The sun was just beginning to set in the horizon. Rod the fire Shoyru watched
it boredly. He stretched his wings lazily, then dropped his head into his paws.
A sigh emerged from him.
Rod's life wasn't as boring as he made it out to be. He was the chief of a
very old Shoyru Clan. The Shoyrus were mainly fighters, but occasionally there
was a wise one, or a peacemaker. The Clan had started out small, but it had
increased rapidly by picking up wanderers, or discontented Shoyrus from neighboring
clans. Lately, the Shoyrus had been very restless, and some were eager to start
a clan of their own. However, to everyone's surprise, Rod had not allowed anyone
to leave. Some said it was because of the pride he took in being the leader
of such an old and pure Clan, while some said it was for their safety. However,
most just said that it was because Rod was greedy, and prided himself of the
numbers of his clan. Whatever the reason, the Shoyrus were very displeased with
their leader.
Yet here the leader sat, bored and staring at the sunset, instead of doing
anything about it. Isa, his advisor, was deeply hurt and angry at his lord.
He said that Rod was too much of a greed-blinded fool to see what was good for
the others.
Rod glanced up. A Shoyru was flying towards him, with a grim look set on his
silver face. "Isa," Rod said angrily,"there you are. Do you know how long I've
been waiting?"
The silver Shoyru muttered something, but looked up at Rod with no anger etched
on his face."I'm sorry, m'lord. But I had other business to attend to."
Rod started."Oh, other business, eh? Why was I not informed of this, my so-called
'loyal' follower?"
Isa fought back a glare."I had to visit some of the Warriors and Elders to
prepare my words. Rod, my lord and friend, I speak on behalf of all the Shoyrus
of this Clan when I tell you that we are leaving."
Isa peered at Rod, expecting some sort of reaction. He was disappointed, for
Rod only stared back at him coolly. Suddenly, Rod burst out into a deep, rumbling
laugh that made the senties standing around the ridge jump in surprise."Leave?"
He asked, after silencing his laughter.
Isa released his glare, which was uncommon for such a mild-tempered Shoyru."Yes.
We are most unhappy with how you rule your people, and how you deal with decisions.
You sweep them aside as if they are no more important than the pebbles on the
ground. We are leaving, Rod. You've changed so much--"
Rod cut Isa off sharply."Silence! Do you think I am that vain, Isa? No, not
even I would fail to notice the unhappiness of a Clan."
"Then why do you never do anything about it? You ignore it angrily."
It was Rod's turn to glare at his companion."Listen, Isa. Have you ever tried
running a group of Shoyrus? All of which easily match or come above your skills
and cleverness? Even the Shoyru with the least amount of leadership in his blood
would fight to rise above them."
Isa was silent. Never had he heard this story, but he knew Rod better than
anyone."I must admit, Rod, that you can come up with a wonderful excuse in a
matter of seconds. But it will never be accepted by me. We're leaving." Without
another word, Isa stretched his glinting silver wings to the sky, and took flight.
Rod stared after him, in anger and hurt. Though he wasn't always the most
honest Shoyru, the words he had said were true. He watched in dismay as dozens
and dozens of winged figures rose to the sky, and followed Isa. Soon, the entire
Clan had cloaked out the sky and sun, following their real leader.
All except Rod.
He stood, staring at the horizon clouded by Shoyrus. His thoughts raced. Rod
paced back and forth for a moment, then glanced at the sky again.
Rod suddenly took flight.
He leaned forward into the wind, and reached speeds he never knew he could
reach. Rod was driven by fury, and a little hurt. He rushed past startled Shoyrus,
and the occasional Pteri, caught up in the moving mass. Rod gradually reached
the front of the group. He drew even with Isa, who stared at him in disbelief
and anger.
"What are you doing, Rod?" Isa exclaimed.
Rod came ahead of Isa, and right into his path. He turned around, but still
flew, though much slower. He stared at Isa coldly, eyes holding only fury and
hurt. "I trusted you, Isa. I trusted you all. I admit that I have been a lazy,
arrogant fool lately, but the words I told you minutes before were true. Try
it for yourself, Shoyru. You'll find it difficult."
Isa stared back icily."Get out of my way, Rod."
Rod glared at him. "You mean to tell me that you are going to carry on as
their leader?"
"Haven't you been listening?" Isa burst out furiously. "Yes! But I will treat
them with respect, and allow them to leave."
"Then they will never trust you."
"What?!?"
"They will never trust you. You are letting them go into danger and destruction.
I expanded the Clan as much as possible, but they only feel the urge to lead."
Isa motioned to Dash, his most trusted friend. "Get this Shoyru out of my
way as soon as I finish speaking to him. Rod, I have only a few things to say
to you: I was one step below you at all times, and learned well. Now, for the
last time, and for the sake of the stars, get out of my way!"
Dash instantly dove at Rod, but Rod had not been the leader of a fighting
clan for no reason. He bulleted upward, and halted. He stared at Dash, prepared
to fight. But Rod felt a liking towards the big shadowed Shoyru."I don't want
to hurt you, Dash," he called out.
Dash hesitated. After a moment, he cried out angrily, and grabbed the talon
on Rod's left hind foot. He looked at Rod angrily, then released his foot. "I
don't want to hurt you either, my lord, no matter what Isa says. But, for the
sake of cleverness, leave before I really do hurt you!"
Without a word, Rod flew west, senses dulled from anger and a terrible sadness.
When the moon began to creep across the sky, it found a lone fire Shoyru sound
asleep in a towering elm tree, rolling from side to side.
***
Rod opened his eyes. A human face was peering at him curiously. He jumped.
"Get out of my way," he said tiredly. The human sat back on her heels, and laughed.
"I'm Tiffany. Pleased to meet you, too."
Rod felt slightly embarassed. In his feelings from the previous night, he
had completely forgotted all manners."I'm Rod," he mumbled.
"Oh, Rod, is it? Well, Rod, what are you doing out here?"
Rod shook his head, and suddenly peered past Tiffany. She had obviously had
to climb the tree to get to him, but her Purple Eyrie must have found it much
easier.
"All right. Have it your way." After a moment's pause, Tiffany went on. "Do
you have an owner?" Her voice sounded hopeful.
Rod laughed lightly."Owner? Why would I ever have an owner?"
Tiffany and the Eyrie looked surprised."Because all Neopets have owners. Well,
most of them. The ones that live around Neopia Central, anyway."
It was now that Rod noticed the towering buildings of the city."Well, I wasn't
looking for one. Why do you ask?" A sly smile crept across Rod's black face.
Tiffany looked away."Well, um... I was, just... wondering."
"Yeeeesss?"
Rod smiled. Tiffany plunged on. "I was wondering if I could be your owner."
Rod eyed her."I've never had an owner. If you promise to give time to adjust,
yes. But I'll only be your partner, not your pet."
Tiffany smiled broadly."Yes!"
***
Rod was right about the Clan not trusting Isa. After a while, some Shoyrus
asked if they could leave. Rod allowed it. Almost instantly, word came back
that only one remained alive, though very ill. The Clan became furious that
their leader would let them plunge into danger known by himself, and not tell
them. Isa was overthrown by Dash, and the shadowed Shoyru did very well with
leadership. Isa remained with the Clan, though looked upon with hatred. If not
for Dash, and a sudden, quick visit from Rod, Isa would have never been accepted
by any breed.
During Rod's visit, Isa apologized, and was angry at himself for doubting
his friend. Rod shook it to the side, and said, "Sometimes rank and skill aren't
enough. You need courage, and the ability to find, accept, and try... and alter
your faults."
Among the Clan, that became their motto. But with Isa and Rod, it became their
badge of friendship.
The End | 
