It, or he, stepped out from the shadows of the cave. It was huge, about three times my height, (and I'm a very tall twenty one year old, mind), with fur that covered it's entire body. Instead of an ant's head, it had a lion's savage head, complete with those massive jaws that could rip apart a whole lamb. I guess that was why it was called a Lion-Ant.
Mel and Rudolph stepped back and hid behind me. I spread my hands out to signify to the monster that I was protecting them. But it really did not seem to be interested in them. It seemed, much to my consternation, to be interested in me.
"So tell me, human," it said in its hoarse imitation of human speech, "what you have done to anger the Termuzin mages for them to give you this extreme punishment?"
I guessed it was not ready to eat me yet, and I wad all too happy in accompanying it to talk.
"I committed no offense," I replied, looking it over discreetly to see if there were any weak points, and how I could attack, "I have come only to investigate what caused the sicknesses of my clansfolk,"
"Oho? But you did not answer my question, human. Why did they throw you in here? Did you kill one of their own? Did you betray their ruler? Did you steal?"
I was utterly disgusted at the last suggestion. Stealing contributed to a capital punishment here in Termuzin?!!
"I did not," I answered clearly.
To my horror, the Lion-Ant approached me. I pushed Rudolph and Mel away and wrapped them with a protective shield even as the Lion-Ant came close enough for me to see the distinct blood vessels in it's eyes.
"You do not lie, human," it said with almost a surprised tone.
"I do not lie," I replied almost proudly.
"In that case," and it stalked back, returning to it's position, "I shall disregard my promise to the Termuzin. Only this once,"
"What is your promise to the Termuzin?" I asked curiously.
The Lion-Ant King sighed.
"Years and years ago, when I was just hatched.... I hatched into a mage's hands. He took charge of me in my early days, but soon..." It's eyes darkened, "an intruder arrived. It was a human baby. My master had to decide between me and the human baby, as he couldn't take charge of us together. In the end, my master chose the human baby. He brought me to this cave and placed me in the Termuzin's care. I often wondered if he would return. He'd said to me then, after he'd taught me the human speech with his imprint on me, that when the human baby passed from his charge, he'd return to bring me away. It's been twenty one years. I made a promise to obey the Termuzin until my master returned."
I gasped.
Rudolph and Mel, seeing that the Lion-Ant had no slightest intention to eat any one of us, scurried to my side.
"Sister Nei, what is it?" Rudolph asked worriedly.
But I had been transported into a locked mind image message, specifically meant to be heard at this moment.