Changing of the Guard, the Final Journey of the Eight

Chapter Four

The realm of Emporia consisted of five provinces which covered most of the northern part of the continent, surrounding a much smaller area of land that was considered to be the imperial city. The realm was called Emporia, but the capital city was dubbed Emporia as well, meaning that if one was traveling to Emporia, one was going to the capital. The northwestern province was Yet'Wah, which bordered the Barren Sea. The coastal area of land which the imperial city sat upon was east of Yet'Wah, and even farther east was Talbetha; also a coastal province. Directly south of Talbetha was Kinstahl, which only had small leg that touched Emporia, and southwest of Kinstahl was Forthhold; the southernmost province. Directly west of Forthhold was Oppenhurst, which sat due south of Yet'Wah. The five provinces surrounded the capital, each touching the area that the capital city occupied, branching outwards almost like spokes from half a wagon wheel.

It was a three day journey to the border, and another two days to reach the capital. The group agreed that the day before and the day after reaching the border would be the most perilous, as anyone who planned to stop Gregor from reaching the capital would have to do so in the rocky pass that ran through the mountains that divided Talbetha and Emporia. Since Lokar's hunting lodge was only a few hours away along the same route, Erika suggested stopping there to rest and resupply, and then get a fresh start after a few hours of sleep.

The summer sun had been down for about two hours when the group arrived at the land that Gregorian had granted to Lokar as one of his rewards for killing the dragon. Being named Lord Scout, he contracted a hunting lodge to be built on his wooded property, and he used it as a base for the many hunting expeditions that he held throughout the seasons. It was here that he lived with his wife and their adopted son, and being only a few hours away from Kar'eth made occasional trips to the capital city possible.

Just ten minutes off the main road sat the lodge, and to the east was the corral for his personal horses and those of the hunters. The eight riders dismounted and led their steeds through the wooden gate, but as they did Lokar stood on the path that led to the lodge with his ears flattened down even with his head.

"You seem ill at ease, my friend," Kevahn observed.

Lokar looked around cautiously. "Something is amiss. There are strange scents on the breeze." Sher'ka shared the hyperactive sense of smell and hearing of their jungle cousins, while endahri could 'taste' scents on the air.

N'rella approached the pair. "Are we in danger?"

By now, Lokar had lowered himself to the ground. "I detect the unfamiliar scents of men."

"Nearby?" N'rella asked.

"No, not anymore. Perhaps it was just some passing hunters." He stood and the group followed him to the lodge. Once inside, Lokar called out to his wife. "It is me, my love. Please do not be alarmed."

The other travelers began looking for lanterns or candles to light in the pitch-black lodge, as Lokar could see in the dark and didn't need them. As Vok found a match and a lantern, the subsequent light revealed Lokar, standing stoic with a torn piece of parchment in his claws. As Mianne lit a series of candled on the mantle, Kevahn approached the shaking cat.

"My friend, what...?" the admiral began.

Lokar handed him the torn parchment, and as he did it was obvious that he was barely containing a boiling rage.

Kevahn read the scribbles on the parchment and then turned to Gregor. "My Lord, we have a serious problem."

"They... took... them..." Lokar growled with barely contained fury.