Misha the Beast Tamer

Chapter 10

I sat at the desk and opened the bag and pushed it down so I could see the droppings.It was dark, and looked a lot like dog droppings, but was filled with fur, small bits of bone and leftover berries. I suspected it was either a wild dog or a fox. I glanced over to where Aqila was sitting, she was studying hers, she had a look of deep concentration on her face.

Erik interrupted my observing of Aqila and said,

"So, Princess do you know what animal your droppings belongs too?"

I nodded and replied

"Yes, I believe my animal is either a wild dog or a fox."

"Well, bring it down and I'll be able to see if you're correct."

I pulled up the bag and took it to Erik. He undid the bag and inspected it.

"Well, it appears you're right. It is in fact belonging to a fox. Good on you." He dropped the bag and ushered me in closer. I leaned in,

"Well, you've certainly proved Simon wrong. If you keep it up, you'll do just fine here."

My face warmed at his breath as it brushed my face, he was even better looking close up.

"T-t-thank you Erik." I answered

He smiled,

"Anytime, Princess. You can go and sit down and watch gleefully as Simon gets his droppings wrong."

I smiled shyly and turned around, nearly running into Aqila. She let out an annoyed sigh, and went around me.

I returned to my seat and listened to Aqila and Erik talk.

"My droppings belong to a horse, Erik." Aqila said.

Erik smiled and nodded,

"You're right, you can go and sit down Aqila."

I waited for Simon to take his turn and as Erik promised Simon failed miserably. Erik added insult to injury by saying.

"Geez, Simon. Even the Princess got her droppings right. Go back to your seat."

Simon looked up at me and he was angry that he'd been beaten by me, a pampered Princess, in his eyes anyway. I smiled triumphantly as he stormed back to his seat.

That night after dinner I was sitting at my desk studying the book on tracking and trapping. Studying the pages of drawings of animal droppings. I was so concentrated on my studies that I didn't even hear the curtains open. I was interrupted by Aqila's voice

" You need to watch yourself around Erik. He has caused a lot of girl's to leave the academy. I'm warning you now, as it seems he has taken a liking to you and the younger the better in his eyes."

My face burnt, Erik was too nice and handsome to be like that.

"He's good looking enough to find a woman his own age. Why would he be interested in me?"

"I'm just warning you that's all. Just be careful, okay.... Also, Congratulations on showing up Simon. He needed to be put in his place. Good work, Misha." Aqila replied. 

Before I could reply, she had closed the curtains and sat at her desk. Even two weeks later, Simon had not gotten over the fact that I beat him in tracking class. Every time he laid eyes on me, his face would darken and I sensed malice in him. To be honest, I was scared of him.

It all came to pass with another night of me rushing into the baths to beat everyone else. What happened next confirmed that my fear of him was not paranoia but my instincts telling me to be wary.