Azzi ~ The One Shoyru

by Elizabeth Puckett~Solidad13

“They are here to steal our food and make us to be slaves. They have already entered the wood on the south side. They are already capturing people so you must be quick. You will have to defeat Jaquel. He is a cruel and evil person. I will help you along the way but only if you have this pearl in your possession.” Bouli hands a bluish pearl on a gold strand to Azzi. “You will need this on your trip. It will give you strength and speed. Little of which you need but you never know.” “But how do I find Jaquel? I have no idea where he is. How will I make it in time? I can never fly that distance and hiking will take too long.” “Azzi, the pearl! You will fly there and back if you need to.”

“But I will be seen!” Azzi is now standing holding her cup shakily. Bouli reaches into her pocket and pulls out a small Nimmo figurine. It glows with a red light to it. She holds it with a blue cloth. Handing it to Azzi she nods. “Take this with you, you will not be seen that way. Follow the map on you wrist for then you find Jaquel.” Stepping into a back room she pulls out a magnificent sword made of Iron and gold with a Nimmo carved in the handle. “This will keep you safe, now go.” Sheathing the sword, Azzi bows to the kind Nimmo and steps out of the hut. “I will remember you.” She turns and places her pack on her back and walks to the mountain cliff. Placing the Nimmo in her pocket of her pack and the pearl around her neck, she spreads her wings and glides off. The wind blows past her and she watches the ground beneath her. Turning toward the south, she heads for Jaquel. Azzi studies the map on her wrist carefully.

Azzi flies all day and lands in a huge maple tree. She rests half awake. "If only there was help...maybe." A voice sounds below her. Carefully and soundlessly she lowers herself to a branch where she can see the animal. It is a Shoyru dressed in shiny armor with a strong sword at his side. His back leans against the trunk of the maple. Azzi leaps off her perch and lands in front of the Shoyru. Startled, he jumps up, but then relaxes.

“I’m sorry madam. I didn’t realize this tree was taken. I’m Celad.” He offers his hand in greeting. Taking his hand and shaking it she curtsies and speaks, “I am Azzi. I am journeying to fight Jaquel. Where are you headed?” “I am also headed for Jaquel’s hideout, madam. Maybe we should accompany each other for two is better than one.” Nodding and agreeing they settle in the tree for the night. Talking and laughing they hatch a plan and their route for tomorrow. It is a calm night and the moon is bright. Two days and it will be full. Birds chirping and singing awake the two new friends. Eating and preparing they again go over their plan.

Afterwards they set off flying. Azzi, by touching Celad while holding the Nimmo, turns him invisible so he won’t give them away. By noon they come upon the first troop of Jaquel’s Lupes. Fighting side-by-side and back-to-back, they quickly defeat the group of 12 with little a scratch. Soon they were off again purposely running into the Lupe and freeing the Shoyrus and others they had captured. This was the best team the Wood had ever known and ever would know.

Stay tuned for next week's final installment!