Sage continued to throw water on his body. He wondered if he should push the intruder to reveal herself or let her approach him so he could attack by surprise. Eventually he chose the first option and said out loud, "You know, I doubt you'll manage to stab me with that dagger from so far away love."
For a moment he didn't hear a sound. Instead of looking for the intruder, he just continued to swim. After hearing leaves crushing and the bushes rustling, he stopped swimming but continued to clean himself. He ran his fingers threw his thick locks, removing bits of dirt it'd collected, and while doing so he stated, "You're still too far to kill me, might want to get closer."
"And who said I was here to kill you?" replied a delicate female tone behind him
Sage couldn't help smiling when she answered him. Amused, he replied, "Well, excuse me for being wary of one who wears a 10 inch dagger on her person."
"It's simply for protection, one never knows what kind of monster lurks about ready to strike." she went on, and behind him the ground shifted slightly
Sage raised his head to the starry night sky, asking, "Is that what you think I am, a monster?"
"To me, no. But to others...perhaps."
Sage made an imperceptible smile at her response. As he gazed at the stars, his attacker silently glided into the water. He shut his eyes, and couldn't help but relish the sound of her voice, letting it play in his head like the chirping of a Volatile Beast in the morning, it was quite enchanting, almost too enchanting.
Recalling her words earlier he asked, "So who sent you out to hunt me? Because despite your confident voice and stride, I know you're trembling."
"You lie." Said the voice, "No man has eyes behind their head."
But her eyes widened when Sage suddenly disappeared only to reappear in front of her face, "Then I must be a monster." He smiled
Sage took her moment of shock to take in her features. She was small, almost a head shorter than him. She had an hour shape figure but her waist was so thin he doubted she ate much. Her hair was snow white and it flowed over her shoulders, she had a bronzed skin tone, thin eyebrows that were half hidden by her fringe. Velvety eyelashes draped over her eyes which Sage was surprised to see were colorless; a round nose and plush pair of blossom soft lips. As for her clothing, it tantalized him. She wore a cloth over her breast which was tied around her neck, and another cloth which covered her rear but only stopped at her thigh in the water. Another odd thing about her was the ink spread over her hands like a canvas, exactly like the ones on his face.
Now that his eyes had had its fill of the beautiful and unorthodox assassin, his eyes rose back to hers, they weren't filled with shock only, but also with recognition and a little guilt. Sage seemed baffled by her appearance and as he backed up in the water he interrogated, "Who are you? Where do you come from…and those, ink tattoos on your hands what are they? Why are your eyes like mine, do…do you know me?"
The young woman now looked completely perplexed, her hands shot to her mouth and with sadness in her eyes she quivered, "Oh no, gods not this…not you, not yet." She begged and immediately started to swim away
Sage upon seeing that this girl might be like him and might even know where he came from, instantly swam after her, but she was quite a skilled swimmer, she quickly reached the edge of the pond and came out the water, running away from him like he was a phantom out to haunt her. But once Sage's feet were on the grass he ran and came close to catching her. He halted for a second when Webster sent him yet another vision, warning him that she wasn't alone but his desperation for answers had made him careless, all he wanted was to question her.
Before the young woman could run through the curtain of leaves, Sage pounced on her, albeit not too gently. They both tumbled to the ground with Sage straddling her, he held both her arms pinned to the grassy ground above her head and as both of their chests heaved, he asked with urgency, "Answer me, do you know who I am, huh? Do you know where we come from, why are our eyes are…the way they are? Please, say something!" he begged
The woman wasn't talking, she turned her face away and since she wasn't physically strong, she couldn't free herself from his hold so she eventually calmed down but her face was growing red as she held back tears of frustration. Sage couldn't stand seeing a woman cry, its why he loosened his hold on her arms and tried to speak more calmly, "Please, I beg of you, answer me. I know you know me, I just need you to say it, please."
His pleas only seemed to make her sadder, eventually she looked into his colorless eyes, the same as hers and again he saw it, she knew him and somewhere in his mind, he could tell she wasn't a stranger to him either. A chortle of disbelief and relief formed on his lips then, he ran his hand through his locks mumbling to himself, "She knows me, gods she knows me."
Sage blew out a breath, still trying to wrap his head around the idea that there was someone else like him in the world. He'd never dreamt of that possibility, he'd always thought he was the only odd looking human in existence. But hold on, why had she come after him with a dagger?
"I don't understand. Why have you come after me?" asked Sage, raising a suspicious brow
The woman shook the head then, she looked so distraught, so regretful about something. She sniveled, "If I had known it was you, I would have never brought them here I swear."
"Brought who here?"
"It's too late, they've already activated the force field. There's no place to run and your beast can't help you." She said gravely
"Webster? Oh gods, WEBSTER!!"" called Sage in alarm, only then did he realize he couldn't feel his beast anywhere, their close connection was completely gone, he couldn't even sense if it was okay or not
At once he began to fear for his beast's life, he immediately left the woman and ran with all haste past the curtain of leaves, into a clearing with trees surrounding it. But he stopped in his tracks due to the four individuals blocking his path.
"What on Wilderbeast..." he muttered, unable to figure out who these individuals could be
All four of them wore masks made from Sheerdactile scales that only left their eyes and hair opened. The other peculiar thing was that they didn't have any beasts around them, instead they owned the strangest of weapons that Sage realized was made from Beast parts.
"What the hell." thought Sage with disgust, he'd never read anything about people who used Beast parts as weapons. It didn't even make sense, Beasts were natural weapons for most people, it wasn't necessary to cut them up. Unless of course, these masked assassins didn't know how to tame a Beast, so instead they took whatever they needed from the mutations. The thought was so sickening, Sage felt his blood boil, and at once he demanded, "WHERE IS MY BEAST?"
The one to the left whom he guessed was a woman though she wore trousers, brought her hand up and in her palm was the little Elaspipus, its once black skin had turned pale and it laid practically limp in her hands. With a monotone voice its captor said, "You mean this beast?"
Sage couldn't explain the anger that burned through his veins when he saw the state of his beast, his hands tightened so hard veins bulged up his arm and even on his naked chest. His breathing was hard and his voice a growl when he demanded, "Give…him…back!"
The one who was next to the masked woman took a step towards Sage, his grotesque weapon was a big black wrinkly bow made from the skin of a Komobian (komodo dragon/frog) Beast. Strapped to his back were several glowing arrows Sage guessed were made from the frog like throat of the Komobian. Since Komobians were poisonous, Sage was certain it was with one of those arrows they paralyzed Webster rendered and it sick.
A dangerous scowl spread on Sage's face when he declared, "I swear you will regret harming my beast..."
"Is that so? We have your mutation, which means you're powerless. There is a barrier around this place strong enough to take away the abilities of a Mystic Beast. The field itself contains a fragment of the meteorite shell that fell on the planet a century ago, meaning no matter how dangerous our contractor says you are, no way in hell will you succeed anything." gloated the first masked man and even if Sage couldn't see his face, he knew he was smirking
Sage made a smirk of his own, cracked each of his knuckles and said, "Put that way, it does seem like I'm done for. Unfortunately for you, this field also broke my connection with my Beast…"
"So?" asked the masked woman, holding the gruesome scythe
"...So, you may have paralyzed my beast, but not me."
The third individual had heard enough, he sighed with boredom as he gestured to the one with the bow, "Alpha, bring down the bastard won't you."
But before Alpha could make a move, Sage grinned as he began to transform before their very eyes.
"Oh crap." Mumbled the masked woman, her blue eyes were wide with alarm. She secured Sage's beast on her and quickly activated her scythe by turning the blade around. The staff of her scythe had the same skin as that of a Hoptah Beast which was part cheetah except that the dotted pattern was green. The blade was made from the rock solid scales of an Armeanic Beast and due to its fiery abilities, it brought out magma that dripped down, killing the grass it touched.
As for the masked man who seemed to be bored often, he sighed, "Told you the field wouldn't hold him." He pulled out a giant, heavy looking hammer that seemed to be made from several Beast bones. Sage couldn't even tell how many Beasts must've died to create that monstrosity. Somehow these bones were held together by a Hailstorm Beast's jellyfish strands and parts of the Beast's chilly wings. Once he slammed down his hammer, the weapon turned frosty, releasing cold vapors that were also charged with static electricity.
The fourth man on the other hand didn't do anything at all. He just stood there and observed, for some reason Sage felt annoyed by him the most. But his aim was to get his Beast back and then get away from these masked freaks, whatever they were he could tell they wouldn't be easy to defeat. By now Sage was an Elaspipus himself, causing Alpha to say wearily, "This was not in the job description."
They all took a moment to gape at the monstrous Beast before them, Sage now had two large spider eyes. He flexed his Mole claws and menacingly swung his big Tentacle tail around. He went down on all six of his spider arms which were attached to his mole hands, and he kept his grey bat ears quirked up so he could listen to each of their movement, breaths and heart beats. The tattooed spider webs on his face glowed brightly as he growled at them, daring them to attack. The only thing that was still human on him was his locks, aside from that everything on Sage resembled his Beast.
"Dammit, what freak did we land on this time?" cussed the masked woman
"…The biggest one of them all." Answered the bored one, still with an uninterested tone
Alpha took a breath, then said to his team, "Alright Burdens, you know the drill…GO!" he ordered
Right then they all charged at Sage. Sage's keen eyes watched as the scythe shot a beam full of magma at him, next Alpha was shooting five arrows per second and the bored one pounded his hammer down on the ground. It launched him in the air and with his hammer raised he swung it around then tossed it at Sage.
They were baffled when he just stood there grinning. Their attacks showered on him, causing an explosion that bent all the trees surrounding them, yet none of the masked people even flinched.
They waited to see if the humanoid Beast would pounce on them but nothing happened. There was too much smoke for them to see Sage, so at Alpha's signal, the woman turned the tip of her staff, switching off the magma ability of her scythe. She swung her weapon so strongly, the wind it caused parted the smoke, but their target was nowhere to be found.
"You fellas see him anywhere?" yelled Alpha as he and the other two looked around wondering where he could've escaped to
But the calm masked individual looked to where Sage had once stood and pointed, "There."
The others all looked to where he pointed and upon seeing the hole in the ground, Alpha notified, "He's underground. This bastard's a tricky one." He thought, he hadn't expected Sage to transform into a mutation much less acquire all its skills. Sage was unlike anything they'd ever faced, fortunately they always came prepared, he just had to step up his game.
At once he bent his bow and stretched it, somehow the weapon was so malleable it turned into a staff, Alpha pulled out a round grey hairy disc resembling an Elaspipus ear from the sack on his back. He placed it on the tip of his staff then stuck it to the ground.
His comrades instantly distanced themselves and he blew into the hole at the top of his staff. It let out an ear breaking sound similar to that of an Elaspipus echo. It burst under the ground making it quake, and it was so loud it even reached the surface. The Alpha smirked, knowing no Beast could stand such a piercing sound, not even an Elaspipus since his weapon magnified the sound 1000 folds to what the original Beast could create.
Right then he called out, "Come on out demon, I know you're down there…"
But he instantly froze and the others were all shocked when Sage's beastly form appeared out of the blue, right behind him, and he growled like a monster in his right ear, "Guess again."
At once Sage held Alpha to him. His octopus tail wrapped around Alpha's staff and in the blink of an eye Sage angrily pulled the weapon and pounded it against Alpha's throat, holding it there so that he started to choke. Meanwhile the bored individual with the hammer charged at him and Sage shot a multitude of webs out his six mole hands like a cannon. Surprisingly, the man was agile, he flipped and dodged each web bullet until he was so close to Sage, he tightened his hold on the hammer, causing the weapon to charge up with as much ice and electricity it could wield. Then he swung the hammer so that it would smash Sage's side as well as blast him to shreds.
Sage grinned, and the man's eyes bulged when the beast bent back like a spineless creature, so his hammer swung over him. Sage released Alpha's staff, enabling the latter to breathe again. Unfortunately, the bored man had used so much force he couldn't stop his hammer from knocking Alpha's side. Before the hammer shot out its powerful blast, Sage vanished again and Alpha screamed as he was launched far away, past the curtains of leaves, probably laying unconscious on the ground.
The bored individual was first too concerned that he might've killed Alpha to sense Sage's invisible self moving past him. The masked woman looked dumbstruck by what happen to Alpha, she'd never seen anything move so fast before. The humanoid Beast had to be stopped before he took them all down.
She swung her scythe around her head, turn the blade before slamming it into the ground several times around her. Later the ground started to crack, going in all directions and from those cracks came out waves of thick magma, even her colleagues had to protect themselves from getting burnt. It was a good thing the force field blocked out sounds from the outside, or else guards would've interrupted them by now and no doubt their target's companions would've come to his rescue.
As the magma rose higher and higher out the cracks, Sage found it difficult to maneuver around, if the masked woman hadn't had his Beast he would've attacked her next but he couldn't hurt her until he got Webster back. And it still bothered him that the other colleague hadn't tried to attack him yet, what was he waiting for?
Nevertheless, he focused his attention on the masked man with the hammer, he knew what the hammer could do and he planned on taking it. Besides the bored man was pretty shaken after what he did to their colleague which meant he was easy prey for Sage.
The masked man with the hammer, used his weapon to freeze whatever magma was about to rain over him and his calm colleague. He also kept his eyes out for the monster, eager to get his revenge for fooling him into hurting Alpha.
The moment he saw Sage leaping his way on all six paws he charged with mad fury despite the masked woman warning him not to get closer. Sage once again grinned as he shot webs out his mouth at the masked man who thought, "You won't fool me twice." Instead of slamming Sage, he swung his hammer and with a cry, he brought it down on the ground. The magma and the rest of the ground were frozen in mere seconds. Unfortunately for him, Sage leaped in the air and vanished whilst his colleagues all had their legs frozen to the ground.
Furious, the woman yelled, "DAMMIT BLAND, STOP MESSING AROUND!"
"SHUT UP, I'M GOING TO CAPTURE IT ALRIGHT!" he yelled back, looking about, desperately searching for his prey. Then he cussed, hating how Sage kept getting away and fooling him into attacking his own colleagues.
Just when he'd been about to use his hamme wr to blast everything around him, he shrieked, his eyes were covered with web . He dropped his hammer, wincing as he desperately tried to yank off the web and behind him the masked woman swore, "Shit, that beast is going to kill Bland if I don't do something fast." But try as she might, she couldn't get her feet or her scythe out the frozen floor
As for the masked man with the hammer, he was still trying to get his eyes free but with no luck, even his hands had gotten stuck to the web causing him to cry out in panic, "LAX, SPADE; HELP ME, I…I'M STUCK I CAN'T SEE!"
Lax who was still observing said nothing and didn't do anything but watch. As for Spade the masked woman, she gritted her teeth and finally managed to pull her scythe out. Without wasting any time, she used the magma of her weapon to melt the ice on her feet, then ran towards Bland, shooting heaps of liquid fire in all directions incase the monster attacked her while invisible.
Unfortunately, before she could reach Bland, she heard a sound behind her so she looked back. There was another hole in the ice a meter from where she'd stood, and she felt something zoom under her feet in Bland's direction, so she screamed, "Oh no, WATCH OUT BLAND!"
"WATCH OUT WHERE?!" Panicked Bland
He still had his eyes blinded and she was too far to reach him, so she shot a long beam of magma to where Sage had risen out the ground. He easily leaped over her fiery ray, then shot webs to the debris of ice near the hole he'd made, and threw them all at Bland. The latter shrieked as the block of ice hit him head on, fracturing a few bones and before long, he fell to the ground, groaning in agony and barely conscious.
"Just what the devil is this man?" groaned Spade in frustration. Yet another of her colleagues had fallen and now the monster was approaching her. Sage had Bland's hammer in his right hand and he swung it around, charging it with so much power the hammer looked like it'd break apart any moment. Usually she would've tried to fight this beast on her own, but she wasn't dumb, she knew he would overpower her and so she dropped her scythe and gently reached for the frail Elaspipus in her pocket saying, "Alright, you've won…here is your beast." She placed it on the icy ground
Sage continued to wing the hammer around but when Spade put his Beast down and stepped away, he dropped the hammer and started to turn back to normal. Yet he still looked pissed as he went over to pick Webster up. He glared at Spade and Lax, warning them he'd attack again if they tried anything. When he reached his beast and saw the state it was in, his face filled with anguish, "Oh love, I'm sorry I didn't protect you."
With Webster in his hand close to his chest, Sage visibly calmed down. His beast even in his weak state, tried to send him an echo but it was so weak it couldn't make a sound so Sage gently cuddled it as he hushed, "Enough Webster, don't speak alright. You will feel better soon." he promised gently so Webster said no more
He didn't know how he'd help his beast but he was certain Alexander would know what to do. But first he had to get away from the masked assassins. Even if he could transform again, the strength he'd used was what Webster had been able to give him, and now he'd basically used it up, meaning if they attacked him, he wouldn't stand very long.
He glared at the masked woman and the one who hadn't even tried to attack him, and could tell they still thought he was strong enough to kill them, and he'd continue to let them think so.
He made a beastly tone and warned, "If any of you come after me again, that will be the end of you. Ye get me?" he growled
The woman made a stiff nod but the calm one only kept staring, it was very strange how he'd just stood there all this while, Sage couldn't understand why he hadn't tried to help his comrades. There was something about him that made Sage uncomfortable and also, what happened to the woman he'd questioned earlier, she too hadn't tried to help her companions?
His attention went back to his Beast when it tried yet again to speak but instead it writhed in pain so Sage petted it gently as he sent an echo, "All is well."
Webster's eyes slowly closed and it brought Sage a spark of panic, due to the force field he couldn't fell Webster's pain but it looked like it was in quite a critical state. He swore if his beast didn't recover he'd track down these masked fiends and kill them.
Without wasting anymore time he ran, passing Spade who clutched her fist, furious they weren't strong enough to fulfill their mission...or not.
At that moment, Lax, the calm individual glanced at Spade as she made a signal with her fingers. He pulled out a fat crooked sword made from the black and white fur of a toxic Slunkth Beast. Except that the green algae at the tip of its fur showed that this Beast had evolved when it'd been killed for its skin. Meaning it was no longer a toxic Slunkth but an Interval Beast which was part of the Kronos Category.
This special Beast was so slow it had the ability to affect time. Though it wasn't a legendary Beast, it was qualified as a Mandatory beast, which meant only a Legendary Beast could hope to defeat it. Tis why it was so valuable and sought after on Wilderbeast, it could slow down entire armies at once, giving its master a huge advantage in battle.
Lax had saved this special weapon for a very unique mission and now that he deemed Sage worthy enough to taste his blade, he pointed that mighty sword at him. When he stroked his blade, the fur on the weapon stood on ends and the eyes belonging to the Interval Beast opened, looking straight in Sage's direction. In the eyes of the blade, a hour glass appeared and its sands began to drip down slower and slower.
Just as Sage began to feel his movement getting heavy and slow, Webster tried yet again to warn him. At the same time, coming out from the curtains was the woman with the same eyes as him, she panted as she yelled, "SAGE, MOVE AWAY!"
"Wait, how does she know my name?" Stunned, Sage turned around and it was then his eyes fell on the unholy weapon in Lax's hands. He tried to transform so he could run off with his beast, but he couldn't even move an inch of his body. He tried again and again but nothing worked, "Good gods, what's happening to me." He thought, trying once more to free himself from whatever powers was keeping him confined in his own body. He couldn't even move his eyes to see if Webster was okay and it got him angry, yet he couldn't scream or order them to let him go.
All he could do was watch hopelessly as the masked woman took back his beast, and Webster looked as stiff as a rock in her hand. Sage groaned, swore and struggled inside himself, desperate to get his Beast back but there was no use, as long as the eyes on the blade was pointed at him he'd remain a prisoner. The woman who'd tried to warn him, fell on her knees, she shook her head thinking, "What have I done?" when Sage was bound and chained up.
Right then Alpha came to her side looking completely healed and in good shape. He was proud to see their plan had worked so perfectly, though he couldn't understand why Bluebell looked so upset. After all those years he'd thought she'd finally accepted their way of life. He honestly wondered why she bothered to heal them if she hated what they did so much? No matter, now wasn't the time for regrets.
"Get to work Bluebell, our contractor is waiting and it's a long ride to the Frozen Island." He said with a yawn, stretching his muscles and moaning at the pain he still felt from that blast. He didn't blame Bland though, he'd never seen anything move so fast. They'd wanted to test the humanoid's strength and based on their beat down he wasn't surprised the King of the TriState wanted him. But he couldn't help being curious himself, what manner of man was this guy, he was human and yet his transformation was that of a Beast, Alpha had never seen anything so unusual and it intrigued him.
Bluebell continued to wallow in her guilt even as she got up to heal Bland who laid limp on the cold ice. She'd always known this day would come, but never could she have guessed it would turn out this way. Nor could she have dreamt she'd lead a group of Bounty Hunters for Hire to the being, the gods had requested she protect.
While she knelt by Bland's side, she glanced sadly at Sage whom Alpha carried like a log out the little forest. Her eyes met with Sage and she could've sworn he'd frowned at her. As he disappeared from her sight, she took a moment to calm herself and decided she would fix her mistake. One way or other she'd take Sage exactly where the gods wanted him. But in the meantime, she'd look out for him, like she was meant to.
§
It was about two hours before dawn, the streets were still empty, except for a few drunks. At sunrise the lower class citizens such as the farmers and peasants, would come out their homes to start working on their fields and cattle. Perhaps even the two wanted trespassers the Clerk had in his motel would rise early too, so he'd gone to see the head of the guards, in order to hand them over and cash in the reward.
Unlike the other guards who were probably sleeping on the job instead of patrolling the streets for the trespassers, the Head of the guard who's name was Kilian, was in a Tavern taking an early meal, since he was determined to track the fugitives before sunrise.
Though he seemed uninterested by the girls or his second cup of warm ale, his eyes kept glancing at the stage where a young woman with freckles on her face and a plump body was dancing as she sang for their entertainment. He wasn't the only one who looked attracted by the enticing lady, all the early risers kept whistling and howling praises at her, asking her for more.
But the reason why he kept his admiration hidden was because compared to all the fellows watching her, he was the only one who'd ever had a taste of her apple. In fact it was one of the reasons why he'd chosen this tavern to eat his breakfast. None in the Innlands knew about the affair, guards were respected amongst the people so it would be considered a scandal were anyone to find out he had a mistress.
It was surprising that none of the clients at the Tavern noticed how the skilled dancer kept sending furtive glances at Kilian. Or how she'd wave her dandy fingers at the other men, yet she'd blow kisses at him and a smile would crack on his lips, just before he'd stuff a piece of bread and cheese in his mouth.
If he hadn't been on a mission to find the trespassers, no doubt he would've spend the day watching her. Unfortunately for him, his fun ended when a scrawny man in his late twenties hurriedly took a seat opposite him. The man looked scared out of his mind and breathless, as if he'd walked for miles before coming here, which Kilian knew wasn't the case.
Once the man removed his hood, Kilian recognized him as the Clerk who ran the motel 2m away from this tavern. He couldn't help but look displeased to see the Clerk again, no doubt it was to complain about another missing bag of silver he'd probably lost, or of how someone who'd menaced him, was no doubt a smuggler or a crook, so he should be captured.
Kilian was even more annoyed when the Clerk took his cup of ale and drank it all down, letting out a heavy breath as he put down the empty cup. The Clerk then slumped back in his chair, saying with gratitude, "Thank you ever so much, I was parched."
Kilian crossed his big arms and leaned back in his chair speaking with an displeased tone, "Robin, I am already taken with a more pressing matter than any petty crime one of your residential clients might've caused, so I ask that you get back to your motel and leave me be."
A serving maid passed them at that moment so Kilian asked her with a curt smile, "Another cup of ale please."
"Sure thing sir." Said the girl with a blush, she took his cup and quickly walked to the counter, smiling at how handsome he always looked
The Clerk, Robin, forced himself to look unaffected by Kilian's popularity, but it always stung him that his twin brother had grown to be so admired on their lands whilst people always pushed him around, or stole from him in his own motel.
Now that another cup was on its way Kilian looked a little less angry at Robin, but he still wanted to get rid of him so he could get back to admiring Twilight, the singer on the stage. And so against his better judgement he asked, "What is it Robin? And let me warn you that if you've lost another bag of silver just so you don't pay taxes I'll..."
Robin instantly assured, "No, no Kilian, not this time."
A little relieved, Kilian didn't make too big of a fuss when Robin took the rest of his bread and cheese without asking, unfortunately it was a bad habit of his. He ate a few chunks then got right to it, "So last night a man, a lad and a lass came to the hotel looking for a single room...I thought it indecent but I didn't share my opinion."
"Good, then what happened?" Kilian seemed to get a sense he was going to like what his brother was saying
Robin went on, "Well turns out the lad, a boy of 13 years or so yelled out at me, threatening my life and that of my wife..."
"Robin, you haven't a bride." Reminded Kilian with a skeptic face
Robin rolled his eyes and beamed, "Yeah but he didn't know that. Anyways the lad insults me and gets right in my face, giving me lip and all. So to avoid trouble with the man who must've been his raiding partner, I gave him the key and all three went upstairs to their room. I thought the lad would cut my throat in my sleep so I..."
Kilian raised his hand, motioning his brother to stop, he knew his brother always liked to drag his stories instead of getting to the point so he did the job for him, "...Tell me, the lad wouldn't happen to have three mighty looking beasts with him would he?"
Robin leaned in right then and answered in a whisper, "He damn well did Kilian, the brat threatened me cause I asked for his beasts to stay out, can you believe it!" He exclaimed with the shake of his head
Excitement now sparked in his brother eyes, he even clasped Robin's shoulder asking, "And what of the man, did he have a strange spider like beast on his person?"
With a mouthful of bread, Robin nodded.
"Ratwag and Sheerdactiles, did they wear hoods?"
"Uh huh..."
Robin nearly choked when his brother rose from his seat so fast the chair fell, the sound caused the other people in the Tavern to gape at him but he didn't care. Robin blinked with confusion when his brother ran out the tavern one moment and returned with a wanted poster which he slammed on the table and pointed to, "Could these be the people you saw last night and are they still there?"
Only then did Robin understand why his brother was so excited, he swallowed the food in his mouth and just as the serving maid put down Kilian's cup he drank it down again. But Kilian sure wasn't bothered, especially when his brother replied, "Good Lords I'd nearly forgotten the point of my ranting. Kilian, that's them and you can believe they're in my motel right now."
"Way to go Robin." Kilian again clasped his brother's shoulder and Robin looked straight out proud of himself, he'd always known complaining daily to his brother would pay off someday
"What will you do now Kilian?"
Kilian quickly rolled up the wanted poster while he answered his brother, "Ain't it obvious Robin, my men and I will sneak in the trespasser's room and snatch them in their sleep. It's a darn shame the Beast of Burden's group aren't in town, they could've taken down the lad's beast in a flash." He grumbled then shrugged, "No matter, my men will handle them."
Kilian nodded at his brother in thanks just as he was about to leave the tavern but then, someone yelled behind him, "Where is the Head of the Guards known as Kilian, let him show himself before I start looking!"
The people of the Tavern began to gasp or scream with alarm. Some people rose off their seats and went deeper in the Tavern, Twilight froze on stage and held her heaving chest while the serving maids all huddled together for support.
All their frightened eyed were fixed on whatever was behind Kilian, his brother was even hyperventilating. The head of the guard turned around and he too was seized with shock (though he hid it well). In the doorway was the lad, the lass and his three beasts growling menacingly at them.
The lad who'd spoken earlier held a sword, his face was fierce and the beautiful girl beside him had swollen blue eyes, showing that she'd recently been crying. But the scary part was that her knuckles were bloody while the lad's blade was completely clean. Both of them looked dangerously angry, it was no wonder everyone was spooked.
Kilian bravely stepped up until he stood before the young lad, he made careful steps so none of the beasts felt the need to attack him, then he spoke, "I am Kilian, and you both are to come with me at once to the Sheriff's office for attacking the...what in tarnation!"
Neither the lad nor the lass had looked an inch interested by his statement and when Kilian stood in front of the door and looked outside, he spotted three of his men lying limp on the ground with thorns in their thighs.
Kilian ventured out the tavern and his breath caught at the sight of 8 more of his men unconscious on the ground going back several meters. Some looked a little electrocuted, others had frost melting off their feet but all had their mouths gagged. Even pedestrians were bound and they silently cried out at Kilian when they saw him. He hadn't heard his men fighting or calling out for help.
Kilian looked numb and completely baffled by how two kids could've achieved such an operation, this looked like the work of well trained Hunters, but he doubted any Kingdom would hire children to do a man's job. Not to mention they hadn't killed his men, no hunter left their victims live.
Therefore he turned to the lad asking bitterly, "Who the hell are you people, and what do you want?"
The lad raised a finger then, asking Kilian to wait. The latter was most annoyed when the boy took out another cloak from the pocket of his brown one, and he took his time wearing it. But at the sight of the fancy cape and the golden symbol on it. Kilian's mouth dropped and somewhere in the Tavern a woman fainted but the rest who watched were dumbstruck and speechless.
The boy's symbol shown even though the sun had just began to rise. They approached the head of guard with the stride of nobles and the lad now spoke with authority, "I am Alexander, seventh seat of the High Tower, member of the Guild and as a representative of the Capital, you will take us to your Sheriff at once." He ordered
Kilian upon realizing these kids were important Beast Tamers and Elders of the High Tower he instantly bowed his head in compliance, "Elder Alexander, I presume you must be the prodigy, your reputation proceeds you."
"You have no idea." Spat the lass he presumed was also an Elder though she kept her brown cloak. Kilian noticed that she looked more pissed than the prodigy and he was curious to know why, "Might I ask, what your business with the Sheriff is, Elders?"
Alexander replied firmly, "Our business is our business Kilian. But if you must know, an aspiring tamer of the guild, my apprentice has been kidnapped three hours ago on your land, and I want him found."
"I am very sorry to hear that. But there's never been any kidnappings on our land. Aside from assisting you in your apprentice's search, I don't think our sheriff can do more." Explained Kilian respectfully though his jaw kept tightening when he glanced at his wounded men, it angered him that respectable elders would disguise themselves as peasants to shut down a beast waging business.
Alexander scoffed at Kilian's remark, "Kilian, do not let your sheriff make a fool of you..."
"Pardon?" frowned Kilian
Alexander, realizing the head of the guards truly didn't understand him, held his hand out to Anora. She reached in the patch of her cloak and took out what looked like a dead beetle with chameleon eyes, and dragonfly wings. It was half the size of Anora's pinky, she placed it on Alexander's palm and he showed it to Kilian who shrugged with nonchalance, "It's a Flouge fly, there are many of them on the Innlands, but what does that have to..."
"...This tiny harmless Beast Kilian, has the ability to send whatever it sees to its owner. And the only reason there are so many on your land is because they are bred here by your sheriff in order to observe everything that happens on his territory...literally everything." Emphasized Alexander, nodding when Kilian's face lit up with understanding and then fear as he looked far ahead at Twilight who'd turned pale when she too figured out what it meant for them
"That's right Kilian, your perverted Sheriff has the means to find my apprentice and you're going to escort us to him immediately." Alexander couldn't help narrowing his eyes as he looked directly into Kilian's fearful gaze
As the people of the tavern and even the ones who were tied up all talked of how deranged the Sheriff was for spying on them, Kilian turned stiff with fury and resentment. He then nodded at Alexander and Anora, "I will escort you personally to the Sheriff's domain, he won't be in his quarter this early."
Anora cracked her knuckles, her gaze was hard and her jaw set when she hissed, "Perfect, then let us wake up the sleepy head."
With instructions left to Robin so the healers could attend to his men's wounds, Twilight and a few people freed the bound pedestrians. Once a chariot arrived, Kilian left with the Elders for the Sheriff's home, all three determined to give him a merry morning.
§
Sage didn't know who his Captors were but they had gadgets the likes he'd never imagined existed. After chaining him up, they'd used a pistol that contained bullets made from the blood of a Beast with the ability to teleport. It was known as The Porter Beast and was also part of the Juvance category, which meant to kill it, one would have to rip its heart out. When a bullet was shot, a breach had opened in the fabric of space and once they'd all gone through it, Sage found himself in an empty harbor where a small ship was getting ready to set afloat. No doubt the people working on the ship were members of the group, though they didn't wear masks they all had bite marks on their bodies.
The odd thing was, he didn't recognize the harbor, it certainly wasn't the Innlands' harbor he'd docked on this morning, which led him to think he was somewhere else. Sage hadn't even known there were beasts that could teleport. Or people who went around killing special and rare Beasts for their abilities, it was immoral and cruel. He couldn't understand why they weren't being tracked down by the law enforcers or even the Elders, they should've been apprehended by now.
Once the ship was set to sail, they'd placed Sage in a cell at the hull of the ship. All the while Lax had pointed that infernal sword at him and even left the weapon with him so he couldn't move. He'd been stuck in his body for three hours, groaning and cussing inside himself whenever he rocked against the cell bars as the ship tossed about on the water.
At some point he'd began to feel sleepy but refused to give in to the drowsiness, instead he'd tried to gain control of his body again but still, nothing worked, yet he refused to give up. He just had to free himself and find his beast, he hadn't known it but being so far away from Webster made him feel out of himself. Due to the loss of the force field he could feel his Beast again. At first Webster tried to reach out to him as it agonized. His pain nearly drove Sage mad with grief. A while back, Webster seemed to calm down but he couldn't tell if he was sleeping, or getting so sick their connection was weakening.
On top of everything he was starving and kept trying to figure out what his captors planned on doing with him and Webster. He was certain this group wasn't working for the man who'd sent the Hunter to his village, that individual wanted him dead. This was also another issue, whoever sent this group wanted him alive but why, what did they want with him and just who the hell were these masked villains anyway?
Sage felt an itch in his back and he yelled inside himself, feeling hopelessness sink in. He kept trying to break free, putting in so much effort his tense muscles bulged and yet it wasn't enough to free him.
Just when he prepared to try again, he heard a latch open, followed by the sound of footsteps drawing closer. He heard a set of keys rattling, and listened to the sound of his cell opening. Then the voice he'd grown to hate spoke with indifference, "I've been asked to release you for a while. Alpha says if you behave, warm food will be brought to you within an hour."
No doubt she'd turned the sword away from him because right then Sage flexed his limbs and groaned as he regained control over his muscles. He growled, "Dammit!" his muscles ached when he forced himself up. It took a few tries before he was able to walk straight again, but his drowsiness made him groggy so he wobbled as he walked towards the young woman, who suddenly spoke in secrecy, "I know I'm the last person you want to hear this from but, I will find a way to free you and your beast."
"Save it, I won't believe a word you say. My beast is sick because of you!" Accused Sage through clenched teeth but he leaned against the bars for balance when his drowsiness was getting heavier. He honestly didn't understand what was happening to him but he also didn't care. His heated gaze pierced that of the woman and she looked away in guilt.
"What have you done to him?"
"I assure you he's alright Sage. I sedated him and kept him in my quarter so no one could harm him. "
Sage's eyes blazed with fury when he rephrased, "You mean you drugged him. Damn you all!" He growled, rubbing his weary face as he fought against the sleep about to consume him
The woman had first looked hurt by his outburst but now she observed him seeming to understand what his problem was. Though he looked pissed enough to hurt her, she took cautious steps towards him and said, "I know you and your beast share a close bond, you probably feel whatever he feels don't you?"
Sage swayed on his feet, his drunken state made him look even more fearsome, "What's it to you?"
Since he was set on hating her, she assured him, "Sage, I may be with them but I'm not of them. I swear if I had known you were the one they were after...wait… SAGE!" She shrieked in panic
Sage was completely out of himself. He was groggy with sleep and annoyed at her, so angry she'd put him and his Beast in danger that he'd launched at her. Like a street fighter he snatched the dagger she hid at her back and caught her hands, pinning her against his broad frame as he placed the dagger at her neck.
Though frightened, she tried to call to his better judgement, "Sage, please be reasonable. We're on the open water so there's no place you can run to and don't even think of using the Blade, only Lax can control it..."
"Aren't you just the brightest." he said with a humorless smile, he hated that she'd been able to know what his plan was.
He shook his head to stay awake then asked in her ear, "Where are we going? Who the hell are you people, and what business do you have with me?" He growled, pressing the dagger closer to her skin
"Sage please..."
"And how do you know my name? Answer!" He ordered
Bluebell gulped. She licked her parched lips and said "They call themselves the Beast of Burdens. They do any service that is asked of them and right now we're headed to the TriState."
"The TriState, why?"
"I'm not certain. But the King of the TriState is the one who asked the group to find you and bring you to him...though I don't know what for?" She quickly added
Sage shut his eyes and let his head drop one moment. While he fought off the drowsiness he thought out loud, "This makes no sense whatsoever. I've never been to the TriState so what could the King want with me?"
She repeated, "I haven't a clue. But what you really need to know is that the Burdens have weapons that can do worse things than paralyze you. If you don't let me go and Alpha comes down here, I won't be able help you." She explained, daring to turn her head so she could stare into his drugged but cold eyes
Sage's anger subdued the moment he looked into her colorless eyes, instead of his rage, he felt betrayed. Sure she was a stranger to him but they were alike yet, she'd put him and his beast in danger. He had so many questions but he didn't feel now was the right moment to ask them. He was also intrigued by her involvement with the group. She was unique, he could tell, so why was she with the Beast murderers? Did her resemblance to him not pull at their curiosity? Had they sent her to him and were watching their discussion somehow? From the way she acted, he doubted they were being spied on. Still his instincts warned him to be careful, so he would.
She seemed once again to know what he was thinking because her fear of him turned to sympathy and she promised, "I will make this up to you Sage, you just have to let me help you."
Sage's half opened eyes continued to stare into hers, he could tell she was being honest but the loss of his beast took away his ability to trust her or anyone. Therefore, he leaned in and pressed the dagger just hard enough to graze her skin, she flinched but didn't break eye contact, Sage said in a lethal tone, "You still haven't told me how you know my name."
The woman's eyes widened one moment, she searched into his eyes and when it was certain he didn't remember anything, she seemed surprised. Then her face became unreadable when she asked, "Let me go Sage, please before they..."
"Answer the damn question." he insisted, pressing the dagger tighter as his face grew stern
But it seemed the woman was done talking to him because right then she stated, "You're not going to hurt me Sage."
He couldn't help making a wry laugh, "You really want to test that theory right now? Lady I'm on edge, I could kill you now and forget it later. Tell me what I want to know or else!" he snapped
The woman flinched again at his venomous tone but she stood her ground and held his gaze with her own as she stated with conviction, "You are not a killer Sage, you've never been one, and I'm the last person you'd ever hurt."
Confused by the sudden warmth in her voice, he scoffed, "Perhaps you're not as bright as I thought."
He looked her over then and an idea came in mind, "And please, don't think because you take yourself to be pleasant looking, that I won't hurt you."
An imperceptible smile formed on her lips then. Very gently she turned her body so that she was facing him. Though hesitant at first, she found the courage and stepped closer to Sage, and no matter how tightly he held the dagger she just kept getting nearer to him. He realized he risked slitting her throat if she didn't back away so when she came closer yet again, he swore under his breath but moved the dagger away.
Now that she was basically against him, Sage's sleepiness seemed to leave him and his eyes were as distracted as ever. He didn't want to appear soft for her to manipulate, so he laid out, "I suggest you move on out of here, before I..."
"Before you what Sage, hurt me? You can't hurt me, even if you wanted to." she said with a shrug
Sage's jaw was set and yet he could do nothing but glare at her. She was right though, he wasn't a killer and never would he hurt a woman, though this one was probably more dangerous than any weapon on this Ship. He watched her lift a hand and was about to place it on his chest, but he grabbed it, drawing a gasp out of her. She searched into his calm eyes wondering if she might've read him wrong, but somehow he was hiding his thoughts from her which was quite impressive.
Still gripping her hand, he closed the tiny gap that separated them so she had to raise her head to look at his face. Though he was tall and broad, he didn't overshadow her. She could tell he wasn't trying to scare her but she didn't know what he was planning on doing either. His gaze was intense and thoughtful, his expression was hard but approachable, even his grip felt loose like she could free her arm if she wanted to.
As he leaned in she could sense his whole being. His natural scent of Earth and fresh breeze from the waterfall. The strength of his heart as it pulsed through his grip. His warm body heat, though the ship approached the Frozen Island. Everything about him was strong yet gentle.
But he seemed determined to prove her wrong, he frowned at her, "Perhaps this game you play works on most men, but not on me. I don't want your help and I am not interested in whatever you have to offer."
"I am not playing a game Sage, and whether you want my help or not, I will give it to you." She said looking very determined, but all Sage saw was that she'd be a nuisance for as long as he was in their custody, so he hissed, "Just leave me be."
Before she could put in another word, Sage shoved the dagger in the hand he held. Just then the latch opened and the woman was seized with fear, "Oh gods." when she heard Alpha approaching the cell saying, "What's taking so long Bluebell, you coaxing him to sleep or what?"
Bluebell looked scared for her life as she tried to get away from Sage, who rolled his eyes, weary of himself for wanting to help her. Before Alpha got close enough to see them, he grabbed Blue bell's hand and placed the dagger on his own throat while he rose his arms yelling, "I APOLOGIZE ALRIGHT, it won't happen again!"
Bluebell gave him a puzzled look but Alpha who seemed to understand the situation, crossed his arms and nodded in approval, "Well done Bluebell, didn't know you had it in you to protect yourself."
And to Sage he smirked, "Well, well...thought you could use my girl as leverage did you? How pathetic." He chuckled
Only then did Bluebell understand what Sage had done so to stay in character she panted, "Alpha, thank the gods you came in time. He was about to hurt me!"
"No worries, I'm certain starvation will calm the beast down and hopefully teach him a lesson. Come on, there's a bowl of hot soup waiting for you in your quarters." Alpha opened the cell and took her dagger, he pressed it firmly against Sage's throat, chuckling when Sage stared him dead in the eye, unafraid. He snorted, "You have guts kid, won't deny that."
Sage didn't reply, he only kept glaring at Alpha. Once Bluebell was out the cell she feared Alpha would fight Sage if she left him behind so she called innocently, "Alpha, would you mind coming with me. I would like to check your wounds before I eat."
Alpha did seem like he wanted to tame Sage, but when he glanced at Bluebell and saw her waiting for him, he promised his prisoner, "We'll get to know each other better some other time."
Sage made a cunning smile like he was actually looking forward to it. He glanced at Bluebell and her worried eyes were begging him not to cause trouble. He didn't care what she wanted but keeping calm did seem like the reasonable thing to do for now. Looking back at Alpha, he pushed the dagger away from him using his index finger, then went to sit in a corner where he shut his eyes and pretended to sleep.
Alpha still stared at him, his mask hid the resentment he had for Sage. There was something about Sage that made him feel antsy and he hated that. Perhaps it was because Sage had a few similarities to Bluebell, perhaps it was why she had volunteered to check on him. Even after all these years she'd never told him the truth about her eyes or ink marks. All he knew was that it granted her special abilities like her healing. But now that they'd found another person with the same physical trait as her he couldn't help feeling uneasy.
For now though he'd let it go, especially when Bluebell took his arm and pulled him out, so they both left the hull together.
As soon as they were gone, Sage's eyes opened a crack. He felt his drowsiness return with a vengeance and yet when he went to sleep he had a little smile on his lips. Though he was set on escaping himself, he was certain his pair of friends were back in the Innlands looking for him. He just wished he could've been there to watch Alexander break hell loose to find him.
§
"...You honestly expect us to believe that's all your Flouge flies saw? That Sage was bathing in a pond, then ran away with a young woman who tried to seduce him? What kind of idiots do you mistake us for?" Asked Alexander and though his tone was controlled, the arm of the chair he held was starting to crack, which made the nervous Sheriff even more anxious.
The beefy, Sheriff Coastillion took out a napkin and dried his sweaty brows. He shifted with discomfort in his seat and rubbed his sweaty palms. He spoke so breathlessly he jumbled over his words, "Elders, I assure you that's all I observed last night, gods be my witness. Something stopped my Flouge flies from seeing more, and I didn't think it'd be a kidnapping so I looked elsewhere." As he said this, his eyes nervously turned to that of Kilian who seethed with rage, so he quickly looked at Anora instead when she spoke, "Someone else must've been at the waterfall, because a woman couldn't have kidnapped Sage. Didn't your Flouge flies see other individuals entering the forest?"
Alexander added, "In fact there should've been four more. My Mellowtone Beast is a remarkable tracker with an amazing scent. Due to its findings I reckon there were two women and three men excluding my apprentice. There was a fight, no doubt Sage stood his ground because his tracks showed he was leaving the forest with the Elaspipus. But something went wrong, and I want to know what it was, right now!" He ordered, cracking the arm of the chair a little more
More sweat trickled down the frightened Sheriff's brows, he seemed helpless when he stuttered, "I; I'm…I'm afraid Elders that I can't do more, I do not know where your apprentice could've gone to, nor who is responsible for his disappearance. But we'd be delighted to aid in his search, right Kilian?"
"Right." Hissed the head of the guard, scrutinizing the Sheriff like he wished to put a hole through him
Anora too narrowed her gaze, feeling there was something off about the Sheriff. She leaned in then stating firmly, "There is something you're not telling us, there's got to be. It's impossible that only one of your Flouge flies was at the forest, there was certainly others, so what did they see?" She demanded
"She makes a point Sheriff." spat Kilian, crossing his arms as he too thought the Sheriff was lying
Sheriff Coastillion looked to Alexander for help but the young Elder snapped off the arm of the chair and glared menacingly at him causing him to gulp. When he felt the weight of all their menacing regards, he rose his arms and quivered as he blurted out, "Alright, alright there; there...there was something else."
"We're waiting." prompted Alexander with impatience and annoyance
"Yesterday, at dusk I receive a letter from the King of the TriState asking if a man that fit your apprentice's description was here on my land..."
"The King of the TriState?" Asked Anora, sharing a look with the thoughtful Alexander
The Sheriff nodded, he pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his brows and went on seeming less nervous, "It turns out your apprentice is from a Village called EverShade. Recently, a patrol of the King's Knights were passing through the forest and stumbled upon several dead bodies. After the inhabitants were questioned, it was revealed that the hunter responsible for their deaths was in fact only after one man. I'll let you guess who." He said in a murmur
"Damn it to hell." sighed Alexander inwardly, bringing a hand to his forehead, angry at himself for not burying the bodies, he'd thought the villagers would've taken care of it.
Anora had her hands clasped together as she realized what this might mean for Sage. But she needed something cleared up, "Are you saying that royal guards kidnapped Sage for the death of the villagers instead of making a public arrest? Why didn't the King request your men handle it?"
"It wasn't the guards per say…" started the Sheriff hesitantly
This boggled all their minds so they frowned at him, he still hesitated to talk so Alexander broke the other arm of his chair and barked, "OUT WITH IT!"