Gaia plane the area around the tree is dying..."

Her voice seemed to grow fainter as she replied.

"I do not know."

David frowned, a bead of sweat rolling down his forehead as he fought to remain human.

"How can you not know? Aeon please if your barrier fails we are all at risk, there are too few of us to defend this place for long."

The dragon appeared unwilling to materialise, yet she seemed to consider his statement for a moment before replying.

"I do not know, but a fierce burning pervades my body. Fire burning as cold as ice...David I am dying."

As Aeon uttered these chilling words, David’s mind practically exploded as all the possible scenarios involving a world without Aeon clamoured for attention. The urge to switch to his animal form grew ever stronger as David fought to stay afloat in the sea of his thoughts, which not only shouted and screamed at him but kicked over the furniture and drew obscene things on the wall of his mind.

"How!?" He managed through gritted teeth.

Aeon seemed infuriatingly calm given the circumstances.

"I do not know, but there is one who might."

Exhausted David struggled for control as the magic’s of the Mana plane ripped at his already tattered defences.

"In the area known as Borneo there is an old Druidic temple. Disused, abandoned...Long ago a member of the council hid something there. I do not know if he still lives, but I feel that what he hid may hold the answers."

"Who am I supposed to send? This sounds like a wild goose chase. Aeon...How can we be sure that what this person hid will hold any answers to this state of events?"

Aeon’s voice was barely above a whisper now.

"Trust me."

That was it. David could tell the audience was over. He thought briefly about asking who he should send then decided better. Focusing on the Gaia plane with some difficulty he stepped forwards.

To collapse panting onto the grass.

He knelt there for sometime shuddering and resisting the urge to be sick. Through the haze of fog in his mind he knew it had been close, a few minutes more and well...

Taking a shuddering breath he forced himself to stand despite his bodies protests. Though all he wanted to do was lie down and hold onto the grass, until his world stopped spinning he set off, swaying a little but determinedly down the yellowed slope.

A council needed to be called immediately.

8: Chapter Four

A yelp of fear escaped Rayne’s throat as the thing standing over her swam into focus, though a haze of pain she tried to place what sort of animal it could possibly be and subsequently failed miserably. There was no creature alive that she knew of that looked like this one did. Reddy brown slimy skin covered an almost skeletal frame. A ridge of spines ran along its back from the base of the skull until they tapered out near the tip of the whip-like tail. Sharp yellow claws, five to a paw gripped the dirt as though the beast was ready to pounce.

All this Ryane took in from her prone position on the ground, but it was its head that held her attention and not only because it’s slavering teeth were inches from her face. If her nightmares had a form then this was it. From the top of its jaw two chipped but extremely sharp looking yellowed tusks protruded, above the scarred muzzle two small piggy eyes glared at her in bloodshot fury. Its ears were small and lay back tight against the almost fleshless skull, while a short mane of bristled hair rose up along the back of its head.

The thing looked like a bizarre and very unpleasant cross between a sabre tooth tiger and a wolf.

"It’s a Warg in case you’re wondering."

A cold voice somewhere behind her announced with the air of one commenting on the weather.

"Oh and try not to move around to much, he’s slightly unhinged so any sudden moves on your part could result in a rather nasty accident. Which to be perfectly honest I’d rather avoid, apart from the fact that cleaning up after a Warg is incredibly messy, it’s hard to question someone when they’re dead."

The voice continued conversationally.

As if to emphasize the point the Warg growled, a deep guttural sound that made the hair on Rayne’s head stand on end. The pressure around her legs seemed to have vanished but that counted for very little when a very large, very vicious animal was standing over her.

"Who are you!?"

She meant to say it with some force but instead her voice quavered and to her annoyance was slightly high pitched. Without trying to appear that she was doing so Ryane attempted to move back a little. The Wargs growl deepened and she froze, trying to stifle unsuccessfully a moan of disgust as a thick gob of saliva that had been dribbling down the things jaws landed on her chest.

She heard a sigh from above her and a talk blond man appeared in the parts of her vision not occupied with angry Warg.

"My name is of no importance to you and you’re either very slow or very stupid girl, I told you not to move."

He shrugged. "Of course if you would prefer to be ripped to shreds, be my guest."

"What’s the alternative?" Ryane managed.

"Ohhh, a sense of humour, well haha." The man chuckled drily. "Though since you asked so nicely the alternative is being questioned by Aetus and joining our ranks, or being questioned by Aetus and not joining our ranks which I regret to inform you will result in your meeting up with Lok’s pack. I can assure you they will be most happy to see you."

He grinned maliciously.

Rayne her head still spinning slightly frowned, trying to wrap her mind around all that had happened to her in the last few hours. She was starting to wish she hadent gotten up this morning, even if her "getting up" had been falling out of bed.

"I don’t understand any of this! What have I done!?"

The man rolled his eyes as though Ryane was playing dumb on purpose.

"I’m not going to go into the complexities of druidism with you girl, apart from anything else I doubt your thick skull would take in anything I have to tell you. Now I suggest you sit up and very slowly if you don’t mind, we don’t want to upset Lok now do we?"

He gestured at the animal which seemed reluctant to obey him.

"Back down Lok... now..."

These last words he uttered in low chilling voice.

The Warg whined and moved away though to Rayne’s dismay not far away enough. It sat back on its haunches and glared at her as though contemplating disobeying the order. Slowly Ryane sat up and turned to look at the man.

He was tall and rugged looking though not in a good way. An ugly sneer dominated his face which itself was haggard and lined. He wore a ripped green shirt with a pair of cargo pants that had frankly seen better days. As Ryane watched he made a small gesture with one of his hands.

Without warning the ground around the girl cracked revealing a thin whip-like tree root that wrapped itself around Rayne’s wrists pinning them effectively in front of her.

"Now girl, get up were going to take a little trip, this should be interesting especially for me..." He smiled crookedly at Ryane who was staring at the tree roots binding her wrists in horrified fascination.

"Argh no! What the!?"

Rayne’s head snapped up as her captor suddenly staggered back a set of little claw marks etching a raw red line down his face. Only the fact that Ryane was still sitting on the ground stunned saved her life in that moment as Lok howled and charged at the man. For a moment she thought the beast was going to bite down on him and yet it pulled up short snapping at the thin air.

Ryane squinted she thought for a moment she could see something...a small winged shaped flitting around the adult snapping and clawing...she glanced up. He was flailing at something that was leaving long scratches along his face and arms and not currently paying any attention therefore to her.

Pushing herself awkwardly to her feet Ryane turned and almost smacked straight into Milo.

His face twisted into a smile as he reached out to her and clasped one hand onto the roots still binding her. She thought she felt heat for a moment and then her hands were free, the roots falling away into ashes.

"Wha!?" Was all she managed before Milo grabbed her hands and pulled her forwards...

The world dissolved or more accurately faded into hues of greys and here and there highlighted with cool blues. A strange sensation crept slowly over her body like someone had tipped a bucket of ice down her shirt. Slowly she turned to Milo intending to ask what the heck was going on and found herself staring up at a large red deer.

Come to think of it the ground seemed to be nearer than she was used to. Looking down she saw her paws and let out a yelp of surprise.

"Amazing isn’t it?

The wolf that had been Ryane glanced back up at the deer that was doing a pretty good job for a deer at grinning.

"Milo!?"

Ryane realised she wasn’t actually speaking out loud but rather thinking the words and incredibly it seemed that the boy or deer or whatever he was could hear her.

"Yup." The deer inclined its antlered head.

"What the heck is going on!?"

Milo the deer turned and started walking away and not knowing what else to do Ryane the formerly human girl followed.

"I’m probably not the best person to explain anything to you; actually I’m pretty new to this myself. Right now you need to concentrate on Stonehenge...can you do that?"

Rayne’s furry brow furrowed.

"Stonehenge?"

He nodded again.

"Trust me, concentrate on Stonehenge as hard as you can ok? Don’t let your mind wander even for a second."

A halo of light surrounded him briefly and then he was gone. Ryane stared at the spot for a few moments then shrugged, a feat not normally associated with wolves.

"Stonehenge...right... can’t be any weirder than anything else that’s happened to me today"

Ryane closed her eyes.

There was that feeling again. Cold ice trickling unpleasantly down her back.

"Welcome Ryane, daughter of Naomi."

A voice somewhere above her said.

9: Chapter Five

Jack Riley shivered. He was currently standing in the hollow that sheltered Aetus’s tree, and even before the confrontation with the drake he knew that it would be a miracle if he were to live through the encounter. If Robert had been angry with him for failing to bring back the girl then the dragon would be livid. Death would probably come swiftly for him, although thinking about it death would be a quick release and Jack figured if his Master was in a particularly nasty mood dying would be the least of his worries. After all death was an absolute, the dead feel no pain and the drake would want to make sure his failure was paid for in full...

Despite his fear though the Shadow druid couldent help but stare at the tree in front of him. Unlike Aeons tree this one had no leaves but sharp jagged thorns that ran the length of its many branches...some were impaled with the luckless prey of the Shrikes that dwelt within the branches. Those pathetic nature loving, so called ‘light druids had named it ‘the tree of death’. Apt perhaps but then those fools could never see the bigger picture. To Jack and many others like him the tree was a symbol of power, Aetus had granted him a great blessing and Jack intended to use it.

He thought back to the time he had first become a druid. He had been about sixteen, so young, so full of hope and so full of foolishness. Aetus had shown him what hope and dreams wrought...Nothing but a frugal life, spent helping nature and the world...how pointless it all seemed now. David of course had tried to convince him to stay on the true druidic path, but the fool just couldent see past his own pathetic ideals. As far as Jack was concerned there no ’true’ path of druidism, there was only the power and the ability’s his association with Aetus had brought. His own totem had quailed under the power of the shadows and had since forsaken him...like that mattered he was one with the shadows now. He didn’t need a weak spirit guide...

If David and the other druids of Aeon chose to stand in the way of Aetus then that was their problem, and he would gladly lend a hand in showing them the grave error they had made by siding with the light dragon.

Another member of Roberts’s band strolled past the hollow, and Jack caught a brief look of sympathy thrown his way. Jack scowled after the man. He didn’t require pity he wanted another chance, and if it was granted to him then he would drag that girl back here one way or another.

He frowned remembering something Robert had told him just before he’d left. The kid had something to do with ‘Her’...the woman who it seemed had made it her personal job to oppose the Shadows at every turn. She’d finally been trapped by Robert and hidden away somewhere on the Mana plane, but it was more than just a vague association. From what he’d heard Aetus considered the girl to be a threat...a danger to his plans...It wasn’t just random attacks on the light druids anymore Aetus was concocting something...

Personally Jack couldent see how dangerous she was, she wasn’t a druid and frankly mud was probably more intelligent... He had of course noticed the medallion around her neck, one of the sorts typically worn by Aeons druids. That counted for little enough, for all he knew they sold the bloody things to tourists... Still she must be of some importance if David had sent someone to retrieve her.

His musings were interrupted as something touched his mind, a dark presence that reached out with tendrils of ice. Jack twitched as the darkness probed further into his thoughts, uncovering his failure at the park. A sharp white hot lance of pain knifed through him and he gasped as a cruel voice sounded in his mind.

"You failed..."

It was not a question, Aetus already knew the answer.

A thousand excuses flitted across Jack’s mind in a few seconds, yet he knew none of them would suffice. If he were to utter the words that danced across his brain he would likely end up as a small patch of charcoal. Instead of saying anything along the lines of ‘it wasn’t my fault’ he simply nodded.

"Yes."

He bowed his head expecting no mercy.

Aetus laughed a deep gravely sound that grated on Jacks nerves.

"I would have expected better, next time perhaps I should give you a fly swatter. Any small Faerie dragons would not stand against your might then hmmm?"

He laughed unpleasantly again and Jack felt a flush of anger and shame fill his body, gradually giving way to a cold yet burning desire.

"Sire grant me another chance? I will retrieve the girl..."

"NO"

The force of the thought almost threw Jack from his feet. In front of him the air shimmered briefly and then HE was there. The dark drake glared at the human through slitted yellow eyes, while thin wisps of smoke curled from his snout.

Jack took several steps back, the dragon was not at his full size yet he was still twice the height of the druid. Dark wings furled tightly over the scaly body, yet Jack could see where...

"My contact will deal with the girl..."

The dragon snorted violently as an image crossed the humans mind, "and the boy..."

"Aetus... Master please."

"SILENCE"

This time Jack fell backwards onto the ground so great was the force of the snarled shout. He struggled to rise only to have one of Aetus’s paws pin him to the dirt. One claw pierced his shoulder and Jack bit his lip hard to prevent himself crying out. Aetus abhorred weakness and so the shadow druid vowed he would show none.

A fierce burning was starting to emanate from his shoulder, spreading out through his body on wave of pain. His vision blurred slightly and he remembered Robert saying something about poison.

Aetus huge head filled his sight as the dragon leant forwards pushing the claw deeper still.

His vision fading Jack fought to stay conscious, but there was nothing now, nothing except the darkness and the pain...

XXX

David huffed a sigh and looked around the faces of the council. He knew each and every one of the pretty well, having lived and worked with them for many years before becoming Archdruid. Just now though he was beginning to wonder if he knew them as well as he’d previously thought.

Rufus and a few of the others were looking at him with sympathetic faces and they at least seemed willing to listen to what he had to say, others though...

"David please, you must understand we have to keep the peace and your theories could cause panic amongst the community."

"Theories?" David felt a momentary twinge of anger which he almost immediately pushed away, getting angry would not help Aeon.

"Tell me Lola when has the grass around the tree ever taken on the colour it currently is? When has the tree itself ever withered? When has Aeon ever made light of any situation that endangers us? Do you deny the dragon herself? After all it was her that imparted this information about what’s going on. Do you deny Aeon?"

Lola frowned slowly.

"Of course I do not deny her, but the situation is delicate..."

"Perhaps we should commune with the dragon ourselves to verify the Archdruid’s statements?"

Rufus glanced at David.

"Why? As far as I can see it is autumn is it not? All trees and plants change for the season in preparation for the winter.

Claire another member of the council shrugged.

More arguments for and against talking to Aeon broke out, wending their way through the council like a snake. In exasperation David put his head in his hands. It could be hours before any decision was reached and meanwhile Aeon was deteriorating.

He felt someone pat his arm slightly and glanced into Rufus’s concerned gaze.

David opened his mouth to say something when a large silvery shape charged into the council’s circle.

The winged wolf turned to David and bowed.

"She is here..."

10: Chapter Six

Ryane stared bemusedly up at the large muzzle that hovered above her, trying to decide if it had been a clever trick that had appeared to make the animal speak. At first glance it sort of looked like that Warg thing, but this creature had fur and an aloof yet kind look about it. It also to her surprise had a large pair of soft feathery wings tucked neatly against its stocky body.

"Are you well daughter of Naomi?"

Its warm breath washed over her and Ryane did the only thing her body felt capable of after her ordeal, she fainted.

The winged wolf glanced up at Milo who stooped down to kneel beside the girl.

"Did I say something wrong?"

Milo smiled at the wolfs concern.

"No Ver’nt, I think things happened a little fast for her."

There was a barely audible pop and the form of Kora appeared. He fluttered over to the girl and settled primly on her chest, he folded his gauzy wings back against his body and glared at Milo.

"Not to mention the attack by that human and the Warg."

At the mention of the demonic animal the winged wolf snarled, baring teeth capable of shredding even the tough flesh of wild boars with ease.

"Those beasts!? Master David will need to know about this. I sent one of my Vard to alert him as to the girl’s arrival, but the news of the Warg troubles me greatly. Incursions to test Aeon’s barrier have increased in the last few months and we fear they are not simply random attacks."

Milo nodded slowly. He’d heard as such a few days before he’d been sent to watch out for Ryane, yet to hear it again and in such worried tones from the leader of the Vard wolves made him wonder what the dark dragon was planning and if the attacks were being co-ordinated for a purpose.

It wasn’t just the Wargs either, from what little information he’d garnered Gnolls, Kelpies and even some of the less friendly dragon races had been seen in greater numbers than before. Not to mention the Shadow Druids. Normally content for the most part to work against the Light Druids in secret, more and more attacks were taking place, thinning the numbers of Aeon’s Druids drastically. Not to mention the deaths of any number of innocent people caught in the crossfire.

That tsunami....

"Milo?"

A shrill voice cut across his thoughts

"Hmm?" The young druid lifted his gaze to meet the Vard’s and Kora’s.

The Faerie dragon indicated Ryane with one stubborn forepaw. She seemed to be stirring, realising how close he was to her Milo shuffled backwards blushing ever so slightly.

Ver’nt seemed to be listening to something, with ears pricked forwards he sniffed the air head tilted to one side and then let out a high pitched yelp.

Milo glanced at Kora, he couldent understand Vard speech but the message was clear enough anyway, how many times had he heard that call in the last few weeks...someone was coming. As that someone appeared accompanied by a second smaller Vard both Milo and Ver’nt bowed their heads respectfully. Only Kora seemed uninterested and unfazed by the newcomer and immediately voiced his opinion.

"I warned you! I warned that no good would come of this David!"

In his agitation the tiny dragon fluttered into the air, small wings creating a humming noise.

David smiled at him.

"Kora its fine, she is here and in one piece is she not?"

The Faerie dragon fell silent though he still looked agitated. David inclined his head towards Milo.

"So young Druid you succeeded in your task." He smiled.

Milo blushed a deep red and fumbled to find words. It wasn’t often he saw David and even less often that the pair of them conversed

"Well we found her as you can see...um but I’m not sure if she actually became a druid...though according to Kora..."

The little dragon harrumphed.

Milo shot a glare at him before continuing.

"A totem has been calling to her; I’m just not sure she bonded with it."

"Kora? You couldent tell?" David mock frowned at the creature who snorted.

"I’m good, but I’m not that good. Very few people have the ability to do that as well you know Archdruid.

David smiled. "Yes I am aware of it, I was teasing."

Letting out an outraged growl Kora vanished.

"Very highly strung these Faerie dragons aren’t they?" David commented wryly.

"Kora’s a special case Archdruid." Milo conceded.

"Mmm...So then were you..."

His sentence was doomed never to be finished as Ryane choose that moment to groan and open her eyes.

"Ahh welcome back." David smiled down at her and proffered a hand to help her up.

Ryane regarded the adult standing above her slowly he reminded her of a school teacher she’d once had. Messy black hair tied back in a ponytail, a tanned face and weathered but kind features. He wore an open shirt and a pair of faded knee length cut-offs. Ryane half expected him to be wearing sandals, yet a quick glance showed well worn hiking boots.

He was she had to admit quite good looking. She immediately blushed and cut off that particular train of thought.

Throughout her silent observation David hadn’t moved but now her eyes focused back on his face he smiled gently at her.

"I expect you have a lot of questions.

Ryane nodded the events of the past few hours flashing through her mind. She wanted to scream and shout and deny then events as truth. She’d been having a nightmare and soon she would wake up and her world would be normal again. Instead she took his outstretched hand allowing him to pull her to her feet.

"What’s happening to me?"

She tried to keep the quaver from her voice and failed. She stared into his face searching for her answer and though she didn’t find it she did find sympathy and look of concern.

"Ryane I know its asking a lot but please trust me, I can help you and of course provide the answers you seek.

She stepped away from him a wary expression crossing her face.

"How do you know me!? Who are you?"

To her left Milo and the winged wolf glanced at each other.

Holding his hands up in a placating gesture David took a step forwards.

"Ryane I’ve known you since you were very small, your mother..."

"You knew my mother!?" Ryane interrupted.

David nodded. "Please come with me, I can explain the circumstance and our...predicament...Your safe here."

He glanced over at Milo and Ver’nt.

"Please go and inform Riccan that I and our guest will be requiring some tea and perhaps some of her honey oat biscuits."

The pair bowed and turning headed off into the now dusky air. David watched them go before turning back to the girl who looked as though she wanted to bolt after Milo.

"Ryane?"

Her gaze found his.

"You need to trust me...please?"

Ryane looked dubious. "Trust you? I don’t even know your name..."

He smiled again and bowed elegantly to her.

"My name is David Winter."

Somewhere in the depths of her head some forgotten image rose in Ryanes mind. Her mother telling her they were going to visit someone special... Another image flashed across her mind. She was small maybe three or four and Ryane was staring at huge stones arrange in a loose circle and beside them looking younger than he did now was this man....David...

"Ryane?" She felt him gently take her arm and lead her forwards. Opening her eyes she found they were walking along a muddy pathway. To either side a rolling field led away down to a main road where she could just see a few cars moving along it. Not looking where she was going she tripped and nearly fell as her feet caught in a large print in the mud. It looked like a horse hoof if horses had hooves the size of dinner plates...It wasn’t the only one either other sets of tracks seemed to lead to and from the stones, some she thought she recognized as dog or wolf and of course human boot prints but others she couldent....

"The others will be happy to meet you, even in our current circumstances."

That was the second time he mentioned "their circumstances...

"Everyone?" Ryane glanced around. Aside from her-self and David and a few tourists labouring up the slope they were alone. Even Milo and the wolf seemed to have vanished.

"Uhhh everyone? Is this some sort of trick?" Ryane stopped and glared at David her hands placed firmly on her hips.

Turning to face her David nodded.

"Yes it is a very clever trick, but not in the way you’re thinking Ryane. I know you have been through a lot today and I promise things will be explained but..."

Here he took a step back. Ryane blinked and rubbed her eyes. He didn’t vanish but his whole body seemed to shimmer slightly before fading to a pale almost translucent state...like a ghost.

He held out his hand to her.

"Are you coming?"

Ryane stared silently for a few seconds weighing her options. On one hand she didn’t know this man nor did she understand what was going on. Yet on the other he seemed to know her and even her mother. Could he tell her what had happened to Naomi? What abut today? He seemed to know about that too, if she left now would she be attacked again by Wargs or worse...?

Trust was a strong word and not something Ryane gave lightly but she wanted answers and one way or another she was going to get them.

She took his hand.

11: Chapter Seven

Robert knelt as he always did at this time of day, in front of the tree. He’d been here a few hours already, and though his position might have looked uncomfortable to an observer he felt no pain, nor fatigue. His eyes gazed without seeing so deep was he in meditation. Overhead the branches of Aetus’s tree moved slightly, as though blown by the wind...The only thing was no wind could reach the hollow...

Now Robert stirred slightly and lifted his head. His gaze found a large male Shrike peering at him intently, in its beak a luckless shrew hung limply though the human could see it was still alive. The bird hopped along the branch nimbly until it came to one of the many cruel thorns that adorned most of the branches. Its former occupant was still there. Or most of it was; a shrivelled corpse of what might have once been a frog.

Ignoring his stare the Shrike adjusted the prize held in its beak and with sudden force jabbed its head forwards.

A short cut of squeak marked the unfortunate mammals passing, and seemingly satisfied the bird flew off with a raucous caw.

Robert knew what would happen next, yet the macabre display never ceased to fascinate him. Down the thorn now rolled a thin line of blood and as Robert watched the thorn started to glow a deep crimson colour. It absorbed the red liquid like a sponge before the sinister light moved towards the body of the shrew, the small animal started to glow too as the crimson light enveloped it.

It was Robert had to admit rather like watching a plant grow speeded up, except in reverse. The soft fur withered away the flesh, muscle, and sinew following suit. The eyes sunk back into their sockets until all that remained was a dry desiccated husk.

The dark druid stared at the tree for a moment before he stood and turned away, letting his mind wander back over a previous conversation with Aetus just after the failing of one Jack Riley. The man should consider himself fortunate, the Master rather than kill him had blessed him, though likely Jack didn’t see it that way.

He would be useful though, once his agent had succeeded in bringing down Aeon’s barrier they could launch the long planned attack to wipe out those at Stonehenge. Of course they weren’t the only community of Aeon’s followers; there were small pockets of them all around the world.

Stonehenge represented a bigger prize than just the largest number of light druids though; it was home to Aeon’s tree and the home of their Archdruid and the biggest threat to Aetus’s plan...David Winter.

Robert chuckled darkly to himself as he walked. Oh yes with David out of the way and Aeon’s tree gone there would be nothing to stop Aetus’s darkest wish coming true. His hand went to the stone pendant around his neck that was so much more than it appeared, and as he arrived at the makeshift camp his thoughts turned to the scroll piece.

XXX

Somewhere on the Mana plane, in a place that resembled a shadowy version of Stonehenge something moved. A cowled figure strode purposefully towards a certain destination; the fact that it had not become an animal signified that this particular entity was either a druid of great strength or a creature of the plane itself.

It was impossible to tell if the figure was male or female due to the folds of the voluminous dark cloak that enshrouded it.

"Roma."

The voice that spoke was without inflection sounding dry in the fizzling energy of the plane.

The figure took yet another step forwards and though its location didn’t change, the energies around it shifted subtly.

In normal circumstances no-one not even the many and varied denizens of the Mana plane could see the intricate strands of energy that made and dominated it. However the figure now looked about itself with interest. The energy here was different, less contained and more for a better word free, it was tangible...

Golden whorls of energy raw and primal weaved in and out of reality pulsing with light and yet it paled in comparison with what the figure sought. The area around it was not now just the Mana plane it was the higher plane...

Home of the Celestials...the guardians of the elements...

"Roma!"

That voice again sounding in the air as dry as old books.

The energies seemed to stir slightly as though a sudden wind had blown through. The figure tilted its head to one side listening, and there just on the edge of hearing was a faint sound, the rhythmic clip clop of hooves.

The figure tensed as the hoof beats grew louder. It wasn’t afraid for the dark one held a powerful artefact, but of course it paid to be cautious.

Especially when one set out to trap a god.

The sound of hooves grew louder still, increasing in pace until their owner was at a gallop.

"Come on, stop playing games." The figure growled growing for a moment impatient.

As if answering the annoyed statement a powerful blast of pure energy hit the spot the cowled one had been standing in moments before. The area around it flared brightly as it hit magic colliding with magic.

The figure laughed.

"Come now. You’re telling me that’s the best a celestial can do? I confess to be disappointed Roma, you are weak."

An outraged snort told the figure their words were having the desired effect. If it continued the water celestial would materialise to attack with his full energy and that was exactly what the tormenter wanted.

"Come then pack mule, show me the power that you are said to possess...unless..."

The intruder paused as if savouring the effect its words were having.

"Unless you’re afraid? Is that it Roma? Are you scared of a mere mortal such as me?"

A screaming neigh filled the figures ears and it smiled eerily as Roma the celestial of water finally made his appearance.

"YOU!?"

The massive silver horse seemed taken aback and well he should, for this was a foe he’d thought long since dead.

"Surprised?"

The great stallion whinnied angrily and the hooded one suddenly found itself caught in a swirling orb of water that was rapidly getting hotter.

This was too easy. With a slight gesture the figure dispersed the water globe as if it were no more than a soap bubble. Any lesser druid by now would either be dead or forced to assume their animal form, but the figure simply raised one hand. In it was held a small white stone carved with a single image of a horse. Dead centre was a hole bored straight through the stone itself.

Roma snorted and without warning charged intending to crush the intruder below his massive hooves. He didn’t see what the stranger held aloft until he was almost upon them, and by then it was far too late...

As the mighty horse got near a jet of searing crystal blue light shot forth from the stone striking the stallion in the chest. Immediately his form became vaporous, a golden mist that streamed towards the stone and with a last glare of blue light a small crystal formed in the centre.

The figure held its prize aloft chuckling.

It had been far too easy

"One down, four to go Master Aetus..."

12: Chapter Eight

"Wha!?"

Ryane started as she gazed around. Where before had been nothing but an empty field, save the monument of Stonehenge, there now appeared several large canvas tents spread out around the area in a loose circle. The girl realised the camp such as it was had been arranged so that the massive stones were in the centre of the canvas dwellings. The grass all around was well flattened and gave of a sweet scent of its own that mixed with the smell of the little wildflowers that grew profusely.

Ryane could see a fair number of people going about various tasks, laughing and joking with one another. Most were adults or adolescents though she could see a few children too. One a boy who looked no more than five was giggling madly as he chased a large dog...No Ryane corrected herself, not a dog...A wolf with wings.

Something else pervaded the air as the slight breeze shifted in their direction and Rayne’s stomach gave a hungry growl as she sniffed appreciatively of the smell of cooking.

Now in front of her and David another of the wolves padded silently up and bowed its head to Rayne’s companion.

"Riccan says the tea is brewing and will be brought to you shortly Archdruid."

David nodded. "Thank you Morov."

The animal bowed its head again before it turned to Ryane. Her deep golden eyes regarded the female human thoughtfully for a few seconds before to Rayne’s surprise the wolf dropped into what was unmistakably a deep bow.

"Welcome druid Ryane, daughter of Naomi fire-heart."

Confused by this display Ryane merely nodded in return.

"Excuse me Archdruid I must return to the borders, Ver’nt has ordered extra precaution."

"Stay safe friend." David returned sincerely.

The wolf vanished. It didn’t walk or run off for it would still have been visible to the pair of humans; it simply just wasn’t there anymore.

"How did...I mean what on..." Ryane stuttered trying to form a coherent sentence. David had a pretty good idea what she was trying to ask though.

"She simply moved onto the Mana plane, a simple task for her, as for this place..."

He gestured at the little community spread out in front of them.

"That is due to our guardian Aeon."

Hearing the strange name sent a shiver along Rayne’s spine.

"Aeon?"

David nodded his calm face turning sad or so it seemed to the girl, he shook his head slightly as though clearing his thoughts before he turned back to her the calm expression now back on his face.

"Aeon’s magic creates a barrier of sorts between the two planes. Allowing us to exist in a sort of bubble, it prevents normal people finding this place and also serves to protect us from the less savoury of the Mana planes creatures."

He started off towards the tents and gestured for Ryane to follow which after a heartbeat she did.

"What’s the Mana plane?" She questioned curiously.

"Your totem didn’t explain?" He cast a sideways glance at her.

Ryane shook her head.

"Well the Mana plane is a place of magic; it mirrors this world in some respects, and it’s the space in which the animal totems live. Not just them though all sorts of creatures both good and bad call it home...It’s actually a fairly dangerous place..."

A thought seemed to occur to him suddenly.

"The animal you were dreaming of...did you touch it?"

The girl frowned.

"I...yes...but..."

A great big smile suddenly spread over David’s face.

"What animal was it if you don’t mind my asking?" He glanced at her.

"A big wolf...it...he said his name was Skoll."

If it was possible David’s smile would have gotten even wider.

"So an Earth druid then and Skoll? Well now that is interesting indeed."

Ryane furrowed he brow in annoyance as she stepped around a man carrying some timber.

"What’s interesting? Stop acting like this is all a big game for you and tell me what’s going on!"

He stopped so suddenly that Ryane walked into his back, turning to face her, he inclined his head slightly.

"I apologise Ryane."

He gestured to a large tent that was pitched a little ways off.

"My home, please come this way."

He moved off again leaving her to follow him exasperatedly.

Reaching the thing slit that represented the entrance he grasped a part of the fabric and pulled it back revealing the area within, as he started to tie it back David gestured for Ryane to enter. It looked Ryane had to admit quite comfortable despite the small space. To her left sat a small chair and desk, the surface of which was practically covered in old paper scrolls and a few books. In front of this and pressing against the side of the tent was a bookcase; this like the desk was full of papers and books, some of them quite old by the look of them.

A screen elaborately woven from some plant hung from the tents top artfully dissecting the area in two. Peering around it Ryane found a mat of thick material lying amongst the lush grass that served as the ‘carpet.’ Above the sleeping mat hung a dream-catcher, woven through with fur, beads and colourful feathers. Aside from the small chest in once corner and a candle lamp on a wooden stand there was little else to see.

Turning back around she found David busily trying to clear the desk of the paperwork, and as if feeling her eyes on him he glanced up before gesturing to the chair.

"Please sit down, Riccan should be here with our tea soon and in the meantime I will answer your questions and try to explain what’s going on ok?"

Ryane nodded mutely. She stepped to the chair and sank down onto it with a small sigh.

"So Ryane please ask anything you wish."

David moved to the bookshelf and began replacing the tomes and scrolls haphazardly.

Ryane watched him for a second or two before voicing the first thing that came to her mind.

"How do you know my mother?"

David’s shoulders slumped. He’d been expecting it but half wished she hadent asked, it was a painful subject and one that had haunted him for a long time. Turning to face the girl he smiled softly.

"Your mother was on of us Ryane."

The girl frowned. "One of us?"

David nodded consent.

"One of the most powerful and yet gentle of us. She was...is a druid."

Ha gazed a Ryane for a moment.

"Just like if Milo is correct and I believe he is you are also a druid though of a different calling and element to your mother."

"Wait...IS!? "Is she still alive!? Do you know where she is!!!?"

Now it was David’s turn to frown though it didn’t look angry or confused, to Ryane it looked sad. He was silent for a time as though contemplating the answer he was about give.

"I believe Naomi is still alive Ryane...but I don’t know where she is and her absence it’s...well it’s my fault. I asked her to investigate a rumour that could very well help our cause if it proved to be true. She vanished before she could report back on any of her findings."

He gazed at Ryane sadly half expecting her to scream at him, to demand he find her.

She did neither.

Her face had gone white and she fidgeted with her hands as though something warred inside her and demanded she lash out at him and to be honest he wouldn’t have blamed her nor stopped her if she had but again she did nothing.

"Ryane, I know it means nothing but I am truly sorry...Naomi would..."

"DONT! Don’t say her name..."

Ryane glared at him suddenly and silence fell for a few moments before she seemed to compose herself slightly.

"What do you mean when you say I’m a druid?"

Taken aback as he was by the sudden change in topic David nevertheless hid his surprise.

"A druid is someone who has bonded with an animal totem."

"Someone like you and Milo...and me?" Ryane cocked an eyebrow questioningly.

"Yes Ryane and bonding with a totem grants an elemental affinity to the person allowing them to control it and the various forms that element takes." David replied quietly.

"What do you mean?"

David sighed as though what he was now thinking pained him.

"You know about natural disasters right? Floods, volcanoes erupting? Well the thing is...they aren’t always natural."

The girl examined him closely trying to digest his words.

"So then...druids cause them?"

The Archdruid nodded. "Not all, but yes they do...Believe me Ryane, those of us here at Stonehenge and indeed many of us all over the world seek only to protect this world. Yet there are those who have been corrupted by a powerful dark being known as Aetus who seek only to destroy. Before it was simply random acts of violence for pleasure and monetary gain but now...

"Now?" Ryane urged interested despite her misgivings.

"Now we believe Aetus is concocting something, his Wargs have been attacking and scouting out our defences, testing Aeons barrier for weaknesses that grow by the day."

Seeing Rayne’s look of incomprehension at the name David plucked a scroll seemingly at random from the shelves beside him. He then laid it on the desk in from of Ryane who gently smoothed it out. She found herself looking at a depiction of a silvery tree and a large ink drawn image of a white dragon.

"So this is?" She glanced at David.

"Yes the dragon is our guardian Aeon, it is she who protects this place and aids us in our endeavours to combat Aetus’s shadow druids...now though...Aeon is dying and we don’t know why or how to help her. If Aeon passes the barrier will fall exposing this place to attack and we are too few to defend it for long."

"Isn’t there some way to cure her?"

David shrugged unhappily.

"All we know is that an answer may lie in Borneo but we have no-one we can spare to find out if this is true."

"Ok...this is all a lot to take..." Ryane stopped midsentence and stared at the large being that had entered the tent.

From the waist up was a normal human torso albeit very tanned. A form fitting leather vest was the only clothing it...she wore. About the slightly elfin face a shock of vivid red hair flowed in a wild mane about her shoulders. This however wasn’t what held Rayne’s attention; it was the fact that this woman didn’t have normal legs, instead at her waist the skin changed smoothly from tanned brown to a dark course brown fur. Not human indeed the body was that of a large powerful shire horse.

Ryane knew what the person was...she just couldent believe it. It was like something out of a film or a game.

As she stared at the being who shouldn’t, couldent be real the centaur bowed to David and offered the tray she was carrying.

"Your tea Archdruid."

13: Chapter Nine

“Just set it on the desk there would you Riccan?” David gestured.

Ryane stared mutely as the huge creature or person of whatever she was delicately set the tray down in front of her, before turning back to face David.

“The oat biscuits are fresh Archdruid, straight from my oven.”

Struggling not to smile at the expression on Rayne’s face David thanked the centaur warmly. Tail swishing slightly Riccan turned to Ryane who was still staring her jaw hanging open.

“Is she ok?” The female questioned the Archdruid.

Stepping to the centaurs side David regarded the girl who had managed to shut her mouth, but couldent seem to stop staring.

“I think perhaps today has been a bit too much...Could you possibly inform her father she is safe? Oh and is Ralas still in her own tent?

Riccan gently stepped around Ryane and moved to the entrance followed by David who cast a concerned look at Ryane.

“Yes and I think my daughter would love the company.”

The pair moved outside, now speaking in slightly lower voices.

“So she is Naomi’s daughter...The fact that she has become a druid is interesting indeed, who is her totem?”

Riccan watched David quietly waiting for his answer.

“Skoll...Riccan I do not think this is mere coincidence. Now of all times a druid appears who has a totem that is a direct descendent of Fenrir. The fact that it is Naomi’s daughter is even more intriguing, after all her own totem is...well...”

Riccan nodded.

“Yes but Naomi isn’t the only one who bonded with a god is she?”

David appeared not to be listening. He was staring out over the hill to where the sun was setting in a riot of reds, gold’s and oranges.

“Nothing happens without reason, Ryane was clearly meant to be a druid...but why now? With Aeon ill and the Dark Druid becoming more active...I don’t understand any of this Riccan. I wish more than ever Naomi was here she’d...”

He fell silent as tears slid down his cheeks.

Beside him Riccan snorted and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Do not despair, we will find the answers and in the meantime teach the girl. You, who knew Naomi better than anyone, honour her memory by helping her daughter. If Skoll is her totem there is much one such as you could teach her. In the current climate being able to defend one’s self is important, and as you said nothing happens without reason. Perhaps the child was meant to arrive today.”

She smiled suddenly.

“Your not alone in this David, remember that.”

Patting the human’s shoulder gently Riccan moved off, tail swishing as she trotted.

David watched her for a few moments before his eyes wandered back to the sunset. Riccan was right he knew and he owed Ryane at least that much. He just wished that the answers to his own questions could be found. The attack on the girl worried him too at Naomi’s request he’d kept an eye on Ryane, yet he had no idea that she might one day become a druid and one with the potential to become very powerful. It seemed strange that the Shadow Druids had found her so quickly; could it be possible they too had been watching? Naomi had opposed them and their master openly many times, and David had no doubt that they had had something to do with her subsequent disappearance. Were they now trying to do the same to Ryane?

He shuddered imagining what might have befallen, what HAD almost befallen her save for the fact that Milo had been around.

One way or the other it was clear she would be in danger if she left Stonehenge now. Sighing he turned back to his tent.

“Ryane?”

At the desk she stood slowly and turned to face him. Then she moved forwards almost as though she were sleepwalking. David watched with concern as she stopped just outside the entrance. He’d seen this a few times though never to this degree. People who’d become druids and found themselves here surrounded by people and creatures that hereto for them had been myth. Children’s tales and fanciful flights of the imagination, he hoped she wouldn’t start screaming.

“She didn’t but in a very small voice he heard her say.

“Is this real.”

In the circumstances David didn’t feel it best to start explaining about how these creatures were truths, living creatures that thought and feared just like Ryane did. Instead he smiled at her reassuringly and said what he’d said to others many times before.

“Can you prove it isn’t?”

She shivered imperceptibly.

“I want to go home.”

David could understand that desire but knew he couldent let her leave. If the Dark Druids truly sought to find her, to kill or bring her to Aetus they would waste no time if they discovered her alone.

“Its getting dark Ryane, why don’t you spend the night here? We have a place you can stay, believe me if you leave now you will be in danger.”

Her eyes found his.

“Danger...from the other kind of Druid you mentioned?”

“Yes. We call them dark or Shadow druids and I believe the attack on you this afternoon was no mere coincidence.”

Rayne’s face paled slightly but she nodded slowly.

“In the morning I can show you how to commune with your totem and tap into the power it grants... That is if you want to.”

Ryane said nothing. For a moment she turned her gaze out over the area and inhaled a deep breath, slowly she exhaled before turning back to face him.

“What about my dad?”

David smiled reassuringly.

“Don’t worry he will be protected as will you whatever you ultimately decide.

Seemingly satisfied with the answer Ryane turned back to look out towards the horizon now a soft velvety blue.

“You know, it’s strange how all of this....all these creatures exist and people never notice.”

Chuckling David started walking motioning for Ryane to follow him.

“They do notice though, didn’t you ever wonder how people give stories to a place? A perfect example would be Loch Ness.”

“There’s really a monster there?”

“A monster? No but there is a small colony of Kelpies.”

“Kelpies right...I guess it’s no stranger than anything else that’s happened to me today.”

David smiled to himself but said nothing as he angled for the outskirts of the tent community aiming for one in particular set back near a small tree. In front a little fire burnt merrily highlighting the features of the person lying in front of it.

“Good evening Archdruid.”

The voice was defiantly female though slightly deep and husky.

As Ryane squinted against the gathering gloom she could make out the girls lower body. Another centaur, though younger than the female that had brought the tea. She realised with a pang that she hadent even touched it, and as if in concert with her thought her stomach choose that particular moment to give a low rumbling gurgle. Ryane was glad of the twighlight; it meant that her now red face couldent be seen.

“Good evening Ralas. I trust you are well.” David greeted her.

“Yes thank you is this Ryane?”

She turned a friendly smile on the girl who bemusedly realised the girl centaur was wearing grubby t shirt with a cute cartoon pony on it.

“Yeah...Uh hi.”

Ralas giggled.

“It’s ok, your going to stay here with me tonight, I found you a blanket and sleeping mat it’s all set up. Hey! It will be like a...what do you call them...where lots of friends stay in one place to sleep...they play games and uh talk about males?”

Ryane noticed the other girl actually blushed when she mentioned about talking to boys. She turned her head slightly to ask David a question and found he had vanished.

“Oh don’t mind him he’s our leader and the Archdruid, so he has a lot to worry about and things to do y’know.”

“Oh?”

Ryane turned back to the girl who smiled happily.

“My name’s Ralas, my mare told me you’d be staying for a while. I don’t mind sharing a tent with you we can even braid each others manes.”

Ryane burst out laughing in the face of the centaur girl’s enthusiasm; she moved to the side of the fire and sat on the spongy grass proffering a hand.

“Nice to meet you Ralas.”

Xxx

 

Someway off a lithe lupine form watched quietly, the firelight reflecting in his eyes. If he could have smiled in this form he would be doing so now. Turning he trotted off towards his own tent staying partially on the Mana plane. Things were no less complicated in his wolf form but the change comforted David and he wanted to contact his own totem. Reaching his home he slipped inside, padded to his sleeping mat and lay down.

Closing his eyes he let his breathing steady and slow. Around him he could feel and hear the world, distant shouts and calls from the camp. The hoot of an owl the yips and barks of the Vard, even the beating of his own heart.

“Are you there?”

A warm voice echoed in his mind reminding him of frosty nights signing at the full moon, of warm days basking and watching others play in a sunny meadow, of the thrill of the hunt and the countless, countless ages of the world passing.

“I am always here David.”

“Why Skoll? Did you know he would?”

“Choose the girl? No, but everything happens for a reason. We all have a choice David yet it is up to ourselves to make it. So you must decide, things are dangerous now, more so if she cannot defend herself. Will you train her? Or will you not?”

David fell silent, though it was hardly a choice.

“I will train her Fenrir.”

14: Chapter Ten

10

The soft night slowly deepened. All around the little community campfires died down as their owners drifted off to dream filled slumber. Activity dwindled but didn’t die entirely. The Vard still patrolled the borders, winking in and out of sight periodically as they switched from one plane to another. In the cooking tent Riccan was preparing the mornings bread and the sweet smell of her baking drifted out on the slight breeze. Unaware of a slight figure that slipped by, the centaur continued kneading her dough and humming quietly to herself.

X

It was altogether too easy. So concerned with an attack from without the druids here didn’t even consider that it might come from within, slipping a vial from the pouch at his side the figure stared at its contents in mute fascination. The dark liquid inside moved sluggishly as though it had some life of its own. Such a small quantity and yet so very potent, it wouldn’t be long now; a few more applications and Aeon would either die or become too weak to continue holding up the barrier. Either way he’d soon get to leave this place and be done with it, the camaraderie and compassion these people showed each other and the earth was sickening.

They were so peaceful it hurt. Why not use the powers their totems brought to live as kings instead of this sad and frugal existence? Not that it mattered; soon there wouldn’t be anyone here at all.

Slipping easily through the night he stopped a little way off from the Archdruids tent. Inside he could just make out a soft glow that indicated David was either still awake or had left his lamp alight.

The person outside smiled softly wondering if he dared...Stepping to the entrance he peered inside. The man was asleep curled up on his sleeping mat; breathing light and steady, every now and then he muttered something unintelligible under his breath.

Rufus moved inside catlike sliding a long flat knife from his belt. Like most druids’ dark or light he preferred not to use weapons of conventional means, his totem gave him more than enough power and the ability to create less traceable items and means to kill. Yet if he called on that power here he would certainly be discovered. The presence of a corrupt totem would be like a beacon to the creatures and people that called this place home.

Besides he was more than capable of doing the deed with the blade in his hand, he’d done it before after all.

How beneficial it would be to him to reap the rewards of capturing Roma, destroying the barrier and killing David Winter. A thin smile creased his lips as he slid forwards. At the Archdruids sleeping form now he knelt and carefully hefted his blade.

David wouldn’t even have time to utter a word, he’d perhaps wake long enough to see Rufus but what did that matter if his throat was cut? He’d die without being able to warn anyone of Rufus’s treachery.

The sleeping man turned suddenly and Rufus froze, David mumbled something incoherent and sighed before settling down again.

It was not or never! Rufus lifted the blade and turned his head, uttering a soft curse. Someone was coming! With a last hateful glance at David he shifted onto the Mana plane turning to his animal form that of a large black bear for ease of movement and slipped away.

Moments later Riccan entered the tent quietly and moved to the desk intent on retrieving the untouched tea things.

"Hmm?"

She glanced to the side thinking for a moment she’d seen the shadow of a large beast. The centaur stared for a moment at the spot before shrugging, putting the strange shape down to a play of the light or indeed her own shadow. Glancing at the sleeping form of David she smiled, he was so young in fact the youngest Archdruid for many years and yet he showed wisdom far beyond his youth. Riccan loved him though of course she would never tell him so.

Yes she thought if anyone can guide us through this troubling time and find an answer to Mistress Aeon’s illness it would be the human in front of her.

X

Back outside Rufus cursed the centaurs timing and her perceptiveness and muttering dire curses under his breath slipped off. A few minutes of silent travel through the camp and he arrived at the slope leading to Aeon’s tree. His foul mood evaporated as he beheld what he’d wrought with the fluid he’d been administering to the tree. The grass was now a sickly brown colour and lay wilted...dying. Moving up the gentle incline he gloated at the sight of the tree itself, almost all of its leaves lay mouldering around the bottom of the trunk. The bark was black, raddled and cracking like old skin, a sorry sight indeed from the splendour it use to have.

Stepping towards it Rufus stared in amusement and pulled out the vial again. There was a soft pop as he uncorked it and then with a slight flourish he poured all of the contents onto the tree. Stepping back his smile widened into a sickly and triumphant grin as the tree visible shuddered.

It was amazing really, what the blood of the dark dragon was doing.

X

Someone else was still awake beside Rufus, Riccan and the Vard sentinels.

Ryane lay on her back staring at the canvas roof above her, and wondering how things had changed so fast. This morning had been so normal and shed woken with a good plan in mind for the day. Despite the wolf dreams she’d been normal, had felt normal and now? She felt like she was some kind of freak despite what David had told her.

He’d said he’d show her how to harness the ability her totem granted but how did that work? Since shed last talked to him, the wolf had been silent and hadent lifted a finger or paw rather to help when that Warg thing and the man had attacked her. Had the wolf left her as suddenly as he had come? If not then why was he being so silent?

Above her the canvas rippled slightly in the breeze, she watched it but as it didn’t offer any answers to the questions chasing each other around her mind. She turned her head to the side with a heavy sigh.

Opposite her she could make out the figure of Ralas. The young centaur smiled in her sleep and snorted gently. Ryane wondered what her new friend was dreaming about, after David had left and her initial excitement at meeting Ryane had died down she’d retrieved a large plate of oat biscuits and a pot of fragrant tea which the pair of them had shared with gusto.

Ralas had explained she was training to be a scroll reader, a difficult task as all of the old records kept by the druids were written in runes. The position of reader was important though and a task passed from one master to one student and so on. The main reason for this was to minimise the risk of ancient and secret documents being read by those who would do harm with the knowledge contained in the scrolls. There was more than just history written there the centaur had explained, and though she found the study of rune lore boring and tedious at times she felt honoured and privileged to be a student scroll reader.

She’d giggled then and explained that it had been David who put her name forward to the current master after it was discovered she was hopeless in battle training the centaur rite of passage. She hated getting dirty and didn’t like conflict a trait incredibly uncommon among the centaur clans who were generally a warlike race.

The girl was enthusiastic and talked pretty fast but Ryane found she liked the other well enough despite the fact she was half horse.

After chattering about scroll keeping for a while she’d asked Ryane about herself. If she was a druid, what animal she’d bonded with, what element did that carry...if she had a mate...?

Ryane had blushed bright red at that causing the centaur girl to snort with merry laughter, then launched into more familiar territory about boys and hair. It was like being swept away on a fast flowing tide and all she could do was hold on for dear life.

Although something Ralas had asked did make her wonder...What element did the wolf bring her? Slowly she sat up and feeling slightly silly placed a hand on the grass beside her. Closing her eyes Ryane imagined a flower growing beneath her hand, nothing big just a small wildflower...she sat like that for a few moments and then slowly opened her eyes.

Ever so slightly as if afraid of what she might find Ryane moved her hand to find nothing.

The grass was the same though slightly flattened and there were certainly no flowers there, she stared at the spot for a few moments before lying back down and closing her eyes. This wasn’t her world whatever David might say and in the morning she was going home.

Several minutes passed and then ever so slowly a small shoot uncurled itself from the grass where Rayne’s hand had been, it grew slowly silently and gently unfurled a small yellow flower...

15: Chapter Eleven

The Mana plane. That place between worlds, its strange magic’s crackling with energy almost uneasily as though waiting for something to happen. Stray sparks lit up what passed for the sky and played along the almost skeletal forms of several large creatures. They were clustered around large shapes that might have been stone, if stone were pure white and lined with deep veins of golden energy that rippled as though alive. The largest of the animals barked harshly and snapped at the air as though trying to bite something with its savage teeth.

There was a barely audible hiss and a sharp crack which threw the Warg back with a pained yelp. It landed in a tangle of splayed limbs just behind the rest of its pack. Fur standing on end and smoking slightly it grunted a curse.

Scrambling back onto all fours Lok snarled angrily sending a thick gob of saliva spattering to the ground, but he didn’t try to breach the point again. Instead he glared at the other four pack members, his demonic eyes seeming to glow in his anger.

"Spread out" Find a weak spot!"

The others bowed their heads slightly before moving off among the white monoliths, occasionally they would bite and snap at the air almost it seemed at random. Each attempt resulted in the same thing. Despite reports of it being weakened it seemed that Aeon’s barrier was still holding.

Lok snarled a curse in his own foul language. He and his pack had already lingered here for too long. If more time passed the cursed Vard would surely discover them, though the Warg didn’t fear the winged wolves there were too few of his pack here to withstand an assault and of course the Vard had allies. If they became alerted to their presence the druids would surely enter the fray, yet again Lok didn’t fear any of them...save one.

In sudden rage he turned and bit down hard at the almost imperceptible key nodes. Small spheres of energy that helped keep and maintain the cursed barrier.

Nothing happened. He could feel the energy of the thing in his jaws but it seemed different, somehow weaker than the others. Sensing his opportunity he bit down harder crushing the node between his teeth. It glowed brightly for a few seconds before the aura faded and the energy dwindled, a few seconds more and it vanished all together.

Cruel eyes widened in glee. Throwing back his head Lok threw voice to a howl of triumph that was readily answered by the others, for his part Lok grinned slowly lips pulling back away from his teeth. Where the node had been a small hole in the Mana planes reality ha appeared and through it the Warg could make out...

He snarled and leapt backwards as a long grey muzzle snapped at him. Then right in front of the beast a stocky shape appeared, its silver wings folded tightly against its body.

Vern’t glared at the creature haughtily his golden eyes narrowed in distaste, here were the creatures he loathed above all others. It didn’t matter to him that the Warg had originally been his brethren, in ages past the loathsome scavengers had been noble Vard like himself. Yet some had been tempted just as the humans had by the dark allure of Aetus’s powers. It was not the darkness that had changed their forms from the winged wolves to their current state though, that had been due to the father of all wolves the Earth celestial Fenrir.

Angered by the sons and daughters who had chosen to join the dark dragon and reek destruction and death on a world they had sworn to protect, the celestial cursed them and all their descendents to come.

Their form became lithe, rangy and furless save for the mane of boar-like bristles, the once magnificent wings shrinking to useless stubs no longer capable of flight.

Since that day the remaining Vard and their offspring had waged a silent war of their own, determined to wipe out the foul creatures their kin had become.

"Well the favoured lapdog of the humans. I’m surprised you of all others came actually, I would have thought you’d be too busy fawning and wagging your tail like a lovesick pup Vern’t."

The Warg grinned widely enjoying the effect his words seemed to have on the other.

"Foolish of you to come along though."

The Vard glared at the Warg, golden eyes meeting squarely with red.

"I am not alone Lok."

Around them the remaining Warg pack had silently been moving behind the Vard leader intent on tackling him from behind while Lok held his attention. Now though grey shapes appeared all around materialising into the stocky forms of more Vard. They greatly outnumbered their fallen brethren and from the looks of hatred on their snouts they knew it. They moved swiftly sliding into positions behind and to the sides of Vern’t protecting his back and flanks.

Without warning Lok sprang at the Vard in front him. Vern’t slid aside just as the others teeth would have closed about his furry throat. Spinning around almost elegantly Lok snarled and sprang forwards once more. This time though Vern’t was ready. He met the charge head on, his normally composed handsome face contorted into a snarl of his own. Both beasts rose up on their hind-legs snapping and clawing at the other trying to gain the upper hand. No mercy or quarter would be given here; this fight would be to the death...

Despite the Wargs smaller size and wiry frame he easily held his own against the heavier set wolf. The pair parted for a second, tongues lolling before they closed again. Vern’ts second charge managed to bowel the other over, and with a short sharp snarl of triumph he rose up on his hind-legs before plunging down again his front legs held stiff.

His paws hit nothing but dirt however as Lok rolled to one side. As Vern’t landed the Wargs head snapped to one side, teeth finding their mark deep in the wolves left foreleg.

The Vard let out a howl of anger filled pain.

The other packs both Warg and Vard snarled and growled in response but made no move. There was an unspoken code among the lupine creatures and both sides followed it. To interfere in another’s fight would be to dishonour one’s self and even worse one’s pack. Even the Warg corrupted and twisted as they had become, still followed this sacred creed.

Vern’t growling low in his throat spread his magnificent wings, and before the Warg could release his vicelike grip on the silver wolfs leg they catapulted into the air, Vern’ts wings beating powerfully pushing them higher and higher.

Where before Lok refused to let go now he didn’t want to, as nimble as he was he knew he couldent survive a drop from this height. Below and quickly becoming mere specks were the other wolves and Wargs now snapping and biting at each other in a brief fight of their own.

The four Wargs were vastly outnumbered though, and on the edge of his sharp hearing Lok could hear their yelps and whines as they darted off closely followed by Vern’ts wolves.

A faint whine escaped his own throat, though it was muffled by the thick fur. As Vern’t levelled off and moved into a glide Lok narrowed his eyes weighing his limited options. They were he had to admit to himself not good. If he stayed in his current position the silver wolf would eventually dislodge him, and if he voluntarily let go he’d end up as a smear on the ground far below.

Just as Vern’t banked to the left with the energy of the plane crackling along each feather and along the silver fur, Lok snarled a horrible curse through his clenched teeth before releasing his grip.

Gravity immediately took hold and the Warg plummeted back towards the hazy ground. He had no intention of getting that far though; above him Vern’t moved into a dive trying to catch up to his enemy and Lok knew if the wolf caught him now he stood no chance.

Like druids any creature of the Mana plane could move location in the blink of an eye. In fact the denizens of the plane found it much easier than the humans as they lived most if not all of their lives there and the magic’s of the plane were very much a part of them.

Lok narrowed his eyes. The ground was coming ever closer and it took all his willpower to concentrate on the destination he wanted to move too.

Still in his downward dive Vern’t let out a howl as the Wargs body abruptly shimmered and then vanished entirely almost as if the beast had never been there. The earth now looming in his vision Vern’t pulled up and alighted somewhat clumsily due to his injury. Immediately his pack surrounded and supported him as he turned to stare at the small hole the Wargs had managed to create.

His eyes clouded with pain and anger both at himself for failing to notice the attack sooner and at the Warg, he growled and turned his head to gaze at his second in command. The beautiful she wolf bowed he head slightly.

"Morov you, Aila and Sindar stay here in case those mongrels come back. The rest of you inform the other packs that a meeting will be held on moon hill two days from now."

Morov nodded.

"What will you do?"

Vern’t scowled.

"David and the council must be informed immediately. These are not random attacks, and something must be done..."

16: Chapter Twelve

Slowly the husky night passed, giving way to a rosy hued dawn that sent tendrils of pale light creeping across the sky. The sun hadent yet risen properly but still activity had started in the camp around Stonehenge. Ralas who always rose at the sound of the first bird yawned as she trotted towards a low hut, one of the only wooden dwellings. It housed the precious scrolls and ancient books kept by the druids though very few could read them. Most were written in the ancient runic script and even she had trouble translating most of them, even after spending four years under the tutelage of scroll master Nariel.

The tall elf was a good teacher, wise and patient. Yet the young centaur sometimes found his lectures boring and she would inadvertently let her mind wander.

Reaching the sturdy building she knocked and waited quietly. The door rattled open seconds later and Ralas inclined her head respectfully to the tall figure that stood there. As usual he was dressed in a light tan jerkin and pants and as usual barefooted. Long silver hair flowed freely down his back and Ralas not for the first time wondered how old he actually was.

Certainly he didn’t look very old with a fair face and bright green eyes. At a single glance he looked to be in his early twenties, though Ralas knew this was not the case.

The elves aged just as every other being in the world did, but so slowly that to the younger races they appeared to be immortal. Indeed they lived longer lives than most; almost quadruple that of a normal human’s lifespan.

Clopping into the building behind him the centaur inhaled the warm air; it smelt of old paper, ink and the sweet smell of lemon grass. This last emanating from a small brazier on Nariel’s desk, where a small bundle of the grass was gently smouldering.

She smiled contented.

"Ralas my dear, today we have a task from the Archdruid set before us."

"A task?" Ralas repeated surprised.

Up until now every day spent with the elf had consisted of learning the rune script and translating various scrolls the master set in front of her.

"Yes. David has need of some information and we may have something here that would for- fill his need. Finding it however could prove problematic."

He moved past Ralas, towards the long bookcases that contained the ancient documents.

"Why will it be a problem?"

"My dear girl, you know how many scrolls and tomes we have here. To find this single scrap of information could take days, perhaps weeks...If it exists at all."

Ralas grinned and moved to his side.

"Well then we had better get started.

XXX

As the sun climbed higher in the crisp air, another person could be seen moving away from the little tent community. Though any onlooker not familiar with druids might have been confused at what was happening to the figure. At intervals it seemed to shimmer and very briefly if one looked hard enough the form of a great red stag appeared.

Milo shifted back from the Mana plane, resumed his normal human form and suppressed a sigh. Though he knew the job was important he had to wonder why he’d been the one chosen to do it.

"Any sign of it yet?"

He appeared to be talking to himself and yet a moment later a small creature popped into existence beside him.

"Do you have any idea how many key nodes there are? Finding this hole is proving difficult."

The faerie dragon crossed its paws agitatedly.

"There are better things I could be doing than looking for a broken key node!"

Milo chuckled. "Such as?"

Beside him the little creature opened its beaklike mouth, perhaps to tell the boy exactly what he could be doing; faltered and closed his mouth again. Giving an annoyed grunt he shifted planes leaving Milo staring at the spot he’d occupied moments before.

Milo grinned. He’d been on his way to visit Ralas’s tent to find Ryane but had been waylaid by a harassed looking David.

The Archdruid had been woken by the Vard commander Vern’t in the early hours of the morning with the news that Aeon’s barrier had become so weak that the intricate network of key nodes that helped maintain it were now partially visible. Yet even worse was the news that a recent Warg attack had managed to destroy one. Though he hadent said as much Milo could tell David was deeply troubled. He’d hurried off to form the council, after giving Milo the task of finding the hole and recording how big it actually was. Though the Vard now had sentries posted around it, Milo found he and the faerie dragon were having a hard time finding the exact spot.

His body shimmered slightly and became a stag as he switched to the Mana plane again. Still nothing, and now not even any sign of Kora despite the fae beasts promise to help the search.

The little dragon was unlike any other faerie dragon Milo had ever met before. Not that he’d met many of course considering how secretive and rare they were. He’d found Kora two years ago whilst out on a reconnaissance mission, around the time Aeon’s barrier had first started to weaken. Assuming that the Warg had something to do with it constant patrols had been sent out to track the movements of the demonic beasts, and of course parties had been sent to watch the dark druids who had been unusually quiet for the past couple of years.

The boy had found the little dragon cornered by a smaller Warg pack and had promptly helped the little creature drive off the creatures.

Unlike most faeries who would have vanished Kora had elected to stay with his rescuers.

It was strange though Milo mused. Though small in size fae dragons had large reserves of Mana at their disposal and usually when attacked wasted no time dispatching the offender. Milo had questioned Kora about that, yet the dragon had no answers for him. It seemed that he was either unwilling or even unable to use mana.

Milo shrugged he’d find out one day he was sure, for now though he had a job to do. A quick shift to the other plane revealed still nothing and it looked like Kora had vanished off somewhere despite his earlier promise.

"Hnn, just my luck..." The boy grumbled to himself as he crested a hill.

With a yawn Milo flopped down onto the springy grass. Tilting his head back he stared at the sky which was now a brilliant blue and spotted with puffy clouds. Staring forwards again he could see a long grey smudge right across the horizon, it looked like a storm was on its way.

Xxx

Robert stared at the hulking mass of the creature and let a slim smile steal its way onto his face. Surely Aetus was a deity like no other, to take a failure such as Jack and turn him into something so truly magnificent...The thing twitched in its sleep but didn’t awaken. One massive paw tipped with long sabre like claws scuffed briefly at the earth as though trying to reach something and even as Aetus’s chosen one watched the already withered grass shrivelled and turned black before crumbling completely to dust.

Robert had known the creatures venom was potent, but not to such a degree. He lifted his head staring at the sky briefly imagining what it could do to a living being. If only Jack could see what he’d become.

"Such power...It seemed Aetus had blessed you."

The thing snarled softly in its sleep, lips curling away from its serrated teeth.

"Heh, don’t worry soon you’ll have your revenge and in doing so you’ll also destroy the rest of those pathetic so called Light Druids."

He chuckled and stepped back a few paces to regard the creature the former druid had become.

"You should consider yourself lucky. Had I been in charge you would have died on the spot for failing to bring back Naomi’s daughter."

The beast slept on.

Behind the man and the sleeping beast soft footsteps and Robert turned to find himself staring into the face of his second. A woman by the name of Nanaii though he suspected that was not her real name. The taboo daughter of a centaur and human, she had dark skin and even darker haunted eyes. Sultry black hair in an intricate braid fell to her waist. Unlike her sire she to all appearances looked human, yet centaur blood flowed in those veins as did a bitter resentment.

Neither fully human nor centaur she was an outcast. Unable to bond with a totem nor integrate with centaur society she had taught herself how to survive and how to fight, using a traditional weapon much favoured by her father’s clan. A long stout pole of wood tipped both ends with large blades that sported jagged edges. It was a vicious looking thing and Robert had seen first hand what it could do.

Like so many other outcasts Aetus’s power had drawn her here and she had become a considerable force to be reckoned with during the years that followed. It had surprised Robert to learn that she was a half-breed, though such unions were forbidden and he knew of only one other a young boy...

At the girls feet the Warg Lok stood, breath hissing between his fangs. As Roberts gaze turned to him the beast whined and dropped to the floor showing his neck and belly submissively.

Robert smirked.

"What news Lok?"

"Master though the barrier still holds strong the key nodes are becoming visible and venerable, I managed to destroy one."

"The others?" Robert all but hissed menacingly.

The Warg cringed and flinched as though he’d been struck.

"The Vard arrived before anymore could be destroyed, but you can be sure even with one single node gone the barrier will be weaker than ever."

The Druid turned to stare thoughtfully at the monster Jack had become. His brow wrinkled as his mind raced; finally he turned back to the half-breed and the Warg.

"Send out messages to the centaur clans and all those loyal to Aetus, we must start to gather forces to us. There is no doubt that Aeon’s followers will be doubly on their guard now, yet as long as Rufus remains undiscovered and continues his task it wont be long before the barrier fails completely."

"What then?" Nanaii questioned quietly.

"Then?" Robert chuckled.

"Why then we wipe those dirt loving fools out."

Xxx

Ryane woke with a start, eyes darting around the tent trying to find the monster that had been chasing her. Closing her eyes slowly the girl tried to slow her breathing and her pounding heart. After a few moments simply spent simply breathing in and out slowly her eyes flickered open again and she pushed herself into a sitting position.

"Just a nightmare." She sighed glancing around the tent slowly.

"Well...mostly."

"Ryane."

"Hmm?" Ryane inclined her head as a soft voice called her name.

"Ralas...That you?"

Standing Ryane moved to the tents entrance not noticing the small flowers she trod on in the process. They covered the ground like a carpet with an exceptionally thick growth surrounding her sleeping mat.

"Ralas?" Ryane called out again."

Her friend was nowhere in sight though several people waved to her from the little fires outside their own dwellings. From the smells emanating from a few of them Ryane could tell they were cooking breakfast and couldent help but wonder what exactly the people here ate.

Again just on the edge of hearing the voice called out again.

"Ryane, come to the tree."

"The tree? Ralas is that you?"

Even as she said it Ryane knew that it was not her equine friend. The strange voice was defiantly feminine yet it seemed to echo with an eerie quality quite different to the excited chattering of the centaur girl.

Almost as though in a dream Ryane started walking, she didn’t stop when a large heavy set male centaur bid her good morning nor when one of the Vard licked her hand in greeting.

Onwards past the monolithic stones and up a short slope covered in dying black grass and wilted flowers. All the while the soft voice called her, pulling her on. At the top of the slope now she stared at the large tree quietly. It was clear the poor thing was dying and part of the conversation with David came back to her.

"Aeon?"

The name was barely a whisper as she spoke it and yet it seemed incredible loud to Ryane. She took a tentative step forward and almost immediately stopped, the tree faded as she felt a familiar sensation like someone pouring ice down her back. Ryane closed her eyes giddily as the landscape about her seemed to sway, and then just as abruptly as it had started everything stopped even sound. There was no wind, no sun and yet Ryane felt warm carefully she opened one eye, then the other.

She was no longer by the tree, nor did it seem she was on...what was it called now? The Gaia plane.

Staring down Ryane saw two large paws.

"My paws?"

"Yes Ryane, for here you cannot exist as you do on the earthly plane, the magic’s here are too great and so your totem shields you."

The same voice as before spoke though it seemed slightly stronger now.

"Your totem is Skoll, son of Fenrir a powerful beast and formidable fighter."

The she wolf blinked slowly.

"Yes but since the first time he spoke to me Skoll seems to have vanished."

Ryane wished she could see who she was talking to, although she had a suspicion to who it might be.

The voice laughed a sound like a thousand tinkling bells.

"Do not fear. Skoll has not left you, the calling and bonding is a powerful thing and takes a great deal of magic. Your totem is merely resting, but be assured when you need him all you need do is call to him with your thoughts and your heart."

"My thoughts and heart huh?"

Ryane sat back on her haunches and cocked her head to one side.

"Is that why you bought me here?"

A low sigh was heard followed by a warm breeze that washed over Ryane.

"No little one. I think David has told you of the troubles that beset the tree and myself and yet he cannot follow his heart as he wishes to do and find a cure. As Archdruid it is his duty to protect this place and everyone here. A great responsibility for one so young and not helped by the fact I can no longer lend aid as I want too. For now it is all I can do to uphold my barrier, but even that is becoming harder. I cannot hold much longer. War is coming Ryane...I don’t know when but I feel a darkness growing, it will strike soon and all will be lost. The people here will resist of this I am sure but without my aid they cannot hope to prevail. I choose you for a task of great importance, there is something about you. Some power that perhaps even you do not know you have but it is liker a candle. A light in the coming darkness and I know you are capable of doing what I ask of you."

"So wait, you want me of everyone one here to go looking for a cure that only possibly exists?

"Silence followed Rayne’s question.

"I can’t do this, I’m not a druid and I’m certainly not a hero..."

There was the faintest movement in Rayne’s peripheral vision and yet when she turned to look at the spot, there was nothing there.

"You sell yourself short daughter of Naomi. Sometimes the greatest hero’s are those who do not think themselves worthy."

Ryane frowned.

"Even if I did go, where would I start looking?"

"Borneo, there is an old temple deep in the rainforest. Long ago one of the druids residing here vanished and took a great deal of scrolls with him. I do not known if they hold any answers but it is a good place to start. The world works in strange ways little one, perhaps you may even find the answers to your own questions."

"My questions?"

Another blast of warm air rushed over Ryane but no reply came. It seemed the meeting was over, slowly the world around the girl returned and she found herself sitting on a pile of mouldering leaves a human once more. Brushing dead twigs and leaf mould off she stood and stared at the tree. It offered neither comfort nor answers to ease her confused mind and the voice of the dragon had fallen silent.

Druid or no Ryane felt that things were spiralling way out of her control and if what the dragon said was true then she was stuck in the middle with very limited options now open to her.

"Great..." She muttered.

17: Chapter Thirteen

David sat like so many before him on the worm yet comfortable wooden chair and stared around the members of the council. From his position at the top of the broken circle he could see the worried expressions on most of their faces. One place remained unfilled though and the Archdruid wondered what was keeping Rufus. The summons he’d sent had been carried by the swiftest Vard, and even the eldest of the council had arrived within moments. The council hall was another of the wooden buildings that had been built during the communities stay around the stone monument.

The outside of the building was unadorned though either side of the entrance small trees had been planted that bore sweet smelling white flowers. Inside the hall were many skillful carvings mainly showing curling vines twisting around the walls and even the ceiling. Two pillars near the entrance were shaped into the forms of mighty oaks so realistic they could have almost passed for the real thing. Some tapestries could be seen hanging in various places around the walls mainly showing aspects of centaur life, though a few featured fantastic creatures that very few people would be able to put a name too. In the center of the small hall was the broken circle, a name given purely because that was what it looked like.

To the left and right sides twelve chairs sat in a curved line set there for the council members use. A path led from the entrance right through the chairs to another single chair that sat on a small rise enabling its occupant to see all of the council with ease. Only one person sat here and that was the Archdruid, the chosen one of Aeon.

Behind this ‘dais’ another large tapestry hung, this one depicting a huge white dragon. Below the intricate image woven into the fabric were the characters:

The druid rune script.

Few knew how to read it yet anyone present would be able to inform an onlooker what the letters said, after all everyone knew the name of their guiding deity did they not?

David listened to the whispered and troubled conversation's quietly. They all knew the danger they now faced. David had explained what the Vard had found and that the attack by the Warg had been the cause of the key nodes collapse, a point verified by the Vard commander Ver’nt and young Milo although he needn’t have had the boy confirm it. David knew that many of the council members would disbelieve anything unless actual proof came to light or more than one person accurately described the problem.

This he felt was a moot point all they had to do was visit the Mana plane to confirm the truth of his words. Now the boy stood off to one side slightly, pale and fidgety seemingly ill at ease in his current surroundings.

"This is unprecedented! Such a thing has never happened before and I for one want to know what our Archdruid proposes to do about it. With the barrier failing daily and now with this new problem it won’t be long before the Darkness descends and devours us all."

One voice declared rising clearly above the general hubbub of noise.

The room fell silent; nothing could be heard now but the steady breathing of twenty five people. David inclined his head slightly towards the speaker.

"You ask what is being done? Did I not come before you yesterday highlighting my concerns after talking with Aeon?"

David asked quietly.

The speaker paled as he stuttered.

"W...well yes but I t...that is we..."

"Did I not say then what course Aeon herself suggested be followed?"

The speaker almost wished David would shout, it would be better than this steady calm voice so full of reason. He became aware that his fellow council members had moved away from him ever so slightly. He could feel also feel the Archdruid’s eyes boring into him and he dared not raise his own to meet that piercing stare.

"A...Archdruid I..."

"Hush now. You are afraid we all are but we must now face what comes next whether we are afraid or not. It is our duty to ensure that peace continues and this place is protected."

David lifted his gaze to stare at the whole council.

"My friends, you now have proof of my words so we must decide who should be sent to Borneo."

Milo who had been silently staring at his shoes glanced up.

Another of the council stood.

"Archdruid, while I do not doubt your word how can we be sure that the answers lie in Borneo? Surely our energies would be better spent mounting a defense here?"

"Don’t you get it!?"

David’s head turned to Milo as did all the others in the room.

Now the center of attention Milo gulped. He hadn't meant to speak but the men and women in this room who professed to be wise either couldn't or didn’t want to understand the situation. Shaking slightly yet determined to carry on he moved forwards.

"If we don’t send someone to Borneo then we have no hope left. It won’t matter if we defend our home, if Aeon dies the barrier will fail completely and the Dark druids won’t waste any time attacking us. It doesn’t matter that there only ‘might’ be something out in that jungle because that gives us a chance however small it might be. It’s better than having nothing at all and right now it’s all we’ve got."

He fell silent but kept his gaze on the assembled Druids willing them to understand.

David smiled to himself as he observed Milo. The boy was a credit to the community and one day would make a powerful adversary both physically as a druid and verbally as a member of the council. Naomi would have been proud of him, David knew he was.

Shaking the memories away he turned his gaze back to the council. There were no arguments now, after Milo’s outburst an unspoken agreement seemed to have been reached.

Slowly Lola bowed to David and then to Milo’s surprise to him.

"Our choice is clear then and so who should be sent? Whoever it is will be in danger every step of the way, and we cannot give aid except for advice. With the barrier failing our strength will be needed here."

Several muted conversations rose up as she finished speaking. It was clear at least that none of those present save David were willing to go, and in his case it was simply that he couldn't go that prevented him from volunteering.

Forgotten again Milo wrestled with his conscience. On the one hand he wanted to stay here at Stonehenge to help in whatever way he could, and yet on the other someone had to go and like he’d said a few minutes earlier. If nothing was done however small the chance of success then Aeon would die and eventually the Dark druids would overwhelm the defenders here.

Oh they might hold out for a while but the darkness had strength in number, both human and other less savory creatures. Not to say that the light druids were without allies but without Aeon that would count for little. He was afraid yes but he knew he could never forgive himself if he didn’t follow his heart now.

Slowly he stepped forward into the center of the circle and stopped. Turning to face David he bowed his head.

The silence that fell was deafening, it was almost like a palpable thing. Milo felt like he was underwater with the pressure crushing against him from all sides. He was vaguely aware that everyone was now staring at him.

Mouth dry he lifted his gaze to meet David’s.

"Archdruid...Please allow me to be the one to make this journey. I swear that I will find anything that might be out there and bring it back to help Mistress Aeon."

David regarded the boy thoughtfully. Normally a fun loving and humorous young man this change in him disconcerted the Archdruid. Of course the circumstances regrettably meant that many of Milo’s age would find out what it truly meant to be a druid. As much as he might wish it otherwise the path was not all concerned with helping the plants grow and protecting them from the safety of this place.

Sometimes it could be a brutal existence fighting against the Dark druids and many beasts and creatures that threatened Gaia daily. Many druids lost their lives in order to protect what they held dear. In the current brewing climate David feared that many would perish needlessly. Every death he’d known hurt him deeply and the Archdruid couldn't help but wish that this had not happened under his leadership.

He sighed. His wishes were irrelevant. Right here and now was were his head and heart should be, not dwelling on impossibilities and what might have been.

He focused on Milo and inclined his head.

"This is a dangerous task...None would think less of you for not going but if your mind is made up I would suggest leaving tomorrow morning, though you may find your road forward is a long and hard one do not fear or falter and trust in your totem Milo."

The boy nodded; bowed and turned to leave just as one of the Vard stumbled into the building bleeding heavily from one flank.

David stood in alarm.

"Morov...! What on...!?"

"THE WARG ARE ATTACKING."

She snarled.

18: Chapter Fourteen

Twenty minutes earlier:

Looking about himself surreptitiously Rufus made his way towards Aeon’s tree. This morning he’d received another dose of blood from his contacts, and he hoped it would prove to be the last one he needed. With the barrier as weak as it already was it wouldn’t take much more to destroy it completely. The Warg attack on the previous day had proved that his administrations were working well and though he hadn't orchestrated it Lok’s move had come as a blessing.

At the slope that led to the dying tree he stopped and stared. A girl was walking towards him, a pre-occupied air about her; no he corrected himself THE girl. She didn’t seem to notice him but not wishing to answer awkward questions Rufus slipped on the Mana plane, the girl passed by apparently without noticing a thing. Reappearing on Gaia Rufus returned to his human form and stared after her, what he wondered was so special about her? Yes she was the daughter of Naomi one of the most powerful modern day druids, but that didn’t mean that the kid herself was anything special.

Why then he wondered did Aetus and Robert want her. She didn’t even show any signs of having bonded with a totem despite what that little upstart Milo and the Faerie dragon had said. Sometimes the motives of the Dark Druids confused him in their apparent nonsensical nature.

"Ours is not to question why..." He muttered.

Reaching for a pocket he pulled out the vial of blood, watching as it stirred sluggishly. With luck he’d be able to grab the girl before making his escape to Aetus’s abode and if she had any kind of sense which frankly he doubted then she’d come quietly. If not, well then there were ways of ensuring her co-operation. Rufus smirked to himself and started up the slope, the grass had all but died now leaving great bare patches of crumbling earth. The smirk widened to a grin as he crested the hill, caressing the vial almost lovingly he made his way to the tree and stopped dead as a cruel voice as cold as the deepest ice spoke in his mind.

"The Wargs are waiting, do not fail..."

Rufus who had gone ridged as his Masters voice invaded his thoughts felt his former good humor slide away as the dragons presence receded. He blinked once or twice and then without further hesitation he un-stoppered the vial made a silent toast to the darkness and tipped the viscous liquid out. It splashed down onto the trunks base quickly being absorbed by the hungry soil; the resulting effect was almost instant.

A high pitched keening wail started, the sound echoing both in his mind and all around him. Turning Rufus vanished onto the Mana plane and as he assumed the form of his totem he could already see dark shapes appearing all around him.

They materialized fully into the form of Lok along with his pack and if the huge shadowy rhino that had been Rufus could grin it would be doing so.

The barrier was shattered and Aeon had either perished of would do soon. Around him the Wargs snarled and howled. Not wishing to detain them longer the rhino bellowed a rumbling cry that echoed on and seeming to grow louder as it did. The Wargs uttered their own cries adding to the cacophony and then with bloodthirsty yelps and growls they vanished.

To materialise seconds later on Gaia and as one they surged towards the camp.

Reaching the top of the hill Lok pulled up short on his haunches, standing a few feet away was one of the Vard. Hearing the disconcerting wail she’d immediately headed for the tree and now it seemed things were far worse than she had expected. Staring at the beasts massed in front of her Morov’s muzzle wrinkled in distaste, not waiting for them to make the first move she threw back her golden head and howled before bounding away.

"AFTER HER!" Lok snarled.

He knew the howl would alert the other Vard and most probably the humans as well, but what was done was done. As one of his pack sprang after the she wolf the big animal turned his bullet head to stare at the area before him and then with anticipatory growl he padded forwards.

XXX

Morov had had a fair head start but despite her best efforts her pursuer seemed to be gaining ground on her and not wanting to lead the Warg into the humans dwellings she’d run for the open field. Now knowing there was nothing else for it and seeing she wouldn’t be able to shake her pursuer she switched planes.

Grinding to a halt she spun ready to meet the attack head on, she therefore failed to react in time as it came from her right flank. As the Wargs claws scoured vivid lines down her side Morov howled furiously, ignoring the hot flow of blood that ran down from the wounds she snapped at the creature in retaliation. It leapt backwards easily avoiding her attack all the while growling low in its throat, now eyes locked the two animals began circling each other looking for an opening to exploit.

The Vard knew she had to kill the thing quickly despite her wound; she needed to let the humans know what was going on. Hopefully her howled warning had at least alerted the other Vard and maybe the Centaurs but she couldn't count on that. Unlike Lok this Warg didn’t seem all that intelligent to the point it didn’t seem inclined or even able to speak perhaps a newer generation? Now that she thought about it the beast did seem smaller and there were small differences to it that a human might miss, for its part the Warg continued circling still growling under its fetid breath. This gave Morov a very small advantage, the beast in front of her had probably never heard of the word tactics...

With precious seconds ticking away the she wolf feinted to the left, the Warg moved to counter her teeth bared and dripping saliva. Morov felt a brief moment of elated triumph as the stupid thing fell for her ruse, pulling up she swung to the right and before the creature could recover she cannoned into him bowling him over onto its side. Not waiting a second Morov pounced teeth bared...

After a few seconds she rose to her paws panting and without a backward glance at the beast took off back towards Stonehenge. In the distance she could see her kin moving, every now and then disappearing from sight. Her howl had alerted them then...good. The Vard set her eyes forward onto the camp and ran.

XXX

Ten Minutes Earlier:

Ryane moved back through the tents, her mind awhirl with what the dragon had asked of her. She couldn't understand why it had been her that had been ‘chosen’ for lack of any better word when there had to be plenty of people her suited to the task. Weaving her way though the tents she wondered how things had gotten so complicated so fast and she was struggling to keep up.

Yesterday she’d been a normal girl intent on doing normal things. Now she was wandering through a place that she’d never dreamed existed surrounded by winged wolves, centaurs and who knew what else. To top all of that off she was supposedly now a druid and was tasked by a god to save her from dying...

A sudden howl reached her ears then and she like several around her craned their necks to see where it had come from. A few Vard that had been passing by had their ears pricked up and after a few seconds they sprang away. Ryane looked around bewildered as people started conversing in urgent hushed voices, several hurried off worried expressions plain on their faces. Ryane didn’t understand what was going on but it was clear that it was something important. Moving towards a handsome black furred centaur who was standing with his eyes fixed on the horizon; Ryane cleared her throat albeit somewhat nervously.

"Scuse me?"

The centaur started and glanced down at her.

"What’s going on? What did that howl mean?

The stallion smiled sadly at her.

"We are in danger, the Warg are here...Be brave little one. Now I am sorry but you must excuse me I must go and find my mate and foal."

Quickly he bowed his head to Ryane before turning and trotting off at speed.

As he’d said Warg, Ryane had felt a shiver run the length of her spine. She wouldn’t forget that thing in a hurry, though hadn't David said that the area was protected by Aeon’s barrier or something? If the Warg had breached it did that mean Aeon had already died? Fear rising in her chest now, she hurried off towards Ralas’s tent hoping her friend was there.

It took a few minutes to reach the little home, and to her dismay it looked unoccupied. Faint sounds were starting to reach her ears from behind and they didn’t sound good at all. Turning back the way she’d come Ryane stared towards the huge stone Monoliths and hoped that whatever the problem was that she wasn’t the cause of it. It would be better for all if she just left right now, decision made she turned once more to the tent and started...a man was standing in front of the entrance. How he’d gotten there Ryane didn’t know but from the look on his face he wasn’t there to help her.

Ryane stepped backwards and watched as a sickly smile appeared on the man’s face.

"Please don’t try to run girl, I have limited patience and would prefer to bring you back in one piece."

He moved towards her and Ryane felt a sudden rush of anger. He moved closer still and somewhere in the back of her mind something stirred...something wild.

"Who are you?" She asked quietly.

He paused regarding her thoughtfully perhaps contemplating giving her an answer.

In her mind Ryane sought the presence she’d felt. Could this be her totem?

Rufus stared at Ryane, the girl seemed to have retreated into herself and was staring fixedly it seemed just passed his left shoulder. This was too easy! With a smirk he started towards her again, smiling wider still as the howls of the Warg reached his ears.

Ryane could feel the presence of the wolf as it stirred now, and also she was vaguely aware of the stranger moving towards her. He very clearly meant her harm and Ryane refused to let that happen after all she’d been through. It was damn well time for her totem to prove itself to her so she probed at the presence further.

"Help me!"

Rufus grabbed one of the girl’s arms.

"No" she whispered.

Rufus hesitated. "What?"

She glanced up at him then and in surprise he released his grip on her; the girl’s eyes were glowing golden. As he stared in horror she gestured to the ground and at the thick grass that grew there, immediately it quivered with an unnatural life of its own. Curling upwards it twined about Rufus feet and legs effectively pinning him to the spot. With a growl he released his grip on Ryane and clawed at the strand, however as fast as he pulled them away more grew up to take their place.

In Ryane’s mind the face of the wolf appeared and bared its teeth in a snarl.

*GO RYANE! Find the boy!"

Ryane blinked as the wolf faded and then ignoring her aggressor’s outraged cries. She spun on her heel and took off back into the array of tents.

XXX

Present time:

David burst out of the council hall at a run, Milo and the other member’s right behind him. Several hurried off in various directions while the remainder clustered around the Archdruid grim expressions of their faces. Morov though wounded appeared at David’s side.

"Carry word to Ver’nt. He must hold them off as long as he can until we can get those unable to defend themselves to safety."

The she wolf bowed her head momentarily and then she was gone. David turned to those still clustered behind him.

"Richard, Jo and you Sarah please start the evacuation."

The trio bowed as the wolf had done before hurrying off.

Around them now screams, howls and curses could be heard. A small group of centaur hurried passed towards Aeon’s tree, David frowned and gestured to those still at his side.

"Please follow the centaur, do what you can to hold them back. I will join you as soon as I am able."

Everyone except Milo vanished.

David turned to the boy.

"Milo I-"

"DAVID, MILO!"

A shout cut him off mid-sentence and the running figure of Ryane appeared followed at some distance by Rufus.

David smiled in relief as the pair approached. With Rufus here now perhaps the tide of battle would sweep easily in their favor. It worried David that the barrier had fallen but he didn’t think Aeon had perished, he would know if that happened. For now though as much as he wanted to find out more about what had caused this he needed to concentrate his efforts on repelling the attack.

Ryane arrived then flushed and panting, widely she gestured behind her at the approaching form of Rufus.

"Th...That man!"

David smiled at her.

"That is Rufus, don’t worry he’s a friend."

"No!" Ryane managed as Rufus caught up to them.

"David is everything well?" The man questioned nothing but innocent concern on his face.

"Don’t trust him; he’s not one of us!" She was vaguely aware of her use of the word us but right now all that mattered was convincing David that Rufus wasn’t what he seemed.

David frowned at her.

"That is a serious accusation Ryane... Rufus has been here with us for many years and believe me is very trustworthy."

He sighed and turned to Milo as Ryane edged away from Rufus.

"Borneo awaits, be careful my boy and good luck."

Milo nodded solemnly.

"Borneo hmm?" Rufus murmured to himself.

"What’s that Rufus."

David half turned back around and stopped dead as a flash of metal glinted in front of his face. Rufus glared at him as he hefted the knife, everything about him ready and poised to strike. The cries of battle seemed louder in the silence that followed. David, eyes wide stared back at the other man whom he had so recently vouched for and gestured for Ryane and Milo to move behind him.

"Rufus...why?"

Rufus snorted and vanished.

"Milo take Ryane and go!"

The boy hesitated unsure.

Behind him Rufus reappeared long enough to throw his knife before vanishing once more to the Mana plane. It seemed to Ryane that thing’s were moving in slow motion as David darted towards the boy pushing him from harms way. The knife embedded itself in David’s shoulder with an awful thump, and Ryane gasped as Milo grabbed her arm.

"GO!"

The Archdruid yelled at the pair of them as time abruptly returned to normal.

The last thing Ryane saw was David becoming a huge winged wolf and charging at Rufus as the traitor reappeared.

19: Chapter Fifteen

On the Mana plane Milo who was now in the form of his totem turned his antlered head to look at the smaller form of Ryane’s wolf. She was crouched low, ears flat against her head and her eyes wide with shock.

"Ryane we have to go! We’ll get caught in the crossfire when David and Rufus start fighting if we don’t!"

When Druid’s fought especially powerful ones, the battle could rage between the two Planes with devastating results to any onlookers. On the Gaia plane most Druids were obliged to return to their human-selves, and would rely on their mastery of a totems elemental affinity to fight. While on the Mana plane it became a battle of beast VS beast, though Milo knew exceptionally powerful Druids for example those that had bonded with a Celestial could exist on both planes at once. Then it was impossible to fight them, for however many attacks were made against such a person they couldent be wounded or hurt in anyway unless they existed fully on one Plane or the other.

Ryane stirred and glanced up at Milo.

"Believe me I want to help too, but we can help better by finding a cure."

"I guess so" she replied hesitantly. "What about David and the others?"

"I know." He fell silent for a few seconds, and then steeled himself. He knew as well as she undoubtedly did that they couldent stay.

"Concentrate on the Bornese Rainforest ok?"

Ryane glanced up in surprise, how did Milo know about Borneo...Making a mental note to ask him about this later she closed her eyes trying to picture the Rainforest which considering she had never been there was quite a feat. There were numerous such places in the world and trying to get to one particular one was going to take quite a bit of luck.

"Are you ready?" Milo asked in her head.

"Yes."

XXX

A moment later two huge animals burst into existence on the Mana Plane where the deer and the wolf had been seconds before. The sleeker of the two, a silvery winged wolf launched itself into the air raking its claws along the tough skinned hide of a huge black rhino. The bulky animal bellowed in anger but that was all the assault seemed to achieve, no claw marks were visible to show the wolf’s attempt and as the lupine form landed the rhino charged.

David blinked out of existence appearing seconds later on Gaia; he retained his wolf form though.

"Fenrir, why didn’t that work? Surely Rufus hasn’t bonded with a Celestial..."

His totem remained quiet for a few moments and David took the brief lapse to scan the area for any sign of an attack from Rufus.

"No Celestial would bond with such a man I think, however the fact that he was not harmed by our claws tells me otherwise."

Rufus appeared in front of David snorting angrily; the huge beast narrowed its piggy eyes, lowered its head and charged. David was ready though, as the rhino’s momentum brought it unstoppably forward he leapt easily to one side snapping at one of the creatures legs. Again the attack had no effect and in his mind Fenrir suddenly howled in anger.

"The traitor has a soulstone!"

David felt the prickle of his totems anger and had to control a sudden urge to lunge at Rufus who was currently trying to turn for another charge. Of course David knew about soulstones, he himself had written a treatise on them with the aid of Fenrir and Nariel but he never thought someone would go so far as to create one.

As though reading his thoughts Rufus stood on his hind legs gradually becoming human. He smirked at David and pulled out a small stone that hung on some cord around his neck. It had David noticed a small crystal of deep blue right in the very center.

Trying to control Fenrir’s anger David became human. Reaching to his shoulder he gripped the knife still embedded there and pulled, he didn’t wince or gasp in pain as like the attack he’d made against Rufus this one had also had no effect.

"A stalemate then..." He glanced at Rufus who was idly flicking the stone between his fingers.

David’s opponent didn’t even bother to look up.

"So it would seem."

"Why Rufus?" David asked quietly. "You were one of us."

The man in front of him snorted and finally glanced up.

"Do you have any idea how powerful we become with Aetus’s aid? How much stronger our totems are. For too many years Druids have protected the Earth when we could be ruling it! All those miserable people who have no idea of our existence, they should be made to grovel to our superiority acknowledge that we are better than they and that this world is ours!"

David’s gaze had gone steely as Rufus pronounced this.

"We are no better than those people Rufus; we have simply been granted a gift and one that should be used for the betterment of everyone."

"HA! What thanks do you get David? Working behind the scenes making the flowers grow?"

Rufus spat angrily to one side.

"What thanks would they give if they knew? NONE! You try to better the world for people who couldn't give a damn about it. They don’t care about your precious Earth. Aetus has shown me the light and what we could become David, what you could become."

His voice softened now.

"Don’t you want that? Instead of living off the dirt you could live like a king!"

"Did you have something to do with Aeon’s illness?"

Rufus was taken aback by the abrupt change in subject but he figured that it was his answer, it was a pity really David would have made a powerful ally.

"Yes I did have something to do with it..."

He fingered the soulstone again. Of course he didn’t plan to say how it had been done and anyway he’d wasted too much time here already. Plus he needed to report about the two brats heading to Borneo, which surely was not a random occurrence. Even now the Stonehenge Druids were planning something and the sooner Robert knew the better.

"Tell me what you did to make her this ill."

David hadn’t shouted but his normally reserved and thoughtful voice had a rock hard edge to it now.

Rufus let the stone drop back to rest on his chest, smiled slowly at David and vanished.

The Archdruid made no move to follow knowing his former friend would be long gone already. He stood for a second eyes closed before he turned and started running, mid-stride he became a wolf. Senses sharper now he could smell acrid smoke and blood though the later to his relief didn’t smell human. Several centaurs passed him and though they didn’t stop they seemed somewhat relived, and David guessed that the battle was over.

Reaching the base of the slope he found the Vard and other defenders piling the bodies of many Warg onto a blazing fire, while several centaurs tended to the wounded. Returning to his human form David hurried to a big black stallion the Patriarch of Stonehenge’s centaur herd. The male bowed quickly to David and the human could tell that despite the battle being finished the centaurs senses were on the alert.

"Fallone, I’m so sorry I wasn’t here pressing matters kept me..."

The centaur nodded. "Though it was a big pack of the foul beasts I think that we fared batter than we could have done Archdruid, a few of them managed to flee but most well..."

He gestured at the pile of smoldering corpses.

"Did we loose anyone?" David queried.

Fallone remained silent for a few seconds staring at the sky as though seeking comfort there.

"One of my foals, three of the noble Vard and four of your Druids gave their lives to protect this place."

David cursed himself for being to slow to come to their aid, perhaps those who had fallen might have been saved. With a heavy heart he turned to stare up the long dusty slope, when things here had been taken care of he would need to speak to Aeon provided of course she was still capable of doing so.

A few Vard headed past with some of the human council members following them.

"Please see to the wounded Fallone my friend and return our fallen to their families if they have one. Tonight they will be honored and their names engraved forever on our hearts.

The big male bowed again and trotted off towards the small area set aside for the wounded, the Archdruid watched him go his thoughts dark and unhappy. Around him everyone moved about various tasks of their own mostly oblivious of his presence there. He felt like an outsider looking in; an intruder in his own home. He knew he would feel the guilt of what happened here for a long time to come, but despite the fact he’d failed here at least the reason behind Aeon’s deterioration had been discovered if not the cause.

He felt a mix on anger and sympathy when he thought about Rufus. His friend had been devoted to the white dragon once and only ever sought to protect, yet it seemed somewhere along the road something had gone wrong and the once peaceful man had lost his way. Running a hand through his thick hair David wondered how long Rufus had been under the dark dragons sway.

Sensing there was little he could do here now the Archdruid sighed and turned back into the forest of tents. How had Rufus known about soulstone? They were forbidden and for good reason, though he himself had written about their creation and use he’d hidden the information lest it fall into the wrong hands. Yet he knew his treatise couldn't be the only one regarding soulstones, and with a sudden pang he remembered about a matter brought up at a council meeting a few weeks beforehand by Nariel.

The scroll master had been concerned about a document that had been torn and the other half taken. A search by the Elf himself had not yielded the missing piece, and though David had promised to help him what with one thing and another the missing scroll piece had been driven from his mind. Now he was almost certain that the missing half of scroll contained information on the soulstones.

Changing direction he headed for the wooden library building. The door he noticed was already open as he approached and sticking his head inside he let a brief smile occupy his features. The young centaur Ralas was standing at a high table, one designed specifically for centaurs and currently it was covered in various books, scrolls and documents. The Elf master himself was rummaging around one of the bookshelves and occasionally muttering to himself.

"I trust I am not intruding?"

Ralas’s head snapped up at his voice smiling widely. Behind her came a muffled grunt as Nariel bumped his head on the shelf above the one he was searching. Standing up straight he was taller than the Archdruid but this mattered little to the human.

"Archdruid, to what do we owe the pleasure? I would have thought you would be fighting the foul beasts that have invaded our home."

"There were other dire matters that required my attention, thankfully though our friends the Vard and Centaurs and of course the Druids have seen off the threat."

The scroll master stared for a moment at David before addressing the young girl.

"Have you found anything for our Archdruid my dear?"

David ignored the apparent rudeness displayed by the Elf, it was a trait common trait though all Elf-kind and not meant in most cases to offend.

"Actually I didn’t come about that Nariel though I would appreciate it if you kept looking."

"Then why pray are you here?"

"I would like to see the scroll that you brought to my attention a few weeks ago."

Nariel blinked owlishly.

"Well better late than never I suppose, one moment please."

Returning to his bookshelf he pushed and pulled various tomes, scrolls and papers aside seemingly at random before pulling out a narrow wooden box. Brining it to Ralas’s table he placed it down delicately almost as though it might shatter, he unlatched it and tilted the lid gently back.

Tentatively David reached for the scroll contained within, he half expected Nariel to stop him but the Elf made no move other than a slight grimace as he lifted the document from the case. Unraveling it on the table David ignored Nariel hovering in the background like a nervous mother hen and quickly scanned the runed text.

It was titled ‘Bonding with Totems’ and indeed as Nariel had told the council the scroll was torn about halfway down. David read the small subtitle there and frowned worriedly.

"What else did this scroll contain? Do you remember?"

Nariel looked affronted.

"Of course Archdruid, I remember what many of these documents contain and I-."

"Yes Master Nariel but what did this one feature?" David asked somewhat impatiently.

"Bonding with totems and concerning soulstones."

Ralas answered for him.

Both men glanced at the girl who shrugged unconcernedly.

"As I feared then...Nariel who visited the library before this scroll was damaged.

The tall Elf pursed his lips as he thought.

"Mistress Sarah, Master Rufus and Milo sir."

Again Ralas’s provided the answer before the scroll master. She beamed happily at David.

"Is something wrong Archdruid?"

David offered no reply, his gaze was fixed on the metaphorical horizon and he didn’t like what he saw there.

"Archdruid?" Nariel prompted.

Snapping back to the present David glanced at the pair of them.

"Yes many things are wrong, but do not worry." He added quickly as Ralas’s face drained of color.

"Please continue looking for information on the Borneo temple, it will be needed."

Both listeners nodded and though David wanted to comfort the young Centaur he knew her mind would quieten better if it was set on a task.

Taking his leave he stepped back outside. So Rufus must have taken the other half of the scroll and used it to create a soulstone, and if he was not on the side of the dark dragon it was very bad news of those here at Stonehenge.

It was impossible for anyone to bond with one of the celestials unless the god themselves decided to do so, and even then the human had to be perfectly sure of themselves and their abilities with a pure heart and mind to match. Only a handful of people had ever done so, in the present day of course David himself was bonded with Fenrir the Celestial of Earth. The only other to his knowledge was Ryane’s mother Naomi, who had bonded with Krola the Phoenix and a powerful bonding it was, the pair were well matched.

Bonding with a Celestial was slightly different to the usual bond shared by Druids and their totems. It brought far greater power and thus responsibility to the human; it also meant that due to the god’s powerful presence anyone who bonded with one could exist partially on both planes. A good advantage when it came to a battle but also a curse as it placed a great deal of strain on the human body and mind. Any Druid who could exist on both planes was essentially immortal hence why Rufus’s knife hadn't injured the Archdruid and why he’d been unable to injure Rufus as a wolf. Neither of them had existed fully on one plane or the other, though in Rufus’s case the bonding was forced and that was where soulstones came in.

Someone, somewhere in the distant past had found a way to trap totems within a stone, though with normal totems this did very little. However should a Druid be powerful enough to do so they might be able to soultrap one of the Celestials which is clearly what Rufus had done.

Creating one was exceptionally difficult. First the creator had to find a stone that bore in the center a natural hole, which was also impregnated with the Celestials element. After which a blood ritual had to be performed at the very extreme of that element, so for example heating the stone in red hot magma. The creator’s blood then had to be dripped into the centre of the stone which would form a crystal as the stone reached maximum temperature.

David shuddered even in the warm afternoon air. If the dark Druids now had a full soulstone there was no telling what damage they could do. He was glad at least that Milo and Ryane were safe perhaps they would find a cure for Aeon before...

NO! He swore and unusual occurrence for him. They weren’t safe were they? Rufus had been there when they’d mentioned Borneo. Robert would know by now and if David knew anything about the other man then he’d waste no time sending someone after them.

Cursing himself for a fool he charged off once more into the tents. He had to get a message to the pair of them and for that he needed a Faerie dragon...

20: Chapter Sixteen

"Are you absolutely sure of this?"

Robert glanced sidelong at Rufus as the pair of them walked slowly through the long grass around Aetus’s tree.

"You doubt my word?" Rufus countered angrily.

"I’m the one who brought you a full soulstone, I’m the one who succeeded in bringing down the white dragons damn barrier and still toy question what I say?"

Both men stopped and glared at each other.

"I don’t disbelieve you for a second Rufus, but Aetus is not as forgiving as I if your information is wrong, and despite the grand deeds you claim you failed to bring back the girl.

Rufus snorted contemptuously.

"As I recall that task wasn’t mine to complete, and Master Aetus needn’t worry anyway the girl is no threat."

He didn’t mention the brief scuffle he’d had with her, but he had speculations about that and he wasn’t at all sure that she had done it herself...

"No threat?" Robert raised an eyebrow. "The daughter of Naomi is no threat?"

The other man stayed silent staring into some unknown vision.

Robert watched him carefully, he didn’t trust Rufus. Actually he didn’t trust anyone but the man in front of him represented a threat. Rufus was powerful there was no denying that, and as such Robert knew he would surely at some point try to kill him. Rufus’s loyalty lay solely with Rufus, despite his alleged alliance to the dark dragon.

"Kill him, tear him, shred...KILL!"

Roberts totem urged in his mind angrily.

"Eliminate the treacherous dog!"

The great bear snarled in his mind and without realizing he was doing so Robert raised a hand before he regained some measure of control. The bear and he were a good match but sometimes the totems bloodthirsty nature was hard to control. Breathing deeply he managed to lower his hand slowly becoming aware that Rufus was glaring at him, whole body tensed to counter any attack Robert might have made.

Aetus’s chosen one let a slow smile slide onto his face; opposite him Rufus did the same. Neither man let his eyes move and inch from the others face.

"You should learn to control that bear of yours properly Robert."

Robert dipped his head slightly in acquiescence.

"Indeed, thank you for your report my friend. I will deliver the information to Master Aetus, I feel perhaps I should journey to Borneo myself to meet the girl who is no threat."

He chuckled at the scowl that appeared on Rufus’s face as he said this.

"Please go and find Nanaii, an easy task for one who has proved to be so adept."

Rufus snarled under his breath and vanished.

Robert stared at his previously occupied space for a moment in amusement, it was so easy to anger him and that would be his downfall. When one attacked in anger it clouded judgment and rationality, and Rufus would need it when he faced Robert in battle as he no doubt would.

So Borneo...He’d heard rumors of course but had thought them little more than fairytales. However if David had sent the girl and that boy out there, then there might be something to the stories. If there wasn’t then he lost nothing by going out there. However if by chance he did find something the Dark Druids gained while those under Aeon’s guidance would loose, not only what they sought but two promising young Druids too.

It was a shame surely but then Robert figured there were casualties in war and if the pair of them couldn't see that joining Aetus would benefit them then...well there was no helping some people. He lifted his gaze to the great tree and felt the familiar prickle of Aetus’s presence. Everything was going his way Aeon’s barrier had failed meaning the Light Druids were open to attack, and slowly but surely various creatures under the Dark Dragons sway were making their way to this location.

There would be no attack yet though, Robert was patient he would wait until the forces here were large enough to wipe out the Stonehenge community in one short glorious battle. Stonehenge was one of the largest gatherings of those who followed Aeon, though there were pockets of Light Druids all around the world. The area around Stonehenge held one thing however that made it a crucial target and that was David Winter. With him eliminated the others would soon fold and the Dark Druids would come into the power they so richly deserved with little more opposition.

He chuckled.

Maybe he’d keep David alive just long enough to witness the destruction of everything he held dear.

Soft footsteps behind him told Robert that Rufus had found the half-breed as requested.

"You asked for me?"

Her lilting voice reminded Robert of decaying flowers, soft and with the promise of death.

"Yes." He replied without turning his head.

"Gather some of the others and a few of the Centaurs too I think.

He stopped as he heard the girl utter something somewhere between a curse and a growl.

"Problem Nanaii?"

She stared at the back of his head with a gaze that could have bored holes with its intensity.

"Gather some men and Centaurs...is there anything else you wish sir?" Her gaze stayed fixed on the back of Roberts head.

"No, be back here in say and hour we’ll depart I have some research to conduct before we leave." He replied curtly.

He didn’t hear her leave but after a few seconds he glanced over his should and found the vicinity empty. Slowly he slipped a hand into his jeans pocket, and gingerly curled his fingers around the soulstone Rufus had reluctantly handed over. So much power there...it was much better off in his capable hands.

Robert smirked

XXX

It was early evening in Miri. The city gently sweltered in the heat and though a cool wind was blowing it did very little to relieve the humidity. A stray cat wandered from a patch of shade to another as it made its way towards the inviting darkness of an alley. There was nothing special about this particular one save for the fact that a large restaurant backed onto it and all the waste was emptied into various skips on either side of it. A veritable banquet for the cat provided of course that a few of the lids had been left off, or not secured properly.

Padding along silently the stray reached its destination and uttered a soft meow of annoyance.

The human’s hadn't been careless tonight it seemed. Sniffing around in the vague hope that something may have been dropped the cat rounded the corner and stopped dead. Cats have the ability to remain still for great lengths of time and in this moment the cat could have passed for a statue, the reason for this being it was staring up into the snout of a very, very large dog

The small animal may have been forgiven for thinking the creature watching its fleeing form was a dog after all wolves do indeed look like very big dogs. This wolf was however not a normal wolf quite apart from the fact it was in a region not normally associated with the animals. After a few seconds it stood becoming a teenage girl, who sniffed the air with some distaste and spoke to the dumpster on her right.

"Are you sure this is Borneo?"

"Pretty sure," replied the dumpster "what does it look like?"

Ryane glanced around. "Like an alley, how did you manage to end up in there anyway?"

The big bin sighed.

"It was hard to concentrate, we’re lucky we ended up here at all and not in the Antarctic or something."

"Has that ever happened before?"

The bin remained in embarrassed silence.

Ryane smiled. "So it has? To you or someone else?"

The bin refused to answer.

"Well it’s somewhere warm at least." She commented unlatching the lid. After a second Milo pushed it up and stood. He had a banana skin on his head and now smelled like several people’s dinners.

"Do you think David and everyone are ok?"

Milo pulled the offending skin from his head and let it drop to the floor.

"Hard to say...I hope so, David should be it would take more than that to hurt him."

He shook himself off dislodging a few bits of pasta.

"Umm last I saw he had a knife in his shoulder, I think that probably counts as hurt..."

"Oh that. Nah wouldn’t even slow him down he has a Celestial as his totem."

He spotted Ryane’s blank look.

"It basically means he can choose to exist on both Planes at once if he wants to and when he does he cannot be hurt."

"Oh." Ryane couldn't think of anything else to say.

"So how come you were going or rather coming to Borneo?"

Milo glanced at her.

"David asked and I volunteered why?"

Ryane frowned "because Aeon asked me the same thing."

Milo look confused "weird."

Ryane took a step back trying not to breathe in.

"Not as weird as you smell. I think before we do anything else, we need to find out where we ended up and find you some new clothes."

She stared down the alley trying to not look like she was trying to avoid being to near her companion; they reached the end of the passage without incident and glanced out.

"Do you have any money?" Milo queried.

Ryane dug into her jeans already wishing she had an iced drink and fewer clothes on. Grabbing at the contents of the pocket she pulled it forth to see what they had, a couple of notes and a small handful of change, not enough for much at all.

"Is that it? Milo was peering over her shoulder.

"I don’t see you making a contribution."

He shrugged.

"Just asking, should be enough for some new gear though."

Ryane gave Milo what could only be called ‘a look.’

"What? Would prefer I walked around smelling like rotten food."

Ryane had to concede the point. "Ok but you owe me."

"Yup...ok I don’t think it’s too late, maybe we can find a place that’s still open.

Stepping from the alleyway the pair of them started down the street with Ryane ignoring the knowing sniggers from a couple of locals. They passed the front of the restaurant and a small bar, each of them keeping an eye open for anywhere that could provide Milo with a change of clothes.

"So what exactly are we looking for?" Ryane asked trying and failing to ignore the humid air.

"Well according to David it’s an old temple that’s existed for years, but that’s just the location it’s not what we’re here to find."

He spotted a likely looking shop and cut across the street to take a better look. Ryane followed after him wondering if her meager amount of cash was going to be enough.

"So we’re not looking for a temple then?"

The sarcasm seemed to float past Milo without pausing to register with the boy.

"Huh...? No weren’t you listening? We are looking for a temple but not the temple itself it’s something that may be inside that were looking for."

"Wait may? You mean it might not be?" Ryane demanded.

"Well nobody’s completely sure to be honest, one of the Druids at Stonehenge left ages ago, apparently taking a few scrolls and books with him to investigate the ruins out here. He reported back a few times saying he was on to something big but after a while he stopped contacting the Archdruid and nobody’s heard anything since."

Milo appeared to reach a decision and vanished into the shop leaving Ryane to wait on her own. She glanced at the sky bored; dark clouds were starting to block out the early stars, and you didn’t need to be a meteorologist to know that pretty soon things were going to get very wet. Casting a quick glance through the window she spotted Milo browsing through a rack of t-shirts. It looked like she’d be out here a while, so maybe she should try to find a pay phone and call her dad? Though even as she had the idea it was quickly discarded, after all what would she say?

‘Hi Dad, just to let you know I’m safe and currently in Borneo and also apparently I’m now a Druid with an animal totem that gives me magic powers. Oh and I’m also caught up in a fight between the good Druids and the bad ones.’

She sighed, why hadn't she left when she’d had a chance? Right now she would give anything to just be normal again...Well she corrected herself she was normal but she meant normal as she’d been before the bonding with Skoll. No magic powers, not worrying about people trying for unknown reasons to kidnap her...Maybe once this little adventure was over she’d be able to go home.

The tiny part of her that had already accepted she was a Druid whispered that this wouldn’t be the case but Ryane stubbornly ignored it.

"Well what do you think?"

Milo had returned wearing a pair of khaki knee length shorts and a dark blue shirt. Wordlessly he held out a hand and let the few coins there fall into Ryane’s palm.

"You look like your on holiday and can I just ask how on earth we are going to get to the temple? We have no money" she slightly stressed the word money but Milo appeared not to notice. "No idea where it actually is and no way of getting there."

"Relax." Milo urged waving a pamphlet at her as she bent to roll up her jeans.

"I think it’s somewhere in the Gunung Mula National Park, there’s a big system of caves there in the rainforest."

"Oh well that’s ok then just a few thousand miles to walk." She scowled.

"Don’t be so negative Ryane; we won’t have to walk far."

He started off again forcing Ryane to follow him.

"So what? Do you intend to fly?" She muttered.

Milo didn’t look back.

"No. This is Borneo and one of the best places to find Wyverns."

"Wyverns...right ok silly me." Ryane grumbled annoyed.

As the pair of them carried on to wherever Milo was heading a low rumble of thunder signaled the start of the rain, big fat heavy drops fell on the duo as the wended their way through the streets. Ryane fancied she could hear the baked ground sizzling slowly as the water cooled it off. Turning her face upwards she relished the feel of the droplets on her skin, the water was warm but still refreshing and Ryane wished again she was wearing cooler clothes.

"Have you ever been here before?" She asked her companion.

He kept on walking, raindrops dripping off his nose and chin.

"No."

"So how do you know where to go?"

He chuckled.

"I don’t but we need to head out nearer to the forests itself to find a colony. They live quiet near humans but never too near, Wyverns are scavengers and they especially love human foods."

"Don’t they get seen?"

Milo shrugged again.

"Sometimes."

That seemed to be the end of that conversation and despite the cooling water Ryane decided to conserve her energy for walking, after all she didn’t know how far they still had to go.

XXX

From the shelter of a bar a pair of dark humorless eyes watched the two teenagers walk past. Nanaii didn’t care much for the rain and decided she might wait for the deluge to stop before she went back to Robert. After reading some ancient documents and checking various places on a map the human had brought them here, the gateway to the forest and the ruins that lay somewhere inside. The two Centaurs accompanying them had quickly made their way to the forest to set up a small camp there, while the humans and herself made their temporary home in a run down little hotel.

Ignoring a rumble of thunder Nanaii sipped her drink and thought of the past. She’d been born somewhere like this though she couldn't remember where. It had been a warm place though and she vaguely wondered if she could be happy here. Annoyed at the sudden lapse of her concentration she pushed the thoughts away. She was an outcast. A Centaur child of taboo and as such she knew that she could never truly be happy anywhere, the wanderlust of her heritage saw to that.

Behind her a human male and a drunken one at that by the smell of him approached. Walking until he was almost standing by her side he smiled lopsidedly at her.

"Evening darling, want another drink?"

Nanaii said nothing but her fingers curled tighter about the glass she was holding. She wanted her blade staff, but that was at the little camp in the rainforest.

"You here alone, a beauty like you?"

He hiccuped gently and Nanaii recoiled from the smell of his breath.

"Cat got your tongue sweetheart?"

He raised a hand and touched her shoulder.

"Hey? You listening to-..."

He got no further, Nanaii’s free hand shot out like a knife striking the drunk just below the kidneys. As the man bent double wheezing in pain she brought her arm up and down again her fingers and hand held stiffly

The second blow caught him expertly just to the side of his neck.

Without another sound he crumpled to the dirty wooden flooring and lay still, he was still alive though Nanaii felt he didn’t deserve to be. Robert had been adamant about not drawing attention to themselves, though to be honest she really didn’t care about that. Ignoring the form on the floor she calmly finished her drink, set the glass down gently and stepped out into the deluge.

21: Chapter Seventeen

Aeon stirred slowly marveling that she still lived, though she had no idea what was causing such weakness within her. She did know however on some subconscious level that her barrier had failed sometime in the last twenty four hours or so. Sending out her mind she probed the area and found several key nodes, they were weak but their continued existence gave her at least a little hope.

Closing her deep green eyes she imagined a great net and cast it out over Stonehenge, the thought spread out around the camps boundaries and became a new barrier. A weak one perhaps and it wouldn't stand for long against a determined assault, but it would suffice for now and she hoped protect the Druids for a least a little while longer. Lifting her great head, the dragon snuffled at the air, a Druid would notice nothing if they tried the same thing but Aeon was herself a creature of magic and therefore could sense and feel what humans could not.

Something felt wrong.

She didn't understand what exactly bur a sense of foreboding settled over her and made her wonder what her counterpart was planning. Despite many beliefs Aeon was not a Celestial like the five creatures governing the elements and nor was Aetus. They were both powerful and had existed for millennia, only Aeon couldn't remember how or why. Some profound feeling told the white dragon that something was missing and during the long ages of her life she had never found out what it was. She was sure that Aetus must also feel this from time to time, just as she was also sure that in some way the pair of them were connected even if she didn’t know how.

She paused. Somewhere close by she could sense the comforting presence of David and she knew he was concerned about her. Of course the white dragon had little more to say on her condition, but she guessed he was wondering about the failing of her protection.

"Aeon?" The Archdruid materialized on the Mana plane in the form of his totem.

"I am here David and can only apologise."

The wolf that was David blinked.

"Why should you be sorry? Most are aware of you condition and no-one blames you for what happened."

Aeon felt a thrill of cold fear surge though her body. So something had occurred during her period of unconsciousness.

"What has befallen David?"

The wolf sank down onto its haunches.

"When the barrier failed a massed pack of Wargs made an attack."

Aeon’s silence told David that the dragon felt the guilt as keenly as he did, though neither of them could have predicted the attack.

"Were many injured or..." Aeon found that she couldn't utter the word killed.

"No, we had a few casualties and they were honored as befitted them, their loss will be keenly felt. However the blame is not yours as Archdruid I should have been more vigilant and quicker in ascertaining what the cause of your decline was."

Aeon remained silent waiting for David to continue.

"Though I regret it deeply it appears that a member of the council whom I had thought loyal to us is actually under the sway of the Dark Dragon. He was the one who had a hand in bringing about this illness that threatens us and above all you, though I am unsure of how."

Again the dragon remained quiet. It was a hard thing indeed to have the knowledge that someone whom people had trusted could be to blame for something such as this. Yet she knew David spoke the truth, she could feel the deep sorrow radiating off him in great hot waves.

"David, please tell me who."

The wolf let a small sigh escape its jaws.

"Rufus."

Aeon closed her eyes.

"There is something else Mistress Aeon."

The dragon’s eyes snapped open again fixing their gaze on the wolf with quiet intensity.

"Sometime ago it seems Rufus also stole part of a scroll from Nariel’s library. It contained knowledge on the creation and use of soulstones and I myself discovered he was in possession of one during a brief fight with him. By now I can only assume that Robert has it in his possession. Also though Ryane and Milo have departed successfully Rufus was present when Borneo was mentioned, I have sent Kora to find and warn them but I have deep misgivings. Once Robert is told about their destination, if he doesn’t already know he will undoubtedly send someone to apprehend them."

The wolf lowered its head to stare in misery at its paws.

"I could never forgive myself for letting them go if harm were to befall them in anyway, Milo is dear to me as is Ryane I just..."

He stopped unable to continue.

"I understand David, but the young ones are clever and undoubtedly resourceful. I sensed great potential in the girl though she doubts herself and we both know that Milo is on his way to becoming a very powerful Druid in his own right. You are worried as any father would be, but would not your energies be better spend in dealing with the fact of the soulstone and mounting a defense here? Though I cannot be sure I feel that a great darkness approaches and we must be ready to meet it."

David nodded slowly apprehensive though he was.

"What do you wish of me Mistress?"

The wolf stood now, aware the audience was coming to an end.

"I have re-created the barrier though I do not know how long it will hold for. It would be wise I think to place a guard both on this Plane and the Gaia plane. The Vard and some of the Centaurs I feel would be good choices; also it may be a wise idea to send out scouts to Aetus’s camp to see if any clue as to their motives can be found. Be cautious David, if one has betrayed us more could do the same."

She faded from view leaving David to contemplate her words, Of course the dragon was right to be cautious but it hurt deeply to think others might not be who they seemed to be. As he vanished from the Mana plane he realized that this climate of fear and distrust was exactly what the Dark Druids wanted. United they were strong but divided they became weak.

Turning his eyes skyward he hoped that Ryane and Milo remained firmly out of harms way.