Hi again! Since the last chapter I hadn't expected anyone to even consider this story for at least a month or seven chapters later, but here you are! already giving me the motivation to continue. I was so excited that I had to call my friend just to calm down. Thank you Lynnioa for being my first ever follower/reader of my story. I'll make sure to meet your expectations as best as I can. Now without further ado Fox Solaire gives you its next chapter!
Chapter Two
Hidden Fangs
To say I was surprised was an understatement when I saw two distinct figures from behind me through the waters reflection. My first instinct was to go up to them and take a closer look,but I quickly disregarded that thought. What if they were soldiers, or worse darkspawn? I can't afford to be seen like this at all. I was a creature with ears and four fluffy tails, that's practically putting a kill me sign on my forehead. Fudging Odin! I bet you're up there laughing at me aren't you?! Though I had no time to continue with my angered thoughts. I had to hide before they caught me. Picking myself up to stand, my feet padded against the wet soil trying to make as little noise as possible. I stopped abruptly after a couple of minutes of sneaking, spotting what I had believed to be my salvation.
There was a little burrow near the far end of the river that was covered in brush. It was big enough for my small stature, so I decided to take my chances and head there. No normal human could spot something like that, even elves would pay no mind if they were a good distance. So with that in mind I quickly made my way towards the hidden hovel, hearing the voices behind me getting closer.
I crouched down on my hands and knees crawling into the tight hole in the ground curling into a small circle, the tails wrapping around like a large fury yet comfortable nest, looking out to the river making no noise or movement. Now that I have a better look at my extra appendages, I realize that their practically massive. If I were to stretch it out, It'd probably be as long as my dad's height, and he's six foot four. It's strange to see myself as a fox. Not in my wildest dreams would I have ever considered this happening, or any of this for that matter. Before I continued my thoughts I heard the sounds of shouts coming from the same direction I had been, causing me to curl up to myself even more.. Whoever it was I hope they weren't looking for me.
The voices and footsteps got closer to me, close enough to make me nervous and my heart beating erratically. They came to a stop about five feet from where I laid hidden and bare. Then the silence was broken by the sudden sounds of splashing and screams of terror. They sounded young, and as I took a peek outside of my newfound burrow I finally understood why.
They were kids, elven ones in fact. A boy and a girl no older than eight or nine bursting through the water fighting the sludge that kept them from moving as hard as they could. Any indication of them being dalish had not shown. They wore no vallaslin on their faces, nor were they wearing any dalish clothing, or clan members nearby. Their voices even sounded different. Almost as if they were from a city of some kind, with a certain accent which was strange. I know i'm nowhere near civilization, or any camps. No smoke in the air especially at this time of the eventing. No marks or tracks of any movement. Nothing but trees and critters, but maybe i'm getting a little over my head. This is after all my first time in five years of being outdoors, or in a fictional game for that matter. Pushing those thoughts aside I took another peek at the children in wonder.
The children were in a rush, almost as if they were running from something, or someone. my speculation was confirmed when two armed men clad in leather armor and two daggers in the big ones hand, and a bow and arrow in the smaller ones hand, jumped out of the bushes flanking them. They were trapped and scared, and those men knew it. Taking advantage of their distraught forms they quickly blocked any attempts of escape, which made them panic even more till the point where the girl was hyperventilating. I was frozen unable to comprehend the situation before me.
"Did you knife ears really think you could get away from us?" the smaller of the two snarled. Rotten teeth bared in a feral manner, almost animal like.
The young girl started to sob, then full out cried when the feeling of helplessness settled in. The boy tried to comfort her, and at the same time block her from their view, but before he could even do anything the small man slapped her effectively quieting her.
"Shut your trap! your lucky that your worth so much or I would have cut your fuckin tongue a long time ago!" He shouted his hand raised again preparing for another strike.
Instead of her taking another hit, her brother stepped in receiving the punishment for her. The small man laughed at their dispense spitting on the boy who was now cradling his face, and at the same time keeping a protective hold on his sister.
"Well would you look at this! The lad thinks he can take me on eh Wilder?!" He grinned revealing his rotten teeth, and the other doing the same.
The big on, Wilder nodded his head looking back at the two cowering elves in pure spite.
"Yeah, guess he needs a reminder of what he is". he then stalk towards the boy dragging him near the shore, then smashes his head into the ground, which thankfully was mushy due to the river.
"This is what you are! Dirt, trash, filth. This is all you'll ever be. This is what your worth to the world. You know why?" He inquire, pressing the young boy's face further into the dirt.
"Cause no one'll know you're dead. no one will miss you or your kind even if they were wiped of the face of thedas." He mushes his face into the dirt more then releases him and stands back to get a look at his sister. she coward under his gaze, covering her head as if to avoid any more pain.
"We got money that needs collectin', and you scrawny little peices of shit are the merchandise." snapped Wilder with a deep scowl.
The hell?! Their children not merchandise! Though what can I do? The staff that Odin gave me is nowhere in sight, and I have no combat experience. Should I just leave this be and let the future happen? I was almost tempted to let it be, since I was so sure that nothing could be done, but then the bandits got more brutal. Unfortunately the little girl was the prime target for the bandits this time, so the small one grabbed her into a choke hole causing her to scream at the top of her lungs begging for help. Her brother, bless his heart, had quickly stood up running into the water trying to attack the bandit using only his fists, but Wilder had swung his dagger's hilt to the boy's head effectively knocking him unconscious floating in the water. Things began to become even more serious when the smaller man continuously choked the smaller girl about to kill her.
I shouldn't allow this to happen. I couldn't. If I were in their place and called for help desperately, would any have come for me? Even if I do save them, they'll probably send their clan or villagers after me due to my appearance, but who cares! They need me and so here I am. I don't know if this was fate or chance, but whatever it is I hope luck is on my side. Finding the courage to act, I spring out from my burrow sprinting towards the smaller man at a speed unimaginable. In a matter of seconds I was beside him, punching him square in the jaw releasing the girl from his clutches. Wilder was surprised and was about to attack when he finally took in what had happened. Though I paid him no mind as I scavenged the man's body for a weapon, the bow and arrows the only one it seems.
The girl coughed trying her best to catch her breath, while I reached the discarded bow taking it into my hands pointing the arrow towards the other brute. The smaller one was unconscious due to my fists colliding him at a vital point that automatically puts them to sleep. I learned that from Ali since she attends karate on weekends, but that doesn't matter right now. I wasn't confident in me coming out of this unscratched, yet I still stood there rigid and unmoving poised in a position I had seen so many times in the dragon age game. Since I don't know the first thing about combat in general, might as well pretend that I do and hope that my appearance scares him off.
My eyes bore into his in challenge, demanding him to back off or pay the price. Ears pulled back and teeth bared in defense, tails puffing out more and swishing back and forth as if anxious to grab onto something. His eyes widen in shock taking in the being before him, not moving for even a moment. If possible they widen even more when he noticed the tails and ears, even my slightly sharpened canines. he kept looking to me then his knocked out partner as if deciding whether to attack or run. Since he clearly hadn't made any move to retreat,I decided to make that decision for him. Seeing all that torture before me brought something out of my soul that i had never knew existed.
"Pathetic, both of you are unworthy to be born in this world, in this life!" I snarled. seeing them up close and actually having take in the scene in front of me, enraged me beyond compare. and to think that i was just going to let this happen burns my heart, and soul to ashes. I felt disgusted with myself, even more so with the man called wilder and his henchmen.
"You would rob these two innocent beings of their freedom, abuse and torture them to the brink of death, insult their nature, and then laugh at their pain simply because they are different!" I growled. He stood there still, unmoving gaping like a fish out of water.
"I don't have any ounce of breath left in me to deal with you, nor are you even worth the air i breath, so instead of me continuing to degrade whatever pride you have left I leave you with this, Fight or Flight." my voice ranged out like an echo. The forest for the first time in a while had been silent as if watching the end of this battle for survival. Wilder was more frightened than offended, but he still stayed put as if waiting for the final mark. The final indication that if he didn't leave now he won't be alive to see another day. Fine, i'll just have to push just a little bit more.
"Now make your move bandit, and hope that the first arrow misses!" My voice roared out with a power that shook me to my core. I didn't know I could be so loud, nor did he because as soon as the words settled in he dropped his weapons and ran off into the forest leaving his companion and the children behind. I still didn't let up until i was sure that he was gone. After a few more minutes of silence, I sighed out relieved that the situation was over. I Looked back at the girl to make sure she was ok, and she was sort of. Her brown eyes were wide, not only in fear but also in wonder. I simply smiled at her before making my way into the water catching the floating boy before he drifted off down the river, though i didn't have to. he was pretending to be knocked out and was padding his arms to keep him stable while not being notice. clever boy I thought. He too wore a look of wonder as well, but had a more wary tone to it. I only tugged him to the shore towards his sister then proceeded to tie up the bandit to a tree. He was still knocked out so i wasn't worried about him too much.
After tying the last knot, i turned to both siblings finding them sitting side by side looking at me still after all this time.
I huffed out amused before pointing to myself introducing who I was.
"My names Dawn, and who might you two be?" I asked softly. I didn't want to frighten them any further so i thought introducing myself would allow them to calm down a bit. It seemed to work for the one who spoke out first was the young girl.
"My names Leina." She ducked her head into her brother's shoulder after announcing softly her name. I found it adorable. These elflings are too cute for their own good. I nodded at her response smiling softly at them both before staring at the young man, inquiring with a nod to his name. he looked away for a second as if contemplating whether or not he should respond. He suddenly turn his head towards my direction not looking me in the eyes blushing. I raised my brow in amusement waiting for him to answer. A nudge from his sister gave him enough courage to do so.
"Cyras." He mumbles out very quietly but I heard him since I have excellent hearing now.
"Why are you naked?" He asks me blunt. My face suddenly turned into a crimson red before I moved to cover myself as much as i could. My tails responded to my attempt effectively wrapping around me like a fur coat. The young girl giggled, and the boy smirked! Smirked of all things! I glared at their laughing forms before I myself joined in.
As the laughter died down, a more comfortable silence took hold over them. THen a groan was heard from the tree signaling the bandit was awake. The elves tensed up grabbing a hold of each other watching the man warily. I only looked at him in disdain crossing my arms in front of me, my tails unfurling around me, swishing side to side. i didn't even care that i was bare in front of this man. All I could care for was ripping this man to shreds.
He slowly opened his eyes before making a move to stand. He was surprised that he couldn't move at all, and then realized he was tied to a tree. He struggled cursing profanities trying to break free. I smirked at him, reveling in his frustration. he suddenly stopped realizing someone was in front of him the finally drew his eyes onto me. To say he was shocked was an understatement. He kept looking up and down, to my tails then ears before even making a move to speak.
"What the hell are you?! A Demon?!" he shouted. The children shook at the sound of his voice. I growled at him for making them do so. He in turn coward at my angry look.
"Doesn't matter, what matters is what will happen to you." I snapped out. his eyes widen at my response, showing even more fear than what wilder had.
What are you gonna do? his voice shakes out. i regarded him dulley, then turned to the children looking for any sign as to what i should do.
They looked at me, the girl Leina quivering and the boy Cyras staring stoically as if to say he didn't care what I did. I then turned back to the frightened bandit, a feral smile creeping on my face.
"I'll just leave you here, besides the wolves will take care of you."I reply out quite happily. i then aimed my fist to his head, knocking him out once more before turning on my heels, approaching the children once more. I held out my hands to them smiling earnestly. the girl happily took my hand in hers, while the boy was reluctant to do so. we then proceeded to travel down the river together, until Cyras suddenly stopped causing me and Leina to turn in question.
"Where are you taking us?" He demands. I was stunned for a second, and Leina looked nervously between me and cyras. I sighed. Then looked at him in determination. Surprise crosses his features, but I didn't give him the chance to respond.
"Wherever you want."I say smiling at them both. Leina smiles, and Cyras only looks at me in confusion. I then walked up to him taking his hand in mine once more before heading back down the river.
"By the way you two, where exactly do you want to go?" I ask them. Now that i thought about it i hadn't asked them where they were headed, or anything about them in all honesty. They both smiled at each other before looking to me.
" The dalish camp of course!" Leina exclaims excitedly. My eyes widen at that, and for the umpteenth time today I sighed.
Why me?
Yes why you poor, poor Dawn?! Anywhooser's Thank you again for taking the time to read my second chapter, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it. It was really hard to write about children and slavery and abuse, but i'm glad that I did. Trust me you'll enjoy them in the next chapter. Again thank you for taking the time and I hope that you'll continue on this journey with me.
Next chapter: Unwanted
