Hounds Rising

The morning sunlight had already been making Rhokhishi’s room warmer, but she did not notice. She lay on her bed, eyes closed, feeling a weight on her forehead like a headache was being pushed away. Though she didn’t feel the heat on her face, she decided that laying there any longer would be a waste. She opened her eyes and only saw darkness.

Even in the dark, Rhokhishi could usually see the various items around her room, from the light given by the stars, the moon, or even lights from torches as people moved throughout the town. This was different. Her heart started to race, and she sat up quickly, unsure of the cause of her blindness.

She felt the weight shift on her face, and something small landed in her lap. The light change blinded her momentarily as she adjusted to the bright light of the almost afternoon sun. She looked down and saw the tiny, black, gelatinous creature they bought just a few days ago. It shook slightly as if scared or surprised. She held it up to her chest, then looked at the desk across the room. She assumed the jar had been screwed open and had tipped over, letting the creature come out. She guessed it managed to get out and must have come to her at night.

Rhokhishi pulled her hair back and then made her way to the desk. She picked up the jar, placed the lid back on it, and grabbed the unique juggling balls she had recently commissioned. She placed the creature on her shoulder, and it balanced carefully. Walking to the middle of the room, she started juggling the balls, humming to herself as she mindlessly practiced.

The creature stayed on Rhokhishi’s shoulder for a few minutes, but she could feel it unstick to her shoulder and move down her arm. She caught the balls and watched as it moved to her hand. It rolled over one of the balls and swallowed it whole. Rhokhishi gasped, watching the creature eat the ball, but was shocked to see it reappear as it pushed through the beast and then sat on top of it.

The creature pushed outward with a squeeze, and the ball flew a few inches into the air. Rhokhishi caught it and then looked at the beast, now buzzing in her hand. She placed the ball back on top of the creature, and it did it again. Laughing, she spoke to it.

“Wanna juggle with me?”

Rhokhishi threw the balls back into the air. When one would fall, she’d move her hand and let the creature “catch” it. It would flatten then expand, pushing the ball away, landing in her other hand.

“You’re pretty good, little one!” Rhokhishi exclaimed.

Rhokhishi played with the creature for a little longer, then set the balls back in their pouch and tied it to her side. She pulled the animal closer to her face.

“I’m going to need to get dressed. Can you, I don’t know, turn into something I can carry?”

The creature rolled off the palm of her hand. It stretched around her forearm, carefully covering from the wrist to the elbow and wrapping around. It took a moment, but the creature slowly transformed into a bracer. While it didn’t have the look of leather but of the creature’s skin, it looked like the bracers she usually wore. She smiled at it.

“Well, let’s go then.”

Rhokhishi got dressed and then walked out into the main hall of the Archmage’s Tower. She grabbed some food from the table and an extra plate for the creature. She would eat with her left hand, then pick up food from the other plate with her right hand, which the beast would raise and take, pushing it into its body, then put itself right on her forearm again. She didn’t see teeth, and it never left a mess after, so she was a little confused about how it exactly ate, but she wasn’t too worried about it.

As the afternoon finally came, her friends made it around the table to grab food, which had just appeared out of thin air on the table. They made small talk, and Rhokhishi and Myla told stories of their time with the creature so far while the rest of the party mentioned the new items they had either crafted or bought. Rhokhishi was happy to see her friends around, all smiling and content with themselves. It had been a difficult few weeks, but today was the first day that wasn’t challenged by some burden. It reminded her of the many nights around campfires at the carnival.

“I don’t want to push anyone, but I know I’ve mentioned that I was heading to Aramore. A lot has happened, but we did talk about the chance that some or all of you would possibly join me. No pressure here, but I do need to get going soon,” Ana said.

“You’re right. We have spent a decent amount of time here,” Mr. Muffins agreed.

“We’ve been pretty busy, though,” Rhokhishi added.

“The main reason we waited was for Leaf, though, right? Once Darion got here, we were gonna talk about the options from there. He is here now,” Lyla questioned.

“Yes. With Dean Walker here to take over my position, I’m not obligated to stay here and can further my studies. I did have some plans that needed to happen first, making this new staff, ensuring everything would be okay while I was gone, not to mention the dragon attack,” Leaf thought aloud, answering Lyla’s question.

“This might be a good idea, a two-birds-one-stone situation,” Myla stated. “We could investigate the basilisk trading that came from Aramore while helping our new friend.”

Rhokhishi thought to herself as the party talked about the trip’s logistics. They all had horses now, and Ana had the cart as well. It would take a little bit of time, but they could make it in no time, ten days roughly. She fed the creature on her arm slowly.

“What about food?” Lyla asked.

“We could get a sigil box,” Mr. Muffins mentioned.

“Or I can just make food for us,” Ana offered.

“But can you make muffins or cake on the road, Ana?” Lyla held up one of the pastries.

“We definitely need those, like for birthdays and stuff,” Rhokhishi agreed.

“Actually, I don’t think we know everyone’s birthday?” Myla pondered.

The group silenced, and Rhokhishi imagined they all thought the same thing. A few of them may have come from the same place, but none knew each other outside of the typical day-to-day activities and chores they all had and the shows they did. Plus, Ana and Leaf were entirely new to the group.

“I didn’t want to say anything, but mine is today,” Rhokhishi looked down at the plate and fed a little more to the creature.

“REALLY!? Why didn’t you say something, Kiki?” Lyla shouted.

Rhokhishi started laughing as the room grew confused.

“I was just joking. I’m an orphan, so I don’t even know when my birthday is. I just try to feel like every day is my birthday. You should celebrate me every day,” She laughed.

“I’ll celebrate you, Kiki,” Lyla shoved Rhokhishi’s jokingly.

The party ate, then started to pack. They could only take as much as they and their horses could carry, so Leaf probably had the hardest time, she considered. The afternoon moved into the evening, and Rhokhishi saw Lyla come out of her room and pour herself some water. She took a gulp, and Rhokhishi watched Lyla watching her. She opened her door, turned around, and smiled.

“Lyla, you mentioned taking care of me?”

Her smile became mischievous, and she walked into the dark room, leaving her door open. She placed the creature in the jar, closing it gently, and then turned around to see Lyla at the door.

“Well, close the door then,” Rhokhishi said as she removed her shirt.

Lyla smiled, then closed the door, leaving them alone in the dim room.