The Phoenix and the Lamb

Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I do not own Cult of the Lamb. I am simply another fan of the game. I was inspired by Jbrine061 to write this. Please check out her book. Now onto the story.
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They were running from them. Those who had slaughtered their family, their friends, their kind.

If they didn't run fast enough, then they would be caught too. Their mother created a distraction for them to escape. They would not let her efforts be in vain.

They were almost out of the village before... They wwere caught. A robed figure grabbed them by the scruff of their neck and went for the kill...

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The lamb woke up with a start. They woke up just before their throat was slipped. They put a hand/hoof to their neck, feeling that it was still intact. They looked around, seeing the guest room they had slept in. Ah yes, it belonged to the nice person that saved them. There was a clock nearby that told the time: 9:00. Normally, their mother would be dragging them out of bed with the sweet scent of breakfast, telling to hurry before their siblings ate everything...

Their family... They were all dead... They were the last of the sheep folk...

Someone knocked on the door, opening it, snapping them out of their thoughts. Ebany looked in and entered the room

"Morning. Did you sleep well?" She walked over to them. "Any pain?"

"I'm... I'm fine," They said, sort of looking away.

Ebany could sense that they were still shaken. Who wouldn't be after what her guest possibly went through? "If you want, we can talk after breakfast. I know I'm a complete stranger to you, but talking about it with someone you don't usually speak with can help. I know from experience. May I look at your wounds? They may have healed by now," she said.

The lamb slowly nodded and allowed her to check their wounds. They had healed faster than they thought they would. They wondered why that was until Ebany revealed that she could use healing magic. The lamb was amazed that Ebany could do something like that. Not only did it heal them but it stopped the pain. They were grateful to her that she helped them. If anything, she could have left them on the road.

Ebany made sure the more serious wounds were attended too first and were bandaged again before finishing. "They're healing nicely. They would fade away in a few days and won't cause pain unless you press on them."

"Are you a healer or a doctor?" The lamb asked her.

"No, my father is an apothecary and herbalist. He taught me first aid and what to do with bruises. I would scrape my knees often and need patching up. My father showed me how in case he couldn't do it." She explained. "I work in the bookstore in town."

The lamb nodded, understanding. They watched as Ebany got back up, "I'm going to be making pancakes for breakfast. Is that fine?" She asked.

The lamb nodded again, "Yes, it's fine." They said.

"Okay then. Come out once you're ready. Unless you want breakfast in bed?"

"No, I'll come to you. Right now?"

"Sure." Ebany held out her hand, which the lamb took and got up. They were a little shaky, but got to their hooves. Slowly, Ebany led them to the kitchen and sat them on the chair.

Rune was waiting at her food bowl as she usually did for breakfast. When she saw the lamb enter, the curious pup walked over and sniffed them. The lamb backed up, a little startled.

"It's ok, Rune is friendly and just curious about you." Ebany said.

The lamb looked at the pup and thought she looked cute. They held out their hand/hoof which Rune sniffed and licked after a second. The cute pup liked them! A smile formed on their face.

Ebany smiled at the sight and got to work on the pancakes.
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I worked on making the pancakes while the lamb played with Rune. I hope we can talk after breakfast; if someone was after them, I needed to know in case I needed my sword. I tried to remember what rumors I heard from any gossip I heard from the bookstore.

Despite my workplace being a bookstore, there was plenty of gossip from customers. I think I remember someone saying that cultists were attacking villages to find victims to sacrifice to the bishops of some faith or something... I never liked cults and prefer to stay out of that stuff. I liked learning about them, but joining one is not something I'd do.

I finished making the pancakes and served them to my guest, my pup, and familiar. Yes, they're animal safe. My boss had given me a container of berries. They would go great with the pancakes and others would eat them. I don't particularly like berries, but I felt bad saying no. I can use them now.

The lamb ate happily, smiling more at the yummy food, adding berries and syrup. I was glad to see them smile, it felt nice seeing others smile. Rune, Benjy, and I ate alongside the lamb in comfortable silence. They even asked for seconds and I obliged. I don't know when they ate last, so it helped that I made several.

Once we had finished, I took the dishes to the sink and washed them. It was then that I realized that I forgot the milk... Again. Benjy took care of that when he saw my expression. I was grateful for the little fairy. I'd be a mess without him! After I finished, I sat down with the lamb. Benjy had poured us glasses of milk.

"Okay. I think we should talk about what happened. For all I know, someone dangerous could be after you and I'd like to be prepared. Can you tell me what happened?" I asked the lamb, looking at them.

They looked down, sad and scared, but after a breath, they nodded.

"Cultists came to my village and attacked us... They killed who they could get their hands on and captured the rest to sacrifice... My mother, she... She helped me escape! She risked her life to save me...! I ran and ran; one of the cultists almost caught me but I managed to get away. I kept running and running until I couldn't see the village anymore. I didn't know where I was, but I knew I couldn't stop. I ran for hours, not stopping for anything until I fell down. I felt so tired that I fell asleep. I think that's when you found me." They finished.

So my hunch was right. Cultists did attack them. Poor thing...

"Were the cultists from the Old Faith? I heard rumors about it here and there at my workplace."

The lamb nodded. "There's a prophecy of some sort. Something about a lamb ending their Faith or something. I don't remember it entirely, I just know that they want us all dead. I'm the last of my kind..." They started to tear up.

I noticed and walked over to them. I hugged them carefully, and wrapped them in my wings. I keep them folded or out of sight when I'm busy so they don't get in the way. The lamb froze, letting out a whimper, then the tears flowed. They hugged me back tightly. I could hear them sob and bah. I held them as long as they needed.

I knew the pain they felt. All of my kind did. Nonmagic users wanted us all dead because we were unnatural to them. We finally escaped then and now I could help someone escape their persecutors.

Once they had calmed down, I wiped their tears with my hand and gave them a tissue from the box nearby. "You can stay here as long as you want. At least until we figure something out. I know what it's like, to be hunter I mean. My kind was hunted too," I looked at them, "I'll help you hide. The Old Faith won't find you."

"How can you be sure?" They looked at me after wiping their face.

"We got to have hope. Also, don't tell me your real name. You'll be safer if I'm ignorant of some facts about you. It'll also keep you safe from those who know you if you go by a different name." I had read books about this and now was the time to apply that knowledge.

"Then what will be my name then?" They asked.

"Let me think..." I paused to figure out a name for my new little friend, "what are your pronouns?" I asked.

"Oh, I'm he/him."

I nodded and kept thinking until I thought of the perfect one.

"I got it! Your name is... Edan!"