Then the scene suddenly shifted, and Leria landed in a clearing by a large waterfall in the gardens where they had been caught by the pirates.

Jing smiled happily as they landed back in the gardens. “Its good to be back here again.”

Leria let them slide off her back before shifting into rakune form and stretching. “Yes it is” She said, as Irisva collapsed to solid ground with a sigh of relief. Leria laughed lightly. “First ride on a dragon can be rather frightening.” She said.

Jing chuckled lightly as she heard that. “It was scary… But fun too.” She said with a nod before looking around the garden.

“…you sure you saw something?” “Yes! It was a huge… thing over at the falls!” Insisted a voice, familiar to Jing. “I think you’re seeing things…” “Come on let’s check it out at least!”

Jing jumped as she heard the voice but her hands went into tight fists. “Kinu… Keep out of sight for now alright? Seems the opportunity for payback came sooner then expected.”

Leria frowned, then grinned darkly. “Excellent. Kinu go with Irisva to the cave.” Kinu nodded, hopping over to the wocky and the girl looked at them, “You’ll be alright?” She asked.

Jing nodded “Yes I’ll be alright. I’m going to be able to vent out a lot of anger today.”

Irisva looked doubtful but nodded silently and let Kinu lead her away just as the two pirates came into view. They stopped as they saw Jing and Leria, blinking in surprise as they recognized Jing. “What the…”

Jing brought her hand up, glaring at the pirates before making the gravity around them strong enough to possibly break their legs from the weight of their upper body.

They cried out in shock and pain as they crumbled to the ground, struggling to move as they cried out for help. Leria shifted form into a xweetok and walked forward, the looks of shock and fear growing as they now recognized her. “No… that’s impossible!” One cried. Leria smirked angrily. “Oh yes, it is very possible.” She said darkly.

Jing kept the gravity around the two strong enough they couldn’t sit up, walking forward beside Leria. “The ogrin on their ship is the captain, and the one who deserves the most pain.” She said with a nod, keeping a look out for him.

“N…no… please spare us!” One of the two captives pleaded. “We were just doing as ordered I swear!” “He forced us!” Leria laughed, “Yeah right, as if anyone would believe that.”

Jing glared at them angrily, making the gravity grow stronger. “You want to kill these two? Or should I?”

“You can do what you want, I’m going after the ship itself.” She said, as she shifted form into dragon. The two paled and quavered at the bulk of Leria as she jumped over them towards the ship.

Jing nodded a little “Gladly.” She said before making the gravity grow to the point it would break their spines and crush their skulls.

The two pirates screamed in agony as their bones cracked, then they became silent. New cries of alarm came from the ship, as Leria roared aloud.

Jing looked up as she heard the roar, quickly following the noise and leaving the two pirate’s body’s behind.

As she came in view of the ship, she could see various pirates jumping overboard as Leria tipped the ship on it’s side. Many fell down the precipice though a few scrambled to the ground and tried to run, as Leria clawed and grabbed some of them in her jaws, crushing them to their deaths.

Jing ran forward, and any of the pirates who tried to run she just brought up her hands and made the gravity strong enough to break their legs. She wasn’t planning to let any get away.

Leria did not harm the ship itself, but shook it until all the pirates had been disposed of or were running away to have Jing squash them down with gravity. Leria had found the captain, as she righted the ship and grabbed him in her claws, bringing him up to her level. “So you’re the one who thought he could break me into a sex slave with no consequence?” She boomed.

Jing watched Leria for a moment before getting back to the pirates, one by one making the gravity crush their spines and skulls.

The cries and screams of agony continued as Jing worked her way through the pirates. Leria toyed with the pirate captain some more before flinging him over the side of the precipice.

Finally Jing was done with the pirates and nodded, looking over at Leria. “Feel better?”

Leria nodded, righting the ship before looking around. “You might want to check inside the ship if they had any slaves.” She said as an after-thought.

Jing nodded “I’ll do that now.” She said before getting onto the ship. “If there are others down there… What are we going do do with them?”

“Well, the ship should be intact. We can use it to sail to wherever we want and set them free.” She said, looking around at the dead pirates in distaste, she began picking them up and flinging them out of her private garden.

Jing nodded again before heading down below deck to look around for anyone left.

The inside of the ship was a shambles because of the tipping over, but the slave hold was empty but for the chains that lined the walls and the cages now strewn along the floor. As she searched, she heard the sound of movement behind her.

Jing sighed quietly as she looked around, glad that there were no slaves at least here again. Her ears twitched as she heard something though, tuning around quickly. “Who’s there?!”

A short kougra pirate snarled as he jumped at Jing, weapon out as he tried to attack her quickly.

Jing was surprised that there was a pirate left, not expecting it at all and just tried to move away quickly and back up. “Stay back!”

He snarled, pressing his attack as she backed up, sword slashing through the air at her.

Jing turned quickly away from his sword, moving to grab a loose chain that was close by and swinging it towards his head.

He ducked nimbly, and moved forward, sword stabbing towards Jing’s chest.

Jing’s eyes widened in horror, trying to move out of the way but wasn’t fast enough to dodge completely, sword going through her shoulder and she cried out in pain.

The kougra grinned, “You’ll pay for those you’ve killed!” He said, digging his blade deeper into her shoulder as his other hand shot out to grab her neck and crush her windpipe.

Jing screamed out in pain for a second before coughing hard as her neck was grabbed, struggling desperately to get free. “N…No…L…Let go of me…” She said weakly, trying to kick the kougra.

The kougra grinned savagely, then his eyes widened, his grip on Jing going slack. He groaned, crumpling to the ground, dead. Leria stood behind him, glowering at him. Then she looked at Jing. “Sorry… I thought they’d all been dealt with.” She said, looking at the sword pinning Jing to the wall. “Hold on…” She warned, as she grabbed the sword and pulled it loose, before quickly putting her hand over the gushing wound.

Jing coughed hard, gasping for a breath before crying out loudly when the sword was removed, whimpering and falling against Leria.

Leria held her up, ripping off a piece of cloth to bind her wound quickly. “I’m sorry…” She repeated quietly. “Are you okay?”

Jing coughed a couple more times, one hand going to her neck. She shook her head a little but didn’t say anything.

Leria sighed, holding her up. “It’s okay, you’ll be all healed up when we get back to the cave.” She assured the girl. She moved to pick Jing up, and began carrying her out.

Jing still didn’t say anything, wincing as she was picked up but just tried to calm down since she knew she could get healed soon.

As they walked back out, a quivering mass of old rags caught Leria’s attention, and she turned to the bundle in a corner of the mess-hall. “What’s that…” She murmured, walking towards it.

Jing looked up, blinking confused and coughing again. She was as clueless as Leria though.

As they walked over they could make out the small form of a brown acara, curled up in a tight ball, quivering in fear in the corner. She was dressed in what looked like a worn burlap sack.

Jing looked at the little girl in surprise. What was a kid doing here?

Leria frowned, wondering the same though she had a pretty good idea, as she put Jing down and approached the figure curled up on the floor. “Hey..” She said gently. The acara was curled tightly and flinched at her voice, shrinking away as much as possible, head hiding and covered by scrawny brown arms. The girl had a rather bulky metal collar around her neck.

Jing stood back a little, hand moving over her shoulder to put more pressure on it as she looked at the girl. So… Was she a slave…?

Leria moved to put a hand on the girl’s shoulder, and she flinched more, as if expecting to get hit. Leria frowned, “It’s okay, we won’t hurt you.” She said.

Jing watched in silence, looking around for a moment. Was there anyone else here they had missed? Or more pirates?

There didn’t seem to be anyone else, and Leria was having a hard time coaxing the girl to uncurl. The small acara looked no older than 5 years old, dirty and malnourished. When Leria finally managed to coax her to sit up, she turned a terrified, tear-streaked face at them, large wide eyes of pale pink looking between Jing and Leria as if they were going to kill her horribly.

Jing looked back at the girl, trying to smile a little at least since she didn’t think she would be able to talk right now.

Leria sighed slightly. “Listen girl… we won’t hurt you. We killed the bad guys, so you’re free.” She said. The small girl didn’t seem to understand this much, looking at them plaintively. Leria looked at the heavy-looking collar around her neck and frowned, moving to grab it. The girl flinched back slightly, closing her eyes tightly for a second.

Jing watched quietly, wondering what Leria was going to do.

Leria worked quickly, breaking off the collar without hurting the girl, throwing it to one side. “There… that’s better.” She smiled, “Now how bout you come with us okay? Jing here needs healing so we have to go.” The girl looked confused, and hadn’t emitted more than a small whimper in the whole time since they’d found her. Leria stood now, looking to Jing. “Can you walk?” She asked.

Jing nodded and smiled a little, keeping one hand on her shoulder. “Lets go…” She said quietly, worried about Kinu more then herself.

Leria nodded, looking to the small acara. “Come along with us, okay?” She said with a smile. The girl hesitated, but scrambled to her feet, looking frightened but nodded. Leria walked back out on deck, and off the ship, the small acara trailing close behind her. Jing’s pain was subsiding, the wound in her shoulder had stopped bleeding and her throat no longer hurt.

Jing blinked surprised as she looked at her shoulder. “Leria….? Whats going on?” She asked confused as she followed.

Leria turned back, blinking. “What? Why?”

Jing looked at her shoulder still. “Its… Not bleeding anymore… And my throat… isn’t hurting.”

Leria looked surprised, then smiled. “Ah… Irisva must have healed Kinu, and thus healed you.” She said happily.

Jing sighed in relief and smiled. “I’m glad that means Kinu is alright…”

Leria nodded, and turned to lead the two back to the cave. The small acara girl looked around her at the bloody patches on the ground, ears flat against her skull and looking terrified, hands pressed together to her chest.

Jing looked back at the girl for a moment “Listen, we aren’t going to hurt you alright?”

She looked up at Jing, but didn’t seem very convinced. She nodded faintly though, and turned to look at the ground meekly.

Jing sighed quietly, continuing to follow Leria.

Leria glanced at the girl, then shrugged. “She’s probably been the personal slave of those pirates… a deck-hand if you will.” She said, “I don’t blame her for being so terrified after I shook the ship like that and we killed everyone so easily.”

Jing nodded a little “Well those pirates deserved it!” She said before crossing her arms. “A little girl doesn’t.”

Leria chuckled and nodded. The small acara looked up at Jing, ears flicking faintly, but remained quiet, following them into the cave.

Jing followed into the cave, wondering how far Kinu and Irisva were.

They were around the first bend, and Kinu jumped to her feet as they came into view, rushing to Jing’s side. ‘Jing! Are you okay!?’ The acara slave shied back in fright at the bounding dragon, eyes wide with fear.

Jing nodded a little, moving to hug Kinu “Yes I’m fine.” She said with a nod, hiding a little wince from the dragon. Her shoulder still hurt, but at least it wasn’t bleeding.

‘I felt the pain in my shoulder… but Irisva healed me… did that heal you?’ She asked. Irisva walked over and smiled faintly. “Let me check your shoulder.” She said. Leria stood to one side, watching the two, then glanced at the acara slave girl, now huddled against the wall of the cave, scared and confused.

“It healed it somewhat…” Jing explained, keeping still for Irisva “The bleeding stopped at least. And my throat doesn’t hurt either.”

The wocky nodded, “I’ll heal your shoulder.” She said, taking the wooden staff, she touched it to Jing’s shoulder. The wood glowed blue and instead of wood, they saw the staff was made of the bluest sapphire. Healing waves bathed Jing’s shoulder and the wound was healed completely. When she moved back, the staff turned back to it’s inconspicuous wood form.

Jing smiled happily as her shoulder was healed. “Thank you so much Irisva. Your healing is amazing!” She said before looking at her staff for a second.

Irisva smiled happily. “It’s Merial’s healing, I am just her priestess.” She replied, then looked to the cowering girl, who had yet to speak a word since they found her. The wocky looked saddened as she took in the 5 year old’s appearance. “Was she the only slave?” She asked quietly.

Jing nodded a little. “Ya… She hasn’t said a word to either of us…”

Irisva walked over slowly, and smiled at the girl. “Hey… I’m Irisva… I used to be a slave too, but these people freed me.” She explained, “You really are safe now. What’s your name?” The girl looked at the white-robed desert wocky and bit her lip, but didn’t cringe. Then her ears teared up and she began crying, crumpling to her knees as she sobbed quietly.

Jing blinked in surprise, watching the little girl cry, looking at Leria, Kinu then back to Irisva.

Irisva looked surprised too, but moved to kneel by the girl, slowly pulling her into a hug. The girl flinched faintly, but let her gather her up, sobbing into the wock’s clothing. Leria sighed faintly. “Must have been hard for her…” She said quietly, “Living on that ship.”

Jing watched and nodded a little “I can believe that… Seems Irisva is the best to help her though.”

Leria nodded, watching as the girl calmed down somewhat. Irisva asked the girl for her name again, but the acara’s lips trembled again silently.

Jing blinked confused as she watched the girl “Maybe… She can’t talk?”

The girl looked up at Jing, and nodded faintly, looking down sadly. Irisva looked surprised. “What…. why not?”

Jing sighed sadly saw she saw the girl’s nod, then looking at Leria, wondering if she could hear her thoughts and figure out an answer.

Leria watched the girl, frowning slightly. “Why can’t you speak?” She asked. The acara winced faintly, moving away from Irisva and looking up at Leria, then at Jing, finally at Irisva. Slowly she opened her mouth. Irisva gave a gasp of horror. The girl’s tongue had been cut off, leaving a short stump near the back of her mouth. Leria flinched, looking away as anger boiled inside her.

Jing paled as she saw this, looking away and hands going into fists. “Those bastards…”

The girl quickly closed her mouth, cowering back again quietly. Irisva moved forward, hugging the girl closely again. “I’m…. so sorry.” She whispered, “That…. was horrible for them to do!” Leria turned back to watch the two, and sighed, “Iris… why don’t you try… and heal her?”

Jing turned in surprise as she heard Leria then looked back at Irisva “Wait… Could she do that?”

“I don’t know, but it’s worth a try right?” Leria said. Iris nodded, moving to let the acara sit back. She looked frightened again, but sat quietly, looking at them wide-eyed. Iris smiled comfortingly and took the staff. “This won’t hurt.” She promised, as she closed her eyes and moved the staff towards the girl. It glowed in blue, the sapphire replacing the wood. The girl flinched faintly, but sat still as the light moved over her.

Jing watched curiously, wondering if it would really work. She hoped it would but it was hard to believe Iris could give the girl her tongue back.

After about a minute, the blue died down, and Iris fell back with a small sigh. The acara blinked, mouth moving slightly, then she smiled for the first time. When she opened her mouth, she stuck her tongue out happily.

Jing watched in surprise, looking at Iris “You did it!” She said, moving forward to get beside her. “You alright?”

Iris smiled happily as she saw the results, and nodded to Jing. “Yes, thank you.” She said, smiling at the girl. “How do YOU feel?” She asked. She smiled, “G…gd.” She tried speaking. It was clear she’d have trouble, but didn’t seem to be much bothered by this. She moved forward instead, hugging Iris happily.

Jing giggled as she watched the girl hug Iris and grinned. “Seems at the end of it… Today was a very good day. And we seem to have a new friend.”

Leria smiled and nodded. “Come on, let’s go up into the main cave” She said, turning and going on up the tunnel. Iris smiled, getting to her feet, and taking the girl’s hand. “Now… what IS your name?” She asked the girl. The small acara walked beside Iris, hesitating. “Idiot.” She said finally.

Jing looked back at the girl, sighing a little as she started to walk. She then looked down at Kinu. “Want a ride?”

Kinu looked up and nodded, turning into a yullie and climbing up to her shoulder. Iris frowned at the name. “Is that what those pirates called you?” She asked. The girl nodded quietly.

Jing brought her hand lightly on Kinu’s head, looking back at the girl. She would need a new name… if Idiot was all she was called.

They continued climbing as Iris considered this. “You need a new name, then.” She indicated, “We can’t call you Idiot… that is derogatory and I doubt it’s true.” The girl frowned finaly, looking down sadly.

“What kind of name would you like?” Jing asked curiously, looking back at them.

The girl shrugged. She didn’t seem to care much about names. They hadn’t usually called her much anyways, besides barking orders on the ship. Iris sighed faintly, “Well we’ll have to think of something.” She said.

Jing nodded as she heard Iris. “If there is a name you would like to be called that you can think of later just say. “Picking your own name sometimes works well.”

The young girl nodded, but didn’t seem to know what to call herself. After a while, the group finally came to the larger cave, and Leria walked over to the lake to check on the eggs, smiling in relief as she saw that they were all as they had been last time she had been there. Iris walked up behind her, staring in awe.

Jing walked over as well, smiling at the eggs. “Its like we never left” She said with a giggle.

Leria grinned faintly, “Yeah, makes me wonder why they even bothered to make me stay here watching them.”

Jing shrugged a little “I don’t mind much. After all if you weren’t meant to guard them I would have never met Kinu.”

Leria chuckled faintly, “Very true.” She said, turning back to the group. “Well, who’s hungry?” She asked.

Jing chuckled happily. “I am. How about you Kinu?”

Kinu nodded rapidly, “Very!” Iris chuckled, “Yes, I am too.” She admitted. The acara girl was quiet, eyes wide as she looked around the cave. Leria nodded, and created a table set for all of them, with various mouth-watering plates and drinks. “Then let’s eat!”

Jing’s smile brightened as she saw the food. “Wow It looks great Leria!”

Kinu jumped from Jing’s shoulder, sitting at her place and piling food onto her plate. Iris smiled, taking a seat she too began to serve herself, as Leria sat at the head of the table. The acara girl stood hesitatingly, mouth watering as she looked at the food.

Jing started to dish up her own plate when she looked over at the girl. “Come on. There is lots to go around.”

The girl blinked, inching closer, sniffing at the food. “I… eat too?” She asked haltingly. Iris turned in surprise, “But of course! Come, sit with me and I’ll help you.” She offered. The acara nodded, moving slowly to sit at the table, looking over the food with wide eyes.

Jing smiled as she watched the girl before continuing to eat happily. “Thank you so much Leria”

Leria chuckled, eating sparingly as she watched. “It’s been a while since we did this.” She said. Iris piled some food for the girl and cut it up to make it easier for her to eat, then gave her a fork. The acara girl, began to eat slowly, testing out her new tongue.

Jing nodded “It is… I’ve missed it a lot. I’m really glad to have you back.”

Leria nodded, “I’m glad to be back too.” She admitted. “We’ll have to decide on our next course of action though…”

Jing sighed quietly as she heared Leria and nodded a little. “What do you think we should do?”

“To be honest I’m not entirely sure.” She admitted, watching Iris help the girl with her food.

Jing was silent for a minute, looking at her half empty plate. “Well… What can we really do Leria? I really… don’t understand much of this.”

Leria sighed, “I don’t know either Jing… this is all so much bigger than what I’m used to handling.” She admitted. “I wish the Elders were still here… but they aren’t and all that’s left are these eggs.”

Jing nodded as she heard that, looking towards the lake. “Eggs that we have no idea when they will hatch…”

Leria nodded, looking to the lake as well. “There’s one thing I think we should try out… and that is going to see Pyrite.”

Jing blinked confused as she heard that “Pyrite? Who is that?”

Leria smiled, “The Eldest dragon of all.” She said, looking to Jing. “I have a feeling he’s still alive.”

Jing blinked surprised as she heard that “Really? Wait… How would you know where he is?”

“Well, I know where his cave used to be.” She shrugged, “Hopefully he’s still there.”

Jing nodded a little “When do you think we should go there…?”

“As soon as we’re all rested up I guess.” Leria said.