Chapter 3: Abzaan's Pet-Da'te
"Why must you three always cause a ruckus?"
Having seen and heard enough, I took to the air. The three Sals stopped in their tracks. Once they caught sight of me they looked flushed. For nearly three hundred years I still had the effect on people.
"Da'te?! Da'te is here!" one of the gremlins warned.
That's my name. For as long as I could remember, I've always been seen as the predator. Thick bulging muscles underneath my very large shaggy jet black hair. A puffy long tail that was measured to be seven feet long. Though I've walked on Taika for nearly three hundred years, not a single soul has been able to best me in combat.
I landed in between the young girl and the three troublemakers. Today was not a day to rile me up. I bared my razor-sharp fangs in annoyance. "Back to you tents you three," I said through clenched fangs. Flashing my long claws, I took a couple of steps forward. "Now."
One of the Sals took a single step back. My canine snout could smell the fear just dripping with sweat. I could see the other two ready to make a run for it. Though I knew neither of them were a challenge for me, that didn't stop me from letting my guard down.
"C-Come on. Let's get out of here," the other gremlin said nervously.
"Y-Yeah," his sibling agreed. "Our business is with that punk Nathaniel, not them."
I narrowed my eyes. "Abzaan will expect everyone to be at camp very shortly. You're all aware of the consequences if you arrive late." I stared dead at the gremlin in front. "Correct?"
To make sure that the troublemakers knew I meant business I took an extra step forward. My broad shoulders were squared. Every muscle in my body was ready to pounce on my prey. I was an iron wall that could effortlessly soar in the sky. My ears were pointing back, yet ready to pick up the slightest word or sound around me.
The gremlin trembling the most, while failing at acting brave in front of his brothers, sucked his teeth. "Whatever. N-Next time Abzaan's pet won't be around to protect you!"
I growled angrily.
The gremlins squealed as they ran off.
I would have chased them, probably killing them, if it weren't for Etis. She grabbed my left arm very gently. All of the anger and rage I felt washed away. A cool evening breeze passed by taking me back to my favorite moments before Abzaan and the three Sals. In the corner of my eye, I caught Etis smiling up at me. Her orange and sky blue iris eyes had a strange effect on me. I exhaled wistfully. How I miss you my sweet cubs.
"Thanks for saving me, Da'te," Etis smiled kindly.
"Again," I said. Gently freeing my limb from Etis's warm hold, I walked on ahead. For as long as the little wood elf has served Abzaan, not once has she ever feared The Savage Black Wolf. The name I've learned to accept given to me by everyone I came across. "You must have a deathwish of some sort. Each time I come to your rescue, I continue to drill the same message in your head. Get-"
"Yeah, yeah I know," sighed Etis. I didn't need to turn around to know she was right behind me. The smell of her cherry scented hair filled the air. She cleared her throat. "'Get yourself better friends, little one. That self-centered, bad-mannered, and adamant human boy will be the death of you. Anyone from the Leonhardt family must be avoided.' You've told me that a hundred times. Yet never why his family is bad news," Etis said.
I turned and glared at Etis. "I don't sound anything like that."
Etis giggled. "Sure you do. Angry deep voice. Intense beady black eyes. And we can't forget about that cute snout of yours."
Groaning under my breath, I walked away.
Above me that last bit of sunshine was disappearing. Nightfall would be upon us any minute. I was cranky, hungry, and tired. All I needed to do was survey the area we were briefly occupying. In the back of my mind, I was hoping to not run into troublemakers. But ever since Nathaniel showed up, troublemakers have been sprouting up more than usual. Leonhardts. They disgust me.
The small forest was truly a delight to be in. Peaceful and full of life. However, none of it's inhabitants wanted to be seen by me. All sorts of creatures and critters kept themselves hidden in bushes and behind large trees. Being nearly an eight foot tall werewolf usually never got me accepted anywhere. Especially if I'm probably the last of my kind.
"We're here," I announced. With a large step, I crossed over a moss covered log. "Please try and stay out of trouble, little one. Sooner or later you'll find out the hard way that Nathaniel is only out for himself. He's treading on thin ice with Abzaan. You won't be able to protect him for much longer."
"Da'te, is it true?" Etis asked softly.
I turned and faced her. The skin of the young wood elf shimmered lightly under the clear sky. She sat on the log with her head hung. Her short red hair flowed behind her from the breeze that swept over the camp. Etis started picking on the moss with her index finger on her right side.
"What is?" I asked. We were back at camp before the sun had fully disappeared. The need to worry about not meeting curfew was no longer necessary. Below us everyone was heading to their tents with their meals. Those who didn't side with Nathaniel of course.
"That Abzaan was able to find the location of the first Dragon Orb?" Etis stared up at me in concern. "My great grandfather once told me that if all three Dragon Orbs are ever reunited, it would be catastrophic for Taika. The power that the Elder Dragon possesses is unmeasurable. Da'te if he accidentally sneezes, a nation is immediately wiped out."
Before the child could go any further, I held up my large palm to silence her. My ears or nose weren't picking up unwelcomed listeners nearby. The trees rustled over our heads. Behind us several torches were being blown out. On the far west side of the camp, the three Sals were arguing amongst each other.
"Da'te, please. If Abzaan is in fact planning on freeing the greatest threat this world has ever seen, we-" Etis stopped once I got on one knee.
I placed a gentle hand on her small cranium. It felt as if I was grasping a child's ball. Everything she was saying was correct. As old as I am, I've personally never had an encounter with the Elder Dragon. However, on my travels I've heard rumors of a well known nation being turned into ashes. I always sensed something vile and more ruthless than me roamed the world. To make sure my family, people, and I were safe I kept my distance from it.
"You know he's always listening, little one," I said, pointing to my collar.
Everyone one under Abzaan's tyrant thumb, whether hired soldier like myself or orphan forced into slavery like Etis and Nathaniel, were mandated to wear a black iron collar with rune marks covered all over it. Even the elves and gnomes who created them were forced to wear them as well. These heavy pieces of metal were able to hear your every word, deliver a lethal electric shock if you tried to disobey or conspire against Abzaan, and temporarily make your powers or special ability go dormant.
And for some time now, Abzaan has been working on a couple of new additional features. Making the collars take full possession of the wearers' body, and being able to see their every thought. For the moment he's failed every attempt.
"But Da'te!" Etis launched herself to her feet. "You can't really believe what Abzaan is doing right. Many innocent people will die if the Elder Dragon is freed. Abzaan thinks he can control it's immense power. And I hope he is listening, because he can't!"
I hung my head. Tomorrow morning was certainly going to be a very lively and unfortunately doleful day. Etis stared up at me waiting for my reply. I rose to my feet in silence. My heart ached as I stared down at the only person in the camp who truly cared for me. If it weren't for the collars around our necks, which were able to send Abzaan our exact location, I would have swooped Etis into my arms and ran away with her. She was too young to see so much bloodshed in her life.
"Good night, little one," I said soothingly. "See you in the morning. Maybe after everyone's errands are completed, we may return to the pond. I'd love to hear another one of your father's tales."
I walked away after that. Much was done on this hectic scorching day. Tomorrow I would need triple the amount of energy I had today. There's a saying that goes, 'no rest for the weary.' Around here it's 'no rest for Abzaan's property.'
"Da'te! When are you going to prove to everyone that you're not Abzaan's pet?!" Etis shouted sharply.
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