The cats were catching up. It was amazing how pathetic the two of them were. But Queen Nailah had asked me to work with them on the patrol. "Volug there you are" says the small orange cat as she bursts from the bushes. The tiger Kyza appearing behind her. They both shift into human form, with a sigh I join them.

"You are really fast Volug" Lyre says adoringly. Since Ranulf had left with Ike, Lyre had been switching her affections towards me. I ignore her and address Kyza, "I believe I may have found something" my modern was improving but I still have trouble from time to time.

Kyza looks to the ground where I point and gasps. "That looks like a dragon footprint!" Thanks Mr. Obvious, I think angrily. Lyre stares at the print and blurts "A dragon are you sure it isn't a wyvern?" The two begin arguing about whether it is a dragon or wyvern. Ignoring them I shift and begin following the tracks.

The tracks are large, too large for a wyvern besides the forest is dense here and wyverns like things open. The trouble if it was a dragon was why is it here? Gallia and Goldoa were on good terms since Goldoa had opened its borders but still itwas rare for anyone to cross the border.

After a half an hour I heard the cats behind me. I wonder how long it took them to notice I was gone. Those two always argued, it made you wonder who they were trying to kid. They obvious loved each other, well at least Kyza did. Lyre needs to leave me be and get the picture.

The tracks were getting fresher I thought as me and the cats followed the obvious trail. The dragon was not being subtle. The foliage was broken and even burned in many places, though why it was breathing fire was anyone's guess.

I slowed as I saw that the prints were now fresh. The cats didn't and broke through the brush right into the clearing where the red dragon was sitting next to a spring. The dragon roared and let loose a torrent of fire. Seeing that Lyre wouldn't make it out of the way I rush forward and bite down on her ribbon. Essentially yanking the cat out of the way and partially strangling her, BONUS!

Kyza had been more attentive and had avoided the blast altogether. Getting to a safe distance he turned and yelled to the dragon, "Dragon you are on Gallian soil, explain yourself now!" The dragon responded with another blast of flames. I had seen this coming and got there in time to grab him rather roughly by his trousers and yank him out of the way. Bah, felines are so useless.

The dragon had gotten up from its sitting position by now and was moving towards us. Lyre suddenly sprang upon the dragon sinking her fangs into the back of his neck. Perhaps their not completely useless I amend myself as I watch the dragon try to shake off the tenacious cat. I begin to circle the pair looking for a place to strike and end this.

Kyza isn't as subtle I notice as he barrels into the dragon's side. The dragon falls with the two cats still attached. Seeing an opening I lunge. The taste of blood fills my jaws as I tear the dragon's throat out. The large reptile shudders and then remains still. Why was it here and why did it attack us?

I look at the cats only to find them holding each other and whispering that they loved each other. I chuckle to myself at the turn of events, Lyre had freaked when she had seen Kyza so near to death and realized her feelings for him. How very cliché.

Ignoring them I look at the now dead dragon. It was large and red and was slowly turning the ground red to. But it was pale and sickly looking I now noticed. Perhaps it was feral, that would explain its actions and appearance. Though were it had come was anyone guess.

"Come on we're going to backtrack and see where the dragon came from" I say as I turn to the two cats. The two pull themselves apart and, blushing, turn into their animal forms. Shaking my head I begin following the dragons trail.

Like before the trail is easy to follow. The cats remain close to each other as they follow closely this time. Would I ever find that? Who knows? I've never been to close to anyone, not even Queen Nailah. The thought of the beautiful wolf queen slows me. Is she truly an option I wonder as pick back up the speed I had lost?

In Hatari a mate was often chosen for strength not love. It was more prudent considering the harsh environment. But now that Queen Nailah had moved her people here to Gallia was still necessary? Life was easier here so it isn't anymore. Back in Hatari I had been considered the obvious choice for Nailah's mate simply from my strength. But what about now?

I love my queen but I don't think I'm in love with her. I guess I'll just have to wait for something to turn up and be alone till then. I'm knocked from my contemplations by Kyza as he tackles me, saving my from a raven I hadn't noticed. Lyre leapt upon the bird and bore it to the ground under her weight. Kyza was quick to help as the ravens struggles began to prove too much for the small cat to handle.

With the tiger pinning the raven to the ground I approach mentally berating myself for being so careless as to get lost in thought. Looking into the raven's eye I see it is mad and undoubtedly feral. With that I open my jaws and rip the life from the raven. Its struggles cease as its blood pours onto the forest floor.

I look at the cats who are shaking their heads as confused as I am.

Following the trail again at a slower pace, we come upon a clearing. Within the clearing rests a cottage around are many more laguz. They all were sleeping as a lone beorc walked through them placing something in each of their mouths. They moved but didn't wake.

We watched for a few seconds before we moved we knew what was needed. There must have been a warning spell or something because the man looked straight at us as we snuck thought foliage. Lifting his hand darkness suddenly rushed towards us. We split up I went to the left as the other two went to the right. He followed the cats letting more darkness spells fly.

They began running around obviously trying to distract him so I could get near enough to kill him. Turning quickly I rush him jaws agape ready for the kill. Darkness engulfs me, I had been spotted. It was cold, not cold like ice but it was cold. It was like my heart and soul were freezing it was just so cold. Crumpling to the ground I don't see the cats close on the mage.

I woke up on a bed covered with a light blanket. I looked around realizing I was in the cottage. Lyre dozed in a chair and Kyza was nowhere to be found. Leaving the dozing cat I exit the cottage. The laguz and the mage were gone. A smell reaches me and I follow it knowing before I got there what I would find.

In a ditch not far from the cottage were the laguz each of them dead. Kyza was nearby preparing a funeral pyre. Grabbing some branches I begin helping. "I'm sorry that the two of you had to do this" I say looking to the dead cats and birds. He nods and we continue in silence.

The smoke of the fire attracted the attention of another patrolling party. They said they would watch the fire to make certain it didn't get out of hand. We left them to it and headed back to the palace to report on what had happened. Kzya and Lyre led with me following.