Hanno placed me down after that and said, “Alright Aya, you can explore the house for now okay? But remember to tell me if you need to use the bathroom.” I didn’t acknowledge the kid at all before hopping away and looked for something to eat. How did he think I was going to tell him I needed to use the bathroom?

He wanted me to explore, explore what? It’s a four room house, a kitchen, two bedrooms and a dining/lounge area. I made my way into the kitchen where I met my first challenge in my new small form.

The cupboards were so high up I had no hope of getting to them. Oh well, if you have a pet you're supposed to feed it. He’ll probably feed me later. I just hopped onto the bed that smelled like Hanno and took a nap. God I miss my kids. I wonder how they’re doing? They should be fine but what if the giant rats attack them?

No, gotta stay positive. My kids are strong. They can do it. I fell asleep dreaming of spending time with my kids. I woke up a few hours later to an anxious looking Hanno staring at me.

When I opened my eyes he smiled and said, “Aya! It’s time for dinner!” Still dazed from sleeping I hopped onto the boy’s shoulders and closed my eyes again. I heard him gasp and laugh before saying. “Stay awake Aya! Otherwise you won’t get dinner.” Oh really? You get to decide that?

This sucks! I used to be able to hunt whenever I wanted food. Or one of my kids would share with me. I used to bathe in the blood and entrails of my enemies! Devouring them while laughing! Now I’m reduced to a dinner schedule.

I did resist falling back asleep as Hanno and his father sat down to eat. I stayed on the boy's shoulders as it was actually quite comfortable. The boy and his father were eating what looked to be roast beef.

Hanno and his father began talking but I mostly ignored it. Instead I devoted my time to stealing as many pieces of meat from Hanno’s plate as possible. He noticed but didn’t seem to mind.

Creep however, looked incredibly offended. He even said so! “Hanno, you shouldn’t let Aya get away with that. She won’t learn any manners.” Hanno was about to come to my aid but I beat him to it. “How dare you lecture me on manners! You kidnapped me! You stole me away from my children and brought me to this hovel! And now you lecture me? On manners? Fuck you! Go die in a ditch!”

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Hanno couldn’t help laughing as he said. “I don’t think she agrees with your father. Besides, she is a noble beast! She can do what she pleases within our company. Although you might want your own plate.” While saying that he grabbed four more cuts of meat and placed them on a plate. Then he placed them on the ground. I hopped off his shoulders and landed with a grunt.

I tucked into my food as the father son duo continued talking. Creep said. “So, excited about going to the academy?” Hanno nodded and said. “Of course! A center of learning that anyone from any clan can attend. A monument to what humanity could accomplish if we were to unite.”

Wow the boy was wordy. His father frowned and said, “So you’re still committed to that silly idea.” Hanno frowned and said, “It’s not silly! Humankind could do so much if we were to unite. No more petty border squabbles where thousands die. Instead we could grow together, better technology, better magic and better lives!”

Hanno had stood up and after his little impassioned speech seemed almost embarrassed. Creep frowned and said. “I think you should go to bed. You’ll need to leave early tomorrow after all.”

Hanno seemed to have shrunk as he shuffled to his room. I was about to follow him when Creep grabbed me and said. “Time to have a talk, little lizard. Follow me.” He let go of me as we walked until we were around a mile away from the village.

Creep stared at me for a few seconds before saying. “You can change back into your true form. No one can see you. I did so and it felt so good! I waved around my tail and hopped around. I swatted a nearby tree and watched it crash to the ground. Being powerful feels good.

I settled down and turned towards Creep who’s frown was even uglier than usual. “That boy, he's gonna get himself killed with all that nonsense. He doesn't have any survival instinct. Refuses to keep his head down. That’s why you need to protect him. Do you understand me?”

I answered “I understand that you’re a dick who should just die! Leave me alone!” He smiled and said. “Thank you, Aya. I feel better knowing he’ll have you to guard him.” How does he always misunderstand me? Like every time? He didn’t even realize I was angry at him!

He turned towards me and said. “Go, make sure he’s okay. I have something I need to do.” I rolled my eyes and turned back into my small form. What an overdramatic weirdo. I made it back to the house pretty quickly. I entered the boys room and grabbed a few pillows. He was already fast asleep so I didn’t have to worry.

I laid down on my pillow pile and wondered what my kids were up to. Hopefully they’re fine. I could trust them. But sleeping without them made me feel strange. Like I was missing a piece of myself. Oh well. I’ll just have to grow strong enough to kill Creep. Then I can get back to my kids. God I miss my kids.