URGENT: Like part one this chapter contains font Fictionpress does not format (why I do not know). I highy recommend you message me so I can send you the proper chapter. More messages below.

“It’s really picking up out there,” Jari commented as she peered out the flap.

Fotro and Amadeus sat across from her as a Redtop warrior continued to grind and press a small wooden bowl filled with gunpowder.

“,” the Redtop said continuing to focus on mashing the powder into fine bits.

“He says the better you can grind the gunpowder the more you can fit inside the shell,” Amadeus translated.

“That thing could sure pack a punch,” Fotro replied watching as the Redtop poured the black powder into a knee high wooden shell. “So they’ll use these things to try and scare away the other tribe,”

“,” The Redtop said looking up at Fotro.

“The plateau gives them the advantage,” Amadeus explained. “Enemies have to walk up the mountain passes making them easy targets for the men above”.

“I get it then,” Fotro replied.

The huts flap opened as Chief Istaqa entered.

“,” he said looking to Amadeus.

Amadeus turned to Jari, “He wants to talk to us outside,”

The three followed Istaqa out into the breezy evening. Just yards away were the massive flight of steps leading up into the ancient city that stood taller then even the setting sun.

“,” Istaqa stated looking up at the city.

“What’s he talking about Amadeus?” Jari whispered.

“Hold on,” he replied.

Istaqa turned back to the three, “”.

“He says we can go into the temple,” Amadeus answered.

“,” Istaqa announced pointing up at the stone bridge high above the city walls. At the end a small shrine stood high above the ground. “Harendotus ”.

“The citrine is there,” Amadeus explained tipping his head back to look up at the shrine standing on the enormous pillar.

“,”

“Most of the city is blocked off. He says it shouldn’t be too hard to make our way up to the shrine,” Amadeus explained.

“Faster we get up there faster we get the gem away from those princes,” Jari stated as she began to walk towards the flight of eroded stone stairs.

“!” Istaqa shouted as he walked towards Jari. “,”

Amadeus turned his head from Jari to Istaqa back and forth, “um… what is it… ?”

“,” Istaqa answered shaking his head.

“Oh,” Amadeus sighed as he turned to Jari. “He says that its custom that male warriors travel through the temple as a right of way…”

“And?” Jari replied.

Amadeus held his chest out high as he held his breath.

“Listen Jari, He’s not the kind of guy we really don’t want to get angry. Female warriors aren’t allowed in. It has to do with the religion. Please… just stay back”.

“Oh,” Fotro chuckled. “That sucks for you”.

Jari looked to Amadeus and replied, “That’s fine. I’m not angry about it. Just stay safe”.

“Really? We’ll be back soon then,” Amadeus nodded as he and Fotro headed towards the large flight of stone steps.

“Oh, she’s angry,” Fotro, stated as he walked up the stairs.

“Why is that?” Amadeus questioned turning his head. “She just said it was no big deal,”

“No, no, no,” he replied shaking his head and index finger. “You have no idea what girls are like do you?”

“Well…”

“Don’t worry kid, I know it all,” gloated Fotro placing his hand on his chest. “Trust me I know it all”.

“You must have had lots of girls after you back in Sedo,” Amadeus commented.

Fotro looked away from Amadeus and muttered. “Well not quite but…”

“Has a single girl ever even been interested in you?” Amadeus interrupted.

“Hey!” Fotro exclaimed. “Want my advice or not?”

“I… guess,” Amadeus answered.

Fotro placed his hand over Amadeus shoulder. “Good because we have a long trip ahead of us”.

-

The ship seemed to rock back and forth as Iratis made his way towards his brother’s quarters.

“Vatos,” he said slamming his fist on the door.

Iratis waited a moment before turning the knob and entering. Vatos stood clad in his red and black armor with sword at his side as he placed two pistols at his waist.

“What are you doing?” Iratis questioned.

“I’m going ashore for several hours. I’ll be back by tomorrow afternoon so make sure the ship stays anchored,”

“What?” Iratis replied extending his arms out. “For what? This better not be about Demetrius. Don’t you think your taking this a little far?”

“Tell Captain…”

“Vatos!” Iratis interrupted. “You’re going to go see Demetrius aren’t you? What’s going to happen when your dead and I have to tell father and Rhea what happen to you? And for what? Your willing to risk your life for not only people that aren’t from your nation nor are they even important!”

“King, Emperor, Prince, or beggar they’re all equal lives Iratis,” Vatos replied as he walked towards the door. “Maybe one day you’ll open your eyes and see that for yourself”.

“Vatos your either just going to get Demetrius more angry or end up killed!” Iratis exclaimed as his older brother walked down the hall.

“Keep the ship anchored,” Vatos called back.

-

The ancient ruins were truly a sight to behold. Unlike any other city one has seen. Though the lost people who had once called this place home had left scraps of everyday life. Fotro and Amadeus walked down the market streets looking at shops carved from the mountain rock. Bits of light shot through the cracks in the ceiling giving the room an old but beautiful aura.

“Road ends up ahead,” Amadeus announced stopping at a flight of stairs in between two of the buildings. “We have to head up”.

“Here’s what I don’t get about whoever built this place,” Fotro stated as the two climbed up the stairs. “Why make everything inside? I don’t know about you but I like fresh air when I go out onto city roads. See if I were designing this place you know I would have had open ceilings. It makes sense, so why wouldn’t they do it?”

“I don’t really know,” Amadeus answered.

“Come on!” Fotro exclaimed. “You’ve got to have an answer to that”.

Amadeus stopped and turned to Fotro with his eyebrows raised. “Defenses maybe. I don’t know”.

“Look,” Fotro sighed taking a deep breath. “I’m… I’m sorry I… lost it on you back when we were in Sedo”.

“Oh,” Amadeus replied placing his hand on the back of his head. “It’s okay I guess. It was a tough situation and I suppose you were right to blame me for it”.

“See,” Fotro cheered. “That wasn’t all too bad”.

“Yeah… of course,” Amadeus awkwardly answered continuing Fotro up the stairs.

Coming up to the top of the steps my grandson and Fotro found themselves in yet another city street, in front of them more buildings sculpted from the stone. As Amadeus turned to the right Foto grabbed him by the shoulder.

“Look,” he said pointing at the bit of light coming from one of the doors.

Following through the archway Amadeus and Fotro found themselves back outside. Before them was a long stone bridge leading out to a small shrine. Hundreds of feet below more ruins sat. One wrong step and it would be their last.

“Lovely,” Fotro stated looking over the edge.

-

Atop the mountain plateau and at the base of the ancient city the Redtop’s continued about their day. Jari sat just outside one of the huts holding a handful of pebbles in her hand. Dropping them one by one she would continue to pick them up then repeat the process.

“!”

Jari looked towards the camp entrance as a Redtop male came running up the hill.

“,” he said again catching his breath.

The people of the village peered over the rocky edge to find a dozen lines of Blacktop warriors and Eastern Empire riflemen marching up the pass. Leading the charge however was one of the tank machines. Strange vehicles in my mind, something new to our world. A large metal shell covered the many gears turning the wheels at the bottom. Several cannons were placed on all directions of the tank. Clunky and slow they are machines I will never get use to though they could easily put a sizeable hole through almost any fortification.

“,” Redtop warriors cried rushing to their battle posts.

Jari turned her head to the towering ruins, “Get back quickly”.

-

Amadeus and Fotro slowly walked down the narrow bridge focusing on every step they would make.

“They can build a giant fort out of a mountain but can’t bother to make railings,” Fotro muttered in frustration taking another step closer to the shrine. “These people sure liked to get every little bit of drama out of their daily routine”.

Amadeus shuffled forward onto the slab of stone surrounding the shrine. Grabbing onto the edge of the archway he let out a sigh of relief as Fotro joined him.

“See, no problem,” Fotro commented walking into the shrine.

The shrine was a small room with three open archways on the sides and front. The walls of the room were covered in ancient text as a large statue of a bird like man stood before them. His beak lay open as if he was letting out a war cry as a sword rested in his hand. Placed firmly in the statues left eye was an orange gem with a black pedestal.

“The citrine,” Amadeus stated circling around the statue. “This must be the man Istaqa mentioned. Harendotus”.

“And that’s the gem he mentioned,” Fotro replied pulling his short sword from its scabbard.

“What are you doing?” Amadeus questioned as Fotro approached the statute extending his sword out to the citrine.

Jamming the tip of his blade into the small crack between the gem and stone Fotro slowly pulled the gem from its resting place.

“No problem buddy,” Fotro grinned pulling the gem out and stepping back as it fell to the floor.

What looked like a long metal rod attached to a rusty claw shaped piece of metal lay attached to the bottom of the gem.

“They don’t usually come with those do they?” Fotro questioned.

As the two looked down at the metal rod the sound of motioning gears awakening from a deep slumber slowly filled the room.

Fotro looked up at Amadeus and said, “I’m starting to think that piece was suppose to stay in”.

As the gears grew in numbers the shrine seemed to be moving on a backwards slant.

“We better move!” Amadeus bellowed scooping up the citrine and running for the exit.

As the shrine pillar slowly tipped backwards pulling the building down with it cracks in the stone bride began to form. The two sprinted for the city as the bridge began to tear itself apart. Amadeus leapt for the edge as Fotro stepped forward just as the floor beneath him crumbled into bits. Fotro fell through the air and almost into the below ruins when Amadeus latched onto his wrist. As he swung from side to side Fotro looked up to see Amadeus holding on with all his might.

“Help me up! Help me up!” Fotro panicked.

“Stop… moving then,” Amadeus groaned pulling him up enough for Fotro to grab onto the ledge. Pulling himself onto solid ground Fotro fell backwards breathing heavily.

“Oh… my heart,” he said gasping for breath. “I swear… my heart was beating so fast there I though it would give out”.

“At least… we got the gem,” Amadeus replied holding up the citrine.

Fotro placed his hands over his face and pushed them through his hair, “See, just follow my lead… and I’ll get the problem right”.

Amadeus let out a chuckle as he fell backwards in exhaustion.

-

The stars had filled the sky when Vatos made his way across the beach of Demetrius latest attack sight. Stopping at the edge of a grassy knoll Vatos pulled one of his pistols from its holder. Poking his head above the hill he could see nothing but the grass moving in the wind leading up to the town. Sprinting across the plain Vatos stopped at the edge of ruined building. Placing both hands on his pistol he moved out into the city streets. Nothing but the sight of wreckage and the autumn wind blowing in the night.

“Nothing,” he muttered lowering his gun.

Continuing down the ghostly street Vatos found himself in the town market. The silence was almost unbearable as Vatos examined the fresh gunpowder splashed across the market stalls. Demetrius men had been here… and could still be here.

A rustle in one of the bazaars suddenly broke the silence as Vatos quickly pointed his gun towards the debris. The rustle behind the broken stall seemed to grow as a young woman crawled out from beneath the wreckage. Vatos lowered his pistol as she blankly stared at him.

“Hey, you alright?” Vatos questioned.

The woman quickly turned her back to Vatos scurrying back into the small opening prompting Vatos to step forward. “Hey wait!”

Several pairs of footsteps suddenly rushed out from behind Vatos. As the Prince turned his head all he saw was the butt of a musket charging towards his face.

-

Amadeus and Fotro ran down the ancient city steps that night to find the Redtop females and young running from the edges of the plateau and to the center of the camp. Cannon shots fired off as Amadeus and Fotro made their way towards the plateau edge. Redtop warriors lined up across the rocky edge firing their bows at the oncoming battalion.

“” one of the warriors shouted running from the plateau edge. The tank fired off a shot blowing a piece of the cliff edge off. Bits of rock flew into the air as Amadeus and Fotro jumped to the ground. Amadeus lifted his face up from beneath his curled arm, the blast still ringing in his ear. Slowly getting back onto his feet Amadeus was jerked to the side when Fotro grabbed him by the arm.

The ring still buzzing in his ear Amadeus could only see Fotro’s lips moving yet no sound coming out.

“We… find…” Fotro said as the ring began to die down.

“Are you listening?” Fotro exclaimed. “We need to find Jari and get out of here! Now!”

Amadeus looked from side to side still dazed. “Right”.

“Let’s go then!” Fotro demanded as Amadeus stood still. Looking around the village he could see the faces of the children, their mothers, fathers fighting for their land.

It was here that my grandson had realized enough was enough. The Eastern Empire had already taken his and his friends home. Amadeus could not allow for it to happen for a third time.

Approaching the plateau edge Amadeus peered down at the Imperial tank rolling up the path and making a turn into the final leg of the route. What caught his eye though was the large amount of rock that had been taken off by the cannon shot from the tank.

“The bombs,” he muttered.

Amadeus approached one of the warriors taking shelter behind a large rock.

“,” Amadeus said using his hand to motion a long rope.

“?” The Redtop questioned looking at him.

“,” Amadeus replied. “Istaqa boom… fall. Empire fall off”.

Fotro pushed his way through the crowd of Redtop woman and children shouting, “Jari! Jari!”

“Fotro!”

“Jari!”

Fotro made one final push through two Redtop women to find Jari standing among the sheltered crowd.

“Come on!” he bellowed grabbing her by the wrist. “Lets get out of here!”

“Wait!” she snapped as Fotro tugged her along. “Where is Amadeus?”

“I’m done waiting on Amadeus. If he wants to play hero let him!” Fotro fired back.

Jari pulled her arm from Fotro’s grasp. “We are not leaving without Amadeus. We will never leave without him”.

Jari ran off towards the battle sight leaving Fotro to run after her.

Coming to a halt near the cliff edge Jari found the Redtop’s lining up rows of their powder kegs near the cliff edge. Amadeus and Chief Istaqa stood not too far away as Amadeus tied a long rope around his waist.

“What are you doing? Why do you have a rope around you?” Jari questioned running up to him.

“We’re blowing the cliff edge. We’ll bury them and that tank,” Amadeus sternly replied as he tightened the rope around his abdomen.

“But they’ll all… if you bury them alive?” Jari replied.

Amadeus pulled his sword from its scabbard and looked to the Redtop holding the rope.

“,” Amadeus said as he backed up towards the edge.

Slowly placing his foot off the edge the Redtop moved forward propelling Amadeus down towards the oncoming tank.

“” Amadeus shouted.

The rope loosened dropping Amadeus onto the roof of the oncoming vehicle.

-

Two soldiers sat at the tanks control panel pulling levers forward and back when the thud from above hit the roof. The Imperial Admiral turned to the Monofu behind him.

“Check it out,” he ordered.

The Monofu warrior nodded moving up the metal ladder and onto the tank ceiling.

Amadeus slowly picked himself up regaining his balance when the hatch just a few feet away from him opened. The Monofu crawled out facing Amadeus as the tank continued to roll on. The Monofu placed both his hands over his shoulder pulling his two swords out.

It truly is a tragedy that most people see the Monofu as better then the Corago. Nothing would make me more proud then seeing my own grandson shoot down these pathetic rumors.

Amadeus swung his sword diagonally at the Monofu. The Imperial elite blocked the shot with one blade while jousting forward with the other the blades tip coming just shy of Amadeus chest. Pulling his sword back Amadeus went for the Monofu’s opening only to be blocked by both swords. The Monofu pulled back swinging both blades down at Amadeus. Stepping backwards he managed to redirect the attack only to have the Monofu kick him to the ground. Scurrying backwards Amadeus found himself at the front of the tank. The Monofu pointed his sword down at Amadeus as he slowly approached him. Thrusting his sword forward Amadeus stabbed the Monofu in the shin bringing the warrior to his knees. The young Corago warrior leapt to his feet and placed his boot against the Monofu’s back. Pushing forward the Eastern warrior fell forward and off the edge of the tank. Scrambling to get back on his feet the Monofu fell forward from the pain of his wound. Turning his head he watched at the oncoming tank charged towards him.

A large bump rocked the inside of the tank.

“This terrain is going to make me sick,” the admiral commented as the surface flattened out again.

-

“!” Amadeus shouted looking up at the cliff edge above.

The rope around him tightened as his feet began to lift off the tank.

“Come on, come on,” Amadeus muttered as his heart began to race faster and faster. As he slowly moved up the cliff side he could see one of the Redtops lighting the powder kegs wick.

“Faster!” Amadeus bellowed. “Come on, come on!”

Once in reach Amadeus grabbed onto the rocky edge pulling himself up as the surrounding warriors sprinted across the camp away from the blast range. Amadeus sprinted towards the city ruins just as the powder kegs blasted sky high. Smoke blotted out half the camp as large pieces of rock rained down on the oncoming soldiers. Boulders crashed down against the tank crushing the roof over the operators within.

As the smoke cleared Amadeus lay in the remnants of a fallen hut.

“Ugh,” he sighed tipping his head back in relief.

-

“Open the door!”

“Demetrius wants him in here!”

“Then make sure you have all his weapons!”

Vatos hit the floor with a thud as he slowly regained consciousness. Opening his eyes he found himself within a storage room full of unopened crates and racks of rum.

“Ugh,” he moaned as the door reopened.

Demetrius approaching the dazed Vatos with a large grin atop his face.

“Look, at this!” he chuckled. “Wait, wait, wait!”

Demetrius rushed back to the door and bent over pretending as if he way unrolling a carpet. “Here we go! The velvet carpet for the great Prince Vatos! Ha-ha-ha!”

“Why don’t you untie me and we’ll see just how much of a funny guy you are,” Vatos groaned.

“Did I say speak!” Demetrius bellowed kicking Vatos in the abdomen. “You think because you happen to be the son of a emperor you have the right!”

Demetrius slammed his foot into Vatos again prompting the prince to cough in agony. “To interfere with my business!”

“Kill me and see what happens,” Vatos replied. “My father would have a fleet after you”.

Demetrius knelt down to one knee and looked Vatos in the eyes. “How pathetic that you hide behind your father. And you think I fear him? The man couldn’t even kill the man responsible for the death of his wife and mother to his children”.

“Ragh!” Vatos roared thrusting about to attack Demetrius.

“Stay still!” Demetrius shouted stomping his foot on Vatos leg. “I had to work to get to where I am! You think I will let some spoiled brat interfere with my work!”

“Then kill me. Kill the prince of the Eastern Empire and see just what happens,” Vatos replied with a smirk.

“How about we wash that smirk off your face… boy!” Demetrius cursed grabbing Vatos by the rope around his wrists. The slaver dragged Vatos down the Liberator halls and up a flight of stairs.

“Lets see just how long you survive in here!” Demetrius shouted pulling Vatos to his feet.

The Liberator crew surrounded around Demetrius as he held a badly beaten Vatos at the ships railing.

“Perhaps next time you hear of me claiming new slaves you will think twice about interfering!”

With that said, he lifted Vatos above the Liberator railing pushing him over the edge and plummeting into the sea.

Three chapters remain in Volume I. Volume II, which I completed is still up in the air of being posted. I'm very pleased with the dozen or so people regulary reading you have my thanks. On another note expect to see some Corago art being posted. Character's, cities, and so forth. Thank you again and I hope you'll leave a review. Thanks.