Obsidian Scales

Chapter 13

 Lily nearly flopped down on her couch when she went into her home. She feared she was going to have to wrestle her livestock into their bed for the night, but thankfully they hardly gave her any problems. Though the chickens were stingy, like all animals they could be tempted with food back into their coop. The fire crackled in the fireplace, which she lit shortly after she went inside. She sighed as she looked up at the ceiling of her home. Her mind wandered back to the manticore attack, and Silas's injury from it. She thought about the Hassan-syn village, about Veraldi and Kess, about Sivena, about...all of it. It brought a smile to her face. She hoped Silas would get well soon. She sighed. "What a day..."

"Oh really, Lily dear? Why don't you tell me all about it?"

Her heart leapt into her throat, and she leapt to her feet. Her gasp caught in her throat as she saw Milo sitting across from her, legs crossed, his body hidden in the shadows. He moved forward, revealing himself in the firelight. A cruel smile curled on his face. Lily felt her blood run cold. "M-Milo. What are you doing here?" she heard the floor creak to her left, and another man appeared down the hall. Looking to her right, she saw another by the front door. She was trapped. Her heart pounded in her chest out of fear. Milo chuckled. "Now, now Lily. Don't be afraid. We'll take great care of you." he moved closer to her slowly, like a predator stalking his prey. His movements reminded her of the manticore, and she began to back away slowly. Her back hit something hard. Two strong arms wrapped around her, and held her tight. She had neglected to see the man in the kitchen slowly approaching her from behind. She screamed, kicking and thrashing, trying to break free. "I got her, do it!" Milo yelled, his arms replacing the ones of the man behind.

Lily screamed as loud as she could, hoping someone, anyone could hear her. She struggled in Milo's grip, until she felt a sharp pain on the back of her head. Her vision darkened, Milo's smirk being the last thing she saw as her eyes closed, and her body went slack.

~/~

Kess quietly made his way through the forest, listening to the sounds of the leaves rustling in the cool night breeze, and the sounds of the different night time animals, such as frogs and owls. Years of training had taught him how to move silently through the brush, as if he were nothing more than a mere shadow. All young Hassan-syn were taught to do so, only they chose if they wanted to continue their training as warriors. But the warriors path wasn't for some...he loved it though. He was able to protect his friends, just as they had many years ago.

He was surprised to find Lily in the woods that day, begging the shadows where he and Veraldi were hiding to help Silas. Although they hadn't seen each other for over five years, Kess was still surprised that he would bring a human woman back to the tribe. Despite the shock Kess found that he liked Lily, and seemed to be a good match for Silas. The thought made his chest warm. Perhaps, over time, she would see him as a sort of older brother, he always wanted a sibling.

He snapped out of his thoughts when he heard a sound off to his left. Looking in that direction, he saw a faint orange glow, like that of a lantern. Stealthily, he moved in closer, hearing voices as he did. He lowered himself against the ground, hiding under the brush and ferns. He used his arms to slowly crawl forward, his belly almost touching the ground as his tail slithered quietly around him, avoiding sticks and other plants that could make noise. The voices became clearer as he moved closer.

"...Hurry it up! We don't want to attract any attention!" a male voice hissed. Hidden underneath a bush, Kess watched as two males followed another male, who was better dressed, down a small forest path. The one in the better outfit was carrying the lantern, while the two men behind him were carrying a woman. Upon closer inspection, Kess realized it wasn't just any woman, but Lily. Her arms and legs were bound with rope, and she was slack between them, her eyes closed. A hiss of anger nearly erupted from him, but he kept quiet as he saw a fourth man cover the rear of their small party. He wanted to leap from the bushes and rip them all to shreds, his instincts screamed it. But he stayed hidden, and quietly followed them.