The Talamute Prince

"I will be glad to stay by your side, this terrain can be tricky and I can help you through many obstacles. Please allow me to join you." He pulls me around the floor as we dance. I'm not familiar with our moves but his lead is so simple to follow I catch on fast. Either that or there is a deeper connection as he suggests and he is meant to be at my side. I brush the thought to the back of my mind.

"You have no idea what you are asking for. I don't have control." I try to look away but he places his hand gently on my cheek to pull me back to him.

"I'm not afraid of you." The look in his eyes is sure and confident.

"It could mean that I would end up responsible for your death." He pulls my face upward leaning closer.

"I don't believe you could hurt me even if you can't control your powers, some part of you knows I'm right. You see my destiny has been told to us by a wise woman who's never been wrong and my destiny is with you." He continues to sway with me in his arms.

"I'm dying to all who love me, you foolish man. I don't want to cause your death. And no I don't know your right." I stumble a bit but he catches me putting our faces closer now.

"I don't care how it ends as long as it ends with you." He leans in all the way kissing me so passionately for a moment I lose focus on trying to leave. I glance at the hand that is on his shoulder not seeing so much as the slightest hint of a glow. I close my eyes giving in for a moment before I push him away.

"Goodnight Prince Darevan." I storm away quickly. I get turned around for a moment as he comes to the door pointing to the right way back to the room. He laughs a bit as I simply blush for a second before returning I frown at him with a bit of anger at his laughter.

"The nerve of men!." I say out loud as I enter the room. I can't help but be a bit confused. After everything that Patrick had put me through how could I trust my instincts.

I snatched the bag from the corner of the room. I'm not sure if I had remembered seeing it before but it was handy now. I grabbed some blankets and another outfit that had been placed on my bed. It was just as dull and brown with a few shade variations designed to camouflage but it was what I needed to have in this terrain. Especially trying to get away from everyone without being seen. There was a bowl of fruit sitting on a table to the side of my bed that I dumped in and tied the bag off.

"It is very dangerous out there." I recognized the voice even though it had barely spoken.

"Tosha, I'll be fine. I can do this." I sparked a flame on my fingertips and let it fade.

"That could draw unwanted attention." I watched as she pulled a sheathed short sword from behind her back.

"I'm sure you can figure out how to use it. Probably way faster than most." I smile and take the sword from her tying it around my waist so that it hung to my right side. I pulled the handle just slightly out revealing an ivory-colored blade.

"It's made from the bone of a Dragonarch bone. We scavenge for them after they die. Which takes more moons than most of our people survive. It is the hardest substance that exists on the surface. It is more than capable of piercing the metal armor of the city above. Dragonarchs are one of the hardest creatures to kill. Most that have been taken by the Raspites have had to be blown up and it simply stuns them so they can be taken to the stone mountains and sealed within. I'm sure of all people you understand what that would be like. Unable to be killed, and unable to be free." I push the blade back into its sheath.

"Thank you." She smiles and leaves the room.

I grab the bag I had packed and walk to the window. I stare at the door then at the ground. It was a bit of a far jump but I'd heal if anything broke. If I went out the door Darevan would be right there waiting. I wanted to go alone. I didn't want any more innocent people's lives on my conscience. I'd be far away from here before he realize I left. Even though I told them I was leaving maybe he would be too distracted by the festivities to follow. I'm sure they would figure it out sooner rather than later. I sit on the window seal gripping the sword to my thigh then jump feet first to the forest below.

"Not such a good idea Laoonica." I didn't hit the forest floor. Instead, I found myself in Darevan's arms. He held me for a moment.

"How did you?" I look back up.

"You have to be somewhat daring knowing you can't die. I figured if I were you this is exactly what I would do." I look at him firmly.

"Put me down." I can hear a bit of frustration in my tone.

"I told you, my destiny is at your side. I shall not abandon my duty to my Goddess, even if she thinks it nothing more than an annoyance." He lets my feet down gently then releases me the moment I'm standing.

"You are more than persistent." I straighten up my bag and my clothes as they shifted a bit in his grip.

"Shall we start your journey to the truth or would you like to try to get me to stay behind again." He holds his hand out for me to lead the way. I shake my head and look off into the darkness of the forest. I can feel it pulling from an unknown distance getting stronger with even the smallest step forward. Having someone with me suddenly didn't seem like such a bad idea. I truly didn't know this planet or its creatures although none would stand a chance other than maybe the dragonarchs.

"Fine, but don't get in my way." I set my hand on a flame and headed into the darkness. I heard a chuckle and his footsteps follow close behind. I wasn't sure what awaited me but every cell in my body knew I was headed exactly where I was meant to be.

"Probably not the best idea." He glances at the brightness highlighting the surrounding area.

"And how do you suggest we see?" A rattle in the bushes ahead catches my attention. The tree village is still close but in the darkness invisible.

"I suggested we wait till morning. He draws his bow as the branches start to rattle and shake violently at the size of whatever was headed our way. I grip the handle of my sword but don't draw it. The flame now a slight glow surrounding my entire body.

A large black creature with red luminescent stripes leaps from the trees. Large white glistening teeth drip from its salivating grin. My glow catches its attention but it is its side that has my attention now. It has a gapping wound trickling with liquid as it stands its ground.

"No." I grab the arrow as it is released. Both the creature and Darevan look at me. I hand the arrow that almost caused further injury to the large feline animal. Its ears perked in my direction as I sit my sword and bag on the ground.

"What are you doing? That is a cation, they are programmed to eat anything smaller than it." Darevan's hand sprang in front of me as I take a step toward it.

"It's hurt and it's scared nothing more." I push his hand down and walk over to the cation. It grows and tenses up as I step so I slow down even more. It glances at Darevan then back at me.

"Shh, I'm not going to hurt you." I put my hand out and it swipes at it with the right front paw. It stumbles a bit as The pain from the movement throws its balance off and it returns to its defensive stance. I move ever so slowly to it till my hand can feel the hot breath exhaling from its nose. It sniffs my hand growling the entire time but it is slowly getting weaker as the blood drips from the wound. My hand finally touches its fur just below its nostrils. My small hand is barely big enough to cover the space between the nose and upper lip. It softens its stance and I feel it relax as it understands I mean it no harm.

I allow my healing energy to flow through my hand and it flenches but a second as the wound closes. It sits like an obedient puppy before me as it's huge rough tongue moves straight up the side of my face.

"There see all better." I place my cheek on its fur as it purs.

"Yet you don't believe you're a Goddess," Darevan says still keeping his distance.

"He was attacked by Patrick's men. He was simply frightened that we meant him more harm."

"How do you know that?" Darevan moves closer to me but stops when the beast bares his teeth.

"He is my friend. You don't need to fear him." I say petting the cation's fur. It was soft and once I let my glow down his picked up. The red stripes highlight the black fur around each one.

"I beg to differ. I've seen injuries from them." Darevan insists. At which I laugh.

"I was talking to him not you." It's still too dark for me to see Darevan's face from this distance but I'm sure he is looking at me. I can almost feel his eyes on me.

"We should get going." Darevan has slowly made his way to my side.

"Yes, we should." I pet the creature again and start to walk away when he nudges my back. Darevan has picked up my sword and bag as he turns back. The cations head is so big he nudged us both pushing us forward a bit.

"I think he likes you." Darevan chuckles.

"Would you be ever so kind as to help us? It's dark and neither of us can see." I rub his face as he turns to one side offering his paw to give me a boost. I climb on his back and turn back to Darevan.

"You're insane. He's probably plotting to eat us later." A gentle smile stretches across my face as I reach my hand down to Darevan.

"You're the one who wanted to tag along. Come on chicken." He grabs my extended hand and climbs up behind me handing me back my sword but holding on to the bag he had slung over his shoulder opposite his bow and arrows.

"If he eats us later don't say I didn't warn you." I laugh as he wraps his arms around my waist.

"I need to go that way. I will gently tug your fur if I need you to change direction." I point as its eyes roll up then back ahead. Without hesitating the cation springs forward. It's so fast and a lot easier than stumbling through the darkness.

"Wahoo!" Darevan throws one hand in the air as he holds me with the other. "This is amazing!" He shouts as we effortlessly make our way toward whatever is calling to my soul. My answers are waiting and with this creature's help, it doesn't seem like it will take half as long as originally thought.

Focused on the feeling I had a feeling of freedom I had never felt. Soon very soon, I would have my answers and control.

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