Chapter 8. Nighshade stepped out into the dark from Draco's house after Iphis and Darkhawk escaped through the tunnel in the cellar. Jago disappeared like a shadow among other shadows. It's closing in now...the time had come. The night in a city is far more dangerous than out in the woodlands...the predators here were far more skilled and vicious. But in the shadowy nights Nightshade was far more comfortable, for trained by elven rangers from his youth he knew how to use and listen to his senses...No human could outdo him admist the darks and the shadows. All the sounds from the town and houses reached him and told that even a city at night was alive...from the nighthunting bats, the young cat jumping up on rumbling barrel...He did not need to see...for the human sight at night could be treacherous.. A crying child some streets away..a mother singing...the old song*... Con bayni suna ema bordi abayni koni bani-e sali zehi mani te no leto.. Kayni wona tu pomeri sani edilo-e soltemi grada polimo anya eno leto... Those who seek light in darkness find home .. watches while you sleep safely my child fear not what you may meet on your way morning light breaks, shortly and shine for you... A lot of thoughts flew through Nightshades mind. Goodbye, old friend*2...sorry if I sometimes mistrusted you...You talked of a day like this.. you will be revenged...I found your message..it won't be easy 'cause the enimies are many..Only one thing counts now - to get the heiress on the throne as quick as possible...and I need to meet Pentwahir(*3) very soon... The sound of a hunting city owl reached his ears and mind. Woh...oh...oh!... And shortly after another owl with a softer voice joined in and repeated the sound.. It's time to gathering..Nightshade answered the two owls and waited... (to be continued) * An old and well know lullaby, in grey elven language and a sort of antheme for the nothern peoples like Nightshade and elves. *2 He means Draco of course (se earlier chapters/images) *3 Pentwahir was Iphis' teacher and is Nightshade's good friend - and one of the greatest wizards of the world. This was a hard and tricky one to get done. Especially the light where I tried to show the contrast between light and dark - the daily life and the darker unknown. The most important was however to portray Nightshade, The Crowns Ranger one of the main charachters in this story. I think I got what I wanted here. The protector against the dark forces, an experienced man in his forties but still at his prime... And again - thank you for your comments! Do I need to say ZOOOMMM!!!?? JohnnyC / Rhanagaz