It took them three days to find the valley where Silver’s village was, and even before they got there, they knew things were terribly wrong. A column of acrid black smoke rose from the valley, and the usually chipper Jerboa was quiet, pale and subdued.

Jing was standing out on the deck, looking towards the valley in silence. This wasn’t good… she just hoped it wasn’t as bad as her mind was thinking of.

Lei was standing beside Silver, unsure what to say, and very worried about the valley, but also the Jerboa on the ship.

Everyone was silent as the ship approached the lake, and it was Silver himself who finally broke it. “I…it’s… probably not that bad.” He said weakly. “M…maybe they all got away!”

Lei looked at Silver, hoping he was right. He put a hand on the Jerboa’s sholder.

Jing wasn’t hopeful with Silver’s words, there was probably no chance that blood wasn’t shed in this valley after they left.

Bast slowly brought the ship to a land on the water, letting it sail to shore. With Lei and the other’s help they moored it to the small dock, and as soon as they were done, Silver jumped off the ship, dashing into the smoldering remains of the village, calling out names.

Lei watched Silver run off before looking at Bast and the others, a sad look on his face. He had no idea really how many had been here, but had a feeling there were going to be some dead atleast.

Jing sighed, walking off the ship and walking into the village slowly, looking around in silence.

The devastation was complete. Not a single small house was left standing and even the grass had been burned. The place reeked of death, stench and ashes. It was ghostly quiet, making Silver’s shrill cries calling his friends all the more louder.

Jing’s ears pinned back on her head as she heard Silver’s cries, slowly searching the destroyed houses. She was worried about what she might find.

There wasn’t much left to find, but Silver’s calls abruptly ceased up ahead.

Jing turned as she heard Silver get quiet, quickly heading off to where she had last heard him. “Silver?”

Silver stood at the edge of a smoking pit, staring down into it in silence.

Jing walked over beside Silver, looking down into the pit worried and confused.

The pit was full of bodies, most around the size of Silver, some smaller. But it wasn’t a funeral pyre. The edges were steep and hard for the small jerboa to climb out of, the pit deep. In some places, Jing could see where some of them had tried scrabbling up the sides to try to escape.

Jing paled as she saw what was in the pit and just shook her head a little, unsure what she could say. This was just… Horrible!!

SIlver stood as if rooted to the spot, eyes staring into the smoldering inferno below them, the stench of scorched flesh and fur wafting up and almost choking them.  He stared into it, eyes unblinking. Slowly he took a step forward, nearing the edge of the pit, then another…

Jing looked at Silver worried, moving to grab his arm and stop the jerboa from getting any closer. “S…Silver…?”

He didn’t respond, didn’t seem to even realize she was there, eyes transfixed, he struggled to free himself, tugging on her grip as he tried to jump into the pit.

Jing held onto him, pulling him back a little. “S…Silver stop it! There is nothing you can do!”

“No!” He gave a choked cry, “i’m coming! I’ll… I’ll save you!” He whimpered, fighting Jing’s grip.

Jing still held into him, shaking her head more “Silver… There is nothing you can do. They…There all gone!”

“NO!!” He cried more loudly, but finally broke down, falling tohis knees crying, sobbing bitterly.

Jing looked down at Silver sadly, going on her knees beside him and bringing an arm around his sholder. “I’m so sorry Silver…”

Silver cried into Jing, curling up into a wretched ball. “It’s all my fault.” He sobbed, “I never should have left!”

Jing just hugged Silver, unsure what to do for the jerboa. “I’m so sorry Silver… it isn’t your fault…”

“Yes it is!” He cried, “I should have been here to protect them!”

“Silver… You have seen the Draconians… They never attack with just one or two.” Jing pointed out, sighing a little. “You… You would have just died…”

“It doesn’t matter!” He cried, “Better to die protecting them than to have abandoned them!”

“You didn’t abandon them Silver… But… Whats happened can’t be undone…” Jing told him and hugging the jerboa. “Would they all want you to wish you had died with them… Atleast they died knowing… one of their friends was safe and alive…”

Silver did not respond, but continued to cry against Jing’s chest, small hands clinging to her shirt. Bast came up to them, flinching as he looked into the pit. “A damn shame…” He said softly. “Those bastards…” He grumbled.

Jing just continued to hug Silver, letting the jerboa cry.

Lei came over with Bast, looking in the pit and wincing at the sight before looking at Silver. “I’m… sorry for your loss…”

Sivler didn’t seem to hear him, and Bast sighed. “This village is the only place on all the world where these large jerboa lived.” He said quietly, “His people dead… makes him the last of his kind.”

Lei sighed as he heard that, shaking his head “Lets just hope some of his people escaped…”

Bast nodded, “I hope so too, but…” He glanced around with a sigh. So much for leaving Risa here…

“Lets just hope there were some survivers.” Lei said with a small nod before looking at the bodies again. “We should probably… give them all a proper burial…”

Bast hummed, “The fire still burns, we’ll just have to cover the pit and make this their burial place.” He said.

Lei nodded, looking over at Silver. “Does that sound ok to you?”

Silver whimpered but nodded quietly.

Lei sighed then looked at Bast. “Alright then. Lets get to work.”

Bast nodded, and finding shovels on the ship, they got to work covering the pit. Silver refused to move from the side of the pit, but was too grief-striken to do more thanw atch dully.

Jing kept close to Bast, comforting the Jerboa as much as she could.

Lei helped Bast with covering the pit, once in a while looking at Silver in worry and sadness. He felt horrible for him after all.

It took them hours to finish, and Silver had finally fallen asleep, tear-streaked face still showing the grief he had at losing so many of his people.

Lei sighed as they finished, putting the shovel down and looking at Bast. “So… Do you think we should stay in this valley for long?”

Jing was still hugging Silver, not wanting to leave him right now even if he was asleep, they and it wasn’t like she could take him to the ship on her own.

Bast shook his head, “Those draconians seem to be extremely mobile. It’d be best if we get a move fast if we’re to warn people and not just… keep finding more cities burned to the ground.” He said grimly, looking to Jing and Silver.

Lei nodded, looking at the two. “So what do you think? Should we leave now?” He asked, looking back at Bast. “Will probably just be harder for Silver the longer he is here…”

Bast nodded, “Yeah… it might be for the best…” He said, then hesitated for a bit, then sighed, shaking is head. “Let’s just leave.” He said, glancing at the grave and giving a small prayer for those dead.

Lei looked at the grave, bowing his head before going over to Jing. “I’ll take Silver.” He said before moving to pick the jerboa up.

Silver whined, but did not wake as Lei picked him up, and Bast walked over to help Jing to her feet.

“Thanks…” Jing said quietly as Bast helped her up and she sighed, looking at Silver. “I can’t even imagine how he is feeling…” She muttered quietly.

Lei didn’t say anything as he walked back to the ship with Silver.

Bast nodded faintly. “It must be hard…”

Jing nodded in agreement “Really hard. Do you think… some of them got away?” She asked, the doubt clear in her voice.

“If they did, they’re far from here.” He said, “We’ve been here for a couple of hours now and no one has approached us. There’s a chance though, that some fled to the mountains, or had left through the pass before the draconians came.”

“True… I do hope… some survived even if we don’t see them for quite a while.” She said with a small nod. “Where should we head to now?”

“Well our plan was to head to Altador, so I suppose we’ll stick to that.” He said, as they clambered on board. “We’ll sleep here, and fly off tomorrow.”

“Sounds good.” Jing said with a nod. Lei took Silver down below, putting him down gentally on his bed with a small sigh.

Iris looked at them as they came in from where she was preparing their dinner. She had seen the devastation and given a prayer for the dead, then retired to the ship to look after Rena. “Dinner is almost ready.” She said. “How is Silver?”

“Pretty upset, as expected.” Jing said with a small sigh, sitting down and looking at Iris.

Iris nodded, serving them plates of food as Bast also sat down. “How is Rena?” He asked. Iris smiled faintly, “Much better, she’ll be up and about by tomorrow I expect. I had her stay in bed today… no need for her to see that village.”

Jing nodded in agreement “Good idea. Rena has already seen to much for a little girl…” A second later Lei walked into the kitchen, sitting down. “Silver is in bed.”

Bast nodded, “Good, let the kid sleep.. He needs it now.”

Lei nodded “Ya he really does. Still hard to belive all that happened. And to see all those bodies.” Jing sighed as she heard Lei “We just have to do what we can to stop it from happening in other places.”

Bast nodded. “I hope we can.” He said grimly.

“I hope so too…” Jing said quietly, sighing and putting her head on the table. She really didn’t know HOW they would be able to stop it though.

Iris finished serving the plates and sat down, “We can’t give up hope.” She said.

Lei nodded “Thanks Iris. And your right. Seeing what has happened already… I don’t want to see more of is. What about you two?” He asked, looking at Jing and Bast.

Bast frowned, “Of course not!”

“And I don’t want to see any more of it either!” Jing insisted. “Then we can’t give up hope like Iris said.” Lei said with a nod.

Bast cracked a smile, digging into his meal. Iris gave a soft smile, nodding as she too ate.

Jing started to eat as well, keeping quiet as she did. Lei ate as well, smiling at Iris “This is amazing!”

Iris smiled, “Thank you.” She said softly. They ate mostly in silence, and Bast organized the watch shifts, taking the first himself.

Lei volenteered for the second shift, and Jing for third.  They both then headed to the dorms to rest.

The night was silent and calm, with the red glow of the fires from the village where it had not burned out of fuel. It was late during Lei’s watch that a faint rustling sound could be heard on the deck.

Lei twitched as he heard the noise, looking around in silence before heading in towards the sound curiously.

There didn’t seem to ba anthing, then he saw a rope flapping in the night breeze, possibly what had made that sound.

Blinking confused Lei walked over to the rope, grabbing it before looking around for any sign of anything else.

As he looked around he saw a flash of fur disappear silently down the plank.

Lei was surprised as he saw movment, going over quickly towards it. “Whos there?!”

A faint shadow almost missed passed in front of the light of embers from a burnt building.

Lei bit his lip as he saw something run off, but shook his head. No way was he stupid enough to follow something into the dark and leave the ship while everyone else slept. Instead he headed down below deck, waking Jing and bringing her up on deck. “Sorry about waking you earlyer… But I want to see where that thing went but don’t want to leave the ship with no watch.” Jing shook her head and rubbed her eyes. “No problem. Just come back soon.” She said with a yawn. Lei nodded before getting off the ship and heading towards the burnt remains of the town to search for whatever he had seen ebfore.

He didn’t see any movement in the village, nor any sign of the shadow for some time. As he walked through the ruins though he heard a faint scratching sound.

Lei twitched as he heard the sound, following it silently and looking around for the source.

The sounds came from inside a burnt-down building, from a corner of one of the rooms.

Lei went inside it, and over towards the corner slowly, trying to see the source of the noise.

Before he got there, the noise stopped, there was a quick scurrying and silence. When he reached the room, he saw nothing.

Lei blinked confused, looking around. “Hello? Is anyone there?”

Sience greeted him.

“Its alright… who ever you are. I’m a friend.” Lei called out, looking around for signs of anything at all.

There was more silence, then a small sniffle.

Lei walked slowly towards the sniffle “Please… Its alright really. Can you show yourself…?” He asked. It was crying… maybe… “Are you a jerboa from this valley?”

“Lei… just… leave me alone.” Came Silver’s small voice.

Lei blinked as he heard the voice “Silver? What are you doing out here?”

“This…” He paused, then continued, “This was my house.” He said quietly.

Lei looked around in shock at the burnt remainds before over towards Silver sadly “I see… But why did you leave the ship in the middle of the night…?”

“Because you guys wanted to leave without… letting me back.” He said quietly.

Lei sighed quietly, “Guilty as charged…” He muttered, walking over to Silver slowly. “I’m not going to force you bak alright?”

Silver moved out of the deep shadows, “What if I decide to stay here… and not go wit you guys?” He asked.

“Do you really want to do that Silver? Just give up, stay here and stop living the life you still have?” Lei asked curiously. “Do you really think your friends and family would have wanted that for you?”

Silver looked up angrily at Lei. “NO!” He cried out, “That’s not what I want to do…” He looked down, “I… I want to see if I can find survivors… go up into the mountain trails… and search the caves. If there are survivors… no… there ARE survivors… they need me!”

Lei sighed a little “Silver, when did you guys leave this place last time?”

Silver paused, “I… think it’s been about a week and a half.” he said quietly. “Why?”

“Do you really expect them to be anywhere close by Silver? There is over a weeks difference between you are and where they might be.” Lei pointed out.

Silver looked at Lei. “The fires haven’t burned out… they can’t have attacked that long ago.” He pointed out.

“Would they have stayed anywhere near here though?” Lei asked curiously.

Silver hesitated, then nodded, “It’s possible. If they went to the caves int he mountains, they’ll probably still be there. And if those draconians came and left rhough the pass there is no other way out, so they couldn’t have left the valley.”

Lei sighed in annoyance. “Well… If you want to go looking thats your choise. But your going to abandon your friends. I’ve seen you fight, your a valuable member of that group and seems trouble follows you all like the plege.”

Silver flinched at this, looking down. Lei had a point… “I’m the only fighter in town.” He said quietly, “The rest… they didn’t stand a chance against the draconians. They would have had the kids evacuated while the adults fought them off as best they could.” He bit his lips, “Should I let them die then?”

“Its up to you Silver. I’m not going to stop you.” Lei said with a shrug. “But if they are even half as resourceful as you seem to be, they will be fine.”

Silver nodded, silent but with a thoughtful expression. “C…can you elave me alone?” He asked at length. “I need time to think.”

Lei nodded “Sure thing Silver.” He said before turning to leave. “Atleast have your dieision by morning alright?” He added before walking off.

Silver nodded faintly, and went back to work at what he had been doing before Lei interrupted him.

Lei headed back to the ship, getting on. Jing told him that she would stay up now and let him head down below deck to sleep, leaving her once again alone on watch.

When morning came, and the others were finally up, it was Iris who discovered Silver gone. She made her way to the others in worry. “Silver’s not in his bed…” She said, “Do you think he…?”

Lei woke, yawning a little as he heard Iris. “Still hasn’t come back huh?” He asked, feeling more then a little surprised. “I wonder if he really did deside to leave…”

Iris turned in surprise to Lei. “What do you mean??”

Lei sighed before explaining what had happened last night with Silver. “Maybe he desided he wanted to leave…”

Bast frowned, “And you just let him?? What if there’s draconians out there still?”

“I couldn’t drag him back here Bast. He would just leave again. I barely know the guy but I’ve noticed he can sneak by anyone. Trying to tie him down is useless.”

Bast frowned, but he knew Lei was right, they had no right forcing the kiddo anyways. He turned away, and went up on deck, scanning the village for signs of te little rodent.

Lei followed Bast up, looking around the village as well. “Are you guys willing to accept his desision? What ever it is?”

Bast sighed, “Not really, but I suppose we have no choice, it’s his decision after all.” He frowned, “We sure could use his help though…”

Lei nodded “Ya I noticed that. You guys don’t have a lot of fighters.”

Bast smirked, “Well, we weren’t expecting to fight such an army. Just two dragons.”

Lei blinked in suprise “Two?! Onem alone was huge and dangerous!” He said, refuring to the black dragon.

Bast sighed, “That one was actually smaller than the two we face.”

Lei paled as he heard that. “Wait… B…Bigger?! You have got to be kidding! Do they spic acid like she did?!”

Bast shook his head, “No… one has fire and the other has a noxious gas.” He said with a small grin. “You ready to face more dragons? We’ve also fought a blue dragon, with lightning breath.”

“Not really… One dragon was crazy enough… And the fire one…” Lei shook his head a little at the thought. “L…Lets just hope that fire one doesn’t show up.”

Bast sighed, “Yeah… I hope so too. We had Leria with us before, and he’s even bigger than her, and has defeated her twice already. Without her help…”

“How exactly did you all get pulled into this?” Lei asked curiously.

Bast laughed, “Rather long story.” He admitted, “But well, I was a pirate on this ship. I was on leave in Shenkuu, and when I came back on board, Leria and company were here instead of the crew I’d left behind.”

Lei blinked in suprise “Wow…Really? But I don’t get why you would join the group…”

Bast grinned, “Jing and I share a common past… and a common enemy.” He said.

Lei looked at Bast confused “You and the kid? Really? What are you family or something?”

Bast shook his head, “Not exactly. We come from the same island, and carry the same curse.”

“Curse?” Lei asked, more confused then ever. “What are you talking about?”

Bast sighed, and explained to Lei the curse laid upon Jing and himself. As he did he prepared the ship to cast off.

Lei was shocked at what he heard “Wow… Tht must be pretty hard to go through Bast…” He said, helping the Kankiru out where needed.

Bast sighed, “I’ve been dead one short of ten thousand times. It can get boring, but never less painful.” He said, tying a rope to the side, “And the last deaths keep leaving more and more scars. The wounds don’t heal completely either, so it hurts even when I revive the morning after.”

“Wow… All the more reason not to die though huh? And ten thousand… thats a lot. Do you know how many times Jing has died?” He asked curiously.

Bast shook his head, “Not exactly, but I’d say around five hundred.”

Lei shook his head in disbelif “Wow… Gone through a lot for a kid.” He muttered. “When will we be ready to take off?”

Bast grinned widely, “She’s sixteen by the way.” He said, looking to the village. “We’ll set sail in an hour… If Silver’s not back by then…”

Lei blinked in shock “Seriously? She looks like some little kid!” At that moment Jing had finally come up on deck and heard Lei’s comment, going up to the draik and kicking the back of his knees. “Don’t call me a kid!”

Bast laughed aloud at Jing’s childish act. “She sure acts like a kid though.”

Lei stumbled forward as he was kicked, turning to look at Jing in suprise. Jing turned to glare at Bast angerly “Don’t call me a kid!!”

Bast stuck his tongue out at her. “Little kid.”

Jing glared at Bast angerly, moving over to him to punch him in the gut. “I am not a kid!”

He laughed more catching her fist in his palm, grabbing it and pulling her close. “Really now?” He asked as he brought his face close to hers, staring into her eyes.

Jing blinked in suprise but then nodded “Really!” She said before stomping on his foot.

The kankiru cursed as he let go of Jing, grabbing his foot and hopping on the other.

Jing smirked at Bast and nodded “You deserved that.” She said befrore sticking her tounge out at him. Lei laughed a little as he watched the two, they were really entertaining.

Bast scowled at the girl. “Why you little…” He put his foot back down and lunged to grab Jing.

Jing grinned, ducking from Bast then jumping to the side away from him. “Can’t get me”

“Ohhh yes I will.” Bast said, as he chased after her around the deck.

Jing laughed as Bast chased her but kept out of the Kankiru’s reach. Lei stood back, watching the two and laughing a little. It was atleast nice for things to lighten up a bit.

Bast was laughing too now, “You sneaky little kid!”

Jing twitched, turning and suddenly rolling under Bast to try and trip him. “Don’t call me a kid!”

Bast was ready for her to turn on him though, and stopped, stooped and grabbed onto her, sitting on top of her he began tickling her sides.

Jing let out in involentary squeel as she was suddenly tickled, flailing and trying to get away. “B…Bast you big idiot! G…Get off me!” She cried between laughs.

Bast laughed, holding her under him and tickling her mercilessly. Then a ball of fur crashed into Bast, toppling him off Jing and onto his back, and he suddenly found a thin blade at his neck, Silver standing on his chest. “AHA! Fiend! I, defender of the weak shall end your evil ways!” Silver proclaimed airily.

Jing was trying to catch her breath as  she heard Silver’s voice, looking over at him in suprise and grinning. “Silver! You’re back!”

Bast blinked, and grinned widely, “I give, I give!” He said and Silver jumped off Bast with a satisfied grin. “Evil has been averted Milady!” He said as he sheatehd his sword and bowed comically to Jing, sweeping his hat off. Bast grinned, tackling the Jerboa to the ground “Think again!” He said, tickling Silver this time.

Jing giggled at Silver but when she saw Bast tackle him and grinned, jumping onto the Kankiru and tickling him. “Payback time!”

Bast jerked back, yelping as he was tickled, and Silver squirmed from under Bast, helping Jing in attacking Bast. The kankiru dissolved into laughter, helpless on the ground with the two attacking him.

Jing grinned, continuing her attack on Bast “Say uncle”

“N…never!” Managed Bast between gasps of laughter.

Jing just started to tickle him more at the answer, grinning. “Come on Say it! Say uncle!”

Bast finally couldn’t take anymore and he cried out “Uncle!”

Jing grinned and as she heard him stopped tickling him and backed up. “Si ultrinninan” She teased him, sticking out her tounge. “Thanks for the help Silver”

Silver backed up too, grinning as Bast slowly sat up, groaning. “Yeah yeah, very nice, you beat me with help, kid.” He said to Jing.

Jing twitched as she heard him, stomping on his tail “Chiili ti ominak ve batobot.” She said, not realizing half the things she had said were in the wrong tounge.

Silver blinked without undestanding. Bast yelped and snatched his tail away. “Oi! Gewj douta grapwol vur si geou call wux lae mishun.” He retorted.

Jing grinned at Bast, walking around him “Si mi gewjorl sia grapwol. Wux agantal gewj hefoc vi jatil juanth sthyr mrith thric ulhyrr di diwhaf.”

Silver frowned, “Uhm… guys? What the hell are you talking in?”

Jing turned, looking at Silver and chuckled a little “Sorry… didn’t realize what tounge I was speaking in.” “W…What language is that?” Lei asked them, walking over and seeming very confused.

Bast blinked, looking to Lei. “Oh, that’s the tongue of our homeland.” He said, “Leria called it Draconic, the language of the dragons.”

Lei looked at the two surprised “Draconic…?” “Wait did you understand it?” Jing asked confused but Lei just shook his head. “No I couldn’t but… it felt… I guess familiar.”

Bast shrugged, “If you’re part dragon I suppose you have it in your blood.” He suggested, “Let’s cast off, now that Silver’s bac… HEY that’s my dagger!” He swiped the intricate looking dagger from Silver’s hands. The jerboa blinked, “Oh, really?” He looked with wide innocent eyes at Bast. “You must have dropped it in the tickle fight.” He smiled, “You should thank me for finding it!”

Jing looked over at Silver and Bast, laughing again before nodding. “Alright! Lets get a move on!” Lei nodded as well and grinned, “Just say what you need help with.”

Bast nodded, and under his direction, the group soon had the ship int he air, headed south towards Altador.

Lei did what he could to help and as they started to fly again he moved over to the side of the ship, grinning and looking at the ground far below. This was the way to fly! He loved it!

They travelled over the mountains and it was cold, quite nice for Dalit and Lei though the others had to wrap themselves up and keep the sails from frosting over. When they finally passed the higher mountain peaks, Bast steeered them over the forests along the western side of the mountain range, and announced tey would be in Altador in two days.

Lei stayed out as much as possible, between loving the cold and thinking it was better for the others to stay below deck where it was warm as much as possible. When he heard Altador was two days away he grinned a little, it had been many years since he had been back there!

Jing stayed below deck as much as possible as the days passed, really disliking the cold.