*Master* “It has been a while since the last time I have heard Mannel’s name.” Kudiya commented. We were glancing at the maps on the walls and table. A mark was placed for each time we heard news of our enemy's movement. “Father … Do you think he has been captured?” “He will not be that easy to deal with!” I thought about what Merna had said to me, “Merna once mentioned his name … he is collecting human borns like herself.” I paused to recollect my thoughts. “Merna said she did not have proof to collaborate her theory, but she did see Mannel collecting one of her siblings.” “Father, if I may speak boldly?” My son cleared his throat. “Speak!” My tone was flat. “I believe it is time that we send my sisters, mother and the other important females away from here. The last time there was a war …” I did not allow my son to finish his thoughts. “Pirapancam has already offered sanctuary for your sisters and mother.” I brought my sight to Kudiya, “I need you to make the final plans with Pirapancam. After that, you will tell your siblings what they are to do.” Monotone, “What about the hybrid?” I glared at my son without saying a word. Waiting for him to correct himself. With his head bowed. “My apologies father. I did not know how attached you were to this human born.” “Kudiya you are being bluntly rude, Merna is my consort!” I growled, “You will give her the respect she has earned.” I allowed black smoke to filter out of my nose for dramatic effect. “I will not have anymore of your childish behaviour. She knows her place, as you have been reminded several times.” I allowed myself to calm down, “once this little tiff is over I will be making things public known about Merna’s position!” Kudiya’s energy started to rise. I know he wanted to argue with me, though I knew that it would be futile. His fondness for his mother clouded his judgement when it pertained to Merna. Bowing, “Please forgive my insolence father! It will never happen again!” Kudiya was clenching his teeth while speaking. “That it will not!” I said low with a growl. “You may leave now!” I did not want my son within my sight at this moment.I was about to bury myself in paperwork when a mage announced his presents. “Master!” “Speak!” I roared. He started, “We have healed your hybrid’s wounds, she is no longer bleeding, but …” He paused. I shot my head in the direction of the mage, “What is it?” Lowering his head, “She is not waking up as we had thought she would!” Strolling over to him, “What is the issue?” Fiddling with his fingers, “We can not figure out why she is not waking up. We only have one thought!” He spoke quickly. I cleared my mind of thoughts, “What is the thought behind Merna’s illness?” “The extent of the injury to the head was grave, we believe that she is lost in her mind. She is not conscious but still exists.” He cleared his throat, “add in the fact that she had exerted a great deal of energy and did not give herself time to regain what was used … we are thinking with the head injury and exhaustion … she will remain like this for a while!” I sighed, rubbing my hands down my face, “How long do you believe it will take for her to wake up?” “I believe that is only something that our consort can answer. The amount of blood that she had lost, plus that in with the broken ribs and fracture to the head, I fear that our consort may stay like this for a while.” The Mage appeared grim. This is something I did not want to hear. Images of my first consort entered the forefront of my mind. ‘I will not go through that again!’ I thought to myself. “I have a suggestion?” The mage started, since I did not say a word he continued, “I could get Puabi’s mate to keep our consort company. After all, our consort bought her at the auction. She can make herself useful for her master.” I thought about it for a second, “Make it so! While Merna is slumbering, I do not want her alone.” with a nod of my head, “get it done!” *Kudiya* My sisters were not surprised when I told them they were to pack light and get ready to leave. My mother on the other hand refused to leave without her pet. “I already know the danger of staying here, but I will not leave without my mate!” Mother would not see reason.I started to disagree with her, “She is just …” Hissing, “Kudiya!” Mother let out a huff from her mouth, “You know I love you and your siblings with my very being, but when will you see that you holding on to your little fantasy of your father and I being mates is ridiculous.” Mother was breathing rapidly. “You need to accept what things are … I know my place, the mistress to your father and nothing more.” I bellowed, “Father will change his mind only if you …” whining at the same time. “Do you not hear a word that is being spoken to you, my lovely?” Mother cupped my face with her hand, “My beloved son, if your father was going to change his mind, he would have done it the day Zefer was born or even Ashur. I expected what fate had given me. Now it is your turn to do the same!” She kissed my cheek, “I suggest you do it soon before you anger your father and can't fix the situation.” Mother released her hands off of my face. “My mate's name is Camile … not it … not human born … not your pet … you will refer to my mate as she, her or Camile. Camile has gained a bit of your father's attention, give my mate the respect she has earned.” Mother strolled passed leaving me standing there upset and more resentful. Portaling to Pirapancam I made my presence known. “I see your father is going to take me up on my offer!” I didn’t even have to say the purpose of my being there. I bowed my head with respect, “Yes father is, I have told all the females and my sisters to pack light.” Pirapancam raised her brows, “Where is Merna?” It took a great deal of self-control not to react to that name, “we were attacked as we were coming back. A spy tipped them off, Mannel wants your daughter.” I spoke with a scowl. She stepped closer to me, “I will increase the security here! But you didn’t tell me where Merna is!” Worry was written on her face. Keeping my head lowered, “She is resting in her chamber, father is still waiting for her to wake up!” I said it as quickly as I could. Raising my head, I jumped backwards when Iravu materialized, “I will go and check up on your daughter!” Iravu patted Pirapancam on the back. I bowed my head before I began to speak, “Iravu! Father would like to take you up on your offer.” I blabbered out. “Sister, I will be a while, I will speak to our brother, at the same time I will see Merna myself!” Iravu was about to leave. “Wait!” Pirapancam said, “wait for Selene’s aid! She will get you to the Earthly realm. If spies are around here, we need to make sure that you and your offspring are hidden for as long as we can allow it!” *Pierre* It was not like the boy and I were becoming best friends. He kind of reminded me of myself. I gave the boy and the man a nod, “Your old man once said that Mannel had wronged his kind, does that mean that Merna is one of you?” “Yes!” The boy was still working on the seal and amulet. After three days of preparations the boy was ready and motioned his head to the dagger that I had in my hands, “would you stop existing for Merna?” Was that even a question, “Yes!” “The mother favours her!” He sounded a bit jealous. “You sound pissed at that!” I pointed out. The boy huffed, “I do not see why the mother favours her when she is not even fully awake.” I crossed my arms, “If you were Merna, would you want to wake up to this horse shit?” The kid smirked, “I would give anything not to be awake. But I can not unsee what has been seen.” The boy was examining his work, “I suffer from night terrors … father said they are memories of our ancestors and the terror that was given to them by the ancient gods and goddesses. Father tells me they are screaming for justice!” He placed the medallion back on his working table. “I wish I could go back to sleep … but Mannel … I can’t go back to sleep now!” I patted the boy on the back, “I would love to tell you kid that the other realms are better than earth … I wish I could tell you that what you see is in your head … so that you could go back to sleep! But … you and Merna should not be stuck in this shit show!” I moved closer to see his work. The boy gave me a man’s nod, “I wish you were my older brother!” He smiled at me. “No you do not, I am an asshole!” I pointed to the amulet, “is it ready?” “So is my father!” He laughed at me. “Yes! Father told me we had to wait for the full moon to be out. That is when Mannel is going to come here.” He got up from his spot. “Father is going to take down the wards so that he can get in here. I hope you are as good as what my father said you are.” “So do I!” I studied the amulet and death dagger. The boy got up from his spot, aiming his feet towards the door, “follow me! Father told me he was working on something for you to eat … it might not be traditional food for you but it will give you the energy that you are needing.” *Ashur* Mexico was far too easy for us to take over. We decided to stay at the border of Panama and Columbia. Something about this journey through the land did not sit well with the whole group. Everyone was glancing back and forth from one another, while we sat in a circle. “It is like they just ran from this region and left everything behind.” One of the captains mentioned that we sat around having something to eat. I sat there listening to the conversation wanting to know everyone's input. “They are cowards and will run with their tails between their legs. But it does not mean that the war is over.” One of the lower-ranking generals stated. One of the hunters made a suggestion, “We should send out some scouts and see if anything is happening that we do not know of!” “Check and see what activity has been going on with the human borns?” I added remembering, “before we left and everything was getting started, human borns had been going missing.” I placed the bowl on the ground. “This has been going on for many human born decades.” I glanced at the group, “They are here, we are not in the right location nor the right time.” I stood up, “I am going to get ready and head out to scout the areas! The captain is right … we need information … we will make a base here!” Everyone seemed to agree, “I think there is something we are missing!” The old general added. “You think this is a rouge?” The Captain asked the old General. The General bobbed his head, “I think they have been here the whole time collecting information about us, that is what I think!” He stood up, “I think if we do not get our shit together … there will be a sneak attack on us. Our enemies have a habit of this tactic when they can’t beat their opponent … they play dirty!” “General is right! We made it this far, we should stop and collect ourselves.” I bobbed my head up and down as I was thinking. “We have covered the land, now it is time we make a base and plant our feet.” I glanced around the group, as everyone stood up in agreement. “Old man!” I was waiting for the old general, “I want you to split everyone up into four groups. One group for guard duty, second group to start building our base, third group to go out scouting with me, the last group will be on rest.” “As you wish, my lordship!” He got up and headed to the tent.Speaking to the whole group, “We will be working in four rotations. Each replacing the next group. We will work hard but everything will get done!” I only saw heads of agreement, no one wanting to inquire further into the matter.