Chapter 30 Conquest of Chimera

Chapter 30

Conquest of Chimera

   Squatting on her craggy perch in the cool spray of a jungle waterfall, Myra slid Kia’s hand deep into her latest kill, a new- born were- leopard she snatched from its mother’s teat moments after she slashed out her throat and bit off her head. Dreams of strangling Kia with her delicate nightmarish tail tip inflamed her imagination as the taste of flesh blood sent her body into sensory overdrive.  

   Shivers of delight nearly knocked her off the water slickened rock she claimed for her own. This was her favorite spot in the rain forest. From her lofty throne, she could look out over her subjects as they gorged themselves on panther, python, and a host of other top tier wanna be predators. Their time was past. She and her hungry horde now dominated the western wilds.

 It had only taken several bloody months. Villages, fortresses and keeps had all been crushed the same by her flesh lusting pack of flying demons. And with each kill a new subject, a new winged killer joined their ranks swelling their numbers to such a degree that when they took to the sky at once they blocked out the sun and painted the blue crimson and black.

  Myra straightened her razor- toothed spine; licked warm blood from the soft subtle tissue of ‘Kia’s hand’ sheathed it in her tail armor, and twisted toward the east. Innocence and fear rode the breeze flaring her nostrils with its sweet intoxicating aroma. It was time to go home.  If the western wilds fell in months, Wayferra would fall in hours…   

   Several months earlier Kian emerged from the mine Kia and Lucius at his side. The sun hung low just inches above the tree line.

  “It will be dark soon.” Kian said looking directly into the sinking sun without as much as a squint. No one noticed, not even Kian.

  “Even with Kress’ light it will be a long dark journey.” Said Peter. Kia relayed his words to the others.

  “We have torches,” said Kian, “but open flame is really frowned on in the redwoods aren’t they?”

  “Yes, “Lucius replied, “a great threat to be sure. I suppose we can spend the night here.”

  “But do we have that kind of time.” Kian said still looking at the sun in a most peculiar way, “You can be sure Myra is not wasting her time.”

  “Then you want to go after her now?” Kia asked. She could see that he was somewhat distracted.

    Kian coughed and shook his head. I’m not ready kinda tired. Thought I was good to go, but I’m not. It’s too late.”

  “What!” Kia said.

 “No Kia, in the day. It’s too late in the day. They did something to me in there, left me drained. I, I need ta rest.”  He then collapsed.   

  “Kian Kian,” Kia yelled, but Kian was out. “Help me Lucius, we need to get him inside.”

  “Yes certainly,” Lucius replied as he scampered over to an old wagon and pulled it to where Kian lay. “We put him in this and then we can push him into the foundry. Just in case…” he voice sank to a whisper.    

  “Very good Lucius,” Kia said, “we’ll all need a good night’s sleep. We can make a supper off whatever greenery we can find.”

  Lucius nodded wondering what sort meat she would be enjoying as she munched on weeds and wild berries.He hoped it would not be squirrel.

   They finally man handled his heavy unwieldy body into the wagon after several minutes of struggling and straining and pushed him inside the massive brick warehouse shutting its large wooden doors behind them.

  Though not as cozy as Lucius’ pine straw treehouse or as comfortable as Kia’s new home, Kia and Lucius made do in the foundry’s barren cavernous interior, its foundry equipment having been long since dismantled, and relocated to a more specter free locale.  The sprites however were happy wherever they found shadows to disperse. Their night was not very enjoyable, what with worrying about Kian and all the trouble out west. But three hours after the sun when down a great storm struck making them all grateful for their rock solid and wonderfully dry resting place.   

  The storm scraped the sky clean of even the slightest wisp of cloud allowing the rising sun to stream through every crack and crevice like laser beams. One narrow pencil of light struck Kian squarely in the face.  

  It pierced his skin like a hypodermic needle filled with adrenaline. Suddenly he sprung to his feet.  His wings unfurled shining brighter than the sun. A moan escaped his bowels as he flung his gleaming white body at the heavy wooden doors splintering them as he burst through into the blinding morning light then soared over the treetops straight into the sun.

   Everyone jolted awake, stunned to silence and staring at each other dumbfounded as they waited for his return.