The trio had left the inn to go see Damien as demanded. On their way there, they were so excited they talked about the personal questions they would ask the said master of the forest. This was a monumental moment in their lives that they felt lucky to have experienced. It wasn't like they've never seen this said person, but seeing lead the veterans out on a hunt which rarely happened unless it was a "big one" and meeting him one on one and being engaged in a conversation with him was a whole new ball game.
"Do you think he can speak to plants?" Akira asked with excitement.
"Yeah why don't you ask him, I bet he also sleeps with them too you idiot!!!" Tuffy replied.
"Quiet you two, you are all going to be on your best behaviour. This is something we can't afford to ruin".Orin scolded .
" I would advice you listen to the smart one". One of the men escorting them said.
"Yeah, master has been in a mood lately. You don't want to "ACCIDENTALLY" get a trunk stuck in your behind now do you". The other soldier added smiling as he looked at the three and saw their expression change.
"Why do I feel like nothing about that would be an accident?". Tuffy whispered to Akira who had the biggest grin on his face ever which confused Tuffy. Was he really that happy to be meeting Damien? Tuffy thought but then decided to ask his friend.
"Hey bolt head what's up with that grin?". Tuffy asked
" Oh nothing. Do you think he can do it?" Akira replied.
"Do what?" Orin Asked but regretted it as the smile on Akira's face was a good enough spoiler for what was about to come out of his mouth.
"You know, stick one of those trunks in my .." Akira replied as he gestured towards the part he was talking about.
"Yeah and while he is at it, why not ask him to stick one in your empty head too idiot!". Tuffy replied. They went back and forth this way until the men escorting them got sick and threatened to cut their mouths off if they continued talking. The rest of the walk was relatively nuisance free. It was beginning to dawn on them that they'd actually be meeting Damien when they had arrived at place that was completely plant filled.
The place could virtually rival a forest as it had all sorts of thing in them. They walked between rolls of trees and up ahead they could see a house that had vines and all sorts around it. " This guy, he must be crazy " they all thought as they stared at the place. It wasn't surprising that they hadn't seen this place before. After all one would have to pass through many guards to get here. And not just anyone could come see Damien.
"When I take over, I'll have them allocate a huge portion, one bigger than this for me alone". Orin thought as he took in what he was seeing now. Soon after, they had arrived at "Damien's Shade" as the boys dubbed the house. It was larger than they had initially thought. The guards eventually knocked and the door opened only there was no one there to answer but then that's when they saw a vine crawling back up to the ceiling.
Admittedly it was creepy yet totally awesome they thought. Orin only saw this as Damien showing off his powers to a bunch of people he considered nobodies. And quite frankly that thought didn't sit well with him.
"You probably see us as expendable tools for your aim. But not to worry, this is a sacrifice I'll just have to pay for the grand goal. I can't wait to make you serve me when I take the book and choose my own ability!" Orin thought. It was safe to say he was the most ambitious and deadliest of the three.
More often than not, they would get into trouble for the plan Orin would hatch. But that didn't stop them from sheepishly following him. No matter of fact, they loved the thrill that came with getting into trouble. They were simply to put, pychos.
"Behave yourselves now, will you". One of the guards instructed as they then turned around to wait outside the door.
" Hello, my friends" Damien said as he walked from a corner and came behind them spooking them a little.
"Holy..you!!, now I have more reasons to make you my Butler!" Orin screamed in his mind as he was he was beyond livid at this point. He wouldn't dare show it though, not that he was scared of this person. In fact he was scared of no one, well except someone he recently met but still the only reason he was putting up with all of these was so he could get on Damien's good side and reap the benefits of being associated with a leader.
"Now straight to why I called you. But first, you...explain to me in details what happened in your fight with those outsiders". Damien said as he pointed at Orin.
" what the...who told him this!?....But then it occurred to Orin and that's when he turned to give Akira a death wish stare as he could only imagine who else the later must have told. It was obvious Zayn must have fished the information right out of Akira without even trying and this wasn't even a guess on Orin's part, he was certain.
..." if he knows so much as to the point of pointing me specifically out, then I might as well just tell him everything". He then let out a sigh and began to explain how he had gotten into a fight with the said outsider.
"You are leaving something out. Tell me everything!" Damien demanded as he looked at Orin with a fierce look.
"Come on man, open up to him how you stood and watch Rodney beat you up. I still can't believe you let him do something like that to you man". Akira said as he couldn't handle the boredom and just had to be a part of the discussion. He immediately got a mean look from his two companions that said they weren't pleased with him.
" What?!, don't look at me that way. I only know the name of the guy who whooped your butt because his friends were talking about him quite a lot the day Yang came to get him". Akira said in his defence.
"Can you just...just shut up already!!!!?" Tuffy scolded. Meanwhile Orin had his head bent, not because of the embarrassment from the things Akira said. No, he was boiling fiercely as every time he tried to forget the event, some how some way he would be reminded how he was made a fool by this Rodney in front of his comrades.
"There, I sense pure wrath. Trust me I know what it feels like, and I can help you. Tell me what he did" Damien said as he walked up to yang and pulled him by the hand as they walked away into another room leaving the two outside waiting for them.
After what a while, Damien and Orin stepped out again. And this time the aura around Orin had changed as he had this new found confidence in him. The others even though not sensing anything in particular could feel it. This sudden change in their friend.
"Now, I have a job for you. That was why I called for all of you. And I'm sure Zayn must have debriefed you all. But just to be clear, I only want you guys to spy on them and gather information. Your main priority should be the boy, Rodney if I'm correct". Damien said.
"Thank you master, we will not disappoint!" Orin who had now left Damien's side and gone back to the two he came with said. Right after that it was time for them to leave "Damien's Shade"
As the trio walked back though, they could see clearly now that Orin was indeed acting different. He wouldn't tell them what happened in there and wouldn't join in on their usual squabbles. What worried them the most is the fact that when Orin hated someone which he pretty much does for most people, it couldn't be hidden and they all saw the look on his face before he went in with Damien. He was definitely not the biggest fan of the Forest master.
"I can't believe he called him master, when was the last time you see Orin doing something out of respect?!" Tuffy whispered to Akira.
"That what you worried about?,I'm willing to bet he bribed Orin with something cool and he just doesn't want to share. Pfft master!" Akira said as he was clearly displeased by what was happening. And someone else did hop on his train of thought, Tuffy.
"You slippery snake!" Tuffy thought as he stared at Orin.
******
Mean while, in a dimly lit up room found within the dojo at the hunters base, two figures could be seen sitting down with incense burning around them. With legs crossed and eyes closed, they both sat in silence until one of them broke the silence.
"I can sense it!!"