A War Wing airship and four War balloons encircled a fearful city. Horned Ibexes gazed upwards, shivering as the ships passed over them.
“The Ibex Empire is neutral.” said Ironbeak. “How will we explain to King Hawkmor?”
The tan griffin flipped through pages of reports held in her claws. “Engine problems with our War Wing forced us to seek immediate repairs.” Dori continued reading without batting an eye. “Even if the Ibex Empire declares war, their most complex weapon is the catapult. Their Capital will be a small detour when we move to bomb the Zebras into complete submission.”
“How do you know Reagle is here?” asked Ironbeak.
“He isn’t. The Zebras that took him however, will bring him here. To traverse the Sand Sea they will need provisions or a ship. We’re going to intercept them.” Dori sighed.
“Shouldn’t we then send ground troops, set up road blocks and patrols? They could have a secret way into the city.”
Dori chirped. “That is not an all together stupid idea! You and I are going for walk.” Dori hugged Ironbeak before turning to a Griffin officer. “We have a platoon of Hawkers, deploy them!”
Nokimbe awoke in the morning. He stretched his legs and turned to find Reagle and Zaza eating breakfast side by side.
Nokimbe bounced upwards in surprise. “@%#?????!” Nokimbe shouted in the Zebra language. “What is birdy doing out of his chains?”
“It’s alright, Prince Reagle has agreed to come with us of his own free will.” said Zaza, biting down on some grass wheat crackers.
Reagle cracked open a ration tin. “Yup, I figured out your poison was a bluff.”
Nokimbe scratched his mane. “Hehehehe, you’re not that bird brained.” said Nokimbe.
“Anyway, I want to see your Capital and speak with your king. I’m sure we could negotiate something.” said Reagle as he took a small kipper from the ration tin.
“Hold a moment. Zaza could I speak with you?” said Nokimbe.
Reagle watched as Zaza and Nokimbe walked off out of earshot. They were making hoof motions as they talked and Zaza seemed to own the conversation. Nokimbe finally nodded and they made their way over to Reagle.
“Shall we get a-going birdy?” smiled Nokimbe.
Reagle followed Zaza up a dune and he found her staring blankly at something in the distance.
“They can’t have!” said Zaza.
“What?” Reagle flew up to the top of the dune.
A city was encircled by four War Balloons while a Griffin War Wing hovered above in the middle of the city.
Zaza turned towards Reagle and levied her spear against him. “Don’t run.”
“Are you so quick to doubt by word? I told you I would go with you to capital didn’t I?” said Reagle pecking Zaza lightly on the cheek.
“…” Zaza blushed.
Reagle pulled a telescope from his saddlebags to get a closer look at the ships.
Nokimbe joined them atop the dune. “Where’d you get that?” asked Nokimbe as he looked at the tube that Reagle peered through.
“The dead scout.” said Reagle. “Check out this technology.” said Reagle and he let Zaza look through the scope.
Zaza’s eyes were wide as she saw the image of the Griffin ships magnified.
“Those ships belong to the Ironclaw Clan, my cousin is looking for me. I won’t be running or flying away to those ships.” said Reagle.
“Ibaristan is part of the Ibex Empire... aren’t they neutral? Why are the Griffins there?” questioned Nokimbe.
“Officially they are however even they realize that should we fall they will be next. Secretly they support our side.” said Zaza.
Reagle smirked. “They support our side too. They tell us how the greedy Zebras are muscling in on their grazing territory.”
“Really? Those two faced horned jerks. What have they done?” asked Nokimbe.
“They give information on Zebra troop concentrations sometimes.” said Reagle.
Zaza looked on worriedly. “Most likely token gestures to hide their allegiance to us. I hope we can trust our contact.”
“We can trust the contact that is without a doubt. Believe me.” said Nokimbe staring sternly back at Reagle and Zaza’s questioning stares.
Zaza turned to Reagle. “We shall have to find you a disguise.”
“I have this bed sheet.” said Nokimbe, pulling out a brown blanket.
“I have bandages.” Zaza smiled as they approached Reagle with the objects.
“Wait just a moment now!” said Reagle.
Two squads of grey armored Griffins stood at the city entrance, sternly inspecting the crowds that entered. Horned Ibexes made up the majority of the entering crowds and were let through. Any Zebras were immediately stopped and it came their turn to enter the city.
“Why do you carry spears?” asked a Griffin soldier.
“The Ibexes carry them. The savanna is a dangerous place where manticores prowl.” said Nokimbe.
The Griffin nodded.
“You there! Stop! Lift that cloak.” a Griffin soldier commanded with a lance.
Zaza and Nokimbe walked beside a bandaged cloaked figure.
“You wouldn’t want to. He has the lepers’ disease.” said Zaza.
“It’s highly contagious. Your feathers might fall out.” said Nokimbe and the guards jumped back from the trio.
“We’re taking him to the city’s healers, he should be fine afterwards.” said Zaza.
“Be on your way!” shouted the Griffin and they shuffled past the checkpoint quickly.
“Leprosy isn’t contagious.” whispered Reagle.
“Indeed, however most folk don’t know otherwise.” said Zaza.
Dori and Ironbeak were accompanied by a squad of red cloaked bodyguards. Several Griffin workers wheeled around a crate with holes in it.
“This city is large.” said Ironbeak.
Dori nodded sarcastically with irritation. “Also the sea is blue and my family is rich.”
Ironbeak continued, ignoring her comment. “How will we find them in this city?”
The lip ends of Dori’s beak curled into a smile. “Bring forth the special slave!”
“Special slave?” asked Ironbeak.
“Yes, from the Diamond Mines of Jara. My house, House Bloodtalon took rights of it and found pesky inhabitants. Father wanted them eradicated. I put them to good use.” said Dori.
The Griffin workers took pry bars and opened the crate. Inside, a large Diamond Dog huddled fearfully in a corner, thinned from starvation and malnourishment. A slave collar hung around its neck. Workers pulled on the chains attached to the collar and the Dog was lead out of the box.
“Grahh, what does mistress want?” rasped the Dog.
“Pet, you may eat today-” Dori clicked her claws.
A Griffin worker brought a slab of meat attached to a stick.
The Diamond Dog nodded gleefully. “Yes mistress feed me!”
“If!” Dori clicked her claws again.
The worker took away the slab of meat and Griffins workers pulled the chains of the Dog back to stop the Dog from chasing after it.
Diamond Dog sat down obediently and spoke in low growl. “Anything… the mistress bids.”
Dori produced a white and gold handkerchief from her pouch. “Find for us owner of this scent and you may eat today.” She waved the cloth in the nose of the Dog.
“As you command.” said the Dog.
“How do you have Reagle’s handkerchief?” asked Ironbeak.
They walked closely along the buildings as did other civilians. The city was impressive as sand built dwellings reached several stories high. Griffin soldiers with red cloaks strolled proudly marching. With every step, there was a clacking sound from their pouches.
“Those funny lookin’ birds with those red cloaks, why do they walk lopsided?” asked Nokimbe.
“Hawkers... grenadiers. They are elite troops who carry many bombs.” said Reagle through his face bandages.
“Why deploy them for a simple search?” asked Nokimbe
“Because they only want to destroy.” said Zaza.
Ibexes brayed as they galloped away. A furry blur crashed through a crowd around the corner. Two Griffin workers barely held onto the chains on its slave collar.
“There is your target! Feed me!” cried the Diamond Dog pointing with its claws.
“Later!” shouted Dori, rushing out from behind the Dog.
“Run!” cried Zaza, tugging Reagle away.
Dori fired a crossbow at Reagle but the shot missed and killed an innocent Ibex mare. The child screamed, crying at the sight.
“You winged devils!” cried an Ibex, shoving his horns into the chest of a Griffin soldier. More Ibexes charged at the Griffins and several of the Hawkers were killed as the crowd turned violent.
Dori reloaded her crossbow, hovering above the crowd as she tried to get a shot. “This crowd is in the way! Use your grenades!” she shouted at the Hawkers.
“No, don’t!” cried Ironbeak.
The confused Hawkers ground their beaks as they flew backwards.
Dori flew next to a Hawker and grabbed several grenades from the soldier’s pouch. She lit them with her claw flints and threw them in front of the crowd.
The crowd dispersed as the grenades exploded.
“Graah! After them!” shouted Dori.
They ran through the streets scrambling past panicked Ibexes. Reagle was almost gored several times by the horns of the stampeding Ibexes. They heard explosions behind them.
“They opened fire on innocents?!” cried Nokimbe running alongside Reagle.
“That was Dori, Ironbeak’s lieutenant.” said Reagle.
“You know her!” said Zaza.
“Yes, and there were many reasons I dumped her.” said Reagle as he picked up the pace.
“You have terrible taste in the opposite sex!” cried Zaza.
“Yes, that also!” said Reagle, his heart pounding furiously.
They turned into an alleyway with a single door at the send. Nokimbe smashed head-on into it.
Nokimbe fell back as the door remained intact. “Crocodile shit, it’s reinforced!”
Reagle caught his breath while Nokimbe and Zaza still had theirs. “We wove through the crowds and made a great many turns. There’s no way they could follow us.” Reagle breathed heavily falling to the ground in exhaustion.
Zaza affixed her spear. “I am not so sure of that.”
Around the corner poked a sniffing black nose. The Diamond Dog spoke. “There they are! Feed me!”
“Later!” shouted Dori, rushing past the Dog.
Nokimbe continued pounding at the door. Dori and Ironbeak faced Reagle and Zaza.
“Give up!” shouted Ironbeak to Reagle who was still exhausted on the ground.
“No need. We’ll execute them here.” Dori cackled. Dori signaled to two Hawker soldiers with a flick of her claws. “Kill them!”
Zaza had tilted her head back exposing her neck.
“Look she’s offering us her head!” smirked a Hawker.
The Hawkers drew their swords and sprang at Zaza.
Zaza snapped her head forward, her eyes gleaming with murderous intent. She swiped her spear, severing the throat of the first Hawker. She stabbed the second Hawker through the eye and the two bodies dropped to the ground in a blink, skidding to stop in front of Reagle.
Ironbeak panicked. “It’s that unstoppable Zerker! We have to run!”
“You run along and get reinforcements.” said Dori, directing Ironbeak with a claw. “I want to play.” Dori’s beak grinned.
Ironbeak nodded and scurried off.
“You should listen to your cowardly companion, I am indeed a Zerker.” said Zaza.
Dori matched Zaza’s gaze. “A Zerker huh? I thought all you lot were killed?” she drew her blade with her claw.
“If you know what you face, then flee.” said Zaza.
Dori cackled. “Who is it that you think killed all your brothers!?” She lunged with a her sword.
Zaza evaded the strike. She noticed the tan coloration of the Dori’s coat. A memory flashed in her head. “A tan Griffin... it was you! You killed Assegai!” She gasped in realization. Zaza’s lapse in focus allowed Dori to nick her ear.
“I killed many more than that! I killed the legendary Zulu Zakar! He wore a helmet with a blue frill!” Dori smiled.
Zaza face contorted with rage. “You killed my brother??!!!”Zaza shouted as she charged.
“Your brothers pissed themselves as I killed them! They were all cowards!” Dori flew upwards and avoided Zaza’s attack. She cooed to herself. “Come on lose your cool.”
Zaza instead stopped. She tilted her head back again. “Death becomes you!” She spoke eagerly, snapping forward again. Zaza’s eyes had become intense and her legs coiled like springs. She jumped onto the right wall and with great finesse; she jumped on the next wall and back again, gaining altitude with each jump. Zaza met Dori in the air with a spear swipe.
Dori’s eyes lost their edge. “Holy hell!” cried Dori as she blocked the strike with her sword.
Zaza pushed Dori down. Before colliding with the ground, Dori beat her wings and pushed back. Zaza landed on her hooves.
Dori brushed herself off and assumed a battle stance. She stood up on her hind legs. “Come on! Is that all you got?!” said Dori goading.
“I’ll make you dead!” said Zaza, preparing a charge.
Dori smiled with her second claw hidden behind her back.
Meanwhile, Reagle grabbed black balls and other objects from the bags from the dead Hawkers. He found a gladius sword amongst the dead. Spinning the blade twice in his claws, he got a feel for its weight.
Nokimbe finally broke through the door in a shower of splinters. “Come on! Go! Zaza can handle it!” cried Nokimbe, tugging at Reagle’s bed sheet robe.
In a flash, Reagle discarded his bed sheet cloak in Nokimbe’s mouth and bounded towards the two warriors. The world slowed to a near still. Before Zaza’s spear could impale Dori in the heart or the Griffin could kill Zaza with her hidden dagger, Reagle shoved Zaza aside and in full sprint, she crashed into some garbage cans.
Reagle parried Dori’s main sword with his own and he held off her hidden dagger with his left foreleg. The long slender blade dug into his flesh and the bandages fell from Reagle’s face.
“Reagle,” smiled Dori with a murderous grin.
“Dori.” spat Reagle before head-butting her and kicking her backwards.
“Here I come!” Nokimbe charged with his own spear. He was stopped from reaching Dori when a crossbow bolt landed near him sending him back.
Ironbeak held a crossbow in his claws and was already loading his second bolt.
“You idiot what are doing back here?! I told you to get reinforcements!” Dori bit back.
“You trusted me with your back! Dori I love you!” said Ironbeak sobbing in fear.
“We must retreat!” Nokimbe said to Reagle and Zaza.
He drew claw flints rubbed them together sparking them. “Hey cousin’s let’s go bowling!” Reagle threw a black sphere at Ironbeak.
“Damn it!” Dori jumped and kicked the ball upwards. The grenade exploded, turning the compacted sand buildings into sand once more with the resultant smokescreen shrouding them all.
Dori and Ironbeak coughed out sand.
“We’ve lost them! We shall have to reacquire the trail. Workers, where is that bloody Dog slave?” Dori screeched.
From behind them steam came from heavy breathing. A creature with bloodied claws and teeth spoke. It was flanked by two dead Griffin workers. “This for my people you have enslaved and made massacre of!” The creature lunged.
“Ungrateful mongrel!” Dori swung around and stabbed the Diamond Dog in the eye. However with a swipe of its mighty claws she was slashed across the chest.
The Dog smiled its bloody grin as it slumped back.
“Dori!” cried Ironbeak.
Zaza helped Reagle limp along as his left foreleg bled. They walked through deserted streets now patrolled only by Griffins.
“Why did you stop me from slaying that damned Griffin. I had her.” Zaza asked angrily.
“Your attack left you open.” scolded Reagle.
“I know. It is the last Zerker teaching. The ultimate attack is one that cares not for the fate of its user.” said Zaza.
“I didn’t want you to die for nothing.” said Reagle.
“I would have avenged my brother.” Zaza said angrily.
“She was lying, she couldn’t have killed your brother.” said Reagle softly.
“No, she couldn’t have lied. She knew something that only I knew.” said Zaza.
“Let’s talk another time. We have to find our contact.” said Nokimbe urgently.
They stopped in front of a building that had a sign that read ‘The Fightin’ Gale.’ They entered the shady bar to find Ibexes, Zebras, ponies and even Water Buffalo gathered around gambling and drinking table. Gazes turned towards the bandaged and robed Reagle before quickly turning back. Many of the patrons had bandages on their bodies and weapons by their chairs.
“Mercenaries. Lances for loan.” said Reagle.
“Indeed, these warriors have fought across the whole continent.” said Nokimbe.
“How will we know our contact?” asked Zaza to Nokimbe.
“Where is this Zebra fellow?” asked Reagle whispering.
“She’s an Ibex.” said Nokimbe staring at the stage.
A slender Ibex was singing on stage, her lovely lace dress both accentuating and hiding her hind legs. She strolled across the wooden platform with poise and was mindful of keep her left side facing the audience. The wailing whine of wooden string instruments accompanied a voice that flowed like sweet syrup, a medicine for the mind.
“What when dreams and schemes cannot sate?”
“When your heart is filled with anger and hate,”
“Come to me with your troubles I shall make it right.”
“Set your spears and fears aside just for tonight give up the fight.”
The song became quiet and the patrons looked to their drinks. Suddenly the song picked up and the Ibex ripped off her dress dramatically revealing battle scars and scratches on her flank. Smiling she turned her head and faced the audience revealing an eyepatch on her right. The audience began whooping.
She grabbed a spear and swung it with skill. “For tomorrow come the battle cry and the horn’s blast!”
“Broken shields and spears, you still go on!”
“For gory glory you all die fighting to the last!”
“Brave warriors, march on! For you are strong!”
The Ibex lifted her weapon and shook it. Many of the patrons lifted their weapons and did the same. In the celebration, even a crossbow bolt was ejaculated accidentally into the ceiling.
“Warriors, my brothers and my lovers, thank you and good night.” The Ibex waved a hoof and bowing, she exited the stage.
The patrons of the bar were still tapping and clapping their hooves when she left.
Nokimbe showed a notched coin piece that he pulled from his bag. A large Water Buffalo guard nodded and they were permitted backstage. Backstage the one eyed and battle scarred Ibex greeted them. Her scars only seemed to enhance her presence.
“Nokimbe you old smuggler!” said the Ibex in a friendly tone.
“Isara, a pleasure as always though I won’t be here for that… This is my Commander, Zaza. I’m on a mission now. I have taken up the cause again.” said Nokimbe.
“A glad welcome, I am Isara.” the Ibex bowed her head, mindful of her horns.
“Indeed.” Zaza nodded politely.
Reagle pulled back his hood and face bandages. “Milady, I am Reagle.” Reagle took the hoof of Isara and kissed it.
“Hey!” said Zaza, shooting Reagle an angry look.
The Ibex laughed. “So, a devil bird accompanies you.”
“Yes for some reason he’s agreed to go with us to capital.” smiled Nokimbe.
“A reason indeed.” said Isara staring at Zaza. She licked her lips.
“Mind your eyes.” Zaza recoiled.
“Follow, I own this water hole so I shall find you rooms and we can discuss plans after you’re rested.” said Isara.
Reagle sat in his own room, nursing his wounded foreleg by the lantern’s light. Isara had given him a new roll of bandages to apply and he gasped in pain as he undid his crude and battle worn bandages. It was quite a surprise to him when Zaza entered the room.
Zaza approached meekly unlike her usual self. “You are injured.”
“It’s no big deal.” said Reagle.
“It is if improperly treated.” said Zaza as she pulled a bottle from her saddle bag. Using her tongue she unscrewed the cap.
“That’s quite a dexterous tongue you have.” Reagle said mischievously.
“This will hurt but it is to heal.” Zaza poured the liquid of the bottle onto Reagle’s wound.
“Ah!” cried Reagle pulling his foreleg back. Reagle guffawed in astonishment however as he noticed his wound had closed. “What is this stuff?”
“A secret brew. I am among the last holders of its recipe.” Zaza lifted her head proudly.
Reagle flexed his mended foreleg and felt pain jolt through the limb.
“Stop that! All things in time!” Zaza scolded.
“Still, this could save lives on the battlefield. It’s miraculous. I never thought-” said Reagle.
Zaza cocked an eyebrow. “You never thought our people had something so advanced?”
“I’m sorry.” said Reagle.
“We feel the same about your airships. How could these bird brains think of something so wondrous?” said Zaza, smiling.
“If you like, I could take you flying on one, sometime. Or maybe I could carry you.” said Reagle.
Zaza laughed. “I like the ground fine.”
In the small room silence came as Zaza and Reagle met eyes.
“Prince Reagle, even if it was against my wishes you have saved my life. Thank you.” said Zaza.
“You should value your life more.” said Reagle.
“It is not the Zerker way.” said Zaza.
“Make your own way.” said Reagle.
The Zebra darted forward and kissed the Griffin, pushing him onto the bed.
“Ack an ambush, I am unprepared.” Reagle chirped.
“Oft is said love is war, I am surprised that metaphor is now more real, my noble adversary.” said Zaza looking over Reagle.
“Shall we resume our battle?” Reagle smirked.
“Be careful, I may lose control and kill you in the throes of passion.” smiled Zaza.
“I can’t object to dying like that.” said Reagle.
Zaza chuckled. “My hot blood hungers for yours!”