Two of the Same

Chapter Three *Avian*

Chapter Three *Avian*

A mouth full of dirt and other assorted filth wasn't exactly what Avian would call a good start to the day. As he picked himself up from the ground he spit, carefully aiming to hit the boots of the merchant who had just had him thrown from his stand.

"Why you little-" the man, who resembled a large barrel, lurched forward towards Avian but was too slow. Avian let out a loud laugh of victory and scampered off becoming lost in the crowded streets, a skill that he had mastered through years of practice and perfecting. After all he was a street dog. He tossed his dark wavy from his emerald eyes and blinked in the sun feeling his canine's biting into his bottom lips to form a wolfish grin. He reached into the pocket of his dirty tunic and pulled out a ripe apple, its skin soft and the color of blood. Licking his lips as his stomach growled he sank his teeth into the juicy fruit. The entire city was in a chaotic mood, the hype from the Lucian attack was still buzzing around their air, lingering like an aftershock of an earth quake.

"Did you see how Prince Tyrain attacked those stupid hounds?" Avian's ears picked up on the excited yapping of two young lads as the carried bundles of clothes towards the water well, obviously bringing the clothes to their mothers from washing.

"They didn't stand a chance, not even against the Princess, if they hadn't have fought dirty she would have demolished them." The other boy's companion spoke up. Avian could feel his lip curl in disgust. The royal family had been out for Lucian blood since as long as anyone could remember, branding a once revered clan mystics as blood thirsty creature, they alienated all Lucian's as monsters even when they had the free will to change back into their mortal form. It was because of the animosity, unjust and uncalled for, that caused the Lucians, Avian's kin to turn to the power of the moon and allow them to be taken over by the beasts that dwelled in all of them. Now there was no distinction between beast and warrior, they all attacked without cause and without question, thirsting for their revenge. The Lucian's had turned themselves into monsters and passing their lessons of hate down the generations until no Lucian could walk free in his wolf form, until Lucian's like Avian were forced to hide in their own skins or die branded as monsters. Anger overwhelmed Avian and he could feel his finger growing claws ready to strike. Ready to flaw flesh from bone and draw blood.

"It's a wonder there are any Lucians left, the savages, how have they not killed themselves off through their own violence and stupidity?" the arrogance of the child only fueled Avian's rage drawing him ever more closer to the point of no return.

"Sabian! Hurry with those sheets boy, or there'll be a whipping in store for you!" a motherly scolding called through the air jolting Avian out of his anger, the red in his vision dispersed and he was able to retract the change, his hand forming back into its natural state. The two boys ran off and Avian breathed a sigh of relief at his good fortune. His kin may be monsters but Avian had worked hard through his life to not become one and he wasn't about to give that up now. He looked at the half eaten apple in his hand, his appetite had now disappeared. He looked around, not wanting to waste it and saw a stray dog rummaging around the alley ways searching for its next meal. Avian made his way to the alley quietly and whistled low. The scruffy mutt's ears perked up and he turned his head, his tongue lolling out of its mouth. Avian placed the apple onto the ground presenting it to the flea bitten mongrel and rolled the offer it. The dog bent it's head sniffing at the apple curiously before he snapped the fruit up in a couple of quick bites and meandered its way over to Avian pressing it's muzzle against his hand.

"Good boy," Avian spoke gently his eyes soft as he stroked the dogs matted coat, "Sometimes we all need a little help." He murmured.

"Oi! You," a loud shout came from the entrance of the alley way and a ball of dread clenched Avian's stomach. 'Shit.' Was the only thought running through Avian head when he got up and slowly turned to face the owner of the voice. It was the barrel man stand owner and three other very large, exceptionally intimidating, and considerably stupid looking men behind him.