The wind flew across the green meadow, pulling back the hood of Nego's coat. The scent of wildflowers and the familiar sound of the waterfall made his heart burst with a strange feeling ... Like a blind person seeing the world in color for the first time.
Golden dandelions covered the earth like a golden carpet, soon they would turn into white fluffy balls and spread their seeds. No matter how many times he saw it, Greenhaven castle took his breath away. Tagu gave a joyful snort.
Nego would never get tired of the palace. Charging into the gates, he got off. It was exactly the same; the smooth roughness of the stone floor when his bare feet touched the ground; Tapestries of the Great Beast hanging from the ceiling...
'Nego!' a gruff voice called. The leader of the Greencloaks hadn't changed. Black hair with streaks of grey in it, muscular build, usually merry, brown eyes etc, but there was an unusual darkness hanging around him. In fact, the whole castle seemed to give off the same feeling that he only noticed now.
Before he could ask any questions, Olvan spoke first, 'Nego ... you've changed,' Tagu flicked his ear in agreement. 'I know,' he said quietly; He must have grown several inches taller, his hair was in need of combing and a haircut and he had more scars; 'Follow me to the hall, I think we both have something to tell each other.'
'You mean, Kovo and another Great Beast has been summoned but Zerif, the chicken-brained, sludge-face idiot has found a way to steal a spirit animal and he already stole some?' Tagu rocked his head to one side in a disapproving fashion. 'I'm afraid you're right,' said Olvan.
Nego rubbed the side of his neck nervously, it was a habit. 'Tagu won't go into passive state, I've tried many times, but he rejects it.' Tagu rocked his head again, not in disapproval but in refusal. 'I think he understands something you haven't seen, spirit animals are very intelligent beings. Some are said to be able to see glimpses of the future and special powers are likely too,'
Tagu flicked his ear again. 'Tagu can run through water, we did it across the creek, Sir,' he supplied. Olvan didn't seem surprised. 'There have been many cases like that, but that is new. Clean up, Nego, it has been a long day,' Nego just realized the sun was setting.
After a nice haircut and real shower, Tagu went out in the courtyard to walk in the rain. When he came back in, his coat was wet and it smelled funny but Nego didn't mind.
He exposed the right side of his neck, Tagu looked him in the eye, and it was like staring at royalty itself, it wasn't proud or arrogant but gentle, and maybe a little bit sad. Nego's knees buckled, and darkness surrounded him.
