Henry eyed the boy who was meticulously packing up their now shared supplies. The younger had introduced himself as ‘Kyen’, an odd name, even for a human. No last name had been offered. Kyen had revealed that they were headed North, which was when he decided on paying an old friend a visit in the Ridges; both conveniently lay in the same direction.
Henry’s curiosity grew the more he studied his new companion. Kyen moved about with sure, clearly calculated motions, doing things decisively, and yet somehow managed to give an air of slight uncertainty and tentativeness, bringing to mind a strange combination of a hunting dark panther and an inquisitive newborn lamb.
The Ancient had disappeared at sunrise, and had yet to return. This was as good a chance as ever.
“Kyen.” He waited until the boy paused in his packing to face him. Henry hesitated, suddenly unsure how to proceed.
“The Ancient… how did you come into gaining its – no, what do you hold over the Ancient for it to look out for you?”
Kyen felt herself smile even as she puzzled over the words. What Henry Bastir said further confirmed her guesses – Wolf was much more than he seemed. She hurried to find a way to ask about Wolf without revealing she knew nothing. Bleh, no wonder politicians grew white hair so fast.
“How do you know he is an Ancient? He could be one hell of a loyal wolf.” Her reply earned her a snort from the man before her.
“No ordinary wolf could reach that size, and I know the stilling of the river current had not been mere coincidence. Do not mock my intelligence, kid.”
“No really, I mean it. What did you base your assumptions off?” Years of science debate were finally paying off, in a way. She watched as irritation flashed over his hazel-brown eyes.
“The Ancients, they are the protectors and the destroyers,” His voice grew deeper as if narrating a tale.
“They brought along the Dawn of many Realms, and built the bridges that lead between the Realms. Nature abides by the Ancients’ powers, Fey; their descendents, Dwarfs; their makings, Shadows; their remnants. Only Humans remained untouched by them.”
“So, you think just because the river slowed at the moment we wanted to cross, Wolf had something to do with it.” Information handed on a silver platter. Kyen wanted to do a ridiculous happy dance like a cartoon bad guy. She pulled the drawstring of the rucksack close and stood to pass it to Henry.
“Well, whether or not he is truly what you say, it is not mine to tell. As for why, all I did was fall.” She took a leaf out of Leo’s book and gave a guileless grin. Muahahaha.
The bushes rustled and Wolf entered the clearing, making Henry clamp his mouth shut, effectively cutting the conversation.
Henry Bastir seemed like good enough a person, Kyen decided, as they started wading through thick fronds, following Wolf’s path. He reminded her of veterans of war, especially with that buzz cut of his. But he hid something, something dark enough to make his eyes seem as if his soul was in pain at times. She frowned. Then again, who in the world is without secrets?
Wolf prowled ahead of them, sometimes disappearing, and then reappearing only to nudge them back on course, basically being all mysteriously wolf-like. Wolf apparently deemed Henry no danger to her. Kyen continued to study the man out the corner of her eyes, hence she did not miss when he suddenly flinched and seemed to tense up. He cast an almost fearful glance around, and Kyen did not bother looking away when she caught his gaze.
“Do you not sense something stalking us? Those shadows, darting about, as if taunting us.” Henry stared off into the thick foliage, as a slight shudder ran through him.
Kyen let the slightly maniacal glee shine through her grin, which grew as Henry stared unnerved. She waved a nonchalant hand.
“Nah, I just treat them like monkeys.”
“… monkeys.”
“Yeah, there are two types of monkeys –there’s the type that goes all out and attacks you, biting off your fingers and tearing your throat; then there’s the friendly inquisitive one that just wants to know more about you. Both types dart about in trees and like to follow things that intrigued them, but you can never tell which type they are. Because they haven’t done anything, yet.”
Kyen gave him a clap on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. People will go crazy if they keep wondering about things that could happen. Not saying that they won’t, but.” She ended off with a shrug. Though a lifetime of late-night horror movies and idiotic brothers do give you an edge.
Faster than her eye could follow, a giant orange streak burst out from the foliage. She only registered a disproportionately huge head on a heavily-muscled feline body, before Henry went flying into the tree behind them. A strong voice rang out in her head, even as she cried out reflexively for her fallen companion.
DOWN.
(hohoho. ) ( <<< i am not really sure why i put that.... o.o)
YOU ARE READING
Fate Bound
AdventureProphecies are troublesome, tiresome, bothersome, wearisome, irksome... one would get the idea after being confined by it since the time they were even thought of being created. This story follows a few who are tied by said irritating prophecies...
