Hunter's Fowl; Starling

"Do these pants make my butt look big?"

Much to his dismay, Ash ended up being forced to lose his fang. He appeared to have a dark thundercloud over his head and the fang on the other side of his mouth poked out. He became moody until he figured a way around his lisp, and he refused to talk to anyone but me (and rare occasions with Taylor) out of sheer rage and embarrassment. I understood entirely- he'd grown up with those two snakes who had battered him half to death and then went into an army, many of whose beliefs were against his, just because it was the only way out of living with them.

He'd been through a lot- he had a reason to have a temper. The

Later that week, I found out that Ash's parents seemed to warm up to their captors, and they were allowed to go outside with supervision. This fact made Ash extremely mad and he nearly exploded.  I could nearly hear his teeth grinding in sheer and utter annoyance.

Being in hiding and coming up with a plan was difficult- very few were trusted to see me and even fewer were allowed to talk to me about the plan. But those who were were frequent visitors. Wolfy came at least once or twice a day, and Taylor rarely left my side. Nadia occasionally strutted in wearing something particularly flashy. Usually something along the lines of, "Does the feather in my hair clash with my skirt?" or, "Does the green on my tunic clash with my pants?" I truly didn't know a thing about fashion, so I'd always reply with "No," or "I don't think so... go ask Taylor." Nadia is one of those people who is just inherently good-looking. She could look good dressed in a clown suit. Ash was forced to leave whenever top secret information was discussed, being told that he'd hear everything later for sure, but that we just needed a moment alone. He'd then sulk off grumpily.

One day, both Wolfy and Taylor came into the room. Ash sighed and started to slither away, but the Wolf nudged him back. "We need you this time."

"Right..." Ash responded, sighing in moderate relief. "What is this about?"

"You," I mumbled, sarcastically, "per usual when you're in the room."

"That's because I like myself."

"That's fine, but you don't need to tell everyone."

"Oh, but what if I do?"

"You don't."

"You haven't lived my life, you don't understand. Nobody likes me, save a special few. I have to, it ups my confidence."

"What confidence? You got so nervous trying to break into the dungeon..."

"I LIVED THERE. I HATED IT."

"You hate most places."

He sighed, letting his forked tongue droop from his mouth. "You know, you're not wrong there."

Ash and I were sort of just having our casual argument of the day when Wolfy had enough of it. "Settle down, children," she said in a very monotone and serious manner. Ash groaned and smashed his face against a wall, a horrible habit he has when he is moderately annoyed by something.

"Do I know what this conversation is about?" Ash muttered.

"No." Most conversations in between Ash and Wolfy involved the wolf inquiring him about his time in the Serpentines, at which he spits on the floor and moans. ("Uhhh. You know I find this uncomfortable...")

"Did you break the news?" he asked.

"Yeah, don't worry about it," the Wolf responded. They meant the whole "I was  technically dead for the first few days after I was born" thing.

"So, I summoned a meeting a week ago, and collected as much information as I could about Blackwood, but I never asked you since the information you have on him may be far more dangerous for everyone else. Ash, do you know anything on the matter?"

"First, tell me what you know."

She went on and listed them all. "His control of inanimate objects... his element is water... not much more of importance."

"I know dark secrets that only the nobles know."

"How?" I asked. Ash was of a high army rank when he betrayed Serpentinia, but not a noble.

"My eavesdropping comes in handy." He winked.

"Tell us."

"Right... are you sure? This is pretty tough to understand..."

"Fire away," I said.

"Blackwood was born in Serpentinia in what humans refer to as the year 1654. He was manipulated as a child, starting as a monitor lizard in the royal family. As human technology advanced, so did he, and many dark wizards bore him gifts. The one he holds dearest to him is an amber necklace with turquoise charms. They allow him to alter the memories of any who come in his path. With this, he altered all the humans and snakes who visited, and with his growing civilization sprouted in greed. His greed and need for power surpassed that of all other things and he started putting himself before his own people, telling them that he was worth protecting. Some creatures, me included could see past his lies and fight him. Break the necklace, and he is weakened. But it is a strong chain, and even at his weakest, Blackwood is dangerous. He could, and would, drive his sword through your heart if he felt he had to. He is agressive, but sly as a fox. Brains, but also pure strength and willpower. He has much in common with all of us, which makes him so dangerous."

"Do you know anything else?" I said, scribbling *aim for psychic necklace.* and *don't die.*

"His knife is poisoned with rattlesnake venom. If he stabs you, you're dead meat."

"I've been dead meat from the beginning, to be honest."

I could almost see the fumes coming from Wolfy's ears. "HUNTER!"

"Sorry!"

Wolfy glared and grumbled some very hurtful words. "Continue, Ash. What else do you know?"

"He may trick you into thinking he is surrendering. But he will kill you if you fall for it."

"Is that it?"

"Yeah."

"Hmmmm..." Wolfy said, "Thanks for the help."

"Wait... what?"

"Thanks for the help."

"I can't believe this!"

"You ca-"

"You thanked me for something!"

I rolled my eyes. "Ash, stop or she may take that back!"

Wolfy sighed. "I won't. This information is very valuable to us. Thank you."

Ash poked his forked tongue at me and snickered.

Then a sentry flew into the room, panting like nobody's business.

"What is it?" I asked, "What's going on?" I allowed her to perch on my hand. She was a little kestrel.

"T- ta- ta..."

"Huh?"

"Taylor is..."

"Yes?"

"He's gone!"

*Interlude- Taylor*

It was dark. I couldn't see.

The cut that had burned against my chest ached.

"Becky...?" I asked weakly.

"Hush. Go to sleep."

It wasn't Becky's voice but I obeyed and nodded off. I don't know why.

Why hadn't I stayed in the cave with Hunter? The scent of sleeping oils overwhelmed me.

I didn't know anything anymore. I was hurting too much. So I accepted my exhausted feeling and slept.