[IC] The Savage And Subservient (SleepingSilence x KatherinWinter)

[SleepingSilence]

Bastian watched Elizabeth raising herself up, blushing while the necklace around his neck shimmered, displaying an illusion of his wife. Bastian blinked and gulped, before caressing her lips with his paw, leaning over enough to kiss her longingly until she stopped. Reminiscing when his wife always jokingly praised him for being a better kisser, when asking whom she was comparing him to, she’d never say...

“Okay, okay. My brother’s wagon is located at the stables, secured in the back for only special customers. I’ll fetch you my permission notice and you lovebirds can be on your merry way.” The man said with some bitterness in his voice, shutting the door quickly and walking off with thunderous stomps that could be heard from the outside. Bastian cleared his throat, looking at Elizabeth.

“I’m sorry. I’ll get you some dry clothes and some blankets when we return to the stables…” Bastian said looking up noticing the heavier rain had changed to a lighter drizzle. Hearing the man mumbling inaudibly, sounding like he was having a conversation. The door quickly swung open widely from a gust of wind, the man seemed to glance off to his right before extending his arm with a rolled up parchment paper in his grasp.

“Here. Maybe serve me the heads that murdered my brother to express your gratitude.” The man stated. Bastian quickly stepped closer toward the door, taking and securing the parchment inside something made of wool. Bastian reached out for Elizabeth’s hand and turned to leave, but his ears perked up hearing the faintest cry coming from a woman that didn’t sound like Elizabeth. His clenched his teeth, his eyes narrowed turning quickly watching the man push his door closed in haste. Thrusting his paw to grab the door inches away from closing again and promptly storming inside the butchery, leaving Elizabeth outside. Bastian looked in shock and disgust, seeing animal carcasses chained up against the wall. Along with a woman wearing only underwear and a blindfold, restrained having the man wrapping something around her mouth. Bastian’s necklace started getting darker. Rushing to the man and grabbing his face with his paw and squeezing it tightly, claws piercing into his flesh. The man squirmed and starting hitting Bastian, but it didn’t even make him flinch.

“I should castrate you where you stand!” Bastian snarled drawing his sword with opposite paw.

“Wait-wait! I’ve respected her and paid her for her time. I-I haven’t even had her yet...” The man pleaded. Bastian took every bit of fortitude not to kill him, throwing him down to the ground in front of him and raised his foot and slamming it down and pinning him underneath his weight, knocking the air out of his lungs. Removing the woman’s gag, her voice sounded parched like she hadn’t drank anything for a while.

“H-he never told me...when I-asked for more, h-he got v-very angry…” The woman forced out with a couple words in the middle were inaudible even for Bastian. Bastian took his foot off the man, quickly crawled away from Bastian, toward the other end of the wall, having a table lined with blades. The man was quickly lifted off the ground with both paws, slamming his head against the wall, knocking him unconscious. The necklace’s aura faded once again.

“My gratitude is toward my friend and it’s keeping you alive.” Bastian thought, removing the woman’s blindfold and restraints. She stood shaking, looking at Bastian who averted his eyes, then down at the motionless man upon the ground, rushing over and grabbing her clothes and coin purse lying nearby the fireplace. “Hurry and get out of here…”

“T-thank you.” She uttered running outside and past Elizabeth disappearing into the streets without another word. Bastian turned around hoping Elizabeth hadn’t witnessed what happened, him nearly losing control and acting violently again.

[KatherinWinter]

Liz had never been kissed. So sharing this kiss with the bestin was overwhelming. She didntnknow what to expect. She did her best to match his actions. It felt awkward. But apparently it was enough for the other nale. She stepped back unsure hpw she felt about the kiss. It hadnt been as bad as sge feard but she had nothing to compare it too so she didnt know if it had been good. But she could honestly say that it hadn't been bad.

"Don't worry about me. Im fine." Liz reassured her owner. While she was freezing she didn't want him to go go out of the way for ger comfort. She didn't matter. She was just a slave. She had learned her place in the last could of years. She wouldnt let the beastkind's promise of freedom allow her to forget her place. She couldn't take the chance that he would change his mind.

She was glad to see that the rain had lessened. Liz frowned when her owner stormed into the otger room. She was tempted to sneak closer to take a peak. But the memory of what happened the last time kept her in place. She wrapped her arms around herself when she heard the beastkind growl at the human. She pictured all kinds of terrible things but nothing prepared her to see a naked human woman run by. She watched the woman in shock. What was going on? Had the human holding that woman against her will? Why? She supposed that it didmt matter. Atleast now she was free.

[SleepingSilence]

Bastian turned, consciously forgetting everything he left behind. Relieved that Elizabeth hadn't witnessed what happened, relaxing his clenched paws. Heading back outside through the door and walking up toward her. The warmth of the fire crackling from the fireplace reminding him, that he had left her out in the cold weather for far too long. Stepping down then without warning sweeping her off of her feet. Holding her close to his chest, still radiating heat from his thick fur, dashing forward toward the stables. His ears picking up sounds of parading metal clashing footsteps, soldiers approaching where they had departed...

* * *

They had arrived to the stables, nobody was around besides someone different than the usual assistant that he hadn't recognized, wearing typical stable boy attire, with a distinguished scar across his right cheek and just above his left eye, attentively watching over a couple horses. However his wagon and horse had disappeared from sight. Bastian quickly approached the man.

“After the many times I've been to these stables, I can't remember seeing the man that actually lived in the stable house...” Bastian recalled.

“Your horse is safe and sound.” The man assured with a heavy accent, clearly not speaking his first language. “Do you have the pass?” Bastian nodded in response, revealing the pass. Heading over to one of the barrels of hay where Bastian had previously chased away those men. Shoving the barrel forward, Bastian hearing a subtle click, witnessed the piece of floor behind the adjacent barrel opening, revealing the path of stairs that seemed to stretch out a great distance. He blinked only coming to a stark realization, glancing back the assistant who had a sinister smirk.

“Please, watch your step Bastian.” He said nonchalantly. Bringing a chill down Bastian's spine, he had never mentioned his name...

“I guess I didn't know very much about my friend after all...” Bastian thought, without further hesitation traveled down the stairs, hoping he wasn't about to bring Elizabeth into more danger. Hearing the door shutting behind him, making it too dark to see for Elizabeth. “Are you alright?”

[KatherinWinter]

Liz had stayed near the fire in an attempt to stay warm. She didn't know what to think about the human. It was too much. She had to trust that it had nothing to do with them. She squeaked when Bastian picked her up. She hadn't been expecting it. There was no reason for him to do it. She didn't argue or fight. She didn't feel like she had a right to do so. She figured that he could do whatever he wanted. Plus it was warmer by his body.

She was worried when she heard the soldiers behind them. Did that mean Bastian had done something wrong? Or was this because of the naked woman? The attack on the town? Or Bastian kids? Probably of all of them. She didn't know how to help him. All of this was overwhelming to her. She had so little experience with the world at large. She had lived a very sheltered life before she was arrested.

She was surprised when she saw that the horse and wagon were gone. She studied the human in the barn. There was something odd about him. She didn't know what it was though. She shivered when the man moved one of the barrels revealing stairs. She swallowed nervously when Bastian choose chose to descend them. She didn't like this at all. There was something off. But Bastian seemed to trust the man so she said nothing. She could only hope that he had made the right choice. "I am fine."

[SleepingSilence]

Before getting any further, the necklace started emitting a pale green light, drawing raised eyebrows from Bastian. It was quiet. Too quiet. Not a sound could be heard. Not a scent could be smelled. Feeling betrayed by his own senses. “That’s never happened before…” Bastian thought, nearly muttering it aloud. Allowing both the pleasure of staring at dull and decrepit gray walls and the many steps beneath. Bastian’s ears twitched, noticing a small rock resting upon the adjoining step. Blinking and lifting his foot slightly into the air, casually kicking the rock, watching it tumbling down the stairs noiselessly. Bastian promptly slammed his foot into the wall beside him, again hearing nothing. He shifted Elizabeth's position slightly, grip remaining firm, keeping her close.

“Could you hear that Elizabeth?” Bastian asked curiously, promptly returning to walk casually down the steps. Like madness, the further their descent, the atmosphere grew colder and darker, giving them chills down their spines. Carefully carrying her one step at a time, which he would’ve eventually lost count, even if he had been keeping track. Until-there wasn’t anymore steps, his feet finally met soft dirt, opening up into a wider tunnel. The tunnels were illuminated with torches hanging against the walls, showing that was a large barricaded metal gate entrance only a couple meters away from them. However, someone was even closer than that. Wearing black robes obscuring their presence and leaning against the wall, dwelling there long enough for the small dagger held between their bare toes to create the shape of an intricate skull into the dirt. Suddenly moving enough to show her face, long red hair flowing out of her hood and covering the left side of her face, along with a sharp grin.

“Ya heer fa tha wagan and whoresis?” She spoke in hardly understandable dialectic, like they were hardly literate or were used to speaking an entirely different language.

“I’ll assume she’s asking about the horses and wagon…” Bastian thought giving her a nod in response. She let out a sudden cackle, before walking off.

“Falla me.” She called out. Bastian reluctantly started following behind the peculiar woman, as they approached the gate.

[KatherinWinter]

Liz flinched when Bastian's necklace started to glow. The light wasn't bright just unexpected. She looked around but couldn't see much. She had a bad feeling about this. It wasn't just a hidden stairwell. There was something more here. She didn't know what though. She hoped it wasn't some demonic creature. She saw Bastian kick the wall. She frowned when she heard nothing. That wasn't good. There was no reason, other than magic, that she shouldn't have heard something.

She shook her head when he asked if she heard anything. Why was there a sound spell here? The walls were thick enough that they would muffle any sound made in the stairway. How could see hear Bastian? Nothing made sense. She simply didn't know enough about the world to know what to expect.

Liz didn't ask Bastian to put her down. She wasn't sure she wanted down and she was still too afraid to ask him for more than she actually had to. She barely stopped herself from screaming when the other woman appeared. If Liz had been paying attention she would have seen the woman there but she hadn't so the woman's appearance had startled her.

It took Liz several minutes to figure out what the woman was saying. She had never heard anyone talk like that. She wondered where the woman was from. But she supposed it didn't matter. How had they gotten the horse and wagon down here? Or was this just a tunnel that lead to where the horse and wagon were? How had they been able to move the horse? It had reacted negatively to the thieves. Had it known that these people meant them no harm? There were too many questions and not enough answers.

Liz worried when Bastian followed the woman without hesitation. Did he know her? Why did he trust her? Did he sense something that she didn't? She didn't know what beastkind could pick up. But she didn't like this place or this woman. Something wasn't right.

[SleepingSilence]

Despite turning her back to Bastian, the robed woman casually approached the gate, with arms swaying in stride by her sides. His own heartbeat pounded like a drum. Butterflies fluttering in the pit of his stomach, feeling stalked, like the woman had eyes in the back of her head, equally analyzing every movement he made plodding along. Bastian sharply inhaled and exhaled slowly through his nose. “I don’t know why I’m so intimidated by someone with such a fragile frame…” Bastian thought.

She leaned forward and pulled her robe up, revealing her right leg and promptly releasing the long leather strap attached to her leg. She spinned around before Bastian could even notice what she pulled from the strap, until eyeing a small crossbow aimed squarely at his neck. He noticed her posture drastically changed, giving him a bothered glare.

“Peddler was right, there's not much going on upstairs is there?” She spoke raising the crossbow towards his head, in a completely different tone that was coherent. Bastian blinked, letting out a bewildered stammer.

“Excuse you? I figured you were armed, I just didn’t sense hostility...” Bastian uttered in defense, only receiving a further irritated look in response, before she dropped the crossbow to the ground. She stepped even closer and propped herself up on her tippy toes, raising her hand and delivered a swift smack across Bastian’s cheek. The dull sting lingering in his cheek was nowhere near as sharply damaged as his pride.

“And why couldn’t you defend yourself against clear hostility?” She chided. Bastian clenched his teeth, unable to answer. “Is it because you’re carrying a woman, whom I’m fairly certain isn’t injured and is completely capable of walking herself. Leaving yourself unnecessarily defenseless. Did she even ask for you to carry her?”

Bastian looked at Elizabeth, his cheeks flushing, just realizing that he hadn’t asked. “D-did you want to walk yourself? You seemed tired…”

She clicked her tongue and spun around again, revealing her bare leg which had intricate skull carved in his skin, like a tattoo, resembling Bastian’s necklace. He watched the skull on her leg shimmering crimson, unleashing a sense of unrestrained power. Bastian could feel the necklace getting uncomfortably warmer around his neck, feeling like he basking in the summer’s heat. Subsequently, the edges of the gate mimicked her glow, the doors swung open. “Why should I even be surprised? You didn’t have enough forethought to question your sense of hearing being suppressed the moment the exit closed behind you, that only powerful magic could manipulate so effectively, even for a second, if anything else was being suppressed, like someone’s hostile aura for instance?” She said in an increasingly derogatory tone. Bastian briefly grinded his teeth, shrugging off her words and criticism, until she turned her head back with a piercing stare.

“Your father would be so disappointed in you…” She uttered, shifting her gaze to Elizabeth. “So if I would’ve penetrated dum-dum’s skull with my crossbow, after you finished tumbling down the stairs. Assuming you didn’t break anything-how would you have managed to fend for yourself?” Her question for Elizabeth was equally sharply laced with condemnation.

[KatherinWinter]

Liz was surprised by the other woman's courage. She couldn't imagine talking to anyone like that. In away Liz admired the woman's strength. She was also surprised when Bastian blushed. She hadn't known that the beastkind could do that. It was interesting. She felt badly because she was the cause of it. She didn't know how she could have prevented it but that didn't make it any less her fault.

"I am fine. You can put me down." It was warmer here. Which was good. She didn't want to be an inconvenience. Which unfortunately didn't to be going all that well. She hadn't even thought about how holding her would limit Bastian. The woman was right he couldn't hold her and fight. But it wasn't like she had asked him to carry her. He was in charge. She couldn't tell him what to do.

Liz blinked in surprise when the woman addressed her. She didn't know what to say. She had never been around an aggressive woman before. She looked to Bastain for guidance but doubted that he could help. "I am a slave mistress. I wouldn't not defend myself. I am not allowed. If you had killed Bastian you would become my new owner." She stated simply. She knew her role and the rules that came with it. She accepted that she would live within the rules of her role the rest of her life.

[SleepingSilence]

Bastian had let Elizabeth down before she had answered the question. She appeared frustrated with Elizabeth's answer. The woman’s words cut like a knife. But being headstrong, it only dulled the blade attempting to pierce a solid stone block. “I could have easily fought someone off with my arms tied behind my back! I’m not going to have someone like her make a fool out of me!” Bastian thought briefly glancing at Elizabeth to check her distance from him, clenching his fists and stepping forward with an adamant stomp. Grabbing and drawing his blade halfway out of the strap with his opposite paw. Her reaction speed outpaced his, swiftly lifting her long leg, performing a 180 degree twirl. Holding a small dagger in-between her toes, centimeters away from Bastian’s neck. Before Bastian could even finish pulling out his sword, causing him to cease his actions. Bastian clenched his teeth, retaining a reserved expression, watching the woman smirk.

“Not dumb enough to try fighting an expert in killing dum-dum’s with all brawn and no brains are we?” She chided. Analyzing her eyes reflecting an impending desire for bloodlust, her patience seemed tested by restraining herself from sticking his jugular vein with the dagger. Answering with begrudging silence, Bastian sheathed the sword, clenching the hilt. Rubbing the back of his neck with his other paw, before scratching a sudden itch coming from his chest. She dropped her foot down, letting out her own sigh, prancing over to Elizabeth. Suddenly disrobing, revealing casual street clothing underneath, tossing the extra layer over Elizabeth’s soaked dress. She gave her a warm smile.

“Dum-dum di’ant pak yall spare clothes? Yall cat your death of cold.” The woman spoke with her previously broken dialect, chiding him again for failing to bring extra clothes. Bastian crossed his arms, hardly being able to see anything from inside the gate, being shrouded by fog.

“I would’ve had her change clothes, if whoever transported my wagon would have left my stuff present-” Bastian said.

“Yes, leaven em ya stuff, for bandats to rob ya blind. Smart thought dum-dum.” She interrupted, turning to face Bastian, just understandable enough for Bastian to realize the mocking continued.

“Why did you go back to speaking that way, if you only did that to catch us off guard? How would know anything about my father? Why would he associate himself with one of the assassin’s guilds?” Bastian questioned, crossing his arms. The woman gave him a prolonged glare, before taking the dagger and shoving into the dirt. Watching her meticulously crafting an image within the dirt. Creating another skull similar to before, closing her eyes briefly, the skull on the ground and the tattoo on her leg both started glowing red. She proceeded to gently tap her forehead then her neck, letting out a sharp breath.

“Because, I only use manipulation magic for language when I wish to intimidate. Otherwise, it’s wasting my reserves. Especially, when it’s spent talking to someone who shelters rocks inside their skull.” She explained putting her hands on her hips, words dripping with contempt. Licking the blood from her upper lip, coming down from her nose. “Everything’s already prepared, just step through the fog and you can be on your way and out of my sight.”

[KatherinWinter]

Liz frowned at how the woman was talking to Bastian. The beastkind wasn't stupid. Maybe rash but not stupid. Rash maybe but not stupid. He survived in a world that she barely understood. She didn't like the way the woman treated Bastian but she didn't care say anything. It was the first time that her status, rather than her lack of courage, stopped her from doing something. Liz mught not be able to stand up for herself but she had stood up for others in the past.

She reached out and touched Bastian's paw. She didn't know much about magic but she could see that the woman's magic was similar to his. But she didn't think that meant that she was on there side. Liz hesitated a minute before expressing her concerns. "Bastian what did moving the horse and wagon accomplish? The guards will know you have it. I don't know where this tunnel goes. Do you?"

They couldn't really afford the delay but something wasn't right here. Liz didn't know what it was. She thought they needed to stop and evaluate the situation. Moving the wagon accomplished nothing as far as she could see. It only delayed them which couldn't be a good thing. They needed to be ready for whatever was at the end of the tunnel.

[SleepingSilence]

The fog pouring from the tunnel’s exit, growing thicker like standing beside a blazing fire. The direction it headed was obscure as the woman’s explanations. Bastian looked down at Elizabeth, blinking, not knowing how to answer that. He was aware “Peddler” was a seldom used code name, for his beastkind friend. A well kept secret, meaning the assassin had to know him well enough for that. The sole reason for coming down here relied upon how much his friend allies could be trusted. His instincts were poorly balancing on a fine wire, high above the ground, wavering the longer he stood around. Only staying confident that he had made the correct decision, from his refusal to be wrong. He smiled at her, looking at the assassin, giving her a reserved stare.

“Although it remains speculation on my part. I’ve been told before that the assassin guilds have allied themselves over the past decade, which lead to them combing their resources and wide access to underground pathways. Impressive underground tunnels that are interconnected and span across multiple forts, towns and cities. Removing mountain ranges and heavily dense forests, large bodies of water, structures and the rest. Greatly reducing their travel times over what would be considered long distances...the guards in the city aren’t actually concerned with me, if anything they’d be interested in my knowledge of this place-” Bastian explained.

“And ya betta keep ya trap shot.” The woman scorned, rhythmically tapping her foot. One, two three times, growing further irritated, wiggling her fingers and toes. She stormed over and picked up her crossbow of the floor, and briefly aiming it toward Bastian, her arm fully extended, promptly pointing it at the entrance. “Ya know, I wahz only instructed to keep ya alive and take ya near the whoresis. Do not test me.”

“Maybe it’s pointless to ask questions. Clearly this woman isn’t mentally stable, leaving may be our better option...” Bastian thought clenching his paws, despite feeling disappointed in his own grumpiness, bitter as a lemon. Merely nodding and offering to take Elizabeth’s hand, before stepping through the fog and only time would answer where they’d eventually end up...

[KatherinWinter]

Assassin's guild. Liz paled at those words. She was sure that Bastian meant the words to be reassuring. But they weren't. She nodded and pulled her hand back. She had been stupid to question him. Of course he knew better than she did. She worried that she would cause more problems for him than anything. She wrapped her arms around herself. No more questions. She would follow him. It was better that she didn't know anymore than necessary.

These caves might save time but they couldn't follow the trail from down here. Could they. She wondered. Liz accepted Bastian's hand because she feared she would get lost in the dark if she didn't. She was silent as the fog closed around them. She shivered. The fog wasn't natural. It couldn't be. Again she wondered how she ended in such a complicated world.

She was a sheltered human girl. She knew she had been taught to tend to the ends of others. She had healing skills. She could saw and cook. She had been raised to be the perfect hostess to some sophisticated man. But then her father had gotten into trouble and rather than paying the price himself he had framed Liz knowing she would never stand up for herself. No she would never be able to stand up for herself or anyone else.

[SleepingSilence]

Seeing red, unable to decipher the literal from the figurative, though he wouldn’t even be able to decipher waving his paw in front of face due to the growing thickness of the fog. Holding his breath and slowly pushing forward like he was submerged in oil, feeling an suffocating aura, depleting the oxygen out of his lungs. Bastian had pushed forward, taking several attempts reaching out blindly, grabbing Elizabeth’s hand. The necklace grew warm around his neck. Desperation grew in his head like weeds, more and more thoughts of his children suffering and dying on the ground like his friend, sprouting in his mind, covering up any other thoughts and killing them. Bastian grew impatient like time, progressing forward without concern of its surroundings. His heartbeat accelerated, suddenly bolting through the tunnel, unknowingly tugging her behind him.

“Call me mentally unstable? You can hardly keep yourself from spilling out onto the ground like a cracked egg. If that necklace drove your father delirious in his age, it’s doubtful you have much time left.” The woman thought, staring forward into the crimson haze that the two eventually vanished from. The tattoo on her leg glowing brightly and stopped, causing the fog to quickly disperse into nothing, revealing the supposed tunnel being covered in rubble. Turning to the rock wall to her right, suddenly opening up, stepping through the light. “So full of hubris, he really is unaware of how insignificant he is compared to his father...you better hurry and get to the next town, or your target will slip right through your claws, by nightfall tomorrow...”

Finally realizing when they exited that tunnel. The environment changed dramatically, suddenly seeing bright blue skies and sprawling trees, gasping, albeit not for the fresh air. His ears twitched to the roaring waters rushing closer from behind him, the waterfall shoving Bastian and Elizabeth off the edge of a silvery cavern cliff. Bastian, with seconds to spare, clutched Elizabeth and held onto her. Plummeting into depths of the large translucent lake beneath…

Bastian surfaced quickly with his necklace shimmering, kicking and splashing, swimming toward dry land, leading Elizabeth in his grasp. Getting out of the water, releasing her before coughing and clenching the soft soil in-between his claws seeping through them. With clenched teeth and eyes narrowed, letting out the quickest deep growl, slamming his palms into the dirt, while he simultaneously shouted out letting out his pent up anger...

“Damn her!”

[KatherinWinter]

Liz squeaked in surprise when Bastian squeezed her hand. She didn't like the fog. She couldn't see anything. Even though she knew that the beastkind was right in front of her she felt alone. The feeling made her panic. She wasn't ready to be alone. She didn't know if she ever would be. She wasn't strong or smart. It was hard to keep going but she did because Bastian pulled her along. If he hadn't Liz would have stopped.

She didn't even notice when they were no longer in the cave. It took a few minutes for the fear to clear her mind. By that time Bastian was pulling her into his arms and they were in the water. Liz panicked. She didn't know how to swim and had no idea if Bastian could or not. But before she could panic they were on land. Liz blinked in surprise. She had no idea how they had gotten here. More magic she decided. She coughed and shivered. She was exhausted and cold but she knew they couldn't stop here. They needed to get to the wagon. She rolled over so she could get to her feet. She looked around but had no idea where they were. Hopefully Bastian knew where they were. Liz backed way when he yelled. While she knew he wasn't angry at her the assassin, as far as she could see, wasn't around for him to vent his frustrations out on. She feared that she would be his target since there was no one else around. "I am sorry I upset her. I should have kept quiet."

[SleepingSilence]

Bastian’s temper burned, like his necklace’s radiance, feeling like fire was choking his neck. He grasped his necklace sharply pulling it away, letting out gasping breaths. He stood upright, water dripping from his fur from head to tail, releasing every drop of rage. Cooling off fast as his necklace dulled, becoming calm, like the lake as it ripples behind them from the colorful school fish swaying and jumping out and in the water, lying just under the surface. He turned to Elizabeth with an ashamed and guilty look, extending his paw to help her up. Unable to meet her eyes in the moment, he instead glanced at his reflection while reflecting on his actions. But only for moment...

“It’s neither of our faults for what happened to us, don’t accept blame for others transgressions.” Bastian assured her in a gentle tone, though in the back of his head, he was also speaking for himself. He looked around, smiling when he noticed the coveted wagon with his and his friend’s horse shading underneath the trees. “Let’s both get changed, you can eat something and then we’ll head out-” Bastian’s stomach let out a moan in protest, causing him to clear his throat. “I guess we can both eat something.” He uttered rubbing his cheek with his other paw.

[KatherinWinter]

Liz eyed Bastian uncertainty. She didn't understand him. She could see his anger. Not only because his necklace indicated that it was there. She bite her lip nervously as she watched him. He was unpredictable. Not only because of his inhuman nature, but because he wasn't like any man she had ever known. Not that that was a bad thing. It just made it hard for her to know what to expect from him.

She nodded when he suggested that they change and eat. Both sounded like good ideas. Liz was freezing. Being a slave meant that she had little body fat to protect her from the cold. She followed him to the wagon. She still didn't know what good moving the wagon had done. If the wagon had been in the tunnels out of sight that would have made sense but it wasn't. They were out in the open. Maybe they had covered more distance she thought but she couldn't tell for sure. She had no idea where they were. She didn't see anything that she could used to identify were they were. All she could see was the waterfall, the road and some fields. Nothing that told her how far they might be from the city. Hopefully Bastian had a better idea of where they were. She followed behind him doing her best to keep up.

[SleepingSilence]

Bastian immediately headed toward the back of the wagon, letting his curiosity sleep with the fishes. Even a cursory glance was reassuring, that all his possessions and more was inside this wagon. After wiping his paws off, he pulled out some clean clothes for Elizabeth and a fresh robe for himself. The material was like caressing a fluffy cloud, softly inhaling their pleasant aroma before sighing.

Seeing his steed steadily growing restless, he headed to the front. Holding both sets of clothes in his left paw. Taking turns to rub both of the horses heads, their heads leaning into his paw. Watching Elizabeth’s reactions and movements, his tail nervously twitched, unconsciously rubbing his own head before glancing up at his own paw.

“Am I trying to reassure myself, like I was the horses?” Bastian thought before shrugging it off quickly. The cogs inside his mind started churning out thoughts fast enough to turn cream into butter. He cleared his throat, attempting to focus, stepping forward and handing her the clothes.

“I’ve heard a group of bandits called ‘The Scorned Ravens’ have been getting more bold lately, harassing traveling merchants coming to and from these towns, maybe we were fortunate enough to avoid the areas their most commonly spotted. So we should have safe travels until we reach the city.” He explained, smiling at her. Unbeknownst to Bastian’s these flyers that he kept seeing plastered on the walls of the city were completely fabricated.

Turning around and going behind the bushes, allowing her some privacy. Hearing sounds of birds chattering amongst themselves in the trees. Unstrapping his belts and discarding his soaked apparel on the ground below, before changing into the robe.

“I wonder what she thinks of me, after everything that’s happened. The last thing I want is for her to see me as a monster, unable to differentiate from the ones I’ve been trying to stop all my life. Like my father, my grandfather and every generation of my family...and with my unwavering moral code. I hope...I have the chance to teach my kids the same values.” The hair on the back of his neck stood up, feeling something wet sliding down his cheeks. He quickly starting rubbing both eyes, but anger wasn’t the only repressed emotion flowing, only able to hold his breath like it would grant him invisibility, so Elizabeth wouldn’t see this.

“...How I am suppose to know when she’s finished changing?” He blushed when that question crossed his mind.

[KatherinWinter]

Liz was shaking so hard by the time they reached wagon. She watched him comfort the horses. Apparently they weren't very comfortable with whatever means were used used to get them here. She liked when she saw Bastian rubbing his own head. She was relieved to see that what happened bothered him on some level. It made her feel alittle less self conscious about feeling overwhelmed.

She took the clothes from Bastian. She watched as he walked away. She shook her head. She didn't think that she would ever understand her owner. There was no reason for him to leave her alone to change. She set the clothing down while she stripped. She carefully set the wet clothes into the wagon hoping they would dry.

Liz was about to reach for the dry clothes when she heard something. She paused and looked towards where Bastian had gone thinking that he had decided to use her after all. But it wasn't her beastkind that she saw but another. She froze unsure what to do. Did Bastian know this one the way he had the other one? It was possible even though this one was a different species than Bastian and his friend.

The beastkind looked her over before ignoring her. Luz was relieved that he seemed to have little interest in her. The beastkind stopped some distance from her. "Where is your owner? Surely he hasn't left you for another to claim?" The beastkind asked. He looked where she had last seen Bastian as if he knew that she was there.

[SleepingSilence]

The waterfall roared, erupting once again from the mountain. Bastian stepped out from behind the wagon. Dressed in flowing white, hood over his head and hiding the necklace around his neck. Standing in front of Elizabeth, carrying his sword’s hilt in his right paw. His posture was like a brick wall, holding the blade like a shield for his chest. He stared down the beastkind. If piercing eyes could draw blood, the stranger would already be dead.

“I beg your pardon, but we’re in a hurry and cannot dawdle any further. Please head inside.” Bastian said once the waterfall ceased. His tone docile as the waves rippling from another the school of fish. His ears twitching from the subtlest sounds coming from his surroundings. Hearing several birds descending from the tree branches, to pick at the worms squirming through the dirt. Bastian waited for their response before reacting, like the black cat crouched down inside the nearest bush. Its wide eyes twinkling, back-end swaying back and forth. Getting ready to pounce on its negligent meals, once they wandered just a bit closer...

“Why is someone else here? Why’d they transport us here, if the area wasn’t secluded and rarely occupied? Otherwise, someone could have found our wagon first. Assuming that was the purpose, I suppose we’re located near a body of clean water. Beastkind do seem to have better senses in that regard...it could still be a coincidence.” He thought.

[KatherinWinter]

The other beastkind shook his head at the dismissal. "I wouldn't be in such a hurry if I were you." He said moving towards the wagon. He took the invitation to get into the wagon even though he was sure that the other wasn't talking to him. "Interesting choice of companions you have friend. Personally I think she looks too weak to be much help to you. I suppose you could use her to get into places we aren't allowed to go but other than that I don't see her being able to help you get your children back."

He needed Bastian to listen to him. He had information that the other man needed. "We have the same goal. We are after the same people." He ignored the female's nakedness. He had no interest in her. He had no interest in females especially frail humans that couldn't handle mating with him.

Liz was used to being ignored so she thought little of the two talking. He th ought the differences between the two beastkind was amazing. Bastian was built like a wolf. While this new one seemed to be an odd mix of bird and tiger. His wings were bigger than anything she had ever seen. In fact she had never seen two species mixed the way this one seemed to be. She was curious about his statement about them being after the same people. Had his child been taken too? She got dressed before heading towards the wagon.