Meanwhile... 34

Back at settlement, Jandar inspected the talismans so far collected. They had brought back the Chameleon Ring, The Fireshaper's Staff, and The Stormcatcher's Dagger. Thats three out of five talismans. Denner had been wearing the Chameleon Ring so long that it had infused him with its power. Denner was now a changeling. He had gotten his wish for power. Jandar's mystic vision could see the magic glow around him. What a change it had made in him. He was much stronger now. So confident. Jandar decided that he was going to have to test Denner's limits soon. How big a creature could he become? He had been told about his Phoenix form. That was an accomplishment. No changeling he had ever heard of could take that form. The Shadows had the Frost Belt, only one. Polan must be furious with his Shadows. This worried Jandar. He had a feeling something bad was on its way. He had no idea what, but the feeling was there. Everybody had returned from there missions and were in Winterhaven or in camp relaxing. Shayn and Ono were laughing in front of the manor house built for the Dragons. It was a huge house with many floors. From the outside it looked like it had three floors, But it had been built with magic. The Dragons had unlimited room in there house. Shayn and Ono loved the new house.Those two were defiantly now a couple. You could see the love in both of there eyes. This pleased both Jandar and Rage. Both Shayn and Ono needed someone to love. And with the lost of his family, Shayn now only had Ono and the Dragons. Jandar was certain there was a bright future in store for them. He made a mental note to have Rage talk to them about mating and the things they will need to know. Nautica and Denner were off in the bay swimming. There too Jandar saw something growing. They spent most of there time together swimming, or shopping in Winterhaven. The twins were now happy with there new life with the Dragons. They had there freedom to live as they pleased now. No one could tell them who to marry or how there life was meant to be. And Gaia, no more mining for him. Now, being the earth dragon, jewels and precious metals were so easy for him to find. He filled the treasury of settlement and made it a real city now with money for trade for whatever they could need. Blaze had gone and brought his family back to Settlement. Rage saw no reason they should be apart. So many things were changing these days. He still wasn't sure what to do about the cave and his brothers and sisters there. I guess they will make the choice to stay hidden or come out into the world. Rage and the new hatchligs had made the decision to live here. These were all new dragons, merged. None of them would live out there lives hidden away. The future would tell soon enough. Corrin, what of him? Lately he seemed distracted. Jandar could see he wasn't happy. Maybe he needed to be more active. Jandar would be sure to include him in the next mission, get him more involved. Jandar had a feeling it was Denner being a changeling that bothered corrin so much. Corrin resented him not getting the power he wanted. He was going to have see what could be done.
Under the Dragons protection, Winterhaven was doing a lot better. All the Black Armors had been expelled from the city, and the council now had made a choice. They saw what Polan was doing to the countries he conquered. The death and devastation he caused was there for all to see. So many homeless people on the run from the war. Winterhaven took in what they could, but they still kept coming. Settlement was growing everyday. Shops were built, schools and everything a new city needed. Being the city founders, the Dragons ruled here. Rage had formed a small force to patrol the city streets. Cutter, being the best telepath headed the force with Blaze. Criminal activity was pretty low,but not unknown. Petty things so far. Things easy to take care of. Anyone caught stealing was put to work. Harsher crimes would be dealt with more severely by Blaze. The city was turning out faster then anyone expected.

Back in Winterhaven a man walked into a cafe on the docks. This was a place where you could find people to do any job you may need done. Rouges and pirates frequented this cafe. Unknown to the council some very dark deeds were planned here, and a certain person had an agent placed here. As the man walked in he nodded to the owner behind the bar and walked to a tapestry on the back wall. When no one was watching the barkeep pressed a button that opened a door behind the hanging. The man walked through and down the steps to the lowest landing. There he found a open door and went in. In the dark room a candle suddenly sprang to life, revealing a table with a large black crystal shard on it. The shard was a piece of Shadoe's egg. Polan used this pieces to communicate with certain people. he sat down and put his hand on the shard. It began to glow as it came to life. Polan's face appeared over the table.
"So, you wanted to talk to me?"Polan said."
Yes," He said. " I think I can give you what you want."
" And that is?" Polan said with a frown on his face.
" The items your missing." He said. " Maybe even all your enemies."
Polan's face grew bigger as he seemed to get closer.
" And what do you want?" He asked.
" Power!!" The man said. " The power to never fear or be betrayed again."
" I can give you that." Polan smiled. " Of course you know what happens if you fail."
" I wont fail." The man said.
" Break off a piece of the shard on the table." Polan told him. " You keep it with you. Use it to reach me."
" What about my power?" The man said.
" You think I'm going to give you power before you give me anything?" Polan laughed.
" You need to prove your worth to me. Can you do that now?"
" No." He said. " I have nothing yet."
" Then wait till you give me something." Polan said." Ill give you what you deserve."

Rage and Insa found Jandar coming back from checking the items. The look on Rages face told him something was wrong.
" We need to talk to you." Rage said.
" Whats wrong?" Jandar asked worried. " Are you alright? Is Ono and Shayn alright?"
" Im fine." Rage said to relieve his mates concerns. "So are the others."
" Then whats wrong?" Jandar asked.
" Its about the next item." Insa said.
He led them over to a set of benches and sat down.
" We know where it is." Insa said. " More like who has it."
Jandar looked at them a bit confused. What could be wrong? Who could could have the item?
" Its called The Brace of Terra." Insa told them. "It once belonged to Terra. He was an earth dragon with great power. His clan was wiped out during the Dragon wars and as the king, he gave his Brace to someone for safe keeping."
" As did Stormcatcher." Jandar said. " He give his dagger to my great great grandfather. My family held on to it until I took it from my uncle."
Jandar looked from one to the other for answers.
" Who has it? He asked. " Fairies? Centaurs? Gnomes?"
" Vampires." Rages said.
Jandar looked at them. He knew what they would say next. But really wasnt sure he wanted to here it.
" Rejek's people have the Brace." Rage told him. " We have to go get it from them before Polan does."
" Love." Rage sits next to him. " I wont ask you to come. I know how much you hate vampires. But i need you."
" Ono and Shayn stay here." Jandar says to them. " I don't want them in danger. I don't want them near the vampires."
" That's fine with me." Rage tells him. " Who do we take?"
" Well I wish Shine was here. He would be a lot of help." Jandar said. " His knowledge of vampire lore might be better then mine."
" I doubt that." Insa said. " Your people know more about Vampires then anyone. How to fight them, there weaknesses."
" We take just the three of us."Jandar told them.
" No one else?" Insa asks." I have one more person i want to come. Hes going to meet us on the way" Jandar said.
" Then the mission is set." Rage got up from the bench. " Lets get moving"