Chapter 3
Servant of wind
Taylor woke up finally with Yawn as he had a good night sleep for the first time in months. His three month journey had finally ended with him rooming in his friend’s mansion. He never knew the boy he video chatted with frequently was so rich. But then again Mikey never really said anything about himself.
Taylor started to wonder was Mikey going to get in trouble for having his friend stay over while his parents were away. Mikey thought it was fine but Taylor was skeptical still. All his friends got in trouble if they even tried to help him. 
He walked down in the Pj’s that Mikey had loaned him for the night he was lucky Mikey had something to fit him since he was a bit taller than the mouse. He was sixteen about to be seventeen later this year and Mikey had just turned seventeen. 
He managed to make it down the Mikey’s living area since he had the bottom floor of the four story mansion to himself. He saw Mikey also in his PJ’s typing on a keyboard while looking up at a giant screen on the wall.
“Hey Taylor? Sleep well?” Mikey asked all perky. He was definitely a morning person.
“Like a baby! But are you sure your parents won’t flip out about you having company over?” Taylor paused. “Or if that company is gay like me?” Taylor said the last part quietly.
Mikey just sighed, it would take some work to knock Taylor out of his funk. “Take a look at the picture on the table! It should clear some things up.” Mikey pointed to a picture that was on a table behind Taylor. Taylor picked it up was stunned by what it was. It was a picture of Mikey being hugged by two older mice. One white and one blue, the blue one had red eyes while the white one had green eyes. Mikey had two different colored eyes, one red and one blue.
“Those are my dads, and the other picture is of my boyfriend. We been dating for a year now.” Mikey said as he was still fiddling with his keyboard.
Taylor gasped. Mikey had two dads? It was common knowledge that most of the world countries did have same sex marriage or something of the sort due to the influence of some of the older false religions as his teacher put it. But Mikey having two fathers and being gay himself? That was something that Taylor did not expect.
“So you see? I‘m sure my dads will have no problem with you staying here.” Mikey said as he finally got an imagine on the screen.
“Mikey, Mikey Mikey!!” An excited voice came from the screen.
When Taylor looked up there was a smiling raccoon on the screen. He was a black and white raccoon that was smiling broadly as he looked on.
“Mason!” Mikey said smiling.
“Hey there cheesy butt. Miss me?” The raccoon said in response.
“Yep, my little garbage dweller. Are you doing alright?” Mikey responded.
“Of course I am, I got to pass these trials if I want to marry you don’t I?” The raccoon started flewing on screen.
Mikey laughed. “Alright alright. Where are my dads?”
“Right here! You wanna talk to them?” The raccoon said.
“Yes, I have some things I need to discuss.” Mikey said politely.
“Alright but first tell me who that boy is behind you in my PJ’s!” The raccoon said taking note of Taylor.
Taylor looked down and realized it was most likely Mikey’s boyfriend Pj’s that he was given. He was blushing red through his black fur. The raccoon was probably the same height as Taylor.
“He is the reason I need to talk to my dads. It is important!” Mikey pleaded with Mason.
“Are you having sex with him?” The raccoon asked so non-chalontry. Taylor just started blushing even more.
“Mason! Just put my dads on please!” Mikey had had enough.
“Alright, alright!” Mason handed over the device to one of Mikey’s father. The blue mouse was the one that held the device while the white one was talking to someone in the background.
“Mikey?! Who is that in my house!?! You know you aren’t to have company over while I am away!” His father said in a stern voice.
“I can explain dad!” Mikey tried pleading his case.
“Better be a damned good one or I’ll have you stay with Brad and his family until I get back!” His father demanded.
“He‘s my online friend, Taylor! The one I told you about that I hadn’t talked to in a few months!”
“And why is he in my house?” Mikey’s father raised his eyebrows.
“He got thrown out of his home for being gay, and got beaten up by his neighbors, He walked for three months until brad found him at a police station in Gertha! I brought him home to help him get better!” Mikey pleaded one more time.
Taylor was expecting the poor mouse to throw him out then and there but instead he got a different response.
“Oh my gawd! Why didn’t you contact us sooner then Mikey! That is terrible he has permission to stay for as long as he needs!” Mikey’s other dad said. Mikey’s first one just grumbled.
“Next time you plan on helping someone, Tell me first please. There are things in that house I would rather keep secret! But I shall instruct the butlers to ensure that boy is in good health. Form here I can see that he struggled for survival, he seems way too slender. I will let him stay until I can meet him when I come back.” Mikey’s first father said eyeing up Taylor.
“Thanks dad” Mikey bowed and then smiled at Taylor. Taylor breathed a sigh of relief as he had a place to stay for now.
“But there is something else I need to ask you dad. Taylor could you give us some privacy?” Mikey asked.
“Uh sure!” Taylor walked away and when Mikey was sure that he was gone he began.
“Dad, did you get the message I sent you?” Mikey asked quietly.
“Yes, But since when did you learn such high level holy scripts? Even I am having trouble translating all of it.” His first father said.
“Wait! You’re having trouble reading it?” Mikey asked astonished.
“Yes, this appears to be written in the scripts of a high priest. Only my grandfather would be able to translate it. I have asked him to do it so I should send you the translation later. But when did you learn to write such a thing?” His father asked proudly.
“Dad I didn’t write it. Taylor had a book with it when we found him.”
“Explain!” His father turned serious.
“When I was bringing him home me and brad found a book in his possession. It had the symbol of Leos. But the first page had scripts from all six factions of the Black circle. Brad is having his grandfather translate it for him. The rest of the book though appears to be in Leos. It looks like either a book for knights or a priest’s book. I can’t determine which.” Mikey said as he held the book up to the screen.
“That is strange. Leos was thought to have perished when Salliesmis nuked their country. There were a few worshippers outside the country in neighboring countries but even then they were caught up in the subsequent wars of the region. There is very little left of the Leos religion, so this must be quite a find. How did he get this into his possession?” His father asked.
“He said he was found with it as a baby when he was found in Naglia.” Mikey answered.
“A baby found in Naglia after the events of Telxon’s demise? With a book that has language of all members of the black circle? I would say he might be a knight but knights of Leos all have a golden streak in their fur. Have you seen a streak like that in his fur somewhere?”
“No when I cleaned him up last night his fur was all black. No gold streaks or marks anywhere.” Mikey responded.
“That is strange. Mikey keep your eyes on him. He has some kind of connection to Leos, and that is not something to trifle with. Leos has always had wise priests who could feel when something was about to happen. That is why the evacuation was occurring but Salliemis struck faster than they expected. This boy is sixteen correct?”
Mikey just nodded.
“Then he might just be a messenger from Leos, Keep him safe and keep your eye on him. And you can send me the rest of the text from that book. My grandfather may be able to translate some of it.”
“Alright thanks dad”
“Be safe Mikey.”
With that his father hung up and Mikey sighed. ‘Taylor what are you?’
Servant of thunder.
Zheng was stunned. This prince had just showed him the connection he had with the tribe. It was no lie, his mark was the same. His fur was metallic around the mark and the magnet was proving it.
“So now tell me? Are we going to have to drag you back to the village with force or will you come willingly?” Cheng asked while motioning for his warriors to surround him,
“Leave Zheng and Zhu alone!” Said one weak voice from behind Cheng.
Cheng was surprised by the display. It was the bound artic wolf that was behind him next to his brother.
“How do you know our names?” Zhu asked curiously.
“Iroh? Am I to assume that these two are…?” Cheng trailed off.
“Yes. They are.” Iroh responded.
“Then does that mean that…?” Cheng trailed off again.
“Likely means he is.” Iroh responded and the warriors started whispering among themselves.
“Chan! Take this one and get father!” Cheng said as he grabbed Zhu and pushed him towards his brother.
“Alright I leave it to you.” Chan said as he grabbed a hold of Zhu and one of his warriors grabbed Iroh’s chains.
Cheng then went to address the crowd at large. “I’m instigating a lock down of the pier and of the town. Please act accordingly as we will be conducting an investigation!”
The crowd became concerned and many of the locals started heading back to their shops with some of the tourists in tow. Cheng then turned to Mark and Chouken. “You two will be guarding this one. If his father tries to rescue him, I’m sure you two will be able to restrain him!”
“Yes sir!” Chouken and Mark replied before staring at each other. One of the warriors pulled out a pair of shackles and placed them on Zheng’s hand.
“Warriors spread out! Find my brother, He’s hiding in this town!” Cheng ordered in a strong voice and the warriors started moving around d the town like ninjas.
Zheng was surprised at the revelation of this. He had a suspicion when it was first mentioned but now it was all but confirmed. Cheng looked over at him. “I can see it in your eyes. You have figured it out? Haven’t you?”
“My dad, is the runaway prince?” Zheng asked tentatively.
“It would appear so. My brother ran away about twenty years ago. You look seventeen. And of course Iroh recognizes you. Like it or not you are a prince of the tribe, and you are the first of my father’s grandchildren.” Cheng told his nephew.
“Why would dad hide that from us? He sounded worried when we found out where he was being dragged but he never mentioned anything, he just said hide our marks.” Zheng said in confusion
“Humph, my brother has always been like that. A true coward, I am sure he will try to escape and leave his two boys behind.” Cheng said obviously not having a high opinion of his brother.
“My dad would never do that!” Zheng protested.
“Then you do not know your father as well as you think you do! For am I sure right now all he is trying to do is figure out a way to escape.” Cheng said quite sternly.
And he was right down the road Brandy and Lee were just watching on as Zhu was being dragged along. Brandy was about to go say something but Lee stopped him and pulled him into an alley.
“Lee! What the heck man? They have your son! He can’t survive a trip to their village no one has!” Brandy was saying quite worried that his plan may have inadvertently gotten his friend’s son killed.
“Zhu is better off in the village, than he is me with me right now.” Zhu said as he and Brandy snuck back to their hotel.
Brandy kept quiet until they reached back to their room. As soon as he thought they were in private he grabbed Lee.
“Alright what the fuck? I know you been in hot water recently. Losing your job and the thing with your wife, but seriously? Are you going to abandon your sons in a foreign country?” Brandy said shaking Lee.
“You brought me back here! Remember that! I wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for you but since it’s come to this I have no choice.” Lee said as he pushed away Brandy and started to rummage through his luggage.
“What is going on? You said you have been here before, but your passport has never shown you out of the country. What is going on Lee? What is it you are not telling me?” Brandy said taken back a bit.
“You want to know? You really want to know?” Lee asked as he brought out some temporary dye and started applying it around his fur.
“Yes I do! What is so important that you would abandon your sons to escape from?” Brandy said with genuine concern.
“My father, my family, My past, it’s all here, I wasn’t born and raised in Salliemis, I was born and raised here and then smuggled into Salliemis and given an identity. Zhu and Zheng will be fine because the tribe will take them in and treat them well. After all they are the grandsons of the chief.” 
Brandy’s eyes went wide, all this time salliemis had such an important member of this tribe living with them? The possibilities and wealth of information he could get from him! But first he needed to pick an angle. Should he ransom off help to Lee in exchange for information? Should he use the fact that Zhu and Zheng are in the tribe to get information from there? He had options.
“Wow Lee, why keep it a secret though? What is going on in that tribe that made you run from it?” Brandy asked while also prying for information.
“Why would I tell you that? After all you are on a mission for the SIA? I am sorry to say Brandy but we aren’t seeing each other again. It was nice knowing you!” Lee said as he jumped out the hotel window and landed on the building on the opposite side of the street.
Brandy was startled by this. Lee knew? But how did Lee find out? And why did he tell him that if he knew he was going to tell the SIA. It was as if Lee was taunting him and saying you know about it but can’t do anything about it.
But before Brandy could gather his thoughts two of the warriors burst down the door. It was a snow tiger and the prince from earlier, if brandy heard right it was the oldest one Cheng.
“We just missed him, have the warriors give chase, my brother is not escaping us this time!” Cheng ordered and the snow tiger jumped through the same window in pursuit of Lee.
Brandy was stunned but saw a chance to get some answers. “Why are you after my friend?”
“So you are his accomplice?” Cheng asked taking a threatening posture.
“Stop, that is Brandy my dad’s best friend, he was one who dragged us on this trip.” Brandy heard the voice of Zheng call out.
He soon saw Zheng being ushered in by two other boys with the artic wolf in bondage behind them.
“Ah, I see. Well this should be ample time to show you what kind of man your father is.” Cheng said as he turned to Brandy.
“Did my brother just run off? Not even attempting to take back his two sons?” Cheng said sternly already expecting the answer.
Brandy was caught in a cross road, was it better to gain the trust of the prince or cover up for Lee and then try to find him later. “Lee ran off, he said his sons were better off in the village than with him and then ran away.” Brandy said deciding it might be best for him to get on the prince’s good side.
Zheng opened his mouth in horror as Mark and Chouken beside him could only look away and the poor bound artic wolf was whimpering away.
“See, what did I tell you? My brother is a coward, he would rather run away than even attempt to take back his sons. This time I am not letting him get away…” Just as Cheng finished thunder roared from the sky.
Everyone in the room was stunned and looked outside the window to the brewing storm. The sky that had been bright and sunny was suddenly overcast with dark clouds as lighting raged in the sky.
“Dang, my dad is here….” Cheng trailed off.
Servant of Fire.
The Salleimis bases located in eastern coast of the Seameris continent were under attack recently as bombing after bombing had occurred in the last few weeks. It was throwing major wrenches into salliemis plans and so general Washington had made a reappearance on the front lines.
He was currently assessing the damage to the most recent base. It was mostly fire damage, and still not once did they manage to find a bomb or any evidence of a bomb other than the explosion that it left in its wake.
The blue and white panda bear was dressed in his uniform as scientists were showing to him their findings coupled with the video that they had.
“Are you this is the work of on individual?” The towering bear asked.
“Yes sir, we caught his face on camera multiple times but it is perplexing how he moves so quickly. We caught him bombing our base over 150 miles south of our location last night. This bombing occured last night as well, that was two bombings he was sighted in less than four hours. It not possible for someone to cover that much ground in one night sir. This has us baffled.” The aide said.
Washington smirked. “A worthy challenger then. I shall begin a full blown investigation with my crew, call my son over this will be a daunting investigation.” The general said before looking out into the forest and smiling. ‘A worthy challenger indeed.’
Meanwhile out in the forest the one responsible for these attacks has watching from through the trees. A cheetah was looking on he was in a black cloak but his hood was off and his face was being shown. It was the same cheetah that had been bombing the bases.
“Washington huh? I guess things just got a lot more interesting.”