Eternal Entities

Chapter 9

Chapter 9:

"Bloody barnacle bastard trying to hassle every last fucking coin we got," Vanajja cursed under her breath. She carried a full basket in either hand as a nightingale sat blissfully on her head. "Hey, Song-Bird! Why don't you get off your feathered bum and go see if those fuckers are close by so I can throw these bloody baskets at their heads!"

The bird let out a melodious chirp before taking flight into the cover of trees. Vanajja turned herself into a deer and carried the baskets on her back. They went deeper into the forest in search of their comrades. Eventually, the sound of Aavistus yabbering on began to hit their ears. A slimy voice responded to him. It threw Vanajja off.

She slowed down and allowed Nağme to go ahead. She softly eased the baskets off her back and under a bush. Keeping to the shadows, Vanajja was engulfed by her red aura and reappeared as dark grey and brown wolf. Vanajja peered through the brambles to see the scholarly avinian and the elf prince alone. Nağme sang a short melody. Aavistus tilted his head up to see his sister circling above.

"Oh, it is Nağme! I was wondering where she was," the sickening voice came from the prince in a sing-song lilt.

"If you dare touch my sister, you know what happens," Aavistus threatened. The prince raised his hands in surrender and took a step back. Sarcasm seeped from his movements. Aavistus turned his attention to his sister and impatiently asked, "Nağme, where is the pirate?"

Vanajja stalked out as a wolf, growling. Aavistus put his hand on his whip. Nağme frantically chirped and flew around her brother.

"Huh? Is this her?" Aavistus raised an eyebrow.

Vanajja turned into her humanoid form. As she stood to her feet she drew her dagger and pointed it at the prince. His back was facing her. "What the hell is wrong with him?" Vanajja questioned. She balanced herself on the balls of her feet. Her eyes never left the blonde elf.

The prince turned around slowly. His usual storm grey eyes were now a pale yellow. They had bags under the lids. He returned her threatening glare with a wicked smile. "Ah, the lovely buccaneer has returned as well! I have been waiting to have a proper meeting with you," his voice had a dark tone. "I am Välk. I share a body with Valgus. Feel free to shower me with your adoration now that you've seen the better half."

Välk took a step closer. Vanajja flinched and gripped her dagger tighter, "Stay back you motherfucker."

"I won't hurt you," Välk chuckled as he stepped back, "...yet that is." Vanajja barred her teeth with a scowl.

"Sheath your weapon. He may be possessed, but you are still in the presence of the Crown Prince of Briarvi," Aavistus sternly told her. Vanajja hesitated. "Pirate!"

She kept the dagger where it was and stood ready for a fight. "Why did you choose to come out only now?" Vanajja inquired.

"Oh, I made an appearance on the ship as well, Sweetheart, but you were too busy to notice," Välk pointed out. "In this instance, I was merely helping. Valgus snuck off to go explore when he encountered a lynx. He ran because he 'didn't want to hurt it' and ended up falling down a rather large hillside. The blubbering fool was acting like a pussy, so I took the liberty of killing it. By the way, we are having lynx for dinner!"

Välk happily grinned and pointed to the feline corpse behind him. Vanajja glared at Aavistus. "You filthy CROW! You were supposed to be watching bloody Princey-Boy! And you, you fucking creep," Vanajja addressed Välk, "how DARE you kill this lynx!"