The Prince of Shcrade
#13 of Legend of the Tiger Clan
With the treasure gathered up on the ship the crew then planned to head for black pillar mountain but Saline had a different plan since she had an extensive knowledge on elemental magic and was even teaching Angel a few tricks on how to controll some of the harder elements while at the same time catching up with her son who she had longed to hold in so many years.
The two were on the ships deck staring at the horizon as they left the volcanic region going west and Zeng had so many questions about his mother when they lost him.
"Why didn't you ever come for me when you knew I was alive? didn't you still want me?"
"Of course I did, you were the most precious thing your father and I could ever have....but when I saw how happy you were in the village and with Sharon and Elicia...I couldn't bare all that happiness being taken away from you so I watched over you especially when Glayce attacked the village."
"You were there?!?"
"Yes. When Glayce was about to finish you off I attacked him using all my magic and eventually he was driven away...I wanted so bad to take you away with me but when Sharon and Elicia came I had no choice but to hide...i'm just so happy to hold you again."
Suddenly a roar was heard in the distance and Zeng spotted what looked like a dorsal fin chasing a black labrador with a red bandana and a husky with a black cloak, Zeng quickly signaled the crew to prepare the harpoon guns while he, Kerric and Abby took a small cruiser and darted toward the two being chased by the beast.
"Get alongside the fin! i'll try and slow that thing down!"
"Gotcha!"
Zeng pulled up a harpoon that hit its mark as he leaped off the cruiser, throwing it at the beast which turned out to be a rare Sand Shark. These beasts were famous in gaia since they lived in caves that possessed jewels and gold that covered their bellies to protect them from the rough sand and rocks that it swam through, the creature leaped out of the sand revealing its jeweled belly hypnotizing everyone.
"So this is your new job huh?"
"That voice....Shayde is that you?"
The labrador they had rescued was none other than the infamous bounty hunter in all of Gaia; Shayde but their time to catch up would have to wait as the sand shark surfaced again trying to swallow Zeng whole but he husky that was with him threw a small dagger into its eye forcing it to retreat back beneath the sand.
"Oh meet Xani, a friend of mine."
"Hi."
"Glad to meet ya."
"We can talk later! Here he comes!!"
Everyone quickly got back onto the cruiser and made a break for the ship as the beast reared its head out of the sand with jaws wide open and Kerric already had the cruiser in full blast.
"Alright Angel! on my signal ready?"
The beast neared the small vessle ready to chomp it in half as it slowly rised out of the surface but that was its biggest mistake.
"NOW!!!!"
With Salines help Angle snagged the creatures tail with the sand, allowing the harpoons to do their job as they shot through the beast as it gave one last roar. As the dust settled the whole crew could see the gold and gems on the belly and all began to cheer with excitement, not only did they find an infamous treasure but now they had another addition to it.
The beast was soon skinned, gutted and the treasure on its belly as well as in its belly was stored in the ships cargo leaving Zeng and Shayde to catch up on lost time and even though Shayde had a deep hatred of tigers Zeng was a small exception.
"So you took my advice and went into the bounty hunting business eh?"
"It puts money in my pocket and I see you went into the monster hunting business for yourself and you added some weapons to your arsenal."
"Smolder I just recently aquired and.....the sword and shield were...my fathers..."
Shayde could tell by the look in Zengs eyes that his father had died recently the only thing he didn't know was how he died.
"Oh....i'm sorry."
"It's no problem...I never really knew him."
Then out in the distance they spotted a wide open green field and in the center was a city fortress with walls much like the fortress they saw in the volcanic region, Kerric knew that they had arrived in the city of Shcrade which was the strongest fort ever created and as they disembarked they were greeted by a line of guards and the people of the city were gathered at the gates as Saline stepped out.
"Citizens of Shcrade! my quest is finally over! My son; Prince Zeng has returned to us!!"
"WHAT?!?"
The people cherred and threw flower petals as Zeng showed his face but for him this was unbelieveable he was of noble birth all this time and his mother was a queen sorceress, even Shayde and the others were surprised. As Zeng and his friends walked through the streets soldiers saluted him and the people bowed to him.
When they arrived at the castle the others were given guest rooms while Zeng was taken to his room in the east wing where his mother slept, his room was everything a person could dream of, a bed made from the finest cloths in the kingdom, his own dresser and a window that overlooked the city.
"Tommorrow bring your friends to the library, there is a book that can help you in your quest to stop Kairos....and Zeng?"
"Yes mother?"
"Welcome home."
All she could do was hug her son as they both smiled but she knew that when this was all over Zeng would have to return to Minegarde and Linda and she probably would never see him again.
The End.