Chapter 10
Ryu squeezed his eyes shut and plunged his head into a small well in front of the Inn. He was still for a second, letting the cool water run through his hair, then he pulled out, the wet mess slapping against his bare back. With tired hands, he reached up and wrung it out, creating a huge puddle around his torn boots. He sighed and dropped down on a dry patch of ground, leaning his head back against the cold stone well. He was worried. Nina was acting more and more strangely everyday. Not that he knew her that well to begin with, but... He closed his eyes as a soft breeze blew by. She knew about him now. Was she really still afraid? He guessed she was. It wasn't everyday you saw a man turn into a crimson reptile.
He brought his hand in front of him and stared at it with puzzled eyes. Why had he transformed anyways? All he really remembered was seeing Shyong strike Nina and then, it happened. "Tch..." he spat gently. It was getting harder to control. Even slight annoyances were beginning to trigger it. He had to get back to Drogen soon, or... He shook his head. He didn't want to know what would happen.
A glint in the distance brought his attention upward. Across the dirt road, leaning against a merchant stand, was the mercenary he and Nina had seen earlier. He lifted his head at Ryu's stare, peering back at him with dark eyes.
Ryu scowled slightly then got to his feet, the man still staring at him. Shaking the rest of the water from his mane, Ryu walked briskly back into the Inn.
* * *
Mikhal Bevelle.
Where had she heard that name before?
Lucia's brow furrowed as she stared down at Issac's faded black boots. Bevelle...Bevelle... She brought her arms up and crossed them. It seemed so familiar, so...
"I'm sure you've heard of him." Issac said softly, waiting until the woren's slate eyes met his. "He's the one who..."
"Defeated the dragons who destroyed Pravacio." Shyong muttered behind Lucia.
Issac smiled. "I see you're worth something, Tsunaia. Yes, that's him. The best assassin Valcomn's ever had."
Lucia glanced up at him and arched a thin red eyebrow. "Why would Valcomn have an assassin? I'm sure the royal family wouldn't stand for it."
"Oh, he's not employed with the castle. My liege would have nothing of it..."
"So, let me get this straight..." Lucia spoke softly, watching the candlelight flicker on Issac's face. "You went behind your own King's back to hire a forbidden assassin, to help the cause of a kingdom whom you're not even sure will definitely ally with you?"
Issac shrugged his hunched shoulders. "What can I say? I feel this kingdom has lots of potential."
"Sire," Lucia glanced at the King, "Are you really sure you want to side with something like him? He's not even honest with his own majesty..."
King Windia smiled. "Do not worry, Fallon, Lute understands the importance of getting the Princess back and that's all that matters."
"But..."
The King raised a hand, waving it into the air once. "Thank you for your time. You both are dismissed."
Shyong bowed slightly, then turned to walk down the hallway, Lucia following after.
She scowled as they made their way to the large red door at the end. This was ridiculous. Issac was as crooked as they got. She figured this Bevelle guy probably was as well, but the King probably viewed him as a hero, him defeating those dragons and all.
Her eyes went to the back of Shyong's head, watching as his short black hair moved gently with every step. As much as she trusted in Shyong, she was nervous. She couldn't help feeling something was up with him, he was taking this much better than he normally would. The scene he caused with Issac back there was nothing compared to the way he talked to other politicians.
She exhaled softly and brought a claw to her short fanged teeth, starting to pick at them loudly. Shyong turned, his colorless eye narrowing. "Please, Fallon, cease that awful racket."
Lucia made a face. "I'm just nervous. I don't like this Issac guy and I don't like the way the King's putting absolute faith in him."
"Well, all I'm worried about is the Princess."
She brought her claw down from her mouth slowly. "What do you mean that's all you care about?"
"I don't want this Bevelle to touch her."
"What does it matter? You or him, it's all the same. Either way she'll be back here and..."
"She'll think of him as a hero."
Lucia shook her head. "Or a murderer one. Does she care about the dragon?"
Shyong stopped suddenly and turned towards her. She backed away slowly as he leaned close, her eyes going to the hideous welts on his face. "There's nothing more to discuss here, Ms. Lucia."
He rasped softly.
She watched as he moved away from her and started to walk down a hallway to his quarters. Standing in the empty corridor, she stomped her foot loudly on the marble floor. "See if I give a damn what you think, Tsunaia." she whispered bitterly.
* * *
Nina pulled a light blue cloak tighter around her shivering body as she watched Ryu haggle with yet another merchant. To her, they all looked the same. All fish-like people, all bad attitudes. Ryu yelled, the fish man yelled, Ryu again, fish man again, it was an endless cycle.
She sighed softly and leaned back onto the stall, reaching over and fiddling with some of the knick-nacks for sale. Most of it was junk, broken toys being sold as "antiques" or rotten food as "aged". It amazed her just how much these men would lie to get a little bit of zenny.
"100 zenny and that's final! It's not like you'd be able to sell it for anymore."
"No! I sold one of zeez for 300! No joke, monsieur!"
"Maybe to someone who's brain dead... Come on! 100 zenny's plenty for this piece of junk!"
Nina glanced over at Ryu who was leaning over the counter, hands waving frantically in the fish man's face. She giggled softly, if he wasn't careful, he was going to get his new shirt dirty.
"Damn it, fine! You hear me, fine! I'll give you the damn money, but this better be worth it you cheap bastard!" Ryu yelled plunging his hand into his shirt pocket and pulling out a handful of coins. He tossed them towards the man, watching with a little amusement as his flipper-like hands tried to grasp the flying currency.
Ryu snatched a long parcel from the top of the stall and swung it over his back along with the others he was carrying. "Yeah you enjoy it. Buy yourself some fingers, eh?"
Nina trotted to him as he started to unwrap the bag. "You know, that was kind of mean, Ryu."
He looked up, reaching over and pushing his hair behind him. "Hey, sorry. I can't be nice all the time. I can only take so much of these guys. Just walking around here is enough to make someone crazy."
She leaned forward, peering down at the half open package. "Did you buy another sword?"
He smiled and lifted the bag. "Nope, I got something for you."
"Me?" she asked softly watching as he removed the bag from a long slender mahogany rod. She gasped as he handed it to her, feeling how light it was. "What...is this for?"
"Magic. It helps to amplify the spells. I figure it'd be best for you."
"Ah...magic..." She closed her eyes. Magic. She hadn't heard that word in awhile. Shaking her head slowly, she handed it back to him. "I can't use this."
"Why not, Nina?" He asked taking it from her.
"I'm not good at it."
"But, back at the castle, you..."
She smiled softly. "That was a sleeping spell. One of the only spells I know how to do. Remember when you lit that fire in the cave? " she laughed gently. "That was advanced for me."
He stared at her for a second, green eyes going from her eyes to the rod. "Well..." He turned it over and ran his other hand over the wood. "It's not sanded. If you hit someone with it, they might get a splinter or something."
Nina laughed and pulled her wings close to her body. "Oh Ryu, you're terrible! How in the world would I be able to help you fight anything?"
"I don't know if I can be with you all the time, Nina."
She glanced down at him, his voice was serious.
"Hey, tell you what." He said smiling slightly. "If you accompany me to the bar over there for a drink, I'll teach you how to fight a bit."
She glanced towards the bar, watching a few older man stumble out of the rickety wooden doors. "Well..I..." Her eyes went to his. "You can really teach me how to fight?"
"I can try."
She looked again at the bar. "Okay. If you promise."
"Good." he smiled and pulled her towards the tavern.
* * *
Shyong threw off his cloak as he entered his room, scowling towards nothing in particular. Damn Lucia, damn majesty...Why was everyone treating him like he was nothing? He tossed his armor in a pile by the cloak. Like he would need it anytime soon, he thought bitterly as he fell onto his bed. Rolling over on his back, he stared at the white ceiling. He couldn't stop thinking about the dragon and how The Princess had actually said that she cared. Thrusting a fist forward, Shyong growled. This was stupid. How could she care for a filthy dragon? They were ruthless killers! They didn't care who it was they were hurting, just as long as someone was being tormented...
Without realizing it, he began to rub the scars on his face. His fingers caressed the deep jagged scars, feeling the rough skin pull against his nails. The dragon had to die. He would get Nina back, if it was the last thing he ever did.
* * *
Nina coughed as Ryu pushed open the bar doors, clouds of smoke quickly filling her nostrils. People were everywhere, talking and laughing loudly, it was like a huge party. She glanced around warily, pulling her wings close to her as people turned to stare.
"What's the matter, you never seen wings before?" Ryu snapped at them, grasping her hands and pulling her close to him. Most of the men just grumbled back, returning to their drinks with hardly a change of expression.
Ryu led her to the back, motioning for her to sit by him at the bar. She hopped onto a stool, swiveling to face the counter. Behind it, a large chested woman with flowing pink hair leaned towards Ryu, a smile touching her heavily made-up face. "What'll it be, sugar? Haven't seen you 'round here before."
He smiled and pulled out a handful of coins. "I want two double shots of the strongest thing you have and..." he glanced over at Nina. "Maybe a little something fruity for the girl."
"Want it strong?" she asked batting a set of long jet black eyelashes.
"Hmm...medium." He said laughing. "I don't want her to be incapacitated for the rest of the night."
"Whatever you say, hon. Be back in a minute!" She turned and walked down to the end of the bar, swinging her hips to the beat of the music playing in the back round.
Nina leaned towards Ryu. "I've...never drank anything like this before...I..."
He smiled broadly. "Hey, don't you worry, I'll keep you safe. I just want you to loosen up. You look like you've never had any fun."
She shrugged and looked over as the woman sashayed back. She dropped two of the tallest looking glasses Nina had ever seen in front of Ryu and a small oddly fat glass for her.
"Drink up, dears, before the brawl starts."
"Hmm?" Ryu wiped his mouth after shooting the first glass. "A fight?"
The woman nodded and leaned towards him. "Yeah, at exactly midnight, he comes in lookin' for someone to fight with."
"He? Who?"
"Red Warin. He's not from around here, but for the past week he's been comin' in every night at the same time just pickin' fights."
"Well why don't you stop him?"
She smiled. "As annoyin' as it is, It keeps the people comin' back. They want to know who he'll fight next. It's like a show or somethin' I don't really care, just as long as nobody dies, its no big deal."
Ryu grasped the other glass and glanced towards the door. "And this Red, he always wins, right? That's why he keeps coming back for more."
"Well, darlin' you sure have smarts for someone bein' as handsome as you are! Yes, he wins every night."
He smiled and downed the clear liquid, setting the glass back on the table hard. "You doing okay over there, Nina?" He asked glancing at the winged girl.
She nodded slowly and took a gulp of her drink. "It's actually pretty good, Ryu! I think I could get used to this..." She stopped as the doors to the tavern swung open, cool air rushing into the quickly quieting establishment. Ryu swung around, his eyes joining everyone else's at the door.
In walked the most intriguing party of travelers Ryu had ever seen. The door had been bashed open by a large lanky dog looking man with gray shaggy hair that hung over his eyes. His ears were long and droopy and tied back with a red bandana behind his neck. He walked in and stood to the side, moving his red robed body to make way for a strikingly beautiful woman.
She was a half breed, mostly human, but with a hint of fox. She had long jet black hair that was braided with various ribbons behind her head, the mane almost reaching the floor. Her eyes were violet and almond shaped, settling daintily under thin black eyebrows. Her ears pricked as she walked in and her long fox-like tail coiled around her bare legs. The men all stared at her, eyes moving over her partially clothed pale body with complete silence. She turned her nose to the air and moved along side the dog man.
Last to stride in, was a young Woren. He was almost as tall as the dog man, with broad muscular shoulders that flowed down into toned arms and ended with large tiger hands wrapped in bloody bandages. He lifted his head to the crowd, reaching behind and pulling the black bandana holding his short fiery hair back tighter. Crimson eyes narrowing, he lifted a clawed hand.
"Carry on, carry on. I ain't even drunk yet!" his voice was surprisingly young. The people stared at him for a second, then as quickly as they had went to silence, they began to yell and converse again.
Ryu watched as the group made it's way to a small round table near them. Calling over the bartender, he leaned in. "Is that him?"
"Yeah."
"And his friends?"
She cupped her chin in her hand. "The tall one's Gabe Tyler. He's a monk from one of those strict monasteries down south. Don't know what he's doin' with Red. The woman, though, that's Deja. Don't know her last name. She's thought to be hooked up with Red, but who knows with them psycho fox women. They's all bad news if you ask me."
Ryu nodded and leaned towards Nina. "Hey, do you think he knows a good way to get to Drogen where we don't have to go on the main roads? ...Nina? Hey, Nina?"
He stopped as she looked at him, her cheeks slightly flushed. "Ryu, I feel kinda funny..."
He reached up and shook her shoulders, watching her eyes roll back into her head. "What? You couldn't have..." He glanced at her empty glass. "...drank the whole thing so soon..."
Her glazed eyes focused back on him. "Oh, don't worry, Ryu. I think I'll be okay..."
He eyed her closely. "Are you sure? I'm going to go talk to that Red guy. I'll be right back, alright?"
She nodded a bit slowly, a smile coming to her lips. "Right, I'll wait right here." She said in a slightly slurred voice, pointing to the counter she was sitting at.
Sighing, he reached over and tapped a thin panther looking woman sitting beside him. Her head snapped towards him, lips curling into a snarl. He laughed nervously and reached back, stopping Nina from falling. "Hey, sorry to bother you, uhh..."
"Felina." Her voice came out in one long scratchy breath.
"Yes, Felina. As I said, I'm sorry to bother you, but could you possibly keep an eye on this girl for a second?"
The panther glanced over at Nina, her yellow eyes moving to her wings. "She's a Windian, ya?"
Ryu nodded and moved Nina into his seat. "Yeah, you know them Windians." he whispered with a slight chuckle.
Felina nodded, extending a black paw out to steady her. "Can't take the drink, I know."
"Thanks" he said turning towards Red's table.
"Hey, you be back soon, ya?" He looked back to see her struggling to keep Nina up, her large paws on each shoulder. Nodding quickly, he began to walk to where the woren and company were seated.
"Yeah, and then boom! Just like that I pounded him! He shoulda known who he was dealin' with!" Red was laughing loudly and swinging his beer mug high into the air, the brown liquid spilling onto the table. The dog man looked as though he was about to roll out of his seat in a fit of laughter, his deep voice booming across the crowded room.
The woman, though, was silent. She seemed unaffected by her comrades upbeat attitudes, sitting with her arms folded across her chest and a foot on the table. Her violet eyes were frozen, staring straight ahead at the tavern door as though at any minute, something would burst through.
"As I was sayin', the bastard then..."
"Excuse me, but you're Red Warin, right?"
Red brought his head up, crimson eyes focusing on Ryu. "Yeah, what's it to you?" He slurred slowly.
Ryu tried to smile, but it was hard with the dog and the fox staring like that. "Oh, well, I was just going to ask you a question. You see, my friend and I," he pointed over at Nina who lifted a hand and waved, almost causing her to fall. "...are on our way to Drogen and I was just wondering if you..."
"You heard about me and you wanna fight, right?" Red smiled a toothy smile, paws moving to grasp another full mug.
Ryu shook his head, "I never said that, I just..."
Red rose from his seat, smirking and reached behind him. Ryu watched as he flipped a large pocket knife open, the blade shining in the dim bar light.
He backed away slowly as the woren leapt onto the table, gigantic clawed feet knocking mugs over and onto the floor where they shattered, the sparkling shards littering the area around him.
Tail curling, Red lifted a hand in a taunt. "You scared?"
Ryu glanced around the now quiet room. The people were starting to crowd around them, whispering bets amongst themselves. He wasn't too surprised the hear they were all against him.
The woren crouched, strands of fiery hair falling in his snickering face. "Well, say something, boy. You're about to face a Warin! Show a bit of honor."
Ryu closed his eyes. This was stupid, he didn't want to fight this guy at all. For one, he was so drunk he was barely keeping his balance. He listened as the crowd began to softly chant Red's name. Fine, if it was a fight they all wanted...
He began to move his shoulders in a circular motion, several loud popping noises filling the tense air. Red smiled as Ryu's green eyes opened and narrowed. "You look like you know what you're doing," he said, running his hand through his short hair. "I like that."
He then dropped back on his haunches, tail swinging viciously behind him. He moved the hand holding the knife in front of him and turned the blade sideways, allowing the light to hit it. Bringing it slowly down, he smiled, his slitted red eyes narrowing. "Get ready!"
Nina looked up just as Red pounced, watching wide eyed as his thin body curved into the air and hurdled towards Ryu, his claws unsheathed and glinting. Breaking free of Felina's grip, she stumbled forward into the crowd. She glanced around, eyes blinking heavily. Her head felt weighted down and sleepy and her vision was blurry. Why was it so hard to walk? Why was it so hard to think? Stumbling awkwardly, she bumped into person after person, only to be scowled at and pushed against someone else.
She suddenly heard the crowd begin to yell. Something was going wrong. All she could think about was Ryu and his condition. Was he okay? Was he... Her eyes widened. Oh god, no, would he transform in front of all these people? Shaking her head hard in an attempt to free herself from the fuzzy feeling in her body, she crossed her arms in front of her and began to barrel through the crowd towards the center.
People were yelling and swinging their mugs, glass and beer falling like rain around her as she broke through, matting her hair and scraping at her bare arms. She had to get to him, though. All these people...she couldn't have it happen again, not so soon... She didn't know what she would do if she had to see anymore dead bodies.
Screaming for everyone to get out of the way, she finally burst through the last row of people. Ryu stood in the middle of the clearing, thankfully still in his human form. He looked, though, like he hadn't moved an inch. He was calm and steady while Red was completely drenched in sweat, the droplets beading on his tawny fur. The big cat was breathing heavily, tongue lolling out of his gaping mouth.
Staggering slightly, he brought an arm back behind him and screamed, swinging it forward with all of his might. Ryu merely lifted a hand to it, stopping it with such force, Nina could see a bruise already appearing on Red's arm. He cried out and pulled back, clutching the knife in his other palm so hard, blood was seeping around the handle. Turning his head quickly, he spat. "You bastard...You can't beat me! I'm Red Warin! No little young ass punk's gonna show me up...!" Roaring, he ran towards Ryu and swung out both of his arms, the claws unsheathing. Ryu ducked and Red stumbled, thrown off guard by the force of the swing. Growling he whirled around and jabbed the knife into the air, missing Ryu's head by inches. The blue haired boy skirted around the panting tiger, dodging the blows with incredible grace.
Nina blinked and tried to focus. They both were moving so fast, it was hard to keep up. Red's fists were a blur, hurdling at Ryu with such speed, it was hard for him to keep on his feet. None of them ever hit Ryu, though, and it was making the crowd angry. Nina shielded her head as they began to toss empty mugs at the fighters. Screams for blood filled the air.
Red skidded to a stop in front of Ryu and lifted his right arm up. With the other hand, he struck at the bandages, his claws ripping easily through them. The crowd watched as they fell onto the ground in a bloody mass. Ryu's eyes went to the Woren's arm, widening as a strange black tattoo came into focus.
"Yeah...that's right, boy. It looks like you know what this means..." His eyes were wild. "You don't mess with this, you hear me?!" Mouth opening wide, he began to scream.
What the hell was he doing? Was he really serious about the mark? Only worens who could... "Shit..."Ryu breathed watching Red's body begin to shake.
Nina grabbed onto a man standing near her, staring at Red with wide eyes. Why was he shaking like that? It looked a lot like when Ryu...
Her body suddenly jerked back as something grabbed onto her cloak. Arms and legs flailing, her cries were drowned out by the roar of the crowd around her. She watched, helplessly as Ryu's form disappeared from view.
* * *
Who the hell did he think he was, talking to her like that? Lucia thought bitterly as she settled into bed. It wasn't as if it really mattered what the Princess thought about him, that wasn't the point. Shyong was starting to forget what was going on. Reaching up, she ran a hand through her hair, moving the short bangs from her eyes. Eyes narrowing, a shiver went down her spine. Issac creeped the hell out of her. His face, his demeanor...everything about him made her whole body feel as though it were on ice.
She turned over and pulled the covers closer to her body. The King trusted him. With faith that powerful, the bastard could do anything he wanted here. She wondered, did he have alternate plans for the Princess? Otherwise, why would he be going through all this trouble to...
A shuffling noise behind her startled her from her thoughts. Hugging the covers tight, she sat up slowly and glanced around with wide eyes. Was there someone in there? No, there couldn't be. Not with the guards right outside. Shoulders beginning to shake, she scowled. "Whoever's in here, you better show yourself before I call the guards." she whispered softly, feeling a bit stupid. What if she was just imagining it? It was probably a bird or something that flew in the window. Closing her eyes, she exhaled slowly, trying to calm her breathing. It wasn't anything, just a...
Her heart suddenly jumped into her throat as thin fingers curled around her shoulder. Gray eyes wide in the moonlight, she slowly turned her head.
She gasped as strands of pure white hair flowed in the breeze and brushed gently against her startled face.