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The following novella was written as a collaborative effort between myself and Dragonatic for the People. Project started March 2010. All characters and content are copyright to their respective owners.This series will only be made available for reading in its entirety for a limited time only, with parts released periodically!! All comments, critiques, and criticisms are welcome.

Hours passed. Keeping to the side of the road, their trip was eased when a kindly human passing by on a horse-driven wagon agreed to let them hop on the back. Donichus watched as Jaqaran's eyes expressively switched between watching his feet dangle over the side of the wagon and the natural landscape that surrounded them. For a while, neither of them spoke. Despite how enthralled Jaqaran seemed with his environment, Donichus was slightly bewildered with the fact that his own thoughts were predominantly focused on just the boy. And carefully sifting through them, he found himself to be ashamed of two things: that he was only now critically examining his physique, and that he was so critically examining his physique. Jaqaran's build mirrored his humble weapon of choice; certainly not muscular, but rather toned. Given more training, he'd sooner be well defined. Donichus thought he could also be taller than him, if he really wanted to. But why he probably didn't was most likely what made him feel so defensive towards him; the boy may be late adolescent, but his closed life at Talos's abode had made him young at heart. Passive, and to some vague degree, innocent. Though this is what Donichus felt, he didn't quite know what to make of it. Jaqaran could fight to save his life, but he'd only fight to save his life. It was a trait Donichus wished he had.

He'd be lying to say he never had second thoughts about allowing the boy to accompany him this far. But why? Because he was truly concerned about the boy's safety.? What had made him grow so attached was something he had yet to forgive himself for. But then again, there were many things he couldn't forgive himself for. Was it wise for him to bring the boy to experience and face the ugliness of this world? To expose such malice to someone so... so...

"Beautiful," Jaqaran said softly.

Instantly Donichus snapped out of his trance. "I'm sorry?"

"It's beautiful," Jaqaran repeated to him with a small glint of a smile. "I wouldn't mind living in a place like this at all."

For what seemed like the first time, Donichus peered out the wagon and examined their surroundings. On both sides of the road were seemingly endless fields of golden wheat. Their whispering movements were uniform, fluid, and soft, waving as though to welcome them home.

Donichus only grunted.

The wagon made an abrupt turn and headed down a small valley in which a small hut squatted. Somehow sensing that this leg of the human's journey had ended, he nudged Jaqaran and gestured for him to follow as he slid off the wagon.

Continuing solely on their way, it would be another couple of hours before they actually reached the kingdom; ample time to eat up for strength and wait for the cover of darkness to initiate his attack.

"Why do you do it?" Jaqaran suddenly asked. "This job of yours."

Donichus expected this question from him, but he had yet to derive an answer. For as long as it was socially acceptable not to speak, he didn't. "There's no one else," he replied finally. "Someone has to stand up and show courage; to tell people that they shouldn't have to live in fear and allow themselves to be taken advantage of. That's how these villains thrive."

"But does it really make things better? Killing one person, moving on, killing another?"

Donichus's brows furrowed at the way the last question was worded. "The whole point of their submission is actually to wait for someone else to take a chance at defying authority. When they see that chance being taken, it replaces fear with something else... something that helps to build courage of their own."

"What's that?"

"Hope, Jaqaran. I can't give them a better leader, but I do give them the choice to decide if they really want to go on living the way they do. And then, it's up to them to take that same chance. All they wait for is someone to take that first step."

Jaqaran nodded slowly, but Donichus didn't believe he fully understood. "Well, what's wrong with this place?" Jaqaran persisted, looking around the quiet landscape. "It doesn't look like there's anything wrong."

"Tyrannio likes to put on a façade. Another trait about living in fear is people's disgusting mutual agreement to pretend that everything's alright."

Jaqaran blinked and turned his head. "You really have a bone to pick with this guy, don't you?"

"That's all I'll hear about the matter," Donichus suddenly snapped. They had abruptly stopped for the glare in his eyes to make his point perfectly clear.

And it was. Jaqaran's ears and gaze fell as Donichus threw his cloak around himself, and they continued the rest of their journey in a thick silence.

When the twilight of day came, it made the sky seem as though ice were on fire with shadows of indigo splayed over clouds of orange. Jaqaran kept closely to Donichus, whom despite the dim light, had pulled a cowl over his head. As they walked the streets, vendors were only starting to put away their stands, and pretended not to notice as they passed by. Two human guards, each holding lances, were conversing with one another as they stood before a lonely stand. They said something, then turned to the vendor, who laughed in return before giving them a sack. The guards flipped some coins onto the counter before taking their purchase and turning away to approach towards them,; Donichus extended a hand to lightly push Jaqaran off to the side as they passed.

Though the shops were closing, the air was anything but still, as vendors quickly bargained for the last prices of the day, counted their earnings, and shared their woes with each other. One place that was sure to stay open, though, was the tavern. Donichus handed Jaqaran a generous, and yet humble supply of coins and ordered him to get something to eat while he waited for him to return.

Obediently, Jaqaran took the coins without question and headed into the tavern.

The tavern was unusually crowded, and more than once, he found it necessary to sidestep to avoid having his feet crushed. Despite how hurt he still felt, Jaqaran found that he didn't quite cope with such large crowds too kindly, and so he pressed himself against the wall to a small booth in the corner in which he plopped down and watched the others. He did admit that perhaps a couple nuts and a canteen of tea wasn't as much to go off of than he realized, so after realizing that no one was going to cater right to his order, he got up and found it in himself to get a leg of chicken, some hash, and a mug of ale. Never had such a meal satisfied him so. Of course, it was only after he finished did he realize there wouldn't be many coins left for Donichus when he came back. Slightly ashamed, he sank back in his chair and continued to observe the convolution of people.

Despite a varied integration of anthros and people, Jaqaran noticed that since they had walked into town, there was a dominant social group of reptile anthros; lizards, raptors and other dinosaurs - even a rare dragon now and then. A rather large, golden-tan one brushed past Jaqaran's table, nearly spilling his ale, but taking no notice as he took a seat at the bar with some fellowmen.

"If only your money-sack was as bottomless as your mug," he said in a particularly boisterous voice. "You really ought to consider getting yourself a woman. It'd surely teach you some manners."

Jaqaran sank lower.

"Avaunt," the lizard accomplice hissed after a large swig of his glass. "I got all the comfort and solace I need right here. Besides, I've been lucky; earnings have been generous this week, I figure there's need to celebrate."

Jaqaran figured such was the cause for the large crowd; he realized that unlike the slums that he was used to, neither he nor Donichus had been approached by a beggar since entering the city.

"Aye, I think I'll join you on that one," the dragon said, raising his glass. "Though I wouldn't doubt some extra coins would certainly benefit... the situation..." His last thought was slurred as the dragon's neck trailed after a slim woman passing by who was serving up a platter of drinks.

"There's plenty of that to go around too. And if you're so desperate for attention, why don't you try heeding those posters them guards wave at your face?"

The dragon grunted. "My friend, there are MUCH better ways for a weary soul to earn a living."

"You have a soul?"

Jaqaran chose a good time to stop listening, as Donichus swept past and took the seat opposite of him. He hadn't taken off his cowl. Slung across his chest was a lengthy measure of rope and the gleam of two small grappling hooks caught his attention at his sash. The first thought Jaqaran had was to apologize for spending all the money he'd given him on himself, but before he could, Donichus spoke at a volume just loud enough to discern over the jeers of the crowd.

"This may be our most dangerous mission yet, but if you listen and do exactly as I say, you should be fine."

"Donichus..."

"Everything should be set into place, though. In the cover of night, we'll enter through the roof and you'll have to defend the door while I make the kill. I should be able to handle Tyrannio on my own, given the dark magic."

"Donichus," Jaqaran said again, staring down at his mug. "I'm a little nervous. What if I can't -"

"You will," Donichus stated firmly.

Jaqaran stared at him.

The raptor's neck reeled back a little, recovering from his own shock. "You will," he repeated in a much softer tone. "Just remember everything I taught you."

Jaqaran merely nodded. If it's ever that simple.

In the heart of darkness, no one ever suspected the two anthros that had maneuvered their way to surrounding rooftops, the air around them whistled as Donichus twirled the rope containing the grappling hook around and tossed it up into the air. It caught hold of a nearby ledge and he waited over Jaqaran's repeated attempts before harnessing themselves up and walking calmly up the exterior walls of the palace. Donichis tried to find a word to describe how he was feeling, but found it impossible to focus on anything other than what was supposed to happen next.

Peeking over the top of the wall, he gestured below to follow as he threw himself over. Another quick scan, and he reached over the side of the wall to pull Jaqaran up as well.

"Do you know where Tyrannio is," Jaqaran whispered.

"These big buildings were meant to confuse intruders," Donichus said, his yellow eyes ever watchful. "But I think I remember the way to the royal sleeping quarters. This way!"

He saw Jaqaran had to quickly roll up the ropes from which they came before he could follow, as to leave no hint of their presence behind. Donichus didn't think it'd have taken very long until he rounded a few corners and looked back to see Jaqaran was missing.

He hissed out his name a couple times.

With a slight growl, he pressed himself against a wall and began to backtrack. Jaqaran was nowhere within the path he'd taken, and upon realizing this, Donichus's heart rate suddenly multiplied. It was difficult to keep a stealthy composure in such a state, and he sooner found himself running down a long path that led straight into the complex; a way he knew was sure to be guarded. Though he was still relatively close to the outer wall, it wouldn't take long at all for all guards to be raised on high alert.

And that was when the clatter came. Like the sound of a small sword being dropped to the floor; not a particularly loud sound during the day, but shattering at this hour of night. His head snapped off to the side, where another entryway provided access to the roof from which he'd come. His panic instructed him to check it out, but with an effort, he remained hidden where he was. Surely enough, a single guard came wearily out of seemingly nowhere to investigate. His sword was drawn and was quietly making his way towards the curious sound.

Exhaling out slowly, Donichus slithered out of his spot and began to trail after him. Entering the same passageway the guard entered, he no sooner discovered he wasn't alone. Before the turn of a corner, the guard raised his weapon. "Hey, you!"

Donichus leapt out and seized the guard's head within the crankshaft of his arms. A small jerk rendered a deep crack from within the guard's neck, and he slumped over to join the body of another guard; over which, Jaqaran stood. "Donichus, I-"

The raptor put a clawed finger to his snout. He looked behind him, and after verifying that they hadn't aroused further suspicion, he gestured for him to follow once more. As he'd done in the streets, Jaqaran kept very closely to Donichus, stepping where he stepped and Donichus was extra careful not to lose the boy again. They entered a flowering courtyard, and from their perch, Donichus noted the routes of the guards he saw. When the timing was adequate, they jumped from one place to another. It wasn't until they had entered a roofed part of the building did Jaqaran dare to speak again. "When are you planning on using the... you know."

"Not when I have to," he said without looking back.. "It's powerful, but doesn't last very long. I'm guessing a small vial can hold out for maybe ten minutes. Fifteen, tops."

What came next was a long hallway that eventually led up to the bigger parts of the palace; among which were the king's sleeping chambers. Though they kept close to the walls and shadows, Donichus took a long stare at it, unmoving and unblinking.

"What is it?" Jaqaran said, peeping from behind him.

"Something's wrong. This part's supposed to be heavily guarded. I was expecting a lot more resistance than this."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"It could be a sign that they're expecting us," Donichus said, raising a brow at him. "Come on, this way."

The two broke into a light jog down the hall and ducked behind a pillar at an intersection when it so happened that a group of four guards crossed their path. Two continued forward and the remaining two split to turn down the corridor they were going down.

Donichus turned to the young jaguar, his hand disappearing down a pack on his sash. "This is it," he whispered to him. "Remember, Jaqaran..."

"I know," he said, looking down. But Donichus reached out with a soft claw and slowly turned Jaqaran's head towards him.

"Everything I've done has led up to this moment. And when it's over... we're done. Alright?"

The sides of Jaqaran's mouth curved up, and he nodded furtively. "Okay," he said.

"One more thing." Donichus pulled out the small vial of dark magic from his pouch. "When I take this... I'll have to fight a lot of impulses telling me to do things. Things I probably won't want to do. But I'm going to need you to trust me. As I trust you. Is that understood?"

This time, Jaqaran looked at him and nodded again.

"Eyes," he said, using two fingers to point at his own, then pointing up and down the corridor. Donichus popped off the cork stopper and took a moment to look down at the glittery, dark purple substance. Before he could have any more qualms about it, however, he downed the bottle.

The liquid was much more viscous that it seemed, and Donichus had to swallow several times to get it down his throat. It tasted bittersweet - and sticky. Even after it settled inside of him, he could feel it sticking everywhere on him; on his throat, his stomach, through his veins, and eventually in his heart.

Something lurched inside him, and Donichichus began to writhe. He dropped the vial. His neck started to jerk and twitch at impossible angles and speeds until Jaqaran pushed him against the pillar and clamped his muzzle shut with his hands.

The vial had shattered on the floor, and the two guards that were headed in their direction turned to see what happened.

Donichus was breathing heavily, and when his vision cleared, he saw Jaqaran.

"How do you feel?" he said, stepping back a little.

Donichus smiled a toothy little smile at him. "Invisible." He took a step back and merged into the pillar, disappearing instantly. It was all Jaqaran could do to stare at where Donichus had left his view until the two guards approached him, weapons drawn.

Jaqaran only had his hand on the hilt of his own weapon before he saw Donichus's hand reach out from inside the pillar, grab the nearest guard, and pull him in. The other guard only had enough time to look off to the side before another of Donichus's hands reached up from the floor, seized his ankles, and pulled him under as well. His scream was cut off as he entered the floor, and all that became left of him was his weapon. With a gasp, Jaqaran looked up as Donichus stepped out from behind the pillar.

"What did you-"

"Remember," Donichus said, pointing two fingers at his own two eyes. And then he fell into the floor again, dissolving into the shadows. All Jaqaran ever caught was a black blob, slithering off further into the hallway. And immediately breaking into a run, he followed.