Dead Hand of the Past

Rainbow Valley

49

They packed up their things and started on their way to the rainbow bridge; they knew that they were in danger of being attack by the enemy. Lilla was using all of her powers to try and sense where they were, she was exhausted. Azure tried to use the eyes of the enemy, but so far, she hadn't found anyone to lock on to. Ichiro made sure they were prepared for anything and had them all positioned, so no area of the canyon was out of their sight. Azakia didn't even have time to study what the maidens of yore had done to reach the ark. He would have looked now, but he knew he couldn't keep his eyes off his appointed area for that long. He would have to wait to find out what they all needed to know once they were on the ark.

Tanak was glad; for the second chance to prove himself to Leander. When the maidens and the Emperor's army defeated the Manticore army, Tanak had been wounded; if he had not drunk the elixir of self-healing just before the Emperor's army arrived, he would have most definitely been dead. When they had made sure all of his men had been pronounced dead, he was among those, but within a short time of his death he got up fully recovered and back among Leander generals. He laughed Leander had not told anyone of his return he had given him another army to control and sent them out to Rock Canyon to stop the Maidens and the Warriors from making it to the ark.

Lilla could sense the enemy not very strongly; she had the impression there was only one enemy out there. Would Leander send only one person? She told Ichiro what she felt. He put Azure to work finding out through the eyes of the enemy where they were and what they were up to. Azure found her way into the eyes of someone who had them in their sights.

She judged they were above them camouflaged into the canyon. She looked around and saw all the people had weapons and most of them she sensed were scared. Azure realized these people were not the enemy they were villagers who were being forced to fight against the maidens. Azure was about to lose her temper she returned to her own self and told Ichiro what was happening right above them.

They were stationed all throughout the canyon they waited until they were halfway through before they would attack Tanak, wanted to make sure that they couldn't make an easy escape. He was not quite as confident in this army as he had been in his Manicore army, but he knew these people would fight because, if they didn't their loved ones would die and they would watch it. He knew each of them was now loyal to Leander's cause if for nothing more than to save the people they loved.

Ichiro didn't want to hurt innocent people, but he didn't see they had any hope since they had to make it through the canyon to get to the ark. There was no other way he knew of but to defend themselves. Parla decided to use her powers of concealment to guard them against the enemy; she had done so while Ichiro was thinking about what to do.

Kazuki had an idea; Azure was all for. He suggested Azure and Saphira could go up and knock them on the head and leave them unconscious, so they didn't have to fight them. Ichiro knew they couldn't do that without either of them being caught or worse killed. He couldn't risk it he would have to think of another way. Jaden's powers were strong enough, and she wouldn't have to get close to do any damage, but what could she do to protect them? So far Parla's ability to conceal them was working.

Tanak could feel their presence he knew they had to be there but why couldn't he see them? He kept searching, but he saw nothing. Then he had an overwhelming feeling they were right below them he shouted for his army to start to shoot at the enemy. The men thought he was nuts and one man voiced his opinion.

"What exactly are we shooting at, sir?"

Tanak wasn't used to being questioned and went over to the man and used his claws across the man's face.

"They are down there I guarantee it does not question me the next man who does will die."

The men started to shoot their weapons blindly. Then they saw a moment of something down in the canyon. They all started to aim in that direction.

Parla let down her shield just for a moment. It was then she heard the arrows whiz past her and saw it strike into one of the packs on Azakia's horse.

"I'm so sorry?"

Ichiro snapped at her.

"Be quiet they will hear us. Jaden I want you to build an arch of water over us that we can travel through."

Jaden didn't dare question Ichiro. He seemed to be in a foul mood, and a wall of water wasn't a big request it was something she could do. They traveled the rest of the way through the canyon in the tunnel of water Jaden had created. Tanak knew there was no hope to get through the wall of water it was now up to Padderick to stop them.

Once they were out of the narrow passageway and Lilla felt no immediate threat. Jaden was able to stop the wall of water so they could look at all the beauty of the canyons. Ichiro decided they should make camp before it got dark. He wanted Jaden to rest, she seemed fine, but he was worried again before her trial she would be too tired. He knew the trials would be getting harder and harder. He also knew Jaden had more stones than anyone else to get, he was going to have to talk with Azakia about that.