Lako

The large raptor swooped low to the ground as he neared Manahcob Downs. Lako was in no laughing, or joyous, matter as he landed upon and branch, eyes sweeping across the territory. "I carry urgent news to Tainted, from Miss Avara...and Aurinka!" Lako screeched, his voice loud and clear.

Suenga approached, lifting his muzzle to Lako. "Tainted..." Suenga's eyes narrowed, fear running threw his blood.

Tainted

Tainted walked up to the bird. "Lako? What is it?" She asked, her heart pounding. She sensed that this was urgent.

Lako

Lako looked down at Tainted, he lost his words for a mere moment. "Aurinka, she says that someone wants you....dead, tortured. Something like that. They want you to leave, to get a human and never come back!" Lako blurted, his feathers ran sleek against his body. He felt cold.

Suenga gasped. "All of them? Those bastards! It was Risen's fault for siding with that corrupt mongrel!" Suenga pivoted to Tainted, his eyes were glazed over. "Tainted! I won't leave you! I can't."

Tainted

Tainted's jaw dropped. She almost stopped breathing. She nodded a thanks to Lako and then turned to Suenga. "We have to get out of here. We'll leave the land to the children - Isabel and Vale will take care of them if Lyckos or Risen turns on them. We'll leave no tracks. We have to run." She looked back at Lako. "Where will we go?"

Suenga

Lako was speechless in when Taitned spoke. "Humans, just find someone." Lako replied shortly.

Suenga glanced at Tainted, his body shaking. "Let's just hope we'll find a human who might like us," Suenga commented curtly, his voice flittered with frieght.

Tainted

Tainted nodded to the bird. "Lako, I have a favor to ask of you. Please tell Runt, Tahiya Yuoniah, and Tazi that they will be leading the pack now." She then turned to Suenga. "I've only been to one human home before. I went there to escape from Kalaber. Maybe...maybe we could go back there?" The house of which she spoke was the home of Bonnie and Andrea Hatchett in Eastern Atroe City.

Predator walked up to the three, tears in her eyes. "I'm gonna miss you, Tainted. Do you think we'll ever see each other again?" She knew that Predator visiting Tainted might lead the enemies to her.

Tainted's eyes spilled over. "I hope so, Predator. I hope so." She nuzzled her sister and looked back at Suenga. "Well...let's get going, then. We should bring some of the snakes too."

Suenga

Lako only nodded at Tainted, speechless and overcome in sorrow. Tainted was his leader, although he spent much time with Avara. The eagle had come to respect the female, and her hardhead.

Suenga looked at Predator, sorrow burned threw him. "Yes, Tainted," Suenga managed to answer his mate to her question. He would allow two snakes to join him, but he felt too weak with sadness in leaving behind his children. Waiting for a motion of readiness from Tainted, Suenga was ready to depart.

Tainted

Tainted lowered her head as the tears poured down. "I just wish I could have lived longer. I wish I could have lived without all this war and turmoil." She waited for a moment. Ashen, Ember, Vihren and Monarch slithered up to her. "We will follow you through mountains and valleys, through the sunniest prairies and the darkest caves. Nothing will keep us from our leades, Lady Tainted and Sir Suenga." Monarch, the small piebald snake said in a sympathetic tone for her leaders.

Tainted nodded to Suenga and the snakes. "Well...I guess this is it. This is our fate." She mumbled as she led the group to their new home.