First Person: Freedom
.o0o.
"Take it easy, now."
I stopped pacing and stared at my jailer with wary surprise when he unlocked the gate. The muffled screams of friends and monsters alike shivered over my skin worse than the hinges' squeal.
"Easy," he repeated, moving into my tiny cell. He displayed his empty hands and then reached to work at my bonds, reassuring, calm, smelling of fear-sweat. "I'll leave no one helpless with these horrors running rampant. Whether I live or die, that won't be on my conscience." The moment the straps came loose I seized them and flung them away before he could change his mind. He earned my grudging respect when he didn't flinch but just backed out and stood aside.
A slow step, another, then a quick rush of movement and I was out of the cage, free. I readied myself in case it was some kind of trick, but he had already turned away, checking his inadequate weapons.
Good. Nothing to keep me in that bloody trap. And yet, eyeing the man, thinking of his fairness, I found myself hesitating. He glanced my way and shrugged.
"Go, or stay; it's your choice. I won't turn down your help in a fight, but I'm not such a fool as to think you'd be happy about it." He smiled suddenly and thumped my shoulder. "We both know you're meant to be somewhere else, yeah?"
I gripped his arm a moment in return before the monsters burst howling around us.
.o0o.
And now I lick my wounds and look back at the teeming wreckage from a safe distance. My former keeper had been pulled down almost before he had a chance to raise his blade, and I grieve for him. I accounted for his killers and all others that were stupid enough to get in my way. None were a match for me. Of course.
Enough.
I shake myself thoroughly, lick the blood from my chops and raise my head to test the wind before setting off in the direction I know to be correct, as surely as I know where the sun's warmth lies.
I have a mage to find. My mage.
.o0o.
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Inspired by the 'First Person' challenge on CMDA. Set in the 'Mabari & Magus'/'The Long Road' universe.