Demian's Kall

Lost

I had to get up, live on somehow. I was dimly aware that I was still curled in Kall's den, hidden under a thick armor of bear hide and fur. I lay still...I thought of war. My eyes burned but I didn't cry. I fought back. I had been through too much lately. It had steeled me against the pain.

Faintly I heard a noise that grew closer. It sounded like a dog. The closer it got the more it sounded like a dog, searching the grass. Finally, a voice accompanied it.

"Are you really hiding down in his den like an actual lioness? Come on Demian, stiffen up and act like a ruler or at least a woman. I know you can...I've seen firsthand what you can do when you set your mind to it. My back is still healing." Said Alec who must have been the one walking the dog.

I sighed very hard...I was tired of being told to act like a lady or be strong all the time. I would master my emotions without their constant urging. I crawled from the fur and earth completely naked and narrowed my eyes at Alec as I fetched my dress. He gave me big shocked green eyes that flitted very swiftly over my body before he turned away.

"You have become a savage haven't you? I thought you were training the lionvayne to act civilized not learning to become a beast like him." He stated.

I laughed. "I was already a lioness inside...why do you think he fell at my feet and let me claim him?" I said sourly.

I was fully dressed now and Alec met my eyes. "You're going to become king one day aren't you? A slightly demented one." He said, more a statement than a question.

"Hopefully. I don't know about demented. Maybe a little intimidating." I agreed. I stared at him and tapped my foot irritated that he invaded my space. "Alec...why are you here? I suddenly find you in my presence a lot." I asked.

He looked down at the large scruffy wolfhound at his leg. It was my dog, was supposed to be my dog. I was supposed to have my own hunting dogs but their training bored me and I was not good with them. My first and only dog wandered from my side to follow with the stable master. His name was Ghost. I did not want him back. I wondered if Kall liked dogs or would try to eat it.

"You tracked me down with my own dog so you could give him back to me?" I asked.

"No so I could ask you what to do with him...and because it is late in the afternoon Demian. You've been asleep all day in that animal hole." He explained.

I began to make my way towards indoors and he followed with Ghost. "I was sleeping very deep it seems. So why are you attending to the orphaned Ghost here?" I questioned.

"The stable has no one in charge right now and Dannale's animals had to be dealt with. I needed something useful to do since I cannot fight." He replied. I nodded, it made sense.

"Can you perform the duties of a stable master?" I asked as we walked.

"Yes I worked in the stable when I was younger. I was around the barn with Dannale a lot before the war as well, you remember. You made me step in dragon shit twice." He said chuckling. I laughed too.

"Yes I do...well would you like to be the stable master for now at least?" I asked. He seemed to think on it for a moment as we stepped inside the castle. I shut Kall's door behind us and he, the dog and I walked down the hall.

"I suppose stable master is better than depressed and mind numbingly bored wounded soldier. Thank you princess. I will see to the few animals we have home right now. Not so many horses here right now. All our bears are gone and Zick...it's quiet but there is enough work to keep me busy. So I take it you don't want Ghost back?" He answered.