The War of the Masters
Chapter Twenty-Two

Terra watched Ra’Nu place her hands over Melvin’s shirt, matching her fingers to the spot the Sheckem had touched. Closing her eyes, she focused her power.

“We’re almost set,” Keira said. “But we still need a way past Dameon’s men and the inner temple guards or we won’t get close enough to take over the Sheckem.”

As Ra’Nu finished her work, Cyrus said, “Then it’s time for some backup.”

He pulled out the purple energy arrow Raiden had given him, and—with the power of the Akieres—he launched the beacon several hundred feet in the air.

Raiden sat with his back against a tree, enjoying the cool breeze and the crisp smell of spring. Nearly four hours had passed since Cyrus and the girls had left. He was worried about them, but at the same time he had complete confidence in their abilities. And if they needed help he was ready to spring into action.

To pass the time, he, Lucky, and Kendal were playing a friendly game of cards.

“Yes!” Lucky shouted out from behind three cards that were nearly as tall as him. “Two Aces and a Jack! Lucky is lucky tonight!”

Kendal shook his head. “Lucky, you’re not supposed to announce your cards as you get them.”

“But I’m winning! This is a good hand!”

Kendal sighed. “You don’t even have all your cards yet.”

Raiden smirked at the exchange. Let’s see if I can get Lucky even more fired up.

“I’ve got to tell you Lucky, you’re even legendary at playing cards!”

“Well, of course! What would you expect?” Lucky replied.

“And a great singer, too! Can you sing that one about the great Leprechaun champion again?”

Kendal groaned. “Not again . . . Don’t get him started.”

“I’d be glad to!” Lucky stepped away from his cards and climbed onto a small rock. Then he cleared his throat and stretched his hands to the heavens.

Raiden grinned at the Leprechaun’s dramatic display.

“There once was a Leprechaun, mighty and valiant—” Lucky sang.

Then Raiden saw it. Several miles off was a faint purple comet, shooting above the mountain tops and piercing the clouds.

“Uh-oh,” Raiden said over Lucky’s unabashed singing. He was prepared, but not exactly thrilled, to fight the two hulking warriors in front of him. Turning to look at the rest of the group, he saw that T’Saunté had already transformed into his full-sized state. This was the first time Raiden had seen the dragon in all his glory—or any dragon for that matter. The raw power of T’Saunté’s colossal frame was much more terrifying and majestic than he had imagined.

T’Saunté stretched out his wings and flapped twice, lifting him into the air. The two warriors hurled their spears but the dragon quickly evaded the projectiles.

Letting out a roar that shook Raiden’s chest, T’Saunté barreled into the two men, ramming them both with his shoulder. The warriors flew backward, smashing into a massive oak tree where they crumpled into a heap at the base.

My word . . . This entire time I thought I was protecting Madrina, but the reality is that T’Saunté was protecting us.

Raiden was awestruck, but he collected himself quickly. Grabbing Lucky, he climbed onto T’Saunté’s back. “Come on,” he said, waving to Kendal and Madrina. “The others need our help!”