25

CHAPTER 25

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The Aquadoms marched out of the prison premises like a misdirected army. Children marched right in front like they were the superiors. A full moon was up, and a cool breeze complimented the emptiness of the surroundings. There were two lanes extending straight ahead with a series of homes and shops on either side. The drums and bagpipes could still be heard as the mob of people headed straight ahead.

Somewhere in the middle of the path, a sloped pathway was situated on one side. It was headed to some place below, which was hidden in darkness.

“They’ve kept our Delavors here” announced Elevarus. “However, we’ll need to break into the stable” he added.

Within no time a wooden log was arranged with the help of the highly observant Aquadom kids. The most healthy and huge men were selected, Newark being one of them. Elevarus gave a count of 3 and the men ran down the slope with the huge log held in the center. After a series of thumping sounds, a bang was heard and green, long necked creatures yelped out of the darkness. The creatures were huge, defying their plant eating status. Their gills had dried up due to lack of contact with water.

Elevarus instructed the women to take their kids and head towards river Parafacia in the east on their delavors and then sail back on them back home. Newark’s father was instructed to take care of the remaining Delavors outside the territory till the men return back. A large part of the mob began to move back. As the area cleared up, Newark spotted his own Delavor standing in one corner with its head stooped down. “Jake!” Newark came running towards it. The creature answered his call with a loud snore. “Jake my boy! I got wine!” Newark cried. The creature shook back to life and opened its protruding mouth. Newark emptied half a bottle down his throat and it howled back in joy.

“Now off you go Jake! With Papa!” It obediently ran back with the other Delavors.

The children were crying, the men were waving back to their wives as they tried not to cry and tarnish their manhood. No one knew if this farewell was a temporary or a permanent one. All of a sudden they heard a group of men laughing. Newark turned back to see 6 Ferodiums walking back, “Uh oh” he said holding his breath.

“The aquadoms are fleeing!” One of them shouted as they ran back and disappeared.

“It’s show time boys!” shouted Elevarus.

Newark raised his bottle towards the sky “Cheers fellas!”

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