“Ouch!”

Xespa rubbed her knee. The ebilia who had scratched her shrank back in fear of being punished. Indeed, Xespa turned and slapped him hard across the face. “Be more careful!” she scolded, “I would expect better from my General!” “S-sorry, miss.” the ebilia, who’s name was Grendall, stammered. His dark black fur shone in the moonlight, which was the only light source and came through the mouth of the cave.

Xespa knelt towards the trembling creatu. “So,” she whispered, “how are you going with recruiting troops?” Grendall gulped and stood up a little straighter. “Fabulous, miss. Our Executives, the albinos, are training the, er, trainees right now. From my calculations on the time of night, they are doing night-ambush techniques.“ Xespa smiled, which was clearly meant to be a friendly, congratulating, smile, like she usually wore, but it appeared sneaky and eerie in the moonlight. Even though Grendall saw this, however, he kept a straight face. Xespa patted his head kindly, and said in the same sort of way, “Now, that’s my boy!”

Just then they heard a noise outside the cave. It sounded like a claw scraping on metal, or rock, perhaps. There was also a rustling of leaves. Grendall growled, and Xespa stood up and murmured, “Xoria? But how did she find us here…” An eye peeped out from around the edge of the cave. It appeared to have a flat face and wide scars…

Xespa drew her knife. Grendall crept up beside her, claws and fangs bared. The thing, whatever it was drew itself out into the moonlight. Xespa released her breath and lowered her hand with the knife in it. It was just a battle-scarred aukira. Its beak had been partly chipped away, making its face look smooth and flat. It made a cawing sound when it saw them and dashed away on unsteady legs.

“Miss,” Grendall ventured, “What is making you so worried and jumpy and worried about Xoria these days?” Xespa turned around. “Nothing you need to know.” And she started to walk away. She was just past the bramble bushed at the mouth of the cave when Grendall stopped her. “But, Miss, as your General, Second-In-Charge, and Advisor I-”

But Xespa was already gone.

Meanwhile…

Xoria fidgeted in her seat. The dining hall was empty, yet, as far as she had remembered, it had been mere seconds since she had begun her speech to the Jaakus. What had happened? She gazed at the moonlight shining through the full-wall windows on her left. Just then, a dark silhouette floated gently past, leaving a dark spot in her view. And, not only it in front of the window, it was inside!

Xoria frowned and stood up. The shadow didn’t look like an jaaku, or an ebilia, which could be good or bad. It didn’t appear to have wings, and its body was small and streamlined. Xoria was smart enough to identify the creatu, but how did it get insi-

There was a crash down the hall. Xoria didn’t want to admit it, but she was starting to grow suspicious, and, maybe, even a little scared. “A cyid,” she whispered, in awe, “but-but how did it get in here?” Anyway, at least that solved the problem of her falling asleep at dinner.

There was another crash, and the face of a small blonde jaaku peeked through the doorway. “General Mamba.” she said, straight-faced, “What brings you here?” Mamba stepped into the room. Glided, rather. “Miss,” he began, “Er… the stables have been broken into.”

Xoria’s eyes widened. “Why didn’t you say so? It would not have made me angry if you ran into the room screaming, as long as it had a purpose?” Mamba gulped and step-glided out of the room. Xoria followed, her posture straight and professional.

Outside, in the hallway, there was havoc. Otachies, cyids, vogars, and many other diverse creatu rampaged around, with battle-cries echoing around. Xoria’s aura flickered. She met up with Mamba and a few of his executives, and they ran around, Xoria braking up fights and Mamba getting into them. Just then there was a cry from a nearby room. Xoria walked away to investigate.

The room was dark. Xoria flicked on the light switch. In the middle of the room, a calico ebilia struggled against several sepia jaakus. His tattered wings thrashed around, and a natural jaaku rushed in from behind Xoria to help. They wrestled till the ebilia was on the ground, motionless. Its breath fogged the air around his bone skull as Xoria approached him. Laying a hand on his scalp, she said menacingly, “Spy.”