We had only spent a short time at our den, my hoard stomach was an utter mess.
Like a trashcan they had just shoveled everything they could get their paws on into my open maw. My father had even dared to try storing the rancid thing he called cheese! He only gave up after I threatened to store HIM.
Now we were like everything that is able to move on the run. The dreaded mountain had started to smoke in the last hour, gases erupting on its flanks. With the eruption imminent, prey and predator alike were fleeing side by side. The goal of survival uniting even the biggest foes.
Lord-class beasts were the first to run, their large silhouettes blotting out the sinking sun. Everyone else fled as fast as their form allowed. The saddle set to its maximum width I was locked to 64% of my maximum size but leaving my family was not an option. Still we were directly behind the lord-class beasts in speed.
Muscles aching, talons hurting from the force they had to endure we sped across the plains.
The seconds began feeling like an eternity as the counter approached the eruption.
“Exhale do not hold your breath, cover your ears here it comes!” Mothers voice gave last instructions as the first tremors started. Then the land was tinted red as molten rock and fire thundered into the sky. The mountain had exploded! We saw the pressure wave approaching from the distance, trees and flora crushed like matchsticks.
Using a small hill as cover the wave passed over us. Like our own, fearful eyes all over looked at the fiery spectacle. As we all sat there small specks of ash began drifting downwards.
We were still too close! Under the strict orders of my mother we set off again.
Deserted towns and the remains of desperate evacuations were all we found as the land blurred under my paws. Every once in a while a few straggler would watch our passing out of dead eyes. They had given up on life, but we never stopped.
The only stop we made that day was for an abandoned supply wagon with a broken axle. We filled what was still useful into my hoard stomach and set off again.
Days passed my thirst and hunger were sated while on the move, my once protesting body had given up its protest falling back into an ever-present murmur of silent resistance.
Legs pumping in a constant rhythm, breath going a bit ragged we sped over the forsaken roads and paths. My passengers were not In a much better situation, they had to harvest Mana, water and food while on the move.
Every once in a while I was fed a blend of nutrients mixed in water while a constant supply of Energy was infused into my body. They took turns in my “maintenance”, the sunken eyes still told of how little sleep they could grab while on my rocking back.
It took us two weeks to reach the sea, I practically collapsed into the cold water as I was unable to react in time and crashed into the shallow beach. All of us were exhausted and drained, only the looming mountain kept us going. The eruption also had a good side, the ever-present cold slowly lost its grasp on the fire bathed lands. Even down by the sea the heat erupting banished the frost .
Even now the very air felt stifling, while I was trying to get some sleep my mother took out our most valuable loot. A compass and some maps looted from an abandoned ship in a dry dock. A sharp slap on my side prevented me from dozing off, while I could see that we HAD to leave, I could not repress hissing a bit at my father. Normally that would have earned me a headbutt, just his own tiredness preserved me of that.
I was very uncomfortable with mothers plan to use me as a boat, especially due to
I was especially happy to finally get the stains off my side which Ere had caused as she had barfed over my entire flank. We did not have enough time to clean ourselves so I had to endure the filth the entire journey.
It took us three days of plowing through the waters for my mother to announce that we were finally outside of the radius and could slow down. Relieved I settled my Head onto my own back like a swan I was finally able to grab some sleep and sleeping I did, like a stone.
Three days were spent rest up, I was thankful for a swarm of little fish that had decided to nibble off dead skin and residue off my paws. While tickling at first and a tad disturbing I was thankful for the cleaning service, thoughts which animals normally receive this service were droned out by the bone-wrenching exhaustion.
With mother as navigator set course towards the “sister islands” a large archipelago situated south-east from our old home. Sometimes we saw ships in the distance but they kept their distance.
Ere and father spent the days with idle fishing from the back seats, while Gale practiced her magic under mothers tutelage.
POV change random human fisherman
The hauls had been getting worse since the war started, the foolish Elves had used large-scale magic to upset the climate. At least that is what I was told, refugees had become a normal sight after one of the larger islands of the archipelago exploded in fire and death. Even now the clouds of ash towered in the distance. My bad leg had thankfully prevent me from getting drafted, today the dull throbs of pain where my bone had shattered in my youth brought me joy and not agony.
Suddenly the fish I was hunting became agitated, something was unsettling them.
“Good evening fisherman would you have time to give directions?” A female voice sounded in my head, not even ten meter away from me were four beast-man sitting on some leather contraption.
I was not used to mind-speak and lost hold of my net out of surprise. Suddenly my boat rocked as a giant beast broke the surface. I saw my life flash before my eyes, remembering my poor family, another fisherman swallowed trace-less by the sea.
Then my net broke the water, the beast held my missing net in its mouth, carefully placing it on my boat. It struggled a bit to get all strings out of its teeth, I was mesmerized by the majestic creature, its warm breath blowing into my face. As it finished expelling my net its head retreated back under water.
Whoever these travelers were, to tame or bind such a creature they must be of high social standing! I deeply bowed and did my best to answer the females questions for direction. They thanked me by leaving me a mature Salriak, I would so use the opportunity to boast to my fellow fisherman with “my” epic haul.
I felt sad as I saw their silhouette disappear in the distance, the might and humbleness those travelers had radiated left a deep impression in me. I vowed to myself to recount the story of this encounter until my dying breath.
POV Kai
Note to myself: “grabbing a net with my maw is STUPID”, the damn strings had tangled around my teeth and I had struggled to remove them. You would think that with all my time alive I would have gained some common sense! But no, I nearly made a fool out of myself by tangling myself in a stupid fisher-net. Nearly scared the poor fisherman to death as I got his net back.
Thankfully my family had not noticed my deep embarrassment as they discussed the best route to the next city and which city we should head for first. They had decided on a city called Hercs, an off-shot of the local human kingdom.
With the destination clear I accelerated back to our traveling pace cutting through the pleasantly warm water, whatever had caused the winter on our own lands it held no grasp here. A few hours later we came into view distance of the harbor city, ships of all sizes coming and going. The stone walls guarding the harbor dwarfing the wooden constructs that passed its floodgate.
Close to the city a small rowboat headed towards us, two men rowing, transporting an official looking person. “Welcome to Hercs, travelers. With whom may I speak concerning the passage and docking fees?”
Mother was all smiles her reply broadcasting to all of us.”You may talk to me regarding passage fees, we do not intend to dock though. We would kindly ask you to point us towards the closest beast-ramps.”
The official only nodded, “five silver for your entourage, the beast-ramps are located in the southern end of the harbor. One of my colleagues will collect the fee and fill out your registration. Have a good stay.”
Then he gave his men a sign as they headed to the next ship to organize the buzzling chaos.
We aimed for the southern part, the beast-ramps came into sight, massive stone-steps that looked like made for giants ascended out of the calm waters. I was thankful for being underwater, even down here the smell of the city started to assault my poor nose. As if feeling my distress mother gave me a few rubs on the back.
The water churned as I broke the surface, lifting myself out of the sea, claws digging into the rocky steps. It was hard to refrain from kissing the ground, the days on the ocean were enough contact with water for the entire year, at least in my opinion.
Thick streams of water ran down my legs as the ocean receded its grasp. Small marine life getting evicted by the absence of water tumbling onto the pavement.
I finally felt cleaner again without all the little things trying build nests into my fur.
A small group of people in Uniform approached, four guards and the promised official looking person in a robe. “Greeting travelers, as my colleague has told you, the passage fee is five silver. Should you require housing for your beast talk to the stable-masters down this road. If you need to sell your beast you will also find appropriate traders there.
I suggest an inn in the second or first ring depending on your standing, may you have a nice stay in our beautiful city.”
Mother handed the man a small pouch of coins, the man checked its contents smiling brightly he bowed down and took his leave. I was very certain that it contained MORE than five silver but kept any remark to myself.
Mother pointed me down towards the stables, a thin boy with a cart busily sweeping the road saw us first. “Please fetch your master boy.” the boy sped off encouraged by the copper coin my mother had thrown him.
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Not even a minute later a bear of man came to us, his disinterested gaze instantly changed as he saw me. Shivers ran down my spine as his eyes seemed to inhale my very being.
His trance was only broken as my mother greeted him, “Good morning good man, we require a place to clean our steed and would like to inquire if any source of food is close that may accommodate its hunger.”
The struggle to keep his focus on mother was evident, his eyes always wandering towards me, only his pride as stable-master seemed to keep the beast-nerd in check.
“There is a vacant box right over there, feel free to use it for cleaning. If you require food, the trader in house 24 is specialized in larger quantities. You could also venture into the city dungeon, the Minos on the second layer may fit your needs. If you plan to house it, the box costs a silver a day. We also offer the service of a healing mage if needed.
Should you require my service I am in my office, the stable-boys will show you the way.” Mother led me into the empty box, which to my surprise was quite big, easily able to house me. The soft and clean filling of straw-like material practically begged me to take a nap.
A plan formed in my head, looking my mother in the eyes I activated the ultimate dreaded pseudo skill
The unfamiliar freedom felt like a blessing, this way I dozed off while my family began to clean me from head to toe. If there is a heaven that little box came very close to being one.
POV stable-boy
The recent weeks have been good for the city, the large number of refugees had brought wealth to our city. While the harbor practically exploded with ships the increase in beasts was negligible. Especially the true larger beasts the nobles use did not come to our stables.
Master had tasked me with cleaning the road in front of the boxes as small tremors told of the approach of a new beast and a large one at that. Four exotic beast-man seated in a saddle the size of a small ship approached down the road. Their ride was breathtaking, a giant furred Imoogi variant, its aura of power making my hair stand on ends.
I had the urge to reprimand those nobles, they had not put any protection on the talons of their steed. The extremely hard rock that was used on the street had proved a bane to talons. But I kept quiet as I saw those talons effortlessly pierce a finger deep into the stone.
Should we make them wear protection to protect the road then?
To my surprise the silver furred female asked me to call for the stable-master, her voice sounding like a melody in my head. Unlike the beast-kin of our lands, these exuded an aura of power and dignity. She gave me a whole copper coin for making haste to rely the message. My mouth already watered imagining the sweets I could buy with the coin, the remark over the talons droned out by the anticipation of fine sugary treats.
I instantly decided these people were nice, the large male scared me though but that may be a common trait of the males that took up the role of warrior regardless of race and species.
I watched from behind a pillar as master told them of our stables and prices. They asked for a place to clean their beast and let it rest a bit. I hid myself under the roof of the box they occupied.
They unfastened the saddle and began combing the lush fur. The large beast actually started to purr as the combs did their work, it reminded me of a very content cat.
The nobles acted without fear around the mighty beast, the younger females even checking in its maw and in its blind spots, whoever had trained this majesty had done an astounding job!
Without protest and quite fast they finished tending to its needs.
As they were done cleaning beast and saddle the silver female said something to the Imoogi.
The beast then proceeded to swallow the entire saddle. The massive thing disappearing trace-less down its throat, I watched wide eyes as the construct disappeared. Sweat ran down my back, not only showed the beast intelligence it also had used Mana! The mystery surrounding the nobles only grew by the second.
One of the smaller females procured a sweet smelling piece of soap as all three females held their hands and began chanting. Water formed midair binding with the soap. I had to inform my master! These people were important, three highborn female mages and an obvious Cultivator as guard.
I was sad to miss the remaining cleaning but this was more important, we could not afford to upset people of their status.
Practically out of breath I arrived in masters office, as usual a complete chaos of documents, tools and random things littered the spacious room. “What is wrong Tim, new customers?” Catching my breath I began my report, his face turning grimmer by the second. A small flicker of fear passed his eyes as I told of the noble mages but he signaled me to rest a bit.
“Don't worry, I will deal with it.” he said leaving the office in a hurry.
POV Kai
Sprawled out in the straw the sleep was beautiful, the others had decided to book an inn while I had a week of lazying around. The stable-master regularly checked on my well-being and the stable-boys were warming up too. I had to stop some of the more eager ones to turn me into a bravery challenge.
A merchant had delivered a pile of meat and vegetables which one of the older stewards dutifully cooked into some kind of soup. His cooking could not hold a candle to my mothers but in my hunger it tasted like liquid ambrosia. Within three days my body had restored all the residue damage suffered in the wild escape.
While not my favorite way of training, the experience had a great benefit for my scales and muscles. With nothing better to do I laid my focus on cultivating QI. Mana and “meditation” (sleeping like a rock).
Like this five of the seven days were spent in my comfy bed of straw. But all pleasant things have to come to an end. As I was taking a nap a commotion erupted inside the stables. Some richly dressed children, a boy and a girl were looking at the resting beasts. The large number of guards following them combined with a butler-looking man that kept trying to get them to head home were highly annoying.
Trying hard to stay polite I simply closed the large door to my compartment using my tail.
Burying my head in the straw hoping for precious sleep to come back.
POV butler to the great house of Durmont
It had been three hours since the young masters had decided to inspect the city.
Mischievous as always they had gotten their fathers Lord Rexais Duromont agreement for this “excursion”. I had barely enough time to organize a small team of guards to at least guarantee the safety of my charges.
We had been through countless stores and stands the young masters curiosity had finally dragged us into the third ring towards the beast stables. As twins the two young masters were held in high regard by their parents, I had my hands full to prevent them being spoiled rotten.
The older twin Horsan Durmont played the leading role in this excursion, his younger sister Inlais Durmont got practically dragged through the city. They wandered the compartments in wonder, beasts from all over the world taking their rest or waiting for their masters.
Their innocent eyes sparkling as they watched the majestic and exotic forms.
“Carlton I want my own beast!” proclaimed the young Horsan, puffing his chest as far as a seven-year old could manage. I could only helplessly follow as he barged from box to box unsettling many of the inhabitants.
Just in this moment the stable-master arrived bowing and greeting us.
“Why is the door closed?” filled with child-like innocence Horsan was rattling on the only closed door in the stable. “Well a look could not hurt” I thought, completely missing how pale the stable-master had become.
“Honorable Carlton, it would be better to refrain from opening THAT door, beast and master are nothing you want to offend!”
It was too late, Horsan had gotten one of the guards we had brought to unlock the door. The door had barely opened as a thick silvery tail darted out, latching onto the door it closed once more.
While most of us were still dumbfounded by the action, the young lord was fuming “How dares that beast to refuse me? Stable-master punish it!”
“Honorable lords, I am afraid I cannot. This beast neither belongs to our stables nor does it carry anything which would enable me to punish it.”
The meaning slowly sunk into my mind, grabbing the stable-master by his beard I whisperer to him “ You want to tell me, that behind this door is an UNBOUND greater beast?”
He vigorously nodded, a slight smile tugged at the corners of my mouth, the lord would be highly interested in this information. Calling an end to the excursion we headed back to the castle, the young lords were quite unhappy with the sudden end but this took priority.
Dropping the young lords and their purchase off in the capable hands of their nanny's I made haste towards my masters chambers.
It was highly offending to just barge into his chambers but I did it anyways, behind the massive desk sat Lord Rexais Duromont one of his eyebrows raised looking at my disheveled form.
“I hope for your own sake Carlton, that whatever has brought you here is important!” His ice-cold voice made me sweat, “I bring urgent news! The southern beast-stables house an UNBOUND greater beast!”
Putting the documents he had just held down Rexais stood up. His hawk-like piercing gaze felt like digging into my skull. There he stood the Hero of many battles in all his glory, a sense of pride filled my chest for serving this great man. “Yes we were unable to confirm more in the short time available but it seems to be some Imoogi variant but it is neither bound by any contract, pledge or under any form of taming magic!” Lord Rexais turned towards the large window behind his desk, the setting sun casting his silhouette on the wall. Lips curling up into a smile that looked dangerous in his harsh face “Find its masters buy it! If that fails bind it! Use what you need to succeed!” The eagerness of my master spilled into me as I made haste towards the building housing the my masters most trusted, also referred to as “black guard”.