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Chapter Ten

Masama sighed heavily. She had been napping in a scraggly tree she had found, but though it was a good distance from Kytea, she was worried someone may spot her. So, Masama felt too nervous to fall asleep.

She couldn't help but think that she was not being very loyal by hiding as her friends gave such an important speech. Could they find their way around the city? Were they captured and thrown into jail?

Masama decided that she should at least keep a lookout like she had said she would.

"If I'm careful, surely no one will notice me." she told herself.

After a few minutes of travel, Masama reached the wall. The guards weren't paying attention, so she just flew over them.

She noted the poor condition of the city. "What a decrepit little town," she thought to herself.

Masama tried to think of what she had learned about Kytea. "Hm...oh, I remember now. This was an important town, before the gryphon attack, I believe."

One of the buildings was labeled "Town Hall". Her friends were inside. She saw a royal-looking phoenix talking to someone whose figure was obscured by shadow.

Masama argued with herself in her mind. "It's probably nothing...but...I really should see what they're saying. No, it isn't worth the risk, I could get caught..."

She hovered in the air for what seemed like hours, trying to make up her mind. "I'm being selfish," she finally resolved "My friends trust me, I can't let them down down."

Masama perched in a crumbling, nearby windowsill, making sure she was hidden. Masama could only hear the phoenix. The other creature was talking too quietly.

"They seemed perfectly kind, though I'm not sure exactly what it is that they want. What? They're not ambassadors? And they're traveling with the prince?" He seemed surprised.

Masama could see the dark being nodding. Patun seemed angered, "Well," he said, "I will talk immediate action against these criminals. I will hand them over to you after they've been captured."

Out of the darkness, a creature emerged. It was still difficult to see, but Masama could tell by the glinting, frozen eyes that it was none other than Bianca the Cold.

Masama gasped out loud and then silenced herself. Bianca whipped her head in Masama's direction.

"What is it?" asked Patun. Bianca took a few steps forward. Masama dove behind a building. She could hear them better from her new hiding place.

"I thought I heard something. Well, that's not important. I must be going. Just remember that if you fail me..." Bianca moved her head so that it was only inches away from Patun's beak. She snarled, exposing her dagger-like teeth, "There will be consequences."

"Yes, yes, of course." Patun backed up nervously. He fluttered away cautiously and Bianca disappeared into the shadows.

Masama felt conflicted. It was clear that her friends were in danger, but if she warned them, then she could risk exposing her identity. Surely someone in this town would recognize her.

She flew up above Kytea, trying to think of a plan of action. She could see a stand selling bits of cloth and twine. Masama was struck by inspiration. She swooped downwards, knowing that it was worth the risk.

Jillia and her friends were waiting in Patun's office, not far from Masama.

"When's he gonna come back? We've been waiting for hours." Sirak complained.

Mallumo rolled his eyes. "It's only been twenty minutes." he corrected.

Sirak sat down with a huff. "Yeah, but it feels like it's been forever."

Shika reassured the bored gryphon. "Patun will arrive shortly." she said.

They heard footsteps coming up the stairs only a few seconds later.

It was Patun, followed by four guards. As he walked towards them, two of the guards stayed beside the door, spreading their wings to cover their only exit. The other two guards flanked their leader.

"What's wrong?" Jillia asked in a guarded tone.

"All four of you are under arrest." Patun said.

"For what?" Jillia asked in a confused tone. She prepared herself to fight if necessary.

"You've kidnapped the prince of the dragon kingdom, committed perjury to a government official, and many other offenses." Patun had seemed nice and friendly before, but now his expression was serious, with a bit of anger behind it.

"Will you come peaceably?" Patun asked.

Sirak lunged forward with a growl. His tail was snatched up and pulled back by one of the guards. He fell to the ground with a thud.

"Guards, throw them in jail immediately!" ordered Patun.

Jillia lashed out at the guard who tried to subdue her. He countered, and Jillia found that phoenixes were stronger than she had hoped. When they flew, they were as light as fire, but when they attacked they were as solid as coal.

Mallumo was defeated quickly, and Shika hardly put up a fight. Sirak was fierce, but he was no match for so many guards.

Jillia became dizzy with all the smoke in the room. She felt her eyes drooping and her lungs burning. As she began to slip out of consciousness, she heard a phoenix coming towards them. Probably reinforcements, but Jillia didn't know why that was necessary, as none of her friends were resisting any more.

She snapped out of her smoke-induced trance when she heard the glass shattering. Jillia quickly rolled to the side in order to avoid the flying glass shards. Now that there was an opening in the room, fresh air was let in and Jillia started to feel better. She looked to her friends, who appeared to be waking up as well.

The phoenix who had just burst through was wearing a black cloak that shadowed its face and covered most of its body. The phoenix met Jillia's eyes, and Jillia recognized the mystery savior as being none other than Masama.

Jillia came towards her. "Thanks, M-"
Masama moved her wing so that it blocked Jillia's mouth. "I do not know who you are referring to, strange walkese." Masama gave Jillia and silencing glare before flying at Patun, claws outstretched.

She was intercepted by another phoenix, by Masama did not fall to the ground. They clashed in the air. Sirak was about to leap into the fray when the guard's talons were caught on Masama's cloak. It was tugged off with a rip and masama fell to the ground.

Patun gasped. "It's you! The fugitive I've heard so much about."

Mallumo, who had just stood up, glanced at both Jillia and Masama in confusion. "Fugitive?" he asked.

Patun nodded. "Your companion here was supposed to be killed at the order of the Head Elder. A prophecy was found, saying that a phoenix with black feathers would bring about the end of the world."

"Please," pleaded Masama, "I've done nothing wrong. Surely you know that."

"Still, orders are orders." Patun said with a sigh.

"Listen. I never did anything to harm the phoenix empire. I am a perfectly loyal citizen, who just happens to have a few oddly-colored feathers. I didn't decide that, so why should I be executed for a crime I will never commit? Does that seem fair to you?" Masama said.

The guards were still recovering. Patun looked hesitant. "I...no, but..."

"Let's get out of here." Mallumo whispered to Jillia.

Jillia nodded and retreated down the stairs, the rest of the group following close behind her. Patun's secretary, Mesa, merely glanced at them, not saying anything.

"Why aren't the guards following us?" Sirak wondered.

"I'm not sure." answered Jillia.

"Perhaps he has decided to trust his heart." Shika surmised quietly.

"I don't think so," answered Mallumo, "The guards will most likely come after us at any moment. We have to find someplace to hide."

To their right was an old tree, with some sort of wide abandoned den within the roots. It didn't seem very deep, but the phoenixes wouldn't be able to see it from the sky.

They hid inside the burrow and waited.

"What do you think used to live here?" wondered Sirak, "A walkese?"

Jillia thought for a moment. "Maybe a temporary shelter, though I would expect it to go down a bit farther." she remarked.

Masama interrupted the discussion. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys that I was a fugitive. I'll leave in the morning, please don't turn me in..." she said.

"Why would you have to leave?" Jillia asked, "Even, if you're technically a criminal, you're still our friend."

"Besides," Mallumo remarked, "You said it yourself, they wanted to execute you for a stupid reason. What does a carving on a rock have to do with anything?"

"You still want to travel with me, even though you know I could turn evil someday?" Masama asked, surprised.

"What you are is more important than what you could be." Shika said with a smile.

"...thanks." answered Masama, clearly moved.

It seemed like everything would be alright. Over the course of several hours, plans were made to visit the closest gryphon clan, which would take over a week to get to on foot. However, Jillia couldn't get rid of the strange sinking feeling within her.

Back in Kytea, Patun had gotten several reports back from the guards. They had not been able to find Masama and her companions. Another phoenix landed in front of him, who Patun did not recognize. They held a scroll in their talons.

"Message for Patun from the Board of Elders." the phoenix said gruffly.

"The Board of Elders? Now that can't be good..." Patun muttered nervously as he unrolled the scroll and read the writing within.

"Dear Patun,
We send this notice in regards of recent events concerning the fugitive known as Masama, as well as several other characters currently under investigation. It has also been brought to our attention that the state of the city you have been given charge of, Kytea, is in a less than satisfactory state.
We, the Board of Elders, hereby relieve you of your duties to Kytea and of your leadership title. You may apply for an appeal of this sentence..."

The letter went on about his rights and possible courses of action for him, but Patun barely read it. The only thing that registered was "relieve you of your duties".

"So that's it?" Patun challenged the messenger, "I'm fired, just like that? I've done all I can for this city with the limited budget that I've been given!"

The phoenix backed up a little. "Hey, uh, don't shoot the messenger, as they say..." The phoenix turned around and flew off towards the sun.

Patun sighed. "Oh, what's the use...I suppose it was inevitable."

"Was it?" questioned a voice behind him. Patun turned around and saw Bianca the Cold. "Or was it those pesky children who humiliated you, cost you your job, and ruined your life?"

Patun was silent. "You're right." he replied bitterly, "It was all their fault."

"I'll bet the Board would be willing to give you your job back if you could catch them. Maybe they'd even promote you, give you a more...prestigious position." Bianca speculated.

"But how will I catch them without any guards?" Patun questioned warily.

"Easy," said Bianca, "We team up. I want the prince, you want the criminal. Together, we won't have any trouble catching them. What do you say?"

Patun hardly thought it over. "I'm in." he said.

Bianca nodded. "I believe this will be a glorious alliance."