Phoenix: The nuruk beast.

Chapter Seventeen: The Nuruk

 Aldrich sat by his reading tree recalling what had just happed in the morning past when he felt a slight sting on his finger, he held up his right hand and stared at the blood-stained bandage that wrapped around his middle finger.

"Since you agree, we have something for you." Lydia said as she nodded to Evelyn. She whistled in a specific tune and sharp snout came swooping in. A little smile appeared on the corner of Evelyn's lips at she stroked the back of the falcon's head. She then brought it close and started to whisper something into its ear. Aldrich tried to act like this was normal.

"Here." she said as she handed the falcon to Aldrich, he wondered why they would hand him their bird when it suddenly bit his finger.

"Ouch." he yelled; the falcon's eyes then flashed azure. Aldrich wasn't sure what happened, he looked at Evelyn waiting for an explanation;

"He now sees you as one of its owners." she said,

"Did it have to bite me?"

"Yes" she called the falcon back to her and started to leave with Lydia,

"You're leaving?"

"We are to report to the king today" Lydia said to him, they hadn't gone too far when something dawned upon Aldrich,

"Evelyn!!" he called as he ran towards them,

"Yes?"

"I want to see it."

"See what?" Lydia asked, Evelyn then reached into her pocket and pulled out a thin with a small red glowing crystal-like gem as its pendant.

"This." she said holding it up. Lydia turned to Aldrich and asked,

"What is it?"

A faint smile spread across his face right before he said, "A knisk."

He smiled slightly when he realized Evelyn had sent him toiling in a forest for more than a month to find something she already had in her possession. He had wasted the whole day wandering the central and gazing at birds, trying to appreciate the fact that he was at peace for the moment.

When he noticed the setting sun, he decided to head on back home when he saw something that made him smile once again. It was William, dressed badly as usual. Seeing him after all this while made Aldrich forget all that was on his mind.

"William." he called positively beaming, as he came in for a hug. William accepted the hug with the same excitement as he, he patted him on his back before letting go and then said;

"Where have you been?"

"I journeyed out of Dameran, didn't you ask my father?"

"S-sorry I meant to ask how you have been."

"Oh Will, I have a lot to tell you"

"You have always been a talkative, haven't you?" Aldrich's eyes narrowed slightly as he said;

"I guess."

"Come Aldrich, I have something to show you."

"What is it?"

"Take it as my welcome back gift to you."

They both began to walk in William's lead, on their way there, small conversations held, but instead of the ones that made Aldrich feel home again, the conversations they had were rather short and awkward. Aldrich couldn't tell why, but William had definitely changed.

"William?" Aldrich called looking uncomfortable,

"Yes?"

"I think I saw what killed your brother."